3,847,295 dominoes were toppled on November 15, 2002 breaking the world record according to The Guiness Book of World Reocords. When dominos are placed in a line, standing on end, and one is pushed over, a chain reaction begins and the dominos fall as each is pushed over by its neighbor. Similarly, actions people take in life influence others and the domino effect continues. Silas Marner shows that each person’s choices affect themselves and others.
First, Godfrey Cass makes unsound decisions and causes problems for people. Initially, Godfrey secretly marries Molly; he would have been better off if he had married her in the open or had not married her at all. Dunstan uses Godfrey’s marriage to threaten him and says, “‘I might tell the Squire how his handsome son [is] married to a nice young woman, Molly Farren and [is] very unhappy because he [can’t] live with his drunken wife’”(24). Godfrey’s disgraceful marriage was a bad decision. Later, Molly is unhappy about their marriage because Godfrey resides in his fine house while she dwells in a dingy, small room. Molly hated that “her husband would be smiling and smiled upon, hiding her existence in the darkest corner of his heart” (108). Then, many years after Molly succumbs to her drug addiction, Godfrey unwisely decides to try to adopt his daughter Eppie who grew up with Silas. When Godfrey breaks the news to Eppie that he is her father, she “turns quite pale” (171) and replies, “But I can’t leave my father” (170). She is shocked that Godfrey had neglected her all of her life. It would have been nobler of Godfrey to claim Eppie as his own and reveal his marriage, but he was afraid of losing his reputation. Godfrey’s decision to marry Molly and not to claim Eppie creates turmoil in Raveloe.
Additionally, Molly’s choices eventually bring Eppie to Silas, and Eppie makes decisions that make her happy. Molly sets off on her way to the Red House: “The journey on New Year’s Eve was a premeditated act of vengeance which she had kept in her heart” (108). Molly is unhappy because of her opium addiction and her marriage. When Molly collapses from the drugs, “The little one, rising on its legs, [toddles] through the snow…[toddles] on to the open door of Silas Marner’s cottage and right up to the warm hearth” (110). Because Molly yields to her addiction, Eppie is placed in the hands of Silas who raises Eppie happily.
One major theme that runs through The Pearl, The Good Earth, and Silas Marner is the impact of money on the lives of the characters. All three books vividly incorporate this theme in different ways. Money can greatly alter the way of life of any individual. It can be an advantage or a disadvantage. These three authors used this theme in these novels to show the reader the impact money can have on a person.
Dunstan's guilt causes him to have an unhealthy relationship with Mrs.Dempster. As a young boy, Dunstan’s mother forced him to help Mrs.Dempster with the daily duties needed to be done. He was sent to be the eyes and hears of his mother because many of the town village people believed that Mrs.Dempster was “simple” and therefore was not ready to bear the burden of a child. This had brought Dunstan closer to Mrs.Dempster and had made the bound that linked their life's together stronger. He had been seeing her everyday which caused him to start to care and love for her like says "I know I was in love with Mrs.Dempster, but in a painful and immediate fas...
With a husband and two children at the age of twenty eight, Edna Pontillier realized that the mother-wife life was not for her. With her new found independence Edna’s husband was unsure of how to handle his new untraditional wife. “I came to consult—no, not precisely to consult—to talk to you about Edna. I don't know what ails her.”(pg. 109) Mr. Pontillier is a loving and good husband but, his slight narcissistic personality causes him to lose touch with his wife. Mr. Pontillier buys Edna bonbons and compliments her in front of their friends but it would seem that he enjoys spending time with his friends and working more than he values his time with his wife. “Coming back to dinner?" his wife called after him. He halted a moment and shrugged his shoulders.”(pg. 8) The only reason Mrs. Pontillier stays with her husband for so long is because of her children. Although the Pontillier children are not major characters they help demonstrate her true commitment. Edna would rather die than let her children think their mother left them to be with another man. “She thought of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that they could possess her, body...
These girls have had a rough life. In 1910, their mother died and the four girls only have each other for all their weeps and worries. Also, their dad has been dead for years and ever since the death of their mother, life has just not been the same. They were left as orphans and took care of each other, since they were all they had. Then, something gave the Purcell girls a glimmer of hope. They had a guardian, who for the rest of their lives would take care of the girls. His name was Mr. Mackenzie and he was married to Mrs. Mackenzie and they had kids of their own. They have three sons; Gabriel, Geoffrey, and Antony. Also, they had one daughter; her name was Lucy. One child, though, would soon become very important in Julia’s life. His name was Master Geoffrey and he had been away at school ever since the Mackenzie’s started taking care of the Purcell girls, which was in January of 1910. At this time, he was the same age as Julia. They were both 15 years old. As soon as they first met, they wanted to get to know each other better. One of the first things Geoffrey noticed about Julia is that she was very much like her older sister, Frances; except, there was something special about her. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something
Mallard loved Brently. The narrator elaborates. She loved Brently “sometimes.” Further, the narrator explains that whether Mrs. Mallard loved him “sometimes” or not often it did not matter because when it came to love in their marriage Mrs. Mallard now recognized that the most important part of her life was “this possession of self-assertion.” This self-assertion now consumed her being. It was “the strongest impulse of her being” because now she was “[F]ree! Body and soul free! Mrs. Mallard now wanted her own identity. Entering her room, she was known as Mrs. Mallard. Her identity was through her marriage to Brently Mallard. Through her epiphany of emotions and self-discovery, the reader recognizes Mrs. Mallard to be Louise. She discards her married self and takes on a new persona by “drinking in a very elixir of life through that open
Pip starts to view the world differently when he meets a wealthy woman named Miss Havisham and her adopted child Estella. Miss Havisham is a wealthy old woman who lives in a manor called Satis House near Pip’s village. Pip’s views change when Estella starts pointing out and criticizing Pip’s low social class and his unrefined manners. Estella calls Pip a “boy”, implying Estella views herself as above Pip. For example, when Miss Havisham requests for her to play w...
