Temptation to Make a Change

      In the short story The Japanese Quince {early 1900s} by John Galsworthy, the main character Mr. Nilson must deal with a problem.  He is secluded, and maintains an isolated married lifestyle.  This seems like it is a perfect existence to him at first, however he than begins to feel strange and has to make a choice, to give into temptation, or maintain his current lifestyle.  Mr. Nilson's problem is, he has to decide to remain in his sheltered environment, or escape from his humdrum lifestyle.  
           Some information about the character Mr. Nilson, is that he is an adult male: though age is un-determined, who lives on Campden hill.  He also enjoys drinking Tintos, --which is a type of wine-- and other fine liquor as described when he thinks about the "sensation" as being "as if some sweetish liquor in-course within him."  Mr. Nilson is also in good health as described --in the short story-- as "firm, well-coloured cheeks" and a "neat brown moustaches," and lastly "clear grey eyes."  These traits all define the character Mr. Nilson
         The main character Mr. Nilson's problem is that a part of him wants him to break from his humdrum routine, and he clearly is feeling conflicting, and wants to remain in his familiar surroundings.  However it is clear that he wants to fight the urge as much as possible when he defines the feeling as "peculiar," though he clearly does not find it to unsatisfying when he also describes it as a "sweetish sensation." He is clearly feeling strange, and decides to "take a turn in the Gardens." Though to his dismay the feeling gets even stronger instead of fading; though the feeling was unfamiliar it could very well of been, that a part of him desired to be in the outdoors and outside of his everyday surroundings.  Once again he is conflicted when he meets with a man just like himself when both are gazing at a little tree.  The stranger turned out to be his next door neighbor Mr. Tandram.  Mr. Nilson can not help but gaze at his neighbor and after attempting to make small talk, both retreated back to their familiar homes.  Mr. Nilson went into his home feeling "Unaccountably upset." Though it is not determined why, it seems as if he saw himself in the neighbor, and realized his own faults, thus not liking what he saw.  So instantly he returned to his comfort zone and decided to hide from the truth, by returning to his routine, and reading the newspaper.  
         Though Mr. Nilson ran back inside his home and decided to remain in his isolated lifestyle, for a moment he considered giving into temptation to change his routine.  Mr. Nilson noticed the tree from his window and gazed at it with a smile, which is when the odd feeling in his stomach became noticeable.  After he goes outside, the feeling does not subside; like he hoped it would, In fact it got worse.  He gazed at the tree and noticed someone standing near him and he looked at him "furtively."  He tried to stay out of the guys sights, which adds to the fact he likes to live an isolated lifestyle.  Though after they notice one another, Mr. Nilson decides to speak to Mr. Tandram, and after they speak awhile, both characters see that they are very similar, and Mr. Nilson seemingly does not feel comfortable and immediately runs back home.  However he did go back into his isolation, he did go outside and broke from his normal routine.        
         Mr. Nilson had to fight an inner battle to avoid dealing with the urge to change.  Though inside a part of him tried to force him to realize that he needed change, and even got Mr. Nilson to step outside.  However once outside, he was faced with a mirror of himself, which caused him to scurry back to his familiar surroundings, that showed him that although their were temptations to make a change, he was more comfortable with the life and the schedule that he lived, and did not want to change.

Post edited at 9:20 pm on Aug. 11, 2008 by Coreyt

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