Explain the conflicted theme in "The Wieland" by Charles Brockden Brown from this passage. As to myself, my attention was engaged by this occurrence. I could not fail to perceive a shadowy resemblance between it and my father's death. On the latter event, I had frequently reflected; my reflections never conducted me to certainty, but the doubts that existed were not of a tormenting kind. I could not deny that the event was miraculous, and yet I was invincibly averse to that method of solution. My wonder was excited by the inscrutableness of the cause, but my wonder was unmixed with sorrow or fear. It begat in me a thrilling, and not unpleasing solemnity. Similar to these were the sensations produced by the recent adventure. But its effect upon my brother's imagination was of chief moment. All that was desirable was, that it should be regarded by him with indifference. The worst effect that could flow, was not indeed very formidable. Yet I could not bear to think that his senses should be the victims of such delusion. It argued a diseased condition of his frame, which might show itself hereafter in more dangerous symptoms. The will is the tool of the understanding, which must fashion its conclusions on the notices of sense. If the senses be depraved, it is impossible to calculate the evils that may flow from the consequent deductions of the understanding.
Explain the conflicted theme in "The Wieland" by Charles Brockden Brown from this passage.
As to myself, my attention was engaged by this occurrence. I could not fail to perceive a shadowy
resemblance between it and my father's death. On the latter event, I had frequently reflected; my
reflections never conducted me to certainty, but the doubts that existed were not of a tormenting kind.
I could not deny that the event was miraculous, and yet I was invincibly averse to that method of
solution. My wonder was excited by the inscrutableness of the cause, but my wonder was unmixed with
sorrow or fear. It begat in me a thrilling, and not unpleasing solemnity. Similar to these were the
sensations produced by the recent adventure.
But its effect upon my brother's imagination was of chief moment. All that was desirable was, that it
should be regarded by him with indifference. The worst effect that could flow, was not indeed very
formidable. Yet I could not bear to think that his senses should be the victims of such delusion. It argued
a diseased condition of his frame, which might show itself hereafter in more dangerous symptoms. The
will is the tool of the understanding, which must fashion its conclusions on the notices of sense. If the
senses be depraved, it is impossible to calculate the evils that may flow from the consequent deductions
of the understanding.
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