Skip to main content

Analyze and discuss the seasonal and/or dark and light imagery in "The Beast in the Jungle."

In James' "The Beast in the Jungle," both seasonal and "dark" and "light" imagery are used to highlight the passage of time and changing of the physical seasons. This is done in order to evoke a sense of repetition and the cyclical quality of nature and events which occur over time. These events, such as the changing of the seasons and the rising and falling of the sun, are eternal; that is to say, they...

In James' "The Beast in the Jungle," both seasonal and "dark" and "light" imagery are used to highlight the passage of time and changing of the physical seasons. This is done in order to evoke a sense of repetition and the cyclical quality of nature and events which occur over time. These events, such as the changing of the seasons and the rising and falling of the sun, are eternal; that is to say, they go on forever without stopping.


The characters in the story are named after months of the year, Marcher and May, and the house where they first meet is called Weatherend. Throughout the story, each scene of importance in which the two main characters interact takes place during either spring or fall. Spring is a season which reminds us of opportunity, promise, and the coming of happy times ahead. This can be characterized as "light," while fall can be characterized as the coming of a "dark" time, or winter, when depression and a sense of loss are common.


For example, October is when May and Marcher meet at Weatherend, during which they both experience a feeling of melancholy and a loss of purpose. In section IV of the story, May is sick and Marcher doesn't understand her mention of the "beast" when she alludes to it. The "beast" is a darkness, or an ill fate that seems to be hunting Marcher, and he has a sense of foreboding about it, as though he cannot do anything to stop it, as with the changing of the seasons. May's birthday even takes place in the fall, which is during a time of "general outward gloom." During this time there is fog, which could suggest a blockage in what Marcher is capable of seeing; he is unsure of his own future, of his fate. The last scene of the story takes place in a cemetery during the autumn, a setting which bodes ill for the future, and shows the ushering in of darkness once more.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more