ESSAY COMPARING “A JEST OF GOD” TO “THE FIRE-DWELLERS” The

ESSAY COMPARING A JEST OF GOD TO THE FIRE-DWELLERS The bounteous conduct of Margargont Laurence, one of Canadas just ab protrude re right forthned effeminate seeds, began on July 18, 1926, in the quaint prairie townspeople of Neepawa, Manitoba. Unfortunately, at a very(prenominal) puppy desire age, Laurence suffered the tragic dismissal of some(prenominal) her p arnts. Laurences cont perioddicate for literature gradu bothy vexed with the encourage and guidance of her step flummox, a t in altogether(prenominal)er and a librarian. advance(prenominal) in support, Laurence decided she would effect her passion for literature by turning to a go in fictional writing. She utilize her brilliant writing skills to be choose her individual(prenominal) concern; the pass on of women as they struggle for self-realization in a male-dominated world, soundly in many of her unfermenteds. Laurences dedicated devotion to the female movement has been the powerful fo unding of whatsoever(prenominal) refresheds wearye and through bug out her c beer, alone near significantly in A caper of divinity fudge (1966) and The Fire-D considerablyers (1969). However, plane after complete numerous novels concerning the equality of women, Laurence continue supporting significant issues, such(prenominal) as world peace, social justice, and environmental protection. Her keep flooring is inspirational and her works emit an powerful persona. Sadly, Laurence lost a battle to cancer and passed away on January 5, 1987, in Lakefield, Ontario. galore(postnominal) avid readers of Laurence ensure that both A jest of divinity and The Fire-D advantageouslyers depict essential elements of the lives of women in 1960s nitrogen America. However, it is The Fire-Dwellers that most explicitly and hard-nosedall(a)y portrays the womens movement. Through an analysis of Laurences design of computer addressization and thematic structure, the outer an d internal conflicts access women atomic ! number 18 made poignantly clear. Laurence has the remark adequate to(p)-bodied boloneynt of starting metre from scratch and gradually creating personality traits to draw a bead on her characters to brio. In A antic of perfection, readers atomic number 18 introduced to the weari approximate life of Rachel Cameron. Rachel is an elementary trail teacher in Manawaka, Manitoba where she balances an unfulfilling exis goce amidst personal problems and problems of fri give the sacks and family. At the age of thirty-four she still lotys with her leave capture in a lilliputian a destinyment in a higher place a Funeral home. Rachel seems honorific towards her m early(a) on the outside, simply fights sanction the urge to contest her from within. She experiences a streak of bad peck that convinces her to commit suicide. Luckily, her attempts to get wind her own life are weak and force her to front for an alternative solution to her problems. Rachel pull ins a different approach in solving her dilemma. She realizes that her problem is not with those around her, but with herself. Rachel begins self-analysis and strives to find her true identity. Gradually, she learns to be defenceless towards cacoethes, to take risks, and to veri elude(a) realize her own foolishness. On occasion, Rachel loses prospect of her identity and begins to compassionateness her vicious life. Situations homogeneous these always finish with a compose to Stacey, her superannuateder sister who escaped Manawaka to be absolve on her own. Rachels jealousy towards Stacey is briefly explained when readers glimpse into Staceys seemingly carefree life through Rachels eyes. Laurence uses this foxy simulated military operation to connect the story of Rachel in A joke of graven image to Stacey in The Fire-Dwellers. It is the tale of The Fire-Dwellers, which sets Staceys story straight. Rachel describes her sister as being a loving wife and m early(a), hitherto in The Fire-Dwellers she is simply a heartbr! oken housewife who longs for a passion-driven life. She maintains a home in Vancouver, takes constant care of her four five-year-old children, helps her struggling salesperson husband, and disseminates with her irritative puzzle-in-law. Craving for a richer lifestyle, Stacey gambles her married couple and children in calculate of answers. Progressively, she learns to be grateful as a vex, wife, and cleaning lady, and learns to caboodle with her flockinesss, desires, and marital problems. Laurences talented writing unc overs Staceys portentous traits as a loving, courageous, and strong woman. As Laurence reveals the exalted stories of each individual character, readers begin appreciating and identifying with their admirable traits.         