How is Unity Mansion like a 'microcosm' of the country?
How is Unity Mansion like a 'microcosm' of the country? The short story 'The Tall Woman and Her Short Husband' by Fengi Ji-Cai focuses on community, power, status, judgement and persecution. This short story is based on the life of an inseparable couple that are persecuted and judged by people in their community. This attitude and judgement towards the couple is compared with the attitude from the country. The story is written by the neighbour's point of view but not the couple's point of view. This story is only written and spoken in a biased way and it is ironic that the couple do not speak, or give their view throughout the story. This shows the reader that they are innocent and are like 'prisoners.' The readers find it strange that the couple are nicknamed as 'Mr Short and Mrs Tall.' This shows the readers that the couple mean 'nothing'. It is like calling them as 'It'. The inseparable couple are described by visual imagery by the neighbours from the community. Mr short is seemed to be '...a rubber roly-poly' with 'eyes like two high voltage light bulbs.' Mrs Tall was heavily described as 'dried up and scrawny' with a 'face like an unvarnished ping-pong bat.' She was also described as 'flat-chested,' had a 'ramrod back, and had buttocks as scraggy as a scrubbing board.' The views of the couple are from biased views of the neighbours in their own community. The
Miller's Tale - Compare and contrast Nicholas and Absolon.
Assignment: Miller's Tale Compare and contrast Nicholas and Absolon. We will look at what aspects of each character are identified i.e, how they are similar, how they are different and, how other characters respond to each of them. Also looking at Chaucer's use of language and how it emphasizes their similarities and differences. Firstly lets look at Nicholas and Absolon's physical description, their build, height, hair, posture, eye colour etc. There are some strikingly obvious differences between them that should be observed. Chaucer describes Absolons eyes, 'his eyen greye as goos'. This metaphor directly contrasts his eye colour with that of the colouring of a goose's. This is jusktraposed by the fact that it can also be a term of affection. This Strange comparison with that of a goose seems unusual but effective as the reader can associate with it easily. This is a commonly used medieval comparison. Apparently the white goose was not known about in the time of Chaucer. Here is a quote describing Absolon's shoes, 'poules window corven on his shoos'. Absolons shoes are decorated with ornamental holes cut into the leather. The engraving on the leather represents a window in St Paul's cathedral. This dress style comes from Absolons need to look attractive which he uses as his first tool in wooing Alisoun. I also think that this shoe decoration runs deeper than mere
Ethan Frome as a Flawed Man and a Victim
Ashley Mock 3/14/03 3rd Block Ethan Frome Essay Ethan Frome as a Flawed Man and a Victim Ethan Frome has many complex problems going on at the same time. His family has died and he has a wife, Zeena that is continually sick. The only form of happiness Ethan has is from his wife's cousin, Mattie. This, however, at times proves to be hard because of Zeena's interference. Nothing seems to be going in Ethan's favor. Throughout the book, Ethan is put into many different situations in which he seems to be a victim, and other times he seems to be just a flawed man undone by his own circumstances. These traits are shown by Ethan's marriage to Zeena, Ethan's inability to stand up to his wife, and his involvement in the "accident" with Mattie. To begin with, through Ethan's marriage to Zeena, we see the first way Ethan is a flawed man and how he is victimized. Ethan married Zeena because she had tried to help his mother recover from an illness, and once his mother died he could not bear the thought of living alone. His wife, Zeena, always seemed to have some kind of illness. The book states, "When she spoke it was only to complain,"(37). Ethan resented this because it stifled his dreams and admirations. Since Zeena was continually ill, and her cousin Mattie needed a place to stay, Ethan and Zeena took her in to help around the house. "He [Ethan] had taken to the girl
In the novel "Broken April" by Ismail Kadare, the reader witnesses a relatively static attitude
