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King Lear is a most unusual play in that it only deals with the present and neglects the past and the future. The reader is not informed about an earlier time period in the play. The play opens up with Lear immediately choosing to, express our darker purpose (I, i, 35). There is no mention of any of the three daughters childhood. In contrast, Smiley makes a point of adding description to her novel. She constantly describes the three girls childhood, their ancestors, and other memories from the past.
The description of the past is the most powerful part in A Thousand Acres. It reveals hidden roots that shape and define behaviors of the characters. This hidden knowledge and exposure of secrets is exemplified in Edgar's line in King Lear, In nothing am I change But in my garments (IV, vi, 9 - 10). It tells the reader that although things may appear to be a certain way, reality will prove them to be different.
The major difference between King Lear and A Thousand Acres is that the past comes to life in A Thousand Acres. It provides a means by which one may sympathize with one character in A Thousand Acres and equally detest that characters counterpart in King Lear. In the play King Lear, the reader shows pity for Lear after his rashness because his two eldest daughters show hate and disgust for him. They disrespect their father when Goneril scolds him and, others of your insolent retinue (I, iv, 195). Regan attempts to make her father abandon his train of followers when she asks him, What need one (II, iv, 261). Lear does not understand either of his daughters attitude towards him and, due to the lack of background information presented in the play, the reader identifies with him and feels sorrow when he recites his memorable line, I gave you all- (II, iv, 248).
Another reason that he is seen as a victim could be due to the third person limited point-of-view that accompanies a play. The reader is only aware of the lines that are recited in the play. Occasionally, a soliloquy or an aside is given for further insight, but these do not occur frequently in King Lear. The reader only knows what he or she is told. The characters do not express deeper and darker concerns.
Goneril talks about always disliking her father for his playing favorites among the daughters, The observation we have made of it hath not been little (I, i, 288 - 89). This is the readers only insight in the story about a possible disagreement or other catastrophic event that happened in the past. Jane Smiley provides a background in A Thousand Acres that gives the reader a whole different attitude toward the character of King Lear.
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Research essay sample on Thousand Acres King Lear
