"The Son's Veto" and "Samphire"How are the two women presented in the two stories? What is your response to them?

English Literature Coursework – “The Son’s Veto” and “Samphire”

How are the two women presented in the two stories? What is your response to them?

The two short stories, ‘The Son’s Veto’ and ‘Samphire’ both have much in common, despite the differences of each individual tale. The comparison lies between the two women, both existing as the key characters of their stories. Though the stories illustrate different endings, the inner profundity proves otherwise. Both women could be described as feeble, delicate and self-doubting in both mental and physical ways, highlighting their similar situations.

When contrasting the two women, it is easier to illustrate the resemblances they share with one another by comparing them directly.

Both women are looked down on by men and seen as the weaker sex, and yet have to lean on them to subsist. They are both presented as the victims of their stories, and have the readers sympathising with strong support throughout.

In ‘Samphire’, Molly, a twentieth century woman, is dominated by her overpowering husband and his requests, ‘Lacy was her lord and master.’ I feel great sympathy towards Molly that this man whom she feels such little affection towards, should control her life so immensely. Though joined by name, their spirits are conflicting and they lack any kind of loving relationship. The affiliation between them is like that between a tolerating daughter and the controlling father, “wagging his finger to show that he was not quite earnest.” He treats her as if she were a child, “Molly it is samphire. I said it was samphire didn’t I?” The relationship also resembles that of a teacher and his pupil, with Molly as this imprudent student and her husband as this “intellectual educator”, “ He was pleased with her for having looked over, and said she was coming along very well.” He repeats himself as though she has difficulties in understanding, and speaks in an “emphasised” voice to illustrate the believed trouble she has in communication. It all adds to the shame she must be feeling with his continuous cutting remarks, “like a lazy puss”, and his obvious influence on her undertakings, “she was becoming quite the little botanist.” It’s frustrating that Molly allows this treatment to continue and fails to ever gain enough strength to push him away. The situation is persecuting and very similar to Sophy’s.

Likewise in ‘The Son’s Veto’, Sophy, a nineteenth century woman, is also dominated by a man, however in her case it is by her “fastidious” son. Her son, Randolph also plays the authoritive figure, leaving Sophie as the understudy. Born into an upper class environment, he has become arrogant and snobbish, whereas Sophy continues to live a simpler more appreciative life, as this was the way in which she was brought up. It is this normal way of living that Randolph becomes exasperated with, “Has, dear mother – not have!” By correcting her speech Randolph is bringing attention to a difference which I am sure Sophy was already quite aware of, and therefore making her feel even smaller and uncomfortable. I feel incredibly irate that Sophy doesn’t put her foot down, seeing that in reality it is she with the authority, “could she defy him?” She should have disciplined him more from a younger age, despite her husbands continuous spoiling of the child, “completion of the boy’s course at the public school, to be followed in due time by Oxford and ordination.” I can understand however how she may have felt it necessary to react to the boy as his father did, “His mother hastily adopted the correction.” Due to his better education Randolph has the nerve to decide her future for her, and makes wrong, selfish and unjust decisions to benefit himself only. But yet, because of her kind, patient nature, Sophy doesn’t seem to mind the constant rectifying, and accepts, “miserably” his resolution on her outlook. But still the annoyance I feel that she should accept such a derogatory attitude from her self-centred son is overpowering. Throughout the story Sophy is presented as docile, weak and despondent. One way that this is shown is through her disability, she has sadly been reduced to a wheelchair, “she was a young invalid lady,” due to an accident where she fell down the stairs. The injury causes her to be dependant on other people. This takes away most of her control and forces her life to be conducted by others. This is possibly one reason for the very low self esteem she holds for herself, losing the natural ability to walk I can imagine must be incredibly upsetting and wearisome. I expect the knowing of being looked down on, the annoyance as normal every day tasks become a challenge, “she could not take walks”, while notifying the changes in people’s attitudes and personality towards you must feel humiliating. The constant put down as you are seen as an invalid and having to be treated in the way of a child would do nothing for your self-image, instead, like Sophy you’d accept it, deciding there is no way to fight it. It's this attitude that angers me; it's the sense of giving up. Everybody is their own person, and should manage their own lives in the way they want it to run, “she would have gone back-O how gladly!” If Sophy had encouraged this side and become more persistent, I can only see that her life would have been a much more contented one, “depression and nervousness hindered sleep”.

Molly also had a disability in her tale – a fear of heights. She suffers from pain mentally, “Heights terrified her,” she is reduced to a “trembling” and “writhing” women as she fights her automatic fear. I felt increasingly sorry for Molly as the profundity of her fear and the effect it holds on her became more evident, “The round of her chin was trembling like a child’s before it cries.” She is helpless against this apprehension, “there was something in her throat so strong that she could not have spoken if it had been for her life.”

