Treasure Island and Hard Times are novels in which, the effects of human influence are taken to their limit. These novels explore the terrors of two protagonists constantly being bombarded with thoughts and ideas of others. Because of the strong authority placed around them, they are exiled into their own minds. Yet, these characters still demonstrate the willingness to think on their own and express themselves freely. Stevenson and Dickens depict through their characters that the innate human ability to think and act is a product that can be influenced by all individuals one may come across.
It is normal for humans to express themselves in any way they please, but for the protagonists in Treasure Island and Hard Times it is something that does not come to them naturally. When someone is being influenced, it is difficult for that person to take a stand and disregard any thoughts that are being thrown at them. They may find it challenging to think for themselves or their ideas may be completely disregarded. Jim Hawkins, the protagonist in Treasure Island is a man who experiences these situations. In the novel Treasure Island, the narrative of the story leads the readers to believe that the protagonist Jim Hawkins is a very knowledgeable boy. On his own he has, “discovered a map that leads to riches,” [Stevenson 48] and was able to find the most trustworthy men in town to tell this important information to. This proves to the reader, that Jim is wise and not foolish. However Long John Silver, The Squire and Dr. Livesey are three characters who, at times seem to believe otherwise. Long John Silver seems to doubt the competence of Jim Hawkins. He is not confident in the ideas that Jim may have to offer, so instea...
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...e to tell her father that she has been, “tired and [that she has] been tired for a long time.” [Dickens 168] Louisa has developed the strength to tell her father the real emotions she has towards him and the way she felt about his various influences on her. She can explain to her father that she is very sick of his teachings, and that she wants the freedom to explore and discover for her own whim. She is finally able to confess to her father that she has been burdened by her father’s presence and that she does not agree with his ideologies.
Jim Hawkins and Louisa Gradgrind have the similar desire to be heard. They are constantly battling the people in their lives who constantly sway them in various directions- not of their own. These characters both go through a cycle of discovering their own thoughts and ideas without the influence of others.
The world of English Literature captures the minds of millions of people worldwide. The stories that are read are new and old and continue to capture the attention of people even to this day. Each piece of literature can go in-depth into settings, themes, characterizations, have great styles and the thing most people enjoy... conflict. Most people don't understand or see the messages these pieces may have in them. Hidden sometimes within complex statements or meanings that the everyday person might not recollect. These "treasures" are waiting to be found and are gold waiting to be found.
Throughout Marilynne Robinson’s works, readers are often reminded of themes that defy the status quo of popular ideas at the time. She explores transience and loneliness, amongst other ideas as a way of expressing that being individual, and going against what is deemed normal in society is acceptable. Robinson utilizes traditional literary devices in order to highlight these concepts.
...t wealth, valuables, and his own ethical adulthood, which is a treasure in itself. Treasure Island is a tale that indulges readers at an unconscious level because the readers can relate to Jim’s quest to find himself. (Cliff Notes)
All children and teenagers will discover character traits and qualities that they want to possess from the adults they come into contact with. Jim Hawkins is no different. He uses the attributes he learns from Ben Gunn, Dr. Livesey, and John Silver to help mold him into the man he is becoming.
John Wyndham has truly made a difference in his own world of his creation, where the conventional thinking makes no sense and is no good. Much like the author of The Island Of Doctor Moreau, H. G. Wells made a whole new reality where nothing makes sense while having the sensible characters there as a passenger for the madness of a world with no sense but the nonsense. “Never letting one forget that there was no one to help, no one to care. It showed one as an atom adrift in vastness, and it waited all the time its chance to frighten and frighten horribly—that was what loneliness was really trying to do; and that was what one must never let it do...” (John Wyndham, The Day of the
Throughout the story, Louisa is shown as a woman who is loyal to her commitments no matter how long she has to wait for something. Louisa is not only loyal, she is also a loner and perfectionist. The perfectionist side of her is shown multiple times. For example, when the narrator talks about Louisa growing her lettuce, the narrator says, “which she raised to perfection” (). The whole story shows how Louisa needs everything neat and
From the blind Pew’s attempt to steal the treasure map at the beginning, to the pirates’ willingness to kill in order to find the treasure, several characters’ sole motive seems to be a desire to find the treasure and become rich. All these people not only lose whatever semblance of a conscience they once had, but also cause their own downfalls. By depicting these characters’ ceaseless obsession with finding the treasure, Stevenson reveals Treasure Island’s primary theme: greed and hedonism lead to one’s own destruction.
