Literary and Philosophical Analysis: Themes in Mansfield, Russell, and Orwell
The Doll’s House: Beauty and Social Class
Quote Analysis: “This is a real masterpiece…”
This line is from the short story “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield, describing the Burnell children’s admiration of the new doll’s house, especially the lamp inside it. The full quote is: “This is a real masterpiece. Just look at it! Such is the harmonious beauty that just to contemplate it fills the soul with ecstasy.”
Explanation
The lamp in the doll’s house becomes a symbol of beauty and perfection to the children. Their admiration is almost spiritual, as it fills them with ecstasy—an intense emotional delight. The doll’s house, especially the lamp, represents material charm, but also hints at class distinctions and the childlike wonder with which people approach beauty.
Significance
- The description reveals how beauty and objects can deeply affect children’s emotions.
- It symbolizes innocence, but also sets up the contrast between privileged children and the poor ones (like the Kelvey sisters) who are not allowed to enjoy the same.
- It hints at social inequality—while the Burnell children take pride in the doll’s house, others are excluded from its enjoyment.
- The lamp can also be seen as a symbol of hope or inner purity, contrasting with the external snobbery and cruelty shown by the upper class.
Bertrand Russell: Ideals That Have Helped Mankind
In his thought-provoking essay “The Ideals That Have Helped Mankind,” philosopher Bertrand Russell reflects on the values and ideals that have guided human civilization toward progress. Written in his typical logical and analytical style, the essay emphasizes the importance of reason, love, knowledge, and compassion in shaping a better world.
Main Ideals Discussed by Russell
1. Love as a Guiding Force
- Love, according to Russell, is a powerful emotion that binds people together and promotes unity, sympathy, and cooperation.
- It inspires sacrifice, altruism, and social responsibility, which are essential for a civilized society.
- Russell believes that love, not hatred or domination, should be the driving force in human relationships.
2. Knowledge and Intellectual Curiosity
- Russell emphasizes the pursuit of knowledge and truth as one of the noblest ideals.
- The desire to understand the natural world, society, and oneself has led to scientific, artistic, and philosophical progress.
- He encourages a scientific attitude, which is open-minded, evidence-based, and free from dogma and superstition.
3. The Ideal of Justice
- Justice involves fairness, equality, and respect for human rights.
- Russell supports social and economic systems that do not exploit others and that ensure freedom and opportunity for all.
- He criticizes systems based on oppression, exploitation, and inequality, and calls for reform through rational thought and moral awareness.
4. The Ideal of Creativity and Art
- Russell also acknowledges the value of art, imagination, and creative expression in enriching human life.
- Art allows individuals to express emotions, experiences, and dreams that transcend the ordinary.
- Creativity helps in understanding human nature and builds empathy and beauty in the world.
5. Reason and Rational Thinking
- Perhaps the most emphasized ideal in Russell’s essay is reason.
- He believes that the greatest progress in human history has come from rational inquiry—questioning traditional beliefs and seeking better solutions.
- Rationality helps in resolving conflicts, developing science, and promoting democracy and freedom.
Russell’s Optimism and Warning
- Russell is optimistic about the future if mankind continues to be guided by these ideals.
- However, he warns against greed, ignorance, war, and blind faith, which have caused suffering and destruction.
- He urges people to choose reason over violence, love over hatred, and truth over ignorance.
Conclusion
In “The Ideals That Have Helped Mankind,” Bertrand Russell presents a humanistic vision for society—one based on love, knowledge, justice, creativity, and reason. These ideals, if pursued sincerely, can help overcome challenges and lead humanity toward peace, enlightenment, and happiness. The essay remains relevant even today as a blueprint for building a better and more ethical world.
O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf”: A Tale of Supreme Sacrifice
O. Henry’s short story “The Last Leaf” is a touching narrative of hope, friendship, and sacrifice set in a small neighborhood in Greenwich Village. It revolves around two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, and their elderly neighbor Behrman, an unsuccessful but kind-hearted painter. The story reaches its emotional peak with Behrman’s selfless act of sacrifice, which ultimately saves a life.
Behrman’s Character
- Behrman is described as a gruff, old artist who had never painted his masterpiece, despite dreaming of doing so all his life.
