M A English Fiction

M.A ENGLISH LITERATURE II YEAR COURSE: FICTION

COURSE CODE: 2010109

GENARAL INTRODUCTION Fiction always stands ahead of other literary forms rich with realistic expressions and intrinsic ethical values and this package of learning material comprises five fictions of five great writers who dominated the world of fiction of different ages. It includes, The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, Emma by Jane Austen, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Mrs.Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. The prime motto of this study material is to enhance the students and the readers to get a thorough knowledge of all the above five prescribed fictions. The aim is to simplify and elucidate the moral message of the above fictions, to critically examine the nuances and enhance the understandability of the text in a right way, to help and guide the students understand and to grasp the works for the need of examination, the whole work is divided into twelve chapters for the easy understanding of the students.

CHAPTER – I THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS -JOHN BUNYAN 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Age – The social and Political Background John Bunyan’s lifetime (1628-1688) witnessed the blooming of puritans as a powerful political force. The political scenario of the age was studied with memorable events like the confrontation between the crown and the parliament leading to the civil war, the beheading of Charles – I, the protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, the restoration of Charles – II, the end of the Stuart era with James II and so on. Great wars with Spain, France and Holland and the devastating effects of the Great plague, which hit England in the year 1665, and the Great Fire of London were some of the nightmares of the age. The 17th century England experienced the effects of puritan sternness and Restoration profligacy. Religious intolerance like the hatred of Roman Catholic and the suppression of Non-conformists like the puritans were the other religious features of the age. The period also witnessed the rise of Puritanism as a powerful force from 1628. The puritans were a group of English Protestants who considered the reformation of the Church under the Queen Elizabeth – I as being incomplete and called it further purification. Puritanism, totally a religious movement was a form of radical Protestantism rigidly opposed to the practices and vestiges of Roman Catholicism that were lingering in the Protestant Church. As they grew into a powerful party of religious and political dissenters they were popularly known by the name Non-conformists. Charles – II and his government after the restoration also subjected them to great harassment. The term ‘Puritan’ was collectively applied to Presbyterians, independents, Baptists and the members who belonged to Cromwell’s party. They were generally called as the ‘Roundheads’ because of their close – cropped hair. The puritans were not interested mere in formal theology or in other forms of worship and Church governance. Other than these formal aspects of worship and church services, they had a deep quest for spirituality. They dwelt constantly on the interaction between man and God in every individual’s life. This unquenchable thirst for spiritual concern along with purity at heart transcended all the barriers that eventually led to rehabilitation and enrichment of the church. And it was because of this quality that the term ‘puritan’ gained new meaning and came to acquire the pejorative sense of affecting extreme strictness in morals. And John Bunyan, one of the strict puritans who lived in the 17th century England rightly imparted his intense quests for spiritual salvation to the world both by his words as well as by his pen. Bunyan’s great allegory ‘The Pilgrim’s progress’ depicts aptly his puritan heart. Moreover, Bunyan’s choice of the allegory form was most appropriate for an age, which was fiercely committed to political and religious principles that dwelt long on spiritual aspects. Hence Bunyan’s allegory is universal and timeless in its appeal for it describes a ‘Progress’, a journey from one stage to the next from materialist to spiritual, from being bound to secular impulses to the final union with God.

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR – A BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF JOHN BUNYAN John Bunyan a literary doyen of 17th century was born at Elstow, a village about two miles from Bedford (a city in England) in November 1628 as the son of Thomas Bunyan and Margaret. His father was a tinker and basically they led a poor life. The poverty compelled him to brief his education with elementary level at Elstow and at Bedford Grammar School. The death of his mother at his 16th year and father’s re-marriage plunged him into a chronic despondency which forced him to leave and get enlisted in Cromwell’s Parliamentary army which was fighting against the royalist forces of the King, Charles – I. He remained in the army for about three years. But he kept himself away from the participation in the fighting. On one occasion when he was chosen to take part in a siege, he exchanged places with a comrade who was shot dead. He felt guilty and was constantly pricked by his conscience. Naturally he was reminded of his own sins and was troubled. He was spiritually disturbed as he contemplated his sinful state. On 1647, the parliamentary army was disbanded and Bunyan was discharged from his service. Leaving the army, a fresh interest was infused into his life. He fell in love with a poor young woman, Mary, whom he married in 1649. Their conjugal life proved to be the happiest. However, this happiness did not last long. The excellent wife died leaving to Bunyan’s care four children, two daughters Mary, Bitsy and two sons, John and Thomas. By this time, he became a regular church – goers, an eager Bible reader and a hot debater on religious matters. He joined John Gifford’s congregation, which was Non-conformist and worshipped at St. John’s church at Bedford. He embraced the puritan faith and became a Non-conformist, holding Calvinistic beliefs. Bunyan’s preaching, expressions and writings made him known far and wide. In 1660 Charles II was restored to the throne and the non – conformists were dealt severely. Bunyan was arrested while conducting a private service. Released after three months, he was arrested again in 1661 for his vigorous preaching. In 1661, during one of his illness, he felt it necessary to marry again for the sake of his motherless children and took the hands of Elizabeth who was strong and noble. She supported her husband during his intermit ten imprisonment. She even travelled to London and pleaded for her husband before the House of Lords, but all her efforts proved futile. Even when Bunyan was set free from imprisonment for brief periods, he continued his preaching. The result was that he was imprisoned again and was forced to spend a period of almost 12 years in Jail from 1660 to 1672. During these twelve years of imprisonment, Bunyan did not spend his time in idleness. He took to writing and some of his most famous works like ‘Grace Abounding’, ‘Defence of the Doctrine of Justification’ was written during this period. Most of the biographers believe that his greatest work, Part – I of the ‘The Pilgrim’s progress’ was written during the last years of this imprisonment. Bunyan was finally released from prison in 1672 after repeal of the acts against the Non-conformists. He became a licensed preacher and the successor of pastor Gillford. In 1685, when James II succeeded Charles II, Bunyan was offered an administrative post, which he declined as to concentrate on his pastoral duties. In 1688 while riding from Reading to London he was overtaken by a thunderstorm by which he fell ill and died. In short Bunyan was elemental, passionate and was overruled from one emotion to another throughout his life. He lived a great life with zeal and great vitality and left spiritual message to the mankind through his preaching and writings, which stands as a guideline to all men of all ages.

What beauty was to Spenser, what power was to Marlowe, Righteousness was to John Bunyan. 1.2 HIS WORKS John Bunyan’s literary outputs make his name synonyms with religious writings. He wrote about sixty books and all these books were religious in their themes and subjects. He wrote religious tracts, sermons, discussions of points of doctrine, books of meditation and so on. Each of his contribution is a lighted candle that spreads perpetual light called wisdom to the world. Some of John Bunyan’s principal works are 1.

Signs from Hell or the Cries of a Damned Soul

2.

The Holy City or the New Jerusalem

3.

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. This book is well known by its shorter title: Grace Abounding. This book is an impressive account of Bunyan’s own spiritual conflicts and narrates his conversion from a sinful man to Puritanism. Therefore it is justly labeled as his spiritual autobiography.

4.

The Pilgrim’s progress from This World to That which is to come: Delivered under the similitude of a dream wherein is Discovered the manner of his setting out, His Dangerous Journey and safe Arrival at the Desired Country. This work is famous by its shorter title: The Pilgrim’s Progress (Part I). It is an allegory and it depicts the journey of the protagonist, Christian from a life of sin to the celestial city with his resolve to attain the eternal life.

5. The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, Presented to the world in a Familiar Dialogue between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. Its shorter title is: The Life and Death of Mr. Badman. It is a didactic work, which describes the deadful career of a man who loves iniquity, and who sinks into lusts of flesh and dies unrepresented losing his soul even before the body dies. Mr. Wiseman narrates Mr. Badman’s story to Mr. Attentive who listens to it with all attention. 6.

The Holy War – This book is an allegory. It is a history of man’s redemption at the same time, in part at least is an allegory of Reformation.

7.

The Pilgrims Progress, Part II wherein is set forth the manner of the setting out of Christian’s Wife and children and their Dangerous Journey, and safe Arrival at the Desired Country – This is shortly known as “The Pilgrim’s Progress” Part II. It is an account of Christian’s wife’s journey to the celestial city.

John Bunyan’s fame however rests upon the popularity of The Pilgrim’s Progress by virtue of which he has won world acclamation and recognition.

1.3 INTRODUCTION TO THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Date of Composition and Publication The Pilgrim’s Progress saw the dawn in the year 1678. But the book was actually written several years before that when Bunyan was imprisoned in the country jail at Bedford. Bunyan served two prison sentences – one from 1660 to 1672 and the other in 1676 – 77. Probably Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress during the latter part of his first imprisonment. The first part of The Pilgrim’s Progress was entered in the Stationer’s Register on 22, December 1677 and was published by Nathaniel Pounder. The wider reception and accolade granted to his 1st part encouraged Bunyan to pen down the 2nd part, which was published in 1684. 1.4 THE STYLE Bunyan’s prose style in The Pilgrim’s Progress is delightful and has proved invaluable to every reader wishing to obtain a wide command over the English language. His vocabulary is very simple and the characters speak the language of common man. The homely style used by Bunyan is the most distinctive feature of his skill as a narrator, which is perfectly sufficient for magnificence, for pathos, for vehement exhortation, for subtle discussions and for every purpose of the poet, the orator and the divine. The use of proverbs and illustrations, which were used by the simple folk of his time, is another meritorial factor of Bunyan’s style. For instance, expressions like ‘some frenzy distemper’, ‘pressed to death’, ‘brain-sick’, ‘and tush!’ are drawn from the dialect of 17th century village life. ‘Every fat must stand upon his own bottom’ and ‘His house is as empty of religion, as the write of egg is of savour’, are some of the examples of Bunyan’s unique proverbial usage. The style is simple, plain direct and well sustained. His diction is very simple and his use of the colloquial expressions adds liveliness and realism to the work. The influence of the English Bible (Authorized Version) upon Bunyan’s style cannot be denied and in The Pilgrim’s Progress, this influence is seen at its best. The style used by Bunyan is to be homespun one, not a manufactured one that is remarkably plain and lucid, free from ornamentation and embellishment, free from all artificialities and artifices. It is spontaneous style and not a laboured one, which is a sincere record of ideas that followed from his heart. And the immense popularity is perhaps due to this easy intelligibility and easy style employed by Bunyan in his book. 1.5 SOURCES OF THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS It is very difficult to identify or locate one model as the source of The Pilgrim’s Progress. Instead, critics have pointed out a number of antecedents and sources as the source of the book. The main source for The Pilgrim’s Progress is undoubtedly Bunyan’s faith in Bible. Several incidents and characters from the Bible are found in Bunyan’s book in a modified form. The concept of viewing life as a pilgrimage, the dream framework, the valley of shadow of death and the giants who challenge travelers to duels were the common property in the 15th and 16 th centuries and all these traditional ideas served as an important sourc e for Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress

The idea of forsaking everything for Christ has a special reference to the changing world of wandering soldiers and ex-soldiers of the England of 1640’s and 1630’s. Thus the chapbook romances of Bunyan’s time and of earlier times are definitely one of Bunyan’s sources for his writing of The Pilgrim’s Progress Bunyan was also initially attracted by the historical books of the Old Testament, which undoubtedly inspired him to pen down The Pilgrim’s Progress Another source of The Pilgrim’s Progress was Langland’s “Vision of Piers Plowman’ from which Bunyan borrowed the concept of Giant Despair and Doubting Castle. Another work entitled ‘Terra Pacis’ that depicts a perilous spiritual pilgrimage from the wilderness to a paradise on earth by Hendrik Niclaes has also been seen as a source for The Pilgrim’s Progress. The theme of pilgrimage was prominent in the work of William Perkins, the greatest English puritan. John Downame, another writer had described life as a tedious and painful pilgrimage for the holy men. Thomas Taylor had compared the life of a saint to a traveller returning home through a strange country. “All our life is a Pilgrimage”; wrote another writer. Thus the idea of pilgrimage was not new and unusual when Bunyan wrote his book. Another most significant antecedent of The Pilgrim’s Progress was perhaps Bunyan’s own spiritual autobiography, “Grace Abounding”. In short, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is a harmonious amalgam of traditional and contemporary ideas. However, a.

The Holy Bible

b.

Bunyan’s Quest for Spiritual Progress

c. His understanding of Human Nature are often quoted as the three major sources of his great allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress which is a milestone in the literary world. 1.6 SUMMARY John Bunyan (1628 – 1688) was born in England at the critical time in which remarkable changes took place in politics and religion. Civil war led to the assassination of Charles I. England’s war with Spain, France and Holland, Great plague and the great fire of England brought many changes in the society. All those changes provided a good chance for the birth of Puritanism. John Bunyan was one of the puritans, who revived spiritualism in literature. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is considered to be a renowned work of Bunyan, which describes a spiritual journey of a Christian. 1.7TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Who were the Puritans?

2. What was the main aim of the Puritans? 3. How did Bunyan spend his time in prison? 4. When did Bunyan publish his book “The Pilgrim’s Progress”? 5. What is the main source of Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A PARAGRAPH EACH: 1. Write a short note on social upheavals at the time of John Bunyan. 2. Explain Puritanism in England 3. Why did John Bunyan choose allegory to express his views? 4. Narrate the experience of John Bunyan while he was in the army. 5. What is the main theme of John Bunyan’s works? SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Write a short note on John Bunyan’s style of writing. 2. Write an essay on the source of John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress”.

CHAPTER - II THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS _ JOHN BUNYAN 2.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter consists of the detailed analysis of the text - “The Pilgrim’s Progress” and its special significance, which help the students gain a thorough knowledge of the text. 2.1 THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS- AS AN ALLEGORY John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory. An allegory is a piece of writing or a picture, which conveys the meaning through some kind of disguise. The meaning is conveyed through the use of symbols. It signifies meaning in two levels. The surface level meaning and the hidden meaning, which needs deeper analysis of the work. The Pilgrim’s Progress describes a pilgrimage undertaken by a man called Christian who wishes to run away from his native city called ‘The city of Destruction’ and wishes to reach the celestial city called New Jerusalem seeking salvation. The story also narrates the mishaps and dangers, which befall the protagonist in due course of his journey to the celestial city. On the surface level, The Pilgrim’s Progress can be treated as an adventurous story and enjoyed as a kind of fairy tale. But on the deeper level, the pilgrimage represents a religious man’s effort to achieve spiritual progress and wish to ultimately become one with God. Allegorically the account of Christian’s pilgrimage means spiritual progress. Thus the very word pilgrimage in the title of the book has allegorical significance. The word pilgrimage here means religious man’s quest for his soul’s salvation. The name of the protagonist, ‘Christian’ also allegorically represents a man who subscribes to Calvinistic doctrines, the protestant faith, and one who believes in the religion, Christianity. Richard. L. Greaves rightly points out that The Pilgrim’s Progress indicates eight stages in the spiritual development of Christian – election, calling, faith, repentance, justification, forgiveness, sanctification and perseverance. It is truly a ‘progress’ a forward movement from one stage to the next stage that every man confronts in his life. It presents the conflicts between the forces of good and evil for the possession of everyman. The Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the most famous works in the whole history of English literature. Next to the Bible, it is the world’s best selling book, so far being translated into more than 200 languages. Whether to read as an adventurous story or as an allegory, the book has a great appeal. Thus, The Pilgrim’s Progress stands firm as one of the perfect allegories in English. 2.2 A CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT PLACES, INCIDENTS AND CHARACTER Place 1) The city of Destruction

Character 1. Christian 2. Christian’s Wife and Children

Incidents Christian’s Plight and burden Christian’s knowledge after reading the book

3. Evangelist 4. Pliable 5. Obstinate

2) The slough of Despond

1. Christian 2. Pliable 3. Help

3) The village of Morality

1. Christian 2.Mr.Worldly wiseman 3. Mr. Legality 4. His son-Mr. Civility

4) The Wicket Gate

1. Christian 2.The Gate–keeper Good Will 3. Beelzebub and his Peers

5) The interpreter’s House

1. Christian 2. Interpreter 3. Two Children- ‘Passion and Patience’

6) The Highway (fenced with wall called Salvation) and Cross

7) The Hill called Difficulty

1. Christian 2. Timorous and Mistrust

His renouncing of family Evangelist’s guidance Pliable and Obstinate’s attempt to stop Christian Pliable’s decision to accompany Christian Obstinate turns back home Christian and Pliable entangle in to a bog Pliable loses faith returns back home Christian’s rescue by Help Mr. Worldly Wiseman – Misguide Christian Christian’s disappointment at Mortality village Evangelist’s reappearance and timely advice Christian’s entry into wicket gate Beelzebub’s attempt to kill Christian Christian’s rescue by GoodWill A vision of Portrait – Gallery A lesson from the representative figures – Passion and Patience A strong willed man’s brave entry into the place Christian relieved from the burden Meeting with three Angels and Christian receives ‘Roll’ He happily proceeds his journey Meeting with ‘Sloth, Simple Presumption’ Meeting with ‘Formalist’ and ‘Hypocrisy’ Christian climbing of the hill Timorous and Mistress working Christian’s faithful journey Rest at arbour and the missing of the ‘Roll’

Christian’s realization and recovery of the ‘Roll’ 8) The Palace Beautiful

1. Christian 2. The Porter – ‘Watchful’ 3. Damsels – ‘ Prudence’ - ‘ Piety’ - ‘Charity’

9) The Valley of Humiliation

1. Christian 2. Apollyon

10) The Valley of Death

11)

1. Faithful 2. Talkative

12) The Vanity Fair

1. Christian 2. Faithful 3. Mr. Blindman Mr.No-Good The Mr. Malice Mr.Love-Lust Jury Mr. Live –Loose

The lions at the Gate Christian’s entry into the place A warm welcome and fine courtesy given to Christian Meeting with ‘Prudence’, ‘Piety’ and ‘Charity’ Supper and rest at chamber called ‘Peace’ A glimpse of the Delectable Mountain Christian equipped with weapons and defense and armour Christian’s farewell Christian’s Combat with Apollyon Christian’s victory The journey continued The dangerous path with Snares, Traps and Nets The first phase of the valley - extremely narrow with bottomless ditch The sorrowful cries, howls, groaning Christian’s use of weapon called All-Prayer Christian’s successful crossing of the second phase of the valley Christian’s meeting with Faithful Christian and Faithful’s meeting with Talkative Christian and Faithful’s breakaway from Talkative Further guidance Christian and Faithful’s entry into Vanity Fair Vanity Fair established by Beelzebub, Apollyon and Legion Christian and Faithful’s demand for Truth

13)

Mr. Bye-Ends

14) Silver –Mine on a called ‘Lucre’

Demas

15) The River of Life 16) The Doubting Castle

1. Christian 2. Hopeful 3. Vain-Confidence 4. The Giant-Despair His Wife - Difference

17) The delectable Mountain

The shepherds 1.Experience 2. Watchful 3.Sincere 4. Knowledge

18)

1. Flatterer 2. Ignorance

demand for Truth Their arrest The Jury – announce Faithful as guilty Faithful burned into ashes Faithful’s Soul carried by shinning one’s to the Celestial city Christian joins the company of Hopeful Christian and Hopeful escape Christian and Hopeful meet By-ends Soon they depart By-Ends’ joining with Mr. Hold – World, Mr. Money – Love and Mr. Save all Christian and Hopeful enter a narrow plain, ‘Ease’ Arriving at Silver-Mine ‘Demas’ invitation to dig the mine Christian and Hopeful resist the temptation and proceed their journey Christian and Hopeful rest, refresh in the meadows Christian and Hopeful mislead by Vain Confidence They trespass the place of Despair Imprisoned in Doubting castle Tortures and Pains The escape with the key called ‘Promise’ The key called ‘promise’ Christian and hopeful given a red carpet welcome Pleasant stay Meeting with and ignorance Christian and hopeful disagree with him and depart Misguidance given by

19) The Enchanted Ground

20) The country of Beulah

21) The River of Death

22) The Celestial City

23)

Ignorance

Flatterer Christian and Hopeful get entangled into a pit Rescued by shining one Instruction to follow right path The temptation to sleep Christian and Hopeful feel drowsy They overcome temptation by talking about the glory of Jesus The Christian and Hopeful’s entry to pleasant land The blissful company of Shining Ones The Divine voice and music from the Celestial City Ordeal in crossing the river The level of faith determines the level of order Hopeful’s encouragement to Christian to face the challenge Both reach the bark with the Grace of God Welcome and greeting by Angles The royal robe Divine ecstasy and safe reaching of Christian and Hopeful Ignorance fails to produce the Roll Ignorance sent to Hell

2.3 THE ALLEGORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS’ “’The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is an unparalleled monument of creative literature, remarkable amongst all the Allegories of the world in that it has a strong human interest. Other Allegories only amuse the fancy. The Allegory of Bunyan has been read by many thousands with tears.” - Macaula

Allegory The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines Allegory as’ a story or description in which ideas such as patience, purity and truth are symbolized by persons who are Characters in the Story’. The term ‘Allegory’ is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word, ‘Allegoria’ which consists of ‘allos’ meaning other and ‘agoreuein’ meaning harangue (load talk or speech). Hence Allegory means speaking of one thing under the image of another. The events and persons described in an allegory have double meaning – the one in relation to real and the other in relation to vices and virtues; the one concrete and the other abstract. John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrims Progress’ is an allegory and the narrative technique exists on two inter-related planes: on the surface level, it is a story of a man called Christian and his adventures, but on the deeper level, it is the concretization and manifestation of the soul’s progress from the Earth to Heaven, from Sin to Purgation, from Darkness to Light. In true sense a God ward journey from the material bondage to the spiritual world of God, with true spiritual moods and states, which are abstract. The personages bear the names of abstractions, but blood flows through their veins. So, The Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory, one of the most popular books of the world. The Pilgrim’s Progress is no doubt a religious allegory, the best of its kind and belongs to an old, well established tradition of presenting the career of every human soul on this earth as a pilgrimage through all the dangers and the temptations of the world to the celestial city of God, Heaven, subjugated to the lines, laid down by the Christian scripture. John Bunyan himself meant his work, The Pilgrim’s progress to be an allegory, as he wrote in his Apology for this book: When at the first I took my pen in hand Thus for to write; I did not understand that of at all should make a little Book in such a mode; Nay, I had undertook To make another, which when almost done, Before I was aware, I this begun. And thus it was: I writing of the way And Race of Saints in this our Gospel- Day, Fell suddenly into an Allegory About their journey and, the way to Glory, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To show to all the world My pen and ink in such a mode, I only thought to make------------------John Bunyan very aptly calls it a dream. It is significantly a sincere representation of an individual, Christian’s journey towards the celestial city. Allegorically the journey symbolizes man’s struggle and attempt to reach God and ultimately attain salvation. The success of an allegory lies in the perfect blending of its two levels, the surface level and the deeper level, so that the story and the Characters infuse an air of

liveliness and provoke the interest of the readers, manifesting and vivifying the demands of the designed work and this is precisely the secret of Bunyan’s achievement which has charged his work with a perennial charm and fascination. The story-loving children as well as the sensitive men are drawn to surrender to the magical spell of Bunyan in his Pilgrim’s Progress. It stands best and is well acknowledged both as an adventurous – story book as well as, as a religious Book. The work is also autobiographical for John Bunyan has studded his golden experiences throughout the work. It is a sincere account of the spiritual experiences of the protagonist, Christian and those of every man, as the hero is an archetypal figure, symbolizing the human traits, aspirations, trials and conflicts of the entire race. The Allegorical Significance of the Journey- a Quest for Eternal life The Pilgrim’s Progress, at the surface level describes the pilgrimage of a man called Christian. Who unable to bear the predicaments of the burden on his back flees from his native town, the city of Destruction towards the abode of god, the celestial city. Allegorically, the account of Christian’s pilgrimage denotes the spiritual progress which a religious man makes, renouncing the worldly pleasures, seeking salvation of his soul. The heavy burden on Christian’s back allegorically means his newly awakened sense and realization of his sins. This feeling of his sinfulness has come to him by reading a book, which allegorically is the Bible. At the guidance of Evangelist, Christian abandons his family and leaves his home – town, the city of destruction. He progresses towards the kingdom of Heaven, seeking eternal life; Christian encounters many difficulties, hardships, dangers in course of his quest for salvation. And he successfully overcomes all these trials and tribulations partly by his own determination and partly by the guidance provided to him by various persons like Evangelist and the Shining ones whom he meets on his way. Each of these persons, allegorically stand for a mentor or a preceptor or a heavenly being who guide him constantly, offering special favour. According to Calvinistic beliefs, the ‘Elect’ are those persons whom God chooses for ‘His Grace’ who is supposed to become the mediator between God and Man. Bunyan aptly confers the protagonist, Christian, the title ‘blessed’ who belongs to the category of the ‘Elect’. The Allegorical Significance of the Slough of Despond – state of Despondency The very first obstacle that Christian and Pliable face is the slough of Despond. As the very name shows, the slough of Despond allegorically means a state of depression caused by fears and doubts. A man is bound to sense of depression due to his sins and guilt’s. He, who aspires to salvation, feels burdened by his own sins and therefore becomes a victim to despondency in order to advance spiritually. The strong minds of exceptional will – powers are the wings to drive away the fears and doubts. Christian’s aim is to reach the celestial city. Christian and Pliable falling into the slough of Despond symbolize the fears and doubts that assail their minds. Pliable being a feeble – minded man breaks down and gives up his journey. But Christian, with strong determination overcomes the danger with the assistance of Mr. Help. Mr.Help allegorically means any helpful man who strengthens the resolve of one who has already made up his mind to achieve his noble purpose. Slough exists because of the sinfulness of human beings and as long as there is sin, the slough will continue. The steps in the Slough Symbolize promises, assurances, and guidance of God’s word, which a seeker receives, from God. Christian and Pliable fail to see the steps

because of their sinfulness. But, Christian having, been ‘Elect’ crosses the Slough with firm determination and faith. The Allegorical Interpretation of – the Village of Morality, the wicket – gate, the Interpreter’s House and the Cross Christian misled by a man called Mr. Worldly Wiseman reaches a Village called Morality where lives Mr.Legality. Mr.Worldly Wiseman symbolizes the temptations of this worldly life and the attractions of the conformist _ an establishment type of Christianity (Established church of England). Life in the village of Morality means an observance of the conventional moral code and obedience to the advice of Mr.Legality and his son, Mr.Civility. This symbolizes mere a routine kind of life in accordance to the moral codes without having any spiritual value. Evangelist re-directs Christian to the wicket-gate, where he is received by Mr.Good-will. The wicket-gate symbolizes Christ and Christian’s arrival here symbolizes his willingness and determined diligence to Christ. Continuing his journey, Christian arrives at the Interpreter’s house where he is shown a number of emblematic pictures each of which conveys a valuable lesson to the beholder. For instance, one of the pictures teaches Christian that it is the Gospel, not the Law, which purifies the soul of a man. Allegorically, the function of the Interpreter is the same as that of a preacher of the gospel, who vividly interprets God’s message to the members of his congregation. Soon Christian arrives at a place where he sees the cross. Here the burden automatically drops off his back and falls into a sepulcher below. The allegorical meaning of this incident is that Christian’s sins have been forgiven. He has secured a pardon from God. Now, Christian is clothed in white robes, a mark is set on his forehead and he is given a parchment-roll. The dropping of the burden is also a confirmation of his being one of the ‘Elect’ & assurance of ‘Grace’. The Lions and the Palace Beautiful Christian arrives at a place called palace Beautiful, where he sees lions in chains. The lions symbolize the persecution to which the dissenters and nonconformists were subjected in Bunyan’s time. Bunyan himself had to spend several years in jail as he preached non-conformists and Calvinistic doctrines. Christian is admitted into the palace Beautiful and here he meets four damsels – Discretion, Piety, Prudence and Charity. Here Christian is also armed from head to foot to enable him to face the dangers of the way. Allegorically, the palace Beautiful stands for the congregation in a church or a place where the followers of the Lord gather and discuss religious matters. The Four damsels symbolize four principal virtues, which Christianity expects every maiden to cultivate & acquire. The arming of Christian symbolically means the further strengthening and the resolution of religious – minded persons. The Allegorical Meaning of Christian’s Victory over Apollyon Christian encounters a monster called Apollyon at the valley of Humiliation. Apollyon allegorically stands for the spiritual doubts. Apollyon is the power of evil trying to shake Christian’s purpose. Apollyon symbolizes the Devil who is always busy trying to win the allegiance of human beings and who strives to wean people away from the path of piety and from their devotion to God. Christian is able to defeat this monster with a sword, which symbolizes – Faith. Christian’s wounds, sustained in

the fight against Apollyon are cured by leaves from the Tree of Life which symbolizes the Divine Providence or the word. Christian’s Victory means his rejection of the temptations offered by the evil powers. The Allegorical Significance of the valley of Shadow of Death Christian’s crossing the valley of the shadow of Death has great allegorical significance. This valley is a solitary, desolate barren landscape full of snares, traps, pitfalls, deep holes and nets. Christian also sees the blood, bones and skulls of the pilgrims who had gone this way previously and been killed by two giants called Pope and Pagan. Here Christian’s sword turns ineffective. He overcomes all the dangers with another weapon called All–Prayer. The darkness of this valley symbolizes the darkness, which envelops a man’s soul. The giants symbolize the doubts, which try to devour and swallow man’s spiritual longings and cravings. The dangers, which Christian encounters in this valley, symbolize the spiritual doubts, which every man seeking salvation is likely to experience. The point stressed here is that only by means of constant prayer to God a man a can overcome such doubts and fears. The Allegorical Significance of Faithful and Mr.Talkative Christian’s meeting with a man called Faithful has greater allegorical significance. This man’s very name shows that he symbolizes unshakable faith in God and in salvation. Faithful is also a pilgrim travelling towards the celestial city The meeting of Christian and Faithful with Mr. Talkative also has allegorical meaning. He represents the hollowness and the empty rhetoric way of the men of the world. John Bunyan through the character, Talkative draws a clear distinction between talking and doing. Mr. Talkative is only a talker and not a doer. The portrayal of Mr. Talkative symbolizes a valuable lesson that people should never be judged merely by their talk or their manner of talking. The Allegorical Significance of Vanity Fair The episode of the Vanity Fair is undoubtedly most enlightening and enchanting. The Pilgrims, Christian and Faithful enter Vanity Fair, which was established by Beelzebub, Apollyon and Leign about five thousand years ago. The merchandise sold here include miscellaneous articles and things such as houses, Lands, Trades, Places, Honour, Kingdoms, Lusts, Whores, Bawds, Wives, Husbands, Children, Servants, Blood, Bodies, Souls, Silver, Gold, Pearls, etc. However, Christian and Faithful pay no attention to them. Both are arrested. Faithful is put to death and his soul is taken straight to heaven. Faithful’s martyrdom here drives home the point that he, who dies for the cause of religion, is received in Heaven. Allegorically Vanity Fair symbolizes attractions and sensual pleasures of the world. But Christian and Faithful have unshakable faith. The names of the Judges and the members of the Jury are also fully indicative of allegorical significance. This episode symbolizes the Conflict between the material worlds that offers all sorts of tempting articles of pleasures to human beings. But the spiritual world demands self sacrifice, renunciation and self–denial. Thus the merchandise at Vanity Fair symbolizes the material world and the material comforts and pleasures. And Christian’s resistance symbolizes the victory of spirit over the flesh. The Allegory behind Hopeful, By – Ends and Demas Hopeful who joins Christian in his journey replaces Faithful’s place. The allegorical significance of Hopeful is great and he is a personification of Hope. Faith,

Hope and Love are the three essential Cardinal Virtues essential for a religious man. Subsequently, Hopeful becomes a sincere Companion of Christian. The two pilgrims happen to meet Mr. By. Ends. These men allegorically represents those people who try to obtain all kinds of advantages for their self – development and are experts in the art of getting money or Position or Promotion by Violence, or Cheating or Flattery or by Putting on falser air of religiousness. The two pilgrims meet Mr.Demas who invite them to dig the Silver – Mine at the hill, Lucre and acquire silver. But Christian succeeds Demas. Eventually this act of Christian and Hopeful Confirms that the pilgrims have risen above all worldly temptations. The Hill, Lucre symbolizes the monetary gain and Demas stands for the temptation and Corruption. The Pilgrim’s resistance symbolizes their tremendous spiritual progress. The Allegorical meaning of Giant Despair and the Key called Promise This episode has great allegorical significance. As the name implies, Giant Despair Symbolizes despair, a total Hopelessness state. A truly religious man never gives way to despair. This episode is another test for the protagonist to progress near Salvation. Diffidence, Giant’s wife wages her husbands to devise harsh beatings upon the prisoners and induce them to commit suicide. But all his attempts go Vain. The credit goes to Hopeful who inspires Christian with Courage, faith and hope. The key called ‘Promise’ with which the pilgrims escape has allegorical value. The key symbolizes the promises and assurance given by Christ to his followers and disciples. Doubting castle symbolizes the religious or spiritual doubt, which may fall upon a man and paralyze him. The escape from this castle symbolizes a rejection of all doubts and going forward in the spiritual process with Hopeful state The Delectable Mountain and Entry into Celestial City The enchanted land is another temptation in the way of progress, which the Pilgrims cross with Will –Power and Faith. The River of Death and the ordeals in crossing the river symbolize again the spiritual doubts, which the Pilgrim sails and overcome chiefly because of hopefulness. Finally the Pilgrims entry in to the Celestial City symbolizes salvation and unification of Soul with Supreme Power. The Real Essence of the Allegory The didactic value of the whole story is that a man can attain salvation of his Soul by means of Faith, Hope and Firm Determination. The process also involves successful overcoming of spiritual doubts, resisting to temptations, ability to conquer all carnal desires, will power to withstand all hazards and unshakable Faith and Hope in God. Further more, with writer’s less righteousness and pious service, he should gain the grace of God and must be chosen as the ‘Elect’ for the Salvation by God. 2.4 CHARACTERIZATION IN PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Characters in allegories are generally abstractions, which stand for certain qualities and virtues and vices. The pilgrim’s progress is also an allegory and Bunyan had a didactic purpose in writing it. But Bunyan had made a change here. His characters have nothing abstract about them. They are creatures of flesh and blood. They are not personifications of qualities. They are living persons having a bundle of qualities some good and some bad, as normal human beings have. Thus the characters

in the Pilgrim’s Progress have descriptive names, which immediately give clue to the natures and dispositions of the persons concerned. For instance, the names of major characters in the Pilgrim’s Progress – I are Christian, Faithful, Hopeful and Evangelist. Each of these names is indicative of the character of the concerned person. The most prominent minor characters are Pliable, Obstinate, Shame, Talkative, ByEnds, Money – love, Flatterer, Worldly Wiseman, Atheist, Madam Bubble etc. The judges in the town of vanity have the name as Mr. Hate -Good and members of the jury are given the name as Mr.Blindman, Mr. Malice, Mr. Live – Loose, Mr.Enimity, Mr. Liar. All these names are significant that they imply the nature and kinds of persons. They are not mere abstractions or personifications of certain human traits and characters. Each of the persons in this crowd of characters is actually alive and realistic and John Bunyan with his genius has breathed life into each of these characters. 1. Christian The Protagonist Christian is the hero, the central figure in the Pilgrim’s Progress. The entire first part is concerned with Christian’s pilgrimage with an eternal quest for spiritual life towards the celestial city. The story beings presenting the miserable state of christen who flees from the city of destruction forsaking his family. This desire has been awakened in him by his reading of a book, which symbolizes the New Testament which contains the life and the teachings of Jesus Christ His miserable state and sinfulness Christian is a feeble man burdened with a deep sense of his own sinfulness. He is impulsive and sentimental. He is presented as an ordinary man with all weakness and strength of a common man. Right from the beginning Christian has to learn to see beyond the material to the spiritual. Christian is troubled by the burden on his back. This burden is undoubtedly his realization of his sinfulness. This awareness of his sinful state has become a heavy weight upon his heart and ultimately he longs and cries for: “Life! Life! Eternal life!” Christian – one of the elect Christian’s journey allegorically is a man’s journey through life, a journey in the course of which a man seeking spiritual salvation encounters numerous difficulties, hardships and dangers which he must overcome. Christian here is a representative of a puritan holding Calvinistic belief. The leading principles of Calvinistic theology are a belief in the sovereignty of god, a belief than a man can attain this salvation of his soul only if God has chosen him as one of the ‘Elect’. Christian is one such ‘Elect’ whom God has chosen for his special favour. It is from the God that Christian receives the call to give up home and hearth and seek salvation. The call has come to him through the book (i.e. the New Testament) and he promptly obeys it.

Receptiveness and readiness to guidance Christian is thoroughly receptive to good counsel. In short Christian is always ready to learn from those who know better than him. The advice of Evangelist, the timely Help of help, the company of Faithful, Hopeful, the instructions of Interpreter, the Damsels, the shepherds, the shining ones all enable Christian reach the celestial city. His determination and the spirit of endurance Christian is a man of firm determination and shows a rare steadiness of purpose. It is his perseverance which prevents him from surrendering to the perils which he faces at the slough of despond, the hill of difficulty, the valley of humiliations, the shadow of death, the Bye – Pass – meadow, the doubting castle etc. His will power is so strong that neither lions nor giants and devils could turn him back. He shows a remarkable spirit of endurance, which prevents him from giving up his quest at any stage in the course of his long and arduous journey. This ends only at the celestial city. The autobiographical elements The allegory in the Pilgrims’ Progress is not merely that of a Christian and his earthly journey towards eternity but in real sense, it is also the story of the pilgrimage of Bunyan himself. In the shape of Christian, Bunyan has projected his own personality. Like Christian, Bunyan too had the same consciousness of sins and the same amalgam of doubts and despairs, hope and faith. Thus Bunyan himself is the protagonist in this book. It is Bunyan himself who through a dream relates his own spiritual adventures, temptations and dangers in the image of Christian. Universal element Though Christian bears an abstract name, he is not an abstraction. Christian is not a personification of the noble qualities which every Christian is supposed to have. He is a real human being of this world with a mixture of virtues and vices. He has a firm faith in god, but at the same time, he is constantly assailed by doubts which he overcomes with determination. Thus, there is a universal element in Christian’s inner life. 2. Faithful Faithful is another pilgrim travelling towards the celestial city. He meets Christian near the valley of shadow of death and joins him in the journey. Faithful as the name sounds – personifies faith – faith in god, faith in Jesus Christ, faith in righteousness, faith in truth, faith in the grace of god, faith in salvation, faith in true martyrdom, faith in heavenly life. Faith is one of the essential qualities that a truly religious man ought to possess. Thus faithful in the story symbolizes one of the three qualities (Faith, Hope and Love) that a true follower of God should acquire. Thus Faithful proves to be a great support and true asset to Christian in reaching his goal. Faithful’s spiritual understanding is highly illuminated through his conservation with Mr. Talkative’ who

is soon neglected for he is mere a talker and not a doer. He rejects religious hypocrisy and stands as a model of unshakable faith and moral principles. His actions drive home the point how fidelity to moral principles as exemplified in Christianity rewards one with ‘bliss and eternal happiness’ At the town called, vanity, Faithful has an autobiographical interest. Bunyan was often arrested on charges of preaching the Calvinistic doctrines and for holding views different from those of the established English church. As a result of such trials, Bunyan was often behind the bars. The trial of Faithful is a farce upon the jury and judgment that Bunyan himself faced. Indirectly, Bunyan here is criticizing his own judges. The episode of Faithful's martyrdoms is to show god’s design that such sacrifice of life for the sake of religion is necessary to serve as a source of inspiration for others. Thus Faithful remains a constant source of inspiration for the progress of journey. 3. Hopeful Hopeful is a personification of hope. He represents one of the three cardinal virtues (Faith, hope and Love) - hope that a truly religious man should acquire according to Christianity. Hopeful is introduced as a citizen of the town called vanity. Hopeful is moved by Faithful's martyrdom and hence quits the town and accompanies Christian for the rest of the journey and ultimately enters the celestial city along with Christian. After Faithful’s martyrdom and his soul been carried to heaven, Hopeful proves to be a sincere and useful companion to Christian. Thus he replaces Faithful’s place as a true substitute. He helps and guides Christian at various difficult situations with his valuable services. When Christian’s courage was failing him in the River of Death, it is again Hopeful who revived Christian’s courage with stimulating words. Hopeful’s religious discussions regarding sin, righteousness, piety, fear of god etc are very illuminating and highlighting. It is in real sense a progress towards spiritual upliftments. Essentially, Hopeful symbolizes one of the several aspects of Christian’s own mind and personality, his level of will power, his strength and confidence. Thus, Hopeful’s characterization is highly authentic in presenting reformation as gradual process towards the journey of spiritualism. 4. Evangelist Evangelist plays an important role at the very outset of the story by providing the necessary guidance to Christian, who at that time was miserable, a complete novice in religious and spiritual matters. Everyone who wishes to develop spiritually and seek to get god must look for a proper guidance, knowledge and experience. Here Evangelist is one such combination of guidance, knowledge and experience. He is a skilful guide who by a mixture of gentle speech and stern admonishment is able to guide Christian along the right path. He appears frequently and every time the pilgrim’s journey is in danger to guide them and is emotionally involved with Christian’s progress. An Evangelist is thus a representative of God or of Jesus Christ and a preacher of the word. Throughout the story, he strengthens, resolves and boosts the moral of Christian and his companions in reaching their destination. He serves as a source of inspiration for the pilgrims, guides them properly in times of danger, strengthens their will

power, delights them frequently with divine prophecy and shows profound interest in the well being and welfare of the pilgrims.

5. Mr.Worldly Wiseman Mr. Worldly Wiseman, as the name implies does a man possess worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is quite different from true wisdom. Worldly wisdom deals with the things that pertain to this world i.e. materialistic world, whereas true wisdom is concerned with the matters pertaining to the next world i.e. spiritual world. Mr. Worldly Wiseman a native of the town of Carnal Policy is one who guides the people to seek material conforts. Evangelist symbolizes – True wisdom, while Mr. Worldly Wiseman represents material wisdom. Mr. Worldly Wiseman is a kind of person who adapts himself to the secularism of the world. He urges Christian to move to the village, mortality and meet Mr. Legality and Mr. Civility to lead a happy and prosperous life. Mr. Legality stands for secular laws and Mr. Civility stands for hypocrisy. In short, Mr. Worldly Wiseman stands for worldly temptations and hence provides a satirical comment on the attractions of a merely conformist, establishment type of Christianity. Through Worldly Wiseman, Bunyan stresses the point that one cannot be religious and at the same time subscribe to Carnal Policy. In right terms, to be truly religious is to reject Carnal pleasures. 6. Mr.Talkative Christian and Faithful meet Mr. Talkative, a native of Christian’s own town, the son of Mr.Say-well. He is commonly known to his acquaintances by the name of “Mr. Talkative of Parting Row”. He has a fine tongue and can adjust himself to any kind of company and any kind of talk. He says that he is ready to talk about heavenly things and earthly tings, about moral things and evangelical things, about sacred things and profane things, about things post and things to come, about things foreign and things at home, about things more essential and things circumstantial. Mr.Talkative’s religion lies only in talk and in words. Faithful says that true religion lies not merely in words or in the tongue; it lies in deeds and in truth. Faithful further says that Mr.Talkative’s talk is ungodly and hence decides to leave his company. Faithful finally calls Mr.Talkative a shame to all genuine professors of religion. Mr.Talkative is a man without the true faith and grace of the Gospel, though he talks too much. 7. Mr. By-Ends Mr. By-Ends is one of the minor characters in the Pilgrim’s progress. His portrayal is ironical and satirical. He is a man who has absolutely no capacity. He is altogether blind to his own faults, foibles and follies. He is a materialist. His religion goes in silver a slipper that is he applies the test of money even to religion. Mr. ByEnds’ materialistic creed is further exposed by his old friends; Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-Love and Mr. Save-all whose names are significant. The names of ByEnds’ relatives like Lord Turn-about, Lord Time-server, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Two-

tongues (the priest) are a clear indication of true character of them. Briefly, Mr. ByEnds is an utterly unprincipled man. He loves money, he loves gain, and he supports religious views and practices them when he can acquire money, wealth and public recognition. He is financially rich but morally bankrupt. Finally, By-Ends and his companions perish when they try to dig into the silver mine, which is guarded by Demas. 8. Demas Demas is a man who guards the silver-mine, which is situated on the hill called Lucre. ‘Lucre’ means monetary gain. He is pictured as a tempter who offers silver to the pilgrims. His prime function is to attract the attention and invite the pilgrim’s to this silver-mine and to tempt them to dig out silver and try their luck. Demas invites Christian and Hopeful too to try their fortune but they overcome the temptation with the strong will and faith, whereas By-ends and his friends fall a prey to Demas and get perished in the mine. 9. Apollyon Apollyon represents evil. He is an agent of Devil, a foul friend. He is clothed with scales like a fish, he has wings like a dragon, he has a bear’s feet, out of his belly come fire and smoke and his mouth is like the mouth of a lion. On learning that Christian is travelling towards the celestial city, Apollyon feels naturally perturbed. Apollyon warns that no ruler can afford to lose any of his subjects and warns Christian to join his country. When Christian refuses, Apollyon launches a fierce attack upon Christian, which he overcomes with divine power. Finally Christian succeeds Apollyon. Apollyon stands for the spiritual doubts and the fact that Apollyon ultimately flies away symbolizes the end of Christian’s doubts. The victory of Christian over Apollyon is the victory of faith over the obstacles, which lie in the way of a well-meaning man who aims at salvation. 2.5 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS – A DETAILED ANALYSIS Paraphrase – part - I The plan – the similitude of a dream The Pilgrim’s Progress is exclusively a story of man’s transformation from a skeptic into a highly religious and pious man who flees from the city of Destruction to arrive at the city of bliss, namely Paradise or Heaven. The transformation takes place gradually in the form of a perilous journey. The entire happenings and events that occur in the due course of the journey take the form of a dream, which the narrator claims to have seen in his sleep. The narrator while walking through the desolate regions of this world happens to enter a den, where he lies down to sleep. Soon he dreams and this is how the story begins. “As I walked through the wilderness of the world, I lighted on a certain place where a Den was and laid me down in that place to sleep and as I slept I dreamed a dream”. The Predicaments and desperate plight of Christian The narrator, of course John Bunyan gives a fine sketch of his dream. The first sight that the dreamer sees in his sleep is that of a man clothed in rags, standing with a

book in his hand, with a heavy burden upon his back. This man is the protagonist of the story and he is called – Christian and the book in his hand is the Bible. He looks so miserable because the burden on his back i.e., his sins weighs so much for him to bear. He looks completed fragmented and disturbed as he had discovered from the book that destruction is to befall on his native city called City of Destruction. He rushes home and utters his wife and children of the great disaster. He reveals them that he had learnt from the book that his city would be burned with fire from heaven. He unable to bear the grief cries: “what shall I do?” On hearing him, his family members and his relatives suspect him to be mad and force him to sleep, expecting cure. But his condition still worsens. Evangelist’s Advice and Guidance The rest of the story is also a part of the dream, which the author, John Bunyan, sees in his sleep. Christian who is also called ‘Graceless’ is hopeless and miserable. Soon he meets a man named Evangelist who gives him a parchment roll, which contains the words: “Fly from the wrath to come” Evangelist there from urges him to walk towards the wicket – gate following the light. He also says Christian that the necessary instructions would be given to him when he reaches the gate. Thus, Christian sets out on a journey in order to escape the sad fate forsaking his wife and children. Pliable and obstinate’s company The news about Christian’s journey spreads through out the city. Some of them make fun at him, some call him mad and some utter threats to him and some others shout and warn him to return. But Christian turning deaf ears to them continues to walk. Two of his neighbours by name obstinate and Pliable follow him to try to prevent him from continuing his journey. After a brief talk between the two neighbours and Christian, the man called Pliable agrees to accompany Christian on his journey, while obstinate returns back, futile in his attempt. The slough of despond – a test for his faith On the way Christian and Pliable find themselves in the slough of Despond. Approaching it heedlessly, they both fall into a bog. Because of the burden on his back, Christian sinks lower and lower. Pliable blames Christian as responsible for such a drastic fate and realizes it as his mistake. Some how, he manages and comes out of the mire. Feeling disgusted and having lost faith, Pliable returns home ignoring Christian. Christian, still determined and confident of his wish to continue his journey, tumbles alone in the slough of Despond. Christian’s Rescue by ‘HELP’ Christian struggles hard in the bog and all his attempts turn futile due to burden on his back. Eventually, a man by the name of Help appears and rescues Christian out of the bog. The author in his dream asks Mr. Help why the particular part of the territory had not been repaired for the convenience of the travelers who wish to cross the wicket-gate. Mr. Help answers the author that inspite of several attempts made to mend, still the path remains dreadful because of the continual flow of dirt, and filth along the sin is also the reason why it is called the slough of Despond. A sinner always becomes conscious of his sinfulness sooner or later and the fears, doubts and apprehensions, which rise in his mind all collect together and

get, settle down in this slough making it more complex. Mr. Help also explains about the strong and good steps that were placed midst of the slough. These steps being submerged in the accumulated fifth prove invisible to the travelers. Christian’s meeting with Mr. Worldly Wiseman Christian continuing his journey also meets another man, Mr. Worldly Wiseman who is a native of the town called ‘Carnal Policy’. Christian tells him about the purpose of his journey and asks him if he would get rid of the burden on his back reaching wicket-gate. Mr. Worldly Wiseman now advises Christian to go to a man called Legality in the village of Morality who could help him in getting rid of his burden. He also suggests Christian that he could rent a house and call for his wife and children and lead a happy life there. Mr. Worldly Wiseman also warns Christian of the predicaments and dangers that he need to face in following the path shown by Evangelist. Christian being puzzled considers Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s advice sensible and proceeds towards Mr. Legality’s house. Moving towards that town, Christian arrives at a hill, which sends out lightening that threatens to fall on his head. The flashes of bursting fire worries him a lot and he regrets for having listened to the counsel of Mr. Worldly Wiseman. Reappearance of Evangelist and his timely help The moment he is under the spell of regression, Christian sees Evangelist coming towards him. Christian regrets for his mistake and whole-heartedly admits himself to Evangelist and pleads if his sin could be forgiven. Evangelist points out that Christian’s sin is very great. He has committed two evils one evil being that he rejected the right path and the other evil that he chooses a forbidden path. However, Evangelist guides him back to the right path and encourages him to proceed towards the wicket-gate for the man at that gate has good will for everybody. Christian at once starts and Evangelist wishes him ‘God- Speed’. In accordance with the directions given by Evangelist, Christian safely arrives at the wicket-gate and finds the following words written upon it: “Knock and it shall be opened up to you”. So he knocks at the gate and a kind man, Good will, duly opens it. Christian introduces himself and describes the purpose of his journey. Godwill happily pulls him back and saves him from the arrows of Beelzebub, a Satan and his followers who try to kill those who enter the wicket-gate. Christian expresses his gratitude and asks Good will if he could get rid of his burden. Goodwill replies Christian that he will be relieved off his burden on reaching at the place of deliverance. Good will suggests him always to keep straight path. Good will also informs Christian about the Interpreter who will be his next guide. Christian’s Entry into Interpreter’s House – a Symbol of Spiritual Enrichment Now the narrator sees in his dream, Christian entering into the next phase of his journey. Now Christian reaches the Interpreter’s House and knocks several times. Finally, Interpreter warmly welcomes him and greets him inside the house. Christian is taken on a sightseeing tour round a storehouse of symbolic pictures. Christian feels regressed by these pictures, which add greatly to his spiritual knowledge. Interpreter also takes Christian to a chamber where two little children Passion and Patients are sitting. These two children are representative figures. Passion represents the men of this world and Patience represents the man of the world, which is to come.

Passion is jubilant and wants everything in the present, whereas Patience is calm, peaceful and looks for eternal happiness. Thus Christian learns the lesson that it is not best to want for things to come and the things that are seen are temporal, whereas the things that are not seen are eternal. Then, Interpreter shows Christian the strong will of a man who enters into the beautiful palace fighting courageously with the armed men at the gate. On witnessing all this, Christian smiles and says that he could understand the meaning of every picture and incident. The Interpreter advises Christian to keep courage and spirit in the course of his journey and lets him to proceed his journey. Christian’s sin forgiven and Relief from the Heavy burden on his back Christian is more refreshed by spiritual knowledge, and reaches a highway which is fenced on both sides with a wall; it is called “Salvation”. There he happens to see a cross and below it there is a sepulcher. Surprisingly, the burden on his back falls off and rolls down to the tomb. Christian is amazed and extremely happy for he is relieved of the painful burden and is forgiven off his sins. He leaps out in boundless joy. He also witnesses three Angles in divine light. One of them declares him free of his sins, the second bestows him with new graceful clothes and the third grants him a parchment roll, which is to be his passport to the celestial city. Christian’s Meeting with Simple, Sloth and Presumption – A sing of laziness and unwillingness The author in his dream now sees Christian entering a valley. There he sees three men lying sleep with fetters on their feet. They are simple, sloth, and presumption. Christian tries his best to awaken them, but they continue to sleep. Christian proceeds his journey. Christian’s Experience with ‘Formalist and Hypocrisy’ at Hill Difficulty On his way, now Christian meets two other men, namely Formalist and Hypocrisy. These two men have not come in by the gate, but have taken a short cut over the wall. They call it customary and they are from the land of Vain Glory. Now the entire three walk together till they reach the Hill called Difficulty. At the foot of the hill, there are two ways, one way leading towards the left and the other towards right which is selected by the two men, while Christian begins to walk up the hill along the straight way. The other two ways selected by the two men are referred by the name as the way of Danger and the way of Destruction, which stumbles them. But, Christian continues his walk and reaches arbour, where he sits down to rest and soon falls asleep. In his sleepy state the parchment roll drops from his hand. Soon, awaking from his sleep, he proceeds his journey. He happens to meet two men namely, Mistrust and Timorous. These two tell him that they had seen lions on the way and hence they had turned back. For a moment Christian wavers back and soon remembers of his parchment roll. He regains confidence and goes back to recover his roll and then proceeds on his way. Now Christian too sees lions, But they are chained. The lions are guarding the entrance of the House Beautiful. Christian is not scared by the lions because of his unshakable faith. Christian is received by the porter named Watchful and is admitted into the House Beautiful.

