Thursday, May 21, 2020
Cry the Beloved Country - the Tribe Essay example - 711 Words
One of the main themes that emerges from reading Alan Patons, Cry, the Beloved Country, is the importance of tribal life to South Africa because of the identity it gave its people. Through the communal life of the tribe, the structure of stability and morality of the tribe, South Africas people had a sense of accountability for their own doings, a responsibility towards other and pride in the unity of their people. Tribal life began to break up, however, with the coming of the mines as the youth set off towards Johannesburg and became lost in the crowds and the city. These youths lost their sense of tribal pride, their responsibility towards others and a feeling of accountability for their actions. As a result, many turned to a lifeâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦When confronted by Stephen and asked if she wishes to return to the tribe, she begins to cry. She admits that she does not like Johannesburg, but cannot go back to the village. She is too ashamed of her actions. She sa ys, I am a bad woman, my brother. I am no woman to go back. (Paton 31) While Gertrude has been in Johannesburg, she has lost her self esteem. She no longer feels a moral obligation to herself or anyone else to find a legitimate way to support herself and child. It is only when presented with the option of returning to the tribe, however, that she regains the ability to feel shame and self-awareness. The tribe would never accept this kind of behavior, and if she were to return, she would have to face the consequences of her actions. On the opposite end of the spectrum is John Kumalo, Stephens brother. John Kumalos descent into immorality coincides with his ascent in the political world. As he has increased in wealth and power, John has abandoned the tribe and the church. He characteristically justifies his position by condemning the faith of others. He voices his scorn to Stephen, calling the chief of the tribe an old and ignorant man who is nothing but a white mans dog, (35) and claiming that the church has not bettered the lives of the people of South Africa in any way. John praises the freedom of Johannesburg where he has attained importance and wealth. Yet John does not bring to his wealth and power the tribal senses ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton736 Words à |à 3 PagesCry, the Beloved Country is such a controversial novel that people tend to forget the true meaning and message being presented. Patonââ¬â¢s aim in writing the novel was to present and create aware ness of the ongoing conflict within South Africa through his unbiased and objective view. The importance of the story lies within the title, which sheds light on South Africaââ¬â¢s slowly crumbling society and land, for it is the citizens and the land itself which are ââ¬Å"cryingâ⬠for their beloved country as it collapsesRead MoreUse of Title in Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Essay938 Words à |à 4 PagesUse of Title in Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton, takes place in1946 near the small rural town of Ixopo in the smaller village of Ndotsheni. The main character is Stephen Kumalo, a native priest who sets out on a mission to find his family. He receives a letter from a fellow priest, Msimangu, telling him his younger sister is ill. Kumalo decides he must go to Johannesburg to help his sister. He also hopes to find his only son and see if his brotherRead MoreCry, The Beloved Country1710 Words à |à 7 Pages Alan Patonââ¬â¢s Cry, the Beloved Country takes place during the late 1940ââ¬â¢s in Southern Africa. Specifically, in High Place, Ndotsheni, and Johannesburg. It takes place during a time of social change. There is racial inequality taking place during the late 1940ââ¬â¢s. The novel shows what it was like to be living during this time. Cry, the Beloved Country has an urban and crowded feeling for most of the novel. This novel is written in past-tense, third-person omniscient p oint of view. Occasionally, theRead MoreThe Beloved Country By Alan Paton931 Words à |à 4 PagesFamily in Cry, the Beloved Country One cannot run from hardships, for they occur every day, appear suddenly, and can quickly consume hope. Instead one must face these difficulties and overcome them. However, to rise above obstacles alone would only cause further misery and despair. The strugglerââ¬â¢s family should rally behind him to comfort and assist him in his time of need. In Cry, the Beloved Country, a 1948 contemporary novel, Alan Paton uses parallelism to emphasize the importance of familyRead More The True Meaning of Cry, the Beloved Country Essay1426 Words à |à 6 PagesThe True Meaning of Cry, the Beloved Country à à à à Many debates have been sparked by Alan Patons Cry, the Beloved Country.