Beate Wilhelm – författare

Essay from the year 2004 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,8, University of Freiburg (Anglistisches Institut), course: Introduction to literary studies, language: English, abstract: In William Shakespeare`s drama The Merchant of Venice, certain characters are getting more and more involved into the action of the play. That takes place in a manner which might give the reader or spectator the impression that some characters even change their character traits. According to Manfred Pfister, figures who "e;undergo a process of development in the course of the text"e; (Pfister 1991: 177f.) are called dynamic. "e;Their [...] features change, either in a continuous process or in disjointed series of jumps"e; (Pfister 1991: 177f.). Static characters, however, remain static throughout the play and do never change. Only "e;the receiver`s perception of them may gradually develop, change or expand under the influence [...] of information"e; (Pfister 1991: 177f.). In this essay, Portia of Belmont shall be focused on by giving an outline of her character and on this basis it shall be analysed whether she is a static character or not.

Essay from the year 2004 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2, University of Freiburg (Englisches Seminar), course: Proseminar I 'The Brontes', language: English, abstract: The happenings in the given excerpt from Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte, bring about an important turn in the action of the novel. It first describes a scene in Catherine Linton`s room at Thrushcross Grange. After a quarrel between Heathcliff, Edgar Linton and Catherine, Catherine drives herself extremely mad to the point where she becomes mentally and physically ill. Nelly Dean is the narrator of the passage, she both observes and is involved in the action herself. As she witnesses how helpless Edgar Linton is uncertain of what to think or do for his wife, Nelly calls the doctor in the village. As Nelly passes the garden to reach the road, she makes a terrifying discovery: Isabella Linton`s springer Fanny is hung on a bridle hook, almost at its last gasp (Bronte 1847: 144). Nelly releases Fanny, wondering who was capable of committing such a crime, and as she sets off to reach the doctor, she hears horses galloping in the distance. Both the dog itself and the action of its hanging have a symbolic meaning. That the dog is a symbol reflecting Isabella Linton and that Fanny`s hanging represents Heathcliff`s diabolical hate and brutality, shall be focused on in my essay through having a closer look at the characters of Isabella Linton and Heathcliff and by interpreting the given excerpt. I will start by analysing the role of Nelly Dean before moving on to symbolism and the function the excerpt has in the frame of the whole story.

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,3, University of Freiburg (Englisches Seminar), course: Proseminar 'The Brontes', language: English, abstract: With Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte created a literary work that shook traditional conventions in Victorian England by showcasing the feminist view so clearly. It is a work that refutes denial and ignorance of women's sexual identity and passion. Jane Eyre shows that women are capable of being passionate and of experiencing fulfillment in a marriage where the partners are equals. In the following essay, I will explain the role and some major problems of middle class women in 19th century Victorian England. Moreover, I will elaborate on how the woman question (Martin, J. 1999:15) appeared and stress the fact that it brought about a complete and complex change in English society. In chapter 1, the emphasis will lie on the historical background which shall serve as a basis for the following chapters where the main focus is made on the analysis of Charlotte Bronte s text Jane Eyre. I will illustrate that Jane Eyre is a woman who, resisting the limiting conventions of her time, reaches her goal a life in fulfillment and bliss. It shall also be shown that Jane s life is a symbolical pilgrimage towards maturity and fulfillment (Newman 1996: 475) starting in Gateshead and continuing with stops in Lowood, Thornfield and Moor House, before concluding in Ferndean.

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2, University of Ulster (Faculty of Arts), course: Proseminar Irish Author Studies, language: English, abstract: When in 1914 James Joyce wanted to have his literary work Dubliners published by the British publisher Grant Richards, it was not at all as easy as Joyce had imagined. Before Richards could accept the work changes had to be applied that were accompanied by an exchange of various letters between author and publisher. The reason for Richard's hesitation to publish the book in its first version was the very accuracy of its language. Literary conventions would have been shocked by Joyce's accurate and entirely realistic description of social situations and psychological states. In his letter to Grant Richards Joyce tries to justify his style, and it is thus that he speaks of scrupulous meanness for the first time. The term meanness connotes stinginess or the lack of generosity. Joyce uses it to describe the economy of language applying to his stories. However, the interpretation demands a more complicated understanding of the term. Scrupulousness is a crucial element both in Joyce s use of language, and in the structure and form of the stories. Scrupulous meanness refers to a most complex and heavily allusive style that determines the reading of Dubliners. From the minimum of words Joyce succeeds to extract the maximum effect so that the very economy of his style gives Dubliners such concentration and resonance that it passes through realism into symbolism (Dubliners,1991, p. xix). Joyce puts this style forward as a means to express his moral intent. This essay aims to examine James Joyce s method of scrupulous meanness in two short stories chosen from the collection of Dubliners: The Sisters and The Dead . In addition, Joyce s attempt of conveying a temper of death and hopelessness shall find access into the discussion.

Essay from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2, University of Ulster (Faculty of Arts), course: Writing the North: Troubles Literature, language: English, abstract: Seamus Deane's novel 'Reading in the dark' was published in 1996. The narrative story stretches over a period of 26 years: from 1945 until 1971. It is the story of a young boy that follows him from his early childhood until adult life. 'Reading in the dark' is not about any childhood, but particularly about a childhood that stands for many lived in Catholic Derry during the years that incubated the troubles. How the circumstances of a culture shaken by inner and outer troubles and violence effect the boy s childhood shall be explained in the following text. The narrative is told out of the perspective of a young boy who was born into a Catholic family in Derry. It has elements that suggest that the novel is an autobiography. At the same time, however, certain hints put this idea into question. Deane might have intentionally left the boy anonymous. There is never a name mentioned. Also his age remains concealed. The possible and most obvious reason for this is that Deane did not want to write an autobiography but wants to remain more general in his descriptions. One could call it a fictional autobiography. The circumstances could refer to any family in Catholic Derry. Through not giving the boy a name, Deane avoids fitting him with a political label as names can easily be associated with religious and political backgrounds. In spite of providing the boy with an identity, the attempt to discover and question his personal identity is emphasised. Throughout the novel, the boy s major attempt is to understand his culture and to find out who he and his family are. The reader perceives the people and circumstances around him from the boy s point of view with all its incompleteness. When he becomes witness of an accident, we learn about the role the police play in Catholic Derry. Everyone hates the police; they are seen as a destructive force. The police officer s carelessness towards the victim of the accident is mostly a symbol of a political act. In another passage, the boy witnesses a talk of adults while he is hiding under the kitchen table. However, the child has no full, complete picture of what is going on. He makes the attempt to understand by piecing together the story of the past in darkness.