Pleasant Hospitality at House Beautiful The House beautiful is a place of recreation and instruction. Here the porter, Watchful introduces Christian to a beautiful damsel called ‘Discretion’. Discretion learns about the purpose of Christian’s journey and introduces him to three other girls namely, ‘Prudence’, ‘Piety’ and ‘Charity’. Eventually, Christian is taken into the house and is introduced to other members who say him: “Come in the blessed of the Lord. This house was built by the Lord of the hill in order to provide shelter to pilgrims like you”. Realization of ‘Peace’ & a Glimpse of the Delectable Mountain The hosts at the House Beautiful arrange a delicious supper, they all sit together to eat. After the meals they all commit themselves to lord for the protection. Finally, they take Christian to a chamber called ‘Peace’ and here Christian sleeps till the daybreak. At the dawn, they urge Christian to stay for one more day. He too agrees. The next morning, the hosts take him to the top of the house and ask him to behold southwards. There Christian enjoys at a distance, a most pleasant mountainous country, beautified with woods, vineyards, fruits, flowers, springs and fountain, all very delectable to see. The name of the country is Immanuel’s Land. They inform Christian that he would be able to see the gate of celestial city, reaching the Detectable Mountain. News about Faithful and Christian’s Departure The writer, in his dream, sees that the hosts next take Christian to the armoury. They equip him from head to foot with weapons of defense to enhance him fight easily the dangers, which he is to meet on his way. Watchful informs Christian about another pilgrim by name ‘Faithful’ who is ahead in his journey towards the celestial city. The damsels, Discretion, Prudence, Piety and Charity accompany him in descending the hill. They give him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine and a cluster of raisins and instruct him to be careful of the valley of Humiliation. Christian thankfully bids farewell to them and proceed his journey. Christian’s Combat with Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation The narrator dreams of Christian walking now in a valley of Humiliation on his way, Christian meets a dreadful monster, Apollyon. He looks fearful with scales over his body like a fish and wings like a dragon, feet like a bear and mouth like a lion with a contemptuous look Apollyon declares himself as the king of the Earth. He warns and threatens Christian to transfer his loyalty from God to Satan for which Christian disagrees. This leads to a pitched battle between Christian and Apollyon, the fiend Christian with the grace of the God and with the help of the armour gifted to him by the damsels in the House Beautiful fights bravely and courageously like a constant knight and ultimately wins the battle. Unable to withstand the divine power, Apollyon spreads forth his dragon’s wings and flees away. A mysterious hand brings forth the leaves of the Tree of Life, which heels all the wounds of Christian instantaneously. Christian now refreshes and resumes his journey. Christian’s Experience through the Valley of Shadow of Death Christian now enters another Valley called the valley of Shadow of Death. This is a long, dark, dreadful and desolate place, which is full of dreary sounds and

cries and lamentation of souls. Christian with a throbbing heart walks through the valley. He meets two persons who warn to be cautious of the dangers. They also advise Christian to go back as the path is not feasible to continue. But, Christian with strong will and faith continues to walk. The path is very dark and narrow with bottomless ditch and plenty of quagmires. Christian with at most care crosses them. He reaches a place where flames of fire and smoke come out from mouth of hell. Hideous noise, woeful cries and sorrowful voices all chase him. Christian with weapon called ‘All –Prayer ‘overcomes all dangers successfully. The moments of horror and unwavering firmness of Christian’s faith is emphasized by his words; “Through I walk through the valley of Shadow of Death, I will fear none because Thou art with me”. He walks and keeps his path right throughout the night. At dawn, he arrives at the second part of the valley, which bristles with snares, traps, nets and pitfalls. Fortunately he has light to guide him and he continues his journey overcoming all hazards. Emerging from the valley, Christian passes by a cave guarded by the giants called Pope and Pagan. These two are actually ancient enemies of mankind. But they are too feeble and weak and Christian crosses them without any trouble. Faithful’s Company and a gist of his Journey Experiences Christian proceeding further meets another pilgrim, Faithful who is also his neighbour at the City of Destruction. The two Pilgrims compare their experiences of their journey as they travel together. Faithful’s progress is parallel to that of Christian, except for few variations. Faithful gives an account, of his escapes from Madam Wanton’s goodly looks who promised him all the worldly pleasures of joys of flesh. Faithful further narrates of his meeting with Adam, the First parent at the Hill of Difficulty. He also mentions about his three daughters, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the eyes and the Pride of Life Adam offers him good wages, a daughter on marriage and enjoyments of life, but Faithful is strong enough to overcome all temptations. Faithful receives very harsh rebuke from Moses, but Christ comes to aid him. Faithful does not stay at House Beautiful and in the valley of Humiliation, unlike Christian, he fights with Discontent. Thus Faithful gives a clear description of his journey to Christian as they walk. Meeting with Talkative Christian and faithful now meet a man called Talkative who knows only to talk. They discuss on many topics. Faithful is more inclined and points the contrast with Talkative’s mechanical complacency. Saying and doing are two different things and the soul of religion is the practical part. Grace only discovers itself by a hunger after righteousness. True knowledge is attained with endeavor. Soon, Christian and Faithful depart from Talkative and proceed their journey. Another appearance of Evangelist and his guidance Evangelist now meets Christian and Faithful again. He congratulates them for their tremendous will power and progress. He also urges them to be careful of the oddities of the Town of Vanity. He foretells them of the possible probability of martyrdom of one or both of them in the vanity Town. In such case, their soul will be directly taken to heaven. Saying so Evangelist leaves them wishing them great success in their quest for the Eternal city

Vanity Fair – a symbol of Worldly Pleasures and Falsehood Christian and Faithful enter the town called Vanity. In this town, a fair is constantly held. It is established by Apollyon, Beelzebub and Legion - the three wicked monsters, to tempt the Pilgrims by exposing them to all worldly luxuries. In the Catalogue of the commodities available and sold at the fair are lands, trades, honours, titles, kingdoms, countries, whores, bawds, wives, husbands, children, masters, servants and soon. The shopkeepers press them to buy something. Christian and Faithfull desire to buy nothing but truth. Due to their unusual demand, they are imprisoned. Finally, the natives of town bring them before a jury consisting of Mr. Blind-Mind, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love and Mr. Implacable. The result of the jury is that Faithful is condemned to death, while Christian is sent back to prison. A group of heavenly beings appear and lift Faithful’s body in to a chariot and carry it to the gate of the celestial city. Meanwhile, Christian somehow manages to escape the custody of his enemies along with a man called ‘Hopeful’. 2.6 SUMMARY The Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory because the characters in the story are personifications of human vices, human failings and human virtues. Almost every incident in the story has its own moral significance. ‘The pilgrimage’ is the obvious simile for the course of human life from birth to eternity, especially in conjunction with the ideas of original sin, salvation by grace and eternal bliss or damnation as the final destiny of all men. The Pilgrim’s Progress opens in a most dramatic manner. The protagonist, Christian, who is also known as Graceless, runs away from his native place, the city of destruction. The knowledge about the fore coming destruction of his native city, which he has learnt from the Book, gives him great pain; he has a heavy burden on his back. He plans to run away from his city, forsaking his wife and children in quest of the ‘life eternal’. A preacher by name Evangelist guides him the proper way to reach the ‘Celestial City’. Pliable and obstinate, his neighbours try to get him back. Pliable after accompanying him a little while returns home leaving Christian alone. After surviving the slough of despond and many other difficulties, Christian is allowed to enter the wicket-gate. Then in due course of his journey, he crosses the Hill of difficult and reaches the House of Interpreter, who shows him a series of emblematic pictures from which he draws several useful lessons for his journey. Soon he reaches the cross and the burden on his back, drops off. He feels very surprised to find that the very sight of the cross has relieved him of his burden. Three shining ones salute him and wish him: “Peace be to thee. May thy sins be forgiven”. Christian is now dressed with a fresh, divine, holy robe and is also given a parchment roll as a sort of identity card. Resuming his journey, Christian soon meets Simple, Sloth and Presumption whose feet are in fetters. They lay fast asleep and Christian tries to awaken them. But they pay no heed to him. They represent laziness and unwillingness. Christian next arrives at the palace beautiful. This place symbolizes the congregation of holy men who gather at regular interval to discuss their religion duties. Here he meets, three damsels, ‘Prudence’, ‘Piety’ and ‘Charity’. Here Christian is given a sword and armour. It is the sword of spirit, which helps him

successfully fight all the dangers in his path. The sword and the armour transform Christian into a knight-cum-saint. They enable him fight courageously with Apollyon whom he defeats and drives away. Thus Christian successfully passes through the valley of humiliation and the shadow of Death. A man called faithful joins him and on arriving in the town of vanity, they are both taken into custody for having flouted of worldly goods and allurements available at Vanity Fair. They face the jury and Faithful is sentenced to death for the charge of life in the Vanity Town. However, at the very time that he is executed, his soul is carried in chariot to the Heaven by the shining ones. Another man called Hopeful who has felt inspired by Faithful’s martyrdom, decided to cast his lot with Christian in his journey. The Pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful now get entangled into another danger and are captured by giant despair and are imprisoned in doubting castle. However, they manage to escape with a key called ‘Promise’. Next they proceed their journey and reach the most pleasant ‘Detectable Mountain’ where they are greeted by the shepherds - Experience, watchful, sincere etc. They show the pilgrims many wonderful sights including a glimpse of the distant celestial city. Finally the two pilgrims reach the River of Death after crossing it they arrive at the gate of the Celestial city. They are received with music and a divine resplendent garment adorns them. Escorted by the shining ones, the two pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful enter into the celestial city, which is the abode of God, of angles and the spirits of the saints. On the whole the whole, work is studded with many exciting and interesting actions. The mode adopted by John Bunyan is narrative, but there is also plenty of conversation in the course of the journey, which adds more colour to the work. Throughout the work, Christian has long and useful conversation with other characters like Hopeful, Faithful Mr. Worldly Wiseman etc. which stand as a test for his confidence and will power towards spiritual quest. The first part of pilgrim’s progress ends with Mr. Ignorance being taken to hell for having wrong notions and having expressed misleading and false views regarding religion and for having chosen wrong path. 2.7TERMINAL QUESTIONS

SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OR TWO SENTENCES: 1. Who guided Christian? And where was he directed? 2. Name two neighbours who joined Christian? 3. Who accompanied Christian in his journey? 4. Who misguided Christian? Where he was falsely diverted? 5. Give the name of two children whom Christian met in the Interpreter’s house? 6. Name the three men, who were in fetters?

7. Name the damsels whom Christian met? 8. Name the valleys, which Christian crossed in due course of his journey? 9. Who was Apollyon? 10. Name the members in the Jury.

SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Bring out the allegorical significance of the episode of Vanity Fair. 2. Describe the allegorical significance of Giant despair and of doubting castle. 3. Give a sketch of John Bunyan’s style in Pilgrim’s progress. 4. Describe the main events in the life of Faithful. 5. Describe briefly Christian’s experience in the slough of despond. 6. Bring out the symbolic significance of character of Mr. Ignorance SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. . Trace the allegory in the Pilgrims progress. 2. . What is the symbolic value of Christian’s encounter with Apollyon? 3. . Give an account of Christian’s spiritual progress as described in the Pilgrims progress. 4. . Write a character sketch of Christian. 5. . Make a character study of Hopeful and his company to Christian.

CHAPTER – III THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS – JOHN BUNYAN 3.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter deals with the salient features of The Pilgrim’s Progress and also highlights the comments of various critics. The literary criticism on John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress and the key words are listed for the better understanding of the work. 3.2 A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT – PARAPHRASE – PART - II A Meeting with By-Ends Christian and Hopeful, on their way, meet a man whose name is By-Ends and who comes from the town of Fair-Speech. Christian and Hopeful learn that By-Ends are very cunning and ambitious man. Religion goes in his silver slippers and he easily moulds in accordance with worldly need and requirements. Realizing his cunning nature soon, Hopeful and Christian walk ahead avoiding his company. Later on looking back, they observe that By -Ends has been joined by Mr. Hold –the world, Mr. Money –Love and Mr. Save-all. All these men believe in making hay while the Sun Shines. A Silver –Mine on a Hill Called ‘Lucre’ – another temptation The two Pilgrims now enter a pleasant plain called ‘Ease’. Soon they reach a Silver-Mine on a hill called Lucre, which is graded by Demas. Demas invite them to dig their fortune in the mine and enrich themselves with silver. But Christian and Hopeful pay no heed to his words. Thus they successfully resists to the temptation of Demas and progress on their way. But, By-Ends and his companions fall a prey to Demas’ tricky trap and perish in the Silver-Mine. Christian and Hopeful soon arrive at a place where they see a strange monument. It is a Pillar of Salt. They learn the precepts by caution from the pillar of salt into which Lot’s wife was transformed because of her sins. Discussing the fate of Lot’s wife and her sin, they leave the place, proceeding further.

The River of Life – gesture of hope and bliss The two Pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful enter a pleasant land. They arrive at the bank of a pleasant river called, The River of Life. They refresh themselves from the water from the river, which quenches their thirst. They also taste the delicious fruits from the trees in the bank of the river. The crystal clear water, cool-breeze, sweet aroma of lilies, the green – meadow, all please their tried body and mind. They rest and sleep there and then they resume their journey. Vain Confidence – a sign of misguidance The two Pilgrims find the path very difficult. However they manage to walk. On their way now they meet a man called Vain- Confidence who guides them to take ‘By-Path’ meadow. Vain – Confidence falls in a pit and disappears. The two Pilgrims now stand in darkness. A furious storm follows and it starts to rain heavily. They, in despair at last seek a shelter and soon fall asleep. Doubting Castle and Giant Despair -A Sign of Torment and Trouble The Pilgrims wake up in the morning and find themselves under the grip and custody of a giant called Despair. He accuses them of trespassing on his territory. He confirms them to a dungeon in a castle known as Doubting Castle. The giant under the instigation of his wife, Diffidence beats them with his cudgel and urge them to kill themselves. The Pilgrims stay as the prisoners in the dungeon from Wednesday morning till Saturday night. At one occasion, the giant plans to kill them, but luckily the periodic fits that struck the giant save them. Christian soon remembers of the key called ‘Promise’ that he has in his bosom, which can open any lock. Soon they try to open the lock. They succeed but hearing the noise, the giant, tries to capture them. Again the periodic fits strikes the giant and taking advantage of it, the Pilgrims escape out of the prison. Pleasant Stay with Shepherds at Delectable Mountain – A Positive Gesture. The author in his Dream sees Christian and Hopeful walking in a delightful pastoral landscape. Now, they reach the most awaited Delectable Mountain, Which is also called Emmanuel’s Land They reach the top of the mountain and refresh themselves with delicious fruits. They meet the native shepherds by name Knowledge, Experience, Watchful and Sincere. The shepherds greet them with love and care. The Pilgrims stay there for few days. The shepherds also take the pilgrims to the hill called ‘Clear’ from where they see a glimpse of the celestial city through a perspective glass. But Christian and Hopeful see only a hazy view of the gate of the city. Eventually, they depart to progress their journey. One of the shepherds gives them a map to show them the right path and another warns them to be aware about Mr. Flatterer and the third shepherd suggests them not to sleep on the Enchanted Ground and the fourth shepherd wishes those good – speed and good luck. The Company of Ignorance In his dream, the author seas the two Pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful getting down the Delectable Mountain and walking towards the Celestial city. At this juncture, the Pilgrims meet a brisk lad named Ignorance, who belongs to the country of Deceit. Ignorance is wise in his own conceit and he suggests the Pilgrims to follow the religion of his country. Christian and Hopeful could not agree with him and so they walk ahead.

The Tale of Little –Faith Now, on the way, the two Pilgrims meet a man called “Turn – away” He is a native of the Town of Apostasy. This man has been misled by seven devils. Learning Turn – Away’s story, Christian recalls the story of Little – Faith who had been robbed by Faint – Heart, Mistrust and Guide when he was travelling from the Town of Sincere to the Celestial City. Because of this, Little – Faith had been forced to beg the means of living till the very end of his journey. Christian even compares the actions of the Biblical character ‘Esau’ with the actions of Little – Faith. Mr. Flatterer’s flattery and other Dangers Soon, the two pilgrims meet a man in white robes. He introduces himself as Mr. Flatterer and says that he is on his way to the Celestial City. The two Pilgrims follows him but to their dismay, the Flatterer led them not to the Celestial City but entangle them into a net. Now they realize their mistake of ignoring the warning given by the shepherds. Soon, they see a Shining One approaching them with a whip, which frees them from the entangled net. He blames and whips them for following the false guides and declares them; “As many as I love, I rebuke of chasten; be Zealous, therefore and repent” The two Pilgrims, now proceed their journey. They also meet a man called Atheist, but luckily they ignore him and walk further. Soon they enter the Enchanted Ground. The very air of the place casts a spell of drowsiness and they fell like sleeping. But the warning given by the shepherds makes them not to yield to the temptation. They discuss on various topics on welfare of the Soul and God to keep them in good Spirits. The country of Beulah – a vision of the divine city Now, the two Pilgrims enjoy the bliss of entering into the divine country of Beulah. The pleasant sweet air, the melody of singing birds, the colorful flowers, delicious fruits, and the resplendent beams of sun-all cherish their heart with extreme happiness. This country is situated upon the borders of Heaven and the common inhabitants are Angles and the Shining Ones. The two Pilgrims in a rapturous mood, further reach a garden, which has been planted by the king for the delight and comfort of the Pilgrims. They refresh themselves with the juicy fruits from the orchards and walk ahead. The River of Death of - Christian’s Ordeal Christian and Hopeful now find themselves very close to the gates of the Celestial City. They find a river called The River of Death. Soon a Shining One appears and instructs them; “You will find the river deeper or Shallower, according to the depth or shallowness of your belief in the king of our city”. The two Pilgrims gaining confidence enter into the river Hopeful with strong faith easily feels of bottom of the river. But Christian due to great fear sees utter darkness around him. He senses great horror and begins to drown. With the comforts given by Hopeful, soon he manages and recovers and finds himself on the other side of the river. He realizes the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ who has saved him from death. The Perpetual Glory of the Paradise On the bank of River, Christian and Hopeful are greeted by the Shining Ones. They salute the Pilgrims and introduce themselves as the ministering sprits sent forth

to serve those who seek salvation. Escorted by the Shining Ones, the Pilgrims walk towards the gate, which stood majestically upon the mount Zion. The Pilgrims now start to climb hill with great agility and speed. As they walk, they listen to the glory of the celestial city, which the Shining Ones narrate. They describe them the bounty grace and mercy of the king of the heavenly Jerusalem, who is served by countless angles. They also give a fine picture of the true of life of its significance. The Shining Ones further say to the Pilgrims: “When you enter the Paradise, you shall have white robes to wear. There you shall walk and talk everyday with the king. There you shall not see the things, which you used to see upon the earth. There you shall not witness any sorrow, sickness, and affliction of death. You are now going to Abraham, to Issac to Jacob, and to the Prophets” The Pilgrims ask them “what must we do in the holy place?” They reply “You must there receive the comfort for all your toil, and receive joy for all your sorrow. You must reap what you have sown, and you must receive the fruit of all your prayers.” A Red Carpet Welcome by the Angles - A Sign of Eternal Peace Now the Pilgrims reach very nearer to the gate of the celestial city. A crowd of angles receives them with the king’s trumpeters saluting them and greeting them by blowing the trumpets. The Pilgrims feel the joy of butterflies fluttering at their heart. As they enter the gates, they read these words written on the gate in the golden letters: “Blessed are they that do His commandments, so that you may have a right to the Tree of Life, and may enter through the gate into the city”. As they enter the gate, they handover the roll and the gate opens for them. As they enter, they are now transfigured and clothed in golden garments. Now the author, in his dream, hears the ringing of the bells in the city to give a joyful welcome to the Pilgrims. The narrator also hears the men singing: “Blessing, honour, glory and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the lamb, for ever and ever” The narrator in his dream enjoys a view of the golden city, the men with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands and golden harps to sing praises. And finally the gates get shut. The Fate of Ignorance Now, the narrator looks the other side and finds Ignorance coming up to the riverside. However, he is not allowed to advance towards the gate of the celestial city as he has no proper certificates or the Roll and ultimately he is directed to Hell. Finally the narrator wakes up and realizes that he had been dreaming all the time. 3.3 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS – A CRITIQUE The Plot A plot is an essential ingredient to a novel and the Pilgrim’s Progress too has a well-knit plot. According to Aristotle’s terminology, a plot must have a beginning, middle and an end. The Pilgrim’s Progress very aptly abides by the concept of Aristotle. The start of Christian’s voyage represents the beginning of the plot, the hindrances and the obstacles, which he experiences, the temptations and dangers

which he overcomes, and the encouragements and guidance, which he receives on the way-mark the middle of the plot; and his arrival at his destination, which is the celestial city marks the end. Thus the plot is well planned and well knit. Form and Structure The pilgrim’s progress has a fine structure. Though it is studded with plenty of characters and deals with various situations the unity is perfectly maintained. The story is by no means intricate and the narration follows a straight line. The central theme is the conflict between the spirit and the flesh and the ultimate victory of the spirit. The theme and the subject are well established following a smooth plain path. Dramatic situations A dramatic situation is one which excites the readers, stimulating their interest in the story. The pilgrim’s progress is well constructed with large number of dramatic situations to provoke the zeal of the readers. Christian’s encounter in the slough of despond, the timely rescue by Help, Christian’s relief from his burden, his battle with Apollyon, the encounter with Giant despair, imprisonment in doubting castle, the ordeal at the river of Death etc are some of the dramatic situations which are sensational. These are all reminiscent of the medieval romances where the knighterrant faced many dangers which they overcome. Suspense The Pilgrim’s Progress is a novel with a lot of suspense which is one of the reasons for its wide popularity. The twists and turns, and shocks and knocks provoke the interest of the readers. Christian’s combat with Apollyon, his journey through the valley of the shadow of Death, the wilderness, the darkness, the snares, nets, traps, pitfall, Christian’s imprisonments in the doubting castle, his torments and pains all impart to the work the character of a novel of adventure. The element of humour The Pilgrim’s Progress is a religious work, serious in tone. The solemnity is relieved by frequent touches of humour. The portrayal of characters like Mr.Talkative, Mr. Money-Love and his friends are highly ironical and satirical. The conversations of such characters are amusing. The absurdities of such characters provoke laughter. The very names given to the judge and the jury functioning in the town of vanity like Mr.Blindman, Mr. No-good, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, and Mr. Live-loose are quite amusing and funful. The behaviour and evidence of prosecution witnesses like Mr.Pickthanks and the manner in which the jury give their verdict is highly humorous and comical. Pathos Pathos is another inevitable element in The Pilgrim’s Progress. The journey is presented as a continuous conflict between the good and evil, between the right and wrong, where the protagonist, Christian suffers a lot. The plight and miserable state of Christian right from the story arouses sympathy. The mental suffering which he experiences at the valley of shadow of the death, the physical pain which he

experiences when fighting with Apollyon in the valley of Humiliations are some samples of his desperate state. But Christian with will-power and with faith succeeds in reaching his destination. Realistic and romantic elements The Pilgrim’s Progress is a happy amalgam of realism and fantasy. The work has a fanciful incident, at the same time, the books give a truly realistic pictures of human life and human beings. The fanciful events are mostly derived by Bunyan from the ‘Romances’ and the realistic elements are mostly based on the life style of Bunyan’s period and are based on Bunyan’s personal experiences. Apollyon, the invisible fiend in the valley of Humiliations, the dragons, Monsters in the valley of the shadow of death, the encounter with Giant despair and several other incidents and characters belong to the astounding world of fantasy. Hopeful’s portrayal and his conversion from a sinner to a pious man, Mr. ByEnds evasive answers, the high way robbery, the pilgrim’s experience at the vanity fair, the trial of Faithful and Christian all add an air of realism to the story. Thus the action in the story is mingled with reflection, discourse, and discussion. The religious theme (Calvinistic Belief) The moral of the whole story is that by means of Faith, Hope and firm Determination, a man can attain the salvation of his soul. In the process of doing so, he has to overcome his spiritual doubts, he has to overcome the temptations and desires, and he has to conquer all Carnal desires. Furthermore he must gain the grace of God and should be one of the ‘Elect’ of God for salvation. This is completely based on Calvinistic theology propounded by a scholar by name, John Calvin. The leading principles of Calvinistic theology are a belief in the sovereignty of his soul only if God has chosen him as one of the elect, a belief that God is seen in Jesus Christ who possessed all the attributes of God such as God’s love, compassion and patience. Both Christian and Hopeful in the story realize this theological principle and do everything in the spirit of this belief. Another subsidiary theme is the moral superiority of the poor over the rich. The most striking example of which is the triumph of the ‘man in rags’ overall obstacles and impediments. 3.4 LITERARY CRITICISM 1. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” – an Admirable and wonderful book. This wonderful work is one of the very few books which may be read over repeatedly at different times, and each time with a new and a different pleasure. I read it once as a theologian – and let me assure you that there is great theological acumen in the work – once with devotional feelings – and once as a poet. I could not have believed before and that Calvinism could be painted in such exquisitely delightful colours. I know of no books, the Bible accepted, as above all comparison, which I, according to my judgment and experience, could so safely recommend as teaching and enforcing the whole saving truth according to the mind that was in Christ Jesus,

as in The Pilgrim’s progress. It is, in my conviction incomparably the best Summa Theological Evangelical ever produced by a writer not miraculously inspired. - S.T.Coleridge 2. In the wildest part of Scotland, The Pilgrim’s Progress is the delight of the peasantry. In every nursery The Pilgrim’s Progress is a greater favourite than Jack the Giant-Killer. Every reader knows the straight and narrow path as well as he knows a road in which he has gone backward and forward a hundred times. This is the highest miracle of genius that things, which are not, should be as though they were, that the imaginations of one mind should become the personal recollections of another. - Thomas Babington Macaulay. 3. The Pilgrim’s who complete the journey from destruction to fulfillment do so out of “the love, that they bear to the king of this place, and they continue in the way only because, like Christian, they prefer the person, company, and servants of Christ to the enticements of Apollyon. No other motivation is ultimately sufficient to sustain the pilgrims in the completion of so difficult a way. Each who perseveres does so in order that, as young Samuel puts it, “I may see God, and serve him without weariness; that I may see Christ and love him everlastingly; that I may have the fullness of the Holy spirit in me, that I can by no means here enjoy”. Heaven is sought not because it is a palace and state most blessed”, but because God is the centre of heaven, and it is only for that reason that heaven is the palace and state most blessed. - R.M.Frye 4. The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) takes the archetypal theme of man’s life as a journey and treats of Christian’s Journey from the city of Destruction to Salvation and Heaven with raciness and colour; and though there are moments when Bunyan strays out of familiar landscapes and personalities to indulge in too abstract or unrealized descriptions, for the most part he draws on the life and the people he knows and the narrative has concreteness of detail and even on occasions, humour. - David Daiches 3.5 KEY WORDS ALLEGORY An Allegory is a narrative in which the agents and action and sometimes the setting as well, are contrived not only to make sense in themselves, but also to signify a second, correlated order of persons, things, concepts, or events. 3.6 SUMMARY John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ a fine allegory describes a pilgrimage undertaken by a man called Christian. The journey also narrates the mishaps and dangers which befall the protagonist in due course of his progress towards the celestial city. The story can be pondered in two levels. On the surface level, it can be

treated as an adventurous fairy tale, while on the deeper level, the journey represents a religious man’s effort to seek spiritual progress and wish to get united with God. 3.7 TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Name the native town of By – Ends. 2. Name the three companions who joined By – Ends. 3. Where was the silver mine and who guarded it? 4. What is “Pillar of salt’? 5. Who imprisoned the Pilgrims? 6. Name some shepherds whom Christian and Hopeful met at Delectable Mountain. 7. Who did rob Little-Faith? 8. Name the divine country that the pilgrims entered. 9. Name the river that Christian and Hopeful had to cross. 10. Where was Ignorance sent? Why? SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1.

Write about Christian’s meeting with Wordy Wiseman.

2. Write brief note on:

1) Pliable

2) Obstinate

3) Evangelist 4) Demas. 3. Give an account of Christian’s entry into the House of the Interpreter. 4. Bring out the significant literary qualities of Bunyan’s narration and style in the Pilgrim’s progress. 5. Write about the spiritual landscapes that appear in The Pilgrim’s Progress. SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Write a short essay on the handling of romantic, realistic and Calvinistic elements in The Pilgrim’s Progress. 2. Attempt an essay on the thematic analysis of The Pilgrim’s Progress.

3. Write about Bunyan’s mastery in handling of autobiographical elements in the pilgrim’s progress. 4. Write a brief account of Christian’s spiritual progress as described in the pilgrim’s progress.

3.8 SUGGESTED READINGS 1. The Pilgrim’s Progress -

Ed. Sharrock

-

Macmillan Publication

2. John Bunyan, His Life, Times and Work - John Brown 3. John Bunyan and His Church 4. John Bunyan, the Man and His works

-Christopher Hill - Henri. A.Talon

CHAPTER – IV EMMA -JANE AUSTEN

4.1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this chapter is to reflect over the life and social background of Jane Austen. It is designed to study how Jane Austen began her career as a novelist and what made her to get into the field of literature. 4.2 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND OF THE AGE Jane Austen’s short life took place in the reign of George III and had several important events and changes as its background like the early growth of industrialism, the transitional period between the 18th and the 19th century. In 1776 the States of America declared their independence and the French Revolution began in 1789 and from 1793 to 1815 England was involved in wars with France. It was the time of Nelson and Wellington and Waterloo and a consequent increase in importance of the army and the navy. These events are reflected in the novel to the extent that they must have been reflected in the lives of the people Jane Austen knew. They are not obtrusive but present in the social changes they brought about. As a result, the militia and their camps have their part in the plots. Particularly in the later novels, the navy is a means of improvement for men who are not rich and who can enrich themselves by promotion and prizes taken place in the battle ‘persuasion’. The importance of the colonies as a source of income is reflected both in ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Mansfield Park’. There is a passing note of the slave trade referred in ‘Emma’. Her life, her quality of mind and her reading influenced her writings. The early 18th century rational attitude of not approving the uncontrollable emotions and the transition to the Romantic Revival and the conflict between the two attitudes of mind (Sense and Sensibility) found a place in her novels. The prominent elements of romanticism Romanticism, generally speaking, is the expression in term of art of sharpened sensibilities and heightened imaginative feelings. Emotion and imagination are the bedrock of romanticism. Without flights of imaginative sensibility, it is easy to obtain anything else except romanticism. More over, a romantic poet takes the readers to far off places in the middle ages and introduces the readers to a world of strangeness and beauty. It is the combination of strangeness linked with beauty that the readers enjoy the essence of the romantic spirit. Pater considered the romantic character in art as consisting in “the addition of strangeness to beauty.” “The desire of beauty,” continues Pater, “being a fixed element in every artistic organization, it is the addition of curiosity to this desire of beauty that constitutes the romantic temper.” Thus the two prominent elements of romanticism are curiosity and beauty. They are integral factors in romanticism, i.e., the one intellectual, the other emotional. Romanticism stands of freedom and liberty, and has therefore been designated as ‘Liberalism in literature.’ It stands for freedom from all kinds of bondage of rules and regulations, and leaves its pursers in free delights. Jane Austen belonged to the period of Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Scott and so. This is the most fertile period of our literature, termed as ‘The Return to Nature’; or The age of Romanticism. The writers are explored anew, and are drawn upon by

the genius of Keats, Shelley and many more. Modern times are analyzed and dissected in the work of the novelists, the satires of Byron, and the production of the miscellaneous writers. This is indeed the return to nature, for all nature is scrutinized and summed up afresh. 4.3 INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR Jane Austen, the daughter of a Hampshire clergyman, was born on Dec 16, 1775 at Steventon in South – Central England. She was the seventh of eight children, six boys and two girls. The two sisters loved each other intensely. Her mother said that ‘if Cassandra were going to have her head cut off, Jane would insist on sharing her fate.’ Jane’s only one sister, Cassandra was her close companion and friend. As her father was a country clergyman, Jane Austen had a contact with the limited world of rustics. In a letter of her adulthood she said that “Such a spot is the delight of my life; three or four families in a country village is the very thing to work on.” In fact, she depicted her observance and experience with the people throughout her novels. Jane Austen loved the life around her. But she also saw the imperfections of life along with its perfections. Of course, she was aware of worldly happenings: the distant thunder of the American and French revolutions, the rise of Napoleon, the industrial revolution, the British maritime mutinies, the overdone peculiarities of Gothic and sentimental novels, the new emotional quality of romanticism. But most of these continuous historic changes did not come even as close as the blank margin of her pages. Instead, she concentrated upon eternal mixed qualities of humanity and of human relationships. She is personified in the provincial society. Jane Austen was educated at home. As the Austens were a novel reading family, Jane Austen began her literary career at the age of fifteen. She had read widely in certain field and reading played a substantial part in the life at Steventon Vicarage. Jane Austen had also the traditional accomplishments of the female of her day – She sang, played the piano, and drew. Dancing was an important amusement in most of her novels. Perhaps she is an Italian, Jane also read French. On her father’s retirement in 1801 the family moved to Bath, a city that frequently appears in her fiction, but returned to Hampshire after his death in 1805. With her mother and sister, Jane Austen lived first in Southampton and then in Chawton, near Alton. She remained there as a spinster until she died in Winchester at the age of 41, 1817 and buried in the Cathedral. 4.4 HER CHARACTERISTICS The attainment of self-knowledge on the part of the central figures is always Jane Austen’s theme. The secret of her power lies in the complete mastery over her material as an artist. She has her own interpretation of life to be the source of her novels. One of the greatest qualities of a novelist is his/her power to create living characters, and Jane Austen possessed this quality. She gives only those aspects of life which a woman is supposed to know, and which she knew at first hand. She does away with romantic adventures, reveries or death – scenes, for they would have interfered with her comic vision. Similarly, she recognizes the presence of evil in the world and tolerates it.

Jane Austen’s novels have an exactness of a structure and symmetry of form, which are to be found more often in French literature than in English. She surveyed her creatures with too detached an irony. She does not sentimentalize love and glorify it like earlier novelists, but her conception of a genuine union is loftier one than theirs. She is a practical idealist. Jane Austen was one of the highly sophisticated artists in fiction. In the opinion of W.L. Cross, “She is one of the sincerest examples in our literature of art for art’s sake.” She wrote her novels with care and constantly revising pattern. “She was a serious and conscious writer, absorbed in her art, wrestling with its problems. Casting and re-casting her material, transferring her novels form letter to narrative form, storing her subject matter with meticulous economy, she had the great artist’s concern with form and presentation, viewed Arnold Kettle. She has been considered as a writer of the ‘Pure novel’ and this remark is brought out by Robert Liddell on Miss Compton Burnett says, “She is writing the pure novel, ‘as Jane Austen did’, concentrating upon human beings and their mutual reactions.” It is particularly noticeable in the case of Jane Austen who is hailed as a novelist too. As a master of her craft she outshined all contemporary novelists. Jane Austen is a satirist as well as a moralist too. In “Sense and Sensibility” she satirizes the sentimentality in the character of Marianne. In the character of John Dashwood, she satirizes henpecked husbands and in the character of his wife she finds nothing but contempt for her selfishness. Her satire is directed against the Gothic Romance and the zest for stormy passions. She adds the love for morality along with the satire. Obviously, Morality reflects in her novels. Walter Allen rightly points out, “Jane Austen was a moralist – an eighteenth – century moralist. In some respects, she was the last and finest flower of that century at its quintessential”. She hates folly, irresponsibility and lack of self – restraint throughout her life. “Jane Austen recognized that how you live is second in importance to what you live for, that life is a question of form as well as of content. To be completely satisfactory as a human being you need to be not only good and sensible but also good mannered and cultivated. If you could not manage to be good there was some merit in being good – mannered.” Moreover, Jane Austen’s view of life is realistic. She is an idealist, but a practical idealist. She condemns all ideas that are not related to the facts of human life. Her view of life was so fundamental to her that all her novels are immersed in it. 4.5 HER OEUVRE Jane Austen is hailed as a great novelist. Jane Austen was a born story – teller, and reveled in it from early years. She wrote from sheer love of writing and her stories being published anonymously during her lifetime. In her short span, the important works she produced were Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813) Northanger Abbey (1798) and Persuasion (1818), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). In these works Jane Austen chose deliberately to portray small groups of people in a confining environment and also, to mould the apparently trivial incidents of their lives into a poised comedy of manners. Sense and Sensibility In this novel, Jane Austen ridicules sentimentalists in a subdued ironical tone. One of the characters, Elinor represents sense and her sister Marianne stands for

sensibility. The satire is mostly directed against sensibility and sentimentally depicted in the character of Marianne. Jane Austen also ridicules the selfishness and worldly wisdom of Mrs. John Dashwood, and the henpecked nature of John Dashwood. The style is forcefully ironical. Pride and Prejudice ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is considered to be the finest novel of Jane Austen, and is the work of art in the history of English fiction. It has an outline of incomparable freshness and sharpness. The same thing is carved on Shakespeare’s witty comedy; Benedict and Beatrice who hate each other in the beginning of the play are ultimately married at the end. Similarly, Jane Austen’s novel also has the exhibition of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and their ultimate union at the end. Darcy represents Pride and Elizabeth represents prejudice. They are eventually united in a cheerful spirit. The characters are finely drawn. Northanger Abbey In Northanger Abbey as in Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen gave her view of what a novel should avoid. “She sheared away epic digressions, common place moralizing, hysterical sentiment, the lovely weather of romance, and the prattle of young ladies to their confidents about their beaux and sprigged muslin robes”. After a visit to Bath, the heroine is invited to an abbey. She imagines romantic possibilities there but she is undeceived at the end of the novel. Treatment of the characters is clever and touched with finest satiric observation. Mansfield Park The central character of the novel is Fanny Price. The characters of Lady Bertram and Sir Thomas Bertram have been admirably drawn. The novel has a great significance and represents the reaction of Jane Austen, recognized as a quite respectable lady novelist of the times. Emma The novel has been named after the heroine of the novel, Emma. The only one special trait in the character of Emma is her keen sense of aristocracy. The same determined feature was found in Jane Austen too throughout her life. The central characters of the fiction are landowners with tenant farmers, persons of private income and they are concentrated in houses and families. Totally, they live in a controlled and stable world. Persuasion It is the last work of Jane Austen. The tone of this novel is warmer. “Jane Austen gives to Anne Elliot the most moving love story she ever wrote, so tender in expression that it is a matter of tradition to believe it echoed some chapter form the story of her own life. Anne is forced by the social prejudice of her family to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a young naval officer with whom she is deeply in love. The story is concerned with the gradual revival of his passion for her when the bloom of youth has faded – and they are eventually married.” As Somerset Maugham keenly observes, “It is difficult to decide which the best of her novels is because they are all so good, and each one has its devoted and even fanatic admirers.” In her books, as well as in life, her surroundings are the manor house and the cottage, the ballroom and the parsonage. She proved that her interest

was both the great and the small, and neither escaped her comic lashings. Therefore, the characters in her novels live in a closed society. They are quite amused by their own ambition, funny in their talks. “Violence, poverty and death play little part in Jane Austen’s novels,” says Duke Schirmir. Winston Churchill liked her novels for the reason that there are “no worries about the French revolution or the crashing struggle of the Napoleonic wars, only manners controlling natural passion so far as they could, together with cultured explanations of any mischances.” Hence there is a strong basis of moral seriousness to her work. 4.6 HER CONTRIBUTION TO LITERATURE Jane Austen was the greatest woman novelist during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. She brings about miracles and so often her name is compared with Shakespeare. Robert Liddell depreciated and also supported her comparison with Shakespeare when he remarks, “Jane Austen, and very ineptly, is compared with Shakespeare; it is hard to see how anyone who sincerely admired either of them could make that comparison, or could suppose that they were trying to do the same things. His handling of character and intrigue is often no more impressive than her verbal poetry. But their fate has in some ways been similar: they are standard and accepted authors, as no other English author is, and people think they have a knowledge of them that is almost ‘infused’ and feel able to write about them without previous study in a way in which no one would venture to write about Milton or George Eliot.” Jane Austen drew all her material from her own experience. She never went outside her experience, with the result that all her scenes belong to South England where she had spent a considerable period of her life. Moody and Lovett observe, “Miss Austen exploited with unrivaled expertness the potentialities of a seemingly narrow mode of existence. From the outset she limited her view to the world that she knew and the influences that she saw at work”. Her novels present beautifully the manners in Southern England of the early nineteenth century and the picture of the entire English society of the Upper – Middle – Class, the clergy and the country gentlemen is brought forth with all its comedy in her novels. The reason of why she wrote only about the Upper – Middle – Class is this was the class that she knew and her inhibition deserved praise. She contributed her novels with remarkable psychological studies of men and women, avoiding passion and prejudice. Her novels had a distinct moral purpose, which she sought to enforce through mild irony and gentle satire. Thus she is distinguished as the greatest English novelist because of the queenliness of her craftsmanship, purity and simplicity of her style and themes. 4.7 INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXT In Austen’s time, social status was determined by a combination of family background, reputation, and wealth – marriage was one of the main ways in which one could raise one’s social status. Austen’s Emma is a brilliant novel and its themes are universal and timeless. It is all about the things in life, which never change – love, pride, marriage, status and money. Austen’s skill in reflecting Emma and her machinations for good, against Mrs. Elton and her machinations for her own good are gloriously done. This novel focused on the confined nature of a woman’s existence in the early – nineteenth – century rural England.

The protagonist of this novel, Emma Woodhouse possesses a great deal of intelligence and energy that she attempts to guide the marital destinies of her friends. She changes from being vain and self – satisfied, blind to her own feelings and dangerously insensitive to the feelings of others, in a slow, painful progress towards maturity. Emma is left alone with her hypochondriacal father and feels bereft of companionship when her governess, Miss. Taylor, leaves the house – hold to marry a neighbour, Mr. Weston. She makes a protégée of Harriet Smith, an illegitimate girl of no social status and sets about arranging Harriet’s life. George Knightley of Donwell Abbey is a friend of the woodhouse family and his young brother John is married to Emma’s sister, Isabella. He disputes Emma’s smug assumption that Anne Taylor’s Marriage is largely due to her skill as a matchmaker and frowns on her attempts to manipulate Harriet into what she decides is a good marriage. One of his tenants, a young farmer named Robert Martin, proposes to Harriet but Emma sees to it that Harriet turns him down. She tries instead to effect a match for Harriet with Mr. Elton, a young clergyman, inspite of Knightley’s warning. Elton despises Harriet and has set his sights on Emma herself. For her part, Emma half fancies herself in love with Mr. Weston’s son by his first marriage, Frank Churchill, who has now appeared on the scene. Harriet, meanwhile, has become interested in George Knightley’s unaffected warmth and intelligence. Emma, reassuring Harriet after the departure of Elton, is now considering Frank Churchill for her. Without giving the thought expression, Emma has always regarded Knightley as hers and the realization that Harriet might supplant her in Knightley’s affections, together with the discovery that Frank Churchill is engaged to Jane Fairfax, forces her to examine her own conduct and resolve to behave better. Knightley proposes to her while Harriet, left to decide for Harriet, marries Robert Martin. 4.8 THE STYLE The style of Jane Austen is based upon the style of Dr. Johnson. She is very much capable to give expression to the subtle nuances of her feelings through it. Her Johnsonian diction and syntax are the standard. Miss Lascelles says, “To us Jane Austen appears like one who inherits a prosperous and well ordered estate – the heritage of prose style in which neither generalization nor abstraction need signify vagueness, because there was close enough agreement as to the scope and significance of such term”. Thus she can write, without the least suspicion of irony. Jane Austen can use abstractions easily. Her sentences can be carefully balanced. She can employ rhetorical language – It is by virtue of this tradition that the irony of Jane Austen’s style derives much of its sharpness and point. But she does not copy the tradition blindly but the traditional style undergoes a change into her hands. It is with the sense of novelty as well as with the knowledge of her literary heritage that her style is made.

Her novelty of Style There is a simple word, which gives a hint of irony to a passage. Thus after listening to John Knightley complain about going out to an evening party in bad whether, Emma ‘could not be complying, she dreaded being quarrelsome; her heroism reached only to silence’. She often wishes to present a character in an unfavorably light. In her later works she develops a variation on this technique; she constructs sentences ‘too elaborate’, as Mrs. Lascelles says, ‘for … (the) powers’ of her ‘tiresome talkers’. There are, for example, Mr. Elton and Mrs. Clay, who are much better parodies than Mr. Collins because they are more than paradise. Understatement is the main aspect of irony; the device is used in the sense of negation. In Jane Austen’s work there are hundreds of instances of this kind of irony. Her Novels Jane Austen has shown us in the book that Emma’s insistence is a sign of her self – deception, a symbol of her unconscious love for Mr. Knightley. But the author amusingly reminds the readers of the distance that her heroine has gone towards knowing herself. 4.9 IRONY Jane Austen’s irony has much more force than the usual rhetorical categories will allow. Understatement and antiphrasis by no means account for all the ironies in her diction and syntax. Her irony imported her front rank among the English novelists. ‘Irony’ means the stylistic technique of reversal, or at least transformation of literal meaning. Jane Austen like – wise often uses irony as a stylistic device for quite unironic purposes. 4.10 THEME Miss Jane Austen develops themes of her novels significantly. Her novels go beyond social record, perplexity, commitment, and to moral concern. “She not only limits herself to the sphere which she understands, she even picks and chooses amongst the raw materials of experience available to her, eschewing what her genius cannot control: She writes to her niece; but within this narrow range she does not by any means plumb every depth. She is aware of this fact is evident from her correspondence with James strainer Clarke, librarian to the Prince Regent,” observes Andrew H. Wright. The View of Critics Most of Jane Austen’s readers see sin her choice of subject matter a deliberate limitation, smallness of range. But those who like her find her scope quite adequate to the exposition of important themes; those dislike her complain that the country gentry cannot possibly yield anything of surpassing value.

The country life in her part of the world was relatively undisturbed. She might simply have held to the past, have rejected the present and its implications. Then her themes might reflect or embody the morality of her father’s generation. Jane Austen gives a full picture of even the narrow segment of society, which is portrayed in the six novels. She omits to consider the lower classes and she hardly touches on the part of aristocracy but when she does, its members are usually satirized. So we are left with the country, even these gentry are not portrayed in full. The theme of novel – Emma Mr. R.I. Hughes says, “The underlying theme of this novel is the education of Emma Woodhouse; and the recurrent irony is that Emma, who must become pupil, insists on acting as teacher. Her mismanagement of the affairs of Harriet, and consequent difficulties to Harriet, herself, Elton, Knightley all come out of Emma’s confusion of two roles. The question is in what must Emma be educated? Obliviously she is incredibly naive in the matters of passion and sex. Her awareness of how much is involved in the act of loving is a theme capable of development totally within the novel’s framework. But she is just as naïve in her notions of society and as soon as love and a particular definition of society, are brought face-to-face, we are invited to move outside the novel’s framework. The sprit of society is liquid, shifting; the state of society beyond Highbury and Randall is not the same as it once was: no society even is. Emma must also be educated in the respect and her awareness of the new sprit of society cannot be developed totally within the novel for the simple reason that the spirit lies outside the novel. Emma’s education is not single, but double: first, she must recognize love as it is defined outside of her own cloistered fancies; second, she must recognize society as it is defined outside the cloister of the novel. When she recognizes that there is something outside is Emma redeemed; the invasion by outside of the inside becomes a dominant theme of the novel; and it is the crossing and recrossing of the two outsides (real love, real society) which determines the meaning and the patterns of the novel.” 4.11 PLOT CONSTRUCTION Jane Austen’s plots show artistic perfection. Jane Austen is one of those novelists in whose works characters cannot be considered apart from plot. Characterization and the construction go hand in hand in them, and quite often the two are interchangeable. Her psychological insight into her characters, like her minute observation, needs no elaboration. Most of them are “round” characters and have an organic development. One of Jane Austen’s achievements and merits is her perfection at plot construction. She has given well-integrated plots. All the characters in a Jane Austen novel are essential to its plot including the very minor ones. The Construction The construction of ‘Emma’ is a masterpiece of finished grace in seven well – balanced movements which vary in length and in tempo but follow one another in a harmonious succession of stresses and relaxations which is most interesting to follow’. The first movement takes in the first I7 chapters and is concerned with the Harriet smith - Elton. The second movement concerns with the Frank Churchill - Jane Fairfax block. The third movement shows how skilfully Jane Austen suggests the

excitement aroused among the ladies of Highbury by Frank Churchill’s presence among them. The fourth movement of the plot shows Emma’s state of her heart in relation to Frank Churchill and she fancies herself out of love with him. In the fifth movement we notice the turning round of the fate upon the offending Emma. The sixth movement completes the march of the fate against Emma. The seventh and last movement of the plot concerns itself with the Knightley block, when Emma is fully absorbed wedding bells ring for Harriet and Emma. Jane Fairfax is also to be married to Frank Churchill soon after the expiry mourning for his aunt. The plot is quite complex, with more than one element often working at once. It is well composed of classic pattern, contrast, and planned general social satire; all facets are based upon conflict. Though it is not obvious as the others, even the last mentioned element (which is man – against – man) stems from the conflict between social intention and performance. All of these underlying conflicts are the motive of comic irony. 4.12 SUMMARY Jane Austen (1775 - 1817) born in South – Central England and possessed one of the greatest qualities of a novelist that she had the power to create living characters. Her life, her characteristics and her reading influenced her writings. It is very accurate to mention that some of the events and changes which took place during her period were also reflected in most of her novels: The early growth of Industrialism, French revolution and the war between England and France. She concentrated upon eternal mixed qualities of humanity, the cause of events and the status of the society at her times and reached all sort of people through her works. Thus Jane Austen is hailed as one of the greatest woman novelists of her times. 4.13 TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. What is reflected in most of Jane Austen’s early novels? 2. When did the States of America declare their Independence? 3. Mention some of the Universal themes in Emma. 4. Who is the protagonist of the novel, Emma? 5. What language does Jane Austen employs in her writings? SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Bring out the salient features of Romanticism. 2. Make a brief analysis on Jane Austen’s theme.

3. How far is Jane Austen is considered as an idealist – Discuss SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Write a short essay on the major works of Jane Austen. 2. Jane Austen contributed her novels with the Psychological aspects of men and women – Do you agree.

CHAPTER – V EMMA - JANE AUSTEN

5.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter consists of the detailed analysis of the text - “Emma” and its special significance, which helps the students, gain a thorough knowledge of the text. 5.2 EMMA – AS A DOMESTIC NOVEL Emma is definitely a domestic novel because it deals with only a few human families belonging to different strata of society. Just as domestic novels bring out or develop the family relations between the various characters so also social novels reflect the social relations of the various families. A Social Novel Now, so far Emma is concerned, it narrates the domestic life and also describes the social functions of a few families, living in various parts of England. Jane Austen introduces into Emma some of the aristocratic, middle class, as well as the poorer families. Most of these families are correlated either by domestic ties or by social ties, e.g. The woodhouse are related to the Knightleys, the Campbells are related to the Dixons, the Churchills are related to the Westons, and so on. There are a few other families which are not domestically related but which are brought together by social engagements or functions such as tea or dinner parties, ball dances and other musical entertainments; and these families are the Martins, the Coles, and the Eltons etc. Domestic Ties In Emma Jane Austen describes the domestic as well as the social relations of the various families. Harriet Smith is brought in touch with Emma Woodhouse, Jane Fairfax is placed by circumstances in the way of Frank Churchill, Miss Taylor is put in touch with Mr. Weston, Mr. Elton is pulled out from Highbury to Bath to be in close touch with Miss Augusta Hawkins, and even the Knightleys of London are made to associate themselves with the Woodhouses of Highbury. The Marital Touch The chief touch is the marital touch, which has to pass through various stages of love in order to mature into conjugal relations. There are five couples of lovers who prepare themselves for conjugal life, while there three or more couples who have already settled down into regular families. The five couples of lovers are Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston, Miss Emma Woodhouse and Mr. George Knightley, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Jane Fairfax, Mr. Elton and Miss Augusta Hawkins, Miss Harriet Smith and Mr. Robert Martin. Those who have already settled into a regular married life are the Coles, the Campbells, and the Knightleys etc. There are others who are fortunate or unfortunate individuals who were married long ago but who are now either widowers or widows such as Mr. Woodhouse, Mrs. Goddard, and Mrs. Bates;

there are one or two unfortunate souls who have not been united with any body by marriage such as Miss Bates, Miss Cox and others. A Novel of Domestic Life Emma is chiefly a novel of domestic problems, and particularly, of love and sometimes, of jealousy, hatred and rivalry, and on rare occasions, of misunderstanding and enmity. The readers feel as if he or she is Emma or Frank, Harriet or Elton, Knightley or Weston, just as he or she is made to pass through certain situations and then after a succession of hurdles in the way of their desire for union are united at last. We find in (Emma) Frank is united with Jane. Harried is united with Martin, Miss Taylor is united with Mr. Weston, Mr. Elton is united with Miss Augusta Hawkins, and Miss Emma Woodhouse is united with Mr. George Knightley. Love and marriage are the greatest realities of domestic life, and these two chief elements we find in the novel Emma, and Emma has been universally declared as a domestic novel. A Psychological Novel Emma is a Psychological novel. Every domestic novel is bound to be Psychological too. A Psychological novel means a novel in which some of the characters being extremely intelligent or extremely stupid or extremely good or extremely wicked act upon one another leading to their development or deterioration as the story proceeds from a simple beginning to a serious complication. Some of the characters as Emma, Mr. Elton, Frank Churchill, Jane Fairfax, Mr. George Knightley, Mr. John Knightley are extremely intelligent or shrewd, while on the other hand, Harriet Smith, Miss Bates, Mr. Woodhouse, Mrs. Weston, Isabella Knightley, are far from being shrewd or intelligent. There are characters such as Mr. Elton, Mrs. Elton; Frank Churchill, Jane Fairfax who are not only shrewd or intelligent but they verge on the point of being wicked. Mr. and Mrs. Elton, Frank Churchill and even Jane Fairfax are wicked in the sense that they always put on a mark and practice hypocrisy or duplicity in order to serve their own selfish end? But the most stupid characters are Miss Bates, Harriet Smith and even Mr. Woodhouse because they lack commonsense, they do not know what they speak or do, and thereby they make themselves ridiculous in the eyes of others. Conclusion Emma is a Psychological novel because some of the characters in it such as Frank, Mr. Elton and his wife, Jane. Fairfax are indeed subtle Psychological subjects while Miss Bates, Harriet, Emma’s father are also interesting Psychological studies. In a psychological novel, the characters develop by the interaction of character and the story of the novel develops by the interaction of the human minds (human characters) upon one another. Emma, the most dynamic character in the novel, builds up the story, leads it on by her mental activities in the direction of preventing Harriet’s marriage with Martin, of developing intimacy and love between Mr. Elton and Harriet or even between Frank Churchill and Harriet with a view to bring about a happy union between the couples. Emma has to tackle Mr. Elton or Frank Churchill for achieving her end. Then again, the most interesting Psychological studies are Mrs. Elton and Miss Bates, Mr. Woodhouse and Harriet Smith. The whole novel is Psychological as well as it is a domestic picture.

5.3 EMMA – AS A COMEDY OF ERRORS Introduction In the novel Emma, we find a number of characters both men and women who play the role of lovers to one another. They commit blunders, which lead to happy unions between the blundering couples giving rise to a regular comedy which can be better termed as the Comedy of Errors. It is the errors of the pairs of lovers in the story, which provide us with sufficient food for laughter. The Errors of Characters Emma commits the greatest blunder, in preventing Harriet, from marrying Robert Martin, believing all the while that Harriet belongs to a gentile family while Martin belongs to a common farmer’s family. Emma does not know anything about the parentage of Harriet till the very end of the story. Mr. Knightley reveals that Harriet is the daughter of a tradesman who cannot be regarded any way superior to a farmer in blood or social status. Emma sets Harriet on Mr. Elton, who has an eye, on Emma because Emma is the owner of thirty thousand pounds. Mr. Knightley knows correctly the Psychology of Mr. Elton, namely, that he would never marry a poor girl; Mr. Elton showers all his attentions upon Emma – but unfortunately, Emma takes all such attentions as directed towards Harriet. But one day, while Elton returns from the dinner at Randalls in the same coach with Emma, he opens her eyes outright by proposing to her. Emma rejects the offer. Elton runs the very next day to Weymouth and gets in touch with Miss Augusta Hawkins and marries her outright because she possesses ten thousand pounds. Emma’s Confusion Emma believes that Harriet loves Frank Churchill who has been playing a double game with Emma, Harriet and even sometimes with Jane Fairfax with whom he has been secretly engaged at Bath, and who sometimes on that account is believed to be seriously in love with Emma and Harriet although he is not in love with anybody except with Jane Fairfax. Emma, the shrewdest woman character in the whole story, does not properly understand even a simpleton of a girl like Harriet. When Harriet is seriously in love with Mr. Knightley, Emma thinks that Harriet is in love with Frank Churchill. When Mr. Knightley is in love with Emma, she thinks and Mrs. Weston also seriously believes that he is in love with Jane Fairfax. Harriet’s Courage Harriet throws away into the fireplace the mementoes (tokens of remembrance) of Mr. Elton after his marriage with Hawkins? All this she does simply because she believes that Mr. Knightley is in love with her. She misinterprets all the humanity and kindness of Mr. Knightley towards Harriet as tokens of love, and Emma too is misled by Harriet’s report about Mr. Knightley’s behaviour towards Harriet. Mr. Knightley takes pity on Harriet at the Crown Inn dancing party simply because Mr. Elton refuses to dance with her and thereby wounds her feelings most grievously. Emma’s Views Another serious blunder, which Emma commits, is that Mr. Dixon, who is married to Miss Campbell, loves Jane Fairfax; and she imagines that Mr. Dixon loves Jane because she is far more beautiful and also can sing and play on the piano much better than Campbell. Emma fancies that it is Dixon who has presented the piano to

Jane. But all her doubts melt into the air when she comes to know that Jane is engaged with Frank and that it is Frank who is the donor of the piano to Jane. Jane’s Blunder Jane commits the blunder of fancying that Frank loves her particularly because Frank makes many cutting remarks about Jane and also behaves most gallant like towards Emma under the very eyes of Jane. Frank in his letter to Mrs. Weston makes it perfectly clear that he never fell in love with Emma, and he believed too that Emma was shrewd enough to understand why he was behaving in that strange gallant like manner towards her. The Real Aspects Emma does not understand either Harriet or Mr. Elton or Frank or Jane or even Mr. George Knightley. She does not understand even her own mind, namely, that she was not in love with anybody except with Mr. George Knightley. It is the greatest comedy! Every one of the lovers – man or woman – commits blunders and then comes to realize his or her own foolery. But Jane is so much fooled by the whimsical behaviour of Frank that she even goes to the point of breaking her engagement with Frank and takes up the job of a governess! Elton, Harriet, Mrs. Weston, Frank – all are under the same delusion or illusion, and realize their errors in the long run. A woman like Mrs. Weston commits the error of thinking that Mr. George Knightley is seriously in love with Jane Fairfax because he lends his coach for carrying Jane and also because he sends all his store of apples for Jane! Harriet misfancies that Mr. Knightley is in love with her! Nobody feels shocked but, recovers quickly from the blunder, and feels quite happy when united by marriage in the long run with his or her life’s partner! Thus Emma is a comedy of errors! 5.4 HUMOURS IN EMMA Introduction Jane Austen introduces plenty of humour, wit, satire in various characters, situations and incidents in her novels. Emma has certain characters and situations sufficiently humorous or satiric. For example, Miss Bates and Mr. Woodhouse are sufficiently humorous characters while the situations in which the various lovers take their part are also equally humourous. . There are touches of satire also in some of the passages in the novel; the most striking passage in Emma is the following: “Mrs. Goddard was the mistress of a school – not of a seminary or an establishment, or anything which professed in long sentences of refined nonsense, to combine liberal acquirements with elegant morality upon new principles and new systems and where young ladies for enormous pay might be screwed out of health and into vanity-but a real, honest, old fashioned boarding school, where a reasonable quantity of accomplishments are sold at a reasonable price”. Emma’s Humour The errors of Emma provide the reader with sufficient food for laughter. Emma imagines that Mr. Elton is in love with Harriet Smith whereas we know that he is in love with Emma? With a perfectly wrong notion, when Emma tries to bring

together Mr. Elton and Harriet at the Vicarage or at Hartfield or at Randalls or anywhere else, certain situations arise which most are amusing to the reader. When, Emma draws the portrait of Harriet, Mr. Elton praises the piece of workmanship, and agrees to get the portrait nicely framed in London. He actually runs to London in order to do the job merely to please Emma and not at all Harriet. The charade is written entirely for the sake of Emma and Emma in favour of Harriet misinterprets it.

5.5 CHARACTERIZATION IN EMMA 1. Emma As the heroine of the novel, Emma is the most towering personality in the whole galaxy of characters. The novel has been named after her. It is believed that Jane Austen has projected her own personality, some of her own physical, mental, moral and intellectual qualities into Emma. Emma marries in the long run in spite of her will to remain a spinster all her life on account of her aged invalid father. There is only one special trait in the character of Emma - her keen sense of aristocracy or class distinction –, which was found in Jane Austen too throughout her life. Emma, tolerably a pretty woman with hazel eyes; resembled Jane Austen to a great extent. Emma’s pride, arrogance, kindness, generosity, sympathy for the poor, reflects faults and virtues of Jane Austen. Their financial position, their kinship with the church and the clergymen are the same. She has independent spirit from her very childhood. The death of her mother at the age of twelve years accounts for her obstinacy, her dislike for any kind of restraint or interference from outside in any of her affairs. Her governess Miss Taylor (afterwards Mrs. Weston) spoilt Emma by giving her much freedom. Her Personality Emma always considers herself to be right and never to be wrong. She actually commits so many blunders, which cost many people a good deal of material loss, mental agony and even personal humiliation. Emma is not a good judge of human character, particularly, male human character. She is mistaken in her study of the psychology of Mr. Elton, Mr. Frank Churchill, Mr. Dixon and ever Mr. George Knightley. She does not judge even female characters that come in close touch with her. When Mr. Elton loves Emma she believes most sincerely that he is in love with Harriet. When Frank plays the role of actor as a lover to Emma, she mistakes him to be genuinely in love with her and she is mistaken in her study of the relationship between Frank and Jane. She fancies that Frank does not like Jane at all because he criticizes her at every step on every occasion. He makes a caricature of her when he is actually making a fun of his own fake chivalry exhibited towards Emma herself. Then again, she misunderstands George Knightley who appears to be kind and generous to poor Harriet. She thinks that George Knightley loves Harriet. Harriet too believes that Mr. Knightley is seriously in love with her! Emma fancies that Frank is also seriously in love with Harriet as he is with Emma herself. All the suppositions, inferences, conclusions, suspicions are completely falsified by the actual action of the various characters whomever she happens to misunderstand.

