Absorption Outline

Thesis: Absorption is a state of mind that can transport an individual to a far off place from reality. Due to evidence from The Female Quixote, readers are provided with a first hand account of how absorption sweeps individuals into a fantasy land within their own minds. 

Outline

1.     Absorption and Relationships

a.     “Diversified only by accidents that daily happen in the world, and influenced by passions and qualities which are really to be found in conversing with mankind.” (Johnson 1)

                                               i.     Absorption is a process that occurs within a cycle. It grows and is influenced by interests and desires and formulates a passion for a certain object.

1.     This is displayed thoroughly by Arabella and her obsession with writing her own life story.

b.     “Yet he dreaded to see her exposed to Ridicule by her fantastical Behavior and become the Jest of Persons who were not possessed of half of her understanding.” (Lennox 117)

                                               i.     Absorption can also be associated with love. The feelings of obsession and desire can transform into absorption and love.

1.     This is clearly shown by Glanville caring about Arabella. He didn’t want her fantastical sense of absorption embarrassing her within reality, when at the same time, he was absorbed within his obsession of Arabella.

2.     Absorption and the Unspoken Language

a.     “I dream my life away in others’ speculations.”

                                               i.     Absorption is a world in which individuals become lost. They become unaware of their surroundings and completely enamor themselves with the ideas of their obsession.

1.     Shown by the image of the girl reading by Fragonard, absorption is completely prominent as shown by body language. Posture is slouched over the book, the head is tilted down, the book is held up with a regal stature.

b.     “Therefore to disengage herself from the Perplexity his Question threw her into, she was obliged to offer some Violence to her Ingenuousness;”

                                               i.     Absorption is quite difficult to separate oneself from. Therefore for Arabella to know that the only way of detaching herself from the situation is of violent language is quite impressive.

1.     She pulls herself out of her fantasy with Glanville but still remains absorbed with formulating every action within the ideas of a dramatic reading performance.

3.     Absorption and Fantasy

a.     “’Your history,’ said Miss Glanville! ‘Why, will write your own history then?’” “’I shall not write it,’ said Arabella, tho’ questionless, ‘it will be written after my death.’”

                                               i.     Absorption can completely be tied in with the grand vision of what reality could possibly be. Absorption therefore hinders reality and lands within a fantasy of the world.

1.     Arabella is insanely concerned with the ideas that her history will be written and her life will be immortalized forever.

2.     She seems to forget that her reality is present and she doesn’t reflect upon her actions. She simply continues to live her life without consequence and travel on as she pleases.

b.     “Our charming Heroine, ignorant till now of the true State of her Heart.”

                                               i.     Absorption can also prompt ignorance, which is associated with fantasy. Fantasy can blind an individual from reflecting upon their actions.

1.     Arabella was forced to see what her relationship with Glanville really was but it was within a fantasy land of the princess.

a.     She required outside sources to force her out of her ignorance and reign her back into the world of reality.

Sample Body Paragraph

            Absorption seems to be tiered upon a hierarchy that is driven by interests, passions and desires. Absorption can begin as a small spark of interest and then grow into a desire or obsession until the individual is completely lost within absorption. With absorption reigning as the top tier of this hierarchy, it seems proper that relationships reflect the same development as absorption does. “Diversified only by accidents that daily happen in the world, and influenced by passions and qualities which are really to be found in conversing with mankind.” (Johnson 1) Throughout The Female Quixote, readers view the development of Arabella and Mr. Glanville’s relationship. Their relationship begins as a simple conversation. These conversations grow and spark emotions and require opinions and thoughts from each speaker. From there, similar interests are found, ideas are shared and passion begins to form. Individuals claim stake within relationships that challenge one another and provide a safe haven for conversation. This is where absorption begins to develop on a scale. Interest is sparked within conversation, those similar interests fuel desire and absorption is reached when desire has filled over into obsession. Throughout this, absorption the constant stream of what that individual is thinking about. Throughout the novel, Glanville and Arabella are obviously thinking about one another. Glanville even develops the instinct to protect her. “Yet he dreaded to see her exposed to Ridicule by her fantastical Behavior and become that Jest of Person who were not possessed of half of her Understanding.” (Lennox 117) Glanville truly began to care about Arabella and had the desire to protect her from the evils of her own absorption. He was absorbed in saving her from her own absorbed mind. Therefore, absorption and the development of a hierarchical format is quite important within the idea of relationships and desire.