An Ideological Reading on Doris Lessing ’ s The Fifth Child Sophia Hsu 2002/11/5

An Ideological Reading on Doris Lessing ’ s The Fifth Child Problems David and Harriet face Different aspects of lives represented When Victorian ideology encounters Capitalist ideology Conclusion

Problems David and Harriet face Living in a Victorian house Having a lot of children Feeling criticized as criminals by their families

Problems David and Harriet Face 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 am pregnant? ” (p.16) James and Jessica would be asked for help  “ I shall assume responsibility for the mortgage ” (p.20) The maintenance of the household

Problems David and Harriet Face Having a lot of children The cost of raising children  “ Children … no one who hasn ’ t had them knows what work they make. ” (p.18)  “ She knew the cost, in every way, of a family, even a small one. ” (p.21) Their education

Problems David and Harriet face 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: Harriet and David seemed to themselves meagre and inadequate, with nothing to hold on to but stubborn beliefs other people had always judged as wrong-headed. ” (p,17) “ We aren ’ t made to feel criminals. ” (p,22)

Different aspects of lives represented Molly and Frederick James and Jessica Dorothy David and Harriet

Different aspects of lives represented: Molly and Frederick David ’ s 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 of convention, and disliked any manifestation of the spirit of exaggeration, of excess. ” (p,18) They represent most judging English people.

Different aspects of lives represented: James and Jessica David ’ s 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 and rejected fiercely. ” (p,20) “ Flash and too easy, that was the life of the rich. ” (p,20)

Different aspects of lives represented: Dorothy Harriet ’ s mother: a widow, having three daughters Represents the conservative family life “ She had not found it easy bringing up three girls …. She knew the cost, in every way, of a family, even a small one. ” (p, 21)

Different aspects of lives represented: David and Harriet Reckless young couple, trying to live a life they can ’ t afford. Seemed to represent the spirit of exaggeration and excess. They long for a “ real family life ” “ Harriet and David seemed to themselves meagre and inadequate, with nothing to hold on to but stubborn beliefs other people had always judged as wrong-headed. ” (p,17) When facing Molly and Frederick, they feel themselves “ even more 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 don ’ t grab everything, then you ’ ll lose it. ” (p,22)

When Victorian ideology encounters Capitalist ideology Victorian Ideology Capitalist Ideology

Victorian Ideology: represented by David and Harriet David and Harriet seem to represent the aspect of life against common ideology. Seemingly retreat to Victorian/Capitalist value They think they should ’ ve been born into another country: having six children would be normal, nothing shocking about – they aren ’ t made to feel criminals. They want to have children while they can. (p,22,23) They think they are the ones who are abnormal in Europe. (p.22) They want things both ways. (p.23)

Capitalist ideology: represented by people in the middle Money determines everything: qualified parents, 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 of them die, and expect to. (p,23) People like us, in the middle, we have to be careful about the children we have so we can look after them. (p,23)

Questions and Conclusion Which ideology is better/correct? Can people simply retreat to one ideology against another one? Is the belief/ideology David and Harriet hold on to coming from the rejection to common belief/ideology? Ideology is the production of production