- Read the prompt and begin brainstorming what you would use.
- DO NOT read other classmates' entries before writing your response.
- Draft an outline on your own paper.
- Write a couple paragraphs about what characters you would contrast and how they effect the overall work. Be sure to include how you would organize your essay (progression of ideas and what specific details you would use. You may use your novel and notes to help you! You DO NOT need to write an entire essay. The purpose of the exercise is to review the novels that we have read.
In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of the minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil to a main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work. You may choose a work from the list below or another appropriate novel or play of similar literary quality. Do not merely summarize the plot.
I would write about Madame Ratignolle being Edna Pontellier's foil in The Awakening.
ReplyDeleteIntro: Kate Chopin's The Awakening details the stiff expectations of a woman in Victorian society and one woman's rebellion against those norms. Madame Ratignolle, a classic "mother-woman," serves as a foil to Edna Pontellier, the protagonist. Through Madame Ratignolle, the suppression of identity is revealed and Edna's inner conflict with her desire for freedom is rightly justified.
P1: Introduce Madame Ratignolle and how she upheld the societal expectations of a "mother-woman." Include relation to a "flighty" bird and how she acts towards her family.
Madame Ratignolle is one woman likely to be highly revered in Victorian society for her submissiveness and gentle nature. She bends to societal expectations, such as being a loving mother and wife. Her life is completely centered around her family; she thinks of nothing else, the least thought being of herself......cont
P2: Contrast the above paragraph by introducing Edna Pontellier and how she rebelled from being a "mother-woman." Include the symbol of the parrot to contrast with the flighty bird. Show her attitude towards her husband and children.
On the other hand, Edna Pontellier is the furthest thing from a "mother-woman." She begins to awaken into a new being at Grand Isle when she meets Robert, who she later becomes infatuated with. As she is awakening into her true self, she struggles with wanting to be herself while upholding expectations, such as her Tuesday receptions....cont
P3: Tie off & relate back to meaning of the work.
Through the foil of Madame Ratignolle to Edna Pontellier, Chopin reveals that women do not live on earth to serve others. Being a "mother-woman" does not ensure that the full potential of a woman has been reached because she is constantly looking after others instead of herself...cont
In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the main character, Edna Pontellier, is a foil of one of the minor characters, Madame Ratignolle. Whereas Edna was the New Woman in the Victorian Era, Adele Ratignolle was the ideal mother-woman. Adele's contrast with Edna emphasizes the level of rebellion Edna acts upon.
ReplyDeleteIf this were my basis for my essay, I would organize it by first explaining the differences between a typical Victorian woman (Adele) and the New Woman (Edna.) I would use details from the novel such as when Adele's abundance of children is referred to as a "condition" in the beginning. Her being the ideal woman and being obsessed with having children emphasizes the absurdness of Edna ignoring her children as much as possible.
Although Adele is against Edna's actions, she is also a cause of them as Edna strives to be different and develop her self-identity.
If I were to write this essay, I would write it about Marlow and Kurtz in the Heart of Darkness.
ReplyDeleteIntro-
Living in a world full of constraints can make it hard to see view our inner nature and what we are capable of becoming. We are limited only to our own self restraints. In Joseph Conrad's novel The Heart of Darkness, Conrad characterizes Marlow as a man who utilizes self restraint in order to survive the darkness of the human savagery. In direct contrast with Marlow is Kurtz, a man who enters the Congo with a purpose, only to find that the wilderness possesses those without self restraint. Although these men are similar in some aspects, they each end with a very different story.
Paragraph 1-
In the first paragraph I would discuss the similarities between Kurtz and Marlow. For example, Marlow experiences several instances of the "playful paw strokes" of the wilderness showing that nature is slowly taking hold of him. This is similar to how nature took hold of Kurtz. If Marlow had not left the Congo when he did, he may have ended up in the same situation as Kurtz.
Paragraph 2-
In paragraph two I would talk about how Kurtz has no restraints when he enters the Congo while Marlow does. Kurtz lets the wilderness take hold of him while he is there while Marlow uses self restraint in order to keep his sanity.
Paragraph 3-
In the third paragraph I would talk about how in the end Kurtz is able to recognize the actions he has taken and just how awful human nature truly was when it has no constraints. Marlow never quite comes full circle in the way that Kurtz did. Marlow keeps his sanity the whole time he is down there.
