The Roles of Genders in the Literary Work - Essay Example

of institute World Literature Literary Assignment – Gender Roles [Pick the Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare (1591) Romeo and Juliet written sometime between 1591 and 1595 by William Shakespeare in his early career as a playwright, is a love story between two teenagers. It is one of those typical novels that depict the tragic fate of teenage love and the brutal reaction of society and feuding families on two souls helplessly and madly in love with each other. The love story falls in the genre of typical tragic romances that stretch back to antiquity. Romeo and Juliet represent two powerful characters, very influential in shaping the flow and final consequence of the text and literary contributing to the poetic and literary content of this famous play written by William Shakespeare. During that period, such love stories had tragic consequences, though they are not robbed of its artistic touch, intense passion and the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life for the cause of immortal love. Romeo is a part of the Montague family, son of the Patriarch of Montague while, Juliet is a part of the Capulet family, daughter of the Patriarch of Capulet. The story is shaped by the fateful interaction and encounter of the two, under unprecedented circumstances when Romeo after being persuaded by his cousin Benvolio attends the ball arranged by the Capulet’s. In search of Rosalin, his infatuation, he eventually chances upon Juliet in the ball. He instantly falls in love with her. That night he sneaks into the Capulet’s orchard and overhears Juliet confessing her love for Romeo. The two meet in secrecy, hidden from the eyes of the two families and the public gaze. Romeo’s confidant Friar Laurence secretly marries them off, but on hearing about the marriage, Juliet’s cousin Tybalt confronts Romeo. In this event, Mercutio gets fatally wounded and dies when he chooses to confront Tybalt on Romeo’s behalf. Romeo grief stricken and in an act of revenge kills Tybalt. He is then exiled by the Prince of Verona and forbidden to return his homeland, failing which he will be executed. Meanwhile, Juliet is administered a drug by Friar Laurence that would put her to sleep for forty two hours so that she can avoid being married off to Count Paris. People believe Juliet is dead and the same news falls on Romeo’s ear. On hearing this Romeo commits suicide. When Juliet wakes up and goes to meet Romeo he finds him dead and in turn she takes her own life. Friar Laurence, recollects the story of the two "star-cross'd lovers". The two families are reconciled by their children's deaths and they agree to put an end to their age-old violent feud. The play concludes with the Prince's elegy for the lovers: "For never was a story of more woe / than this of Juliet and her Romeo." (Shakespeare 1) Thus is this play we see a strong influence of the two leading characters of Romeo and Juliet. They represent the typical families in those times of late 16th century, orthodox and immensely guided by self respect and ego. The clash of the two families eventually claims the lives of two innocent people in love. Romeo on one hand was the ideal lover, brave, determined and one sighted in Juliet’s love. On the other hand Juliet was delicate, beautiful and deeply in love with Romeo. Their interactions happen in the veil of concealment, away from the prying eyes of the orthodox and unforgiving medieval urban society. The Miracle of the Lava Canyon - O’ Henry (1897) In the novel The Miracle of the Lava Canyon written by O’ Henry in the year 1897, the story revolves around two contrasting characters, the male protagonist, Radcliff Conrad, a sheriff and Boadicea Reed. In the beginning of the story, Radcliff Conrad is introduced as a brave sheriff, who is known for his escapades from the jaws of death and fighting off danger to restore peace and bring justice. However within his heart there is a deep secret. That secret is that of his cowardliness in the face of threat, challenge and danger. “The sheriff of Siskiwah County had a deep secret. He never told it to his best friend, but it was never out of his mind. He was a physical coward”. (Porter1) He has just been lucky and fortunate enough not to succumb to his enemies and sheer good fortune has had it such that he came out from such situations unharmed. In his heart he was a shaky and fearful person. On the other hand, a stark contrast to his character is the leading female protagonist, Boadicea Reed, a young and beautiful lady living in the same county of which Rad is in charge. Boadicea has never know what fear is and has never held anything or anyone in awe or been overwhelmed by them. She is brave, spontaneous, and courageous. Fate has it such that they meet one day, under the most