Lucille's Housekeeping: Transformity Vs. Freedom

795 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: One flew over the cuckoo's nest summary psychology

In Housekeeping, the idea of conformity versus freedom is represented in characters like Lucille and Ruth respectively as they choose to take different paths in life; Lucille chooses to conform to the societal standards, while Ruth chooses to become a transient and connect with nature.
In Housekeeping, the idea of freedom is symbolically represented in one’s connection to nature and the lifestyle of a transient. In the instance where Sylvie and Ruth decide to burn their belongings, Sylvie’s unorthodox housekeeping was explained as “she considered accumulation to be the essence of housekeeping, and because she considered the hoarding of worthless things to be proof of a particular scrupulous thrift” (180). The idea behind Sylvie’s incompetence in the field of Housekeeping shows her ideology, as she does not place value into physical objects and views the idea of property as simply worthless. Not placing value into her belongings shows an unorthodox view on property, one that departs on the societal notion where belongings emphasize one’s status. This quote relates to the book of Fences, in a differencing sense as the family particularly emphasizes the belongings, especially their house. Additionally, an important moment in Ruth’s acceptance of a transient lifestyle comes when “you do not resist the cold, but simply relax and accept it, you no longer feel the cold as discomfort. [She] felt giddily free and eager, as you do in dreams, when you suddenly find that you can fly, very easily, and wonder why you have never tried it before. I might have discovered other things. For example, [she] was hungry enough to begin to learn that hunger has its pleasures, and I was happily at ease in the dark, I could feel that I was breaking the te...

... middle of paper ...

...nfluence of society on Lucille, as seen in her desire the ‘look the way one was supposed to look’. As Lucille attempts to integrate and conform into society, she becomes increasingly attached to her physical image, while Ruth describes her own appearance to be ungainly and awkward. Lucille’s attachment to keeping a favorable image symbolizes her conformity and displays the theme of emphasizing physical objects and images. This idea connects with the book, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as the patients there who are not committed are scared to enter the real world due to their lack of confidence in their image and their acceptance into reality becomes a fear that hinders their consciousness, for example Billy Bibbit, and would rather stay in the ward. All in all, the theme of emphasizing physical objects and images relate to Lucille’s conformity towards society.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of At The Dark End Of The Street

    1323 Words  | 3 Pages

    1) The major theme of the book is respectability. In the 1950 's Rosa Parks became the symbol for black female resistance in the

    Read More

  • A Stolen Life by Jaycee Lee Dugard

    893 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ors to describe her life and situation. This comes primarily from the fact that in her therapy sessions that is how she is taught to deal with everything. For example, one metaphor she talks about is “… she comes up with the idea of lighting candles to symbolize my past, present, and future…I’ve noticed my past melting… my present candle has stayed pretty much the same,” (D 266). She explains them as her past is become less controlling, her present is her and concrete ideas and her future is bright and untouched. These metaphors show how much she has grown and allow the things she is learning to have more meaning. All of these combine to make the piece very effective and insightful. They help to get her point across and call people to action to help against these crimes.

    Read More

  • Symbols and Symbolism in Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

    520 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ken Kesey presents his masterpiece, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, with popular culture symbolism of the 1960s. This strategy helps paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Music and cartoons of the times are often referred to in the novel. These help to exaggerate the characters and the state of the mental institution.

    Read More

  • Discourses of Conformity in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s nest and Advice to Young Ladies

    1209 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the novel ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ written by Ken Kesey, and the poem ‘Advice to Young Ladies’ crafted by A.D. Hope, there is evidence to suggest that the discourses represented by the characters in the novel and poem unveil the ways discourses of conformity underpin the characters’ actions, perceptions and motives, as well as inviting and silencing beliefs, attitudes and values. The author and poet are able to strongly convey their beliefs to the reader from their personal experiences. The four dominant discourses that both the novel and poem share and represents: conformity, sexuality and religious. These will be analysed and compared.