A Sense of Pride Emma has a sense of superiority and Pride over others. Although she has full sympathy for the poor and the destitute, she cannot stoop to identify herself with them. Emma hesitates to visit the Bateses, the Coles, and the Martins simply because they are not genteel or elegant or aristocratic by birth. Emma represents strictly the typically feudal class mentality. The people of any poor inferior class dislike her by the standard chiefly of birth and also of financial position or even the standard of vocation. Emma keeps aloof from the Martins because they are farmers. She avoids the Bateses because they are financially not well off; she does not even reciprocate heartily with the Coles because they belong of the trader class. Mr. Woodhouse, Emma’s father, forbids Emma to strive in matchmaking. Emma, being peculiarly circumstanced after the death of her mother fears that she shall have to remain a spinster all her life. She says frequently that she will sacrifice her life for the sake of her aged invalid father. She is only twenty one years old. Psychological Aspect There is another Psychological reason behind Emma’s matchmaking, and it is her desire to get the credit of bringing about union between man and woman. Emma actually suffers when she tries to get Harriet married to either Elton or Frank Churchill by snatching her away form Martin! The third psychological reason is that Emma by doing the job of match-making comes in touch with many young men who surely lend considerable delight and satisfaction to her by their approach, talk and close association. In the case of both Elton and Frank, Emma derives a lot pleasure as well as the satisfaction of her pride or vanity when each of them pays his tribute to her before offering any love to Harriet by any actual gesture. There is in Emma some jealousy particularly in relation to Jane Fairfax and also to Harriet, when the latter says that Mr. Knightley is deeply in love with her (Harriet). She cannot tolerate any woman to be given any kind of superiority over her. She wants to be flattered for her personal charms, for her skill in painting and music, for her aristocracy and financial position. She does not acknowledge any man or woman to be her superior in any respect; that is the root cause of her jealousy. She grows jealous when Harriet reports that Mr. Knightley has given her a clear indication of his love for her. She refuses even to see the face of Harriet when she really fears that Mr.Knightley may be in love with Harriet. This green-eyed jealousy eats up her very body and soul, and that is why probably when Mr.Knightley proposes to her, she at once jumps at the offer. Emma always wants to be the first object of preference in the eyes of everybody - whether it is Elton or Frank or Knightley. Qualities of Emma are : - the quality of forgetting and forgiving –the quality of admitting her fault, the quality of making a very sincere and frank compromise even with those who are diametrically opposed to her suppositions. She makes a compromise with both Frank and Jane inspite of Jane’s discourteous behaviour and also in the face of Frank’s repeated acts of duplicity. Her Wit and Fancy She is a vital girl who has power and authority, and more than enough egotism for the forgivable follies of youth. She plays the trick with people who are approaching the marriage ordeal and blind her to own predicament. She is also

pathetic and vulnerable. She appears to be almost lacking in any significant emotional life. She is detached, witty and cheerful. Her wit often causes social embarrassment. Emma’s wit is splendid in itself. She was the opposite to heartless when she made Elizabeth Bennet says, “Follies and nonsense whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.”She has the symptoms of caged lively bird.. She should be unhappy, though unhappy; she flatly refuses to be unhappy. Emma herself is a masterpiece of feminine understanding. As a victim of irony she has a fascination which no other heroine can share. She is lured though a maze of dangerous situations. 2.

Mr. Woodhouse

His Nature Mr. Woodhouse is the father of Emma. He is a widower; he is aged and also an invalid. He is one of the most interesting characters in the whole novel because of his eccentricities, which provide the cause of laughter. He would have surely been an oddity in our eyes had he not been otherwise pleasant, sociable, generous, sympathetic, hospitable, and most courteous to all, and particularly to the ladies. Mr. Woodhouse must have been a gallant in his younger days. He is particularly attentive, courteous and obliging to all the members of the fair sex in the novel. His gallantry is acknowledged by Mrs. Weston, Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Goddard. But Mr. Woodhouse is particularly gentle and courteous to Jane Fairfax, Mrs. Elton, and Harriet who are reputed to be youthful and pretty. His Goodness Mr. Woodhouse has many eccentricities, which are generally peculiar to old age. His significant remarks with reference to certain characters in the novel such as “poor Isabella,” “poor Miss Taylor,” “Poor Mr. Elton,” is peculiar. Mr. Woodhouse forgets that he too once got married and got children too when he was young. Mr. Woodhouse is a very nervous person. He is an invalid and also fairly aged. But his daughter is quite the opposite of the father. Mr. Wood house’s nervousness is a kind of weakness. Emma exploits her father’s nervousness or timidity in the support of her marriage with Mr. George Knightley. She assures her father that Mr. Knightley would be a good protection to Mr. Woodhouse if Emma married him and he may stay permanently at Hartfield. His Wit Mr. Woodhouse has funny notions about food, about medicine, about sitting up late at night etc. He is in favour of Mr. Perry’s medical treatment. He is prejudiced against Mr. Wingfield and his prescription of drugs. Mr. Woodhouse belonged to an age when there was no medical science, no qualified physician or surgeon, and hence, it is but natural that he should rely so blindly upon the treatment or prescription of Mr. Perry. The character of Mr. Woodhouse is eccentric, whimsical and even odd only to provide food for innocent laughter, which most other characters in the novel as well as the readers greatly enjoy. It does not mean, however, that Mr. Woodhouse is a clown or a buffoon. Of course, he lacks a little bit of memory and commonsense due to which he makes himself so often as laughable or ridiculous.

His Lovable Traits Mr. Woodhouse possesses many lovable qualities e.g. courtesy, kindness, generosity, hospitality, friendliness, sociability and so many other attractive features of human nature, which many people do not possess in youth or in grown up age. Mr. Bradley calls Mr. Woodhouse “next to Don Quixote, perhaps the most perfect gentleman in fiction.” Mr. Bailey however comments, “Indeed Mr. Woodhouse is not a gentleman, or at any rate, not a man at all; he is an old woman a dear old woman, no doubt, and Emma’s father; but he is only there to provide some pleasant comic business which he does very well. But it is all he does.” Ronald Blithe says about Mr. Woodhouse, “He married late and apparently without enthusiasm, and when his wife died after giving him two daughters he seemed to have been able to transfer his backgammon-playing, gossiping affection to his children and their governess without much trouble. But when Isabella, his elder daughter, weds Mr. John Knightley, who is a lawyer in Brunswick Square and the brother of his Donwell neighbour he is to begin a sinister fantasy which is to lead him to regard all marriages as deaths”. He is timid and antisocial -“The sooner every party breaks up, the better”. He hates all changes and demands that life should be like his gruel, warm, cosy and innocuous. He is an important child, and Emma has to double the role of daughter and mother obeying him and commanding him. Thus Mr. Woodhouse is regarded as an old pet by generations of readers. He is actually a menace, and by not realizing this Emma reveals yet another aspect of her vulnerability. When she does realize it, at the very close of the novel, she obstructs it with a farcical ruthlessness. Throughout his life, Mr. Woodhouse has managed to get his own way by recourse to the trivial, which Emma evokes to defeat her father’s power, once and forever. She persuades him that by having Mr. Knightley in the house as her husband he will have protection from the chicken thieves who have been bothering the neighborhood. Mr. Woodhouse at last consents to the union of his greatest friend and dearest daughter”. 3. Mr. George Knightley The Hero of Novel Mr. George Knightley is regarded as the hero of the novel and Emma is considered as the heroine. Mr. George Knightley possesses moral courage, integrity of character, generosity and kindliness, impartiality, correctness of insight and judgement, self-control and many other virtues which go to the making of a hero in the true sense of the term. His Disposition Mr. George Knightley is the elder brother of Mr. John Knightley, the husband of Isabella and the elder sister of Emma. He is seven and thirty while Emma is only one and twenty; there is a disparity of sixteen years between two. Neither Mr. Knightley nor Emma could think of proposing to each other however much they might have been secretly in love with each other. Mr. George Knightley is the mentor of Highbury and the entire neighborhood. Everybody has sincere regards for him because of his high moral integrity his

dauntless courage, his unprejudiced mentality, his noble impartiality, his readiness to help the needy, his broad outlook on men, women and things, his generosity, his penetrating insight into human character, his forgiving and forgetting spirit – and his readiness to take up the right cause against the wrong cause Mr. Knightley has the courage to repremand Emma whenever she is wrong, whenever she happens to misguide herself or others. He points out the errors of Emma, particularly when she undertakes the match - making between Elton and Harriet, between Harriet and Frank, and how many times he snubs Emma because of her ill- treatment towards Jane and Miss Bates. He points out to us as much as to Emma herself that Emma has been spoilt (pampered) by Mrs. Weston (originally Miss Taylor) and by Mr. Woodhouse. He points out to Emma more than once how obstinate she is, how mistaken she is in her inferences and judgments. When Emma is seriously trying to match Elton with Harriet, Mr. Knightley tells Emma that Elton will never marry below his rank i.e. in social status or in financial position. When Emma becomes intimate with Frank, Mr. Knightley fears that Emma is in love with him while he is flirting with her – which is indeed a dangerous game! It is Mr. Knightley alone in the whole novel who suspects and correctly too that Frank has a definite understanding with Jane. Mr. Knightley correctly suspects that there is some secret understanding between Jane and Frank. Mr. Knightley is perfectly right when he says that Emma is jealous of Jane because of Jane’s superiority in physical charms as well as in musical skill. He is also perfectly right when he says that Frank has been playing a game of duplicity with Emma, Harriet, Mrs. Weston and everybody. Mr. Knightley is also right when he points out the error of Emma in thinking that he is in love with Jane or with Harriet. Mr. Knightley actually proves Emma’s error by proposing to her that he would like to marry her. A Considerate Man He sends his own coach to the Bateses in order to convey Jane to the dinner party at the house of the Coles. Mr. Knightley is not a gallant; he is merely humane and with a very keen of moral courage which makes him indeed the greatest personality in the whole story. Mr. George Knightley is far more considerate than his brother John Knightley. John Knightley dose not make any consideration of the sickness of Mr. Woodhouse but George Knightley treats Mr. Woodhouse with the greatest care and respect, knowing well his weaknesses as well as his deficiencies. He tries his best always to make Mr. Woodhouse comfortable and at ease or peaceful in mind, while John Knightley forgets altogether that when a man grows old, when one is a constant invalid, and one has lost one’s partner in life at an early age, one is bound to be slightly odd, sensitive and even eccentric as Mr. Woodhouse appears to be. His Performance Mark what Ronald Blythe says, “Mr. Knightley is the timeless Englishman, the real thing, modest, unaffected, and somewhat inadequate of speech”. His late call on Emma on Miss Taylor’s wedding day is casual and gossipy. He employs patience and tact easily. He is well balanced but not dull. He has bluntness, which is both sexually aggressive and

attractive. Emma shows herself to be as much at home in his conversation as he is in her house. She is obviously impervious to his sexuality. Emma and Mr. Knightley bicker like brother and sister, and Mr. Woodhouse’s sentimentality embraces them equally. It is plain that he does not dread marriage bereavement in this direction, and that he counts not only on Emma’s remaining single, but on Mr. Knightly also. Emma shows a delayed excitement about the day’s events. She claims to have brought Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston together. She intends to match - make for the youthful vicar Mr. Elton. 4. Frank Churchill Frank Churchill is also an important character. He is associated most closely with some of the main characters in the story. Frank Churchill assumes importance because of some of his mischievous acts, which he deliberately performs either to satisfy his own frivolous character or to maintain the secrecy of some understanding with Jane Fairfax with whom he is engaged for marriage. He is the son of Mr. Weston by his first wife on whose death his uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Churchill who had no children of their own adopted Frank as a son. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill brought up Frank since his early childhood. He took his uncle’s surname i.e. Churchill instead of his own father’s surname i.e. Weston. He used to meet his own father atleast once every year in London, and did not visit Highbury till sometime after his own father’s second marriage with Miss Taylor, governess of Emma. His Personality Frank Churchill is a good-looking young man – divinely tall and divinely fair – with a cheerful spirit and winning manners. He is a good talker with a good deal of humour about his words and manners, which readily attract others. He has the air of smartness about him which matters much particularly in the eyes of young women; and that is, why, Mrs. Weston, Emma, Harriet, Mrs. Elton and others are highly impressed by him. Frank is unduly shrewd and clever; he knows the Psychology of people and knows also how to exploit it. When he visits Highbury for the first time, he admires Randalls and Hartfield. He sees the old house in which his father formerly used to live and meets the old woman who nurtured him during his babyhood. He shows his love for Highbury by visiting the shop and purchasing things from it – succeeded in snaring Emma’s heart too; and she cannot resist the temptation of encouraging Frank in his amorous advances or what we call flirtations. Mr. George Knightley, who was badly impressed by Frank from the very beginning, warned Emma more than once; otherwise Emma would have been positively in the trap of Frank. His Habits Frank goes about everywhere else – to Bath, to Weymouth etc. – in pursuit of his frivolous pleasures. He repeatedly puts up lame excuses that he is unable to honour his promise to visit Mr. Weston on account of Mrs. Churchill’s illness. Mr. George Knightley says about Frank, “If Frank Churchill had wanted to see his father, he could have contrived it. This proves that he can leave the Churchills. He can sit down and write a fine flourishing letter, full of professions and falsehoods, and persuade himself that he has hit upon the very best method in the world of preserving peace at home and preventing his father’s having any right to complain”.

Frank captures the heart of Mrs. Weston and tells that she is a beautiful young lady; he silences the mouth of Emma by paying her the compliment that she is highly intelligent and accomplished. His Mischievous Acts It is because of Frank’s repeated hits at Jane – open or covert that Jane in a fit of anger, jealously; dismay breaks her engagement with Frank and takes up the job of a governess in London. Frank has been always telling lies so consistently that it is difficult for anybody to disbelieve his word. He has been throwing dust into the eyes of everybody, making a fool of everybody except himself. Even Jane gets exasperated with Frank for his strange ways of duplicity in word as well as in deed. Emma is fooled more than anybody else because she takes such a fancy to Frank in spite of his duplicity, which Emma could never detect although she tells Mr. Knightley that she knew perfectly well that Frank was merely playing the role of a lover to her. Frank defends himself against Emma in his letter to Mrs. Weston. Mr. Knightley says that Frank is “a disgrace to the name of man”. His Love Affairs Professor A.N. Parasuram, says “Frank has engagement with Jane Fairfax. He makes use of his false attentions to Emma as a blind to conceal his real love for Jane. Frank Churchill, the heir of the Churchills, the smart young man of rank and wealth, falls in love with a penniless orphan. He has only to appear as quite indifferent to her, as a man of his situation well might, to keep whole Highbury in complete ignorance of the truth. Instead of that, he flits so outrageously with another woman that his conduct makes not only others suspect him to be in love with her, but also even Jane herself is filled with anger and disgust, and cancels her engagement with him! Frank’s conduct is unfair in the first place to his own fiancée. Frank Churchill’s conduct is heartless with regard to Emma”. 5. Mr. Weston His Early Life Mr. Weston belongs to Highbury. He comes of a respectable family. He has had good education but he was a man of an independent temperament, fond of adventure as well as of society. He does not believe in following any homely pursuit as most people do. He joined the Militia and because a captain when he came in touch with Miss Churchill belonging to a wealthy and aristocratic family of Yorkshire. Miss Churchill fell in love with Mr. Weston and even against the wishes of her brother she married Mr. Weston. As the result of this marriage her brother Mr. Churchill and his wife disowned Miss Churchill; but she did not survive for more than three years after having given birth to a son who was named Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill adopted Mr. Weston’s son, Frank, and brought him up. Frank had to change his surname from Weston to Churchill when he attained his majority.

His Business After the death of his first wife Mr. Weston left the Militia and got him engaged in trade. Due to the high position and renown of his brothers as traders in London Mr. Weston succeeds in securing some employment. He lived quite prosperously and happily for about eighteen or twenty years. He purchased the estate and house of Randalls in Highbury and married for the second time. Miss Taylor, the governess of Emma became the wife of Mr. Weston, and he felt quite happy with her although he inherited no property or money through her. His Habits and Conduct Mr. Weston is a man of extremely amiable nature. He is social and there is not a single evening in the year, which he has to pass alone. His second wife made him all the more social because Mrs. Weston is a woman of an exceedingly mild temper and sweet nature. Both Mr. and Mrs. Weston are universally loved, admired and even held with considerable respect or regard. Mr. Weston is an easy-going man who cares more for enjoyments and recreations than for anything else. He used to be a frequent visitor to Hartfield to play whist or backgammon with Mr. Woodhouse and Mr. George Knightley. It is because of this close contact with the Woodhouse family that Mr. Weston gets the chance of meeting Miss Taylor and marrying her. Emma says that it was she who did the matchmaking between Mr. Weston and Miss Taylor. Mr. Weston conveyed important news about Frank, namely, that he is engaged secretly with Jane Fairfax and that he would be visiting Highbury again soon. Mr. Weston was a disseminator of news because he cannot keep anything as secret to himself. When he conveys the news of Frank’s engagement with Jane, Mr. Weston asks Jane not to disclose it to anybody else, and yet he is first to disclose it to Harriet who runs up to Hartfield and tells Emma all about it! When Emma discloses her own engagement with Mr. Knightley to Mr. Weston, she knows that the news will spread like a wild fire throughout Highbury and its neighborhood. Mr. Weston tries to please everybody. In connection with the ball at the Crown Inn Mr. Weston requests Emma to come to the Inn and look-round in order to pass her judgement or give her suggestions regarding the arrangements to be made for the dancing party at the Crown Inn. Emma in the beginning thinks that Mr. Weston has honoured her by inviting her alone for the supervision of the arrangements but when she finds that many others have been invited for the same purpose, she gets annoyed with Mr. Weston. Emma has annoying experience of Mr. Weston’s behaviour. Mrs. Elton had proposed to Mr. Weston for going out some morning on a picnic to Box Hill. It was decided that two or more persons would be invited to join the party. Mr. Weston believes that Emma is in love with Frank, and naturally, when he comes to know of the secret engagement of Frank with Jane, he feels shocked and worries about Emma how she would be able to bear the shock. Mr. Weston unfortunately does not know that Emma is quite an intelligent woman. Mr. Weston also feels shocked at the engagement of his son with Jane but when Emma assures him that it would be an excellent match for both, he gets satisfied. 6. Mrs. Weston Mrs. Weston had been the governess of Emma for sixteen years, and her name was Miss Anne Taylor. She has no inheritance of wealth or property. As Emma, from her very early childhood, is self-willed and independent due to the loss of her mother at an early stage, Miss Taylor has been able to exercise very little restraint or

discipline upon Emma. Miss Taylor cannot possibly exercise her authority over Emma with too much strictness or rigidity. Miss Taylor has been treating Emma throughout as a sister or a friend, and naturally, real love or friendship grows up between the two, so much so, that Emma plays the role of a match-maker between her governess and Mr. Weston. Her Performance When Mr. George Knightley notices often that Emma does whatever she likes, whether she is right or wrong, he remarks that Emma has been pampered (spoilt) by Miss Taylor. When Miss Taylor is married to Mr. Weston, Mr. Knightley says that she is better placed at Randalls than at Hartfield, fit for a wife, but not at all for a governess! Emma has considerably influenced Miss Taylor by being a good housewife at Randalls. Once when it was raining, Mr. Weston, like any gallant, helped Emma and Miss Taylor with umbrellas; and this gallant behaviour on the part of Mr. Weston put Emma on the role of a matchmaker between Mr. Weston and Miss Taylor. Mr. Weston happened to be a frequent visitor to Hartfield. He came in close touch with Miss Taylor, which Emma further accelerated in order to bring about marriage between the widower and the spinster governess in the long run. Mr. Weston is perfectly satisfied with Miss Taylor as his second wife particularly because of her sweet temper, her domestic accomplishments, her sociable nature, her loving and affectionate heart, which is the greatest need for a happy home. When Mr. Weston hears about Frank’s engagement with Jane, he really gets upset but it is Mrs. Weston herself, and partly through Emma brings him round and makes him feel as happy as lark. Her Love for Emma Mrs. Weston is not only an excellent wife but a very good friend also. Her love for Emma is boundless. She feels very much distressed when she comes to know of Frank’s engagement with Jane. Emma assures Mrs. Weston that she had never thought of falling in love with anybody, and least of all, with Frank. Mrs. Weston behaves perfectly like a mother to Frank although he once paid an unbecoming compliment to her as being a beautiful young lady. She forgives Frank for all his acts of duplicity to Emma and Jane and Harriet when she receives a long letter of explanation from Frank. A Good Woman Mrs. Weston has a good heart but she appears to be quite weak in understanding as well as in will power. She can be won over by anybody with a sweet tongue. She is so simple-minded that she believes readily without any justification that Mr. Knightley is the donor of the piano to Jane and that he must be in love with her. Although Mrs. Weston is perfectly rational yet her heart rules her head.

7. Mr. Elton Mr. Elton is the Vicar of Highbury. He is a handsome Young man. There is no touch of real or natural grace about his features. He really lacks elegance,

gentlemanliness and all the qualities of true refinement and culture. Mr. Elton is proud of his lectures or speeches or sermons at the church. He is self-conceited and very full of his own claims. He has little regards for the feelings of others. Mr. Elton has some superficial elegance, which misleads even Emma to regard as true elegance. Emma regards Mr. Elton as a perfect gentleman, and she tries her best to bring about union between Mr. Elton and Harriet. Elton is making love to Emma. Harriet being simpleminded girl takes the advances of Elton. Both Emma and Harriet are sadly mistaken in their study of Elton’s Psychology and therein lies the tragedy of both Harriet and Emma. But Mr. Knightley judges Elton quite correctly and says about Mr. Elton, ‘I never in my life saw a man more intent or being agreeable than Mr. Elton. With men he can be rational and unaffected, but when he has ladies to please, every feature works … He is not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody … He is well-acquainted with his own claims… he does not mean to throw himself away.’ His Love Affairs Mr. Knightley is perfectly correct in his estimate about the mind or the heart of Mr. Elton. Elton proposes to Emma, not under the intoxication of wine, but in perfect wake-fullness or consciousness of his rational mind. When Emma, who, however, was never ready for such a surprise, rejects him he runs immediately to Bath and marries Miss Augusta Hawkins who owns thirty thousand pounds. So, we see how materialistic and practical-minded Elton is. When Emma reminds Elton of his attentions to Harriet, he is surprised, and his tone of detestation for Harriet becomes obvious. His Greedy Nature Mr. Elton makes approaches to Emma. He has definitely an eye on the great wealth of her father, which would inherit after the death of her father. When Emma rejects him, he marries another woman of considerable fortune chiefly or rather entirely for the sake of fortune. We can never appreciate his ideal of marriage. Elton never cared to see, while marrying Augusta Hawkins, whether she was a decent or vulgar woman, cultured or uncultured, accomplished or unaccomplished. He has polite, courteous, sweet tongued and sweet-tempered, kind-hearted, magnanimous, and in every other way most elegant, decent and agreeable personality. But after her marriage, he behaves towards Emma and particularly towards Harriet, in snobbish, arrogant, selfish, mean, rude and impolite manner. He appears to be a perfect gentleman before his marriage. He refuses to have Harriet as his dancing partner when she is left all alone and looking most miserable in the Crown Inn hall. Mr. George knightly comes forward and takes Harriet as his dancing partner although he is not at all interested in dancing or in such frivolous thing. Elton’s wife is a good match for him because she is equally vulgar, impertinent, snobbish, cruel, mean and selfish like her husband. A Social Climber Mr. Elton is a social climber as well as an intruder into society. He is a doubledealer in the sense that he hides his true character so long it serves his personal interest but he appears in his true colors when his self-interest has been once served. With men he can be rational and unaffected; but when he has ladies to please, every

feature works. He is a perfect hypocrite to the fair sex because he has to fulfill a grave interest of his own in their case. 8. Mr. John Knightley Mr. John Knightley is the younger brother of Mr. George Knightley of Donwell. He married Isabella, elder sister of Emma. He is a lawyer of considerable status in his profession. Like his elder brother, he has a good physical personality with great intelligence. He is slightly reserved in his manners, and therefore, cannot be regarded as a very sociable character. His shrewd remarks about everybody are often cutting and hence unpleasant. He does not spare commenting even upon his own father-in law, Mr. Woodhouse. He is not an ill-tempered person, but often goes out of his temper. He does not exceed limits on any occasion; and that is why, with all his shortcomings, people do not dislike him. He is a very shrewd and competent lawyer; he is bound to be often very correct in his inferences or judgments. His wife, Isabella, is quite his reverse, image and by the law of polarity they form a very agreeable partnership in life. An Unsociable Person Emma, however, does not spare Mr. John Knightley whenever he happens to be irrational, unkind or dictatorial towards Isabella. It is Emma alone who can bring round John Knightley whenever the latter happens to be perishing, caustic, ill humoured or ill tempered. John Knightley too knows quite well that Emma is not like her sister Isabella, a woman of weak understanding, or like Isabella, she would take everything lying down; and hence, he cannot afford to trifle with Emma particularly when she is right and he is wrong. When he quotes the authority of Mr. Perry in defence of his arguments, Mr. John Knightley comes in between the father and the daughter and says that Mr. Perry has no business to advise his wife or children in any connection. The relationship between the son in-law and the father-in-law would have been seriously strained if Emma had not come in between them and softened the whole question or the situation. Mr. John Knightley’s ill humour reaches its crisis on another occasion when he argues against the bad weather on the occasion of some dinner party. A Strict Man Mr. John Knightley is blunt in his words because he does not believe in affectations of any kind. He says what he means and he means what he says. When he expresses his opinion about Jane and Frank or even about Emma and Mr. George Knightley, he is quite outspoken. Regarding his own children he is not a man to be lenient to them if they go wrong or misbehave any way. He is quite a strict master that way; but at same time he is also a loving father and a dutiful husband. When the two sons are sent to Hartfield, Mr. John Knightley says plainly to Emma that she must not be lenient to them, and if they became unmanageable, they should be at once sent back to London. Mr. John Knightley like his elder brother is very shrewd and intelligent. He has great insight into human character. He is aware that Elton is in love with Emma.

9. Mrs. Elton Mrs. Elton was Miss Augusta Hawkins before her marriage. She is the younger daughter of a Bristol merchant. She lost her parents in early year. She lived with her uncle who was a lawyer. Every winter she used to spend a few weeks at Bath, and it was at the watering-place of Bath that she became acquainted with Mr. Elton who managed to get married in a hurry with him. Miss. Hawkins was attractive in the face, but she was not at all elegant in manners, in voice or expression Mr. Elton was attracted simply because of her possession of some money or landed estate. Mr. Elton was not a man to marry mere beauty or aristocracy; he had the value of money in the material world. Her Habits Mrs. Elton was poor in understanding. She always talked like a foolish woman. It is only the foolish women who parade their pride or vanity in all their talks, behaviour, gestures words and looks. Emma also finds it an easy job to know the inner springs of Mrs. Elton’s mind and heart within a very short time. Emma says about Mrs. Elton, “Mrs. Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and thinking much of her own importance; she meant to shine and be very superior, but with manners which had been formed in; a bad school, pert and familiar; all her notions were drawn from one set of people, and one style of living; if not foolish, she was ignorant, and her society certainly would do Mr. Elton no good”. A Foolish Lady Mrs. Elton’s ignorance and inferior understanding are constantly betrayed in all her talks. When she presses Jane Fairfax to accept the job of a governess Jane replies that she is not in a hurry for any kind of employment. She further tells Mrs. Elton that when she would decide to take up a Job, she would be able to produce one for herself because in the various offices – there are plenty of jobs particularly in the sales department, not of course the sale of human flesh but of human intellect. The very utterance of the sale of human flesh horrifies Mrs. Elton, and she at once cries out in horror and amazement, “Oh! My dear, human flesh! You quite shock me; if you mean a fling at the slave-trade, I assure you, Mr. Suckling was rather a friend to its abolition”. Her Judgment Mrs. Elton passes her judgment upon Mrs. Weston’s social status or culture. Mrs. Elton refers to Mr. Knightley as mere Knightley even without having seen him or known him any way. Emma is perfectly justified when she remarks about Mrs. Elton, “Mrs. Elton’s attitude towards Harriet Smith,” is typically of her intolerable insolence. Her manners to Harriet are unpleasant, sneering and negligent. The enmity, which she and her husband dare not show openly to Emma, finds vent in their contemptuous treatment of Harriet. Mrs. Elton’s utter rudeness is seen especially in the looks of approval and encouragement she turns on her husband when he insultingly refuses to dance with Harriet. Mrs. Elton’s hatred of Emma is the outcome of jealousy, and she could not suffer the regard and admiration shown to Emma almost universally in High bury. Mrs. Elton patronizes Jane in a much worse manner than she dares patronize Emma because she knows that Jane belongs to a poor family while Emma belongs to

the topmost family in Highbury. The manner in which Mrs. Elton thrusts her patronage upon Jane is most disgusting even to the observer. Mrs. Elton makes Jane a victim of her patronage. The real secret to Mrs. Elton’s character is her inferiority complex, which finds its expression with vengeance in all possible airs of superiority over others. Mrs. Elton must have been born in some uncultured family, or she must have been educated in some bad school where bad manners and low ideals are cultivated, or she must be a perverted child of nature who develops evil instincts even without any external influence. She is undoubtedly an ill-bred woman with no control over her tongue or mind or heart. 10. Harriet Smith Harriet Smith is the natural daughter of a tradesman. He was rich enough to afford her the comfortable maintenance. She is closely associated with the Martin family, which means that she also may be a farmer’s daughter. Emma believed in the beginning that Harriet belongs to some good family. She was sweet-tempered wellbehaved and good at heart although intellectually not sharp. Harriet was educated at Mrs. Goddard’s boarding school where the girls are mostly mediocre type. Harriet’s only friends at Mrs. Goddard’s school were the two Martin sisters, and it was through them that she came in touch with their brother Robert Martin who fell in love with her. Mrs. Goddard brought Harriet to Hartfield. Harriet came in touch with Emma who brought about many good and unfortunate changes in her life. Emma is charmed by Harriet’s pretty face and also by her sweet temper and manners. Harriet is shy and reserved; she has no pride or vanity of any kind; and hence, she readily submits herself to the guidance of Emma whom she follows like a Pole star. Mr. Knightley describes Harriet, “She is not a sensible girl, not a girl of any information. She has been taught nothing useful, and is too young and too simple to have acquired anything herself. She is pretty and good-tempered. Her Simple Nature Harriet was educated at Mrs. Goddard’s school but she learnt practically nothing. It is Emma who teaches her something but that does not take her any long way. It is because of her simple mind that she misunderstands Elton, Frank, Knightley all of whom she believes fell in love with her but none of them loves her. Harriet is the only woman character in the novel that falls in love with all the leading men characters. She is married to Martin in the long run with whom she began her career of love. She does not receive the least shock of disappointment. It is because of Emma’s interference in every case that Harriet does not exercise her own judgment. She plays the role of a puppet in the hands of everybody. Emma is chiefly responsible for all the ups and downs in her life of love. If Emma had interfered, Harriet would have been married to Robert Martin in the very beginning as she is married to him in the long run! Harriet is fickle minded and tosses like a shuttlecock in the hands of the lovers. Harriet is introduced into the story merely to complicate the love tangle, and when the love tangle is dissolved, Harriet automatically drops out and is united with her first and only lover Robert Martin.

A Simple Girl Harriet is so simple that she cannot feel the intensity or significance of the lover instinct. She is unduly passive and docile because she plays just like a tool in the hands of Emma. Some of the observers say that Harriet suffers a good deal of mental agonies, and Emma believes that Harriet actually suffers a lot of mental tortures. Harriet is sweet-looking, sweet-tempered, and sweet-behaved. Thus snobbery finds its fulfilment in making Harriet the victim of her patronage in the field of marriage. Emma’s Interest in Harriet The qualities, which Emma noticed in Harriet Smith, appealed to her, and Emma thought that she would have “the opportunity of improving her character, educating and training in taste and social discrimination”. She was only trying to satisfy her urge to dominate Emma’s snobbery. Harriet is not only a proxy for Emma, but she is also her defence. Harriet was a very pretty girl, and at the same time she was extremely stupid and Emma used her in several ways. Harriet willingly puts herself into the yoke and Emma seems to be in love with her. She cannot be without Harriet. She is always full of consideration for finding a suitable match for Harriet— that is a sort of her responsibility. 11. Jane Fairfax Jane Fairfax is an orphan. She is the only child of the youngest daughter of Mrs. Bates. Her father was a Lieutenant in the Militia. He died in the battlefield and his wife too died soon after leaving Jane a three-year old orphan who was looked after by her grand mother, Mrs. Bates and her aunt, Miss Bates. When Jane was just nine years old, she was taken care of by Colonel Campbell because Jane’s father once happened to have saved the life of the Colonel. The Colonel’s daughter was of the same age of Jane. Colonel Campbell undertook the full responsibility of bringing up Jane, and so, Jane became later on as good as a member of the Colonel’s family, and it was only occasionally that Jane used to visit her grandmother and her aunt at Highbury. Her Early Life Jane was given good education with a view to make her fit to be a governess in a respectable family. Miss Campbell is much inferior to Jane in personal charms as well as in intellect. But she was married to Mr. Dixon who belongs to Ireland. This marriage was the result of the meeting of Miss Campbell with Mr. Dixon at the watering place of Weymouth When Jane attains the age of twenty one, she decides to leave off the Campbell and to earn an independent living. But before the removal of Jane to Highbury and the shifting of the Campbell to Ireland, Jane happened to come in close touch with Frank Churchill; they took a fancy to each other and soon were engaged. This engagement was kept a secret because Frank feared that his aunt Mrs. Churchill would not approve of the marriage. This secrecy causes much of mental agonies to Jane at Highbury, and also considerable misunderstanding about Frank’s behaviour towards Emma, Harriet and others. Her Personality Jane is elegant and her physical personalities as well as her mental attainments together with her accomplishments in singing and dancing are distinctly above the average. But she suffers from some pulmonary troubles, and she becomes completely

unfit for any kind of outdoor exercise or hard work. Jane becomes a misfit in the Highbury circles probably because the Campbells in London, Weymouth and Bath had brought her up. Because of her awkward position at Highbury, she is more misunderstood by the members of both the sexes at Randall’s or at Hartfield. She actually in a fit of agony and despair, sorrow and humiliation drops a letter to Frank breaking off her engagement with him. Even Mr. Knightley who seldom misunderstands anybody and who is all admiration for Jane finds fault with her and says to Emma, “Jane Fairfax is a very charming young woman – but not even Jane Fairfax is perfect. She has a fault; she has not the open temper which a man would wish for in a wife”. Even Emma maintains secrecy throughout the story in spite of her deep-rooted love for Mr. George Knightley. Her Performance Ronald Blythe remarks “Jane Fairfax’s role in Highbury is that of the intellectual recluse whose presence makes everybody else feel inadequate and guilty. She is too young to take comfort from what happened to Miss Taylor and too brilliant as well. Moreover, her position in the novel as the serious girl, as opposed to Emma, the lively girl, seals her fate. Jane must suffer and Emma must shine. It is her brain and not her, virtue which makes Jane so interesting to the modern reader...”

12. Miss Bates “Miss Bates is the daughter of a former Vicar of Highbury. Miss Bates stood in the very worst predicament in the world for having much of the public favour. She had no intellectual superiority to make atonement to herself, or frighten those who might hate her, into outward respect. She had never boasted either beauty or cleverness. Her youth had passed without distinction, and her middle life was devoted to the care of a failing mother. It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders. She loved everybody, was interested in everybody’s happiness, and thought herself a most fortunate creature. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, she contended and grateful spirit was felicity to her. She was a great talker on little matters, full of trivial talks and harmless gossip”. Her Natural Habits The talkativeness of Miss Bates without any offence towards anybody is the most striking as well as the most entertaining, feature of her character. She is also the first with the news in Highbury, and that is why, in the eyes of some people she is a gazetteer. The most memorable talks indulged in by Miss are first the talk about the fastening of the rivet of the spectacles of her mother by Frank Churchill; second, the talk about the baked apples sent by Mrs. Wallis; third, the talk delivered immediately arriving at the house of the Coles; fourth, the talk at the Crown Inn hall i.e. at the dancing party. Miss Bates is all thankful and grateful for the slightest service done to her or to her grandmother or to Jane or to anybody else. Miss Bates considers it her duty to thank everybody on behalf of everybody. Emma, however, complains that the company of Miss Bates is most boring. Miss Bates’s chatter is so life like that those who know nothing about the art of creation might suppose it to have been taken down by a shorthand writer.

A Useless Wit Miss Bates can never speak ill of anybody although she may be most unguarded in her talks. She regards every man and woman as god, excellent, remarkable, noble and possessing at least one great virtue by himself or herself. Miss. Bates’s speeches are always interesting and entirely free from any text of vanity and presumption. Indeed she goes to the opposite extreme. While Mrs. Elton blows her own trumpet incessantly, Miss. Bates in ever humble and ever grateful. The contrast between the two women is most pronounced in every aspect of their character. Her manners to Harriet Smith are unpleasant, sneering and negligent. She is always full of gratitude and humility. A visitor to her residence is received with the utmost solicitude and hospitability. Every enquiry about her mother or her niece is answered with the warmest expression of thankfulness. She is most well-meaning, harmless creature incapable of saying a harsh word or doing a harsh deed to any one in the world. She sees only the best side of every person and every object. Her great optimism and contentment in spite of her numerous afflictions and drawbacks are admirable. She is a standing lesson of how to be happy. 5.6 CHARACTER SKETCHES PREVIEW Emma Woodhouse – The protagonist of the novel Mr. George Knightley – Emma’s brother – in – law and Woodhouse’ trusted friend. Mr. Woodhouse – Emma’s father and the patriarch of Hartfield. Harriet Smith – A pretty Seventeen – year – old woman of uncertain parentage. Frank Churchill – Mr. Weston’s son and Mrs. Weston’s Stepson. Jane Fairfax – Miss Bates’ niece Mrs. Weston – Formerly Miss Taylor, Emma’s beloved governess and companion. Mr. Weston – The widower and proprietor of Randalls. Mr. Elton – The village Vicar, a handsome and agreeable man considered a welcome addition to any social gathering. Mr. Robert Martin – A twenty – four – year – old farmer. Miss Bates – Friend of Mr. Woodhouse and aunt of Jane Fairfax. Isabella Knightley – Emma’s older sister. Mr. John Knightley - A lawyer, Emma’s brother – in – law, and Mr. George Knightley’s brother. Mrs. Elton – formerly Augusta Hawkins. Mrs. Churchill – Mr. Weston’s ailing former sister – in – law and Frank Churchill’s aunt and guardian. Colonel Campbell – A friend of Jane Fairfax’s father Mrs. Dixon – The Campbells’ daughter and Jane’s friend. Mr. Dixon – Husband to the Campbells’ daughter. Mrs. Goddard – Mistress of the local boarding school. Mrs. Bates – Mother to Miss Bates and Friend of Mr. Woodhouse. Mr. Perry – An Apothecary and associate of Emma’s father. Elizabeth Martin – Mr. Martin’s kind sister. Mr. and Mrs. Cole – Trades people.

5.7 A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT – PARAPHRASE – PARTI Chapter – 1 The narrator began the novel with the description of the protagonist, Emma Woodhouse. She was beautiful, clever and rich lady. She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, father. Emma dearly loved her father. Her mother had died long ago and she was alone. Miss. Taylor was the governess to the two sisters and was married to Mr. Weston, a widower. She was particularly fond of Emma. Emma’s sister, Isabella was married and settled in London. Her husband and their little children would visit Emma, only at Christmas. Mr. Knightley, a sensible man about 37 or 38 was not only a very old and intimate friend of the family, but particularly connected with them as the elder brother of Isabella’s husband. He was a welcomed frequent visitor and always brought some good news of Isabella’s well – being in Brunswick Square. As Emma was interested in making a match, Mr. Woodhouse prayed that she should not make any more matches. But Emma told him that she would make one more match, only for Mr. Elton, their young person. Mr. Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley both agreed that it would be better to invite Mr. Elton to dinner but to leave him to choose his own wife. Chapter – 2 Mr. Weston was born of a respectable family, a native of Highbury. He had a good education and joined the militia of his country. Captain Weston was a general favorite. He came in touch with Miss. Churchill belonging to a wealthy and aristocratic family of Yorkshire. She fell in love with him and married him despite the objections from her brother and his wife. She was a great spendthrift and soon made a bankrupt of Mr. Weston. However, she died after a three years of marriage, leaving a child behind. Mr. Weston now quit the militia and engaged in trade. He now amassed good fortune, purchased Randalls, a little estate adjoining Highbury, and obtained Miss. Taylor as his wife. He was happy to marry Miss. Taylor who had helped and advised him in his plans after his return to Highbury. He had his son, Frank Churchill, born for his first wife and brought up by Churchills, uncle family of Weston. He saw his son every year in London, and was proud of him. Chapter – 3 Mr. Woodhouse was fond of society in his own way. He wanted to have his friends come and see him at Hartfield. Harriet Smith was the natural daughter of somebody. She was a girl of seventeen. Emma was interested in her on account of her beauty and allowed her to be her companion by the requisition of Mrs. Goddard. Emma, in her superior position felt a kind of patronizing love for Harriet. She had no friends except in Martins; the family of her school friend’s who had rented a large farm of Mr. Knightley’s. She had recently spent some weeks there happily. Emma now felt that Martins must be coarse

and unpolished, and very unfit to be the intimates of a girl who wanted only a little more knowledge and elegance to quite perfect. Chapter – 4- 5 Harriet Smith becomes intimate with Emma. And Emma invited her quite often and approved her in every respect. Certainly, Harriet was not clever but totally free from conceit, and only desired to be guided by any one. Emma was quite convinced of her companionship and tried to find out who were the parents of Harriet but Harriet could not say much on this score. Next, Emma also observed Harriet’s spending her time with Martins on holidays. Emma soon decided to wean Harriet from them. She had become rather attached towards the young gentleman – farmer, Robert Martin who admired Harriet very much. As an esteemed companion, Emma took great pains to show Harriet the disparity in social status between Miss. Woodhouse and Mr. Robert Martin who rented a farm belonging to her brother-in-law, Mr. Knightley. As Emma’s friend, Harriet was now moving in the society of gentlemen like Mr. Knightley, Mr. Western and Mr. Elton, and could no longer return to the lower social class in which the Martins moved. Mr. Knightley disapproved of Emma’s growing intimacy with Harriet smith. On the contrary, Mrs. Weston was of different opinion that their pleasant relationship will be an inducement to Emma to read more herself. But Mr.Knightley is of the view that being the cleverest of her family spoiled Emma. Both, Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston wondered Emma’s continue to have her own way, quite ready to follow the whims of her wayward fancy. More over, Emma expressed her unwillingness to get marry yet Mr. Weston saw no immediate opportunity to tempt her to break her resolution. Chapter – 6 – 8 Emma has given a proper direction towards Harriet’s fancy, and raised the gratitude of her young vanity to a very good purpose. She was quite convinced of Mr. Elton’s warm praising of Harriet and his fairest way of falling in love. Usually Mr. Elton paid visit to Hartfield where he passed his compliments on two ladies. Emma convinced herself and her comparison that the complements were all meant directly or indirectly for Harriet who was evidently the object his admiration. When Emma painted the picture of Harriet one day, Mr. Elton duly admired her various attempts at portraits. Her sister opposed that the picture did not do justice to her husband, John Knightley. Emma then decided not to attempt any picture where husbands or wives involved. However, Emma greeted herself on her success in braining her friend and the young vicar nearer to each other. Mr. Elton was very much interested on the picture, received it with a tender sigh to take it to London. Emma thought to herself that he was an excellent young man, and would suit Harriet exactly. At the time of Mr. Elton’s departure to London, Harriet received a parcel contained two songs and a letter which holds a direct proposal of marriage From Mr. Martin. Therefore, Harriet hurried back to Emma for her guidance in the matter. Emma read the letter and was surprised to see its style, which seems to be above her expectations. Emma congratulates her and suggests that Harriet can write a letter refusing his proposal. And while “Emma continued to protest against any assistance

being wanted, it was infact given in the formation of every – sentence,” afterward Emma manages to distract her by talking about Mr. Elton and actually influenced her strongly in rejecting the proposal. Mr. Knightley told her that Harriet was soon to receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Robert Martin. But he was much displaced when Emma told him how the offer had already been made and rejected. He could not understand why the foolish girl, Harriet had refused a decent gentleman – farmer like Mr. Martin. He blamed Emma for this. Emma protested that Mr. Elton was far from her thoughts that of the time – being, she only wanted to keep Harriet with her at Hartfield. However, she was a little worried on hearing Mr.Knightley views on the kind of marriage, which Elton was likely to make. Mr. Elton had excused himself by saying that he was going on very agreeable mission. Chapter – 9 - 10 Mr. Knightley was certainly displeased with Emma. But her plans and proceedings appeared to her more and more justified, and endeared to her by the general appearances of the next few days. The picture, which was elegantly framed, hangs over the mantelpiece of the common sitting room safely to hang soon after Mr. Elton’s return from London. Mr. Elton sighed out his hail sentences of admiration. This pleased both Emma and Harriet. Both Emma and Harriet engaged in collecting and transcribing as many riddles. Mr. Elton said that he had never written anything of this kind in his life. He learns of it, though he takes it gallantly. Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family who lived a little way out of Highbury. Mr. Elton was found them passing by the bend of the lane, and very soon he joined them to accompany to that cottage. As they walked on, Emma succeeded in separating for a time from them so that he could propose to her friend. But though nothing of the sort happened, Emma flattered herself that both Harriet and Elton had found the occasion very enjoyable. Mr. Elton would not propose till he was sure that he would be accepted. Chapter - 11- 12 The Knightleys and their five children, and some nursery maids all reached Hartfield in safety for Christmas vacation. This occupied Emma’s attention for ten days. Mr. Woodhouse was very happy and passed most of his time with his daughter, Isabella. He could not reconcile himself to the idea of losing Miss. Taylor. Emma tried to comfort his feelings by saying that it was not proper on their part to stand in the way of Miss. Taylor’s making such a good marriage. The people of Highbury still looked forward to the visit of Frank Churchill, a handsome man of twenty-three. They were very curious to know about him. Actually her father told Mrs. John Knightley all about Frank Churchill. That evening Mr. Knightley is to dine with them. In order to manage their argument with him, Emma, with good calculation has her eight – month- old niece in her hands when he arrived. The evening was quite and conversable for Mr. Woodhouse to have a comfortable talk with his dear Isabella. The brothers talked of their own concerns and pursuits while Mr. Woodhouse talked with Isabella about the health of her children. He considered it very unwise to have taken them to a seaside

resort, and attributed his own views to his doctor, Mr. Perry. Mr. Knightley put a full stop to the discussion by saying that he was the man to decide as to where his family should spend their holidays and that Mr. Perry “would do as well to keep his opinion till it is asked for.” Chapter – 13 This short visit to Hartfield afforded much joy to Mrs.Knightley. She visited her old friends and talked with her father and sister in the every evening. An evening before the party, Harriet was severely attacked by cold and fever, and Emma thought Mr. Elton would have no more interest in the party. She told him that he could very well be excused from attending the party. When she had almost succeeded in getting Mr. Elton off, Mr. Knightley offered to take him in his carriage, and Mr. Elton accepted the offer most gratefully. Emma was quite astonished at the young man’s eagerness to attend the dinner when his beloved Harriet lay sick at a little distance from Randalls. To regulate the behaviour of Mr. Elton, Mr. Knightley told Emma that Elton seemed to have a great deal of good will towards her. Emma assured Knightley that it was not like that and she never be the object of Mr. Elton’s love. Emma was in dismay to find Mr. Elton at Randalls in good and cheerful spirits, not at all concerned about Harriet. Chapter – 14 – 15 Mrs. Weston listened a very hearty talk of Emma about herself and her father. During this conversation Emma determined to think as little as possible of Mr. Elton’s oddities and enjoy all that was enjoyable to the utmost. But Emma’s project of forgetting Mr. Elton for a while, made her rather sorry to find, that he was seated close to her and was continually obtruding his happy countenance on her notice. In spite of Emma’s resolution of never marrying, she was always interpreted by the idea of Frank Churchill. She had frequently thought that if she were to marry, he was the very person to suit her in age, character and condition. On the whole she had a great curiosity to see him. After dinner, Mr. Elton came to the drawing room, and seated himself between Mrs. Weston and Emma on a sofa. He professed himself extremely anxious about Harriet’s sore throat. This sort of behaviour form Mr. Elton offended Emma and she left the sofa. The carriages were carried for. In the first carriage, Mr. Woodhouse, Isabella and John Knightley were seated. In the second carriage, as it so happened, Emma was followed by Mr. Elton. Now Mr. Elton resumed his unwelcome attentions to Emma with great zeal. He openly declared his love for her in the most impassioned words. At this declaration Emma was too over-whelmed by unpleasant feelings to make any reply and Mr. Elton thought that her silence implied a favourable attitude. She had never consciously encouraged him and she only felt sorry for her friend who had believed herself admired by Mr. Elton. As far as Emma herself was concerned she had no thoughts of matrimony at the time. The rest of the trip is spent in angry silence. After learning him at Vicarage, the carriage takes her to Hartfield, where she finds everyone in peace and comfort – everyone except herself.

Chapter – 16 After, she had gone to bed Emma evaluated the evening events and consider “the evil to Harriet” she wonders, “How she could have been so deceived!” and reviewed all the events in connection with Harriet. Emma concluded that Mr. Elton had no real affection for her and wants only to enrich himself through her as an heiress of thirty thousand pounds. She obliged in honesty to admit that her complaisance, courtesy, and attention might have led him to misunderstand her. She felt ashamed for the first and worst error at her door and resolves “to do such things no more.” Next her thoughts turned towards Harriet within a moment and about soothing her friend’s disappointment. Emma got up on the morrow more disposed for comfort that she had gone to bed; more ready to see alleviations of the evil before her, and to depend on getting tolerably out of it. However there was still an evil hanging over her in the hour of explanation with Harriet. This made it impossible for Emma to be ever perfectly at ease. Chapter – 17 The John Knightleys were not detained long at Hartfield. So the whole party set off. The very same evening of the day brought a note from Mr. Elton to Mr. Woodhouse that he was proposing to leave Highbury the next morning in his way to Bath. Emma was most surprised about this. Mr. Elton’s absence just at this time was the very thing to be desired. She admired him for contriving it, though not able to give him much credit for the manner in which it was announced. Emma now resolved to keep Harriet no longer in the dark and had to destroy all the hopes, which she had been. The confession completely renewed her first shame, and the sight of Harriet’s tears made her think that she should never be in charity with herself again. Emma got Harriet to Hartfield and showed her the most unvarying kindness. She strived to occupy and amuse her by books and conversation to drive Mr. Elton forms her thoughts. There must be the cure to be found where the wound had been given. Emma tried her maximum to see her in the way of cure, till then there could be no true peace for her. Chapter 18 Mr. Frank Churchill did not come when the proposed time drew near. Then the arrival of a letter of excuse was justified Mr. Weston’s fear. Mr. Weston was exceedingly disappointed. Emma was not really care about Mr. Frank Churchill’s not coming at that time. Emma talked the matter over with Mr.Knightley, and she blamed the Churchills for not allowing him to come. Mr. Knightley pointed out that the Youngman could have come if he had wanted. Mr. Frank Churchill was the one who was often seen at the popular pleasure resorts like Bath and Weymouth. Mr.Knightley blamed the Churchills whom allowed him to go where pleasure prompted but prevent his going where duty beckoned. Emma tried to argue for Mr. Frank Churchill saying

that the habit of dependence and obedience in him, which he had been confirmed from childhood, would make it impossible for him to over ride the wishes of the Churchills and make his visit to Randalls. But Mr. Knightley chose to differ from Emma’s views on subjects. Emma felt this attitude very unusual in Mr. Knightley who was never unjust to the merits of others. Chapter – 19 One morning, Emma and Harriet were just approaching the house where Mrs. And Miss Bates lived. She determined to call upon them and seek safety. The visitors were cordially and even gratefully welcomed. Then Miss Bates actively began speaking of Mr. Elton and his doings at Bath as described in a letter, which their neighbour Mr. Cole had from the Vicar. It turned out that Jane Fairfax was expected to be there in a week and Miss Bates extremely happy about it. Emma’s imagination suggested something shady in all this. But she did not want to waste any more time listening to the endless talk of Miss Bates and so she hastened to Hartfield along with Harriet. Chapter – 20 Jane Fairfax was an orphan, the only youngest daughter Mr. Bates. By birth she belonged to Highbury. At the age of nine, a certain Colonel Campbell of Lt. Fairfax’s regiment offered to undertake the whole charge of her education. Jane Fairfax had known nothing but kindness from Campbells and fallen into good hands. She had been given an excellent education and thus, she was a cultured, disciplined and talented girl. Miss. Campbell fell into the affections of Mr. Dixon, a young man, rich and agreeable. They were acquainted and happily settled, while Jane Fairfax had to earn for her bread. She had never been quite well since the time of Miss. Campbell’s marriage and till she should have completely recovered her usual strength. However, Emma did not like Jane Fairfax. Mr. Knightley had once told her that she didn’t like her because she saw in her the really accomplished young woman, which Emma wanted to be thought herself. Jane Fairfax was very elegant. Her height was pretty, her figure particularly graceful and her size a most becoming medium. Her eyes are a deep gray, with dark eyelashes and eyebrows. More over, her skin had a clearness and delicacy in which Emma was forced to admire her elegance. Emma determined that she would dislike her no longer. But that was hard to her; she could not quite like Jane who was disgustingly and suspiciously reserve in her words and manners. She met Mr. Frank Churchill at Weymouth. Emma asked her about his appearance and manners. The answers were polite but not very evasive. Emma’s dislike increased on her because of the caution, which spoke of Mr. Frank Churchill. Chapter – 21 Emma could not forgive her, Mr.Knightley pleased to observe Emma’s behaviour and how she had got over her dislike of Miss. Fairfax. Miss Bates told her that Mr. Elton was going to be married with Miss. Hawkins of Bath. Emma was so completely surprised that she could not avoid a little blush at the news. Mr. Knightley had been to Mr. Cole on business, where he had been shown Mr. Elton’s letters; and Mrs. Cole had written a note about it to Miss. Bates.

After their visitors had left Emma was alone with her father. She was mute in pondering over the very amusing piece of news in which, Mr. Elton could not have suffered long but she was sorry for Harriet. Emma could hope was by giving the first information herself, to save her form hearing at abruptly form others. Mr. Robert Martin had hurried after her when she left the shop. She tried to over come with the genuine emotion reflected in Mr. Martin’s conduct that the news of Mr. Elton’s engagement did not produce the same effect as it would have done at any other time. Emma was rather pleased at this meeting with the Martins. Chapter – 22 Mr. Elton had gone away deeply offended by Emma, came back engaged to another (to Miss Hawkins). He returned a very gay and self– satisfied, eager and busy, caring nothing for Miss Woodhouse, and defying Miss Smith. The charming Augusta Hawkins was in possession of an independent fortune, so many ten thousands. Mr. Elton had caught both substance and shadow, both fortune and affection, and was just the happy man he ought to be. The wedding was no distant event, and it was guessed that when he next entered Highbury he would bring his bride. Miss. Hawkins was youngest of the two daughters of a mode rately rich Bristol merchant. Her father and mother had died some years ago, an uncle remained. Her elder sister was very well married, to a gentleman in a great way. Harriet’s mind wavered between Mr. Elton and the Martins. Mr. Elton’s engagement had been the cure of the agitation of meeting Mr. Martin. The unhappiness produced by the matter of that engagement had been little put aside by Elizabeth Martin’s calling at Mrs. Goddard’s a few days afterwards. Harriet had not been at home but a message had been prepared and left for her. It was in a very touching style. Chapter – 23 Emma appeared in her carriage and put a stop to the visit. She got over her own unpleasant sensations by the resentment of the Martins and the suffering of Harriet. Emma was riding away disappointed when suddenly she found the carriage stopped by Mr. and Mrs. Weston who were returning home. They told her that Frank Churchill was expected next day. The next day, Emma was surprised to see Mr. Weston and his son, Mr. Frank Churchill sitting with her father. Frank Churchill was a very good looking young man with agreeable manners. He was never tired of praising Mrs. Weston. This only made Emma like him all the better as she loved to hear the praises of her beloved Mrs. Weston. On leaving, Frank Churchill enquired after the house of Miss. Jane Fairfax whom he had the opportunity of knowing at Weymouth. His father immediately told him to call on her while her went on some business. The son was not particular to make the visit that very day. But his father told him that any neglect of Miss Fairfax at Highbury should be avoided as she was living

with her poor grandmother and would therefore feel slighted at any want of attention. Upon this, Mr. Frank Churchill was persuaded to call upon Jane on his way home. Emma felt very happy at being acquainted with the agreeable youngman and looked forward to many happy occasions of meeting him during his fortnight at Highbury. Chapter – 24 – 25 The next morning, Mr. Frank Churchill came along with Mrs. Weston to Highbury. Emma had hardly expected them. All three of them walked about together for an hour or two. He was delighted with everything. He solicited Miss Woodhouse to exert her influence so that they should have frequent balls at the Crown. He seemed to have all the amiable spirits and social inclinations of his father. Emma now asked him how he thought of Miss Fairfax looking. He told her that she was looking very ill- a most deplorable want of complexion. Emma would not agree to this and began a warm defence of Miss Fairfax’s complexion. They discussed about the nature and hidden talents of Miss Fairfax. Emma’s very good opinion of Frank Churchill was shaken the following day by hearing that he was gone off to London, merely to cut his hair. Emma found that he was a very pleasing and sensible young man. Mr. Weston gave her to understand that Frank admired her extremely – thought her very beautiful and charming and this, coupled with the feeling that he was marked out for her by their joint acquaintance. It made Emma pleasantly disposed towards the youngman, though she had no thought of marriage. Mr. Knightley regarded Frank Churchill just as a silly fellow. He considered it quite silly of him to drive his way to London and back for a hair cut. Chapter – 26 Mr. Frank Churchill came back after had his haircut and laughed at himself. Unlike Mr. knightly Emma did not consider him silly. She was glad at the prospect of meeting Frank at the Coles’ party on the following Tuesday. Emma left her father in the company of Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Goddard, and set out for the Coles party. Mr. Knightley also went there in his own carriage and both the carriages arrived at the same moment. The Westons also arrived there, and they extended their looks of love and admiration for Emma. The party was rather large. Miss Bates, Miss Fairfax, and Miss Smith were to come in the evening. Mrs. Cole was talking about a new piano, which war sent by Col. Campbell to Jane Fairfax. But Emma imagined that it was from Mr. and Mrs. Dixon because Mr. Dixon admired Jane and her music so well. Mr. Frank Churchill also agreed with Emma and said that it was a gift of love from Mr. Dixon. In the evening, Frank made his way to Emma and she introduced him to her friend Miss Smith. In her behaviour Emma saw a consciousness of sin. She found him staring intensely at Jane across the room. But he managed the situation that he was staring at Jane’s strange hair style. He further admits that he would go and ask her whether it was an Irish fashion as like he engaged in talking with her for sometimes. From, his little acts of kindness and consideration to Jane, Mrs. Weston had come to believe that Mr. Knightley was interested in her.