Kishore Mehta Q. Compare and contrast the attitudes of Bessian Vorpsi and his wife, Diana, to the Kanun. Explore whether their attitudes remain static or eventually change, and explore how their respective attitudes affect their relationship. Ans. In the novel "Broken April" by Ismail Kadare, the reader witnesses a relatively static attitude of adulation toward the Kanun from Albanian writer Bessian Vorpsi, in stark contrast to the constantly changing attitude toward the Kanun from Diana, his wife, who towards the end, fears and loathes the Kanun. This has a tremendous impact on the relationship between Bessian and Diana, because Diana's disgust of the Kanun contrasts with the worship that Bessian constantly heaps upon the Kanun, and this eventually leads to Diana being estranged, and distracted. She soon falls for Gjorg, and this leads to a rather distasteful experience for the honeymooning couple. As the novel progresses, the reader notices these changes in Diana's attitude, both towards the Kanun and Bessian, and the reasons behind her subsequently strange behaviour. Bessian Vorpsi is introduced to the reader in Chapter 3 as an Albania writer, visiting the Northern High Plateau for the first time and yet more knowledgeable than most about the Kanun. Diana is his newly-wed bride who was notably younger than Bessian. She "was happy", and is excited about "escaping the
'The Miller's Tale' - Geoffrey Chaucer - Character Analysis - Absolon
English Literature 'The Miller's Tale' - Geoffrey Chaucer Character Analysis - Absolon Similarly to Alison, Absolon is introduced through an extensive description and is arguably the most interesting of all the characters in the tale as he is portrayed with a detail and complexity not matched in the other portraits. Ostensibly, he resembles Nicholas in that he's an attractive, youthful man with many talents, however, unlike Nicholas he's portrayed as ridiculous to the Miller's audience. Absolon's part of the tale, though peripheral to the main theme, is extensive and crucial. In portrait-painting, his description is as vivid and detailed, if not more so, than that of Alison's, as the effeminate young buck, fastidious in both appearance and habits whilst also being over-dressed to the point of ridicule, "with poules window corven on his shoes". Apart from self-adoration, Absolon's energies are spent on self-advertisement, in both socializing and flirting, and in making himself useful in such activities where company and gossip are the essential ingredients. He enjoys being the centre of attention, displayed in his carrying of the censer around in church, and relishes in playing at being in love with both the parish wives and the barmaids of the town. His prudishness, his fastidiousness, his refined manner of speaking and his high sensitivity are combined to create a figure
Chaucer's Cantebury Tales.
Chaucer's motley crew of pilgrims offered a vast deal of insight into life during the 14th century. Many aspects of society were revealed throughout the tales of the many characters. One such aspect prevalent in many of the tales was the role that women played in society during this time. The tales give the clearest images of women are the Knight's, the Miller's. the Nun's Priest, and the Wife of Bath's Tale. In the Knight's Tale, women are portrayed through Emily. Upon first sight of Emily through his prison window, Palamon, the imprisoned knight falls madly in love with her. He exclaims: "I have been hurt this moment through the eye, Into my heart. It will be the death of me. The fairness of the lady that I see Roaming the garden yonder to and fro Is all the cause and I cried out my woe. Woman or Goddess, which? I cannot say. I guess she may be Venus - well she may!" (p. 49, l. 2-8). Arcite, Palamon's cousin and best friend, also falls deeply in love with Emily as he gazes upon her: "The freshness of her beauty strikes me dead, Hers that I see, roaming in yonder place! Unless I gain the mercy of her grace, Unless I at least see her day by day, I am but dead, there is no more to say." (p. 49, l. 24-28). The knights believe that one man may love and worship Emily from afar and each vehemently contends that he should be this man. The knights' emotions
How does Chaucer's presentation of the portrait of Absalon bring him to life, and how does he lavish on his presentation of ch
How does Chaucer's presentation of the portrait of Absalon bring him to life, and how does he lavish on his presentation of character? In Absalon's portrait his appearance is quite feminine He is described as having shining curly hair, spread out big and wide, 'Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon, and strouted as a fanne large and brode' with a red complexion 'His rode was reed' and his eyes as grey as a goose, his eyen greye as good.' Such descriptive words as these ones would normally to courtly heroines and it is interesting to note the detail of him which is described is a lot like Alison who is a courtly lover. Along with his elaborate shoes, 'With Powles window corven on his shoos' and neatness of him and the clothes that he wears, 'In hoses rede he wente fetisly. Y-clad he was ful small and properly' an overall picture is built of Absalon which is of an effeminate one. His curly hair which is described links him to Absalon in the bible which is ironic as we are told that Absalon is a Parish Clerk, '...of that chirche a parish clerk'. Abasalons' sexuality can also be questioned by the reader as Chaucer describes that pretty parting that Absalon has which is yet another feminine thing to have. Absalon is also described as to having a handsome surplice which is as white as blossom, 'As whyt as is the blosme upon the rys' which is yet another use of irony
