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Thesis Group

Prompt: Diction

MCG

- Profession - related vocabulary

-  Question the authority or appropriateness of a character vocabulary

Character	Profession	Example	Page Number	Analysis
Ester Summonson	Ward	“I hope, Guardian,” said I “that you may not trust too much to my discretion. I hope you may not mistake me. I am afraid it will be a disappointment to you to know that I am not clever - but it really is the truth; and you would soon find it out if I had not the honesty to confess it.”	p90	Although she claims she is “not clever”, our narrator, Esther Summerson has had schooling in her young career as a ward. As a privileged youth, her active vocabulary paired with a simple straight-forward style matches her assumed intellect. She is polite, humble and very childlike in tone but speaks intelligently, especially in her narrative.
Richard Carstone	Ward	“I am very sure, sir,” returned Richard, “that I speak for Ada, too, when I say that you have the strongest power over us both-rooted in respect, gratitude, and affection - strengthening every day.”	p162	Richard is a ward, thereby, educated. Candid in his speech, he uses very little adjectives and does not speak cleverly. He speaks as to address, confident and respectful, though some times a bit to trusting and assuming, as he is still green to the world.
John Jarndyce	Law Partner	“Ada, my love, Esther, my dear, you are welcome. I rejoice to see you! Rick, if I had a hand to spare at present, I would give it to you!”	p60	Mr Jarndyce speaks both eloquently and kindly. He is affectionate and speaks very paternally, as a father towards the wards, and other children, such as Skimple.
Harold Skimpole	Doctor	“I envy you your power of doing what you do. It is what I should revel in, myself. I don’t feel any vulgar gratitude to you. I almost feel as if you ought to be grateful to me, for giving you the opportunity of enjoying the luxury of generosity. I know you like it. For anything I can tell, I may have come into the world expressly for the purpose on increasing your stock of happiness. I may have been born to be a benefactor to you, by sometimes giving you an opportunity of assisting me in my little perplexities. Why should I regret my incapacity for details and worldly affairs, when it leads to such pleasant consequences? I don’t regret it therefore.”	p67	Mr Skimpole is clever indeed. A master debater, he uses his intelligence to charm, though betrays his cleverness by countering arguments with guilting banters trying to manipulate listeners to think a certain way. His way.
Lady (Honoria) Dedlock	Noble	“Pray, Sir Leicester, let me hear the story out... It is quite a story for twilight. How very shocking! Dead?”	p149	Lady Dedlock, who in the beginning of the novel claimed she was “bored to death” seeks excitement and thrills. This is because she is a lady, meaning woman, and must be treated delicately. Dedlock speaks lovely like a lady but shows her longing for more, which I guess her restlessness reflects in the plot, with that whole baby out of wedlock thing.
William Guppy	Lawyer	“Not half a glass?” said Mr Guppy; “quarter? No! Then, to proceed. My present salary, Miss Summerson, at Kenge and Carboy’s, is two pound a week. When I first had the happiness of looking upon you, it was one-fifteen, and had stood at the figure for a lengthened period. A rise of five has since taken place, and a further rise of five is guaranteed at the expiration of a term not exceeding twelve months from the present date. My mother has a little property, which takes the form of a small life annuity; upon which she lives an independent though unassuming manner, in the Old Street Road. She is eminently calculated for a mother-in-law. She never interferes, is all for peace, and her disposition easy. She has her failings - as who  has not? - but I never knew her do it when company was present; at which time you may freely trust her with wine, spirits, or malt liquors. My own abode is lodgings at Penton Place, Pentonville. It is lowly, but airy, open at the back, and considered one of the ‘ealthiest outlets. Miss Summerson! In mildest language, I adore you. Would you be so kind as to allow me (as I may say) to make an offer!”	p113	Being a lawyer, Guppy speaks very formally with large words appropriate to his stature. Devoid of emotion, he treats a marriage proposal as a business transaction, showing all documentation and pedigree before even stating why he would like Esther to be his wife (which is to say only that he “adores her”). Shallow and concise, Guppy is very detailed in speaking, and shows his roots only when intoxicated (the use of “‘ealthiest”).
Caddy Jellyby	Daughter	“It seems a little thing to cry about,” said poor Miss Jellyby, apologetically, “but I am quite worn out. I was directing the new circulars till two this morning. I detest the whole thing so, that that alone makes my head ache till I can’t see out my eyes. And look at that poor unfortunate child! Was there ever such a fright as he is!”	p166	Caddy is a daughter of the Middle to Lower class. Obedient and tired, she is apologetic in her speech, and yes, its not very formal and full of expression rather than wit, signifying her class. In addition her small vocabulary and candid responses show further her social standing.
Mr Turveydrop	Father	“It is my reward,” said Mr Turveydrop, “to hear you say so. In some respects, he treads in the footsteps of his sainted mother. She was a devoted creature. But Woomen, lovely Wooman...what a sex you are!”	p175	Old Mr Turveydrop is the father of a well-off dance captain. Not in his own right is he rich, which reflects in his informal linguistic patterns (“wooman”). He thinks high of himself because of this. In this passage he speaks of his latter-wife, and of woman in general negatively and sarcastically because he couldn’t keep his own lady, emphasizing his male-dominant mind.
Mrs. Pardiggle	Mum	“You are wrong, Miss Summerson,” said she: “but perhaps you are not equal to hard work, or the excitement of it; and that makes a vast difference. If you would like to see how I go through my work, I am now about - with my young family - to visit a brickmaker in the neighborhood (a very bad character), and shall be glad to take you with me.”	p97	Mrs. Pardiggle is off the middle to lower  class and flaunts her work ethic (the used of “I” frequently). Her vocabulary is limited, as appropriate, yet she tries to speak more formally, and much like Skimpole, tries to manipulate others to her cause through guilt.