Through Shakespeare’s play ‘A Mid-Summer Nights Dream’ and the film ‘Chocolat’ the composers have presented similar reflections on the values and attitudes of their times. It is unknown exactly when Shakespeare’s play was written or first performed but it usually dated between 1594 or 1596, probably written for an aristocratic wedding. The film ‘Chocolat’ directed by Lassie Hollstrom was produced in 2001 originated from the 1999 novel written by Joanne Harris. The film is set in France 1959, same time as Shakespeare’s play was performed which is evident by the patriarchal values and attitudes reflected, it was also the error of great change. Both composers have represented beliefs, attitudes and values through the characters that have been constructed.
Explore the ways that Tennessee Williams constructs the character of Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire and Willy Russell constructs the character of Rita in Educating Rita in light of the opinion that they have the desire to escape reality and fulfil their fantasies. Despite being set in different periods of history, both plays ‘Educating Rita’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ share similar themes of the fine line between fantasy and reality, and losing yourself in the former. In 1945 Tennessee Williams began work on the play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, and with the war ending in the same year, the play to reflects the cultural tensions of World War 2. Many felt uncomfortable being an environment with so many nationalities they were only a few years ago at war with. Cultural tensions are present in Blanche’s remark that Stanley is a ‘Polack’; during World War 2, the Polish were seen as the enemy; Blanche using this insult is not because she is against Polacks, but is her taking advantage of the frequently used insult at the time.
They form a very close relationship, and it grows into a passionate affair. Edna fights and struggles against society for independence and is overwhelmed with confusion, but she is finally able to break free from the role she was cast for through her successes. Like an audition, Edna does not make the cut for the role of a motherly woman. She loves her children dearly, but she does not express it like most mothers do. Madame Ratignolle and Edna have very different feelings and perspectives on motherhood.
This conflicting mood soon proves that the setting is just another one of the illusions in the story. The reader then begins to see that the setting in fact contributes to the overall disturbing mood. The roses in The Possibility of Evil are an effective symbol for the perfection of the town which Miss Strangeworth is aiming for. She is extremely proud and possessive of her roses. The author includes; “Miss Strangeworth never gave away any of her roses, although the tourists often asked her” (Jackson, 223).
She must fight off the influences of her grandmother, who encourages her to marry for security, and her first two husbands, who thwart her development. Her second husband, Jody, has an especially negative impact on Janie's growth as his prevailing aspirations turn her into a symbol of his stature in the town. She is not allowed to be herself, but must subdue herself to his ideas of propriety, which means she cannot enjoy the talk of the townsfolk on the porch let alone participate in it. “This business of the head-rag irked her endlessly. But Jody was set on it.
She will not give it away.” (89) Esperanza looks up to Sally because she feels that Sally is the woman in the movies who is “beautiful and cruel” and wishes to be just like that, a woman who has all this power over men with her sexuality, without actually having sex with them. Eventually, Esperanza realizes that Sally is not that type of person. Sally’s sexual adventures become too much for Esperanza causing her discomfort, and putting her in a life-threatening situation. Esperanza’s understanding of Sally changes drastically when they go to the carnival and Sally goes with a boy somewhere and has sex with him, leaving Esperanza to be raped by another boy. The following passage illustrates Esperanza’s
She does not feel sorry for anybody. She accuses Elizabeth Proctor in witchcraft to get rid of her and have Proctor for herself. But this will never happen. In the third act a big conflict in the court is shown. Abigail pretends she feels cold and sees a yellow bird.
In this way, it could be said that Blanche is a very contradictory character. Although Blanche wants to be the centre of attention as she monopolises the conversation and draws upon anything to induce sympathy, she cannot stand the natural or artificial bright light. Blanche shows this discontinuity through the dramatic irony of when tells an untruth to Stella that 'One is her limit' when the audience knows that she has already had a drink before Stella offered her another. Although when Blanche stands in the light at the poker game, she effectively stands 'in the spotlight', although this is a form of light which is associated with illusion and dramatisation, not showing necessarily showing one's true form. However, most audience members begin to sympathise with Blanche and realise that she is like this because it is in her nature to behave in this particular way, as this is what causes us to act like this.
The lack of power that women have in Salem sets the stage for hysteria. The female characters long for a voice in the community, and attempt to gain one by using their court powers to blame those around them and lying to gain attention from the community. Due to the very little power women have in Salem, the women find the need to blame others in order to be heard. While Abigail is being accused of performing witchcraft, she tries to blame Tituba. Abigail states, “Sometimes I wake and find myself standing in the open doorway and not a sitch on my body!
However, Lady Macbeth is much stronger, and more decisive, ruthless as well as aggressive, especially when she is facing death. In behaviors, Macbeth acts so weak that he is subordinated to Lady Macbeth, which is totally conflicted to the social gender convention. Macbeth is so indecisive in decision-making that he vacillates between murdering the King Duncan or not, and eventually he still cannot make his own mind. Instead, Lady Macbeth is aggressive as well as consistent, and she helps her husband make decisions, and also comes up with a plot instantly. She only concentrates on personal benefits so that everything else can be sacrificed.