What Maisie Knew by Henry James and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - Book Report/Review Example

What is the Relationship between Isolation and Education in these two works: "What Maisie Knew" by Henry James and "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce? Customer’s Name Professor’s Name Class Name Date the assignment was due What is the Relationship between Isolation and Education in these two works: "What Maisie Knew" by Henry James and "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce? Introduction This paper will focus on two central characters, Maisie in “What Maisie Knew” by Henry James, and Stephen in, “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” by James Joyce. These two characters vary in terms of their surroundings and circumstances, which impact their mental development. Both characters deal with isolation which can stem from bad relationships as with Maisie, or deliberate choice or repulsive personal habits as with Stephen. When one experiences a lack of contact with people or of love, they enter a state of seclusion. Since it is implied by the text that both these characters are already knowing, education in this paper will be defined as knowledge. How knowledge is obtained by Maisie and Stephen is relative and limited by the environments they occupy. Knowledge is acquired through mental, moral or aesthetic development. Stephen received formal education while Maisie did not. We see that Maisie tries to have close relationships but is not able to, and Stephen has friends however chooses to isolate himself from them. Both characters are isolated from others because they have a kind of education (knowledge) that others do not possess or understand. Maisie’s Isolation The divorce of her parents changed the life of Maisie causing her to retreat in her own world. According to the court orders, Maisie had to spend six months with her father and the next six months with her mother. Both her parents used Maisie as a source to vent their anger against each other. As Maisie grew up, she realized that her parents were viewing each other in her and that’s why they dealt strictly with her. Their strict behavior was an attempt to shield her from the influence of other. Maisie was made to feel that she was a stupid girl. Her parents constantly reminded her about her stupidity. “The theory of her stupidity, eventually embraced by her parents, corresponded with a great date in her small still life: the complete vision, private but final, of the strange office she filled.” (James, pg.18). The thought of her parents made Maisie to alter her behavior. Maisie understanding the circumstances that surrounded her, decided to isolate herself from the world of her parents. “She had a new feeling, the feeling of danger; on which a new remedy rose to meet it, the idea of an inner self or, in other words, of concealment.” (James, Pg.18). She realized that the only way to escape the situation that she was put in by her parents was to conceal her thoughts. So Maisie spoke very little and led a private life. “Her parted lips locked themselves with the determination to be employed no longer……when, as a tribute to the successful application of her system, she began to be called a little idiot, she tasted a pleasure new and keen.” (James, pg.19). She enjoyed being called idiot, for she was successful in hiding her true feelings and thoughts. Her knowledge was another factor that differentiated her from other members of her society. Maisie’s Education Maisie was educated at her home by her governess, Mrs.Wix. But Maisie was more intelligent than Mrs.Wix, “Maisie herself could play more pieces than Mrs.Wix, who was moreover visibly ashamed of her houses and trees and could only, with the help of a smutty forefinger, of doubtful legitimacy in the field of art, do the smoke coming out of the chimneys.” (James. pg.5). Maisie was more competent in drawing the sketches of houses and trees than Mrs.Wix. Mrs.Wix was poor in other subjects also and Maisie was aware of this fact. “She had not the spirit of adventure--the child could perfectly see how many subjects she was afraid of.” (James, pg.26). When Mrs. Wix avoided the other subjects, Maisie knew that her governess was not so proficient in those subjects. But Maisie was impressed by Mrs.Wix expertise in the field of fiction. “She knew swarms of stories, mostly those of the novels she had read; relating them with a memory that never faltered and a wealth of detail that was Maisies delight.” (James, pg.26). Maisie acquired a habit of observing people around her from listening to Mrs.Wix’s stories. Maisie never received the type of formal education that is imparted in schools. But she learnt a lot about human behavior and their conflicts by watching people around her. She was able to comprehend the reasons for the behavior of a particular person by noticing the smallest details in their conversations. And it is this knowledge that she possessed isolated her from others, as they were not able to understand her knowledge. Maisie Differs From Others Since her childhood Maisie was different from other children and this was evident from her isolation and knowledge. Her knowledge of people and situations that surrounded her transformed her into a person who differed from others in her thought and behavior. In her childhood, while staying with her father, she was mocked by her father’s acquaintances and at that time Maisie realized that she was different from other children. “The word stuck in her mind and contributed to her feeling from this time that she was deficient in something that would meet the general desire.” (James, pg.16). She knew that she lacking in some aspects that were generally expected in a girl of her age. Her isolation made people think that she was a stupid girl but Maisie viewed her isolation from a different perspective. “She spoiled their fun, but she practically added to her own. She saw more and more; she saw too much.” (James, pg.19). Being quiet, she was able to observe more and understand the behavior of people who were part of her life. Maisie knew that isolation was helping her to understand her life and the attitudes of her parents. It is here that Maisie differed from others, people looked at her isolation as an act of stupidity but Maisie thought it provided her with the knowledge to comprehend the reason behind her parents’ behavior. Even in the field of education, Maisie differed from others; she focused on understanding the human behavior rather than learning the subjects which were taught in schools. The education she received was different from the education that other children of her age were being imparted in the school. This knowledge shaped her character which was different from others. Stephen’s Isolation Stephen’s thinking and views differed a lot from the members of his society. This resulted in his isolation from his family, society and religion. Even in his childhood, he was different from other children. “He prefers to take no part in the games his schoolmates play during class and would rather meditate on the sound of a cricket bat (Joyces, pg. 39). While other children are playing on the playground, Stephen instead of playing with them concentrates on various sounds that a cricket bat makes. This attitude of his looking at things differently isolates him from his peers at the school. Even in his religious beliefs, Stephen differs from the views of Church. “However his practices stray away from the Catholic fashion and more towards the secular side when he chooses to pray his own way for the lives of his loved ones and not with the written creeds (Joyce, pg.15). Stephen refuses to follow the ways of religion as preached by the Church. This isolation is noticed even in his relations with his family. “He saw clearly too his own futile isolation. He had not gone one step nearer the lives he had sought to approach nor bridged the restless shame and rancour that had divided him from mother and brother and sister.” (Joyce, pg.89). His thoughts which are in contrast to the social norms have created a rift between Stephen and his family members. Another factor that caused his isolation was his repulsive habits. Stephen’s isolations results due to his different approach towards education and his repulsive habits. Stephen’s Education Since his childhood Stephen viewed things for their aesthetic qualities. And his education was based on this attitude. Stephen viewed things differently. “While participating in an academic competition, Stephen instead ponders on the colors of the roses that the opposing teams wear. He sees the red and the white roses that separate the two and ponders why a green rose is non-existent.” (Joyces, pg.38). Instead of concentrating on the competition, he thinks about roses and their colors. Stephen’s different approach towards education made him to rethink about the norms and beliefs in his society; he refused to follow them blindly. His scholastic mind gave him the courage to act according to his will. He was interested in art which provided him the freedom to express himself freely. “To discover the mode of life or of art whereby [my] spirit could express itself in unfettered freedom.” (Joyce, pg.276). His artistic thoughts influenced his knowledge. Stephen was isolated from others; for he possessed knowledge which others do not possess. Stephan Differs from Others Stephan differed from others, as his isolation and knowledge shaped his personality. When his peers are playing on the ground, he never joined them. “The noise of children at play annoyed him and their silly voices made him feel, even more keenly than he had felt at Clongowes, that he was different from others. He did not want to play.” (Joyce, pg.67).The things that children of his age enjoyed, annoyed Stephen. His isolation was the reason which compelled him to behave and perceive things in a different manner. He was more engrossed in his world of art and beauty than the real world. And his isolation aided him in pursuing a life where he can concentrate on art and beauty. He always wanted to gain wisdom from his own experiences. “He was destined to learn his own wisdom apart from others or to learn the wisdom of others himself wandering among the snares of the world.” (Joyce, pg.175). Stephen aimed to learn things in his own ways. Stephen’s knowledge about religion, art and beauty made him different from others. Maisie and Stephen Maisie and Stephen resembled each other when their isolation and knowledge is concerned. Both of them isolated themselves from the world in which they were living. Maisie isolated herself, for she wanted to conceal her feelings from her parents. Her isolation was an attempt to save herself from the hatred of her parents that was ruining her life. “It was literally a moral revolution and accomplished in the depths of her.” (James.pg.18). She revolted against her circumstances and achieved her aim. Similarly, Stephen isolated himself from his, peers, family and religion. But the reason for his isolation differed from that of Maisie. Stephen isolated himself, for he was not interested in the real world. The world of art and beauty fascinated him more than the things in real world. In the matter of education also, Maisie and Stephen were similar to each other in certain aspects. The education that Maisie received was different from the formal education and Stephen, though he was enrolled a school, was more interested in aesthetic things than formal education. “He wanted to meet in the real world the unsubstantial image which his soul so constantly beheld”. (Joyce, pg.67). Stephen longed to see the images which he had held in his mind. So the real world and education was viewed from a different perspective by him. Both of them differed from others in their views about education and isolation. Conclusion The isolation of Maisie aided her in saving herself from the revulsion of the parents which they had for each other. Maisie learnt about human behavior and conflicts arising because of this behavior, by observing humans. Her knowledge was the outcome of this observation. Stephen was interested in art and beauty, so he distanced himself from his family, peers and religion. Stephen engaged in repulsive habits and this also led to his isolation. He committed sins which isolated him from his family members and society .Stephen deliberately isolated himself from others, for he was not satisfied with the environment in which he was leading his life. Maisie and Stephen, both them are isolated from their world, for they possessed knowledge which others failed to understand. Works Cited James. Henry. What Maisie Knew. Wordsworth Editions. 2000. Joyce, James. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Plain Label Books. 1924. Read More