The New Woman in Fanu’s Carmilla, Stoker’s Dracula, and...

The New Woman in Fanu’s Carmilla, Stoker’s Dracula, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer The correlation between the vampire, a figure that is usually regarded as the subject of social ostracism, and the New Woman, the advent of which was feared by the majority of the British Victorian patriarchy, was a prominent aspect of much mid-to-late Victorian era literature. Supplementary evidence to support the compelling Victorian era literary connection between the vampire and the New Woman can be extrapolated from the unique gender role standards that defined that socially complex era. As Catherine Siemann suggests in her essay, â€Å"Darkness Falls on the Endless Summer: Buffy as Gidget for the Fin de Siecle,† the Victorian New Woman’s â€Å"personal†¦show more content†¦In order to reinforce as loudly and clearly as possible the patriarchal message that in Victorian society, New Women were to be regarded as social pariahs, the ultimate destruction of these literary characters had to be performed in the most savage manner feasible, the brutality of whi ch is almost beyond belief. In Carmilla, prior to her slaughter, the male characters, representative of the Victorian patriarchy, dehumanize the vampire Carmilla, by no longer referring to her by name; Carmilla is simply reduced to being referred to as â€Å"the vampire† and â€Å"the body.† Dehumanization eliminates Carmilla’s individuality, metaphorically suggesting that her fate is the destiny that awaits all New Women. Carmilla’s execution is described as follows: The body, therefore, in accordance with the ancient practice, was raised, and a sharp stake driven through the heart of the vampire, who uttered a piercing shriek at the moment, in all respects such as might escape from a living person in the last agony. Then the head was struck off, and a torrent of blood flowed from the severed neck. The body and head were next placed on a pile of wood, and reduced to ashes, which were thrown upon the river and borne away, and that territory has never since been plagued by the visits of a vampire. (Le Fanu 336) Carmilla’s execution-style slaying

The Character Development Of Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Every story that has ever written appears to have the same story line once it gets broken down. Each one follows an outline that James Campbell proposed, the monomyth, and some stories put more emphasis on certain aspects of the story than others: â€Å"Many tales isolate and greatly enlarge upon one or two of the typical elements of the full cycle (test motif, flight motif, abduction of the bride)...†(Campbell 155) The outcomes of the stories may vary, but they all follow a certain story outline with certain key points in the plot. Each story also possesses characters that fall into certain categories within the monomyth story line that makes each story have the same structure. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight dramatically demonstrates how†¦show more content†¦Campbell claims, â€Å"Compelling experiences add to the development of the hero and heroine.† (Campbell 28). Therefore, this experience will cause Gawain’s character to develop and Gawain will become a stronger man because of it. The Green Knight also plays the archetypal role of the mentor. Once Gawain has fulfilled his promise of traveling to the Green Knight’s castle he is fully prepared to die. The Green Knight seems impressed with his willingness to keep his word, until Gawain flinches: â€Å"Such cowardice did I never hear of Gawain!† (Weston 39). He begins to mock the knight for his lack of bravery. The second time, Gawain does not flinch but the Green Knight does not cut him. The third time, Gawain still does not flinch, but the Green Knight barely cuts him on his neck because was not completely honest when he should have been. Since the Green Knight also played the role of the host he was able teach Gawain the consequences of refraining from telling the truth which allows Gawain’s character to evolve. This also expands on the poems theme that secrets cannot be kept, they will always be exposed. The Green Knight also plays the part of the herald to Gawain, but not as the Green Knight. The Green Knight also acted as the host that Gawain stays with, and in this form the Green Knight plays the role of the herald. Since the moment that Gawain was about to depart on his journey he was depressed of the fate that awaited him: â€Å"And after meat, sadly Sir Gawain turned toShow MoreRelatedArchetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight829 Words   |  4 Pagesespecially in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight most characters or objects served to aid in the development of the hero by being either a situational, character, color, or a symbol archetype. The poem begins with a challenge being presented to the knights of the Round Table by the Green Knight. While seeing that no one else will accept the challenge, putting Camelot’s honor at stake, Gawain accepts and then realizes that in a year they must meet again and the Green KnightRead MoreTheme Of Archetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight864 Words   |  4 PagesOne story, in particular a poem, arises in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The poem dramatically demonstrates how a single character can set out to fulfill one quest to uncover archetypal elements in tremendous amounts of ways. And it reveals the essence of character development, theme, and conflict transparently through the archetypal quest within three key archetypes—the magic weapon, the boon, and the unhealable wound in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. There’s always some kind of magical elementRead MoreExamples Of Archetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1223 Words   |  5 Pagestypical character, situation, setting, or symbol that can be found in fantasy and reality. An example would be the renowned medieval story Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Pearl Poet. The author permeates the story with situational, symbolic, and character archetypes that illustrate the profound life of Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain was apprehensive of his journey at first, but as time passes, he began to make choices that unveils to the audience the true flawed knight that he was. During Sir Gawain’sRead MoreArchetypal Conflicts In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight785 Words   |  4 Pagesjourney. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, readers follow Gawain on his quest to redeem the honor of his community. A number of archetypal situations occur to Sir Gawain and serve to promote Gawain’s conflicts, character, and theme development. Throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, many conflicts rise to the surface as the medieval story, portraying a prideful knight and his encounter with a foe, carries on. The main conflict that drives this read is the internal struggle Sir Gawain faces whenRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Character Analysis1581 Words   |  7 PagesThe main events that unfold in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight predicate themselves on an initial challenge offered by the titular Green Knight: If any so hardy in this house holdes hymselven, Be so bolde in his blod, bayn in hys hede... And I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on this flet, Elles thou wyl dight me the dom to dele hym an other, [barlay]. (Sir Gawain... Lines 285-286, 295-296) These lines create a frame for the type of hero this challenge needs; is there anyone in King Arthur’sRead MoreCompare And Contrast Beowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight761 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an admirable warrior and knight are depicted. Although Sir Gawain and Beowulf both possess such characteristics as bravery and strength, readers can observe differences in other traits that make them heroes of their own time that is attributable to the societal mindset in which the poems were written. The goal of this essay is to compare and contrast how Beowulf, which was written in the early eleventh century, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which wasRead MoreArchetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1100 Words   |  5 Pagesidentify which character represents which archetype. One must also understand that each story— bearing its own unique characteristics— will not always follow Joseph Campbell’s analys is to the tee, but will bear very similar qualities. For example, a character may represent multiple archetypes— a common trend in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Despite common belief, though, other elements of a story allow for analyzation as well. In fact, a number of archetypal situations, characters, colors,Read MoreThe Code Of Chivalry And The Fundamental Thoughts And Actions Of Human Nature1499 Words   |  6 Pages Sir Gawain†¦ Chivalric? By analyzing Sir Gawain’s attempts of following the Code of Chivalry and the fundamental thoughts and actions of human nature helps to further analyze Gawain’s character. The definition of Chivalry is the â€Å"set of values and code of conduct for the medieval knightly class† (Shatz) examining Gawain’s attempts to achieve his goal of being the perfect chivalric knight, the nature of his obstacles has to be determined, and the development of his character has to be analyzeRead MoreSir Gawain and The Green Knight Essay1342 Words   |  6 PagesSir Gawain and The Green Knight In literature, insights into characters, places, and events are often communicated to the reader through the use of imagery within the text. Thus is the case with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Pearl Poets use of imagery runs rampant within the work culminating to set forth the theme of mysticism and/or the supernatural. In this Medieval romance, the types of imagery used are that of the season or climate, the colors and textures of fabrics and jewelryRead MoreSummary Of The Archetypal Roles In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight843 Words   |  4 Pages chivalrous, romance narrative poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, archetypes are heavily displayed, particularly in the character of the Green Knight- who holds several archetypal roles himself. The Green Knight performs the most crucial archetypal roles in the reading and he plays a pivotal part in perfecting of the hero’s--Gawain’s--moral development and revealing some significant changes that occur in the heroà ¢â‚¬â„¢s character. First of all, the Green Knight occupies the role of the Herald, defined