à Even the essence of the books title examines South Africa and declares the presence of the inner conflict of its citizens. The importance and meaning of the title of Cry, the Beloved Country is visible in Patons efforts to link the reader to forthcoming ideas in the novel, Patons description of South Africas problems, and Patons prayer for the solution of SouthRead More Cry the Beloved Country Movie versus Film Essay1055 Words à |à 5 Pages Cry, the Beloved Country is a moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom. They live in an Africa torn apart by racial tensions and hate. It is based on a work of love and hope, courage, and endurance, and deals with the dignity of man. The author lived and died (1992) in South Africa and was one of the greatest writers of that country. His other works include Too Late the Phalarope, Ah, but Your Land Is Beautiful, and Ta les from a Troubled Land. The book was madeRead MoreEssay on Cry the Beloved Country595 Words à |à 3 PagesCry the Beloved Country ââ¬Å"Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom is gone. Cry, the beloved country, these things are not yet at an end (Paton, 105).â⬠In Cry, the Beloved Country, it is 1946 and the land reserved for blacks in Ndotsheni, a part of South Africa, is drying up. In the novel written by Alan Paton, young men and women begin to leave Ndotsheni for the new city Johannesburg. One of those gone is John Kumalo, a businessman in Johannesburg and younger brother of StephenRead MoreCry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton696 Words à |à 3 PagesCry, the Beloved Country is a novel with remarkable lyricism written by Alan Paton. Born as a white South African, Alan Paton grew up during a time period marked by racial inequality and later became an activist against apartheid. He was a devout Christian so many of his writings reflect Christian faith. As an activist, he wrote many books about South Africa and racial injustice. While traveling around Europe, he began writing Cry, th e Beloved Country, which was published in 1948. That same yearRead MoreEssay on Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton661 Words à |à 3 PagesCry, the Beloved Country In a country torn by segregation and hatred, one man seeks to rebuild his family and his tribe. Cry, the beloved country is a tale of forgiveness, generosity, and endurance. In the story, the main protagonist is helped by a number of characters. A South African man Stephen Kumalo loses his young son, but is still determined to improve the life of his people. In this black mans country, white mans law had broken the tribe, divided the people and corrupted the youthRead MoreCry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton838 Words à |à 3 Pagesthis problem in Cry, the Beloved Country. Throughout the story, Paton adds specific personalities to his characters to contribute to change. Characters in Cry, the Beloved Country went through hardships that changed them to realize reality and its outcomes. Paton accordingly creates a picture throughout his story to explain the problems in South Africa. There are many contributing factors of Patonââ¬â¢s idea to identify as being important for change to occur in Cry, the Beloved Country. In Patonââ¬â¢s book
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Mental Health Essay - 937 Words
In a nationwide survey gauging the attitude of college administration on the growing mental health issues among students, one dean shared ââ¬Å"Students bring more and more nonacademic issues to campus â⬠¦ we are becoming a secondary social service agencyâ⬠(Levine Cureton, 1998). This was not an isolated phenomenon, but rather a troubling position shared across the nation. College presidents and deans fail to recognize the growing need for increased mental health services and academic support. Disability and counseling services are frequently on the cutting block when funding is questioned leaving 20% of children and 18.1% of young adult students suddenly losing the resources they need to thrive in an academic environment (NAMI, 2016).â⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Like all students, those with mental illnesses express the same desire to work and learn as anyone else (Boyle, et al., 2011). They have the same aspirations and expectations of the academic system; that it wil l teach them what they need to know for higher education or to have a job. Whether or not they think these opportunities are achievable is questionable. The quality of mental health counseling and services on a college campus is positively correlated with the ability of the students utilizing said services to complete their degree and advance into a career (Trela, 2008). In other words, students with mental illnesses that receive no psychological support perform poorer in school compared to the same student body that does receive support. The support provides students with a team of people hoping for their success which improves feelings of self-worth and confidence. Qualitative studies show that an incomplete education not only affects someoneââ¬â¢s view of self, but also their entrance into future academic endeavors and paid employment (Kientz