UNPACKING the TEKS | S E.2(A), S R · LESSON 5 Compare and Contrast the Themes in Different Time Periods CHAPTER 1 UNPACKING the TEKS | S E.2(A), S E.12(A ), R FIG. 19(B) Human beings

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LESSON 5 Compare and Contrast the Themes in Different Time Periods

CHAPTER 1

UNPACKING the TEKS | S E.2(A), S E.12(A ), R FIG. 19(B)

Human beings have been telling stories for thousands of years. As writing developed

it moved from simple, specific tasks such as counting livestock to a more complex

purpose, recording the stories we tell each other. From the earliest times to the

present day, literary works have dealt with what it means to be human.

Different periods in literary history may be divided up by specifics years, such as the

1700s or the 20th century. They may also be divided by particular ideas in politics or

the arts and sciences, such as the Renaissance or the Victorian era.

In different times and different locations, literary works feature many similar themes. Themes are broad ideas

expressed in a work of literature, poetry, or drama. The theme is usually the main idea an author is trying to

express, and it helps to tie the plot together.

Although the way they are expressed may be different, there are many themes that have appeared countless

times. For example, writers in many different periods have written about unrequited love or what it means for a

young man or woman to become an adult. Hundreds of years apart, Romeo and Juliet and Bella and Edward suffer

many of the same problems of young people in love who are separated by the prejudices of their families.

Plot, characters, and settings are influenced both by when a work is written and when the narrative takes place.

Likewise, the period influences how a theme is expressed. For example, consider how the “coming of age” theme

would be expressed differently in a story about a young man during the American Revolution compared to a story

about a young man today. Differences such as technology, culture, and the history of the world at that time all

influence how both authors and their characters experience the world.

Two steps are required in order to compare and contrast similar themes in different time periods. First, to

compare means to look for the similarities. What makes the theme the same, or nearly the same, between the two

periods? Then, to contrast, consider how the two themes are different. What elements of the time periods cause

differences in how a theme is expressed?

Sometimes the main theme in two different literary works may be very similar, but the smaller details could be

vastly different due to the difference in time periods. On the other hand, different periods may cause a theme to

be expressed in very different ways, but smaller details could still be similar.

Words to Knowperiod

theme

compare

contrast

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LESSON 5 • COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE THEMES IN DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS

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GUIDED PRACTICEDIRECTIONS Read the selections below. Follow the instructions and answer the questions in the side column. They will help you understand how to read to master the TEKS.

from Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

1 Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a particular treatise, yet, in the mean time, I am content to gratify the curious reader with some general ideas. As the common size of the natives is somewhat under six inches high, so there is an exact proportion in all other animals, as well as plants and trees: for instance, the tallest horses and oxen are between four and five inches in height, the sheep an inch and half, more or less: their geese about the bigness of a sparrow, and so the several gradations downwards till you come to the smallest, which to my sight, were almost invisible; but nature has adapted the eyes of the Lilliputians to all objects proper for their view: they see with great exactness, but at no great distance. And, to show the sharpness of their sight towards objects that are near, I have been much pleased with observing a cook pulling a lark, which was not so large as a common fly; and a young girl threading an invisible needle with invisible silk. Their tallest trees are about seven feet high: I mean some of those in the great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just reach with my fist clenched. The other vegetables are in the same proportion; but this I leave to the reader’s imagination.

2 They bury their dead with their heads directly downward, because they hold an opinion, that in eleven thousand moons they are all to rise again; in which period the earth (which they

Why does the narrator feel he needs to describe what he is experiencing to the reader?

What does the narrator think of the people he is describing and their customs? Underline words in paragraph 2 that back up your opinion.

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conceive to be flat) will turn upside down, and by this means they shall, at their resurrection, be found ready standing on their feet. The learned among them confess the absurdity of this doctrine; but the practice still continues, in compliance to the vulgar.

3 I shall say but little at present of their learning, which, for many ages, has flourished in all its branches among them: but their manner of writing is very peculiar, being neither from the left to the right, like the Europeans, nor from the right to the left, like the Arabians, nor from up to down, like the Chinese, but aslant, from one corner of the paper to the other, like ladies in England.

4 There are some laws and customs in this empire very peculiar; and if they were not so directly contrary to those of my own dear country, I should be tempted to say a little in their justification. It is only to be wished they were as well executed. The first I shall mention, relates to informers. All crimes against the state, are punished here with the utmost severity; but, if the person accused makes his innocence plainly to appear upon his trial, the accuser is immediately put to an ignominious death; and out of his goods or lands the innocent person is quadruply recompensed for the loss of his time, for the danger he underwent, for the hardship of his imprisonment, and for all the charges he has been at in making his defence; or, if that fund be deficient, it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor also confers on him some public mark of his favour, and proclamation is made of his innocence through the whole city.

from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

1 Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most

What does the narrator see that is positive in the culture of the people he describes?

Guided Questions

In paragraph 1, what makes people feel Mr. Darcy is interesting and worth knowing before they meet him?

What changes people’s opinion of him?

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forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

2 Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her daughters.

3 Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for her to hear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it.

4 “Come, Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”

5 “I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”

6 “I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Mr. Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.”

