Defining Freedom in Susan Hills A Bit of Singing and Dancing - Essay Example

?Defining Freedom in Susan Hill’s “A Bit of Singing and Dancing” Introduction The philosophies which are created through literary techniques are displayed in various stories and the interpretations available. In the short story by Susan Hill, “A Bit of Singing and Dancing,” there is an understanding of specific philosophies that carry universal truth. Hill is able to create an understanding of the ideas of freedom and the absence of freedom with the use of different literary techniques. The focus on different techniques becomes important in identifying the concept of freedom and how this relates to the main theme of the book. By doing this, there is the ability to further understand the universal theme of freedom while creating a direct relationship to the author’s viewpoint with the use of specific writing techniques. Narrative Techniques The first technique that Hill uses is the narrative that is established in “A Bit of Singing and Dancing.” The viewpoint comes from the main character of Esme Fanshaw. The viewpoint that Esme holds comes from the obligation which she carries to take care of her mother and which doesn’t allow her to have a sense of freedom. Esme’s viewpoint changes when her mother passes away and she is able to have the freedom she desires. However, this doesn’t allow Esme to change as she still remains trapped in the expectations that were placed on her in her earlier life. The narrative techniques which are established with this show the viewpoint of Esme, allowing the characters perception to relate directly to the reader. With this, one is able to relate to how the past causes a loss in freedom and the complexities which this has for the character. The establishment of the personal relationship then creates a stronger understanding of what the lack of freedom means to individuals. The viewpoint of Esme through her personal relationships creates a stronger understanding of the main theme by establishing her viewpoint to the external environment. This links to the same narrative viewpoint that is created by the unnamed woman in the conservatory. The viewpoint and narrative technique used shows the external environment around the woman and her detachment from this. The woman in the conservatory is unable to relate to the external environment, similar to Esme. The difference is that Esme can’t establish this because of her relationship to the past while the unnamed woman is unable to move outside of her own tyranny because of her beliefs in the external environment and the relationship she creates with this surrounding. Both of the narratives then establish the perspective that divides the individual identity of the main character from the external environment. Characterization The second technique which is used through Hill is the characterization of Esme and the unnamed woman. The characterization is noted with speech, appearance, action and motivation that occur. The methods of speech with Esme are based on the same division between her thoughts to herself and the dialogue that occurs with others. One is able to see the division of the external environment and the lack of freedom that Esme feels for herself. The ideal with the speech is similar to what the unnamed woman in the conservatory uses, specifically with a sense of silence from the woman that separates her from the external environment and crowd that is surrounding her. Both characters create a sense of isolation by having the division between internal and external speech that divides the thoughts and shows the lack of freedom that both experience. The actions and motivation of both characters also creates the same sense of isolation. For example, Esme shows an appearance that is based on her being at home and caring for her mother. The appearance doesn’t change even when her environment changes, showing that she can’t get out of her past (Hill, 13). The actions and motivation of Esme follow this with the same inability to overcome her own isolation and beliefs. The end resolution of Esme is that she has to keep caring for others instead of herself, despite her belief that she should be free. This motivation and the final action shows that Esme is unable to overcome the past and creates a belief that her freedom is based on what she before thought was tyranny. The actions of the woman in the conservatory have the same response with the inability to create a change in her appearance or actions, while continuing to perform the same actions throughout the book. However, this becomes her trap instead of allowing her to find her own freedom of expression. The main characteristics of both then create an understanding of one being trapped within their own dialogue and not having the capacity to create the right responses to the situation. The characterization of Esme and the unnamed woman not only show the character through the actions and the appearances which are created. The viewpoint which Hill creates is based on developing a sense of isolation with both of the women. The unnamed woman and Esme develop this with the combination of narrative and the actions which both take. There is the inability for the actions and thoughts of the characters to align with the external environment and to create changes which are required for the women. This builds an understanding of the isolation and lack of freedom, not because of the external environment, but instead through the relationships that the women have with the surroundings. For Esme, this comes from her inability to establish relationships outside of her home and the care that she had for her mother. Her conclusion is that all she can do is care for others and that there is no other expression of freedom. For the unnamed woman, the relationship is created to the conservatory and in her inability to find a sense of identity. The isolation and lack of identity of both women are shown through the actions that continue to repeat the past instead of allowing both to establish their own presence and characteristics in the stories. Hill is able to create a lack of presence through a lack of actions in the external environment to show this sense of isolation and lack of freedom. Character Relationships The character relationships used with the techniques are able to further define the aspects that are a part of Esme and her inability to find freedom. The main relationship experienced with Esme is with her mother. This relates to the plot through the changes which occur and the way in which Esme’s character remains the same throughout the book. The theme which is created through this character relationship is one which shows how Esme is trapped inside her past and the need to care for another. Establishing this particular relationship in the home and building the relationship with the mother then defines who Esme is and the attributes which she carries. Her character then follows with only her ability to care for others. The woman in the conservatory is similar to this, only with her ability to remain with the singing and dancing as her identity without finding her true self. The relationship created with the unnamed woman is to the conservatory, but is symbolic of the same relationship that Esme has to her mother. The character relationships established with the trap that the unnamed woman and Esme have both establish the isolation and lack of freedom both face. When there is the ability to establish other relationships, both of the women are unable to find a different expression or identity. Esme establishes this with her ability to find new opportunities and options in her freedom after her mother dies. However, the relationships that are created don’t allow Esme to find any external relationships. Instead, she establishes a lack of identity that doesn’t allow her to connect with others. The unnamed woman has the same complexity that doesn’t allow her to be seen or show her identity outside of the conservatory setting. The lack of character relationships that occur in the external environment with both characters then becomes the main complexity and shows how the lack of freedom and inability to find identity outside of the isolation also doesn’t allow the characters to find true relationships outside of their past or their represented identity. The setting established with both furthers the isolation and lack of freedom that both experience. The setting with Esme in the home is the area in which her main identity is established. When an external environment is shown, there is a sense of alienation and isolation that occurs, not allowing Esme to have an understanding of the outside environment and moving back into isolation and outside of freedom. The unnamed woman in the conservatory expresses this same identity through remaining in the conservatory. The inability to relate to the outside environment and to move outside of the identity of the conservatory shows the same sense of isolation while not allowing the woman to take on a personal identity and instead staying in the isolation of the environment. The technique of setting becomes important in defining the outside that is foreign to the women while the main setting becomes the familiar, even though it also represents isolation and a lack of freedom for both Esme and the woman in the conservatory. Conclusion The concept of freedom and isolation from one’s true identity are consistent themes in the works of Hill. When looking at the story of “A Bit of Singing and Dancing,” one is able to see the themes that are presented. Hill creates this with the use of a variety of techniques that are used in the literature. This ranges from the narration to the relationships of the characters and the descriptions that are created with the character. These different components then create a different understanding of the idea of freedom and how a lack of freedom comes when one is unable to overcome their past or the identity which has been created for them. The characters in the book and the establishment of the identity which both carry are then able to show the concept of freedom and how this can be taken from individuals because of their beliefs or situation. Works Cited Hill, Susan. A Bit of Singing and Dancing. Isis Books: New York, 1998. Read More