Top Girls by Carol Churchill

In the play TOP GIRLS  Carol Churchill throws light upon the life of different women who belong to different time and place. Marlene who lives in present and is a successful business woman is shown as a top girl by Carol Churchill. Nevertheless, the question that boggles in the mind of the reader is that, is Marlene really a top girl? Is there is some other character who can be emerged as a top girl? According to my personal understanding of the play and the character, Marlene cannot be seen as a top girl but her sister Joyce is actually a top girl. Joyce's character has all those traits that are required for being a top girl. If we compare and contrast both the sisters, we will come to know that Joyce's character has more qualities than Marlene does. Marlene is just a successful businessperson in man's world; she is nothing more than that. On the other hand, Joyce is not affluent like Marlene but she is rich in the sense that she is conscious about what she has lost in life, still, she is has a certain kind of attitude and she does not run after wealth unlike Marlene, she is confident of what she has though Marlene look down upon her sister for being a part of working class. Therefore, there are different things in Joyce's character, which makes her the top girl.

Some critics has pointed out that Marlene is dependent upon Joyce for two reasons, firstly, that Joyce takes care of Angie as a mother. Secondly, she seeks emotional support from Joyce. In the essay LABOUR AND CAPITAL the writer say,

"…Angie was born to Marlene but has been cared for by Joyce …The revelation also makes evident the fact that Marlene's rise to the top girl has been founded upon Joyce's willingness to take upon herself"

The above statement shows that Marlene is not actually a top girl. How can she be a top girl by being dependent on her sister who belongs to the working class? On the other hand, we see that Joyce is not dependent on anyone. She is self-sufficient. She let go of her husband and earns hr living by cleaning houses.

Moreover, Marlene has been shown as a self-centered woman who gives almost no importance to her family. She is completely indulged in her world of business and competence. According to the essay LABOUR AND CAPITAL,

"Marlene has increased her power by cutting off from her mother sister and daughter"

In contrast, Joyce mentions in act ll, scene ll, that she pays regular visits to her mother and she takes care of Angie. She also tells Marlene about her baby who had been miscarried while Joyce was taking care of Angie.  This shows that Joyce cares for others unlike Marlene.

Furthermore, it is evident in act ll that Joyce does not seek financial help from her sister. She satisfied with what she has and by what means she earns her living. Though she belongs to working class, she does not think low of herself. Marlene being in favor of Thatcher and being a part of upper class looks down upon the working class. Probably Joyce does not want to think low of her because she knows that Marlene is dependent on her. Secondly, she is conscious about sacrifices she has made for Marlene and Angie. Thirdly, she might feel proud that she is able to feed Angie by cleaning the houses. All these reasons show that Joyce's character is stronger than Marlene's character.

We do suspect that Marlene is not a top girl because her social circle is almost absent from her life. She does not have acquaintance in the present time. In the dinner party scene, we come across to the women belonging to different ages. Marlene celebrates her success with the women of different ages because she does not enjoy a social circle in her present life.  

Therefore, there are too many flaws in Marlene characters, which do not allow her to rise as atop girl. However, Joyce character has no such flaws she is complete woman, who is confident, self-sufficient, patient and a strong woman. Who takes up different roles effectively. The only thing, which she lacks in, is the financial conditions but she does not see this financial problem as huge trouble. She does not let her financial conditions to hinder her confidence and satisfaction. In contrast, Marlene has the only thing which Joyce does not have, that is money. Otherwise, Marlene has nothing, she does not have emotions, she does not give importance to relationships. All she has is money yet she could not have upper hand on Joyce because Joyce is self-reliant and does not seek financial help from Marlene but the irony is that Marlene does seek support from Joyce. So in my view it's Joyce who is a top girl in true sense. Despite the fact that she lives from hand to mouth she is strong enough to cope up with all the situations that comes in her way.

Sarah Sarhandi

Significance Of Dawn And Dusk In Hardy's Tess Of D'Ubervilles

The two events of dawn and dusk play integral part in Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It is notable that major incidents in the novel take place at the time of dawn and dusk and it is due to the light, which is so dim at these two events of dawn and dusk that it does not allow the characters to reveal their personalities and thoughts clearly and vividly.

