Classic novels
usually share in the aspect of universal themes which touch people through out
the ages. All types of audiences can relate to and understand these underlying
ideas. Victorian novels such as Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native and Charles
Dickens' Great Expectations are examples of literary classics that have
universal themes. Hardy's tale illustrates the role of chance in his characters
lives. Through the story we encounter events of pure coincidence and their
effects. Dickens, considered to be more of a reformer (Literature Online),
tries to portray a social theme in his novel. The basic theme of Great
Expectations is that good does not come from ones social standing but rather
comes from their inner value. These novels are considered classics because of
their timeless themes.
Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native
displays a theme of chance. Book First, chapter 8 contains a perfect example.
Eustacia persuades young Johnny Nunsuch into helping her feed a fire. She
dismisses him and begins to walk home. Before reaching home, he is frightened
by the light coming from the heath and returns to discover Wildeve meeting with
Eustacia. By pure chance, Venn discovers the boy and quizzes him.
"Then I came
down here, and I was afeard, and I went
back; but I didn't like to speak to her, because of the gentleman, and I came
on here again" [Johnny Nunsuch]
" A
gentleman--ah! What did she say to him, my man?" [Diggory Venn]
"Told him
she supposed he had not married the other woman because he liked his old
sweetheart best; and things like that"
[Johnny Nunsuch]
[Book First,
chapter 8, pp. 82]
This chance
exchange reveals that Wildeve is meeting with Eustacia. Venn uses this to his
advance by announcing himself to Mrs. Yeobright as a suitor for Thomasin. This
backfires because Mrs. Yeobright tries to use the second suitor to force
Wildeve to marry Thomasin. These events all occur from the chance meeting
between Venn and Johnny Nunsuch. Another example of chance and coincidence can
be seen in the famous gambling scene of Book Third, chapter VII. This is
perhaps one of the most critically examined parts of the book.
" "Very
well," said Wildeve, rising. Searching about with the lantern, he found a
large flat stone, which he placed between himself and Christian, and sat down
again. The lantern was open to give more light, and it's rays directed upon the
stone. Christian put down a shilling, Wildeve another, and each threw.
Christian won. They played for two. Christian won again."
[Book Third,
chapter 7, pp. 229]
This quote begins
the drama of the scene. Mrs. Yeobright had entrusted Christian to deliver a
minor inheritance to Clym and Thomasin. He gets involved in a dice game with
Damon and unfortunately loses all hundred guineas. By chance, Diggory Venn
passes by and in the hope of protecting Thomasin, wins back all the money from
Wildeve. He mistakenly hands over all the winnings to Thomasin without
understanding that part of the money belongs to Clym. This chance occurrence
led to a tragic end. Although he was trying to do good, Venn succeeded to
further create conflict. Critics agree with this standpoint.
"The Return
of the Native is concerned with the 'general malaise in the life of humanity.
Man is a pawn in life's lottery .... Man's life avails him nothing. Men are
just incidental in creation. Man may
protest against his fate, but it makes no difference, he only a plaything, he
cannot master his destiny."
[Henry Adler]
In these examples
and critical quotes, we see the negative stance Hardy is taking in the immoral
theme of chance.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is
also a classic novel due to its universal theme of true good.
"Great
Expectations is Charles Dickens' "most compactly perfect book,"
mainly because of the universal themes that are fully realized throughout the
novel. Furthermore, as an explanation of why Great Expectations is Dicken's
finest work, it becomes necessary study to study the thematic elements that are
prevalent within the storyline."
[George Bernard
Shaw]
The theme is
developed through a character Pirrip Philip, a poor orphaned boy living with
his sister and her husband, Joe. He is a father figure for the boy and is a
hard working blacksmith, loyal and good friend. While visiting his family's grave
site, he is approached by an escaped convict who demands that Pip bring him
food and a metal file. He does so promptly but the convict is quickly
recaptured. After some time he is hired by an rich eccentric woman named Miss
Havisham to be her adopted daughters playmate. Jaggers, a lawyer, informs Pip
that someone has settled money for the boy and he has "great
expectations".
" Now I
return to this young fellow. And the communication I got to make is, that he
has Great Expectations"
[Chapter 18, pp.
151]
For some time now
Pip was disliking the "uncommon" life and started to admire the
lifestyle of Miss Havisham and the upper class. To put it short, he was
becoming a snob. This event advanced the plot and theme. Under the agreement
made Pip was not supposed to know who his benefactor was although he believed
it to be Miss Havisham. One evening while living in England, a stranger appears
to visit Pip. It was the convict of his youth. Named Magwitch, he has been
Pip's benefactor all along. This was his way of repaying his charity as a
youth. The events that follow with Magwitch teach Pip love and humility. His
snobbish quality is removed. After the convicts death, Pip becomes ill and is
nursed back to health by his true friend Joe. The money that he is handed
changes his personality and causes him to ignore the people that he has known
fondly his entire life but finally realizes that true goodness comes from a
person rather than their social class. This shows that wealth and position can
be corrupting. This theme is present today as it ever was during Dickens time.
From a personal standpoint, these novels
have had an impressive influence on my life and the way I think as it would for
anybody of my age and education. By absorbing the themes of true goodness and
chance, I have enlightened myself. I realize that money, power or property does
not necessarily make a person good but rather that depends on the individual.
The tale of Pip can serve as the perfect guide not to become a victim of false
ideology. Undoubtedly people of my age should come away with a better
understanding of life and our place in the world just as I have. It is quite
appropriate for people of our education level to be enriched in the world of
classic literature. The timeless nature of the stories is reason enough.
Regardless of the great amount of reading,
I can truthfully say that I enjoyed the experience. Classics hold something for
all people so therefore I would recommend it to others being on our grade level
or not.
Work Cited
Dickens,
Charles. Great Expectations, New York:
New York
Scholastic Inc., 1957
Hardy,
Thomas. The Return of the Native, New
York: New York
Nal Penguin Inc., 1987
Thompson, Frank
H. Cliff Notes on Hardy's The Return of
the Native Nebraska: Lincoln Cliff
Notes Inc., 1966
http://www.literature.org Literature Online, Internet Site
Resource providing criticism on literary
works.
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