Character Analysis Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet Jane Austen's time period was a period that was full of change for society, but the main issue she really focused on writing about was women's social status, which was determined by whom she married. During this time period, a woman's ideal man was someone who was wealthy, able to take care of them, and provide her with security. There was no such thing as marrying for love; this is what made Austen’s females differentiate from other women. Austen made most of her main female roles have strong-independent natures and they stood for women's right to marry for love instead of status and wealth.
Elizabeth Bennet is a perfect example of such a woman. Her unique characteristics make her one of the most well-known and loved heroines in literature. Although her mother and sisters act quite silly and dumb, excluding Jane, Elizabeth is quite intelligent. Elizabeth's intelligence is what makes her Mr. Bennet's favorite, but in equal, this makes Elizabeth’s her mother's least favorite. Mrs. Bennet ignores Elizabeth's intelligence and states that she is no better than the rest of her sisters.
The reader is also shown that Elizabeth’s intelligence is displayed not only by her dialogue, but in her observation skills as well. She watches other's behaviors to decipher their personalities. It is obvious that she enjoys doing it because she states, "intricate characters are the most amusing" (chap. 9). There is no doubt that Elizabeth is the most independent woman in this story, considering that she rejected two proposals that surely would have made her future secure after her father's death. The first proposal was from Mr.
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Collins, and although he was rather ridiculous, the Bennets' estate was entitled to him next and marrying him would have saved all of them from being homeless. Despite knowing this, Elizabeth still refuses to marry him because she believes to only marry for love and it obvious that she does not love Mr. Collins. Such a feat shows the strength of her beliefs and character. Pride and Prejudice was originally going to be called First Impressions, although both titles represent the novel quite well. The main characters, Elizabeth and Darcy, are both guilty of giving the other sense-impressions.
Elizabeth is guilty of prejudice and Darcy is guilty of pride. Although reader's usually focus on Darcy's pride, Elizabeth has to deal with pride just as much. Elizabeth's pride mainly consists of her rational thinking and belief that the decisions she makes are always wise. She is also takes pride in her ability to figure out others quickly and considers this to be her greatest trait. Although she is correct about most of the character's personalities like Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she is mistaken about Wickham’s and Darcy’s character.
Beloved Character Analysis
The uniformly accepted notion that Beloved is a ghost is interesting, given that evidence throughout the book suggests that she is a reincarnated being. As the reader recalls, Sethe killed her first daughter with the idea that doing so would free her daughter from slavery. As a result of Sethe’s “motherly” actions, Beloved, enslaves the rest of the family including Sethe’s daughter, Denver. The family becomes disconnected from and outcasted by the black community, as everyone fears approaching the residency “haunted” by the supernatural.
As the novel progresses, the presence of an unknown girl at 124 intrudes, yet again, on the lifestyle of Denver and Sethe. This character, who is identified as Beloved is ambiguously portrayed and therefore her analysis is the topic of debate and discussion. The character that is recognized at the 124 residency is in fact the reincarnation of Sethe’s first daughter, Beloved. The idea of the reincarnated in this novel is well established. Although, to the reader the possibility of this seems unlikely, in the book there are several examples that point to this being true.
For example, the reader witnesses Sethe overlook obvious signs showing that this girl actually could be the personification of her murdered baby daughter. Additionally, Beloved is approximately the same age that Sethe’s first born would have been if still alive, and more evidence lies in the fact that she shares the same name as the one engraved on the baby’s tombstone. It happens that these trails of evidence all occur in order in the same scene.
One evening Denver, Sethe, and Beloved are all gathered around a fire, and Sethe comes to a realization about the aforementioned evidence about Beloved. “The click had clicked; things were where they ought to be or poised and ready to glide in,” (Morrison 207). Beloved hums a tune, one that Sethe immediately recognizes. The scene seems surreal as Sethe is taken aback by the occurrence. “I made that song up. I made it up and sang it to my children. Nobody knows that song but me and my children,” (Morrison 207).
Additionally, Beloved’s demeanor is that of a typical two year old. Her thoughts and actions mimic those of a young child rather than a young adult. For example, Beloved deeply loves her mother, Sethe, and is attached to her just as a young child would be. Not only does Beloved share a passionate love for her mother, but feelings are mutual toward, Denver, her sister. Beloved is jealous of the relationship Denver and Sethe share. Once again, these all point to the childish characteristics Beloved possesses in her reincarnated form.
In referring to Sethe Beloved states "I am Beloved and she is mine" (Morrison 248). “It was Beloved who made demands. Anything she wanted she got, and when Sethe ran out of things to give her, Beloved invented desire” (Morrison 240). “When once or twice when Sethe tried to assert herself, be the unquestioned mother whose word was law and who knew what was best – Beloved slammed things, wiped the table clean of plates, threw salt on the floor, and broke a windowpane” (Morrison 242).
Taking all of these factors into account, many would find it hard to dispute against Beloved’s reincarnated state. There are many supporting details that point to Beloved’s true identity. Beloved’s portrayal is in fragments and the reader must pay close attention to give away details about this young woman identity. Unraveling the great mystery of this young woman lies within the text, but yet many different opinions of Beloved still exist.
