Thesis: 19th Century Literature

Thesis:

While reading American short stories from the late 1800s to early 1900s, many themes and ideas are presented. It would be easy to say that the way humans lived during this era was gritty, rough, sometimes frightening. But it wasn't just the physical way human beings had to live, it was also the emotional way. There was an expectation on how people were to behave and think. Both men and women abided by a social presumption that men were to be strong, bountiful, and final and women were to be quiet, humble, and forthcoming. The themes that are prominent in the nine short stories listed below are social disparity, choice and consequence and duty and these three themes emphasize the hardships of men and women both physically and mentally to adhere to the social expectations bestowed upon them by earlier generations. 

Unit One:

Stories that will be studied for Unit One are:

"Cannibalism in The Cars" By Samuel Clemens

"Under the Lion's Paw" By Hamlin Garland

"The Yellow Wallpaper" By Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Unit Two:

Stories that will be studied for Unit Two are:

"The Coup de Grace" By Ambrose Bierce
"The Revolt of 'Mother'" By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
"The Ransom of Red Chief" By William Sydney Porter

Unit Three:

Stories that will be studied for Unit Three are:

"The March of Progress" By Charles W. Chestnutt
"Editha" By William Dean Howells
"A Journey" By Edith Wharton

September 24, 2014

Unit One: Social Disparity

Unit One

Social Disparity

What is Social Disparity?

Also labeled as social inequality, it is a state of being different. This difference can come by age, race, class etc.... It can be a difference between countries, economies, or between two people. A more general way of illustrating social disparity would be to say, "I'm better than you. I have more money than you. I have more power than you. I am stronger than you."  In the early part of the 1900s, social disparity was very distinguishable as there was a lower class and higher class, there was rich or poor, there was distinguished or undignified and if you didn't have money then you were nothing. There was a social expectation for women to marry wealthy and were cast out if they married anyone otherwise. Social Disparity was present in marriage as a woman was supposed to be agreeable at all times. This theme was present between men who work hard in the fields to no avail and men who find their wealth easily earned if not inherited and social disparity is witnessed among politics both past, present and most assuredly future.  

Other literary themes arise while examining the unifying theme of social disparity. These themes or ideas include: Man vs. Society, Man vs. Man and Madness.

All themes are applicable and available in Unit One's short stories:

"Cannibalism in Cars" By Samuel Clemens

"Under the Lion's Paw" By Hamlin Garland 

"The Yellow Wallpaper" By Charlotte Perkins Gilman

August 28th, 2014

Samuel Clemens "Cannibalism in the Cars"

August 28, 2014

In this satirical short story written by Samuel Clemens (or even better known as Mark Twain) we witness the themes of social disparity or equality, man vs. man and madness

This story is about a group of men who get trapped on a train during a snow storm. After being stuck for five days, the men in their restlessness and hunger begin to accept the idea of cannibalism.

"Gentlemen: it cannot be delayed longer! The time is at hand! We must determine which of us shall die to furnish food for the rest!" (Clemens, 8)

This is the first mention of cannibalism and definitely the first time the reader understands that this will be in acceptance among the other men trapped on the train. With this proclamation to the other passengers, the debate begins to decide which man shall be the first.

 As the men offer their opinions on who shall be eaten, they also explain the lives that these men live. Men who live comfortable, or cushy lives will provide a nicer feast. Other men who work hard with their hands or spend their lives in the sun will supply a less desirable meat. For example:

"It may be urged by gentlemen that the hardships and privations of a frontier life have rendered Mr. Davis tough; but, gentlemen, is this a time to cavil at toughness?" (Clemens, 10)

This quote illustrates the opinion of men who spend their life working on the frontier.

In the following paragraphs, as the narrator continues to tell his story, the men are eaten one by one.

"Morgan of Alabama for breakfast...he was a perfect gentleman, and singularly juicy. For supper we had that Oregon patriarch, and was a fraud there was no questions about it--old, scraggy, tough, nobody can picture the reality" (Clemens, 11).

