In "The Boarding House" by James Joyce, we have the theme of powerlessness, social opinion, paralysis and marriage. ... Joyce tells the reader that 'the table of the breakfast-room was covered with plates on which lay yellow streaks of eggs and morsels of bacon-fat and bacon rind.' ... The idea or theme of powerlessness is also explored in the story while Bob is in his room thinking about what he has to do. ... Joyce may also be using the song that Polly would sing on Sunday nights in the drawing room of the house as a foreshadowing device. ... Social opinion or the perception of wh...

• Word Count: 967
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

This might lead one to believe that this may have been commonplace, for women to be unhappy in their marriage and have no conventional means of escape; as divorce may be viewed during current times. ... She is isolated in this room the entire story and seems to be quite lonely; thus, highlighting the similarities to Mrs. Mallard and the theme of isolation. ... Isolation is one of the primary themes that are evident throughout the story and the depth of the theme helps to understand her characterization.  Miss Emily Grierson is a character with various levels of emotional instability, which ...

• Word Count: 986
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

After Louise finds out the news of the death of her husband, Brently Mallard, Louise's first reaction was to depart in a "storm of grief" with "wild abandonment" (Chopin 3). However instead of being in a state grief, Louise began to sit in her chair alone in her room and started to "reach in to her soul" (Chopin 4). ... With her new state of mind Louise becomes jovial because of the felling of ecstasy. ... Subsequently Louise's husband shows up to be alive, while at the same time, Louise dies and was killed with her over excitement. ... The author's theme that was presented ...

• Word Count: 274
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

The author uses characterization, to appeal to the reader's senses, thoughts, and feelings, to develop the theme of a nineteenth century woman's desire for equal rights. ... Mallard to other women was the desire to be alone in her room when most would turn to family and friends for comfort. ... She acknowledges to herself that when she views the body she will weep again. ... She views the bending of her will as an "act" "no less a crime" (14). Chopin begins the story with the fact of Mrs. ...

• Word Count: 562
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The stopped time however has left Miss Havisham in a state of neglect as her dress has "faded" to "yellow white" with age. ... The reference here to withering creates the theme of death and decay which again can be associated to a ghost. This suggests to the reader that although Miss Havisham is physically present in the room, her soul is stuck in the past where she was abandoned on her wedding day; therefore all that's left is a ghost. This theme of abandonment again relates back to the decaying state of Satis house. ... As the novel progresses, Dickens seems to encou...

• Word Count: 984
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate