Marian Forrester as a Transformational Character - Essay Example

Marian Forrester as a Transformational Character Willa Cather uses many extracts and hidden contexts to get the reader’s attention to realize the real relationship between the Forresters. The novel develops around Mrs. Forrester. The events that transpired during in Mr. Forrester’s house created a sense of anticipation among the readers. The anxiety was created by the fact that many events where restructured to produce a new element that would be useful in the later stages of the novel. There is a contrasting perception about Marian forester and her husband. In part four of the first chapter there is a sense of ingratitude among in Mr. Forrester. There is need to focus on the source of this ingratitude nature of Mr. Forrester. The chapter connects the initial perception of Mrs. Forrester while at the same time create a forecast of what will become of the female character. Mrs. Forrester is victimized by the author but there is need to focus on how she transforms the novels storyline. This essay will explain how Mrs. Forrester transforms the plot of the novel where she is both portrayed as a Victim of the male character and also being immoral. Mr. Forrester enjoys the presence of a helpful wife. The nature in which she interacts with her husband indicates her importance in chapter four of the first chapter. The tedious nature of the other guests exploits the long events of the day. When everyone retreats from their house she remains handy in assisting her husband. The chapter uses the word ‘divest’ to explain Mr. Forrester’s state of mind (Cather 47). Cather uses the term to highlight the tired nature of the Captain and to create a sense of sarcasm in many instances throughout the novel. In this case Cather indicates Mr. Forrester as being incapable of performing some personal activities “Mrs. Forrester went to help the Captain divest himself of his frock coat” (Cather 47). This means that Mrs. Forrester remains the only option. The victimization of Mrs. Forrester is contrary to what the novel portrays of her. The caring nature of Mrs. Forrester goes unrecognized by her husband. In this case Cather victimizes Mrs. Forrester in an effort to explain the nature in which men have negatively impacted Mrs. Forrester. After the captain is assisted, He shows no sense of gratitude towards his wife “…He did not thank her in words, but submitted gratefully… ”. She is determined to please her husband perhaps to indicate her importance given the state of the captain. “Mrs. Forrester went to help the Captain…Ever since he was hurt”: this quote also exploits the physical nature of the Captain. The use of the term “hurt” implies the loneliness experienced by the Captain (Cather 47). Cather however ignores the sore state of the captain but concentrate on how the captain victimizes his wife. Cather concentrates in portraying Mrs. Forrester as a hero and fails to acknowledge the fact that the state of her husband required more attention “…accident which cut short the Captain’s career as a road builder…” (Part 1 Chapter 3). In chapter four of the novel, Mrs. Forrester plays an important role in every characters life. Perhaps her intended purpose was to control matters at her house. She plays part in encouraging Frank and Constance to interact much to the disappointment of Niel. The scene is ironic given the fact that in later chapters Frank and Mrs. Forrester develop a relation. In this case Forrester develops her future by introducing constant to Niel as means of reducing competition “will you play with Niel?...” (Chapter 4). The part is a focus as it explains the reason of the ingratitude presented by her husband. Mrs. Forrester acts as a pivot of chapter four. In this case she plays part in twisting the story line within this chapter. The story shifts from the love expressed by Niel towards Constance and acknowledges the importance of other characters in completing the love triangle. Niel was identified as the sole contender for Constance’s love; however, the introduction of Frank changes the story line. Ironically Mrs. Forrester plays part in each scene. She first encourages Constance to interact with Niel “will you play with Niel? I’m told he’s very good.” (Part 1 chapter 4), this was an attempt to allow Frank be single that night. Frank in the later chapter engages in a relation with Mrs. Forrester (chapter 7). She also plays part in introducing the Captain as weak and lonely. Cather uses Mrs. Forrester as a pivoting point where each of the characters is initiated by her and she controls the nature in which the story in chapter four of the first part transforms. The negative traits of Mrs. Forrester are portrayed in part one chapter seven. Looking back on how her husband never thanked her when she assisted him, at this point it is evident that the reason could be on her morality. Ironically Niel is used by Cather to discover this fact that “It was not a moral scruple she had outraged, but an aesthetic ideal." (72). There chapter related to part four where the author use Constance to indicate the vested interest of Mrs. Forrester towards Frank. According to Smith (1978: 224), the author attempt to reposition Marian Forrester as being a victim rather than being the cause of her victimization by the male characters [1978 is the year of publication thus needed in the insight citation]. Her extramarital affairs after the departure of her husband in chapter seven indicates portray her true character. Mrs. Forrester is portrayed as being equally important as the captain. The captain is encouraged to engage in story telling which he does but her continuous reference to his wife indicates the nature in which Mrs. Forrester is essential “Mrs. Forrester nodded at him from her end of the table” (chapter). Cather initially used dialogue to express the importance of the captain in the room. The author uses this to express the commanding figure of the Captain. However, as the dialogue continuous Mrs. Forrester is depicted as being interested in a certain concept within the room. The presence of other male characters acts as an introduction to show the true character of Mrs. Forrester (Murphy 78). She becomes interested in the male characters more that the female characters. At first was the continuous concern and care of Neil “will you play with Niel? I’m told he’s very good. ”. The second with the driver “...Mrs. Forrester sent Tom out with a drink for the driver...” (Chapter 4) this was just an indication of how concern she was with the male character more that the females. The flashback on the Captain previous years in chapter four indicates Mrs. Forrester tribulations in his previous years; ironically Cather uses this fact to portray Mrs. Forrester as a victim rather than her husband. Cather hence acknowledges the importance of Marian Forrester in shaping the plot of the novel. The shifts of Mrs. Forrester’s traits from a caring wife to being immoral indicted how effective she is in the story. The initial perception of ingratitude of her husband is changed and the reader now acknowledges the evil character of Mrs. Forrester. The symbolic nature of Mrs. Forrester’s house essentially explained the Cather’s storyline as far as love and betrayal is concern this is evident in chapter 7 when after the captain departs she immediately begins a relationship with Frank “... Ellinger did not appear at supper, which meant, of course, that he was dining with Mrs. Forrester...” (Part 1 chapter 7). The presence of the captain indicated the general perception of Mrs. Forrester however the introducing of frank and Niel plays part in the transformation of Mrs. Forrester and her repositioning. In conclusion, it is important to note the importance of Mrs. Forrester. She transforms the themes within the chapter and she is a metaphor as she represents a mediator. She introduces new element within the story. Willa Cather creates the flow to indicate how the story is developed and presented by the Foresters. Chapter four of part one of A Lost Lady revealed the love that was brewing between Constance, Frank, and Niel. Cather uses key words to indicate satire and irony in the text while still continuing the overall rhythm of the text. The transformation of style from dialogue to flashback is utilized by the author to indicate how the theme changes and further hold the reader’s attention. The author transforms Forrester as being a victim to a character that does not withheld the moral standards presented by her husband. Works cited Cather, Willa. “A Lost Lady”. New York: Vintage books, 1971. Print. Murphy, John J.Euripides Hippolytus and Cathers A Lost Lady. American Literature, 53. 1 ( 1981), pp. 72-86. Print Smith, Anneliese. Finding Marian Forrester: A Restorative reading of Cather’s A lost lady. Colby quarterly 14.4 (1978): 221- 225. Print. Read More