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The characterization and lives led by Gertrude Lodge and Rhoda Brook in Hardy's The Withered Arm gives a graphic picture of the lives working and middle class women lived in the 19th century rural England. Women lived in a patriarchal society and were below men hieratically. They were therefore deprived of career opportunities and responsibilities. The inequalities existing between the sexes are more than apparent politically and socially; in addition to this the class divisions in society are evident in every aspect of life, as shown in Hardy's narrative.
England was predominately a Christian country and those who were Christian lived according to strict moral principles, one of which was the Christian principle of 'no sex before marriage', which was closely followed by women of all classes, but not necessarily men, whom were thought to have had a dominant role in the lives of women.
Thus, a woman who was unmarried and also a mother would struggle to survive financially. Hardy's text explores the issue of class, gender, superstition and their affect on the lives of his characters.
Hardy paints a negative view of women's lives in rural society and presents them as being quite literally powerless, for example the illicit affair with Farmer Lodge affects Rhoda Brook irrecoverably.
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The text implies that Farmer Lodge exploited a financially disadvantaged woman who was of a lower class than himself, also he had a substantial amount of wealth obtained from earlier years of labour on inherited farmland, nevertheless Rhoda Brook was still powerless to challenge him for finance to support the upbringing of their child.
Farmer Lodge chose not to acknowledge the fact that he had a child and therefore the child was deprived of a father, this can be thought to be the cause of Rhoda Brook's fall: "a thin, fading woman", this shows that she has endured poverty for many years and emphasises the hardships she went through, as she was once beautiful but this has now faded.
Furthermore, working class women were poverty stricken and as mentioned before were at the bottom of the hierarchy, as the majority of men were employers of women.
This was due to the lack of opportunities, which meant women were unable to undertake careers of their choice and had to make do with the low paid labour extensive jobs available, such as milkmaids, which many only just managed to survive. Rhoda Brook is alienated by the community she lives in, because she is thought to have paranormal powers and is consequently labelled a witch, also it is possible to suggest that it is due to having a child out of wed lock, which is unacceptable and meant she abandoned and failed to follow Christian moral principles.
The way in which this affects her publicly is that she becomes a lonely figure set aside and is socially neglected: "milked somewhat apart from the rest", this reflects the way in which she is ostracised from society and how she does not belong to the mainstream community. This is shown by her lack of friends, as she works alone, sitting apart from the other workers and is rejected by Farmer Lodge. The reader can deduce this from the clues in the language used by Hardy: "He ha'n't spoke to Rhoda Brook for years".
Furthermore, she also lives in an isolated area on the outskirts of the community coarsely apart from others and is physically isolated: "lonely spot", this represents the distance between herself and others within the community. The boy surprising refers to Farmer Lodge as: "father", who of which doe not acknowledge his son: "taken no outward notice", this reflects the way he refuses to accept his son's presence.
Clues about Rhoda Brook's relationship with farmer Lodge are suggested in an oblique way, so the reader only has partial knowledge. The way Hardy withholds information is part of his skill, and makes us wonder and want to know more about their relationship. The following: "their course lay apart from others" can be referred to as ambiguous, as it could either mean that she leads a different life from others or that she took a different route in terms of style of life and chose to have a child out of wedlock.
Moreover, the description of the house that Rhoda Brook and her son live in can also be referred to as having two meanings: "washed by many rains", this could mean one of the following: that the actual surface of the house had been literally washed away or alternatively could reflect that her life and beauty had been washed away. Also the: "bone protruding through the skin" could represent the idea of Rhoda Brook being a skinny woman. The overall description of the house could mean that the house is in poor condition and not maintained, if not it could represent the hardships that Rhoda has endured.
Rhoda Brook is affected privately, as she feels that she cannot attend church, a place of worship for Christians, and would rather send her child, due to her past association with Farmer Lodge, because she feels reluctant and rather embarrassed to make an appearance: "Why don't you go and see for yourself", this reflects the way in which Hardy introduces the theme of Rhoda Brook's jealousy, and more importantly the reader can see the story from Rhoda Brook's perspective. When Rhoda sends her son to spy on Farmer Lodge's new wife, the reader can begin to see how jealous and rejected Rhoda feels: "Is she ladylike?