As Lodge says, "we must not assume that such a relationship between character and setting is a necessary feature of imaginative prose, or that Hardy failed to establish it through incompetence. The truth is more complex"

In these lines, Lodge appeals Hardy's reader to comprehend the purpose, which lies behind Hardy's settings. He does not use nature just to give a tint of visual imagery; Lodge asserts that the setting in Hardy's novel plays pivotal in building up the plot of the novel.  It has a purpose to serve that needs to be understood by reading between the lines.

Thomas Hardy is famous for using nature in his novels with a strong purpose. He uses nature to highlight the important events of novel. In fact, either all the important and significant events are foreshadowed by nature or they simply occur because of nature. Nevertheless, there are many types of nature that Hardy uses in his novels, such as the sky, the insects, natural sounds, the birds etc. Similarly, he also uses the natural light as a part of nature and it is evident that light plays integral role in Hardy's novel.

For instance, in FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD Bathsheba very first entrance is highlighted by the bright sunshine. She is shown to be in a spotlight. Moreover, in that scene, she is wearing a crimson jacket and she is admiring herself by looking in a mirror. In addition, her intension is to make the other people around to watch her and admire her beauty. In this particular scene, the significance of light can be analyzed, as the light is dazzling on her to make her eminent and to bring her to limelight to reveal the fact that the whole plot is going to move around her. In addition, since the light is bright enough that one can see things clearly, her intentions are vivid that she is proud of her vanity so she wants other to praise her beauty too.

On the other hand, there is a scene in the same novel, at the time of dawn when Bathsheba, the heroin tries to cross the bushes on the horse back and Oak was astonished to see the way she manages to hold herself while lying on the horse back and he thinks of this act as a manly one. Now in this scene since it is dawn and the light is quiet low Oak thinks of her as a courageous woman, when she is not, as evident in the novel. Her characters develops with the coarse of the novel. So this misinterpretation of Bathsheba's character is because Oak is not able to think clearly in the fainted light of nature. This is how Hardy uses light as a source of nature, which determines the thinking as well as the action of characters.

Similarly, in his novel TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES he uses fainted light that is present at the time of dawn and dusk to determine not only the behaviours and thoughts of characters but also the plot of the entire novel. It is noteworthy that all the significant incidents and accidents take place at the time of dawn and dusk.

As Irwin says, "Representation of the external world may be read as a reflection of mental or spiritual world" (8)

This view of Irwin is valid largely, it is notable in the novel that the external fainted light that occurs at the time of dawn and dusk compels the characters to react and think vaguely. They are not clear about what they are thinking or doing. This is how the dim light represents the obscurity of the thoughts and actions of characters.

For instance, the accident in which the Prince dies occurs at dawn. It was the time when Tess rises from her sleep and discovers that the harness is entangled with some other object. (Ch: 4)

Since it was dawn, the light was not bright enough to see things clearly, in fact, it was as light as honey and things were not visible to Tess consequently, her thoughts and actions were uncertain to Tess herself. This is how representation of the dim external light can reflects the blurred internal intentions. In addition, the significance of dawn here can be justified by the following chapters when Tess is compelled to see Alec to claim her kin so that she could help her family out of the life of destitute.

Moreover, Hardy highlights the relationship of man and nature in terms external and internal conflict in this novel.

As Butler asserts, "Nature, echoes man just as man echoes nature" (112) in these lines, Butler brings up the idea that the nature and the characters are interrelated.  The interference of nature cannot be ignored. This assertion can be marked out in the text.

"The evening sun was now ugly to her, like a great inflamed wound in sky" (Ch: 21)  

These lines appear when Tess declines Angel's proposal at Talbothays dairy at the time of sunset; that is dusk. In this example, nature is echoing character and vice versa. Tess refuses Angel's proposal because of her liaison with Alec in the past. That is why this moment of dusk is not pleasant, it echoes Tess's past. On the other hand, On Angel, the dim light has the same effect as it has been seen throughout the novel on every character. Angel is unaware of Tess's past that is why he proposed her. So again, the dim light echoes the uncertainty of mind, Angel could not comprehend Tess's rejection. Therefore, the light as a source of nature and characters are interconnected.

