This time I will post some of my assignments from Introduction to Literature subject when I was in 5th semester as I think it's better to be published instead of being useless only dropped in my drive. They are narrative essays of summary of some short stories made by some expert writers like Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and Mark Twain. And the first essay is about The Poor Relation's Story by Charles Dickens. Check this out!
The Poor Relation's Story
(A Summary)
The Poor Relation’s Story is one of the greatest short stories of Charles Dickens conveying about a poor relation who dreamed of his fantasy life. The story begins when a family gathered in an event of Christmas. It is clearly stated in the story that the name of the poor relation is Michael. According to his first confession, he was a poor bachelor. It is stated in paragraph 4; line 12 that “I am at present a bachelor of between fifty-nine and sixty years of age”. However, in the middle of the story, he also confessed that what he told about his life previously is wrong, “Now, it is a remarkable circumstance which forms the aim and purpose of my story, that this is all wrong. This is not my life, and these are not my habits.” (paragraph 12; line 2). The only main question left is which life that truly he went through. Therefore, this essay will evidently tell the fantasy life, which is the “supposed life” the poor relation clearly described.
In his fantasy life, he confessed that he was residing in a castle, marrying a pretty girl, and having children and grandchildren. In this life he did not fail in business. John Spatter, who was a clerk in his business, did not dupe him, and Michael took him into a partnership. “It was when I first took John Spatter (who had been my clerk) into partnership, and when I was still a young man of not more than five- and-twenty.” (paragraph 13; line 1). Moreover, it is also told that he married a beautiful girl whom he had loved for a long time. The name of the girl was Christiana. She had a widowed mother whom Michael rather mistrusted. Christiana did not marry a rich man, but chose Michael, “Christiana accepted me with her mother's consent, and I was rendered very happy indeed.” (paragraph 14; line 1). From his marriage with Christiana, they were blessed with children. Additionally, their eldest daughter married the eldest son of John Spatter. They have grandchildren. One of them is just like Little Frank, it is described as follow:
The reason why he dreamed of the fantasy life is to amuse himself and to make his life happy. He did not want to feel too agonized. In addition, he also did not want the misery of his life made his respected family unhappy. He did not want they get unhappiness in thinking of him. It did not mean that he is an escapist because he just wanted to forget his miserable life and tried to get happiness at least in a gathering event of Christmas, when he and his respected family were assembled. Michael also perhaps wished that it will be an inspiring story that his respected family could take a note. The message of his fantasy story might that people should not have to worry of his life just because they are underprivileged and deprived.
In his fantasy life, he confessed that he was residing in a castle, marrying a pretty girl, and having children and grandchildren. In this life he did not fail in business. John Spatter, who was a clerk in his business, did not dupe him, and Michael took him into a partnership. “It was when I first took John Spatter (who had been my clerk) into partnership, and when I was still a young man of not more than five- and-twenty.” (paragraph 13; line 1). Moreover, it is also told that he married a beautiful girl whom he had loved for a long time. The name of the girl was Christiana. She had a widowed mother whom Michael rather mistrusted. Christiana did not marry a rich man, but chose Michael, “Christiana accepted me with her mother's consent, and I was rendered very happy indeed.” (paragraph 14; line 1). From his marriage with Christiana, they were blessed with children. Additionally, their eldest daughter married the eldest son of John Spatter. They have grandchildren. One of them is just like Little Frank, it is described as follow:
That was the beginning of the residence I have spoken of; the Castle we have ever since inhabited together, dates from that time. All our children have been born in it. Our first child--now married--was a little girl, whom we called Christiana. Her son is so like Little Frank, that I hardly know which is which. (paragraph 40; line 2).The only thing unchanged is that he did not find any good relationship with his uncle, Chill. The Little Frank, who was the child of his first cousin, is also still little. He was a diffident boy whom the poor relation often took home to the Castle, “I often take Little Frank home there. He is very welcome to my grandchildren, and they play together.” (paragraph 66; line 2). However, in the end of the story, he explained that it was his imagination. To finish his story, still at near place of the Christmas fire, he clearly said that his castle is only in the air, "Yes. My Castle," said the poor relation, shaking his head as he still looked at the fire, "is in the Air. John our esteemed host suggests its situation accurately. My Castle is in the Air! I have done.” (paragraph 68; line 1). In fact, his life in a castle and his marriage with Christiana was only his fantasy life, not his real life. His actual life is what he already mentioned earlier in the story that he was a bachelor living in lodging, and he is a solitary man with a quarterly income who failed in business and love.
The reason why he dreamed of the fantasy life is to amuse himself and to make his life happy. He did not want to feel too agonized. In addition, he also did not want the misery of his life made his respected family unhappy. He did not want they get unhappiness in thinking of him. It did not mean that he is an escapist because he just wanted to forget his miserable life and tried to get happiness at least in a gathering event of Christmas, when he and his respected family were assembled. Michael also perhaps wished that it will be an inspiring story that his respected family could take a note. The message of his fantasy story might that people should not have to worry of his life just because they are underprivileged and deprived.
To put it briefly, this beautiful short story conveyed the fantasy life of a poor relation that he described to his family members. He told that he was living in a castle, marrying a pretty woman, and having children and grandchildren. Furthermore, he also revealed that John Spatter was his clerk and he took him as a partner. This supposed life was completely different form his actual life. By telling his fantasy life, he confidently hoped that it will entertain him and his respected family, and also made his life happy. He wanted to show that he was not an escapist, but a man who had an imagination in enjoying his distressed life.
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I love Charles Dickens' literature works and your writing increases the feeling.
ReplyDeleteglad someone likes it, though it's not even a good writing :D
DeleteHope you won't mind if i copy it for my homework.
ReplyDelete