Chapters – 27 – 28 Emma felt quite pleased with her visit to the Coles except on two points, which she was not quite easy. She doubted whether she had not transgressed the duty of woman by woman, in betraying her suspicions of Jane Fairfax’s feelings to Frank Churchill. She did regret the inferiority of her own playing and singing. She also most heartily grieves over the idleness of her childhood and was then interrupted by Harriet’s coming in. On the way, Miss Bates spoke about the kindness of Mr. Knightley who had sent them his whole store of apples for the use of Jane who relished them so much. However, Frank Churchill was yet able to show a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again. Jane sat down to the pianoforte and gave a good performance at that time. Mrs. Weston and Emma praised her for it. Mr. Frank Churchill asked Jane to play something more. He brought all the music to her, and looked it over together. Emma took the opportunity of whispering that he spoke too plain. For this reason she felt half ashamed of his conduct and expressed her regret at having shared with him about Jane’s secret suspicions. Shortly afterwards Miss Bates, invited him to come but he did not oblige her saying he had urgent work. Soon after he rode away Emma and the others left. Chapters – 29 – 30 Frank Churchill had danced once at Highbury and longed to dance again. Mr. Weston entered into the idea with through enjoyment and most willingly undertook to play music as long as they could wish to dance. The rooms at Randalls were too small to accommodate the ten couples, so it was decided to hold the party at the Crown Inn. Everybody approved of it. Jane Fairfax, like Emma, was very enthusiastic about the party and eagerly looked forward to it. She enjoyed the thought of it to an extraordinary degree. Two days of joyful security were immediately followed by the overthrow of everything. A letter arrived from Mr. Churchill to urge his nephew’s instant return. As Mrs. Churchill was unwell, Mr. Frank Churchill must return to Enscombe without delay. Mrs. Weston instantly forwarded the substance of this letter to Emma. Soon after receiving his uncle’s note, Frank arrived at Hartfield to take leave of Emma. He expressed the greatest regret for going away unexpectedly. Emma made a promise that they would have the party when he came next to Highbury. After his leave – taking, Emma was so listless and sad that she felt she must have been falling in love with Frank who had nearly declared his love for her.

Chapter – 31 – 32 Emma continued to entertain her and no doubt of her being in love. She had great pleasure in hearing Frank Churchill’s talk than ever in seeing Mr. and Mrs. Weston. She was very often thinking of him and quite impatient of a letter, that she might know how he was. When his letter and Mrs. Weston arrived, Emma had the perusal of it. She read that letter with a degree of pleasure and admiration. Her name appeared more than once in the letter.

As Frank Churchill’s arrival had succeeded Mr. Elton’s wedding – day was named. Mr. Elton and his bride were in everybody’s mouth, and Frank Churchill was forgotten. Emma grew sick at the sound. She had three weeks of happy exemption from Mr. Elton and Harriet’s mind had been lately gaining strength. Emma felt that she could not do too much for her. At last Emma told that her (Harriet’s) allowing herself to be so occupied and so unhappy about Mr. Elton’s marriage. She could not give her a greater reproof for the mistake she (Emma) had fallen into.

Chapter – 33 Mr. Elton appeared to Emma whenever they met again as self – important, presuming, familiar, ignorant and ill – bread. She had a little beauty and a little accomplishment, but a little judgment that she thought herself coming with superior knowledge of the world. Mr. Elton thought himself happy and proud. Mrs. Elton grew even worse than she had appeared at first. Her feelings altered towards Emma. Her manners too, and Mr. Elton was unpleasant towards Harriet. Mrs. Elton took a great fancy to Jane Fairfax from the very first. She also tried to impress upon Miss Woodhouse to exert them and endeavour to do something for her. Emma did not enthusiastically support these proposals and could hardly understand how Jane Fairfax who had known better company could tolerate the insufferable Mrs. Elton for long.

Chapters – 34 – 35 Thus Emma was obliged to invite them to Hartfield for dinner. On the appointed day, Mr. John Knightley arrived with his two boys and took the place at table, instead of Mr. Weston who was called away on business. The other guests were Mr. Knightley, Jane Fairfax and Mrs. Weston. Though Mrs. Elton was as insufferable as on other occasions, the evening turned out to be pleasant, especially because Mr. John Knightley was in unusual good humour. Mrs. Elton showed great interest in Frank Churchill and said that Mr. Elton and she would lose no time in calling on him. They both would have great pleasure in seeing him at the Vicarage. Mr. Weston talked at great length about his son and the Churchills. He also told her about the social standing of the Churchills and how Mrs. Churchill was suffering from pretended illness. Mr. John Knightley produced a letter for Emma from her sister, Isabella and proved more talkative than his brother. He told her that he would be leaving the next day. Mr. Knightley proposed that when Emma was too busy with her visits or parties, she must send the little boys who were left under her care to Donwell. But Emma teased him by saying the he would have less time for his nephews and no way better suited to take care of the little boys.

5.8 SUMMARY Emma woodhouse, a very young and energetic twenty – year- old girl imagines herself to be naturally gifted in conjuring love matches. She lost the mind and convinced that she herself will never marry. After self – declared success at matchmaking between her governess and Mr. Weston, a village widower, Emma takes it upon herself to find an eligible match for her new friend Harriet Smith. Mrs. Goddard mistress of the local boarding school introduces Harriet to the Woodhouse. Though Harriet’s parentage is unknown, Emma is convinced that Harriet deserves to be a gentleman’s wife and sets her friend’s sights on Mr. Elton, the village vicar. Meanwhile, Emma persuades Harriet to reject the proposal of Robert Martin, a well – to – do farmer for whom Harriet clearly has feelings. Harriet becomes infatuated with Mr. Elton under Emma’s encouragement, but Emma’s plans go away when Elton makes it clear that his affection is for Emma, not for Harriet. Emma realizes that her obsession with making a match for Harriet has blinded her to the true nature of the situation. Mrs. Knightley, Emma’s brother – in – law and treasured friend, watches Emma’s match making efforts with a critical eye. He believes that Mr. Martin is a worthy young man whom Harriet would be Lucky to marry. He and Emma quarrel over Emma’s wedding, and as unusual, Mr. Knightley proves to be the wisest of the pair. Elton is spurned by Emma that Harriet is his equal, leaves for the town of Bath and marries a girl there almost immediately. 5.9 TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. What Emma is known for? 2. Who is Mr. Knightley? 3. Who is the governess to Emma? 4. Who sends a letter to Harriet? 5. How many children did the Knightley’s have? 6. What resolution did Emma have at the beginning of the novel? 7. What made Emma get an unpleasant sensation? 8. Who extended the looks of love and admiration for Emma at Coles party? 9. Why did Mr. Knightley regard Frank Churchill a silly fellow? 10. Who introduced Harriet smith to the Woodhouses? SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Trace some of points of humor in the novel ’Emma’. 2. Make a character study on Mr. and Mrs. Knightley. 3. Compare and contrast between Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith. SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. How far do you think, Emma is a domestic novel?

2. Elucidate Emma as a Psychological novel. 3. Discuss Emma as a Comedy of Errors.

CHAPTER – VI EMMA - JANE AUSTEN 6.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter carries a detailed analysis of the text. It also highlights some of the famous literary criticism on Jane Austen’s “Emma”. An overall summary of the story is also provided for better understanding of the students. 6.2 A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT – PARAPHRASE – PART II Chapters – 36 – 38 Mr. Woodhouse resigned to the prospect of spending the evening at Hartfield with Mrs. Bates and his two grand – children while Emma went to the ball at the Crown. On the day fixed for the ball, Frank Churchill reached Randalls before dinner. Emma arrived at the Crown along with Harriet just after the Westons. Two more carriages arrived one after the other, the occupants of these carriages had been entreated to come early for the purpose of preparatory inspection. Mr. and Mrs. Elton also arrived. Emma longed to know what Frank’s first opinion of Mrs. Elton might be. Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse followed. The ball proceeded pleasantly. Everybody seemed happy. There was one event however, which Emma thought something of. The two last dances before supper was begun and Harriet had no partner. In another moment Emma caught a happier sight – Mr. Knightley was leading Harriet to the set. His dancing proved to be just what she had believed it, extremely good. Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr. Knightley till after supper, but her eyes invited him irresistibly to come to her and be thanked. He then asked her to confess that she had wanted Elton to marry Harriet. Emma agreed to this and said that for this reason they won’t forgive her. Now Mrs. Weston called on everybody to begin dancing. Emma hesitated a moment and then replied that she would dance with him if she would ask her. Mr. Knightley offered his hand to her. Chapters – 39 – 40 Harriet came one morning to Emma with a small parcel in her hand. She had come to make her confession before Emma. The parcel contained a pit of court plaster, which had been handed by Mr. Elton in the early days of their acquaintance and she had preserved it as a relic of her love for him. Having burnt these articles the simple girl told Emma that she would never marry. This did not surprise Emma who had already thought of Harriet’s love for Frank Churchill, who was her social superior and marriage was out of the question. Harriet asked her hand in silent and submissive gratitude. Emma was thinking of such an attachment of bad thing for her friend. Chapters 41 – 42 Mrs. Elton was very much disappointed. It was the delay of a great deal of pleasure and parade. It was settled that they should go to Box Hill. Mr. Weston had agreed to choose some fine morning and drive there. Emma was displeased when she heard about it from the Weston as she very much disliked the Elton’s. Mrs. Elton’s

carriage – horse had become lame. But when Mr. Knightley saw her so much restless and disappointed, he suggested that they could have a small picnic to Donwell Abbey and enjoy his strawberries. Mrs. Elton accepted the offer and began to direct Mr. Knightley how whole thing was to be conducted. She wanted to tell her aunt that she had returned home as it was late. Emma kindly offered to call her carriage but Jane declined the offer.Emma then asked him to join them next day at Box Hill. At last he agreed to join the party at Box Hill. The party was returning and all were soon collected.

Chapters – 43 – 44 They had a fine day for Box Hill. Everybody reached there in good time. Emma and Harriet went together; Miss Bates and her niece with the Elton’s; the gentlemen on horseback. Mrs. Weston remained with Mr. Woodhouse. At first it was downright dullness to Emma. She had never seen Frank Churchill so silent and stupid. Frank Churchill asked Emma to choose a wife for him and teach her to be like herself. Emma thought of Harriet immediately. Poor Miss Bates admitted that she would be sure to say at least three dull things every time she opened her mouth to speak. Then Emma, with mock seriousness told her to limit herself to three dull things and this pained her a great deal very much. He pointed out that as he was her true friend, he thought it his duty to tell her that she had ill – treated Miss. Bates. Mr. Knightley had handed her into the carriage and had quickly walked off. Emma, alone in the carriage with Harriet, found the tears running down her checks, as she felt quite mortified at her conduct towards Miss Bates and also at her inability to express her repentance to the true friend who had so justly upbraided her. Miss Bates came very happy and obliged. Emma now enquired about Jane. Miss Bates told her that Jane was very much tired after deciding suddenly to accept the excellent situation as governess in the small ridge family, arranged by Mrs. Elton. Jane had no intention of accepting the situation. But her mind was made up during Box Hill expedition and before leaving for home she had closed with Mrs. Elton’s offer. Frank had dutifully left that very evening.

Chapters – 45 – 46 On her way, Emma remained engrossed in her pensive thoughts. Mr.Knightley and Harriet had arrived at Hartfield during her absence. Mr.Knightley told her that he was going to London to spend a few days with John and Isabella. Short letters from Frank were received at Randalls, communicating all that was immediately important of their state and plans. Emma now turned her attention to Miss Fairfax who was not well. She called on her with a view to taking her out in the carriage for an airing, but Miss Bates very politely declined the offer on the ground that Jane was too unwell to go out. Miss Bates informed Emma that Jane was too unwell to see any body. Dr. Perry also confirmed this.

Mr. Weston who asked her if she could come to Randalls at any time that morning, as Mrs. Weston wanted to see her, called Emma. Emma immediately followed Mr. Weston to Randalls. But Emma’s all attempts to know from Mr. Weston as to what for she was required to be at Randalls went in vain. On reaching Randalls, Mrs. Weston informed her that Frank Churchill and Miss fair fax were engaged. Emma even jumped with surprise, and horror-struck Emma asked Mrs. Weston whether she was serious about it. Emma scarcely heard what was said. Her mind was divided between two ideas. Both Mr. and Mrs. Weston were terribly shocked at this because his former conduct had led everyone to believe that he cared only for Emma herself. She declared at the moment that she did not have any kind of attachment towards Frank Churchill though sometime ago she had fancied herself to be a little in love with him. Mrs. Weston also disapproved of Frank’s questionable conduct after his secret engagement. But as frank had promised to explain everything in a letter, he was to write them soon. Chapters 47 – 48 Emma felt miserable on account of poor Harriet – to be second time the dupe her misconceptions and flattery. Mr. Knightley had spoken prophetically when he once said, “Emma! You have been no friend to Harriet smith”. She was extremely angry with herself. Emma now could imagine why Jane had slighted her own attentions. Emma could not know how to understand as Harriet’s behaviour was so extremely odd. Her character appeared absolutely charged. She seemed to propose no agitation, or disappointment, or peculiar concern in the discovery. Emma looked at her, quite unable to speak. However, Emma’s surprise knew no bounds when on her talking with Harriet on the subject of Frank’s engagement; it transpired that Harriet had become attached not to Frank Churchill but to Mr. Knightley. Harriet even went to the extent of believing herself loved by Mr. Knightley. Emma cried out that it was a most unfortunate mistake. What was to be done? Emma asked her it she had any idea of Mr. Knightley returning her affection. Now she felt sorry that she had taught Harriet Smith to have the presumption to elevate her thoughts to Mr. Knightley instead of being content to marry a man of her own class like Robert Martin. Emma now realized that it was her own doing. It was she herself who had been at pains to give Harriet notions of self – consequences. If Harriet were grown vain, it was her doing so. Emma now reflected that she had herself been first with him for many years past. Inspite of all her faults, she knew she was dear to him. She felt that Harriet might be disappointed regarding Mr. Knightley. She was not particular to marry him. She only wanted him to continue the same old Mr. Knightley to her and her father. Mr. Weston’s communications furnished Emma with more food for unpleasant reflection. Chapters 49 – 50 Next day, Emma resolved to be out of doors as soon as possible. She lost no time in hurrying into the Shrubbery. She saw Mr. Knightley passing through the garden door and coming towards her. They walked together. He was silent. She thought he was often looking at her, and trying for a fuller view of her face than it suited her to give. When Emma wanted

to give him the news, she had already heard about the engagement of Miss Fairfax and Frank Churchill. He had come to know about it from Mr. Weston. Mr. Knightley tried to console Emma, but Emma made him convinced that she had never cared for Frank Churchill. Finding her affections disengaged, he could not help asking whether he would be allowed to speak of something, which was nearest to his heart. Emma, thinking that he was going to speak about his love for Harriet, told him not to commit himself. Emma was overjoyed at this and she lost no time in letting him know that her heart was already his. But she felt for Harriet whose hopes had been entirely groundless, a mistake, a delusion, Knightley heard Emma declare that she had never loved him. Emma was now in an exquisite flutter of happiness. With respect to her father, it was a question soon answered. While he loved, it must be only an engagement. She was thinking of Mr. Knightley, when a letter was brought her from Randalls. It was a note from Mrs. Weston to herself, along with a letter from frank to Mrs. Weston. It was a very long letter and having read it, Emma was convinced of Frank Churchill’s gratitude to Mrs. Weston, his love for Jane Fairfax and his admiration and respect for herself. Being already in love she was disposed to view the story of his love more kindly than before. Chapter – 51 Emma thought so well of the letter, that she desired Mr. Knightley to read it; because he had seen much to blame in his conduct. Mr. Knightley read it in Emma’s presence. When he came to Miss Woodhouse in the letter, he was obliged to read the whole of it aloud with a smile, a look, a shake of the head, a word or two of assent, or merely of love. He also said that the gift of pianoforte to Jane was the act of the very young man. Frank Churchill’s confession of having behaved shamefully was the first thing to call for more than a word in passing. Thus Mr. Knightley condemned all that smacked of dishonesty and flirtation on Frank Churchill’s conduct in dealing with Jane and Emma too. Now Mr. Knightley asked Emma to marry him without. Chapters – 52 It was very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself to avoid a meeting. Emma had no difficulty in procuring Isabella’s invitation for Harriet; and she was fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it without resorting to invention. Mrs. John Knightley was delighted to be of use; she was quite eager to have Harriet under her sister’s side, Emma proposed it to her friend and found her very persuadable. Thus Harriet reached safely in Brunswick Square. Now Emma could enjoy Mr. Knightley’s visits. She had resolved to defer the disclosure till Mrs. Weston was safe and well. She soon resolved, equally as a duty and pleasure, to employ half an hour of holiday of spirits in calling on Mrs. Fairfax. She went there and was admitted by Jane herself coming eagerly forward to receive her. Emma had never seen her look so well, so lovely, and so engaging. She was overjoyed to receive Emma. Emma was also equally gratified. Mrs. Elton said that Mr. Elton would soon join her. She whispered to Jane that she was making a congratulatory visit. He took a long time to make his appearance, having had to walk to Donwell to see Mr. Knightley. Mr.Knightley was however not at home, and his servants had no idea where he had gone. Emma, knew that he would probably, be waiting for her at Hartfield and so she took leave of Jane. Then Emma

enquired of her about their date of marriage. Jane told her that it could be only after the three months, of deep mourning. Chapter – 53 Mrs. Weston was blessed with a daughter. Emma remarked that Mrs. Weston would educate the girl on a more perfect plan. Mr. Knightley also joined Emma about this issue and said that Mrs. Weston would indulge more that she indulged in Emma. Isabella sent quite as well an account of Harriet as could be expected. Now Emma broke the news of her engagement to her father in a very tactful manner. She made him consent to it, as she would always be there at Hartfield, and also Mr. Knightley would be there. However, Mr. Knightley also had to play his part in persuading old Mr. Woodhouse. Mr. Weston also declared that it was a union of the highest promise of felicity in itself, and without one real, rational difficulty to oppose or delay it. The news was universally a surprise whenever it spread, and Mr. Weston told it to Miss Bates, Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Perry, and Mrs. Elton. In general it was a very well approved match. But in the Vicarage, the surprise was not softened by any satisfaction. She knew that Mrs. Knightley would throw cold water on everything. She also disapproved of the idea of their living together at Hartfield; it would never do, according to her. Chapter – 54 Emma was thinking of it one morning. When Mr. Knightley came in, after the chat of pleasure, he broke the news to Emma that Harriet Smith was to marry Robert martin. Emma gave a start to hear of it. She was totally amazed. To Emma it seemed impossibility, Mr. Knightley removed all her doubts by asserting that Robert Martin had proposed to Harriet and she had accepted. However, Emma said that it did not make her unhappy, but Mr. Knightley should tell her how all this had come about. Mr.Knightley narrated the story how it had all happened. Mr. Robert Martin had gone to town on business three days ago, and he had got him to take charge of some papers to be handed over to John Knightley. Emma was actually happy to learn all about it; but she did not want to attempt any immediate reply, as that would betray a most unreasonable degree of happiness. When Mr. Knightley asked her to speak about it she told him that she was quite reconciled to the match. The entrance of her father soon afterwards closed their conversation. Emma and Mr. Woodhouse arrived at Randalls. Frank and Miss Fairfax also arrived there. Emma was extremely glad to see them but there was a degree of confusion on each side. He congratulated Emma on her engagement with Mr. Knightley. He had a great deal to say but Emma’s feelings were chiefly with Jane in the argument. Chapter – 55 Mr. Robert Martin had thoroughly supplanted Mr. Knightley, and was now forming all her views of happiness. Harriet was a little distressed and looks a little foolish at first. Harriet was most happy to give every particular of the evening at Astley’s. She could dwell on the next day dinner with the utmost delight. Emma could

now acknowledge that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin. Beyond this, it must ever be unintelligible to Emma. Harriet’s parentage became known. She proved to be the daughter of a tradesman, rich enough to afford her the comfortable maintenance which had ever been hers, and decent enough to have always wished for concealment. Emma how realized that it was quite fanciful on her part to arrange Harriet’s marriage with Mr. Knightley, Churchill, or even Mr. Elton. The stain of illegitimacy would have been a stain indeed. Harriet was less and less at Hartfield. The intimacy between her and Emma must sink; their friendship must change into a calmer sort of good will. Robert Martin and Harriet smith, the latest couple engaged of the three, were the first to be married. Jane Fairfax had already quitted Highbury and was restored to the comforts of her beloved home with the Campbells. The Churchills were also in town, and they were only waiting for November. Emma and Mr. Knightley had determined that their marriage ought to be concluded, while John and Isabella were still at Hartfield. John Isabella and every other friend were agreed in approving it. But Mr. Woodhouse who had never yet alluded to their marriage, considered it as a distant event. Mr. Elton was called on, within a month from the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin, to join the hands of Mr. Knightley and Miss. Woodhouse. The wedding was very much like other weddings, were the parties have no taste for finery or parade. Mrs. Elton thought it all extremely shabby and very inferior to her own while the particulars detained by her husband. Inspite of it, the predictions of the small bands of true friends who witnessed the ceremony were fully answered with the perfect union of happiness. 6.3 LITERARY CRITICISM It is clear that deviating flair for the exact title is superb. The short scene in which Emma herself is not on the stage; and that one scene is Knightley’s conversation about her with Mrs. Weston. Emma is the very climax of Jane Austen’s work; and a real appreciation of Emma is the final test of citizenship in her kingdom. For this is not an easy book to read; it should never be the beginner’s primer, nor be published without a prefatory synopsis. Every sentence and every epithet; has its definite reference to equally unemphasized points before and after in the development of the plot. Emma is the novel of character, and of character alone, and of one dominating character in particular. A rash reader and some, who are not rash, have been shut out on the threshold of Emma’s Comedy by a dislike of Emma herself. Jane Austen know what she was about, when she said, ‘I am going to take a heroine whom nobody but myself will much like.’ She fails to make people like Emma, so far would her whole attempt have to be judged a failure, were is not that really the failure, like the loss, is theirs who have not taken the trouble to understand what is being attempted. Jane Austen loved tackling problems; her hardest of all, her most deliberate, and her most triumphantly solved, is Emma.

No one who carefully reads the first three opening paragraphs of the book can entertain a doubt, or need any prefatory synopsis; for in these the author gives us quite clear warning of what we are to see. We are to see the gradual humiliation of self conceit, through a long self-wrought succession of disasters, serious in effect but keyed in comedy throughout. Emma herself, in fact is never to be taken seriously. Emma is simply a figure of fun. - R. Farrer In the later novel, Emma, where perhaps Miss Austen perfects her processes for painting humorous portraits, the negative fool is much better represented in Miss Bates, Miss Bates has enough of womanly kindness and other qualities to make her a real living person, even a good Christian woman. But intellectually she is a negative fool. She has not mind enough to fall into contradictions. There is a certain logical sequence and association between two contradictories, which it required mind to discover: Miss Bates’s fluent talk only requires memory. She cannot distinguish the relations between things. If she is standing in a particular posture when she hears a piece of news, her posture becomes at once a part of the event which it is her duty to hand down to tradition. - Richard Simpson

.. “Each heroine is furnished with a pendent, rival or foil; Marianne with Elinor, Elizabeth with Jane; Catherine with Isabella, Fanny with Mary, Emma with Jane; Anne Eliot, whose case does not fit this scheme quite neatly has two foils to set off her beauty. Call her Cordelia, and Miss Eliot assumes the proportions of Goneril, if Musgrove is an inadequate Regan”. “All the Jane Austen Characters are ready for an extended life, for a life which the schemes of her books seldom require them to lead, and that is why they lead their actual lives so satisfactorily" - R.W. Chapman If we put all the villains together we shall see that one quality they share in common is cleverness, the hypocritical mask of a more or less serious want of principle; the heroes, on the other hand, share in varying degrees reserve behind which is honesty and strength of feeling. The only two men who do not fall easily within the scope of this generalization are Henry Tilney -- though it might be argued that for him wit rather than reserve is the weapon of self-preservation – and John Thorpe, whose unconcealable stupidity is part and parcel of his boorishness”. - H. Wright “Marianne’s fortunes follow a curve which brings her back, as in some figure of a dance, to her original position but facing the opposite way…. The curve is completed with a light, quick hand; Marianne’s original opinion of her lover recalled by a single brief pleasantry; there is no awkward attempt at explanation”… - Lascelles

“One was not all. “Sense” and the other all “sensibility” each had some of both qualities and what made the story was that the proportions differed. Marianne has such vivid emotions, such romantic enthusiasms and rejections, that her common sense at crises was all but swept away till rescued by her generous heart. Elinor, not much older, brought good sense to bear on her own emotional shocks—indeed on her general view of life – but it was as much her sensitive awareness of what her mother and sister would suffer if they knew what she was suffering, that kept her silent to bear it alone. It was her own sensibility that made her understand the grief of her sister was undergoing with more clamour. - Becker “We feel, in the presence of the virtue and sense of Elinor a rebuke which never affects us …while Marianne is often exasperating. Edward Ferrars is rather stiff, and Colonel Brandon is so far removed from us that we never even learn his Christian name. - Austen Leigh “It seems abundantly clear that in reading Jane Austen’s novels we are not intended to take all the figures in the same way. Some are offered as full and natural portraits of imaginable people; others, while certainly referring to types of people, we might easily have come across, are yet presented with such exaggeration and simplification that our response to them is expected to be rather different. - Harding The realism of Jane Austen is ….truly psychological….There is an extraordinary degree of truth in the picture it paints reality –of a group of human beings, their relations one with another their clashes and affinities their mutual influences, their conversations…. And this gift is explained by the immediate invention. She brings to her study of character …..Her clear, sighted eyes read through the inner minds of those who live around her, or of the beings whom she invents and animats, just as if those minds were transparent….Everything shows a delicacy of touch, a sense of balance, serene reasonableness…. Jane Austen’s work shows us a wealth of character studies….But if she has reconstructed souls from the inside with the full and finished touch of the great masters; she has also the talent of picturesque evocation and knows how to sketch figures with so sure and suggestive a pen that they stand out in a strong and unforgettable relief. Her power of perception is keen and fresh; she immediately grasps the individual traits…. Her work represents in an original way the eternal comedy of life with all its whims and fancies; and as reality only awakens in her a spirit of amusement without bitterness…she allows the virtual quaintness of whatever is human to grow active of it…and she abundantly possesses the implicit eloquence of humour. - Legouis Miss. Austen never wrote about what she did not know; she rejected all suggestions for pretentious plots and held fast to what she called her “little bit of ivory to inches square”…..Her delightful characters are so real, so different, so amusing,

and so much alive that one forgets they are people in a book and counts them as personal friends. - W. Hill There has never been more searching and convincing delineation of character, the quite but ever attentive humour, the fine discrimination of individual peculiarities, the development of personality under the stress of ordinary experience have made her novels the joy of countless readers…..But though her range is limited, it is the range of everyday experience with which everyone is familiar and her interpretation of its persons and happenings is as fresh today as ever. - Allen “That young lady had a talent for describing the involvement and feelings and characters of ordinary life which is to me the most wonderful I ever met with. The big Bow-Wow Strain I can do myself like any now going: but the exquisite touch which renders ordinary commonplace things and characters interesting from the truth of description and the sentiment, is denied to me”. That exquisite touch brought out for each succeeding generation, characters so true to life itself that they are true to life today. It is the secret of Jane Austen’s personal modernity…. We come upon her people with the delight of recognizing people we know; her novels speak to any age that speaks English…. - Sir Walter Scott “First and foremost let Jane Austen be named, the greatest artist that has ever written using the term to signify the most perfect mastery over the mean to her end….Her circle may be restricted but it is complete. Her world is perfect orb and vital. Life as it presents itself to an English gentle-woman peacefully yet actively engaged in her quite village, mirrored in her works with a purity and fidelity that must endow them with interest for all time. To read one of her books is like actual experience of life; you know the people as if you had lived with them, and feel something of personal affection toward them. - George Eliot 6.4 KEY WORDS Humour Humour is a derivative of a Latin word ‘humor’ meaning ‘moisture’. According to an ancient theory, there are four principal humours in the body. These depend on the four fluids blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. When any one of these predominates, it determines the temper of the mind and body. Hence there arise four expressions such as Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic and Melancholic humours. A just balance among these four gives birth to a good compound called, “good humour”. If there is a preponderance of any one of the four it paves the way for a bad compound called an ill or evil humour. The excess of blood produces sanguine personality such as happy, kindly, joyful and amorous, that of phlegm, a phlegmatic personality such as cowardly, unresponsive, that of yellow bile, a choleric personality such as

obstinate, impatient, argumentative and that of black bile, a melancholic one such as contemplative affected gluttonous etc. Many writers began to use this theory in their writings in which their characters were classified according to their humour. During the Elizabethan time, the word ‘humour’ itself came to signify a variety of things from disposition to peculiarity. Ben Johnson utilized this theory in his comedies. In his Every Man In His Humour, he has portrayed many characters with the name suggesting their controlling trait. There are characters like Brainworm, Downright, Wellbred, Formal etc. The melancholy Jacques in As You like It, describes his own sadness by using the characteristic vocabulary of the theory of humour. Since this term has come to mean something, which makes people laugh, it begins to indicate one of the two major types of writing, ‘humour and wit’. Humour is sometimes limited to gentle and sympathetic laughter. But wit is something, which evokes intellectual and derisive laughter. Addison gives an ingenious genealogy of wit and humour. According to him, “Truth was the founder of the family and father of good sense. His son was wit who married mirth and humour was their child.” Realism Realism is the record of life as it is. The realist, while describing the actual happenings in life feels and lives in the happenings he describes. But as an artist, he shapes all details of real life into form, which issues forth from his personal vision of reality. Some realists may portray simple everyday people with work worn-out, brave and kindly faces. But some others may avoid such materials in preference to more earthly stories. Realism in literature began in the mid-nineteenth century. Since its beginning, there have been no set ideals and principles governing the content and technique of the realistic works of art. Even before the 19th century, there have been traces of realistic elements even in the works of Daniel Defoe’s ‘Moll Flanders’ and BenJonson’s’ Bartholomew Fair’. Such realistic elements were mainly concerned with the accuracy of speech and behaviour of the low characters. Gradually the accuracy of external details has given way to the complex working of the mind in the 20th century, which has resulted in the use of ‘Stream of Consciousness’ device with all its characteristic fidelity to the inner psychological process of characters. Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are the practioners of this technique though their psychological realism lacks artistic selections. Then reform novels, satires and novels of city life tend towards realism because of the aim of the writers at the depiction of true facts of life. Today realism has come to mean treating all the varied experiences of life in an unsentimental manner. 6.5 SUMMARY Emma, the heroine of the novel is left to comfort Harriet and to wonder about the characters of a new visitor expected in Highbury – Mr. Weston’s son, Frank Churchill. Frank is set to visit his father in Highbury after having been raised by his aunt and uncle in of London, who have taken him as their hair. Emma knows nothing

about Frank, who has long been deterred from visiting his father by his aunt’s illnesses and complaints. Mr. Knightley is immediately suspicious of the young man, especially after Frank rushes back to London merely to have his hair cut. Emma, however, finds Frank delightful and notices that his charms are directed mainly toward her. Though she plans to discourage these charms, she finds herself flattered and engaged in a flirtation with the young man. Emma greets Jane Fairfax, another addition to the Highbury set, with less enthusiasm. Jane is beautiful and accomplished. But Emma dislikes her because of her jealousy upon Jane. Suspicion, intrigue, and misunderstandings, ensue. Mr. Knightley defends Jane, saying that she deserves compassion because, unlike Emma, she has no independent fortune and must soon leave home to work as a governess. Mr. Weston suspects that the warmth of Mr. Knightley’s defence comes form romantic feelings, an implication Emma resists. Everyone assumes that frank and Emma are forming an attachment, though Emma soon dismisses Frank as a potential suitor and imagines him as a match for Harriet. At a village ball, Knightley earns Emma’s approval by offering to dance with Harriet, who has just been humiliated by Mr. Elton and his new wife. The next day, Frank saves Harriet from Gypsy beggars. When Harriet tells Emma that she has fallen in love with a man above her social status, Emma believes that she means Frank. Knightley begins to suspect the frank and Jane have a secret understanding, and he attempts to warn Emma. Emma laughs at Knightley’s suggestion and loses Knightley’s approval when she flirts with Frank and insults Miss. Bates a kind hearted spinster and Jane’s aunt, at a picnic. When Knightley reprimands Emma she weeps. News comes that Frank’s aunt has dived, and this event pares the way for an unexpected revelation that slowly solves the mysteries. Frank and Jane have been secretly engaged; his attentions to Emma have been a screen to hide his true preference. With his aunt’s death and his uncle’s approval, Frank can now marry Jane, the women he loves. Emma worries that Harriet will be crushed, but she soon discovers that it is Knightley not Frank, who is the object of Harriet’s affection. Harriet believes that Knightley shares her feelings. Emma finds herself upset by Harriet’s revelation, and her distress forces her to realize that she is in love with Knightley. Emma expects Knightley to tell her he loves Harriet, “but, to her delight, Knightley declares his love for Emma. Harriet is soon comforted by a second proposal from Robert Martin, which she accepts. The novel ends with the marriage of Harriet and Mr. Martin and that of Emma and Mr. Knightley, resolving the question of who loves whom After all. 6.6TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Who is the protégé of Emma? 2. What is the central focus of the novel? 3. Where did the Churchills live? 4. Whose’ arrival at Highbury irritates Emma? 5. Who had been secretly engaged? 6. Who were united at the end of the novel?

SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Describe the plot construction of the novel. 2. Comment on the literary style of Miss Austen. 3. Describe the character of Miss Bates and point out the instances in which she is important for the satirical delineation of manners. SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Is Emma likeable? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? 2. “Frank Churchill and Mr. Knightley represent two different set of values and two different understandings of manhood”. Describe the values that each character represent and explain how the novel judges their value. 6.7 SUGGESTED READINGS  Hughes, R.E. “The Education of Emma Woodhouse,” Nineteenth – Century Fiction XVI (June, 1961) A Study of Emma’s “Education” in regard to love and wealth.  Lasceller, Mary, Jane Austen and Her Art. London, 1939, A wide – ranging study that combines biography with detailed examination of the novelist’s style and general narrative art.  Albert, Edward - History of English Literature, Fifth edition.  J.N. Mundra and S.C. Mundra - A History of English Literature.

CHAPTER - VII GREAT EXPECTATIONS -CHARLES DICKENS

7.1INTRODUCTION “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens Visualizes the social and cultural background of the Victorian Age. And an intent study of this novel helps to comprehend the historical and biographical facts reflected in the writings of Dickens. 7.2 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND OF THE AGE Charles Dickens belonged to Victorian Age. The writers like Thackeray, Meredith, Carlyle, Macaulay, and Ruskin and so followed him. The few colonial wars took place during this age. But it did out seriously disturb the national life. There was one continental war that directly affected Britain yet caused any profound changes. The whole age may be fairly described as an age of peaceful activity. There was a revolution in commercial enterprise due to the great increase of available markets. As a result of this there was an immense advance in the use of mechanical devices. The new commercial energy was reflected in the Great Exhibition of 1851, which was greeted as the inauguration of a new era of prosperity. Due to the commercial expansion, there was the exploitation of cheap labour; the painful fight by the enlightened few to introduce social legislation and the slow extension of the franchise. The evils of the Industrial Revolution were clearly marked by such writers as Dickens and Mrs. Gaskell, and they called forth the Missionary efforts of men like Kinsley. It is to the credit of this age that intellectual activities were so numerous. There was quite a revolution in scientific thought reflected upon the works of Darwin and his school. In addition, popular education became a practical thing. Thus it induced a new hunger for intellectual food, and resulted in a great increase in the production of the press and also something more in literature. However the age produced no supreme writers. It revealed no Shakespeare, no Shelley, nor a Byron or a Scott. Perhaps it was an age, of spacious intellectual horizons, noble endeavour, and bright aspirations. 7.3 INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR Charles Dickens was the greatest of the Victorian novelists. He was a great genius and both as a novelist and a popular entertainer, he ranked very high. David Cecil says, “He is the one novelist of this school,” in Early Victorian Novelists, “whose popularity has suffered no sensible decline. He is not only the most famous of the Victorian novelists but he is also the most typical. It we are to see the distinguishing virtues and defects of his school at this clearest, we must examine Dickens.” Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 at 357 Mile End Terrace, Commercial Road Land port, Portsea in Hampshire. His father, John Dickens, was a clerk in the navy pay office. When Dickens was nine years old, his father’s debts increased and after his struggle for many years in his native town, he shifted to London and then to Chatham. Dickens had his schooling there. He was much

dedicated to his studies and fond of books. He also participated in the mildest of games. He lived with his parents for some years happily. But soon his father was arrested for non-payment of debts. Then his mother established the famous Boarding for young ladies but no more income they gained. Family circumstances made him to leave the school at the age of eleven. His position forced him to enter into the blacking factory. There he happened to meet a lot of difficulties to earn a few pennies. He was helped by one of his relatives meantime, his father was also set free from prison and Dickens joined the Willington House Academy at the age of fifteen. Once again he left this place and this time he became a clerk in a lawyer’s office. He studied short hand in order to achieve success in his career as a reporter. Walter Allen writes, “During his spare time he haunted the theatres and music-halls of London. As a small child, standing on the kitchen table, he had entertained his father’s friends with comic songs, and this represents a side of Dickens the importance of which cannot be overestimated. He was a born entertainer, a man who had to entertain, because it was a need of his nature to impose his personality on others by making them laugh or making them cry… Indeed, all the accounts indicate that he was a great actor, and so it was natural that, as a youth, he should think of becoming one professionally”. In this way, he spent a few years and earned high praise from his colleagues. Thus he occupied the very highest rank for the marvelous quickness in transcript. 7.4 HIS CHARACTERISTICS Dickens is the best of all the English novelists. “Dickens was the first to introduce to the reading public life of the poor and the oppressed”. He appealed the readers with a sense of humour. He had a special love for orphan children as he had been left on orphan himself and had suffered much cruelty in his early years. Humour Dickens’ humour was the supreme quality of his genius. It was as a humourist that Dickens made his name. Humour is the soul of his work. But we could find a difference between his farce and his sense of humour. True humour always suggests a thought and throws light on human nature. ‘Pickwick Papers’ abounds in farce but blending with the higher characteristics of Humour. Pathos Dickens’ pathos is in separable from the gift of humour. He is at his best in bringing out the pathos of child-life. The readers of his book see how closely the truly pathetic and quick observation is allied in Dickens’ ‘Little Dorrit’, which is strong in both Pathos and humour. There was no less fertile in pathos than in humour. There is a foretaste of Dickens’ humour in Moses, the son of Goldsmith’s ‘Vicar of Wakefield’. “Dickens is truly and profoundly national: of humour the very incarnation, he cannot think of his country without a sunny smile”. As a Reformer Dickens gained the attention of the public that he resolved to use the opportunity to try to cure some of the evils which produced the suffering, and his efforts had great success. The measures for the treatment of the poor were improved

largely, through the books like ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Mutual friend’. Thus he served a great service to the society. As a Novelist Charles Dickens was not only the most popular novelist of his day but he still has more readers than any other author of his time. His name is a household one in the English - speaking world. He produced the characters to the ordinary mind. The most brilliant work he ever produced is his first novel; Pickwick Papers. It is an epic of humour, which provides excellent entertainment As a Realist The impression of reality differs from one another. An artist must select and arrange the facts of nature. This is what Dickens does. Besides, it must also be admitted that he had moral purpose, and this fact conditions his subject, but it is treated imaginatively like the modern naturalists, but, as Church points out, “he did great service in bringing the novel back to life, from haunted rivers and Gothic Castles, and from the romance of highway men then in vogue. He made life, the life which he knew, the subject of his novels, and in this respect he was a great innovator”. 7.5 HIS WORKS Pickwick Papers The novel is in the style of Smollett, whom Dickens adored with a heroic fervor, and recounts the adventures of Pickwick, Winkle, Snodgrass, Tupman and so. “The book contains some sixty distinct situations and more than three hundred and fifty characters, some of them making their appearance only once to win for them a lasting place in our hearts. The incidents loosely connected and the chronology will not bear close inspection, but in abundance of detail of a high quality, in vivacity of humour, in acute and accurate observation, the book is of the first rank. It is doubtful if Dickens ever improved upon it.” Oliver Twist In ‘Oliver Twist’ Dickens presented the pathos of innocent childhood, and the protest against the abuses of power, especially on the part of governmental Institutions. This book is a study in crime and villainy and the punishment, which encircle wrongdoers. The moral sense of Dickens triumphs at the end. Nicholas Nickleby This novel exposes the weaknesses of Yorkshire schools and the horrible teaching and teachers who were in charge of young boys. The themes of suffering childhood and oppressive institutions are united in Dotheboys Hall, a composite picture of the Yorkshire schools. Old Curiosity Shop “This novel has greater originality of design. One does not smell the footlights, but has, instead, delicious wafts of freshness from the fields and lanes of England. The story has more of symmetry; it moves more regularly to its close, and

that close is much more satisfying. It remains in one’s mind as a whole with no part that one feels obstructive or incongruous or wearily feeble. In writing the last portion, Dickens was so engrossed by his theme that he worked at unusual hours, prolonging the day’s labor into the night. The book gained there by its unity of effect. It is a story in the true sense, and one of the most delightful in our language.” Barnaby Rudge His next historical novel Barnaby Rudge is a failure. It is in part a romance of private life, in part a historical novel. The novel deals with Gordon anti-popery riots of 1788 and the principal interest lies in the vivid description of the riot, which held London terrorized for several days. Martin Chuzzlewit Martin Chuzzlewit is considered as one of the finest works of Dickens, though in fact it is a formless work, without any systematic development of the plot. The entire novel centres round Martin’s adventures both in England and America. Dombey and Son ‘Dombey and Son’ is the last of early novels of Dickens. It is a study in pride represented through the character of Mr. Dombey. Susan Nipper and Captain Cuttle provide the benevolent humour; and Florence and Paul Dombey furnish Pathos. The plot is well woven David Copperfield Among the later novels Dickens’ ‘David Copperfield’ (1849-50) is the best. It is his autobiography. “The pen which wrote David Copperfield”, says High Walker “was often dipped in his own blood.” Dickens once said, “I like David Copperfield the best.” David Copperfield and his experiences are the experiences of Dickens himself through all the trials and tribulations of his life. Bleak House Dickens’ next novel ‘Bleak House’ was published in 1853. It is a vigorous satire on the abuses of the old court of chancery, the delays and costs of which brought misery and ruin on its suitors. Hard Times ‘Hard Times’ was published in 1854. It is a satirical exposure of the evils of industrialism and the great misery that follows in the wake of rapid industrialization. Little Dorrit Dickens attacks the rigors of prison life in this novel. Dickens gathered the experiences of prison life from the account of his father, who had been imprisoned in Marshal Sea prison house A Tale of Two cities ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ is a historical novel representing the shuddering event of the French Revolution. It was published in 1859. The two cities are London and Paris. The characters of this novel are masterly portrayed. Great Expectations Great Expectations deals with the adventures of a young boy Pip and is one of the gripping novels of Dickens. It is a novel of adventure, the sort of adventure that

might well happen to a person who got himself mixed up with questionable characters, in such a sort as this, close to the convict – ships or in what really were in those days the wilds of London. 7.6 INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXT Style Dickens is the first English humanitarian novelist. He is central to the Victorian novel as Tennyson to Victorian poetry. The Victorian novelists like Dickens possess the quality of creative imagination to a supreme degree. Dickens is really very strong in pure description and in elaborate picturing. He is often named after his observation. We could not find his style commended for pure idiom or command of subtle melodies ‘Barnaby Rudge’ is written in a style, simple, direct and forcible. When he writes some piece of work in his pleasant mood, his style is faultless and perfectly suited. Alen Clutton Brock says: “Dickens was master of a sound and even classical prose style. His teachers were Smollett, Fielding and Defoe; and he had learned from them thoroughly. He wrote like a man, with a masculine weight, clearness, and balance.” 7.7 THE PLOT The action of the novel falls into three stages. The first stage ends with Pip’s departure for London to be ‘created’ a gentleman. The second stage ends with the appearance of Pip’s real economic benefactor, and the third stage ends with Pip’s departure for the East. All these three stages correspond to the three stages of Pip’s boyhood youth and maturity. Dickens primarily presents three expectations, i) Pip’s dream of ‘gentility’ away from the forge Joe Gargery, his illiteracy and manners. ii) Abel Magwitch’s dream of the gentleman he can create. iii) Havisham’s dream of the revenge upon all men for the shame she has suffered on her wedding day. All these three are inextricably connected. Thus, Pip is the central consciousness of the novel. He comes into contact with several characters who represent society becomes attracted to its false, values, suffers and is redeemed. All the incidents centre on him and highlight the hollowness of class system. Through him Dickens presents his evaluation of Victorian society.

7.8 SUMMARY Charles Dickens a literary doyen of Victorian era is best of all English novelists. His style is simple and plain. His works reflect his special love and concern for orphan children as he had been left an orphan himself. More than a writer his pen showed him as a prominent reformer of social evils. His works usually highlight the evils that prevailed in his age. His works stand as a fine testimony of his hard work and hardships that he underwent in his life. He is more a realist and a fine artist of excellent talent. His characters stand for ever proclaiming his name in the world of literature.

7.9TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Mention the main trend and the nature of Dickens’s Age 2. . Give the name of Dickens’ father. 3. Dickens belongs to which age? 4. How many stages does the plot of Great Expectations have? 5. Name some of the great works of Dickens. 6. Name Dickens’ first novel 7. Name the novel which is studded with French Revolution. SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Give a biographical sketch of Dickens 2. Comment on the style of Dickens 3. Write regarding the major trends of Dickens’ Age SECTION C ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. List out some of remarkable features of Dickens novel. 2. Write out the plot construction of Great Expectations.

CHAPTER – VIII GREAT EXPECTATIONS

- CHARLES DICKENS

8.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter consists of the detailed analysis of the text - “Great Expectations” and its special significance, which makes the readers to gain thorough knowledge of the text. This chapter also carries the literary criticism on Charles Dickens’s “Great Expectations” and its summary. More over, it brings forth some questions to check the gained knowledge of the students. Answers are given at the end of this chapter to help the students. 8.2 GREAT EXPECTATIONS - AN EMPHASIS ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HERO - DISCUSS Charles Dickens’s ‘Great Expectations’ is the story of a poor orphan boy. He became a gentleman by chance and through this experience learned a few lessons regarding life and its aims. This story is told with a proper emphasis on the psychological development of the hero. Pip was an orphan boy who lived in the humble home of a village blacksmith. His sister, the wife of the blacksmith who was an ill tempered, brought him up, in contrast to her softhearted and kindly husband Joe. Pip’s only way of escaping from his sister’s tyranny was the churchyard in the marshes near his home where he could sit by the tomb-stones of his parents. The convicts at times escaped from the prison, which was near his home, causing much excitement in the village. Pip was caught by one of the convicts on one Christmas Eve. He was threatened by the convict and was forced to bring some food and a file. Pip’s convict was generous enough to confess that he had stolen food and a file, thus saving Pip from punishment. Pip imagined how this chance encounters to change his life. He was introduced to an eccentric old lady, Miss Havisham who had been disappointed in love and lived the life of a recluse. There he happened to meet Estella, a proud and elegant girl, Miss Havisham’s ward. She treated him with open contempt. This was the beginning of a change in Pip’s outlook and ambition. He feels dissatisfied by blacksmith’s forge and began to dream of becoming a gentleman. He paid visit to Miss Havisham’s house regularly and was apprenticed to Joe. Pip continued to dream of a better life. Then immediately he got into the promise of great expectations. One of a benefactors provided money to help Pip live in London, get an education, and make he to be a gentleman. Pip’s joy knew no bounds. Yet he had hope on Miss Havisham. In London Pip was introduced to Matthew Pocket, a relation of Miss Havisham. His son Herbert and Pip became friends and began sharing rooms. Pip enjoyed his happy days. He had a false belief that Miss Havisham would allow him to marry Estella.

Pip came of age. His allowance was increased. But something made him unhappy. He was also disappointed in Estella who still kept him aloof and seemed to be out to break men’s hearts, under the active guidance of her guardian. Abel Magwitch returned to England and revealed himself to Pip as his unknown benefactor. Pip came to know about his risk of life and it filled Pip with disappointment and disgust. With the help of his friend’s suggestion, Pip concealed his disgust and set about making arrangements for the convict’s escape from England but the attempt got failed. Estella too married a worthless fellow. Later Pip decided to make career in Herbert’s firm. His great expectations had disappeared. He tried to attain only happiness in life not wealth or social rank. However Pip was united with Estella in ultimate happiness. 8.3 THE LOVE ASPECT IN GREAT EXPECTATIONS The romantic interest is provided by the love of Pip for Estella in Great Expectations. It is a strange story of desire and disappointment, where the young man becomes the target of a woman’s vengeance on the male sex. In the end Pip marries Estella, but the event causes surprise and smacks of artificiality. Pip was a poor orphan boy brought up by his sister and her husband, the village blacksmith. He had been invited to the wealthy lady’s house to amuse her. There he first met Estella, the adopted child of the rich and eccentric Miss Havisham. He fell in love with the beautiful Estella at first sight. She treated him with contempt and insulted him deliberately, yet he was fascinated by her charms. With out realizing his position, he allowed himself steadily into the trap of Miss Havisham. It was that woman’s fantastic plan to train and use Estella as a breaker of men’s hearts. In spite of all, Pip loved the girl. Estella’s beauty was used to trap Pip. He was made her Playmate. At first she insulted and discouraged him. But then, after his victory over Herbert Pocket, she allowed him to kiss her. This made Pip feel encouraged in it. Later on, when Magwitch began to help Pip without disclosing his identity, Miss Havisham encouraged him to believe that she was the unknown benefactor. This delusion encouraged Pip and believes that he might become a worthy husband for Estella. When Estella was in London after finishing her education, Pip often acted as her escort. She confessed that she did not know what love was. But all her warnings were lost on him. As soon as he heard that his heart almost broke when he learned that she was engaged to marry some-one else. This tragedy came when Pip was already in a mess. But Pip recovered quickly and faced the situation boldly. Perhaps he felt some relief when Miss Havisham asked his pardon for what she had done to him. Fate brought Pip and Estella together again after many years. Estella was then a widow and all her wealth gone. She made her mind to recognize the purity of Pip’s affection that she becomes wiser and sadder. Perhaps it is right to say that circumstances made her play the part of the cruel lady but she actually had bind feelings for Pip. She must have found contentment and happiness in the reunion of Pip and Estella.

8.4 CHARACTERS PREVIEW Pip - the hero of the novel. Abel Magwitch – The convict whom Pip meets on the marshes, and who becomes the author of his ‘Great Expectations’ Biddy - an orphan, who comes to help Joe Gargery in the home, on Mrs. Joe Gargery becoming ill, and on her death, marries Joe Gargery. Compeyson –the criminal who betrays Miss Havisham and later becomes Abel Magwitch’s enemy Clara – the girl whom Herbert Pocket loves, and later marries. Estella - Miss Havisham’s adopted child, actually the daughter of Abel Magwitch and a woman of gypsy blood. She first jilts Pip; marries a worthless youth and on his death marries Pip. Herbert Pocket - son of Matthew Pocket and nephew of Miss Havisham, who becomes Pip’s friend, and stands by him at all times. Joe Gargery - Joseph Gargery, the village blacksmith and Pip’s brother-in-law. Jaggers - the criminal lawyer who becomes Pip’s guardian in London. Matthew Pocket - a relation of Miss Havisham who is appointed as Pip’s tutor. Molly - Jaggers’ housekeeper, who is actually the wife of Abel Magwitch and the mother of Estella. Mrs. Joe Gargery - Pip’s sister, wife of the blacksmith. Night Porte r -Night watchman. Phillip Pirrip - the full form of Pip. It is also the name of Pip’s father. Pumblechook - Pip’s uncle. Wemmick – clerk to Jaggers, the lawyer, and Pip’s well-wisher. 8.5 A DETAILED ANALYSIS – PARAPHRASE OF THE TEXT Chapter 1 “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens is an autobiographical novel. It gives a fine and realistic narration of the life story of Philip Pirrip, nicknamed Pip, who is the hero of the novel. The story opens with the narrator, Pip, who introduces himself and describes an image of himself as a boy, standing alone and crying in a churchyard near some marshes. Young Pip is staring at the gravestones of his parents, who died soon after his birth. This tiny, shivering bundle of a boy is suddenly terrified by the voice of large, bedraggled man who threatens to cut Pip's throat if he doesn't stop crying. Chapter 2 Pip is much scared and runs home to his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, and his adoptive father, Joe Gargery. Mrs. Joe is a loud, angry, nagging woman who constantly reminds Pip and her husband Joe of the difficulties she has gone through to raise Pip and take care of the house. Pip finds solace from these rages in Joe, who is’ mild, good natured, sweet tempered, easy going, foolish, dear fellow – a sort of Hercules in strength and also in weakness’. They are united under a common oppression. During the dinner, Pip nervously steals a piece of bread. Early the next morning, Pip steals food and a pork pie from the pantry shelf and a file from Joe's forge and runs back to the marshes.

Chapter 3 The next morning, Pip sneaks out of the house and goes back to the marshes. He finds a man, wet and cold and dressed like a convict, but he turns out to be a different convict from the man who had threatened him the night before. This man has a badly bruised face and wears a broad-brimmed hat. He runs away from Pip without speaking to him. Pip finally finds his man and gives him the food. The man reacts with anger when Pip tells him about the other convict. Pip leaves him filing at his shackle and returns home. Chapter 4 Pip returns home to find Mrs. Joe preparing the house for Christmas dinner. She has invited Mr. Wopsle, the church clerk, Mr. Hubble the wheelwright and Mrs. Hubble and Uncle Pumblechook who was a "well to do corn-chandler" who "drove his own chaise-cart." The discussion over dinner was how fortunate Pip should feel about being raised "by hand" by Mrs. Joe and how much trouble she has gone through in that endeavour, though Pip's opinion was never requested. Mr. Pumblechook nearly chokes on some brandy after the meal and Pip realizes that he poured tar water in the brandy bottle when he stole some for the convict. Mrs. Joe becomes too busy in the kitchen to afford a full investigation, but then announces that she is going to present the pork pie. Sure that he is going to get caught, Pip jumps up from the table and runs to the door, only to meet face to face with a group of soldiers who appear to be there to arrest him. Chapter 5 The soldiers do not want to arrest Pip but they do need a pair of handcuffs fixed by Joe. They are invited in, Mr. Pumblechook offers up Mrs. Joe's sherry and port, and Joe gets to work on the handcuffs in the forge. They are, in fact, hunting two convicts who were seen recently in the marshes. After Joe fixes the handcuffs, he, Pip, and Mr. Wopsle are allowed to follow the soldiers into the marshes. They soon find the two convicts wrestling each other in the mud. The one with the hat accuses the other, Pip's convict, of trying to kill him, but the other replies that he would have done it if he really wanted to. Instead, he had been the one who had called for the soldiers and was willing to sacrifice him just so the one with the hat would get caught again. They bring the two back to a boathouse where Pip's convict, eyeing Pip, admits to stealing Mrs. Joe's pork pie by himself, thus getting Pip off the hook. Joe and Pip watch as the two convicts are brought back to the prison ship. Chapter 6 Joe, Pip, and Mr. Wopsle walk back home. Pop decides not to tell Joe the truth about his file and the pork pie -- he is afraid of losing his respect. When they return, the topic of discussion is the question of how the convict managed to get into the locked house. Through his bombastic overbearance, Mr. Pumblechook's argument wins: the convict crawled down the chimney. Mrs. Joe sends Pip to bed. Chapter 7 Pip describes a little of his education with Mr. Wopsle's great aunt, a "ridiculous old lady" who had started a small school in her cottage. The education, as Pip describes it, is less than satisfactory, but Pip does learn some basics from Biddy, an orphan girl who works for Mrs. Wopsle. While doing his homework one night, Pip discovers that Joe is illiterate. Joe explains that he never stayed in school long because his father, a drunk and physically abusive

to him and his mother, kept him out. Joe goes on to explain to Pip that, because of his father, Joe stays humble to Mrs. Joe. "I'm dead afraid of going wrong in the way of not doing what's right by a woman," he says. He lets Mrs. Joe "Ram-page" over him because he sees how difficult it is to be a woman, remembering his mother, and he wants to do the right thing as a man. Pip has new understanding and respect for Joe. Mrs. Joe comes home, quite excited, and proclaims that Pip is going to "play" for Miss Havisham, "a rich and grim lady who lived in a large and dismal house." Uncle Pumblechook suggested Pip to Miss Havisham when she asked if he knew any small boys. Pip was to go tomorrow and spend the evening at Uncle Pumblechook's in town. Chapter 8 Pip spends the evening at Mr. Pumblechook's and is brought to Miss Havisham after a meager breakfast. They are met at the gate by a young woman, Estella, "who was very pretty and seemed very proud." Estella lets Pip in, but sends Mr. Pumblechook on his way. She leads him through a dark house by candle and leaves him outside a door. He knocks and is let in. There he meets Miss Havisham, a willowy, yellowed woman dressed in an old wedding gown. She calls for Estella and the two play cards, despite Estella's objection that Pip was just a "common labouring-boy." "Well," says Miss Havisham, "you can break his heart." Estella insults Pip's coarse hands and his thick boots as they play. Smarting from the insults, Pip later cries as he eats lunch in the great house yard. He explores the yard and the garden, always seeing Estella in the distance walking ahead of him. Finally, she lets him out of the yard and he walks the four miles home, feeling low. Chapter 9 Pip is forced to talk about his day to Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook. Pip tells lies, making up stories about dogs being fed food. He lies, partly inspite, but also because he is sure that the two would not understand the situation at the Satis House even if he described it in detail. Later, Pip tells Joe the truth, and also confesses that he is embarrassed about being a "commoner" because of his attraction to Estella. Joe reassures him that he is not common; he is uncommon small and an uncommon scholar. Referring to Pip's lies, he adds, "If you can't get to be on common through going straight, you'll never get to do it through going crooked." Chapter 10 Pip states plainly that he wants to be uncommon and so, taking to heart Joe's advice that "you must be a common scholar afore you can be a on common one," he asks Biddy at the small school to help him get educated. The school of Wopsle's great aunt is little more than a play school and Pip understands that it will be hard to concentrate on some actual learning, but Biddy agrees and gives Pip some books to start with. On the way home, Pip goes into a pub to pick up Joe. He finds Joe sitting with a stranger, a man with one eye pulled closed and a worn hat on his head. The man asks Joe all kinds of personal questions, some about Pip's relation to him, the whole time staring at Pip. At one point, the man stirs his drink with Joe's file -- the file Pip stole to give to the convict! As Joe and Pip depart, the stranger hands Pip a coin wrapped in paper. When they get home, Pip realizes that the paper is actually a two-pound note. Thinking it was a mistake Joe runs back to the pub to give it back but the man is gone.

