To what extent is The Tenant of Wildfell Hall fundamentally concerned with exploring the possibility of salvation?
Critical Essay on the Novel To what extent is The Tenant of Wildfell Hall fundamentally concerned with exploring the possibility of salvation? Helen Huntingdon, the leading female role in The Tenant, believes in Universalism, which is the belief that all people can be saved. From her first encounter with Arthur Huntingdon, she believes she can save him from his sins, and convert him into a man worthy of God's judgement. This portrays to the reader as sense of arrogance, as Helen is clearly guilty of spiritual pride, as she has put herself in the position to judge others. Mrs Maxwell, Helen's aunt, warns her about the type of man Arthur is, a reckless, debauched man, who only cares for himself, but Helen feels it is her duty to rescue him from his hectic lifestyle. 'his natural goodness' this shows Helen believes deep down Arthur is a good man, and she has the power to save him. The repeated use of the words 'know' and 'knew' emphasises her certainty that she has to go on and fulfil her duty in his salvation. This sense of responsibility over her son portrays a strong willed character within Helen, implying to the reader that her own spirit is her own salvation. Eight weeks after Helen marries Arthur Huntingdon, she is writing in her journal about her misjudgement of his character. This indicates to the reader, the reason she judges people so harshly later in life is due to
Threse Raquin by mile Zola
Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola In Thérèse Raquin, the narrative begins partway through the plot, setting the scene in the Passage du Pont-Neuf, and giving descriptions of some of the key characters involved without naming them, which introduces the characters in the context of their behaviour and their appearance, rather than automatically naming them and letting the reader start to feel familiar with the characters. This opening chapter is purely descriptive, told by a detached narrator. This chapter works as an introduction to the general 'feel' of the story - Zola's descriptions of the small, stuffy shop suggest a feeling of claustrophobia. It also introduces a darker side of Paris, as opposed to the stereotypical touristic ideas of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Champs Elysées. After this opening paragraph, the narrative goes back retrospectively to tell the story from the beginning. This narrative introduces the Raquins in a time long before anything significant to the plot happens - this gives the reader background information, adding an element of predictability, as the reader becomes familiar with the characters and how they react to each other, especially Thérèse (towards Camille). The familiarity Zola builds between Thérèse and the reader is really important, as the reader starts to really know the character well - they know all about the situation
To what extent is Sons and Lovers a romantic novel?
To what extent is Sons and Lovers a romantic novel? 'Sons and Lovers' shares many of its attributes with romanticism but is considered widely to be a work of modern literature. Symbolism was significant during the modern literature period, more traditionally religious symbolism and imagery, with also encouragement of experimentation with styles and subject matter. 'Sons and Lovers' is fraught with religious symbolism as regards to Miriam's comparison of Paul to Christ. "But, Lord if it is thy will that I should love him, make me love him - as Christ would, who died for the souls of men. Make me love him splendidly, because he is Thy son" Concerning experimental styles and subject matter, D.H Lawrence's descriptions of sex in 'Sons and Lovers' were considered too 'obscene' and consequently many people were blind to his work. Again this is typical of modern literature as D.H Lawrence's approach to his descriptions of sex was unheard of at this time and seen by many as experimental. However the novel depicts many of the aspects of a romantic novel. Often, in romantic novels, the protagonist is isolated or an outcast and we see this is the case with Paul as he often feels that he is not as masculine as other men. This is highlighted when Paul goes to collect his fathers wages "Paul was suffering convulsions of self-consciousness, and could not or would not shout. The backs of
Analysis of chapter 4 of Turn of the Screw
How does Chapter 4 of 'The Turn of the Screw' establish the character's/narrator's point of view? How does it encourage the reader to judge the character/narrator? Use evidence of diction, tone and symbolism to substantiate your reading. Chapter 4 of the novel begins after the governess has apparently seen for the first time, a strange man standing on the rooftop of Bly. She has described the figure in great detail, leading us to lend at least some small credence to her belief that it is a real person; how could she have described him in such detail if she hadn't actually seen something? The chapter, however, begins with the governess in a state of paranoia about the incident and her situation. The governess compares her situation to two very popular gothic romances, which is the first instance in which we as readers begin to question her sanity. Was there a 'secret' at Bly - a mystery of Udolpho...? Udolpho, Radcliffe's novel, she does directly, however she also mirrors the plot of Jane Eyre in her wishing to marry her master. Likening her world to the worlds of two pieces of fiction, rather than add clarity to her situation, instead have the opposite effect in leading us to question her perception of the lines between reality and fantasy. Ironically she mentions an "insane relative" and "confinement" when in fact she is the one starting to become 'insane' and is indeed
