Though Emma(TM)s faults are comic, they constantly threaten to produce serious harm Discuss the blend of seriousness and show how Jane Austen contrives to retain a prevailing comic mood
"Though Emma's faults are comic, they constantly threaten to produce serious harm" - Wayne Boothe Discuss the blend of seriousness and show how Jane Austen contrives to retain a prevailing comic mood "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her." Emma, the main character of the book, is the most important woman in Highbury, and so the consequences of her actions are greater. This makes it difficult for Austen to retain the comic mood, because whenever Emma makes a mistake, a dire outcome is always the result. Critic Mark Schorer described Emma as "a heroine who must be educated out of a condition of self-deception brought on by the shutters of pride into a condition of perception when that pride had been humbled through the exposures of the errors of judgement into which it has led her." This is a good description of the character of Emma, because in order to retain a prevailing comic mood, Austen has to mature Emma in order for her to have a happy ending. When we first meet Emma, there is no possible way that Emma is marriage material, nor is she worthy of Mr Knightley or vice versa. However although Emma makes many mistakes, she also does good deeds and so Austen constantly keeps Emma's
analysis of Pride and Prejudice
Analyse this passage from Pride and Prejudice, discussing ways the narrative voice and dialogue used. (volume I, chapter XVII 'Elizabeth related to Jane the next day... And even Mary could assure her family that she had no disinclination for it) Throughout this passage, we see various narrative techniques being used to help in the development of the theme of pride and prejudice and of the character of Elizabeth and Jane. These techniques include 'showing' involving direct speech, showing the reader in conversation with others, and 'telling' which involves free direct speech and focalisation, giving the reader the impression of seeing through the character's eyes and showing the thoughts and feelings of that character. In the first paragraph of this passage the narrator is third person omniscient while focalising through Jane. It begins with the narrator using free indirect speech, 'Elizabeth related to Jane the next day, what had passed between Mr. Wickham and herself', allowing the reader to imagine that Elizabeth has thought about what Wickham has told her and has decided to discuss it with Jane, showing the closeness of their relationship. Through the narrator, the reader sees Jane's reaction to Elizabeth's news telling us that she 'listened with astonishment and concern', pointing out Jane's concern for Mr Bingley, showing her fondness of him, worrying that he 'would
In Emma, Jane Austen uses the interaction of characters to speak volumes about moral obligation, class disputes and the maturing of one's view over time.
In Emma, Jane Austen uses the interaction of characters to speak volumes about moral obligation, class disputes and the maturing of one's view over time. This is best highlighted by Emma Woodhouse's evolving relationship with George Knightley. By novels end, it is clear that Knightley is the only character sufficiently equipped to tame the wilder, more caustic aspects of Emma's nature. When we are introduced to her, Emma is selfish, egotistic and spoilt, yet oblivious to these uglier aspects of her own personality. While refined and fundamentally kind-hearted, Emma is "(disposed) to think a little too well of herself." (p.7) This contrast between Emma's sweet spirit and vainly stubborn opinions creates much of the conflict in the novel. Through Austen's use of foreshadowing and symbolism, it soon becomes clear that Emma will need to learn a lesson and receive her comeuppance, but how? She does not learn from her disappointing efforts to change Harriet Smith into the wife of an upper class gentleman and does not see that young Harriet would be better suited for any common man that truly loves her. She does not learn from flirting with men for whom she cares nothing nor from spreading rumours about women she feels are lesser than her. Emma states her desire to never marry, yet perpetually plays matchmaker for others. Unable to accept that she could possibly be taken as
Compare and contrast Hester Prynne (The scarlet letter) and Elizabeth Proctor (The Crucible).
