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Post by mcf on Feb 12, 2011 18:14:19 GMT
needs a clear linkage from previous chapter as it is your language that will signpost a change of direction not a chapter heading so you need more of a mini-introduction to outline the aspect that you are looking at and its role.Society’s destructive nature and freedom are shown as incrediblyweak expression important factors in each of the three novels. Each novel consistsconsists is poor word choice of characters yearning for freedom from oppression, however, due to the destructive force of society, this is not always possible.rephrase the final section of the sentence as it seems not to fit in with the tone of the rest of the sentence.
In ‘A Tale Of Two Cities,’ the cleardoesn't need the word clear. class distinctions mean society is heavily segregated - the lower class condemned to the dirty, disease ridden streets whilst the rich are richer than evertoo informal., caring only about themselves. The selfish nature of the rich is shown particularly clearlyweak expression. in the instance where the Marquis Evremonde runs over and kills a poor boy, showing no respect.there is a lack of context surroundthing this example. Also you make referemce to this point without any supporting evidence from the text. I would show what his breaction was? The ostentatious quality of the rich is clearly highlighted in the way they conduct themselves. During the Revolution the rich were richer than everweak expression. and Dickens skilfully portrays the way they exploit this wealthhow does he do this? Again a lack of context. Also colon used before quotation. I would place all quotations in italics..
‘Yes. It took four men, all four ablaze with gorgeous decoration, and the chief of them unable to exist with fewer than two gold watches in his pocket, emulative of the noble and chaste fashion set by Monseigneur, to conduct the happy chocolate to Monseigneur’s lips.’
There bis no reference to this quotation - if you are going to insert it then you must explain how it highlights your point.Whilst the rich are expressinghow do they do this? their wealth, on the other side of the spectrum, the poor cannot even afford the basics.
‘The women were a sight to chill the boldest. From such household occupations as their bare poverty yielded, from their children from their aged and their sick crouching, on the bare ground, famished and naked.’
Reference to quotation?Sydney Carton is shown to be a character desperately seeking freedom from his mundane existence where he feels he is a credit to no one.How is this done? His love for Lucie Manette gives him temporary freedom as his love for her gives him faith that his life is worth living. However, he soon realises that she will never love him the way he loves her. Instead, he decides to devote his life to making her happy, even if this means making the ultimate sacrificebeing?, proving he has grown as a character and has gained his own personal freedom. remember to link?The French aristocrats are seeking refuge from death as the guillotine, however the depictedexpression error bloodthirsty nature of society and the lack of a sense of community forbids them to escape as no one will risk their own safety to help them, thus showing a great contrastThis point is too simple - you must highlight the contrast. to ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel.’
In ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ the French are portrayed as peopleexpression errors who are desperate for retribution at any cost, resulting in rebellion and revolution as the lower class seek to wipe outtoo informal. the entire upper class, sending them all to the guillotine.why do they want this?
‘And daily, hourly, the hideous instrument of torture claimed its many victims - old men, young women, tiny children, even until the day it would demand the head of a King and a beautiful young Queen.’
However, in England, the people are determined to help the Frenchshould it not read the aristoicracy not the FRrench? escape the uprising and social turmoil of the Revolution. In contrast to ‘A Tale Of Two Cities,’ the Scarlet Pimpernel and his followers are devoted to doing the right thing, risking their own lives to help the innocent French aristocrats escape to freedom and a safe haven in the form of England.
‘And this band of young Englishmen had, to her own knowledge, bearded the implacable and bloodthirsty tribunal of the Revolution, within the very walls of Paris itself, and had snatched away condemned victims, almost from the very foot of the guillotine.’
As a result of their bravery, the Pimpernel and his followers are held in high regard by the aristocracy.Hopw is this shown? Why is that? Supporting evidence? Limited, if any, analysis here.
In ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest,’ the hospital represents all that is evil in society and the clinical oppression often faced by minority groups. Kesey sees society as a matriarchal dictatorship where the repression of natural desires leads people to lash out. By means of clinical oppression, society destroys the natural impulses of others. The hospital represents society at large and its views towards minorities. Kesey sees society as a destructive force, forcing people to conform to what is viewed as ‘normal’. ;D
‘Yes. This is what I know. The ward is a factory for the combine. It’s for fixing up mistakes made in the neighbours and in the schools and in the churches, the hospital is. When a completed product goes back into society, all fixed up, good as new, better than new sometimes, it brings joy to the Big Nurse’s heart.’
The expression of freedom is seen as a key component to sanityExpand fully on your point.. Kesey explores how the repression of this freedom and human desire destroys natural impulses. Kesey largelydoesn't need largely. focuses on the patients’ inability to laugh. The patients seem shocked to hear McMurphy laughing as they are not used to any expression of freedom, which McMurphy quickly picks up ontoo informal..
‘But the rest are even scared to open up and laugh. You know, that’s the first thing that got me about this place, that there wasn’t anybody laughing. I haven’t heard a real laugh since I came through that door, do you know that? Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing.’
The patients of the psychiatric hospital are shown to seek freedom from Nurse Ratched’s rule, however, exposure to her oppression for such a long time left them weak, downtrodden and unable to stand up for themselves. McMurphy provides the perfect foil for Nurse Ratched’s bitter personality.What makes him so? He inspires the patients to want freedom, as shown in his attempt to smash the window to escape. Although everyone, including McMurphy, knows he cannot break it, he still tries, showing the patients that they will not get anywhere unless they try. ;D
Overall, each author clearly depicts the view that society is largely a destructive force, destroying the freedom and natural impulses of many. Each protagonist is seen to value freedom and seek it, particularly in times of adversity. Sydney Carton in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ is shown to seek freedom from his life as he feels there is nothing worth living for.too thin. The French aristocrats in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ seek freedom in the form of England from certain death at the guillotine. RP McMurphy inspires the psychiatric ward patients to seek freedom from oppression throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Each summary needs expanding.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by loribeany on Mar 12, 2011 16:11:39 GMT
Section Three: Character’s Journey ;D
It is typical in literary works for a character to be sent on a journey of self discovery with the aim of reaching the greatest good. The protagonists in ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ are all subjected to this journey.
In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, Sydney Carton is portrayed as an insolent, alcoholic underachiever. He feels he has wasted his life and has missed out on chances. On first meeting Charles Darnay, Carton’s morally superior counterpart, he states
‘I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth and no man on earth cares for me.’
In the beginning of the novel, Sydney Carton is a frequently drunk attorney who believes his life to be an extreme waste. He feels he is caught in the disappointing course of his once promising life which was taken from him in the form of his missed chances.
‘I am not old, but my young way was never the way to age.’
However, later in the novel, Carton is seen to make a profound transformation into a character whose selfless act of heroism saved the life of the woman he loved. Carton professes his love for Lucie Manette, his only reason for living,
‘For you, and any dear to you, I would do anything. I would embrace any sacrifice for you and those dear to you…think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you.’
This foreshadows the end of the novel where Carton makes the ultimate sacrifice so as Lucie can go on living. He knows she will never love him the same way, however she has offered him something more important as she was the only one who believed he was a good person and therefore gave his life meaning. Carton died for Lucie and Darnay so as they could go on living and he could go to his death with the satisfaction of knowing his life now had meaning.
‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far greater rest that I go to than I have ever known.’
As Carton goes to the guillotine, the narrator states he is envisioning an idyllic Paris ‘rising from the abyss’ where he sees ‘the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out.’ This connotes the idea that just as the violence of the revolution gives way to the birth of a new society, the sacrifice of Carton’s life precedes his redemption.
Throughout Baroness Orczy’s ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’, the Pimpernel constantly risks his own safety to protect others. He uses his other identity, that of ‘the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher’ Sir Percy Blakeney, to protect his antics as the Pimpernel. However, his role as Percy, the dull, slow witted Englishman, means he does not have the full respect of his wife, Lady Blakeney, ‘the cleverest woman in Europe.’
‘Blakeney was really too stupid to notice the ridicule with which his wife covered him.’
It is also stated, ‘in his beautiful house at Richmond he played second fiddle to his clever wife.’ His guise as Sir Percy Blakeney provides the perfect coverage for the Pimpernel, however his façade means he is perpetually seen as ‘inane’.
