Compare two mystery stories; 'The Superstitious Man's Story' by Tomas Hardy and 'Night-Fears' by L.P.Hartley.
The Superstitious Man's Story vs. Night-Fears Mirdza Abele In this essay, I'm going to compare two mystery stories; 'The Superstitious Man's Story' by Tomas Hardy and 'Night-Fears' by L.P.Hartley. 'The Superstitious Man's Story' comes from a collection called "Few crusted characters," and was written in 1894. Great changes that were affecting Britain at the time, such as the development of industry, came quite late to Hardy's home village. This is why folk traditions and superstitions survived longer in Higher Brock Hampton than in other areas. This affected the content of his stories a lot, as there is a bit of superstition in all of them. Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 and brought up in fairly poor conditions, where as L.P.Hartley, the writer of 'Night-Fears,' was wealthy enough to attend one of the best universities in England-the Oxford University. L.P.Hartley was born in 1895 and had a wealthy and privileged upbringing. His stories and novels often deal with the difference between reality and what people think is reality. This helps us to explain the character of the stranger in the story 'Night-Fears,' which was written in 1924. 'The Superstitious Man's Story' is set in 19th century in South of England. A village called Dorset is all made up of superstition and people don't believe or accept any other explanations that might be relative to the events taking place in
A letter to Mr.Lodge from Thomas Brown.
Thomas Brown 2 Boatyard Road The Lighthouse Port Breedy Dear Thomas, It has been six long years since we last had any contact with each other back in Port Breedy. I regret to inform you, that I am contacting you in the most sombre circumstances. You are my oldest and most trusted friend and I only hope you will have a sympathetic ear, in my hour of need. I feel like I have so much to tell, I only wish it were a happy tale to tell. My story begins with a marriage to the most beautiful, kind woman you could ever have the good fortune to meet, her name was Gertrude. We married and moved to my farm in Holmestoke, were we both thought it was the beginning of a perfect life together. How wrong we were, our problems started just a few weeks after we arrived. Gertrude awoke one evening with a few marks of unhealthy appearance on her left arm. This affliction gradually took hold of her arm making it look extremely unpleasant to the eye, because of this I found Gertrude less attractive and we began to drift apart, which I must confess was due to my moodiness and remorse. She saw a doctor on a regular basis but he was unable to do anything for her. This prompted her to become infatuated with potions and superstitious remedies, which I confess to having no time for. Whilst Gertrude had been living in Holmestoke she had become very friendly with a woman who lived not far from my
From Book One how does Hardy link the character of Eustacia Vye with the landscape of Edgon heath
From Book One how does Hardy link the character of Eustacia Vye with the landscape of Edgon heath? You should make reference of the appearance of both and what this tells the reader about the personality of Eustacia. The response should include a number of quotes to support your thoughts. I think that the first prominent feature of The Return of the Native is Hardy's description of the landscape. Egdon Heath is portrayed not simply as a surroundings to the action, but a actual character in itself, passionate, The Return of the Native it is frequently dark, dangerous, and wilful. It is appropriate that the book opens with a description of the heath, for the heath permeate the atmosphere of the novel, and it shapes the lives and attitudes of its residents. The characters themselves seem to act either as embodiments or outgrowths of the heath itself, as Eustacia Vye's physical appearance and volatile emotions suggest its willful wildness. Furthermore, Eustacia's physical activity is characterized by lengthy periods of indolence punctured by brief, spontaneous periods of energy, as the heath oscillates between periods of placid beauty and savage harshness. Hardy's description of Eustacia is especially telling: like the heath, her hair is wild and untamable ("to see her hair was to fancy that a whole winter did not contain darkness enough to form its shadow.") and her eyes are
Pain. Her eyes became watery as she dragged the razor blade across her arm, the pain invaded her body.
