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Dramatic Irony
Chapter 20: Same Yarn (Cont.)
Explanation and Analysis—A Proposal:
In Chapter 20, the author uses a flashback to trace the evolution of Sybylla's understanding and perception of Harold Beecham's personality. This also brings the reader’s attention to the novel's frame story:
I felt annoyed. I said aloud, “I will become engaged to you;” to myself I added, “Just for a little while, the more to surprise and take the conceit out of you when the time comes.” Now that I understand his character I know that it was not conceit, but just his quiet unpretending way. He had meant all his actions toward me, and had taken mine in return.
This reflection on the past provides a significant insight into Sybylla's personal growth. It also reminds the reader that the narrative is being told from the perspective of an older and more mature Sybylla. The narrator recalls her initial annoyance and misinterpretation of Harold's intentions, illustrating her youthful misunderstanding of the situation. Her recognition that Harold's demeanor was not conceit as she first thought, but rather his "quiet unpretending way," demonstrates her growth in empathy and wisdom. She didn’t understand what was happening at the time, but in the future of the frame story she does.
Through this flashback, Franklin accentuates the transformation in Sybylla's perceptions from youth to adulthood. The shift from her earlier judgment of Harold to her present understanding of his sincerity underlines her increased maturity and the development of her self-knowledge. This introspective moment offers a window into Sybylla's internal journey. It marks her evolution from the naïve young woman in Caddagat to someone with a more nuanced understanding of herself and others.
Related Themes:
