The ways men and unmarried mothers are presented Essay Example
The ways men and unmarried mothers are presented Essay Example

The ways men and unmarried mothers are presented Essay Example

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  • Pages: 15 (3974 words)
  • Published: October 12, 2017
  • Type: Analysis
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Both Christina Rossetti's 19th-century poem "Cousin Kate" and Eileen McAuley's 20th-century piece "The Seduction" portray actual occurrences. In "Cousin Kate", the narrator begins by expressing joy and satisfaction. However, her life dramatically changes when a powerful lord takes notice of her, forcing her into his opulent home where he treats her as nothing more than entertainment. Ultimately, he leaves her for her cousin Kate, whom he decides to wed.

The speaker initially regrets accepting the lord's offer but realizes that she now has his son and that he would give up his lands for someone to continue his family name. In "The Seduction," a 16-year-old girl is also taken advantage of at a party due to excessive alcohol consumption. She is then taken to a quiet dock where the man takes advantage of her while reminiscing ab

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out his schooldays with "sweet paint thinner." The second half of the poem focuses on how the girl deals with her pregnancy and how she would rather starve herself, resembling a "sick precocious child," than tell her neighbors.

In both poems, there are unmarried women who have experienced similar acts of exploitation and are left to contemplate their predicaments while the men responsible evade any consequences. The men in both poems entice the women with material possessions, be it riches, houses, or excessive alcohol. This reveals that the women don't choose to be with these men out of genuine love but rather due to the overwhelming gifts they are showered with. At the start of the poem "Cousin Kate," the woman initially appears content with her life.

This can be seen through the words: "I was a cottage maiden, hardened by

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sun and air, contented with my cottage mates, not mindful I was fair," which demonstrates that she was a typical 19th century house maid and that she found contentment in her life. The phrase "Not mindful I was fair" indicates her innocence and purity in the past. The latter half of the initial stanza illustrates how her life was disrupted and how she eventually led a life deemed "shameful" by society.

The text illustrates the speaker's curiosity about why a great lord took notice of her and complimented her hair color. The speaker believes that this lord seduced her with excessive flattery, causing her to leave her cottage home. Within the interrogative statements, the speaker demands an explanation for why the great lord singled her out. These questions could suggest different possibilities or foreshadow future events. To make the poem relatable, imagery is employed, such as mentioning "flaxen hair" to evoke a realistic scenario that readers may empathize with based on their own experiences. The initial part of the second stanza depicts how she became involved in the lord's life and utilized by him.

The text discusses how the lord was able to entice the speaker into his home, tricking her into believing that living there would be a life without shame. The speaker was then manipulated into becoming the lord's plaything. However, since the lord did not marry her, the speaker is no longer seen as innocent or pure and is now rejected by society. This situation fills the speaker with intense shame for accepting the lord's proposition. The poet employs the oxymoron technique by using the phrase "shameless shameful" to achieve a dramatic effect.

This

section of the poem effectively discusses remorse and regret, portraying how the speaker was mistreated by the lord. The lord's treatment of her is depicted in the line "He wore me like a silken knot, he changed me like a glove." This line illustrates how the lord used and mistreated her. The phrase "wore me like a silken knot" highlights how she was trapped in the situation, while the word "silken" suggests that she was enticed by the lord's wealth and high social status. The line "He changed me like a glove" demonstrates how easily the lord replaced her with her cousin Kate.

Both sections use clothing imagery, which helps the reader envision how effortlessly the lord replaced her. Additionally, both sections employ similes. This serves as a mnemonic device, allowing the two ideas to remain separate despite their similarities. The speaker portrays herself as an insignificant being, overlooked by society. "So now I moan, unclean thing who might have been a dove." This illustrates how the speaker perceives herself in the poem - as an object of disgrace that should not be acknowledged within the community.

The word "dove" implies that she could have been innocent and pure if the lord had not acted as he did. The speaker is no longer seen as a person by society; instead, they view her as an object. "The neighbors consider you good and pure, while they consider me a castaway. " This clearly conveys the neighbors' feelings towards the speaker. They "cast away" her, making her feel forever excluded from society. Initially, she is contented with herself, but as the poem progresses, she gradually becomes despondent and reflects

on all the misfortunes that have befallen her, ultimately stating "now I moan, an unclean thing".

Then she expresses her bitterness by stating "O cousin Kate my love was true, your love is writ in sand," indicating her fear of resentment from her cousin and the lord. She asserts that their love is permanent while theirs is only temporary and will eventually fade away. However, towards the end of the poem, she finds some solace as she becomes proud of her son, despite the fact that her cousin Kate is married to the lord who "would give lands for one to wear his coronet."