“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star crossed lovers take their life” (Shakespeare___). This quote is used to describe how Romeo and Juliet were destined to be although, was fate the only cause of their death? In william shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the two focus points Romeo and Juliet, take their own lives hand in hand together because of risky choices and what is destined for them. Although Romeo and Juliet's judgement and choices are very poor throughout the play, the deaths of Romeo were caused by both impulsive decisions and fate.
...s life. Silas decided to raise Eppie as his own daughter and she turned out to be quite an extraordinary young girl. Silas was convinced that Eppie took the place of the lost gold because she was more important. If you are patient after a loss, hopefully, something better will be given to you. Love is something that is unconditional and unlimited. If you search and you are patient, it will come to you right through your door. Obviously, this was demonstrated when Eppie found Silas’s home.
When Louise marries Brently she becomes Mrs. Mallard; she loses her identity and assumes a new and strange one. While it seems very normal and average for a wife to assume her husband s name in marriage and in that time, become the property of him, it cannot be ignored that a certain part of the self is lost.
Mallard struggle between her personal values and the demands of a male-controlled society. After learning of her husband’s accidental death, Mallard has “a dull stare in her eyes, gaze was away off yonder...suspended of intelligent thought” (426). Even though, yes Mrs. Mallard did mourn in the solitude of her own room, her emotions change as she considers what this truly means for her. In this society wives are bound to serve and worship their husbands, now with Richard gone Mrs. Mallard realizes how ‘“free, free, free!”’she truly is (426). Mrs. Mallard had come to the realization that she was no longer bound to be her husband’s slave and suddenly she had her life returned to her; “The vacant stare and the look of terror...They stayed keen and bright” (426). Romance was highly absent in this era most married for money, for stability, or because it was what the parents wanted, Mallard confesses “she had loved him – sometimes” (426). For too long Mrs. Mallard had suffered to please someone else other than herself, now with her husband gone, she could focus on what truly mattered herself. Once this is realized of her independence, she stops her tears, and “she breathes a quick prayer…with a shudder that life might be long” (426). Unfortunately, Mrs. Mallard’s independence is ripped from her grasp when her husband, unharmed, walks through the door. The utter realization of her freedom being taken from her once again kills Mrs. Mallard instantly. The
Pip's miserable childhood is established within the first few chapters of the play. First, the reader is introduced to a young and innocent Pip standing next to his parent's tombstones and second, Pip is raised by a loud and abusive woman, who is actually his sister. Apart from his sister, Pip also has an uncle, Mr. Pumblechook, who is equally as unkind. These two characters make the young boy's life dreadful and yet, they play an important role in Pip's growth as a character. Mrs. Joe's hate towards Pip is expressed throughout stage one of the n...
Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew offer representation of the ideas of the woman toward the turn of the century. They happen to be similar in many ways but still have their differences. Gwendolen and Cecily are insistent and take initiative in search of their own aspirations. Gwendolen follows Jack to the country, a place most likely very unfamiliar to her, and Cecily pursues Algernon as soon as she sees him. They are also both capable of escaping those who intend to keep them from their goals. Gwendolen is able to flee her overbearing mother, Lady Bracknell; Cecily outsmarts Jack by organizing Algernon to stay, and also avoids Miss Prism to continue on a rendezvous with her lover. For both women, material and small things are most important. Gwendolen insist on marrying a man with the name Ernest merely based on the name's connotations. Cecily also craves the same as she believes Jack's brother is an immoral man and ever though she has never met him, the thought of him sounds idealistic. She rebelliously and romantically toys with pursing the "immoral brother," but clearly she will shape him into the man she wants him to be. The name of Ernest is also important to her. Both Gwendolen and Cecily are products of the Victorian concept in which how one accomplishes is more important than why. Though seeming very similar Cecily and Gwendolen are divergent in certain aspects, Gwendolen is confident and knowing, while her mother has taught her to be short-range. She is also raised in the only traditional family in the entire play. On the other hand, Cecily is more sheltered, and more primitive. She doesn’t really experience motherly love other than her governess. The character of Gwendolen is tool used to confer marriage and give Wild...
Nathaniel Hawthorn was born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804 during Puritan times. He created many stories that reflect his life experiences growing up as a Puritan. He writes stories that end with a moral that was learned through the struggles of the characters. These characters are almost always faced with a dilemma where they must choose what is right versus what is wrong. Another common theme in his writing is alienation. These concepts can be found in the stories “Young Goodman Brown,” “The Minister’s Black Veil,” and “The Birth Mark.” They are all about a life altering decision one must face and the consequences of that decision. In “Young Goodman Brown,” the dilemma faced by the main character is about the strength of his faith in God and the trust he losses for his wife and community. In “The Minister’s Black Veil,” a minister is struggling with his own sins and his fear of them being revealed to his congregation. Finally, in “The Birth Mark,” the main character becomes obsessed with a slight physical flaw on wife’s face; an obsession that ultimately leads to the destruction the thing he cherished most dearly.
One more example, also on page 27 “but it was only in the night that
Clarissa Dalloway is content with her life with Richard, is content to give her party on a beautiful June evening, but she does regret at times that she can’t “have her life over again” (10). Clarissa’s memories of Bourton, of her youth, are brought back to her vividly by just the “squeak of the hinges. . . [and] she had burst open the French windows and plunged at Bourton into the open air” (3). The very intensity of these memories are what make them so much a part of what she is– everything in life reminds her of Bourton, of Sally Seton, of Peter Walsh. Peter and Sally were her best friends as a girl, and “with the two of them. . . she s...