Schindler, 2013). This has detrimental effects on the financial and social independence of these students (Kientz Schindler, 2013). T he goal of just about all people is to lead an independent and self-sufficient life. It is unjustifiable that arenââ¬â¢t we affording the mentally ill population those same expectations. In theShow MoreRelatedEssay on Mental Health 1376 Words à |à 6 Pagesepidemiological information about older immigrants` mental health problem in Australia, analysis of the key health issue within a country and gives clearly answer for how those problems could be improved? This research identifies the predictors of psychological distress in newly arrived older immigrants to Australia. Besides the conclusion that How health professionals are acting to modify determinants of health? As observed previously, health is a product of influence between individuals and theirRead MoreMental Health and Violence Essay1563 Words à |à 7 PagesAre people with mental illness more violent than the rest of the population? If you only listen to the media, you are sure to answer, ââ¬Å"Yesâ⬠. However, most of us know that the media is not the most reliable source of information. In fact, the media has a Tendency to bend the facts, plucking out stories and statistics that colour the truth in order to popularize their Medium. Most people who have mental health problems experience symptoms, and gradually recover. They may pick Up where they leftRead MoreMental Health America Essay example1098 Words à |à 5 PagesMental Health America HSC 310 David Olsen January 24,2011 Mental Health America Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the countryââ¬â¢s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With more than 320 affiliate nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well being of the nation, every day, and in a time of crisis (2007 Mental Health America). As anRead MorePromoting Mental Health Essay3042 Words à |à 13 PagesPromoting Mental Health. The aim of this assignment will be to demonstrate my interventions designed to promote mental health and well being using current national and local policies and campaigns in relation to the patientââ¬â¢s identified needs as well as evidence based therapeutic interventions. Finally I will evaluate my package reflecting on its success or failure. In order to gain a better understanding of mental health promotion, it is important to gain a definition of promoting mental health. RosieRead MoreEssay on Access to Mental Health4536 Words à |à 19 Pagesï » ¿ Access to Health Care: The Mental Health Population Mental health services ended up being far from reached by patients with primary psychiatric disorders. Mental health care means not only improving access but also improving clinical quality and ensuring cultural competence. It is the ability to treat and support programs to encounter individuals on personal terms and in methods that are customarily aware. Access to mental health care is not as good as than other forms of medical services. SomeRead MoreEssay On Mental Health Treatment Program1560 Words à |à 7 PagesProgram Structure This Mental Health treatment program and/ or organization focus on co-occurring diagnosis and structures to develop co-occurring disorder treatment services. This program is a non-profit, privately owned organization. It provides social services in Miami, FL. This mental health treatment program and organization will provide comprehensive behavioral healthcare to homeless women who have severe, persistent mental illness, or with co-occurring substance abuse and mental illnessââ¬â¢. The organizationsRead MoreEssay on mental wellbeing and health CMH3012157 Words à |à 9 Pagesï » ¿ Understand Mental wellbeing and Mental Health promotion CMH 301 1. Understand the different views on the nature of mental well-being and Mental health and the factors that may influence both across lifespan: It is a well known fact, that everyone is one of kind unique if you like. There for there will be always different views on this as well as other matters. ( diet, fitness ect) while this and that is working for some, it may not work for the other. However thereRead MoreEssay on Mental Health Counseling483 Words à |à 2 Pages Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained to address a wide range of issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress management, problems with self-esteem, issues associated with aging, job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, and marital or otherRead MoreEssay on The De-Institutionalization of Mental Health Care531 Words à |à 3 PagesDe-Institutionalization of mental Health care According to NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children, around 60 million people in the US suffer from some sort of mental illness every year. The economic cost for untreated mental illness is over 100 billion dollars a year in the US. World Health Organization has reported that that by 2020 the leading cause of disability in women and children will be depressive disorders. (www.nami.org) The treatment of mental health patients duringRead MoreEssay on Telepsychiatry: Improving Mental Health Possibilities1655 Words à |à 7 PagesINTRODUCTION It is widely recognized that mental illness affects a significant proportion of the population; however, it is complicated to determine exact numbers. This problem can be attributed to such issues as the changing definitions of mental illness as well as difficulties in classifying, diagnosing, and reporting mental disorders. Limitations to adequate mental health services including social stigma, cultural incompatibility between patients and providers, language barriers, lack of insurance
