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An In Depth Analysis of A Natural History of Dragons a Memoir by Lady Trent written by Marie Brennan
An In Depth Analysis of A Natural History of Dragons a Memoir by Lady Trent written by Marie Brennan
Plot Summary
Plot Summary
This novel follows a young woman named Isabella Trent through her discovery of dragons, subsequent obsession for the beasts, and her adventure for research and knowledge. A majority of the book follows Lady Trent, Jacob, her husband, the scientist Maxwell Oscott, and his assistant Thomas Wilker as they travel through the cold desolate mountains in search of scientific discoveries. Will Isabella be able to overcome the standard for women and be the scientist she dreams to be, or will she fail?
Character Analysis
Character Analysis
Isabella Trent: Fledgling scientist, very strong willed and bold. She was a realistic character because of her complex motivations and emotions. She was also a dynamic character because she changed and became more amicable to the locals and her fellow scientist Mr Thomas Wilker.
Jacob Camherst: Isabella's husband, kind, gentle, studious. He was a realistic character because of his complex emotions. He was a static character because he went through no change
Maxwell Oscott, or Mr Hillford: Scientist, leader of expedition, boisterous, energetic. Flat character with very surface level complexity. Static character with no change
Thomas Wilker: Assistant to Mr Hillford, very rough and hostile personality, particularly when interacting with Isabella. He was a round character, more complex than Mr Hillford, but not on the level or Isabella or Jacob. He was also a dynamic character because he changed and learned to tolerate Isabella.
Conflict Analysis
Conflict Analysis
Person vs Society: Isabella faces societies' idea of what a woman should be like and fights to be a scientist.
Person vs Society: the scientist party finds themselves at odds with the local people and their beliefs.
Person vs Nature: scientist party faces off against thee harsh mountain elements and the dangers of dragon research
Theme Analysis
Theme Analysis
Theme Statement: "Nothing can stop someone who is determined to find knowledge"
Evidence: Isabella faces many barriers to her work including her sex and the dangerous working conditions of the profession, yet she perseveres and stubbornly will not allow anything to slow her down. The quote that supports this theme is, "I know I'm capable of more than life in Scirland will allow. It's all right for women to study theology or literature, but nothing so rough and ready as this. And yet this is what I want. Even if it is hard, even if it's dangerous. I don't care. " (Brennan, 149) This quote demonstrates how driven Isabella is as well as how important knowledge is to her.
Writing style
Writing style
Vocabulary: very fancy and emulates a learned person's writing. Demonstrates narrator's knowledge and her "classiness".
Point of View: the POV is 1st person and is told by the main character's narration which allows the novel to feel more personal to Isabella.
Metafictional Techniques: narrator breaks from the story occasionally to giver her current thoughts on her past actions and situations. This really helped sell that this novel was a memoir that was written by the narrator.
Dialogue: Used very often to slow the pace for key moments and also showed the characters feelings and personalities indirectly in a very natural way.
Time sequencing: Novel quickly goes through the narrator's early life and mainly focuses on the trip to the mountains and the adventures there.
Recommendations
Recommendations
I highly recommend the book if you enjoy fantasy, are interested in biology , like strong willed protagonists, or enjoy books including dragons.
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