watchmen audley draft essay
Neale Barnholden
Mengfan Chen
ENGL 121 A13
14 October 2014
The comparison between Watchmen & Lady Audley’s Secret
Both the works of Watchmen and Lady Audley’s Secret are fiction tales that mirror themes of ideology and class, and the accompanying tension. Moreover, in each of the works there are some local events and issues that close connection with the time of release and the contents of these two works. Specifically, in the former work there was the underlying event of an increase in the urbanization of Britain. This was accompanied by a greater accumulation of wealth by part of the population, and this led to the formation of classes, so many people increased in their rank in society. Furthermore, the swelling of the population also meant that there was a shift from the small village of the past where the locals could be well acquainted with everyone to urban society, and all their daily affairs or unusual controversies. The shift from Lady Audley holding the traditional role of a house keeper who is completely innocent and harmless to a violent and dangerous person going to lengths to conceal her identity is evidence of the extent of this shift.
Similarly, in the circumstances of Watchmen, there are some underlying tensions between the United States and Russia through what is known as the Cold War era. While there was suspicion between these two nations, and many accusations, this trend holds true as the characters place blame on one another, continuing this cycle. Specifically, there is an interchange between Rorscach and Veidt in a certain chapter, and in one occasion Veidt goes so far as to blame the Soviets, making the connection very clear to the reader. By focusing on the tensions between these characters specifically as it relates to the death of the Comedian, the underlying theme in Watchmen will be exposed by way of analysis. The interplay between these characters holds relevance not only in the past time period, but also has a close association
Mengfan Chen
ENGL 121 A13
14 October 2014
The comparison between Watchmen & Lady Audley’s Secret
Both the works of Watchmen and Lady Audley’s Secret are fiction tales that mirror themes of ideology and class, and the accompanying tension. Moreover, in each of the works there are some local events and issues that close connection with the time of release and the contents of these two works. Specifically, in the former work there was the underlying event of an increase in the urbanization of Britain. This was accompanied by a greater accumulation of wealth by part of the population, and this led to the formation of classes, so many people increased in their rank in society. Furthermore, the swelling of the population also meant that there was a shift from the small village of the past where the locals could be well acquainted with everyone to urban society, and all their daily affairs or unusual controversies. The shift from Lady Audley holding the traditional role of a house keeper who is completely innocent and harmless to a violent and dangerous person going to lengths to conceal her identity is evidence of the extent of this shift.
Similarly, in the circumstances of Watchmen, there are some underlying tensions between the United States and Russia through what is known as the Cold War era. While there was suspicion between these two nations, and many accusations, this trend holds true as the characters place blame on one another, continuing this cycle. Specifically, there is an interchange between Rorscach and Veidt in a certain chapter, and in one occasion Veidt goes so far as to blame the Soviets, making the connection very clear to the reader. By focusing on the tensions between these characters specifically as it relates to the death of the Comedian, the underlying theme in Watchmen will be exposed by way of analysis. The interplay between these characters holds relevance not only in the past time period, but also has a close association
Cited: Moore, Alan and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen. New York: DC Comics, 1995. Braddon, Mary Elizabeth. Lady Audley’s Secret. Edited by Natalie M. Houston. Broadview: Peterborough ON, 2003.