The Woman in Black

747 Words2 Pages

The woman in black: how does Arthur’s character change during the course of the story? At the beginning of the story Arthur is a proud and striving townsman, who enjoys life. This satisfying state deteriorates by the dreadful experiences he encounters during his stay at Eel marsh house. This affects him for the rest of his life. Arthur was an ambitious man, who was interested in building his future; we learn this in the first chapter: This house was one day to be my own home. (p13) To finance these ambitions he hopes to take more responsibility in the business so that he can ask for a pay rise from Mr Bentley his employer. (p41) On the train journey to Crythin Gifford Arthur expresses his pride in his job by saying: ‘I am her solicitor’. I was rather pleased the way it sounded. (p37) He is clearly showing that he is pleased with his financial life and not at all embarrassed to speak of it. Arthur is observant and bright man, who enjoys activity and liveliness. We realise this because of the enjoyment and entertainment he experiences while watching the market being set up. (p.44-45) Apart from this Crythin Gifford being such a remote and depressing place compared to London Arthur is not affected by it. Even though the story took place a long time ago Arthur still remembers the food and comfort offered to him at the Gifford arms (p40-41). His enjoyment is clearly shown by his exact memory of what he was offered. Arthur is a proud and ignorant man who degrades villagers and countrymen: I had the Londoners sense of superiority in those days, the half-formed belief that countrymen, and particularly those who inhabited the remoter parts of the corners of our island, were more super... ... middle of paper ... ...s… a little warmth from each of our bodies revived us… but she was alive and so was I (131). Before explaining his own condition he talks about the dog and also risks his own life for the life of the dog. Arthur has become more observant and less active: Before coming here I would never have been able to concentrate on such an ordinary thing so completely but would had been up and off. (p153) This proves, self evidently, that Arthur has experienced some sort of mental breakdown during his stay which has seriously affected his general life. At the beginning of the story he was interested in everyday life, towards the middle he has to struggles with his mind to convince himself, using extra brevity. The fear he experiences over powers this brevity, which causes him to change into a completely different man, who is now quieter and more thoughtful.

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