The Force of Temporal Power
...akes away Myrtle from her loving husband, Wilson and puts an end to their marriage and to her life. The deaths of Myrtle Wilson and Jay Gatsby are a result of the misconception that money and power is everything. A sequence of events leads to these heightened moments in the novel, which were preventable had power been exercised with greater respect and reasonable control. Similarly in Browning’s classic poem ‘My Last Duchess’; set in the Victorian era, power is clearly portrayed as being mistreated by the foregrounded power holder; the Duke – a manipulative, arrogant and sexist man and self-proclaimed superior, he chooses “Never to stoop”. He is privileged in the text, as his flowery speech complicates and disguises his motives to cast him in a favourable light, which furthermore leads to many gaps and silences. For instance, in lines 45 and 46, “I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together.” is an example of ambiguity; it alludes that he had his wife killed. Incidentally however, in lines 35 and 36 the Duke mentions that he has not the skill in speech. The poem uses discourses of Old English and nobility and is written in a dramatic monologue format which effectively portrays the inner workings of the Duke as powerful and controlling (e.g. in conversation). His power has corrupted him so much so that when he realized he could not control the Duchess’ ‘smiles’, he considered her unfaithful. His jealousy and resentment grew as she didn’t keep her attentions for him and his power, and then she unexpectedly died. The Duke indirectly warns the emissary of the ambassador (the chosen bride’s father) that the Duchess displeased him, and from his criticisms he implies that the new Duchess awaits the same fate should she act similarly. Ironically, imagery allows the reader to view the last duchess as a virtuous woman and by reading between the lines; the Duke is revealing unflattering qualities about himself – regardless of the fact that he is guarding his words. The rate at which he supposedly speaks (i.e. rushing through statements, pausing to think) reveals his personal flaws. In contrast to the previous texts, the film ‘Dead Poet’s Society’ exhibits both forms of power, positive and negative. The story takes place in the late 1950’s at Welton Academy, a private school founded on tradition, excellence and order, providing structured lessons arranged by the power holders; the administration. The film is viewed through the foregrounded characters, Todd Anderson and his roommate Neil Perry. Todd is extremely shy whereas Neil is bright and ambitious; however he is oppressed by his father. Mr. Perry holds power over Neil, as do all parents of that era, and dictates every aspect of his son’s life. The character of Mr. Keating uses positive power over his students to inspire them to act as individuals and ‘seize the day’ by means of his unconventional teaching methods. Being told to “suck the marrow out of life” and leave a legacy of “carpe diem” by not conforming to traditional ideals, a group of boys form a Dead Poets Society, secretly defying their parents and the school’s expectations. In spite of his father’s opposition, Neil starts to take control of his life and participates in a play, taking the theme of Carpe Diem to heart – which ultimately cost him is life. Fed up with the negative p...