Pentheus foolishly suspects that the stranger is weak based solely on his effeminate appearance. The audience is quickly made aware of Pentheus’ ignorance in expecting the conventional, because they know that Dionysus is far from it. The king’s shallowness proves to be fatal when he is convinced to enter the domain of the Bacchae and is brutally killed by them, just as Dionysus had planned. Euripides and many of his contemporaries were masters of dramatic irony. Another example of dramatic irony lies in Edith Wharton’s novel Ethan Frome. The author reveals in the prologue that Ethan remains in Starkville after sustaining a serious injury from a mysterious accident. Although the details are unclear, when Ethan expresses his desire for freedom and a life away from the cold and bitter town, The reader is well aware that he does not get the happy ending he wants so desperately. The most obvious example of dramatic irony present in The Scarlet Letter, is the fictitious friendship between Arthur Dimmesdale and Rodger Chillingworth. Hawthorne reveals early in the novel that the reverend is in fact Pearl’s father. In an exchange between Hester and Chillingworth, he discloses his plans to take vengeance on her lover. Chillingworth, Hester’s husband, remarks “I shall make him tremble” (Hawthorne 71). Once he discovers that Dimmesdale is Hester's former paramour, Chillingwoth attaches himself to the minister like a leech under the guise of friendship. Both Hester and the reader know
The conclusion of the book contains many instances of unexpected events that provide a resolution for the sad story of Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale. His substantial use of irony in The Scarlet Letter has become such a necessity that the pages could not turn seamlessly as it does without a real genius such as the virtuosic author. The irony in the novel establishes the strife and dismay of climax. As the characters develop, the use of irony is shown within Pearl, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger
To be noble you must possess high or excellent qualities. In the novel there are many examples of Ethan Frome being a noble person this is evident throughout his relationship with Zeena, Mattie, and other characters. Ethan put his life on hold and has always been there for his family especially Zeena; however, after Ethan and Zeena married she became ill a year later which put a negative effect on their relationship. Zeena became asexual and a very boring person.
The book Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton was an excellent story about the temptation and hardship that three people faced. Ethan Frome the main character struggles throughout the whole story with wanting the girl Mattie. He doesn’t love his anymore wife and lusts for the younger girl Mattie. Mattie is Zeena’s cousin, she goes to live at the Fromes because she has nowhere else to go. She works around the house and helps her cousin, Zeena, because she has fallen ill and cannot do the housework. My advice to all of these characters is that they just need to remove the problem. Zeena tried to do this by hiring a new girl to do the chores instead of Mattie. It also would have been a good idea for Ethan to not walk Mattie home from town. It was just
The character I admire most is Ethan Frome because the author generally gave him kindhearted characteristics even with unfortunate circumstances. Ethan is a passive, unhappy man with a duty to stay faithful to his loveless marriage but found another that makes him happy. Even though the readers did not condone having desires for another woman while married, we understood his intentions. Ethan has such a strong moral sense that he wouldn’t allow his forbidden love with Mattie go beyond him touching her hand and a few kisses.
“Ethan Frome” is a fictitious romantic novel written by the late Edith Wharton. It opens with an engineer who becomes interested in the story of Frome’s life. Upon being unable to go to the nearby town he is working in; Frome, his temporary coachman, invites him to spend the night at his farm. That night he learns of his tragedy that came about due to him failing in communicating freely and honestly. Wharton explains to us through his novel to not allow societies standards and morals keep you too long form being with the person you love in order to prevent becoming desperate and doing something ill rational when it’s too late.
He asks Pentheus if he would like to see the Bacchae rather than attack them to which Pentheus replies that he would, even though “it would cause me distress to see them drunk with wine”. Even then Pentheus continues the charade of self-control and decency when the audience can clearly see that he is long gone. It is now clear that Pentheus has these natural desires that he hypocritically condemns the Bacchae for. Dionysus then degrades Pentheus in one of the most ghastly ways possible, he convinces Pentheus to dress in women’s clothes. By this point Pentheus’ mind has become so distorted by Dionysus’ power that he is compliant with the idea, even parsing Dionysus for it “how you think of everything!”. Dionysus replies with what can be argued is the most telling line of the play “It was Dionysus who inspired me with that thought”. By having Dionysus refers to himself in the third person Euripides is showing the audience that Dionysus has tricked him and draws the audience into the story and become a part of the
Thou knowest, for thou hast sympathies which these men lack! Thou knowest what is in my heart” (90). This is a clear example of dramatic irony because the reader is aware of the real reason that Dimmesdale knows Hester’s heart best, but the Governor and John Wilson are in the dark. What this irony proves is the double standard and hypocrisy of the Puritan society, Hester and Dimmesdale are equally guilty, but not evenly punished. Hester is harshly condemned with the scarlet letter, but Dimmesdale gets off scot-free.