7 “You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

8 “Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”

In paragraph 2, how does Mr. Darcy express his disdain for the people around him?

In paragraph 2, underline the behaviors that make people dislike him.

In paragraph 5, what reason does Mr. Darcy give for not dancing with anyone at the party?

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9 “Which do you mean?” and turning round he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said: “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”

10 Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.

In paragraph 10, why does Elizabeth tell her friends the story of Mr. Darcy’s opinion of her?

Guided Questions

CRITICAL THINKINGDIRECTIONS Reread the selections. Mark them up as you would like. Then answer the following questions.

1. In passage 1, which phrases show what Gulliver thinks of the people he meets?

2. In passage 2, how does the time period influence Elizabeth’s particular prejudices?

3. How does Gulliver’s reaction to the Lilliputians and their customs and Darcy and Elizabeth’s behaviors toward each other at the party demonstrate the theme of prejudice?


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4. How is this same theme expressed differently in the two passages, and how do the time periods in which the stories take place influence these contrasts?

5. Look at the image of Gulliver, captured by the Lilliputians, at the beginning of the excerpt. What does the image show? How does Gulliver appear to the Lilliputians? Compare Gulliver’s narrative in the text with the image. How do the Lilliputians appear to Gulliver? How would you compare the perspective used in the image to the perspective used in the text?


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PRACTICE

DIRECTIONS Read the selections below and choose the best answer to each question.

from Frankensteinby Mary Shelley

1 One of the phænonema which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed? It was a bold question, and one which has ever been considered as a mystery; yet with how many things are we upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries. I revolved these circumstances in my mind, and determined thenceforth to apply myself more particularly to those branches of natural philosophy which relate to physiology. Unless I had been animated by an almost supernatural enthusiasm, my application to this study would have been

irksome, and almost intolerable. To examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death. I became acquainted with the science of anatomy: but this was not sufficient; I must also observe the natural decay and corruption of the human body. In my education my father had taken the greatest precautions that my mind should be impressed with no supernatural horrors. I do not ever remember to have trembled at a tale of superstition, or to have feared the apparition of a spirit. Darkness had no effect upon my fancy; and a church-yard was to me merely the receptacle of bodies deprived of life, which, from being the seat of beauty and strength, had become food for the worm. Now I was led to examine


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the cause and progress of this decay, and forced to spend days and nights in vaults and charnel houses. My attention was fixed upon every object the most insupportable to the delicacy of the human feelings. I saw how the fine form of man was degraded and wasted; I beheld the corruption of death succeed to the blooming cheek of life; I saw how the worm inherited the wonders of the eye and brain. I paused, examining and analysing all the minutiæ of causation, as exemplified in the change from life to death, and death to life, until from the midst of this darkness a sudden light broke in upon me—a light so brilliant and wondrous, yet so simple, that while I became dizzy with the immensity of the prospect which it illustrated, I was surprised that among so many men of genius, who had directed their inquiries towards the same science, that I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing a secret.

2 Remember, I am not recording the vision of a madman. The sun does not more certainly shine in the heavens, than that which I now affirm is true. Some miracle might have produced it, yet the stages of the discovery were distinct and probable. After days and nights of incredible labour and fatigue, I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter.

3 The astonishment which I had at first experienced on this discovery soon gave place to delight and rapture. After so much time spent in painful labour, to arrive at

once at the summit of my desires, was the most gratifying consummation of my toils. But this discovery was so great and overwhelming, that all the steps by which I had been progressively led to it were obliterated, and I beheld only the result. What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world, was now within my grasp. Not that, like a magic scene, it all opened upon me at once: the information I had obtained was of a nature rather to direct my endeavours so soon as I should point them towards the object of my search, than to exhibit that object already accomplished. I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead, and found a passage to life aided only by one glimmering, and seemingly ineffectual light.

4 I see by your eagerness, and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted; that cannot be: listen patiently until the end of my story, and you will easily perceive why I am reserved upon that subject. I will not lead you on, unguarded and ardent as I then was, to your destruction and infallible misery. Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.


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1 “But is it not some hoax?” I said. “Do you really travel through time?”

2 “Really and truly I do.” And he looked frankly into my eyes. He hesitated. His eye wandered about the room. “I only want half an hour,” he said. “I know why you came, and it’s awfully good of you. There’s some magazines here. If you’ll stop to lunch I’ll prove you this time travelling up to the hilt, specimen and all. If you’ll forgive my leaving you now?”

3 I consented, hardly comprehending then the full import of his words, and he nodded and went on down the corridor. I heard the door of the laboratory slam, seated myself in a chair, and took up a daily paper. What was he going to do before lunch-time? Then suddenly I was reminded by an advertisement that I had promised to meet Richardson, the publisher, at two. I looked at my watch, and saw that I could barely save that engagement. I got up and went down the passage to tell the Time Traveller.