Chapter 11 A few days later, Pip returns to Miss Havisham as directed. This time, the house seems full of people waiting to see her but she sees him first. She brings him into a great banquet hall where a table is set with food and large wedding cake. But the food and the cake are years old, untouched except by a vast array of rats, beetles and spiders which crawl freely through the room. Miss Havisham has Pip walk her around the room as four guests are brought in: Sarah Pocket, a "vicious," "dry, brown, corrugated woman;" Georgiana, "the grave lady;" Camilla, an old melodramatic woman; and her husband, Cousin Raymond. All are, apparently, the same age or a little younger than the withered Miss Havisham and all come to see her on the same day of the year: her birthday, which also happens to be the day when the cake was set out and the clocks were stopped so many years ago; i.e. the day Miss Havisham stopped living. Miss Havisham continues walking around the room, saying little to her guests, until the mention of a certain Matthew, whereupon she stops short. The guests leave, and Miss Havisham once again asks that Estella and Pip play cards as she watches. As Pip is once again allowed to explore the yard, he runs towards a pale, young gentleman who challenges him to fight. Despite the young man's jumping about and expert preparation, Pip gives him a bloody nose, a black eye, and a general whopping. They end the fight and the boy, cheerful as ever, wishes Pip a good afternoon. At the gate, Estella tells Pip that he may kiss her if he likes. Pip kisses her on the cheek. Chapter 12 Pip returns once again to Miss Havisham, but he does not run into the boy again. He begins pushing Miss Havisham in a wheelchair from her room to the large banquet hall, and continues to do so over the course of eight months. Sometimes Estella joins them and the three sing little ditties together. During this same time, Mr. Pumblechook makes a habit of visiting Mrs. Joe and discussing Pip's promising prospects, now that he is routinely seeing Miss Havisham. But the prospects seem to fall away when one night Miss Havisham asks Pip to bring Joe to visit her in order that Pip may start his indenture as a blacksmith. Chapter 13 Joe accompanies Pip to the Satis House the next day. Miss Havisham gives Joe twenty-five guineas for Pip's service to her and thus buys Pip's indenture as a blacksmith. Returning to Mr. Pumblechook's house, where Mrs. Joe is also anxiously waiting, Joe produces the twenty-five pounds much to everyone's -- except Pip's -- joy. Caught up in the excitement, Mr. Pumblechook insists that Pip be legally bound by law and drags Pip and the entourage down to the Town Hall to be bound. Mrs. Joe then brings everyone out for dinner. At the meal, all but Pip seem to be enjoying themselves: "...I was truly wretched, and had a strong conviction on me that I should never like Joe's trade. I had liked it once, but once was not now." Chapter 14 Pip explains his misery to his readers: He is ashamed of his home and ashamed of his trade. He wants to be uncommon; he wants to be a gentleman. He wants to be a part of the environment that he had a small taste of at the Satis House. His greatest fear allies his greatest shame. He fears, beyond everything else, that Estella will see him in his current, dirty, blacksmith state.

Chapter 15 Biddy continues to teach Pip all she knows including an ironic little ditty about a man who goes to London and lives a fancy life. Pip continues to teach Joe everything he has learned, though he doubts Joe is taking much of the information in. Orlick, a gruff man that Joe employs around the forge, begins one day to insult Mrs. Joe within her hearing. There is a fight between Joe and Orlick, which Joe wins, but the two continue to work together as if it is all behind them. About a year into his indenture, Pip revisits Miss Havisham at the Satis House ostensibly to thank her for paying for his indenture. He is disappointed at the meeting: Miss Havisham does see him for a few moments, but only to laugh at him when he looks around for Estella. Estella has, in fact, been sent abroad to be educated as a lady. Pip returns home to find nearly the whole of the village gathered around his house. Mrs. Joe has been hit over the head, knocked senseless by some unknown assailant. Chapter 16 Pip immediately suspects Orlick, though, strangely, his sister was hit with the shackles that the convict filed off in the first chapter! Because of this connection, Pip also suspects the one-eyed man that Joe and he had met in the pub, and who had demonstrated his own knowledge of Pip's past by stirring his drink with the file used to free those same shackles. His sister has suffered some serious brain damage, having lost much of voice, her hearing, and her memory. She communicates by writing letters and symbols on a slate. Furthermore, her "temper was greatly improved, and she was patient." To help with the housework and to take care of Mrs. Joe, Biddy is employed and moves into the house and becomes "a blessing to the household." Strangely, Pip's sister starts to treat Orlick extraordinarily well, inviting him to have something to drink, and watching him with an "air of humble propitiation." Chapter 17 Pip notices that Biddy is turning into a woman, not very pretty, but very bright and wise. They go for a walk and Pip confesses his desire to be a gentleman. He also admits that he wants to be a gentleman so that he will be acceptable, and perhaps loved, by Estella. Biddy wisely suggests that becoming a gentleman to "gain over" a woman who thinks him course and common does not sound very logical. Pip knows this instinctively, can't help himself and says as much, amidst tears in front of Biddy. He tells Biddy that he wishes he were more easily satisfied, he wishes he could fall in love with her, Biddy. "But you never will, you see," Biddy replies. Chapter 18 It is the fourth year of Pip's apprenticeship and he is sitting with Joe and Mr. Wopsle at the pub when a stranger who wants to talk to Joe and Pip alone approaches them. Pip recognizes him, and his "smell of soap," as a man he had once run into at Miss Havisham's house years before. Back at the forge, the man, Jaggers, explains that Pip now has "great expectations." An anonymous sponsor whom Pip is never to try to discover has given him a large amount of money, to be administered by Jaggers. Fulfilling Pip's dreams, Jaggers explains that Pip is to be "brought up a gentleman" and will be tutored by Matthew Pocket -- the same "Matthew" that had been mentioned at Miss Havisham's. Jaggers give him money enough for new clothes and leaves, expecting to meet him in London within a week.

Pip spends an uncomfortable evening with Biddy and Joe, and then retires to bed. There, despite having all his dreams come true, he finds himself feeling very lonely. Chapter 19 The word has spread through town that Pip has come into fortune and people are treating him distinctively different. Pip goes into town to buy clothes for his London trip and stores them at Pumblechook's house because he thinks it would be common of him to wear them in his own neighborhood. Even Pumblechook is treating him as if he is a king, and Pip, joining into the arena that he viewed as hypocrisy only a few chapters before, starts to enjoy it and even starts to like Pumblechook. Relations between he and Biddy and Joe do not improve, however, especially when he asks Biddy if she would try and educate Joe so that he could bring him up to another social level once the full extent of Pip's sponsor's fortune is given to him. Biddy brusquely tells Pip that Joe has no need, and does not want, to be brought up to another social level. Pip visits Miss Havisham. She hints subtly that she is his unknown sponsor, and does it in such a way that Sarah Pocket, standing near, is given to believe it. The week finally over, Pip leaves for London. Even while he is in the carriage, however, he considers turning around and spending another day saying good-bye to Joe and Biddy. Chapter 20 Pip goes to London and, compared with his last images of the marshes, finds it "ugly, crooked, narrow and dirty." He meets with Jaggers, who tells him that he will be boarding with Matthew Pocket. He meets Wemmick, Jagger's square-mouth clerk. Chapter 21 Wemmick brings Pip to Bernard's Inn, where he will be staying when he is in town. The Inn appears to Pip to be a fairly run-down, decrepit place. There he meets his guide and roommate for the next few days, Matthew Pocket's son Herbert. Herbert Pocket and Pip recognize each other when they meet: Herbert is the pale young gentleman that Pip fought in the garden of Miss Havisham’s so long ago. Chapter 22 Herbert Pocket prepares a simple dinner and explains his relationship to Miss Havisham. His father, Matthew Pocket, is Miss Havisham's cousin. Miss Havisham was doted on by her father her whole life and shared her only with a half brother, the son of her father and the cook. Miss Havisham fell in love with a swindler and Matthew Pocket tried to warn her about him. Angrily, she demanded that Matthew must leave the house and must not return. Miss Havisham is then jilted on the day of her wedding, her fiancé leaving her only a letter. The rumour was that the fiancé had worked in conspiracy with her younger brother, who may have wanted to exact revenge on the more favoured. Miss Havisham adopts Estella and raises her to wreak revenge on the male gender by making them fall in love with her, and then jilting them. The next day, Herbert brings Pip to meet his father, and his seven siblings, in the outlying area of Hammersmith. Chapter 23 The Pocket household turns out to be a comical jumble of children, nurses, and boarders, all held together loosely under Matthew Pocket's weary gaze. Mrs. Pocket had been raised with high expectations herself and brought up to be "highly

ornamental, but perfectly helpless and useless." She seems to have little idea of child rearing, leaving the young ones in the hands of two nurses. Pip observes the chaos over a meal. Chapter 24 Pip finds Matthew Pocket to be, like his son, serious, honest, and good. Because Matthew Pocket was earnest in teaching Pip, Pip feels earnest in learning and progresses well. At the same time, he is drawn by the city life within London and asks Jaggers if he can live permanently at the Bernard Inn with Herbert, instead of boarding in Hammersmith. Jaggers agree. Wemmick brings Pip to watch Jaggers in court, where Pip observes him "grinding the whole place in a mill." Chapter 25 While at the Pockets, Pip comes to know the family surrounding of Miss Havisham. Camilla is Matthew Pocket's sister and Georgiana is a cousin. Pip also grows close to Herbert. Pip is invited to dinner at Wemmick's whose slogan seems to be "Office is one thing, private life is another." Indeed, Wemmick has a fantastical private life. Although he lives in a small cottage, the cottage has been modified to look a bit like a castle, complete with moat, drawbridge, and firing cannon. Pip finds Wemmick an entertaining host, far different from the Wemmick at the office. Chapter 26 The next day, Jaggers himself invites Pip and friends to dinner. Pip brings Herbert as well as the other Pocket boarders, including Startop and Drummle, a mopey depressed aristocrat. Pip and his friends find themselves revealing their relationships quite clearly, specifically all of their irritation at the insulting Drummle. Pip, on Wemmick's suggestion, looks carefully at Jagger's servant woman -- a "tigress" according to Wemmick. She is about forty, and seems to regard Jaggers with a mix of fear and duty. Chapter 27 Biddy writes to Pip to tell him Joe is coming into London and would like to visit him. Pip does not look "with pleasure" on this. Joe shows up for breakfast and tells Pip that Miss Havisham wants him to know Estella is back at the Satis House. The conversation is apologetic and stilted, Joe addresses Pip as "sir," and Joe stays only for a few minutes. He tells Pip that he is out of his element, and that if Pip would like to see the real Joe and sit down and talk like old times, he should visit the forge. Chapter 28 Pip journeys back to this hometown to see Estella. He shares the carriage with two convicts who sit behind him. Pip recognizes one of them as the one-eyed man Pip met in the tavern years before who stirred his drink with the file and gave Pip a one pound note. The convict does not recognize him, but Pip overhears him tell the other convict about the note that a stranger had given him to bring to Pip. Chapter 29 Pip imagines that Miss Havisham has adopted both he and Estella to raise them to be with each other. Pip imagines that he and Estella inhabiting the old Satis House and flinging open the windows to let the sun and the breeze in. He meets Orlick at the gate of The Satis House and learns that he is now working for Miss Havisham. He goes in to meet her and Estella, who is now older and so much more beautiful that he doesn't recognize her at first. Facing her now, he slips back "into the coarse and common voice" of his youth and she, in return, treated him like

the boy he used to be. She is coming from France and on her way to live in London. They talk of his new friends and his old friends: "Who is fit for you then is not fit for you now," Estella said, asking about Joe. Pip agrees and, at that moment, decides not to go see Joe and Biddy. It is here that Pip sees something strikingly familiar in Estella's face. He can't quite place the look, but an expression on her face reminds him of someone. Later, they all have dinner with Jaggers, who, curiously, does not look at Estella the whole meal. Chapter 30 Pip and Jaggers return to the inn in town. Pip mentions to Jaggers that Orlick may not be a trustworthy assistant to Miss Havisham and Jaggers tells Pip that he will see him fired. Pip stays away from Joe and Biddy’s house and the forge, but walks around town, enjoying the admiring looks he gets from his past neighbors. This pleasant walk is disturbed by the Trabb boy who makes fun of Pip, imitating the snobbish way he walks and barking out, "Don't know yah!" to onlookers. Pip returns to London and talks to Herbert about Estella. Herbert himself reveals that he is in love with a woman named Clara, though it must be kept secret because his mother would think he was marrying "below station." Chapter 31 Herbert and Pip go to see Wopsle in Hamlet, which turns out to be a horrible piece of theater, but a very humorous evening nonetheless because of the crowd's wisecracks. They invite Wopsle home for dinner and listen to him rant about his performance. Chapter 32 Pip receives a note from Estella that she is coming to London. She asks if he will meet her at the carriage stop. While waiting for the carriage, Pip meets Wemmick who is on his way to Newgate prison to conduct some business. The prisoners are friendly with Wemmick, even offering to send him presents before their executions. As Pip returns to wait for Estella, he wonders at the fact that things associated with the criminal element have strangely intercepted his life at various times, starting with the convict at the beginning of the story. He feels as if the stain of criminality is still on him from his visit to Newgate prison and how that contrasts with the beautiful Estella. As the carriage pulls up, Pip once again sees a familiar expression in Estella's face, but cannot place it. Chapter 33 Estella is to go on to Richmond, accompanied by Pip, and the two sit in a nearby cafe as they wait for the outgoing coach. Estella is to educated by a wealthy woman in Richmond with a single daughter. Estella tells Pip that all of Miss Havisham's relatives hate him because they Miss Havisham to be his benefactor. They are always gossiping jealously, but Estella believes that Pip is still alright in Miss Havisham's eyes. The carriage comes and they ride to Richmond talking of trivial things. Pip believes that if he were to be with her forever that he would be blissfully happy -- but this contradicts his knowledge that whenever he is with her he is "always miserable."

Chapter 34 Pip's conscience bothers him with regard to Joe and Biddy who he continues to ignore. As well, he feels guilty for leading Herbert into a life of debt by carrying him along on a very expensive lifestyle of dinners, drinks and shows. Pip describes his life at Bernard's Inn with Herbert: "We spent as much money as we could, and got as little for it as people could make up their minds to give us. We were always more or less miserable and most of our acquaintances were in the same condition... our case was in the last aspect a common one." They "check their affairs" by shuffling papers and bills and realize that, though they are in far in debt both, are quite unsure just how far in debt they have gone. After one evening of "checking their affairs," a letter comes for Pip announcing the death of Mrs. Joe Gargery. Chapter 35 Pip returns home to attend the funeral -- which turns out to be a ridiculous affair put on by Trabb the tailor and made worse by the pompous Pumblechook and the foolish Hubbles. Later, however, Joe and Pip sit comfortably by the fire like times of old. Pip finds out that before she died, his sister put her head on Joe and said, "Joe... Pardon... Pip." Later, Biddy and Pip go for a walk and Pip asks what she will do now. She tells him she is going to open her own school. Biddy insinuates that Pip will not be returning soon as he promises. Pip leaves insulted. Chapter 36 Pip "comes of age," that is, turns twenty-one, and hopes that his benefactor will present her/himself. His hopes seem to be on the mark when Jaggers makes an appointment with him for early that evening. In fact, Jaggers reveals nothing about Pip's benefactor and tells him that he does not know when the benefactor will chose to reveal them. The only thing that has changed is that Pip is now in charge of his own stipend which is now set at five hundred pounds a year. Jaggers then dines with Herbert and Pip at the Bernard Inn. After he leaves, Herbert echoes both he and Pip's thoughts: When they are in Jagger's presence, you always feel as though you've committed some outrageous crime that not even you yourself are aware of. Chapter 37 Pip goes to Wemmick's castle for dinner and is introduced to Miss Skiffins. Pip asks Wemmick for advice on how to give anonymously gives Herbert some of his yearly stipend (one hundred pounds a year). With help from Miss Skiffins' brother, who is in finance, Wemmick and Pip put together a plan whereby Herbert will be given a job with a young merchant. Chapter 38 Pip dedicates a chapter to his relationship with Estella while he lives in the city and she lives in Hammersmith. "I suffered every kind and degree of torture that Estella could cause me," he says. On a number of occasions, he accompanies Estella on her frequent visits to Miss Havisham. In his presence, Miss Havisham demands to hear of all the hearts that Estella has broken, complete with names and details. Pip blindly interprets this as meaning that after Estella has wreaked appropriate revenge on the male gender; Miss Havisham as a reward will give the two of them to each other. Miss Havisham's concentrated effort to raise a child who can feel no love

comes back to work against her, however, as Pip witnesses an argument between them. Miss Havisham, an older woman from when Pip first met her, has moments when she needs to be loved and appreciated. Unfortunately, Estella is incapable of love and cannot, therefore, give affection to even her adoptive mother. Miss Havisham did her job too well. While fraternizing with his men's club, "the Finches of the Grove," Pip finds out that Drummle has begun courting Estella. Despite knowing how Estella treats men, Pip is miserably upset that Estella has begun seeing the most repulsive of Pip's acquaintances. Chapter 39 Pip has his twenty-third birthday and seems to be doing very little with his life. Mr. Pocket no longer tutors him, though they remain on good terms. He tries for a few occupations, but doesn't stick to any of them. Instead, he finds that he is spending a lot of time reading. A rough sea-worn man of sixty comes to Pip's home on a stormy night. Pip invites him in, treats him with courteous disdain, but then begins to recognize him as the convict that he fed in the marshes when he was a child. The man reveals that he is Pip's benefactor. He has been living in Australia all these years and making money as a sheepherder. But since the day that Pip helped him, he swore to himself that every cent he earned would go to Pip. "I've made a gentleman out of you," the man exclaims. Pip is horrified. All of his expectations are demolished. He has been living his life off the hard workings of a convict. There is no grand design by Miss Havisham to make Pip happy and rich, living in harmonious marriage to Estella. The convict tells Pip that he has come back to see him under threat of his life, since the law will execute him if they find him in England. Pip gives the convict Herbert's empty bed, and then sits by the fire by himself, pondering his miserable position. Chapter 40 Pip gets up and eats breakfast with the convict, who tells him his name is Magwitch though he is going by Provis while in England. Pip is disgusted with him, though, at the same time, he wants to protect him and make sure he isn't found and put to death. Pip buys some clothes for him that will make him look like a "prosperous farmer." Pip goes to Jaggers to verify that this man is his benefactor. Indeed, Jaggers assures him that Miss Havisham had nothing to do with his great expectations. Chapter 41 Herbert meets Magwitch. Pip brings Magwitch to a nearby inn, then returns to discuss with Herbert "what is to be done." Pip feels that he cannot take any more of Magwitch's money, mostly because Pip is still proud and it is the money of a criminal. At the same time, Pip does not want Magwitch's execution on his hands, which will surely occur if it is discovered he is back in England. Pip wants to protect Magwitch since he has risked his life to come back to see him. The two decide that Pip will try and convince Magwitch to leave England with him. After that, they'll see what happens. Magwitch returns for breakfast the next morning, and Pip asks him about the other convict that Pip had seen him fighting with in the marshes on the Christmas day long in the past.

Chapter 42 Magwitch tells them the story of his life. From a very young age, he was alone and got into trouble. Mostly, he stole out of hunger and cold. At that same young age, he was impressed with the fact that others referred to him as hard, as a criminal, and predicted that he would spend his life in and out of jail. Indeed, his life ran along this very path. In one of his brief stints actually out of jail, Magwitch met a young well-to-do gentleman named Compeyson who "had the head of the devil." Compeyson had his hand in everything illegal: swindling, forgery, and other white-collar crime. When Magwitch met him, Compeyson was working with a half-crazed man called Arthur, who saw visions of a woman dressed all in white, with a broken heart, who came to haunt him. On one of these haunts, Arthur gave up his own ghost and died. Compeyson then recruits Magwitch to do his dirty work and soon gets Magwitch into trouble with the law. Both standing before the judge, Compeyson, being a gentleman, is given a lesser sentence than Magwitch, a career criminal. Magwitch hates the man. Herbert passes a note to Pip: "Young Havisham's name was Arthur. Compeyson is the man who professed to be Miss Havisham's lover." Chapter 43 Pip finds out that Estella is at the Satis House and feels he needs to go back to visit both she and Miss Havisham. He returns to his hometown and, at the town inn, meets Drummle, who is obviously courting Estella. The two pass rude words to each other, then they depart on their own ways. Chapter 44 Pip finds Miss Havisham and Estella in the same banquet room in the Satis. Pip tells Miss Havisham that he is unhappy with the way she led him on to thinking that she was his benefactor and the manner in which she hinted that he and Estella were destined to be together. It was his own fault, says Miss Havisham, just like it was the fault of her relatives to believe this was the case as well. Pip tells her that Herbert and Matthew Pocket are different from her other relatives. They are the same blood but they are kind and upright. Pip breaks down and confesses his love for Estella. Estella tells him straight that she is incapable of love -- she had warned him of as much before -- and she will soon be married to Drummle. Even Miss Havisham seems to be finally feeling sympathy toward Pip, holding her heart as if remember how her own was broken. Pip walks back to London. At the gate to his house the Porter written by Wemmick gives him a note: "Don't Go Home." Chapter 45 Pip gets a room at a nearby inn and in the morning visits Wemmick at his castle. Wemmick tells Pip things he has learned from the prisoners at Newgate. Pip is being watched, he says, and may be in some danger. As well, Compeyson has made his presence known in London. Wemmick has already warned Herbert as well who, heeding the warning, brought Magwitch to his fiancée Clara's house in a neighborhood that Pip does not frequent. As well, the house is right next to a dock on the Thames, making an escape by river more easily accomplished. Pip spends the day with Wemmick's deaf old relative, the "Aged," and leaves as it starts to grow dark.

Chapter 46 Pip goes down to Clara's to find Magwitch and Herbert. Herbert introduces him to Clara. Clara has no relatives except her father, a drunk, bed-ridden old sailor who lives on the second floor (Herbert has never met him) and constantly claims Clara's attention. Pip tells Magwitch that he is being watched and this is the best place for him now. In order to stay safe, Pip and Magwitch must only have contact through Herbert. Pip is a little sad to leave him. The rough old convict appears to have "softened" a bit. Chapter 47 Pip goes to dinner alone one night, then to the theater where he sees Mr. Wopsle in one of his productions. Mr. Wopsle stares strangely at Pip throughout the play, getting quite out of character. Afterwards, Mr. Wopsle asks Pip whom it was that he came with. Pip says he came alone. Mr. Wopsle tells him that there was man sitting behind Pip for much of the production and that he recognized him as the second convict that he, Pip, and Joe had hunted with the soldiers when Pip was just a child, Compeyson! Chapter 48 Pip has dinner with Jaggers and Wemmick at Jaggers' home and learns from the host that Drummle has indeed married Estella. Jaggers' verdict on the subject is that Drummle, because of his "spidery" character, will either beat her or "cringe," that is, become a browbeaten husband himself. The whole conversation pains Pip, who has been trying to avoid the subject even with Herbert. During the dinner, Pip finally realizes what had been so familiar about a certain look he had seen in Estella. It was a look that he had seen in Jaggers' servant woman as well. Pip knows instinctively now that Jaggers' servant woman is Estella's mother! On their way home together, Wemmick tells the story of Jaggers' woman servant, the "tigress" as Wemmick refers to her. It was Jaggers' first big break-through case, the case that made him. He was defending this woman in a case where she was accused of killing another woman by strangulation. This is why Jaggers' likes to show off the poor woman's hands to company. The woman was also said to have killed her own child, a girl, at about the same time as the murder. Chapter 49 Miss Havisham asks that Pip come visit her. He finds her again sitting by the fire, but this time she looks very lonely. In fact, as she begins to speak, Pip sees that a big change has come over the cold woman. She seems almost afraid of Pip. Pip tells her how he was giving some of his money to help Herbert with his future, but now must stop since he himself is no longer taking money from his benefactor. Miss Havisham wants to help, and she gives Pip nine hundred pounds to continue to assist Herbert. She then asks Pip for forgiveness. Pip tells her that she is already forgiven and that he needs too much forgiving himself to be able not to forgive others. "What have I done?" Miss Havisham repeats again and again. "What have I done?" Pip asks her about the history of Estella. Miss Havisham says that Jaggers brought her as a mere infant during the night. Pip goes for a walk around the garden then comes back to find Miss Havisham on fire! Pip takes his jacket and the tablecloth from the old banquet table, and puts the fire out, burning himself badly in the process. The doctors come, announce that she

will live. They put her on the banquet table to care for her (where she said she would always lie when she died.) Chapter 50 Pip goes home and Herbert takes care of his burns. Herbert has been spending some time with Magwitch at Clara's and has been told the whole Magwitch story. Magwitch was the husband of Jaggers' servant woman, the Tigress. The woman had come to Magwitch on the day she murdered the other woman and told him she was going to kill their child and that Magwitch would never see the baby again. And Magwitch never did. Pip puts it all together and tells Herbert that Magwitch is Estella's father. Chapter 51 Pip wants to make sure that he has the whole thing straight and goes to see Jaggers the next morning. Pip tells Jaggers that he knows his servant woman is the mother of Estella and that Jaggers brought her to Miss Havisham. He also tells him Magwitch is the father. Jaggers was not aware of this and is as visibly amazed as Jaggers can get. Then Pip asks him to give him more details on the story and appeals to Wemmick, standing by, to help him. While doing so, he tells Jaggers of Wemmick's warm castle and of his "Aged" relative. Jaggers is amazed at this as well, and tells Pip more of the story. Jaggers had, in fact, talked his servant woman out of keeping the child and knew that Miss Havisham was looking to adopt. His reasoning amazes Pip, and Wemmick, with its humanity. Jaggers says he wanted to save the child, to give it a chance in life, because he had seen too many children in her situation grow up in and out of jails and surrounded by the dangerous world of crime. Chapter 52 Wemmick sends Pip a note indicating that now may be a good time to escape with Magwitch and get him out of the country. Herbert and Pip plan to take the boat out with Magwitch in a few days, take him down the Thames until they run into a steamer headed for a foreign port. In the meantime, Pip gets another letter, this one by an anonymous author, telling him to come down to the limekiln in the marshes that night. Once again, Pip goes to his hometown and walks out to the marshes. Chapter 53 Pip goes to the marshes to a shack near the limekiln where he is to meet the anonymous writer. There Orlick who ties him up and tells him that he is going to promptly kill him jumps Pip. Pip does not want to die, not because he values his own life, but because he still has moral obligations to fulfill with Magwitch and Joe. Orlick admits to hitting Mrs. Joe over the head, but says it was Pip's fault because Pip was the favored one and Orlick was jealous. Orlick says he is working for Compeyson and assures Pip that Compeyson will make sure that Magwitch does not leave the country. Just as it appears Orlick is going to kill him, Herbert, Startop and Trabb's boy burst through the door. Orlick escapes. Pip had dropped the anonymous letter at home and Herbert found it. He and Startop came to the town and got Trabb's boy to show them where the shack was. Pip rests a day at home; the following day they plan to escape with Magwitch.

Chapter 54 They get up the next morning and start rowing down the river, picking up Magwitch at the preappointed time. They row downstream all day and put in on shore at an inn for the night. They start off the next day and are within a few feet of a steamer that they hope to board when another boat pulls alongside to stop them. In the confusion, Pip sees Compeyson leading the other boat, but the steamer is on top of them. The steamer crushes Pip's boat, Compeyson and Magwitch disappear under the water, and Pip, Startop and Herbert find themselves in a police boat of sorts. Magwitch finally comes up from the water. He and Compeyson and wrestled for a while, but Magwitch let him go and now Compeyson is presumably drowned. Once again, Magwitch is shackled and arrested. Pip sits down next to the injured and exhausted Magwitch, and feels that he will stay by Magwitch's side until the end. Pip also realizes that the English government will take all of Magwitch's fortune. Chapter 55 Magwitch is in jail and quite ill. Herbert is leaving for Egypt with the firm in the position that Pip, and now Miss Havisham, had secretly set up for him. Herbert plans to marry Clara as soon as her drunken old father dies. He offers Pip a job as his clerk in the company as well as a place to stay -- with he and Clara, once they get settled. Pip cannot give his answer for the job until he sees the Magwitch situation through, but asks Herbert to keep the position open for a few months for him. Wemmick invites Pip to his castle on a Monday, the first holiday Wemmick has taken in over twelve years. Pip and he go for a walk. They walk to a church where Miss Skiffins and Wemmick's "Aged" relative are waiting. With Pip as witness, Miss Skiffins and Wemmick proceed to get married. Chapter 56 Pip attends to the ailing Magwitch daily in prison. "The kind of... resignation that he (Magwitch) showed, was that of a man who was tired out." Magwitch is condemned to die and the sentencing is carried out with thirty two other convicts also condemned to die. Within ten days of the sentencing, Magwitch dies in prison. Before he does, Pip whispers to him that the daughter he thought was dead is quite alive. "She is a lady and very beautiful," Pip says. "And I love her." Magwitch kisses Pip's hand in response and passes away. Chapter 57 Pip, weakened by his burns, the fight with Orlick, and the general psychological stress, falls into a fever for nearly a month. Creditors and Joe fall in and out of his dreams and his reality. Finally, he regains his senses and sees that, indeed, Joe has been there the whole time, nursing him back to health. Joe tells him that Miss Havisham died during his illness, that she left Estella nearly all, and Matthew Pocket a great deal. The rest of the relatives were given very little. Orlick has been put in jail because he broke into Pumblechook's house. Pip slowly regains his strength. Seeing this, Joe slips away one morning leaving only a note. Pip discovers that Joe has paid off all his debtors. Pip is committed to returning to the forge and to ask for forgiveness for everything he has done. He also wants to ask Biddy to marry him. Chapter 58 Pip returns to his hometown and is treated with certain coldness by the town that was so kind to him when he was on his way to great expectations. He meets Pumblechook,

who tells Pip his misfortune is due to him because he was ungracious and ungrateful to his earliest benefactor and friend -- meaning, of course, not Joe but himself, Pumplechook. Pip walks toward the forge, creating a picture in his mind of the simply happy life he will have with Biddy. Pip comes to the forge and indeed finds happiness -- but the happiness is Joe and Biddy's. It is their wedding day. Pip wishes them well, truly, and asks them for their forgiveness in all his actions. They happily give it. Pip goes to work for Herbert's' firm and lives with the now married Clara and Herbert. Within a year, he becomes a partner. He pays off his debts and works hard. Chapter 59 Being out of the country working for Herbert's firm, Pip has not seen Biddy or Joe in eleven years. He visits them finally and meets their son, a little Pip, sitting by the fire with Joe just like Pip himself did years ago. Pip tells Biddy that he is quite the settled old bachelor, living with Clara and Herbert and he thinks he will never marry. Nevertheless, he goes to the Satis House that night to think once again of the girl who got away where he meets Estella. Drummle treated her roughly and recently died. She tells Pip that she has learned the feeling of heartbreak the hard way and now seeks his forgiveness for what she did to him. The two walk out of the garden hand in hand, and Pip "saw no shadow of another parting from her." 8.6 CHARACTERIZATION IN GREAT EXPECTATIONS 1. Pip Phillip Pirrip (Pip) is the hero of the novel, plays the major role. He is kind and good. He is the central figure of the novel’s interest and is the narrator of the tale. At the outset, he is introduced as a boy and gradually reaches manhood and settled in a married life, with a hopeful future before him at the end. He alternatively carries hope and bitter disappointment. It teaches him a hard lesson and makes him alive to what is noble and good in life. His experiences convince him that happiness is something that arises from a person’s attitude and nature. As a little boy, he is not different from others of the same age. He possesses a kind of boyish fears and impulses. It is only that fear compels him to help the convict. He seems very natural in the house of Miss Havisham and reacts something normal to the beauty of Estella. He obtains great expectations suddenly and his dreams to become a gentleman are realized. In his new role he comes to look down upon his brother-in-law and his forge. Yet a certain shame fills his mind at times. Then the return of Abel Magwitch shatters everything. It opens his eyes to life’s realities. On the part of adversity he learns the dignity of honest labour. All through these varying experiences Pip remains quite natural, acting and thinking in the way we expect him to do. He is often a victim to circumstances but essentially he possesses a good, even noble character. He shows genuine affection towards Biddy and his love for Estella is sincere. He respects her gentle, good nature. Though Pip’s one of his relations, Miss Havisham has made him a tool in her scheme for revenge on all men, he showed her consideration and Pity. He never tries to hate her. Even at the end he runs a risk to save her life. It is quite true that his conduct is too good to bear hatred towards anyone.

Pip’s character shows the reactions of a young mind to a change of surroundings. Ambition makes him to improve himself. Pip’s character is an interesting study in human psychology. 2. Miss Havisham Miss Havisham is the daughter of a rich brewer, born to him by his first wife. She has a brother born to her father by his second wife. After her father’s death, she is left with a great fortune. She falls in love with a good looking and well-educated Compeyson. But she fails to realize a cheat and criminal in him. She makes arrangements to marry him against the wishes of her cousin Matthew Pocket. The day was fixed for her marriage. The day comes but not Compeyson. Thus she is deserted on the bridal morning. She feels greatly wounded and began to hate men. Mss Havisham starts to lead a life of recluse. Everything in the house is left as it is on the day of her marriage. The years passed but she could not forget her disappointment. She has decided to wreak vengeance on all men that she adopts an orphan girl Estella to serve her evil purpose. She trains her how to break the hearts of men. She thoroughly poisoned the mind of Estella too. Estella becomes very proud and arrogant in her look and behaviour. Pip becomes the victim of Miss Havisham’s wicked plan. Miss Havisham makes Pip move with Estella. Pip falls in love with Estella but Estella proudly rejected his love and behaved in an arrogant manner. Pip decides to become a gentleman of fortune in order to marry her. But Estella marries a worthless youth and breaks the heart of Pip. Thus Miss Havisham had her great expectations shattered. She simply enjoyed the sufferings of Pip like a saddist. However she makes her revenge to get complete. But she is not completely evil for which she feels very sad for her heartless action against pip and asked him to forgive her for her evil deeds. Her end is violent and tragic. Her dress catches fire. Pip saves her life, but she is seriously injured. She lingers for sometime and then dies of her injuries. She lingers for sometime and then dies of her injuries. 3. Abel Magwitch Abel Magwitch begins his life as an orphan. His life is full of endless sufferings. He carries to the criminal ways of life and becomes a criminal partner to Compeyson in his criminal activities. As a result, he has spent most of his lifetime inside the prison than out of it. Once he is arrested along with his accomplice for circulating the stolen bank notes. But Compeyson’s counsel put entire blame on Abel Magwitch. Therefore Abel Magwitch gets punishment twice as heavy as that of Compeyson. His anger knows no bounds and vowed to wreck vengeance on Compeyson. It shows clearly how criminals are not born but made. It is an indifferent society that often ruins fine human material. In the case of Magwitch we find that he becomes a criminal almost from necessity. One day the change that comes over Magwitch is the most beautiful episode in the story. He has got escaped himself from the prison and meets Pip unexpectedly. Then he threatened Pip to provide him with a file and food. He encounters another escaped convict Compeyson who was his archenemy. When he is arrested he has the goodness to confess to the theft of these articles, thus saving Pip. He is transported to

Australia, and there for the first time he gets a chance to make good. He prospers and in his prosperity his chief desire is to help the boy who has shown him kindness. Then he returns at the risk of his life chiefly to see Pip as a gentleman. We can somewhat feel that his love for Pip is genuine. He exposes it in every word and gesture. Pip comes to realize it and he remains with the man in his last days. In the last moments of his life, Abel Magwitch knows the peace that has been denied to him but he is happy in finding Pip by his side, his willing friend and nurse. When he dies, he is at peace with himself and with the world. 4. Estella Estella is the heroine of this novel. She introduces as a girl of amazing beauty, who has been adopted by Miss Havisham. Later we could find that she is the daughter of Abel Magwitch and the woman who becomes housekeeper to the lawyer Jaggers. Estella is intended by Miss Havisham to serve a purpose. Miss Havisham, who is bitterly disappointed by her lover on the fixed day of her wedding, wanted to wreak her vengeance on the whole of male sex. She has decided to make use of Estella’s beauty as the instrument of her revenge. Pip is happened to be the first person for her attack. It is thus Pip and Estella comes together. Estella plays her past well. She treats Pip with superior contempt, making insulting comments on his coarse manners and rough hands. At times she openly laughs at his language. But the next time she shows some consideration towards him. When Estella has grown into a woman she must have realized the utter cruelty of the part she is playing. Yet she deserves no courage to oppose the wishes of her mistress. She never tails to advise him not to bestow his love on her, because she has no place for love in her heart but Pip does not take the warning. At last as per her mistress’ word she has got married with a worthless young man. Thus she plays her part on the success of Miss Havisham’s scheme. Estella plays the part against her wishes. We can also find that in the days of her trouble she must have brooded over the sincere and good Pip whose happiness she has destroyed. Late at the end, she is a sadder and a wiser woman. Her husband is dead. Bitter experience has given her beauty a rich maturity. She was essentially sincere and honest. She too, like Pip, has to pass through bitter experiences before her inner beauty and goodness. 1.7 SUMMARY A boy named Phillip Pirrip lived in a little village on the coast of England, some distance from London. He was called Pip. Pip was an orphan and he lived with his sister who was the wife of the village blacksmith, Joe Gargery. One cold afternoon, a powerful man, suddenly seized Pip with chains on his legs, when he was sitting in the churchyard near his mother’s grave. He was a convict and on threat of death Pip promised to get him food and a file in the morning. He stole some food and on the way he happened to meet another escaped convict. Pip’s family was at dinner when the soldiers appeared. Pip and Joe accompanied them and crossed the convicts engaged in a terrible struggle. They were arrested again and taken back to the ship.

Miss Havisham, a rich and mysterious lady lived some distance from Pip’s house. One day, Pip, was asked to go and play in the lady’s house. Pip was left alone in the house whereas she sat in a room, dressed in all her wedding finery in the upstairs. There he also met a proud girl, Estella who is the adopted child of Miss Havisham. She treated him with contempt. The visits continued at the set of intervals. Pip became very friendly with a girl called Biddy, a relation of a neighbour. He dreamed of higher things. His dreams were realized when a London lawyer called Jaggers, came to the village. He decided to give Pip a start in life by taking him to London and make him a gentleman. Pip was overjoyed that preparations were made. Pip went to London and took up lodgings with Herbert Pocket. His father, Matthew Pocket, was Pip’s guardian and tutor. He heard the strange story of Miss Havisham from Herbert Pocket, how as a rich heiress many people have courted her. She fell in love with one of handsome but unscrupulous fellows. He failed to turn up unfortunately on the wedding day, leaving her disappointed and half-mad. Pip paid visit to Estella who had grown into a very beautiful woman. Miss Havisham went on urging him to love Estella. He returned to London and discussed this with his friend, Herbert Pocket. Some time later Estella herself came to London and pip was asked to conduct her to Richmond. It was at this time that he also received the news of his sister’s death. Pip came of age and was given five hundred pounds to mark the occasion; Pip and Herbert now lived in a good flat. He often met Estella but she was quite often cold towards him. Two years passed in this way and some unexpected events changed Pip’s life. One stormy night, when Pip was alone, a stranger knocked at his door. He recognized that he was the convict whom he had met in the marshes but he is at risk of his life Herbert and he decided to hide the man somewhere and then help him to escape out of England. The man told them the story of his life. Before he left England, Pip went down to see Miss Havisham at her request. There he knew that Estella was married. Miss Havisham was repentant for what she had done, but she wanted Pip to inform Estella that she had forgiven her. While he was there Miss Havisham’s dress caught fire and he saved her. She died of her injuries later. Pip now fell seriously ill. Herbert had gone to Cairo as manager of the firm in which he was a partner. Joe came to London and nursed Pip back to health. He went back to the forge, and found Joe and Biddy happily married. Pip decided to join in Herbert’s firm that he returned to London and then reached Cairo. When he went back to his native village, he met Estella who had been left a widow two years before. Thus, after a chain of hard trials, the two were united and lived happily. 8.8 TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Who is the narrator of the story? 2. Who did Pip meet in the marshes?

3.

Name the girl who works for Mrs. Wopsle.

4. Name the young girl, whom Pip sees at Miss Havisham’s House. 5. What type of girl is Estella? 6. Whom does Joe employ in the forge? 7. What made Mrs. Joe sick? 8. What is Pip’s great expectation? 9. Who is Jaggers? 10. Name the tutor of Pip 11. Who does Pip guesses to be his benefactor? 12. Name the Inn where Pip stays? 13. Who is the son of Mathew Pocket? 14. What is Wemmick’s slogan in life? 15. Name the girl with whom Herbert was in love. SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Give an account of Pip’s life at home. 2. Narrate the story of Miss Havisham as told by Herbert to Pip. 3. How does Pip long to become a gentleman? 4. How does Pip learn about Estella’s story? SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Narrate the story of Pip’s Great Expectations. 2. Pip’s adventures on the marshes - Discuss. 3. Give an account of the love story of Pip and Estella. 8.9 SUGGESTED READINGS   Albert, Edward - History of English Literature, Fifth edition.  J.N. Mundra and S.C. Mundra - A History of English Literature.

CHAPTETR - IX WUTHERING HEIGHTS - EMILY BRONTE 9.1 INTRODUCTION Emily Bronte ‘S Life and Works Emily Jane Bronte was born at her father’s parsonage at Thornton in the parish of Bradford on 30 July 1818. She was the fifth child in a family whose eldest was only four years and three months old. Close as they were in ages, it proved a happy thing for Emily when yet another sister, Anne, was born on 17th January 1820, for Anne became her life long confidante and friend. Only two facts are known about her infancy: apart from the date of her birth, noted in the diary of her parent’s young friend Elizabeth fifth, the one record concerning her is of her christening at her father’s church, St. James’s, Thornton, on 20 August and Mrs. John Fennel, and their daughter Jane, who was married to Mr. Bronte’s best friend the Revd. William Morgan. From the Fennell ladies, both called Jane, Emily derived her middle name. Mr. Bronte’s eldest Sister, who died about the time of Emily’s birth, was also called Jane. The surviving servants, garrulous in old age about Emily’s clever sister Charlotte, said nothing more of Emily than that she was ’the prettiest of the children’. Of all the influences on Emily’s life, the landscape of the home at Haworth had the greatest effect in quickening her mind and in shaping her character. Of human influences, there can be no doubt, her father was the most lasting; a countryman born with a keen love of nature, he eagerly opened her eyes to the natural world lying at her door. Echoes of the little moorland birds, of the invisible larks, of the linnets chattering in the eaves of the houses, are a feature of that region; Emily grew up on the sound. While material prosperity was never the prime consideration of their home it is not true to say that the children lacked the things that mattered to their happiness. They had love, they had security they had toys, marionettes, ninepins, bricks, they had successive boxes of soldiers which in time fired their imagination to become adventurers, epic writers, chroniclers; above all, they had books, as they grew. Reading came to them like an epidemic; as soon as one could read they were all infected. Mr. Bronte had been happy indeed in marrying an intrepid young woman with high ideals who regarded poverty as a positive advantage in the pursuit of perfection. Her courage was, unfortunately, not equalled by her health, and within eighteen month of the family settling at Haworth she died of cancer, aged only thirty-eight. Mr. Bronte at the age of forty-four was left without a wife, to his lasting misery and increasing oddity, and the children were subjected to the authoritarian rule of a maiden aunt. She was their mother’s elder sister, Miss Elizabeth Barnwell, who came north from Penzance to keep house for her brother-in-law and bring up his children. The need to provide education for his five daughters other than their aunt’s rudimentary instructions, determined Mr. Bronte on sending them to school. He

wished keenly to give them the best education that is circumstances permitted. He sent them first to the famous and rather expensive Crofton House School at Wakefield, and then to the Clergy Daughters’ School opened in January 1824 at Cowan Bridge near Kirk by Lonsdale. Bronte took his two eldest girls Maria and Elizabeth to Cowan Bridge on 1st July 1824. Charlotte followed them on 10 August. Emily joined her sisters at the Clergy Daughters’ School on 25th November. The severe regime of the school was unsuited to the delicate little Brontes. Even the best of boarding schools is not as comfortable as home. So it came about that gentle Maria developed tuberculosis, and in February 1825 was sent home ill. She died on 6 May. Elizabeth was by this time also ill with tuberculosis, and came home on 31st May .She died on 15 June. The early deaths of her sisters had no comparable effect upon Emily. Nor do the teachings or the sufferings on Cowan Bridge appear to have left any mark on her. She was the only one of her family not to go through a religious crisis in adolescencewhich was a secondary effect of the Calvinistic teaching of Carus Wilson I Charlotte’s case, and of their aunt’s influence in the case of Branwell and Anne. Emily’s extreme youth would appear to have spared her not only the actual rigours of the school establishment, but also the realization of their consequences for others. She appeared to come away from the six months’ ordeal of institutional life unscathed in mind and body. From 1825 to 1831 the remaining Brontes _ Papa, Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, Anne _ and their aunt Miss Branwell, lived together in Haworth Parsonage. These six years when they were all at home together were an extremely important formative period in the young Bronte’s lives. Lacking payments, they learned to wish for none. They roamed in the moors. They cherished pets. Emily’s famous mastiff, Keeder, and Anne’s silky spaniel, Flossy, are later examples in a long series of dogs, cats, birds. Ailing or damaged birds and animals found in the parish were often brought to the Brontes, who nursed them tenderly back to health. Any persons who showed a harsh or careless attitude towards the animal world earned the Bronte’s contempt. But the important point is that during these six years they began to create, to invent, and to write their inventions down in fictitious forms. We have accounts from charlotte and Branwell of how this story-making began. In 1831 a change came into their lives. In the autumn of 1831 Mr. Bronte had a very severe attack of congestion of the lungs, and this awakened his anxiety about his children’s future. In 1837 Emily took a post as governess in a girls’ boarding school of forty pupils, known as Law Hill, kept by a Miss Patchett at South – owram, on one of the many Pennine hills surrounding the town of Halifan. The account of her duties there is appealing. It is difficult to imagine her holding out for the longer period, yet her poem beginning. ‘A little while, the noisy crowd and barred away which seems clearly to relate to school life, is dated December 1838, so she may have done so. She continued to write poem sometimes of Gondal, sometimes of Yorkshire, throughout the period. The most interesting feature of her stay is that Law Hill…is not far from High Sunderland on the one hand, Shibeden Hall on the other, two fine old houses each of which presently contribute to the setting of Wuthering Heights’. Charlotte held her job for three years. In the may of 1830 Charlotte left the school. Her health and spirits had utterly failed her, and the doctor consulted and

advised her that if she values her life, she must return home. She did so, and was slowly restored to tranquility. She was twenty-two. Barnwell was not only a source of worry, but also a source of expense; and Charlotte as soon as she was well enough, felt herself obliged to take a situation as a nursery governess. It was not the work he liked. Neither she nor her sister liked children, any more than their father did. She heated to be in a dependent position, and was continually on the look-out of affronts. Charlotte had long been toying with the idea of keeping a school of her own, with her two sisters, and now she took it up again; the whites, who seem to have been very kind, decent people, encouraged her, but suggested that before she could hope to be successful she must acquire certain qualifications. Though she could read French, she could not speak it, and knew no German, so she decided that she must go abroad to learn languages. Miss Branwell was persuaded to advance money for the cost of this; and then Charlotte and Emily with Mr. Bronte to look after them on the journey, set out of Brussels. The two girls became pupils at the Pensionnat Heger. After ten months, the two sisters were returned to England by the illness of Miss Branwell. When Charlotte returned home in January 1844, she felt her enthusiasm tamed, her eager hopes of life broken; and Haworth seemed a lonely quiet sport, buried away from the entire world. She decided sensibly that her need was for action, and revived the project of a Bronte school. The three sisters issued prospectuses, and Charlotte wrote to her friends asking them to recommend the school they intended to start. In 1845 the young Brontes were all at home together, living in domestic misery all too some degree failures. Then an even occurred, apparently very minor, which changed the course of their lives and added riches to English literature. Emily had been copying her poems into two notebooks, one for Gondal productions. Charlotte accidentally lighted upon one notebook and read it contents. Honour must always be paid to Charlotte for her instant conviction that these poems were quite out of the ordinary, terse, vigorous, and genuine, with a peculiar music, intrusion on her privacy; it took hours to soothe her, days to convince her that such poems merited publication. Meanwhile, Anne quietly produced some of her poems, which Charlotte estimated, again justly, as sweetly sincere charlotte estimated, again justly as sweetly sincere charlotte added some of her own and the Brontes decided to bring out a volume of poems by all three sisters. After a good deal of anxious correspondence on charlotte part about print, paper, format and review copies, poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell appeared from Messrs. Aylott and Jones May 1846, paid for by ten guineas from each sister, later increase by one sum of five pounds. ‘All of it that merits to be known wrote charlotte later, ‘are the poems of Ellis Bell’. This is true but the merit referred to is very great. The critic of the Athenes to his eternal honour, spoke of Ellis Bell’s evident power of win but in spite of this and the expense of two pounds on advertising the volume was a complete financial failure, only two copies being sold. But to see one’s words in print is a great stimulus to a writer. The three sisters, now each begin to write, and finished a novel. Charlotte’s novel was called The professor, Emily’s novel was called Wuthering Heights and Anne’s novel was called Agnes Grey. They were refused by publisher after publisher: but when Smith Elder and Company, to whom Charlotte’s The Professor had finally been sent, returned it,

they wrote to say that they would be glad to consider a longer novel by her. She was finishing one, and within a month was able to send it to the publishers. They accepted it. It was called Jane Eyre. A publisher has had also at last accepted Emily’s novel, and Anne’s, had also at last accepted by a publishers Newby by name, and they had corrected the proofs before charlotte sent Jane Eyre to smith, Edger & Co. Though the reviews of Jane Eyre were not particularly good, readers liked to and it became a best seller. Mr. Newby, upon this tried to persuade the public that Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey, which he then published together in three volumes, were by the author of Jane Eyre. They made however, no impression, and indeed were regarded by a number of critics as early and immature work by Currer Bell. As 1848 advanced, and the re-issues of their successful works and the publication of their new ones, occupied Charlotte and Anne Emily as resolutely withdrew, not only from the race to fame from authorship. The conditions that had made the writing of Wuthering Heights possible no longer existed, either within herself or in her home. Emily Bronte, although she led an almost secluded life, was not completely cut-off from literature. She read fairly and widely. She and the other members of her family knew the older authors, especially Shakespeare, and also other contemporary romanticists like Scott, Wordsworth and Byron. Emily Bronte was fond of reading the articles, reviews and stories, especially with a Gothic flavour, which were published in Blackwood’s Magazine. As children, the Bronte sisters came strongly under romantic influences and created a world of fantasy from their very childhood. They were highly imaginative and fond of creative writing, even when they were mere children. It was probably towards the end of 1845 that Emily Bronte started writing Wuthering Heights although she might have conceived it earlier. This novel received little favourable notice by the contemporary world, the main reason for which, according to The Quarterly Review, was that people like elder Cathy and Heathcliff were too odiously and abominably pagan to suit the tastes of even the most shameless class of English readers. Emily never went out of doors after the Sunday following Branwell’s death. She had a cold and a caught. One morning Emily got up as usual dressed herself and begin to sew; she was short of breath and her eyes were glazed, but she went on working. She grew steadily worse. About noon she was visibly worse and her sisters urged her to go to bed. The only concession she would make was to lie down on the sofa. Her last audible words, spoken in compassion for her sisters no doubt, were ‘If you’ll send for a doctor I’ll see him now’, and before he could come, she was gone. She was torn out of life on 19 December 1848. 9.2 INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXT Wuthering Heights was published in 1847 under the pseudonym of Ellis Bell. Emily Bronte probably began writing this novel towards the end of 1845, though it is possible that she may have conceived the story earlier. It was completed by the summer of 1846. In summer 1847 a publisher by the name of Thomas Cautley newly agreed to publish it. According to the publisher’s contract with Emily Bronte, the latter had to pay a certain amount towards the expenses of the publication. The early reviews of this novel were a mixture of approval and disapproval. More than one commentator expressed in the same breath his condemnation of the subject matter of

this novel and his recognition of its originality and genius. Wuthering Heights is the story of two families and an outsider. The two families are the Earnshaw family living at a place called Wuthering Heights, and the Linton family residing at a place called Thrushcross Grange, which is situated, in the Valley at a distance of about four miles from Wuthering Heights which is situated on a hill. Moors and hills separate the two abodes from each other. At a small distance from Thrushcross Grange lies the village of Gimmerton with its church. The story covers almost three generations. Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw, living at Wuthering Heights, have two children, Hindley and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Linton, living at Thrushcross Grange, have likewise two children, Edgar and Isabella. Subsequently, after their respective marriages, Hindley Earnshaw begets a son who is named Hareton while Cathy gives birth to a girl who is also named Catherine. Isabella, the daughter of the Lintons marries Heathcliff who is an outsider. Of this marriage is born a son who gets the name Linton. Towards the close of the novel, Hareton and the younger Catherine are preparing to get married. It is in this way that the novel deals with three generations. The novel is clearly divisible into two parts. The first part deals with love of Cathy and the outsider Heathcliff. This Heathcliff was picked up as an orphan by Mr. Earnshaw from a Liverpool slum and brought to Wuthering Heights, where, after having lived for a few years, he disappeared and came back to Wuthering Heights after an interval of three years. Both parts of the novel are dominated by the figure of the outsider, Heathcliff. His personality and actions constitute the real substance of the book. Heathcliff dominates the plot like a colossus, and he largely determines the course of the story. Heathcliff is the central character of the novel, and even Cathy comes next to him. Around him, the story revolves, and he imparts to the book its real interest. If we take away Heathcliff from the novel, the story falls to pieces. Heathcliff is, indeed, the most forceful character in the novel, and he makes a powerful impact upon our minds. He is a truly memorable figure. The leading theme of Wuthering Heights may be stated as Heathcliff’s love for Cathy and the revenge he takes upon various persons, the revenge being prompted by the frustration of his love and by the social contempt heaped upon him by Hindley Earnshaw and Edgar Linton Orphan in order to be brought up there, Hindley began to adopt a superior attitude towards the boy. When Hindley became the master of Wuthering Heights on the death of his father, he further degraded Heathcliff by his ill treatment of him and by making him work on the farm like any other servant. This degradation of Heathcliff made it impossible for Cathy to marry him even though she told Nelly that her love for him was eternal like the rocks. The novel employs a most original technique of narration. We have two narrators in the book Lockwood and Nelly. Lockwood is a city-dweller who comes to Thrushcross Grange as a tenant to spend a year or so in the countryside. He meets his landlord, Heathcliff, who is living at Wuthering Heights, and Lockwood’s curiosity about the inmates of Wuthering Heights is aroused, especially because of two strange, dreams, which he sees in his sleep when he is compelled by circumstances to spend a night at the Heights. Lockwood then asks, Nelly, the housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange, if she knows anything about the inmates of Wuthering Heights. Nelly knows all about them and about other members of the two families who are no more in this world, and she, in compliance with Lockwood’s request, begins to tell him the story of the two families and the outsider.

