“Physiognomy in The Jungle, The Rise of Silas Lapham, The Marrow of Tradition and The Portrait of a Lady”
$2.95
3 word format
document in english
literature
school essay
date published 05/10/2007
review : not yet assessed
level : General public
requested 1 times
SummaryA red colored complexion signifies a fiery temperament. A yellow or green hue of the skin may hint at sickness. A square jaw means the epitome of masculinity. Authors such as Upton Sinclair, Henry James, Charles W. Chesnutt and William Dean Howells used physiognomy to relay important qualities about their characters. For instance, Jurgis and Ona are presented as the ideal couple in The Jungle because of their fertility, intelligence and hardworking nature; there are the stereotypical Mammy Jane from The Marrow of Tradition and Silas Lapham from The Rise of Silas Lapham, each one an epitome of their femininity and masculinity, respectfully; but in contrast, there are the effeminate male characters of Gilbert Osmond from The Portrait of a Lady and Mr. Corey from The Rise of Silas Lapham; and finally, Isabel Archer, the preeminent ideal of ‘goodness’ from The Portrait of a Lady, and her antithesis, the evil Captain McBane from The Marrow of Tradition. I will examine the characters to show how their appearance relates to their behavior and sensibility.
Table of Contents- A red colored complexion signifies a fiery temperament. A yellow or green hue of the skin may hint at sickness.
- Beginning with the ideal of the couple, Jurgis and Ona in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, they are newly arrived immigrants in Chicago.
- Such traits of goodness can be found in any character, including Silas Lapham and Mammy Jane. They are stereotypically masculine and feminine.
- Continuing in the vein of ‘stereotypes,' there is another stereotype that should be considered: the effeminate male.
- However, physiognomy allows the writer an easy outlet for layering on the detail.
- In the novel The Marrow of Tradition Captain Mc Bane is an evil character. From appearances he is wholly unpleasant.
- As we have seen, physiognomy is the outside appearance that relates to a person's inner character.
Most downloaded documents over 30 days in literature Latest in the category literature From the same author
knowledge network