The relationship between Rhoda and Gertrude in The...

Discuss the relationship between Rhoda and Gertrude in The Withered Arm. The Withered Arm is a pre-20th century book by Thomas Hardy; the plot of the story is in and around the writers imaginary village of Holmstoke and town of Casterbridge. One of the main themes of The Withered Arm was Jealousy it was portrayed through Rhoda Brook, a thin fading woman of thirty that had once been handsome, who had an affair with Farmer Lodge and bore him a son. Farmer Lodge left Rhoda to bring up their son on her own and later married a new wife, who was years younger than him, called Gertrude. In this essay I am going to discuss the relationship between Rhoda and Gertrude in The Withered Arm. The relationship between Rhoda†¦show more content†¦This was revealed to us by the importance of the wedding ring with which the spectre in her vision tormented her. The spectre in Rhodas vision was Gertrude, with features shockingly distorted and wrinkled by age, now as ugly and old as Rhoda wished her to be. In the dream Rhoda threw Mrs Lodge to the ground by her arm and permanently left finger marks on her arm. Rhodas vision did not only gave us an insight to her mind but also showed us that she was ready to do anything in defence of something she considered as hers even if she had to do it through violence. As soon as Gertrude arrived to the village she started giving out gifts to the poorer people around the village. Rhoda who had decided that she wouldnt even look up at Gertrude if she were to pass her window in other words she never wanted to see Gertrude was forced to respond readily to charitable Gertrudes sweet voice and winning glance when Gertrude brought her son the pair of boots that she had promised him. Rhodas feelings for Gertrude changed from deep dislike and Jealousy. She liked Gertrude so started to reproach her self bitterly for the way she had previously felt towards Gertrude. Although the two women started a friendly relationship their relationshipShow MoreRelatedComparing the Suffering Between Rhoda in The Withered Arm and The Sons Veto651 Words   |  3 PagesSuffering Between Rhoda in The Withered Arm and The Sons Veto in the tale The Withered Arm in the story The Sons Veto are both very lonely women. Both of these women and have been mistreated by men, but none of them ever speak out for themselves to tell the men that their behaviour is unacceptable. Women who were treated by men were just expected by their fathers (if the husband is rich) to just keep quiet and be happy that they are financially supported. Rhoda is Read MoreOld Mrs. Chundle and The Withered Arm by Thomas Hardy Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesCompare and contrast two stories by Thomas Hardy which deal with the theme of fate? The two stories that I have chosen that deal with the them of fate are Old Mrs Chundle and The Withered Arm. 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