Many conflicting situations that give way to problems often arise in life. These problems often create conflicting feelings within an individual who tries to but cannot satisfy both of the opposing sides. The novella, Washington Square by Henry James, portrays this idea. The story follows Dr. Sloper who marries a clever woman who bears him a son. However, death seizes both the mother and child, leaving only his daughter, Catherine, who spends most of her life trying to please her father, but could never please him because she was not clever like her mother. Later, at her cousin’s bridal party, she meets Morris, a handsome, jobless young man with whom she falls in love and to whom she wishes to marry. However, Dr. Sloper, believing that …show more content…
158). Dr. Sloper’s statement confirms his belief that Morris only wants his daughter’s money, which he admits later on in their conversation, when he replies, “…I plead guilty to that” (pg. 160). In order to please Morris, Catherine would have to marry him; however, in order to please her father, she cannot marry Morris. Two compelling desires, one to please Morris, the other to please her father, arise. Not only does Catherine have conflicting desires, but she has contradicting obligations as well. Catherine not only has an obligation to herself, but also to her father as well. After a series of visits, Catherine falls in love with Morris. When Catherine tells Dr. Sloper that she will marry Morris, the Doctor asks, “Are you very fond of Mr. Townsend?” Catherine replies, “I like him very much, of course-or I shouldn’t consent to marry him” (pg. 154), which confirms Catherine’s love for Morris and suggests Catherine’s happiness with him which leads to her obligation to herself. According to the teachings of Aristotle and the United States Declaration of Independence, “Every human being has a right and an obligation to pursue her/his own happiness.” Thus, Catherine has an obligation to seek happiness for herself by marrying Morris. However, children also have an obligation to obey their parents. Not only does Catherine have an obligation to herself, but also an obligation to her father, which poses
What are some of the key ideas of the letters between John and Abigail Adams?
The culture of set societal rules and conventions urges Catherine to be with Edgar, compelling her to be ‘the greatest woman of the neighbourhood’ due to them being relatively firm in their gentry’s status. This suggests the importance of her social status against the nature of her love for Heathcliff stating, ‘we would be beggars’, through employing the word ‘beggars’ the reader crafts the idea of her belief that she won’t survive without her status. Catherine admits ‘It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him’ Thus implying a swelling sense of her vanity and pride; enough to enjoy the position she gains from being married to Edgar despite her admiration for Heathcliff, being ‘more than (herself) than (she is)’and
Catherine is forced to do lady tasks that she thinks are unbearable. "I can stand no more of lady-tasks, endless mindless sewing, hemming, and doctoring" (10). This quote shows
A main conflict throughout the plot of Catherine, Called Birdy is person vs. fate. As daughter of a country knight and Lady Aislinn, Catherine must behave a certain way. The conflict of person vs. fate is first introduced in the inciting incident. “Now my father, the toad, conspires to sell me like a cheese to some lack-wit seeking a wife” (Cushman 6). Once her father decides she ready for marriage, he begins to invite suitors to the manor. However, Catherine will not allow her father to force her into marriage. Throughout the rising action, Catherine scares away each suitor. Despite, all her schemes, Lord Rollo arranges a marriage between Catherine and Lord Murgaw. Catherine strongly opposes this marriage but it seems she will not be
Abigail Adams: Born November 11, 1774 in Weymouth, MA. She’s the wife of John Adams, first lady of the United States, and the son of John Quincy Adams. In particular, she played a huge role in the American Revolution. Abigail Adams served as the Massachusetts Colony General Court who commissioned her, along with a few other women, to talk to ladies in the area who were loyal to the British. This was only the first of her dealings with women 's influence in politics. Because she and her husband were away from each other often for extended periods, the two of them corresponded through lengthy letters. In some of these letters, Abigail urged her husband, during the days surrounding the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War, to pay attention to the rights of women. She believed women 's rights should equal those of the men. She did not bring the founding fathers around to her way of thinking, but she continued to campaign for various equalities for females, including the right to a formal education. Her husband went on to become the second President of the United States. Abigail Adams died before her son, John Quincy, became the sixth President. As a result of Abigail Adams, women became powerful and impacting figures during the American revolution, thus bringing them closer to gaining civil rights.
Abigail Adams married a man destined to be a major leader of the American Revolution and the second President of the United States. Although she married and raised men that become such significant figures during their time, her herself was played an important role in the American society. The events that happened in her life, starting from childhood and ending in her adult years, led her to be a Revolutionary woman. Three main reasons behind her becoming such a strong, independent woman was the fact that she married a man who had an important role in politics, growing up with no education, and raising a family basically by herself.
