The document summarizes the novel "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent. It discusses how the protagonist Agnes is misunderstood and judged based on her criminal act of murder rather than being understood for who she is. Agnes grew up poor and illegitimate in Iceland in the 1820s, and faced abuse by the man she killed, Nathan. While legally a criminal, her actions stemmed from trying to ease Nathan's pain. The document suggests the author aims to show that one's identity depends on the stories and perceptions of others, and that knowing what someone has done differs from knowing who they are.
The document summarizes the novel "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent. It discusses how the protagonist Agnes is misunderstood and judged based on her criminal act of murder rather than being understood for who she is. Agnes grew up poor and illegitimate in Iceland in the 1820s, and faced abuse by the man she killed, Nathan. While legally a criminal, her actions stemmed from trying to ease Nathan's pain. The document suggests the author aims to show that one's identity depends on the stories and perceptions of others, and that knowing what someone has done differs from knowing who they are.
The document summarizes the novel "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent. It discusses how the protagonist Agnes is misunderstood and judged based on her criminal act of murder rather than being understood for who she is. Agnes grew up poor and illegitimate in Iceland in the 1820s, and faced abuse by the man she killed, Nathan. While legally a criminal, her actions stemmed from trying to ease Nathan's pain. The document suggests the author aims to show that one's identity depends on the stories and perceptions of others, and that knowing what someone has done differs from knowing who they are.
person is, are very different things Sketching a brief tale of a womans struggle in establishing her real identity leading up to her execution, Hannah Kent in her novel, Burial Rites, displays how Agnes Magnusdottir is misunderstood on the basis of the act she has committed instead of being understood for her inner personality and situations that led to the unfortunate incidents. Agness conviction for the murder of Nathan Ketilsson which although lawfully a criminal act, indeed made it difficult for people to look past the exterior and try to understand her motives and realize that her action was one of goodwill as she aimed to ease his pain despite the mental and physical torture that he posed upon her. Agnes tries to change their mind by talking to the family she is staying with and telling them that there is another side to the cruel and forbidding story they have heard. Agnes also has sessions with Toti her revered who is there to understand her and listen to her, although Agnes only tells him certain things at first as she lacks trust in him, however she does slowly starts opening up. Thus, perhaps, it is Kents intention to display that ones identity depends on the stories of others. Agnes was a disposable commodity in the eyes of the community, well before she even committed any crime, as Agnes was an urchin she wasnt well respected. The people of Iceland perceived Agnes as a landless work maid raised on porridge of moss and poverty (p.52). Agnes was an illegitimate child (p.94) therefore she was perceived as the devils child (p.35). Also having her mum abandoned her at the age of five and living with her foster parents who also abandoned her. Agnes felt as though she was Left to the mercy of others whether they had any or no (p.155) meaning that she was left on the village people good will and compassion to help her which unfortunately no one had, she was an outcast she was seen as a burden on the families of the village she wasnt clean and pure, her destiny was decided for her the day
that she was born. Thus perhaps it was Kents intention to
show that in this society you are depicted based on the power and strength that you have rather than compassion and love. The towns people didnt understand Agnes I was two dead men. I was a burning farm. I was a knife. I was blood. (p.35) they would go based of the stories they have heard about her. Sometimes they tie my legs together... to ensure that I will not run away (p.29) This just shows how narrow minded these people were as they had so little trust in her they had to treat her like an animal, she wasnt perceived anymore as a person she more treated like a monster, their treatment towards her was inhumane. Agnes however when she was confirmed she was seen as having an excellent intellect, and strong knowledge and understanding of Christianity (p.33). This would work against Agnes as when the town people found out this they would know that Agnes knew right from wrong and been a Christian youre not meant to kill anyone. Therefore the towns people showed no sympathy towards her and didnt even want to try and understand her or show any compassion towards her. The only person that truly tries to understand Agnes is Toti, Toti recognized that Agnes needed a sympathetic listener rather than a heavyhanded preacher, he encourages Agnes to tell her story. Perhaps it is Kents intention to show us that a person of God had to try and understand her and try to sympathize with her and show mercy towards her. Nathan poses emotional and physical torture on Agnes, as he sees her as a lonely soul who is easily manipulated and vulnerable to his every wish. Nathan and Agnes had a lot of disputes Did not trust the words in our own mouths. (p.220) from early in their relationship they lacked trust in each other and Nathan didnt care about Agness reputation, he just wanted his enjoyment. Nathan never answered the question that Agnes possed upon him do you love me Nathan? He called her a cheap sort of women. Nathan dragged her out into the snow naked, she spent that night in the shed. This just shows how manipulative Nathan was and how he treated Agnes like
an animal rather than a human he never cared about he,
he was a very selfish person. Everyone thinks Agnes is the one to blame for his murder when in reality she was the one who eased his pain no matter what he put her through and deep down she did love him and couldnt stand to see him in pain however in that society it was her act against Nathan who was a well-known doctor and herbalist she was just a poor pauper living in poverty there was chance that the towns people would ever show understanding and forgiveness towards her, she was a dead women. Thus, perhaps it is Kents intention to showcase that the superior people and people with titles will always have more power over the less fortunate in society. It was Kents intention to show that to know what a person has done and to know who a person is, are two very different things Agnes was convicted for the murder of Nathan Ketilsson people couldnt look past this criminal act and couldnt understand the motives and decisions for the reason of committing this act. A persons identity depends on the perception of others and their socioeconomic background.
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