A person that is truly successful has failed many times before they finally achieved their goal. Michael Winter utilizes the protagonist, Henry Hayward, in his novel Minister Without Portfolio to prove to the reader that failing is an essential part of life. Henry loses his girlfriend, Nora, which is the main reason for which he decides to pursue a job. Henry also suffers the loss of his close friend, Tender Moris, which in turn leads him to to meet his future wife, Martha. Finally, Henry is met with yet another near-death experience and this time he realizes his purpose and becomes certain of his decision to move Tender’s house. Winter’s protagonist, Henry, is faced much adversity in his life, but it is the hardships of his life that bring about …show more content…
The effect she has on his life is undeniable, and while it is debatable whether her impact is positive or not, Henry benefits greatly from the breakup. As much as Henry would hate to admit, Nora is a very negative person and always gave him a reason to hate himself, even whilst they were still together. Henry begins his journey simply because he wants to prove to Nora that he can be everything she says he should be. This is highlighted in the novel when it says “Then he turned around and screamed into the wild: well I lived a dangerous life!” (Pg.49). Henry has just witnessed the death of one of his best friends and yet the only thing that he can think of is what Nora said. Another example is his at the start of the novel, following his break up with Nora where he is getting drunk and wandering the streets. Henry is ill prepared for single life and his escape from the control that Nora had over him confuses him. This makes it very clear that Nora’s presence in Henry's life has been nothing but toxic to him and so the loss was necessary in order for him to grow. To be able to realize his poor state of mind, Henry must suffer another
depressed and could barely function. Henry's state of mind is so bad that one night when
Archibald Lampman’s “Winter Evening” and P.K. Page’s “Stories of Snow” both initially describe winter to be delicate and blissful, yet, as one delves deeper into the poem, it is revealed that the speakers believe winter to be harsh and forceful. Archibald Lampman’s “Winter Evening,” starts describing an evening
Henry's first-person narrative is the most important element of these stories. Through it he recounts the events of his life, his experiences with others, his accomplishments and troubles. The great achievement of this narrative voice is how effortlessly it reveals Henry's limited education while simultaneously demonstrating his quick intelligence, all in an entertaining and convincing fashion. Henry introduces himself by introducing his home-town of Perkinsville, New York, whereupon his woeful g...
...s inner self. What is seen as a relationship amongst these two young men is now torn apart by the transformation of Henry caused from his witnesses during warfare.
Winter tries to do whatever she can to take care of her sister, help her mother, get her father free and everything back to the way that it use to be. Everything seems to go wrong after that happens and Winter is only worried about herself from then on. The characters in this novel all represent individuals in every urban slum in America from the lords to the workers, from the young children growing up fast in the culture of violence and moral decay
Henry suffers from retrograde amnesia due to internal bleeding in the part of the brain that controls memory. This causes him to forget completely everything he ever learned. His entire life is forgotten and he has to basically relearn who he was, only to find he didn’t like who he was and that he didn’t want to be that person. He starts to pay more attention to his daughter and his wife and starts to spend more time with them.
As time progressed Henry also thought of the injustice in working and paying the wages he had earned to a master who had no entitlement to them whatsoever. In slavery he had been unable to question anything of his masters doing. He was unable to have rage, sadness, or even sickness, for he would be b...
middle of paper ... ... In conclusion, the character of Henry dominates the play throughout. overshadowing the other characters in the story. He is a religious man, reinforced.
Robert Penn Warren’s “Blackberry Winter” is the story of one young boy’s sudden and painfully realistic venture from behind the blissful cloak of childhood innocence into the more brutal reality of the world. Warren captures this transition through the eyes of the young and happily naïve Middle Tennessee farm boy, Seth. When the story begins, the nine year old Seth is lingering on the very edge of his innocence, but is undoubtedly still in the throws of the methodical and simple life that only a child can truly have. Before that fateful day when the unusual stranger appeared so suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, Seth led the secure and rhythmic life that comes with both ignorance and innocence. Seth having never left or even given much thought to life outside his small farm community, he had been sheltered from the true evils of the world. He had no concept of time or change, and had never needed one. That day, and that stranger, forced him to become aware of things that were beyond his control and even made him question the very things that he had always held as the gospel truth.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "Winter Dreams." Print. Rpt. in English 102 Course Pack. By Megan Newell. Montreal: Eastman Systems, 2012. 33-40. Print.
Nora was raised and socialized by her father. He kept her as a doll and never required or expected much from her. The same treatment continued from her husband Torvald. In a world where nothing is expected from Nora, it is easy to think she is spoiled. But, as many women of that time, she wanted to be seen for the smart and intellectual woman that she was. She basically saved her husband’s life but had to continue to act as Torvald’s fool. Sympathy for Nora is not only possible, it’s practically required.
The war alone could not justify her love for her life-long friend and fiancé. This tragic event explains her confusing emotional behavior towards Henry. Henry1s failure to remember his appointment with Catherine because he was drunk shows that he did not regard Catherine too seriously. However, his surprising sorrow when she is unable to see him shows that he might be more vulnerable to falling in love than he suspects, 3when I could not see her I was feeling lonely and hollow2 (41).... ...
...on as a disgrace to society because women are not expected to leave there husbands. Nora proved that she can withstand enormous amounts of pressure and that she is capable of doing things when she is determined. She is eventually freed from that doll ouse, as she calls it, and it allows her to leave without being afraid to learn about her and the world around her.
Henry loved his freedom of choice to do whatever he pleased and knowing that the decisions made would have no consequences in life. From the first time Henry met Lucy he could not keep her out of his mind, he sees her and immediately shifts his focus onto her, trying to get her to fall for him. Henry feels angst in his life as he knows he has no purpose, but only to search out some meaning for himself. He does this through his flings and then through his love with Lucy. The stress of the world is just too much for him, so he just avoids the big questions and focus on the here and now.
The state of affairs and the grim reality of the war lead Henry towards an ardent desire for a peaceful life, and as a result Henry repudiates his fellow soldiers at the warfront. Henry’s desertion of the war is also related to his passionate love for Catherine. Henry’s love for Catherine is progressive and ironic. This love develops gradually in “stages”: Henry’s attempt at pretending love for Catherine towards the beginning of the novel, his gradually developing love for her, and finally, Henry’s impas... ...