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Post by Fiona Sinclair on Feb 24, 2011 17:22:19 GMT
I was planning on doing setting for my first paragraph. I was going to open with vague Victorian values ect to get into the era of time the novels were written and stress further the segregation between lower and upper classes. I was then going to looking into each novel individually, my main thread running through the setting was going to be the houses and how each main character has experienced all types of houses and that they’re growing up/ experiencing an upper class house in early life despite being of lower class urges them to rise about their social standing. But, I’m not to sure what houses to use for Jane Eyre? I was thinking Master Reeds house to begin with then move onto her living in the school as it shows a large contrast. However, this misses out Mr Rochester’s house and he is vital to the plot and theme of social class. Also for Wuthering Heights, I was going to use Heathcliff as the character to follow through setting but he has only even known Upper-class houses in the novel because it doesn’t describe his time as an orphan. But then I feel I might be going into characterisation to much in the setting section? Hope this makes sense! If you have a better suggestion on how to stucture it please let me know because this just came from my head and sort of made sense in there but i dont know if it does in the real world
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Post by mcf on Feb 24, 2011 19:05:11 GMT
I was planning on doing setting for my first paragraphSection?. I was going to open with vague Victorian values ect to get into the era of time the novels were written and stress further the segregation between lower and upper classes.This is vital as you need to make the context clear and the issues surrounding social class during that period.I was then going to looking into each novel individually ;D, my main thread running through the setting was going to be the houses and how each main character has experienced all types of houses and that they’re growing up/ experiencing an upper class house in early life despite being of lower class urges them to rise about their social standing.It sounds like a very balanced structure - I am fine with this but you need to detach character and setting and just look at how the houses are presented and described and the link to class.
But, I’m not to sure what houses to use for Jane Eyre? I was thinking Master Reeds house to begin with then move onto her living in the school as it shows a large contrast. However, this misses out Mr Rochester’sI believe you must mention this in quite a lot of detail as it is the crux of a lot that happens. I would try and do all three and then worry about word count etc later. house and he is vital to the plot and theme of social class.
Also for Wuthering Heights, I was going to use Heathcliff as the character to follow through setting but he has only even known Upper-class houses in the novel because it doesn’t describe his time as an orphan. But then I feel I might be going into characterisation to much in the setting section?You need to separate the idea of character away from this. What options do you feel you have?Please see attached article.
Wuthering Heights - the Gothic Farmhouse The main setting for much of the novel is Wuthering Heights; its significance can be guessed from the fact that Bronte chose to name the whole book after this particular house. This location adds to the atmosphere of the novel, exposed as it is to all weather: "`Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather" (chapter one).
That the wind is unforgiving is emphasised by the physical appearance of the vegetation suurounding the house: "one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun" (chapter one). As the reader comes to know the characters based at this house, it is not difficult to see them the same way - exposed to great passions and violence, but ultimately seeking love and warmth from one another.
The house itself is by necessity built to withstand the onslaught of the elements, creating the unwelcoming aspect that greets Lockwood on his arrival: "the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones" (chapter one). This impression of the residents of the house being isolated from outsiders is emphasised by the fact that the house is repeatedly associated with locked doors, gates and windows throughout the novel.
The house itself is old; a date above the door suggests it dates from 1500. Full of dark corners, the house has elements of the classic haunted mansions of the Gothic novels so popular in Emily Bronte's day; indeed, Lockwood undergoes a ghostly experience when he is visited by the spectre of Catherine imploring to be let in at the window in chapter three.
Thrushcross Grange: Superficially Cultured If Wuthering Heights is associated with the Earnshaws and the passionate Catherine and Heathcliif, Thrushcross Grange is the home of the refined and socially superior Lintons. The contrast with the neighbouring house - albeit four miles away - could not be greater; here the vegetation is lush and beautiful, sheltered by the Grange's position tucked away on lower ground.
Read on Bronte's Wuthering Heights Gothic in Bronte's Wuthering Heights Revision Guide to Wuthering Heights However, the Grange is not as perfect as it may seem on the surface. Edgar and Isabella Linton are spoilt and silly as children, and greatly concerned with superficial matters such as appearance. It is Catherine's great misfortune that she finds herself torn between her love for Heathcliff and her desire for the wealth and social position that goes with the position of lady of the house at Thrushcross Grange.
The Grange is also a place of boundaries and restrictions, surrounded by a high wall. When Catherine lies ill in bed at the Grange, all she wants is to return to her old home: "`Oh, dear! I thought I was at home,' she sighed. `I thought I was lying in my chamber at Wuthering Heights" (chapter 12), and her daughter Cathy is forbidden to go beyond the boundary walls. If the residents of Wuthering Heights find themselves exposed, those of the Grange are too sheltered from the realities of real life.
Both houses also play a material role in Heathcliff's plan to dominate all those who have slighted him - he ends up the owner of both properties through his trickery; a far cry from his humble beginning on the streets of Liverpool.
The Moors: a Place of Freedom The one place where characters are free to be themselves is out on the moors. Predominantly associated with Catherine and Heathcliff, young Cathy also shows her affinity with her mother through her yearning to escape the confinement of the Grange and run free on the moors. The imagery of these wild, rolling moors runs throughout the novel, finding perhaps its most famous expression in Catherine's metaphorical description of her love for Heathcliff: "'My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff!'" (chapter nine).
Hope this helps. ;D
Hope this makes sense! If you have a better suggestion on how to stucture it please let me know because this just came from my head and sort of made sense in there but i dont know if it does in the real world
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Post by Fiona Sinclair on Mar 3, 2011 20:08:47 GMT
Mcf, I'm having an absolute mare! I really don't know what to write about for Jane Eyre, none of my notes are to do with setting and if they are then it's how they reflect the character but even at that i don't have much! I am trying to follow Jane's journey through Gatehead/ the red room, Lowood, Thornfield, moorhouse then Ferndean. I've managed to get something together for gateshead but am struggling for thornfield I'll show you what i've managed to do tomorrow but don't expect the Jane Eyre section to make any sense!
