2007. In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively, or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or a play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show the character’s relationship to the past contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole
Henchard’s impulsive and careless actions of the past ultimately come back to stab him in the back, leading to his eventual downfall.
-Selling Susan to Newsome -Starting an affair with Lucetta and telling her he will marry her - Both of these women come to Casterbridge, causing him to lie about many things he has done in the past and continue to act impulsively. He tries to manipulate other people in order to get himself away from his past actions.
2007: In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or a play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show the character's relationship to the past contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.
Henchard's inability to relinquish his past leads to impulisve decisions and consuming guilt that bring about his demise.
- Henchard sells Susan - Henchard and Lucetta - Wants a good name - Becomes paranoid - Pushes everyone away
1979- Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might—on the basis of the character’s actions alone—be considered evil or immoral. IN a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically that we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
Thesis: Without being able to live inside the mind of Michael Henchard, the reader would see him only as a selfish and destructive character not worthy of sympathy.
-Henchard is a man of temper and impulse. As a result he makes some bad decisions including selling his wife, trusting a fortune teller, making his mess with the fair, terminating Farfrae, and being mean to Elizabeth Jane.
-When the reader enters into Henchard’s head, they can see the rage that is his character flaw. They can tell that he does not mean real harm—only that he is blinded by his unfortunate flaw.
-By giving the reader the whole story, Hardy evokes a catharsis from the audience. They feel the pain and suffering of Henchard. Suddenly he is transformed from a raging menace to a pitiful and humble character.
1979: Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might—on the basis of the character’s actions alone—be considered evil or immoral. IN a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
Thesis: Although Michael Henchard’s actions portray those of an immoral character, the complexity and ambiguity of these very same decisions throw the reader’s perception of him into a fierce oscillation.
-I would extensively discuss his remorse after committing immoral actions. -He sells his wife, and then he abstains from drinking for 21 year. -He threatens to tell Farfrae of Lucetta’s and his past, and then he apologizes and says, “I don’t want to make you wretched, and to marry me just now would do that as nothing else could” (193). -He opens the letter Susan left for Elizabeth-Jane, and then he decides not to tell her because it may hurt her. -He fights Farfrae, and then is immediately sorry and nostalgic of their past together. -He hides Newson from Elizabeth-Jane, and then he leaves instead of potentially hurting her more.
2003- According to critic Northop Frye, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them. Great trees more likely to be struck by lightening than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightening.
Select a novel or play in which a tragic figure functions as an instrument of the suffering of others. Then write an essay in which you explain how the suffering brought upon others by that figure contributes to the tragic vision of the work as a whole.
Michael Henchard’s untimely yet foreseen demise, brought upon by his own actions, show how he is the “instrument” in conducting the suffering of the other characters in Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy. - Characters suffer because of Henchard's death.
It is through this resolute connection with the past as a block for his own future that Hardy suggests in Mayor of Casterbridge that Henchard’s fate is achieved through his innate character.
Examples: past action of selling Susan and EJ leads to domino effect: 1. Evokes feeling of loneliness- which drives desperation for human connections- reason for telling Newsom EJ was dead 2. is shunned/feels forced to leave society- Farfrae repeatedly tries to convince him not to leave but before Newsom’s return he leaves town 3. feels as if he is fighting his own character- when thinks about telling Farfrae EJ is not his daughter but decides against it
In the initial chapter, Thomas Hardy paints a vivid picture of the forthcoming events, as he establishes features of Henchard's character and the theme of fate.
-Personifies fate, chance -Fate after Susan choses the furmity tent -Alcohol problem, how that comes back to him -Sells his wife and daughter -Newson comes back
Year: 1972 He was drunk. He sold his wife his wife and child to a sailor. After he became sober, Michael Henchard realized that he just committed one the worse offenses of his life-an action that will haunt him for the rest of his life. This drama in the first chapter of this book sets the tone for this novel. Surprises on top of surprises occur in the book. Things a reader would never expect to happen in certain circumstances happen. The shocking dramatic elements in this book, like the one in the opening chapter, arouse some deep discussion, which contribute to this story as a whole.
Specifics: The difference between the peacefulness of inferior nature and the willful hostilities of mankind. -The loving actions of the horses contrasting with the harsh scene of selling his wife and child. The constant drama with glimpses of positivity. -
Thesis: Hardy’s dark outlook is portrayed/ personified through Elizabeth-Jane as he concludes his novel. The theme that comes full circle, “Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain” (310), is seen through Elizabeth-Jane and Henchard.
-EJ getting married to Farfrae, even with her drama with Henchard -EJ finding out who her true father is even though it was dramatic between Henchard and Newson
“it had happened that what she had desired had not been granted her, and that what had been granted her she had not desired’ (167).
