Martin Guerre Essay (Character Analysis)
Question: Rewrite your Martin Guerre essay with relevance to whether the ideologies of society if being reinforced or challenged; make sure to mention in respect to the book’s context, contemporary society and your own context.
Literary writers incorporate narrative elements in order to convey the flaws of humanity in society, such as gender or class based issues. The Wife of Martin Guerre, by Janet Lewis, portrays the individual’s struggles in feudalist, sixteenth century France and delves into the issues of a complete authoritarian rule, the place of women in patriarchal societies, and the concepts of family honour, justice, truth and love. Lewis utilises metaphorical characterisation of Monsier Guerre, Bertrande de Rols, Martin Guerre and Arnaud du Tilh to illustrate these values. Lewis’ focus upon the morality of each character’s actions and the flaws of their individual principles have upon other characters in a domino affect, such as Monsier Guerre’s regimentation of Arnaud, causing for him to defect and cause Bertrande to bear her duties alone. Lewis reinforces the sixteenth century system, displaying the danger of too much liberation through Arnaud’s impersonation of Martin, causing one to lose direction and place in the world, but also challenges the sixteenth century’s system through Monsier Guerre’s complete dictatorship and Martin’s act of rebellion in the desire for freedom.
Monsier Guerre, the cap d’hostal and father to Martin Guerre, is the absolute authority and dictator of his manor. Lewis portrays him as the stereotypical, patriarchal male of time; he is the sole protector, provider and the sole “accumulated authority of antiquity.” Monsier Guerre’s authoritarian rule confines Martin and Bertrande to his rigid Catholicism ideology of complete order and conformity regardless of circumstances, such as when he punishes Martin for bear hunting without permission. Lewis exposes the dangers of a strictly governed society through the Monsier’s
Literary writers incorporate narrative elements in order to convey the flaws of humanity in society, such as gender or class based issues. The Wife of Martin Guerre, by Janet Lewis, portrays the individual’s struggles in feudalist, sixteenth century France and delves into the issues of a complete authoritarian rule, the place of women in patriarchal societies, and the concepts of family honour, justice, truth and love. Lewis utilises metaphorical characterisation of Monsier Guerre, Bertrande de Rols, Martin Guerre and Arnaud du Tilh to illustrate these values. Lewis’ focus upon the morality of each character’s actions and the flaws of their individual principles have upon other characters in a domino affect, such as Monsier Guerre’s regimentation of Arnaud, causing for him to defect and cause Bertrande to bear her duties alone. Lewis reinforces the sixteenth century system, displaying the danger of too much liberation through Arnaud’s impersonation of Martin, causing one to lose direction and place in the world, but also challenges the sixteenth century’s system through Monsier Guerre’s complete dictatorship and Martin’s act of rebellion in the desire for freedom.
Monsier Guerre, the cap d’hostal and father to Martin Guerre, is the absolute authority and dictator of his manor. Lewis portrays him as the stereotypical, patriarchal male of time; he is the sole protector, provider and the sole “accumulated authority of antiquity.” Monsier Guerre’s authoritarian rule confines Martin and Bertrande to his rigid Catholicism ideology of complete order and conformity regardless of circumstances, such as when he punishes Martin for bear hunting without permission. Lewis exposes the dangers of a strictly governed society through the Monsier’s