‘It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney…had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home…a beautiful, fascinating, clever French wife.’
The idea that people were surprised he could ‘secure a brilliant matrimonial prize’ may be a reason why Percy does not hold his wife’s full respect and suggests he sacrifices not only his safety as the Pimpernel but his respect as Sir Percy. However, at the turning point in the novel when Lady Blakeney discovers Sir Percy’s true identity, she begins to show true respect towards him.
‘As the death of a brave man, through the hand of a woman who loved him, and worshipped him, and who would gladly have died for his sake.’
Lady Blakeney realises Percy is risking his life everyday for people he does not know -
‘She had suddenly found that this enigmatic personality whom she had worshipped, and the man who loved her so passionately, were one and the same.’
-and therefore begins to respect him fully.
Throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the protagonist RP McMurphy could be seen as a Christ figure who is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the other patients. McMurphy is at the psychiatric hospital willingly and from the moment he arrives, begins teaching the repressed patients, helping them to regain their confidence and in time, the ability to see that they do not need to be in the hospital. McMurphy makes the patients realise that it is possible for them to think for themselves, therefore resulting in the destruction of the system and of the ‘Big Nurse’s’ oppressive regime. However, it is the qualities that gain McMurphy respect and make him who he is that ultimately result in his tragic downfall. Kesey strongly suggests that the patients are in this ward due to the pressures put on them by society to conform and that their madness does not originate with them, rather has been caused by others. McMurphy is introduced as a foil to Nurse Ratched and her attempt to dehumanise her patients. When he first arrives he begins to challenge the system of the ward. A symbolic example of his rebellion against oppression is his attempt to lift the control panel. Both he and the patients know this is an unachievable feat, but he makes the point he tried, something the other men would not think to do. McMurphy’s free spirit is another one of his rebellious characteristics which challenges Nurse Ratched’s oppressive ways. He helps the patients regain some control over their lives by teaching them how to laugh again,
‘You have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy.’
The final instance in which McMurphy is portrayed as a Christ like figure is his sacrifice of his life in order to save the others on the ward. His attack of Nurse Ratched, consequently leading him to receive a lobotomy. Although he knew his offensive behaviour would lead him there, he was willing to sacrifice himself to save the others. Bromden can no longer accept seeing the usually loud and vibrant McMurphy as a vegetable and so feels forced to euthanize him -
‘He wouldn’t have let something like that sit in the day room…so the Big Nurse could use it as an example of what can happen if you buck the system. I was sure of that.’
This self sacrifice breaks the oppression of the hospital and prompts many patients to check themselves out, having finally regained their confidence.
Therefore it can be seen that the journey each of these protagonists are subjected to contribute highly to the reader’s understanding of both the novel and the concept of self sacrifice as a whole.
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Post by loribeany on Mar 12, 2011 16:34:23 GMT
Conclusion ;D
To conclude, it is therefore evident that the concept of sacrifice in literature has been skilfully portrayed and developed throughout the three novels ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Charles Dickens’ protagonist, Sydney Carton portrays the idea of a wasted life and also shows the interlinking relationship between the sacrifice of a person and their ultimate redemption. Carton begins the novel as a character who values nothing and no one, however his profound transformation prompted by the support of the woman he loved changed him into a selfless martyr and arguably makes him one of literature’s most memorable characters. Baroness Orczy presents a romanticized version of self sacrifice in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. Her protagonist risks his safety in order to rescue the innocent, however due to his guise as the ‘bumbling’ Sir Percy Blakeney, he sacrifices the respect of his intelligent wife. However as their journeys intertwine and she discovers his true identity, she realizes he is constantly risking his safety and facing the threat of death in order to save the innocent. Lastly, throughout Ken Kesey’s ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the oppressive nature of society at large is examined along with the Christ like nature of protagonist RP McMurphy. He is a voluntary patient at the psychiatric hospital and appears to be there to teach the other patients to regain their confidence and their control over their own lives. His ultimate sacrifice is his final act as a Christ like figure which consequently inspires many of the oppressed patients to check themselves out of the hospital. Therefore it is evident that sacrifice is a principled idea which is prominent not only throughout the three novels but also in literature as a whole.
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Post by mcf on Mar 13, 2011 13:54:24 GMT
Section Three: Character’s Journey
It is typicalif you are going to make such a claim then you need to support it with secondaryb reading? in literary works for a character to be sentexpression - is sent the best term? on a journey of self discovery with the aim of reaching the greatest good'greatest good' what does that really mean?. The protagonists in ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ are all subjectedsuggests something negative. Is it really? to this journey.
In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, Sydney Carton is portrayed as an insolent, alcoholic underachieverinsert quotation?. He feels he has wasted his life and has missed out on chancesexpression needs to be more sophisticated - also want would these chances have given him - not specifics but emotionally and spiritually.. On first meeting Charles Darnay, Carton’s morally superior counterpart, he states
‘I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth and no man on earth cares for me.’
In the beginning of the novel, Sydney Carton is a frequently drunk attorney who believes his life to be an extreme waste. He feels he is caught in the disappointing course of his once promising life which was taken from him in the form of his missed chances.You need ton make more reference to the quotation - shows the hopeless nature of his existence. plus you need to contextualise the next quotation.
‘I am not old, but my young way was never the way to age.’
However, later in the noveltoo vague, Carton is seen to make a profound transformationwhat was the catalyst for his transformation - you move too quickly? into a character whose selfless act of heroism saved the life of the woman he loved. Carton professes his love for Lucie Manette, his only reason for living,
‘For you, and any dear to you, I would do anything. I would embrace any sacrifice for you and those dear to you…think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you.’
This foreshadows the end of the novel where Carton makes the ultimate sacrifice so as Lucie can go on livingexpression needs to be more formal.. He knows she will never love him the same waytoo vague., however she has offered him something more important as she was the only one who believed he was a good person and therefore gave his life meaning. Carton died for Lucie and Darnay so as they could go on living and he could go to his death with the satisfaction of knowing his life now had meaning.watch that you don't just repeat yourself.
‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far greater rest that I go to than I have ever known.’ ;D
As Carton goes to the guillotine, the narrator states he is envisioning an idyllic Paris ‘rising from the abyss’ where he sees ‘the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out.’ This connotes the idea that just as the violence of the revolution gives way to the birth of a new society, the sacrifice of Carton’s life precedes his redemption.excellent but needs developing. ;D
Throughout Baroness Orczy’s ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’, the Pimpernel constantly risks his own safety to protect others. He uses his other identity, that of ‘the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher’ Sir Percy Blakeney, to protect his anticschange word as the Pimpernel. However, his role as Percy, the dull, slow witted Englishman, means he does not have the full respect of his wife, Lady Blakeney, ‘the cleverest woman in Europe.’
‘Blakeney was really too stupid to notice the ridicule with which his wife covered him.’
It is also stated, ‘in his beautiful house at Richmond he played second fiddle to his clever wife.’ His guise as Sir Percy Blakeney provides the perfect coverage for the Pimpernel, however his façade means he is perpetually seen as ‘inane’. ;D
‘It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney…had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home…a beautiful, fascinating, clever French wife.’
The idea that people were surprised he could ‘secure a brilliant matrimonial prize’ may be a reason why Percy does not hold his wife’s full respect and suggests he sacrifices not only his safety as the Pimpernel but his respect as Sir Percy. However, at the turning point in the novel when Lady Blakeney discovers Sir Percy’s true identity, she begins to show true respect towards him. ;D
‘As the death of a brave man, through the hand of a woman who loved him, and worshipped him, and who would gladly have died for his sake.’
Lady Blakeney realises Percy is risking his life everyday for people he does not know -
‘She had suddenly found that this enigmatic personality whom she had worshipped, and the man who loved her so passionately, were one and the same.’
