In Controlling The Reader?s Response To ?The Withered Ar Essay, Research Paper
In the
very first section of the story, we can see how Hardy focuses our attention in
order to control our response. We can
see that Rhoda Brook is a lonely figure set aside, but Hardy?s skill makes us
want to know more about her and why she is lonely when the other milkers refer
to her. The
first section is intriguing. We constantly want to find out more about the
mysterious character of Rhoda Brook, who we notice is sitting apart from the
other workers. By the
end of the section, we assume that Rhoda Brook is a rejected girlfriend of
farmer Lodge. We deduce this from the clues in the language used by Hardy. In the
second section, Hardy moves the story forward and introduces the theme of Rhoda
Brook?s jealousy, and more importantly, we now see the story from Rhoda Brook?s
perspective. When
Rhoda sends her son to spy on farmer Lodge?s new wife, we begin to see how
jealous and rejected Rhoda feels. We also
begin top understand Rhoda much better, and sympathise with her feelings. Clues
about Rhoda Brook?s relationship with farmer Lodge are suggested in an oblique
way, so we only have partial knowledge. The way
Hardy withholds information is part of his skill, and makes us wonder and want
to know more about their relationship. In
section3, Hardy introduces a very powerful supernatural element which creates a
very uncanny atmosphere. We see
Rhoda Brook focusing her mind intently on the image of Gertrude Lodge, over
turf ashes. This setting is good for creating the mystic atmosphere, which
draws the reader into the mystery, especially during the scene where the
incubus visits Rhoda Brook. This is rather exciting and creates fear inside the
reader, which is enjoyable. Again, this is part of Hardy?s skilful use of
language throughout the story. We feel
the mystery and excitement when Gertrude Lodge visits Brook?s cottage the next
morning. We find Rhoda afraid and wanting to hide. She expects to see the same
features on Gertrude as the ones she had formed on her mind, and is quite
surprised when she meets her. We see that Rhoda begins to like Gertrude, but
also suffers a conflict on emotions. Rhoda
feels guilty and confused, and we identify deeply with her. We share in her
puzzlement at the coincidence of her dream and Gertrude’s afflicted limb. Section4
deals with the suggestion to visit Conjuror Trendle. Here, the theme of the
conflict of emotions is carried on and again, we perceive the story from Rhoda
Brook?s perspective. We see
that Rhoda almost dreads meeting Gertrude again. She feels convicted of a
crime, and terrible guilt for withholding the dream from Gertrude. Rhoda Brook
feels her friendship would be put in danger if Gertrude found out.At the
same time, we see how Rhoda Brook feels affection fore Gertrude, and that she
has a frightening fascination with Gertrude?s affliction; which mystified her
so. When
Gertrude suggests the visit to Trendle, we see how Rhoda Brook reluctantly
agrees to go, and how she dreads Trendle informing young Gertrude about the
cause of her withering arm. We are able to share in Rhoda Brook?s feelings
because of the skill Hardy employs in his use of language. Later
on in section 5, we continue to share in Rhoda Brook?s increasing feelings of
guilt, anxiety and fear of discovery as she makes her way through the dark and
dreary heath with Gertrude. By the
end of the section, we do not know whether Gertrude knows the truth or not.
This is because of Hardy?s narrative technique which forces the reader into
Rhoda Brook?s shoes and limits the reader to the information that Rhoda Brook
has. This is
very skilful and it is why Hardy is so successful in controlling our response
to the story. In
section 6 we experience how Hardy abruptly shifts the narrative perspective
away form Rhoda Brook to Gertrude, and bluntly tells us that Rhoda and her
unnamed son have left the area. We are
now obliged to share in Gertrude?s feelings of rejection and lack of love form
her husband because of her deformity. As
Hardy continues the narrative from Gertrude’s perspective, we see how she is
determined not to give up her fight to win back her husband?s love, so that
they may be happy again. In
order to do this, we accompany Gertrude on her lonely journey to meet Trendle
for the final time. We see she is frightened as she travels alone to face the
prospect of placing her arm upon a dead man?s neck. We are drawn into the story
and sympathise with her. When
she visits the hangman in his lonely cottage, and Hardy makes us identify with
poor Gertrude and feel pity for her. At he
jail, we reach the climax of the story. There is a sudden twist in the story
and we find ourselves stunned by Rhoda Brook?s and farmer Lodge?s presence and
by the sudden realisation that the hanged man is in fact? Rhoda Brook?s unnamed son from the start of
the story. Hardy
and achieves this surprise skilfully by having changed the perspective of the
narrative in the middle of the story, so that we had almost forgot about Rhoda
Brook and her son, because we were busy identifying with Gertrude and her
lonely plight. The surprise is totally unpredictable and unanticipated. I found
this story to be very enjoyable. I was attracted by the mysterious and
atmosphere and the gripping storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending, which
left me absolutely flabbergasted. I think
that Hardy was very talented and I admire his skilful use of language and the
use of his techniques used to focus my attention and shift the perspective
almost unnoticeably.