QUOTE: The Divided Conflict
of Edith Wharton's Summer
by CAROL WERSHOVEN -- WHEN Bernard Berenson complimented Edith Wharton on her latest
novel, Summer, and expressed admiration for its predominant male
character, Lawyer Royall, Wharton replied, "of course he's the book."l
Wharton's statement has been largely ignored by critics who view the book
as Charity Royall's story, and who classify Lawyer Royall as an old windbag,
a pompous drunkard, or worse. 2 The popular interpretation ignores not only
Royall's central position in the plot, but Royall's central role in the novel's subtle
and unfolding themes. For Summer is not just Wharton's variation on the
old seduced-and-abandoned theme; it is a story of two protagonists, both of
whom must come to terms with their destructive illusions in order to lead adult
lives.
The ability to "look life in the face, "3 to confront reality without flinching
or evasion, was, for Wharton, an essential quality in mature conduct. She
repeatedly traced the conflicts of characters faced with the choice of escape
through evasion or a more painful but adult recognition of things as they are.
In the majority of her novels, Wharton chronicles this conflict through the use
of an outsider heroine, one who exposes the reality ofsituation and selfin confrontation
with a weak male. This male figure, unable to face the truths the
heroine reveals, rejects her. Such is the pattern of Ellen Olenska and Newland
Archer in The Age of Innocence, of Lily Bart and Selden in The House of
Mirth, as well as of Wharton's lesser known novels. 4 What is unusual about
Summer is, as Wharton herself noted, that a man, Royall, is at the center of
the book, that the conflict between suffocating illusions and painful but
liberating reality is not expressed through Wharton's customary plot structure.
Richard won the above Saturn Award as the best supporting actor in a fantasy film' He played Thorin Oakenshield in the 3 Hobbit films. Following is not his Thorin attire rather it's a fan's dream costume for him...
Thanks to www.richardarmitagecentral.com for making available a translation of a Polish interview with RA. He was asked about playing Francis Dolarhyde on 'Hannibal' Following is a quote from that interview(see link below)
"I think in fact 'Red Dragon' is a tragic love story....I've never played such a character and I will not ever again"
Watchers on the Wall speculation about Euron Greyjoy casting:
Richard Armitage – Co-starring in Hannibal -- unlikely to happen as well. He’s booked only for a six-episode arc as the Tooth Fairy this season on that show (a book-length villain), which could hint at another season for him if Hannibal is renewed. If we’re wrong though, I’d be okay with that because Armitage is a hell of an actor and would knock Euron out of the park.
NEWS: 'There’s no word on a release date yet, but footage from the film will be screened to potential buyers at the Toronto Film Festival and the American Film Market.'
With a deep rasping growl and some of the most deeply piercing eyes you’ve ever seen, Richard Armitage was inevitably going to have the James Bond question follow his career around after he was drafted in to liven the later series of MI5 drama Spooks.
Usually dismissed as simply being too much of a TV actor to make the leap into such a prestigious Hollywood role – he was in The Vicar Of Dibley for crying out loud – a bit part in 2011’s Captain America led to a huge role as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit Trilogy for which he’s drawn huge praise. Perhaps not enough to be the next James Bond, but if he can capitalise on his current standing he might stand a chance.
His action credentials are cemented now, and he’d be one of the few candidates who has already proven that he’s convincing in the myriad of situations playing a spy throws up. His theatre background too, though a world away from the demands of playing Bond, shows how adaptable and expressive he’s capable of being.
NEWS -- New Role: 'Bridget Cleary' feature film adaptation of the book written by Anne Marie Casey.
Her most recent credits and commissions include:
2015 - BRIDGET CLEARY, a feature film adaptation of the book by Angela Bourke. Producer, Wildfire Films, Director, Jim O'Hanlon, starring Richard Armitage.
How does Hannibal the series handle the relationship between Hannibal Lecter and Francis Dolarhyde? In previous incarnations, they don’t really have direct contact. Do we get a showdown of some kind? And what was it like working with Richard Armitage? He has an obsession with Hannibal, so we do get in touch. Given the nature of the TV show, I would be very surprised if we don’t see them having some kind of interaction, more than just ‘getting in touch’.
So I can’t really tell you what’s gonna happen but I think ‘showdown’ is a small word for what’s happening.
It’s fantastic to work with Richard – not only him but also the [actress] who plays Reba* – we’ve managed to find two fantastic actors who are really up for the task, and they’re taking at least 5 or 6 episodes of the show. So we needed strong actors for that, and I know for sure that they have accomplished that 100%.