-thin on comment.and therefore begins to respect him fully. ;D
Throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the protagonist RP McMurphy could avoid doubt.be seen as a Christ figure who is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the other patients. McMurphy is at the psychiatric hospital willingly and from the moment he arrives, begins teaching the repressed patients, helping them to regain their confidence and in time, the ability to see that they do not need to be in the hospital. ;D McMurphy makes the patients realise that it is possible for them to think for themselves, therefore resulting in the destruction of the system and of the ‘Big Nurse’s’ oppressive regime. However, it is these qualities that gain McMurphy respect and make him who he is that ultimately result in his tragic downfall. ;D Kesey strongly suggests that the patients are in this ward due to the pressures put on them by society to conform and that their madness does not originate with them, rather has been caused by others.;D McMurphy is introduced as a foil to Nurse Ratched and her attempt to dehumanise her patients. When he first arrives he begins to challenge the system of the ward. A symbolic example of his rebellion against oppression is his attempt to lift the control panel. ;D Both he and the patients know this is an unachievable feat, but he makes the point he tried, something the other men would not think to do.what does that show then? McMurphy’s free spirit is another one of his rebellious characteristics which challenges Nurse Ratched’s oppressive ways. He helps the patients regain some control over their lives by teaching them how to laugh again, ;D
‘You have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy.’ ;Dcomment?
The final instanceweak opening? in which McMurphy is portrayed as a Christ like figure is his sacrifice of his life in order to save the others on the ward.watch expression. His attack of Nurse Ratched, consequently leading him to receive a lobotomy. Although he knew his offensive behaviour would lead him there, he was willing to sacrifice himself to save the others. Bromden can no longer accept seeing the usually loud and vibrant McMurphy as a vegetable and so feels forced to euthanize him - ;D
‘He wouldn’t have let something like that sit in the day room…so the Big Nurse could use it as an example of what can happen if you buck the system. I was sure of that.’ ;D
This self sacrifice breaks the oppression of the hospital and prompts many patients to check themselves out, having finally regained their confidence.comment is too thin
Therefore it can be seen that the journey each of these protagonists are subjected to contribute highly to the reader’s understanding of both the novel and the concept of self sacrifice as a whole. lacks an evaluative comment considering this is summarising three novels.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Mar 13, 2011 13:58:52 GMT
To conclude, it is therefore evident that the concept of sacrifice in literature has been skilfully portrayed and developed throughout the three novels ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’clear statement. Charles Dickens’ protagonist, Sydney Carton portrays the idea of a wasted life and also shows the interlinking relationship between the sacrifice of a person and their ultimate redemption. Carton begins the novel as a character who values nothing and no one, however his profound transformation prompted by the support of the woman he loved changed him into a selfless martyr and arguably makes him one of literature’s most memorable characters.Can you truly make that final claim. Link?Baroness Orczy presents a romanticized version of self sacrifice in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. Her protagonist risks his safety in order to rescue the innocent, however due to his guise as the ‘bumbling’ Sir Percy Blakeney, he sacrifices the respect of his intelligent wife. However as their journeys intertwine and she discovers his true identity, she realizes he is constantly risking his safety and facing the threat of death in order to save the innocent. ;D Lastly, throughout Ken Kesey’s ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the oppressive nature of society at large is examined along with the Christ like nature of protagonist RP McMurphy. He is a voluntary patient at the psychiatric hospital and appears to be there to teach the other patients to regain their confidence and their control over their own lives. His ultimate sacrifice is his final act as a Christ like figure which consequently inspires many of the oppressed patients to check themselves out of the hospital. ;D Therefore it is evident that sacrifice is a principled idea which is prominentwhat are you saying about sacrifice and what are the connections between the three? You have summarised them individually but you should also try and do this collectively.They are meant to be linked? not only throughout the three novels but also in literature as a whole.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by loribeany on Mar 31, 2011 17:45:54 GMT
Redraaaaaft ;D
'When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.'
Self sacrifice can be defined as ‘the giving up of one’s own benefit; especially giving up one’s life, for the good of others.’ The concept of sacrifice as a whole has always been one which has evoked interest, predominantly in literature, 'from the primary comprehension of a sacrifice as a higher crucial force to the romantic attempt to attribute to the sacrifice the meaning of a heroic act.' Three such novels which skilfully display the theme of self sacrifice through their protagonists are ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’
'A Tale of Two Cities', a novel by Charles Dickens, focuses largely on the interlinking relationship of sacrifice and redemption in human nature during the throes of the French Revolution. Dickens’ protagonist, Sydney Carton, views his life as worthless as he feels he has missed out on the good in life. This therefore leads many to believe that when his one and only reason for existence is threatened, self sacrifice is the only inevitable conclusion. It can be said that 'Carton becomes a Christ-like figure, a selfless martyr whose death enables the happiness of his beloved and ensures his own immortality.'
In contrast, Baroness Orczy's work 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' sees a romanticised version of self sacrifice in which the protagonist, Sir Percy Blakeney, under his assumed role of The Scarlet Pimpernel faces the threat of his own death in order to rescue the innocent French aristocrats from their fate at the ‘foot of the guillotine.’
Lastly, 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', written by Ken Kesey also heavily portrays the theme of self sacrifice through the protagonist RP McMurphy who volunteers to be admitted to the psychiatric hospital in order to avoid the prison work camp. Much like Carton, McMurphy holds the role as a Christ-like figure, helping the patients from the moment he arrives. His ultimate sacrifice inspires many of the oppressed patients to regain their confidence and live their own lives.
Therefore it is clear that throughout the three previously mentioned texts, self sacrifice is a predominant theme which has been skilfully developed and portrayed.
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Post by loribeany on Mar 31, 2011 17:46:44 GMT
The development of setting in a novel can effectively encompass not only the physical world, but also seek to highlight the author’s comments on society alike. Arguably, it is through setting that authors can explore how surroundings can impact upon human nature.
Dickens’ use of setting skilfully portrays the declining state of society throughout 18th century Paris and London in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities.’ A time of great unrest in both cities, Dickens portrays the socially unsettled hubs of civilisation as homes to compassionless beings who care only about themselves. The choice of large cities for the setting reflects the cold, impersonal nature of society at times and also the loneliness people can feel even in the busiest of places. The detached nature of these larger cities and alienation of individuals leads to a reluctance surrounding self sacrifice:
‘In England, there was scarcely an amount of order and protection to justify much national boasting.’
Although it can be seen that England is the novel’s ‘safe haven’ as it is not in the throes of revolution, it is still far from being a utopia. Dickens highlights the immorality of London by introducing the court room as a symbol of moral turpitude. At the trial of Charles Darnay, a man who was mistakenly arrested, a whole crowd of drunks and delinquents gather to see the condemned man sentenced to death, as if the courtroom proceedings were a spectator sport. This shows the idea of schadenfreude - taking pleasure in the suffering of others - which is present throughout England. This, combined with the clear lack of compassion and the insular nature of many individuals proves that despite the blatant miscarriage of justice, no one is willing to sacrifice themselves to save another. As this scene demonstrates, there is not much difference in the way people from London conduct themselves compared to their Parisian counterparts. It is clear that France is also suffering deterioration in its social structure:
‘France, less favoured on the whole as to matters spiritual than her sister of the shield and trident, rolled with exceeding smoothness downhill.’
Dickens uses the French Tribunals to mirror that of the court in London, however, the trials in France are far more radical. Hundreds of, largely innocent, French aristocrats are brought to trial and sentenced to death every day as revenge for their wealth and status. Dickens makes clear that the jurors are often drunk and occasionally do not even pay attention to the proceedings even though they are control of other peoples’ lives. The lack of authoritative support combined with the bloodthirsty nature of the ‘audience’ at the trials convey the deteriorating state of society, clearly highlighting the predominant sense of self and reluctance for self sacrifice. In blending the two cities and their problems together and largely focussing on a small number of protagonists and their lives, Dickens conveys the personal and emotional aspect of the French Revolution whilst showing that even in times of the hardest adversity, society can hold an entirely selfish nature with the desire for self-preservation at any cost at the centre of this.
In contrast, Orczy’s depiction of England in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ is that of a welcoming haven for the escaped French aristocrats, offering hospitality and warmth:
‘‘Welcome! Welcome to Old England!’ Said Lord Antony, effusively, as he came eagerly forward with both hands outstretched towards the newcomers.’
