Verified Document

Human Condition When One Compares Characters In Essay

¶ … human condition when one compares characters in the stories of different writers. Each writer's story indicates a perception of the human condition that is acted out by the story's characters. One interesting study may be to compare the character of Miss Emily Grierson from "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner with the character of Elisa Allen in "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck. Through the author's description of the characters, the world around them, and their reactions, the reader can learn a lot about the individuals, and even more so when they are compared to one another. Miss Emily Grierson and Elisa Allen's very different lifestyles create in each of them a similar perception about the world they live in, but they each respond to their perception of life in very different ways. It would first be prudent to take a look at the differing lifestyles of the two protagonists, which shape the characters' responses and attitudes. In "The Chrysanthemums," Elisa Allen is a hard-working house wife with a husband who loves her, living in a farm house in the middle of the country. Her husband, Henry, when they have the resources, offers to take her out for dinner, or a movie, or whatever she might like. Elisa keeps her house impeccably clean and tidy, with "hard-polished windows, and a clean mud-mat on the front steps" (Steinbeck). Elisa also has a passion for planting and tending to her Chrysanthemums. She is a phenomenal worker of them, assisting them to grow larger than anyone else's in the area. She plants them, waters them, trims them, and shapes them. She takes pride in the fact that she can grow the blooms "ten inches across" simply by using her "planters' hands" (Steinbeck). She likes the outdoors and...

She is a strong woman, who can keep the house tidy, do gardening work, sharpen her scissors and un-dent her cooking pots and pans.
While Elisa Allen's life seems to be full and busy, the life of Miss Emily Grierson from "A Rose for Emily" is quite a bit blander. The story opens at the time of her death, which may very well have been the most eventful thing that ever happened to Miss Emily. Up until that point she seemed to live a quiet, if not unfortunate, life. The house in which she lived, unlike Elisa's, seemed dirty and in disrepair, "with its stubborn and coquettish decay," and its smell "of dust and disuse" (Faulkner). She was very infrequently seen outdoors, and the longer her life went on, the less and less she came out. Her father's death was one event that succeeded in trapping her further indoors, and "after her sweetheart went away, people hardly saw her at all" (Faulkner). While Elisa Allen had a husband who loved her dearly, Miss Emily had no real love in her life, as her "sweetheart," Homer Barron, "had remarked . . . that he was not a marrying man" (Faulkner). And while Elisa has a passion for chrysanthemums, Miss Emily had no activities to keep her busy, except that she seemed to stare out of the window every now and then, and for a very brief period she distracted herself with giving china painting lessons (Faulkner).

Despite the fact that these two unique characters lead very different lives, they both have similar perceptions of their lives. Elisa Allen's life, despite seeming to be full and vibrant, also seems to be lacking something. You never really see her being genuinely happy throughout the story, even when her husband tells her that he sold the livestock, or when he suggests they have a night out (Steinbeck). She seems content, but that is all. The author's description of her words only, without any kind of physical reaction to the thought of a night out, combined with the lack of luster in her words, shows how unaffected she is by what should be an exciting event. Her only response to the invitation is "Good . . . Oh, yes. That will be good" (Steinbeck). This response reveals a melancholy spirit in…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily. 1930. 23 March 2011.
/tkim/Files/Lit100_SS2.pdf>.

Steinbeck, John. The Chrysanthemums. 1938. 23 March 2011. <http://www.nbu.bg

/webs/amb/american/4/steinbeck/chrysanthemums.htm>.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Human Condition Transcends the Esoteric
Words: 3896 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

The world would now be required to accept socialism, Leninism, and eventually Stalinism, as part of the European landscape. With the defeat of Germany, Austro-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire; the shift in the balance of power moved toward the only major participant not devastated on its own soil by war -- the United States. The U.S. grew in economic power after Versailles, assisting not only its former allies in rebuilding,

Confucian Muslim Conceptions Human Condition Human Problems
Words: 913 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Confucian Muslim conceptions human condition human problems suffering. Use sources (i.e., Kongzi Mengzi Sells, Hamzah, Rumi, contemporary Muslim artists studying) address questions: human beings ? What greatest problems/challenges faced human beings? How respond problems? Can human beings improve perfect ? How? What image ideal moral person? - topic essay, religion thing. Islam and Confucianism In spite of the fact that the Chinese are typically known to be restrictive when it comes

Buddhism and Human Rights One
Words: 3319 Length: 10 Document Type: Essay

3. There is the cessation of suffering (duhkha-nirodha); and 4. There is a path leading to the cessation of suffering (duhkha-nirodha-marga)." (Willis) In Buddha's opinion, suffering (duhka) can be represented through any kind of pain and regardless of its form. The best representation of suffering can be presumably felt when a change from a state of happiness to a state of unhappiness occurs. The cause of suffering (duhka-samudaya) states that most of

Human Nature Has Been a
Words: 2811 Length: 7 Document Type: Essay

He exemplifies by saying that anyone witnessing a child about to fall in a well would immediately turn to rescue the child without seeking any advantages in doing so. But while this position has been argued on the grounds that "such an example is not intended to prove that all men will actually take some action in such circumstances" (Allinson apud Chan 1996), Chan has defended Mencius by emphasizing

Character in Cinema
Words: 17376 Length: 50 Document Type: Thesis

He simply cannot escape these expectations. So, when Robert DeNiro takes on a comedic role, such as the role of the potential father-in-law in Meet the Parents, the moment he comes on the screen, the audience is aware that he is Robert DeNiro, in addition to the character that is being portrayed. Therefore, his character can do things that other characters could not. Who but Robert DeNiro could portray

Comparative Analysis of Two Films
Words: 1310 Length: 4 Document Type: Dissertation or Thesis complete

Inception and Eternal Sunshine The films Inception and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are both characterized by unique perspectives on the human condition and on the human mind. Neither of these stories is told in a traditional manner. Each utilizes unique visuals and interesting plots in order to tell deeper stories about the mysteries of the human mind. By comparing these two films along with the philosophical discussions of humanity

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now