Five Novel Comparison Essay, Research Paper
Literature is bound by threads of themes that transcend all barriers of race, religion, epoch, and culture. Archetypal ideas of death, freedom, self-realization, good, and evil are utilized throughout most literary text. It is especially evident in The Song of Solomon and Beloved By Morrison, The Woman Warrior by Kingston, The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne and The Awakening by Chopin, that religion and culture are an imperative part of society. Religious and cultural taboos are viewed as a set of moral codes that restrain one s Id as stated in Sigmund Freud s theories. In these five novels restraint not only affects the protagonists lives, and view there of, but their Self ; the very essence of their being. The authors use symbolism and character development to effectively portray this throughout their books. The protagonists struggle with themselves and society to conceive their Self is the conflict as well as one of the esoteric themes throughout the five novels.
Milkman in The Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, struggles to find his identity apart from his father. This is the cultural hierarchy he surpasses to find his Self . Society looks up at Milkman, for he is better off than most of his peers, causing resentment as well. This sends Milkman spiraling through self-examination. Realizing he needs to find his past to get a better hold on the future, he travels where his grandfather lived, originally not to gain insight on who he could be, but finally becoming the effect of the trip. It was here, in the mist of his father s land, that he became a man. Toni Morrison s character development is extremely important to illustrate Milkman s transition, from adhering to society s taboo s and rules to liberating himself. Thus, portraying society s hindrance on the development of the Self . Much like Solomon of the bible, Milkman went into the forest as a boy, and came out as a man. Morrison s use of symbolism, with the peacock, illustrates the character s transition and metamorphosis. This rebirth was imperative in the process of finding his Self. Now Milkman was no longer over shadowed by his father, a symbol of how black Americans had lost sight of their past, he was his own man. The author wrote, A son of Macon Dead the first, he paid homage to his own father s life…a measure of his loss at his father s death.
Much like in Song of Solomon, in Beloved, Morrison illustrates through character development and symbolism, the struggle of the protagonists to free themselves from the chains of society s taboos in order to emerge as their candid Self . Morrison illustrates how enslavement in the external world, especially the denial of one s Self as a human, tends to hold repercussions even after external, tangible restraints, like slavery, are broken. Sethe having run away from her slave master, Schoolteacher, is on the verge of being captured. Her humanity has been so violated by this man, and by the entire experience as a slave woman that she has lost her self worth and her self image. Morrison develops Sethe through various re-memories. The development of Sethe assists in embracing the full extent of the marks of enslavement holding repercussions in Sethe s Self . Sethe struggles throughout the novel to gain her Self back. This only happens when she has no repercussions and re-memories to taunt her. In the final scene Morrison interjects the most significant symbolism, of the whole book. Paul D tells Sethe, He wants to put his story next to hers. Throughout the novel storytelling is associated with the Self , this is the final clue in realizing Sethe s rebirth no longer as a free slave, but as a free woman.
Storytelling is evident in all the novels, but in The Woman Warrior by Kingston, it works directly to develop the characters, as well as to interject symbolism. Told in first person, Kingston illustrates the predilections of the Chinese culture and its confinement of the Self. Kingston questions the subvert accepted cultural, racial, and gender definitions of this culture and their effect on the affirmation of intersubjectivity. Kingston uses character development to illustrate, that the protagonist is suppressed not only by the culture in America, with its endemic racism, but also by her own culture. She attempts to subvert these hierarchies by imaginative identification with The Woman Warrior , a symbol of a triumphant woman, that overcomes these circumstances. The author writes, Whispering, Whispering, making no sense. Madness. I don t feel like hearing your craziness… I shut my mouth, but I felt something alive tearing at my throat . Theses vivid accounts of being tortured by silence are metaphors for the particular limitations a writer must overcome in order to be heard. It is when Kingston shatters the bonds of her past and becomes independent, that she is able to subjectively evaluate her Self and become Maxine Hong Kingston, no longer A Chinese girl, living in America , but a woman freed from the overshadows of her brothers, and her mother s culture. Someone able to submerge as a successful, independent woman, in psyche with her individuality.
The search for individuality is important in all the novels, yet this search for Self has a more direct and intense impact on Edna, the protagonist of The Awakening by Chopin. Chopin uses this search for Self as the basis of the novel, the character development of Edna is solely to illustrate this search. Edna Pontellier senses the force that ultimately drives her to the sea after a disagreement with her husband, Leonce, early in the novel. Chopin writes, A certain light [will begin] to dawn dimly within her…the light which, showing the way, forbids it . Edna comes to realize that her aloneness is a product of her desire for spiritual emancipation. She is not willing to sacrifice self-fulfillment in order to uphold the traditions and expectations of society. The author states, Every step which she took toward relieving herself from obligations added to her strength and expansionism an individual. But Edna knows that complete control over her own life will only come through total relief from social commitments. Thus, she returns to the comforting touch of sea that enfold[s] the body in it soft, close embrace. As Edna removes her clothing, and enters the sea, Edna is reborn into a world free from constraints. Chopin uses Edna s nakedness to symbolize her vulnerability and water to symbolize her rebirth, as if referring to passages about John the Baptist in the Bible. It is here, in the final scene, when the reader witnesses Edna s suicide, that the importance of one s Self becomes most evident. Now Edna is free of her inner-prison and encounters the world she has longed for throughout The Awakening.