4 As I took hold of the handle of the door I heard an exclamation, oddly truncated at the end, and a click and a thud. A gust of air whirled round me as I opened the door, and from within came the sound of broken glass falling on the floor. The Time Traveller was not there. I seemed to see a ghostly, indistinct figure sitting in a whirling mass of black and brass for a moment—a figure so transparent that the bench behind with its sheets of drawings was absolutely distinct; but this phantasm vanished as I rubbed my eyes. The Time Machine had gone. Save for a subsiding stir of dust, the further end of the laboratory was empty. A pane

of the skylight had, apparently, just been blown in.

5 I felt an unreasonable amazement. I knew that something strange had happened, and for the moment could not distinguish what the strange thing might be. As I stood staring, the door into the garden opened, and the man-servant appeared.

6 We looked at each other. Then ideas began to come. “Has Mr. —— gone out that way?” said I.

7 “No, sir. No one has come out this way. I was expecting to find him here.”

8 At that I understood. At the risk of disappointing Richardson I stayed on, waiting for the Time Traveller; waiting for the second, perhaps still stranger story, and the specimens and photographs he would bring with him. But I am beginning now to fear that I must wait a lifetime. The Time Traveller vanished three years ago. And, as everybody knows now, he has never returned.

9 One cannot choose but wonder. Will he ever return? It may be that he swept back into the past, and fell among the blood-drinking, hairy savages of the Age of Unpolished Stone; into the abysses of the Cretaceous Sea; or among the grotesque saurians, the huge reptilian brutes of the Jurassic times. He may even now—if I may use the phrase—be wandering on some plesiosaurus-haunted Oolitic coral reef, or beside the lonely saline lakes of the Triassic Age. Or did he go forward,

from The Time Machineby H.G. Wells


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into one of the nearer ages, in which men are still men, but with the riddles of our own time answered and its wearisome problems solved? Into the manhood of the race: for I, for my own part, cannot think that these latter days of weak experiment, fragmentary theory, and mutual discord are indeed man’s culminating time! I say, for my own part. He, I know—for the question had been discussed among us long before the Time Machine was made—thought but cheerlessly of the Advancement of Mankind, and saw in the growing pile of

civilization only a foolish heaping that must inevitably fall back upon and destroy its makers in the end. If that is so, it remains for us to live as though it were not so. But to me the future is still black and blank—is a vast ignorance, lit at a few casual places by the memory of his story. And I have by me, for my comfort, two strange white flowers—shrivelled now, and brown and flat and brittle—to witness that even when mind and strength had gone, gratitude and a mutual tenderness still lived on in the heart of man.

1 Which of these is a theme in the passage from Frankenstein?

A Coming of age

B Man or science against nature

C Overcoming oppression

D Dangers of prejudice

2 Based on the context within the passage, what time period is Frankenstein likely written in?

F Middle Ages

G Renaissance

H 19th century

J Present day

3 What theme is present in the passage from The Time Machine?

A Vanity as a downfall

B Knowledge versus ignorance

C Man or science against nature

D Chaos versus order

4 Based on the context within the passage, what time period is The Time Machine likely written in?

F Victorian England

G Elizabethan England

H Colonial United States

J Czarist Russia

Use Frankenstein to answer questions 1–2.

Use The Time Machine to answer questions 3–4.


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5 How is the main theme expressed similarly in both passages?

A Both passages include characters who have taken science too far, pushing past what nature has intended.

B Both passages suggest it is good for humans to push scientific exploration as far as possible.

C Both passages center around characters who are too afraid of science to push the boundaries.

D Both passages focus on how the arrogance of the main characters led to their eventual downfalls.

6 The theme of these two stories are similar, but they were written in different time periods and have different settings. In what ways do they make the expression of the same theme differ?

Use Frankenstein and The Time Machine to answer questions 5–6.


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ASSESSMENTCC5 •5 •NNSOSOESESLL

TTTTTNNTTNNTNENNNENN

DIRECTIONS Read each question and choose the best answer.

1 In paragraph 4 of The Time Machine, the word truncated most nearly means —

A loud C squeaking

B extended D cut short

2 In paragraph 3 of Frankenstein, the word ineffectual most closely means —

F not real H unaffected

G not effective J unable to change

3 In paragraph 2 of Frankenstein, the word fatigue is derived from the Latin word fatigare. What would you guess fatigare most closely means?

A Faintness C Withstood

B Leaving D Tire out

4 Which of these best describes the denotative meaning of astonishment in paragraph 3 of Frankenstein?

F Positive H Surprise

G Negative J Boredom

5 Which of these best describes the connotative meaning of the word irksome in paragraph 1 of Frankenstein?

A Positive C Helpful

B Negative D Annoying

6 Study the illustration at the beginning of the excerpt from Frankenstein. Which element in the image does the artist label as Frankenstein’s monster? What can you infer about the artist’s meaning from this image? How is the message presented in the image similar to Victor Frankenstein’s feelings about creating life? In the end, do Victor Frankenstein’s feelings change? Explain why or why not.

Use Frankenstein to answer questions 2–6.

Use The Time Machine to answer question 1.


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UNPACKING the TEKS | S E.2(A), S R · LESSON 5 Compare and Contrast the Themes in Different Time Periods CHAPTER 1 UNPACKING the TEKS | S E.2(A), S E.12(A ), R FIG. 19(B) Human beings