Death of a Salesman Linda Monologue Essay Example For Students

Death of a Salesman Linda Monologue Essay This is a monologue for Linda, from the play Death of a Salesman. (Linda enters the kitchen stage right; walking at a fast pace. She places a basket of washing near the fridge and then looks up hopelessly at the ceiling she then lifts her hands up as if questioning someone.) Linda: Why Willy, Why? Why did you have to go and do this to us all? How do you except me to cope will all the jobs you have left upon me now? Linda: How am I going to cope without you? You are very selfish Willy, very selfish for doing this to us all butbut you have always done the best for us. Billy and Happy are blaming themselves and I do sometimes, I sometimes do. We havent done anything wrong, but then again I feel I have and maybe Biff and Happy could have done more to stop you from becoming so stressed. (Linda starts to sob quietly and then she places her hands in her lap. Linda sits on the kitchen chair for a moment and seems to look angry and uneasy. She walks towards the front door, looks out of the small window in the door and then walks back to the chair, where she sits down and starts to reminisce about certain actions in the past.) Linda: If only I had seen this coming, maybe I could have helped you. I could see you werent well and that you were suffering with work and not having enough money, but I left it. Is it my fault, is it Willy? I need you here; you see, I think I am actually going mad. I cannot do it all on my own, the house, Biff and Happy. If you had thought about what you was about it do before you did it and thought that maybe it might have an affect on me and the kids then would you have still done it? (Linda walks over to the kitchen sink and pours herself a glass of water, she then sits down at the kitchen table, whilst looking very tensed and stressed. Death of a salesman monologue Willy) Linda: (depressed tone) I am trying to keep the family happy, I really am, I am trying my hardest and now look what has happened, and therefore I end up blaming myself, Willy I do. Maybe we should have tried harder to get you a better job, like you said we always deserved better, but like you also said people have changed and they didnt see you in the same way. (Linda is starting to get very angry whilst washing her glass in the sink.) Linda: They didnt deserve to have such a good employee like you, they didnt even come to your funeral, terrible just terrible. I should have said something to them; you helped them so much in their business, all the hours and passion you devoted to them and they cant visit you on your funeral. They should be ashamed of themselves. I cant understand it all; I cant understand it at all. (She begins to calm down at this point, but still looks depressed and sad. Linda then starts to hear shouting and banging from upstairs which is coming from Biff and Happy. She signs in disappoint and then begins to pace up and down the kitchen, whilst raising her hands in the air.) Linda: Biff, Happy please, please stop it I am trying to think. I dont feel to well and you arent helping with the shouting you are creating. Keep the noise down! Linda: (looking tensed again and uneasy) Biff and Happy are so different now, they have changed a lot. I dont know what is going to become of them now, Biff was alreadyalready finding it hard to get a job and finding it hard to even find himself and now he will be stuck in the job he is in for the rest of his life. See Willy you would have ssorted this out wouldnt you? How can I sort it all now? Happy never seems to want to speak to me and I feel we are all falling apart. I keep telling myself we need to move away from here, start a new life but I just cant, I just cant because of all the memories I have here of us with Biff and Happy; a good family we was, until just recently.