    Read More

  • What Guys Look For In Girls Analysis

    641 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some examples of metaphor within the piece are when it says “your laughter’s so melodic it’s a song” and “your creativity’s a compass that leads you to what you love”. An example of evocative language in the piece is “you don’t need any miracle cream to keep your passions smooth, hair free or diet pills to slim your kindness down.” These metaphors and instances of evocative language help emphasise the message that it doesn’t matter what you look like, the most important thing you can love about yourself is ____. Metaphors, evocative language, and repetition are also used to describe the expectations laid upon women by society. One particular phrase that uses both metaphor and evocative language “because the only place we'll ever truly feel safe is curled up inside skin we've been taught to hate by a society that shuns our awful confidence and feeds us our flaws”. Other examples of evocative language include “a reminder that the mirror is meant to be a curse so I confine her in my mind, but when he or she shouts ‘let me out!’ we're allowed to listen.” and “Don't you shatter the illusion you could ever be anything beyond paper fine flesh and flashy teeth and fingernails.” One instance of repetition includes “echoic accusations of not good enough, never good enough”. Another phrase that uses both evocative language and repetition

    Read More

  • The House of Mirth: Breaking free from the Reins of Luxury

    1665 Words  | 4 Pages

    The lives we lead and the type of character we possess are said to be individual decisions. Yet from early stages in our life, our character is shaped by the values, customs and mindsets of those who surround us. The characteristics of this environment affect the way we think and behave ultimately shaping us into a product of the environment we are raised in. Lily Bart, the protagonist in Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth, is an exceedingly beautiful bachelorette who grows up accustomed to living a life of luxury amongst New York City’s upper-class in the 20th century. When her family goes bankrupt, Lily is left searching for security and stability, both of which, she is taught can be only be attained through a wealthy marriage. Although, Lily is ashamed of her society’s tendencies, she is afraid that the values taught in her upbringing shaped her into “an organism so helpless outside of its narrow range” (Wharton 423). For Lily, it comes down to a choice between two antagonistic forces: the life she desires with a happiness, freedom and love and the life she was cut out to live with wealth, prestige and power. Although, Lily’s upbringing conditioned her to desire wealth and prestige, Lily’s more significant desires happiness, freedom and love ultimately allow her to break free.

    Read More

  • Naked and Free in The Awakening

    491 Words  | 1 Pages

    For example, we see clothing used as an important metaphor in the story.  Victorian women's clothing was extremely confining, much like their life.  The clothing can be seen as a type of "cage" which is apparent when we see Edna and Adele walking to the beach in chapter seven.  Adele wore a veil, "doe skin gloves, white gauntlets ... was dressed in pure white, with a fluffiness of ruffles that became her" (478).  Adele was the ideal of beauty.  Edna, on the other hand, "wore a cool muslin that morning ... a white linen collar and a big straw hat" (478).  We learn that "a casual and indiscriminating observer ... might not cast a second glance" (478) towards Edna.  The fact that Edna was simply dressed showed her non conformity towards society's standards.  When the two women get to the beach, Edna removes her collar and unbuttons her dress at the throat.  Her decision not to wear all the garments is a hint at the rebellion to come.

    Read More

  • Eye of the beholder

    374 Words  | 1 Pages

    Moreover, the woman in the ?eye of the Beholder? not only wanted beauty but she felt the need for acceptance. She was denied this when she was taken to a disability camp. It?s amazing how in the movie, people were separated and treated unequally because of their physical appearances, and as result, they could not share the same society. This is in fact is a metaphor for how discrimination was once in extreme existence in this society. For example, African Americans once had to use: different bathrooms, water fountains, and were even segregated to non-white school. They were even isolated to the worse parts of the cities.

    Read More

  • Imagery in "Everyday Use"

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the story, Walker uses brilliant imagery in describing each detail of what the mother sees through the eyes of her world. This imagery in turn creates a more interesting and imaginative story, and allows the reader to experience what the narrator is experiencing. The theme of imagery is not within the story, but how the story is told. However, the theme of love of one's family heritage is within the heart and not on the wall.

    Read More

  • Budge Wilson's The Metaphor

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    Everyone has a different view on life. One's perception can significantly impact the way that he/she views the rest of the world. This perception can be both positive and negative. Perception often plays a big role in determining how one is viewed by both themselves and others. People are often judged by their appearance and their actions. However, it is things such as their personality and their character that truly define them as individuals. In Budge Wilson's "The Metaphor," Miss Hancock is faced with the fact that other individuals often overlook her. Though others may not be aware of what they are doing, their actions can greatly impact another individual throughout their lifetime. The way that one is perceived can both positively and negatively affect the way that others view them as an individual, which can greatly affect their entire life.

