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An Ideological Reading onDoris Lessings The Fifth Child

Sophia Hsu

2002/11/5


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An Ideological Reading onDoris Lessings The Fifth Child

Problems David and Harriet face

Different aspects of lives represented

When Victorian ideology encountersCapitalist ideology

Conclusion


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Problems David and Harrietface

Living in a Victorian house

Having a lot of children

Feeling criticized as criminals by theirfamilies


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Problems David and HarrietFace

Living in a Victorian house

They are not able to pay for the mortgage

How are we going to pay for it all if I ampregnant? (p.16)

James and Jessica would be asked for help

I shall assume responsibility for the mortgage

(p.20)

The maintenance of the household


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Problems David and HarrietFace

Having a lot of children

The cost of raising children

Childrenno one who hasnt had them knowswhat work they make. (p.18)

She knew the cost, in every way, of a family,even a small one. (p.21)

Their education


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Problems David and Harrietface

Feeling criticized as criminals by their families

For at such times, when material support is not

enough, it is as if we are being judged: Harrietand David seemed to themselves meagre andinadequate, with nothing to hold on to butstubborn beliefs other people had always judgedas wrong-headed. (p,17)

We arent made to feel criminals. (p,22)


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Different aspects of livesrepresented

Mollyand Frederick

Jamesand Jessica

Dorothy

David and Harriet


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Different aspects of livesrepresented: Mollyand Frederick

Davids mother and step-father: his English

parents

Had little money, being unambitious academics(p,17)

Aiming, like all their kinds, at an appearance of

unconformity, they were in face the essence ofconvention, and disliked any manifestation of thespirit of exaggeration, of excess. (p,18)

They represent most judging English people.


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Different aspects of livesrepresented: Jamesand Jessica

Davids father and step-mother

See everything materially

The house is a good investment. (p,19) This ease with money characterized their

life together, which David had sampled andrejected fiercely. (p,20)

Flash and too easy, that was the life ofthe rich. (p,20)


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Different aspects of livesrepresented: Dorothy

Harriets mother: a widow, having three

daughters

Represents the conservative family lifeShe had not found it easy bringing upthree girls. She knew the cost, in

every way, of a family, even a smallone. (p, 21)


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Different aspects of livesrepresented: David and Harriet

Reckless young couple, trying to live a life they cant afford.

Seemed to represent the spirit of exaggeration and excess.

They long for a real family life

Harriet and David seemed to themselves meagre andinadequate, with nothing to hold on to but stubborn beliefsother people had always judged as wrong-headed. (p,17)

When facing Molly and Frederick, they feel themselves evenmore preposterously eccentric, and much too young. (p,17)

They are going to be beholden to the life of the rich. (p,20)You two go on as if you believe if you dont grab everything,then youll lose it. (p,22)


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When Victorian ideologyencounters Capitalist ideology

Victorian Ideology

Capitalist Ideology


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Victorian Ideology: representedby David and Harriet

David and Harriet seem to represent theaspect of life against common ideology.

Seemingly retreat to Victorian/Capitalist value

They think they shouldve been born intoanother country: having six children would benormal, nothing shocking about theyarentmade to feel criminals. They want to havechildren while they can. (p,22,23)

They think they are the ones who areabnormal in Europe. (p.22)

They want things both ways. (p.23)


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Capitalist ideology: representedby people in the middle

Money determines everything: qualifiedparents, decent life, good education

The aristocracy can have children like rabbits,and expect to, but they have the money for it.(p,23)

Poor people can have children, and half ofthem die, and expect to. (p,23)

People like us, in the middle, we have to becareful about the children we have so we canlook after them. (p,23)


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Questions and Conclusion

Which ideology is better/correct?

Can people simply retreat to one

ideology against another one?Is the belief/ideology David and Harriethold on to coming from the rejection to

common belief/ideology?Ideology is the production of production

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