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Post by Fiona Sinclair on Mar 3, 2011 20:32:09 GMT
Introduction and Setting, 1st Draft This is just incase i lose it, which i wont, but just incase A comparative literary study of Victorian Society and the economic and social class factors that divide society in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. “What good is social class and status? Truthfulness is measures within. Pride in one’s status is like poison holding it in your hand and eating it, you shall die” Sri Guru Granth Sahib The Victorian era is illustrated as a time of power and wealth in Britain. People yearned for cultivation and a deep feeling of prosperity resulting in a distinct gap between those who could afford this new way of living and those who couldn't. Yet how could a country that treated women as second-class citizens and suppressed the thoughts and opportunities of the lower classes be conveyed as "the world's superpower"? “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte and “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens question the social and economic hierarchy system through the theme of social class and individual journeys of central characters. Although depicted in many different styles this theme is central to the understanding of the protagonists in the novels and their struggles against the class system. Based on description of setting it is clear that the Victorian period was a labyrinth of lies and contradictions. The outward image of prosperity and riches in the upper classes was tarnished by their inner selfishness and superciliousness. “Great Expectations” sees the protagonists, Pip; venture on a journey through the social classes, as his position in society increases a sudden decline in his morals becomes apparent. Pip, once a peasant boy abandons his family to learn how to become a “gentleman”, although this is initially seen as a positive opportunity it soon becomes evident that Pip has made a serious error of judgment. Similarly, when Heathcliff becomes to possess “The Grange” in “Wuthering Heights” he is overcome by his wealth and newfound power. The once orphan indulges in his new life and seeks to upper his social class further. Jane Eyre, comparable to the orphan Heathcliff, aims to heighten her social status through the means of education. However, although on a par with socialites on intellect she is unable to reach her goal until she gains a small fortune. Through the development of these Victorian characters, Emily Bronte, Charlotte Bronte and Dickens explore the attributes and dis/advantages that come with being of upper class. Each come to the conclusion that status and wealth do not lead to happiness and in fact can conduct serious flaws and lead to a major downfall of character. The Victorian era was one run high on passion. Great Britain, for the most part, was finally living in the depths of luxury and wealth. It was a time of triumph and celebration, the rich became richer as the economy filled the vast void it was desperately seeking. However, this passion did not just stem from the pleasure of money and affluence. A force much more powerful was about to hit Great Britain, something that could not be ignored nor cast aside. The working class, it would seem, were ready to take there position in the new modern Britain. By 1801, a somewhat fifty years before the books were published, the Industrial Revolution was well underway. The traditional relationship between social classes and the economy were being challenged by the emergence of the aspiring middle class. The working class began to find their voices, shouts for extended suffrage where echoing around the new industrial towns. Society was moving away from the traditional farming culture where patriarchal family life was central, to a place where a gentleman’s main criteria was not family or value but money. It is these transformations which provide the context for the socio-economic elements to the novels. Great Expectations see’s Dickens explore the transition between working to upper class through the character of Pip. The novel opens with Pip standing in the graveyard where his parents and siblings lay. It is this dark, gothic setting that foreshadows the evil and misfortune that Pip is about to face in life. As a child Pip lives in a Blacksmiths forge with his sister and her husband, Joe. Despite their low social standing the family seems quite content with their house and life’s. Joe wants Pip to aspire to become a blacksmith like him and carry on the family business. Dickens uses the forge as a reminder of the lifestyle that Pip gave up. It is mentioned throughout the novel, anchoring Pip down to his working class roots despite his hierarchical climb. It is not until Pip experiences the pleasures of upper class life in Miss Havisham’s house that he realises his ambition to rise above his current social standing. Dickens names the house “Satis” as it literally means to have enough. The house symbolises the upper class, it is powerful and extravagant. However, it is in juxtaposition with Miss Havisham herself who is weak and dependant. Overall, Dickens illustrates the theme of social class through setting as Miss Havishman who represents the upper class is not content with her life and that money and status do not lead to a fulfilled life. Similarly Emily Bronte depicts the characters emotions and desires through the houses and weather described in Wuthering Heights. The main setting of the novel is Wuthering Heights, so significant that Emily Bronte named the whole novel after the house. ““Wuthering” being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmosphere tumult to which its station is exposes in stormy weather” Emily Bronte exploits the natural weather of England to mirror the inhabitants of the Great house. The wind drives and cultivates the land surrounding the house, it is unforgiving and harsh. “one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun” As the novel develops and the characters unfold, it is easy to see the comparisons between them and beaten fir trees. They are both exposed to powerful forces of passion and violence yet underneath this independent face they are ultimately yearning for compassion and fulfilment from each other. Furthermore, Wuthering Heights has a certain uninviting manner; it was built to survive the commands of the storms. Upon Lockwood’s arrival he notes that “the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones” . Again, Emily Bronte is depicting the characters nature through the attributes of the house. The defensive structure mirrors the inhabitant’s ability to close their emotions off to others. Isolation is further empathised by the repeated association with locked doors and gates throughout the novel. Wuthering Heights portrays the rougher side of the upper class lifestyle; the inhabitants are vulnerable from their wild passion and immoral sentiment. On the contrary, the house “Thrushcross Grange” represents the refined and superior attitude held by its inhabitants, the Lintons. Unlike the Earnshaws in Wuthering Heights, a somewhat four miles away, the Lintons are a proud family; the children are spoilt yet cultivated to suit the upper class image. The house is sheltered from the harsh winds that batter Wuthering Heights and the vegetation alive. Emily Bronte’s setting is again mirroring the characters that live within the houses. Freedom from class and behaviour restrictions is to be found on the moors in-between the two houses. This is the one place that the characters can act themselves without a watchful eye. It is here that Catherine and Heathcliff spend most of their youth. The moors symbolise a neutral place, neither in the walls of Wuthering Heights nor Thrushcross Grange. Emily Bronte uses images of the moors throughout the novel. However, they are perhaps most significant for illustrating the profound love between Catherine and Heathcliff. “My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary.” The metaphorical description stresses the depth of love Catherine feels for Heathcliff, made possible by Emily Bronte’s setting of the moors. However, the theme of social class arises when Heathcliff seeks to own both houses for revenge. The once orphan has turned his back on his heritage and is overcome by his desire to have material wealth and status. Emily Bronte displays the houses as a means of power and a route to the top of the Hierarchy, although it is evident through Heathcliff’s depression that he does not find confinement in these great houses. Charlotte Bronte utilises the houses in which the character Jane lives to reflect her life as she develops and changes. Firstly, the novel begins at the house called Gateshead, the home of Jane’s aunt and cousins, her only known living relatives. During her stay here she is abused and neglected. She is conscious of the fact she is not wanted from a young age. The grandeurs and sophistication of Gateshead have taught Jane about the aristocratic lifestyle, yet she still remains an orphan. Charlotte Bronte’s first use of significant setting is that of the “Red Room”, the place where Jane is locked in by her evil aunt. The Red Room symbolises the first experience Jane has of imprisonment, whether that be literal of metaphorical. “This room was chill, because it seldom had a fire; it was silent because remote from the Nursery and kitchen; solemn, because it was known to be seldom entered” The Red Room embodies Jane’s feeling of isolation as it, like her is partially forgotten about and ignored.
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Post by mcf on Mar 6, 2011 20:24:32 GMT
A comparative literary study of Victorian Society and the economic and social class factors that divide society in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
“What good is social class and status? Truthfulness is measures within. Pride in one’s status is like poison holding it in your hand and eating it, you shall die” Sri Guru Granth Sahib ;D
The Victorian era is illustrated as a time of power and wealth in Britain. People yearned for cultivation and a deep feeling of prosperity resulting in a distinct gap between those who could afford this new way of living and those who couldn't. ;D Yet how could a country that treated women as second-class citizens and suppressed the thoughts and opportunities of the lower classes be conveyed as "the world's superpower"? “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte and “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens question the social and economic hierarchy system through the theme of social class and individual journeys of central characters. ;D Although depicted in many different styles this theme is central to the understanding of the protagonists in the novels and their struggles against the class system. ;D
Based on description of settingThis is a rather clunky opening statement - lacks fluency and punch. it is clear that the Victorian period was a labyrinthrecognise this description from your prelim. of lies and contradictions. The outward image of prosperity and riches in the upper classes was tarnished by their inner selfishness and superciliousness. “Great Expectations” sees the protagonist, Pip; venture on a journey through the social classes, as his position in society increases a sudden decline in his morals becomes apparentyour point is correct but this sentence, prior to this insertion, lacks style. The phrase becomes apparent is weak.. Pip, once a peasant boycan you replace peasant boy with a short quotation that sums him up and that you don't need to analyse just reference. abandons his family to learnis it just to learn how to behave? how to become a “gentleman”, although this is initially seen as a positivethe terms positive and negative are non-descriptive. opportunity it soon becomes evident that Pip has made a serious error of judgmenHow?t.