In the opening stanza of "The Seduction," the poem describes how the man successfully entices the woman to accompany him to a quiet dock after a party. "After the party, early Sunday morning, He led her to the quiet bricks of Birkenhead docks." This indicates that he brought her there during the silent hours of Sunday morning, which is not an appropriate time to visit a potentially dangerous location after a party. The use of the word "quiet" implies the desire for privacy during this particular moment in the poem. It highlights the girl's isolation as she finds herself in a deserted place with no one around for assistance.

The girl is clearly intoxicated as she heads towards Birkenhead docks. She seems to be in a state of intoxication, either due to things moving quickly or her excessive consumption of alcohol. This indicates that the man must have persuaded her to visit such a dreadful place by supplying her with a significant amount of alcohol. Her affection for him is solely based on the

alcohol he provided to her, as she "fell in love" with him as he continued to buy her drinks. This demonstrates that her love for him is solely rooted in his continuous supply of alcohol.

Due to these circumstances, she perceives this man as a kind person and gradually develops more trust in him. This indicates her disillusionment and inability to make a genuine judgment. Similar to Cousin Kate, her affection is not directly for the man himself but rather for his material possessions. Despite only having a limited acquaintance, "She had met him at the party, she had danced with him throughout the night." This demonstrates the minimal time she has had to evaluate whether this individual is truly a good person. With such limited time and excessive alcohol consumption, her memory would undoubtedly be clouded and her decisions unreliable.

This is when the man takes advantage of the situation, being the more dominant of the two. This also occurs in Cousin Kate as the speaker is overwhelmed by the lords' wealth and social status. The speaker then makes a regrettable decision, similar to what happens in The Seduction. The girl, still wearing her party clothes, is now heading towards the docks. "She followed him there, all high white shoes, all wide blue eyes and bottles of vodka." This demonstrates how he successfully seduces her with vodka. She follows him because he keeps giving her more alcohol.

The girl's "wide blue eyes" depict her lack of focus due to the excessive amount of alcohol the man has given her. This is how the man successfully seduces her with the gift of vodka. This scenario resembles that of

Cousin Kate, where the woman is enticed by vast wealth and high social status. The man holds more power in this situation and disregards the woman's emotions. He handed her the vodka, which she gulped down like water, resulting in her becoming drunk and anxious. His comment, referring to her as a "little slag," clearly reflects his lack of concern for her. By passing her the vodka, he asserts his dominance over her.

The phrase "Knocked it back like water" indicates her familiarity with consuming large amounts of alcohol. "She giggled, drunk and nervous" reveals her awareness of her condition and the gravity of her situation. It also demonstrates her realization that she is in a more dire predicament than anticipated, highlighting her immaturity and uncertainty as she lacks the mindset of an adult. She also comes to the sudden realization of her pregnancy, which instantly plunges her into a state of depression, causing her to question why her teenage innocence has been taken away.

She cried and destroyed her Mr Guy and her Jackie photo comics when she realized she was three months pregnant, while secluded in her locked, dark room. This illustrates her reaction to the news of her pregnancy. The use of the word "locked" indicates how she isolates herself from society's scrutiny, and the darkness becomes a part of her attempt to hide her presence. Despite destroying her childhood memories, the remnants are reminiscent of confetti, perhaps symbolizing her fear that she may never experience marriage, as it is the closest semblance she will ever have.

The use of the word "sobbed" suggests that the protagonist is still experiencing sadness regarding her pregnancy. However,

as she continues to reflect on her actions, this sadness transforms into a deep depression. This depression brings about anger and bitterness towards both society and her own life. It highlights her inability to move on from the harm she has endured during this time, leading her to seek control through negative emotions. On the other hand, in "Cousin Kate," the female character feels sorrowful for being taken advantage of but chooses to focus on the positive aspects, disregarding societal opinions.

The protagonist in "The Seduction" is swayed and manipulated by the viewpoints of others and how the media portrays things. She craves for the times when she had the liberty to do what she wished, fondly remembering activities such as day trips to Blackpool, accompanied by a sense of mourning for her lost innocence that was once integral to her life. Her deep longing for this past innocent life becomes painfully clear. However, her circumstances take a drastic turn with the burden of taking care of her baby, which hinders her from chasing after her desires. Initially filled with joy and affection, she ultimately experiences rejection and mistreatment.

Afterwards, she enters a state of depression and unlike the girl in Cousin Kate who discovers she is actually proud of her son, she remains depressed, fearing that the "neighbors" will discover her secret. She openly expresses her true emotions towards her pregnancy, stating that it is preferable to ruin her life through artificial means rather than succumb to this detestable feminine emptiness. This indicates her strong aversion towards pregnancy, to the extent that she would rather resort to self-destruction through "man made" methods than endure the experience

of being pregnant.