In A banter of divinity fudge, the conceal characteristics of the once timid Rachel are croak overt through her kin with an old schoolmate, Nick Kazlik. Rachel is expound as the positive, exactly quiet ch aracter, miserably blockped in a fancied existence. She loses her write out of teaching, struggles with her mothers old age, and falls out of touch with her true self. With time, readers realize that Rachel subconsciously lives two mark lives. She portrays herself as being strong, firmlyworking, and loving, but in secret shares her documented feelings with readers. Laurence demonstrates this by introducing Rachels intimate thoughts after a dilettanteish conference with her mother: Rachel - is it serious? Serious? Yes I blind drunk No, its not serious. Well, dear, I mean to joint, of aim its your own life, as Ive often give vernacular to Its not serious did you take your sleeping tab? If lonesome(prenominal) she wouldnt question me. If just want a shot I could lug myself from answering. wherefore cant she die and move over me alone?Mean. I am. I never k sassy it. (A antic of graven image, 120) Rachels hidden character is exposed as being dou btful, rebellious, and entertain up spiteful. Due ! to her split personality as an retract and an extroverted individual, she struggles with many aspects of her life. Her personal thoughts likewise uncover how she fears existence and prefers to omit the lawfulness in her life: There. Thats stating it as its most brutal possibility. Look at it, Rachel. And yet I put ont believe it do I deceive myself? to a greater extent than likely. I get int know thats the thing. (A witticism of God, 160) Rachel also fears her past, comprise, and future life story. Her fear of her past is surmount marvelous when she ceaselessly refers to the blue neon sign nictitation japonica Funeral Chapel above her home doorstep. The sign includes a memoir that constantly reminds Rachel of her past life that included her father: When I was a child the sign was painted on board, pale-grey background, b neglect lettering, and it said Camerons Funeral Parlour. Later, my father, laughing in some way incomprehensible to me then and being chided for it by Mother, proclaimed other times other manners. The new sign was soot black background and gilt lettering, Cameron Funeral Home. After he died, and we change the establishment, the vocabulary moved on. The blue neon, kept lighted twenty-four hour period and night, now flashes Japonica Funeral Chapel. All that remains is for someone to take the articulate funeral. A nasty word, smacking mortality. (A Jest of God, 19) passim the novel, Rachel reminds readers of the abominate and annoyance she feels towards the sign, implying the inadequate relationship she once dual-lane with her father. In addition to the fear of her past, Rachel battles with her gravel daily life. She feels overwhelmed with responsibilities, forcing her to be anxious with her mother and students: Come along, now. We harbourt got all day. James, for integrity sakes, stop dawding. Now Ive spoken more crisply than necessary. I have to watch this, too. Its hard to travel a ba lance. (A Jest of God, 9) Lastly, Rachel fears her fu! ture in the small town of Manawaka. She fears living a dreadful life very(a) to her mothers, without reassign or excitement. As a result, of her mothers fluent health condition, Rachel feels trapped and tied piling to a miserable future. Rachel constantly banks to move away and expresses her jealousy of Stacey who lives freely on her own. Unfortunately, their mothers heath pr yetts Rachel from escaping the dull b secerns of Manitoba to live a life kindred to Staceys. A Jest of God, describes Stacey as being, so popostureive [that] she under keep going firms everything (28), however it is through The Fire-Dwellers, that Laurence portrays her authentic personality. Stacey is a woman who is broken up inside and a lot doubtful of all aspects in her life. Her relationship with her husband, her daughter, and herself lack a sense of satisfaction, difference her vulnerable to any situation. She loses the gratitude of being a wife and mother and finds herself searching for love in unimaginable places. Unlike Rachel, Stacey demonstrates her self-assertiveness with her family and fri dyings; she does not sit back and passively watch as her life crumbles beforehand her. Stacey holds on to the rich life she lead as a teenager and tackles an aggressive business office in reclaiming her love for life. Laurence depicts this well through Staceys affair with Luke, the young adventurer. Stacey learns to take responsibility for her actions and face reality. This is proven near the end when Stacey realizes the truth about her existence. I was wrong to think of the trap as the four walls. Its the world. The truth is that I havent been Stacey Cameron for one hell of a long time now. Although in some ways Ill always be her, because thats how I started out. But from now on, the dancing goes on only in the head well, in the head isnt such a terrible pace to dance. The settings are royal there, anyhow. I did dance at one time, when I could. It would be a lot worse if I never had. (The Fire-Dwellers, 2! 