The Importance of Being Earnest Free Essays
TOPIC : THE ACT OF BUNBURYING IS THE CENTRAL TO THE THEME OF THE PLAY. DISCUSS WHY WITH REFERENCE TO QUOTES WITHIN THE TEXT AND THE ERA THE PLAY WAS WRITTEN IN. BUNBURYING- A WORLD OF CHIMERA :- Bunburying was just a way for Jack to break-out of his social duties and responsibilities by giving an excuse to meet an imaginary person (Ernest) created by him itself. We will write a custom essay sample on The Importance of Being Earnest or any similar topic only for you Order Now The bunburying allows both Jack and Algernon to live an untruth, to give an impression assist the highest ethical standards, while be at fault without any such consequences. Even whenever Jack and Algernon are caught in their lives. They never went through any punishments. The situation never came off for them to kill there imaginary friend Ernest . This shows the Victorian societies real values. The Victorian values did not exhibit truthfulness, accountability and benevolence for the less privileged people. For instance Lady Bracknell:- Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die.. In this Lady bracknell shows no sympathy for Mr. Bunbury and does not exhibit pity for him as he is less privileged then status. It is befitting that how cursory is Victorian values. BUNBARING AS A CENTRAL THEME :- Marriage:- It is of principle importance in the story both as a chief plot and also a topic of debate. The issue of marriage came for the first time when Algernon asks Laneâ⬠Is marriage so demoralizing as that ? ââ¬Å"(Pg 7). They discuss the attributes of marriage and discuss whether marriage is a substance of ââ¬Å"businessâ⬠or ââ¬Å"pleasureâ⬠. The Lady Bracknell talks about engagement and marriage . According to her engagement should come as a something amazing and as a surprise. Jacks proposal can be assumed and so it shows the conventions of Victorian ethics and responsibility and thus shows his status in society. Lane tells about his own marriage that it is a pleasant but then says due to misunderstandings it did not work out between him n his wife so it became an unpleasant experience for him. Algernon takes his views as slack. His views were like that till he met Cecily. Jack expresses remorse to Gwendolyn as he has always been saying truth. She accepts his apology and feels sure that jack is going to change which shows Gwendolynââ¬â¢s doubtful thoughts about marriage and men The Dual Life:- Bunburing for Jack was just a way to escape for his duties and social-responsibilities. Similarly Algernonââ¬â¢s imagery friend Bunbury was to break away from the country. As he says ââ¬Å"Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury. A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of itâ⬠. Page 41 act 1 Jack says this when he wishes to finish Ernest and suggests Algernon to finish Bunbury as now he is in love with Gwendolyn. He wants to be completely loyal and honest as now he is going to marry her. Algernon says it is the married man who needs bunbury the most to escape at times. Both have different views about marriage and both take bunbury as their life saver. Bunburing with Algernon:-Itââ¬â¢s the cigarette case , when Jack goes and meets Algernon in a party and there Algernon tries to clear the doubt of a girl named Cecily . As the cigarette case that was missing from few days of Jack was with Algernon. Jack tells him to give it back to him as it is his. Algernon says it is not because it was given by Cecily to some called Uncle Jack. At that point Jackââ¬â¢s faking Ernest was caught . Algernon says that Jack is known as Ernest and has introduced him to everyone as Ernest. He also had a proof ,a visiting card naming Mr. Ernest Worthing. So Jack explains that thus his name is Jack in country and Ernest in the town. And the cigarette case was given to him in the country. ALGERNON:- You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isnââ¬â¢t Ernest. Itââ¬â¢s on your cards. Here is one of them. [Taking it from case. ] ââ¬ËMr. Ernest Worthing, B. 4, The Albany. ââ¬Ë Iââ¬â¢ll keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to Gwendolyn, or to anyone else. [Puts the card in his pocket. ] JACK:- Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country. Bunburing with Lady Bracknell:- When aunt Augusta asks Algernon to dine