The phrase "despicable feminine void" illustrates her intense anger and her belief that pregnancy is the most dreadful experience. In contrast, in "Cousin Kate," she is saddened by her pregnancy and faces societal rejection as a symbol of disgrace. However, the speaker does not feel ashamed or dishonored; instead, she takes pride in her son. The Lord in "Cousin Kate" possesses multiple characteristics, including wealth and a high social status. The line "Why did a great lord find me out?" indicates his wealth, as a lord refers to someone affluent rather than of royal lineage.

The text suggests that the lord can be anyone without necessarily having respect for others. The term "great" ironically portrays the lord in the poem as he is not truly great, but rather a man driven by lust. Despite his powerful appearance, the term "plaything" reveals how easily the lord manipulated her into accepting a lifestyle considered impure by society. Although 19th century women were expected to be submissive, the speaker should not defy society's views on such significant matters.

In this verse, the speaker expresses her dissatisfaction and feelings of entrapment as a result of the lord's choice to stay with her only until he becomes attracted to her cousin Kate. The comparison made by the speaker to swapping out a car implies that the lord views women as interchangeable objects. It is apparent that his concern doesn't lie in the welfare of these women, but rather in satisfying his personal desires. Throughout this verse, an image is painted of the lord as being indifferent and unfeeling. The statement "He wore me like a silken knot, he changed me

like a glove" underscores how effortlessly the lord disposes of the speaker through strong imagery and similes.

The text emphasizes how the narrator feels controlled and manipulated by the wealthy and powerful lord. The use of imagery and similes effectively highlight this point and make it memorable for readers. The lord is portrayed as dominant. The line "Won me over with his love, nor bought me with his land" reveals the actions taken by the lord to win the narrator's affection. This is a subjective perspective, representing the narrator's beliefs about what the lord did to charm her (primary evidence).

This passage illustrates the lord's dominance and his absolute control over events. He is skilled in manipulation. As evidence, the line "He lured me to his palace home" demonstrates how the lord cunningly entices the speaker with the illusion of kindness and generosity, leading her to believe that he is acting in her best interests. Unbeknownst to the speaker, however, this place is not one where she can make her own choices; it is entirely controlled by the lord and his calculated actions, implying that he had premeditated his actions before executing them.

The text demonstrates the lord's dominance over sentence structure through phrases like "He wore me like a silken knot," showing the speaker referring to the action from the lord's perspective instead of her own. The speaker's pure and innocent self is irreversibly influenced by the lord, as seen in the line "Who might have been a dove." This reflects the speaker's feelings towards the abuse and neglect suffered under the lord. The lord views the woman as an object that can be purchased,

used, and discarded, referring to her as an "unclean thing" and an "outcast thing."

These are two quotes from the poem that depict the speaker as an object rather than a person. This demonstrates the power of the lord in choosing to neglect the woman he initially encountered and replace her with her cousin, Kate, who is deemed "good and pure" in society's eyes. The lord easily seduces the woman, as she questions why he sought her out and complemented her blond hair. She laments being enticed to his palace, where she lives a dishonorable and disgraceful existence as his mere plaything and lover.

The text illustrates the various tactics employed by the lord to allure the woman. It begins with his flattery, stating "praise my flaxen hair," and progresses to him showing concern for her well-being by promising to take care of her, saying "to fill my heart with care." Subsequently, he entices her to go to his palace and persuades her to live a disgraceful life, where she becomes "his plaything and his love," which goes against societal norms of purity and respectability. The lord employs his immense wealth to overpower the woman and charms her into a life of dishonor and neglect. Overall, the lord lacks dedication.

"Chose you and cast me by" shows how readily he discarded the speaker for her cousin, dismissing her as effortlessly as purchasing a new car. This demonstrates that upon finding her, he made empty promises and solely pursued his own desires, without even bothering to marry first. The boy in "The Seduction" bears striking similarities to the lord in "Cousin Kate", displaying numerous shared traits and callousness. The

man in the second stanza of the poem especially lacks respect for the woman he is with, as evidenced by his act of spitting in the river and muttering derogatory language."

This excerpt depicts the individual's blatant disregard for the female character. His disrespect is evident when he spits into the river while she is around, suggesting that there's no need for him to behave courteously in her company. He further disrespects her by labeling her as a "little slag." It becomes apparent that he doesn't value her viewpoint, behaving as he wishes. Throughout this verse, his dialogues are lengthy and often filled with curiosity, urging readers to listen carefully to what he says. For instance, he imparts his expertise on football and notably brings up names like Sammy Lee and Ian Rush. The woman pays careful attention, getting engrossed by his passion as he talks about topics like the milk cup or an upcoming McGuigan fight—events which visibly bring excitement in her eyes.