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Both women can be described as distant in both mental and physical ways. Physically, they hold a distance in class; Molly is middle class throughout, whereas Sophy goes from lower class to high class in society, which doesn’t seem bad at all. Nevertheless, however, Sophy is unhappy with the change, finding it unfamiliar and boring compared to her original bearings. Mentally, they both are distant and misunderstood from their “loved ones”. Neither Sophy’s son, nor Molly’s husband truly understand how their mother/wife function. We know this because had they then both would have been much better off. Molly’s husband seems totally unaware of her fears, loves and hates. Surely this is essential information for a successful marriage? He seems to care for nothing and no one truly but himself, though he subsided on this slightly towards the end when he was almost trying to protect Molly by saying that the push was an accident, (even if it was more for his benefit and his state of mind then hers.)

Sophy’s son, Randolph seems to enjoy winning one over his mother, he holds no perception of her at all. He loves his money and image more than his mother’s happiness, which is very distressing; surely he could see how depressed and forlorn his mother was due to his abrupt and never softening surety? Though he is clever at school, he doesn’t seem to be very good with people, otherwise he would have seen that for a more benefiting relationship with his loyal mother, he needed to give his condolences for her wishes, instead, all he thought about was himself, showing what a spoilt ostentatious character he really was.

The cold relationship between the two opposing characters of each tale makes me feel great sorrow, but also highlights another resemblance between the two women in particular. For Molly I have a subconscious understanding that she has no one else except this man, her husband. This provides a reason why she sticks by him, however badly he treats her, mentally and physically, “whispering in his secret night voice,” and also, even though she is ashamed to be with him, “She stood near the door, not looking at anything.” Though occasionally there may be physical contact between the couple, “began to fondle her,” it lacks any true warmth and affection, showing a hollow rapport. The fact she is presented as forlorn and vulnerable I feel signifies another reason why she feels the need to continue clinging onto this man, who appears to have no consideration for her needs, and who she doesn’t appear to relate to whatsoever. She seems eager to please him, “she said she would like to see the samphire again,” showing that though the feelings are not reciprocated, she does feel some respect for her husband, and possibly hopes that she can remodel her husband to be how she’d like, and that they can regenerate the normal husband and wife correlation.

It is irritating however that she should be so blind, and that she doesn’t stick up for herself. Her low-self esteem is evident, making me feel even more remorseful towards her.

Sophy also finds it hard to relate to her son, who is at boarding school most of the year anyway. I can comprehend the pain involved with the realisation that you and your child have nothing in common. She must feel very hurt when her son makes it so evident that he cruelly sees his mother as an embarrassment, “His painful lot as a gentleman to blush for,” and a nuisance to himself, “be an encumbrance to him.” He looks down on her and considers himself as “akin”, or part of another higher and better class. The relationship between Sophy and her son is a very aloof, and yet like Molly, it is Sophy who persists in order to improve the relationship, she makes compromises and is willing to do what she has to do in order for her son to be satisfied. It is very commendable of her to correct any “deficiencies” her son finds with her in order to live serenely. Again however it makes me pity Sophy that she should put so much effort into what should be an even relationship and yet gets nothing in return. “Affectionate” is a good word to describe Sophy’s character, as she proves the sincerity of this word through love and fondness shown towards her son and the dependability he can hold on her.

Both women are portrayed as very obedient to their “dominant” males. With Molly, what her husband says goes, “perhaps they had better go without tea tomorrow to make up”. Though she seems to have accepted the lower role, as she says nothing against her husband’s proposals, however much she disagrees. Even when she is almost paralysed with fear at his requests, it appears she holds such conformity for her husbands wishes, “Have a look”, that she’ll perform them, “ she clung insanely to the thin grass.”

Sophy needed support, which explains why she hastily married the Reverend, “Sophy did not exactly love him.” It’s frustrating that she did this, instead of waiting to make up with Sam, her true love. She would have lived a much happier, rewarding life. She also wouldn’t have lived half of it alone. I understand and appreciate that a woman of the nineteenth century had no power, especially in Sophy’s beginning status of a parlour maid, meaning that in a way she was almost lucky to have married out of the hard laboured servant status. Though, I think, had she married Sam, they could have worked together and become a success story. It’s disappointing and upsetting that she never does take that life-changing step due to the forbidding “stern” wishes of her son. It is here that we see how obedient and loyal she really is towards her son. If she had been truly determined to deceive her son then she did have the power to do so, and yet her decision was to abide by his desires. It infuriates me that Sophy should sacrifice her life for the sake of this ungrateful selfish person, “I am ashamed of you! It will ruin me.” Her son seems unable to look beyond his own wishes, as his mother pleads for his understanding of her unhappy position of which she wants to overcome. However Randolph seems determined to put a stop to this due to Sam not being “what you call a gentleman.” Though it would have given his mother great exhilaration and hopefully fulfilment in life, he refuses to be rational, “It will degrade me”, really Sophy shouldn’t need his blessings, but due to her gratifying belief, she never married Sam, “I will struggle against it!” It also angers and upsets me to see her personality being crushed by her egotistical son, who speaks to her in a “harsh” tone. In a way, however, I do admire the commitment she shows towards her unappreciative son, not only by obeying his wishes, but also generally, by watching his sporting games, “the yearly cricket match”, with no real interest herself. But still, had she been stronger and more unrelenting, the story may have ended in a very different way. Sophy sacrificed her life for her son, something, which takes great kindness and a lot of love, “his mother had loved in him,” she should be praised for such devotion and fidelity, but instead her ending is one of great loneliness and wretchedness. It is a story verifying the unfairness of life, “pining her heart away.”

