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What is the old nurse story about?
“The Old Nurse’s Story” is a nineteenth century ghost story about a seventeen-year-old nurse, or caretaker, named Hester who moves with her young mistress Rosamond to a large family mansion after Rosamond’s parents both pass away.
What is the moral of the old nurse’s story?
Themes Examples in The Old Nurse’s Story: The final sentence of the nurse’s story sums up the story’s moral: mistakes cannot be erased. Though Miss Grace regrets her actions, she cannot change them, and she is literally and figuratively haunted by them even to her death.
Who is haunted in the old nurse’s story?
She is discovered frozen and asleep, and when revived, she tells how a weeping lady had welcomed her there and lulled her to sleep. But only one set of footprints lead up through the snow. The girl continues to haunt Rosamond, beating at the window to be let in.
How does the old nurse’s story end?
The story ends with all three ghosts appearing in the room with the organ, replaying the fatal scene in which the father turned out his daughter and grandchild. However, a fourth ghost, belonging to Miss Furnivall appears in the scene. That night, Miss Furnivall died.
What does the house symbolize in the old nurse’s story?
The east wing of Manor House represents the burden of regret and people’s inability to avoid facing their past mistakes.
Who dies in the old nurse’s story?
As they explore the rambling house, they find a portrait of Miss Furnivall as a young woman, and are struck by her beauty, sneering pride, and subtle cruelty. Seeing their interest in the portrait, the housekeeper offers to show them one of, Maude, her long-dead, older sister – as long as they keep it a secret.
What are the Gothic elements in the old nurse’s story?
The main themes of this story are patriarchal power, aristocratic pride and the repression of women. It is a story of abuse- physical violence and mental cruelty. As with all Gothic stories, the protagonist is taken out of mainstream culture into an isolated world which becomes terrifying.
Who is the protagonist in the old nurse’s story?
Hester: The narrator of the story, Hester is a governess tasked with caring for Rosamund, an only child. Hester’s audience is Rosamond’s unspecified number of children.
What does the old nurse’s actions tell about her?
Answer: The action of the old nurse tells us that she wanted the widow to realise that she still is a reason to continue living. The nurse is old and wise and in last years of her life while child has just been born.
What is the plot of the old nurse’s story?
Written on invitation by Charles Dickens, who was a fan of her work, Elizabeth Gaskell’s “The Old Nurse’s Story” was published in 1852 during England’s Victorian era. The setup is classic: an elderly caregiver gathers her charges to tell them a spooky story about their mother’s childhood—and to teach them a moral lesson.
What was Anne Gaskell known for writing?
Gaskell was also known for writing short, gothic tales, often with the support of Charles Dickens. One such tale, “The Old Nurse’s Story,” published in 1852, depicts a classic gothic ghost story with a moral lesson.
Was Charles Dickens A fan of Elizabeth Gaskell?
A huge fan of Gaskell’s, Charles Dickens invited her to publish this story in the Christmas issue of his weekly, Household Words. You know, my dears, that your mother was an orphan, and an only child; and I dare say you have heard that your grand-father was a clergyman up in Westmoreland, where I come from.
Did Dr Gaskell alter the ending of the story?
Gaskell did alter the ending, but not in his fashion. In the story the old nurse Hesther tells how, when she was 17 years old, she took her beloved five-year-old charge, the recently orphaned Miss Rosamond, to Furnivall Manor house, an impressive though run-down mansion near the Cumberland Fells.