On Appearances
As impressionable beings, we hold the impressions that we leave on our acquaintances to be very important. So important are these impressions that they often form the basis of our relationships. In fact, these impressions typically set the tone for the duration of the relationship. All too often, however, we attempt to project an image of ourselves that is entirely false. Motivated by the desire to leave a good impression, we attempt to become what we are not, to gain approval, and to pull the wool over the eyes of others. It seems, however, that this wool has not blinded the eyes of the authors of satiric literature. Within the realm of satire, it appears that a pattern is emerging, one that points to the foolishness of these attempts. This pattern, appearing in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One, and Henry Fielding's Joseph Andrews, includes a character that either has created or attempts to create a persona by wrapping themselves in the trappings of the image they wish to acquire.
This acquisition of an image seemingly works for Jane Austen's Lady Catherine, but only initially. Surrounding herself with the trappings of high society creates her image on a first impression. However, probing deeper into her personality reveals the false image she creates.
Lady Catherine seems to be the model of distinguished society, but although she is someone of high social standing, she lacks the true character she wishes to present. As a woman who "likes to have the distinction of rank preserved" (137), Lady Catherine is condescending and speaks "in so an authoritative a tone" that it displays "her self-importance" (139). Having an opinion on every subject, she is constantly handing out unwanted advice. She, however, is only superficially qualified to do so. For example, in conversation about playing the piano she says, "'I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well unless she practises more'" (148). Later she repeats herself, saying "'Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more'" (150). Although this may be quality advice, the fact that Lady Catherine cannot play the piano undercuts her suggestions. Indeed, by her own admission, she cannot play the piano. She says, "'If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient'" (147). Owning a piano does not constitute the ability to play, suggesting that although she has the trappings of high society, they are merely a façade. Most certainly, Lady Catherine is Austen's commentary on the emptiness that can be found within false images.
This trend of satirizing false images and impressions also appears in Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One. In this novel, the reader sees the character of Dennis Barlow, who is similar to Lady Catherine, yet different at the same time. Much like Lady Catherine, he is trying to present an image, but unlike her, he does not have the surroundings to do so. Instead, he actively tries to hide his situation, namely his job, by creating images of himself to impress Aimee Thanatogenos.
In his attempts to impress Aimee Thanatogenos of Whispering Glades, he exaggerates his poetic skill and even attempts to take up another profession to hide his current job, knowing that she looks poorly on it. At one point he feels "a hypodermic stab of thankfulness that he had kept silence when, earlier in their acquaintance, he had considered forming a bond between them by lightly mentioning his trade" (95). Later, he discovers that he can form a bond with her through poetry, as she feels that "'it's a very, very wonderful thing to be a poet'" (88). Realizing her love of poetry and because Aimee has shown "a preference for the earlier masters" (105), Dennis builds a false image of himself by utilizing other poets' works and calling them his own.
In an attempt to gain a higher status, Dennis inquires about becoming a non-sectarian clergyman, to which he learns he must have "the call" (122). He reveals his desire to hastily fulfill his false image when he promptly ignores the need for a calling and persists by responding "'Yes, of course; but after the call, what is the process? I mean is there a non-sectarian bishop that ordains you?'" (122). Finally, to assure the status he would garner for himself, he asks "'You would say, would you not, that a non-sectarian clergyman was the social equal of an embalmer?'" (125). From this one can see his concern for his social status, as he is trying to at least match that of Aimee.
Aimee believes his charade until she has to pay a visit to The Happier Hunting Ground. On finding Dennis working there, he is exposed as a "liar and a cheat" (135) in her eyes. The charade comes to an end with Aimee stating,
Finally, one can see this satiric trend in Henry Fielding's Joseph Andrews. Similar to the attempts of Dennis Barlow, Mr. Wilson is a man willing to shortcut effort in order to create his false image. As a young man of sixteen, the image that he was "ambitious of attaining was that of a fine gentleman" (196).
Setting out to create his image, he enlists the services of "a taylor, a periwig-maker, and some few more tradesmen, who deal in furnishing out the human body" (196). He also desires the arts of "dancing, fencing, riding the great horse, and musick" (197). However, because they require effort to attain, he decides to wear the airs of such qualities and skills, rather than to work at them. Although he decides not to work at these, he does, however, work to gain the knowledge of the town, which he garners by socializing.
As important as his knowledge-about-town is to his image, perhaps even more important is his reputation with women. His garnering of a reputation "with the finest women in town" (197) fully illustrates the fallacy of his character. He states,
In retrospect, Mr. Wilson describes his lifestyle best when he refers to the Temple where he stayed. He states that "'the beaus of the Temple are only shadows of the others. They are the affectation of affectation'" (199). Just as the sun projects the shadow image from the real object, so were the shadows in the Temple. They were images projected off of some reality, much like Mr. Wilson's attempt to create an image. He was merely the shadow of a reality that he wished to live.
The trend that seems to be emerging is one of a satiric commentary on the human condition to try to impress. Making a good impression is a positive aspect of life, but only when the impression in one created from reality, and not a false image. Indeed, the value of a good impression is substantial, but even more substantial, and extremely negative, is the letdown that results when the false image is revealed.
This acquisition of an image seemingly works for Jane Austen's Lady Catherine, but only initially. Surrounding herself with the trappings of high society creates her image on a first impression. However, probing deeper into her personality reveals the false image she creates.
