Themes and Issues in Jane Eyre, Cinema Paradiso and Philadelphia Here I Come. - A comparative study.

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Theme and Issue

Exploring a theme or issue through interesting texts raises interesting comparisons. 

Exploring a theme or issue raises interesting comparisons. This can clearly be seen when examining the theme of Identity in the three texts I have studied, which are: "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, "Philadelphia Here I Come" by Brian Friel and "Cinema Paradiso" directed by Guisseppe Tornatore. In each of these three texts we can explore the theme of Identity. All three texts chart the path each protagonist takes on their way to discover their true identity, that is, who they are, why are they who they are and what makes them what they are. Along these paths things affect them and influence their final, true Identity. Interesting comparisons can be raised when we look at the factors affecting each protagonist and the final outcome of their search for Identity. These factors include: The importance of name, family, religion and duality of character.

Comparisons can be made when we examine the importance of name in the three texts. Name plays an influential role in how one perceives himself. In Jane Eyre, Jane feels plain. This is compounded by the fact that she is constantly reminded of this by the reeds through their bullying. She is reminded she has no money and is only in Gateshead due to Mrs. Reeds kindness. John shouts at her for reading the house's library books and tells her shes not allowed to since their not hers. Hours before Jane is about to marry Mr. Rochester she repeats the name Jane Rochester over and over. She is unable to imagine having that name and feels like she will loose part of her freedom and identity if she does take that name. This contrasts sharply with Toto, who after leaving Sicily changes his name. I believe he does this to leave behind, or try and forget Elena. He feels that by changing his name, he can start a new life and forget about his old one. In Philadelphia Here I Come, Gar does not place much emphasis on his own name. He never seems to consider it as an important factor of his identity.

Furthermore, place names are also significant in the texts I have studied. The place names in the various parts of Jane Eyre are usually symbolic of what Jane will experience there. Gateshead was Jane's starting point. She is held back by her aunt, just as a Gate would hold back animals in a field. She eventually breaks free of Gateshead and ends up in Lowood. A place that as the name suggests, is a lowly and depressing place. Jane is made feel "low" during her time there, but uses it as a stepping stone to get herself a position as a Governess. Her role of Governess brings her to Thornfield, a place where she falls in love, but experiences the "thorns" and pain that love brings with it. Likewise, in Philadelphia, Gar lives in a small town called Ballybeg, that when translated to English means Small Town. He feels like he lives in a small and oppressive town. Gar is a troubled young man, who feels like his only way of escaping is moving to America. This contrasts sharply with his mother, from Bailtefree. As this name also suggests, she is a lively person who did not feel restricted by her home town.

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Interesting comparisons can be made when exploring the theme of Identity through the different texts when we examine the role religion plays in the Protagonists' lives. In Philadelphia, Gar resents religion. It is presented to us and him in the form of Canon O'Byrne, the local priest, who according to gar is more interested in earning money than helping out his parish members. Gar resents him because although the canon knows gar and sb have trouble communicating, he does nothing to help out even on the eve of gars departure. This is similar to Jane Eyre, in that in ...

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