The use of Mr Jellyband’s pub, ‘The Fisherman’s Rest’, reflects the friendly nature of England Orczy is portraying. ‘The Fisherman’s Rest’ is said to be constantly ‘bustling’- filled with laughter and a friendly atmosphere. Although it is a small place, it is warm and welcoming towards the French aristocrats and the people are shown to be less prejudiced than the French. The pub can be seen as a symbolic halfway point between the throes of the Revolution in France and the utopia of England.
France is shown as a completely different entity to England. Orczy appears to plunge the reader into the air of the Revolution, clearly showing the diminishing state of society. The reader is first introduced to France and its people as:
‘A surging, seething crowd of beings that are human only in name, for to the eye and ear they seem naught but savage creatures, animated by vile passions and by the lust of vengeance and of hate.’
This crowd gathers at the West Barricade in Paris to watch as aristocrats are slaughtered at the guillotine, condemned as ‘traitors’ to France. The French lower classes are shown to turn the escape attempts of the aristocrats into a spectator sport. They gather at the gates of the city to watch the daily attempts to evade Sergeant Bibo, who in the past had ‘great success’ in preventing aristocrats from escaping, highlighting the bloodthirsty nature of the masses portrayed by Orczy, whose sympathies clearly lie with the aristocrats.
Much like the previous texts, throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ the setting reflects the oppression Kesey sees in modern society. The psychiatric hospital represents physical and metaphorical emasculation - it is not about curing people, it is about the manipulation of the weak until they are forced to conform. The hospital is depicted as a viewing platform for visitors. The true cold nature of the hospital is hidden to the outsiders and a warm façade is adopted, showing how helpless the patients really are as no one truly knows what is going on:
‘‘What a cheery atmosphere, don’t you agree?’ He’ll bustle around the school teachers, who are bunched together for safety, clapping his hands together.’
The reality of the inner workings of the hospital under Nurse Ratched’s rule is completely different to what is portrayed to outsiders. The patients live in constant fear of the mental and physical abuse distributed by Nurse Ratched and her aides, who were chosen for their compassionless personalities:
‘But when you shave before breakfast like she has me do some mornings - six thirty in the morning in a room all white walls and white basins and long tube lights in the ceiling making sure there aren’t any shadows, and faces all round you trapped screaming behind mirrors.’
This shows the repression of the patients as Nurse Ratched rids the ward of colour in order to maintain her clinical and oppressive rule. The hospital represents society at large and its views towards minority groups. Kesey effectively portrays the emotional turmoil and the feeling of helplessness faced by many in our modern society which he believes attempts to break down those who are already suffering. The setting is also largely the source of Nurse Ratched’s power. Her ability to keep the ‘outside world’ away from her ward enables her to use the close quarters of the ward to keep her patients downtrodden and to almost pit them against each other, rewarding them for telling the secrets of other patients, further strengthening her rule.
The hospital is a small world of regulations, routine and discipline under the unrelenting rule of a dictator figure. On a deeper level, the use of a psychiatric hospital for the setting depicts Kesey’s ideas on a modern society.
Overall, it is clear that the use of setting in a novel can add another dimension and skilfully portray wider ideas of the world and how the consideration of time and place can impact upon a novel’s characters and civilisation as a whole as people are forced to react in their given stimulus. Dickens’ use of setting shows the darker side of society in a time of great adversity and the disruptive effect immense changes can have on a country‘s social standing. Orczy presents England as a beacon of hope in dark times, however also highlights the deteriorating state of society not all that far away in Paris. Kesey reflects his views on society at large by setting the novel in a psychiatric hospital run by a dictator figure preaching oppression to the already downtrodden patients.
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Post by loribeany on Mar 31, 2011 17:47:08 GMT
Much like the use of setting, the destructive nature of society and the importance of freedom are shown as imperative factors in each of the three novels. Each novel portrays their characters as yearning for freedom from oppression, however, the freedom they are seeking is not always possible as the destructive nature of society prevents them from reaching their desires.
In ‘A Tale Of Two Cities,’ the class distinctions mean society is heavily segregated - the lower class condemned to the dirty, disease ridden streets whilst the rich continue to prosper, caring only about themselves. This mercenary attitude of the rich is particularly apparent in the instance where the Marquis Evremonde runs over and kills a poor boy, showing no regret. He immediately treats the death of the boy as an annoyance to his own advancement:
‘‘It is extraordinary to me’, said he, ‘that you people cannot take care of yourselves and your children. One or the other of you is for ever in the way. How do I know what injury you have done to my horses?’
The ostentatious quality of the rich is clearly highlighted in the way they conduct themselves. During the cataclysm of the Revolution, the rich attained a level of wealth never before seen and Dickens skilfully portrays the way in which this wealth is exploited through the description of the wealthy:
‘Yes. It took four men, all four ablaze with gorgeous decoration, and the chief of them unable to exist with fewer than two gold watches in his pocket, emulative of the noble and chaste fashion set by Monseigneur, to conduct the happy chocolate to Monseigneur’s lips.’
This shows that whilst the rich are expressing their wealth through their lavish lifestyles, on the other side of the spectrum, the poor are unable to afford even the basics:
‘The women were a sight to chill the boldest. From such household occupations as their bare poverty yielded, from their children from their aged and their sick crouching, on the bare ground, famished and naked.’
This is highly indicative of the self centred nature of many in times of adversity as instead of helping those who truly need it, the wealthy seem to care only about themselves. Sydney Carton is shown to be a character desperately seeking freedom from his mundane existence where he feels he is a credit to no one. This is largely seen through the characterisation of Carton as an alcoholic and insolent attorney. His love for Lucie Manette gives him temporary freedom as his love for her gives him faith that his life is worth living. However, he soon realises his love for her is unrequited. Instead, he decides to devote his life to making her happy, even if this means making the ultimate sacrifice and forfeiting his own life, proving he has grown as a character and has gained his own personal freedom. It can be seen that the French aristocrats are also seeking their own form of refuge from death as the guillotine, however the bloodthirsty nature of society and the lack of a sense of community forbids them to escape as no one will risk their own safety to help another.
Much like the Parisians in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’, the French in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ are portrayed as a society desperate for retribution at any cost, resulting in rebellion and revolution as the lower class seek to eradicate the entire upper class, sending them all to the guillotine in revenge for their wealth:
‘And daily, hourly, the hideous instrument of torture claimed its many victims - old men, young women, tiny children, even until the day it would demand the head of a King and a beautiful young Queen.’
However, in England, the people are determined to help the aristocracy escape the uprising and social turmoil of the Revolution. In contrast to ‘A Tale Of Two Cities,’ the Scarlet Pimpernel and his followers are devoted to doing the right thing, risking their own lives to help the innocent French aristocrats escape to freedom and a safe haven in the form of England:
‘And this band of young Englishmen had, to her own knowledge, bearded the implacable and bloodthirsty tribunal of the Revolution, within the very walls of Paris itself, and had snatched away condemned victims, almost from the very foot of the guillotine.’
As a result of their bravery, the Pimpernel and his followers are held in high regard by the aristocracy as when all else seemed lost for them, The Pimpernel was willing to risk his own safety to help them.
In ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest,’ the hospital represents all that is evil in society and the clinical oppression often faced by minority groups. Kesey sees society as a matriarchal dictatorship where the repression of natural desires leads people to lash out. By means of clinical oppression, society destroys the natural impulses of others. The hospital represents society at large and its views towards minorities. Kesey sees society as a destructive force, forcing people to conform to what is viewed as ‘normal’:
‘Yes. This is what I know. The ward is a factory for the combine. It’s for fixing up mistakes made in the neighbours and in the schools and in the churches, the hospital is. When a completed product goes back into society, all fixed up, good as new, better than new sometimes, it brings joy to the Big Nurse’s heart.’
The expression of freedom is seen as a key component to sanity as ‘it is certain that if there is no free will there can be no morality.’ Kesey explores how the repression of this freedom and human desire destroys natural impulses. Kesey focuses on the patients’ inability to laugh. The patients seem shocked to hear McMurphy laughing as they are not used to any expression of freedom:
‘But the rest are even scared to open up and laugh. You know, that’s the first thing that got me about this place, that there wasn’t anybody laughing. I haven’t heard a real laugh since I came through that door, do you know that? Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing.’