Chaucer – Canterbury Tales
A vivid description of life in medieval England "thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages" I will consider five different characters in this study of medieval life. These will be the Shipman who gives a view of the importance of shipping in medieval times, the Knight who is a good example of military life and its importance at the time, the Miller who gives a view of agriculture at the time which was very important because it was the main form of employment, the Parson who an the example of what the church was supposed to be like and the Pardoner who is a good representation of the corruptness in the church at the time. From these I hope to give a good slice of medieval life at the time of Chaucer. "With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake" The Shipman like most of his fellow pilgrims is very skilled at his profession and has spent a long time in perfecting it. He is a master mariner, "woninge fer by weste" dwelling from the west of England, with a wide experience and ability. He comes from Dartmouth, "he was of Dertemouthe", and has a ship called the Magdelene His understanding of coasts and tides is very good. Chaucer suggests by the dagger hanging under his neck that he has an easy conscience towards pirates and theft, with no pity for his victims. When he is away in other provinces he depends on himself because there are no laws or any justice to protect him, he
Compare and contrast how the three male characters are presented to us in 'The Millers Tale' and consider their roles in the Fabliau.
Compare and contrast how the three male characters are presented to us in 'The Millers Tale' and consider their roles in the Fabliau. The three male characters in Chaucer's 'The Millers Tale' present many of the classic themes in and genre 'Fabliau'. In English literature there is only a small amount of these tales and half of those are Chaucer's. While in French literature there are over 300 stories. Nicholas is presented at the start of the 'tale' as gentle (hende) shy and therefore trusted and experienced in passionate courtly love, we can tell from his appearance and description that he will be the stereotypical fabliau character who is 'cunning' and always 'makes fun of' the other more foolish characters. John the carpenter is given a short description and it is clear by the way he speaks that he is not very intelligent therefore his foolishness will be punished john represents the stereotypical character of the duped husband (old and jealous).Alison is the faithless wife (young and sexually active). Sexual and practical jokes play a large part in the Millers Tale, for example Alison tricking Absolon into kissing her 'arse', this idea however comes from a raucous Middle English song called 'Old Hogan's Adventure'. The fact that Nicholas is short and brawny in his manner and speech contrast his feminist presentation at the start of the tale. The three characters of
Presentation of the Miller
How does Chaucer present the Miller in the General Prologue and the Miller's Prologue? Chaucer first presents the Miller within the general prologue of the "Canterbury Tales"; portraying the Miller to the reader as a differing character to the Knight, in relation to the social context of hierarchy within the Chaucerian period. The Miller is depicted as an aggressive character within the "The portrait of the Miller", as the reader identifies this characterisation through the literal techniques used. The Miller is described to be "Ful big he was of brawn, and eek of bones", vividly expressing a portly character with a large bone structure. The poet has used Alliteration in the words "brawn and bones" to clearly emphasize the overpowering nature of the Miller in comparison to the other 29 in the company. Chaucer further develops the Miller's bold character description as; "...At wrastlinge he wolde have alwey the ram..." This expresses to the reader through the technique of metaphor that the Miller is a forceful character through his physical attributes, in comparison to the powerful animal the ram. Chaucer presents a direct comparison between the ram and the Miller as he could break any door at "renning with his head", illustrating the associated charge of the ram. Chaucer further expresses the description of the Miller using the technique of the simile, as the Miller's
