A comparison between “The Withered Arm” and “the Darkness Out There” Essay Example

with Mr Lodge. The differences between the rural setting of "The Withered Arm" and the urban setting of "The Darkness Out There" include varying lifestyles and the presence of more crime in the urban environment, causing Sandra to fear Packer's End. Despite her fears, Sandra has more freedom than women in rural areas like Rhoda Brook, who have limited rights and are often confined to work or marriage. Both Sandra and Gertrude from "The Withered Arm" share similar traits as characters.

During the initial encounter of the female characters, both are depicted in enjoyable surroundings. Sandra is seen walking amidst "summer grass that glinted in the sun," while Gertrude is riding alongside her recent spouse in a "Bright... new gig."

Both women are introduced as youthful and attractive. Sandra, who is from a lower middle class background, is praised by Mrs Rutter for her prettiness and becomes embarrassed when told that boys will be drawn to her like bees to honey. Gertrude, on the other hand, is a nineteen-year-old from a higher social class.

Rhoda's son delivers simple, yet complimentary descriptions of her appearance to his mother, conveying her beauty. Specifically, he refers to "her face..."

She had beautiful features with a doll-like appearance, and her mouth was particularly attractive with a vivid red color.

Further proof of the resemblances between the two figures is their benevolent and philanthropic personalities. Gertrude Lodge exemplifies her compassion and concern for those who require assistance by offering Rhoda Brook's son "some better boots".

Not only does Rhoda and her son benefit from her charity, but she also helps others in the meads. Sandra also shows kindness through her assistance of Mrs Rutter in

"The Good Neighbours Club", even doing small helpful deeds such as "giving the corners a brush". Mrs Rutter appreciates these gestures as "ever so kind". Similarities between the two women are also seen in their squeamish attitudes. Gertrude's reluctance to touch the neck of a hanged man to "turn the blood" reflects her squeamishness, and she is disturbed by Conjuror Trendle's suggestion. She is particularly uneasy about discarding the deformity on her arm, becoming "started a little at the image he had raised".

Sandra is uneasy about Packer's End and refrains from discussing it with Mrs Rutter due to its association with death and rape. She tells Mrs Rutter that it makes her uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Gertrude is portrayed as innocent and naive, evident in her belief that Rhoda's son is looking at them hoping they'll help him carry his load, rather than out of curiosity. Her youthfulness is also emphasized.

In contrast to Gertrude's naivety, Sandra is prejudiced towards Kerry based on his appearance. Despite not knowing him as a person, she dislikes him due to his "black licked down hair and slitty eyes". Ultimately, Gertrude learns the hard way that people cannot be trusted, as seen through her ironic death. She unknowingly touches the neck of Farmer Lodge and Rhoda Brook's son when attempting Conjuror Trendle's blood-turning method. On the other hand, Sandra learns that "the darkness" isn't just limited to physical locations and can exist within the minds of people around her.

Despite both being "worn" and wise from old age, the comparison between the two younger women in the story reveals mainly similarities. In contrast, the comparisons between two older women featured in "The Withered

Arm" and "The Darkness Out There," Rhoda Brook and Mrs Rutter respectively, emphasize mainly differences. Although Rhoda Brook had once been beautiful, her portrayal in the story is unflattering as she is repeatedly described as "thin" and "worn." Nonetheless, she gains valuable experience that she can apply in the future.

Despite both being elderly, Mrs Rutter is depicted in a much more favorable light with a cozy description as a woman "composed of circles, a cottage-loaf of a woman". However, this image is disproven later in the story as we learn about her true character. Both women have experienced unpleasant events in their lives that have driven their actions. Rhoda Brook's loss of her partner to another woman led to jealousy and a desire for revenge. Similarly, Mrs Rutter justifies her actions by the death of her husband in the war, feeling that her choice to let the Germans die was "tit for tat".

Rhoda Brook is plagued with remorse and shame for subconsciously inflicting harm on Gertrude. The harm began after Rhoda had a vivid nightmare of Gertrude entering her bedroom, and sitting on her chest to mock her. During the struggle, Rhoda reached out and grabbed what she thought was an arm, causing her to abruptly awaken. Despite coming to realize that Gertrude is a good person, and the two of them even becoming friends, Rhoda still feels intense guilt upon seeing the disfigurement on Gertrude's arm that resembles a hand mark. She never intended to hurt Gertrude, and so she is haunted by her actions and feels like "a guilty thing."

Mrs Rutter holds a contrasting opinion as she does not feel remorse for

her actions and believes she did not do anything wrong. Despite this, she claims to empathize with youth, however, she is not aware of her hypocritical stance having left three young men to suffer before their demise.

It's ironic that other characters in the story affect the feelings and actions of the older characters. Mrs. Rutter, seeking revenge for her husband's death, saw the injured Germans as an opportunity to do so. When she learned they were German, she cheered.

Upon reflection of the two stories, they initially appear vastly dissimilar. The first protagonist displayed selfishness, questioning whether assisting the men was worthwhile, prioritizing her own warmth and dryness over their lives during a downpour. In contrast, Rhoda Brook unintentionally enacted revenge, and upon realization of her actions, experienced shock and dissatisfaction with herself.

Despite initial differences, a deeper examination reveals similarities between the two main female characters in the story. The portrayal of these characters is also heavily influenced by the reactions of the other characters in the story. Therefore, studying all characters is necessary to gain a full understanding. Although I did not initially enjoy studying these stories, further analysis allowed me to appreciate their complexities.

Upon revisiting these stories and recognizing their underlying morals, I am better able to understand and admire their narratives.