The patients of the psychiatric hospital are shown to seek freedom from Nurse Ratched’s rule, however, exposure to her oppression for such a long time left them weak, downtrodden and unable to stand up for themselves. McMurphy’s loud and vibrant nature provides the perfect foil for Nurse Ratched’s bitter personality. He inspires the patients to want freedom, as shown in his attempt to smash the window to escape. Although everyone, including McMurphy, knows he cannot break it, he still tries, showing the patients that they will not get anywhere unless they try.
Overall, each author clearly depicts the view that society is largely a destructive force, destroying the freedom and natural impulses of many. Each protagonist is seen to value freedom and seek it, particularly in times of adversity. Sydney Carton in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ is shown to seek freedom from his life as he feels there is nothing worth living for after he realises his love for Lucie Manette is unrequited. The French aristocrats in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ seek freedom in the form of England from certain death at the guillotine. RP McMurphy inspires the psychiatric ward patients to seek freedom from oppression throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’
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Post by loribeany on Mar 31, 2011 17:47:46 GMT
Arguably, it is typical in literary works for a protagonist to embark on a journey of self discovery with the aim of growing as a character. The protagonists of these three novels are all shown to undertake this journey.
In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, Sydney Carton is portrayed as an insolent, alcoholic underachiever who has hitherto ‘done nothing good or serviceable to be remembered by.’ He feels his misspent life has forced him to fall short of chances presented to him which may have proved to better him as a character. On first meeting Charles Darnay, Carton’s morally superior counterpart, he states:
‘I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth and no man on earth cares for me.’
This shows the hopeless nature of his existence as he feels his life is an extreme waste. He feels he is caught in the disappointing course of his once promising life which was taken from him in the form of his missed chances, this is evident from the statement:
‘I am not old, but my young way was never the way to age.’
However, as the novel progresses, Carton is seen to make a profound transformation, prompted by his love for Lucie Manette, into a selfless character. It is clear Carton’s own moral salvation stems, therefore, from the ‘rugged air of fidelity’ with which Lucie provides him. Carton professes his love for Lucie, his only reason for living:
‘For you, and any dear to you, I would do anything. I would embrace any sacrifice for you and those dear to you…think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you.’
This foreshadows the end of the novel where Carton makes the ultimate sacrifice so as Lucie can continue living. Although he is aware his love for her is unrequited, she has offered him something more important as she was the only one who believed he was a good person and therefore gave his life meaning. He could therefore go to his death with the satisfaction of a final act of benevolence:
‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far greater rest that I go to than I have ever known.’
As Carton goes to the guillotine, the narrator states he is envisioning an idyllic Paris ‘rising from the abyss’ where he sees ‘the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out.’ This connotes the idea that just as the violence of the revolution gives way to the birth of a new society, the sacrifice of Carton’s life precedes his redemption. His final act of self sacrifice for the one he loves serves to cleanse him of his sins and complete his role of a Christ-like figure. ‘As ‘best’ surpasses ‘good’ so Carton surpasses himself in Paris. And he does it so spectacularly that neither the deed nor the doer can possibly remain ‘nameless, unremembered.’’
Throughout Baroness Orczy’s ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’, the Pimpernel constantly risks his own safety to protect others. He uses his other identity, that of ‘the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher’ Sir Percy Blakeney, to protect his work as the Pimpernel. However, his role as Percy, the dull, slow witted Englishman, means he does not have the full respect of his wife, Lady Blakeney, ‘the cleverest woman in Europe.’
‘Blakeney was really too stupid to notice the ridicule with which his wife covered him.’
It is also stated, ‘in his beautiful house at Richmond he played second fiddle to his clever wife.’ His guise as Sir Percy Blakeney provides the perfect coverage for the Pimpernel, however his façade means he is perpetually seen as ‘inane’.
‘It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney…had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home…a beautiful, fascinating, clever French wife.’
The idea that people were surprised he could ‘secure a brilliant matrimonial prize’ may be a reason why Percy does not hold his wife’s full respect and suggests he sacrifices not only his safety as the Pimpernel but his respect as Sir Percy. However, at the turning point in the novel when Lady Blakeney discovers Sir Percy’s true identity, she begins to show true respect towards him.
‘As the death of a brave man, through the hand of a woman who loved him, and worshipped him, and who would gladly have died for his sake.’
Lady Blakeney realises Percy is risking his life everyday for people he does not know -
‘She had suddenly found that this enigmatic personality whom she had worshipped, and the man who loved her so passionately, were one and the same.’
-and therefore begins to respect him fully, after realising The Pimpernel, who is held in high regard by many, is actually her husband, she can see his admirable qualities.
Throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the protagonist RP McMurphy is seen as a Christ figure who is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the other patients. McMurphy is at the psychiatric hospital willingly and from the moment he arrives, begins teaching the repressed patients, helping them to regain their confidence and in time, the ability to see that they do not need to be in the hospital. McMurphy makes the patients realise that it is possible for them to think for themselves, therefore resulting in the destruction of the system and of the ‘Big Nurse’s’ oppressive regime. However, it is the qualities that gain McMurphy respect and make him who he is that ultimately result in his tragic downfall. Kesey strongly suggests that the patients are in this ward due to the pressures put on them by society to conform and that their madness does not originate with them, rather has been caused by others. McMurphy is introduced as a foil to Nurse Ratched and her attempt to dehumanise her patients. When he first arrives he begins to challenge the system of the ward. A symbolic example of his rebellion against oppression is his attempt to lift the control panel. Both he and the patients know this is an unachievable feat, but he makes the point he tried, something the other men would not think to do, proving society has robbed the men of the natural impulse to endeavour. McMurphy’s free spirit is another one of his rebellious characteristics which challenges Nurse Ratched’s oppressive ways. He helps the patients regain some control over their lives by teaching them how to laugh again:
‘You have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy.’
Therefore it is clear that McMurphy’s free nature is what keeps him sane and his attempt to teach the others how to laugh portrays his willingness to help those in need, showing him to be a Christ-like figure. The ultimate occurrence in which McMurphy is portrayed as such is in his attack of Nurse Ratched, consequently leading him to receive a lobotomy. Although he knew his offensive behaviour would lead him there, he was willing to sacrifice himself to save the others. Bromden can no longer accept seeing the usually loud and vibrant McMurphy as a vegetable and so feels forced to euthanize him -
‘He wouldn’t have let something like that sit in the day room…so the Big Nurse could use it as an example of what can happen if you buck the system. I was sure of that.’
This self sacrifice breaks the oppression of the hospital and prompts many patients to discharge themselves, having finally regained their confidence after years of suffering oppression at the hands of society. McMurphy is seen as the saviour of the novel as he is responsible for enlightening the patients through teaching them how to regain their individuality.
Therefore it can be seen that the journey each of these protagonists embark on contribute highly to the reader’s understanding of both the novel and the concept of self sacrifice as a whole. Carton’s sacrifice, and ultimate redemption, can be seen as his final act as a saviour figure, resulting in happiness for those he had left behind. Sir Percy Blakeney clearly does not have the respect of his wife, however upon her realisation of his alter-ego, The Scarlet Pimpernel, their relationship begins to redefine itself for the better as she begins to see his admirable qualities. McMurphy’s attempts to enlighten the patients prove him to be a Christ-like figure as his ultimate sacrifice of self results in the breaking of Nurse Ratched’s clinical, oppressive rule.
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Post by loribeany on Mar 31, 2011 17:48:42 GMT
To conclude, it is therefore evident that the concept of sacrifice in literature has been skilfully portrayed and developed throughout the three novels ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Charles Dickens’ protagonist, Sydney Carton portrays the idea of a wasted life and also shows the interlinking relationship between the sacrifice of a person and their ultimate redemption. Carton begins the novel as a character who values nothing and no one, however, is redeemed by his selfless act of martyrdom and is ‘made illustrious’ through his single act of good amid an atmosphere of palpable horror. In contrast, Baroness Orczy presents a romanticised version of self sacrifice in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. Her protagonist risks his safety in order to rescue the innocent, however due to his guise as the ‘bumbling’ Sir Percy Blakeney, he sacrifices the respect of his intelligent wife. However as their journeys intertwine and she discovers his true identity, she realises he is constantly risking his safety and facing the threat of death in order to save the innocent. Lastly, throughout Ken Kesey’s ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the oppressive nature of society at large is examined along with the Christ like nature of protagonist RP McMurphy. He is a voluntary patient at the psychiatric hospital and appears to be there to teach the other patients to regain their confidence and their control over their own lives. His ultimate sacrifice is his final act as a Christ like figure which consequently inspires many of the oppressed patients to check themselves out of the hospital. Throughout the three novels, each protagonist is seen as a selfless figure, willing to sacrifice their own safety in order to protect others. Both Carton and McMurphy are Christ-like figures whose ultimate sacrifices result in the greater good for those they left behind, whereas, although The Pimpernel does not forfeit his life, he is risking it for others everyday. Therefore it is evident that sacrifice is a principled idea which is prominent not only throughout the three novels but also in literature as a whole.
