♫ Can't stop, addicted to shindig ♪
We began "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in English Lit today. We studied "A Streetcar Named Desire" from September until January but the exam board removed it from the summer exam, frustratingly. However, judging from reading the beginning of Act I of Cat this morning, I think I'm going to really like the play. Maggie's capacity for self-evaluation is refreshing in light of basing my coursework on Othello's failure to do exactly that. The play is set in the space of one night, so the fact that the source of her marital problems with Brick are evident from the first instant works well in the context of the small time scale; the play doesn't have to convey that information where it could be developing plot.
I also have to have a little P&P appreciation moment, because I love it so. I was chatting to my mother last night about John Donne's presentation of women compared to Thomas Hardy and she mentioned about Darcy's role in literature, or rather, teenage culture. ;) The interesting thing about Pride and Prejudice is that Austen doesn't actually describe either Lizzie or Darcy in great depth; apart from a reference to Darcy being "dark", it's basically an open house! That got me onto the subject of why I think P&P is so enduring;
It's not a novel about kings or battles, or great heroes making sweeping changes impacting upon the lives of thousands. No-one saves the world, no-one solves world poverty or brings a notorious figure to justice. It's a love story about two flawed people combined with a social commentary of the time. In some ways, P&P reflects Romeo and Juliet in my mind - Lizzie and Darcy compliment each other perfectly, yet rather than feuding families, the great obstacle in their way is themselves. It's such a human story. It may be set 200 years ago, and the issues of women's roles in society and the importance of marriage and security may be more historical now, but the faults and shortcomings and imperfections of human nature stand the test of time. Everyone sees elements of themselves or others they know in the characters of the novel; arrogance, envy, antisocial tendencies and of course, pride and prejudice. The fact that both Elizabeth and Darcy can see themselves reflected in each other, in a consciousness manner or not, is so very familiar to the modern reader. Above all, it's hopeful, without being sentimental; Charlotte Lucas may not be married to the love of her life, but hopefully she can come to terms with Mr Collins and reach some sort of peace. It isn't all nicely resolved either; the Wickham-Lydia marriage isn't promising, and there is still the question of Mary and Kitty's futures.
The main source of hope, I think however, comes from Lizzie and Darcy. They overcome their issues with one another, they gain self-knowledge and the love of their lives. They actually make you believe in love, and in second chances.
I also have to have a little P&P appreciation moment, because I love it so. I was chatting to my mother last night about John Donne's presentation of women compared to Thomas Hardy and she mentioned about Darcy's role in literature, or rather, teenage culture. ;) The interesting thing about Pride and Prejudice is that Austen doesn't actually describe either Lizzie or Darcy in great depth; apart from a reference to Darcy being "dark", it's basically an open house! That got me onto the subject of why I think P&P is so enduring;
It's not a novel about kings or battles, or great heroes making sweeping changes impacting upon the lives of thousands. No-one saves the world, no-one solves world poverty or brings a notorious figure to justice. It's a love story about two flawed people combined with a social commentary of the time. In some ways, P&P reflects Romeo and Juliet in my mind - Lizzie and Darcy compliment each other perfectly, yet rather than feuding families, the great obstacle in their way is themselves. It's such a human story. It may be set 200 years ago, and the issues of women's roles in society and the importance of marriage and security may be more historical now, but the faults and shortcomings and imperfections of human nature stand the test of time. Everyone sees elements of themselves or others they know in the characters of the novel; arrogance, envy, antisocial tendencies and of course, pride and prejudice. The fact that both Elizabeth and Darcy can see themselves reflected in each other, in a consciousness manner or not, is so very familiar to the modern reader. Above all, it's hopeful, without being sentimental; Charlotte Lucas may not be married to the love of her life, but hopefully she can come to terms with Mr Collins and reach some sort of peace. It isn't all nicely resolved either; the Wickham-Lydia marriage isn't promising, and there is still the question of Mary and Kitty's futures.
The main source of hope, I think however, comes from Lizzie and Darcy. They overcome their issues with one another, they gain self-knowledge and the love of their lives. They actually make you believe in love, and in second chances.