Harp in the south
The Harp in the South portrays a world of struggles, hardship and deception that attracts lonely misfits. The mini-series by Anthony Buckley and based on the novel by Ruth Park explores the life of the Darcy family, who live as Irish immigrants in the slums of Sydney, Surry Hills. As the series progresses the audience is given an insight into the struggles, hardship and deception faced by the family, as they try to find their place in a world they don't feel they belong. However the love and support the family give each other proves that they are not lonely, rather they are just misfits. This is shown strongly through the characters of Hughie, Dolour and Roie. Throughout this discussion the term struggles refers to difficult events that the Darcy's have to deal with, created by their long term hardships, such as poverty. The term deception refers to the betrayal of others, in particular their loved ones. And 'misfits' refer to individuals in society who feel they don't belong. Throughout the mini-series Hughie is involved in deception, caused by the struggles and hardships he faces trying to find his place in Surry Hills. Hughie, like many other of the characters in The Harp in the South has dreams outside of Surry Hills. He dreams of living in the country and being a part of a marching band, a dream that is shown through the use of drum rolls and marching band music whenever
Define the terms symbol and imagery, and analyze how each of the stories uses symbols to add depth to the quality of the story.
Define the terms symbol and imagery, and analyze how each of the stories uses symbols to add depth to the quality of the story. A child loves mother unconditionally and wants to spend as much time with her as possible. However, the same little one cuddles mummy's sweater while she has to work at night and let her baby go to bed without her. Does it happen because the baby loves the sweater too? Obviously this is not the case. The sweater symbolizes the woman who was seen wearing it so many times, whose perfumes can still be smelled on it. Everyday objects may acquire symbolic value, which allows a unique way of expression and also effectively stimulates imagination. Similarly, a little boy enjoys stories describing wind that can he can feel on his face, singing birds that he can hear, and breathtaking views that he can see. All these are only images of his memories, but create an exciting world of "almost real" experiences. The more images triggering mind to bring memories of sensation of testes, touch, sights, the more authentic and vivid the story appears. Both, symbolism and imagery are tools used cleverly by William Faulkner in "A rose for Emily" and Shirley Jackson in "The lottery"; consequently, the two short stories are pieces of wonderful, deep, and moving literature. Symbols in "A Rose for Emily" have a deep and underlying insight to the story. Faulkner uses them to
'It is possible to defend the idea that Satan is the true hero of Paradise Lost'. How far do you agree with this view in relation to Books IX and X?
'It is possible to defend the idea that Satan is the true hero of Paradise Lost'. How far do you agree with this view in relation to Books IX and X? 'Milton began by making Satan more glorious than he intended and then, too late, attempted to rectify the error.' - C.S. Lewis. In his Christian Doctrine, Milton forms a cohesive picture of Satan, the conclusion being that Satan is viewed as the root of all evil. He is a Freudian expression of man's super-ego - the subordinate part of the psyche - for example, when he uses the word 'spite', thereby attributing emotions to God. From Book IX, Satan starts to degenerate as a character; he is unable to make his thoughts logical in his speech, i.e. referring to Earth as 'how like to heaven'. He presents himself as unlike a hero: his ability to think appears weak and confused ('so much more I feel torment within me'), rather like a delusional psychopath ['What we see in Satan is the horrible co-existence of a subtle and incessant intellectual activity with an incapacity to understand anything' - C.S. Lewis]. As a result, it could be suggested that although he may have been heroic to begin with, he becomes less 'glorious' as events unfold. Satan's essential nature is described in his soliloquy; it comprises of destruction, in contrast to God's creation ('For only in destroying I find ease'). Satan gives the impression that he would
Select a Specific Incident in The Aspern Papers that you believe to be a particular significance to the overall book and review its importance. The Aspern Papers is a novella written by Henry James.