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Post by mcf on Apr 1, 2011 18:59:42 GMT
Redraaaaaft Well donne.
'When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.'
Self sacrifice can betry and avoid any doubt. defined as ‘the giving up of one’s own benefit; especially giving up one’s life, for the good of others.’ The concept of sacrifice as a whole has always been one which has evoked interest, predominantly in literature, 'from the primary comprehension of a sacrifice as a higher crucial force to the romantic attempt to attribute to the sacrifice the meaning of a heroic act.' FantasticThree such novels which skilfullydon't need skilfully display the theme of self sacrifice through their protagonists are ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’
'A Tale of Two Cities', a novel remove a novel' by Charles Dickens, focuses largely don't need largely on the interlinking relationship of sacrifice and redemption in human nature during the throes of the French Revolution. Dickens’ protagonist, Sydney Carton, views his life as worthless as he feels he has missed out on the good in life. This therefore leads many to believe that when his one and only reason for existence is threatened, self sacrifice is the only inevitable conclusion. It can be said that 'Carton becomes a Christ-like figure, a selfless martyr whose death enables the happiness of his beloved and ensures his own immortality.' ;D
In contrast, Baroness Orczy's workremove work 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' sees a romanticised version of self sacrifice in which the protagonist, Sir Percy Blakeney, under his assumed role of The Scarlet Pimpernel faces the threat of his own death in order to rescue the innocent French aristocrats from their fate at the ‘foot of the guillotine.’
Lastly, 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', written by Ken Kesey also heavilyremove heavily portrays the theme of self sacrifice through the protagonist, RP McMurphy who volunteers to be admitted to the psychiatric hospital in order to avoid the prison work camp. Much like Carton, McMurphy holds the role as a Christ-like figure, helping the patients from the moment he arrives. His ultimate sacrifice inspires many of the oppressed patients to regain their confidence and live their own lives.
Therefore it is clear that throughout the three previously mentioned texts, self sacrifice is a predominant theme which has been skilfully developed and portrayed.
Very happy with this.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Apr 1, 2011 19:21:01 GMT
The development of setting in a novel canas I have said before try and avoid doubt. effectively encompass not only the physical world, but also seek to highlight the author’s comments on society alike. Arguably, it is through setting that authors can explore how surroundings can impact upon human nature.
Dickens’ use of setting skilfully portrays the declining state of society throughout 18th century Paris and London in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities.’ A time of great unrest in both cities, Dickens portrays the socially unsettled hubs of civilisation as homes to compassionless beings who care only about themselves. ;D The choice of large citiesexpression of large cities needs rephrasing. for the setting reflects the cold, impersonal nature of society at timesdo you need - at times? and also the loneliness people can feel even in the busiest of places. The detached nature of these larger cities and alienation of individuals leads to a reluctance surroundingis surrounding the best word in this context? also you need to make a clearer point before introducing a quotation. What is your point here? self sacrifice:
‘In England, there was scarcely an amount of order and protection to justify much national boasting.’
Although it can be seen that England is represented as being the novel’s ‘safe haven’ as it is not in the throes of revolution, it is still far from being a utopia. Dickens highlights the immorality of London by introducingis introducing the best word in this context? the court room as a symbol of moral turpitude. ;D At the trial of Charles Darnay, a man who was mistakenly arrested, a wholedo you need the word whole? crowd of drunks and delinquents gather to see the condemned man sentenced to death, as if the courtroom proceedings were a spectator sport. This shows the idea of schadenfreude - taking pleasure in the suffering of others - which is present throughout England. This, combined with the clear lack of compassion and the insular nature of many individuals proves that despite the blatant miscarriage of justice, no one is willing to sacrifice themselves to save another. As this scene demonstrates, there is not much difference in the way people from London conduct themselves compared to their Parisian counterparts.I would look at breaking the whole paragraph into two.
New paragraphIt is clear that France is also suffering from? deterioration in its social structurehow are you going to show this? Contextualise the example at least briefly and what it is you are showing. Check that you do this in all your topic sentences.:
‘France, less favoured on the whole as to matters spiritual than her sister of the shield and trident, rolled with exceeding smoothness downhill.’
Dickens uses the French Tribunals to mirror that of the court in London, however, the trials in France are far more radical. Hundreds of, largely innocent, French aristocrats are brought to trial and sentenced to death every day as revenge for their wealth and status. ;D Dickens makes clear that the jurors are often drunk and occasionally do not even pay attention to the proceedings even though they are in?control of other peoples’ lives. The lack of authoritative support combined with the bloodthirsty nature of the ‘audience’ at the trials convey the deteriorating state of society, clearlydon't need clearly highlighting the predominant sense of self and reluctance for self sacrifice. In blending the two cities and their problems together and largely focussing on a small number of protagonists and their lives, Dickens conveys the personal and emotional aspect of the French Revolution whilst showing that even in times of the hardest adversityexpression error, society can hold an entirely selfish nature with the desire for self-preservation at any cost at the centre of thisthis sentence is too wordy..
In contrast, Orczy’s depiction of England in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ is that of a welcoming haven for the escaped French aristocrats, offering hospitality and warmth:
‘‘Welcome! Welcome to Old England!’ Said Lord Antony, effusively, as he came eagerly forward with both hands outstretched towards the newcomers.’
The use of Mr Jellyband’s pub, ‘The Fisherman’s Rest’, reflects the friendly nature of England thatOrczy is portraying. ‘The Fisherman’s Rest’ is said to be constantly ‘bustling’- filled with laughter and a friendly atmosphere. Although it is a small place, it is warm and welcoming towards the French aristocrats and the people are shown to be less prejudiced than the FrenchHow?. The pub canavoid doubt be seen as a symbolic halfway point between the throes of the Revolution in France and the utopia of England.
France is shown as a completely different entity to England. Orczy appears to plunge the reader into the air of the Revolution, clearly showing the diminishing state of society. The reader is first introduced to France and its people as:
‘A surging, seething crowd of beings that are human only in name, for to the eye and ear they seem naught but savage creatures, animated by vile passions and by the lust of vengeance and of hate.’
This crowd gathers at the West Barricade in Paris to watch as aristocrats are slaughtered at the guillotine, condemned as ‘traitors’ to France. The French lower classes are shown to turn the escape attempts of the aristocrats into a spectator sport. They gather at the gates of the city to watch the daily attempts to evade Sergeant Bibo, who in the past had ‘great success’ in preventing aristocrats from escaping, highlighting the bloodthirsty nature of the masses portrayed by Orczy, whose sympathies clearly lie with the aristocrats.
Much like the previous texts, throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ the setting reflects the oppression Kesey sees in modern society. ;D The psychiatric hospital represents physical and metaphorical emasculation - it is not about curing people, it is about the manipulation of the weak until they are forced to conform. ;D The hospital is depicted as a viewing platform for visitors. The true cold nature of the hospital is hidden to the outsiders and a warm façade is adopted, showing how helpless the patients really are as no one truly knows what is going on: ;D
‘‘What a cheery atmosphere, don’t you agree?’ He’ll bustle around the school teachers, who are bunched together for safety, clapping his hands together.’
The reality of the inner workings of the hospital under Nurse Ratched’s rule is completely differentexpression error before insertion. to what is portrayed to outsiders. The patients live in constant fear of the mental and physical abuse distributed by Nurse Ratched and her aides, who were chosen for their compassionless personalities: ;D
‘But when you shave before breakfast like she has me do some mornings - six thirty in the morning in a room all white walls and white basins and long tube lights in the ceiling making sure there aren’t any shadows, and faces all round you trapped screaming behind mirrors.’
