Stephanie Parrado,

Pg. 1

Stephanie Parrado AP Literature and Composition Period 1 October 10, 2013

Prompt L: Past Events Affect the Present

Stephanie Parrado,

Pg. 2

In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present activities, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Often, an event or situation from a characters near or distant past in a novel is very relevant throughout the continuation of the piece. In Othello, the very fact that Desdemona and Othello eloped instead of having a traditional ceremony is foretelling of their relationship. In Pride and Prejudice, Janes attraction to Mr. Bingley draws her to him but alls pulls her sister along with her to be placed perfectly in the position to find love and overcome the evils of the novel. In both novels, past events are portrayed affecting current situations Desdemona and Othellos tragic end parallels that of Desdemonas relationship with her father. Brabantio tells Othello: Look to her Moor, if you have eyes to see, She has deceived her father, and may thee. An elopement is embarrassing for her Brabantio, an old Italian father from which the community expected a wedding. It is almost as if Othello takes Brabantios pride in his daughter and crushes it. Zounds, sir youre robbed! In the abovementioned quote, Iago instills in Brabantio that Othello has robbed him of his daughter, However, not only should Brabantio be hurt and irritated by his daughters betrayal but also for the simple fact that the arrangement was in secret. Inversely, in Pride and Prejudice, it is Elizabeths wit which her father so admires above that of the rest of his daughters puts her in a better position to wed, the ultimate goal of all ladies. In the following, Mr. Bennet complements his daughter: ``They have none of them much to recommend them,'' replied he; ``they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.''

Stephanie Parrado,

Pg. 3

The night is dark and Iago and Roderigo run to tell Brabantio of the news: Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you, Ift be your pleasure and most wise consent (As partly I find it is) that your fair daughter At this odd-even and dull watch o' th' night Transported with no worse nor better guard But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, An elopement, as opposed to a traditional wedding, lasts a very short amount of time and is often done in secret. This choice to stow away in the middle of the night in order to marry someone may be symbolic of the short time that the relationship as a whole will last as well as the shame that one or the other may have in the relationship. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane is coerced by her mother to go to where Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were currently residing. Unfortunately, Jane sickens under the rain and her sister Elizabeth is called to action. ``This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!'' said Mrs. Bennet, more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance. This, being the mothers plan, it is of no surprise and welcomes the Bennet sisters to Netherfield for a short while longer. This time positions Elizabeth in the perfect opportunity to analyze the characters of others. Elizabeth goes to visit and ends up staying there until Jane gets better. Darcy is also staying there, and so they are forced to interact with each other.

Stephanie Parrado,

Pg. 4

Janes romance with Mr. Bingley again steps into Elizabeths views of Darcy, as she believes Mr. Darcy to have attempted to separate her sister from her love. "'Had not my own feelings decided against you, had they been indifferent, or had they even been favorable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man, who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?'" Darcy interfered in the relationship between Jane and Bingley, and Elizabeths accusations show her anger and animosity. This; however, prompts Mr. Darcy to write aher a letter explaining all of the actions which Elizabeth as assumed are in bad form. This brings them together again in the end as Mr. Darcy overcomes pride and Elizabeth overcomes prejudice

The plot of a novel or other form of literary work may be affected by an event from from a characters near or distant past. Often, these events may be miniscule but leave a grave impact. Othello and Desdemonas decision to wed in secret is one that haunts their relationship. Meanwhile, it is Elizabeths sisters attraction to Mr. Bingley which places Elizabeth in the correct positions throughout the novel to fall for Mr. Darcy. Overall, past events clearly affect current and ongoing plot themes in both Othello and Pride and Prejudice.

Stephanie Parrado,

Pg. 5

Works Cited Crowther, John, (Ed.). (2005). No Fear Shakespeare Othello. New York, NY: Spark Publshing Austen, Jane. (2007). Pride and Prejudice. New York, NY: Penguin Classics.