Lockwood then becomes Nelly’s audience for the story, and we too are the audience along with Lockwood. Towards the close, Lockwood once again becomes the narrator, but Nelly relates the circumstances of Heathcliff’s death to Lockwood. The novel closes with Lockwood as the narrator, just as it began with Lockwood as the narrator. In short, while there are two narrators, the major portion of the story, the entire history of the two families, is narrated by a Nelly. While Lockwood is completely detached, Nelly is an active partly participant in the Action even though she tries to given an objective account of events and happenings. 9.3 CHARACTERS PREVIEW Mr. Earnshaw

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The owner of Wuthering Heights

Mrs. Earnshaw

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Wife of Mr. Earnshaw

Hindley Earnshaw

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Son of Earnshaw

Catherine Earnshaw -

Daughter of Earnshaw

Heathcliff

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adopted son of Earnshaw from Liverpool

Mr. Linton

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The real owner of Thrushcross Grange

Mrs. Linton

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Wife of Linton

Edgar Linton

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Son of Linton

Isabella

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daughter of Linton

Hareton Hindley

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Son of Hindley

Catherine

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Daughter of Catherine

Young Linton

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Mrs. Nelly Dean

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Servant maid

Mr. Lockwood

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A tenant of Heathcliff

Joseph

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Servant

Zillah

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Servant maid

Son of Isabella and Heathcliff

9.4 A DETAILED ANALYSIS - PARAPHRASE OF THE TEXT Chapter – 1 Lockwood, a young man is frustrated in love and wants to spend his life peacefully in a secluded village. He comes to Thrushcross Grange as a tenant of Heathcliff from London to live for few months. As a custom he pays a visit to

Heathcliff who lives at Wuthering Heights. The house is situated on a hill and gives a charming look to the visitors. Lockwood does not receive any hospitality from his landlord. Heathcliff seems to be a strange-man in his manners. An old servant, Joseph, serves Lockwood with some wine. Lockwood does not find any human company in the house, but spends his time with the company of violent dogs. Unfortunately the dogs attack him ferociously, and he seeks help from some one uproariously. Auspiciously a maidservant rushes to rescue him from the dogs. At the end of the awful situation the landlord appears in front of Lockwood. He says that he and his dogs receive the guests hardly. When lock wood says adieu to Heathcliff, he has the intention to pay another visit to withering heights. But Heathcliff expresses his reluctance to receive Lockwood again. Chapter – 2 Lockwood arrives at the Heights on the following day. It is a dull and cold day. He knocks at the gate of Heathcliff, but nobody opens it. After sometime a young man appears and takes him into the room. The room is familiar to Lockwood, because Joseph formerly receives him. This time he finds a young woman inside the house whose face is very calm and does not want to greet any guest. As a formal talk, she asks him to have a cup of tea. Lockwood is very curious to know about the Youngman, but the man remains strange to him. The arrival for Heathcliff is a surprising event for both of them. Heathcliff does not except his second visit to the Heights. The sky is very dark and there starts the snowstorm. Lockwood finds some difficulty to precede his return journey in a new weather. He expects guidance from someone to reach his place. The young woman is asked to prepare tea by Heathcliff. The death silence prevails in the room, when they sit together and have their tea. Heathcliff breaks the silence and tells the young woman is his widowed daughter-in-law. Heathcliff answers the unasked questions of Lockwood by saying there is no relationship between the young man and himself. Lockwood needs some company, as the weather condition is new to him. None is available to guide him, so he decides to stay there for the night. But Heathcliff denies him to stay there and says he does not want to give any accommodation for his guest. Lockwood is wounded by his words and decides to move away immediately. When he leaves the house, the dogs attack him. Lockwood becomes very sick by an unexpected attack, and forces to stay at the Heights. Zillah, the housemaid gives some first aid and makes him to sleep according to the order of Heathcliff. Chapter – 3 Lockwood is put in a room upstairs. Zillah informs him that her master never allows anybody to reside there. But she is helpless to give the reason. When Lockwood glances for the bed, he finds number of old books on which he sees the names like Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff and Catherine Linton. Lockwood later comprehends that these names are refers the same woman, Catherine. In the library of Catherine he selects to read her dairy, which unfurl the knot of

ignorance of Lockwood. He comes to know the life history of Catherine and Heathcliff, who are ill treated by her brother, Hindley. Lockwood discerns from the diary that Catherine has soft corner for Heathcliff and she extremely objects her brother’s attitude towards him. She revolts against her brother who considered Heathcliff as a vagabond. As Lockwood goes through the diary, he falls asleep. Lockwood begins to dream. In the first dream, he is in the church accompanied by Joseph. When a sermon is going on, he is assumed and attacked by the priest. The second dream is more distressed than the first. Lockwood finds his land being held by a mellifluous hand of a child who asks to allow her to come in. Instead of showing sympathy, he treats the child cruelly, as he hears the name of the child is Catherine Linton. Lockwood suddenly wakes up from this dreadful dream and sees Heathcliff enters into the room with a candle in his hand. He is annoyed by the presence of Lockwood in his particular room. Lockwood tells about his strange dream to him and immediately Heathcliff sends him out of the room. Heathcliff gets on to the bed and bursts into tears by uttering the name ‘Cathy’. He is highly excited and says, “Come in, come in Cathy, do come. Oh do once more Oh! My heart’s darling! Hear me this time Catherine, at last! Lockwood sees a great anguish in Heathcliff’s voice. He decides to leave Wuthering Heights. Before he leaves, he becomes a witness to a harsh argument between Heathcliff and his daughter-in-law. Heathcliff accompanies him and leaves him at the entrance of Thrushcross Park. It is twelve when he enters the house. Chapter – 4 Lockwood is very curious to know about the inmates of the Heights. He asks the housekeeper, Mrs. Dean to say about the family. As Mrs. Dean knows a lot about them, instigates to till the following details to Lockwood. Mr. Earnshaw, the real owner of Wuthering Heights, brings Heathcliff to the family. Heathcliff is a pale, dirty orphan from Liverpool. Earnshaw has two children. His son, Hindley was fourteen years old and daughter, Catherine six years, when Heathcliff is brought home. As Catherine and Heathcliff are nearly of the same age, she has an intimacy with Heathcliff. But Hindley, who is much older than Heathcliff and Catherine, does not like him. He is very aggressive to Heathcliff. Mrs. Earnshaw, the mother of Hindley and Catherine dies after two years of Heathcliff’s arrival. Even after the death of his wife, Mr. Earnshaw is very affectionate to Heathcliff. As he is new to the surrounding, Heathcliff remains calm and submissive. Even then he is ill treated by Hindley, his patience is remarkable. Heathcliff suppresses all his feeling, he never complains to Earnshaw. The endurance of Heathcliff creates an uncontrollable passion in the mind of Mr.Earnshaw. Mrs. Dean also recollects how Heathcliff was so sick when he was a child. Chapter – 5 Meanwhile, Mr.Earnshaw’s heath condition becomes worst. He persists to be inactive and strengthless. But his love for Heathcliff is strong and meaningful. It is an unanswerable question why Earnshaw gives such a preference for Heathcliff. On the

contrary, Hindley’s hatredness towards Heathcliff is undisturbed. Day by day his aversion is increased. So he is sent to the college to get his education. After the departure of Hindley from Wuthering Heights, the friendship between Catherine and Heathcliff is increased. Catherine is mischievous by nature and she is always fond of Heathcliff. If she does something wrong, the great punishment for her is to keep her separate form Heathcliff. In such a way their intimacy is deepened. But there comes a great misfortune by the death of Earnshaw. One October evening, he is found dead in his armchair. It is an unbearable loss for both Catherine and Heathcliff. They console each other and believe that his soul has gone to heaven. Chapter-6 After a long time, Hindley returns to Wuthering Heights to attend his father’s funeral. But now he is not a single man, he gets married. Hindley never gives any information regarding his marriage to his family. Every body in the house shocks, when he enters into the house with his wife. He hardly says about her birth and parentage. She is a young, thin and fair-complexioned woman. She is highly excited, by the new experience. Her eyes are sparkled like a glittering star, when she looks at the mountain and the beauty of Heights. But Mrs.Hindley shows dislike to Heathcliff from the very first sight. After the death of his father, Hindley becomes the master of the Heights. Again he gets a chance to reveal his rivalry. As an outcome of his enmity, Hindley starts to treat Heathcliff as a servant. He orders him not to come inside the house and to work only in the farm. Heathcliff takes this degradation also in a favourable way, because he learns a lot from Catherine. As Heathcliff is asked to work in the farm, he finds plenty of time to work and play with Catherine. They have fine time for their amusement in the field. One day Catherine and Heathcliff fail to return from moor after their day’s work. Hindley is more tyrannical; he asks to shut the door, so that they should suffer in the cold wind. But Mrs. Dean awaits their arrival; she ignores her master’s words. She is surprised to see Heathcliff alone and anxiously enquires the whereabouts of Catherine. Heathcliff briefly says what had happened in the Grange. The dog wounds Catherine, when they try to know how the Lintons pass their time. So Lintons have detained Catherine for the treatment, and they strictly ask Heathcliff not to stay there. He does not like their rudeness towards him, he returns alone to the Heights. The next day, Mr. Linton visits to the Heights to inform Hindley of what had happened. Catherine has a new experience with the children of Lintons. Isabella is eleven years, about a year younger than Cathy, and Edgar, two years older. But she too dislikes their behaviour towards Heathcliff. Chapter – 7 Catherine stays at Grange for five weeks. She has a new experience; all her behaviours and manners have changed. She is a new girl, when she returns to the Heights. Hindley is very glad to look at his sister’s beauty and dignity. He asks

Heathcliff to welcome Cathy like other servants. But Catherine rushes to see Heathcliff, she unusually laughs at him. Catherine asks Heathcliff to wash his dresses and comb his hair properly. Heathcliff highly offends, when Catherine says, he looks so dirty. He replies in better words: “I shall be as dirty as I please; and I like to be dirty and I will be dirty.” The following day Linton’s children, Isabella and Edgar visit the Heights. Their mother instructs them to keep away from Heathcliff. In the presence of Linton’s children Heathcliff realizes that he is really a dirty boy. He wants to be clean and neat, he requests Nelly to change him as a clean boy. As Nelly has a soft corner, she washes him and says Heathcliff looks like a prince. But Edgar Linton makes an unfavourable comment on his new appearance. This affects Heathcliff’s mind, and he throws a plate at Edgar’s face. Edgar feels insulted by the way Heathcliff behaves, but Catherine tries to bring reconciliation between the two. But Hindley wants to punish, he orders to lock Heathcliff in a room. Catherine upsets by the punishment given to Heathcliff. It is Christmas Eve, everybody is very cheerful, and dance well. Catherine secretly meets Heathcliff she never forgets him at any moment. But Heathcliff tells Nelly that he wants to take revenge Hindley for the way he treats him. The main event of this chapter is Catherine grows equally interest in Heathcliff and Edgar. She has become conscious of the fact that Heathcliff looks dirty and does not bother to wash himself and to brush his hair. But later Heathcliff realizes the truth; he seeks the help of Nelly to make him handsome. Chapter – 8 Nelly ceaselessly says to Lockwood about the birth of Hindley’s son. Mrs. Earnshaw gives birth to a handsome male child on the morning of a fine June. The child is very healthy but the mother is consumptive. Hindley is very happy by looking at the face of his boy. The physician tells that the mother will die soon. Hindley does not believe the words of the physician, he is careless. Mrs.Earnshaw is very cheerful till within a week of her death. After her death the child is now entrusted to Nelly to be brought up by her. The child is named as ‘Hareton’. The death of his wife deeply torments Hindley. However he neither weeps nor prays God; he cruses both men and God. He becomes more tyrannical towards his servants than before, especially his treatment of Heathcliff is more brutal. All the servants, except Nelly and Joseph run away from the Heights. Due to his strange behaviour an unpleasant atmosphere is created in the house. Meanwhile, Catherine is now fifteen, she is considered as the queen of the countryside. She becomes a haughty and head strong person. As she spent five weeks with Linton family, she maintains acquaintance with Edgar and Isabella. Edgar often pays visit to the Heights, Isabella too is affectionate towards Catherine. Heathcliff is now sixteen, appears to be even cruder than before. He has been deprived of the opportunities for getting educated, with the consequence he has now no longer any love for books or desire for learning. He could not compete with Catherine in studies. In spite of all this matter, Heathcliff and Cathy are constant companions during their leisure time. Under the orders of Hindley, he has to do the farm-work.

One day Catherine expects the arrival of Edgar and Isabella to the Heights. Heathcliff does not like their visit, he asks Catherine to ignore them. He suggests that she should be intimate only with him. But Catherine gives a rude reply that he is always very serious and incapable of any interesting conversation. Heathcliff does not expect this rude replay from Catherine. As Catherine is irritated by his talk, she becomes restless. Meanwhile Edgar enters into the house, he is very glad by the unexpected welcome. Nelly is engaged by her work in the room, Catherine asks her to go away. At hat time Catherine loses her temper and slaps Nelly in the presence of Edgar. When Edgar blames her for his action, she slaps Edgar also. After this incident Edgar no longer wants to stay at the Heights; but Cathy says she will cry till she fell ill. So Edgar stays back, instead of parting each other in anger, Catherine and Edgar declares their love to each other. Chapter – 9 Hindley’s treatment of Hareton and of Heathcliff is very rough. His attitude towards his son is wholly depends upon his mood. At one time he is fascinated, while at another time he treats him horribly. He dashes him against the wall and beats him brutally. The previous night, in his drunken state, he talks to his son affectionately. But the little boy does not show any interest to his love, he begins to curse his son. However, he tries to kill his son, Nelly cries out to rescue the child. He throws his son, fortunately Heathcliff catches the innocent child suddenly he is very violent towards Heathcliff also. He asks Nelly to keep the child out of his sight. On the following day Catherine enters into the kitchen and wants to talk with Nelly. She asks the whereabouts of Heathcliff to Nelly. Nelly replies that he is engaged in his work in the stable. Catherine informs Nelly that Edgar proposes her marriage and that she has accepted his proposal. She asks Nelly whether her decision is correct or not. Nelly is not concern her decision. Then Cathy tells Nelly that she wants to marry Edgar, because he is rich, handsome and young. She will be proud of having such a husband. Catherine never fails to express her love towards Heathcliff also. She utters that there is deep attachment between him and her. She vividly differentiates her affinity for Heathcliff and her love for Edgar. She keeps on to say that her love for Edgar is subject to change but her love for Heathcliff is immortal. Unfortunately, Heathcliff happens to overhear Catherine saying that for her to marry Heathcliff will be degradation. Nelly notices Heathcliff’s presence. Heathcliff grieves on hearing her words and then he stays to hear no further. Heathcliff leaves from the Heights immediately. Very soon Joseph comes and says that he could not find him anywhere. It is a storm night, and many trees are uprooted. Heathcliff’s disappearance causes a great mental agony to Catherine. She is spiritless and seriously ill. Her illness remains several days, she longs for his appearance. During her illness Mrs. Linton pays several visits to the Heights. According to the suggestion of Mrs. Linton, Catherine is sent to the Grange. But accidentally Mr. and Mrs. Linton catch the fever from Catherine and die within a few days of each other.

After some days Catherine returns to the Heights, but still no massage of Heathcliff. Three years later Catherine and Edgar get married. Nelly is forced to leave the Heights and to accompany Catherine to the Grange. She is unwilling to leave Hareton, who is in her care since his birth. Miserably she bids good-bye to Hareton. Chapter -10 Lockwood has caught cold. After his recovery, he asks his housekeeper, to continue the story. One again Nelly resumes her story. After her marriage, Catherine seem over fond of Edgar, even to Isabella she is very affectionate. Edgar and Isabella respect her. Edgar is upset, when Catherine is displeased. Nearly half a year they spend peacefully. One September evening Heathcliff suddenly returns. There is a change in his appearance. Nelly is surprised to see him again. He asks Nelly to inform her mistress that a man from Gimmerton wishes to see her. Nelly informs the same to Catherine, Catherine feels happy at the presence of Heathcliff. Edgar is not excited as Catherine; he does not want to allow Heathcliff in the sitting room. It means that he never regards Heathcliff as a social equal. Catherine catches his hands, and leads him to her husband. Now Heathcliff is completely a changed man. He is civilized and self-esteemed. Catherine and Heathcliff are showing their affection for each other, Edgar is irritated by their intimacy. Catherine blames Heathcliff for his disappearance for three years. Heathcliff tells that he comes to know about Cathy’s marriage and wants to have a glimpse of her. He adds that he decides to stay with Hindley at the Heights. It is surprising news for Catherine and Nelly, because he is the bitterest enemy of Hindley. However he says that he does not wish to do any harm to Hindley now. But Nelly wonders that how can he stays with Hindley who always hates him. The fact is that Heathcliff, Hindley and other people play cards together. Heathcliff offers money to Hindley whenever he needs. Hindley loses all his money and badly in need of it. As Heathcliff is a rich man, Hindley feels happy to have him as a paying guest. Thus Heathcliff can go to Heights with out any hesitation. Heathcliff occasionally pays visit to the Thrushcross Grange. Catherine is very glad to welcome him whenever he comes. Additionally, Isabella who is now a young charming girl of eighteen becomes infatuated with Heathcliff. She expresses her love for Heathcliff to her sister-in-law, Catherine. But Catherine reveals her displeasure and says he is an unreclaimed creature. Isabella is an idiot to be in love with a man like Heathcliff. But she is very stubborn, and ignores the words of both Catherine and Nelly. So Catherine reveals the love of Isabella to Heathcliff in her presence itself. After Isabella goes away from them, Heathcliff curiously enquires whether Isabella well inherits the property or not. Cathy tells that if Edger has a son it will go to him, not to Isabella. Nelly is quite suspicious for the way in which Heathcliff becomes a rich man and his staying at the Heights also a cause of great anxiety to her. Chapter-11 One day Nelly goes on a visit to the Heights in order to warn Hindley to be away from Heathcliff. Nelly could not meet Hindley, but she sees Hareton is playing in the room. Nelly is so happy by looking after him and she tries to talk to him.

Hareton does not recognize Nelly; instead he abuses her in wrong words. It is a striking event for Nelly, because once she is his foster-mother. She asks him who has taught him to curse people like this. Hareton utters Heathcliff’s name and says he teaches him to curse his father specially. Nelly understands that Heathcliff is trying to spoil the child. Nelly could witness Heathcliff who is trying to embrace Isabella. She informs Cathy what she observes from the window. Cathy scolds Heathcliff not to act against the wish of her own and Edger, because Edgar never agrees to a marriage between Isabella and Heathcliff. In reply, he says that Catherine has insulted him by marrying another man, and he wants to take revenge on those who have insulted him. But he says that he seeks no revenge on Cathy herself. Then Nelly goes inside and informs the quarrel between Cathy and Heathcliff. Edger rushes into the room and begins to use some harsh words against Heathcliff. Heathcliff also equally abuses him and when he calls Edger as coward, he loses his temper and slaps Heathcliff cruelly. Then Edger moves away from the room. Catharine urges Heathcliff to go away from the place before Edger’s men attack him. Heathcliff suddenly departs to the Heights. Sometime later Edger enters and asks Catherine whether she still wants to continue her relationship with Heathcliff. He ferocious tells her that she could either have him or Heathcliff and that he would never allow Heathcliff to enter into his house. Catherine is unable to give reply, saying, she wants to be leave alone. Catherine begins to dash her head against the wall and totally vexed. Edgar warns Isabella not to talk with Heathcliff, and he says that if she marries him, their relation as brother and sister will come to an end. Chapter-12 Catherine stops eating. She has failed to come out of her room. Edgar is miserable at Catherine's attitude. On the third day after the bitter incident, she opens the door and asks for some water. She strongly believes that she is dying. Catherine feels sadder, on being said by Nelly that Edger is busy in his own work. She feels no body is taking care of him, this causes mental struggle to her. Catherine begins to act differently and she starts to tear the pillow, and talks alone in the room like a mad woman. Even she is afraid of her own reflection in the mirror. She thinks that the house is haunted and always imagines that there is somebody else in her room. She expects the love and care from Edgar. She condemns Nelly of being responsible for her condition, because she has not informed Edgar that Catherine is dying. When Edgar knows the real condition of Catherine, he grieves beyond words. He scolds Nelly for having kept him ignorant of his wife’s real condition. As Catherine’s health condition becomes worse, they call, Kenneth, the physician. He suggests that she should be in intense care and peaceful atmosphere. Just then one of their maids comes horridly and informs that Isabella has eloped with Heathcliff during the night. On hearing his sister’s elopement with Heathcliff who is his greatest enemy, Edgar says that the relationship between her and him has ended. He does not want to see his sister again in his life. He does not fly into a rage, or do anything rash, and does not make a single inquiry about his sister afterwards.

Chapter-13 For the next two months, Catherine’s condition declines. She suffers from brain fever. Edgar attends her with great devotion like that of a mother. His love and care is beyond the words to describe. He is in extreme happiness when the doctor informs that Catherine is out of danger. She recovers at the beginning of the following March. Edgar uses very kind words on her, and he tries to cheer her by the kindest caresses. But Catherine fails to regain her enthusiasm; she thinks that death is approaching her. After six weeks of Isabella’s elopement with Heathcliff, she writes a short letter announcing her marriage with Heathcliff to her brother, Edger. As Edgar does not reply to her letter, Isabella writes another letter to Nelly. She requests Nelly to close the content of the letter to her brother and to meet her at Wuthering Heights, where she stays now with her husband. Isabella describes in detail about a peculiar reception she gets, when she goes with Heathcliff to live there. In addition, Isabella’s letter reveals an unbelievable fact that she is unhappy and the blunder she has committed in trusting Heathcliff and running away with him. Although Nelly is already aware of the fact that Heathcliff never really loves Isabella and that he must have induced her to run away with him with some motives, she is helpless now. The true nature of Heathcliff has come to her as a stunning shock. The entire atmosphere at the Heights is very depressing one for Isabella. Heathcliff devises every method to hurt Isabella. She understands that Heathcliff’s love is unreal. Isabella learns from Heathcliff of Catherine’s illness, when he ferociously tells that he will hurt Isabella as much as Edgar hurts Catherine. These wounding words of Heathcliff cause a great agony to Isabella. Isabella meets Hindley who is the owner of the house in a miserable state. Heathcliff spoils the happiness of Hindley also. Now the entire property of Hindley is in Heathcliff’s possession. But Hindley promises that he will get back his property from Heathcliff, because he does not want to leave his son as a beggar. Chapter-14 As soon as Nelly has received the letter of Isabella, she informs Edgar the desire of Isabella to meet her brother. But Edgar is not reedy to give up his stubbornness, he allows Nelly to pay a visit to the Heights. Nelly enters the house without knocking the door. Heathcliff welcomes Nelly as a gentleman and offers her a chair to sit. The condition of Isabella is really pitiable. She looks a born slattern, while Heathcliff looks a born gentle man. Nelly bluntly informs Heathcliff that Edgar does not want to have any relationship between the Heights and the Grange. Isabella eagerly comes forward to know about her brother. Nelly informs that Isabella should not expect either a letter or a visit from her brother. Nelly tells them that Catherine is recovering from her illness under the lovable care of Edgar, but she never retains her spirit completely. She praises Edgar’s humanity and his sense of duty by the manner in which he has looked after Catherine. But Heathcliff is impatient to hear her appreciation; he begins to talk about his love for Catherine. He says that Catherine could never forget him just as he could never forget her. He goes on to say that

Catherine could never love Edgar, as she loves Heathcliff. He never minds of the feelings of Isabella, he says all this in the presence of Isabella. Now Nelly witnesses at first hand Isabella’s miserable plight, which Isabella has described in her letter. Now Heathcliff appears to be a real devil. Isabella has such bitter experiences of married life that the single pleasure she could imagine is to die or see her husband dead. Heathcliff ignores her scornfully and goes on to ridicule Isabella’s passion for him, which has made her marry him. Nelly advises him to treat his wife kindly. Heathcliff says that he regards his wife as a pitiful, slavish, and mean minded woman. But Isabella refuses his view, asks Nelly not to put faith in a single word he speaks. Immediately he orders Isabella to leave his room, as he wants to talk to Nelly. On finding her reluctant to leave, he pushes her out of the room. He plainly says that he has absolutely no pity for Isabella or for anyone else. Now Heathcliff urges Nelly to make an arrangement to meet Catherine. But Nelly refuses his request, at last she accepts to carry his letter to Catherine. Chapter -15 Nelly determines not to give the letter to Catherine till Edgar goes somewhere. She is able to deliver the letter to Catherine only on the fourth day of her visit to the Heights, when Edgar has gone to church. Catherine seems not to understand the writing but simply gazes at Nelly with a mournful look. Nelly tells her that Heathcliff wishes to meet her. Heathcliff, who has waited for some reply from Nelly for four days, enters into the room of Catherine. He embraces her, and begins to kiss her. Catherine also kisses him. Heathcliff observes that Cathy would never recover from her recent illness and that she is sure to die soon. He tells her that he dislikes to see her in the miserable condition. Catherine replies that he and Edgar have both broken her heart and that she would feel no pity for him. He says wildly, ‘Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? You loved me-then, what right had you to leave me? What right-answer me-for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery and degradation and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us, you, of your own well, did it. I have not broken your heart-you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine”. Both Catherine and Heathcliff are shedding tears. Now Nelly grows uncomfortable for she expects her master back from the church any moment. She insists Heathcliff to leave without further delay. However, before Heathcliff’s departure, Edgar arrives and seeing Heathcliff in the room, rushes to attack him. But before Edgar would attack Heathcliff, they notice that Catherine has collapsed and fainted. Edgar summons Nelly, and with great difficulty and after resorting to many means, they manage to restore her to consciousness. Edgar, in his anxiety for her, forgets Heathcliff. Nelly asks Heathcliff to depart soon. She tells him that Catherine is better, he should hear from her in the morning how she passes the night. So Heathcliff leaves the house, reminding her to keep her word. Chapter-16 Death of Catherine is the main incident in this chapter. About twelve o’ clock that night, Catherine gives birth to a female child; and two hours after she dies after having never recovered sufficient consciousness to Miss Heathcliff or knows Edgar.

The delivery is premature because the child is born only seven months after the conception. This is the child whose name is also Catherine and whom Mr. Lockwood has seen as a grown-up girl at Wuthering Heights on his first visit. After her death, Cathy’s face looks perfectly peaceful and tranquil as if she is reposing in heaven. Next Morning Nelly goes to see Heathcliff in the garden. He has been standing still for a long time there. He already knows the death of Catherine before Nelly informs him. He asks Nelly the manner of Cathy’s death, because he wants to know whether Catherine mentions his name before her death. Nelly replies that Catherine never regains consciousness and she recognizes nobody. Catherine dies quietly like a lamb. Heathcliff thus expresses his feelings at this time: “Oh God it is unutterable! I cannot live without my love! I cannot live without my soul!” What he means is that Cathy is both his life and his soul, and that now his existence will become unendurable to him. Catherine’s funeral takes place on the Friday following her death. Hindley, her brother is invited to attend the funeral but he does not come. Isabella is not invited. A special grave is dug for Cathy’s dead body on a green slope in a corner of the churchyard. At the same spot Edgar is buried afterwards when he dies. Chapter-17 The summer has come now. Even after a month of Catherine’s death, Edgar never comes out of the room. He feels heart-broken. Nelly is looking after Catherine’s little daughter who has also been given the name, Catherine. Suddenly Isabella arrives at the Grange one day. She looks very pale and feeble. She appeals Nelly not to reveal her arrival to her brother, Edgar. She wants Nelly to arrange for a carriage to drive her away from this place to the village of Gimmerton from where she intents to go somewhere else. Isabella explains that her life with her husband, Heathcliff is intolerable and that she decides to go out of the sight of Heathcliff. Isabella goes on to say that Heathcliff has wounded her beyond the words to describe. His conduct towards her has completely extinguished her love for him though she still remembers how much she has loved him at one time. She has given her heart, but he tramples upon it. Then Isabella proceeds to give an account of what had happened on the previous day. Hindley is in the drunkard state. Heathcliff has not eaten a meal for nearly a week, and remains silence. Isabella is sitting beside Hindley who is no good company for her but who is the only company she could have, because she hates both Joseph and Hareton. Hindley says her that if he and she combine against Heathcliff, they could take revenge upon him who is torturing both of them. Hindley plans to attack Heathcliff when he enters the house. He wants to put an end to the violence of Heathcliff. But Isabella is reluctant to accept his plan; she says that they would be guilty forever. This shows still she is in love with Heathcliff. Hindley without considering the words of Isabella attacks Heathcliff with his knife. As Heathcliff snatches away the knife from Hindley, it causes a deep wound on Hindley’s wrist. Then Heathcliff knocks him down forcefully, Hindley falls down senseless with blood from his wound. However, Heathcliff does not want Hindley to

die; he binds a piece of cloth round Hindley’s wound cursing him all the time. Joseph appears on the scene and says that he will run to the Grange to inform the matter to Edgar who is a magistrate and who will take the necessary action against Heathcliff. Heathcliff arrogantly turns to his wife and says that she has conspired with Hindley against him, so he wants to teach her also a lesson. He shakes Isabella and throws her on the ground vigorously. This unexpected attack of Heathcliff gives unending grief to Isabella. So she no longer wants to stay at Wuthering Heights. The next morning, again Heathcliff behaves in a bitter manner towards Isabella. Heathcliff is still felt for Cathy, whom he loves very much. As Isabella has no feeling for Heathcliff, reminds him that he is the cause for the death of Catherine. Suddenly Heathcliff loses his temper and rushes to kill her with the knife, but luckily he has missed the aim. Heathcliff’s brutal nature is here emphasized as much as his grief over Catherine’s death. She hastens out of the room and starts running towards the Grange and has not stopped anywhere on the way. Under this awful circumstances Isabella comes to the Grange and gives an account of her experience to Nelly. Isabella ceases speaking; she is ready to leave by the coach, which Nelly has arranged for her. She kisses Edgar and Catharine’s portrait, bestows a similar salute to Nelly, and moves away. As a result on her visit to the Grange a regular correspondence between Edgar and her is deep-rooted. Her new way is in the south, near London. Now, one could find a change in the attitudes of Edgar towards her sister. He forgives his sister who has done a blunder by marring Heathcliff. Edgar feels contented, because Isabella leaves Heathcliff. After few months of her escape she gives birth to a son. The boy has been named Linton. After the death of Catherine, Edgar throws up his office of magistrate, ceases even to attend the church, and avoids the village occasions. Now he leads a secluded life, only visiting the grave of his wife every now and then. He becomes a kind of hermit. Meanwhile one day Heathcliff meets Nelly in the village and inquires, the whereabouts of Isabella. But Nelly refuses to give the information, but he discoverers through some of other servants both her place of residence and the existence of the child. After six months of Catherine’s death, her brother Hindley also dies. He is just twenty-seven at the time of his death. Nelly gets the news from the village physician. She wants to assist the last duties to the dead. Hindley’s death comes as a great blow to Nelly, because she is of the same age and has played together. She calls on Hindley’s lawyer and asks him what will happen to the property of Hindley. The lawyer reveals the fact that Hindley has died in debt and that Heathcliff Thus Heathcliff will take the whole property becomes the owner of Wuthering Heights while Hareton; Hindley’s son is in a state of complete dependence on Heathcliff. Chapter-18 Twelve years pass; it is the blessed period of Nelly. Cathy’s daughter Catherine is under the care of Nelly. Catherine reaches the age of thirteen. She is spiritual, fortunately, curiosity and a quick intellect urge her into an apt scholars; she leans rapidly and eagerly. She never hears of Wuthering Heights or Heathcliff. But, sometimes she expresses a strong desire to visit penistone crags, and to see that place

at close quarters. But Edgar says her that he will allow her to visit the hills when she grows older. Isabella lives about twelve years after quitting her husband. At the end of that period she has an attack of an incurable fever. She writes a letter to her brother to inform her illness and she wants to deliver her son, Linton safely to Edgar. After Edgar meets her, she dies peacefully. Edgar is away for a period of about three weeks. The first two or three days Catherine sits in a corner of the library, too sad for either reading or playing. Nelly foolishly allows Catherine to travel round the park grounds and indulges her with a patient audience of all her real imaginary adventures, when she returns. One day Nelly waits and waits for Catherine, but she does not return. As she is anxious and alarmed, sets out in search of Catherine. Nelly promptly judges that she must have gone towards the penistone crags. The crags situates about a mile and a half beyond Wuthering Heights. Besides, Heights is on the way to the crags. One has to pass the house of Heathcliff to reach the crags. Catherine has surely decided to visit the crags. She has by chance meets Hareton who has taken her inside the house. When Nelly arrives at Wuthering Heights in search of Catherine, she is relaxed to find Catherine safe. Unfortunately Catherine has gone to the wrong place and meets the wrong people. Catherine’s arrival at the Heights disturbs Nelly’s mind. Catherine first mistakes Hareton as the son of the owner of Wuthering Heights. But when Hareton replies that he is not the owner of the son, she mistakes him for a servant. She is upset at the bare notion of relationship with Hareton. After some time Hareton recovers from his disgust at being taken for a servant. Even though he is offended, he treats her kindly, and then Nelly takes Catherine back to the Grange. It’s her duty to keep Catherine’s adventure a secret from her father, Edgar. Chapter-19 Edgar sends a letter to announce his return. Isabella has died, Edgar returns to the Grange with his young nephew, the only son of Isabella and Heathcliff. Linton is just six months younger than Catherine, Edgar’s daughter. Now Edgar is responsible for bringing up Linton. The evening of their expected arrival comes. Catherine is fully excited to see her father after three weeks. Edgar introduces Linton to Cathy and asks him to rest and enjoy himself in the house. Catherine is happy at the chance of getting a playmate of her own age. Inspite of Catherine’s intimacy and Edgar’s attention, Linton grows restless and he is not amused himself in a strange place. Catherine is kind towards him and offers him tea. This regard of Catherine pleases him and he smiles cheerfully. Young Linton is a weak, pale, and delicate boy; he strongly resembles his uncle, Edgar, in his appearance. Heathcliff is disappointed by the intention of Edgar to bring up Linton under his own charge. In the evening of the very day of Linton’s arrival at Thrush cross Grange, Heathcliff sends Joseph to inform Edgar that Heathcliff, being the father of Linton, has a valid and legal claim to the boy. So Joseph determines to take away the boy at that very time, he will not stir from the place even when he is informed that the boy will be sent to the Heights on the following day. As he is very stubborn, he has to be pushed out of the house by Edgar. Edgar realizes that he would

not be able to keep the boy at the Grange against the wishes of Heathcliff. Joseph warns Edgar that Heathcliff would himself come to take away Linton. Chapter-20 Next morning Edgar asks Nelly to take the boy early. Linton is reluctant to move away from the Grange. Edgar does not like the arrival of Heathcliff to his residence personally in order to take his son. On the way to Wuthering Heights, Linton asks Nelly many questions. He looks sad not knowing the reason for this shifting. His mother has never told him anything about his father, not even the fact that the man is existed. Nelly tells young Linton that his father has black hair and black eyes and that he looks sterner than Edgar. Nelly vividly tells him that his father would not appear to be as gentle and kind as his uncle Edgar. When they reach the Heights, the family has just finished breakfast, and a servant is cleaning the table. Joseph stands by his master’s chair, and Hareton is preparing for the hay field. Heathcliff gets up and walks to the door. Hareton and Joseph follow him in gaping curiosity. Linton stands infront of the unknown person; he runs a frightened eye over the faces of the three. On seeing his son Heathcliff laughs scornfully. Nelly asks Heathcliff to be kind to the boy. Heathcliff then proceeds to tell his plans for his son, Linton. He seems to have made up his mind on one point just as he has already become the owners of the property of the Earn Shaw family; he has now a plan to gain the property of the Linton family also. He also tells Nelly that he has engaged a tutor who would come three times a week to teach the boy. When Nelly is leaving the Heights to go back to the Grange, young Linton begins to cry. When Nelly bid fare well to Heathcliff, he says that he has arranged everything with a view to develop superiority complex in his son’s mind. 9.5 SUMMARY Lockwood, a young man from London, has rented Thrushcross Grange, in order to recover from a disappointment in love. He goes to meet his landlord at Wuthering Heights. The forbidden house and surroundings are new to Lockwood. He meets the grim, black browed figure, Heathcliff, and the rest of the house hold are a young girl, his daughter-in-1aw, an old-servant, a woman – servant and a dog. An atmosphere of hatred and tension hangs over them all. A heavy storm blows up, and Lockwood is refused hospitality for that night. He tries to set out alone, but is attacked by the dogs. The maidservant rescues him and puts him to sleep in a small bedroom with an old-fashioned enclosed bed built against the window. Lockwood finds the names like Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff, Catherine Linton scratched all over the paint. Then he sees a diary among the books in the library, which is dated some twenty-five years before. As he reads the diary, falls asleep and has a strange dream. On returning next morning to the George, Lockwood falls ill; during his convalescence he hears the story of the inmates of Wuthering Heights from his housekeeper, Nelly Dean, who spends the best part of her life there. Wuthering Heights is the house of an old family of gentle men farmers, the Earnshaws, and Nelly Dean’s mother worked there. Nelly Dean was brought up with the children of the family. Her story starts with the arrival of Heathcliff at the Heights ‘a dirty, ragged, black haired child,’ whom Mr. Earnshaw had found homeless in the streets of

Liverpool and had brought back to the farm from an impulse of pity. Mrs. Earnshaw does not like the gipsy boy. At once his presence sows argument among the Earnshaw Children. Heathcliff and Catherine become fast friends, but Earnshaw’s favouritism of Heathcliff, of which Heathcliff takes advantage, makes Hindley jealous. As a result, Hindley illtreats the boy and often beats him mercilessly. When any complain made to the master, he takes the side of Heathcliff and warns Hindley. Unfortunately, Mr. Earnshaw dies quietly in his chair one summer evening. His early death gives power to pursue his malice, and he reduces Heathcliff’s position. He begins to torture him in all the ways. After Earnshaw’s death Hindley marries Frances, an unknown woman, and neglects his duties towards Catherine. One Sunday evening Heathcliff and Catharine go to Thrushcross Grange where Catherine is forced to stay by the Lintons. Next morning Mr. Linton writes to the Heights, and advises Hindley to take better care of his sister. Mr. Linton does not like Heathcliff, so Heathcliff is told to keep himself aloof from Catherine. After spending five days at the Grange Catherine returns to the Heights and is warmly greeted by Hindley and his wife. Then begin the visits of young Lintons to the Heights. Edgar’s good nature and good looks undermine Catherine’s loyalty to Heathcliff. One night Heathcliff overhears Catherine telling Nelly that it would degrade her to marry Heathcliff, and without listening further he runs away. Catherine expects that he would come back, but there is no trace of Heathcliff. About midnight the storm comes rattling over the Heights in fury. Catherine falls seriously ill next morning. Old Linton pays several visits to the Heights. During the convalescence Catharine is taken to the Grange. Unfortunately Mr. and Mrs. Lintons suffer from fever, and they die within few days of each other. Catherine returns to the Heights, saucier, sobre passionate, and dull than ever. Hindley, who is a widower, now, allows Catharine whatever she pleases to demand. He waits earnestly to see her bring honour to the family by an alliance with the Lintons. Similarly Edger Linton marries Catherine after his parent’s death. Nelly Dean who had been given charge of Hareton, Hindley’s little motherless son, accompanies Catherine to Thrushcross Grange. The first few months after Catherine’s marriage to Edgar pass happily. But Heathcliff suddenly intrudes on their happiness. Heathcliff returns, educated and obliviously well –to-do, after an absence of three years. After paying a brief visit to Hindley at the Heights, he comes to the Grange. He meets Nelly on the house steps by the kitchen door, and asks her to carry the news to Catherine; Catherine comes down to meet Heathcliff. Catherine is beside herself with overjoyed to find that her old lover has returned to her. But Linton is irrigated when he finds his wife welcoming a runaway servant as a brother. Heathcliff has returned not only to meet Catherine but also to be avenged on his few old enemies – Hindley and Edger Linton. An irresistible desire for revenge aroused by frustration in love now possesses Heathcliff’s mind. He finds that Hindley has become a rebel against God and goodness during his absence from the Heights. Now, Hindley becomes an addict to his habit of drinking and gambling. Heathcliff encourages Hindley to pursue his evil ways, and offers him money on loan

for drinking and gambling. He takes possession of Hindley’s estate cunningly and plans to keep Hindley’s son uneducated and fit only for farm labour. Thus Heathcliff takes revenge for the injustice Hindley had done to him. While all this is going on at the Heights, he pays regular visits to Catherine at the Grange. During his visits to Thrushcross Grange he discovers that Isabella, the sister of Edgar Linton has fallen in love with him. In his infatuation for the young girl, Heathcliff finds an opportunity to spoil Edgar Linton who has deprived him of the bliss of his life by marrying Catherine. As Catherine comes to know his plan, she tries to prevent him from marrying Isabella. But Heathcliff encourages her and arranges a secret meeting with Isabella. 9.6TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Who is Mr. Lockwood? 2. Name the birthplace of Heathcliff? 3. When does Mr.Earnshaw die? 4. Why do Catherine and Heathcliff visit the Grange? 5. Who is the narrator of this novel? 6. Who is Hareton? 7. What is the name of the Physician? 8. Why does Heathcliff marry Isabella? 9. What is the name of Catherine’s daughter? 10. Why does Isabella run from the Heights? SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Give a brief sketch of treatment of love and passion in Wuthering Heights. 2. Discuss the major works of Emily Bronte. 3. Give an account of the social background of Emily Bronte. SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Discuss the subject matter of the novel, Wuthering Heights. 2. Trace the character study of Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw.

CHAPTER-X WUTHERING HEIGHTS - EMILY BRONTE 10.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter brings forth the detailed analysis of the summary of the novel, characterization, and important questions to inculcate the knowledge of the students towards the better understanding of the novel. 10.2 A DETAILED ANALYSIS – PARAPHRASE OF THE TEXT – PART - II Chapter – 21 When Catherine receives the news of Linton’s departure that morning, she is extremely sorry and begins to cry passionately. Edgar himself is obliged to soothe her by affirming her cousin should return soon. Time passes, Nelly learns from the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights about Linton. She comes to know that the boy continues in weak health. He merely lies in his bed all day, suffering from cough and cold and pains of one kind or the other. Nelly also learns from them that Linton is always asking for milk. Now Catherine attains the age of sixteen. It is her birthday anniversary, but they do not celebrate it, as it is also the death anniversary of Catherine. A dead silence prevails in the house; Edgar certainly spends his time alone in the library and walks every now and then to the graveyard at Gimmerton. He fails to take part in the family activities, leads a secluded life. On her sixteenth birthday, young Catherine happens to meet Heathcliff in the course of one of her rambles and is informed by him that he is her uncle and that he had never visited the Grange because her father had once quarrelled with him and brought to an end the relationship between them. Heathcliff suggests that Catherine should go with him to Wuthering Heights, but Nelly refuses to take Catherine there. Heathcliff frankly tells Nelly that his plan is to introduce Catherine to Linton, so that the two cousins may fall in love and get married. By this plan, Heathcliff hopes that the property at Thrushcross Grange would become his son’s property and, in case Linton dies prematurely, the properly would become his and not Catherine’s. This meeting between Catherine and Heathcliff is a crucial one. Heathcliff plays a cunning role, again uses Catherine as a powerful weapon to get Edgar’s property. Catherine is quite happy to learn that Heathcliff is not a stranger but a close relative of hers. She still does not have a good opinion about Hareton whom she has previously met on her first visit to Wuthering Heights. Catherine and Nelly stay at Wuthering Heights till the after noon and Nelly has to put great effort on Catherine to agree to leave for the Grange. As soon as they reach Grange, Catherine argues with her father about his quarrel with Heathcliff. Edgar explains that the quarrel has taken place because Heathcliff is a most diabolical man who takes pleasure in hurting and ruining those whom he hates. But Catherine

hardly seems to convince, she says that the quarrel between her father and Heathcliff must have been due to her father’s fault. A correspondence soon begins between Catherine and Linton, although Edgar rejects her request to have a friendly attitude towards Heathcliff. A milkfetcher, who comes from the village of Gimmerton, serves as a mediator between Catherine and Linton by carrying their letters. When Nelly discovers the secret, she puts an end. Nelly burns all the letters of Linton which Catherine preserves frutively. Catherine is dismayed about it. Chapter- 22 Edgar’s heath condition begins to decline. Catherine’s love for her is father further increased. Catherine is very sad, as she is prevented to correspond with Linton. In the course of another rample, once again Catherine and Nelly visit Heathcliff. Heathcliff forces Catherine to meet his son Linton. He goes on to say that Linton is felt depressed, since Catherine has stopped writing to Linton. He urges Catherine to visit young Linton in order to comfort him. When he finds Catherine is hesitating to act against her father’s wish, he threatens her by saying that he would send all the letters which she sends to Linton to her father. He tells her that Linton is really in love with Catherine and that he is dying for her. Heathcliff is determined to carry out his purpose of bringing about an alliance between Catherine and his son Linton. But Nelly appeals to Heathcliff not to put pressure on Catherine to visit the Heights, because her father is against to such visits. Nelly reminds him that it is a tough task to pursue his plan of bringing about a marriage between Catherine and young Linton, because Linton’s health is in poor condition, he could never live very long. However, Heathcliff is not in the least influenced by Nelly’s request. Nelly finds Catharine sinks in gloom, when they return home. Catherine bluntly says Nelly that she wants to visit Linton and convince him that she has not stopped writing letters to him of her own free will but only because of her father’s opposition. Nelly is helpless and she could not stop her to see young Linton. Chapter-23 Catherine’s visit to the Heights is willful. In accordance with her strong desire, Catherine goes to Wuthering Heights accompanied by Nelly. Catherine grieves, when she looks Linton in a very bad state of health. Linton is in irritable and depressed condition. However as soon as he sees Catherine, he feels muck relaxed and consoled. Linton says to Catherine that he does not like anybody in the house. Linton is terribly sick of the persons around him, he complains that Hareton is very brutal towards him and mocks at him. Linton not only hates Hareton but also the others. He is completely vexed during the absence of Catherine and her letter. Catherine too is in love with Linton as much as he is in love with her. She says to him that next to her father and Nelly she loves him better than anybody but the difficulty is that her father hates Linton’s father. Catherine replies that Linton’s father is a wicked man, because he has deserted his wife, Isabella. Young Linton persists in

defending his father while Catherine defends Isabella. Thus there is an angry atmosphere prevails between the two, but the very next moment they both become calm. It is rather odd that a beautiful, healthy girl should fall in love with an ailing young man who, as Nelly clearly points to Catherine, might not live beyond the age of twenty. Catherine regrets herself for hurting Linton. Linton also replies that she has hurt him so much that he would lie awake all Night. He requests Catherine to keep visiting him in order to cure him of his illness. Catherine assures him that they would now be friends. After returning to the Grange, Catherine feels herself matured. She says that Nelly should not act as her jailer and that the Grange is not a prison. She determines to visit young Linton until he recovers completely. Meanwhile, Nelly is ill, she remains confined to bed for three weeks. During these three weeks, Catherine behaves like an angel in waiting upon Nelly and cheering Nelly’s solitude. Chapter -24 During the illness of Nelly, Catherine visits Heights daily. When Nelly recovers from her illness, Catherine tells her in detail about her visit and meeting with young Linton. She is highly exited by their meeting. On their meeting Linton and Catherine have a plenty of conversation. Though there is a great mutual attraction between them, there are dissimilarities also. Linton wants to spend his time in an ecstasy of peace, while Catherine wants to be in the company of many people. She has found Hareton to be almost illiterate and therefore makes fun of him whereupon he has been rough in his talk both towards her and young Linton. On account of this incident; Hareton has even tried to attack Linton physically, and Linton’s shrieks has brought a dreadful fit of coughing. One of her visits of the Heights Linton admits to Catherine that he is worthless, bad in temper and bad is spirit. Another redeeming feature about Linton is that he appreciated Catherine’s kindness towards him. These words have moved Catherine to tears so that both of them have cried much of the time that they are together on that occasion. After giving a full account of these visits to Wuthering Heights, Catherine expects that she should be prevented by anyone. At the same time, her visits to the Heights greatly hurt her father. Nelly privately consults her master. As a result of this consultation, Nelly tells Catherine the next morning that her secret visits to Wuthering Heights must end. The only concession that could be granted is that young Linton would be allowed to visit her at the Grange. Chapter -25 As Catherine is very interested to meet Linton, Edgar writes a letter to young Linton telling that he would be permitted to come to the Grange to meet Catherine. But he is reluctant to allow Catherine to visit him at Wuthering Heights. As a father, Edgar has a deep concern about the marriage life of his daughter, Catherine. He is not quite sure what kind of a husband young Linton would prove for Catherine if she marries him. In reply to Edgar’s letter, Linton writes that if Catherine is not permitted to visit him at the Heights, she should at least be allowed to meet him on the moors and that he would have no objection if her father accompanies her on such occasions. In the same letter he assures Edgar that his own character is not the same as his

father’s. In accordance with young Linton’s suggestion in his letter, Edgar permitted his daughter to have a ride or a walk accompanied by Linton once a week on the moors, under the guardianship of Nelly. Thus Edgar is good naturally towards his daughter. Chapter-26 This chapter is uneventful. Hardly anything happens here. Catherine and Linton meet one again, in the open air on the moors. This time Catherine finds young Linton to be even more sickly and pale than ever before. She knows that he is hardly capable of much conversation with her. It even appears from his manner that instead of feeing pleased to meet Catherine; he endures her company as a kind of punishment. However, when, in view of his Indifferent attitude, Catherine gets ready to leave him. Young Linton feels uncomfortable, as soon as requests her to spend another half an hour with him at least. Linton tries to explain his state of ill health by saying that it is heavy weather and the heat that make him dull. Though he is not well, tries his best to be normal. He also wants her to convey to his uncle that that he is in fairly good health. When Catherine is indifferent, he urges her to meet him again on the following Thursday. Catherine is dissatisfied by the manners of Linton. She asks Nelly why Linton has wanted to meet her at all in this state of ill-temper. Nelly points out to her that young Linton’s heath has greatly become worse. Linton, over hearing the conversation, begins to weep. It seems from the way he talks that he is under the influence of some unseen presence. Catherine tells him that she must now leave and that she must not conceal the fact that she has felt sadly disappointed to meet him on this particular occasion. Just then Heathcliff is seen approaching. Linton clunks to Catherine’s arms and begged her not to leave him. However, Catherine assures him that she will meet him again on the following Thurs day and then she leaves in Nelly’s company. Back at the Grange, Catherine feels a strange mixture of pity and regret mingled with a vague, uneasy doubt about Linton’s actual circumstance, physical and social. Chapter-27 On the following Thursday, Catherine and Nelly meet Linton at the same spot. On this occasion Linton receives them with great animation, but this animation is not resulting from high spirits or joy, but from fear. However, his mood is such that Catherine once again feels disappointed with him and so she asks him why he has asked her to meet him again if the only result of their meetings is to be the feeling of distress on both sides. Catherine tells him that her father is very ill. Linton says that he in worthless, cowardly wretch, and that he is too mean for her anger. Catherine now loses her temper and calls him a foolish, silly boy. Linton is in terror. He begins to sob, saying that he dares not to tell her the real facts. He says that his life is in the hands of Catherine and that, if she leaves him, he would die. Linton explains that his father has been bullying him and that he is terribly afraid of his father. Catherine replies that she is not a coward and that, no matter how afraid he is of Heathcliff. At her words, Linton begins to weep, and he kisses her hands.

At that time, Heathcliff appears at that spot. He says that he has heard that Edgar is on his deathbed. Nelly replies that it is true that her master is dying. Young Linton looks terribly frightened of the presence of his father. Heathcliff suggests Catherine to accompany Linton to the Heights. At last, Catherine and Nelly see no alternative but to accompany young Linton and Heathcliff to the Heights. When they have all entered the house, Heathcliff locks the door from inside and tells his guests that they must have tea. In a bitter argument between Heathcliff and Catherine, she asks the key to go out. When he fails to give, she bites him. Suddenly he slaps Catherine, when Nelly rushes at him furiously Heathcliff gives her a heavy blow. Linton explains that his father has made all the arrangements for the marriage between Catherine and Linton. Nelly becomes furious and says that Heathcliff is mad to think that such a beautiful lady would tie herself to a dying monkey like Linton. Catherine says that she loves her pap (Edgar) better than she loves Linton and that she wants to go out. She appeals to Heathcliff to let her go home; she even gives him a promise that she would afterwards marry Linton, because her father has no objection to her marrying Linton. But Heathcliff declares that nobody could leave this house till Catherine and Linton have been married. Catherine says that she is ready to marry Linton at that very time if afterwards she is allowed to go to the Grange to see her dying father. Without considering her words, Heathcliff insults her. Thus Catherine and Nelly remain prisoners at Wuthering Heights. Chapter-28 After five days, Nelly is released from her imprisonment at Wuthering Heights. On her release she learns a story that has been circulated by Heathcliff that she and Catherine are lost in the Black horse marsh, and may be given up as dead. Nelly’s instant reaction to this information is that Heathcliff is a free scoundrel. When she is about to leave the Heights for the Grange, she is instructed to carry a message that Catherine will follow soon afterwards in time to attend the funeral of Edgar Linton. Nelly asks in a shocking tone if Edgar Linton is dead. But she is told that he is very near to the death. Nelly talks to young Linton, before leaving the Heights. Young Linton says that Catherine, now his wife, will not be allowed to go to the Grange no matter how much she cries. Nelly rebukes young Linton for this callous attitude and reminds him of the kindness and tenderness with which Catherine has always treated him. Nelly comes to know that Heathcliff has snatched away the lock of which Catherine wears round her neck and which has contained the miniature portraits of her father and mother. Heathcliff has stamped upon her father’s portrait and crushes it. Nelly tries to talk with Catherine before leaving the Heights, but her efforts are useless. Nelly explains to Edgar what had happened at Wuthering Heights. Now Edgar is on the edge of death. Four men are sent to bring Catherine from the Heights. But they comeback with the message, Catherine is too ill to quit her room. Mr. Green the Lawyer, who is to lead the party of those four men, has obliviously been bought

over by Heathcliff. However, the very next moment there is a knock at the front door and when it is opened; Catherine appears and rushes to embrace Nelly. She sees her father alive, but close to death. Edgar is able to see his daughter before dying, and he dies blissfully. The funeral of the Edgar is hurried, according to Edgar’s will; he is to be buried by the side of his wife, although Heathcliff has tried to prevent this part. Catherine is allowed to stay at the Grange only till the hour of the burial. Chapter-29 After the funeral, Heathcliff arrives at the Grange in the evening. Catherine tries to leave the room as Heathcliff enters, but he catches hold of her arm and treats her bitterly. He informs Nelly that he has punished his son for having liberated Catherine against his wish. Heathcliff asks Catherine to come with him to the Heights. He also says that he has decided to let the property of Edgar to a tenant. At first Catherine is against Heathcliff, but his attitude is over bearing and ruthless, and he orders her to leave from the Grange. Catherine has no way, so she left the room to collect her few belongings. In her absence, Heathcliff gives an account to Nelly how he has arranged with the sexton to remove the earth off the lid of the coffin in which Cathy lay, and how he has opened the lid and sees her face again. It is true very few men can love in the way Heathcliff has loved Catherine. He has also bribed the sexton to pull away one panel of the coffin, his object being, that when he himself dies, his dead body should be buried close to Cathy’s dead body without being any wall between them. Heathcliff goes on to say that he has a strong belief in ghosts and that he has seen Cathy’ ghost the very night following the day she has died and been buried. In fact, he has dug out her grave on that occasion in order to take a look at her coffin. The same time he has been feeling her presence close to him on many occasions, and his torture has been intolerable, she has been killing him not by inches but by fractions and hair-breaths during the past eighteen years by appearing to him many times. Then Heathcliff leaves the Grange with Catherine. He orders Nelly to stay on at the Grange and act as the housekeeper for the tenant who will take the Grange on rent. Heathcliff now becomes the master of Thrush cross Grange through his son’s marriage with Catherine, whose father is dead. Chapter-30 Nelly does not have direct contacts with Catherine. Anyway she knows through Zillah, the housekeeper at the Heights, whom she occasionally meets in the village of Gimmerton. One evening, according to Zillah’s account, Catherine tells Heathcliff in a state of alarm that her husband is dying and that a doctor should be sent for. Heathcliff shows a most unnatural attitude towards his son when he declares that he is not willing to spend a farthing on young Linton. Young Linton dies that very night, and Heathcliff shows no sign of grief. Catherine’s grief is, however, obvious she keeps to her own room for a number of days and even afterwards does not show any relaxation of spirit. She eats anything hardly; Catherine at last makes her Heathcliff first move to enter normal life. She is not even afraid of Heathcliff, and she speaks rudely to him. Hareton tries to please her by his attentions but she would

have nothing to do with him. In the view of Nelly, the only remedy for the present state of affairs in Catherine’s life is for her to get married again. Chapter-31 Lockwood visits to the Heights to give notice to Heathcliff of his decision to vacate the Grange after about six months. When Lockwood enters the home, Heathcliff is not at home; Lockwood has an opportunity of observing the behaviour of Catherine. Catherine seems to be sulkier and less spirited than when has seen her first. Lockwood hands over to Catherine a brief note that Nelly has given to him to be passed on to her. Catherine is eager to read the note given by Nelly. After she finishes reading asks few questions regarding Nelly and the Grange. Catherine is very upset, because Hareton has taken her books away from her. She is restless without reading books. Catherine blames Hareton that he has no rights to take away her books, which are her friends. Instantly Hareton goes and returns with her books and throws in front her. Hareton takes the books in order to learn reading and wants to improve himself but his efforts are useless. After Heathcliff returns home, Lockwood informs him of his decision. Lockwood is asked to dine with Heathcliff. When Lockwood leaves the Heights to return to the Grange, the thought occurs to him that it will be very nice if he has been able to develop a love affair with Catherine and been able to take her to London as his wife. Chapter-32 Several months after Lockwood’s vacation, he pays a visit to the Grange. As he is familiar with Gimmerton and the Grange people, he wants to know how the things happen at the Grange. On her visits he comes to know the fact that Nelly has shifted to the Heights. So, he goes to the Heights in order to see Nelly. Nelly surprises to see Lockwood suddenly, she greets him pleasantly. Nelly tells Lockwood that Heathcliff has died three months back. A remarkable change has undergone in the attitude of Catherine towards Hareton. Catherine never enjoys her life for a long time and she is in the stage of depression. As a result of her agony she begins her friendship with Hareton. Nelly also pleases very much by seeing their friendship. While Heathcliff treats Catherine bitterly, Hareton stands by her side. Nelly encourages their friendship especially after the death of Heathcliff. Even Lock wood notices the intimacy between Catherine and Hareton. Nelly tells Lockwood that she would now be most happy if Catherine and Hareton get married. Chapter – 33 In the first part for this chapter, Nelly describes the events, which have occurred during the absence of Lockwood from the Grange. The friendship between Catherine and Hareton is irksome to Heathcliff. Joseph also complains against Hareton and Cathy for pulling up the bushes. Hareton takes the entire blame on himself; but Cathy says that she has asked him to pull up the bushes. At this statement

Heathcliff is very much surprised, and angrily tells Cathy that she has no right to touch a struck about the place. Cathy replies that he should not grudge a few yards of earth for her to ornament when he has taken all that belong to her and Hareton. Catherine further tells him that Hareton and she are friends now, and that she would tell him all about Heathcliff. Heathcliff seems confounded for a moment; he grows pale, seeing her with an expression of mortal hate. He becomes so indignant at her insolence that he catches hold of her by her hair and threatens to kill her. Certainly Hareton rushes to rescue her. After that bad incident frankly tells Nelly that he has the power to destroy both the houses (Hareton and Catherine). But he no longer has the wish to destroy them. Heathcliff also tells Nelly that a strange change is approaching him. In every natural object such as cloud, tree and flower he sees the image of Catherine. All the elements of the world remain him of the fact that Catherine exists at one time and he has lost her whatever Heathcliff does it is under the influence of one thought that Catherine exists. Whatever objects he notices, is associated in his mind with Catherine. Heathcliff’s whole being and faculties are governed by a single wish, which could soon be fulfilled. His life has been, long fight, and he wishes it to end. This kind of talk from Heathcliff makes Nelly thinks that his conscience has begun to trouble him and that his conscience has turned his heart to “an earthly hell”. Chapter – 34 For some days after that incident, Heathcliff avoids meeting the other inmates of his house at meals. One night, after the family is in bed, he leaves the house, and does not return till morning. When he comes back he looks very much excited and cheerful. He has a strange, joyful glitter in his eyes. Nelly sees something unnatural in those deep black eyes of Heathcliff. There is a ghastly paleness on his face, and he looks like a goblin. He wants nothing to eat till morning, and goes up to sleep. He enters into the room in which Catherine used to sleep. For the next three or four days Heathcliff’s entire behaviour is strange and unusual. Once Nelly over hears him muttering some words, of which she could catch the name of Catherine, speaks as one would speak to a person present. One night Nelly hears him pacing to and fro in his room without any sleep. That night he tells Nelly that he wants to send for the lawyers, Mr. Green. He wants to write his will and does not know how to leave his property. He expresses his desire that he could completely destroy his property and leave no trace of it on the earth. Nelly remarks that already Heathcliff has done many injustices in course of his life, and that he must regret for his mistakes and must read the Bible. In replay to Nelly, he says that he has done no injustices and there was nothing to repent. He also gives to Nelly some instructions for his burial when he dies. He tells her that no priest is to be summoned that no religious words are to be spoken over his dead body, and that he is to be buried close to the dead body of Catherine in accordance with the directions already give to the Sexton. He says that he has nearly attained his heaven and that the heaven about which priest’s talks has no value for him.