1972: Thesis: Fate and destiny, two of the novel's main themes, are introduced during the first chapter of the novel when Henchard makes his critical mistake.
-Difference between fate and destiny, and what this means for Henchard. -How Henchard selling his wife leads to his downfall. -How fate and destiny affect other characters like EJ, Farfrae and Lucetta.
1979: Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might—on the basis of the character’s actions alone—be considered evil or immoral. IN a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
Michael Henchard is depicted as the “Prince of Darkness” due to his rash decisions and hot temper; his association with evil, however, is lightened as we feel sympathy for his unlucky situation.
Examples: Loneliness throughout the book Michael and Farfrae essentially switching positions in the town Elizabeth Jane’s hatred for him when she discovers his lies
#8 1977: In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Thesis: By using parallels in Farfrae’s rise and Henchard’s fall from power, Hardy illustrates the cyclical nature of success and the long-term repercussions of failure.
Detail Henchard’s significant points in Henchard’s falling from power as Farfrae gains support (i.e. Farfrae is helped by Henchard at start, he becomes mayor, etc.)
Discuss the significance in terms of fate and cause and effect and Hardy’s worldviews.
Thesis: Lucetta must make a choice between two men. One is a man she loves and the other is a man who will help her reputation.
Examples: - Letters - Being denied twice by Henchard - Her automatic attraction to Farfrae - Farfrae is young, handsome, successful - Henchard is old, has already been married, knows all of her secrets already, etc.
1972: Thesis: History is bound to repeat itself, for better or for worse; for the case of Michael Henchard though, History came and smacked him in the mouth repeatedly.
-Henchard's demeanor towards life and his wife -Henchard's fate is played out -How Henchard's decisions effect everyone
Because of Henchard's impulsive nature, he is forced to live in the past and make up for his sinful actions. The sale of Susan and his dishonesty towards Elizabeth Jane have caused him to always make up for past actions rather than to pursue future plans.
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ReplyDelete2007. In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively, or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or a play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show the character’s relationship to the past contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole
ReplyDeleteHenchard’s impulsive and careless actions of the past ultimately come back to stab him in the back, leading to his eventual downfall.
-Selling Susan to Newsome
-Starting an affair with Lucetta and telling her he will marry her
- Both of these women come to Casterbridge, causing him to lie about many things he has done in the past and continue to act impulsively. He tries to manipulate other people in order to get himself away from his past actions.
2007: In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or a play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show the character's relationship to the past contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.
ReplyDeleteHenchard's inability to relinquish his past leads to impulisve decisions and consuming guilt that bring about his demise.
- Henchard sells Susan
- Henchard and Lucetta
- Wants a good name
- Becomes paranoid
- Pushes everyone away
1979- Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might—on the basis of the character’s actions alone—be considered evil or immoral. IN a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically that we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Without being able to live inside the mind of Michael Henchard, the reader would see him only as a selfish and destructive character not worthy of sympathy.
-Henchard is a man of temper and impulse. As a result he makes some bad decisions including selling his wife, trusting a fortune teller, making his mess with the fair, terminating Farfrae, and being mean to Elizabeth Jane.
-When the reader enters into Henchard’s head, they can see the rage that is his character flaw. They can tell that he does not mean real harm—only that he is blinded by his unfortunate flaw.
-By giving the reader the whole story, Hardy evokes a catharsis from the audience. They feel the pain and suffering of Henchard. Suddenly he is transformed from a raging menace to a pitiful and humble character.
2002: The nature of Michael Henchard’s moral ambiguity and the actions he makes because of it help to show that fate is malleable.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to honesty:
“No—‘tis true. ‘Tis as true as the light.” (Hardy 187)
“Dead likewise.” (272)
Pettiness:
“The sharp reprimand was not lost upon her, and in time it came to pass that for ‘fay’ she said ‘succeed’…” (121)
Sense of Justice:
“& that no man remember me. To this I put my name.” (309)
1979: Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might—on the basis of the character’s actions alone—be considered evil or immoral. IN a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Although Michael Henchard’s actions portray those of an immoral character, the complexity and ambiguity of these very same decisions throw the reader’s perception of him into a fierce oscillation.
-I would extensively discuss his remorse after committing immoral actions.
-He sells his wife, and then he abstains from drinking for 21 year.
-He threatens to tell Farfrae of Lucetta’s and his past, and then he apologizes and says, “I don’t want to make you wretched, and to marry me just now would do that as nothing else could” (193).
-He opens the letter Susan left for Elizabeth-Jane, and then he decides not to tell her because it may hurt her.
-He fights Farfrae, and then is immediately sorry and nostalgic of their past together.