Martha Washington was the first daughter of John Dandridge and Frances Jones. She was born on June 2, 1731 in New Kent County. Virginia. Frances, her mother, was an orphan and Frances’s father awarded her an inheritance of slaves and land. John, her father, had a background that was humble in England; he then emigrated in 1714. Martha’s parents married in 1730. When they married, John was a successful planter with about 500 acres across the Pamunkey River in New York County. He owned twenty slaves around that time period. John worked as a clerk in the hometown court, a colonel in the militia, and vestryman in the church. The family was not a well known high level of society in Virginia. Martha was the oldest of eight brothers and sisters.
Abigail Adams married a man destined to be a major leader of the American Revolution and the second President of the United States. Although she married and raised men that become such significant figures during their time, her herself was played an important role in the American society. The events that happened in her life, starting from childhood and ending in her adult years, led her to be a Revolutionary woman. Three main reasons behind her becoming such a strong, independent woman was the fact that she married a man who had an important role in politics, growing up with no education, and raising a family basically by herself.
Martha Washington was a woman whose husband was well known but not many people know much about her. Once married to George Washington on January 6, 1759, Martha would be by his side until his death. (Desmond 89)
Martha Washington was born on June 13, 1731. She was the eighth child born to Frances Jones and John Dandridge. As Martha grew up she developed a lifelong love for reading. She underwent training, expected for a young woman of her class taking lessons in functional (needlework, household management etc.) and in recreational ( dancing, horseback riding etc.). When Martha was nineteen she got married for the first time. She got married to a Virginia planter named Daniel Parke Custis in 1750. Seven years later in 1757 Daniel died, leaving the plantation for Martha to run. Then two years later Martha being twenty-six and a wealthy widow with two children, met George Washington. When she met him he was just a colonel in the British army, a veteran
Sophie of Anhalf-Zerbst was born on May 2, 1729 in the Germany city of Stettin (Szczecin, now Poland). She was born of a minor German prince, into a society that legally separated and isolated its female population. Though society was against her she was recognized by her father for her great ability to learn and remember concepts and ideas. After proving her ideas and abilities, she received a formal education. In 1744, at the age of 14, she married the Grand Duke Peter of Holstein who was heir to the Russian throne . Although Sophie was German she strove to be as Russian as her mother in-law. Sophie not only studied the Russian language, but she also took the name of Catherine II to honour her mother who was also named Catherine.
Is powerful woman behind the scenes, Catherine De Medici a power hungry ruler using her children as pawns in creating an Italian, French dynasty or loving mother who only wants her children to succeed in the world? Read on to see how we talk about her many characteristics and ways of ruling the
Soon after her own arrival in Bath, Catherine is followed by her brother James and Isabella’s brother John Thorpe. At the initial meeting with the boys, Catherine is mistaken on two different points, still being ignorant in her perceptions of other people. Although slightly thrown off by John’s manners, Catherine is unable to formulate her own negative opinion of him, too affected by the opinions of Isabella and James, and “her judgment was further brought off by Isabella’s assuring her…that John thought her the most charming girl in the world” (Austen 48). For Catherine, it is easier and more natural to accept the opinions of someone like Isabella, a mentor figure. Also, in the same scene, Catherine makes the assumption that her brother James has journeyed “so far on purpose to see me” (49). Catherine hastily jumps to this false conclusion, not having the experience to detect James’ continuous questions and compliments of Isabella as a sign of his true motives for coming to town: to visit the “prettiest girl in Bath” (49).
'I heard of your marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while waiting in the yard below, I meditated this plan:-just to have one glimpse of your face, a stare of surprise, perhaps, and pretend pleasure; afterwards settle my score with Hindley; and then prevent the law by doing execution on myself. Your welcome has put these ideas out of my mind; but beware of meeting me with another aspect next time! Nay, you'll not drive me off again. You were really sorry for me, were you? Well, there was cause. I've fought through a bitter life since I last heard your voice, and you must forgive me, for I struggled only for you'(P.105).
Now he has made her look like a fool, which causes her to be indifferent to him for the remainder of their acquaintance. "If I could not be persuaded into doing what I thought wrong, I never will be tricked into it." So when asked again to take a ride with John, Catherine responds "If I am wrong, I am doing what I believe to be right." The sternness in her ability to make the right choices for herself is now solidified. She no longer needs to pacify others wants or requests. Through experience, Catherine is growing out of her innocence and naivety.