For this essay I would use Edna Pontellier and Madame Ratignolle from The Awakening by Kate Chopin. As a thesis I would state that a running theme in this novel is defying societal expectations and Edna does this by resisting the mold of a mother-woman that everyone around her is attempting to force her in to. Then to build my paragraphs I would compare and contrast the two characters.
ReplyDeleteFor the first paragraph I would describe who society wants Edna to be: the mother-woman. I would include reception days, the “protective wings” she is supposed to have over her children, being submissive to her husband, and include specific references as support. To each of these points I would use Madame Ratignolle actions as examples of what the mother-woman should be.
In the second paragraph, I would utilize the same points but now include references that showcase how Edna defied what was expected of her including her affair, her pigeon-house, her painting, etc.
In the third and final paragraph, I would describe how both of their lives came to a resolve in the course of the book (Edna committing suicide and Madame Ratignolle having another child) and discuss whose ending was “happier”. Then relate this and the points discussed earlier back to the overall theme of societal expectations and how it their contrast contributed and impacted the novel as a whole: that what society tells you will make you happy is not necessarily true in all cases.
I would write about how (Madame) Adele Ratignolle is Edna Pontellier's foil in The Awakening by Kate Chopin.
ReplyDeleteIn the intro I would mention that Edna defied the stereotypes and rules of society while Adele fully emerges herself into societies roles and seems to flourish in them. The contrast between them show the expectations of society verses the personal happiness individuality can bring if society will let it live and the crippling depression it can bring if society crushes it.
In my fist paragraph I would talk about the “mother-role” and how the two characters fit into it. Adele fits perfectly in the role and cares for nothing but her children and keeps on having babies. Adele’s perfection in the role illuminates Edna’s “failures” in this role. She doesn't really enjoy being a mother and only finds her kids entertaining at times. Adele would give up anything for her kids while Edna says she would give her life but not her true self. Adele doesn't understand this because her “true self” has adapted/always been her feminine and mother self. It seems like Edna never wanted to be a mother and wouldn't be one if society didn't push her to
be one; in contrast Adele can’t stop having kids and is pregnant during the book.
I would transition to talking about the bird imagery and symbolism used to describe Adele and Edna. Adele (and other mother women) are described as peaceful and white, stretching out there bird wings only to shelter they're children, never to fly. In contrast whenever birds are used to represent Edna or parallel her life the birds are always suffering or trapped. Edna is always seen as the caged bird that causes people annoyance when it talks/squawks. When she is about to drown herself a bird with a broken wing painfully circles down toward the ocean unable to escape death in the waves. She (her true individuality) is kept confined by society like the birds are confined by the cages, both unable to fly despite wanting to. Like the caged talking birds she is pretty to look at but considered aggravating when she opened her mouth. Whenever Edna talks to her husband she bothers him just like the caged talking bird at the Grand Isle.
My last paragraph would be about the women's role as wives. I would use the parallel of the bird aggravating Leonce like Edna does to transition into this. Adele loves her husband and the two of them never seem to be at odds, peacefully fitting together and feeling like they can always communicate. There peaceful marriage highlights how dysfunctional Edna and Leonce are. Edna wants to be free to do as she pleases while Leonce tries to stuff her into a happy wife mole that she doest fit in. It also shows how Edna and Leonce are unable to communicate at all no matter the situation. Leonce’s view of his wife as property leaves Edna constantly at least a little aggravated with him if not very upset making all their interaction upsetting and stiff.
This all shows how two people do not always fit into the same role the same way and that trying to put people into situations they don’t fit it is destructive.
I would contrast Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle from The Awakening.
ReplyDeleteEdna and Adele are perceived as stark contrasts, from the way they act to their actual physical appearances. I would begin with the physical differences, since they're the most apparent - Adele is blonde and feminine, strikingly different from Edna (Adele is "soft" and pales whereas Edna is brunette and has more "sharp" features.)
