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| − | Instead of elaborating on the setting, the novel describes the characters in length, especially prince Tachmas. Tachmas is described as an good looking and intelligent prince. “It is hard to guess whether Tachmas was more obliged to Nature for the Perfections of his Body, or the Excellencies of his Mind [...]” (Segrais, 3). These perfections, together with his good reputation evoke fears in his brother, the Sophy Seliman, that Tachmas wants to replace him. | + | Instead of elaborating on the setting, the novel describes the characters in length, especially prince Tachmas. The characterisation technique is solely authorial, explicit description. Tachmas is described as an good looking and intelligent prince. “It is hard to guess whether Tachmas was more obliged to Nature for the Perfections of his Body, or the Excellencies of his Mind [...]” (Segrais, 3). These perfections, together with his good reputation evoke fears in his brother, the Sophy Seliman, that Tachmas wants to replace him. His flaw is that he is overly trusting, both in his brother and in his advisor, Allagolikan. Tachmas appears as a closed and monodimensional character, there are no enigmatic points, no actions that the reader cannot explain or understand. He does not change during the course of the novel and is therefore static. |
Negara, the leading female character, is described at equal length. She is beautiful and charming and has “A Wit [that] gave a particular grace to all she said.” (Segrais, 7). She is of noble blood and has an equally good reputation. | Negara, the leading female character, is described at equal length. She is beautiful and charming and has “A Wit [that] gave a particular grace to all she said.” (Segrais, 7). She is of noble blood and has an equally good reputation. | ||
The Sophy Seliman and the antagonist Allagolikan, as well as the slave Sunamire, are also described in detail, although not as lengthy as the main characters. | The Sophy Seliman and the antagonist Allagolikan, as well as the slave Sunamire, are also described in detail, although not as lengthy as the main characters. | ||
Revision as of 10:36, 27 June 2008
This page is currently under construction.
This is a subpage of Historical Novels and deals with the specific topic of textual analysis of the historical novels that are subject of this course. These novels are Waverley by Sir Walter Scott, Tachmas, Prince of Persia by Jean-Regnauld Segrais, Tudor, A Prince of Wales by an anonymous author and Charles Dacres by an anonymous author. There are two other expert groups within this course, Writing of History and Problems of Genre.
Contents
Story-based Analysis
Setting
Tachmas:
The novel is set in Persia around the 1666 to 1676. The exact date is not mentioned in the novel, may be deduced by several facts. The subtitle of the novel is 'An Historical Novel, which happn'd under the Sophy Seliman, who Reigns at this day'. It can be assumed that Sophy Seliman is the Persian Shah Suleiman I., who's reign lasted from 1666 to 1694. Since the novel was published 1676 this limits the time the novel could take place in to the first decade of Suleiman's rule. The setting is not described any further, the reader has to imagine it by himself.
Characters
Tachmas:
Instead of elaborating on the setting, the novel describes the characters in length, especially prince Tachmas. The characterisation technique is solely authorial, explicit description. Tachmas is described as an good looking and intelligent prince. “It is hard to guess whether Tachmas was more obliged to Nature for the Perfections of his Body, or the Excellencies of his Mind [...]” (Segrais, 3). These perfections, together with his good reputation evoke fears in his brother, the Sophy Seliman, that Tachmas wants to replace him. His flaw is that he is overly trusting, both in his brother and in his advisor, Allagolikan. Tachmas appears as a closed and monodimensional character, there are no enigmatic points, no actions that the reader cannot explain or understand. He does not change during the course of the novel and is therefore static. Negara, the leading female character, is described at equal length. She is beautiful and charming and has “A Wit [that] gave a particular grace to all she said.” (Segrais, 7). She is of noble blood and has an equally good reputation. The Sophy Seliman and the antagonist Allagolikan, as well as the slave Sunamire, are also described in detail, although not as lengthy as the main characters.
Waverley:
Edward Waverley: - son of Richard Waverley - grows up with his uncle Sir Everard and Rachel at Waverley Honour - spends his youth reading in his uncle’s library Zitat 6 - lack of “proper” education (Zitat 5) - romantic and idealistic (Zitat 7) - innocent to the world - avoids responsibility and making decisions - a “mediocre hero”? (Georg Lukács
Rose Bradwardine: (light heroine) - daughter of Lowland baron Bradwardine - shares love for poetry with Edward - kind, caring, gentle, harmless - beautiful but not exciting - Edward marries her in the end
Flora McIvor: (dark heroine) - sister of Highland chief Fergus McIvor - passionate for the cause of Jacobitism - does not show any interest in Edward except for political reasons - exotic and beautiful (waterfall scene!) - intelligent - Edward is fascinated by her
Action
Tachmas:
The action in Tachmas mainly consists of dialogues held by the characters. It focusses on the love relationship between Tachmas and Negara and the intrigues woven by Allagolikan to manufacture the downfall of Tachmas, his mortal enemy. The last four pages sees the death of all of the characters except Sophy Seliman. Negara poisons herself because she thought Tachmas was already dead. The prince's mother, Begona, had already poisoned herself. Sunamire stabbed herself for her treachery. Allagolikan kills Tachmas before Sophy Seliman can step in to save him, who in turn orders Allagolikan to be strangled on the instant.
Discourse-based Analysis
Narrator
Tachmas:
The narrator cannot be identified as a specific person or character. The story is told from the outside. There are no signs of the unreliability of the narrator. Therefore the narrator can be classified as extra- and heterodiegetic, covert and reliable.
Focalisation
Tachmas:
The story is seen through the eyes of an omniscient narrator and is therefore a zero-focalisation.
Aspects of Time
Tachmas:
As a recollection of past events the narration is ulterior.
Discourse Mode
Cited Works
Segrais, Jean-Regnauld. Tachmas, Prince of Persia - An Historical Novel which happen'd under the Sophy Seliman, who Reigns at this day. Translation by P. Porter. London, 1676