    Read More

  • One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest: 3 Points

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Ken Kesey's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, the author refers to the many struggles people individually face in life. Through the conflict between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy, the novel explores the themes of individuality and rebellion against conformity. With these themes, Kesey makes various points which help us understand which situations of repression can lead an individual to insanity. These points include: the effects of sexual repression, woman as castrators, and the pressures we face from society to conform. Through these points, Kesey encourages the reader to consider that people react differently in the face of repression, and makes the reader realize the value of alternative states of perception, rather than simply writing them off as "crazy."

    Read More

  • A Jury of Her Peers, by Susan Glaspell

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mrs. Hale feels a natural responsibility to defend and protect Minnie Foster Wright through her connection as a fellow woman and housewife. Upon her introduction to Minnie through her home, Mrs. Hale finds an immediate connection. She understands Minnie’s life as a homemaker and a farmer’s wife and is quick to defend her when her skills as a wife and woman come into question. When the men recognize Minnie’s lackluster cleaning of kitchen towels Mrs. Hale retorts “[m]en’s hands aren’t as clean as they might be” (Glaspell 160). She asserts her loyalty to Minnie and notes that men are not always perfect or without blame, without “clean hands”. As a woman, Mrs. Hale easily sees herself in Minnie’s place and comes to her defense as if she were defending herself. It is easier to share her loyalty with a woman so much like her than it is to be loyal to men that act superior and do not understand the challenges of being a housewife. The men find a woman’s chores as petty, nothing but “trifles” (Glaspell 160).Scholar Karen Stein argues that it is these commonalities that create the responsibility of everywoman to defend one another (Ortiz 165). Mrs. Hale sees herself in every...

    Read More

  • Atwood

    969 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atwood uses symbolism to convey how a person’s personality can disintegrate by living in a repressive society. In the beginning of the story, Kat goes through a surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst which she keeps and names “Hairball”. This large cyst is in fact, a symbol that represents Kat’s personality disintegration. Most cyst that develop in the human body are dysfunctional, and Kat can be seen as a dysfunctional woman when she decides to keep this cyst. “The cyst turned out to be a benign tumor. Kat liked that use if ‘benign,‘ as if the thing had a soul and wished her well” (304). This specific passage shows the readers how Kat is slowly loosing her mind by thinking that her cyst has a soul of its own. In addition, she humanizes her cyst by naming it “Hairball” and by giving it human characteristics: “Hairball’s baby teeth glint in the light; it looks as if it’s about to speak” (312). Moreover, Hairball is described as having baby teeth which can represent how it is like a baby who still developing. This developing cyst can also symbolize how Kat is trying to develop her own personality. However, this becomes a challenge for her because she lives in a society where male domination is present. She works as a photographer for an avant-garde magazine, and tries to express her ideas, but the men whom she works with don’t let her do so. Kat trying to develop her personality within her society leads her to become lost, and back to becoming dysfunctional just like a cyst trying to be a tumor. The author uses Hairball as a symbol to highlight how Kat’s personality disintegrates by living in a society where gender inequality is supported.

    Read More

  • John Grisham's A Painted House

    1790 Words  | 4 Pages

    The title of the book, ‘A Painted House’ is based on the actual farmhouse in which the Chandler family resides. It was an old house. It was a fine house that had never been painted. For this particular family, paint - like eating meat with every meal - was a luxury. It was not a requirement to have a painted house. It was not a sign of laziness as the reader might initially expect. It was a sign of being frugal with money. In this bold example of persevering and never giving up, Mr. Grisham demonstrates to the reader that ’one can’t have everything’.

    Read More

  • A Feminist Perspective of A Doll's House

    1221 Words  | 3 Pages

    In "A Doll's House", Ibsen portrays the bleak picture of a role held by women of all economic classes that is sacrificial. The female characters in the play back-up Nora's assertion that even though men are unable to sacrifice their integrity, "hundreds of thousands of woman have." Mrs. Linde found it necessary to abandon Krogstad, her true but poor love, and marry a richer man in order to support her mother and two brothers. The nanny has to abandon her children to support herself by working for Nora. Though Nora is economically advantaged, in comparison to the other female characters, she leads a hard life because society dictates that Torvald be the marriages dominant member. Torvald condescends Nora and inadvertently forces Nora to hide the loan from him. Nora knows that Torvald could never accept the idea that his wife, or any other woman, could aid in saving his life.

    Read More

More about Lucille's Housekeeping: Transformity Vs. Freedom

Open Document