Then I would discuss the differences in how they act. The first one I would discuss is how they relate to their families. Adele is portrayed as a caring, nurturing "mother-woman" to which Edna is constantly compared. Edna, on the other hand, is distant from her husband and children and definitely NOT a "mother woman." Adele and her husband come from a creole background and share a mutual love for each other; Edna is viewed as simply a possession or a commodity that her husband acquired. Next, I would contrast their behavior. Edna is independent and in a way, sexually liberated, whereas Adele is chaste and loyal to her husband.
Finally, I would discuss the effect their relationship between Edna and Adele has on the novel. Adele serves as the conventional Victorian woman, the epitome of femininity and womanhood, to which Edna is contrasted. This contrast characterizes Edna as an independent woman who seeks to "break free" of the conventional archetype of a Victorian woman, which eventually drives her to suicide.
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening, Adele Ratignolle is Edna Pontelier's foil. This contrast serves to emphasize the distinctions between the praised "mother woman" Adele and "handsome" Edna.
ReplyDeleteChopin's definition of the mother woman is based of off her service towards other and sets the stage for Adele's introduction into the novel. On the other hand, Edna is only addressed as "Mrs. Pontelier" at the beginning of the novel (lack of identity) and her physical appearance is stated in manly terms, such as "handsome" as opposed to Adele's "crimson lips" etc. Basically, I would begin by addressing how diction and selection of detail add to the contrast.
The complexity of the friendship is evident in its consequences for both women. Readers know that Adele is portrayed as the best suitor for the novel's present society, and seen as the "winner" between the two, when in fact, its easy to argue that Edna is the true victor because she is willing to pay the price of being "awake" and "suffer" than to remain a "dupe" like Adele. This is how the contrasts reveals mutual strengths and weaknesses of the two characters, Edna especially, because she is depicted as the faulty one between the two.
The fact that woman that are so different from another are even friends shows that they are aware of not only themselves but of each other. In terms of how readers view Edna, this just further characterizes her as the braver ("courageous soul that defies") than Adele because they both realize the superficiality of the mother woman but only Edna dares to defy this role.
For this essay topic, Marlow and Kurtz from Conrad's Heart of Darkness would work well. They are placed in the similar situation of the jungle and each handled it differently.
ReplyDeleteMy thesis would say something along the lines of :Men react to the same situation very differently. Some embrace the trials of a savage world and emerge on top, while other let it consume them. In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Kurtz serves as a foil character to Marlow in order to highlight Marlow's personal restraint and resolve.
My next paragraph would serve to establish how the two characters are foils by highlighting the similarities in their situations. They were both driven to the jungle by a need for money, they were both considered to be potentially promising figures in the company, they were both tested by the jungle, and they both were placed in positions of authority.
The next paragraph would explore the differentiation between the characters and what qualities this illustrated of Marlow's. The first, and largest difference would be how the jungle affected them. Kurtz was driven mad, while Marlow remained in control of himself (for the majority of the novel). This highlight's Marlow's intense mental control. Marlow had his restraint of the devotion to efficiency, while Kurtz had nothing and ended up obsessed with the ivory. I would try to provide quotes to substantiate these points. A closing sentence would detail the difference between Marlow and Kurtz in the sense of one being a hollow man, and the other avoiding that fate.
For this essay topic, Marlow and Kurtz from Conrad's Heart of Darkness would work well. They are placed in the similar situation of the jungle and each handled it differently.
ReplyDeleteMy thesis would say something along the lines of :Men react to the same situation very differently. Some embrace the trials of a savage world and emerge on top, while other let it consume them. In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Kurtz serves as a foil character to Marlow in order to highlight Marlow's personal restraint and resolve.
My next paragraph would serve to establish how the two characters are foils by highlighting the similarities in their situations. They were both driven to the jungle by a need for money, they were both considered to be potentially promising figures in the company, they were both tested by the jungle, and they both were placed in positions of authority.
The next paragraph would explore the differentiation between the characters and what qualities this illustrated of Marlow's. The first, and largest difference would be how the jungle affected them. Kurtz was driven mad, while Marlow remained in control of himself (for the majority of the novel). This highlight's Marlow's intense mental control. Marlow had his restraint of the devotion to efficiency, while Kurtz had nothing and ended up obsessed with the ivory. I would try to provide quotes to substantiate these points. A closing sentence would detail the difference between Marlow and Kurtz in the sense of one being a hollow man, and the other avoiding that fate.