Pain Her eyes became watery as she dragged the razor blade across her arm, the pain invaded her body. She sat back against the wall, her arm rested on her leg. The blood poured out, her eyes clinged on the ceiling. She sighed, her eyes were red and her soul was empty. She could here their laughter, their fingers pointing at her as her tray slipped from her hands and made a mess on the cafeteria floor. "You are such a dopey idiot" they shouted from the queue, she glanced up to find them all looking at her as if they were in a freak show and she was the principal act. A lady from behind the counter came out with a mop and bucket and told her to clean up the mess, she felt humiliated and stupid. "Quiet everyone", suddenly the director came into the cafeteria, everybody went back to there seats and continued with there meal. The director walked up to Layla, she could see his shinny black shoes. His laces were perfectly done and his trousers were perfectly ironed and tucked in at the end of his leg, the man reeked of perfection. "What's going on here" he said, his voice sounded firm and scary. Layla continued picking up the food splattered on the floor while she mumbled "nothing sir, just an ....". "Look at me when I'm speaking to you", he shouted as he grabbed her arm and pulled her up. She looked up at his smooth shaved face, her eyes were full of tears. Her lips trembled
"The Withered Arm" is a novel about relationships, society and superstition.
Introduction "The Withered Arm" is a novel about relationships, society and superstition. The relationship revolves round a rich farmer, a woman who he makes pregnant, and his wife as well as the relationship between the two women themselves. Rhoda Brook is the woman who becomes pregnant and mother of Farmer Lodge's son; because of the situation in society, he couldn't even consider marrying her. As an unmarried mother, Rhoda is virtually an outcast. A few years after the birth of his son, Farmer Lodge gets married to a very young woman, "almost a girl". He only married her for her looks and class. Rhoda is jealous of the new bride because she cannot get over Lodge. In a vision one night, she sees Gertrude and attacks her in the dream, Next day, Gertrude has scar on her arm and is unaware how she got it. After months of fear, Gertrude asks Rhoda to help her because Lodge does not love her any more. Rhoda tells Gertrude of Conjurer Trendle, but Gertrude says she does not believe in superstition but a few months later she gets desperate and decides to visit Conjurer Trendle, against her husband's wishes. Hardy's Presentation of the two women. Hardy's primary presentation of Rhoda in the first chapter is apparent when Rhoda is described as a "thin worn milkmaid". We are also told that Farmer Lodge hasn't spoken to Rhoda for years. He is now getting married and milk
Analysing The First Two Chapters of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' and How They Act As A Prologue To The Rest Of The Story.
Analysing The First Two Chapters of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' and How They Act As A Prologue To The Rest Of The Story This essay will demonstrate and analyse how Thomas Hardy uses the first two chapters of this book as a prologue to the rest of the novel. To establish this, this essay will include Hardy's style and use of language. This sort of style is quite unique, which is probably why he used it. Other important elements are the setting and how they are linked to Hardy himself, the themes and the way he exemplifies characters. The main character, Michael Henchard, is said to be of fine figure and 'swarthy'. He wore a short, brown corduroy jacket, a 'fustian' waistcoat, tanned leggings, white horn buttons and white breeches. Also, he wore a straw hat. At the beginning of the narrative, Michael is holding a tool-bag. This shows that Michael is a man of the trade. This flows with what Hardy says about Henchard being a 'skilled' countryman. Michael's entrance to the story is palpable, but until later on in the novel, we don't actually know his name. Until the 6th page, 3rd paragraph, Michael is referred to as, amongst other things, 'the man'. This gives a bit of suspense as the reader wishes to read further to find out who this person is and what his name. The reader discovers that he is indeed the husband of Susan; the woman he is accompanying. He
Thought controlled robotics