- He is poor, drinks a lot, and earns a living by posing as a model for other artists.
- Though rough in manner, he has a soft heart and genuinely cares for Sue and Johnsy.
Johnsy’s Illness and Loss of Hope
- Johnsy contracts pneumonia and becomes severely depressed.
- She begins to believe that she will die when the last ivy leaf falls from the vine outside her window.
- Her belief becomes so strong that she starts counting the leaves, waiting for her death.
The Supreme Sacrifice
- Seeing Johnsy lose her will to live, Behrman secretly paints a realistic ivy leaf on the wall during a stormy, cold night.
- The painted leaf does not fall, and Johnsy, believing it is real, regains hope and recovers.
- However, Behrman catches pneumonia after painting the leaf in the freezing rain and dies shortly after.
- It is then revealed that the leaf that gave Johnsy hope was not real, but Behrman’s final work of art—his masterpiece and a supreme act of sacrifice.
Theme of Sacrifice
- Behrman sacrifices his health and life to save Johnsy.
- He paints the leaf not for fame or recognition, but purely out of love, compassion, and friendship.
- His action is both heroic and silent, making his sacrifice even more powerful and noble.
Conclusion
“The Last Leaf” beautifully portrays how a small act of kindness and sacrifice can bring about great change. Behrman’s masterpiece is not just a painting, but an act of love that saves a life at the cost of his own. His selfless sacrifice forms the emotional and moral core of the story, making it a true tale of human compassion and supreme devotion.
Satire and Allegory in George Orwell’s Animal Farm
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a brilliant example of allegorical satire. Published in 1945, the novella is a powerful critique of totalitarianism, especially the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the rise of Stalinism. Orwell cleverly uses animals on a farm to symbolically represent real-life political figures and events. Through satire and allegory, he exposes the corruption, hypocrisy, and betrayal of revolutionary ideals.
1. Animal Farm as an Allegory
An allegory is a story in which characters, settings, and events represent real-life people or ideas. Orwell uses the farm and animals to mirror the political environment of the Soviet Union.
a. Characters as Historical Figures
- Old Major = Karl Marx / Lenin. He inspires the revolution with his ideology of animal equality.
- Napoleon = Joseph Stalin. He becomes a dictator, using fear, propaganda, and violence.
- Snowball = Leon Trotsky. An intellectual rival of Napoleon, eventually exiled.
- Boxer = The working class. Loyal, hardworking, but exploited and discarded.
- Squealer = Propaganda / Soviet media. Justifies the regime’s actions through lies and manipulation.
- Mr. Jones = Tsar Nicholas II. The tyrant overthrown in the revolution.
b. Events as Historical Parallels
- The Rebellion = The Russian Revolution (1917)
- The Battle of the Cowshed = Civil War against anti-Bolshevik forces
- The Windmill Project = Stalin’s Five-Year Plans
- The Purges and Confessions = Stalin’s show trials and executions
- The Changing of Commandments = Corruption of socialist ideals
2. Animal Farm as a Satire
Satire uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in politics.
a. Satire of Totalitarian Rule
- Orwell ridicules the abuse of power by showing how Napoleon, a pig, becomes indistinguishable from the humans he replaced.
- The commandment “All animals are equal” is twisted into “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
b. Satire of Propaganda
- Squealer manipulates facts, changes history, and spreads false information.
- Orwell mocks how language is used to control thought, a concept he explores further in 1984.
c. Satire of Blind Loyalty
- Boxer’s motto: “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right” shows how the working class is exploited by oppressive regimes.
- His tragic fate highlights the betrayal of the very people who built the regime.
d. Irony and Dark Humor
- The animals overthrow the humans for freedom, only to end up under an equally oppressive regime led by pigs.
- The final scene, where the pigs walk on two legs and play cards with humans, shows that the rulers are no different than the old tyrants.
Conclusion
Animal Farm is a masterpiece of political satire and allegory. Orwell skillfully disguises historical critique in a simple animal fable. Through the tale of a failed revolution, he exposes the dangers of totalitarianism, propaganda, and the betrayal of ideals. The use of satire and allegory makes the message accessible and timeless, allowing readers to reflect on power, corruption, and human nature in all societies.