unprecedented circumstances, when Rad chases the notorious and dread criminal Arizona Dan. Dan is the most feared man in the county, well known for his brutality and convicted with charges of loot and murder. When the face-off between the two happen at the most dramatic setting in one corner of the village with Boadicea Reed witnessing the encounter, something transpires between the two (Boadicea and Rad). Rad immediately forgets his intrinsic cowardice and becomes full of confidence. He confronts Arizona Dan with utmost manliness and eventually overpowers him. He captures the most feared man in the county, Arizona Dan. Almost immediately, Boadicea who has been portrayed to be a fearless and spontaneous person shrieks at the sight of lizard. Something had transpired between the two and changed them in nature. The magical twist in this exciting novel written by O’ Henry adds to the interest of the reader and forces one to ponder on the reality of parallel interaction between human minds and how they bring about a change in characters. The mystery of the Lava Canyon lies in the surreal trans-mental interaction between Boadicea and Radcliff Conrad, and how it changes the two, ultimately leading to a happy romantic ending where they both fall in love with one another. Twilight – Stephanie Meyer (2005) Twilight, a contemporary or modern literature novel written by Stephanie Meyer is a vampire love story. The leading characters in this novel are Edward Cullen the male protagonist and the vampire with magical powers and Isabella “Bella”. Bella the daughter of Charlie, a County Sheriff moves from Arizona, Phoenix to, Forks Washington to live with her father. Here in this new town Bella meets Edward in school, the first day. Initially Edward felt a strong repulsion towards Bella and disappears for a few days but later returns and grows comfortable to Bella’s presence. In this story, Bella eventually falls in love with Edward after he saves her life when a van nearly crushes Bella to her death. Bella wad innocent and shy as can be inferred from the character portrayed in the novel. Her simple and innocent question, "Did you ever think that maybe my number was up the first time, with the van, and that you've been interfering with fate?” reveals the fact to which Edward replied "Your number was up the first time I met you."(Meyer, 250) Edward suddenly appears in front of the van and stops it with his bare hands. The story is marked with the trials and tribulations faced by Bella and Edward due to the unique and unearthly relation they share. Edward a vampire had been in that state for almost three to four hundred years watching generations go by, but gets instantly- attracted to Bella. Edward a vampire has his own way of life, whereas Bella is a normal human being. The impossibility of their union and the biological incompatibility introduces many complications. During the course of the novel Edward abandons Bella and disappears for a long time. This is when Jacob the third character and a werewolf with magical powers comes into the picture. He gets attached to Bella and carries her through her toughest moments. He grows closer to Bella and falls in love with her. Meanwhile Edward returns and is unaware of the developments in Bella’s life. Having hurt her cost him Bella’s trust and companionship. Through difficult times Edward manages to win explain Bella about the impossible situation that they were trying to bring about. Edward promises never to leave Bella alone ever again. They eventually get married her father still unknown to the fact that Edward is a vampire. Another crisis falls upon them when they have a child and it almost confirms Bella’s death. Bella delivers a baby girl but her life is threatened by the “new-borns” a different and powerful breed of magical creatures. They decide to attack Bella and her child and take the baby’s life. At this point Edward calls for Jacob as he is the only one who shares a unique bond with Bella and understands her like no one else does. They join hands and eventually manage to save Bella’s life. The story reveals the difficult times Edward and Bella go through, surmounting them every time and letting their love and passion win. References: 1. Porter, William Sidney (O’ Henry). “The Miracle of the Lava Canyon” . 12 Mar, 2012 Web. 1897. Retrieved from: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=ST19000609.2.34.17 2. Meyer, Stephenie. “Twilight”.2005.Web 12 Mar, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.readanybook.com/online/30_0 3. Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare, 1591.Web 12 Mar, 2012. Retrieved from: http://shakespeare-online.com/plays/romeoscenes.html 4. William Shakespeare. 1591. Web 12 Mar, 2012. Retrieved from : http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/full.html Read More