"There sat a buzzard. 'Who you watching?'" -pg. 225
This story's main plot is an old lady, Phoenix, walking through the woods. Mainly, she is by herself and is talking to herself. Her diction is also very uneducated. This diction and talking to herself adds to her characterization. Phoenix is an old lady who is extremely confused and rather careless. She even forgets what she was making the walk through the woods for. On the theme, I am clueless. One theme I believe could be humor in the midst of confusion.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Miss Brill
"...little boys with big white silk bows under their chins, little girls, little French dolls, dressed up in velvet and lace." -pg. 183
The setting of this story is very important in connecting to the theme. Miss Brill lives in France and is in a park dressed in fur. She is also very old, and the people around her are young. Miss Brill is an English teacher. All of these connect to the theme that she is very out of place. Although she sees herself as an actress in this big play in the park, others do not seem to think she fits in. Her profession, appearance, and circumstance all suggest that she does not conform to what she is trying to comform to. She also finds this out in the end when she overhears the young couple talking about her ugly fur.
The setting of this story is very important in connecting to the theme. Miss Brill lives in France and is in a park dressed in fur. She is also very old, and the people around her are young. Miss Brill is an English teacher. All of these connect to the theme that she is very out of place. Although she sees herself as an actress in this big play in the park, others do not seem to think she fits in. Her profession, appearance, and circumstance all suggest that she does not conform to what she is trying to comform to. She also finds this out in the end when she overhears the young couple talking about her ugly fur.
Once Upon A Time
"A creaking of the king made by the weight carried by one foot after another along a wooden floor. I listened." -pg. 231
The opening section of this story creates an emotional background for the "children's story" that is told. The creaking sound the speaker hears she concludes could be two different things. First, it could be a murderer or another human. Second, it could simply be the house settling into the ground naturally and creaking. The fear created within the speaker sets the background for the short story she tells. It automatically creates a feeling of suspense, and prepares the reader for a climatic, unexpected ending. It also creates question in the reader about what is about to happen, with the speaker or within the story. This feeling of fear and suspense is the emotional background created for the children's story that is told.
The opening section of this story creates an emotional background for the "children's story" that is told. The creaking sound the speaker hears she concludes could be two different things. First, it could be a murderer or another human. Second, it could simply be the house settling into the ground naturally and creaking. The fear created within the speaker sets the background for the short story she tells. It automatically creates a feeling of suspense, and prepares the reader for a climatic, unexpected ending. It also creates question in the reader about what is about to happen, with the speaker or within the story. This feeling of fear and suspense is the emotional background created for the children's story that is told.
Eveline
"She sat at the window watching evening invade the avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odor of dusty cretonne. She was tired." -pg. 218
The first paragraph of the story immediately introduces the story's theme. "Invade" is used in the first sentence and seems out of place. The passive voice of the second sentence is out of place too. The author used the word "invade" to allude to the fact that the guy that tries to marry Eveline and the fact that he wants her to run away with him is an invasion in her everyday life. It is also an invasion of her comfort zone she has set for herself. The second sentence is also suggestive of the story's theme. Passive voice is used to allude to the theme of Eveline being passive herself. She lets things come and go in her life, and will not take control.
The first paragraph of the story immediately introduces the story's theme. "Invade" is used in the first sentence and seems out of place. The passive voice of the second sentence is out of place too. The author used the word "invade" to allude to the fact that the guy that tries to marry Eveline and the fact that he wants her to run away with him is an invasion in her everyday life. It is also an invasion of her comfort zone she has set for herself. The second sentence is also suggestive of the story's theme. Passive voice is used to allude to the theme of Eveline being passive herself. She lets things come and go in her life, and will not take control.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Bartleby the Scrivener
"'I would prefer not to,' he said, and gently disappeared behind the screen." -pg. 650
The irony this statement creates throughout the story is quite humorous. Bartleby constantly answers every proposal in this way. Although he works diligently, he doesn't do anything the lawyer asks. The ironic part about this statement is that it creates the opposite effect of what a person would normally do. Normally, a lawyer would scold Bartleby and make him do something. The opposite happens, however. His co-workers kind of let things go and question what kind of person Bartleby is. Personally, Bartleby made me very, VERY uncomfortable.