This shows the repression of the patients as Nurse Ratched rids the ward of colour in order to maintain her clinical and oppressive rule.
The hospital represents society at large and its views towards minority groups. ;DKesey effectively portrays the emotional turmoil and the feeling of helplessness faced by many in our modern society which he believes attempts to break down those who are already suffering. The setting is also largelyweak expression before insertion. the source of Nurse Ratched’s power. Her ability to keep the ‘outside world’ away from her ward enables her to use the close quarters of the ward to keep her patients downtrodden and to almost pit them against each other, rewarding them for telling the secrets of other patients, further strengthening her rule.Watch the structure of this last sentence.
The hospital is a small world of regulations, routine and discipline under the unrelenting rule of a dictator figure. On a deeper level, the use of a psychiatric hospital for the setting depicts Kesey’s ideas on a modern society. ;D
Overall, it is clear that the use of setting in a novel can add another dimension and skilfully portray wider ideas of the world and how the consideration of time and place can impact upon a novel’s characters and civilisation as a whole as people are forced to react in their given stimulus. Dickens’ use of setting shows the darker side of society in a time of great adversity and the disruptive effect immense changes can have on a country‘s social standing. Orczy presents England as a beacon of hope in dark times, however also highlights the deteriorating state of society not all that far away in Paris. Kesey reflects his views on society at large by setting the novel in a psychiatric hospital run by a dictator figure preaching oppression to the already downtrodden patients.Try and make these three summaries less individualised in your conclusion.
Your Cuckoo section fabulous.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Apr 1, 2011 19:37:15 GMT
Much liketoo informal expression the use of setting, the destructive nature of society and the importance of freedom are shown as imperative factors in each of the three novels. Each novel portrays their characters as yearning for freedom from oppression, however, the freedom they are seeking is not always possible as the destructive nature of society prevents them from reaching their desires. ;D
In ‘A Tale Of Two Cities,’ the class distinctions mean society is heavily segregated - the lower class condemned to the dirty, disease ridden streets whilst the rich continue to prosper, caring only about themselves.Excellent creation of contrast. This mercenary attitude of the rich is particularly apparent in the instance watch this sentence isn't too wordy.where the Marquis Evremonde runs over and kills a poor boy, showing no regret. He immediately treats the death of the boy as an annoyance to his own advancemenWhat do you mean?t:
‘‘It is extraordinary to me’, said he, ‘that you people cannot take care of yourselves and your children. One or the other of you is for ever in the way. How do I know what injury you have done to my horses?’
The ostentatious quality of the rich is clearly highlighted in the way they conduct themselvesHow?. During the cataclysm of the Revolution, the rich attained a level of wealth never before seen and Dickens skilfully portrays the way in which this wealth is exploited through the description of the wealthy:
‘Yes. It took four men, all four ablaze with gorgeous decoration, and the chief of them unable to exist with fewer than two gold watches in his pocket, emulative of the noble and chaste fashion set by Monseigneur, to conduct the happy chocolate to Monseigneur’s lips.’ ? Some reference needs to be made to the quotation without micro analysis.[/b] that whilst the rich are expressing their wealth through their lavish lifestyles, on the other side of the spectrum, the poor are unable to afford even the basic?:
‘The women were a sight to chill the boldest. From such household occupations as their bare poverty yielded, from their children from their aged and their sick crouching, on the bare ground, famished and naked.’
This is highly indicative of the self centred nature of many in times of adversity as instead of helping those who truly need it, the wealthy seem to care only about themselves. Sydney Carton is shown to be a character desperately seeking freedom from his mundane existence where he feels he is a credit to no one. This is largelydon't need largely. seen through the characterisation of Carton as an alcoholic and insolent attorney. His love for Lucie Manette gives him temporary freedom as his love for her gives him faith that his life is worth living. However, he soon realises his love for her is unrequited. Instead, he decides to devote his life to making her happy, even if this means making the ultimate sacrifice and forfeiting his own life, proving he has grown as a character and has gained his own personal freedom. ;D It can be seen that the French aristocrats are also seeking their own form of refuge from death as theexpression error before insertion. guillotine, however the bloodthirsty nature of society and the lack of a sense of community forbids them to escape as no one will risk their own safety to help another. ;D
Much likeweak link. the Parisians in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’, the French in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ are portrayed as a society desperate for retribution at any cost, resulting in rebellion and revolution as the lower class seek to eradicate the entire upper class, sending them all to the guillotine in revenge for their wealth:
‘And daily, hourly, the hideous instrument of torture claimed its many victims - old men, young women, tiny children, even until the day it would demand the head of a King and a beautiful young Queen.’
You have made no reference to the quotation and the list used.However, in England, the people are determined to help the aristocracy escape the uprising and social turmoil of the Revolution. In contrast to ‘A Tale Of Two Cities,’ the Scarlet Pimpernel and his followers are devoted to doing the right thing, risking their own lives to help the innocent French aristocrats escape to freedom and a safe haven in the form of England:
‘And this band of young Englishmen had, to her own knowledge, bearded the implacable and bloodthirsty tribunal of the Revolution, within the very walls of Paris itself, and had snatched away condemned victims, almost from the very foot of the guillotine.’
As a result of their bravery, the Pimpernel and his followers are held in high regard by the aristocracy as when all else seemed lost for them, The Pimpernel was willing to risk his own safety to help them.
In ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest,’ the hospital represents all that is evil in society and the clinical oppression often faced by minority groups. ;D Kesey sees society as a matriarchal dictatorship where the repression of natural desires leads people to lash out. By means of clinical oppression, society destroys the natural impulses of others. ;D The hospital represents society at large and its views towards minorities. Kesey sees society as a destructive force, forcing people to conform to what is viewed as ‘normal’:
‘Yes. This is what I know. The ward is a factory for the combine. It’s for fixing up mistakes made in the neighbours and in the schools and in the churches, the hospital is. When a completed product goes back into society, all fixed up, good as new, better than new sometimes, it brings joy to the Big Nurse’s heart.’
The expression of freedom is seen as a key component to sanity as ‘it is certain that if there is no free will there can be no morality.’ Kesey explores how the repression of this freedom and human desire destroys natural impulses. ;D Kesey focuses on the patients’ inability to laugh. The patients seem shocked to hear McMurphy laughing as they are not used to any expression of freedom: ;D
‘But the rest are even scared to open up and laugh. You know, that’s the first thing that got me about this place, that there wasn’t anybody laughing. I haven’t heard a real laugh since I came through that door, do you know that? Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing.’
The patients of the psychiatric hospital are shown to seek freedom from Nurse Ratched’s rule, however, exposure to her oppression for such a long time left them weak, downtrodden and unable to stand up for themselves. ;D McMurphy’s loud and vibrant nature provides the perfect foil for Nurse Ratched’s bitter personality. He inspires the patients to want freedom, as shown in his attempt to smash the window to escape. Although everyone, including McMurphy, knows he cannot break it, he still tries, showing the patients that they will not get anywhere unless they try.
Overall, each author clearly depicts the view that society is largely a destructive force, destroying the freedom and natural impulses of many. Each protagonist is seen to value freedom and seek it, particularly in times of adversity. Sydney Carton in ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ is shown to seek freedom from his life as he feels there is nothing worth living for after he realises his love for Lucie Manette is unrequited. The French aristocrats in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ seek freedom in the form of England from certain death at the guillotine. RP McMurphy inspires the psychiatric ward patients to seek freedom from oppression throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Same comment about section summary as I stated in the last one.
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Apr 1, 2011 19:54:09 GMT
Arguably, it is typical in literary works for a protagonist to embark on a journey of self discovery with the aim of growing as a character.Secondary source to support the traditional theory of a quest and the various stages would be useful. The protagonists of these three novels are all shown to undertake this journeyreference to question?.
In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, Sydney Carton is portrayed as an insolent, alcoholic underachiever who has hitherto ‘done nothing good or serviceable to be remembered by.’ He feels his misspent life has forced him to fall short of chances presented to him which may have proved to better him as a character. On first meeting Charles Darnay, Carton’s morally superior counterpart, he states:
‘I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth and no man on earth cares for me.’
