Power Of Sympathy Analysis
The development of proper communication skills is what helps build and maintain healthy relationships. Being able to speak up when something isn’t right is essential in order to avoid confusion or hurt feelings between those involved. In William Hill Brown’s Power of Sympathy, readers are able to see the extreme negative consequences of poor communication skills. The lack of communication between both Maria and Harrington is what leads to her unfortunate death, leaving behind her daughter Harriot. In letter XXXIX, Mrs. Homes presents the history of the miserable life of a woman named Maria who is in love with Harrington. Harrington is a character who loves the thought of Maria, but does not actually love her. Knowing that he has done wrong
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Ready to die of a broken heart, Maria is very dramatic and upset with Harrington writing him a farewell letter. In her letter she says, “To the man for whom my bleeding hear yet retains its wonted affection, though the author of my guilt and misery, do I address my feeble complaint” (66). It is in this letter that she lets Harrington know that she doesn’t think he cares about what happens to her or their infant child. She questions if Harrington will attempt to protect and care for Harriot at all. Maria goes on to say, “wilt thou not drop a tear of pity in the grave of thy Maria? I know they soul is a soul of sensibility; but my departure shall not grieve thee” (66). Because of Harrington’s prior actions of ignoring Maria and removing himself from her life, Maria thinks that Harrington will be indifferent to what happens to her. Maria’s lack of communication is evident in the fact that she simply accepts what Harrington has done to her without questioning his actions or demanding more of an explanation that he has given her.
Both Maria and Harrington rush to conclusions and do not think though their actions and their consequences. Had both characters been willing to sit down together and honestly discuss their relationship, Maria may not have died. Communication is essential in every relationship, as shown in the life of Maria, the lack of proper and thorough communication can be
Ready to die of a broken heart, Maria is very dramatic and upset with Harrington writing him a farewell letter. In her letter she says, “To the man for whom my bleeding hear yet retains its wonted affection, though the author of my guilt and misery, do I address my feeble complaint” (66). It is in this letter that she lets Harrington know that she doesn’t think he cares about what happens to her or their infant child. She questions if Harrington will attempt to protect and care for Harriot at all. Maria goes on to say, “wilt thou not drop a tear of pity in the grave of thy Maria? I know they soul is a soul of sensibility; but my departure shall not grieve thee” (66). Because of Harrington’s prior actions of ignoring Maria and removing himself from her life, Maria thinks that Harrington will be indifferent to what happens to her. Maria’s lack of communication is evident in the fact that she simply accepts what Harrington has done to her without questioning his actions or demanding more of an explanation that he has given her.
Both Maria and Harrington rush to conclusions and do not think though their actions and their consequences. Had both characters been willing to sit down together and honestly discuss their relationship, Maria may not have died. Communication is essential in every relationship, as shown in the life of Maria, the lack of proper and thorough communication can be