Thought controlled robotics Introduction People with paralyzing diseases or injuries are dependent on others and can only imagine what it is like to have freedom of movement. However with recent advancements in thought-controlled robotics, things are looking brighter for them. With this technology they would be able control robotic limbs through mere thought and indeed imagining might be all that they need to move. Overview of the technology (Monkey Brain Operates machine - BBC News) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1025471.stm In recent times there has been much research into the area of Neuroengineering. This journal will focus in particular on the area of thought-controlled robotics. A pioneer in this field is Dr Miguel Nicolelis, a neuroscientist at Duke University. Dr Nicolelis was featured in 2000 for his experiment on 2 monkeys, where brain signals were used to drive a robotic arm. As the monkeys reached out to pick up some food off a tray, an artificial neural system linked into its head replicated this action in the robotic arm. This is not the first time that a device has been operated by "brain power" alone. For example in 1999 scientists from Germany developed a computer system that interpreted brainwaves, allowing people who were completely paralyzed to communicate. In the same year, Dr John Chapin, of the MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine
How does Thomas Hardy delelop suspense and tension in order to maintain the reader's interest throughout 'The Withered Arm'
Ben Murray English Coursework - The Withered Arm Suspense is the creation of excitement at the approach of the climax, whether of the whole novel, or just a particular chapter or scene. Tension is the feeling of uneasiness or stress caused by suspense, not knowing what will transpire next. It is clear that the two are very closely interrelated, and when they are employed in a text they have significant effects on the reader. Suspense and tension keep the reader guessing about what will ensue, therefore drawing the reader into the story and, crucially, maintaining their interest so that they want to read on. Thomas Hardy uses not only his own writing techniques and description to create suspense and tension in his novels, but also the behaviour and development of his characters. At the beginning, we are presented with the four characters of Rhoda Brook, her son, Farmer Lodge and Gertrude. We are unsure how their relationships will develop. This uncertainty creates tension, and right from the start, the reader's interest is evoked. When Hardy wrote The Withered Arm in the late 1800's, a belief in magic was common among all people of the time. This is embodied in the story by the characters Rhoda Brook and Conjuror Trendle, who are described as being a witch and a white wizard respectively. The inclusion of a magical and supernatural theme in the story is a good way of
How Far Can Clym be Regarded as a Tragic Hero?
How Far Can Clym be Regarded as a Tragic Hero? There is great talk among the Heath folk of Clym Yeobright and how well he has done for himself after moving away becoming a diamond merchant's manager. We see people respect him and even though he has got an education people still admire him. He is seen as a hero figure, but has a tragic twist in his future on the Heath. When Clym returns he tells his Aunt and Eustacia of his plans to open a school and educate the Heath Folk, as he thinks them superstitious and foolish. "I have come to clean away these cobwebs" p219 The audience that becoming a teacher is an unrealistic goal as the Heath Folk don't want to be educated and have very strong views on it. He has no qualifications to become a teacher either which also works against him. Many of the folk consider it a disease to think too much. "Ah there's too much of that sending to school...It only does harm" p125. This again hints to the audience that his plans are doomed to fail. Clym is a very modern thinking man for the time in which this novel was written. The industrial revolution was taking place at this time, something which Hardy had strong views on. Clym represents this as he is trying to evolve the Heath Folks thoughts and beliefs, even though they don't agree with it. Clym also tries to read hundreds of books continuously and eventually becomes blind; this
Show the effects of Fate on the lives of the character in
Show the effects of Fate on the lives of the character in "The Wessex Tales" by Thomas Hardy Fate is believed to be an unseen power that controls and guides ones life either for good or for bad. In "The Wessex Tales" written by Thomas Hardy the main character almost always suffer and encounter a negative fate, usually accompanied by death. The stories I am going to compare are "The Withered Arm" and "The Melancholy Hussar" The Withered Arm" is about a woman named Rhoda who is jealous of her ex - lover's new wife and dreams of a curse to affect her life, in order to exact revenge. The only definitive cure was for her to touch the neck of a hanged man who coincidentally is Rhoda's son. These chains of events are highly unlikely and are not acts of normal human activity. This suggests that a greater power, maybe fate, is at work. One such example of this occasion is when ever Rhoda takes a meaningless walk in the village, she always seems to end up outside Gertrude's house. Rhoda has no intention to visit her house but feels compelled to as if an external power is drawing her closer to her nemesis. The fact that she ends up at the place where she least wants to be shows how fate is at work. "Yet a fatality sometimes would direct the steps of [Rhoda] to the outskirts of Holmstoke" In the second story studied, "The Melancholy Hussar", a young English woman falls in love with a