As the story comes to an end, the narrator takes his leave and the conductor explains:

"He was a member of Congress once, and a good one. But he got caught in a show-drift in the cars, and like to have been starved to death." (Clemens, 11)

"He is all right now, only he is a monomaniac, and when he gets on that old subject he never stops till he has eat up that whole car-load of people he talks about." (Clemens, 11)

"When he gets them all eat up but himself, he always says: 'Then the hour for the usual election for breakfast having arrived; and there being no opposition, I was duly elected, after which, there being no objections offered, I resigned. Thus I am here." (Clemens, 11).

The men's debates inside of the cars illustrates social disparity in the sense that clearly some are better than others to be eaten. Specifically, the lower class, manual laborers would not meet high standards. But not only is social disparity present. We also see the theme of "man vs. man", or even more suitable, "man eats man." The narrator was once part of congress, and it can be said that many people in politics are bloodthirsty and ruthless and will do anything to survive. Thus, the elections were held and one by one each man was taken until the narrator was the only living person left. He survived, he won. So he resigned. Unfortunately, he was driven mad.

Hamlin Garland "Under the Lion's Paw"

August 28, 2014

The title in and of itself clearly illustrates the theme of the story: inequality or man vs. man "Under the Lion's Paw" suggests that someone in the story will be strong-armed and/or trapped; he will be taken advantage of and will not be able to escape.

This short story gives a clear picture of how hard things could get in the prairie. A man could slave over his work from sunrise to sundown, but could never be ready for or prevent natural disasters such as drought or infestation.

Haskins and his family have lost everything that he worked so hard in creating. Grasshoppers ate the entirety of their crops and left them with little hope so the family packed up and moved away.

They met a man named Council who provides them food, shelter and a name of a landlord to call upon for cheap land.

The Haskins went to sleep that night believing:

"There are people in this world who are good enough t'be angels, an'only haff t'die to be angels."(Garland, 15)

 This small quote from the story illustrates so much hope in other human beings.

When Mr. Haskin meets Jim Butler, he was unaware of the crookedness of Butler's business. On page 15, we read:

"A change came over him when he sold a lot of land for four times what he paid for it. From that time forward he believed in land speculation as the surest way of getting rich. Every cent he could save or spare form his trade he put into land at forced sale, or mortgages on land, which were "just as good as the wheat," he was accustomed to say." ( Garland, 15)

This gives a pretty clear idea early of his character right away. We also can come to the conclusion about Butler that he is wealthier than he leads people to believe and that money is more important to him than he allows others to think.

"Butler persisted in saying he "hadn't enough money to pay taxes on his land," and was careful to convey the impression that he was poor in spite of his twenty farms. At one time he was said to be worth fifty thousand dollars, but land had been a little slow of sale of late, so that he was not worth so much." (Garland, 15).

Haskins rented the land from Butler with his word that he would tame and enrich the land.

"Haskins worked like a fiend, and his wife, like the heroic woman that she was, bore also uncomplainingly the most terrible burdens."(Garland, 17)

Haskins wore himself thin, fixing up another man's land, even investing his own money into the farm. In doing so, the land felt like home and he wanted to buy it from Butler.

Butler, the crooked landlord, seeing how prosperous and fruitful his land had become, offered to sell Haskins the place for double the original price that was quoted.

"...but it's my land."

"I didn't say I'd let you carry off the improvements nor that I'd go on renting the farm at two-fifty. The land is doubled in value, it don't matter how."(Garland, 19)

In this particular situation, Butler saw the opportunity in this homeless man. He new that Haskins would work hard to prove himself to his family and others. He also worked hard to show his gratefulness in receiving a second chance. Butler took advantage of him; a man who had too much faith in other human beings.

"But I trusted you word."

