Going Back,by Penelope Lively, reconstructs the story of two children growing up on a farm, called Medleycott, in Somerset during World War II. Jane, one of the children who is now married and has children on her own, tells the story of her childhood to her husband, who drives with her to Medleycott, because the house she was born in is going to be sold. Jane and her brother Edward are inseparable. They do everything together and love living at Medleycott, which they call a paradise. Their mother died very early and now there is Betty looking after them. When the war starts, their father leaves to Scotland but Jane and Edward do not really mind because they do not like him. Jane even hates him, because he is always very strict with Edward, who is not able to do anything right in his father’s opinion. One day Mike comes to Medleycott. As a conscientious objector and as a Quaker most people do not like him and he has to leave Medleycott when the father, who comes home on an unannounced leave, finds out that he lives there. But Mike has a special relationship to Edward since he teaches him to play the violin. Both children have trust in him and that is why they decide to go to Chedzoy, where Mike lives in his own barn. They run away from Medleycott, because Edward does not want to go back to boarding school where his father sent him after half term. Betty comes to take the children home. They have another year together at their beloved place before Edward has to go back to boarding school. It is a story about remembering, about going back to the places of childhood and about changes that take place when somebody is growing up. And it is about the meaning of friendship between brother and sister, which lives on in the mind, even if one of them dies, who, in this case, is Edward who dies in the Korean War as a soldier.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Summary
3. Jane and Edward
4. Edward and his father
5. Mike and Edward
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
This academic paper aims to provide a comprehensive character analysis of Edward, a central figure in Penelope Lively’s novel "Going Back," by examining his evolving relationships with key characters and his personal development throughout the narrative.
- Analysis of the sibling bond between Jane and Edward
- Examination of the conflict-ridden relationship between Edward and his father
- Exploration of the mentorship and friendship between Edward and Mike
- Characterization of Edward as a round character undergoing personal growth
- The impact of war and childhood environments on identity formation
Excerpt from the Book
3. Jane and Edward
[...] He would lie on his stomach on the kitchen floor, curled against the Aga, listening to music on the wireless. If you spoke to him, he didn’t hear, removed somehow in time and space. Insulated. It maddened me. ‘Edward!’ ‘Leave him alone,’ said Betty. ‘You don’t own him.’ ‘But he said he’d come to the village.’ ‘You go by yourself.’ ‘I don’t like going by myself.’ ‘What you don’t like is him doing something you don’t want.’ Was that it? As grudging as that? I suppose so, in one way. […] I remember Edward doing something I didn’t seem able to do in the same way, feeling left out, wanting to get him back for myself. (Lively, Penelope (1977). Going Back. London: Pan Books, 75)
Normally Jane and Edward do everything together. They are so closely related that they do not need language for communication.
“[…] We were as we always had been – doing things together, disagreeing, making up, forgetting about it, telling each other things in a kind of shorthand because there is a point at which you know another person so well that you do not always need language for communication.” (Lively 1977, 75-76)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the purpose of the paper, which is to analyze the character development of Edward in Penelope Lively's "Going Back" through the lens of his interpersonal relationships.
2. Summary: This chapter provides an overview of the novel’s plot, detailing the lives of siblings Jane and Edward on the farm Medleycott during World War II.
3. Jane and Edward: This section explores the deep, non-verbal bond between the siblings and how their relationship changes as they grow older and face the pressures of schooling.
4. Edward and his father: This chapter analyzes the strained relationship between Edward and his father, characterized by mutual misunderstanding and the father's strict, outdated expectations of masculinity.
5. Mike and Edward: The analysis focuses on the role of Mike, a conscientious objector, who acts as a mentor and older brother figure, fostering Edward's self-confidence and interest in music.
6. Conclusion: The author concludes that Edward undergoes a significant transformation, evolving from a young boy into a self-confident individual with an independent identity.
Keywords
Penelope Lively, Going Back, Edward, Jane, Characterization, Childhood, Relationship, Father-son conflict, Mentorship, Conscientious objector, Identity, World War II, Medleycott, Literature analysis, Sibling bond
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the characterization of Edward in Penelope Lively’s novel "Going Back," specifically exploring his development through his relationships with his sister, his father, and Mike.
What are the main thematic areas discussed?
Key themes include the impact of childhood environments, the role of mentorship, the dynamics of sibling relationships, and the tension between parental expectations and personal identity.
What is the central research aim?
The aim is to provide a detailed character analysis that looks beyond classical traits by examining how Edward's connections to other characters influence his psychological growth.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The paper employs a literary analysis approach, utilizing specific textual evidence and quotes from the novel to interpret character behavior and narrative development.
What does the main body cover?
It covers three distinct relationship constellations: Jane and Edward, Edward and his father, and Mike and Edward, followed by a summary of the novel's plot.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Essential keywords include Penelope Lively, Going Back, Edward, Characterization, Sibling bond, and Father-son conflict.
How does the author describe Edward's relationship with his father?
It is described as a difficult, conflict-heavy relationship where the father fails to understand Edward's sensitivities and interests, often labeling him as weak or "cissy."
What role does Mike play in Edward's life?
Mike acts as an essential mentor and surrogate older brother who supports Edward’s talents, such as violin playing, and validates his personal choices, unlike his father.
How does Edward's view of himself change by the end of the story?
Edward develops a stronger, independent identity, learning to face problems on his own and maintaining his principles despite his father's disapproval.
- Quote paper
- Katja Staats (Author), 2005, Penelope Lively: Going Back - Characterization, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/62331
