Compare and Contrast the Ways in which Dickens and Hardy use Superstitious Beliefs Essay Example

"The Signalman" as well. The nature of the ghost remains uncertain – it is unclear whether it is a prophet from the future who is physically alive or if it exists solely in the signalman's imagination, representing his overwhelming anxieties.

Both of these stories were written for a Victorian audience, which was largely superstitious. The audience would have been more willing to accept the morals of the story and adopt them into their lifestyle. Despite witchcraft being almost nonexistent by the time these stories were published, it was common for Victorian authors to base their tales on Shakespearean plays, which were written during a time when witchcraft was widely accepted. Hardy attempts to recreate this atmosphere by setting the story before the industrial revolution, in a time of poverty and primitive technology. This not only interests the readers, but also allows him to create lifestyles without being accused of inaccuracy.

The Signalman seems to be set closer to the time it was written. This is evident through the detailed description of the railway line and the appearance of the main characters. The main character is described as "a dark sallow man, with a dark beard and heavy eyebrows." This description helps us visualize the setting more clearly. The stranger in The Signalman, whose name we are never told, appears out of place throughout the story. The story mentions a "dark tunnel" and a "dismal place," suggesting that the signalman is a dark character.

The Victorians were more easily frightened compared to people today.

The daunting figure within the text raises alarm and suspicion in the minds of the readers. When the stranger arrives, he confidently and enthusiastically speaks, hinting

at his multicultural upbringing and his current life of solitude. Filled with curiosity, he repeatedly questions the tasks assigned to the signalman and requests a second visit to learn more. The signalman, on the other hand, appears withdrawn and quiet, driven by his fear of the stranger and his solitary existence. This stark difference between the characters highlights the strangeness of the signalman compared to the typical person represented by the stranger. Similarly, Rhoda Brook in The Withered Arm also displays curiosity in a rapid conversation with her son about Gertrude's appearance: "Did you see her?" / "Yes, very clearly" / "Does she look like a lady?" etc.Both Rhoda and the stranger in The Signalman exhibit a similar character development technique. They both engage in questioning their subjects to satisfy their curiosity and only find contentment once they discover flaws: Rhoda is pleased to find out Gertrude's short stature, while the stranger consistently tries to disprove the existence of the visions, saying "Do you see it?" and receiving responses like "No, it is not there" and eventually arriving at a mutual agreement. The way the stranger abruptly and confidently says "agreed" suggests that he already knew the answer before asking the question. Throughout The Signalman, all characters remain enigmatic until the end when we learn that the signalman is referred to as "Tom".

The narrator's name and purpose of visit are not revealed in the text. Dickens intentionally withholds the names of his characters to enhance the sense of mystery and curiosity. This was a unique concept during that time since it was customary to provide a description of the main characters. It is important to

note that this is a short story, not a novel, which makes such details unnecessary. In contrast, Hardy takes a different approach.

He has developed all of his characters by infringing upon their backgrounds and relationships with other characters, creating an almost mythical quality reminiscent of folk tales. This creates a wholly original and imaginative universe in which the author portrays events while evoking emotion in the reader. Both stories revolve around the theme of suffering, which is closely tied to the mysterious and supernatural elements. Gertrude Lodge, for instance, experiences immense suffering due to the unbearable disfigurement on her arm.

The unfortunate incident, highlighted by Gertrude's otherwise exquisite manifestation, is equally matched by the torment endured by Rhoda, who is to blame for the transformation. She is disoriented by the horrific act she had no control over, leading her through various emotions. In The Signalman, we are once again confronted with immense suffering: the signalman has endured six months of visitation from the phantom. During this time, he appears fearful of reaching out to the outside world, as seen in his rejection of the stranger upon their initial encounter. Both authors utilize these emotions to garner sympathy from readers, dispelling superstition. One notable parallel between the two stories is the straightforward presentation of supernatural occurrences: there is no room for endless debate regarding the author's intended beliefs. However, this is not the case in this instance.

In both "The Signalman" and "The Withered Arm," the authors use different methods to convey the uncanny. In "The Signalman," the nature of the spirit is clear, but its reasons for making itself known are unclear. On the other

hand, in "The Withered Arm," our attention is focused on Rhoda's dream, which is a clear declaration of abnormality. This allows us to accurately interpret the author's intentions and form our own beliefs. Overall, both Dickens and Hardy have unique yet powerful ways of communicating the uncanny.

Both authors have expanded our understanding of what is possible through their unique writing styles. In my opinion, Hardy was more successful than Dickens because he not only portrayed the consequences, but also highlighted the importance of staying true to oneself, which is something Dickens failed to do. Hardy's depiction of the effects on other characters, as well as the main subject of the wrongdoing, enhances our ability to visualize the story. Additionally, he transforms the once pleasant countryside into a dark and overwhelming environment. This transformation greatly impacts Gertrude, as it reveals that her beauty is disregarded before she even begins to confront her self-contempt.