The irony this statement creates throughout the story is quite humorous. Bartleby constantly answers every proposal in this way. Although he works diligently, he doesn't do anything the lawyer asks. The ironic part about this statement is that it creates the opposite effect of what a person would normally do. Normally, a lawyer would scold Bartleby and make him do something. The opposite happens, however. His co-workers kind of let things go and question what kind of person Bartleby is. Personally, Bartleby made me very, VERY uncomfortable.
Hunters in the Snow 2
"That's the worst of it, Frank. Not the being fat, I never got any big kick out of being thin, but the lying." -pg. 200
I believe Tub is the most sympathetic character. Anyone who reads this story, I think, would agree. Although he shoots Kenny, he is still sympathized with. And in Tub's defense, Kenny was asking for it. The new friendship between Frank and Tub also adds to the sympathy for Tub. He shares the truth about why he's fat, and his lies. We can all relate to Tub because he's scared to let people know he's ashamed of something. We can also sympathize with Tub because he gets constantly made fun of by the other two int he story.
I believe Tub is the most sympathetic character. Anyone who reads this story, I think, would agree. Although he shoots Kenny, he is still sympathized with. And in Tub's defense, Kenny was asking for it. The new friendship between Frank and Tub also adds to the sympathy for Tub. He shares the truth about why he's fat, and his lies. We can all relate to Tub because he's scared to let people know he's ashamed of something. We can also sympathize with Tub because he gets constantly made fun of by the other two int he story.
Hunters in the Snow
"But he was wrong. They had taken a different turn a long way back." -pg. 201
These last two sentences of the story give the plot a final twist. The characters do not know that they are not on their way to the hospital. The author gives us this twist to characterize the characters after the events in the story. The purpose of this twist is to show the new friendship of Tub and Frank. It also shows how careless the three are. The carelessness of Frank and Tub towards Kenny's injury makes us think that Kenny was not a well-liked person to begin with. The events in the plot also support this characterization. The new-lasting friendship of Tub and Frank and them leaving Kenny in the back show the changes made in the two characters throughout the story.
These last two sentences of the story give the plot a final twist. The characters do not know that they are not on their way to the hospital. The author gives us this twist to characterize the characters after the events in the story. The purpose of this twist is to show the new friendship of Tub and Frank. It also shows how careless the three are. The carelessness of Frank and Tub towards Kenny's injury makes us think that Kenny was not a well-liked person to begin with. The events in the plot also support this characterization. The new-lasting friendship of Tub and Frank and them leaving Kenny in the back show the changes made in the two characters throughout the story.
Everyday Use
"'The truth is,' I said, 'I promised to give them quilts to Maggie, for when she marries John Thomas.'" -pg. 180
This point in the story shows a change of character in the mother. This refusal to let Dee have the quilts represents a permanent change in character. Now that she's had the courage to stand up for her daughter that is scarred and different from older daughter, the two have a closer relationship. The events that foreshadow this is the characterization of the two daughters. The narrator (the mother) seems to have sympathy for Maggie because of her burns and imperfections. This parallels to the way she describes herself as short and fat. She also describes Dee as someone who has always had it all and is picture perfect. This creation of sympathy for Maggie and the mother creates a connection between the two which foreshadows the events of the giving the quilts to Maggie.
This point in the story shows a change of character in the mother. This refusal to let Dee have the quilts represents a permanent change in character. Now that she's had the courage to stand up for her daughter that is scarred and different from older daughter, the two have a closer relationship. The events that foreshadow this is the characterization of the two daughters. The narrator (the mother) seems to have sympathy for Maggie because of her burns and imperfections. This parallels to the way she describes herself as short and fat. She also describes Dee as someone who has always had it all and is picture perfect. This creation of sympathy for Maggie and the mother creates a connection between the two which foreshadows the events of the giving the quilts to Maggie.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A Rose for Emily
"Then we noticed that in the second pillow was the indentation of a head. One of us lifted something from it, and learning forward, that faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostriils, we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair." -pg. 289
This last paragraph really changes the attitude of the reader towards Emily. In the previous paragraphs, she is being buried. There is sympathy and mourning towards her and her funeral. This final paragraph, however, gives the reader a creepy and eerie feeling. Miss Emily basically cuddled with a dead man for a long period of time. While at first this might be extremely creepy, it's also kind of touching. In a very twisted way, you begin to feel sympathy for Miss Emily. She died alone and crazy, thinking that killing this man and cuddling with him would bring her happiness. I was just kind of creeped out by this.