Reverend Parris Character Analysis; Practice What You Preach
Reverend Samuel Parris was a selfish, power-hungry, and greedy man. Parris believed that everyone was beneath him and that they all owed him something in some way. When the Salem Witch Trials began Reverend Parris believed the girls rather than listen to Rebecca Nurse, who says, “I think She’ll (Betty Parris) wake when she tires of it. ” Referring to the fact that Betty was faking her bewitched sleep, to save his name and title. Even Arthur Miller claims that there was little good to be said about Reverend Parris.
Arthur Miller says at the beginning of act one, “… He (Parris) believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side. In meetings, he felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission. ” As if he believed just deserved the respect of the people. Reverend Samuel Parris just believes that what he does immediately gives him power and that makes him blind to the truth.The way Arthur Miller wrote about Reverend Parris turned him into an ungodly and power-hungry man. During the play Parris goes from being worried about his daughter to arguing with Giles Corry about his firewood and how he deserves to get it for free even with his sixty pounds a year that he gets paid plus the six he gets for firewood. “The salary is sixty-six pounds, Mr. Proctor! I’m not some preaching farmer with a book under my arm. ” Says Mr. Parris, only proving my point on how much power he believes he has or deserves.
Arthur Miller even says in the beginning of act one how “very little good can be said about Reverend Samuel Parris. ” He makes Parris out to be a dictator as well as a selfish man. Arthur Miller, again says in the first few paragraphs of act one, says, “He (Reverend Parris) believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and god on his side. In meetings, he feels insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission. ”
Showing how Mr. Parris believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best effort to win people and God at his side. In meetings, he felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission. ” Showing how Mr. Parris believed he deserved that respect. Arthur Miller must have had some grudge against Reverend Parris for how he made him out to be; nevertheless this is what he was. Reverend Samuel Parris believed himself (something of a king or high authority) above everyone else in Sale. As I read I saw how selfish Reverend Parris was.
For example, during the first act, and I’ve mentioned this before, Reverend Parris got into an argument with Giles Corry about how since he was the Minister of Salem that he should get his firewood for free and that sixty-six pounds a year was barely enough to live on. To that Giles said,”You are allowed six pounds a year to buy your firewood Mr. Parris. ” Which Parris then turned into an argument on how when he worked in Barbados for more than he was working for now, and how they were lucky to have him at such a “low” salary.
All of this arguing about wood was going on Right after everyone being worried about Parris’s daughter, Betty, who was believed to be under a spell. But I digress Mr. Parris was believing his fantasy that he was a good preacher and that everyone should respect him for that. Another thing I noticed, later in the play, was how much he cared about his reputation. He was all too eager to assume witchcraft and call on Reverend Hale, for me to believe he was worried about Betty.
In the play, other people saw Reverend Parris in much the same way, selfish and greedy. John Proctor gave the biggest example, when he was talking to hale in act 2, after Hale told him, “Mr. Proctor, your house is not a church; your theology must tell you that. ” John Proctor said, “It does sir; and it tells me that a minister may pray to god without he have golden candlesticks upon his alter. ” He then went on to explain how Parris had preached about nothing but golden candlesticks until he got them, yet another example of Reverend Parris’s greed.
As for selfishness, this one is obvious, first, his thought that he should get free firewood, and then not long after that one he says, “Man! Don’t a minister deserve a house to live in? ” for not long before the play he had requested, “demanded” is how Giles Corry would put it, the deed to the house he was given for being the minister. And Proctor despises Reverend Parris’s Sermons for the fact that they always end up more about Hell than Heaven, he even says at one point, “Can you speak one minute without we land in Hell again?
I’m sick of hell! ” Reverend Parris’s actions prove everything other people in the town think. He is selfish, greedy, and power-hungry. The time he wanted golden candlesticks, he preached about them until they were given to him. When he realized that Betty was ill, rather than find a doctor, he immediately believed, and acted upon this belief that she was under a spell. He then proceeded to force Abigail, his niece, to tell him who forced them to do what they did in the forest despite her telling him that all they did was dance.
The incident with the firewood and the house deed continues to show how very greedy and selfish Reverend Parris is. Even at the beginning of the play it shows how he would rather let the sin that all the girls committed go, than risk causing his house to be seen as part of said sin. This later leads to the Salem Witch Trials, because of his forcing the girls to tell him who forced them to do something that they did of their own accord. Parris was supposed to be a trusting and Godly man; his actions throughout the play don not depict him as such.
Reverend Samuel Parris was a selfish and greedy man hungry for as much power as he can get, who was blind to what was going on around him. His belief was that everyone in Salem owed him something, golden candlesticks, firewood, the deed to his house, which was in truth the house to the minister of Salem until he leaves that office, etc. showing his selfishness and greediness. During the introduction into the first act even Arthur miller says that Parris had very little good about him. My overall point to this is this, Practice what you preach, which as obviously seen, Mr. Paris failed.
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