In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Kurtz is Marlow's foil. Their situations mirror each others, but show contrast in that they are in different points time and with different intensities.
ReplyDeleteMy first paragraph would focus on their similarities. They both went there for money, they both had been used to societal constraints, they felt natures wrath etc. I would also bring in how they both were obsessed with work. Kurtz had his ivory, while Marlow had his rivets. Their situations are constantly mirroring eachother throughout the book.
My second paragraph would focus on how they are so similar but at different stages. For example, Kurtz had been there longer, Marlow felt natures "playful paw strokes," while the wilderness full on hugged Kurtz. This would show how thy are at different levels of sanity. I would talk about how the head on the fences and his mistress shows Kurtz was pretty much one with the natives at his end, while Marlow showed signs of sympathy to the natives and began to understand them even more throughout. I would talk about the "cloak of time" and how that shows that progression and understanding of the natives.
For my last paragraph, I would talk about how Marlow admired Kurts before ever meeting him, and that even after his death, he felt he owed him. I would mention that Marlow realizes that had he stayed there in a place where only restraints can save one, then he would soon end up being Kurtz. Marlow realized "the horror," which Kurtz realized too late. I would bring up when Marlow went to see Kurtz's intended and he told her his last words were her name, showing Marlow's understanding and faithfulness. I would also write about how this shows that even though they were both so similar, Marlow still has a chance to have a different ending.
In writing this essay, I would want to illustrate the contrast amongst Marlow and Kurtz in the way that they drew differing attributes from one another in order to strengthen the central concepts of their own distinct character. I would do so in providing chronological examples and quotes to signify the way that Marlow involves himself deeper and deeper with what Kurtz has lost himself to.
ReplyDeleteThesis: In Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Marlow and Kurtz, two characters delving deeper into the darkness of the African Congo, begin to mirror one another as Marlow quickly falls into the same pit of madness as has Kurtz to characterize the overpowering effect that humanities most natural form can have.
Paragraph one: Here, I would like to discuss the initial looking for Kurtz Marlow struggles with and everything he hears about the man he is from the other natives to establish the reputation he is given. These details would go to illuminate his fascination with Kurtz and signifies a quest to attain the same kind of "fame" he has.
Paragraph two: I would want to describe Kurtz's actions towards his savage indigenous woman and the way Marlow feels about it. This creates a further description of Marlow criticizing Kurtz for his choices, but also becoming more involved and interested in them as well which goes to form a sort of paradoxical feel to their relationship, adding to the work as a whole in the way that Marlow believes he is in Africa for productivity, not mass destruction.
Paragraph 3: To close, I would discuss Kurtz's home and the fence surrounding it along with the significance of his death. Again, we see that Marlow is oddly perplexed by liberties Kurt has taken, this time shown in the heads upon stakes upon heads and their placement. I would really want to rely on the one head facing outward as a symbol of the man Marlow has become looking him in the face, he too a victim of Kurtz's power. Also, his death could be utilized to show the cyclic movement that the novel has taken and the passing of authority onto Marlow, revealing that he has become everything Kurtz was in following his actions deeper with each step and movement made and unknowingly mirroring him.
For this prompt, I would use Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle from Kate Chopin's The Awakening.
ReplyDeleteI would start off talking about their differences in appearances. I would focus on their hands, bodies, and clothing which paint each of them in a very different light. Edna has strong, almost masculine hands while Adele has dainty little hands which presents a contrast between the two character's personalities. Edna rejects the role of traditional housewife while Adele epitomizes it. This creates the idea that Edna isn't a dainty little Victorian woman so it makes sense that her hands aren't feminine like Adele's. Adele is described as having a voluptuous body which represents her femininity while Edna's is more slim and tall which furthers Adele as being the more womanly, mother-wife type person and Edna rejecting that role even in her body shape. Adele is always wearing white clothing, almost like a bride and she loves her being married and having her life revolve around her children. The white clothing backs the idea of her always fitting the feminine, mother-wife role. Edna often wears brown and darker colors which symbolizes her rejection of the mother-wife role. She hates being married because it prevents her from being herself and at one point refers to a wedding day as the saddest day of a woman's life. These differences in appearance create the concept that they're foil characters and develop the overall meaning of the work that Edna doesn't fit any part of the traditional Victorian woman which shows why she chooses to end her physical life rather than continue to live unhappily as a caged housewife.