with her and Mary Farquhar. Algernon replies that he needs to drop out the plan of dining with her as he got a telegram saying his friend Bunbury is suffering from an illness and needs to see him again . ALGERNON TO AUNT AUGUSTA :- ââ¬Å"It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. â⬠(Pg 16 Act 1) Bunburing with Gwendolyn :- Jack expresses his feelings for Gwendolyn in the absence of Aunt Augusta. Gwendolyn replying to him says that understands the feelings of Jack and got to know about her love of her life when for the very first time Algernon told her about his friend Ernest (Jack). As Algernon introduced her to Jack as Ernest before. And continues that she always knew that she is destined to love a man named Ernest. GWENDOLYN :-ââ¬Å" Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact. And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative. For me you have always had an irresistible fascination. Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you. [JACK looks at her in amazement. We live, as I hope you know, Mr Worthing, in an age of ideals. The fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence. The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a frien d called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love youâ⬠. (Pg 17 Act 1) Bunburing with Cecily :- Cecily lives in a fantasy and writes fictitious and imagery things in her diary about the romance of her and Algernon . She tells Algernon and shows him the ring that he gifted her. Cecily- ââ¬Å"Worn out by your entire ignorance of my existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after a long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here. The next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little bangle with the true loverââ¬â¢s knot I promised you always to wear. â⬠Algernon ââ¬Å"Did I give you this? Itââ¬â¢s very pretty, isnââ¬â¢t it? â⬠page 41 act 2 Algernon pretends that he gave her that ring . NOTE: CITATION OF DIALOGUES UNDER ââ¬Å" â⬠PASTED FROM THE NOVEL :- http://www. online-literature. com/wilde/being_earnest/2/ How to cite The Importance of Being Earnest, Essay examples The Importance of Being Earnest Free Essays The Importance of Being Earnest Social class and public reputation are two of the most common things that influence a person in their decision making. In ââ¬Å"The Importance of Being Earnestâ⬠, Oscar Wilde mocks a society for their reasons of choosing who to marry. Oscar Wilde expresses an ironic and satiric perspective on a society that builds a marriage upon a foundation of money, power, and deceit. We will write a custom essay sample on The Importance of Being Earnest or any similar topic only for you Order Now The play ââ¬Å"The Importance of Being Earnest,â⬠is one of the most perfect examples of satire in our culture. Although it is set in England, it makes fun of the upper class. The play uses dramatic irony to show how Oscar Wilde sees the upper class as too formal and snobbish. It is dramatic irony because the characters in the play obviously think that they are high class with their multiple houses and butlers even though the author thinks that the upper class is too snobbish. The play also uses hyperbole to make its point. Every character in it is exaggerated. The characters Jack and Algernon are both willing to change their names to Earnest just because the women they love say that they will only love a man named Earnest. This is an example of how much emphasis Wilde believes that society places on love and how important it is to us. In they play, Wealth is a desirable aspect in life that many people crave. Many people will venture to extreme limits to acquire riches. In ââ¬Å"The Importance of Being Earnestâ⬠, prosperity is wanted so much that woman will consider wealth as their rationale to get married. In the book, when Jack Worthing proposed to Gwendolen Fairfax, Gwendolenââ¬â¢s mother refused to let her marry him. Her reasoning was since Jack didnââ¬â¢t know who his parents were; he would not receive an inheritance. Lady Bracknell refused to let her daughter marry someone who was not exceptionally wealthy. In this society, a person who descends from wealth is forbidden to marry someone from a lower class. It is considered disrespectful towards the family and it would degrade their self image. Power, in Wildeââ¬â¢s society, is also greatly commendable for a man who wants to marry. When Lady Bracknell questions Jack about his social status within the city, she is disappointed to hear that he is not of high class. Without money in the society, it is impossible to be a part of the high-class society; which is where power is attained. In this society, people marry inside of their own social and economic class. Since Jack does not have any power within the city, and does not have a lot of money to his name, he is not qualified to marry a woman of upper class. In addition to power and wealth being two ludicrous factors being heavily weighted for marriage, a manââ¬â¢s name also decides eligibility