Thomas Hardy, ‘Tony Kytes, the Arch Deceiver’ and Charlotte Perkins Gilman ‘Turned’ Essay Example

"Turned" utilizes lengthy, intricate, and refined vocabulary such as "I never saw anyone so docile... it is perfection in a servant, but almost a defect in character." These words also highlight Mrs.'s character.

Despite the fact that Mrs. Marroner is extremely sophisticated and highly educated, she proves to be a strong-willed individual who is able to control her emotions and curb her anger, as evidenced by the extended metaphor of "and then came the deluge" and "floods rising around." The use of complex language in "Turned" is further exemplified through the inclusion of similes such as "primal earth spirit" and compound adjectives including "thick-curtained." Meanwhile, in "Tony Kytes," there is an abundance of non-standard English such as "ee," while Hardy utilizes nineteenth century dialect like "nunny-watch" and "kick a bit of a miff."

Within his writing, Hardy employs words that reveal the punctuation of his characters. One notable instance is the use of "handsome," which highlights Unity's characteristics of strength, masculinity, and beauty. 'Turned' showcases social and historical context through class distinctions, which carry greater significance than within 'Tony Kytes'. For example, Mrs. Marroner is a wealthy woman living a luxurious life in Boston, while Gerta is a less fortunate servant. Ultimately, power resides in money, as demonstrated by Mr.'s control over others.

Gerta is a hopeless immigrant who receives $50 from Marroner, with whom she had slept. Despite this, the stories of Marroner and Tony both revolve around the relationships between men and women. Tony, a young man from the countryside, is ironically called "the arch deceiver" despite being weak-willed and easily manipulated by women. He lacks respect towards them, as shown when he hides

under sacks and tarpaulin with them and promises to marry one if he breaks up with Milly.

Tony has an affinity for women in "shoals", likening them to fish that can be easily replaced when one leaves. He also refers to them as "ferrets", suggesting that they are difficult to control. In contrast, Mr. Marroner, a respected and prosperous businessman, coerces Gerta, a naive and dutiful woman, into sleeping with him despite the foreseeable harm it will cause his beloved and trusting wife as well as Gerta herself.

The text depicts Mr. Marroner's irresponsibility and self-centeredness. He has been away from his wife for a long time, writing letters about their upcoming honeymoon upon his return, knowing that his wife will be angry about Gerta's pregnancy. Mr. Marroner blames Gerta for ruining his relationship with his wife and forgets about his child, whom he refers to as "all that". This underscores the notion that men are not considerate towards others. Upon returning home, Mr. Marroner discovers an empty house and wonders if his wife has passed away. He contemplates how to inform friends and family, highlighting his selfishness yet again.

Marroner is fearful of disclosing his wife's departure, as he desires to protect his reputation and family name from being tarnished. Essentially, Gilman exhibits a prejudiced stance towards men as they frequently cause complications, leaving women to suffer the consequences. Moreover, the protagonist in 'Turned' is Mrs. Marroner, whom Gilman regards as an exemplary woman. This is because Mrs.

Mrs. Marroner is a formidable figure who possesses emotional and anger management skills, channeling them into logical and well-articulated expressions as she did at the outset of the narrative. The

parallel introductions could have served to illustrate how she overcomes adversity. Furthermore, she is a highly educated individual who holds a Ph.D.

In summary, Mrs. Marroner is depicted as an impeccable woman. However, upon being hurt by her husband Mr. Marroner, she turns against him and views him as an untrustworthy enemy. Furthermore, she rebels against societal norms by leaving her unfulfilling marriage and residing in a small town where she aids in the upbringing of Gerta's child.

In summary, Hardy presents an objective perspective on gender dynamics, while Gilman, a feminist, challenges men through her story that encourages women to strive for freedom and equality. Compared to 'Tony Kytes', 'Turned' is more instructive, as readers can learn from it. The ending of 'Turned' is ambiguous, concluding with the question "what have you got to say to us?" which may reveal whether Mr. Marroner has gained insight.

The conclusion of 'Tony Kytes' presents an uncertain outcome as it remains unclear whether Tony has truly learned from his mistakes or if he continues to deceive Milly even after they marry. Hardy ends the story with a "rare party," leaving the interpretation open to both positive and negative viewpoints.