The story of Castle Rackrent as told by Maria Edgeworth has many diverse characters that are sometimes over looked for the main character Thady. Kit Kincaide, an author who voiced his opinions of Thady as a person who has no understanding of the true reasons for the events that goes on around him. Kincaide states; “Thady is a narrator with so little understanding of the events he recalls, and with no ability at all to see any perspective but the narrowly defined, ill-informed viewpoint from which he interprets these events, that he cannot fathom the irony the reader elicits from the text his words create” (Kincaide 251). Kincaide shows what kind of man Thady is, and by explaining how Thady is unimportant for the story. The most important character is in fact Thady’s son Jason, if he was not in the story many of the events would not have transpired. In light of the acts that were going on in the 1790’s such as the 1798 Rebellion and the Act of Union, one can easily see why Jason personality is one of self-preservation and elevation. It is difficult to understand why Edgeworth would not spend more time developing a character as important as Jason, who provides momentum to the story. Yet as one farther reads in to the text they will find more about Jason from what is not said, such as what kind of Irish men Jason is. Though it is hard to tell what aspect of the Irish Edgeworth uses Jason to represent because of his numerous traits, it could be argued that Jason shows the more clever and ruthless side of the Irish. As the story of Castle Rackrent unfolds, many key events are able to happen with the help of Jason, the cunning and unfeeling Irish man who was able to trick his Anglo-Irish counterpart. Since the story was meant for the ...
... middle of paper ...
...s of him, even to the point where his father disowned him. Yet if one looks deeper in to the role Jason played one could see that he set many things in motions. If he did not become a lawyer, he probably would not have done the books for the Rackrent estate. Then he would never have become aware of the debt the Rackrents were in, and if that had not have happened he would not have bought the whole estate and Sir Condy would have drowned in his debt. The Rackrents would have ended one way or another because of their frivolous lifestyle, Jason was just helping it along. Edgeworth being Anglo-Irish herself may have purposely given Jason these traits to show how the Irish must be taken care of by those with the power to do so. Jason was not a scoundrel in the story; he was just a man who sought to gain power for him even if it meant stepping on some toes to get there.
Mitchell does this by giving us the first time his problem began, in which his problem is stammering. Hangman is the name Jason gives his stammer, that is because he developed his problem over the game, hangman. Jason, being embarrassed by his stammer, sets out to become a poet as poetry is the only time and place for him to be able to speak his mind without the torture of his stammer. Madame Crommelynck teaches Jason about what beauty really is. How being truthful is beautiful, “True poetry is truth”(Mitchell, 155) and that “Hangman” is his best poem since it is the truth of his speech impediment. She says beauty cannot be created, just that beauty is; beauty is in everything. “the master knows his words is just the vehicle in who beauty sits in”(Mitchell, 147) proving her belief in how beauty is unavailable to description. Jason did not only deal with the concept of beauty but also himself in society, individual identity. Jason feels it is gay to be writing poetry which is his reasoning for using a pseudonym. He is conflicted with having to hide under such because he feels the need to “fit in” with his fellow peers. The expectations of his family also come into play because if “your dad works at Greenland Supermarkets and if you go to a comprehensive school” (Mitchell, 154) then much different would have been expected out of
The archetypes that permeate many different stories all originate from Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces. More specifically, in the medieval story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a variety of different archetypes are especially necessary to the theme of the story. An understanding of three key archetypes—the temptress the magic weapon, and the task—reveal the essence of Gawain’s role within the archetypal quest motif.
Sir Gawain is presented as a noble knight who is the epitome of chivalry; he is loyal, honest and above all, courteous. He is the perfect knight; he is so recognised by the various characters in the story and, for all his modesty, implicitly in his view of himself. To the others his greatest qualities are his knightly courtesy and his success in battle. To Gawain these are important, but he seems to set an even higher value on his courage and integrity, the two central pillars of his manhood.
From the power of persuasion to the value of honor and beyond, one can witness many facets of human nature played out among the pages of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. No theme of which can be seen more impeccably than the showcase of virtue verses sin. As Gawain is launched into tests of courtesy it is clear that much more is being examined than just his execution of courteous behavior, it is the nature of those around him that is also being taken into account. It is interesting how an author uses the combination of a negatively imbued foe and a positively inspired hero to highlight the traits most desirable for the mere mortals reading such a tale. In “Sir Gawain” the author uses some of the seven deadly sins to poetically draw their reader numerous and highly elaborate verbal pictures. For instance, in the opening passages of “Sir Gawain” the reader is told of rich and sumptuous clothing, decadent banquets hosted by Arthur and the lavish finery in his court. The reader might find that Arthur’s court is gluttonous in these displays of wealth while reading this section. Opulence, however, is laced thoroughly as reoccurring theme through many of the court and hall scenes in this particular romance. Another specific instance of the seven deadly being used is when the reader is shown that courtesy is a “big deal” for Arthur and his court. On display here is pride, chief of the seven deadly sins, which obviously reigns supreme when it comes to the reputation of courtesy in Arthur’s court. It comes into question here if these traits are entirely good or if they have a darker, more sinful nature attached to them. Thus as Gawain was tested for his diligence to courteous behavior, here and thence five of the seven deadly sins that a...
