Renowned for his ability to utilize literary devices, Charles Dickens developed the theme through similes. A simile is defined as a comparison of two different things using “like” or “as”. In and of themselves, similes embody some dualistic qualities. After discontinuing the life of an innocent youth, “Monseugneur the Marquis ran his eyes over [all the peasants], as if they had been mere rats come out of their holes” (Dickens 84). Because of his position of superiority, he viewed the peasants as inferior beings.
Social class inequalities are one of the central themes revealed in both Oliver Twist and Slumdog Millionaire. Discrimination towards the lower classes was common in Victorian England, and is thus displayed constantly through Oliver Twist. The poor were seen as inferior to the upper classes, to be considered and treated as little more than the lowliest of animals. Poverty is described as ‘loathsome’ and ‘repulsive.’ The use of emotive language in quotes by Mr Bumble, with words such as ‘wickedness’ and ‘frightful’ tells the responder that to people of Bumble’s status, the poor were corrupt and to be distrusted. When Oliver is first taken to see a deceased woman of the underclass, her mourning family is described as being ‘so like the rats he had seen outside.’ Dickens’s use of this simile had a dehumanising effect, and shows that the upper classes believed the poor deserved good will as much as rodents did.
Netherland’s Emperor Charles V stated, “If begging for alms is permitted to everyone indiscriminately, many errors and abuse will result for they will fall into idleness, which is the beginning of all evil” (Doc.4). Charles V made the point in which it lead the Netherlands to become a welfare state, it could greatly influence the economy in which individuals would take advantage of the system and not do their job. Although the poor was looked down upon by many there were positive efforts done to help them thanks to nobles and others including religious priests, one who stated that the poor needs to be looked after and taken care of and those who help them will have direct entrance into heaven for their good deeds (Doc. 1). During a time in which
The characters in ‘Oliver Twist’ are successful as they are often labelled with some idiosyncrasy which represents Dickens’ distaste for society. He also loved to use melodrama, which is reflected in his characters, to create empathy and sympathy for a character. While Bumble has a complete lack of sympathy towards Oliver, Mr Sowerberry tries to win Oliver over by attempting to be nice to him, and therefore be seen as an author figure to Oliver. The characters in this chapter are presented as villains to show how Dickens felt about the authority figures in the 1830’s. As in many other of his books, Dickens uses his character’s personalities to represent the attitudes of society.
“Farmer James” expresses, “While all is joy, festivity, and happiness in Charles-town, would you imagine that scenes of misery overspread in the country? Their ears by habit are become deaf, their hearts are hardened; they neither see, hear, nor feel for the woes of their poor slaves, from those painful labors all their wealth proceeds” (Baym 606). His descriptions of the conditions of slaves in Charles-Town show that he is uncomfortable with the treatment of these people and the way that they were ripped from their native land to endure hardships for the American people. Crevecoeur expresses his anti-slavery opinions through his illustrative connections between slavery and Charles-Town’s luxurious society. To support Crevecoeur’s anti-slavery stance, he attempts to
Preferred reading: Stardust memories & The Kid Woody Allen’s stardust memories primarily talks about how the audiences stereotype the filmmakers according to their body of work. World is a ruthless place where artist’s work has no place. Charlie Chaplin’s “The kid” explores the society and how it treats poverty and the poor. How the rich are inconsiderate of their own and the poor are more caring towards others. 2.
The Secret River – English Essay Kate Grenville’s novel “The Secret River” explores the concepts of racism and prejudice. It demonstrates these concepts, motivates and encourages fundamentally decent men to commit deeds that are evil and morally wrong. In the book she shows basic racism with the English settlers being hostile towards the Aboriginal people. Prejudice is shown by William and Sal’s attitude towards the gentry and their own behavior towards their own convict servants later on in the book. Kate Grenville’s main character William Thornhill goes through times were things he does seems right at the time of commitment, but they are all selfish acts.
In A Christmas Carol, Dickens deliberately and defiantly comments on the society which was 19thCentury England. As his own life gives context to his commentary, Dickens discusses what he sees as the moral and social imperatives of the time. As the two are inextricably bound both are addressed in an attempt to bring about the change he argues is necessary of an empathetic and just society. The inequity between the rich and the poor and societies ignorance in sight of this lack of social justice is central to this novella. The novella starts with Scrooge being a cold hearted, bitter old man, that has no care what so ever with the poor.
An individual that may or may not be human, may experience a better understanding of identity with more ‘human’ experiences. Tyrell demonstrates his incapacity to empathise with the replicant’s plight highlights his loss of humanity - “Replicants are like any other machine: they’re either a benefit or a hazard.” Scott symbolises them as the exploitation of class to comment on the slave labour in third world countries evident during the late 20th century. With the death of Tyrell, there is a low angle close up shot of Roy, emphasising on his emotions with crescendo of the chorus in the background music, increasing the tension. This reinforces the idea of the replicants being “more human that human” as they too are afflicted with emotional pain. With Roy descending from the pinnacle of Tyrell Corporations after killing Tyrell, and Roy’s deliberate misquote of William Blake’s America: A Prophecy in Chewy’s Laboratory scene -”Fiery the angels rose” to :Fiery the angels fell; deep thunder rolled around their shoulders”- is reminiscent of John Milton’s Paradise Lose in which Roy resembles the fallen angel, Satan.
28) In this confrontation the difference between the social classes are shown. It shows how Tom looks down on gorge just because he is poor, and how Tom thinks that because he has a higher social status and because he is rich has the power to treat him badly. Tom’s self center and prepotent attitude is shown in the dialogue, and thus representing the moral and social decay that the wealthy people had due to their excesses. In conclusion Fitzgerald exclude the middle class as a critique to the extremes in the social classes, because he wanted to show the contrast between them and the repercussions the social class had on the characters. Through the novel the duality between the rich and the poor is always present, and the effects of the extremes and the insatiable aim of wealth is represented by the valley of ashes.