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Ethos
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Sisters:
As he introduces the reader to the various members of his family, Dr. Primrose contrasts the appearances and characters of his two daughters, developing them as foils for one another. He describes his eldest daughter Olivia with an allusion to Greek mythology and proceeds to describe his younger daughter Sophia in contrasting, but still glowing, terms:
Olivia, now about eighteen, had that luxuriancy of beauty with which painters generally draw Hebe; open, sprightly, and commanding. Sophia’s features were not so striking at first; but often did more certain execution; for they were soft, modest, and alluring. The one vanquished by a single blow, the other by efforts successfully repeated.
While both of the girls are beautiful, Dr. Primrose describes them as beautiful in very different ways. The allusion to Hebe, the daughter of the Greek gods Zeus and Hera, underlines Olivia's striking looks. In fact, Hebe's name comes from the Greek word hēbē, which means youthful beauty. Sophia's looks are not striking, but she is alluring precisely on account of her much softer appearance. This difference in physical appearance has direct bearing on the effect they have on people they interact with. The immediately attractive Olivia receives attention right away, whereas the subtler Sophia grows on people with time. Dr. Primrose's description serves to emphasize that, although their looks are different, his daughters are both known to be beautiful.
Claiming that a woman's appearance determines her personality, Dr. Primrose goes on to contrast his daughter's ways of thinking and being:
Olivia wished for many lovers, Sophia to secure one. Olivia was often affected from too great a desire to please. Sophia even represt excellence from her fears to offend. The one entertained me with her vivacity when I was gay, the other with her sense when I was serious.
Rather than creating conflict between the two sisters, or leading the father to express a preference for one over the other, their differences bring balance to the family. Cherishing their differences, Dr. Primrose loves his daughters equally. Throughout the novel, Goldsmith develops the characterization of the two girls through a constant juxtaposition between them. If Olivia reacts in one way, the reader can trust that Sophia will react in a quieter and more thoughtful way. They also attract different kinds of men and behave differently in stages of courtship. Clear foils for one another, they nevertheless get along well throughout most of the novel.
Related Themes:
