Muzna AL Hooti

Hanan AL Hadi

Under the supervision of Dr. Nada AL Ajmi

Argument

The definition of solitude

Supported by evidence from:1. Mr. Barnet

2. Lucy

3. Mr. Downe

Summary

In the novella The Fellow Townsmen, solitude was a factor that influenced the characters and led them into new realizations.

In the light of articles by Lewis (2009) and Bunkers (2008).

1. Mr. Barnet 2. Lucy 3. Mr. Downe

Solitude is defined as a state of being alone although

being surrounded by people which leads to self-

awareness through a positive and constructive state of

engagement with oneself.

During his marriage:

“ Barnet said nothing more, and presently sat down to

his lonely meal which was eaten abstractedly, the

domestic scene he had lately witnesses still impressed

him by its contrast with the situation here” (p. 3).

He realizes he doesn’t have a supportive family, but he is still

accepting the situation.

“The capacity to be alone [is] linked with self-discovery and

self-realization; with becoming aware of one’s deepest

needs, feelings and impulses” (Lewis, 2009, p. 23).

“Then in solitude and silence he brooded over the bitter

emotions that filled his heart. It was for this that he

gratuitously restored her to life and made his union with

another impossible” (p. 15).

He is aware that his wife is the obstacle between

him and Lucy, but he is still accepting.

After his wife’s death and Lucy’s marriage:

• “He was not seen again in his accustomed walks, or in his new house, or

in his old one. He was gone for good nobody knew whither.”

“We do not go into the desert to escape people but to learn how to find

them; we do not leave them in order to have nothing more to do with them ,

but to find out the way to do them the most good”(Merton,2003,cited by

Bunkers,2008, p22).

Leaving was his solution, but he come back to be rejected

and leaves again shows how he is accepting his situation

again.

“That countenance in a remote country-road unheard of

harbor” (p. 5).

She lost her father and now she is living alone.

She realized that she had to find a job and be independent.

Being alone provides opportunity to reflect and be honest

with our selves as we examine our experiences ( Bunkers,

2008 , p23).

After Downe’s death:

o (p28): she is living alone (again) and has no children.

She realized late that she missed her last

chance. That’s due to lack of confidence.

After his wife’s death:

He spent a lot of time crying and grieving. Also, he

wanted to honor his wife with a great tomb that he kept

thinking about.

He realized that he needs someone to take care of his kids.

Thus, he married Lucy.

Solitude is not withdrawal from ordinary life. It is

not apart from , above , better than ordinary life.

On the contrary, solitude is the very ground of

ordinary life (Merton,2000,cited by Bunkers, 2008,

p22).

Very often it is the solitary who has the most to say ;not

that he uses many words , but what he says is new,

substantial, unique(Bunkers, 2008 , p24)

Herzog, Toby C. “Hardy’s ‘Fellow-townsmen’: A Primer for

the Novels.” Colby Library Quarterly 18.6 (1982): 231-240.

Web. 28 Mar. 2014.

Gilmartin, Heather M. “Isolation: A Concept Analysis.” Wiley

Periodicals 48. 1 (2013): 54-60. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

Lewis, Jerry M. “Can It Be Done Alone? Solitude and

Personality Maturation.” Psychiatrictimes. Com. Psychiatric

Times, Dec. 2009. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

Bunkers, Sandra Schmidt. “The Gifts of Silence and Solitude.”

Nursing Science Quarterly 21.1 (2008): 22-30. Web. 27 Apr.

2014.