", one may refer the child as a link between the private world and public world. Towards the end of the text the assumptions made by the community claming Rhoda Brook to be a witch are somewhat strengthened, which consequently drives Rhoda Brook out of her community: "disappeared from the neighbourhood", this reflects the vindictiveness between community gossip. The community assumed that Rhoda Brook had superficially persuaded Farmer Lodge to have a child with her, using the act of witchcraft, and her powers of extra sensory to supposedly trap him.
Furthermore, not only was Rhoda Brook labelled a witch but also she was thought to have connections with other unusual persons, one being the so-called magician whom to everyone also had uncommon powers: "they said that you knew more of his movements than anybody else", this reflects the sustained suspicion of society. Hardy uses repetition to somewhat emphasise Rhoda Brook's physically worn appearance and in doing so improvises the fact that she has an illegitimate child and lives alone, and still yearns for a man.
Gertrude Lodge is reasonably young in comparison to Farmer Lodge, who is an established member of society. There is a significant age difference between the two: "Years younger", which suggests that youth has an immense affect on marriage in the 19th century and may have determined Gertrude Lodge to be chosen over Rhoda Brook, as she is more fertile and can bear more children over a longer period of time for this reason. Also men were thought to have become fully masculine at the age of 40, as they don't lose their fertility, whereas women were prone to undergo menopause at this age.
Moreover, it took men until 40 to become rich and build their fortune and it was acceptable for women to marry older men who were rich. Furthermore, Gertrude Lodge possessed values of beauty: "soft and evanescent", which made her more appealing, as a pretty woman was regarded as a personal possession: "eyes were fixed upon her", this reflects the values concerning marriage in the 19th century. Personal appearance was the first and foremost quality looked upon by any man: "Men think so much of personal appearance", this reflects the significance of attractiveness for women.
Both Gertrude Lodge and Farmer Lodge are of middle class, whereas Rhoda Brook is of working class, therefore it is possible to imply that the differentiation in class had a great affect on marriage. Rhoda Brook was preoccupied with Farmer Lodge and was more than just curious to know whether or not Farmer Lodge would marry someone in the same class, which she finds more suited or working class like herself: "milker's hands like mine", which would have meant their relationship was based on love and the new wife was better in the sense that she had values that didn't include her class: "Is she tall?
", this reflects Rhoda Brook's obsessive and obscure curiosity of the new wife, which can be seen as a rival burning desire: "give her a look", this reflects her insecurity caused by the presence of the new wife. The reader also begins to understand Rhoda much better, and sympathise with her feelings. The fact that both women are in some way formally connected to Farmer Lodge; one being the mother of his child, the other his wife, allows similarities and contrasts to be drawn.
Both the women's lives somewhat revolve around Farmer Lodge and therefore this may be the reason both suffer at his hands, as Rhoda Brook becomes pregnant and Gertrude Lodge becomes subsequently imperfect: "he knows the disfigurement is there! ", this reflects the affect of the arm and the reader is now obliged to share in Gertrude's feelings of rejection and lack of love from her husband because of her deformity. Initial beauty was similarly possessed by both women but gradually faded due to their lifestyle.
Rhoda Brook has gone through hardships and Gertrude Lodge suffered from stress out of desperation to repair her imperfect arm, as a result she aged prematurely: "seemed older". Both women were ultimately rejected due to their lose in attractiveness, however both still crave for his attention: "to come between us", this shows that even the most significant circumstances were ignored due to the extent to which the craving measured.
The women are distinguished and are defined by their class, which meant that Gertrude Lodge could afford to give charity whereas Rhoda Brook receives it, and struggles to survive economically: "I'll come and bring you some better boots", this reflects the way in which the boy is deprived of new shoes due to his mother's lack of money, whereas the financial situation for Gertrude Lodge differs quite immensely, as she has luxuries and riches. The reader can sympathise and pity for both women as both are victims and therefore Farmer Lodge should be condemned.
In the narrative the withered arm represents hatred, which is shown by witchcraft and reflects the idea of vengeance. The supernatural powers that Rhoda Brook has as a woman and of ownership imply the idea of possession. One may suggest that Rhoda Brook believes that she has rightful ownership over Farmer Lodge, as they have a child together and marriage should be expected. Therefore the fact that the arm was chosen was because the wedding ring that is situated on the wedding finger on the withered arm represents Farmer Lodge's lost morels, as the wedding ring belongs to Rhoda Brook and not Gertrude Lodge.