This narrative highlights the boy's keenness to initiate a dialogue with the woman. Interestingly, the girl doesn't reciprocate or adhere to conventional conversational norms as she is deeply intrigued by not only what he says but also how he articulates it. His discourse radiates tranquil sincerity laced with subtle excitement - a stark contrast to the disinterested lord in Cousin Kate who scarcely attempts any interaction. The story further reveals that instead of going to school and partaking in meals, the boy plays truant and involves himself with solvents. He suggests that they visit his regular afternoon hangout, a secluded spot where he engrosses himself in his father's magazines while carrying a bag

full of glittering, saccharine paint thinner.

This paragraph depicts the type of person the girl has fallen in love with. The boy appears untidy because he regularly skips school and carries a bag of "Sweet paint thinner" with him, indicating his involvement in solvent abuse (which is something rational individuals would never consider). Clearly, the boy is incapable of maintaining a committed relationship for long. Similar to this, the lord in "Cousin Kate" swiftly replaces her. Despite the negative portrayal of the boy, the poet has managed to present him in a favorable light.

The girl notices the boy's eyes, which are as blue as iodine. Despite iodine being yellow, the simile suggests that the boy's eyes are vivid in color, possibly indicating his anxiety. The girl finds it hard to notice such a remarkable color due to her alcohol consumption, but in this case, she remembers the boy's bright blue eyes along with other details from that night.

In Cousin Kate, the physical appearance of the lord is not mentioned; instead, the focus is on how he is able to seduce the speaker. The poet highlights his scruffy demeanor by mentioning that he smokes, which is evident from the description of his kisses tasting of nicotine. This indicates that at his age, smoking is usually associated with a lack of grooming, as people who are well-presented typically do not smoke. Additionally, the poem suggests that the lord engages in truanting from school and drinking, which are behaviors not shared by the lord in Cousin Kate.

The lord is depicted as being well presented and of high social status, as well as being responsible and not engaging in truancy

or smoking. The boy, on the other hand, is seen as dominant, vulgar, and yet charming. This is evident when he nonchalantly passes her the vodka. This action showcases his assertiveness and careful planning. Furthermore, he does not seem fazed by insulting her by calling her a "little slag" in front of others. These traits demonstrate that he is a one-time occurrence and his promises hold no real meaning. The similarities between the lord's behavior in Cousin Kate and the boy's behavior are significant.

The boy appears eager to charm the girl, as evident from his hasty attempt to kiss her. The phrase "swiftly contrived to kiss her" showcases the boy's hurried and laborious effort. This indicates that he left no room for the girl to refuse his advances once he successfully seduced her. In the poem, the boy is portrayed as rebellious, expressing his disregard for responsibilities such as attending school or having meals on time. Moreover, there is a distinct contrast in background between the girl and the boy. The girl seems to have had a proper upbringing, while the boy comes across as unkempt, having endured a difficult childhood and lacking respect for others.

The boy appears to be attempting to conceal his actions by using Listerine mouthwash to mask the scent of the kiss, implying that he is a smoker. In the poem "Cousin Kate," society views her as a symbol of disgrace, referred to as an "unclean thing." She is despised to the point of being objectified and dehumanized, while her cousin is seen as the ideal match for the lord because she is considered "good and pure," despite the fact that

it was the lord who committed adultery with the speaker initially.

In "The Seduction", the girl is depicted as isolating herself in a "locked" room to conceal her pregnancy from the prying eyes of society, represented by the neighbors. She goes to extreme lengths, even starving herself, resembling a sick precocious child, in order to avoid revealing her pregnant belly. Unfortunately, this choice poses potential health risks for both her and the unborn baby. However, due to her overwhelming sadness, she prioritizes keeping the neighbors oblivious, neglecting the consequences.

Society singles out the protagonist in "Seduction" due to the line "neighbours whisper you always looked the type" in the last stanza. This signifies society's reaction to her becoming pregnant. Despite a century of progress, society's views remain unchanged as both victims are treated harshly and their feelings are disregarded, dehumanizing them. In contrast, in "Cousin Kate," the pregnant girl takes pride in her situation, understanding that the lord would offer lands for someone to wear his coronet.

Despite society's rejection of her and their dehumanization of her, the speaker finds solace in the benefits of her pregnancy, referring to it as "my shame, my pride." This allows her to break free from the overwhelming depression that had consumed her, as seen in the poem "The Seduction." The use of the phrase "my shame, my pride" also highlights the oxymoronic writing technique employed. Ultimately, both poems share a similar storyline, with the only difference being the element of time.

Both situations revolve around unmarried mothers who have experienced neglect and rejection. The distinction lies in the fact that while everything else evolves over time, society's views remain stagnant. Even

in modern times, there is still a prevailing belief that having a child at a young age (prior to turning 18) is sinful, and that such circumstances should be met with severity in order to reflect the societal consequences. Thus, despite a century of progress, society's perspectives have remained unchanged.

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