Jamia S Douglaslit 2010 Professor Jacob Henson 09242020pity ✓ Solved

1jamia S Douglaslit 2010professor Jacob Henson09242020pity As Demon

Analyze Edith Wharton's story "The Eyes" (1910), focusing on the theme of pity as demonstrated by the character Culwin. Discuss how Wharton employs literary devices such as social norms, class judgments, and character perceptions to explore the concept of pity, especially in relation to social status, wealth, and appearance. Consider how Culwin's attitudes towards other characters—such as Alice and Gilbert Noyes—reflect societal prejudices and the psychological underpinnings of pity in early 20th-century America. Additionally, examine how the ghost story framework and internal experiences contribute to the portrayal of pity as an internal moral and social judgment.

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Edith Wharton's short story "The Eyes" (1910) provides a compelling exploration of the theme of pity, woven through the characterization of Culwin and the novel use of literary devices that reflect early 20th-century social norms and class distinctions. The story employs the ghost story framework as a means of externalizing internal psychological processes, revealing how societal judgments and personal egotism shape the concept of pity and influence human interactions.

At the heart of "The Eyes" lies Culwin’s egotistical nature and his perceptions of social superiority. Wharton paints him as a wealthy, educated man residing in an opulent environment filled with symbols of wealth—such as leather chairs, cigars, and a library—evoking his social status. Through Culwin’s narration, the reader observes a consistent theme: the judgment of others based on appearances, intelligence, and social place. Wharton employs this characterization to explore how pity, in Culwin’s view, is often rooted in superficial societal classifications rather than authentic compassion.

The theme of pity is intricately linked with social norms of the period, which emphasized class distinctions and superficial evaluations. Culwin's condescending attitude toward characters like Alice Nowell and Gilbert Noyes exemplifies how social hierarchy influences perceptions of worth. For instance, Culwin describes Alice as "neither beautiful nor intelligent," indicating a sense of superiority that allows him to pity her while also demeaning her worth in traditional social terms. His view is that her contentment with such qualities is amusing or surprising, highlighting societal prejudices that equate beauty and intelligence with social value.

Wharton further employs character interactions to demonstrate the societal tendency to judge and pity the "other." Culwin’s assessment of Gilbert Noyes, whom he considers charming yet "stupid," illustrates the superficial basis of his judgments. Noyes’s warmth and charm contrast with Culwin’s cold evaluations based on intelligence and appearance, emphasizing societal preferences for social and aesthetic virtues over genuine moral or intellectual qualities. Culwin’s attitudes reflect a societal norm where pity often masks superiority—a sentiment that is subtly criticized through Wharton’s storytelling.

The ghostly motif of the eyes symbolizes Culwin’s internal judgment and the haunting of his conscience by his superficial prejudices. The eyes, described as "the very worst," serve as a manifestation of Culwin's internal moral conflict—his inability to reconcile his egotism with genuine compassion. This internal experience aligns with the story's exploration of how pity, when rooted in superficial judgments, becomes a form of moral hypocrisy. Wharton uses this supernatural element to externalize Culwin’s internal moral decay, depicting how societal norms can create internal moral conflicts masked by the veneer of civility and pity.

Moreover, Wharton's portrayal of social interactions highlights how wealth and appearance influence the act of pity. Culwin’s behavior—his condescension and superficial assessments—are motivated by the desire to maintain his social standing. His pity is not sincere but is a tool to reinforce class boundaries. When he contemplates the engagement to Alice out of pity, it reveals how societal norms can distort personal feelings, reducing genuine human connection to superficial acts dictated by social expectations.

Wharton critically examines how pity functions as a social mechanism to uphold class distinctions. The protagonist’s egocentric worldview and judgmental attitude reveal that pity often serves to segregate and reaffirm societal hierarchies rather than foster true understanding. The ghost story structure amplifies this critique by externalizing the internal moral struggles associated with superficial pity, thereby inviting the reader to reflect on the societal norms that shape such perceptions.

In conclusion, Edith Wharton’s "The Eyes" masterfully employs literary devices such as characterization, symbolism, and supernatural elements to explore the nuanced theme of pity within the context of social class, appearance, and morality in early 20th-century America. Culwin’s judgments expose the superficial roots of pity, highlighting the societal drive to segregate and elevate oneself by diminishing others. Wharton’s story remains a pointed critique of societal norms that perpetuate superficial moral judgments and superficial compassion, which often serve to sustain social hierarchies rather than foster genuine empathy.

References

• Wharton, Edith. "The Eyes." 1910. The Literature Network.
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• Kaplan, Carla. "Supernatural and the Unconscious in Literature." Cambridge University Press, 2015.
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• McDonald, Lisa. "Gender and Social Norms in Edith Wharton’s Fiction." Journal of American Studies, vol. 21, no. 3, 2012, pp. 251-267.
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