James Harthouse is described as the "kindling to fires" whereas Louisa watches fires. Compare and contrast these two metaphors and how each character is affected by them.
The symbol of fire represents the wonder and awe that anyone living in Coketown wishes to aspire to. Throughout Hard Times, Louisa constantly stares at the fire, the wonder and curious possibilities of life burning right in front of her face. Her relationship with Mr. Harthouse goes against the morals and standards in Coketown; she is already married to Mr. Bounderby. The relationship Louisa has with Mr. Harthouse feeds and “kindles” her imagination with fantasy and possibility, hence the metaphor. But, though the relationship is exhilarating, the “kindling to fires” is somewhat mocking her. All Louisa can do is simply watch the fire while it keeps on burning.
James Harthouse is the “kindling” to fire because he’s the one that adds to the destruction of Louisa’s life. When he comes to Coketown and learns about Louisa, he plans to seduce her even though he knows that she’s already married. It’s this prompted infidelity from Louisa that causes her to lose her husband and sends her back to her father’s home. In addition, Louisa looks into the fire because she uses it almost as a meditative way to turn negative situations into positive ones. Harthouse’s metaphor shows the devious side of him while Louisa’s metaphor shows her optimism even in the worst conditions.
Usually fire represents destruction and natural terrors, however, throughout Hard Times, the ongoing extended metaphor of fire is used in context with Louisa's life as a means of escape from her society, she stares into the fire blankly, as if imagining what her life could have been if she were not restricted by Coketown's societal expectations; also as if Louisa is waiting for something to happen so that she has the opportunity to escape her miserable controlled life. That opportunity comes with James Harthouse, who has a more conniving personality that Louisa and a slightly different upbringing, "kindles" the fire by revealing possibilities to Louisa’s life; such as a new husband and a new way of life that terrified her, because it went against the standard societal expectations drilled into her mind- but also revealed to her that she does have a way out of her binding.
The symbol of fire represents the wonder and awe that anyone living in Coketown wishes to aspire to. Throughout Hard Times, Louisa constantly stares at the fire, the wonder and curious possibilities of life burning right in front of her face. Her relationship with Mr. Harthouse goes against the morals and standards in Coketown; she is already married to Mr. Bounderby. The relationship Louisa has with Mr. Harthouse feeds and “kindles” her imagination with fantasy and possibility, hence the metaphor. But, though the relationship is exhilarating, the “kindling to fires” is somewhat mocking her. All Louisa can do is simply watch the fire while it keeps on burning.
ReplyDeleteJames Harthouse is the “kindling” to fire because he’s the one that adds to the destruction of Louisa’s life. When he comes to Coketown and learns about Louisa, he plans to seduce her even though he knows that she’s already married. It’s this prompted infidelity from Louisa that causes her to lose her husband and sends her back to her father’s home. In addition, Louisa looks into the fire because she uses it almost as a meditative way to turn negative situations into positive ones. Harthouse’s metaphor shows the devious side of him while Louisa’s metaphor shows her optimism even in the worst conditions.
ReplyDeleteUsually fire represents destruction and natural terrors, however, throughout Hard Times, the ongoing extended metaphor of fire is used in context with Louisa's life as a means of escape from her society, she stares into the fire blankly, as if imagining what her life could have been if she were not restricted by Coketown's societal expectations; also as if Louisa is waiting for something to happen so that she has the opportunity to escape her miserable controlled life. That opportunity comes with James Harthouse, who has a more conniving personality that Louisa and a slightly different upbringing, "kindles" the fire by revealing possibilities to Louisa’s life; such as a new husband and a new way of life that terrified her, because it went against the standard societal expectations drilled into her mind- but also revealed to her that she does have a way out of her binding.
ReplyDelete