The real major connection that is shared mutually in both tales however is that the women lack self-confidence and are so as a result are deeply unhappy. Neither can stick up for themselves or are capable of voicing their true feelings, something that is very important for any person to be able to do. Sophy has it worse in respect of the times and the ever-growing discrimination against women who would ‘speak their own minds.’ It wasn’t popular and wasn’t a liked thought that a woman had the same command as that of a man. Especially since being widow, she had no-one left to voice her opinions to-until Sam came along, though Randolph soon put a stop to that. With Molly, however, it is due to her husband being so domineering and controlling that I doubt she will ever truly overcome her lack of self-confidence. For both cases it makes me feel great sadness that this is so as had it not been than I feel that both women could have had a lot to offer to society in general.

However, both women seem to have a lot of patience, and are able to tolerate up to an incredible level. Again this is probably due to how they were brought up in the woman are the weaker sex distinction. Though such patience should be admired, it isn’t such a good thing when it means that because of the forbearance, they are treated cruelly, differently and most importantly unfairly.

Both ladies are mutually presented as silent, solemn females, incapable of making their own decisions, infuriating me greatly as from being an outsider to the stories I can see that both women are capable of undertaking risks, showing they do possess bravery and strength, but just haven’t been given proper chances to use it. With Sophy, this is illustrated when finally, “She refused at first,” she agrees to ride on the wagon with Sam “He lifted her body on his strong arm across the little forecourt into his vehicle.” Though this may not sound the most audacious action to take nowadays, but due to Sophy being a widow, it would have been frowned on for her to ride with this poor bachelor.

Molly too deserved praise for the bravery she displayed. Molly’s courageousness is shown firstly shown by her agreeing to go up the cliff, something unimaginably difficult when you have as extreme a fear as hers. She seems determined to try and conquer it for the sake of her husband as well as herself, showing thoughtfulness and consideration. She also possess’ this sudden courage when given the opportunity to rid herself of this tiresome husband for good. Though she is unsuccessful in her sudden plan, the fact that she tried shows that the nerve is there, it just needs a little bit of work. I admire Molly’s courage for trying to thrust her husband out of her life, “God gave me strength”, though pushing him from the cliff appears drastic, the treatment she has been receiving almost excuses it, allowing me to appreciate her reasons. It highlights a completely new reflection on her character, showing a new side that is strong and positive. However it’s frustrating that she failed to accomplish her task, “as she pushed him she felt her arms weak like jelly.” As you realize she has been unsuccessful, you feel infuriated and suddenly develop an understanding with Molly as to why she proceeded with such desperate actions. Your seconds also feel like minutes as you read on for the outcome, “Motionless in equilibrium for one timeless space.” Nevertheless, I think Molly stayed admirably composed after her failure, “She turned and began to walk down the path,” she was in command for the time being as her husband tries to rise above his shock, “a very old terribly frightened comforting-itself child.” But though it appears her husband may have some compassion towards her after her unruly performance, she neither feels regret nor content, instead she feels despair that she didn’t have the strength to give the final push, “She turned her dying face to the ground.” Inside she feels nothing, metaphorically she is dead.

In the Son’s Veto, there is also a tragic ending to the tale. It deeply upsets me to discover the ending of Sophy is an empty death. She ages dramatically in spirit and emotion, “she seldom or never left the house,” proving she was dejected and abandoned. It's such a wretched and undeserving end for such a person, and makes a fine competitor against the samphire as to which shows the most heart-rending and pitiful finish to a compassionate story.

In conclusion, for both women I feel great sympathy and understanding towards them both. Molly perhaps slightly more so because she never escaped the trauma, and so continues to live in her melancholic state. Though she may have boosted her position higher slightly by acting so implausibly, it is doubtful that this sudden change of beneficial attitude her husband is showing towards her will continue for long. Sophy I feel great sorrow towards from knowing of what a sad empty life she has lived. The wrong decision of marrying the Reverend instead of Sam left her unhappy for the rest of her life. They are both so solitary. Have great knowledge of the importance of a companion, allowing me to feel immense compassion towards the women that they don’t have an associate to entrust in. They have to face their miserable lives unaided with no one to turn to for comfort.