.... Even Brownell agrees that “…by Jims presence, his personality, his actions, his words, to call forth from Huckleberry Finn a depth of tenderness and moral strength that could not otherwise have been fully and convincingly revealed to the reader” or to Huckleberry himself (Frances)….
The nineteenth century saw rapid development and reform across the whole of the country; with the Industrial Revolution transforming life in Britain. For working class women life was an endless struggle of passivity and labour; as soon as they were old enough they worked on farms, in factories or as servants to the middle classes (Lambert, 2009). For women in general, life was oppressive; constantly overshadowed by the male gender who were considered dominant leaders. In a Victorian household, the male was head of the family; his wife and children respected him and obeyed him without question. This critical analysis of two nineteenth century novels - Hard Times by Charles Dickens and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, will discuss the representation of the two female protagonists in the context of the Victorian period and question whether they do indeed portray an endless struggle for survival and independence.
Wilson Harris believes that most novels make use of a myth to give even more depth to the plot and underlying message. As Harris limits himself to only exploring two books, he explains what mythical properties lie in Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Eyre, and how these myths increase the complexity of the story. The only problem with these myths incorporated in the story is the myths can only be applied to a few characters in each of the story, so there seems to be almost no point for the other characters to be in the plot. Harris’ view is insightful and intriguing to think about, but may lack the depth to encompass other important characters and aspects of the story.
It can be noted in Dickens Hard Times that he explores the ways in which the idea of parental responsibility can form and shape the choices of individuals. The notion of how circumstances and education can influence and change a person's morality and emotional maturity. These ideas are explored both indirectly and directly through Gradgrind and his children, Louisa and Tom and through Sissy. Dickens also emphasises how individuals can also notice the lack of parental responsibility and change.
Jim and Huck are two entirely different ages with two separate personalities. These two characters come from the story The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; this story shows proof that although two people may be entirely different, they both may build a relationship closer than most people who have many identical characteristics when compared to one another. In this essay, these two characters, Huck and Jim, will be both compared to a pair of characters from another story named To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The characters names from this novel are are Jem and Scout. They both have a similar relationship like as that of Jim and Huck and figure
Throughout the novel, the nature of man is shown throughout the boys on the island. The boys are yearn to feel important, to have power over the weak. Characters such as Jack and even a little one like Henry shows a desire to rule over the
The theme of isolation is used throughout English literature to form principal characters and provide insight on fundamental aspects within a story. This particular theme is shown in many works, however, most significantly this theme can be found in Margret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaids Tale, as well as Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem, The Lady of Shalott. Within these two literary works, there are numerous underlying themes. However, the theme of isolation plays a most significant role when it comes to shaping the setting and environment the characters within the novels inhabit.
Since the beginning of her life, Louisa isn't allowed to express herself because her father continually stresses the facts. Mr. Gradgrind suppresses Louisa's imagination and all she can do is wonder. One example of Louisa attempting to view the unknown occurs when she and Tom peep through a loophole in order to see a circus (8). This is the first time both Louisa and Tom have seen such a sight. When asked why they were there, Louisa curiously answers, "Wanted to see what it was like" (8), a response any normal child would have. Her "starved imagination" (8) is curious and needs some sort of avenue for release. As Louisa blossoms into a young lady, the young Miss Gradgrind enchants one particular suitor. Her father thought that it was time for Louisa to marry and had a suitable companion in mind. When Mr. Gradgrind asks Louisa if she would like to be Mrs. Bounderby, all Louisa can utter is, "You have been so careful of me, that I never had a child's dream. You have dealt so wisely with me, father, from my cradle to this hour, that I never had a child's belief or a child's fear" (63). Mr. Gradgrind interprets his daughter's words as a compliment to him and his strict belief in teaching only the facts. But Louisa means she has not experienced life and has never been given the chance. Her childhood has been murdered by her father's strict insistence on the perpetuation of facts only. Although Louisa realizes she has been enslaved by the theories of fact, she willingly enters yet another bondage to Mr. Bounderby allowing the process of her suppression to continue.