Waves of purple flutter exquisitely in the soft breeze blowing over the garden, and the air fills with the sweet scent of lavender. The lavender seems to belong in this garden, brightening the garden with its beauty and lending its medicinal properties to the garden’s owner. Lavender is an ideal plant with qualities of domesticity, beauty, and redemption that reflect those of the ideal woman. Many people through history have seen the comparisons between women and flowers and aptly compared them. In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Lucie Manette possesses qualities similar to those of lavender, the ideal flowering plant, by virtue of her faultless womanhood that perfectly conforms to societal standards for women. Throughout his …show more content…
Just as lavender invites the appreciation of others by because of its beauty, Lucie inspires the love and affection of others by virtue of her beauty. Lucie’s beauty and its effects on others are illustrated when Stryver comments that, “she is charming creature…worthy of good fortune” (164; bk.2, ch. 11). Lavender’s appearance draws people to it; Lucie’s charm and beauty also infatuate men, exemplified by Stryver who decides to propose to Lucie based solely on her physical beauty and outward charm. In general, lavender and Lucie are revered for their beauty. Lavender is planted in gardens to add beauty; similarly, Lucie is gorgeous and adds beauty to her home, even in the darkest situations. Lucie’s continuing people is illustrated when she is trapped in Paris by her husband’s imprisonment, yet manages to “[remain] very pretty and comely” (327, bk. 3, ch. 5). Lavender brightens its surroundings even in dark times; comparably, even in the darkest time of her life and separated from her husband because of his imprisonment, Lucie Manette remains beautiful and brightens her dark, dismal surroundings with her continued physical and spiritual beauty. Hence, just as lavender is known for its beauty that entices others and brightens its surroundings, Lucie Manette is adored for her attractiveness and ability to lighten even the …show more content…
Charles Dickens uses Lucie Manette to portray the ideal woman who is like lavender, an ideal plant. Lavender belongs in gardens and brightens them with its beauty and medicinal properties, just as Lucie belongs in the home and improves it with her beauty, domesticity, and healing abilities. Dickens’ portrayal of the flower-like Lucie Manette highlights the flaws in society’s views of women. Women are not flowers; if a woman’s qualities correspond perfectly to that of a flower, then that woman is too good to be true. Hence, comparing Lucie Manette to a flower highlights her perfection and illustrates the unattainable nature of that perfection because of its resemblance to a
With imagery she provided a detailed visual of what that looks like, how it sounds and gave readers an understanding of what magic feels like. Finally, characters told the tale with ambiguity so that each and every member of the audience could relate and draw references to the people in their own lives. The poem perfectly unified beauty with basics, showing that true beauty does not always have to be elaborate. True beauty lies within the simplistic details, the character of those involved, the love that is felt and the goodness of mankind, that alone is magic. The theme that all moments are worthy of gratitude no matter how often they occur or how simple they appear is beautifully exemplified in the poem “Common Magic”.
In order to discern between the Victorian and Romantic themes, Bronte selects certain characters to portray the perfect stereotype of each theme. Mademoiselle Celine Varens is the model of the Romantic attitude. Varens a “French opera-dancer” found herself as the “grande passion” of Mr. Rochester. The amour between Rochester and Varens started in a “complete establishment of servants, a carriage, cashmere, diamonds, dentells, etc.” and ended with Rochester “finding her out” with another man. Varens’ irrationality did not only affect Rochester, but also her child: “she abandoned her child and ran away with a musician or singer.” Celine Varens, a woman in a daring profession, led a life of passion, freedom and irresponsibility. Her life was ballad of adventure idolized by Romantics but frowned upon by society. Mrs. Reed is the perfect representative of Victorian realism. She had all the visual attributes found in a Victorian styled lady. She possessed gentry as the mistress of Gateshead Hall and her material wealth was made obvious by the luxuries found in her home –“a bed supported on massive pillows of mahogany, hung with curtains of damask”—and in her children “in their Muslim frocks and scarlet sashes.” Besides wealth and gentility, Mrs. Reed also maintained Victorian characteristics of insularity and censoriousness.
Lastly and most importantly would be Lucie’s elaborate expression of sentimentality in her constant fainting at the least sign of distress. However unbearable it might have seemed, the reader could not fully appreciate the significance of her character and why she was loved by so many equally sentimental; characters in the novel. When Lucie early on testifies at Darnay’s trial in the English court, she says, “He was kind, and good, and useful to my father. I hope,” and here she bursts into tears, “ I may not repay him by doing him harm here today.” Her deep sensitivity and generous nature shines through. And remember, when Lucie stands forlornly and devotedly at a place near the Paris prison in order for her husband, Darnay, to glimpse her and their child, it is clear that Dickens wanted to portray her as a loving, faithful, and sympathetic person.
Eugenia Collier’s “Marigolds” is a memoir of a colored girl living in the Great Depression. The story does not focus on the troubles society presents to the narrator (Elizabeth), but rather is focused on the conflict within her. Collier uses marigolds to show that the changes from childhood to adulthood cause fear in Elizabeth, which is the enemy of compassion and hope.
Jane continues her new life at Thornfield now with the interest of Mr. Rochester and she thinks about the concept of marriage. Charlotte Bronte shows the way each character thinks of each other and how they treat each other. Jane is treated like an invisible un-acknowledgeable maid. Mr. Rochester treats her oppositely unlike his guests. While Jane sits and observes the guest she has an interesting analysis on their looks, behavior and status. Jane’s response to Mrs. Ingram’s engagement made her look like she is better than Mrs. Ingram.
