Introduction
Louis Couperus
life and work
Louis Couperus
bibliography
Pictorial material
[caricature]
Introduction to
Eline Vere
English summary of the extracts from Eline Vere
Text, audio +
unmarked version
Text with word
explanation:
1.
First extract
2.
Second extract
Literary background
Literary analysis:
1.
First extract
2. Second extract
Quiz
Feedback form
Copyright
| Literary Analysis - Extract 2 | Extract 1 (>link)|
You will remember how we added an eighth characteristic of Dutch naturalist literature to Ton Anbeek's list: man is not in control of his own destiny.
Question 5:Explain how this idea is developed in the second excerpt from Eline Vere.
Click (>link) for the answer
Question 6:
Read the second and third sentence and determine to what extent Vincent's thoughts are steeped in naturalist thinking. Look for any clues that point towards the general factors said to shape a person's temperament and destiny.
Click (>link) for the answer
Vincent Vere is not only preoccupied with thoughts and ideas that underlie naturalist writing, but he is himself to all extent and purposes a naturalist character.
Question 7:
Find some examples in the first half of the text to back up this claim. You may wish to refer to points 1 and 2 in Anbeek's list.
Click (>link) for the answer
In the first extract we have seen how Eline Vere is very susceptible to external stimuli. She is in fact easily upset and needs a protective atmosphere to shield her from them. The second excerpt too describes in great detail some of the external stimuli with which Vincent's senses are being bombarded.
Question 8:
Now look at sentence number 6 and identify which of the five senses are referred to. Why is their presence typical of naturalist writing?
Click (>link) for the answer
In the first extract, Couperus describes Eline as a human being without a strong sense of individuality. She is passive and happy to let herself be guided by others.
Question 9:
Read sentence 4 and 5 of the second extract and compare Vincent's self-image with Eline's character.
Click (>link) for the answer
Apart from Couperus's use of repetition, this second excerpt also contains examples of the author's fondness for artificial, slightly contrived language.
Question 10:
In the text find the less common word (form) for a) zichzelf; b) nooit; c) heel; d) graag; e) voelde; f) geur; g) hoewel.
Click (>link) for the answer
You can now further test your understanding of the two excerpts with a set of additional questions in the quiz (>link) section.