The Tower by Marghanita Laski
In The Tower by Marghanita Laski we have the theme of fear, control, freedom, perseverance, independence and change. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Laski may be exploring the theme of fear. Through the setting Laski manages to highlight to the reader the fear that Caroline feels while she is climbing both up and down the tower. It might also be possible that Laski is using the tower itself as phallic symbolism to highlight the control that men have over the lives of women. Something which is very true when it comes to Caroline’s relationship with her husband Neville. Though Neville is not present in the story he still has the ability to control Caroline and she appears to be working off Neville’s time frame (his meeting and getting back home). This could be significant as Laski could be suggesting that Caroline is not only controlled by Neville but that she lacks the real freedom needed to live her life. Something that is also clear to the reader by the way that Caroline is bored when she tours the country with Neville to see some of the country homes.
It is as though Caroline is obliging Neville because it is her role to do so. Though ironically when she is climbing the tower she has all the freedom in the world. The ascent of the tower is also interesting as symbolically Laski could be suggesting that Caroline is reaching the pinnacle when it comes to gender roles. She is the equal of a man. She has overcome her fears and is not being controlled by anyone. There is also no doubt that Neville would disapprove of Caroline’s activities. Mainly because he is unable to control Caroline’s environment. Though what happens Caroline is sinister she still nonetheless has the freedom to be independent of Neville while she is climbing the tower. However this independence comes at a price. Caroline is lost forever as soon as she begins to descend from the tower. Something that is noticeable to the reader by the fact that Caroline climbs down more steps than she originally climbed up when she began to climb the tower.
It may also be a case that Laski is exploring the theme of perseverance. Despite being afraid Caroline continues to climb the tower. Even though the rewards are not as she would expect them to be. When Caroline reaches the top of the tower there is no moment of realisation or epiphany. Nothing has changed. Which may symbolically suggest that despite all the difficulties a woman may encounter to reach the top of the gender ladder. Things will still be the same. Women will never be the equal of men. Despite the struggles they might endure. This could be significant as Laski might be suggesting that at the time the story was written the efforts of women to achieve equality or to be on par with men would be fruitless. If anything things would remain the same. Something that is a little bit clearer to the reader when Caroline begins her decent sitting down on the steps. It is as though she is unable to move or that she may be somewhat paralysed. In reality Caroline has achieved her goal and nothing changes and if anything the descent is more frightening to Caroline than the ascent.
What is also interesting about the story is the fact that Laski appears to be using foreshadowing when Caroline and Neville are looking at the portrait of Giovanna di Ferramano. Neville compares Caroline to Giovanna who died aged only eighteen and the reader is assured that Caroline herself when she descends the tower is also due to meet an unfortunate end. Which may be the point that Laski is attempting to make. She could be suggesting that despite the passing of time the roles of women have not changed. They still remain subservient to the male regardless of any efforts that they might undertake to change the status quo. Another similarity between Giovanna and Caroline is the fact that just as Giovanna died mysteriously so too will Caroline. Though Caroline has tried her best to control the environment around her (the tower) she has failed in doing so. Which may suggest to some readers that symbolically Laski is highlighting a woman’s inability to control a male dominated environment. Caroline’s life is to end with her crawling or walking around in circles (descent) with no fixed point of change (exit) being available to her. Just as many women prior to Caroline have attempted to achieve change very little if anything has actually changed.
this is interesting but I really wish it was more detailed.
When Caroline thinks of committing suicide is it because she realized that men and women could never be equal so all her trying was in vain?
do you think you could just make like a short summary
Thank you but can u please explain the roles of each character
i love everything. thank you so muchhhh!!
have you done thank you ma’am by Langston Hughes?
thank you. You’ve helped me a lot!
The ending was extremely ambiguous to me. I thought she survives (“So Caroline came down the dark tower.”) and her brain records the tally, but here you’ve mentioned that she’s dead?
how is the theme of fear shown
where is the climax?
This is a super thematic summary- thank you.
Is it possible that Marghanita’s own perspective and beliefs are shown, as in she deeply believes that women will be unable to control their environment in a male dominated society. This point of view may have also been influenced by the generation she lived through.
What do the readers learn about Caroline and Neville’s relationship?