New paragraphSimilarly, when Heathcliff becomes to possessbecomes to possess - doesn't sound right or really make sense “The Grange” in “Wuthering Heights” he is overcome by his wealth and newfound power. The once orphan indulgeswhat do you mean? in his new life and seeks to upper his social class further. Jane Eyre, comparable to the orphan Heathcliff, aims to heighten her social status through the means of education. However, although on a par with socialites on intellect she is unable to reach her goal until she gains a small fortune. ;D Through the development of these Victorian characters, Emily Bronte, Charlotte Bronte and Dickens explore the attributes and dis/advantages that come with beingbeing is weak expression of upper class. Each come to the conclusion that status and wealth do not lead to happiness and in fact can conductconduct is wrong word in this context. serious flaws and lead to a major downfallrather vague and doesn't fully do the situations justice. of character.
The Victorian era was one run high on passion. Great Britain, for the most part, was finally living in the depths of luxury and wealth. It was a time of triumph and celebration, the rich became richer as the economy filled the vast void it was desperately seeking. ;D However, this passion did not just stem from the pleasure of money and affluence. A force much more powerful was about to hit Great Britain, something that could not be ignored nor cast aside. The working class, it would seem, were ready to take there position in the new modern Britain. By 1801, a somewhat fifty years before the books were published, the Industrial Revolution was well underway. The traditional relationship between social classes and the economy were being challenged by the emergence of the aspiring middle class. The working class began to find their voices, shouts for extended suffrage where echoing around the new industrial towns. Society was moving away from the traditional farming culture where patriarchal family life was central, to a place where a gentleman’s main criteria was not family or value but money. It is these transformations which provide the context for the socio-economic elements to the novels.Fiona, this historical context is excellent but I am afraid you may have to trim it down to save words later. ;D
Great Expectations see’s Dickens explore the transition between working to upper class through the character of Pip. The novel opens with Pip standing in the graveyard where his parents and siblings layinsert short quotation to support but don't analyse.. It is this dark, gothic settingquotation needed that foreshadows the evil and misfortune that Pip is about to face in life. As a child Pip lives in a Blacksmiths forge with his sister and her husband, Joe. Despite their low social standing the family seems quite content with their house and life’ssurrounding setting?. Joe wants Pip to aspire to become a blacksmith like him and carry on the family business. Dickens uses the forge as a reminder of the lifestyle that Pip gave up. It is mentioned throughout the novel, anchoring Pip down to his working class roots despite his hierarchical climb. It is not until Pip experiences the pleasures of upper class life in Miss Havisham’s house that he realises his ambition to rise above his current social standing.Fiona, you need to examine your use of paragraphs here as this this is far too long. Dickens names the house “Satis” as it literally means to have enough. The house symbolises the upper class, it is powerful and extravagantHow is it first described?. However, it is in juxtaposition with Miss Havisham herself who is weak and dependant.how is she and her house described in a negative light? How does Pip view the house? Overall, Dickens illustrates the theme of social class through setting as Miss Havishman who represents the upper class is not content with her life and that money and status do not lead to a fulfilled life.This reference to the question seems to explicit and simplistic.
Similarly Emily Bronte depicts the characters' emotions and desires through the houses and weatherthis is too specific to mention in a topic sentence. described in Wuthering Heights. The main settingthink of a better way to say this. of the novel is Wuthering Heights, so significant that Emily Bronte named the whole novel after the house.
““Wuthering” being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmosphere tumult to which its station is exposes in stormy weather”
Emily Bronte exploits the natural weather of England to mirror the inhabitants of the Great house. The wind drives and cultivates the land surrounding the house, it is unforgiving and harsh.Analysis is too thin here.
“one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun” ;D
As the novel develops and the characters unfold, it is easy to see the comparisons between them and beaten fir trees. They are both exposed to powerful forces of passion and violenceI know this is not a section on character but you need to make some reference to the text. yet underneath this independent face they are ultimately yearning for compassion and fulfilment from each other.
Furthermore, Wuthering Heights has a certain uninviting manner; it was built to survive the commands of the storms. ;D Upon Lockwood’s arrival he notes that “the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones” ;D . Again, Emily Bronte is depicting the characters nature through the attributes of the house. The defensive structure mirrors the inhabitant’s ability to close their emotions off to others. Isolation is further empathised by the repeated association with locked doors and gates throughout the novel. Wuthering Heights portrays the rougher sideexpression is too informal. of the upper class lifestyle; the inhabitants are vulnerable from their wild passion and immoral sentiment.
On the contrary, the house “Thrushcross Grange” represents the refined and superior attitude held by its inhabitants, the Lintons. Unlike the Earnshaws in Wuthering Heights, a somewhat four miles away, the Lintons are a proud family; the children are spoilt yet cultivated to suit the upper class image. ;D The house is sheltered from the harsh winds that batter Wuthering Heights and the vegetation alive. Emily Bronte’s setting is again mirroring the characters that live within the houses. ;D
Freedom from class and behaviour restrictions is to be found on the moors in-between the two houses. This is the one place that the characters can act themselves without a watchful eye. It is here that Catherine and Heathcliff spend most of their youth. The moors symbolise a neutral place, neither in the walls of Wuthering Heights nor Thrushcross Grange. Emily Bronte uses images of the moors throughout the novelWhy?. However, they are perhaps most significant for illustrating the profound love between Catherine and Heathcliff.
“My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary.”
The metaphorical description stresses the depth of love Catherine feels for Heathcliff, made possible by Emily Bronte’s setting of the moors.Explain in more detail and avoid mkake such brief and passing comments.
However, the theme of social class arises when Heathcliff seeks to own both houses forexpression error - use of 'of' revenge. The once orphan has turned his back on his heritage and is overcome by his desire to have material wealth and status. ;D Emily Bronte displays the houses as a means of power and a route to the topexpression is too informal here - route to the top needs changing. of the Hierarchy, although it is evident through Heathcliff’s depression that he does not find confinement in these great houses.
Make a clearer link between paragraphs.Charlotte Bronte utilises the houses in which the character Jane lives to reflect her life as she develops and changes. Firstlyavoid numbering., the novel begins at the house called Gateshead, the home of Jane’s aunt and cousins, her only known living relatives. During her stay here she is abused and neglected. She is conscious of the fact she is not wanted from a young age. The grandeurs and sophistication of Gateshead have taught Jane about the aristocratic lifestyle, yet she still remains an orphan. Charlotte Bronte’s first use of significant setting is that of the “Red Room”, the place where Jane is locked in by her evil aunt. The Red Room symbolises the first experience Jane has of imprisonment, whether that be literal of metaphorical. ;D
“This room was chill, because it seldom had a fire; it was silent because remote from the Nursery and kitchen; solemn, because it was known to be seldom entered”
The Red Room embodies Jane’s feeling of isolation as it, like her is partially forgotten about and ignored. ;D
Excellent start - really impressed.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Mar 6, 2011 20:42:47 GMT
The Red Room
The red-room can be viewed as a symbol of what Jane must overcome in her struggles to find freedom, happiness, and a sense of belonging. In the red-room, Jane’s position of exile and imprisonment first becomes clear. Although Jane is eventually freed from the room, she continues to be socially ostracized, financially trapped, and excluded from love; her sense of independence and her freedom of self-expression are constantly threatened.
