'Short stories can be remarkably effective' this statement is proved very successful by the short story 'One of These Days' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
'Short stories can be remarkably effective' this statement is proved very successful by the short story 'One of These Days' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez uses descriptive language, metaphors and various other techniques, which give 'One of These Days' its unique effect. 'One of These Days' has a gripping and effective opening making the reader want to read on. Immediately in a very short space of time Marquez introduces the main character and describes the 'warm and rainless day', which comes across as unusual and also ties in with the title! When Marquez describes the dentist, 'Aurelio Escovar' you get a very vivid image of his 'erect and skinny' appearance, without giving too much away leaving the reader asking questions. There are many themes suggested by Marquez in 'One of These Days'. A theme of importance, success and wealth is introduced when the fact that the dentist is wearing a 'gold stud' is mentioned. There is also a very opposite theme of poverty. This theme is questioned when you find out that the dentist is working 'without a degree'. This brings the reader to wonder what kind of community the dentist is living in if he is working as an unqualified dentist. Mystery and tension is added to the story when the dentist 'arranges his instruments in size order as if they were on display' giving the impression that he is a neat, particular and anxious
Whom or what is most to blame for Henchards downfall, to what extent do you believe he was right to blame himself
Wing Kay Chan The Mayor Of Casterbridge English Coursework Whom or what is most to blame for Henchards downfall, to what extent do you believe he was right to blame himself for his own ruin? Thomas Hardy was born on June 2, 1840, near Dorchester in Dorset in Southwest England. Thomas was famous for his poets and novels. He developed his affection of music from his father and a devotion to literature from his mother. After his success in novels and poetry he died in 1928. Much of his writing in 'The Mayor Of Casterbridge' reflects his life in the countryside and his attachment to the local towns folk. One such character is Henchard, the main male in 'The Mayor Of Casterbridge; who finally becomes the mayor. At the start of the novel, we can observe Henchard as poor, fierce, ambitious and a drunk. One situation that arises which is important in this novel, which I believe is to blame for Henchard's downfall is indeed at the start. He is at the fair at Weydon Priors with Susan and baby Elizabeth Jane and he is drunk, he hastily sells his wife for 5 guineas to a sailor. However earlier on Hardy indicates that their relationship had always been week. 'The young woman his wife, who has seemed accustomed to such remarks acted as if she did not hear them.' After this point, Henchard realizes his mistake; this is how he lost Susan. Here Henchard has mixed sentiments but he does
The Mayor of Casterbridge - Short Critique.
Rachel Moss L204 Short Critique 3/3/04 At different points throughout The Mayor of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard is portrayed as both a successful man admired by his peers and also as a complete failure whose internal guilt rips away at his self-esteem. As the story progresses, Henchard follows a tragic plot line as he rises from a hay-trusser with a shameful past to mayor of a small agricultural town, and falls back to a farm-hand with a shameful present. At the end of the novel, the reader is left wondering if she should feel sympathy for Henchard or if he got precisely what he deserved. Rather consistently during The Mayor of Casterbridge, Henchard seems to be making poor decisions based on his own selfishness. Early, in Chapter I, Henchard sells his wife and child to a sailor while drunk. He claims that they are nothing but a burden to him. Later, in Chapter XVII, he demands that Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae cease contact because he sees Farfrae's new, quickly growing business as a kind of "coup." Yet again, in Chapter XLI, Henchard makes a hasty, egocentric decision. Newson comes to his home to inquire about Elizabeth-Jane, but since Henchard has recently had a swell of love for her, he tells Newson that she is dead. However, he continually feels the need to try to right his past wrongs. In Chapter V, an upset mob of peasants demands an explanation from Henchard, who
The untimely demise of Michael Henchard
Sunday, 14 October 2001 Henchard can never escape the events of his past. What do you think drives Henchard to his end? All page references are for the new windmill classics version. There are many factors which lead to the untimely demise of Michael Henchard "the Mayor of Casterbridge". Some of these factors are partly down to bad luck whereas some of the more important ones are down to the bad decisions that he makes. To find out why Henchard actually does make such devastating mistakes one has to look closely at his character. Henchard is a proud man with a short temper. This is probably the worst combination of traits possible in any man. This is because once he makes a decision he cannot possibly go back on it as this will impinge, or so he thinks, on his majestic reputation. This unforgiving nature also leads to the finalising of the deal to sell Susan and Elizabeth-Jane for five guineas. Even when Susan gives him the chance to back down when she says "Before you go further Michael, listen to me. If you touch that money, I and this girl go with the man. Mind, it is a joke no longer." (page 12) Henchard refuses to back down. I think that this is because he is in front of the crowd and greatly emboldened by the illicit rum that he drank in the furmity even though he will greatly regret it later. Another of Henchard's traits also leads to his downfall. This is his
Comparison between Michael Henchard and Okonkwo
Julia Cloke Comparison between Michael Henchard and Okonkwo This will be a direct comparison between the two leading characters in the books 'Things Fall Apart', written by Chinua Achebe and 'The Major of Casterbridge', written by Thomas Hardy. I will compare and contrast both the differences and similarities in the personalities of the Nineteenth Century major and the more contemporary trial leader. Okonkwo is more contemporary because the book is set in a very traditional African village, and has basic, moral issues associated with it. At the beginning of Chapter Five in 'The Major of Casterbridge' we meet a man of distinct wealth and power, shown through the highly prestigious title that he has earned. It is of course Michael Henchard, newly elected Major of the corn-merchant town, Casterbridge. He is at the height of his success through his profiting business, and has earned the respect of fellow colleges through his perseverance of power. Okonkwo, a tribal elder, also earned his respect through his own successes. From the very first page we hear about his youthful triumph in the wrestling ring by, 'throwing Amalinze the Cat.' 'His fame rested on solid personal achievements,' and from that moment on he built up his possessions and power through the Obi that he owned. The Obi, in war and in farming was among the trappings of success. In both books we also learn about
What the Mayor of Casterbridge tells us
What the Mayor of Casterbridge tells us About 19th Century Wessex The narrative of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is intricate and complex, making it hard to follow. The pages of this acclaimed novel are filled with scandal, but it provides for an interesting and unique story. Hardy's personal interest in agriculture and study in architecture enables him to create a great a successful and very visual story. The story is set in one main location, an old village created from Dorchester called Casterbridge and the other; Weydon Priors, a smaller version of the typical market towns. The plot of the story is unusual and certainly a little out of the ordinary but still, it makes results in a compelling story. Thomas Hardy uses an extensive descriptive vocabulary to create images and pictures in the reader's imagination. Hardy describes the surroundings of Casterbridge as mainly tree plantations and row after row of fields planted with corn. From the beginning, it is obvious that something is strange about this family. It was one summers evening when the three (Michael, Susan and Elizabeth-Jane) begin the voyage to Weydon-priors. Although the man, woman, and child are not poorly dressed, "...The thick hoar of dust which accumulated on their shoes and garments from an obviously long journey lent a disadvantageous shabbiness to their appearance just now". The first scene is works
The Mayor of Casterbridge - By reference to some half a dozen incidents, show the many different characteristics of Michael Henchard.
The Mayor of Casterbridge By reference to some half a dozen incidents, show the many different characteristics of Michael Henchard. Michael Henchard has a very complex character and this is shown throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel Henchard shows that he can be heartless, impulsive and bad-tempered at times. At arriving at Weydon-Priors, Henchard, Susan and their daughter, Elizabeth-Jane enter the furmity tent and Henchard takes his furmity laced with rum and in a drunken state he sells his wife to a passing sailor, Newson. This incident shows his impetuosity and quick temper. 'I'll sell her for five guineas to any man that will pay me the money,' After the sale of his wife to Newson, Henchard feels regretful. 'A stolid look of concern filled the husband's face, as if, after all, he had not quite anticipated this ending;' The next day as Henchard woke up he was filled with remorse and his repentance is shown when he goes looking for Susan and Elizabeth-Jane. Henchard tries to find out what happened to them but he is too ashamed and proud to let everyone know what he had done. Henchard did not mean to sell his wife and daughter and he blames Susan which is seen as selfish of him. "Yet she knows I am not in my senses when I do that!...Seize her, why didn't she know better than bring me into this disgrace!...Tis like Susan to show some idiotic simplicity."
What the Mayor of Casterbridge tells us About 19th Century Wessex - Discuss
What the Mayor of Casterbridge tells us About 19th Century Wessex The plot of The Mayor of Casterbridge is slightly confusing and complex to follow, the pages of this well known novel are filled with scandal and alcohol, but provides for a very interesting and unique story. The novel is written by Thomas Hardy was a man who was very interested in agriculture and therefore was able to create a great a successful story. The story takes place in one main location, an old village created from Dorchester called Casterbridge and the other; Weydon Priors which is a smaller version of the typical market towns. The plot of the story is unusual and certainly a little out of the ordinary but still it makes a fantastic story line. Thomas hardy uses a great descriptive vocabulary of words which creates images and pictures in your mind. Hardy says and describes that the surroundings of Casterbridge are mainly tree plantations and row after row of fields planted wit corn. From the beginning, it is obvious that something is strange about this family. It was one summers evening when the three (Michael, Susan and Elizabeth-Jane) begin the voyage to Weydon-priors. Although the man, woman, and child are not poorly dressed, "..... The thick hoar of dust which accumulated on their shoes and garments from an obviously long journey lent a disadvantageous shabbiness to their appearance just
The Mayor of Casterbridge - Discussing Henchard's personality, and the reasons for his success and his deterioration in life.
The Mayor of Casterbridge Tahsin Pak 26th June 2004 Introduction Michael Henchard begins the novel by entering Casterbridge 'with the walk of a skilled countryman'. He starts his life at badly, as he sells his wife to a young gentle sailor called Newson. His impression changes, as he becomes a wealthy corn merchant and the Mayor of Casterbridge. 25 years later, he ends up with his life in tatters, and eventually dying alone. In this coursework, I will be discussing Henchard's personality, and the reasons for his success and his deterioration in life. Also, I will describe the society which the people live in, emphasising the main reason why the society of 'Weydon-Priors and 'Casterbridge' are so quite and money driven. Main Body The society in 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is very old-fashioned and stereotypical in certain aspects of the book. The Mayor of Casterbridge begins with Henchard, auctioning off his wife to a sailor. This verifies that in early nineteenth-century England, women of her class in rural districts were regarded as little more than stock to be disposed of at their owners' liking, such sales were not uncommon. The importance of a solid reputation and character is rather obvious given Henchard's situation, for Henchard has little else besides his name. He arrives in Casterbridge with nothing more than tools of
Many would say that Michael Henchard brought all his troubles on Him self, would you agree?
English coursework Many would say that Michael Henchard brought all his troubles on Him self, would you agree? Introduction: The name Michael Henchard fits the character; it sounds like wrench hard. Henchards personality dominates the novel, some would same that henchards character is complex, it's made up of a mixture of positive and negative trails. He is a very superstitious man; he is a victim of fate. I'm a strong believer that Henchard brought all his troubles on him self, but also was not the luckiest of men either. As I go though this essay I will be picking bits out of the story to prove what I have just said. Main body To some up Michael Henchards character perfectly would be to say that he is the tragic hero of the story. This means that he was the obvious hero of the story but under tragic circumstances. There are many terms, words, and phrases that would some up Michael Henchards character perfectly; such as cruel and impulsive at times, he was a very heavy-framed man. In this part of the essay I am going to talk about how Henchard brought all his troubles on him self. In think the first thing Henchard did wrong was to sell his wife. This is one of the most important parts of the novel. They both had enough of the old village they were living in, they though it would be bad for there daughter, Elizabeth- Jane. So they moved and set out to find a clean