This inner prison Edna struggles to free herself from is an underlying theme in The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne. Hawthorne uses symbolism and character development, to demonstrate the theme of society s impact of the protagonist and it s affect on the Self. The Puritan ethics of Hester s community alienates her as part of her punishment, this causes great and deep repercussions on Hester s Self.
Because of the deterioration of her self image, and the badge of shame she must uphold, she commits herself to an inner prison . Loosing her Self to the A . Unlike in the preceding novels, the main character is not the only one who looses Self in The Scarlet Letter. Dimmesdale looses it to his overpowering sense of guilt. More impressively, Chillingworth, looses his Self completely in the novel by turning from man to fiend, devoting his life to the destruction of another. In the conclusion of the novel, Hawthorne s symbol of humiliation, ironically gives Hester the strength to find her Self , enabling her to do good works, and once more become a fruitful member of the Puritan society.
In the five novels Song of Solomon, Beloved, The Woman Warrior, The Awakening, and The Scarlet Letter, the authors use symbolism and character development, to accentuate the transcending theme that fetters these novels, society s impact on the protagonists and it s repercussions on the Self . They succeed in realizing the concept of the importance of the Self and the individual s struggles to find his or her Self within the confinements of society s rules. Moreover, they successfully develop insights that may be relevant to readers of all cultures and that transcend place and time.
332
Другие работы по теме:
Comparison Contrast Essay Research Paper When one
Comparison Contrast Essay, Research Paper When one is deciding to purchase new furniture there are many options that one can take. One can buy furniture unassembled and assemble it themselves, or you can buy it pre-assembled. But which way is the most efficient way? I feel that buying pre-assembled furniture is a much more efficient method.
What Is Literature Essay Research Paper Midyear
What Is Literature? Essay, Research Paper Midyear Exam-Essay Literature is an interpretation and an analysis of experience that allows people to get a sense of the way life can be without having to brave anything in reality. They are able to learn the lessons from a certain circumstance without having to deal with the real-life outcomes.
Hate Literature Essay Research Paper Hate literaturematerialism
Hate Literature Essay, Research Paper Hate literature/materialism currently exists on the internet, and is expanding at a high rate, causing disturbance to society. Although the internet is known to be a free base to express opinions, thoughts, and general information, exploiting that particular use can be rather dangerous, especially when offending one’s culture.
Beowolf Essay Research Paper 5 Paragraph EssayBeowulf
Beowolf Essay, Research Paper 5 Paragraph Essay Beowulf, the first piece of Angelo Saxon literature, truly a masterpiece in itself. Beowulf unfortunately has no author, but was translated and re-written by Vinerable Bede. Beowulf was a hero much like the hero’s we have here today. Grendel on the other hand was an evil villain, like the ones in the movies.
Parent Relationships Essay Research Paper In many
Parent Relationships Essay, Research Paper In many of the works of literature I have read in this particular class, I noticed that many of the characters are parents. Which leads me to ask the following questions? How are parent/child relationships represented in early literature and how do these representations compare with representations, either real or literary, in our society?
AngloSaxon Literature Essay Research Paper Contrary to
Anglo-Saxon Literature Essay, Research Paper Contrary to what this ignorant student once said, Anglo-Saxon literature is very important, and many people care about it. Anglo-Saxon literature has lots to offer, and is very valuable to the modern reader. Only a very jaded person suffering from great lassitude wouldn t see that.
Literature Is Dead
– Negative Essay, Research Paper WARNING: This is a Speech! Please feel free to use this as you choose if the opportunity arises. Ladies and Gentlemen: What person in their right mind could even reflect on literature as being dead? Certainly not I! Could you imagine a world without books, or plays? Could you imagine a world without words, knowledge or religion? I truthfully can?t! Nor should you!
Literature And Society Essay Research Paper Literature
Literature And Society Essay, Research Paper Literature and Society The society we live in today is shaped and influenced by many aspects of life such as tradition, culture, laws, and communication. Together, all these factors make up a group of people all working towards a common goal, with similar interests.
Manning ReaderResponse Comparison Essay Research Paper Josh
Manning Reader-Response Comparison Essay, Research Paper Josh Manning Reader-Response Comparison William Faulkner?s “A Rose for Emily” can have many different reader-responses, as any story can, however it is the responsibility of reader-response critics, like Robert Crosman, to determine if they are valid and helpful in understanding the story. “How Readers Make Meaning” is a failed attempt by Crosman to show that any reader response, no matter how far fetched, can be helpful in the interpretation of a story.
Literature And Life Essay Research Paper Evan
Literature And Life Essay, Research Paper Evan Banks Reading Literature Henricson Literature: The Window to the Fallacies of my World I have never been a person totally content with life. I have always sought more and thirsted for some kind of meaning to the seemingly meaningless things that society forces me to do.