I would then go on to explain their differing views on their children. Adele is shocked when Edna says she wouldn't give herself for her children, but is then confused when she says she would give her life for them. Adele equates the two to be the same thing and I think that this most clearly presents the difference between these two women. Adele thinks that life is about simply breathing and and walking through doing what is socially correct and Edna finds this to be absolutely stifling. Edna would rather physically die than be living but feel dead on the inside and that's something that Adele doesn't understand because to her, being alive and being yourself are the same thing, but that's not the case for someone like Edna who wants more out of life than being a mother-wife.
I would also discuss how Edna does art for herself while Adele plays the piano sheerly for the purpose of societal entertainment. This displays the women's two differing views on life because Adele does everything to make others happy while Edna does what makes herself feel happy and free. Art makes her feel good and she does it for no other reason than that which contrasts with Adele playing piano just to make others happy. This relates to the meaning of the overall work because it shows how Edna does what she does to make herself happy and places being herself as her top priority. Eventually she sacrifices her life to keep a hold on this sense of self and this is something that Adele simply wouldn't understand.
In The Awakening, Adele Ratignolle with her mother-woman persona serves as the foil to Edna and her urge to rebel from societal norms.
ReplyDeleteP1: Discuss Adele and her qualities and values. Adele is a typical creole woman with her maternal instincts and gentle qualities. She follows the rules of society and takes care of her children and knits, which are her only somewhat jobs. She is faithful to her husband and wouldn't think pf leaving him because it was just not accpetable to do so in the Victorian era.
P2: discuss Edna and her qualities and values: Edna Pontellier is not at all a mother-woman and is repulsed by the term. She has two twins and seems to lack the maternal bond that mothers share with their children. Edna does not have a happy marriage withher husband, Leonce. As a result of falling in love with Robert Lebrun, she rebells against her husband and society. Edna does not conform to the rule that women must remain faithful to their husbands and accept that they are only property to the men.
P3: Edna and Adele's contast and its relevance. Edna and Adele, although somewhat friends, could not be any more different. Adele's conformist ways convey the magnitude of Edna's rebellious side. Adele is faithful and seems to love her husband, but Edna couldn't care less about Leonce. Adele acts as Edna's foil throughout the entire novel, even near the beginning. In chapter four, Adele is focused on knitting winter clothes during summertime and Edna only wanted to focus on the summer and summer activities. Edna viewed the winter clothes are silly and unnecessary during summer, which correlates with Edna's belief that societys standards were unnecessary as well. Adele did not have the same views as Edna because she followed all of the rules. Mother woman vs. Anti mother woman.
I would write about Lear and Gloucester in King Lear
ReplyDeleteP1: Comparison of Gloucester and Lear. Gloucester and Lear are both feeling unloved by one of their children. They both basically disown the unloving child. Gloucester says if Edgar is found, he will be killed. Lear disowns Cordelia. Neither one sees their own fault. Gloucester should've confronted Edgar instead of blindly listening to Edmond; however, because he believed Edgar was trying to kill him, he probably wouldn't feel comfortable confronting him. Lear cannot see that his daughter didn't do anything wrong in not professing her love for him.
P2: Contrast of Gloucester and Lear. Lear is irrational, while Gloucester tries to be rational. Gloucester has a real reason for banishing his child, while Lear does not. Lear is selfish in that he wants his daughters to do for him, while Gloucester is loving. Lear showed favoritism toward Cordelia, while Gloucester didn't show favoritism toward either son.
P3: Relation to the overall passage. Gloucester being the foil of Lear highlights all of Lear's faults. When Gloucester reacts calmly, Lear reacts with rage. When Gloucester tries to be rational, Lear is irrational. When Gloucester tries to be selfless, Lear is selfish. When Gloucester tries to be unbiased toward his sons, Lear shows favoritism toward Cordelia. This shows how such a situation can fall upon two completely different people. It also shows how natural order is being disrupted because children are turning against their parents.
For this essay I would write about Adele Ratignolle as a foil to Edna Pontellier in The Awakening. Adele acts like a perfectly respectable victorian creole woman, but this is something that Edna refuses to be.
