Essay Questions

1) Compare Lisa and the "Gentle Creature". What role/roles do they play in the life of the male protagonist?

There are different similarities and differences between Lisa and Gentle Creature. Lisa was a prostitute; however, Gentle creature's dominant female was a noble and religious girl. However, the similarity in both the characters is that they both were dominated by their males and they have brought significant changes in the attitude of male protagonists. Lisa and Gentle Creature both played a very key role in the lives of male protagonists (Dostoyevsky, 12).

Gentle Creature's female is a very religious and noble girl. She was an orphan and her abusive aunt wanted her to marry an obese shopkeeper. Thus, the male protagonist has married her and started dominating her. Later on Gentle Creature's females has changed his life and gained his sympathy and care. On the other hand, Lisa is a quiet and downtrodden woman who was a prostitute. She has helped the male protagonist to come in touch with real humanity. She had also failed in escaping the ego of Underground man and he kept on insulting her. She had suffered in her life and through these real sufferings she has developed a kind hearted nature and also enhanced the loving ability. However, the underground man was so heartless to show his feelings. Lisa has faced a difficult life in which she had been sold into prostitution and have always been degraded and embarrassed of her profession. However, she had very true feelings for the underground man and has decided that she will not continue this profession ever in her life. Thus, the role of male protagonist is very egoistic in this story as he had the dominating nature. (Dostoyevsky, 34) In this story, Lisa has been shown as an uneducated and simple woman. Dostoevsky did not include the common qualities of being intellect and educated in Lisa's character, but still she incorporates the essence of basic humanity in her. She is very much familiar with the meanings of sufferings and knows very well the ways to communicate with others (Dostoyevsky, 34). She had a great role in the life of male protagonist. The underground man kept on insulting her and humiliated her, still she has forgiven she had proper understanding of his stress and anxiety. The role of Lisa is full of simplicity and understanding, sympathy and compassion.

Both the roles of Gentle Creature and Lisa are simple and understanding. In both these characters, the essence of sympathy, understanding and simplicity is filled. In both the stories, the male protagonists have some negative backgrounds which have made them negative and dominating. However, both the characters are understanding and have proper knowledge about the anxiety and stress of male protagonists. Therefore, they both comfort them with ease and sympathy and change their attitude. In both the stories, the author has emphasized that how females can bring change in the attitudes of males. The author has focused on the role and importance ...