When the arm is mentioned it somewhat deteriorate further: "It is rather worse", this shows that for each repetition the reader is suppose to recognize the fact that the arm is deteriorating. Furthermore, one may imply that the arm is mentioned for dramatic affect, as every time the reader encounters the arm it has subsequently got worse. The withered arm is also used to reflect common beliefs held at the time the story was written, as woman were thought to have powers to conduct witchcraft.
Everything that could not be explained accounted for as witchcraft. Again the differentiation between men and women was if men had supernatural powers then they were viewed as being helpful and some kind of human healer. However, Rhoda Brook has powers and is acknowledged as a witch rather than a wise person and supposedly used witchcraft to make Farmer Lodge have a son with her. In the narrative Hardy characterizes women negatively and in doings so explores the theme of betrayal and revenge.
Both women become enemies of each other as a result of their near obsession, however the opposing view may be that Farmer Lodge may only be characterized as innocent but in actual fact caused the problems between the troubled women. A women living in a patriarchal society was fully dependent on men, this refers to financial security. Rhoda initially likes Gertrude, but also suffers a conflict on emotions: "Brook felt like a guilty thing", this shows that Rhoda feels guilty and confused, and the reader can identify deeply with her.
The reader shares in her puzzlement at the coincidence of her dream and Gertrude's afflicted limb. Furthermore, women were portrayed as jealous natured, which again refers to the fact that Rhoda Brook should be wearing the wedding ring: "what are you doing here? ", this reflects the affect of Gertrude Lodge's appearance and as a result one may say this intimate moment was taken away. Both women are deceived, which shows naivety and arrogance, as Farmer Lodge never told Gertrude Lodge of his previous relationship with Rhoda Brook and attends the court case.
Betrayal also acts as an issue, in the sense of Rhoda Brook befriending Gertrude Lodge, and not revealing that she may be responsible for her arm, as she feels her friendship would be put in danger if Gertrude found out. At the same time, the reader can see how Rhoda Brook feels affection for Gertrude, and that she has a frightening fascination with Gertrude's affliction; which mystified her so: " held to her by a gruesome fascination", this reflects the extent of the horrid fascination measured against guilt.
When Gertrude suggests the visit to Trendle, the reader can see how Rhoda Brook reluctantly agrees to go, and how she dreads Trendle informing young Gertrude about the cause of her withering arm: "ruined irretrievably", this enables the reader to share in Rhoda Brook's feelings because of the skill Hardy employs in his use of language. Due to the fact farmer Lodge attended the court case and also in the process lied, it allows one to suggest that his wedding vows to Gertrude Lodge were neglected and betrayed.
Both women suffer to an extent but one more so than the other, as Rhoda Brook is financially insecure and is rejected by the community she lives in, due to the fact her child is not acknowledged by his father and she is thought to be a witch. Both Rhoda Brook and Farmer Lodge are responsible for sleeping with each other out of wedlock and you would expect that the consequences are equally shared between them, nevertheless Rhoda Brook individually suffers to a great extent.
Rhoda Brook's son used theft in order to survive both financially and physically, as Rhoda Brook could not provide for two people; therefore one may suggest that the boy died because of Farmer Lodge who chose not to support his child. Also Rhoda Brook was isolated from the community and was driven out of her town, one may also imply that this is a reason for the boy to commit crimes to survive, as he was not familiar with his surroundings.
Gertrude Lodge started off as an innocent victim, as she was not aware of her husbands past. In addition to this she was rejected and suffered at his hands, as she was initially perfect but now subsequently unattractive. However, Rhoda Brook did have her whole life affected and lost her only child that she had with Lodge, it is therefore possible to suggest that she suffered the most out of the two women.
Farmer Lodge's actions at the end of the narrative attempt to make amends, as he gives his money away to charity: "bequeathed the hole of his not inconsiderable property to a reformatory for boys", this reflects his guilt and his regrets of not living up to his duty as a father. One may suggest that by giving money away to a reform school he is giving a second chance to other boys who commit crimes, because his son never received a second chance to learn from his unfortunate mistakes.
By attending the court case Farmer Lodge acknowledges that he has a son, and one may suggest that he regrets not being a father to his son: "I wish I had adopted a boy", this reflects the way in which he wishes that he could have helped earlier. Moreover, he gives money to Rhoda Brook that he should have given to her years before as maintenance for the child: "Payment of a small annuity to Rhoda Brook", this reflects his reconciliation, as he tries to make up for his absence of money and make commence.
The characterization and lives led by Gertrude Lodge. (2017, Aug 25). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-characterization-and-lives-led-by-gertrude-lodge-essay
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