Victorian Literature Essay Research Paper Victorian literatureThe
Victorian Literature Essay, Research Paper Victorian literature The first decades (1830s to 1860s) of Queen Victoria’s reign produced a vigorous and varied body of literature that attempted to come to terms with the current transformations of English society, but writers in the latter decades (1870s to 1900) withdrew into AESTHETICISM, a preoccupation with sensation as an end in itself.
Comparison Essay Essay Research Paper Comparison EssayThere
Comparison Essay Essay, Research Paper Comparison Essay There are many different ways to explain the beginning and creation. Genesis and Edith Hamilton?s ?Mythology,? are two of many literary works you can find. Both show how characters were created and formed. They give detailed understanding and examples of creation.
Othello And King Lear A Comparison Essay
, Research Paper Othello and King Lear: A comparison If Shakespeare was alive today it is certain that there would be a lot written about him. We would read reviews of his new plays in newspapers,
Watership Down 2 Essay Research Paper Watership
Watership Down 2 Essay, Research Paper Watership Down as Good Literature Watership Down, by Richard Adams, is considered good literature because of the literary techniques and because of the plot. Several literary techniques are used to pull the reader in and the plot is a well constructed to hold their attention.
Lord Byron And His Literature Essay Research
Paper Lord Byron and His Literature Lord Byron was a man whose passion for life seemed unequaled by any of the other Romantic figures. Byron?s personal character, though not entirely so, could be seen in his literature as well as his life.
Literature Values Essay Research Paper The Value
Literature Values Essay, Research Paper The Value of Literature Literature can have many and different values on a person. It is all depending on the story and the value or moral issue the author wants, you, the reader to get out of it. The value literature had on me was actually hard to put into words. But to understand the value of literature you must know the definition of value and literature.
Get In Essay Research Paper Click Here
Get In Essay, Research Paper Click Here If YOU Have Friends! Can’t find the paper you need? Try Collegiate Care Comparing Casablanca to 1984 Charlie Parker at Storyville
Comparison Essay Essay Research Paper Comparison EssayTwo
Comparison Essay Essay, Research Paper Comparison Essay Two individuals dominate the late night airwaves, Jay Leno and David Letterman. Leno uses a conservative humor and Letterman’s humor is progressive. While the two shows claim to be different, they both follow the same format. Both shows include a ten-minute stand up routine, strange co-hosts and interviews with celebrity guests.
BookMovie Comparison Hamlet Essay Research Paper Usually
Book-Movie Comparison Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Usually, when a movie is made about a story in a book or a play, the two stories are not exactly the same. The movie tends to add small details or leave some out in order to meet time limits and to make the story what they think will be more interesting. Such is the case with Shakespeare s Hamlet.
Symbolism Essay Research Paper I have
Symbolism Essay, Research Paper : I have never understood the purpose of digging about for symbolism in and author’s work, and comparing the symbolism in 2
Fiddler On The Roof In Comparison To
Elizabeth Rex Essay, Research Paper Elizabeth Rex in comparison to Fiddler On The Roof By Magill Foote More specifically, the comparison to be made is between both of Brent Carver’s performances in the aforementioned plays.
Early American Literature Essay Research Paper Early
Early American Literature Essay, Research Paper Early American literature consisted mainly of diaries, journals, short stories, and Indian creation stories. Since some of the language used was of older English and other languages, early American literature was difficult to read.The first story I read was Spanish Explorers in the New World.
Early American Lit Essay Research Paper American
Early American Lit Essay, Research Paper American Literature consisted of many well known writers. These writers wrote excellent pieces of literature which are widely read today. These writers wrote about some aspect of American life, and they depicted America very well. Some of these writers are Stephen Crane and Robert E.
Armenian Literature Essay Research Paper Armenian LiteratureBefore
Armenian Literature Essay, Research Paper Armenian Literature Before the introduction of Christianity into Armenia in the 3rd century AD, Armenian literature was Assyrian or Medo-Persian in character. After that date, however, the language, literature, and finally the alphabet of Greece appeared in Armenian writing, although eastern Armenia retained the Syriac alphabet.
Hamlet Video Comparison Essay Research Paper Hamlet
Hamlet: Video Comparison Essay, Research Paper Hamlet: Video Comparison Hamlet is one of the best known pieces of literature around the world, and has fascinated many people from all walks of life, from critics to
What Is Literature Essay Research Paper Literature
What Is Literature Essay, Research Paper Literature is an interpretation of experience and an analysis of the findings made into a perfect unity. Literature allows people to experience without having to brave it in real life. They are able to learn the lesson from a certain circumstance without having to deal with the real-life outcomes.
What Is English Essay Research Paper English
What Is English? Essay, Research Paper English, well what is English? We all know that it is a language. But, what is the study of english? It is the study of literature in the english language. People attend english classes. This may be to learn the English Language or to learn about english literature or writing.