Hester Prynne was the main character in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although Hester Prynne was the main character, the book was not so much a consideration of her expected character as it was an examination of the forces that shaped her and the transformations that forced consequences. Elizabeth Proctor was one of the main characters in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. She shared along with her husband John a similarly strict obedience to justice and moral principles. Hester and Elizabeth both share similar motivations and characteristics but also have different inspirations and uniqueness that make them distinguishing as a person. Hester Prynne is introduced in the beginning of the book as a sinner: one who commits adultery. In the book she became intrigued and began to speculate on human nature, social organizations and larger moral questions. Her tribulations lead her to become impassive and a freethinker. She forgot what people thought about her and called her, and she began to help others by sewing. Elizabeth Proctor is first introduced in the book as a woman who had great confidence in her own morality and in the ability of a person to maintain a sense of righteousness both internal and external, even when this principle conflicts with strict Christian doctrine. She is regarded as a woman of unimpeachable honesty. Everyone believed she would never lie
How Does Elizabeth Gaskell Create an Effective Ghost Story?
How Does Elizabeth Gaskell Create an Effective Ghost Story? Elizabeth Gaskell wrote this short story in 1852. It is based on revenge within a wealthy family. It is a ghost story where death plays a significant part. The choice of story teller really makes this 19th century story work. The nurse who tells this story in first person perspective tells us how her early life comes to a halt when picked out to look after Miss Rosamond the cousin of a lord. The tone of this story is very natural, honest, genuine and believable and adds certain freshness. At the start it is a very slow build up. She relates to the reader by expressing her fears truly, she's an outsider the same as the reader and we know this because she has no relation to this family. She also makes it very realistic and with no resistance. The impact of the setting is effective as the house is in the middle of no where, isolated and lonely. There are some safe areas in the house e.g. the kitchen, drawing room, nursery where there's a sense of warmth but all together over whelming because of the size of the house. The writer describes the sounds and sights of this place and compares to where she used to live. There were oak trees "white and peeled with age" from this extract you can tell this place is very old and adds effectiveness to this description. "Branches dragged the wall" from this we realise this house
Some of Hopkins' poems create a strong sense of a person or place who/ which changes over time - Choose 2 or 3 poems and explore how Hopkins' use's language and the structure of the poems
Some of Hopkins' poems create a strong sense of a person or place who/ which changes over time. Choose 2 or 3 poems and explore how Hopkins' use of language and the structure of the poems: * Creates a sense of place and/ or a sense of person * Conveys what the poet feels about the place/ person * Creates a sense of change/loss * Conveys strongly to the reader Hopkins' strong beliefs about God/ his duties as a priest/ the human condition/ the environment/ the natural world. I am going to look at the poems Inversnaid and Felix Randall and compare the language and structure used in each poem. I chose these poems because Hopkins conveys a strong sense of place in Inversnaid and a strong sense of person in Felix Randall and he describes the progression of each. They therefore provide a good comparison. Inversnaid is about a Highland stream and its journey is described in four stanzas. The first stanza describes the stream rushing down a mountainside when it reaches a dark pool in the second stanza. The third stanza shows the stream at a gentle pace until it reaches home and in the final stanza, Hopkins conveys his own ideas on nature and the landscape. The emphasis in this poem is on the exact details of the stream and its journey rather than God's almighty presence which is what makes Inversnaid an unusual poem for Hopkins because in his other poems there
Comment on how Jane Austen sets the scene and introduces themes and characters in Chapter 1.
CHAPTER 1 OF EMMA: Comment on how Jane Austen sets the scene and introduces themes and characters in Chapter 1. Consider how she engages the reader's interest in this opening chapter. The opening chapter introduces and begins the development of several of the main characters of the novel, including Emma, Mr. Knightley, and Mr. Woodhouse. Emma is pictured as a pretty twenty-one year old girl who is devoted to her father. Mr. Knightley, a thirty-seven year old bachelor and neighbour is shown to be the voice of reason. The ailing Mr. Woodhouse is the doting father who is worried about losing his daughter from Hartfield. Mr. Elton is also introduced through conversation. The narrator opens the novel by introducing us to Emma Woodhouse, a girl endowed with "some of the best blessings of existence," including good looks, intelligence, riches, and an affectionate father. Emma's only disadvantages are that she is slightly spoiled and that she thinks "a little too well of herself." Emma's mother died before Emma could form many memories of her, but her gentle governess, Miss Taylor, provided a motherly love. After Emma's older sister, Isabella, was married and moved to London, Miss Taylor and Emma became best friends. "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence" The word
Discuss Hardy's Presentation of Romantic Love in the Mayor of Casterbridge.