This shows the hopeless nature of his existence as he feels his life is an extreme waste. He feels he is caught in the disappointing course of his once promising life which was taken from him in the form of his missed chances, this is evident from the statemenyour analysis is a little thin and also your analysis and next topic sentence are the same thing.t:
‘I am not old, but my young way was never the way to age.’
However, as the novel progressesweak expression beofre insertion., Carton is seen to make a profound transformation, prompted by his love for Lucie Manette, into a selfless character. It is clear Carton’s own moral salvation stems, therefore, from the ‘rugged air of fidelity’ with which Lucie provides him. Carton professes his love for Lucie, his only reason for living:
‘For you, and any dear to you, I would do anything. I would embrace any sacrifice for you and those dear to you…think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you.’
This foreshadows the end of the novel where Carton makes the ultimate sacrifice so as Lucie can continue living. Although he is aware his love for her is unrequited, she has offered him something more important as she was the only one who believed he was a good person and therefore gave his life meaning. He could therefore go to his death with the satisfaction of a final act of benevolence ;D:
‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far greater rest that I go to than I have ever known.’
As Carton goes to the guillotine, the narrator states he is envisioning an idyllic Paris ‘rising from the abyss’ where he sees ‘the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out.’ This connotes the idea that just as the violence of the revolution gives way to the birth of a new society, the sacrifice of Carton’s life precedes his redemption. ;D His final act of self sacrifice for the one he loves serves to cleanse him of his sins and complete his role of a Christ-like figure. ‘As ‘best’ surpasses ‘good’ so Carton surpasses himself in Paris. And he does it so spectacularlylanguage is a little over the top - spectacularly. that neither the deed nor the doer can possibly remain ‘nameless, unremembered.’’
Make clearer link to previous section.Throughout Baroness Orczy’s ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’, the Pimpernel constantly risks his own safety to protect others. He uses his other identity, that of ‘the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher’ Sir Percy Blakeney, to protect his work as the Pimpernel. However, his role as Percy, the dull, slow witted Englishman, means he does not have the full respect of his wife, Lady Blakeney, ‘the cleverest woman in Europe.’ ;D
‘Blakeney was really too stupid to notice the ridicule with which his wife covered him.’
It is also stated, ‘in his beautiful house at Richmond he played second fiddle to his clever wife.’ His guise as Sir Percy Blakeney provides the perfect coverage for the Pimpernel, however his façade means he is perpetually seen as ‘inane’. ;D
‘It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney…had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home…a beautiful, fascinating, clever French wife.’
The idea that people were surprised he could ‘secure a brilliant matrimonial prize’ may be a reason why Percy does not hold his wife’s full respect and suggests he sacrifices not only his safety as the Pimpernel but his respect as Sir Percy. ;D However, at the turning point in the novel when Lady Blakeney discovers Sir Percy’s true identity, she begins to show true respect towardsshould it be for him? him.
‘As the death of a brave man, through the hand of a woman who loved him, and worshipped him, and who would gladly have died for his sake.’ ;D
Lady Blakeney realises Percy is risking his life everyday for people he does not know -
‘She had suddenly found that this enigmatic personality whom she had worshipped, and the man who loved her so passionately, were one and the same.’
-and therefore begins to respect him fully, after realising The Pimpernel, who is held in high regard by many, is actually her husband, she can see his admirable qualities. ;D
Throughout ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the protagonist RP McMurphy is seen as a Christ figure who is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the other patients. McMurphy is at theword order here. psychiatric hospital willingly and from the moment he arrives, begins teaching the repressed patients, helping them to regain their confidence and in time, the ability to see that they do not need to be in the hospital. McMurphy makes the patients realise that it is possible for them to think for themselves, therefore resulting in the destruction of the system and of the ‘Big Nurse’s’ oppressive regime. However, it is the qualities that gain McMurphy respect and make him who he is that ultimately result in his tragic downfall. ;D Kesey strongly suggests that the patients are in this ward due to the pressures put on them by society to conform and that their madness does not originate with them, rather has been caused by others. ;D McMurphy is introduced as a foil to Nurse Ratched and her attempt to dehumanise her patients. ;D When he first arrives he begins to challenge the system of the ward. A symbolic example of his rebellion against oppression is his attempt to lift the control panel. Both he and the patients know this is an unachievable feat, but he makes the point he tried, something the other men would not think to do, proving society has robbed the men of the natural impulse to endeavour. ;D McMurphy’s free spirit is another one of his rebellious characteristics which challenges Nurse Ratched’s oppressive ways. He helps the patients regain some control over their lives by teaching them how to laugh again: ;D
‘You have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy.’
Therefore it is clear that McMurphy’s free nature is what keeps him sane and his attempt to teach the others how to laugh portrays his willingness to help those in need, showing him to be a Christ-like figure. The ultimateword choice is a little over the top - ultimate. occurrence in which McMurphy is portrayed as such is in his attack of Nurse Ratched, consequently leading him to receive a lobotomy. Although he knew his offensive behaviour would lead him there, he was willing to sacrifice himself to save the others. Bromden can no longer accept seeing the usually loud and vibrant McMurphy as a vegetable and so feels forced to euthanize him: ;D
‘He wouldn’t have let something like that sit in the day room…so the Big Nurse could use it as an example of what can happen if you buck the system. I was sure of that.’
This self sacrifice breaks the oppression of the hospital and prompts many patients to discharge themselves, having finally regained their confidence after years of suffering oppression at the hands of society.watch sentence structure prior to this insertion. McMurphy is seen as the saviour of the novel as he is responsible for enlightening the patients through teaching them how to regain their individuality. ;D
Therefore it can be seen that the journey each of these protagonists embark on contribute highly to the reader’s understanding of both the novel and the concept of self sacrifice as a whole. Carton’s sacrifice, and ultimate redemption, can be seen as his final act as a saviour figure, resulting in happiness for those he had left behind. Sir Percy Blakeney clearly does not have the respect of his wife, however upon her realisation of his alter-ego, The Scarlet Pimpernel, their relationship begins to redefine itself for the better as she begins to see his admirable qualities. McMurphy’s attempts to enlighten the patients prove him to be a Christ-like figure as his ultimate sacrifice of self results in the breaking of Nurse Ratched’s clinical, oppressive rule. ;D
Hope this helps. ;D
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Post by mcf on Apr 1, 2011 19:57:40 GMT
To conclude, it is therefore evident that the concept of sacrifice in literature has been skilfully portrayed and developed throughout the three novels ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Charles Dickens’ protagonist, Sydney Carton portrays the idea of a wasted life and also shows the interlinking relationship between the sacrifice of a person and their ultimate redemption. ;D Carton beginsexpression error the novel as a character who values nothing and no one, however, is redeemed by his selfless act of martyrdom and is ‘made illustrious’ through his single act of good amid an atmosphere of palpable horror. ;D In contrast, Baroness Orczy presents a romanticised version of self sacrifice in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. Her protagonist risks his safety in order to rescue the innocent, however due to his guise as the ‘bumbling’ Sir Percy Blakeney, he sacrifices the respect of his intelligent wife. However, as their journeys intertwine and she discovers his true identity, she realises he is constantly risking his safety and facing the threat of death in order to save the innocent. ;D Lastly, throughout Ken Kesey’s ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, the oppressive nature of society at large is examined along with the Christ like nature of protagonist RP McMurphy. He is a voluntary patient at the psychiatric hospital and appears to be there to teach the other patients howto regain their confidence and their control over their own lives. His ultimate sacrifice is his final act as a Christ like figure which consequently inspires many of the oppressed patients to check themselves out of the hospital. ;D Throughout the three novels, each protagonist is seen as a selfless figure, willing to sacrifice their own safety in order to protect others. Both Carton and McMurphy are Christ-like figures whose ultimate sacrifices result in the greater good for those they left behind, whereas, although The Pimpernel does not forfeit his life, he is risking it for others everyday. Therefore it is evident that sacrifice is a principled idea which is prominent not only throughout the three novels but also in literature as a whole. ;D
Hope this helps. ;D
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