ReplyDeleteIn my first body paragraph, I will write about how Adele, the archetype of the creole "mother-woman," has no purpose in society other than to give birth to and raise kids and to entertain guests. These duties are expected of Edna by her husband and society as a whole, but she refuses to do so. Instead, Edna paints for her own enjoyment and begins to neglect the wifely duties that Leonce expects of her, such as the "Tuesday reception days."
In a second paragraph, I will write about the how the contrast between Edna and Adele affects the novel as a whole. Edna is aware of the stark contrast between her and Adele, and it drives her to act out in the many ways which she does. Leonce even tells Edna at one point to be more like Adele, and this bothers Edna. Adele as a foil to Edna is important not only to highlight Edna's abnormal behavior, but to motivate Edna to engage in her awakening.
For this essay I would write about Adele Ratignolle as a foil to Edna Pontellier in The Awakening. Adele acts like a perfectly respectable victorian creole woman, but this is something that Edna refuses to be.
ReplyDeleteIn my first body paragraph, I will write about how Adele, the archetype of the creole "mother-woman," has no purpose in society other than to give birth to and raise kids and to entertain guests. These duties are expected of Edna by her husband and society as a whole, but she refuses to do so. Instead, Edna paints for her own enjoyment and begins to neglect the wifely duties that Leonce expects of her, such as the "Tuesday reception days."
In a second paragraph, I will write about the how the contrast between Edna and Adele affects the novel as a whole. Edna is aware of the stark contrast between her and Adele, and it drives her to act out in the many ways which she does. Leonce even tells Edna at one point to be more like Adele, and this bothers Edna. Adele as a foil to Edna is important not only to highlight Edna's abnormal behavior, but to motivate Edna to engage in her awakening.
For this essay prompt, I would write about the contrast between Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle in the novel The Awakening, by Kate Chopin. These two characters, although very close friends, are complete opposites in the work and their contrasting characteristics help to serve the overall meaning of the novel and reveal certain themes.
ReplyDeleteAfter my introduction, I would base my first body paragraph on the views society has on women during this period of time and how each of these women express these views. I would give specify details on how Adele is seen as the perfect example of a woman in this society and how she does everything she is supposed to. I would show the opposite of this and talk about how Edna is constantly wanting to rebel and be as least like society's "perfect woman" as possible.
My second paragraph would be centered on the motherly roles between the two women and their different views and takes on their children. I would provide specific details on how Adele Ratignolle is the perfect "mother-woman" in The Awakening and how she puts her children before anything. I would contrast these characteristics of Adele with Edna Pontillier and show examples on how Edna loves her children, but sees them as more of a burden than anything. Edna wants to give her children a good life but doesn't want to be the one responsible for taking care of them all the time.
Each of these paragraphs would include the themes expressed with each subject and lastly, I would have a paragraph showing the difference in maturity of the two characters. Adele is much more mature than Edna and shows it through her motherly actions. I would provide evidence for this conclusion and include details about how Adele tried to warn Edna multiple times about Robert but Edna was too stubborn to listen.
In the novel, the Heart of Darkness, Kurtz serves as a foil for Marlow. Despite their similar environment, in the hand's of Nature, Marlow's behaviors and actions are contrasted against Kurtz's in order to highlight his restraints in a world of ensuing madness.
ReplyDeleteP1: Illustrate the similarities that are prevalent between Marlow and Kurtz. The first being that they were both apart of a society described as a "whited sepulcher", and therefore they were both constrained as a result. Another similarity is that both men were particularly determined to their work and "devoted to efficiency". For Marlow, this devotion is highlighted through the importance he placed on "rivets", which were everywhere and such a simple, yet necessary element to the fixing of the ship and expedition. For Kurtz, the devotion was geared more towards the obtaining of ivory, which was sought out by most of the men of the expedition, as it was the main source of wealth. And then I would also touch on the fact that both men were driven to the Congo, although for different reasons, unknowing that they would change to the extent they did.