-He hides Newson from Elizabeth-Jane, and then he leaves instead of potentially hurting her more.
2003- According to critic Northop Frye, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them. Great trees more likely to be struck by lightening than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightening.
ReplyDeleteSelect a novel or play in which a tragic figure functions as an instrument of the suffering of others. Then write an essay in which you explain how the suffering brought upon others by that figure contributes to the tragic vision of the work as a whole.
Michael Henchard’s untimely yet foreseen demise, brought upon by his own actions, show how he is the “instrument” in conducting the suffering of the other characters in Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy.
- Characters suffer because of Henchard's death.
It is through this resolute connection with the past as a block for his own future that Hardy suggests in Mayor of Casterbridge that Henchard’s fate is achieved through his innate character.
ReplyDeleteExamples: past action of selling Susan and EJ leads to domino effect:
1. Evokes feeling of loneliness- which drives desperation for human connections- reason for telling Newsom EJ was dead
2. is shunned/feels forced to leave society- Farfrae repeatedly tries to convince him not to leave but before Newsom’s return he leaves town
3. feels as if he is fighting his own character- when thinks about telling Farfrae EJ is not his daughter but decides against it
Question 3, year 1972
ReplyDeleteIn the initial chapter, Thomas Hardy paints a vivid picture of the forthcoming events, as he establishes features of Henchard's character and the theme of fate.
-Personifies fate, chance
-Fate after Susan choses the furmity tent
-Alcohol problem, how that comes back to him
-Sells his wife and daughter
-Newson comes back
Year: 1972
ReplyDeleteHe was drunk. He sold his wife his wife and child to a sailor. After he became sober, Michael Henchard realized that he just committed one the worse offenses of his life-an action that will haunt him for the rest of his life. This drama in the first chapter of this book sets the tone for this novel. Surprises on top of surprises occur in the book. Things a reader would never expect to happen in certain circumstances happen. The shocking dramatic elements in this book, like the one in the opening chapter, arouse some deep discussion, which contribute to this story as a whole.
Specifics: The difference between the peacefulness of inferior nature and the willful hostilities of mankind.
-The loving actions of the horses contrasting with the harsh scene of selling his wife and child. The constant drama with glimpses of positivity.
-
1973
ReplyDeleteThesis: Hardy’s dark outlook is portrayed/ personified through Elizabeth-Jane as he concludes his novel. The theme that comes full circle, “Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain” (310), is seen through Elizabeth-Jane and Henchard.
-EJ getting married to Farfrae, even with her drama with Henchard
-EJ finding out who her true father is even though it was dramatic between Henchard and Newson
“it had happened that what she had desired had not been granted her, and that what had been granted her she had not desired’ (167).
1972:
ReplyDeleteThesis: Fate and destiny, two of the novel's main themes, are introduced during the first chapter of the novel when Henchard makes his critical mistake.
-Difference between fate and destiny, and what this means for Henchard.
-How Henchard selling his wife leads to his downfall.
-How fate and destiny affect other characters like EJ, Farfrae and Lucetta.
1979: Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might—on the basis of the character’s actions alone—be considered evil or immoral. IN a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
ReplyDeleteMichael Henchard is depicted as the “Prince of Darkness” due to his rash decisions and hot temper; his association with evil, however, is lightened as we feel sympathy for his unlucky situation.
Examples:
Loneliness throughout the book
Michael and Farfrae essentially switching positions in the town
Elizabeth Jane’s hatred for him when she discovers his lies
#8
ReplyDelete1977: In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Thesis:
By using parallels in Farfrae’s rise and Henchard’s fall from power, Hardy illustrates the cyclical nature of success and the long-term repercussions of failure.
Detail Henchard’s significant points in Henchard’s falling from power as Farfrae gains support (i.e. Farfrae is helped by Henchard at start, he becomes mayor, etc.)
Discuss the significance in terms of fate and cause and effect and Hardy’s worldviews.
1990
ReplyDeleteThesis: Lucetta must make a choice between two men. One is a man she loves and the other is a man who will help her reputation.
Examples:
- Letters
- Being denied twice by Henchard
- Her automatic attraction to Farfrae
- Farfrae is young, handsome, successful
- Henchard is old, has already been married, knows all of her secrets
already, etc.
1972:
ReplyDeleteThesis: History is bound to repeat itself, for better or for worse; for the case of Michael Henchard though, History came and smacked him in the mouth repeatedly.
-Henchard's demeanor towards life and his wife
-Henchard's fate is played out
-How Henchard's decisions effect everyone
Because of Henchard's impulsive nature, he is forced to live in the past and make up for his sinful actions. The sale of Susan and his dishonesty towards Elizabeth Jane have caused him to always make up for past actions rather than to pursue future plans.
ReplyDelete