However, Butler's comment about the nature and its relationship with character is appropriate to the plot of the novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

Moreover, Irwin says, "There is a scrupulosity of details which strongly imply that time, light and perceived mood of nature are essential to the significance of what is taking place"

The idea that Irwin states is very much evident in the novel. All of the major incidents take place in the peculiar light of dawn and dusk, which determines the internal thoughts and external actions of characters. It is the time of dawn when Angel is sexually attracted towards Tess. He praises Tess by commenting, "What a fresh virginal daughter of nature that milkmaid is" (Ch: 20)

It is the significance of dawn that Angel finds Tess sexually attracted at a particular time only, otherwise he sees her just as a milkmaid.

Similarly, in the Chase scene, the light of dawn is significant in Tess's harassment.

"The Chase was wrapped in the thick darkness, although morning was not far off...The obscurity was now so great that he could see absolutely nothing but a pale nebulousness at his feet...Above them rose the primeval yews and oaks of The Chase, in which were poised gentle roosting birds in their last nap; and about them stole the hopping rabbits and hares" (Ch: 11)

Tess was raped at the moment of dawn again time holds its significance which leads to the fainted light of dawn which further leads to Alec's action of raping Tess which he commits without the introspection. As it is seen throughout the novel that dim light makes the person unable to think clearly. This is what exactly happened to Alec in The Chase. However, this is what makes Irwin's point regarding the time and light valid.

Similarly, David Lodge's view is somewhat relevant to this argument, which says that light, and time both are interconnected. Lodge says," All the visible objects seem to partake of one another in balanced mutual awareness"

Here Lodge is making the same point that all the natural atmosphere participates in one or the other way in the lives of the characters. All the accidents and incidents happen at the time of dawn and dusk. Lodge is absolutely correct in using the words " all the objects" because all the natural objects in one or the other way participates in the coarse of the novel. Nevertheless, its is light which serves as a main source of nature and have greater influence on the plot of the novel than all the other natural visible objects. For instance,  Prince and Sorrow dies at dawn, Alec rapes Tess at dawn, Tess meets Angel at dawn, Tess refuses Angel's proposal at dusk, every time when Tess leaves for journey it's dawn, Mr. D'Uberfield's funeral takes place at dusk , Tess is hanged at dawn etc. All these events are the turning point in the novel and they have the significance of their own.

Moreover, some critics believe that nature serves as a superficial power that works behind the scene, and characters use the sign of nature as omen. In Tess, light can also be seen as an omen. It can be judged as an ill omen or good omen according to the circumstances that occur in the novel. For instance, light can be seen as good or bad omen in different situations. At times, the bright light is harsh and can be read as ill omen, but it can also be seen as a good omen, as symbol of new beginning or can be considered as a light of hope. It is because Hardy's purpose is to show that nature is not always merciful or admirable but it can be harsh and ugly too.

As Bonica says, "the pagan perception of nature as alive with meaning to humans can be double-edged sword. Although at times nature seems to reinforce human joy, it can also intensify human sorrow"

In these lines, Bonica throws light on Hardy's view of nature, which says that nature is like picture which has two sides; that is good and bad. Similarly, the light as a source of nature serves both the purposes good and bad.

In TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES  light is used as major source of nature. The light of dawn and dusk has the major influence not only on the characters but on their thoughts and actions as well. It is the time of dawn and dusk when all the major events take place that determines the plot of the novel. 