Jason had a very rough childhood. According to the Encyclopedia of Myths, his father was Aeson, King of Iolcus. Jason’s half uncle, Pelias, was greedy though, and wanted the throne. Pelias ended up taking over and killing all of Jason’s siblings. There is some speculation about whether Jason was already born, or if he was born in secret after Pelias took over (GreekGods.org). Either way, Jason’s mom feared for his life, so she sent him
Sir Gawain is, undoubtably, the most varied of the Arthurian characters: from his first minor appearance as Gwalchmei in the Welsh tales to his usually side-line participation in the modern retelling of the tales, no other character has gone from such exalted heights (being regarded as a paragon of virtue) to such dismal depths (being reduced to a borderline rapist, murderer, and uncouth bore), as he. This degree of metamorphosis in character, however, has allowed for a staggering number of different approaches and studies in Gawain.
The title characters in both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight were both considered paragons of excellence by their peoples. Yet, upon close inspection of the specific actions of these characters, stark differences emerge. While Gawain is virtuous and exemplifies selflessness, Beowulf's heroism is marred by his pursuit of fame and wealth, which seems to dominate his every action. The discrepancy can be explained by a contextual analysis of both heroes. Gawain's code of chivalry emphasizes perfection and thus he is flawless.
Jason pictures himself in a world where he won’t be distracted, which will give him the opportunity to focus and achieve his goals. He started thinking about it, planning what he’ll do and how he’s going to make the best out his second chance. “He won’t be like his dad, he thinks, he won’t waste his chances. He’ll grab what comes and run with it” (Allison 34). It will be all about him and the basement, who he will become, who he was meant to become. “In the basement, they won’t feed him much, so he will get all dramatic skinny. He could learn to eat imaginary meal meals and taste every bite-- donuts and hot barbecue wings and stay all skinny and pure. He’s going to come out that basement Brad-Pitt handsome and ready for anything” (Allison 34-35). In his mind, these are all the opportunity that he’ll get to become who he wants to be.
Marie De France’s Lanval is a remarkable short narrative that engages the reader into a world filled with unrealistic elements, but enhances on the true meaning of romance, chivalry and nature during the years that King Arthur reigned. “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” unfortunately does not have an author that can be recognized but this epic poem demonstrates the ghastly adventure of a knight who decides to defend the honor of young King Arthur against a supernatural being in this malicious game of cat and mouse. Both of these pieces of literature have enchanting characteristics that define them as a masterpiece of their era and that’s why they both are easily compared and contrasted. In addition, both Lanval and “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” can be classified as similar through their themes, style and plots, although they are different through their language and diction. Even though both of these literatures can be viewed as similar as well as contrasting, in the end, each of these tales have illuminated the realm of fantasy throughout the court of King Arthur.
A main trait of Jason’s is his obliviousness to everything. Jason doesn’t realize that Medea is crying for a different reason and thinks that whatever he says is right when he asks Medea, “Why is your cheek so white and turned away from me? Are not these words of mine pleasing for you to hear?” (p.55). Jason lacks mindful attention to what is happening around him. Jason was smart enough before to know that Medea is evil and even says that she is “incapable of controlling her bitter temper” (p.43). Mede...
Jason’s eventually transition into the Red Hood persona, would be in response to his death at the hands of the Joker. Like the deaths of Bruce and Dick’s parents, Jason’s death set the foundation for the person he would become once he was resurrected. Jason was not shot by a mugger in the street like Bruce’s parents, and he was not killed by a sabotaged circus act like Dick’s parents. He was savagely beaten to death by a madman wielding a crowbar who Batman could have killed years before but never did. So, when Jason becomes Red Hood he vows not to stop criminals by the same means that Batman uses, but to be the better Batman.
Jason was confounded by how to pass this trial and was saved at the last moment by Aeetes'
For instance, when the play was written, women had very little power over their lives. Jason’s actions may have been normal, and justified by the current thinking, because he was trying to raise his social status and because Medea was a barbarian. However, the lens of the play isn’t written from this patriarchal perspective. Instead, it sympathizes with Medea’s problems and, to an extent, her plot for revenge. Jason’s selfish actions have an enormous impact on Medea and would effectively ruin her life, regardless if she had gone through with her revenge plot.
Jason is focused on the present and the future, and barely recalls the past unless it has some relevance to the present. The way Jason compares to his ancestors shows the further decay of the family name and how it will eventually all come to an end. Jason, the last lifeline for the Compson name has been reduced to a bitter, thieving, wife-less, (and now penniless)
In the beginning of the play, we learn that Medea along with her two children have been abandoned by Jason. Jason is Medea’s husband who leaves her to be with the daughter of Creon, the king of Corinth. Jason knows that by being with his daughter he will one day be able to achieve power and glory. The decision by Jason to leave Medea for Creon daughter is optimally the quarter stone for Medea’s quest for revenge. There are a few conversations in the play between Medea and Jason, which shows Jason does still have some feelings for Medea. They also show his true love for his two children, but Jason’s lust for power and glory is seen as the most important thing. He makes excuses for abandoning his family by saying: he is doing this for the best interest of them. Although the reader can conclude that he is doing this for his own best interest. Jason seems to have no realization of how truly mad Medea has become for him leaving her. Media’s love and devotion towards Jason controls her life. Jason’s decision to leave her optimally turns Media into a sociopath. With this state of mind, Medea optimally...