A comparison between "The Withered Arm" and "the Darkness Out There"

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A comparison between “The Withered Arm” and “the Darkness Out There”

This assignment will be comparing “The Withered Arm”, a pre twentieth century story set in 1819 – 1825 but written in 1888 with “The Darkness Out There”, a Penelope Lively short story, written in the middle of Margaret Thatcher’s reign as the prime minister of Great Britain in 1986.

“The Withered Arm” is set in the deep countryside of Wessex (Wiltshire and Dorset).  Mr Lodge’s new wife Gertrude sparks jealousy from Rhoda Brook (Mr Lodge’s ex-partner) and results in regret for Rhoda.  Hardy’s ironic twists throughout the story result in yet more tragedy for Rhoda and Mr Lodge.  Is the mind really so powerful?

“The Darkness Out There” is set in Clacton in Essex, with the attention focused on the evil of a nearby wood “Packers End”.  From the outset the “darkness” of the wood is present as Kerry and Sandra make their way to the home of Mrs Rutter, “Nether Cottage”.  The two gain experience during the story, inevitably helping them to grow up.  They now see everything isn’t as it seems; the darkness is out there.  The darkness of the mind.

The social and historical difference between the two stories greatly affects the comparisons.

The fact that there is a difference of ninety eight years in which the stories were written instantly creates a difference between the two stories, simply because lifestyles change over the years; fashions and beliefs, are much different in more modern years due to the lack of superstition that is strongly thought of in pre twentieth century years.

The situation in which Rhoda Brook finds herself by Mr Lodge, being left to parent a child on her own without any financial support, would not be an issue in “The Darkness Out There” due to a change in law, meaning a financial responsibility would be placed on the father.

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As “The Withered Arm” is set in rural England and “The Darkness Out There” is set in urban England there is a difference in the lifestyles of the two communities.  In urban environment more crime is present, causing Sandra to be fearful of Packer’s End.  Although fear is present in her life she still has freedom unlike the women living in a rural environment.  Women like Rhoda Brook have their lives dedicated to working, or to their husbands, overall women had few rights and therefore little freedom.

Sandra, from “The Darkness Out There” and Gertrude from “The Withered ...

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