Throughout that night Nelly hears him groaning and murmuring in his room. For three or four days Heathcliff has been avoiding food altogether. In the morning when Nelly goes out for a walk she finds the window of Heathcliff’s room open. That night he has slept in the paneled room where he and Catherine used to sleep while they weres children. At once Nelly gets suspicious, and she rushes upstairs when she opens the door of the room, she finds Heathcliff lying dead with his eyes open. She tries to close his eyes, but they would not shut. In fact, eyes seem to mock her attempts to close them. Although Nelly is sad at Heathcliff’ death, Hareton is the only open who really suffers much. Hareton sits by the corpse all night, weeping in bitter earnest. In accordance with his instructions, Heathcliff is buried. Hareton and Nelly are presented at his funeral. After the burial some people start seeing Heathcliff’s ghost roaming about at night on the moors. According to one account, two ghosts are seen moving, about together, the ghost of Heathcliff and the ghost of Catherine. Nelly really feels scared to hear to such stores. Nelly also informs Lockwood, after having given him the above account, that Catherine and Hareton would get married on the New Year’s Day and that, after their marriage, they would shift to the Grange, while the house at the Heights would be shut up, to be looked after by Joseph. Lockwood pays a visit to the churchyard on his way back to the Grange. Catherine, edger and finally Heathcliff have buried in the same place. Heathcliff and Catherine have been united together in death. The stories about their spirits roaming the moors symbolize this union. Thus the love which could no be fulfilled during the life time of the two has been fulfilled after their deaths. 10.3 CHARACTER ANALYSIS 1. Heathcliff Heathcliff is the central and remarkable figure of Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights. There is no doubt at all about his villainy but at the same time he manages to win some of our deepest sympathies at certain points in the story. Heathcliff’s Childhood We meet Heathcliff first when Mr.Earnshaw brings him to Wuthering Heights from Liverpool where Mr. Earnshaw had picked him up form a slum. At that time Heathcliff was dirty, ragged, black – haired child. While Mr.Earnshaw doted on the child, everybody else hated him. Hindley treats Heathcliff bitterly; he would miss no opportunity of treating him in an unkind and even cruel manner. As a result of the ill – treatment he had received as a child from Hindley Earnshaw and the social contempt, shown to him by Edgar Linton, he becomes a cruel man. So from the very beginning Heathcliff bred bad feeling in the house. His Love for Catherine and Frustration Heathcliff’s love for Catherine is undying and immortal. He has a great passion for Catherine. Since his childhood Catherine is very intimate with him. After the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Catherine was the world to Heathcliff; he spends his time only with Heathcliff. But Heathcliff is frustrated completely in the marriage of

Catherine to Eager. It gives unbearable pain to Heathcliff. Heathcliff already has the thought of revenge against Hindley and, when Edgar refuses to treat him as a social equal; his mind is filled with a fierce hatred for Edgar also. Heathcliff first of all takes his revenge upon Hindley who, being a heavy drunkard and gambler, quickly falls into his hands. He had started his life as a guest there, but soon he becomes the master of the place because Hindley has mortgaged all his property to him to pay the debts, which he had incurred by his gambling. Subsequently, by contriving the marriage of his son, Linton with Edgar’s daughter, Catherine, he becomes he owner of Thrushcross Grange as well. In this way the child who had been picked up from a Liverpool slum becomes the master of two huge properties belonging to highly respectable and old families both of which is able to ruin and wreck. A Violent Cruel Man Heathcliff, the boy, is ferocious, vindictive and wolfish. In early part of the novel he shows a hot temper, a proud nature, and capacity for implacable hatred. He is a tragic and sadistic man. One of the devices by which he takes his revenge upon Edgar Linton is to pretend that he loves Edgar’s sister Isabella who is bewitched by him and elopes with him. Soon after getting married to her, Heathcliff, begins to treat her in such a brutal manner that she has to runway from home in order escape from his perpetual insults and tyranny. The letter which Isabella writes to Nelly gives an account of the kind of life she has been leading with Heathcliff. It clearly shows the inhuman treatment she has been receiving from him. Heathcliff- a Sadist The manner in which he brings up Hareton, the son of Hindley Earnshaw is an example of Heathcliff’s brutality and sadism. He seems to have bent his malevolence on making Hareton a brute, with the result that Hareton has not been taught to read or write, has never been rebuked for any bad habit, has never been encouraged to take a single step towards virtue. Heathcliff does not even have the ordinary parent’s love for his son. He orders his son to carrying out all his instructions and writing letters to Catherine in accordance with his wishes, his sole object is to bring about a marriage between them so that he may eventually grab the property at Thrush cross Grange. He knows that his son would die prematurely but that thought does not deter him from marrying him to Catherine. The premature death of his son never gives any grief to him. So undoubtedly he remains as a sadist throughout his life. Heathcliff’s change of Heart A change comes upon Heathcliff towards the end when he no longer feels the desire to destroy those whom he has hated. Hareton and Catherine are the only surviving representatives of the two families and he has both of them under his power. But now he is no longer willing to do any harm to them. Thus towards the close of the novel, we find him obsessed with the thoughts of Cathy. In every object he sees an image of Catherine. Everything that he observes or notices is now associated in his mind with one universal idea, and that is the idea of Cathy with whom he hopes to be

united after death. To conclude, Heathcliff is surely the centre of the novel. He is a tragic sufferer and a sadistic creature. 2. Hindley Hindley is the elder brother of Catherine the heroine of this novel. He is one of the unpleasant characters in the novel. He provides a sharp contrast to other male characters of the novel. His hatred for Heathcliff Cruelty is an outstanding trait of Hindley’s character. From his very childhood, he begins to hate Heathcliff. He treats the strange boy as a kind of slave and insults him repeatedly. When they are children, Hindley knocks Heathcliff with a heavy iron weight and kicks him under a pony’s hoofs. Many years later, when his property is mortgaged to Heathcliff, he becomes more cruel and violent. He always carries a pistol with a double-edged spring knife attached to the barrel, and seeks opportunities of killing Heathcliff. He makes a desperate attempt to kill Heathcliff on the night after Catherine’s funeral, but he himself becomes the target of Heathcliff’s horrible cruelties. An affectionate Husband Inspite of his cruel and violent temperament, Hindley is a loving husband. After his father’s death he brings his wife to Wuthering Heights. His wife is silly and consumptive. But Hindley is so much devoted to her that he tries his best to make the Heights a delightful home for her. As Nelly says, “Indeed, he would have carpeted and papered a small room for a parlour; but his wife expressed such pleasure at the white floor and huge glowing fireplace, at the pewter dishes and delf care, and dog kennel, and the wide space there was to move about in where they usually sat, that he thought it unnecessary to her comfort, and so dropped the intention.” He dotes on his wife so long as she remains alive. Contrast between Hindley and Edgar At one point in the story Nelly draws a comparison between Edgar and Hindley. Both of them, says Nelly, have been fond of husbands and both were attached to their children; and yet they took different roods. Hindley, with apparently the stronger head, shows himself sadly the worse and weaker man. When his ship strikes against a rock, he, the captain, abandons his post. Edgar, on the contrary, displays the true courage of a loyal and faithful soul; he trusts God, and God comforts him. Edgar remains hopeful, while Hindley is filled with despair. His crudity Hindley has inherited all the crudity of the moors without any of their saving strength. The premature death of his wife comes as a mighty blow to him. Very soon he loses control over himself and grows desperate. He neither weeps nor prays, he execrates God and man, gives himself up to reckless dissipation. He has not the strength of character to bear the loss of his wife. As Nelly puts it’s “When his ship

struck, the captain abandoned his post; and the crew, instead of trying to save her, rushed into riot and confusion, leaving no hope for their luckless vessel.” He finds consolation for the death of his wife in drinking and gambling. He creates riotous scenes in the Heights, and turns it into a veritable hell. His habits of drinking and gambling make him a clay pigeon when Heathcliff has prepared himself for revenge. He borrows money from Heathcliff and goes on indulging in intoxication and gambling. In course of time he is wholly dehumanized, and becomes a misanthrope. His death The end of Hindley Earnshaw is what it might have been expected. Hardly six months after the death of his sister Catherine, he has died due to heavy drinking and irregular ways of life bring him to grave. He is barely twenty-seven at the time of his death. He dies a pauper, and his son becomes Heathcliff’s slave, while Heathcliff becomes the master of the estate, which once belonged to the Earnshaw family. Thus he has been depicted in the novel as a monster of cruelty; he is a rake without any redeeming features in his character. He is a despicable character whose sufferings and death call forth sympathizing tears. 3. Catherine Catherine is one of the principal characters of Wuthering Heights. She is the heroine of the first generation story in the novel. She is a spontaneous creation of Emily Bronte’s genius. She is one of the most striking portraits in the gallery of the fiction. A willful girl Catherine appears in the novel as a willful and naughty girl. She grows up, in Nelly’s words, “A wild, wicked slip”: she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day: from the hour she came downstairs till the hour she went to bed, we had not a minute’s security that she wouldn’t be in mischief. Her over whelming capacity for living, the ardour with which she experiences both joy and pain, are most vividly expressed in the passage in which she affirms her oneness with Heathcliff. A capricious woman Catherine is selfish and utterly unprincipled woman. She is prepared to use any means and sacrifice any person who stands in her way. If she is not allowed to have her own way, she passes into a fit of uncountable anger. She has a famine jealousy aroused by the discovery of Isabella’s infatuation for Heathcliff and she loses no time in brutally humiliating the girl by forcibly detaining her and exposing her passion in front of the object of her passion. Catherine is one of those who will always demand the best of both worlds. ‘Having sacrificed Heathcliff, because he has no money or position, to satisfy her hankering after wealth and respectability, she proceeds without qualms to sacrifice her husband to her real love. Throughout their relationship she used Edgar Linton quite ruthlessly. She admits to Nelly that one reason for marrying him is that ‘he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighborhood”. But to her the best reason of all is to help ‘Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother’s power’. Catherine experiences no sense of

shame over this dubious matrimonial motive, nor any doubt that, when Edgar learns her true feeling, towards Heathcliff, he will ‘shake off his antipathy and tolerate him, at least.’ Her intimacy with Heathcliff Catherine’s affection to Heathcliff is really a notable thing. As soon as Heathcliff is brought to Wuthering Heights, she begins to like him. She takes special interests to Heathcliff, while all other inmates of the house hate him. Heathcliff and Catherine become playmates and often roam in the moors together. Even after the death of Catherine’s father, when her brother Hindley becomes the master and treats Heathcliff as a slave and a drudge, Catherine does not stop playing with Heathcliff and roaming about with him whenever he can snatch any time from his labour in the field. It is in his company that she stays so far as Thrushcross Grange where she is attacked by a dog and is slightly hurt. When, after a brief stay at the Grange, she returns home, she looks a more dignified and elegant person than she was before and on finding him as dirty and ragged as ever, mocks at him. Catherine’s comprehension of Heathcliff’s character Catherine is well aware of the inhuman or monstrous element in Heathcliff’s nature. That is why she tries to discourage Isabella who has fallen in love with Heathcliff. Her analysis of Heathcliff’s temperament shows that she has understood him thoroughly. To Isabella, she describes Heathcliff as an unreclaimed creature, without refinement. He is a fierce, pitiless and a wolfish man. Cathy is not being hypocritical here. It is not just that she wants to have Heathcliff exclusive by to herself, it is that she is really concerned about Isabella’s welfare and happiness and she knows that Isabella is not the sort of person who can be happy with a husband like Heathcliff.

A Tragic figure With her caprices and histrionics Catherine is a tragic heroic heroine. Her tragedy is mainly due to her attempt to retain a double identity. “Edgar is her pride, security and tranquility; Heathcliff is the wild, free life of her childhood which she cannot give up; this she must keep both. If either of them change, or cease to conform, her life falls apart.” She loses control of both Edgar and Heathcliff in the long run. With her failure to control the two men she looses her hold on life and sinks into the deeper delirium, which is, in fact, a delayed reaction to her life’s deeper loss. Thus Emily Bronte has given a full-length portrait of Catherine in the novel. She is a highly successful character. From the beginning she seems pitiful tragic to the readers. As we watch the step-by-step descent of this character into her inferno and contemplate the whole ruinous process in retrospect, our prominent impression is one of tragic waste.

4. Edger Edgar Linton is one of the ‘good’ characters in Wuthering Heights. He is the most virtuous man in the novel. He is of considerable interest, as the man must be who can distract Catherine from Heathcliff paralleling him in many ways. A civilized man Thrushcross Grange is the seat of culture and civilization; and Edgar symbolises sweetness and light. Catherine, specifically, marries Edgar for what Heathcliff does not have; Education, money, position, ease – the visible elements of civilization. As a cultured man Edgar is a great lover of books. Books are his neverfailing friends. When with Heathcliff’s return domestic strife becomes the rule in the Grange, he increases the frequency of his visits to his books. Nelly tells Catherine that he is continually in the library since he has other society. After Catherine’s death he introduces his daughter to reading, and arouses in her a genuine lover of books. A devoted husband Edgar sincerely loves Catherine from the beginning of their acquaintance. During one of his visits to the Heights, Catherine, in a rage boxes his ear; yet, having seen her in her true colours, he remains so utterly under her spell that he is powerless to depart. As Nelly says, “Edgar Linton, as multitudes have been before and will be after him, was infatuated; and believed himself the happiest man alive on the days he led her to Gimmerton Chapel, three years subsequent to his father’s death.” Edgar is a devoted husband; and knowing that Catherine is a victim of fits of anger and depression, he never does anything that may put her out of good humour. Nelly explains that Mr. Edgar had a deep-rooted fear of ruffling her humour. He concealed it from her.When Catherine falls ill; he takes care of her as a patient nurse, and shows greatest concern in her recovery. When his wife dies, he receives a terrible shock but his faith in God and religion consoles him in bereavement. He cherishes the memory of his dead wife throughout his life. His affection towards his daughter After has wife’s death Edgar realizes that his helpless daughter has a claim on his care and attention, and that he must overcome his interest in life for her sake. His former love for the mother is now turned to the daughter. He takes her training upon himself, introduces her to reading, and permits her to share his sanctuary. “She learned rapidly and eagerly,” comments Nelly, “and did honour to his teaching.” A tender love exists between Edgar and his daughter. He thinks always of her welfare. Even during his illness he does not neglect her. He agrees to her marriage with Linton Heathcliff because, Nelly does not enlighten him about the actual state of the young man’s health. He dies blissfully because he is given to understand that Cathy would be happy with young Heathcliff.

A dull man In spite of his goodness Edgar is a dull man. When he is introduced, Our sympathy is alienated by the pitiful effeminacy. Thus Edgar Linton has many good qualities of head and heart. He is a conventional Victorian hero in many respects. He easily gets our sympathy, but fails to win our admiration because he lacks the vitality of the positive characters like Catherine and Heathcliff. 5. Hareton Hareton is one of the most interesting characters in Wuthering Heights. His character is not developed in any great detail or depth, but he draws our attention from his first appearance in the books and wins our administration at the end. A Healthy, handsome boy Hareton is Nelly’s ‘first boony little nursling’. When he is nearly five years old, Nelly leaves the Heights and the curate is asked to like after him. But his education is neglected, and he spends most of his time on the moors. He enjoys outdoor life and becomes and elf-locked, brown-eyed boy with a ruddy countenance. He is the last of the ancient Earnshaw stock. He displays the violent disposition of the Earnshaws. Isabella sees him hanging litter of puppies from a chair back. Heathcliff does not bully him physically because he has none of the timid susceptibility that would have given zest to ill treatment. Brought up as Brute When Heathcliff returns to the Heights after Catherine’s marriage, he finds Hareton as a neglected child. Now Heathcliff gets an opportunity of doing harm to his old enemy Hindley by degrading Hareton. Heathcliff almost takes the charge of the boy Hareton and begins to exercise his evil influence on him, so the first thing he does is to teach the boy certain bad words, and to curse people especially his own father, Hindley. A Replica of Heathcliff Hareton is the image of Heathcliff in many ways, but he has little of Heathcliff’s force. Indeed, he is watered by Heathcliff. Heathcliff looks upon the young Hareton as personification of his youth. He says to Nelly about Hareton, “…. I can sympathize with all his feelings, having felt them myself, When a ‘strange change’ occurs in his life. Hareton and Cathy are “the only objects which retain a distinct material appearance” because they remind him of himself and Catherine as they were. A noble soul Hareton, says Nelly, has ‘an honest, warm and intelligent nature.’ Though Heathcliff once ironically saved Hareton from death, when Hindley in a drunken fit let him fall over the banisters, he takes a savage delight in degrading him as Hindley once degraded him. Heathcliff boasts of his destruction of Hareton’ but he cannot

corrupt Hareton and render his qualities unavailing, simply because Hareton returns love for hate. So to sum up his character, Hareton is a typical Earnshaw, but he has inherited the simplicity and nobility of his mother.. Cathy’s love irritates his soul. And his character like Edgar and Linton leaves a good impression on our minds. 6. Linton Linton Heathcliff is the most repulsive character in Wuthering Heights. He is grotesque figure, but he is made fully convincing in terms of physique, speech and manners. “He is the means whereby … Emily Bronte secures our understanding of Heathcliff at time when he is at his most inhuman.” An ailing, weak boy Linton is an ailing, weak child. When he is brought to the Grange, he is a pale, delicate, effeminate boy. He is so weak that immediately after his arrival at the Grange he wants to go to bed. When Nelly takes Linton to the Heights, Heathcliff examines his slender arms and small fingers, and says that he is bitterly disappointed with the whey – faced whining wretch. Linton cannot eat the wholesome porridge which has nurtured Hareton. “To him, fresh air is ‘killing’; he cannot bear to have the window left open in the evening; the “salubrious” and ‘genial’ air of the Heights, which is life – giving to the strong but deadly to the weak and ailing, does not prove healthier for him. It increases his listlessness.” From the beginning of their acquaintance Cathy shows maternal affection for him, but he never ceases to display his sickly peevishness. During his least illness Cathy nurses him night and day, but he dies. After his death the lively Cathy feels like death. Representative of his father attitude Though Linton so strongly resembles his uncle Edger that he might have been taken for his younger brother, he is a true replica of Heathcliff. Linton’s arrival at the Grange may be contrasted with the earlier scenes of Heathcliff’s first arrival at the Heights and later at the Grange. Father and son represent two extremes of selfishness, which are ultimately been to be akin, and Cathy’s sympathy for Linton’s sufferings provides a shallow counterpart to Catherine’s sharing of Heathcliff’s miseries. Linton, at his worst, sometimes recalls genuine Heathcliff violence. When Hareton shakes him and angrily asks him to go to his own room, he shows his powerless fury: “If you don’t let me in I’ll kill you! – If you don’t let me in, I’ll kill you!” Many times Heathcliff clearly shows Linton’s resemblance to himself: “He’ll undertake to torture any number of cats, if their teeth be drawn and their claws pared.” A despicable creature It is as one would expect that the son of Heathcliff and Isabella should turn out to be a sniveling, sickly creature like Linton, whose morbid preoccupation with his heath and personal comfort excites everyone’s contempt. Even Cathy shows her contempt for Linton. “Rise, and don’t degrade yourself into an abject reptile – don’t!” “He reflects Edger’s weakness and Heathcliff’s willfulness, and perpetually reminds us of all that is most debilitating in the Linton’s comfort as well as in Heathcliff’s restless self torment.” Thus Linton is a boy without any amiable qualities. He is a

sorry mixture of the life denying characters in both families. With his sickly peevishness, selfishness, cowardice and powerless fury he remains the most despicable character in the novel. 7. Joseph Joseph, the old family retainer in the novel, is a magnificent character. He is the single survivor of the original generation, who remains at the Heights when it is left “for the use of such ghosts as choose to inhabit it.” A noble servant Joseph is an old servant of the Earnshaws. He was a servant at the Heights in the days of old Mr.Earnshaw, when Hindley, Catherine and Heathcliff were little children. He was very loyal to his old master, Earnshaw. After his death he is loyal to Hindley. He shows his devotion to the Earnshaw blood even in young Hareton. He hates Heathcliff and his son Linton because they are usurpers at the Heights, which rightfully belongs to Hareton. After Heathcliff’s death, ‘he fell on his knees, and raised his hands, and returned thanks that the lawful master and the ancient stock were restored to their rights!’ A narrow-minded moralist Joseph is a narrow-minded Christian. Like Nelly, he constantly expostulates and moralizes. He advocates the Old Testament doctrine of damnation, threatening the children with ‘owd Nick’. He denies the children warmth of fire and relief sports, and makes them pore over dull religious books, which they fail to understand. Thus his religious favour is more a nuisance than benefit to the inhabitants of the Heights. A grim -Hero Joseph is a man of sour temperament. He thinks that gaiety is ungodly. According to him merry songs are ‘glories to Satan’. While Nelly does all she can to alleviate the general unhappiness and dissension, Joseph delights to aggravate it and make further trouble, “His pious ejaculations and sermonizing, three-hour services in the garret on rainy days, and interminable grace before meals, consort ill with Joseph’s role as mischief-maker stirring up strife wherever possible. He carries tales about the young people to Hindley and later to Heathcliff; encourages Hareton’s coarseness and rough ways; and most scenes of violence have the approval of his ‘croaking laugh’.” A comic figure Joseph is a grotesque figure, and his views are always comic. Charlotte Bronte remarks, ‘a dry saturnine humour’ in the delineation of old Joseph. Like Shakespeare’s fools, he enriches great scenes by his very earthiness, absurdity, and misunderstandings, which often have a truth ironically not known to him’. Like Nelly Dean, Joseph is a faithful servant. He is a scorner of the joys of life. His mental horizon is extremely limited; and has religious obsessions. Like Linton, he is a grotesque figure. He is the only source of humour in the novel.

8. Isabella Isabella Linton, essential to the plot though she is, barely, exists, being rather a sharer in the prevailing atmosphere than a personality. She appears in the novel as a silly victim of the Byronic hero. A victim of the tyrannical hero Isabella is a foolish girl who has no knowledge of men of their motives. Her heart is full of emotions and her infatuation for Heathcliff is incurable. Both Nelly and Catherine enlighten her about the diabolical character of Heathcliff, but she turns a deaf ear to their warming. Her brother gives her a solemn warning that if she were so insane as to encourage her worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between her and him. But she is madly in love with Heathcliff, and allows him to woo her secretly. Finally she runs away from the Grange with her lover. In pursuit of his revenge Heathcliff behaves roughly towards Isabella. Even before marrying her he speculates sadistically what he would do if he “lived alone with that mawkish, waxen face: the most ordinary would be painting on its white the colours of the rainbow, and turning the blue eyes black, every day or two.” “After the infatuated girl, headless of warnings, has sealed her own fate, he admits to “the gratification to be derived from tormenting her!”, and that he is sometimes forced to desist “from pure lack of invention, in my experiments on what shoe could endure, and still creep shamefully cringing back!” indeed she is the most helpless victim of Heathcliff’s physical violence. Heathcliff’s savagery transforms the silly Isabella into a vindictive harpy, who has a thirst for revenge. As she tells Nelly, she gave Heathcliff her heart, “and he took and pinched it to death, and flung it back to me.” Embittered by her suffering, she can feel no pity for his, and ridicules him after Catherine’s death as cruelly as he has treated her: An affection sister Isabella is very much devoted to her brother Edgar from her early life. Edgar is her guardian, and she willingly obeys him. She disobeys him only when she falls madly in love with Heathcliff and passion clouds her reason. But she has the good sense not to embarrass him after her marriage by her unwelcome presence at the Grange. She is proud of her brother. When Heathcliff says that Edgar is scarcely a degree dearer to Catherine than her dog or her horse, she protests, and says, “No one has a right to talk in that manner, and I won’t hear my brother depreciated in silence!” during her last illness she requests him to come to her if possible. Edgar readily complies with her request. His presence by her deathbed is a great consolation to her, and she commits to his care her ailing son Linton. Thus her sweet relationship with her brother is reestablished before her death. A pathetic figure Isabella is a truly pathetic character. She commits a great blunder in her life when she decides to marry Heathcliff. Heathcliff breaks her heart and her life becomes a drama of pain. After an adventurous escape form the Heights she settles in her southern home. She lives above a dozen years after quitting her husband and dies of an incurable fever.

Isabella is one of the ‘good’ characters in the novel. She is a weak and misguided woman. Her sufferings at the hands of Heathcliff make her an object of pity. She imperceptibly creeps into our sympathy. 9. Cathy Cathy is the most attractive figure in Wuthering Heights. She is one of the most successfully drawn characters in the novel. She holds an important place in the second half of this novel. She is the instrument by which the fates of both houses are reversed. A replica of his mother: Cathy strongly resembles her mother in many respects. She had her mother’s handsome dark eyes. She has inherited the positive qualities of her tempestuous mother. She has none of her mother’s ungovernable fierceness, either in anger or in love. She is “in part a reincarnation of Catherine and her story gains significance through the parallels and contrasts by which it is related to that of her mother. In scenes of rain and storm, Catherine’s spirit appears to have an independent existence among the elements Like her mother, Cathy is a bold and spirited woman. During the last meeting on the moor between Cathy and the dying Linton who is stricken with terror at the prospect of Heathcliff’s imminent arrival. Nelly’s wits are paralyzed, but Cathy reacts with vigour and her contempt for Linton’s cow-cowardice reminds us of the way her mother might have spoken—“Rise, and don’t degrade yourself into an abject reptile – don’t!” Like her aunt, Cathy is a victim of Heathcliff’s physical violence. Heathcliff strikes her when she attempts to escape from the Heights; threatens to kick her when she tries to coax him to let her go to her dying father; and later, as he wrenches away and crushes the locket containing her father’s picture, to strangle her if she will not stop weeping. But Cathy retains her courage even when oppressed, beaten and illtreated by Heathcliff. Like her mother, Cathy is proud of her culture and education. Thus after Linton’s death, She shows her mother’s snobbish pride and thinks it would degrade her to consort with Hareton. A lovable daughter Cathy shows in her character Edgar’s gentleness without his weakness. From her father she has inherited gentleness and pensive expression. Catherine’s sauciness and self-will, although encouraged in Cathy by Edgar’s spoiling, are tempered, by a sensitive, tender and affectionate heart. Edgar is aware of his daughter’s love and affection for him, and says, “Ellen, I’ve been very happy with my little Cathy: through winter nights and summer days she was a living hope at my side.” During Edgar’s final illness the library had become her whole world. Heathcliff detains her at the Heights in order to increase Edgar’s sufferings, but she manages to escape from the Heights and returns to the Grange to see her dying father. Her presence by his death-bed gives Edgar mental peace, and he dies blissfully.

A Soft natured woman Cathy is a literate and polished woman. Edgar takes her training upon him, introduces her to reading, and permits her to share his sanctuary, As Nelly comments, “She learned rapidly and eagerly, and did honour to his teaching.” Like her father she is a lover of books. Shaken by her experience, she withdraws into the world of books. But she is not bookish; she is lively and her heart is full of the milk of human kindness. She lavishes her affection on Linton Heathcliff when her father brings him to the Granger her aunt’s death. Her love for Linton is based on her compassion for his plight. To her cousin she says that she loves him next to her father. She marries Linton, and nurses him with tender love till his death. She is temporarily hoarsened by Heathcliff. Trapped into a travesty of marriage, she is provoked into regarding his unhappiness ‘with a kind dreary triumph.’ She learns humility from her sufferings, and her sweetness of nature finally asserts itself. At first, after Linton’s death, she is allergic towards Hareton. But very soon she changes her opinion about him. When she realizes that Hareton is making sincere efforts to improve his mind, Cathy goes out half way to meet him. Love springs in her heart, and she takes his training upon herself. Cathy’s love for him ennobles Hareton’s life, and he learns the external graces of life from her. Thus Cathy’s love performs wonders. To sum up her character, Cathy has combined in her personality the best of both parents. Inheriting Edgar’s sweetness of nature without his weakness, Catherine’s boldness without her savagery, she is a fully developed and more balanced human being. Cathy, a child of nature, remains the most attractive figure in the novel. 10. Nelly Nelly Dean is a structural character in Wuthering Heights. She has been a participant in the whole course of events, the confidante of all the major characters, and she speaks and both narrator and chorus. Yet she is a completely real person. A Noble maidservant Nelly is presented in the novel as an ideal maidservant. She shows feudal loyalty to the Earnshaws and Lintons. Though she has affection, she has no personal commitments other than to the Earnshaw and Linton families. Even her ties with the children he brings up, Hareton and Catherine, are doomed to be broken, and known to be so before we know what the ties were. Her loyalties are quite clear in all the ways. Charlotte Bronte aptly describes her as ‘a specimen of true benevolence and homely fidelity’. Sympathetically she tries to comfort suffering while riskily reproving the faults, which have caused it. Stubborn, Courageous woman When Lockwood comments on her insights and thinks her wisdom comes from living in the country rather than among the superficial standards of cities, Nelly says, “I certainly esteem myself a steady, reasonable kind of body…. Not exactly from living among the hills and seeing one set of faces; and one series of actions, from year’s end to year’s end; but I have undergone sharp discipline, which has taught me wisdom; and then, I have read more than you would fancy, Mr. Lockwood.”

Though she is a servant, Nelly maintains a sturdy, forthright independence. She plainly speaks out her mind at all times, not only to Catherine – whose tantrums and self-will she repeatedly derides – but to everyone else too. When Hindley asks her to lead to the Heights and accompany the newly – wed Catherine to Grange, she tells him “he got rid of all decent people or to run to ruin a little faster.” She rebukes her next master Edgar Linton for calling Heathcliff a gipsy. She is not afraid of Heathcliff even when she and young Cathy are trapped by him at Wuthering Heights. A moralist Nelly rebukes Isabella when she rejoices while Heathcliff’s grieves over the death of Catherine. “Fie, fie miss!” I interrupted. “One might suppose you and never opened the Bible in your life. If God afflicts you enemies, surely hat ought to suffice you.” Catherine receives perhaps the largest share of pious homily: shrewdly catechized about her reasons – all the wrong ones – for marrying Edgar; told that proud people breed saw sorrows for themselves’, and, ‘when she feels she would be miserable in heaven – ‘”because you are not fit to go there,” I answered. “All sinners would be miserable in heaven.” A middle class countrywoman Despite her Christian beliefs Nelly is superstitious York shire woman. She refuses to listen to Catherine’s dream, dreading to hear. When Hindley under Heathcliff’s influence is rapidly destroying himself, she remembers him as her childhood companion, and momentarily imagines that she sees him as he was. When Heathcliff returns after his three-year absence, she is uncertain whether to regard him as a worldly visitor. In his last hours his face appears to her not that of “Mr. Heathcliff, but a goblin.” After Heathcliff’s death, she more than half believes Joseph’s assertion, and that of frightened small boy, that they have seen the ghosts of Heathcliff and Catherine, and she concludes: I don’t like being out in dark now: and I don’t like being left by myself in this grim those: I can not help it.” Though Nelly Dean is a choric character, she has the vitality of the major character in the novel. She is created to embody the standards of good feelings and good sense, which remain steady. Emily Bronte’s major triumph lies in the delineation of this minor character. This independent, pious and superstitious maidservant remains an unforgettable fictional character. 10.4 TREATMENT OF WUTHERING HEIGHTS

THE

SUPERNATURAL

ELEMENTS

IN

In his book the Bronte Sisters Earnest Dimnet writes that Wuthering Heights has ‘something troubling like a dream or, too often, a nightmare. But this is also its magic.’ Much of the mysterious, haunting quality of Emily Bronte’s poetry and of her one published novel issues form her intense awareness of an unseen world as vividly present as the visible one. ‘I have a strong faith in ghosts,’ declares Heathcliff. ‘I have a conviction that can, and do, exist among us!’ His calm assumption of the reality of the supernatural, which pervades the whole of Wuthering heights, is the author’s own.

Many other characters experience its spell. Dreams and visions play a vital part in the novel – and not merely in the minds of simple people like Nelly and Joseph. Because a man as educated and as prosaic as Lockwood is the last type of person to fall victim to an overwrought imagination, the terror of his ordeal in the paneled room is the more chillingly authentic. He describes his vision of a child knocking at the window as a night – mare (he dozed, and dreamt again: if possible, still more disagreeably than before) yet it is invested with an actuality stronger than that of mere bad dream. He stretches out his arm to seize the branch, which seems to be tapping at the pane, instead of which my fingers closed on the fingers of a little, ice-cold hand! The intense horror of nightmare came over me: I tried to draw back my arm, but the hand clung to it, and most melancholy voice sobbed, ‘Let me in – let me in! … I’m come home: I’d lost my way on the moor!’ As it spoke, I discerned, obscurely, a child’s face looking through the window. Terror made me cruel; and finding it useless to attempt shaking the creature off, I pulled its wrist on to the broken pane, and rubbed it to and fro till the blood ran down and soaked the bed-clothes: still it wailed, ‘Let me in!’ and maintained its tenacious gripe, almost maddening me with fear … ‘Begone!’ I shouted, I’ll never let you in, not if you beg for twenty years’. ‘It is twenty years’, mourned the voice: “twenty years. I’ve been a wait for twenty year!” I tried to jump up; but could not stir a limb; and so yelled aloud, in a frenzy of fright. Cathy, too, knows the potency of dreams. She says, ‘I’ve dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they’ve gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the colours of my mind’. Then she relates her dream of having been flung out of heaven and waking, sobbing for joy, on the top of Wuthering Heights. She also believes, like Heathcliff, in the power of sprits to defy the grave. When she is delirious she vows that she will not lie in the church – yard alone, without Heathcliff.. Her ghost leads him home; and ever afterwards, till near the end of his life teases him with promise of a glimpse of her almost, but never quite vouchsafed to him: At the end, as death approaches, Heathcliff does at last see her, at more and more frequent intervals and each time more vividly. ‘With glittering restless eyes, and with such eager interest that he stopped breathing during half a minute together,’ he watches. Something within two yards distance and whatever it was communicated, apparently both pleasure and pain in exquisite extremes; at least the anguished, yet ruptured, expression on his countenance suggested that idea. The fancied object was no fixed … his eyes pursued it with unwearied diligence, and, even in speaking to me, were never weaned away. When finally he dies, Joseph and many other local people swear they have seen his ghost and Cathy’s wandering night together on the moors. This pervasive presence of ghosts, which contributes much to the wild poetry ‘otherness’ of Wuthering Heights, far more than simple superstition. It is an integral part of both the author’s belief in the reality of a world beyond this one of the nature, and of the strength, of the relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. For neither of

them, any more than for Emily Bronte herself, can death mean the end of existence. The dying Cathy longs for release from her body into the boundlessness beyond: ‘…the thing that irks me most is this shattered prison, after all, I’m tired of being enclosed here. I’m wearying to escape into that glorious world, and to by always there: not seeing it dimly through the walls of an aching heart; but really with it and in it……….I shall be incomparably beyond and above you all.’ Most people now recognize the possibility of communication between those who are physically separated-either by distance or death and those who minds and spirits are tuned into the same wavelength. Today we call it telepathy. Both Charlotte and Emily Bronte anticipated this recognition over a century ago: the elder sister in the uncanny rapport between her heroine and Rochester in Jane Eyre, the younger in her portrayal of the relationship between the protagonists of Wuthering Heights. 10.5 LITERARY CRITICISM …We might compare it to a work of pagan inspiration, whose characters are seen less as persons than as great figures simplified and dominated by a single passion; they are in reality and at their most convincing moments passions purged of all that is accidental, trivial and secondary by the very intensity with which they are conceived… - Derek Traversi As a love story it belongs to the tradition of Tristan and Isolde, Deirdre and Naisi, Romeo and Juliet. Such romantic passion must necessarily end in death, since life is too frail to endure ecstasy. But Emily Bronte did more than depict a strong and tragic passion; she loaded the outer story with metaphysical implications. And for these reason the theme, in spite of certain grotesqueness and overstrain, compels our respect, for through it a poet-novelist communicated the special vision of life that constitutes her glory. - S. Diana Nel 10.6 SUMMARY One day, Edgar, Catherine and Heathcliff meet in the parlour. Their conversation takes an unpleasant turn and in a fit of anger Edgar gives Heathcliff a severe blow on his throat. Catherine is so much shocked to see violence offered to Heathcliff that she has a fit of frenzy. When Catherine regains consciousness she confines herself in her room and refuses to take food. Soon she falls seriously ill. To take revenge on Edgar, Heathcliff, in spite of his passion for Catharine, takes advantage of Isabella’s infatuation for him to elope with her. Some six moths after her elopement with Heathcliff, Isabella sends a letter to her brother announcing her marriage to Heathcliff. Two months later they return to the Heights. Isabella sends a note to Nelly Dean, describing her night marish life at the Heights. Meanwhile Catherine somewhat recovers from her illness. One Sunday when Edgar Linton is at church, Heathcliff forces his way into the Grange to see Catherine, and after a scene of frenzies passion, leaves her insensible. That night Catherine dies

in giving birth to a female child. After Catherine’s death, Heathcliff becomes crueler towards his wife, Isabella. His passionate hatred of the Lintons begins to fall upon poor Isabella who finds her unbearable nights at the Heights. One day she escapes from the Heights and comes to the Grange. She changes her clothes, has a brief talk with Nelly Dean and then continuous her adventurous movement till she finds her home in the south near London. A few months after she gives birth to a son who is named Linton. Now Heathcliff dedicates his life to the ruination, both material and spiritual of two houses, as his wishes. He lives at the Heights, bringing Hindley to complete degradation, while he brings up Hareton, Hindley’s motherless child, as a brutal young savage. At the same time the young Catherine grows quietly and happily to girlhood at the Grange, dark not knowing the history of her family. Twelve years pass away. Isabella lives about twelve years after quitting her husband. Edgar Linton forgives her and pays a visit to her during her last illness; and after her death, Edgar bring her son to the Grange. But as soon as Heathcliff comes to know of his son’s arrival at the Grange, he sends a servant to demand that the boy be sent immediately to his father. Edgar Linton reluctantly sends young Linton to the Heights. Edgar’s daughter Catherine is all love and pity for her cousin and misses him sadly, when he is abruptly taken to the Heights. Edgar does not allow Catherine to go to the Heights to meet young Linton, but she pays clandestine visits. In these visits Heathcliff again finds an opportunity of furthering his revenge on this Lintons. Now his plan is to marry his ailing son Linton to Catherine so secure her property and ensure her misery. Heathcliff applies all his tricks to make his plan successful. He arranges the meeting of young Linton and Catherine. Heathcliff makes young Linton to write a love – letter to Catherine so that her tender felling for her cousin may repine into deep love. At this time Edgar Linton falls ill and becomes invalid. When he finds that Catharine and Linton are inclined to each other, he thinks it would not be proper to stand between them. So Edgar allows his daughter to meet her cousin. Heathcliff knows that his son and Edgar Linton would die soon. So he is anxious that Linton and Catherine be married, so that he may possess the entire property of the Lintons, when Linton and Edgar die. One afternoon he takes both Catherine and Nelly into the Heights, and keeps them as prisoners in the house. Meanwhile Edgar Linton’s condition grows worse, and it is evident that he is about to die. After Catherine is forcibly married to Linton, she is released and goes to see her dying father at the Grange. Edgar Linton dies peacefully as he is under the impression that it is a happy marriage. Heathcliff takes his daughter- in -law to Wuthering Heights and keeps Nelly at Thrushcross Grange as housekeeper. Very soon Linton dies, and Catharine becomes a helpless dependent on Heathcliff. His ill–treatment makes Catherine a morose and cynical woman. Hareton the last surviving member of the Earnshaw family is a servant in Heathcliff’s house. Thus Heathcliff ruins his enemies but also their children. His vengeance on the Earnshaw’s and Linton’s family is fulfilled. This is the story Lockwood hears and stumbled. Nine moths later Lockwood returns unexpectedly, visits Nelly at the Heights. She greets him pleasantly and tells Heathcliff’s history. In course of time, Catherine develops friendship with her cousin Hareton. Hareton improves under the influence of her love, and beings to take interest in book. Very soon he becomes decent young man. While this entire happening, Heathcliff leads a secluded life. He always thinks of his early love for Catherine and

feels that there is no meaning in his life as long as his unquenchable desire to be united with Catherine remains unsatisfied. The spirit of Catherine seems to haunt him. He wanders about for whole nights on the moors, and abundant taking food. He neglects all company, and is indifferent to the growing attachment between his widowed daughter-in-law and Hareton. The consuming desire to meet his beloved tells upon his mind seriously Heathcliff’s eyes appear to be fixed on something mysterious and he has strange expression of joy on his face. One morning Nelly finds Heathcliff dead in bed. The people of the locality see ghost of Heathcliff and Catherine moving about the moors. Nelly does not like to be alone in the Heights, and she would be glad to shift to the Grange after the marriage of Catherine and Hareton on New Year’s Day. 10.7TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. When does Catherine meet Heathcliff? 2. Where does Catherine’s graveyard situate? 3. Who is young Linton? 4. Who marries young Catherine? 5. Where does Heathcliff bury after his death? 6. Who does marries Catherine at the end of the novel?

SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1.

Treatment of supernatural elements in Wuthering Heights.

2.

Modernity of Wuthering Heights. Discuss

3. Heathcliff?

Who is the central character in Wuthering Heights- Cathy or

SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. What is the role of Nelly in the Novel Wuthering Heights?

2. Heathcliff is a sadist- Discuss. 10.8 SUGGESTED READINGS 1.

Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.

2. A critical commentary on Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, by Margaret Willy. 3.

J. Hewish, Emily Bronte, A critical and Biographical study.

M. Visick, The Genesis of Wuthering Heights.

CHAPTER - XI MRS.DALLOWAY - VIRGINIA WOOLF 11.1 INTRODUCTION A biographical sketch of Virginia Woolf Virginia Woolf, the English novelist was born at Hyde Park Gate, Kensington, and London on January 26, 1882 as the younger daughter of Sir Leslie Stephen and Julia. Her father Leslie Stephen was a distinguished man of letters. He was an eminent Victorian critic and scholar, philosopher and thinker, editor, mountaineer, rationalist, alpinist and biographer. Virginia had inherited most of her father’s tastes. Mr.H.V.Routh says, “Mrs.Woolf inherited as her birthright the artistic privileges for which most authors have to struggle …… on the other hand, innovation was in her blood and her environment. So within her limits, anything she wrote would have to be an adventure in style and thought”. Virginia was one of the six sisters whose beauty was legendary. She had particular affection for her sister, Vanessa and her brother, Thoby. Thoby’s sudden death at a young age of twenty-five during a holiday in Greece had a profound effect on her health and work. Her health remained indifferent so that she could not have conventional schooling. Instead she was taught at home by her father and by her father’s friends as Hardy, Henry James, and Meredith. Virginia Woolf was born into what has been rightly called, ‘the intellectual aristocracy’. Hers was a circle where standards of culture, taste and intelligence were of the highest. This was the social and cultural milieu in which she had much of her experience of life and from which she gathered much of the material for her novels. This milieu was composed of a small number of families; most of them intimately connected and they constituted the top layers of the middle class, primarily by virtue of their intellectual attainments and moral responsibility. They regarded themselves as superiors. Virginia Woolf, in other words came from this ‘cultural elite’. She was an aristocratic intellectual, a lady of blue blood. She knew nothing of poor man or poverty. Her practical experiences of life were limited. She never saw life in its rough and raw aspects. To her, life was a gentle smooth sailing. Her personality Virginia Woolf had an attractive personality and was gentle and sophisticated in her activities. Tall in stature, gay in mood, she was not much outspoken. She gave an impression of sobriety, simplicity and dignity. She was well cultured and rational in behaviour. There was an appealing simplicity in her dress, seriousness in her attitude, sincerity in her looks and responsibility in her behaviour. She was always ‘a scholar and a gentle woman’. The Bloomsbury Group After the death of her father in 1904, Virginia Woolf lived in garden square, London, which was literary district and came to be known as Bloomsbury square. It began to function after the death of Queen Victoria and went

on functioning until the Second World War. Its principal members were Cambridge men. Notable among them were Lytton Strachey, J.M.Keynes, Roger Fry, Vaneesa, Clive Bell, Leonard Woolf, Desmond Mac Carthy, Thoby (Virginia’s brother). They were called the Bloomsbury group because many of them at one or another time had flats in the district of London, called Bloomsbury. They were all followers of the Cambridge Philosopher C.E.Moore, the author of Principia Ethica. This group was greatly influenced by the philosophy of C.E.Moore and exclusive, strictly nonpractical pursuits of ‘Sweetness and light’ became the ideal of Moore’s followers. The members believed in the importance of good and pleasant states of feeling in the individual human life and in all of them, there is a striving passion towards charity, goodwill and understanding and towards a perception of the passing but real beauty of the world. Virginia Woolf’s career had an active bloom after her membership of the Bloomsbury group. In 1905, she began publishing reviews and essays. In 1912, she married Leonard Woolf, who proved to be a loving and caring husband. Thereafter she in collaboration with her husband actively participated in politics, particularly the feminist movement and also published many controversial and modernist articles through the Hogarth press. In 1920, the Hogarth press became a publishing business with the effort of Leonard and Virginia. In1940 her London house was bombed and in 1941 she fell a victim to mental illness. Fearing she would not recover from recurrent mental illness, Virginia Woolf drowned herself in Ouse in 1941. On her death, T.S.Eliot wrote, “Virginia Woolf was the centre not merely of an esoteric group, but of the literary life of London. With the death of Virginia Woolf, a whole pattern of culture is broken. She may be from one point of view only the symbol of it, but she would not be the symbol if she had not been more than anyone of them in her time, the mainstay of it”. As an artist and a lady, she knew the only way that was truly hers. she was a rare spirit: “Frugal, austere, fine, proud, Rich in her contradictions, rich in love” 11.2 HER WORKS Virginia Woolf’s literary career flourished under the brand ‘The Bloomsbury Group’. She stood unique by adopting a revolutionary technique for the expression of her vision of life and human nature. She proved to be an expert in handling a new mode ‘streams of consciousness’ to depict the mind of her characters. Her literary career can be studied under three phases. a) The First phase This phase includes Virginia Woolf’s first two novels. ‘The Voyage out’ (1915) and ‘Night and Day’ (1919). The Voyage Out The very title of the novel suggests that the work is the author’s first journey into an unknown world. The actions in the novel begins in October 1908 and concludes in the following May. Externally, the structure of the novel is completely conventional. It contains narration, description and predominantly conversation between two or more characters. The central story is that of Rachel Vinrace, a young

and inexperienced girl whose practical education is taken in hand by Helen Ambrose at Santa Marina, a small town to which they have come abroad a cargo ship from London. Helen Ambrose is the most powerful character in the novel. Rachel is brought into a variety of experiences with a large number of people. She falls in love with Terence Hewet and when she has just began to emerge into the life of a normal young woman, she becomes ill and dies of a tropical fever. Night and Day The second novel Night and Day is the longest of Virginia Woolf’s novels and it is written in the most conventional form. It depicts the life of Katharine Hilbery who is proud of her ancestry. The scene is London; the time just before the war; the theme – love, marriage and the family. The novel begins like a comedy of Manner with a tea party. Katharine Hilbery has for some time been heading towards marriage with William Rodney in accordance with the social standards of her circle. At first, she accepts him, but then reaching against her society, she finds another young lady for him to marry and breaks her own engagement with him and herself marries a young man from the lower middle class, Ralph Denham, a clerk, whom after a series of conventionally complicated circumstances, she finds she loves. Against these characters is set Mary Datchet, a worker, whose love for work finally supplants her love for Ralph. The novel thus ends with three attitudes: 1. Rodney and Otway accept the society. 2. Mary wishes to reform. 3. Katharine and Denham reject it. In short, it may be declared a novel, “about silence, the things people don’t say”. b) The Middle Phase ‘Jacob’s Room’, ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ and ‘To the Lighthouse’ belong to the middle phase of Virginia Woolf’s career. These novels represent the true voice of Woolf and stand as fine samples of ‘stream of consciousness’ technique. Jacob’s Room (1922) ‘Jacob’s Room’, is a novel one third as long as Night and Day, Spans almost a quarter of a century, from about 1891 to about 1915 and its action, takes place in England, France, Italy and Greece. It is divided into fourteen sections, the interval between each indicating a change of time or place. Each of this section is further subdivided as the omniscient narrator moves from one character to another or interrupts to say something from her own point of view. The novel lacks proper plot. It tells the story of Jacob Flanders, rather than a story about Jacob Flanders, who is one of the three children, all boys of Betty Flanders. Mrs. Dalloway (1925) The novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ is concerned with the life of Mrs.Clarissa Dalloway, the middle aged heroine affecting and affected by others. The entire action of the novel is related to the critical moments – the conflicts in her mind between

privacy of self and the claims of society that happened on a single day in June in her life. To the Lighthouse (1927) It is divided into three parts, 1) ‘The Window’ – describes a house party on the island of Skye, Prof. Ramsay and his family. 2) Part II ‘Time Passes’ describes how during the long years of war the house is left to dust, silence and loneliness, the family without Mrs.Ramsay. 3) Part III ‘The Lighthouse’ describes the visit to the lighthouse after the passing of years. This novel is Woolf’s masterpiece projecting her technical ability to display the unity of effects. c) The Last Phase The last phase of Woolf’s career reflects fresh experiments. ‘Orlando’, ‘The Waves’, ‘The Years’ and ‘Between the Act’ belong to the last phase. Orlando (1928) is a fantasy, a biography based on the life, personality, ancestry and literary background of Sackville West, one of Virginia Woolf’s friend. The Waves (1931) In this novel the technique of flow of consciousness and inner thought is well exhibited. Its external pattern is descriptive and dramatic. It depicts a single day on an English beach near the nursery school. Here, Sea stands as a symbol of the lives of Bernard, Neville, Louise, Susan, Rhoda and Jimmy. The Years (1937) The novel ‘The Years’ is concerned with good and evil, right and wrong. It can be called a ‘justification’ of the ways of God to man. Between the Acts (1941) This is Virginia Woolf’s last and most symbolical novel. The action is confined within twenty-four hours that takes place in a house and its surrounding estate. The central event is the historic pageant arranged to take place on the terrace or in the barn. 11.3 VIRGINIA WOOLF’S STYLE Virginia Woolf has developed her own style which is distinct and original through which she seeks to destroy or to transcend the dividing line, the horizons of experience, vision and understanding which separate one human personality from another and to display in it the reality – the reality being a compound of spiritual, emotional, rational and irrational that goes to make a complete human personality. In short, her style is really individual, peculiar style adapted to the kind of work that she had to do.

Her style is enchanting which has the power to change even the strange as ordinary. Her style is elusive and emotional. Her diction is very near to poetry. Phrasing, rhythm, rhyming and sounds have a great deal to do in her works. She echoes sounds and significant words constituting to the use of refrain, which is very effective way of enlarging the meaning of the explicit moments. Thus Virginia Woolf’s style therefore possesses all the qualities of a poetic style – Rhyme, refrain, metaphor etc. Her metaphors stay in the readers mind long. The images which her metaphors evoke are often more vivid and startling. Thus, Woolf’s style may be termed ‘Poetic’. Another outstanding quality of Woolf’s style is suggestiveness. Her words and sentences mean more than what they say. Her images too are suggestive. Another remarkable characteristic of her style is fluidity. She would begin from a point, say from the middle of an experience, would enter in to it, and then would come back from where she had started. For example, in the beginning of the novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’, Clarissa Dalloway is presented to purchase flowers but suddenly the story moves back to her young age, then few reflections are made about her friend, Peter Walsh and again brought back to the flower shop to the point where the story started. In keeping with her purpose i.e. to express the stream of thoughts as it flows – Virginia Woolf’s style is free from artificiality. Her style is not only poetic and figurative but also natural, simple and spontaneous. The words and images come to her as naturally as breathing to a human being. There is no pedantry, or scholasticism, nor vagueness or verbosity in her style. On the other hand, her style is polished, well educated and charming with the loveliness of a poet. She herself reveals her secret: “Any method is right, every method is right, that expresses what we wish to express if we are writers; that brings us closer to the novelist’s intention if we are readers”. In short her style is natural, original, charming, realistic, elusive, emotional and poetic. 11.4 VIRGINIA WOOLF’S THEORY OF FICTION Virginia Woolf’s Theory of Fiction is different from that of her contemporaries. She is an exponent of new technique and methods of novel. Her theories and views about fictions are revealed in her essays – The common Reader (1st and 2nd series) and in her Diary. Notable among them are ‘Modern Fiction’, ‘The Russian Point of View’, ‘How it Strikes a Contemporary’ and ‘Granite and Rainbow’. Virginia Woolf believes that the existing technique of the novel cannot express life or spirit, truth or reality. The task of the novelist, according to her, is to enshrine the spiritual life in art. The spiritual life is complex, unlimited and changing; hence the conventional technique of plot, structure and characterization cannot cope with the task. She believed that the distinctive quality of the novelist is permanent interest in ‘Character in itself’. She says: “I believe that all novels deal with character, and that it is to express character – not to preach doctrines, sing songs or celebrate the glories of the British Empire – that the form of the novel, so clumsy, verbose and undramatic, so very elastic and alive, has been evolved”. Virginia Woolf is an innovator who rejects novel as a Criticism of life. To her novel is a recreation of the inner realities of life. Virginia Woolf “knew the value of

sense” of safety conferred by the system of thought and behaviour. As an artist her concern was to comprehend the reality as well as the convention, she entirely rejected the traditional way, replacing emphasis on incident, external description and character presentation by the ‘stream of consciousness’ method. This method offered possibilities of mental states, to portray the inner psychic feelings and thoughts. Fiction for Virginia was not a ‘Criticism of life’ but rather a recreation of the complexities of experience. Reality or real life therefore cannot be limited within the limitations of time. So she favours break away from the traditional concept of time. She rejects traditional plot and traditional methods of narration and characterization. She says; “Any method is right, every method is right, that expresses what we wish to express”. Thus her attitude is primarily that of an innovator, experimenting, conscious of infinite possibilities and ready to try anything. She stresses on a new concept of novel initiated by James Joyce, Dorothy Richardson etc, called the ‘Stream of consciousness’ technique. She believes that the novelists must “expose him to life and yet be detached from it”. (Granite and Rainbow) 11.5 INTRODUCTION TO MRS. DALLOWAY Virginia Woolf’s observations – the source Virginia Woolf’s novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ depicts the little world of people like herself, a small class, a dying class, a class with inherited privileges, private incomes, sheltered lives, protected sensibilities and sensitive tastes. Relatively Virginia Woolf has also dealt with, ‘the reality of life and death’, ‘time and the absolute’, ‘Confusion and order’, ‘Singleness and oneness’ etc. Talking of Mrs. Dalloway while the novel was yet to appear in its present shape Virginia Woolf wrote; “I adumbrate here a study of insanity and suicide, the world seen by the sane and the insane side by side – something like that” ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ has been written by Virginia Woolf somewhat at random, tackling the problems as they cropped up. In short Woolf has tried to conceive Mrs. Dalloway as a whole, “to foresee it better than the other (books) and get the utmost out of it”. In June, 1925, she writes that in this novel, “I want to give the slipperiness of soul. I have been too tolerant often. The truth is that people scarcely care for each other. They have this insane instinct for life. But they never become attached to anything outside themselves”. Virginia Woolf through her novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ wanted to treat of life and death and show the social system at work. These observations amply foreshadow the book to come.