The red-room’s importance as a symbol continues throughout the novel. It reappears as a memory whenever Jane makes a connection between her current situation and that first feeling of being ridiculed. Thus she recalls the room when she is humiliated at Lowood. She also thinks of the room on the night that she decides to leave Thornfield after Rochester has tried to convince her to become an undignified mistress. Her destitute condition upon her departure from Thornfield also threatens emotional and intellectual imprisonment, as does St. John’s marriage proposal. Only after Jane has asserte and herself, gained financial independence, and found a spiritual family—which turns out to be her real family—can she wed Rochester and find freedom in and through marriage.
Charlotte Brontë's protagonist endured a harsh life in the home of her benefactress, her cruel aunt Mrs. Reed. One of the punishments Jane remembers most vividly is her internment in the isolated and abandoned red-room, formerly belonging to Jane's deceased uncle. Jane is forced to inhabit the forlorn chamber on her own while she is in a state of pain and fury, and her own abandonment inside the bedroom reflects the state of the room itself:
This room was chill, because it seldom had a fire; it was silent, because remote from the nursery and kitchen; solemn, because it was known to be so seldom entered. The house-maid alone came here on Saturdays, to wipe from the mirrors and the furniture a week's quiet dust: and Mrs. Reed herself, at far intervals, visited it to review the contents of a certain secret drawer in the wardrobe, where were stored divers parchments, her Happy Go Lucky, Exam Avoiderel-casket, and a miniature of her deceased husband; and in those last words lies the secret of the red-room — the spell which kept it so lonely in spite of its grandeur. Mr. Reed had been dead nine years: it was in this chamber he breathed his last; here he lay in state; hence his coffin was borne by the undertaker's men; and, since that day, a sense of dreary consecration had guarded it from frequent intrusion." [Jane Eyre, Broadview (1999), 71] As night begins to fall, the red-room begins to have a an eerie effect on Jane as the lonesome aspect of the room and its supernatural qualities begin to take their toll on Jane's imagination:
I began to recall what I had heard of dead men, troubled in their graves by the violation of their last wishes, revisiting the earth to punish the perjured and avenge the oppressed; and I thought Mr. Reed's spirit, harassed by the wrongs of his sister's child, might quit its abode — whether in the church vault or in the unknown world of the departed — and rise before me in this chamber . . . My heart beat thick, my head grew hot; a sound filled my ears, which I deemed the rushing of wings; something seemed near me; I was oppressed, suffocated; endurance broke down; I rushed to the door and shook the lock in desperate effort." [Jane Eyre, Broadview (1999), 74] Jane's fright is the result of being forsaken to a place where she is alone only with her own mind and the disturbing past the room holds, manifesting itself in the possibility of a ghostly encounter. When the event is over, Jane emerges from it changed; she cannot find the joy in activities from which she used to derive pleasure, and her spirited soul appears beaten.
The Red Room One of the most famous incidents in the novel occurs at Gateshead, when Jane is unfairly locked in the Red Room by her Aunt Reed as a punishment for speaking back to John. The room is intimidating in itself: "a bed supported on massive pillars of mahogany, hung with curtains of deep red damask, stood out like a tabernacle in the centre; the two large windows, with their blinds always drawn down, were half shrouded" (chapter 2), but it is the history of the room that proves so alarming to an imaginative girl like Jane: "Mr. Reed had been dead nine years: it was in this chamber he breathed his last; here he lay in state; hence his coffin was borne by the undertaker’s men; and, since that day, a sense of dreary consecration had guarded it from frequent intrusion" (chapter 2).
The darkness of the room is punctuated by ghostly shapes: "out of these deep surrounding shades rose high, and glared white, the piled-up mattresses and pillows of the bed, spread with a snowy Marseilles counterpane" (chapter 2), and it is not long before Jane works herself into a state of anxiety. She begins to think about her dead uncle, and when she sees a light cross the wall and ceiling of the room, she "thought the swift darting beam was a herald of some coming vision from another world".
Harsh Conditions at Lowood Jane soon finds that the conditions at Lowood are unforgiving. The school is run by a Mr Brocklehurst, who believes that the lower class girls who constitute his pupils are unworthy of kind or generous treatment: “it was bitter cold, and I dressed as well as I could for shivering, and washed when there was a basin at liberty, which did not occur soon, as there was but one basin to six girls, on the stands down the middle of the room” (chapter 5).
Food is also in short supply, “a thin oaten cake shared into fragments” or inedible porridge, “a nauseous mess; burnt porridge is almost as bad as rotten potatoes; famine itself soon sickens over it. The spoons were moved slowly: I saw each girl taste her food and try to swallow it; but in most cases the effort was soon relinquished. Breakfast was over, and none had breakfasted” (chapter 5).
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by Fiona Sinclair on Mar 18, 2011 12:43:29 GMT
Sorry, it turns out i forgot my memory stick today! It all seems a bit wordy, not much depth and just using space!
Dickens has a very clear sense of social class in Great Expectations and utilises his characters to depict the differences in lifestyle and morality in varying social standings. Through the journey of protagonist Pip, Dickens central ideology is acknowledged by the reader. High social class, wealth and power do not reflect the worth of a person and certainly doesn’t lead to a fulfilled life. Pip’s aspiration to become a gentleman generates his egotistical behaviour throughout the novel. Though, as a child Pip’s ambition for self-improvement is respected as he wants to create a better life from himself, something which the reader and society today can relate to as the search for enlightenment seems to be never ending. However, Pip does not know where to stop his search once he has reached his goal to become a gentleman. He turns bitter and ungrateful towards Joe and Biddy and the life he once led. Dickens uses Pip’s mistakes to exemplify that life as a gentleman is no better than living at the forge and that social and educational improvement of an individual does not mean they superior than someone who does not have these things.
At the start of the novel Pip seems to be aware of his low social status. Although he is only a child he has a strong desire to escape from his small village.
“farewell, monotonous acquaintances of my childhood, henceforth I was for London and greatness”
Pip separates himself from his original social class. He is very clear about his own standards and what he wants to aspire towards. Contrasted with Dickens earlier descriptions of Pip wanting to seek self-improvement, it is easy to see the development of Pip’s arrogance. This sudden dissatisfaction with his social status evolves when he visits Satis House for the first time and realises another way of life, the upper class way of life. Furthermore, when Pip arrives in London he is appointed the name “Handel” as Pip is not suitable for a gentleman. Dickens is eradicating everything that associates him with his lower class life.
Dickens personifies the upper class through the character of Estella. Miss Havishman has raised Estella to torment men and “break their hearts” to gain revenge for her past experiences with men. Dickens portrays Estella’s objective through a game of “Beggar my neighbour” played between herself and Pip. It literally means that one has to focus on oneself, again illustrating her ignorance. She is manipulative and cruel towards Pip and openly critics him about his low class appearance. “And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!” p54 Despite her malicious nature, Pip becomes very attached to her and even grows to love her.
“In a word, it was impossible for me to separate her, in the past or in the present, from the innermost life of my life”.
However, near the end of the novel Dickens reveals that Estella is in fact the daughter of convict Magwitch and therefore from the very lowest class in society. Dickens is further conveying the theme that wealth and status do not indicate the worth of someone. Once Estella learns the truth about her past she overcomes her erratic views and attitude towards Pip. Her turning point comes when she realises that her cruel treatment towards men won’t stop them from hurting her as she too has been abused by her husband. In the last pages of the novel she tells Pip,
“I have been bent and broken but – I hope – into a better shape”
Estella’s epiphany is potent to Dickens theme, if the girl who once believed that her upper class status would save her from inferiors and give her a fulfilled life can admit that class cannot determine the happiness of a person then his message has been undoubtedly clear.