Discuss Hardy's Presentation of Romantic Love in the Mayor of Casterbridge In the Mayor of Casterbridge, it seems that Thomas Hardy's life experiences are reflected through the story's main character, Michael Henchard. For example, Hardy had a loveless first marriage, just like Henchard. He also suffered from depression like Henchard did. This essay will investigate what Hardy's attitude to romantic love was in the Mayor of Casterbridge. When we first see Henchard with his wife, it seems that he is a loveless person. This is displayed through the "perfect silence they preserved" between each other and when Henchard is reading, or "pretending to read" to "escape an intercourse" with his wife. He then drunkenly sells his wife in a furmity tent at the fair and shouts things like "this woman is no good to me". His emotions in the next day are more concerned with his pride than about the loss of his wife. This is displayed when he asks himself "did I tell anyone my name last night?". Later on in the story, Henchard plans to remarry Susan, but it seems that it is a duty to him, because there is no love, care or fondness mentioned and he may be trying to hide the past. We see this when he says that the plan would leave his "shady, headstrong, disgraceful" life when he was young "absolutely unopened". He also confesses that he is a "woman hater" and there doesn't seem to be any
A Passage To India - Write an account of the trip to the Marabar Caves explaining fully what happens and what is revealed about the relationship between Aziz and his guests.
Write an account of the trip to the Marabar Caves explaining fully what happens and what is revealed about the relationship between Aziz and his guests. The term relationship is defined as a state of connectedness between people and most especially an emotional connection. Within chapters 12-16 it can be identified that there simply is no existence of relationship between Aziz and his guests whilst on the trip to the Marabar Caves. This is shown especially when on of Aziz's servants is preparing the tea and the ungrateful response that response that Mrs Moore makes. This is identified by "A strange place to make tea in". The servant is simply trying to do his utter most for the two English ladies by making the tea in the toilet. The comment made by Mrs Moore shows just how little she has an emotional connection with Aziz, as not only is she being rude at the servants persistence to do his best; but she is not helping and surely a friend or a person who has got a relationship of some kind with Aziz would. The first real aspect of the arrangements for the trip to the Marabar Caves is the fact that Aziz has not thought through the entire trip and everyone's needs. This is shown by "question of alcohol...professor Godbole and his food". The consideration shown by Aziz to simply take all of these factors into consideration and to have actually then produced different foods just
comparison of jane austen's novels
Question: Does the Igbo culture fall apart solely because of external pressures of European Imperialism and Christianity or are there internal tensions that cause the culture to disintegrate? Answer: In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe explores the struggles between the old traditions of the Igbo community and the effects of Christianity on people of different calibers within that society. He also demonstrates the effects of one society thrust onto another. Before the introduction of Christianity by the white man, the Ibo society has been well-settled, with its own laws and strong religious beliefs. "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats describes a world about to reach yet another transition in its history, one much worse than the prior. Therefore, we observe the white man intruding the African religion which is pregnant with superstitions, and steering them towards destruction in a way that they feel it is a natural process. The Christian religion brings with itself a strong government and peaceful trade. The people become more prosperous and the white men started gaining converts. Specifically, after the church of Mr. Kiaga survives on the Evil Forest for over twenty-eight days, they won a handful more converts. Moreover, for the first time, they comprised of a woman named Nneka, the wife of Amadi. Nneka had suffered a lot on account of bearing twins and then losing