Select a Specific Incident in 'The Aspern Papers' that you believe to be a particular significance to the overall book and review its importance. The Aspern Papers is a novella written by Henry James. It is based on an anecdote that James heard about someone who tried to obtain some valuable letters written by the poet. An unnamed narrator goes to the beautiful Venice to locate the old lover, Juliana Bordereau of Jeffrey Aspern, a famous and dead poet. The narrator presents himself to Juliana Bordereau as a prospective lodger and is prepared to date Juliana Bordereau's niece, Tina Bordereau, a plain and naïve spinster in order to get hold of the Aspern Papers. In the novella, there are a lot of incidents where the theme of greed is profound. The unnamed narrator is described as a 'publishing scoundrel' by Juliana Bordereau who is the greedy and domineering old lover of Jeffrey Aspern. This paints the image of the narrator and his painstaking efforts to receive the Aspern Papers in anyway or form. If he had got hold of the papers, he would have published them for the whole world and not even taking into consideration of Miss Juliana Bordereau. Jeffrey Aspern wrote these papers to express his love and devotion to his fellow lover, Miss Bordereau. The papers were personal to both lovers and they kept the great emotion between them, the narrator would have just published these
Write a character study of Celie, Albert, and Shug.
Write a character study of Celie, Albert, and Shug. Celie: The Color Purple is based on the character Celie. Celie is protagonist of the novel and is the main narrator in the novel, and it is done through a series of letter she rights to "God". Writing her letters to "God" from the beginning of the novel signifies that Celie is a shamed on what happened to her during her life. This is reinforced by the address to her last letter, where she address everything "God", "stars" "trees" "people". "Dear God" is repeated twice which shows Celie's big fate in God and religion, and is enforced by "with God help" in her first letter when she wanted to defend her sister from their father. It is only when her sister comes back to home with her two children in the last letter, does Celie have the courage to speak to everyone. Celie's character changes during the novel. At the beginning she starts off as an ignorant 14 year old girl. This is seen by how week she was in school and how she easily forgets. This is seen in her English grammar and mistakes in her letters. She writes the word as she speaks them not as they are supposed to be, but this changes during the end if the novel. Celie develops herself when she left Albert with Shug and has learned new skills which she used to live on. At the beginning of the storey we see that Celie has no control on her own life. She has been
The Scarlet Letter: Yin and Yang in Literature.
Michael Tafoya Mrs. Green English 11 AP, period 6 January 6, 2001 The Scarlet Letter: Yin and Yang in Literature Many people of the world contend with living their life as realistically as they can, knowing where their limits are. To them, life has a tragic dimension to it, where all that one desires may not turn out as he or she hoped it would. And through this time, some endure hardships that test their levels of patience, dexterity, and will. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorn writes of a woman's seven years of pain-staking tribulations, and how she manages to cope with life through this hard time. By employing realistic characters, themes, emotions, Hawthorne creates a sense that there is a great gap between human desire and human possibility. A mother's job includes teaching her children to respect the morals of nature and of society, while at the same time living according to their own beliefs. Hester Prynne is this kind of mother. Because of her act of adultery, Hester bears a child, a daughter she names Pearl. As well as receiving this child, she acquires a scarlet letter "A", which now dawns on the breast of her clothing. She must, for the rest of her natural life, wear this letter to signify her fault, which is immense in the eyes of the Puritan society. She will never again be able to live her life in peace, because of the piercing,