The ambition of olive chancellor as the main character in Henry James' The Bostonians

Paloma, Julia (2001) The ambition of olive chancellor as the main character in Henry James' The Bostonians. Bachelor thesis, Petra Christian University.

Abstract

This thesis deals with Olive Chancellor?s ambition to fight for women?s rights as seen in Henry James? The Bostonians. As a leading character in the novel, Olive has a desire to see equal rights and better treatment for women in society. Being a follower of women?s rights movement, Olive wants to be able to voice the rights for women in Boston society. But, she does not have a courage to speak in front of the public. Besides, it is not an easy thing to be able to make a change in the life of women by herself. That is why, I am curious to analyze Olive?s reasons to achieve her ambition in order to voice the rights for women in Boston society and how she can achieve her ambition in voicing the rights for women. In order to reveal the reasons I use the literary approach such as characterization and conflict, to know Olive?s characteristic and the opposition she has with Basil Ransom and Mrs.Bunage related to her ambition. Olive?s achievement is gained through the gifted speech of her new friend, Verena Tarrant. Analyzing the topic, I also use the theory of characterization to reveal Olive?s character traits that drive her to have the ambition. Then, applying the theory of conflict, I expose the opposition between Olive and Basil Ransom and the opposition between Olive and Mrs.Burrage. Throughout the analysis, I find out that Olive has to face struggles with Basil in achieving her ambition about the rights for women through Verena. Besides that, Olive and Basil try to win each other?s influence over Verena. The struggle between Olive and Mrs.Burrage occurs in trying to control Verena?s life for each other?s purpose and belief. With Olive?s persistence and Verena?s gifted speech, Olive?s achievement in voicing the rights for women in Boston society comes true. Verena helps Olive to voice her ambition in women?s meetings and conventions. As a whole, Olive is able to fulfill her ambition in voicing the rights for women in Boston society through her great efforts with Verena?s gifted speech.

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