Example research essay topic: Wife And Daughter Mayor Of Casterbridge - 1,119 words

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... word of your Bygone Trouble to him. Joan (page 188) Also, Tess fellow dairymaids convince her that she is the best lady for Angel compared to all of them. Being convinced that Angel will still love her, she goes along with the marriage. You are best for. More ladylike, and a better scholar than we, especially since he has taught ee so much you were his choice and we never hoped to be chose by him.

Marian (page 196) At this point in the novel, Tess is happier than she has ever been, she loves Angel and has a great future ahead of her with him, but she is still is struck with a very important decision to make; to tell Angel of her past or not. Tess was very hesitant to marry Angel without telling him of her past, so the fact that she did because of the persuasiveness of her mother and friends, shows that Tess can not fully make decisions for herself and that is why other peoples opinions and action seem to direct her life. Michael, on the other hand, has learned from his past mistakes and taken initiative in changing his ways. After looking for his wife and daughter for a long period of time, Michael went to a church where he made an oath not to drink for 21 years.

I, Michael Henchard, on this morning of the sixteenth of September, do take an oath before God here in this solemn place that I will avoid all strong liquors for the space of twenty-one years to come, being a year for every year that I have lived. And this I swear upon the book before me; and my I be struck dumb, blind, and helpless, if I break this my oath! Michael (page 13) This proves that Michael is trying to punish himself for what he has done. This also proves that he knows what he has done is wrong and he regrets it. From this point, The Mayor of Casterbridge skips a period of about 18 years, so Michaels actual rise is not explained, but it is very obvious. When Michael sold his wife and daughter, he was a 21 year old, unemployed, hay trusted. 18 years later, Michael is the Mayor of Casterbridge.

This is a great latter he has climbed, he has become very wealthy and won a great deal of the townspeople's respect. Why, my good maid, hes the power fullest member of the Town Council, and quite a principal man in the country round besides He worked his way up from nothing when a came here; and now hes a pillar of the town. Longways (page 27) If Michael had not made his oath not to drink for 21 years, he may have let alcohol get the best of him as he did before at the fair, but instead he picked up the pieces of his life and put them back together. Michael became a better man and moved up in society a great deal, from and young unemployed man to the Mayor and Tess, for the first time, is actually happy and disregarding the conflict of telling Angel of her past, both the characters have a bright future ahead of them, or so they think. At the end of the two novels, Michael and Tess both die. The cause of their deaths and the circumstances around them are carved by previous event and conflicts that could have been avoided.

At the end of Tess of the dUrbervilles, Tess is hung because she murdered Alec. She did this because Angel actually came back for her when Alec convinced Tess that he wouldnt and to marry him instead. Wait what for? For that nice husband, no doubt.

Now look here, I know what men are, and, bearing in mind the grounds of your separation, I am quite positive he will never make it up with you. Alec (page 328) Alec's death could had been avoided along with Tess as well. If Alec hadnt lied about Angel and made Tess think that he would never come back, Tess may have not gone back with Alec and instead waited for Angel. In this case Tess and Angel may have been able to live a happy life together if Alec hadnt interrupted. Also Alec used Tess family's state against her to convince her to marry him. Alec knew that Tess father had died and offered a place for them to live.

Alec used Tess weakness of feeling responsible for her family to lour her into marrying him. Now why not come to my garden-house at Tantridge? There are hardly any poultry now, since my mothers death; but theres the house, as you know it, and the garden. It can be white-washed in a day, and your mother can live there quite comfortably; and I will put the children to a good school. (page 348) With Michael, his fall could have been avoided as well if he hadnt let his jealous feelings for Farfrae get the best of him and say and do things that affected his future, like firing Farfrae as manager. Also, he lost the only thing he really had left, Elizabeth-Jane because Susan and Lucetta had both died and Farfrae had left. When Newson came back for Susan and Elizabeth-Jane, Michael lied to him and said they had both died.

When Elizabeth-Jane found out about this, she felt that she could no longer forgive him for all his mistakes because all she wanted to do now is forget about him and his selfish ways. I said I would never forgive him. But O! I think I ought o forget him now! (page 246) This quote shows how Elizabeth-Jane never wants to think of Michael again for what he did (lied to Newson). Michael let his selfish feelings take control of him and he ended up doing things and making decision that left him to die alone. Tess let people corrupt her and trick her into doing things she really deep down didnt want to do, so if both characters made wiser decision, their death could have been avoided.

Although in most novels the main character experiences only a rise and fall, or just a downfall, Tess and Michael fell from their already poor state, rose, and then both feel again to their death. Many main events caused the death or eventual downfall of these two character, but the difference is that Tess can not be held accountable, for the actions of other people influenced her outcomes. Michael however, is responsible for the situations he was placed into throughout the novel and was liable for his death in the end.

Research essay sample on Wife And Daughter Mayor Of Casterbridge