for matrimony. Jack lies to Gwendolen and tells her that his name his Ernest. When she learns that his name is not in fact Ernest, she refuses to marry him. Oscar Wilde used humor and irony when titling the play, ââ¬Å"The Importance of Being Earnest. â⬠Earnest describes a person who is honest and sincere, which does not describe anybody within the play. All of the relationships in the play are built upon lies and deceit. Jack Worthingââ¬â¢s friend also deceives the woman that he loves, Cecily. Algernon also lies about his name and creates an imaginary friend so that he can avoid spending time with people that he does not want to see. Algernon and Jack come to call it ââ¬Å"bunburying. When a social event is occurring that Jack or Algernon does not want to attend, they fake a visit with an extremely sick friend or relative. Eventually, Cecily and Gwendolen learn of all the secrets that Jack and Algernon are keeping. At first they are justifiably outraged. But after they all have talk, all is forgiven. This is another example that shows absurdity tow ards marriage. Cecily and Gwendolen realize that the men that they are supposed to marry have lied to them about everything. They donââ¬â¢t even really know who Jack and Algernon truly are. Even though Algernon and Jack have lied about everything, Gwendolen and Cecily both agree to carry on with the wedding. ââ¬Å"The Importance of Being Earnestâ⬠provides many ironic and satiric views in a society where marriage is built upon all of the wrong foundations. Marriage, in this society, is built upon wealth, power, lies, and deceit. The characters in the story are very scandalous and indecent. Men lie to their fiances and women marry them for money and power. In todayââ¬â¢s society, this would be considered a huge disgrace and would be untolerable. ? How to cite The Importance of Being Earnest, Essay examples The Importance of Being Earnest Free Essays The Importance Of Being Earnest ââ¬Å"Womenââ¬â¢s roles are often tokenistic in dramatic comedyâ⬠To what extent do you believe this to be the case in relation to the play you have been studying? In dramatic comedy it can often be said that womenââ¬â¢s roles are ââ¬Ëtokenisticââ¬â¢ which essentially means: that women are there to serve a little more than the minimum, or may not serve much of a purpose at all, they may also follow social stereotypes during the era of this literary piece. In this essay I will be assessing this statement and come to a final decision by looking at both sides of the argument and looking for secondary sources/opinions to prove some points that will be made. I believe that women are not tokenistic in terms of comedy in The Importance of being earnest because they do serve a purpose and add to the humour but on the other hand they may only do the very minimum within the story line and many of the female characters follow social stereotypes strongly. We will write a custom essay sample on The Importance of Being Earnest or any similar topic only for you Order Now Wilde often uses characters within his plays and pieces as an opportunity to discuss or highlight certain contemporary issues, and may sometimes mock them through satire and farce. An example of this is the character of Gwendolen who is used to create humour; Oscar does this by presenting her as an inversion of the traditional female during the era Importance of Being Earnest was written. In the third act Gwendolen Says ââ¬Å"But we will not be the first to speakâ⬠and then instantly contradicts her statement and addresses Algernon straight away after saying so, this would be found rather humorous by contemporary audiences because women were traditionally meant to be quiet and should ââ¬Ëspeak when spoken toââ¬â¢ Gwendolen recognises this, but yet she does speak first, and this is a break of a social stereotype. This is an example of a womenââ¬â¢s role within The Importance of Being Earnest as un-tokenistic because she serves a purpose in creating humour, and also the language used in that line suggests that she is leading the conversation and in turn leading Cecily, that is because the plural ââ¬Å"weâ⬠in the quote indicates both herself and Cecily, should both conform to her statement, she is in a sense telling Cecily what to do. Also linked to this, after the later quote she then begins to interrogate Algernon and Jack, and she is the first to do so. This shows that she is accustomed to being in a position of power, so to conclude this point: how can Gwendolen truely be tokenistic if she serves a purpose in terms of comedy and is in a position of power within the stated conversation/section. On the other hand Gwendolen seems to support the typical patriarchal society which is present in The Importance of Being Earnestââ¬â¢s era. It is shown by this quote ââ¬â ââ¬Å"How absurd to talk of the equality of the sexes! â⬠And ââ¬Å"men are infinitely beyond usâ⬠Both in Act 3 also the use of the word infinitely emphasises this driving Gwendolenââ¬â¢s further. Gwendolen indirectly mocks the