Lady Catherine seems to be the model of distinguished society, but although she is someone of high social standing, she lacks the true character she wishes to present. As a woman who "likes to have the distinction of rank preserved" (137), Lady Catherine is condescending and speaks "in so an authoritative a tone" that it displays "her self-importance" (139). Having an opinion on every subject, she is constantly handing out unwanted advice. She, however, is only superficially qualified to do so. For example, in conversation about playing the piano she says, "'I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well unless she practises more'" (148). Later she repeats herself, saying "'Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more'" (150). Although this may be quality advice, the fact that Lady Catherine cannot play the piano undercuts her suggestions. Indeed, by her own admission, she cannot play the piano. She says, "'If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient'" (147). Owning a piano does not constitute the ability to play, suggesting that although she has the trappings of high society, they are merely a façade. Most certainly, Lady Catherine is Austen's commentary on the emptiness that can be found within false images.
This trend of satirizing false images and impressions also appears in Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One. In this novel, the reader sees the character of Dennis Barlow, who is similar to Lady Catherine, yet different at the same time. Much like Lady Catherine, he is trying to present an image, but unlike her, he does not have the surroundings to do so. Instead, he actively tries to hide his situation, namely his job, by creating images of himself to impress Aimee Thanatogenos.
In his attempts to impress Aimee Thanatogenos of Whispering Glades, he exaggerates his poetic skill and even attempts to take up another profession to hide his current job, knowing that she looks poorly on it. At one point he feels "a hypodermic stab of thankfulness that he had kept silence when, earlier in their acquaintance, he had considered forming a bond between them by lightly mentioning his trade" (95). Later, he discovers that he can form a bond with her through poetry, as she feels that "'it's a very, very wonderful thing to be a poet'" (88). Realizing her love of poetry and because Aimee has shown "a preference for the earlier masters" (105), Dennis builds a false image of himself by utilizing other poets' works and calling them his own.
In an attempt to gain a higher status, Dennis inquires about becoming a non-sectarian clergyman, to which he learns he must have "the call" (122). He reveals his desire to hastily fulfill his false image when he promptly ignores the need for a calling and persists by responding "'Yes, of course; but after the call, what is the process? I mean is there a non-sectarian bishop that ordains you?'" (122). Finally, to assure the status he would garner for himself, he asks "'You would say, would you not, that a non-sectarian clergyman was the social equal of an embalmer?'" (125). From this one can see his concern for his social status, as he is trying to at least match that of Aimee.
Aimee believes his charade until she has to pay a visit to The Happier Hunting Ground. On finding Dennis working there, he is exposed as a "liar and a cheat" (135) in her eyes. The charade comes to an end with Aimee stating,
"All those poems you sent and pretended you'd written for me, that I thought so cultivated I even learned bits of them by heart - all by other people, some by people who passed on hundreds of years ago. I have never felt so mortified as when I found out." (138)Aimee's recognition of Dennis' fraudulent nature destroys him in her eyes. Indeed, his lack of respect for both her and the original poets is a glaring mistake, as he knowingly steps on the shoulders of great poets for his own gain. His lack of respect toward the clergy is also a mistake, especially in the eyes of the reader. Undoubtedly, Dennis is revealed as a man willing to feign a calling in order to shortcut the process of growing as an individual, all for the sake of impressing Aimee with a false image.
Finally, one can see this satiric trend in Henry Fielding's Joseph Andrews. Similar to the attempts of Dennis Barlow, Mr. Wilson is a man willing to shortcut effort in order to create his false image. As a young man of sixteen, the image that he was "ambitious of attaining was that of a fine gentleman" (196).
Setting out to create his image, he enlists the services of "a taylor, a periwig-maker, and some few more tradesmen, who deal in furnishing out the human body" (196). He also desires the arts of "dancing, fencing, riding the great horse, and musick" (197). However, because they require effort to attain, he decides to wear the airs of such qualities and skills, rather than to work at them. Although he decides not to work at these, he does, however, work to gain the knowledge of the town, which he garners by socializing.
As important as his knowledge-about-town is to his image, perhaps even more important is his reputation with women. His garnering of a reputation "with the finest women in town" (197) fully illustrates the fallacy of his character. He states,
"The reputation of intriguing with them was all I sought, and was what I arrv'd at: and perhaps I only flattered myself even in that; for very probably the persons to whom I shewed their billets, knew as well as I, that they were counterfeits, and that I had written them myself." (197)By writing letters to himself, he creates the impression that his many women had done so, furthering his shortcut attempts at creating his image of the ladies-man.
In retrospect, Mr. Wilson describes his lifestyle best when he refers to the Temple where he stayed. He states that "'the beaus of the Temple are only shadows of the others. They are the affectation of affectation'" (199). Just as the sun projects the shadow image from the real object, so were the shadows in the Temple. They were images projected off of some reality, much like Mr. Wilson's attempt to create an image. He was merely the shadow of a reality that he wished to live.
The trend that seems to be emerging is one of a satiric commentary on the human condition to try to impress. Making a good impression is a positive aspect of life, but only when the impression in one created from reality, and not a false image. Indeed, the value of a good impression is substantial, but even more substantial, and extremely negative, is the letdown that results when the false image is revealed.
Labels: Academic Papers
posted by The Voice at 9:01 PM
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