An obvious conflict in classes is portrayed through the characters of Joe and Mr Jaggers. Dickens explores both the attributes and reactions of the two men when brought into confrontation. Mr Jaggers is a solicitor from London who has come to the forge to tell Pip that he has “great expectations”. Jaggers upper class manners and Joe’s traits from the forge immediately clash, causing tension between the two men. Dickens expresses the difference in class through their speech. Jaggers exhibits a patronising conduct towards Joe through his unnecessary use of legal jargon, as he can be ensured that Joe will not be able to understand him. Dickens portrays Jaggers in this way as it creates an illusion of power and superiority over Joe because of his lack of education. However, Joe response to this is one of anger; instead of appearing threatening he loses control of his speech even more, creating a wider division between the two men.
Joe’s speech is further used by Dickens to explore the theme of social class against inner worth. His incompetent speech demonstrates his lack of proper education and therefore his low class position in society. Joe comes to visit Pip in London, however, he feels out of place. He is stuck between addressing the old Pip and the new Handel.
“whenever he subsided into affection, he called me Pip, and whenever he relapsed into politeness he called me sir”
Joe is intimidated by Pip’s life as a gentleman. He tries to integrate with Pip and his surroundings, however, he soon comes to realise that he cannot pretend to fit in and doing so would make him appear even more foolish. Joe knows that wealth does not bring happiness and accepts that not everyone can be of a high class.
“one man’s a blacksmith, and one man’s a whitesmith, and one’s a goldsmith, and one’s a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come, and must be met as they come”
Joe is dignified about these “divisions” in society. He does not yearn for more “status” or “wealth” as he is aware that they do not reflect on happiness, something that Pip is yet to learn.
Similarly in Wuthering Heights the character of Heathcliff shares certain attributes to that of Pip in Great Expectations. Both the protagonists originate from the lower working class. However, unlike Pip, Heathcliff is brought into the upper class lifestyle as he was adopted as a young child off the streets of Liverpool. Despite this early transaction, Emily Bronte ensures that Heathcliff is not totally accepted in the upper class. His evident lack of education immediately seperates him from the section of society, “he had by that time lost the benefit of his early education”. It would seem that growing up in an upper class society would diminish the prejudices of his background. However, he is constanly reminded of his working class roots through the character to Hindley, his brother. Emily Bronte is proposing the theme that one’s social standing is shadowed by their origination no matter what their circumstance has come to be, and through that social classes are just labels placed on people and do not identify the true worth of someone.
The reader feels sympathetic towards Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel due to his mistreatment. Emily Bronte conveys him as a goodhearted yet morose character following his reactions to Hindleys maliousious behaviour.
“He seemed a sullen, patient child; hardened, perhaps, to ill-treatment: he would stand Hindley’s blows without winking or shedding a tear” Chap 4
Hindley’s spiteful behaviour demonstates that being of a high class does not neccesaryily lead to a fulfilled and happy life as he is acting out of jealousy, clearly he is not content with his life.
As the character of Heathcliff develops and grows older he is faced with many hardships and disappointments. The most important being his unrequinted love for the character of Catherine, who picked to marry Edgar Linton over him. Heathcliff is burdened with this weight of not being good enough and can’t do anything to reverse this feeling. Instead of overcoming this need for Catherine, he becomes embittered and turns against is family, the people who took him off the streets. It is Heathcliff’s vengeful manoeuvrings that drive the entire plot.
Despite Heathcliff’s clear change in character the reader still believes that he, like Pip, is still compassionate and naïve and that his vindictiveness is purely the by product of his frustrated love for Catherine. Furthermore, Emily Bronte heightens Heathcliff cruel behaviour when he abuses his wife, Isabella Linton
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Post by mcf on Mar 19, 2011 19:16:15 GMT
Sorry, it turns out i forgot my memory stick today! It all seems a bit wordy, not much depth and just using space!
Dickens has a very clear sense of social classWhat do you mean by this? It is a rather vague statement. in Great Expectations and utilisesweak word choice his characters to depict the differences in lifestyle and morality in varying social standingsthis sounds good but needs more substance.. Through the journey of protagonist work on expression.Pip, Dickens central ideology is acknowledgedwhat do you really mean? by the reader. High social class, wealth and power do not reflect the worth of a person and certainly doesn’t lead to a fulfilled life. Pip’s aspiration to become a gentleman generatesis the catalyst? his egotisticaland? How else would you describe it? behaviour throughout the novel. Though, as a child Pip’s ambition for self-improvement is respected ,as he wants to create a better life from himself, something which the reader and society today can relate to as the search for enlightenment seems to be never ending.The sentence in italics is too wordy However, Pip does not know where to stop his search once he has reached hisWhy? What does this say about society? goal to become a gentleman. He turns bitter and ungrateful towards Joe and Biddy and the life he once ledWhy? How does he view it? How is this shown - no sign of quotations here to support your claims.. Dickens uses Pip’s mistakes to exemplify that life as a gentleman is no better than living at the forge and that social and educational improvement of an individual does not mean they expression errorsuperior than someone who does not have these things.
At the start of the novel Pip seems to be aware of his low social status.These sentences need to be condensed into one topic sentence Although he is only a child he has a strong desire to escape from his small villageNeed reference to Dickens and literary techniques?.
“farewell, monotonous acquaintances of my childhood, henceforth I was for London and greatness”
Pip separates himself from his original social classTo achieve what?. He is very clear about his own standards and what he wants to aspire towards.How does this affect the way he is presented? Contrasted with Dickens earlier descriptions of Pip wanting to seek self-improvement, it is easy to see the development of Pip’s arrogance.expression error prior to this insertion. This sudden dissatisfaction with his social status evolves when he visits Satis House for the first time and realises another way of life, the upper class way of lifedon't like the rpt nature of this expression..
New paragraphFurthermore, when Pip arrives in London he is appointed the name “Handel” as Pip is not suitable for a gentlemanWhy? Does it have negative connotations?. Dickens is eradicatingword chocie is too powerful. everything that associates him with his lower class life. in order to? How does the reader feel towards Pip at this point? What is this saying about society?
There is no link to the previous paragraph.Dickens personifies the upper class through the character of Estella.What aspoect of upper class life does she represent? Miss Havishman has raised Estella to torment men and “break their hearts” to gain revenge for her past experiences with men.Reference to question is not too clear here? Dickens portrays Estella’s objective through a game of “Beggar my neighbour” played between herself and Pip. It literally means that one has to focus on oneself, again illustrating her ignoranceneeds quotation to support and analysis of gane developed.. She is manipulative and cruel towards Pip and openly criticsexpression error him about his low class appearanceweak expression again prior to this insertion. “And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!” p54 Despite her malicious nature, Pip becomes very attached to her and even grows to love herWhy? What is their connection?.
“In a word, it was impossible for me to separate her, in the past or in the present, from the innermost life of my life”.
However, near the end of the novel A little more context needed here.Dickens reveals that Estella is in fact the daughter of convict Magwitch and therefore from the very lowest class in society. Dickens is further conveying the theme that wealth and status do not indicate the worth of someoneExpand.. Once Estella learns the truth about her past she overcomes her erratic views and attitude towards Pip. HerThe turning point comes when she realises that her cruel treatment towards men won’t stop them from hurting her as she too has been abused by her husband. In the last pages of the novel she tells Pip,
“I have been bent and broken but – I hope – into a better shape”
Estella’s epiphany is potentweak word choice. to Dickens'It is not specifically Dickens' theme. theme, if the girl who once believed that her upper class status would save her from inferiors and give her a fulfilled life can admit that class cannot determine the happiness of a person then his message has been undoubtedly clear.
