At this period in time, those belonging to the Puritan religion were not exactly prone to abandoning tradition. An old woman in the story states, “He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face” (Hawthorne 300). Her statement is a perfect example of how behaving in an
Chillingworth is a sinner that possibly committed a greater sin than that of adultery, but is overall gray in his morality. He redeems himself when his remaining wealth is given to Pearl, and his wrongdoing is realized. This novel will be analyzed using the Mythological, or Archetypal literary criticism type. Hawthorne clearly wrote the novel with some archetypes in mind, whether they be biblical or from another source. These archetypes and the analysis of them help illuminate Chillingworth in a way the novel fails to do on its own.
The writer narrates a story of evil taking over an innocent man, revealing the fragility of human belief. In the story, the devil uses rhetorical techniques, such as logos and ethos, to lead Goodman Brown astray. By listing several examples of corruption, the devil successfully conveys Goodman that all people are standing on the wicked side. By calling fellow citizens “children”, the devil demonstrates that his ability, visionary, and authority are much greater than those of humans, showing that standing on the evil side is not only a “wise” option, but also a general trend. “Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked one” clearly shows that even though Goodman Brown has deep belief in Puritanism, he cannot help himself under the extreme
Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ambrose Bierce express their dark romantic writing styles in a way to create a certain emotion to the reader. In Hawthorne’s “The Minister's Black Veil” and Bierce’s “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” both stories are similar in their use of symbolism and irony to add depth to the story and contrast in their use of tone. Symbolism is one technique used by both authors. A major symbol in “The Minister’s Black Veil” is Reverend Hooper’s black veil.
Regardless of the truth or legitimacy of the argument, the societal expectations played into Janie’s considerations regarding Tea Cake. Though she wanted to inquire about him, she was concerned her questions may be misinterpreted as interest which, as people later assured her, “he looked too young for her. Must be around twenty-five and here she was around forty” (Hurston 100). This age gap drove much of the gossip and some legitimate fears in the town, as well, that the reputable Mrs. Starks would end up deceived and penniless by a no-good, common man.
Constantly seeking Grace 's "approval". Particularly concerning the fact that, Old Harcourt’s appearance is not meeting the societal standards of how one should look. Which also cause people to automatically place Old Harcourt in a lower
In his short story, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” Nathaniel Hawthorne uses irony, symbolism, and stereotypical Puritan beliefs and behavior to expose humanity’s hypocrisy in an effort to create change. Irony is an extremely important literary element that Hawthorne uses in “The Minister’s Black Veil.” Throughout the story, many different examples of irony are evident. First off, the
Throughout Edith Wharton’s Transcendental novel, Age of Innocence, she creates a complex society based on social norms. During this work, Wharton suggests that power is based on wealth and that an individuals’ potential is limited to some extent by the strict rules of upper class New York society. For instance, the elites of New York refuse to let Ellen Olenska into their society because she is a woman who left her husband. These New Yorkers are worried that they will be breaking the social code by having an outcast as an acquaintance. Ellen’s struggles in fitting into society depicts the fact that one cannot ignore all social norms and be accepted by anyone worried about their own status.
In an age of chivalry and knighthood there is one mysterious and young boy who goes by the name of Terence. One day while Terence is hunting in the woods for food he has a chance encounter with a man who will change the future of all of England. This man’s name is Gawain, and he is traveling to camelot to be eventually knighted by the great King Arthur. Recognising the skills that Terence poses as a skilled hunter and cook, Gawain convinces Terence to join him as his squire on his quest to Camelot. After finally reaching Camelot, Gawain is knighted by the king and is then told to prepare for battle.
Henry James in the funeral article of Lippincott’s Magazine from July 1877, issues a negative tone on describing the people attending, but is being positive about Mr. George Odger. The diction of James is agitating for the people that are present yet magnificent because it’s the funeral of an honorable man, who defended the poor. The occasion caused Mr. James talking “indecent “about the low class people, calling them “dregs” of “itinerants”. He is discriminating the poor and insulting them.
In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne the old man is a symbol for the Devil. The old man appears as soon as Goodman Brown mentions the Devil, carries a staff that resembles a serpent, and the way the old woman reacts to the old man. By creating a physical embodiment of satan in the work, the author demonstrates how even the spiritually strongest can fall into temptation and sin. Straightaway, as soon as Goodman Brown enters the forest he imagines seeing the Devil and the old man appears.
Miss Brill is lonely, has a completely messed up mind, and tries to hide her true self by trying to live other people’s lives. Miss Brill views each person at the garden differently. The people who are mostly like her are the ones she judges the most, “Miss Brill had often noticed-there was something funny about nearly all of them. They were odd, silent, nearly all old, and from the way they stared they looked as though they’d just come from dark little rooms or even-even cupboards!” (Mansfield 185).
Conversely, Hawthorne did not trust man at all. He was a Transcendental Pessimist. He believed man was corrupt, and following his intuition would fail him in life. One of Hawthorne’s short stories, “Young Goodman Brown”, portrays the tale of a young Christian man who wanders into the forest and witnesses a witch-meeting that involves some of the people Goodman Brown thought to be some of the holiest people he knew: the church Deacon, the pastor, and even Brown’s own wife, Faith. After the witch-meeting incident in the woods, Brown wonders whether he witnessed the witch meeting, or if it was a creation of his own imagination: “quote”.
Wilde’s representation of the British upper class, its values and opinions, is presented most notably through Lady Augusta Bracknell. She is a dignified aristocratic residing fashionable London society circles. On the surface, she is very typical Victorian woman. As a mother to Gwendolen Fairfax, she has a great authority over her controlling her life. She has even a list of ”eligible young man” whom she is ready to interview in order to select a suitable partner for her daughter.
In eighteenth-century England, "first cousins" Tom Jones and Master Blifil grew up together in privilege in the western countryside, but could not be more different in nature. Tom, the bastard son of one of Squire Allworthy's servants Jenny Jones and the local barber Partridge, was raised by virtuous Allworthy as his own after he sent Jenny away. Tom is randy, chasing anything in a skirt, he's having a sexual relationship on the sly with Molly Seagrim, the peasant daughter of Allworthy's gamekeeper. Tom is nonetheless kind-hearted and good-natured, he who is willing to defend that and those in which he believes. Blifil, on the other hand, is dour, and although outwardly pious, is cold-hearted and vengeful.