11.6 PUBLICATION AND THE THREE SUCCESSIVE STAGES ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ was published in May 1925, simultaneously in England and America. Virginia Woolf’s diary states that the book came into being not as a continuous growth, but in three successive stages, each characterized by a different state of mind and even a different method of work. But in the very process of writing over these three different periods Virginia Woolf has discovered a new form, tried it out and perfected it. 11.7 DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS IN TWO PARALLEL LINES The novel “Mrs. Dalloway” has two intertwined parallel lines of development as its factor of central interest. On the first level, the novel centers around Mrs. Dalloway, a woman of upper middle class, wife of Richard Dalloway, a member of parliament, outwardly quite sociable and of course very cultured and sophisticated. Secondarily, the story spins around Septimus warren Smith, a shell-shocked soldier, and a half sane man, who talks to himself and dreads the outside world. These two characters and the people and incidents concerned with them develop alternately, coinciding momentarily at different points in time and space. Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus smith never meet in the course of the day (which is actually the total duration of the novel). The Queen’s or the Prime Minister’s car, aeroplane advertising a toffee in the sky, a little girl playing in Regent’s park and an old woman singing by an underground station – all these provide a changing pattern of scenes and severe sometimes to give insight into a particular character. They give an effect of transition from one character to another. In the first series, Mrs. Dalloway meets Peter Walsh, who has been and is still in love with her. Peter Walsh roams about in London, Mr. Dalloway lunches with Lady Bruton, and Elizabeth goes shopping with an old maid, Miss Kilman. In the evening all these characters except Miss.Kilman, gather together at Mrs. Dalloway’s party. The same day Septimus smith goes for a walk to Regent’s park with his wife Lucrezia. They visit Dr.Bradshaw a brain specialist who advises that Septimus smith should be sent to the mental home. But when Dr.Holmes comes to take him there, he commits suicide by throwing himself from a window. The two stories get linked up only, when Bradshaw tells about Septimus’ death at Mrs. Dalloway’s party. 11.8 THE PLOT Virginia Woolf is totally against the traditional concept of plot – construction. She rejected dramatic ups and downs, dramatic conflicts i.e. raising action - falling action, love-affairs, quarrels, weddings, reconciliations etc as the common elements of a plot. She builds her plots around the consciousness of her characters. It is not the events but thoughts and feelings and relationship of characters which matters most in the novel. The plot develops not externally but moves internally depicting the inner traits of the character. The novel Mrs. Dalloway is a fine sample of Virginia Woolf’s technique called ‘streams of consciousness’. In Mrs. Dalloway, the conventional form, narration and characterization are totally rejected. The necessary circumscription is imposed by the narrow framework of Time. The whole action of the novel takes place with in a day. The whole events in the novel moves between Mrs. Dalloway’s preparations for her party in the morning and her presiding over the function in the evening. Within this limited frame work of

stipulated time, the plot moves through the consciousness or thoughts that occur in the mind of characters, the chief of whom is Clarissa Dalloway. Mrs. Dalloway is a novel with few events and the importance of these events depends upon their effect on the consciousness of different characters in the novel. The novel with in the framework of twenty-four hours, set in London consists of two intertwined lines of development. It has two stories – one moving around Mrs. Dalloway, an outwardly perfect London Hostess and the other around Septimus warren smith, a shell-shocked ex-soldier, which run parallel to each other. These two sets of characters and incidents in space and time are made concrete by objects, people and scenes, which flash across the consciousness of the principal characters in both the series. The few events of the plot include – Clarissa Dalloway goes out to by flowers for her party, meeting with Peter Walsh who aimlessly roam about London, Mr. Dalloway meeting with another friend of his wife, lunches with lady Bruton, who has invited him to put the finishing touches to a letter to the Times, Elizabeth Dalloway, Clarissa’s daughter going shopping with Miss Kilman who try to inculcate piety. That evening all the characters except Miss Kilman gather together at Mrs. Dalloway’s party. The same day Septimus smith and his wife Rezia go for a walk in Regent’s park before visiting Dr.Bradshaw, a specialist in nervous diseases who advises sending Septimus to a mental home. But Septimus throws himself, out off the window and dies. Septimus’ death is reported at the party, which is the only link between the two stories. Thus the two parallel lines link by the fate in the idea of death. A still closer fusion is achieved by making Mrs. Dalloway kills herself at the end of the party. Thus the unity of the plot is achieved by psychological means. Mrs. Dalloway is not a formless, chaotic, shapeless novel but one of the finest pieces of the stream-of consciousness school of novels. 11.9 TREATMENT OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN MRS. DALLOWAY Modern psychology had proved that Consciousness is a fluid existing simultaneously at a number of points rather than moving in one single direction at a time, as the novelists in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries used to assume when they dealt with one aspect of their character’s life to the exclusion of every thing else. Since consciousness does not move in a straight line, the progress of story in a strict chronological order sounds unrealistic. According to Virginia Woolf, experience is a flux, that, it is a continuous succession of changes, it is like a flowing stream in which it is difficult to say which tract of water in a stream belongs to which particular geographical area. As all the water in a stream belongs to the entire stream, so entire human experience belongs to all mankind. Human beings, it is true, very often live as isolated individuals. But their basic urges are identical. In Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf makes a deliberate attempt to bring all the tracts of experience into a single focus. She also succeeds in effecting transition from one point to another in such a way that the unity of the novel is emphasized, rather than weakened by the continual shifts. In the course of a single day she is able to give an account, not only of her party, her development, her character, her history, but also is able to describe a whole group of people who are either directly related to Clarissa Dalloway or Cross her at some moment in the day or those she happens to think of. Structurally speaking, Virginia Woolf has rejected the traditional division of the book, traditional concept of time is rejected and single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway is represented as the whole of the novel with the

implementation of the ‘stream of Consciousness’ technique with the main stress upon the thoughts and feeling of the characters. 11.10 INTERIOR MONOLOGUE IN ‘MRS. DALLOWAY’ Experience to Virginia Woolf is a flux and she needed a special device to communicate it. To her consciousness is an amalgam of past, present and future and individual’s consciousness is a compound of retrospect and anticipation. So all time, the past, present and future becomes one for her. Her characters move back freely into the past without expanding the chronological limits of the novel. In Mrs. Dalloway too, Woolf depicts beyond a single day. Virginia Woolf very aptly transcends the limitations imposed by chronology with the help of a device - Interior Monologue. The device helps Virginia Woolf to condense the past of the character into the present moment. In Mrs. Dalloway, Clarissa Dalloway and Peter Walsh indulge in the longest monologues. Monologue, that is, monologue and dialogue are so organized that their focus is on the temperament, mood and character that the speakers unintentionally reveal their past, present and future in due course of their speech. It is in other terms, mind’s dialogue. At the very outset of the story, Clarissa takes a long leap backward into her past when she was a girl of eighteen. She recalls her relationship with Peter Walsh, examines in retrospect of it. Peter Walsh too is thrown into his past, his love for Clarissa, his unsuccessful marriage and regrets that all his life has been a colossal failure. Thus Virginia Woolf is able to capture the entire career and life of her character into a single moment with the device-Interior Monologue and adapting to a technique called ‘streams of consciousness. With the whole past behind and with the whole future before, with the sweet and sour memories of the past and with the tickling aspirations of the future - the character’s mind operating at any particular moment has to work under the impact of its total experience. Right to this concept, Virginia Woolf has shown a span of a single day, probing into the minds of her characters and has exhibited their complete history and development without digression, thus holding up the progress of the story. 11.11 MANIPULATION OF TIME IN MRS. DALLOWAY The Manipulation of Time and Space is a striking feature in Mrs. Dalloway. Bernard Blackstone in his book, ‘Virginia Woolf: A commentary’ considers Mrs. Dalloway an experiment with ‘Time’ for in this novel the novelist has manipulated all the three kinds of timing, 1) The mechanical or clock time 2) The psychological (Bergsonian) time or the inner time (which Bergson called ‘duree’ or inner time) 3) The historic time. The clock time and the psychological time have been skillfully manipulated in Mrs. Dalloway, whereas the historic time is brought out by casual references to the historical events like war. Virginia Woolf with intensity to portray the reality in Mrs. Dalloway could not subscribe to the chronological movement of the story. Time had to be dissolved. The

past, present and future had to lose their separate identities and had to be treated as a flow where all the three became part of ‘One Time’. In Mrs. Dalloway the action of the book is limited temporally to a single day in the life of its chief character, spatially to a single place, London and emotionally to the relations of Mrs. Dalloway with a few other people. Thus the clock time refers to the action in a single day in June, the chiming of Ben etc. It is early morning when Clarisse steps out of her house, it is eleven o’ clock when Peter bursts in, it is half-past eleven when Peter in Trafalgar square receives a strange hallucination; it is a quarter to twelve when Septimus smiles at a dead man; it is twelve o’ clock when Septimus and Rezia meet Sir William Bradshaw, it is halfpast- one when Whitbread and Richard meet for luncheon; and it is six when Septimus kills himself. Thus the reference to the clock-time, now and then is meaningful. It denotes the shift from past to present and serves as an artistic purpose, enabling the author to present the change of thoughts. In short, the technique of clock time is neutral, impersonal, and implacable and it affects alike all who have physical existence. Secondly, the novelist’s device of memory, reflection, flashbacks and transformation in the personality of Clarissa Dalloway and other Characters indicate the psychological time. This device has enhanced the novelist to present the past and the present status of her characters simultaneously. Finally the narration of complete events of past and the present with in the network of consciousness of the heroine, Clarissa as well as others and other casual references to the historical events like the war portray Historical Time in the novel. Time dominates the world of both Virginia Woolf and Mrs. Dalloway. It (Clock) helps the novelist in the transition of events and characters for they change every time the clock chimes. Time further helps in maintaining the essential unity, form and pattern of the novel and this distinctive treatment of time makes the novel a typical example of ‘stream-of-consciousness’ technique. 11.12 SYMBOLS IN MRS.DALLOWAY Mrs. Dalloway is highly a symbolic novel. Virginia Woolf was greatly influenced by the Russian master- symbolists like Chekhov and Turgnev. Her concern is not with external reality but with the internal psyche or consciousness. She finds symbols a helpful medium to reveal the complex mental states. The characters in Mrs. Dalloway are symbols of different aspects of life and society. Some of the symbols are discussed below:The Dalloway’s (family) symbolize the pompous, showy superficial society, which is suffering from spiritual barrenness and lacks depth in human relationships. The Whitbread’s symbolize the most detestable English middle class life. Miss Doris Kilman signifies the corrupt religiosity and possessive love

Dr.Holmes and Sir William Bradshaw symbolize the scientific, evils and ruthless imposition on others’ will. Peter Walsh represents the adventurous spirit, truth and knowledge Sally Seton symbolizes a revolt against orthodoxy. Septimus smith symbolizes the absence of the body and is a stricture on the modern war. Richard Dalloway symbolizes Snobbery and oppression. Clarissa Dalloway represents the death of the soul In Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf draws symbols and images even from the world of nature. Her major symbols are the five elements- the sky, the earth, water, air and fire. Other symbols are birds, trees, days and nights, seasons etc. Thus in Mrs. Dalloway, Fresh morning symbolizes youth Rose symbolizes love and fulfillment Streets stand as the symbol of anonymity and mystery of human life Houses represent the integration and relationship of a family. Rooms symbolize protection and intimacy. The door is the crack in the wall of the loneliness. The window is symbolic of our outlook on to the world. The other animate and inanimate actions in the novel also form a link in this wide span of symbolism. Thus the symbolic setting of London in the novel portrays ‘the despicableness of people’ and ‘the detestable social system’. The landscape of Norfolk is symbolic of ‘the feeling of rest, quiet’. The calm nature of ‘country side’ and the flowers symbolize ‘the tender and quiet feelings of Peter Walsh, Sally and Clarissa. Peter Walsh’s frequent shutting the blade of his old pocketknife symbolizes his emotional attitude. Similarly Clarissa’s mending the dress suggests her mind troubled by suspicion. Thus even the ordinary things and happenings acquire added significance, enriching to the symbolic quality in Mrs. Dalloway. 11.13 SUMMARY Virginia Woolf born in the circle called ‘cultural elite’ was an aristocrat intellectual lady of blue blood. To her life meant a gentle smooth sailing for she did not know what is poverty and hardship. She was a gentle, sophisticated, simple and dignified. Her literary career flourished under the brand ‘The Bloomsbury Group’. Her

technique was revolutionary but she never failed to express her vision of life and human nature. Her style was original, distinct and enchanting. Her works are unique with a new concept called ‘streams of consciousness’. She believed in a concept called detached attachment. Her novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ is a fine work of ‘Stream of Consciousness’ technique. The whole novel centers on Mrs. Dalloway, a woman of upper middle class. The main stress of the novel is upon the thoughts and feelings of Clarissa Dalloway and whole action of the novel is limited to one single day. Time further helps in maintaining the essential unity, form and pattern of the novel and this distinctive treatment of time makes the novel a typical example of ‘stream-ofconsciousness’ technique. 11.14 TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Who is Virginia Woolf’s father and what did she inherit from him? 2. Name Virginia Woolf’s sister to whom she was much attached. 3. Name the group to which Virginia Woolf belongs. 4. Name some notable members of the group. 5. Name some of the famous works of Woolf. 6. What is the main source for Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway? SECTION B: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS: 1. Give a short biographical sketch of Virginia Woolf’s life. 2. Explain Virginia Woolf’s Theory of Fiction. 3. What is special about plot construction of Mrs.Dalloway? 4. Write about Woolf’s style. SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Write about treatment of consciousness in Mrs.Dalloway. 2. Time plays a unique role in Mrs.Dalloway – Explain. 3. Mention some special aspects that made the novel ‘Mrs.Dalloway’ unique.

CHAPTER – XII MRS.DALLOWAY - VIRGINIA WOOLF 12.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter consists of the detailed analysis of the text - “Mrs. Dalloway” and its special significance, which helps the students, gain a thorough knowledge of the text. This chapter also carries the literary criticism on Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” and its summary. Moreover, it brings forth some questions to check the gained knowledge of the students. 12.2 CHARACTERS AND PLACES IN MRS. DALLOWAY Persons : : : : :

1. Clarissa Dalloway 2. Richard Dalloway 3. Peter Walsh 4. Sally Seton 5. Septimus Warren Smith 6. Character 7. Lucrezia Warren Smith 8. (Rezia) 9. Dr.Holmes 10. Septimus. 11. Sir William Bradshaw 12. on Septimus 13. Lady Bradshaw 14. Lady Bruton

:

15. Hugh Whitbread 16. Evelyn Whitbread 17. Elizabeth Dalloway 18. Doris Kilman 19. Evans

: : :

The Heroine An M.P; Clarissa’s Husband An old lover of Clarissa A girlhood friend of Clarissa An Ex-soldier; a neurotic

:

Septimus’s wife

:

A doctor attending on

:

Another doctor attending

: Dr.Bradshaw wife A friend of the Dalloway, A Representative of Upper strata of society. : Clarissa’s old friend : Hugh Whitbread’s wife Clarissa’s daughter Tutor of Elizabeth Friend and officer of Septimus. He is killed in war. Places

London : Westminster city, London

The entire action of the novel is set in this city. :

The Place where Dalloway’s have their house in the

The other places mentioned in the novel are, India

(Peter Walsh returns from India)

France (Where Septimus fights during world war-I)

Milan

(Where Rezia’s parents live in Italy)

12.3 A DETAILED SUMMARY OF MRS.DALLOWAY Paraphrase Clarissa dalloway’s visit to the market The action of the novel Mrs. Dalloway is subjected to a single day in the middle of June. The story opens with Clarissa Dalloway, a middle-aged woman of fifty-one who is the Central figure of the novel, going to the market to buy flowers for her evening party. Clarissa Dalloway, the wife of Richard Dalloway, a conservative member of the Parliament of Great Britain who has been living in Westminster for over 20 years represents the rich and fashionable society of London. The novel opens in a fine morning early in June. Mrs. Dalloway sets out to the market for buying flowers. She is to give a party in the evening. Her maidservant, Lucy is quite busy in making arrangements and with other domestic duties. So Mrs. Dalloway herself goes out to buy flowers for the party. The morning as she is going out is calm and fresh “as if issued to children on a beach” The periodic striking of the Ben, the church clock appears musical and pleasing for her ears. The crowded Victoria street, people of all sort with different moods, the thud of carriages, trams, cars, buses and the sounds of brass bands, barrel organs and the zooming of the aeroplane, the galloping of horses etc stir her soul and cause a mood of reflection of the past. This takes her many years back in memory, when she was a girl of eighteen. She recalls how she used to feel the bracing touch of the breeze and the freshness of the morning, standing in an open window in Bournton, looking at the flowers with the smoke winding off the trees. Then Peter Walsh, her childhood friend, whom she later refused to marry, would say to her “musing among the vegetables” and this sets her thinking on peter Walsh, who would be back from India one of these days. Clarissa reflects upon Peter Walsh’s enchanting smiles, his pocket-knife, his powerful eyes and many other things. Being completely occupied with past memories, now, Clarissa passes through the Victoria Street and enters St.James Park, where she meets an old friend, Hugh Whitbread. He tells Clarissa Dalloway that he has come up to London because his wife, Evelyn is ill again and they have to consult the doctors. Hugh Whitbread compliments Clarissa saying that, “she looked like a girl of eighteen”, and goes away promising to attend her party in the evening. Soon parting from him, her mind starts again brooding over her past. She remembers that Hugh Whitbread had always been a nice man who was dutiful to his mother and was quite unselfish. But neither her husband, Richard Dalloway nor her former lover, Peter Walsh likes him. She still wonders why Peter hated him and regarded him as a man “with no heart and no brain and the manners of country gentlemen”. Thus Peter Walsh again occupies her mind, which personally she thinks a “good sort”. Infact, Peter Walsh was extremely kind and made a passionate love to her. Still Peter’s manners and hundreds of fine things remain fresh in her mind. He lovingly called her, “a perfect hostess’. Except for his possessive nature, Peter is extremely polite. But Clarissa had to reject his hands for, she thought, in a marriage there must be a little independence, even license, which Peter would not give and which Richard does not mind. After being rejected by

Clarissa, Peter left for India, highly disappointed. He married a woman whom he met on a boat, but his marriage proved a failure. Next, turning the critical searchlight on her, she feels very young and dynamic and realizes a ‘divine vitality’. She feels proud of her intuitive gift of judging people. She thinks of her girlhood friend, Sally Seton and her memory shifts from one thing to another. As she passes by the window of a glove shop, she thinks of her daughter, Elizabeth who never cares for gloves. Then she reflects upon the nature of her daughter’s tutor, Miss Doris Kilman, and then thinks about their dog and so on. Thus Clarissa Dalloway has a strange feeling of being invisible, unseen, unknown, as she moves up the Bond Street. In short, she realizes emptiness in her life despite the richness and status that her husband gave her. The Roar of the Motor Car and the aero plane Clarissa Dalloway reaches the Bond Street and enters the swing doors of Mulberry’s, the florist. Miss Pym, the Saleswoman, greets her. She begins to move from jar to jar-choosing flowers. Soon, she hears a pistol shot from a motor-car just opposite to the shop. A large crowd encircles the car with the expectation of some great personage. They even speculate that the person may be the Prime Minister, the queen or the Prince of Wales. In this crowd are seen Septimus Warren smith and his wife Lucrezia. (It is here that the novelist introduces her cluster of sub-plot. Now the action shifts to the consciousness of Rezia). Septimus smith is a haunted soul. The world appeared to him waver and quiver and threatened to burst into flames. He always preferred to remain unseen, unnoticed and always felt that people were pointing at him. One of his friends was killed in the war. This, and the drastic effect of the war, has turned him a neurotic. Dr.Holmes, the doctor who attended him has advised his wife that she should try to make Septimus take interest in commonplace and things of the world. After the car glides down St.Jame’s street, the crowd is cleared. Soon the roar of an aeroplane seizes the attention of the crowd. It flew over the trees, letting out white smoke, which curled and twisted, making some letters in the sky. They were advertising for a toffee. Lucrezia tried her best to make Septimus take interest in this fine mode of advertisement, but she failed. Her plight is tragic. She had left her home, her parents, and her people in Italy for the love of Septimus and here she found herself alien among strangers, dealing with a crazy fellow who instead of caring her had become an unbearable liability. Clarissa Dalloway Returns Home After buying flowers Mrs. Dalloway comes home back. Her maid, Lucy that Richard would be lunching out that afternoon with Lady Bruton, informs her. This depresses Mrs. Dalloway. She suffers from deep anguish. She shivers like a plant on the riverbed when it feels the shock of a passing oar. She ponders about the nature of Lady Bruton. Lady Bruton is an old lady with wrinkles. Clarissa fears the time that could make her old and suddenly she feels that she had grown old. At this stage, she goes upstairs to her bedroom. She realizes a sense of loneliness and feels neglected like an attic room.

She did not lack beauty; She did not lack intellect; Yet she lacked something; She lacked warmth of love. Mrs. Dalloway now ponders on the aspect of love. She recalls how she was fascinated with an eighteen-year-old girl, Sally Seton, at her girlhood. Sally Seton had an extraordinary beauty, dark, large eyes. Clarissa still remembers many things about her - how she would sit on the floor, with her arms round her knees and smoke cigarettes. Once, sally ran naked about the corridors, which shocked the total family. Sally had a charming personality and an amazing power of attraction. In her company, Clarissa always felt a strong protective love against the world of pretence and fraud. Thinking of Sally, she remembers how once they walked together with Peter Walsh. Her thought-stream turns to Peter and she starts wondering whether he would comment that she had grown old, when he came back from India. Her mind is coloured by different emotion. She is completely occupied by the conflict between emotion and truth, between the desire for solitude and longing to share experience. Arrival of Peter Walsh Mrs.Clarissa Dalloway decides to wear a green dress for the evening Party. As it is torn, she takes it to the drawing room to mend. She is completely absorbed in the work and suddenly the door-bell rings. Opening the door, she is completely taken aback to find Peter Walsh coming in. Peter Walsh feels a little embarrassed and takes out his long pocket-knife. In his excitement, his fingers play with the knife, which is his habit. Peter looks little thinner, a little drier, perhaps, but very much the same still. Both Clarissa and Peter feel disturbed. They cannot help remembering their past. Despite their best efforts, their thoughts move backwards. The past rises before them like a ghastly beautiful moon. Peter remembers his love for Clarissa and her rejection. In disappointment Peter had left for India. After some misadventures, he had fallen in love with Daisy, the wife of a major in Indian army, the mother of two children. With all his experience in “journey, rides, quarrels, adventures, bridge-parties, love-affairs, works etc”, he is a failure in Clarissa Dalloway’s sense. Peter tells Clarissa that his wife is dead and he is in love with a Major’s wife and he has actually come to London to arrange for divorce. Both Clarissa and Peter are not able to control their agitation. Suddenly, Peter bursts into tears and impulsively Clarissa kisses him. She looks at Peter with tearful eyes and thinks “Take me with you”, passes impulsively in her mind. She feels that she had committed a mistake in the past by preferring Richard. She knew that Peter, who loves her, really would never leave her alone and go for a lunch with lady Bruton like her husband, Richard. Now, she realizes that material comforts could not bring her true happiness. It is a momentary excitement, but during that moment she had lived a whole life. The moment is soon over, and Clarissa soon comes to present. Clarissa speaks to Peter of ‘her husband’ and ‘her daughter’, Elizabeth fondly. She also invites Peter to her evening party. Peter takes leave of her with heavy heart.

Peter Walsh’s Reflections After leaving Clarissa, Peter now passes through the London streets. The writer introduced the readers in to the stream of his thoughts, how he feels offended because, Clarissa had called her daughter, “My dear Elizabeth, “My Party”, thinking over his past love-affair and relationship and tossing up and down his mind, his impression regarding Clarissa. After this morning, Clarissa appeared to him enchanting and new. He feels very young and exquisitely delightful. Coming to Regent’s Park, he recalls his childhood. Meeting with Clarissa has taken him back a good deal in years. Sitting down on a bench, he falls asleep. When he wakes he once again goes into the whirlpool of memories, remembering among other things how Clarissa had met Richard Dalloway at a dinner party and it started between them leading to their matrimony. Though Peter is enraged on seeing Clarissa with Dalloway, he admires her courage, her social instinct, her power of carrying things successfully. The episode of Septimus smith and Lucrezia Leaving Peter Walsh to his reverie, the novelist moves to the story of Septimus smith and Lucrezia who are also sitting in the Regent’s Park. Septimus smith, an ex-soldier of war is a “shell-shocked hero” who is obsessed with “a sense of guilt” and ‘anguish’. He fears the world. He is often haunted by unseen voice and there is a heavy weight on his eyes, the fear. He frequently and constantly suffers from mental depression. He always dreams of the hallucinations of wars and of his friend, Evans whom he had lost in the war. He then and there heard the voice of Evans. He fancies that people are talking behind the bedroom walls and doors. His wife Lucrezia, hailing from Milan, Italy, mortifies herself, wondering ruefully why, she left, all her people for a ‘dead man’ like Septimus. Septimus’ marriage to Lucrezia is to find a security, but he is sacrificing her to his own fears. In an advanced stage of nervous breakdown, he threatens to kill himself. They consult Dr.Holmes, who says that there is nothing serious and suggests him a good exposure to the world. But, despite of Dr.Holmes assurance, the condition of Septimus worsens. He now imagines new secrets. He often heard voices; he felt that he must tell his secret to the prime minister and the cabinet. His secret is that the trees are alive, that in the world there is no crime and no love. Now it is time for Lucrezia and Septimus to go to Sir William Bradshaw for further consultancy. When Lucrezia tells him of that, he starts musing on ‘time’. It appears to him that his dead friend, Evans is talking to him, from behind the tress. He cries, out, in fear ‘for gods’ sake, don’t come’ for he hears and imagines a dead man walking towards him in grey. As they are sitting there, now Peter Walsh passes them. The poor Rezia looks at him, absolutely desperate. Now, the London clock strikes Quarter to twelve and Peter is on his way to meet his lawyer. On his way, he observes the scene of London. He finds London more beautiful and much improved. Peter’s consciousness is back to many things. He ponders about sally, Hugh Whitbread, his wife Evelyn, Richard Dalloway, Clarissa etc. He is retrospective about himself. At a point Peter reaches a crossing, where he sees a poor old woman begging. As he gets into a taxi, he gives her some money. Rezia also reaches the same crossing

with Septimus. Septimus Smith before joining the war was a brilliant young man with a lot of promise. Ambition, pride, idealism, cleverness, Seriousness, passion, loneliness, courage all had gone into making him shy and stammering, anxious to improve himself. He had been in love with Isabel Pole. Then came the war and Septimus was first to volunteer, who went France to save England, where he developed a close bond of friendship with Evans, his officer. When Evans died, he showed not much emotion, being very reasonable. But after the war, he started getting, particularly in the evenings, sudden thunderclaps of fear. Back to England, he started wondering if the world had any meaning. In a fit of madness, he slowly withdrew from the world and started sacrificing Lucrezia for the sake of fear. She wanted to have children, she felt lonely and very unhappy. But Septimus lost interest in life, he wanted to kill himself Dr.Holmes ultimately advised them to meet Sir William Bradshaw. Thus the novelist gives a fine narration of the movement of story, through the consciousness of Peter, Septimus and Lucrezia. Now the clock, Ben Ben strikes twelve o’ clock. Clarissa Dalloway puts her green dress on the bed. Also this is the hour of appointment for Septimus and Lucrezia with Sir William Bradshaw. Both reach the house of Dr.Bradshaw who state it a complete nervous breakdown and a physical breakdown with every symptom of advanced stage. William Bradshaw advises to admit Septimus in a nursing home. Sir William Bradshaw promises Rezia that he would make all arrangement and would let her know everything by the evening. Rezia returns home broken with great anguish Lady Burton’s Lunch Party The clock strikes half-past one as Rezia and Septimus walk towards home after consulting William Bradshaw and at the same hour, Hugh Whitbread and Richard Dalloway reach Lady Bruton’s lunch party. Lady Bruton is a conservative of a family of generals. She is very proud and dignified. She is a perfect Mayfair hostess, polite and hospitable. In fact, lady Bruton has called Hugh Whitbread and Richard Dalloway to help her draft a letter to the Times regarding a project for emigrating young people of both sexes born of respectable parents and setting them up with a fair prospect of doing well in Canada. She informs them that Peter Walsh is back to London. Richard feels happy on hearing this. Richard Dalloway’s Return After the lunch, Richard walks back home with Hugh Whitbread. Hugh fancies for a Spanish necklace for his wife Evelyn. To Richard all this looks odd, since he has not given any present to Clarissa. So he decides to buy some flowers for Clarissa. Now the clock strikes three, as Richard reaches home. Clarissa is delighted to see Richard with flowers. But Richard is in a hurry; he has to attend a meeting. Soon he leaves Clarissa alone with her memories. She continues to ponder over her loneliness, her emptiness and her loss of happiness. Elizabeth Dalloway and Miss Doris Kilman Elizabeth enters the room of Clarissa. Elizabeth is dark with Chinese eyes in a pale face. She is gentle, considerate, “an oriental mystery”. She has a perfect sense of

humour. The door is ajar and Miss Kilman outside is listening to everything. Doris Kilman is an ugly, clumsy, poor woman. Clarissa Dalloway always dislikes her. She is there to take Elizabeth with her to the stores. Kilman felt greatly hurt by the insults and ways by which Clarissa treated her. But she rationalized the whole thing by remembering the words of Mr. Whittaker that knowledge comes through suffering. She takes pleasure in eating. She feels like a wheel without tyre, understandably, a bit of inferiority complex. She tells Elizabeth that she does not pity herself, meaning thereby that she pities others like Clarissa. Soon parting from Kilman, Elizabeth waits in Victoria Street for an omnibus. She always likes to be out in the air. She has an exquisite beauty and people compared her with early dawn, fawns, running water and garden lilies. This made her life a burden to her. Beauty is sometimes very troublesome (Not so much to others) but to the beautiful person herself. She never likes to go to parties, for everyone fell in love with her and she felt bored. She wishes to become a doctor or a farmer or possibly go to parliament. But Clarissa, her mother feels her immature and childish. Elizabeth reaching Fleet strict, boards an omnibus for Westminster, the place of her home. Septimus Smith’s Suicide Septimus smith and Lucrezia relax sitting in sofa. They talk something about Mrs. Peter’s hat. After many days, they speak for the first time the general matters and they laugh. Lucrezia is overjoyed and feels greatly relieved to see that Septimus is taking interest in Mrs. Peter’s hat. She believes that he has become himself. But this happiness lasts only for a short time. Soon Septimus remembers what Bradshaw had told them. Septimus feels that Bradshaw has no right to separate them. He grows violent and orders Lucrezia to bring the papers and things that Bradshaw had written. ‘Burn them’ he cries. These papers are his odes to Times, Conversation with Shakespeare, his message from the dead, universal love, meaning of the world and such other meaningless things for others but the most meaningful writing for Septimus. But Lucrezia instead of burning them ties them up and puts them away. Soon, footsteps are heard from downstairs. Dr.Holmes has come to visit Septimus. Lucrezia rushes down to prevent him, but she fails, Septimus in the meantime learns about the arrival of Dr.Holmes. But he is determined to free himself from the power that Dr.Holmes and Dr.Bradshaw had on him. The only way to escape from them is to end his life. But how? There is Mrs.Filmer’s nice bread-knife. But he must not spoil it. He could shoot himself, but there is no time to get the gun, because Holmes is coming up. There are razors but Rezia has packed them for she is always careful in these things. There remains only the window. But he would wait till the very last moment. He does not want to die .Life is good; only human beings are bad. Holmes is at the door. “I’ll give it to you”, he cries and flings himself vigorously, violently down on the railings and there he lies dead. “The coward” cries Dr.Holmes and advises Rezia to bear all the things bravely. He gives her something to drink and she falls asleep. The time is six o’clock in the evening. Peter Walsh in flux Peter Walsh on his way to hotel sees the sight of ambulance. He looks morbid and sentimental. Again his memories move back to Clarissa. Immersed in such consciousness, he reaches the hotel, where a young lady gives him a letter from

Clarissa. She had invited him to the party. After all she had married Dalloway and lived with him in perfect happiness all these years. He soon thinks about his new love, Daisy with her he thought there would be no fuss, no bother; it would all be a plain sailing. Though he is fifty and she is only twenty-four with two children, he believes it their relation. At last he decides to attend Clarissa’s party. The Party Clarissa stands at the gate welcoming guests saying, “How delighted to see you”. These words sound very insincere to Peter Walsh, who enters the party. He considers it a big blunder on his part to have come there. He feels awkward for he knows none there. Clarissa could understand Peter’s criticism regarding Parties as idiotic. Life to peter is humiliation and renunciation. Another person, whose presence is felt in the party, is Septimus smith. Though dead, references and conversations about him by Dr.Bradshaw make his presence there, not in life, but in death. Clarissa is apparently angry with Bradshaw for talking of the suicide of Septimus. She is completely lost and starts imagining how the young man had fallen down the thud. She thinks that the young man had done well, he had emancipated himself: “Death was defiance. Death was an attempt to communicate, people feeling the impossibility of reaching the centre which mystically evade them, closeness drew apart; rapture faded; one was alone. There was an embrace in death”. Thus Clarissa discovers an essential identity with Septimus smith. She recalls, “If it were now to die, it were now to be most happy”. She feels a terror, an overwhelming incapacity of her life. She too had then and there wished to die, but she escaped; the young man had done it by killing himself. Here is a complete identification of Clarissa with Septimus Clarissa does not pity the young man. On the other hand, she admires him. She is glad that he had done it, while many like her went on living. This projects very clearly the sense of insecurity from which she suffered, a kind of a biting inadequacy in life and a complete lack of adjustment with the world. In this state of mind Clarissa goes away from her party, steps aside into a little room, to be alone with the thoughts of Septimus smith. Peter Walsh wonders where Clarissa has gone to – ‘no doubt she is talking to one of her celebrities’, he grumbles. He sits chatting with Sally, laughing at Clarissa’s Party and her snobbery. Though he finds fault with her, all the time he wants her to come. Peter recalls those green days, which he spent in Clarissa’s company. Sally too recalls that dreadful ridiculous scene over Richard Dalloway at lunch, when Clarissa showed preference for Richard rejecting Peter. Soon sally and Peter start talking about their past and present. Sally is happily married, they had ten thousand a year and she has five sons. Peter confesses that life has been hard to him and his relation with Clarissa has not been of a simple nature. Sally comments that Clarissa has cared more for Peter than for Richard, that her married life is not a happy one. Sally leaves Peter and goes to say good night to Richard. Peter does not want to leave without talking with Clarissa. He wonders, “What is this terror? What is this ecstasy? What is it that fills me with extraordinary excitement? It is Clarissa”.

Clarissa realizes that she could not be absent herself from the party for a very long time. Coming out of the room, she goes to meet Peter. Ultimately Peter finds her heart pious. She appears an adorable creature inspite of all her faults and weaknesses. 12.4 CHARACTERISATION IN MRS.DALLOWAY 1. Mrs.Dalloway The Pivotal Character Mrs.Clarissa Dalloway, a gentle lady of fifty one years and belonging to a middle class family is the central figure in the novel. Virginia Woolf vividly portrays her many faceted personality through the technique of ‘Stream – ofConciousness.Clarissa thus fills in different roles – a girl, a mother, a wife in life and conventional hostess. She personifies ‘the living image of the surface of the society’. The novel on its external plane is the story of Clarissa’s party. Her Personality Clarissa Dalloway, the wife of Richard Dalloway, a conservative member of parliament, is a woman of great fascination and exquisite charm. She has a good figure and is reported to be ‘light, tall, and very upright.’ With immense zest of life, she loves and builds round herself ‘a tissue of shallow impressions and fantasies’. She is hostess of that evening’s party, ambitiously arranged for the sake of her husband. There is a touch of bird about her, of the gay, blue, green, light, vivacious’ Her Love of Beauty Clarissa Dalloway is a liver of beauty. She is a cultured, intelligent and sophisticated lady. She loves Nature – Trees, Flowers and Blue atmosphere. Flowers have a great fascination for her all the time. She goes to buy flowers giving them so much importance; Richard also brings for her a gift of flowers. She is also equally fascinated by the beauty of shops and streets. She likes London very much: “Bond street fascinated her……….Its flags flying.” Clarissa appreciates beauty in everything and in every aspect of life. She regards herself as a part of existence of nature. Her Zest for Life Clarissa although in her fifties, has a great zest for life. The capacity to enjoy life is a noteworthy aspect of her character. She is extremely socialable. Her zest of life is evident from the incessant parties that she arranges. She likes to visit people, to lunch with them and to meet them and invite them. She loves to bring people together, and loves to hear them talking. She also loves ‘to dance, to ride’. Her Sense of Independence Clarissa is a lover of freedom. She loves independence, to lead life according to her own notions even after marriage. She loves Peter; yet she rejects him, for she lives freedom more than love. In a marriage she thinks, there must be a little independence, even licence, which Peter may not give and Richard will not mind “With Peter everything had to be shared, everything gone into.”

Her Stream of Thoughts Clarissa’s chance of meeting with Hugh Whitbread, on her way to the flower market, evokes in her mind the thoughts associated with Peter Walsh in the past. Further the sights of the procession, the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the aero plane flying in the sky, etc, make her think of the past. For a moment Clarissa grows sentimental and is reminded of her association with Peter Walsh, Sally Seton and Richard Dalloway in the past. Peter’s queer look, ambition, idealism and vain passion made him interesting to her. But his possessive nature and his varying moods turned her away from him. With a strong sense of freedom and taste for status and dignity in life, Clarissa chose Richard Dalloway to be her partner in life. It is a pity that with all his gifts, Peter has been a failure in life. On her part, she understands Richard Dalloway and makes a compromise in life. Clarissa remembers her friendship in youth with Sally Seton. Their relationship remained impulsive, unconventional and at times rash. The novelist portrays Sally Seton as a contrast to Clarissa. She seeks joy and comfort in life by marrying a millionaire. Her Artificialities The Dalloway’s embody the manifold aspects of western civilization. Beneath their happy outlook, a deep sense of inner discontent and emptiness is seen. Clarissa’s compromise with Richard’s imperfection reveals her pride and possessiveness. She feels frigid and cold with Lady Bruton when the latter shows discriminating interest in Richard. Conclusion A glimpse of Clarissa’s troubled soul is seen when she misses the love and affection of her daughter Elizabeth at the instance of the course teacher, Doris Kilman. Doris Kilman appeared to her, as a “monster grubbing at the roots”. Clarissa Dalloway brings out the central theme of the novel. “Life is like a stream, experience is flux. Septimus is drawn as a parallel to Clarissa. He brings out what Mrs. Dalloway feels in her life – a sense of insecurity. Her life is, made up of contradictions and inconsistencies. To conclude she personifies the mind of the novelist, Virginia Woolf and her “sensory, emotional and imaginative awareness”. 2. Peter Walsh Peter Walsh plays a key role next only to Mrs. Dalloway in the novel,”Mrs.Dalloway”. He is introduced indirectly through “the stream – of – consciousness” of Clarissa Dalloway. Peter Walsh was a constant companion of Clarissa in her youthful days at Burton, some thirty years earlier. Clarissa had known him as a person interested more in men, science, politics, philosophy and poetry than nature. “He preferred men to cauliflors”. His Love and Fascination for Clarissa Peter Walsh came to admire Clarissa for her extraordinary courage, sociability and her “drive” in society. His love for her was so deep and passionate and possessive that Clarissa was pushed to the necessity of securing her “inviolable private self” by abruptly ending “his stultifying relationship”. Peter felt disappointed when she chose to wed Richard Dalloway. In great disappointment Peter Walsh took the boat to India. But failures continued to haunt him. His hurried

marriage to a girl in the boat failed for want of compatibility. His meeting with Daisy, the major’s wife developed into an affair and love. However he was unable to forget his love for Clarissa. When invited, he readily responds to the invitation of Clarissa to the party. His Endurance The novelist meant Peter Walsh to be a foil to the Dalloway and their materialism. His intellectual pursuits and material successes stand no comparison with not only the Dalloway’s but also to Hugh Whitbread and Lady Bruton. At the same time, he has been amply compensated by his travels and experiences in the life. He has not a victim to materialism and he has been able to preserve his soul well. Virginia Woolf presents “the mental conflict” in Peter Walsh through his “stream – of – consciousness”. At the party, Peter feels lonely and is emotionally disturbed for a while. Clarissa appears to be “a perfect hostess” to him. But her cold and prudish ways he would not accept. Being a sentimentalist with varying moods he sympathizes with her a lot. Her party appears to him both a symbol and escape from the problems of everyday life. ‘Life has taught him the core lesson of humiliation and renunciation”. The materialists regard his life as a colossal failure for even after spending fifty years; he is in search of a job and a wife. He has great enduring power of suffering, pains and pangs. 3. Septimus Warren Smith The Tragic Character Septimus Warren Smith is the counterpart of Mrs. Dalloway in the novel. Together they make for “the sane – inside and sane – outside” individuals. Septimus’s function in the novel, as that of Mrs. Dalloway is to show that experience is a flux, and that persons removed from each other in space as well in their station in life can make contact. The novelist has intended him to be “Clarissa’s double”. Victim of War Septimus along with his wife, Rezia forms an interesting study in the novel. They are the victim of war and misfortune. Septimus was once a brave soldier in war. The fatal accident to his friend Evans in the war had tainted his mind beyond repair and left him “shell-shocked” and “silent”. Strangely enough his “silence” charmed Lucrezia to become his wife. The two locked up in wedlock present forth a picture of agony and pity since then. But their deep love and affection for one another did not wear away or suffer in any way. His Malady Septimus is suffering from a neurosis. His moods are extremely unpredictable. Septimus is obsessed with the fear of the outer world. The sights and sounds of Ben, the aero plane, etc., deepen his neurosis and he develops suicidal tendency. His wife Rezia serves him with great responsibility and love. Obsessed with guilt and lost among his fears and delusions Septimus commits suicide by jumping from the window. His physical death stands in close contrast to the reference of “the death of the soul” of Clarissa.

He Dreads the World Because of his hallucinations, the nervous breakdown and neurosis, he is haunted by the horrors of war and of loneliness; he dreads the world, and all the time goes on repeating: “Let us kill ourselves”. He finds no delight in the beauties and the scenes of nature or of the universe. The fear of people like Dr.Holmes and Dr.Bradshaw is on him. He is unable to take interest in the outside world. Fever of the world and of his life has become an obsession with him. He imagines that those people are coming to possess his soul and violate his privacy. So he grows panicky, and in order to escape, kills himself by throwing himself out of the window. Septimus – The Other Self of Clarissa There is a close link between the two characters – Clarissa and Septimus, “in their search for the meaning of life”. Their thoughts embrace the same elements and end on the same comforting note. “Fear no more says the heart of the body; fear no more.” He fears the world, he fears the life, he fears the people; he wants an escape; he believes the world is trying to take away his spirit; so he kills himself. Before killing himself, he has been a victim of hallucinations, vision. Loneliness is rather intolerable. A Product and Representative of the Contemporary Civilization Virginia Woolf invests her characters with symbolic importance. Through them she portrays the swing of the life between two extremes – the joy and the horror of life, the tension or the conflict between good and the evil, between action and contemplation and between men and women in life. Septimus and Rezia symbolize youthful love and duty and the evil effects of the war, tension of life, and the unthinking complacent attitude of men representing western civilization. 4. Lucrezia Lucrezia according to Bernard Blackstone “is one of the most pathetic characters in modern fiction”. Young and vivacious as she is, she embodies the frustration, loneliness and patience in life. Lucrezia also known as Rezia is the young and beautiful wife of Septimus. She is the daughter of a hat-maker of Milan in Italy. She has a passion to enjoy life, to tour and visit England. But after marriage she finds that her life is not what she dreamt of it. Seated with her sick husband, Septimus in an alienated situation, she resorts to reflection of the past. Her life with her parents in Milan, Italy, was joyful. She hoped for more easy life in her marriage with Septimus. His “silence” then appeared to her an indication of deeper involvement in life. It did not take long for her to find him a schizophrenic patient, undaunted; she served Septimus with love during his fits of madness. Lucrezia is the real tragic character. Here is a tragedy of frustrated love, desire and ambition. She is a devoted wife. She is very anxious to see her husband set right and cured. She thinks that the perfection of womanhood lies in becoming a mother. She is eager to be the mother. But Septimus or rather God does not provide her with such an opportunity. So she feels a great vacuum in her life; she is really unhappy with her lot.

She takes her husband from one doctor to another, from one specialist to another. She is all the time with him. She looks after him properly. When she sees a glimpse of smile on Septimus after a long time, she is really very happy. She wants to make her husband take interest in the things of the world outside. She feels very lonely. She is away from her home, her parents, her sisters and her own people, and ultimately finds herself completely foreign in a foreign land where she has none to care for her. Most of the time her husband terrifies her by throwing threats of committing suicide. The poor creature lives in constant fear and pressure. She is a helpless and a hopeless creature. Despite disappointments and frustrations, she confronts life, she does not desert her neurotic husband – rather she loves him and performs her duty faithfully. When Sir William Bradshaw decides that Septimus must go to a mad home in the country, away from her, she feels the greatest pain, the worst spiritual agony. On the eventful afternoon, Septimus speaks to her with love and affection and laughs at jokes. But the moment of joy soon disappears. Septimus in fear of Dr.Holmes turns panicky and jumps down from the window and ends his life, declaring the doom’s day of Lucrezia’s little world. Virginia Woolf depicts Lucrezia as a picture of desolation, frustration, fear and spiritual agony. 5. Sally Seton Sally Seton is meant to be a sharp contrast to Clarissa Dalloway in the novel. She is a great friend of Clarissa and her personality is deftly built up when the stream of consciousness of Mrs. Dalloway and Peter Walsh is traced out. As a girl Sally was extraordinarily beautiful and charming. People could not take their eyes off her. Even Clarissa has some incestuous infatuation for her. In her youth Sally was frivolous, playful, bold, and impulsive. She was devil-may-care type of robust, unconventional girl who was all the time drinking life to the full and to the last. She was so reckless that she would go about cycling on the terrace. She frequently quarrelled with her parents, and at one time she ran away from them after picking up a quarrel with them, and came to stay with Clarissa at Bournton without a penny in her pocket. She went to the extent of selling her brooch to pay for the journey. She acted rashly and impulsively. She would smoke cigars, bicycle round the parapet on the terrace, and run naked along the corridors to get her sponge. She imagined herself a freedom loving rebel to break senseless conventions. Sally Seton is not only rash and impulsive, but also is equally an idealist. She has a zest for reform. She rejoiced most in Shelley, Plato and William Morris. In short she is round character. She grows and changes. Peter Walsh and Richard Dalloway exhibit their contempt for her. She too disregards Hugh Whitbread exclaiming that “he read nothing, thought nothing, felt nothing – No country but England could have produced him” As an ardent representative of the minority intelligentsia of modern society, she displays her shrewd judgment of men. She marries a rich millionaire and becomes the proud mother of “five big boys at Eton”. She has mellowed with age and her soft words reveal her maturity. 6. Miss Doris Kilman Doris Kilman, a shy and elusive spinster, represents English middle – class society in the novel. She serves as the mouthpiece of the novelist on matters regarding religion and life.

Miss Doris Kilman radiates not only possessive love but also corrupts religiosity. Religion, to her, is like alcohol. It serves her as a means of escape from the growing anger and hatred. She wants to have masterity over others, to subdue them. She teaches history to Elizabeth, the vivacious daughter of Clarissa Dalloway. Incidentally she trains her to wean herself from religious life and also draws her out from her mother. She spells out her prejudice towards Mrs. Dalloway by securing complete control over Elizabeth and transforming her into a rebel at home. Miss Doris Kilman is an embodiment of a person with the love for power under the cloak of religion. The novelist portrays in her the queer lover of power steeped in invincible stupidity. Clarissa detested in her “the evil” but was helpless. The love of Miss Doris Kilman is not unselfish. She has “Impure sentiments”, “domineering”, “infinitely cruel and unscrupulous love” and never let any grace to reach her parched hearted. She personifies the society which lays stress on the outer neatness because of inner disorderliness and an outward show of strength because of inner weakness. 7. Elizabeth Dalloway Miss Elizabeth Dalloway is the young daughter of Richard Dalloway and Clarrisa Dalloway. She is a beautiful teenager. Unlike the rest of the Dalloway’s, she is dark, has Chinese eyes in a pleasant pale face. She is gentle, considerate and appears like an oriental mystery. As a child she had perfect sense of honour. Her mother wants to mould her in her own image; she wants that her daughter should also like parties, pomp and show of a wealthy family. But Elizabeth does not like all these. She is very much under the influence of her tutoress, Miss Doris Kilman. She is more inclined to religion. Young men do not appeal to her. Elizabeth is young, beautiful, and full of life. She loves the country. People compared her with early dawn, fawns, running water and garden lilies. She thinks that young men are silly; she compares them with popular trees and hyacinths. She is indeed of an impressionable age, and Miss Kilman is quite eager to project into her mind notions and values, which Elizabeth’s mother does not like. 12.5 THE THEMES OF MRS.DALLOWAY In Mrs.Dalloway, Virginia Woolf has dealt with the little world of people like herself, a small class, a dying class like herself, a class with inherited privileges, private incomes, sheltered lives, protected sensibilities and sensitive tastes. Relatively she has also dealt with ‘the reality of life and death.’ ‘Time and the absolute’, ‘confusion and order’, ‘singleness and oneness’ etc. Explicitly combining all these contradictory views, Virginia Woolf has drawn the significance of the flow of consciousness on which human beings are born from birth to death. Critics on the theme of Mrs. Dalloway In the words of David Daiches, the theme of Mrs.Dalloway is, “time, death and personality, and the relations of these to each other, and to some ultimate which includes them all”. Thus Mrs.Dalloway mainly concerns with “the nature of self and its relation to other people, the importance of social contact and at the same time the necessity of keeping the self inviolable”.

Joan Bennett in his work ‘Virginia woolf-Her Art as a Novelist’ reflects that the subject of Mrs.Dalloway, no longer appears to be the life story of clarissa Dalloway, nor of Septimus Warren Smith, but human life itself, and its inevitable consummation in death. According to Karl and Magalaner, “the basic theme of the novel is the reality of life and death, the significance of the flow of consciousness of which human beings are born from birth to death”. Depiction of Clarissa and her life The main theme of the novel, Mrs.Dalloway is concerned with the life of Mrs.Clarissa Dalloway, the middle-aged heroine affecting and affected by others. The entire action of the novel is related to the critical moments, the conflict in her mind between the privacy of self and the claims of society-that happens on a single day in June in her life. The absence of material attachment and the pursuit of material life have caused in her mind a sense of void. She dreams of her youthful days and her associations with the people around her society. She reflects upon her past association with Peter Walsh. Clarissa’s prudent decision to favour Richard Dalloway and reject Peter’s love hastened Peter’s departure for India in disappointment. After five long years he comes back and his fascination for Clarissa does not diminish. Peter even confesses that his life is a waste and this confession almost creates an emotional tumult in Clarissa. She realizes her life to be more a big hallows. A satiric portraiture of post-war London As for the story of Septimus and Rezia, Virginia Woolf narrates her theme of growing consciousness in individuality and of its inability to eliminate conflicts of life, through interior monologues. In this narration, the novelist turns a satirist on the post-war western civilization which harboured emptiness, show hypocrisy, greed, snobbery and material glory and its accompanying neurosis. Septimus Smith frequently suffered from mental derangement. He often had hallucinations of war, of his friend, Evans whom he had lost in the war. He fancied that people were talking behind the bedroom walls, and sometimes he ‘saw’ things that were not present. This was a terrible source of discomfort and anxiety for Rezia. Virginia Woolf involves the episode of Septimus and Rezia with accentuated account of Mrs.Clarissa, Dalloway and Peter Walsh to present a revealing account of the satiric portraiture of post-war London society in this novel. The theme of Dissolution of Experience Another theme of Mrs.Dalloway is the dissolution of experience. The novel shows how human experience is a stream of thoughts in which it is difficult to say which drop of water belongs to which place, all drops belong to the whole stream. Similarly human experience is the common property of all mankind. Thus two persons, Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Smith who are totally strangers develop contact in life, and find themselves in complete identification with each other. Mrs.Dalloway and Septimus are characters who are so distant from each other, yet so close.

Thus desperate people sharing common experience prove that experience is a flux & develop a contact. This view of experience provokes Clarissa’s reverie as soon as she hears from Sir William Bradshaw that a young man has committed suicide. She has never met Septimus Smith, her station is completely different from that of Septimus, yet the young man’s experience was so much like her own that the news of his death offers a moment of deep insight into her own life and hence she goes into a reverie. The theme of love and death Mrs.Dalloway is a study of human relationship with special reference to love and death. However, the theme of death is a sub-theme and is touched in detail on occasions like the suicide of Septimus and Clarissa’s identification with Septimus’ suicide. The predominant theme is love and all the major characters – Clarissa, Peter, Septimus, Rezia, Richard Dalloway experience love as the essence of the life. Thus Clarissa’s love can be shown in different dimensions like,  Clarissa’s love for Peter  Clarissa’s love for Richard  Clarissa’s love for Parties, the artificial material life of London  Clarissa’s love for Elizabeth  Clarissa’s love for Solitude  Clarissa’s love for Death Thus in Mrs.Dalloway, Mrs. Virginia Woolf has studied love in its great variety and the treatment is original and psychological. So there are two patterns in the novel. The one is the prose pattern, which gives a picture of the modern world with its destructive forces of class struggle, economic insecurity and war. The other is the poetic level which shows love, death and beauty of the world in association with the dissolution of experience into a tenuous insight, that is fleeting glimpses into reality – inner reality of man. So, the theme may be summed up as, On the prosaic plane: a) Portraiture of Clarissa and other characters and their consciousness. b) A Satiric picture of the contemporary society. On the Poetic plane: a) The theme is the dissolution of experience. 1) Love

2) Life 3) Death b) Conflict between Life Vs Death Hope Vs Despair Love Vs Hate Social control Vs Individual freedom Beauty Vs Ugliness And so on. . To conclude, on the psychological plane the novel deals with the stream of consciousness of Dalloway, Peter, Septimus and Rezia. Socially the novel is a satire upon the contemporary London society. Spiritually, the novel is about the dissolution of experience and dramatically, the novel is about the conflict between life and death. 12.6 LITERARY CRITICISM 1) Mrs. Dalloway is an experiment with time. It is a mingling of present experience and memory, for the most part in Mrs. Dalloway’s mind. The ostensible action of the novel is a single day, a June day leading up to a dinner party. We follow Mrs. Dalloway’s activities through the course of this June day, we observe her relations to her household in Westminster, to her husband Richard, to her daughter Elizabeth, and to Peter Walsh, an old suitor of hers, who is just back from India. But interwoven with world of the past, more real because it exists not only in itself as the present does but also in its consequences and its relations. The scene is London after the war, but the scene is also Bourton in the country thirty year’s age. Blackstone “Virginia Woolf: A Commentary”. 2) In her novels, Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf showed that she had learnt how to select only those impressions that were needed to build up the picture. She also takes as more continuously through the thoughts, feelings and impressions of the main characters. As Mrs. Dalloway shops, or talks, dresses or eats, we are inside her mind, seeing her as she sees herself, sharing her memories, and knowing the people she knows or has known through her own eyes. Now instead of our following chronologically through the years, all is presented in the present. We are with Mrs. Dalloway for only some fifteen hours, from nine o’ clock on a lovely June morning when she goes to the florist’s to arrange for flowers for her party that night until the early hours of the next day when her guests depart. So we are very close to the experience of

real life, for Mrs. Dalloway is like ourselves reacting, like Bloom in Ulysses, to all the stimuli of daily life, which attract or repel her, and remind her of others or of her past. -

Dr.Collins

“English Literature of the Twentieth Century” 3) In Mrs. Dalloway the action of the book is limited temporarily to a single day in the life of its chief character, spatially to a single place, London and emotionally to the relations of Mrs. Dalloway with a few other people … ... … Mrs. Dalloway represents a compromise between the need for formal clarity of presentation and the formlessness apparently incoherent in the stream of consciousness technique. -

R.LChambers

“The Novels of Virginia Woolf” 4) Mrs. Dalloway is an impressive work; it shows a brilliance and fineness in execution that no critic can forbear to admire. -

David Daiches “The Novel and the Modern World”

5) “- - - the novel is rather a portrait of Mrs. Dalloway’s society than of the lady herself.” -

A.D.Moody ‘A.D.Moody, Virginia Woolf’

6) Just as Proust introduced something now into french fiction, so . . . Virginia Woolf into English - - It was left for Virginia woolf - - to arrange human beings in characteristic attitudes, and to weave tenuous strands of though & feeling into a firm recognizable poetic pattern. -

R.A.Scott-James

12.7 KEY WORDS Allegory An Allegory is a narrative in which the agents and action and sometimes the setting as well, are contrived not only to make sense in them, but also to signify a second, correlated order of persons, things, concepts, or events. Stream of Consciousness Stream of consciousness was a phrase used by William James in his ‘Principles of Psychology’ to characterize the unbroken flow of thoughts and awareness in the

waking mind. It has been now adopted to describe a narrative method in modern fiction. It is a mode of narration that undertakes to capture the full spectrum and flow of a character’s mental process. It includes long passages of introspection in which sense perceptions mingle with conscious and half-conscious thoughts, memories, feelings and random associations. Metaphor Metaphor is a derivative of a Greek word ‘metaphora’ meaning ‘transference’. It is a figure of speech in which one thing is described in terms of another to which it is not literally applicable. It is based on the idea of similarity in dissimilar ones. According to Dr. Johnson, metaphor is a great excellence in style. Metaphor is synonymous with Comparison and Simile but it is different from both in its use. Comparison and Simile are used with connective words such as ‘like’ and ‘as’. Saying ‘he fights like a lion’ or ‘he fights as a lion does’ is a simple comparison. Simile is also a comparison but it is an explicit and elaborate one. Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ is full of such similes. In Paradise Lost Book IV, Milton describes that the angels standing in fear and wrath at Satan’s challenge look like the blades of corn in a field at the time of harvest. Metaphor is a simple but an implied comparison. When it is used, there is no connective word. If we say ‘he is a lion in his fight’ it is a metaphor. We come across plenty of such metaphors in works of art. In Thomas Traherene’s ‘Centuries of Meditation’ there is a metaphor when the author refers to boys and girls. He says ‘Boys and girls, trembling in the street and playing, were moving jewels’ 12.8 SUMMARY Mrs.Clarissa Dalloway, a middle aged woman of fifty-one, the wife of Richard Dalloway, an eminent member of Parliament has arranged for a party, that evening in the month of June. She makes elaborate arrangements. She moves around despite physical weakness and recovery from the recent attack of influenza. With a light mind and gay attire, she goes to the market to buy flowers for the party. The sights and sounds en-route, west minister abbey, big Ben, James park, busy Victoria street, etc, stir her soul and cause a mood of reflection of the past. She meets Hugh Whitbread, her old friend from Bourton. Their conversations touch upon many things of in particular about her former friend and lover Peter Walsh. Infact Peter was extremely kind and a passionate lover. Except for his possessive nature, he was extremely polite. But Clarissa had to disappoint him, when she accepted Richard Dalloway for her husband. Peter disappointed, parted from her in an emotional scene and went out to India, where he married other women. But his marriage had been a failure. Turning critical searchlight on herself, Clarissa realizes her life as empty despite of richness and status. Returning home, she ponders on the aspect of love of her past life. She is surprised to meet Peter Walsh back from India. Both are emotionally disturbed. Clarissa invites Peter for her evening party and Peter leaves. Now the sub-plot is introduced with the characters, Septimus smith a young war veteran and his wife Lucrezia (Rezia). Septimus in an advanced stage of nervous breakdown threatens to kill himself. Dr.Holmes suggests Septimus to meet Sir William Bradshaw, who advises to admit Septimus in a hospital. Septimus warren smith seems to recover his-self in the company of his wife Rezia, “He laughed and joked and was perfectly alright”. But he grows sick when Rezia leaves the room.

Septimus dislikes Dr.Holmes for his idea of isolation. Rezia’s joy is only temporary and soon turns intensely tragic when Dr.Holmes arrives. Septimus flings himself violently down on to Mrs.Filmer’s railings. Peter Walsh sees the ambulance bearing septimus. He thinks, “One of the triumphs of civilization is the ambulance”. It is evening. Peter Walsh is at the party. Clarissa in her green attire moves around the guests like an angel. The party is outwardly a success. The Prime minister and other important persons arrive, and Clarissa feels very much successful as a hostess. The Bradshaw’s arrive late and Sir William Bradshaw excuses himself by explaining that one of his patients-Septimus smiths has committed suicide. “What business had the Bradshaw’s to talk of the death at her party”, reflects Clarissa. Clarissa realizes that she too has failed in life like septimus. But septimus triumphs over life by his death. Clarissa moves aside into a room to be alone with the thoughts of septimus. Peter Walsh unable to find Clarissa thinks, “She was talking to one of her celebrities.” He laughs at the party and at Clarissa’s snobbery talking with Sally Seton. Even when all left, he waits.” what is this that fills me with extra-ordinary excitement. It was for clarissa”, Peter murmurs. Clarissa too comes out of the room and the novel ends. 12.9 TERMINAL QUESTIONS SECTION A: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN A SENTENCE OR TWO: 1. Name the maidservant of Mrs.Dalloway. 2. Whom does Clarissa meet at St.James Park? 3. Give the name of Hugh Whitbread’s wife 4. Who did Peter love after the death of his wife? 5. Who is Septimus? 6. Name the wife of Septimus. 7. Name the doctors who treated Septimus Smith. 8. Whose thoughts often haunted Septimus? 9. Who is Sally Seton? 10. What did Richard Dalloway buy for Clarissa? SECTION B: A NSWER THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPHS:

1) Examine manipulation of time in Mrs.Dalloway (or) “Mrs.Dalloway is an experiment with time” – Comment. 2) Discuss the symbolic aspects of Mrs.Dalloway. 3) Discuss the use of stream of consciousness technique in Mrs.Dalloway. 4) Sketch the character of Mrs.Dalloway. 5) Peter Walsh is a queer, pitiable figure – Discuss. 6) Bring out the element of Pathos in the life of Septimus Smith. 7) Write upon the minor characters in Mrs.Dalloway. 8) Make a comparative study of Clarissa Dalloway and Sally Seton. 9) Estimate Virginia Woolf as a critic. 10) Give a general estimate of Richard Dalloway. 11) Sketch the character of Lucrezia. SECTION C: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTIONS: 1. Experience is a flux and the novelist must communicate it – Discuss with special reference to Mrs. Dalloway. 2. “The heroine of Mrs. Dalloway is portrayed by the stream of consciousness method, so is Septimus” – Illustrate. 3. Write on the technique & give a general estimate of the novel ‘Mrs.Dalloway’ 4. Discuss Mrs.Dalloway as a satire on contemporary civilization. 5. Comment on Virginia Woolf’s art of characterization in Mrs.Dalloway. 6. ‘Mrs.Dalloway is a study of universal love’ – Discuss (or) Write upon the love theme of Mrs. Dalloway. 12.10 SUGGESTED READINGS 1. Bernard Blackstone :

Virginia Woolf: A Commentary

2. E.M. Forster

:

Virginia Woolf

3. David Daiches

:

The novel and the modern world

4. R.L.Chambers

:

The novels of Virginia Woolf

5. A.D.Moody

:

Virginia Woolf.