idea of ââ¬Ënew womenââ¬â¢ which was aà feministà ideal that emerged in the late 19th century and had a profound influence on feminism well into the twentieth century as well. It can be said that her role knocks back equality, which then leads to us thinking she is indeed tokenistic. But her role and this particular quote draws attention to the unfairness and importance of the issue at hand. This could be another example of Wilde using characters and satirical mocking to highlight certain issues, so therefore she again does indeed serve a purpose and an important one at that, so she may be un-tokenistic. Another example of roles of women serving a purpose is Lady Bracknell ââ¬â ââ¬Å"The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Squareâ⬠on page 20 act 1. This is an example of Oscar Wildeââ¬â¢s satirical mocking technique, directed towards the upper classes and the education system, through characters such as lady Bracknell and Gwendolen. Also the use of language and words such as ââ¬Ëradicallyââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëtheoryââ¬â¢ emphasises the satire because they are fairly emotive or serious words, contrasting with the absurd bigoted point. ââ¬Å"Lady Bracknell is the main character to portray this satirical technique, as she believes the upper class to be much more educated than the lower class, purely because of social statusâ⬠ââ¬â hubpages. com/education, this point taken from an online website agrees with the idea that Wilde uses characters as a way to highlight issues and mock them. This is shown in the wording. And in turn this point suggests that if characters used to mock and highlight issues within society, then they are serving a purpose and are important to aspects of comedy within the play, examples of such characters are, Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen. So how can they be tokenistic if they are doing so? This shows that they are un-tokenistic. On the other hand Oscar Wilde often uses stock characters to enhance comedy and have no real purpose. ââ¬Å"Aà stock characterà is aà fictional characterà that relies heavily onà cultural typesà orà stereotypesà for its personality, manner of speech, and other characteristicsâ⬠ââ¬â Fritzfreiheit. om, this shows that characters following stereotypes could be considered tokenistic, such as Lady Bracknell, who is described as ââ¬Å"a symbol of Victorian earnestness and the unhappiness it brings as a result. She is powerful, arrogant, ruthless to the extreme, conservative, and proper. In many ways, she represents Wildeâ⠬â¢s opinion of Victorian upper-class negativity, conservative/repressive values, and powerâ⬠ââ¬â Cliffnotes. com, this shows that Lady Bracknell follows contemporary social stereotypes and only serves a minimum purpose and that is to make the audience laugh. So she may well be tokenistic. Also many other stock characters are considered to be tokenistic because they are only used to enhance comedy, not to add to the story or to highlight issues. Examples of a stock character with a minimal role is Miss Prism she is an example of a stereotype of an aspiring romantic novelist, she is the typical woman of the time with a dream that is suppressed. This means she both abides by contemporary social stereotypes and in no way highlights issues as much as Gwendolen or other characters may. So this could be suggested that indeed she is tokenistic due to the later points made. In conclusion I believe that female characters in Oscar Wildeââ¬â¢s Importance of being earnest such as Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell both serve a purpose in terms of comedy by enhancing it with the use of; farce, satire, and mocking. Linked to this he also uses the humour created by these characters as well as the actually characters themselves as an opportunity to mock or highlight issues and ideals, for example Lady Bracknell and the upper class. But on the other hand it could be said that any female characters are stock characters which follow stereotypes and therefore produce a minimum affect, examples of this are Miss Prism and Lady Bracknell who has proven to be most contradictory and can be used by both sides of the argument because she does serve an important purpose. Over all I believe the large majority of female roles within The Importance of being earnest are not tokenistic because they most serve a purpose and enhance comedy. By James Rae Bibliography ââ¬â Importance of Being Earnest * http://rachira. hubpages. com/hub/The-Importance-of-Being-Earnest-Mocking-Education ââ¬â Author: RachiRa (username) ââ¬â Date of citation: 14/3/13 * http://fritzfreiheit. com/wiki/Stock_character ââ¬â Author: Fritz Freiheit ââ¬â Date of citation: 14/3/13 * http://www. cliffsnotes. com/study_guide/literature/importance-of-being-earnest/character-analysis/rev-chasuble-miss-prism. html ââ¬â Author: Susan Van Kirk ââ¬â Date of citation: 14/3/13 How to cite The Importance of Being Earnest, Papers
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