My dear friends, soon God will set us a new test,’ warns the priest. How do the hardships of the plague bring out the best and the worst in the villagers of Eyam? Geraldine Brook’s novel ‘Year of Wonders’ vividly recounts the story of the seventeenth century plague which cripples and transforms the English town of Eyam. The Black Death which strikes the village not only reveals the stark contrast between the admirable and evil nature of the towns people, but it also redefines the villagers of Eyam. The personal beliefs and social order which were once static, collapse in the face of God’s ‘test.’ When faced with adversity and desperation, certain individuals embrace the challenge and their heroism shines through, whilst others instead choose to turn their backs on the town, acting in selfish and crude ways.
| | Notice which characters actually approve of the murder (Casca and Cassisus- both opportunistic and of questionable morals); which think it necessary but unpleasant (primarily Brutus but he later recognises that he was wrong); which think it was utterly wrong (Anthony maybe but he also has a big element of inconvenience). Conclusion: most characters agree the murder was selfish and wrong. Brutus, the exception, is deceived about his own intentions. His function counts as actually selfish even though he wasn’t trying to be
This though is invalid and not true because sin comes out of happiness and Dimmesdale does this for the joy of his heart. He does not intend to hurt anyone he only seeks to be happy but he simply isn’t “man enough” to step up. Chillingworth has the greatest sin because he seeks his revenge which has blinded him. He intends on harming others and putting Dimmesdale in a miserable slow death. Sin is a crime caused by wanting joy but Chillingworth is not like that.
The easy way is often referred to as the wrong way and in some cases this is true, such as when Victor ignored his creation. By not facing his fears he was granted the absence of the monster, but only contributed to emanate problem just on the horizon. Victor’s tone of boastful arrogance soon turned to forlorn warning when he “Had finished and saw, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled his heart” (Shelley, 42). A fantastic example of the “easy way out” could be found in The Importance of Being Earnest. As Jack quickly finds out, lying about your true name to win the girl of your dreams can be successful, but also have consequences.
Being the cynical, seemingly unreliable pedophile he was, Svidrigailov at first appears like one of the weakest examples of a character who would trigger positive change in someone else; the author, however, implies otherwise. Throughout the discussions he has with Svidrigailov, Raskolnikov seems to intensely hate the character and consider him inferior in moral sense; Raskolnikov’s ability to recognize Svidrigailov’s “low” characteristics is one of the initiators of his rational thinking process concerning morality (a process that did not seem to exist in him as strongly before he met Svidrigailov). His passionate disapproval of Svidrigailov’s actions (as well as his attempted charitable act towards Dunya to make up for those actions), reveals in Raskolnikov an extremely protective and caring nature as a brother - and above all, the fact that he has a true “sensor” for negative (and positive) characteristics in humans. Even though Raskolnikov’s thoughts and ideas from his half-mad monologues and scenes of delirium are
He subjects the poor characters of his novel to every imaginable evil that man has been wont to commit in order to prove that this could not be the best of all worlds. Secondarily, Voltaire also seems to have other bones to pick. Hardly a paragraph is written that does not contain a sarcastic comment about or outright mockery of some person, idea, or institution. It is a credit to the skill of the author that he is able to present his criticisms with a humor that is as intoxicating as it is relentless and controversial. The sheer number of insults and implications made by the author coupled with a healthy sprinkling of aristocratic inside jokes would indicate that he essentially wrote this book for himself and other like-minded intellectuals of the enlightenment that disapproved of the status quo or could at least appreciate his cheeky sense of humor.
He is desperate to convince himself that she did wrong, shown when he says “But she’s the one in the wrong! She renounced her faith” (Hannah, 50). Michael delivers lines such as these with a mix of frustration, guilt and confusion. These moments contrast with others when Michael appears cold and talks with a stiff self-righteousness. However, the voice of the character does not always come from the
This shows disloyalty towards his people who are very loyal to him. Through these points, it is evident that Odysseus lacks the necessary traits of a true hero. Superficially, his victories and valor make him seem as though he is heroic. Yet, the underlying issue is that Odysseus tends to be selfish, disloyal and cowardly. By the end of his journey the many occurrences of his flaws outshine his perceived heroic qualities.
Her carelessness and lack of morals shines through towards the end of the novel when Nick rings to inform Daisy of Gatsby’s death, he discovers that she has “packed up and left”. One of the most powerful symbols in the novel is the sorrowful eyes of Dr T.J Eckleburg. We glimpse his eyes on a billboard located in The Valley of Ashes, frowning upon the dead and decaying valley. Seeing America as a moral wasteland. The eyes symbolize the eyes of God, looking down on the remains of a rotting society, “But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain”.
After confessing honestly to committing adultery against his wife, and refusing to testify against Abigail ultimately lead to his down fall. John was thought to be associated with the devil, although he had an opportunity to make a false confession, he refused to tarnish his good name and congenial reputation. Reputation was undeniably important and the fear of guilt by association was evident. People refused to be affiliated with individuals whose behavior was thought to be unscrupulous in order not to afflict their reputations. Although morality was apparent in some individuals, others lacked it undoubtedly.