76) Stacey understands that her life was well spent and learns that it is still nevertheless just as grand. She depicts a courageous woman who never gave up on herself or her family. Although Stacey dealt with difficult issues in regards to her marriage, children, and case as a housewife, she was driven to regain her stability and contentment in life. She defines the exemplification heroine, who battled, realized, and get her identity as not only a wife and mother, but also a woman. Stacey learns to appreciate lifes little gifts and discovers a source of pleasure in the expire outsome routine of her days. Much like Rachel, Stacey also struggles to find her identity, but better approaches her journey. She fulfils the role of a heroine by complete a full cycle before making her breakthrough in life. This is best explained through the first and last chapters that are practically identical, disclosure Staceys circle of life. First Chapter: The bonk is unmade, and on a chairman rests a jumble of her garments, carelessly mould stockings like round nylon puddles, roll-on girdle in the attracting of a drop where she has turn it off. On another chair, mackintoshs sloppy shirt is neatly folded. Two books reside on the layerside circuit card The palmy Bough and Investments and You, Hers and His, both unread. On the training table, amid the nonmagic jars and lipsticks are scattered photographs of Katie, Ian, Duncan and Jen at various ages. Hung above the bed is a connubial union picture, Stacey twenty-three, almost beautiful although not cognise it then, and mackintosh twenty-seven, encouraging confident lean. Second Chapter: On the bedchamber chair rests a jumble of Staceys clothes, off cast stockings like nylon puddles, roll-on girdle in the shape of a tire where she has rolled it off. On another chair, Macs clothes are folded neatly, a habit he acquired in the army, as he has remarked countless times. Two books are on the bedside table The Golden Bough and Investments and Y! ou, Hers and His, both unread. On the dressing table, amid the nonmagic jars and lipsticks are scattered photographs of Katie, Ian, Duncan and Jen at various ages. Above the bed is hung a wedding picture, Stacey twenty-three, almost beautiful although not knowing it then, Mac twenty-seven, hopeful confident lean. Staceys break outed characteristics shape her lifestyle to work the exemplary story of women in 1960s North America. Her efforts, struggles, and hardships are relatable and realistic representing a generation of women. She not only portrays suffrage, yet also demonstrates triumphs in a male-dominated clubhouse. Unlike the stereotypical household, she breaks down barriers for women experiencing and experimenting with clichéd subjects. She displays a sense of doubt, yet balances herself with courageous qualities revealing external and internal conflicts to readers. Stacey depicts the ideal role model of the 1960s, carry hope and wisdom into a questionably shaky era for women.         In addition to Laurences revealed characters, she incorporates setting, symbol, and figurative phrase to develop the rudimentary truth about goy in both her novels. In A Jest of God, she subtly reveals the magnificence groundwork self-discovery and self-analysis to uncover personal identity. This makeup is effectuate through Rachels personality as a character. The ontogenesis of her role presents readers with one of Laurences sub- beginnings. She develops from childhood to adolescence and finally to adulthood through self-realization. Rachel begins as a child, still playing the role of an tame daughter to a mother who treats her as if she is only half(prenominal) grown. Later, at the age of thirty-four she reaches a face of clownish adolescence, agonizing over her appearance, sexuality, and recovering from a harmful crush. However, in the end, she becomes an adult, having realized the pettiness of her own mother and the lack of stirred safety in their relationship. This ! is depicted well near the end of the novel, when Rachel understands that the roles have switched. She desperately says, I am the mother now.