P2: In this paragraph I would discuss the first, most noticeable difference that is prevalent in the novel between Kurtz and Marlow, and touch on a few others that advance the foil. The first major difference is that they were both drawn to the expedition for differing reasons: Marlow wished to explore and "wander", while Kurtz was driven by the most basic human desire for wealth. I would then go a step further by discussing the significance found within this difference. This difference already distinguishes between each character's desires, and it foreshadows the additional differences that are to come. The next major difference is that Kurtz and Marlow, while effected greatly, were done in a different manor. Due to the fact that Kurtz had been apart of the expedition for longer, one could argue that it is only reasonable to expect madness. On the other hand however, one could argue that Kurtz went mad not because of the duration of his stay, but because his lack of restraint, something Marlow had.
P3: In this paragraph I would follow up on the last difference mentioned in the previous paragraph and analyze how the extent of Kurt'z madness is contrasted against Marlow's. I could also utilize this paragraph to discuss how Kurtz had become apart of nature as a result of this madness, while Marlow was still being dealt only "paw strokes". This paragraph would also bring the previous discussion full circle by recapping on how they were similar characters, with similar situations, just with different outcomes.
Conclusion statement: Geared more for stressing how Marlow was advanced as a result of the foil. In the conclusion statement, I would also attempt to tie in the foil to the theme of madness and society's constraints.
For this essay, I would write about William Shakespeare's King Lear and how Gloucester serves as a foil for Lear. These two characters are similar and nearly parallel each other, but it is their actions that separate them.
ReplyDeleteIntroduction- Thesis statement about how Lear and Gloucester parallel each other in their positions (nobility, children, betrayal/deception) and how their actions and reactions to these different events create them to be foils of each other.
Body 1- I would focus on how Lear and Gloucester treat their children. Gloucester treats and loves both his sons equally, but Lear shows obvious favoritism towards Cordelia. I would tie in how this affects the actions of the children and the firms of love each of them give their children.
Body 2- I would focus on their status in society and how it relates to their children to flow along with the first paragraph. Lear willingly gives all his land to his daughters and still expects to be treated like he is the king. Gloucester has not given his land away, but is expecting to give it to Edgar because he is the legitimate son.
Body 3- They both end up banishing their youngest, but for different reasons. Lear banishes and disowns Cordelia because she does not express her love for him like Goneril and Regan do. Gloucester disowns Edgar due to a false letter that Edward plants on himself in order to get rid of Edgar and get the title and land all to himself.
Close- Restate thesis statement of the ways that these characters are the foils of each other. Do a compare/contrast type of formatting for both the thesis and the close.
For this essay I would write about King Lear and his foil Gloucester.
ReplyDeleteI would begin by discussing the contrasting personalities between the two men. While Lear is selfish, irrational, and shows blatant favoritism between his daughters Gloucester loves his sons equally and acts upon what, based on what he knows, he thinks is reasonable.
I would then discuss how both Lear and Gloucester have banished/disowned one of their children because they have committed acts that make the two feel as if they are unloving. Although there is one major difference between their disowning of their youngest and best children. This being that Lear does so because she will not pronounce her love as her sisters did because she loves him as she should. While Gloucester foolishly listens to Edmund, who claims that Edgar is going to try and kill him, and rather than confronting him Gloucester blindly listens to Edmund out of fear for his life.
I would conclude the essay by relating how through the foil of these characters the theme of blindness is made more pronounce, this being because both of these characters demonstrate blindness but in two very different ways. For Lear the blindness is self imposed, his selfish nature causes him to refuse to see things in a logical manner while the blindness in Gloucester is brought upon him by his misplaced trust in Edmund.
In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Adele Ratignolle serves as the foil for the lead character, Edna Pontellier. Adele's opposite actions and beliefs contrast greatly to Edna’s values of freedom and bring out the meaning of the work as a whole.
ReplyDeleteThis paragraph would introduce the reader the what was expected of women during this time period. A woman’s job was nothing more than to get married, have kids, and tend to them and your husband. I would include details about the “mother woman” and how Adele Ratignolle serves as a perfect fit to this role and embodies the person that everyones should be. Edna is a character that is disgusted by this role. I would bring up examples of her non-motherly role to her own children. These examples would show the magnitude of how contrasting Edna is to her Foil and that she completely rejects societies roles. Women in this society were seen as domesticated birds in cages while Edna strived for freedom.
Edna realizing the contrast between her and Adele is one reason that is responsible for her awakening. Being constantly exposed to a best friend that behaves in an opposite way of her only encourages Edna to further her process of freedom. This wish for freedom and the hardships that come with the journey show the meaning of the story.