This last paragraph really changes the attitude of the reader towards Emily. In the previous paragraphs, she is being buried. There is sympathy and mourning towards her and her funeral. This final paragraph, however, gives the reader a creepy and eerie feeling. Miss Emily basically cuddled with a dead man for a long period of time. While at first this might be extremely creepy, it's also kind of touching. In a very twisted way, you begin to feel sympathy for Miss Emily. She died alone and crazy, thinking that killing this man and cuddling with him would bring her happiness. I was just kind of creeped out by this.
Interpreter of Maladies
"The puffed rice Mrs. Das had spilled was scattered at his feet, raked over by the monkeys' hands." -pg. 165
The puffed rice, I believe, is very symbolic. At the end of the monkey attack, both of the parents act like it's where they were that made Bobby get attacked. They wanted to leave quickly because the place "gives them the creeps." What's ironic, however, is that Mrs. Das really caused this whole rendezvous. She was being careless witht he puffed rice. Because of the puffed rice being all over, the monkeys attacked where Bobby was. Also, the dad's shutter caused the monkeys to attack more. That just adds more to the irony of the whole situation. Both the parents both think they're innocent when in reality, they were the problem.
The puffed rice, I believe, is very symbolic. At the end of the monkey attack, both of the parents act like it's where they were that made Bobby get attacked. They wanted to leave quickly because the place "gives them the creeps." What's ironic, however, is that Mrs. Das really caused this whole rendezvous. She was being careless witht he puffed rice. Because of the puffed rice being all over, the monkeys attacked where Bobby was. Also, the dad's shutter caused the monkeys to attack more. That just adds more to the irony of the whole situation. Both the parents both think they're innocent when in reality, they were the problem.
How I Met My Husband
"So I said yes, and I went out with him for two years and he asked me to marry him, and we were engaged a year more while I got my things together, and then we did marry." -pg. 146
If I would have skipped over this sentence, I would have missed the whole point of the whole book. The title is even reliant on this one line. How can she put so much important information in one sentence at the end of the story? My reaction from this surprise ending is, well, surprise. I don't understand the point of this whole anechdote from when she was fifteen in order to get to the main point of the story. Then, the main point comes in once sentence. I think the point of the story was to show the gap from naive to mature. However, her mature life was described in one sentence. Maybe that's just the style the author wanted to take.
If I would have skipped over this sentence, I would have missed the whole point of the whole book. The title is even reliant on this one line. How can she put so much important information in one sentence at the end of the story? My reaction from this surprise ending is, well, surprise. I don't understand the point of this whole anechdote from when she was fifteen in order to get to the main point of the story. Then, the main point comes in once sentence. I think the point of the story was to show the gap from naive to mature. However, her mature life was described in one sentence. Maybe that's just the style the author wanted to take.
How I Met My Husband
"I didn't figure out till years later the extent of what I had been saved from." -pg. 145
The viewpoint of Edie in the story is different from the time she is experiencing the story and the time she's telling it. As a fifteen year old, she is very naive and curious. The way narrator Edie speaks about her young self provides us with insight that she thought of herself as naive back then. Diction and phrases used to describe herself and the situations make the reader think Edie is much more mature now. The purpose of this is to show the vast change between fifteen year old Edie and the mature, married, and mother Edie. It's effective through the attitude the narrator takes on her younger self. She realizes how stupid she was to wait for the pilot to come back to her. Also, she realizes how innocent and naive she was with the thoughts she had about her relationship with the pilot.
The viewpoint of Edie in the story is different from the time she is experiencing the story and the time she's telling it. As a fifteen year old, she is very naive and curious. The way narrator Edie speaks about her young self provides us with insight that she thought of herself as naive back then. Diction and phrases used to describe herself and the situations make the reader think Edie is much more mature now. The purpose of this is to show the vast change between fifteen year old Edie and the mature, married, and mother Edie. It's effective through the attitude the narrator takes on her younger self. She realizes how stupid she was to wait for the pilot to come back to her. Also, she realizes how innocent and naive she was with the thoughts she had about her relationship with the pilot.
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