Manifestation
Needful Things
Macbeth
The Effect of Desire
Corruption
Insatiable
Ambition
Temptation
Horror
Tragedy
Medieval Scotland
Castle Rock
Manipulation
Cautionary messages of greed and not considering the consequences
Lasting impact on the audience
Macbeth
Needful things
Became his flaw
Ambition
Fulfilment
During a banquet, Macbeth sees the ghost of his former friend Banquo, whom he had murdered to secure his throne. The ghost is a manifestation of Macbeth's guilt and serves as a reminder of the consequences of his actions.
The play explores the theme of loyalty and betrayal, and manifestations of betrayal are evident when characters like Macbeth turn against former friends and allies to consolidate their power.
As Macbeth clings to power, he becomes increasingly tyrannical and ruthless, leading to a reign characterized by violence and destruction. His reign manifests the consequences of unbridled ambition and the corrupting influence of power.
After Macbeth murders King Duncan to become the king, he is plagued by guilt and a tortured conscience. The blood on his hands becomes a powerful manifestation of his guilt, haunting his thoughts and dreams, symbolizing the weight of his sins.
Lady Macbeth also experiences a psychological manifestation of ambition. She desires power and urges Macbeth to kill King Duncan, but her conscience starts to trouble her, leading to sleepwalking and a descent into madness.
Leland Gaunt, the enigmatic shop owner, uses his knowledge of people's desires to manipulate and corrupt them. He carefully orchestrates events and situations, subtly pitting the townspeople against each other and fuelling existing grudges and conflicts. His manipulative nature is a significant manifestation of evil in the novel.
The manifestations in "Needful Things" come with a steep price. Customers must make a dark bargain with Leland Gaunt, which often involves playing pranks or causing harm to others in the town. These bargains result in a snowball effect of chaos and destruction, revealing the true malevolence behind the seemingly innocent transactions.
As the story progresses, the objects from the shop cause various physical and psychological manifestations in the characters. The items bring out the worst in people, exacerbating their flaws and weaknesses, leading them to act out violently and irrationally.
The effect of guilt
Macbeth
Needful things
Initial Reluctance: When the characters first acquire the objects from the shop, they are often hesitant or have reservations about the dark bargains they make with Leland Gaunt. They know, deep down, that their desires are selfish and morally wrong, which foreshadows the guilt they will experience later.
Escalating Consequences: As the characters use their newfound possessions, the consequences of their actions escalate, causing harm to others and the town at large. They start to realize the extent of the damage caused by their selfish desires, and guilt begins to creep into their minds.
Moral Turmoil: Many characters in the novel experience moral turmoil as they struggle to come to terms with their actions. They grapple with their consciences, trying to justify or rationalize their behaviour, but the guilt of hurting others becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
Psychological Effects: The supernatural nature of the objects amplifies the psychological effects on the characters. The guilt and internal conflict they feel are intensified, leading some characters to the brink of madness. #
The Ghost of Brian Rusk: Brian Rusk, a young boy in the novel, experiences intense guilt over his actions after obtaining a rare baseball card from the shop. His guilt manifests in the form of a ghost, which haunts him and serves as a reminder of the harm he has caused. #
Realization of Deception: As events unfold, some characters start to suspect that Leland Gaunt is not what he seems and that the shop and the bargains are far more malevolent than they initially believed. The realization that they were deceived adds to their guilt for falling prey to their desires. #
Murder of King Duncan: The play opens with Macbeth's encounter with the three witches, who prophesy that he will become king. This ignites his ambition, but he is initially hesitant about committing regicide. However, with Lady Macbeth's persuasion and taunts about his manhood, Macbeth succumbs to his ambition and kills King Duncan. Almost immediately after the act, guilt begins to gnaw at him, and he becomes tormented by his actions.
Hallucinations and Visions: After the murder, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience hallucinations and visions related to their guilt. Macbeth sees a dagger floating in the air before he kills Duncan and later imagines seeing Banquo's ghost at a banquet, symbolizing his guilt and paranoia. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, reliving the night of the murder, as her guilt manifests in her subconscious mind.
Mental Turmoil: As the play progresses, Macbeth's guilt intensifies, leading to mental turmoil and a growing sense of isolation. He becomes increasingly paranoid and distrustful of others, believing that everyone is a potential threat to his newly gained power. One of the most iconic moments in the play is Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene, where she obsessively tries to wash imaginary bloodstains off her hands. This powerful manifestation of guilt reveals the torment she feels as a result of her role in Duncan's murder and the subsequent acts of violence.
Loss of Innocence: Macbeth's guilt extends beyond himself, affecting his relationship with his wife and others. Lady Macbeth, initially portrayed as ruthless and strong-willed, ultimately succumbs to her guilt and descends into madness. The guilt-ridden atmosphere engulfs those around Macbeth, leading to a sense of corruption and loss of innocence.
Reflection on Past Actions: Throughout the play, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reflect on their past actions, expressing remorse and regret for the crimes they have committed. However, by this point, they are trapped in a cycle of violence, and their guilt is insufficient to halt the inevitable tragedy that follows.
Characters
Leland Gaunt/Macbeth
Polly Chalmers/Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is a driving force behind Macbeth's rise to power, pushing him to take action, while Polly's obsessive desire for the China drives her actions in
Brian Rusk/Young Siward
Sheriff Alan Pangborn/Banquo
Buster Keeton/Macduff
Ambition and Desire:
Polly Chalmers (Needful Things): Polly's desire to possess a particular item becomes an obsession, reflecting the theme of unchecked desire.
Lady Macbeth (Macbeth): Lady Macbeth's ambition drives her to push Macbeth toward greater power, and her guilt arises from her own unchecked desires.
Impact on Relationships:
Polly Chalmers (Needful Things): Polly's obsession strains her relationships with others in the community.
Lady Macbeth (Macbeth): Lady Macbeth's ambition and guilt strain her relationship with Macbeth, leading to their mutual downfall.
Moral and Ethical Dilemmas:
Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Needful Things): Pangborn's investigation reflects his sense of duty and moral responsibility to uncover the truth.
Banquo (Macbeth): Banquo's skepticism and ethical considerations set him apart from Macbeth's morally compromised choices.
Manipulation and Temptation:
Leland Gaunt (Needful Things): Gaunt manipulates people's desires and weaknesses, tempting them to make choices that ultimately lead to chaos and destruction.
Macbeth (Macbeth): Macbeth is tempted by the prophecies of power and manipulated by external forces, which leads him to commit murder and other heinous acts.
Consequences of Actions:
Brian Rusk (Needful Things): Brian's pranks escalate with dire consequences, highlighting the theme of unintended outcomes from thoughtless actions.
Young Siward (Macbeth): Young Siward's bravery in battle contrasts with Macbeth's destructive actions, emphasizing the differing consequences of their choices.
Conflict and Struggle:
Buster Keeton (Needful Things): Buster's aggressive nature and feud contribute to the town's turmoil.
Macduff (Macbeth): Macduff's determination to defeat Macbeth is driven by a sense of justice and a desire to end the conflict.
Psychological Turmoil:
Polly Chalmers (Needful Things): Polly's internal struggle over her desire for the china reflects the internal battles many characters in "Macbeth" face.
Lady Macbeth (Macbeth): Lady Macbeth's guilt leads to her psychological breakdown, mirroring the psychological consequences faced by some characters in "Needful Things."