This novel really threw me for a loop. First impressions were of a novel simple in nature, and straightforward in its storytelling. No lies, no deception, no crazy existential scenes towards the end which make you question not just the authors perspective, but if anything he refers to happens at all. On top of that, more and more interesting ideas and concepts are tackled and showcased. With a lot of focus on contrasting ideas (Light/dark, feminism/misogyny, etc.) I found it difficult to narrow down what I would like to dissect on my own. As time went by I found that the dynamics between the voyeurism of Coverdale, and the hands on approach that Hollingsworth has on everything.
Coverdale is notorious for keeping to himself. When asked to do a deep by Old Moodie in the beginning of the story he declines. He even finds himself a hermitage in a tree so he can have some privacy and partake in his favorite pass-time of snooping on people. He also does a considerable amount of snooping in his hotel back in the city. All of this leads to confrontations and problems, but he never really takes much action. He is a casual observer and not a whole lot else.
Hollingsworth on the other hand is very action oriented. He spends his time doing philanthropic things and tries to spread his ideology in Blithedale. This internal need to spread his way of thinking is much different than Coverdale, who has his disagreements, but is not as oppressive with spreading his ideals as Hollingsworth is. Plus, Hollingsworth is the one who is mostly responsible for getting the plot going. He is the one who brings in Priscilla, he was the one that was going to build a cabin with Zenobia, and the love triangle includes him and the sisters, not Coverdale.
Weather any of this is significant is still an enigma to me, so you’re your thoughts and comments below.
Chris, I like that contrast you're making between Hollingsworth as a man of action and Coverdale as a voyeur. This raises another question, too: although Zenobia attacks Hollingsworth for the damage that he does, is his action any worse than Coverdale's lack of action? At least H. rescues Priscilla from Westervelt.
ReplyDeleteI find your dissection of the polar opposite characteristics of Coverdale and Hollingsworth to be intriguing, especially when discussing the ideals of both men and how they convey their ideals to the other characters. If you consider Coverdal and Hollingsworth's ideals to be opposites on the same line, then the other character's ideals could fall on the line between the two ends, thus the two extremes may allow the reader to connect more with the other characters because they are not as extreme as the two men.
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