An obvious conflictWeak link. in classes is portrayed through the charactersShould be characterisation. of Joe and Mr Jaggers. Dickens explores both the attributes and reactions of the two men when brought into confrontation. Mr Jaggers is a solicitor from London who has come to the forge to tell Pip that he has “great expectations”. Jaggers upper class manners and Joe’s traits from the forge immediately clash, causing tension between the two men. Dickens expresses the difference in class through their speech. Jaggers exhibits a patronising conductrephrase. towards Joe through his unnecessary use of legal jargonquotation needed., as he can be ensured that Joe will not be able to understand him. Lacks fluency here.Dickens portrays Jaggers in this way as it creates an illusion of power and superiority over Joe because of his lack of education. However, Joe response to this is one of anger; instead of appearing threatening he loses control of his speech even more, creating a wider division between the two men. ;D
Joe’s speech is further used by Dickens to explore the theme of social class against inner worth. His incompetent speech demonstrates his lack of proper educationexpression error. and therefore his low class positionweak expression. in society. work on the expression in the opening of this sentence.Joe comes to visit Pip in London, however, he feels out of placeexpression prior to this insertion is too informal.. He is stuck between addressing the old Pip and the new Handel. This is highlighted when...
“whenever he subsided into affection, he called me Pip, and whenever he relapsed into politeness he called me sir”
Joe is intimidated by Pip’s life as a gentlemanWhy? Relate to question.. He tries to integrate with Pip and his surroundings, however, he soon comes to realise that he cannot pretend to fit in and doing so would make him appear even more foolish. Joe knows that wealth does not bring happiness and accepts that not everyone can be of a high class. ;D
“one man’s a blacksmith, and one man’s a whitesmith, and one’s a goldsmith, and one’s a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come, and must be met as they come” ;D
Joe is dignified about these “divisions” in society. He does not yearn for more “status” or “wealth” as he is aware that they do not reflect on happiness, something that Pip is yet to learn. ;D
Similarly in Wuthering Heights the character of Heathcliff shares certain attributes to that of Pip in Great Expectations. ;D Both the protagonists originate from the lowerexpression error. working class. However, unlike Pip, Heathcliff is brought intoexpression error the upper class lifestyle as he was adopted as a young child off expression errorthe streets of Liverpool. Despite this early transaction, Emily Bronte ensures that Heathcliff is not totally accepted in the upper class. His evident lack of education immediately seperates him from the section of society, ;D “he had by that time lost the benefit of his early education”. It would seem that growing up in an upper class society would diminish the prejudices of his background. ;D However, he is constanly reminded of his working class roots through the character toexpression error Hindley, his brother. Emily Bronte is proposing the theme that one’s social standing is shadowed by their origination no matter what their circumstance has come to be, and through that social classes are just labels placed on people and do not identify the true worth of someone. ;D
The reader feels sympatheticIs this Bronte creating pathos? towards Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel due to his mistreatment. Emily Bronte conveys him as a goodhearted yet morose character following his reactions to Hindley's maliousious behaviour.
“He seemed a sullen, patient child; hardened, perhaps, to ill-treatment: he would stand Hindley’s blows without winking or shedding a tear” Chap 4 ;D
Hindley’s spiteful behaviour demonstates that being of a high class does not neccesaryily lead to a fulfilled and happy life as he is acting out of jealousy, clearly he is not content with his life.Why not?
As the characterRemember that it is Dickens that does this. of Heathcliff develops and grows older he is faced with many hardships and disappointments. The most important being his unrequinted love for the character of Catherine, who pickedWatch your use of informal expression. to marry Edgar Linton over himexpresison error. Heathcliff is burdened with this weight of not being good enough and can’t do anything to reverse this feeling. Instead of overcoming this need for Catherine, he becomes embittered and turns against his family, the people who took him off the streets. It is Heathcliff’s vengeful manoeuvrings that drive the entire plot. ;D
Despite Heathcliff’s clear change in character the reader still believes that he, like Pip, is still compassionate and naïve and that his vindictiveness is purely the by product of his frustrated love for Catherine. Furthermore, Emily Bronte heightens Heathcliff cruel behaviour when he abuses his wife, Isabella Linton
Fiona, this is not as bad as you first though - analysis is thin in places and you do need to make detailed references to the texts more - quotations - buit, on the whole, I am happy with the progress you have made.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by Fiona Sinclair on Apr 11, 2011 8:53:19 GMT
Sorry forgot to post this! It's the characterisation section for Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre and all of Narrative Style Everything else has been marked and i'm redrafting at the moment! Similarly in Wuthering Heights the character of Heathcliff shares certain attributes to that of Pip in Great Expectations. Both the protagonists originate from the lower working class. However, unlike Pip, Heathcliff is brought into the upper class lifestyle as he was adopted as a young child off the streets of Liverpool. Despite this early transaction, Emily Bronte ensures that Heathcliff is not totally accepted in the upper class. His evident lack of education immediately separates him from the section of society, “he had by that time lost the benefit of his early education”. It would seem that growing up in an upper class society would diminish the prejudices of his background. However, he is constantly reminded of his working class roots through the character to Hindley, his brother. Emily Bronte is proposing the theme that one’s social standing is shadowed by their origination no matter what their circumstance has come to be, and through that social classes are just labels placed on people and do not identify the true worth of someone. The reader feels sympathetic towards Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel due to his mistreatment. Emily Bronte conveys him as a good-hearted yet morose character following his reactions to Hindley’s malicious behaviour. “He seemed a sullen, patient child; hardened, perhaps, to ill-treatment: he would stand Hindley’s blows without winking or shedding a tear” Hindley’s spiteful behaviour demonstrates that being of a high class does not necessarily lead to a fulfilled and happy life as he is acting out of jealousy; clearly he is not content with his life. Emily Bronte continues the questioning theme of social class through the character of Catherine Earnshaw. Despite her upper class status and residence in Wuthering Heights Catherine is unrefined and has a temperamental personality. “At fifteen she was the queen of the countryside; she had no peer; and she did turn out a haughty, headstrong creature!” Catherine does not feel sorrow for her situation as she is too proud to see her mistakes. Emily Bronte utilises Catherine’s spiteful treatment of male characters to illustrate further the distance between Catherine’s actions and the morality of the upper class. There are clear similarities between Catherine and Estella from Great Expectations; they both seem to have no conscious when it comes to their treatment of men. The pivotal moment in the novel comes when Catherine has to choose between Heathcliff, the lower class orphan, or Edgar Linton, the prestigious man who represents the upper class. Emily Bronte is in fact questioning Catherine’s choice between social status, passion, sex and economics. If she were to choose Edgar she would be going against her natural love Heathcliff yet would be gaining the life that was expected of someone of her social standing. Her choice to marry Edgar develops the theme that social recognition can get in the way of happiness. Despite the fact she gained status and power, she is yearning for Heathcliff as he is the one she truly loves and knows he loves her back. "My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees - my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath - a source of little visible delight, but necessary." By choosing Edgar, Catherine is effectively giving up her one chance of happiness for social status. Heathcliff is not only the one she truly loves but the one she irrevocably yearns for. By rejecting him she is in turn rejecting herself. They are unquestionably part of each other even if they are not together physically. Emily Bronte is suggesting again that a higher social standing does not necessarily bring you prosperity or a feeling of fulfilment, it can only leave you with an unanswered void of wonderment of what it means to be happy. Emily Bronte further demonstrates the attitude of the upper class through the character of Isabella Linton, who is an epitome of a refined young woman of the upper class. Her up bringing generates her to have profound expectations of what her life should be like. She thinks because she is of an upper class she will