The Aunt's Story, Patrick White

Résumé du document

Australian literature includes many different literary genres, from poetry to autobiography, and its history is, like that of Australia, quite recent. Among Australian writers, Patrick White stands out, mainly because contrary to many Australian writers, his works are not solely based on the history of his mother country, but have a more universal reach. This is also true for is novel, ?The Aunt's Story', first published in 1948. This intimate tale deals with the peregrinations, both physical and mental, of an atypical woman: Theodora Goodman. Divided into three parts, Meroë, the Jardin exotique and Holstius, the novel recounts Theodora Goodman's ascent through life. In this extract, situated in the first part of the novel, Meroë, describes Theodora Goodman's first dealings with a man of good society: Huntly Clarkson. Through their encounter, the author allows the reader to peek into the world of good society. One can rightfully wonder what Theodora Goodman's place is, in the world of Huntly Clarkson. Though at first the author seems to outline a most ideal and wealthy setting as the world of Huntly Clarkson, Theodora Goodman does not seem to fit into it, and this seemingly glorious world soon turns out to be a shallow microcosm of decaying human beings and values.

Extraits

[...] did not ask anyone said Huntly Clarkson, “because you did not suggest you wanted them.” not suggest she said, dazed by the noises the silver made on the table. the time I was a blank. You have read things off me that were never there. Really, I assure you.” But there was a kind of ease between them. She began to think that it might be a pleasant thing, a friendship with Huntly Clarkson, if she could resist his house, his servants and his furniture. These were all magnificently assured. [...]

[...] He was bored by dogs, and the prospect of the office, and Theodora Goodman. Why had he asked Theodora Goodman to his house ? If it was out of pity it was praiseworthy. He often did praiseworthy things. But he was tired of himself. He wanted to loll right back and listen to something extraordinary as he fell asleep. “Have you ever seen a volcano?” she asked. would like to sail past in a ship, preferably at night.” He opened his eyes. yes, he said. [...]

[...] It is a twisted, decaying sort of happiness, one that you can buy, and it is not satisfying. Indeed, Huntly is not really happy, he is and longs for “something extraordinary”. So the ironic critic of the world of Huntly Clarkson, and thus the critic of this whole society, is quite obvious in this extract. It denounced the shallowness of Huntly Clarkson, his lack of intelligence, especially as compared to Theodora. It also stigmatizes the prevalence of appearances, to the detriment of human beings, and the emphasis is put on a decaying set of values. [...]

[...] He thus has the means to travel to faraway places, and has seen many things. So in this extract, a dazzling show of wealth is taking place on many levels, first in the appearance of Huntly's estate, then in Huntly's own looks and in his possessions and experiences. The show can be perceived through different means, sight first, with the magnificence of the house, hearing as well with the “noises the silver smell with the “smell of rich, urbane and finally imagination, as Huntly conjures up different pictures of wealthy activities and experiences. [...]

[...] Indeed the idea of is similar to the shining of the floors. Hence the idea of abundance inside the house, where even the floors, the surface on which one walks, are There is a “veranda” inside Huntly Clarkson's house; this special room is usually found in the wealthiest houses where the waste of inhabitable space is not an issue. The furniture and objects in the house also hint at Huntly Clarkson's wealth. Indeed Theodora is “dazed by the noises the silver made on the table”. [...]