Critical Lens Essay On A Thousand Acres

King Lear is a sad story written by William Shakespeare. It's about an old king named Lear who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on how much they flatter him. But two of his daughters betray him, which makes him run mad. The play talks about power, family, betrayal, and how being too proud can lead to bad things. In the end, Lear's decisions cause a lot of tragedy, with many people dying and his kingdom falling apart. A Thousand Acres is a book by Jane Smiley that tells a similar story to King Lear, but in a modern American setting on a farm. It's about the Cook family, especially the daughters Ginny, Rose, and Caroline, who inherit their father's farm. As the story goes on, we learn about dark family secrets, abuse,

On the flip side, Ginny harbors a tinge of resentment towards Cordelia for her ability to confront their father, Larry, a feat Ginny herself could never muster. Ginny reflects, “I was terribly afraid of him. With Caroline, it was like she didn't know there was something to be afraid of” (pg. 166). This quote poignantly illustrates Ginny's long-standing fear of her father, contrasting it with Caroline's seemingly fearless demeanor. Ginny's resentment towards Caroline stems from the fact that Caroline did not directly experience the childhood abuse inflicted by their father. Moreover, as they grew older, Caroline had the liberty to leave the farm and pursue a career as a lawyer. This freedom serves as a reminder to Ginny of her own inability to break free from the emotional oppression imposed by their father since childhood. Goneril is portrayed as crafty, deceitful, and power-hungry. When she treats her father, King Lear, disrespectfully, she exhibits this quality. Goneril aggressively challenges her father and undermines his authority, displaying her lack of respect and regard for

A little to disquantity your train, And the remainders that shall still depend To be such men as may besort your age, Which know themselves and you.” Goneril approaches her father to discuss the unruly behavior of his group of knights and squires. She begins by acknowledging recent incidents, described as "new pranks," which she finds distasteful and indicative of a larger issue. Goneril appeals to King Lear's wisdom and age, reminding him of his duty to govern with proper behavior and dignity. She describes the behavior of the knights and squires as immoral and daring, transforming the court into a chaotic and disreputable environment. Goneril compares the court to a disorderly inn or even a tavern or brothel, emphasizing the loss of its once respectable status. She stresses the need to address this shameful situation urgently and asks King Lear to reduce the size of his retinue, keeping only those who are honorable and deserving of their position. Goneril's speech establishes the tone for the family conflict that develops throughout the play by expressing her growing dissatisfaction with her father's careless behavior as well as her concern for the court's integrity and