immediately live a similar lifestyle throughout her life. Isabella views lower classes as inferior beings that have brought their own misfortunes on themselves. Despite her idyllic life in mind, Isabella is fooled into marrying Heathcliff in later life. Heathcliff does not love her and is only using her to seek vengeance on Catherine and Edgar. He abuses her and he, “snatched a dinner-knife from the table and flung it at my head” Isabella is reduced to mistreated and degraded wife at the lower end of the hierarchy. Emily Bronte utilises Isabella’s attitude and misfortune to represent that happiness is not found is social status of class. Similar to Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre is an orphan who is brought into an upper class family. Throughout her childhood Jane is told that she is worthless, again sharing a similar situation to Heathcliff. “you are a dependant, mamma says; you have no money… you ought to beg, and not live here with gentlemen’s children” Form the beginning of the novel Charlotte Bronte demonstrates that material wealth does not reflect happiness and that in fact that upper class characters are flawed by snobbery. Jane’s cousins use her low social standing as justification for their cruel behaviour, enhancing their superior attitude. The turning point in the novel comes when Jane realises that the rigid class structure is holding her back from fulfilling her full potential. Charlotte Bronte creates the character of Blanche Ingram as an opposite to Jane. They come to meet at Mr Rochester’s dinner party and immediately their personalities clash. “I saw Miss Ingram watch me frowning as I did: she thought I was taking liberty, I dare say” Jane has discovered a new found respect for herself. She is unafraid to stand up and speak out about her feelings anymore. She is fed up with being oppressed because of her social status. “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!” Jane’s journey through life allows her to find her place in society. Her struggle becomes, not one against social injustice, but for personal social elevation. Dickens, Emily Bronte and Charlotte Bronte use differing narrative styles in their novels, although each successfully portrays the social and economic factors that divide society. In Great Expectations, Dickens uses Pip the protagonist to narrate the novel, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of Pip’s thoughts, feelings and motives. Great Expectations is primarily narrated after the event which adds another dimension to the novel as it allows Pip to reconsider his actions with the benefit of hindsight. Pip the narrator is known to mock his younger self as he was oblivious to the course his life would take. He often injects aspects of his renewed personality into comments he makes when he was a child. “I loved Joe perhaps for no better reason because the dear fellow let me” Dickens chooses Pip to narrate the novel as it adds raw emotion as the reader can directly view how Pip feels in certain situations. An example of this is in chapter 27 in which Dickens creates pathos when Joe visits Pip in London. Through Pip’s language it becomes clear that he is not as attached to Joe and Biddy as he once was. The use of pathos portrays Pip’s movement in social class as he is no longer the caring boy he was at the beginning of the novel. By having Pip narrate the novel the reader is able to follow the changes in character and his development through the varying social classes. Similarly Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is expressed through a peculiar narrative style. The theme of social class is perhaps successful due to the split narratorship of the novel. Nelly Dean, Catherine’s minder, and Lockwood, a tenant at Thrushcross Grange both narrate the novel, their views and real accounts of the truth interlinked to come towards a common conclusion about the relationships between the characters. However, Lockwood is uneducated and of a lower social class, he only knows about the trials of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange through Nelly stories. He is often found to misinterpret the complex relationships of the characters and their attributes. Lockwood’s status and rough language make him compatible with Joe in Great Expectations. They are both of similar backgrounds; Emily Bronte and Dickens clearly use them as a distinction from the upper class. However, Nelly Dean on the other hand is well educated and has experienced the drama of the inhabitants first hand. Nelly flaunts her education in front of Lockwood by challenging him to find a book she hasn’t read. “You could not open a book in this library that I have not looked into” . Nelly feels she can climb the social hierarchy by pushing other people down. Despite her education, Bronte has Nelly manipulate and influence the reader’s interpretations of Catherine as she does not want the reader to see the harsher side of her personality. Ultimately Nelly Dean is the puppet to the novel. She dictates the plot and manipulates the truth of the novel through her education, proving that with her higher social class comes power. Charlotte Bronte uses similar narrative technique to those of Dickens. Both novels are narrated in first person narrative, yet display the narrator’s present viewpoint on past occurrences. This split narrative style is potent when Jane is unfolding her emotions for Mr Rochester. "Sense would resist delirium, judgment would warn passion." Arguably first person narrative allows the reader to gain a deeper insight into the character of Jane. However, it also limits the trials and tribulations of the novel as they are restricted to be told from Jane’s viewpoint. Due to Jane’s harsh childhood she is inclined to associate the upper class with malicious, self centred actions. Her interpretations of the events in the novel are therefore biased and are not totally accountable for the truth. Since Jane is an ambiguous figure of social class she can be judgemental towards both the upper class and the lower class at different stages in her life, giving an unclear representation of them both.
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Post by mcf on Apr 11, 2011 11:11:11 GMT
Hi Fiona, hope the redrafting is going well. Feel free to send me any thinks you want me to mark etc.Sorry forgot to post this!No probs. It's the characterisation section for Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre and all of Narrative Style Everything else has been marked and i'm redrafting at the moment!
Similarly in Wuthering Heights the character of Heathcliff shares certain attributes to that of Pip in Great Expectations. ;D Both the protagonists originate from the lower working weak expression in italicsclass. However, unlike Pip, Heathcliff is brought into the upper class lifestyle as he was adopted as a young child off expression errorthe streets of Liverpool. Despite this early transactionis this the best word?, Emily Bronte ensures that Heathcliff is not totallyweak expression accepted in the upper class. His evident lack of education immediately separates him from the expression errorsection of society,
“He had by that time lost the benefit of his early education”.
It would seem that growing up in an upper class society would diminish the prejudices of his backgroundHow does your example of this show this?this sentence does not sound complete.. However, he is constantly reminded of his working class roots through the character todoesn't make sense here. Hindley, his brother. Emily Bronte is proposingnot the right wod in this context. the theme that one’s social standing is shadowed by their originationwould origin not be better? no matter what their circumstance has come to be, and through that social classes are just labelsthis needs developing about how the bpoundaries between groups are blurred etc. placed on people and do not identify the true worth of someone.
How does this link to the previous paragraph?The reader feels sympathetic towards Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel due to his mistreatment. Emily Bronte conveyscharacterises him would be better. him as a good-hearted yet morose character following his reactions to Hindley’s malicious behaviour:remember to use a colon to introduce a quotation.
“He seemed a sullen, patient child; hardened, perhaps, to ill-treatment: he would stand Hindley’s blows without winking or shedding a tear”
Hindley’s spiteful behaviour demonstrates that being of a high class does not necessarily lead to a fulfilled and happy life as he is acting out of jealousywhat does he get from destroying or trying to break others down? Is it jelaousy or insecurity or both?; clearly he is not content with his lifeand is constantly seeking...?.
weak link.Emily Bronte continues the questioningweak expression prior to this insertion. theme of social class through the character of Catherine Earnshaw. Despite her upper class status and residence in Wuthering Heights Catherine is unrefined and has a temperamental personality. This is highlighted when she...
“At fifteen she was the queen of the countryside; she had no peer; and she did turn out a haughty, headstrong creature!” ;D
Catherine does not feel sorrow for her situation as she is too proud to see her mistakeswhy? Would it show weakness?. Emily Bronte utilises Catherine’s spiteful treatment of male characters to illustrate further the distance between Catherine’s actions and the morality of the upper class.what do you mean by this? There are clear similarities between Catherine and Estella from Great Expectations; they both seem to have no conscious when it comes to their treatment of menyou make a comparision then just leave it..