Sarah Sarhandi

Protagonist in Wuthering Heights

"... Mrs. Dean's value as a source of moral standards. First, she is honest about her own failures, admitting her errors of judgement and her complacency... Second, many foolish things she does are required by the necessities of plot, and are more accurately seen as clumsiness or obviousness of contrivance than as deliberate devices to discredit her. Third ... She is shown to be fairly perceptive, kindly, loyal, and, in particular tolerant... Since we see the story through her eyes and she is not presented ironically, her verdict carries great weight with the reader"

                                                          ___ Philip Drew, Charlotte Bronte as                                                                    a Critic of Wuthering Heights

The above paragraph is Charlotte Bronte's description of Nelly Dean's character. It would not be wrong to agree with Charlotte Bronte, the way she has drawn the sketch of Nelly dean's character shows Nelly Dean can be considered as a protagonist. In fact, Nelly Dean is the one who plays several roles in the novel. Firstly, she plays the role of the narrator in Wuthering Heights. Secondly, she works as commentator and last but not the least she is supposed to serve as the housekeeper in the novel but we learn that she plays something more than a housekeeper. I will consider all these role of Nelly Dean as the protagonist of the novel Wuthering Heights through the glass of liberal humanism.

As I have mentioned above, the most important and eminent role that Nelly plays is that of the narrator, the plot of the story is driven from Nelly's own experiences that she had at Wuthering heights and Thrush cross Grange. Nevertheless, one thing that should not be left out is that Nelly is not an omniscient narrator, though she knows all the secrets and gives details about the two houses. She does not talk about the circumstances of Heathcliff when he was away for three years and other things that took place in her absence she does not know about that. Therefore, Nelly's judgement is based on her own experiences. As Michael Macovski asserts,

"The reader's degree of acceptance of her explanation and moral judgement determines the understanding of the meaning of the novel"

If Nelly is not an omniscient narrator, it does not mean that she is not reliable. It means that the readers are supposed to interpret her judgements through their own understanding and this is how Emily Bronte wants her readers to grasp the plot and themes of the novel. Michael Marcovski comes up with same view that,

 "It is this person whom we come to know well, whose judgment we finally interpret"

Furthermore, we come to notice that before Nelly begins with her story, she remarks to Mr. Lockwood, "You'll judge as well as I can, all these things; at least you'll think you will and that's the same thing"

The above utterances highlights the fact that here the author appeals to her readers to question their own judgement of what Nelly has presented, and that is what make Nelly central character that she compels the readers to think over on the picture she has presented of the two houses and dwellers of the two houses.

The second role that supports Nelly of being a protagonist is the role of commentator, which is more or less the role of narrator that she plays throughout the novel.  Since it is shown that Nelly is familiar with all the characters and their deeds, she is prone to comment on the characters and their actions. For instance, in Chapter: 17 when Isabella runs away from heathcliff while talking to Nelly about Heathcliff's strange attitude she compares him to an animal but here Nelly comes up with her comment that "he is human being", in view of the fact that Nelly knows Heathcliff very well and she knows how he has been through the gloomy days of his life. This is how she sympathizes with Heathcliff and enables the readers to judge and infer her comment.

Thirdly, Nelly plays the role of the housekeeper but she serves more than a housekeeper. It is evident in the novel that all the major characters share their secrets with Nelly and she hears them carefully. For example, Catherine confesses her love for Heathcliff to Nelly. In addition, she also works as a guide for the characters, she warns them when they do something wrong. For instance, she advice Cathy not to marry Edgar. Such examples are found in abundance in the novel. As David Sonstream says, "She stresses the faults and limited scope of human insight"

In addition, she points out the mistakes of other characters not out of jealousy but she does out of love and her fidelity.

Now who is Nelly Dean? She is the narrator, the guide for the characters, she is more than a housekeeper to the characters who share their secrets with her, and she is someone who is equipped with knowledge of every character. In short, Nelly is someone who takes up multiple roles in single novel WUTHERING HEIGHTS and plays them all effectively. Emily Bronte has appropriately used her character of Nelly Dean in compelling the readers to understand the novel by interpreting Nelly's thoughts. It would be an injustice to Nelly if we do not call her a protagonist, because there is no other character in the novel who can reveal things about other characters so efficiently as Nelly did. Therefore, I call Nelly Dean a protagonist of Wuthering Heights!















Sarah Sarhandi