I would write about Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle. In society's eyes, each have a similar place as wife and mother. However, their differences emphasize the reasons behind Edna's awakening, driving her towards freedom and away from the world.
ReplyDeleteI would discuss how the social circle worked on Grand Isle. Each woman looked up to Adele as the prize woman, the ideal existence in the world. Edna even looks to her, admiring her ability to fit in to such a chaotic system. I would definitely use the "mother-woman" idea to describe Adele, and explain how Edna breaks all the rules of being the "mother-woman." For example, the way she treats her husband, her passiveness for her kids, and overall dislike for other things womanly like knitting. Adele is the very image of what Edna is supposed to be, wrapping angelic wings beautifully around her family. Edna's awakening is paralleled with her finding her wings throughout the book. She wants to fly, not protect, but she never finds her own set. From society's point of view, Edna could be seen as a fallen angel, explaining the shock and ridicule she receives for not being like Adele.
I would move towards life in New Orleans and briefly touch on the way Adele and Edna worked with their husbands. Adele was always there for her husband in the drug store. She was his extra hand (or slave depending on your perspective). Edna searched for her own path through painting. She wanted to be an artist, independent, expressive, and free. As a result, her husband was infuriated. How could Edna abandon his family like this? What would everyone think? This situation sets up the perfect contrast between what society does to you when you conform and what society can do to you when you do not.
At the end when Adele is giving birth, she tells Edna, "Think of the children!" It is one last message from Adele for Edna to find her place in the world. It is not in her pigeon-house or in New Orleans as she frolics about, and definitely not in painting, but it is with her family, taking care of her adorable children like she is supposed to. Adele suffers because of her children, but still makes her life about them. While she suffers, she tells Edna, "Think of the Children." Edna can't. That is not who she is--the "mother-woman." This final realization that she will never be the same as Adele, or enough different, leads her to her death in the sea. Edna's foil asks her to be something she is not, so I believe it contributes to the theme of individuality versus conformity.
I would throw some buzzwords that correlate with individuality and conformity throughout my essay, putting conformity with Adele and individuality with Edna.
I would write about Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle. In society's eyes, each have a similar place as wife and mother. However, their differences emphasize the reasons behind Edna's awakening, driving her towards freedom and away from the world.
ReplyDeleteI would discuss how the social circle worked on Grand Isle. Each woman looked up to Adele as the prize woman, the ideal existence in the world. Edna even looks to her, admiring her ability to fit in to such a chaotic system. I would definitely use the "mother-woman" idea to describe Adele, and explain how Edna breaks all the rules of being the "mother-woman." For example, the way she treats her husband, her passiveness for her kids, and overall dislike for other things womanly like knitting. Adele is the very image of what Edna is supposed to be, wrapping angelic wings beautifully around her family. Edna's awakening is paralleled with her finding her wings throughout the book. She wants to fly, not protect, but she never finds her own set. From society's point of view, Edna could be seen as a fallen angel, explaining the shock and ridicule she receives for not being like Adele.
I would move towards life in New Orleans and briefly touch on the way Adele and Edna worked with their husbands. Adele was always there for her husband in the drug store. She was his extra hand (or slave depending on your perspective). Edna searched for her own path through painting. She wanted to be an artist, independent, expressive, and free. As a result, her husband was infuriated. How could Edna abandon his family like this? What would everyone think? This situation sets up the perfect contrast between what society does to you when you conform and what society can do to you when you do not.
At the end when Adele is giving birth, she tells Edna, "Think of the children!" It is one last message from Adele for Edna to find her place in the world. It is not in her pigeon-house or in New Orleans as she frolics about, and definitely not in painting, but it is with her family, taking care of her adorable children like she is supposed to. Adele suffers because of her children, but still makes her life about them. While she suffers, she tells Edna, "Think of the Children." Edna can't. That is not who she is--the "mother-woman." This final realization that she will never be the same as Adele, or enough different, leads her to her death in the sea. Edna's foil asks her to be something she is not, so I believe it contributes to the theme of individuality versus conformity.
I would throw some buzzwords that correlate with individuality and conformity throughout my essay, putting conformity with Adele and individuality with Edna.