Contrastingly, Mrs. Darling, his wife, is portrayed as a romantic, maternal character. She is a “lovely lady”, who had many suitors yet was “won” by Mr. Darling, who got to her first. However, she is a multifaceted character because her mind is described “like the tiny boxes, one within the other, that come from the puzzling East”, suggesting that she is, to some extent, an enigma to the other characters, especially Mr. Darling. As well as this, she exemplifies the characteristics of a “perfect mother”. She puts everything in order, including her children’s minds, which is a metaphor for the morals and ethics that she instils in them. Although ...
Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens repeats a number of symbols and motifs. By employing these two literary devices throughout the duration of the story, Dickens is working to emphasize the importance of these specific components of the story. Motifs and symbols represent repeating ideas that help the reader to understand, as well as highlight the author’s central idea. Dickens employs the usage of symbols and motifs, such that by using both he adds a layer of significance and deeper meaning to actions, people, as well as objects. Additionally, by using symbols and motifs, Dickens is able to create a story in which both the characters, and the plot are interwoven.
“Apparently with no surprise” by Emily Dickinson presents the trials and tribulations that a flower must overcome if it is to survive. Dickinson creates a microcosm of the real world and a deep ecological study of human kind. Her word choice betrays a hidden disdain for human beings egotistical aims.
Charles Dickens was born the second child of eight in 1812 to John and Elizabeth Dickens. When Charles was a young child he was exposed to a lot of literature and art that helped strengthen and develop his imagination. Dickens is known for his numerous and excellent works of writing. One of Charles Dickens’ well-known pieces of literature is A Tale of Two Cities. This piece of writing contains countless numbers of metaphors and symbols to add to the interesting plot. These metaphors and symbols are very powerful and beneficial in the understanding and comprehension of the novel. The theme of fate in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, is related and elaborated excellently through the symbols of knitting, blue-flies, and the fountain.
Charles Dickens is well known for the interesting, colorful, and cartoonish characters he likes to use in most of his stories. These characters are often more like caricatures, which makes reading about them funny and interesting. However, this is not the case with A Tale of Two Cities. In this novel, Dickens is less concerned with individual characters and more concerned with the plot as a whole. While the characters aren’t particularly stressed as a very important element of the story, they still maintain a quality of roundness and complexity. Dr. Manette is just one example of a character displaying these traits.
Dickenson’s use of diction creates figurative imagery that further reveals the manner in which the speaker’s attitude evolves. The word choice not only allows readers to mentally visualize the events but also to easily understand the speaker’s feelings that change throughout the poem. Although the word “infinite” (16) describes the speaker’s jealousy toward the woman, it also refers to the divine creator and His place of eternal happiness. The connotation associated with the word shows that the speaker believes in life after death, which clarifies why jealousy arose within her in the fourth stanza. She experiences a conflicting response because the woman grows closer to every believer’s ultimate goal: heaven. Moreover, the personification,
As Perdita grows older, the shepherdess imparts her “blossoming” image on others, particularly on the courtiers who greet her in the country. After asking Dorcas to “Give [her] those flowers there,” she distributes “rosemary and rue [which] keep / Seeming and savor all the winter long” (IV.iv.73-5). The flowers ...
In the novel ‘Great Expectations’ there are three women who Dickens portrays differently to his contemporary’s, writers such as Austen and Bronté, and to the typical 19th century woman. These three women go by the name of Mrs Joe (Pips sister), Miss Havisham, and Estella. Mrs Joe who is Pips sister and Mr Joe’s wife is very controlling and aggressive towards Pip and Mr Joe. ‘In knowing her to have a hard and heavy hand’. This shows Dickens has given Mrs Joe very masculine qualities, which is very unusual for a 19th century woman. Mr Joe has a very contrasting appearance and personality to Mrs Joe. ‘Joe was a fair man, with curls of flaxen hair on each side of his smooth face, and with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites.’ In many ways Dickens has swapped the stereo type appearances and personalities of 19th century men and women. Dickens portrays Miss Havisham to be rich but lonely women. ‘I should acquit myself under that lady’s roof’. This shows Miss Havisham owns her own property which is Satis House. This woul...
A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is a story set in the year 1775 and through the turbulent time of the French Revolution. It is of people living in love and betrayal, murder and joy, peril and safety, hate and fondness, misery and happiness, gentle actions and ferocious crowds. The novel surrounds a drunken man, Sydney Carton, who performs a heroic deed for his beloved, Lucie Manette, while Monsieur and Madame Defarge, ruthless revolutionaries, seek revenge against the nobles of France. Research suggests that through Dickens’ portrayal of the revolutionaries and nobles of the war, he gives accurate insight to the era of the Revolution.
She demanded respect, and often reminded other characters that she was human, and was capable of doing much more than she, and all women in society, were restricted from doing. Jane tells Mr. Rochester, “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you,” (___). Here Jane not only challenges the beliefs of Mr. Rochester, telling him that she has feelings, she also acknowledges the issue of how differently women are treated based on physical and social attributes. Jane argues that if she were beautiful and wealthy, that Mr. Rochester would have thought twice about leaving her. This is a reflection of society’s view on women; it shows how women are valued based on their appearances and social status, which is also an issue that pertains in this day in age. Women reading Jane Eyre now can still relate to the issues that come from being a women and the challenges revolving around physical beauty and self perception, which is why this book is so important and revolutionary in feminist literature. To this day, most women can relate to the issues that Jane faces, and it brings across an empowering message to readers, showing them that a woman can be “plain