One of the most important themes in the book ‘Ethan Frome’ is one way or another you reap what you sow. Many tragedies occur in the life of Ethan Frome time to time and although some are inevitable , other just simply occur because of his actions and mistakes. From the initiation , Ethan was surrounded by illness and in the end of the book he was forced to watch for his wife and wife’s disabled cousin. Nonetheless , Ethan Frome suffered all around for his actions.
Paul Woodruff’s translation of the Greek play Euripides Bacchae tells the story of the primary character Dionysus, who is the son of the Greek God Zeus. Dionysus is out to seek his revenge on his mother’s sisters, his grandfather Cadmus, and also his cousin Pentheus because they have denied that he, Dionysus was born a God. Also important in this play is Pentheus who was made King of Thebes as a young teenage boy by his grandfather who is also Cadmus. Pentheus learns of Dionysus trying to change order in Thebes and Pentheus is determined to stop this form happening at all costs.
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, many characters are faced with frailty and sorrow. They are sufferers from the tolls of sin whether it is known or unknown. Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth are all examples of sin in the old times. Major scenes show the tragedy within these four main characters. First in the scene of Hester with the first signs of her sin. Next is her punishment with a surprise of her husband as he watches her. Following this is the romance scene with Hester and Dimmesdale where they plan to leave for europe. Then Hester and Pearl go to Dimmesdale’s sermon while feeling insecure about their upcoming journey to europe. Finally Dimmesdale is determined to reveal his sin that has been kept inside himself. All these scenes go back to the scarlet letter that burns on Hester’s bosom.
Another example is of situational irony when the Montagues
Nathaniel Hawthorn`s romantic novel The Scarlet Letter sets a literary example for exquisite use of tone shifts, symbols, imagery, and figurative language. The novel tells the story of a woman, Hester Prynne, who is guilty of committing the sin of adultery. Reverend Dimmesdale, the town minister, also took part in this crime as well which resulted in the birth of their child Pearl. Hawthorn`s fine use of symbolism, imagery, and figurative language help to guide the reader through each of these During the course of the novel, Hester and Dimmesdale run through a series of different literary tones; disgrace, renewal, and irony which are clearly illustrated through Hawthorn`s writing.
In Bacchae, Euripides explores the nature of theatre through Dionysus’ confrontation with his mortal royal family, who has denied him a place of honor as a god. Euripides employs costume and choral narration to portray Dionysus as a director of his own play and a patron of art, illuminating the spiritually intoxicating and transformative nature of theatre.
Literature has been a distinctive part of society for thousands of years. A society’s literature is a window in which one can peer into and discover more about its culture. Although a very diverse concept, literature is generally defined as written or printed material, whether that be novels, poems, or journals. However, a more restrictive approach considers literature as “a higher art form” (Lombardi), or one that manipulates language to convey an experience. Ethan Frome is a notable example of literature at its best. The novella complements aspects of literature, such as strong characters and meaningful themes, with takeaway value and unpredictability.
Ethan Frome does not abide by the typical societal norm. His face gives off something “bleak and unapproachable,” (Edith Wharton 1). Due to his stiff figure and the scar upon his face, he gives off the persona of a ruined man and as a result no person thought of approaching him. Despite being alienated from his peers, Ethan remains quite sensitive. Furthermore, Ethan’s life at home does not help. His wife Zeena controls him and wants everything to run her way. She falls ill and goes out of her way to spend loads of money on treatments she does not need. Ethan cannot afford what she acquires, and becomes tired of her actions and begins thinking of ending their marriage. However, Ethan meets a girl who makes everything worth living for. Her name is Mattie Silver and she is remarkably beautiful. Mattie is Zeena’s cousin who has been living with the Frome’s after her father died. Ethan sees her as a blessing and longs to be with her. Ethan becomes tired of being controlled by Zeena and spending money on someone who does not deserve his affection. Ethan is crumbling under his marriage while falling in love with the girl of his dreams.