The Damnation of Theron Ware

In class today, Dr. Campbell asked an important question about the book: Do illumination and damnation go hand in hand?

As someone who places a high value on both education and on religion, I had a very difficult time grappling with this issue throughout the book and, in a larger sense, in my own life. While so many authors frequently allude to the Bible in their books, making at least a basic knowledge of the Bible necessary in almost any English class, it seems that (for the most part anyway) education and Christianity are incongruous. Like Theron, learning more about science, history, or even language (as in the case of the eponyms) force many people to question their faith at the very least.

However (and I may be a bit idealistic here), I would like to think that illumination and damnation do not have to go hand in hand. As we discussed in class today, Theron is too rash and impressionable at many points in the book, leading to his nearly immediate acceptance of everything he hears from other people or reads in books. It's as if he forgets that, while those people he talks to and the people who writes the books are likely more educated than he is, they are still humans, just like him. With so much doubt in himself and such intense hatred for his perceived ignorance, he suddenly puts himself on a level where he is not entitled to his own thoughts or his own opinions.

I would also like to think that education (or "illumination") can actually serve to strengthen faith. Blind faith essentially means nothing more than ignorance. An educated faith means that a person has come to understand many different perspectives and philosophies and then chooses to make an informed decision about what he or she believes to be true. Of course, doing so would require that a person could look at so many different perspectives and form their own opinion--a task that Theron's incredible naivete makes him rather incapable of accomplishing.

Little Women Word Cloud

Inspired by Evan's idea (and very stuck on my own paper) I decided to do a word cloud of Chapter 1 of Alcott's Little Women.

Here's the link! http://wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/240665/_Little_Women_Chapter_1

It's interesting to me that of all the girls, Jo's name is the biggest. Of course, it's obvious that Jo is the main focus (and the model of Louisa May Alcott) in the story. However, in light of some of the other large words, the focus on her is a bit more intriguing.

Some other prominent words were "little," "things," and "much," all pieces of what Marmee wants her daughters to be: selfless, proper, and lacking materialism. While they don't have "much," she expects them to care about the needs of others more than their own. However, it seems that Jo is always the one failing in these departments, causing her great distress and many foul consequences throughout the book.

Maybe this is Alcott's picture of the Civil War -- that materialism and selfishness are the enemies that women must fight on the homefront while the men in their lives are away at war. Focusing on Jo's character, we can see this raging battle take place in the book.

Oh Winterbourne...

In "Daisy Miller: A Study," Winterbourne always seems to miss Daisy's cues and flirtations. I just can't blame Daisy for pronouncing him to be so "rigid"...everything has to be so serious with him! This passage in particular drove me insane:

"Oh Eugenio," said Daisy, "I am going out in a boat!" Winterbourne, are you jealous that I'm talking to another man?
"Eugenio bowed. "At eleven o' clock, mademoiselle?"
"I am going with Mr. Winterbourne. This very minute."
"Do tell her she can't," said Mrs. Miller to the courier. After all, I'm much too lame of a mother to ever tell my daughter "no"!!!
"I think you had better not go out in a boat, mademoiselle," Eugenio declared. I have no mind of my own! I tell other people what they're supposed to hear!
Winterbourne wished to Heaven this pretty girl were not so familiar with her courier; but he said nothing. Of course, I am much too rigid and literal to realize that Daisy is only talking to Eugenio to make me jealous.
"I suppose you don't think it's proper!" Daisy exclaimed, "Eugenio doesn't think anything's proper." See Winterbourne? I want to be improper with you.
"I am at your service," said Winterbourne. Please go on the boat with me!
"Does mademoiselle propose to go alone?" asked Eugenio of Mrs. Miller.
"Oh, no; with this gentleman!" answered Daisy's mamma.
The courier looked for a moment at Winterbourne--the latter thought he was smiling--and then, solemnly, with a bow, "As mademoiselle pleases!" he said.
"Oh, I hoped you would make a fuss!" said Daisy. "I don't care to go now." I wanted everyone to pay attention to me!
"I myself shall make a fuss if you don't go," said Winterbourne. Panicking...does she like me? I like her...just like me back...please? (desperation)
"That's all I want--a little fuss!" And the young girl began to laugh again. Yes, that's what I want, do pay attention to me.
"Mr Randolph has gone to bed!" the courier announced, frigidly.
"Oh, Daisy; now we can go!" said Mrs. Miller. Get me the heck out of this awkward conversation!!!
Daisy turned away from Winterbourne, looking at him, smiling and fanning herself. "Good night," she said; "I hope you are disappointed, or disgusted, or something!" See you later...I hope I could make some sort of impression on the most rigid man alive!
He looked at her, taking the hand she offered him. "I am puzzled," he answered. Obviously, Winterbourne.
"Well; I hope it won't keep you awake!" she said, very smartly, and under the escort of the privileged Eugenio, the two ladies passed towards the home. Idiot!


Will Winterbourne ever learn? Unfortunately, he doesn't ever seem to catch on to Daisy's ploys for his attention, and he is just much too uptight, literal, and perhaps socially awkward to join in on Daisy's exchanges in the same way that other characters do. Is he the primary reason that things don't work out for the two of them? When I read past his point of view, it certainly seems that way to me.