When It Rains, It Pours.

When It Rains, It Pours

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Throughout the entire world, nearly everyone can recall a time when misfortune had completely filled their life and showed no signs of stopping. Misfortune can be defined as a sudden tragedy or a simple unlucky moment. Regardless, it seems to always make its appearance in large, almost intolerable, dosages. No one is exempt from misfortune, no man, woman, child, not even the Incredible Hulk. It is capable of immobilizing people as well as making them question their sanity. Often, these events can be illustrated through the famous snowball effect. However, we must all remember that once you hit rock bottom, the only way you can go is up. 

In Charles Brockden Brown's book, Wieland, or The Transformation, the concept of the snowball effect is portrayed through the narrator's series of unfortunate events. The narrator, Clara, is the prime example of someone who got caught in a downward spiral that carried on for years. In chapter 17 of the book, the misfortunes takes a turn for the worse. Leading up to chapter 17, Clara had already lost her father to spontaneous combustion, been the victim of lies that led to her losing her love, and was beginning to watch her brother, Wieland, lose his sanity. 

Figuratively speaking, the rain began to pour when Clara discovered Wieland's wife in her bed laying lifeless. To make matters worse, Wieland entered the room distraught and in a state of insanity. As Clara recounts, " I had no time to reflect in what way my own safety would be effected by this revolution, or what I had to dread from the wild conceptions of a madman." (Brown 150) Luckily, Wieland did not harm Clara. As the days passed, Clara asked to see Wieland's children. Unfortunately, they were dead as well. At this point in the story, Clara's life has been surrounded by death caused by her brother. Any human in their right mind would feel despair and would enter a state of sadness. 

Fast forwarding through a few chapters we eventually learn that Wieland had to kill Clara as well. In jail for murdering his wife and children, Wieland manages to escape and confront Clara. Fortunately for Clara, Wieland has a revelation and takes his own life instead. At this point in the story it seems that everything Clara has to live for is gone. Clara even thinks about committing suicide but is convinced otherwise. Long story short, The misfortunes begin to stop when Clara eventually gets the chance to marry the lover of her life from the beginning of the story. 

Charles Brockden Brown illustrates the course that misfortune runs through depicting a character that practically loses everything. While the memories of everything bad that had happened still haunts Clara, she manages to push through it all and get as close to happiness as she can. In other words, Clara is a representation of someone hitting rock bottom and managing to climb back up as far as she can. I think it is important for everyone to understand that there is always sun after any amount of rain. 

As I conclude, I want to leave you, the reader, with two questions. Did Clara tell the truth about her misfortunes? Do you think Clara made it through the figurative rain?

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts and thank you for reading!

Brandon Rominger