I would like to discuss chapter 19 in Wieland, Or The Transformation. This is a crucial chapter in understanding Wieland and what he has done. The chapter starts off with Clara reading the letter of Wieland and how he has confessed somewhat to killing his family.
Wieland starts the chapter by telling the reader that yes he did kill his family. That in fact does make him a murderer. “It is true they were slain by me: they all perished by my hand . The task of vindication is ignoble. What is it that I am called to vindicate? And before whom?”(158) It seems as if Wieland has no remorse for his killings. He is not afraid to go out and say his wrong doings, it was never pried out of him, he cleanly came out and said it, which I believe has a lot to say about his character. Being without remorse shows me that Wieland is a killer, someone who can kill there family like this and go out and say it as he has done shows me signs of a cold blooded killer.
I saw somewhat because Wieland is convinced it is not himself controlling his own body, actions and thoughts. His wife even notices that by saying, “Surely, surely, Wieland thou dost not mean it. Am I not thy wife? and woudst thou kill me? Thou wilt not; and yet- I see- thou art Wieland no longer! A fury resistless and horrible posses thee:- spare me- spare-help-help-.”(165) Wielands wife is pure shock of what is taking place, she knows that Wieland could never do this to her. She understands that his love for her is too great and strong for him to do onto her. So she believes it is a spirit guiding him along her death and murder.
The head and mind of Wieland is something very complex that you can only makeup for yourself. There is evidence that he is a murderer, but also evidence that he is insane. The open ended ness of this book is what really kept me reading throughout the book. Being able to judge upon characters yourself is something you don’t get to do in most books and novels, but with the way that Brown set up the book it is completely up to you and how you take the readings.
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Interesting reflections here, Anthony. But they raise a question for me: are there any other options for explaining Wieland's behavior beyond these two, cold-blooded murder, or insanity?
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your statement that Wieland's mind is very complex in this gothic thriller. Wieland seems to be fighting within himself for his power of free will, but yet his mind seems to be messed up as it takes over his body. It does seem complicated to make up whether Wieland is innocent or guilty, insane or a murderer. I also think it is weird how Wieland immediately admits that he killed his family with no excuses, but then later on tries to say that it was not him controlling his own actions. This is a very confusing matter in the story that makes us readers think a lot.
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