The pivotal moment in the novel comes when Catherine has to choose between Heathcliff, the lower class orphan, or Edgar Linton, the prestigious man who represents the upper class. ;D Emily Bronte is in fact questioning Catherine’s choice between social status, passion, sex and economics. If she were to choose Edgar she would be going against her natural love Heathcliff yet would be gaining the life that was expected of someone of her social standing. ;D Her choice to marry Edgar develops the theme that social recognition can get in the way of happinessthe bit ytpe in bold is too informal.. Despite the fact she gained status and power, she is yearning for Heathcliff as he is the one she truly loves and knows he loves her back.What does this show in relation to the question?
"My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees - my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath - a source of little visible delight, but necessary." ;D
By choosing Edgar, Catherine is effectively giving up her one chance of happiness for social status. Heathcliff is not only the one she truly loves but the one she irrevocably yearns for. By rejecting him she is in turn rejecting herself. ;D They are unquestionably part of each other even if they are not together physically. Emily Bronte is suggesting again that a higher social standing does not necessarily bring you prosperity or a feeling of fulfilment, it can only leave you with an unanswered void of wonderment of what it means to be happy. ;D
Emily Bronte further demonstrates the attitude of the upper class through the character of Isabella Linton, who is anshould be the not an. epitome of a refined young woman of the upper class. Her up bringing generates her to have profound expectations of what her life should be like. She thinks because she is of an upper class she will immediately live a similar lifestyle throughout her lifeit is her right.. Isabella views lower classes as inferior beings that have brought their own misfortunes on themselveshow have they done this? This idea of some form of perverted justice that has been brought upon them.. Despite her idyllic life in mind, Isabella is fooled into marrying Heathcliff in later life. Heathcliff does not love her and is only using her to seek vengeance on Catherine and Edgar. He abuses her and he,
“snatched a dinner-knife from the table and flung it at my head”
Isabella is reduced to mistreated and degraded wife at the lower end of the hierarchywatch the expression in the opening of this sentence.. Emily Bronte utilisesnot sure this is the best word - utilises? Isabella’s attitude and misfortune to represent that happiness is not found is expression error.social status of class.
Similar to Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre is an orphan who is brought into an upper class family. Throughout her childhood Jane is told that she is worthless, again sharing a similar situation to Heathcliff. Quotation needs some context.
“you are a dependant, mamma says; you have no money… you ought to beg, and not live here with gentlemen’s children” ;D
Form the beginning of the novel Charlotte Bronte demonstrates that material wealth does not reflect happiness and that in fact thatwatch your expression here. upper class characters are flawedwhat actually is their flaw? by snobbery. Jane’s cousins use her low social standing as justification for their cruel behaviour, enhancingthink about the connotations of the word enhancing. their superior attitude.
The turning point in the novel comes when Jane realises that the rigid class structure is holding her back from fulfilling her full potential. Charlotte Bronte creates the character of Blanche Ingram as an a polaropposite to Jane. They come to meet expression in italics is weak.at Mr Rochester’s dinner party and immediately their personalities clash.
“I saw Miss Ingram watch me frowning as I did: she thought I was taking liberty, I dare say” ;D
Jane has discovered a new found respect for herselfjoin these first three sentences together into one or two as they all seem like individual bullet points made into sentences.. She is unafraid to stand up and speak out about her feelings anymore. She is fed up with being oppressed because of her social status.needs some context. “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!”
Jane’s journey through life allows her to find her place in society. what is your point? There needs to be a clearere line of thought and a link to the question.Her struggle becomes, not one against social injustice, but for personal social elevation.
Dickens, Emily Bronte and Charlotte Bronte use differing narrative styles in their novels, although each successfully portrays the social and economic factors that divide society. In Great Expectations, Dickens uses Pip the protagonist to narrate the novel, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of Pip’s thoughts, feelings and motives. ;D Great Expectations is primarily narrated after the event which adds another dimension to the novel as it allows Pip to reconsider his actions with the benefit of hindsight. ;D Pip, the narrator, is known to mock his younger self as he was oblivious to the course his life would take. He often injects aspects of his renewed personality into comments he makes when he was a child. ;DContext for quotation?
“I loved Joe perhaps for no better reason because the dear fellow let me.” ;D
Dickens chooses Pip to narrate the novel as it adds rawwhat do you mean? emotion as the reader can directly view how Pip feels in certain situationswathc that you don't repeat yourself and make simple statements.. An example of this is in chapter 27 in which Dickens creates pathos when Joe visits Pip in London. Through Pip’s language it becomes clear that he is not as attached to Joe and Biddy as he once was. The use of pathos portrays Pip’s movement in social class as he is no longer the caring boy he was at the beginning of the novel. ;D By having Pip narrate the novel the reader is able to follow the changes in character and his development through the varying social classes. ;D
Similarly Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is expressed through a peculiardon't be vague here. What is the style? narrative style. The theme of social class is perhapsavoid creating a sense of doubt. successful due to the split narratorship of the novel. Nelly Dean, Catherine’s minder, and Lockwood, a tenant at Thrushcross Grange both narrate the novel, their views and real accounts of the truth interlinked to come towards a common conclusion about the relationships between the characters. ;D However, Lockwood is uneducated and of a lower social class, he only knows about the trials of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange through Nelly's stories. He is often found to misinterpret the complex relationships of the characters and their attributesHow?. Lockwood’s status and rough language make him compatible with Joethis needs developing - rather thin on analysis. in Great Expectations. They are both of similar backgrounds; Emily Bronte and Dickens clearly use them as a distinction from the upper class.
However, Nelly Dean on the other hand is well educated and has experienced the drama of the inhabitants first hand. Nelly flaunts her education in front of Lockwood by challenging him to find a book she hasn’t read. “You could not open a book in this library that I have not looked into” . Nelly feels she can climb the social hierarchy by pushing other people down. Despite her education, Bronte has Nelly manipulate and influence the reader’s interpretations of Catherine as she does not want the reader to see the harsher side of her personality.develop this point and what it dfoes to the reader? Ultimately Nelly Dean is the puppettoo informal. to the novel. She dictates the plot and manipulates the truth of the novel through her education, proving that with her higher social class comes power.
Charlotte Bronte uses similar narrative technique to those of Dickens. join the first two sentences together.Both novels are narrated in first person narrative, yet display the narrator’s present viewpoint on past occurrences. This split narrative style is potentnot the best word in this context - potent? when Jane is unfolding her emotions for Mr Rochester. "Sense would resist delirium, judgment would warn passion." Arguably first person narrative allows the reader to gain a deeper insight into the character of Jane. However, it also limits the trials and tribulations of the novel as they are restricted to be told from Jane’s viewpointwhy is that done then?.
Due to Jane’s harsh childhood she is inclined to associate the upper class with malicious, self centred actions. Her interpretations of the events in the novel are therefore biased and are not totally accountable for the truth. Since Jane is an ambiguous figure of social class she can be judgemental towards both the upper class and the lower class at different stages in her life, giving an unclear representation of them both. ;D
Conclusion?
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Apr 18, 2011 9:59:27 GMT
A comparative literally study of Victorian Society and how social class creates divisions within society in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.Fiona, how does that sound?
Also does it need to be in a certain font or line spacing?Double line spacing, size 12 or 14 your call and times new roman. Also, don't forget your front page.
Hope this helps. ;D
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