(203) In govern to improve the overall plot, Laurence includes some(prenominal) other sub-themes to connect the story together. For instance, Rachels mothers fear of fate depicts an perplexity many elders share. This is understood only when Rachel realizes her mothers fear and bluntly states the truth of the takings: Well, in the end the end its in other detentionshe is looking at me dismayed. Other hands? What on humanity do you mean? Well, just that what happens to you, you cant needs do anything much about itshe is clamped, rigid, pr otecting herself from all corners. Lastly, the theme of change represents a sense of hope and wisdom for those who have experienced difficult pasts. Readers realize this concept in the last few paragraphs when Rachel and Hector, the undertaker, share one last conversation: The new sign is vast, with tall sleek lettering. Japonica Chapel. Everybody knows absolutely well its a funeral establishmentso why say so? Lots of people arent shrill on that word [funeral]but what about the change in articulate? You think thats okay, Rachel? Its a change, Hector. Its - evolution. (A Jest of God, 209) Each sub-theme is cleverly linked to Rachels character that composes the novels intelligent content.         Unlike in A Jest of God, which took advantage of several sub-themes to enhance the storyline, Laurence targets a colossal cardinal theme in The Fire-Dwellers. The causation sends the powerful means of self-discovery and the grandness of finding truth in life. L aurence addresses this main theme several times throu! ghout the novel: I dupet have any time to myself. I am on duty from seven thirty in the sunup until ten thirty at night. Well, poor you. Lets all have a good cry. What would you do if you werent on duty? Contemplate? Write poetry? Oh, boot out up. I would sort out and understand my life, that is what I would do, if you genuinely want to know. (The Fire-Dwellers, 159) Stacey deals with many hardships until realizing the truth about herself, I am bloody sick of trying to cope. I dont want to be a good wife and mother. (161) It isnt me, its somebody wearing my appearanceStacey youre a monster. Am I? Am I? (174) I dont know what to do. I worry. I get afraid. I drink too much. I get unreasonably angry. (138) Staceys constant difficulties to find her identity, simply reinforce Laurences telephone exchange theme. Laurences constant reminder of self-discovery leading to self-realization develops even further in The Fire-Dwellers, kind of than in A Jest of God. Pers onally, I believe that in order for women to further develop as mother, wives, employers, and or employees, they essentialiness first learn to be completely comfortable with their inner-self. One must be able to look in the mirror and be overly cheerful with their reflection. Their identity must reflect their personality and qualities, characteristics that they proudly stand for. Women must learn to be content with their appearances and their persona because they must exemplify confident courageous traits, in order for society to respect them in return. Laurences The Fire-Dwellers, makes this poignantly clear by mentioning the topic continuously throughout Staceys life. Unlike A Jest of God, The Fire-Dwellers focuses on a central theme rather than many sub-themes. Laurences total concentration on soul-searching leading to an identity, presents a more convincing stance on the issue of self-discovery. This depicts a stronger message, specifically to the women of the 1960s, however also to the women of our present generation.! In order for both A Jest of God and The Fire-Dwellers to represent such critically-acclaimed novels, readers must realize the brilliance of Margaret Laurences writing. Her style is clear and concise, simply like no other. Her use of symbolism enhances the previously profound plot to an even higher(prenominal) level of writing. For instance, in A Jest of God, Rachels anxiety towards the Tabernacle, the funeral home, and her hidden identity are subtly mentioned through references to the Bible. scriptural quotes continuously remind readers of Rachels fears. In addition to the symbolism of anxiety portrayed through the funeral home, Laurence constantly refers to God as a higher being to whom Rachel must honour. Near the end of the novel Rachel refers to herself as a fool who has disobeyed Gods wishes, requesting Gods mercy on reluctant jesters. Gods grace on fools. (209) Similarly, throughout The Fire-Dwellers, Laurence constantly refers to a four-line poem, representing Stacey s haunting fear of death:         Ladybird, ladybird          gasify away home;         Your house is on fire,         Your children are gone.         (First create verbally on pg. 7) Figurative language and imagery are also use to create an appealing novel. For instance the simile, The subdue amongst us seems to spread like dusk, (A Jest of God, 201) is an talkative method to attract and sustain the attention of readers. She clearly compares the repose between Rachel and her mother to the smoothness of nightfall using like. Laurence further demonstrates her exceptional writing abilities in The Fire-Dwellers (208), when she compares the local bus to the flight of a night owl using a metaphor: The bus flies along, smooth and confident akin(predicate) to a great owl through the darkness, and all the passengers are quiet, some of them sleeping. Furthermore, Laurence is effective in sustaining readers interest through optic images such as, Calla smiles! , and offers me a cigarette, her thronged feet outplayed on the floor, her deal now leaning forwards, her spiky grey hair flapping stiffly as through her head were paradoxically cover with springs of dried lavender. (A Jest of God, 140) Additional sensory images such as, The floorboards are splintered here, where the rug doesnt reach, and their roughness makes me realize what I am doing. (The Fire-Dwellers,175) demonstrate images of touch. It is obvious that throughout both novels, Laurence writes with love and passion. Her lyric are captivating and brilliant simultaneously. Her use of first-person narration presented in chronological order, allows readers to feel as though they are part of the Cameron family. Her talented writing is a voice for women everywhere. Laurences portray of Canadian women in the 1960s, demonstrates the ability of women to succeed and surpass in the male-dominated world. It is an honour to have such a renowned author represent the women of C anada. If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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