In both cases, the fathers felt powerless after giving up their property. Both fathers realize that they are nothing without their power and they begin to go slowly insane. In the case of King Lear it appears to be insanity, in Larry Cook's case it resembles Alzheimer's. .
The turning point in both stories is the storm. This is the point in the story where both fathers realize they have made a mistake; they both turn to their youngest daughters for help. It is also the two youngest daughters who take care of their fathers in the end. .
There are also differences in the two stories that should be noted. Shakespeare's story is written from a male's perspective, which was not uncommon for this time period. Jane Smiley tells the story through a woman's point of view. The "bad" daughter is the narrator, which helps the reader better understand the conflict that in the end tears the family apart. Smiley explains the girls" dislike for their father through memories of incest. In "King Lear" the girls simply don't like their father. There is death in the end of both stories. However, in Shakespeare's, Cordelia and Lear die, but in Smiley's only Rose dies from breast cancer. .
The characters in Smiley's adaptation of "King Lear" are much more developed than in Shakespeare's. Larry Cook's daughters are not greedy and evil as Lear's daughters are portrayed. Instead they are described in such a way that allows the reader to empathize and identify with them. They can be influenced. Lear's daughters seem to be driven by their greed for wealth and power. This abuse of power emerges as the dominant theme in "King Lear". "A Thousand Acres" is more of a family saga; the story of a modern day family struggling to work together to keep the family's wealth intact. .
Another example of the similarities and differences between the characters in "King Lear" and in "A Thousand Acres" becomes apparent through comparison of Ginny and Goneril.
The tempest in Act III influences the character King Lear significantly. ... (King Lear P.105). ... But he does blame his "two pernicious daughters"(King Lear P.107) for their betrayal. ... (King Lear P.109). ... He then states "I have one part in my heart / That's sorry yet for thee" (King Lear P.109). ...
Significance of the Subplot in King Lear In an attempt to universalize the travesties endured by the protagonist and tragic hero, Shakespeare incorporates a significant subplot into King Lear. Although the focus clearly lies on the tragic plight of King Lear, the secondary plot involving Gloucester and his offspring mirrors and dramatizes Lear's hopeless situation. ... I love your majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less" (William Shakespeare, King Lear [New York: Penguin Books, 1999, Act I, scene i, lines 91-93.] ... In an effective attempt to universalize King Lear's dil...
This wouldn't fit in with the description of King Lear though. King Lear is said to be in his eighty's. ... If I were King Lear, I would have believed them both. ... King Lear cries and presents his final speech in a solemn tone. ... Regardless, King Lear is still powerful and affects us all. ...
Analysis of "King Lear" Many literary techniques are used to emphasize the theme of the Shakespearean play "King Lear." ... In King Lear, the techniques of imagery, foreshadowing, and irony help to reinforce the drama's theme that people are blind to the truth. ... The fool was trying to tell King Lear that there was trouble amongst his daughters. ... I was king, but I gave away my kingdom. ... They know that Goneril and Reagan will betray Lear, but Lear is not yet aware of this fact. ...
King Lear (1604) deals with the consequences and misjudgments of Lear. ... Lear respondedNothing! ... One where two evil daughters help banish a good daughter in a love test by King Lear. ... In his old age King Lear had divided his kingdom between his daughters, Goneril and Regan, who professed great love for him but then harassed him into madness. ... King Lear died over her body....
King Lear (1604) deals with the consequences and misjudgments of Lear. ... Lear respondedNothing! ... One where two evil daughters help banishes a good daughter in a love test by King Lear. ... In his old age King Lear had divided his kingdom between his daughters, Goneril and Regan, who professed great love for him but then harassed him into madness. ... King Lear died over her body....
King Lear is not only a story of the trials and tribulations of the parent-child relationship, but also one of love, hate, honor and betrayal. ... Among many more lines, King Lear presents the notion of natural law, that man is ordained by the stars as to what and how he will be, and that is our destiny to be what we are. ... A thief can be nothing but a thief, and king none other than a king. ... What is interesting about King Lear is the parallel plot of Lear and his daughters and Gloucester and his sons. ... Once a royal king, now a sick-minded wanderer, he flees into a storm. ...
This especially becomes evident upon the betrayal of King Lear. ... King Lear compares his daughter's attack with the sting of a snake with its tongue. ... The female's morality is developed and their actions are foreshadowed in the opening act, with their reaction to the request of flattering King Lear. ... Cordelia is loyal to both the King Lear and the King of France. ... Shakespeare's King Lear evidently displays his own view of woman, which is often contradictory to the realistic image of a woman. ...
When writing King Lear, William Shakespeare focused much of his attention towards both the good and evil aspects of different characters and their relationships with one another. ... Among these lines follows King Lear's greatst mistake: it was when he put statements, which were intended to affirm their true loves for their father. ... As a reaction twards his daughter's honest response, Lear cast her away, exclaiming. ... It's obvious to the reader that she cherishes her father more so than her sisters, but she can't express her love in the way in which King Lear wants ...
King Lear's actions throughout the play have substantial consequences. ... (Shakespeare 1.1.167-169) Kent tries to convince Lear that Cordelia does love him but Lear fails to see this. ... Kent is loyal and faithful to Lear and tries to make Lear realize his wrong decisions. ... / This is not Lear, / Does Lear walks thus, speak thus? ... (1.4.234-236) By giving away everthing he owns, he gives away his title as King and leaves himself with nothing. ...