"Never trust anybody, my friend. Besides, I didn't promise not to do this thing. Why, man, don't look at me like that. Don't take me for a thief. It's the law. The reg'lar thing. Everybody does it."(Garland, 20)

Butler double-crosses Haskins which is a clear example of man vs. man; the stronger taking advantage of the weaker. He was trapped like a mouse under the lion's paw and even though he was strong enough to threaten Butler with violence, he had no other choice but to accept the price, and purchase the land.

Butler had nothing to lose. Haskins had everything to lose.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman "The Yellow Wallpaper"

August 28, 2014

Social Disparity is present throughout the entirety of Gilman's short story "The Yellow Wallpaper." We've seen inequality in the previous stories we read regarding class. But in this story the disparity of women and the subordination of women in marriage in the 19th century is at it's clearest.

It was appropriate behavior and completely acceptable to treat women as an inferior being. Women were thought of as irrational, melodramatic and weak or fragile. Fainting chairs were put in women's bed chambers for a reason.

And the women accepted this. It was how they were supposed to behave. We see this right away in "The Yellow Wallpaper," written like a journal, the wife mentions that her husband, John, will laugh at which everyone expects in marriage.

In a paragraph towards the beginning of the story, she says:

"John is a physician, and PERHAPS-(I would not say it to a living soul, of course, but this is dead paper and a great relief to my mind)-PERHAPS that is one reason I do not get well faster.

You see he does not believe I am sick!

And what can one do?

If a physician of high standing, and one's own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression-a slight hysterical tendency-what is one to do?" (Gilman, 21)

Society during would listen to the man, especially a husband and a doctor. How could he be wrong? Men could speak for their wives, make itineraries for their wives, tell them what to eat and still go out and have mistresses.

Another quote from the story that demonstrates the way men view women:

"I get unreasonably angry with John sometimes. I'm sure I never used to be so sensitive. I think it is due to this nervous condition. But John says if I feel so, I shall neglect proper self-control; so I take pains to control myself-before him, at least, and that makes me very tired." (Gilman, 22)

In this particular quote we see that the wife tries extremely hard to please her husband even though she is the one who is ill. This is a great example of social-disparity and inequality in her marriage.

The "rest cure" was supposedly a method of relieving a person of their depression. This is mentioned indirectly several times within the story that adds to the unifying theme that her physician husband knows best. The narrator has to face two different forms of subordination in her story: that of the husband/wife and the doctor/patient. Both these forms of "authority" can be easily misused. He repeatedly tells his wife to rest...."just rest," not allowing her to sleep downstairs in more comfortable place, ignoring her requests. Her husband doesn't even allow her to write. She spends all her time in the room where the bed is nailed down and the yellow wallpaper worsens her overall mental health.

As she continues to "rest" and continues to do as her husband wishes, the room makes more and more mad as the days continue to pass. As her husband see her struggle he even threatens her.

"John says if I don't pick up faster he shall send me to Weir Mitchell in the fall." (Gilman, 25).

* Weir Mitchell introduced the rest cure.

Her disease worsens and she can not speak to her husband about it and it becomes harder for the narrator to think straight. All the while, she loves and supports her husband and believes he is right.

Finally, she begins peeling the wallpaper away, looking for the woman creeping about, running free in the night. But what her husband and neither herself understand is that she is the woman trying to escape from her illness, from that room and possibly even her husband/doctor.

"I've got out at last, "said I, "in spite of you and Jane. And I've pulled off most of the paper, so you can't put me back!" (Gilman, 32)

Unit Two: Choice and Consequence

Unit Two

Choice and Consequence

The word choice should be a very familiar word since the human being is required to make choices everyday. Although the number of choices a human being makes per day varies from person to person, Time Magazine says the number of choices can be in the thousands. This number doesn't seem extravagant if you really think about all the little, minuscule things that we have to decide everyday. What should I eat for lunch? Should I study? What color shoes do I put on? Should I really drink that glass of bourbon? 

Choices can be made to better the environment, your family, your school, your marriage. Or choices can be selfish and only benefit yourself. Sometimes these choices come with consequences. Immediate gratification can lead to a set of negative reactions. Some consequences result in a very clear irony, so much so, that some consequences become quite laughable.

The theme of choice and consequence is present in Unit Two's short stories:

"The Coupe de Grace" By Ambrose Bierce

"The Revolt of 'Mother'" By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

"The Ransom of Red Chief" By William Sydney Porter

September 11, 2014

Ambrose Bierce "The Coup de Grace"

September 11, 2014

In the first story of Unit Two, the theme or idea of choice and consequence doesn't appear until the last few pages of Bierce's story.

"The Coup de Grace" is a foreshadowing title which literally means: 

"  An action or even that finally ends or destroys something that has been getting weaker or worse; a hit or shot that kills a person or animal that is suffering."

                                                                                                   Merriam-Webster

 We see three important characters in this short story. Two brothers Creede and Caffal Halcrow and Captain Madwell. Sergeant Caffal Halcrow and Captain Madwell are friends. Creede Halcrow and Captain Madwell are enemies.

The first major choice is made by Creede Halcrow. He says:

"Captain, the colonel directs that you push your company to the head of this ravine and hold your place there until recalled. I need hardly apprise you of the dangerous character of the movement, but if you wish, you can, I suppose, turn over the command to your first-lieutenant. I was not, however, directed to authorize the substitution; it is merely a suggestion of my own, unofficially made." 

To this deadly insult Captain Madwell coolly replied:

"Sir, I invite you to accompany the movement. A mounted officer would be a conspicuous mark, and I have long held the opinion that it would be better if you were dead."

A half-hour later Captain Madwell's company was driven from its position at the head of the ravine, with a loss of one-third its number. Among the fallen was Sergeant Halcrow.

Creede insisted that Madwell's group take the head of the ravine. This was a choice that Creede Halcrow made and the consequence was that his brother, in Madwell's group, is injured severely.

Madwell finds Caffal's injured body. He is in agony and very near death. Madwell makes the next choice.

"To the earth and the sky alike, to the trees, to the man, to whatever took form in sense or consciousness, this incarnate suffering addressed that silent plea.

For what, indeed? For that which we accord to even the means creature without sense to to demand it, denying it only to the wretched of our own race: for the blessed release, the rite of uttermost compassion, the coup de grace."

Madwell has made a decision, a choice, that he would relieve his friend Caffal of his pain.

Before he helps his friend, however, he is distracted by an injured horse.

"Madwell stepped forward, drew his revolver and shot the poor beast between the eyes, narrowly observing its death-struggle, which, contrary to his expectation, was violent and long; but at last it lay still."

Shooting the horse first was a choice...

Presently he lifted his face, turned it toward his dying friend and walked rapidly back to his side. He knelt upon one knew, cocked the weapon, placed the muzzle against the man's forehead, and turning away his eyes pulled the trigger. There was no report. He had used his last cartridge for the horse."

This was his consequence for shooting the horse first.

Madwell's next choice:

"He passed the fingers of his left hand along the edge from hilt to point. He held it out straight before him, as if to test his nerves....grasping the hilt with both hands, he thrust downward with all his strength and weight. The blade sank into the man's body-through his body into the earth...the dying man drew up his knees and at the same time threw his right arm across his breast and grasped the steel so tightly that the knuckles of the hand visibly whitened."

"At that moment three men stepped silently forward from behind the clump of young trees which had concealed their approach. Two were hospital attendants and carried a stretcher.

The third was Major Creede Halcrow."

The irony in the story and Madwell's consequence for killing Caffal with his sword was first, help was coming to his aid and secondly, Caffal's brother and Madwell's enemy, Creede Halcrow, witnessed Madwell killing his brother. Although, his choice was to take away his friends pain, the action to Caffal's brother would look like murder.