"But today she passed the baker's by, climbed the stairs, went into the little dark room-her room like a cupboard- and sat down on the red eiderdown. She sat there for a long time." page 186
9. Describe Miss Brill's sense of herself at the end of the story.
I think Miss Brill has a low self worth at the end of the story. Throughout the entire story, Miss Brill is observing people and making judgments about them based on her observances. However, when the couple stereotypes her and judges her, she becomes depressed. I mean I understand where she is coming from. If someone called me a "stupid old thing" I would probably start crying. The reader can tell that Miss Brill is hurt by the couple's words because she doesn't go to the baker's where she normally looks forward to going every day. She also takes off her fur which she was so proud of. I'm not sure what the "something crying" is at the very end of the story. I feel like it could be her soul. Miss Brill doesn't really show emotions throughout the story, so I think she might not even recognize her own tears.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Once upon a Time
"Again: the creaking. I was waiting for it; waiting to hear if it indicated that feet were moving from room to room, coming up the passage- to my door." page 231
1. The opening section of this story is told by a writer awakened by a frightening sound in the night. What two causes for the sound does she consider? Ultimately, which is more significant cause for fear? How do these together create an emotional background for the "children's story" she tells?
The two causes of sound that she considers are a murderer sneaking into her house or the house itself making noises. I think the murderer is a more significant cause for fear. I think these two causes create the background of her children's story. In the story, the family hears about murders and robberies happening to other people. This causes them to be scared and take caution in their own home. The house itself then becomes a weapon. Bars are installed on the windows and bricks are added to the walls. The family lives in fear and tries everything they can to protect their house from robbers or murderers. Their death trap ultimately kills their son. I think this shows that people can not be afraid to live their life or else they will never truly live a meaningful life. The author's own fears contributed to her story and created a fear among the family.
1. The opening section of this story is told by a writer awakened by a frightening sound in the night. What two causes for the sound does she consider? Ultimately, which is more significant cause for fear? How do these together create an emotional background for the "children's story" she tells?
The two causes of sound that she considers are a murderer sneaking into her house or the house itself making noises. I think the murderer is a more significant cause for fear. I think these two causes create the background of her children's story. In the story, the family hears about murders and robberies happening to other people. This causes them to be scared and take caution in their own home. The house itself then becomes a weapon. Bars are installed on the windows and bricks are added to the walls. The family lives in fear and tries everything they can to protect their house from robbers or murderers. Their death trap ultimately kills their son. I think this shows that people can not be afraid to live their life or else they will never truly live a meaningful life. The author's own fears contributed to her story and created a fear among the family.
A Worn Path
"I remember so plain now. I not going to forget him again, no, the whole enduring time. I could tell him from all the others in creation." page 230
6. In answer to a student who wrote to ask her "Is the grandson really dead?" Welty responded, "My best answer would be: Phoenix is alive." What might have led the student to ask the question? How can the author's remark be seen as an answer?
I think the student's question is a valid question to ask. Phoenix has traveled a long distance and the entire way she was hallucinating. When she finally arrives to her destination, she forgets why she even made the journey in the first place. This makes the reader wonder if Phoenix knows anything about her real life or if she even has a grandson. The student's perspective is that if Phoenix can't even remember why she walked to town then how is she supposed to remember whether her grandson is dead or alive? I think the author's remark can be seen as an answer because the focus is not on the grandson, it is on Phoenix. The author is trying to get the reader to understand where Phoenix is coming from and understand her character. To me, Phoenix comes across as a woman devoted to the people in her life and a completely selfless person. She may not be as sharp as a regular person, but she still knows what her priorities are. I think the author wanted to have the story center around Phoenix instead of the grandson.
6. In answer to a student who wrote to ask her "Is the grandson really dead?" Welty responded, "My best answer would be: Phoenix is alive." What might have led the student to ask the question? How can the author's remark be seen as an answer?
I think the student's question is a valid question to ask. Phoenix has traveled a long distance and the entire way she was hallucinating. When she finally arrives to her destination, she forgets why she even made the journey in the first place. This makes the reader wonder if Phoenix knows anything about her real life or if she even has a grandson. The student's perspective is that if Phoenix can't even remember why she walked to town then how is she supposed to remember whether her grandson is dead or alive? I think the author's remark can be seen as an answer because the focus is not on the grandson, it is on Phoenix. The author is trying to get the reader to understand where Phoenix is coming from and understand her character. To me, Phoenix comes across as a woman devoted to the people in her life and a completely selfless person. She may not be as sharp as a regular person, but she still knows what her priorities are. I think the author wanted to have the story center around Phoenix instead of the grandson.
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." page 218
1. Analyze the first brief paragraph in detail. How doe it help to introduce the story's theme? Why does the narrator use the unexpected word "invade" in the first sentence? Why is the second sentence written in passive voice?
I think the the first paragraph introduces the story's theme of letting life pass us by and not taking opportunities presented to us. The first sentence says that Eveline was "watching". She has been a spectator her entire life, always doing what she was told and never really making decisions for herself. I think the narrator uses the word invade because something new and unexpected has entered Eveline's life. Before Frank, Eveline had lived a life of pleasing others and always doing what was expected of her. Frank entering Eveline's life has forced her to make a decision that could ultimately change her life. I think the second sentence is written in passive voice to emphasize that Eveline is a passive person. She doesn't take control of her life or make decisions. She sits back and observes other people live their lives, never taking time for herself. She's clearly not happy with her life, with her dead mother, verbally abusive father, and unsatisfying job. However, she is too scared to take initiative and make a change in her life that could make her happier.
1. Analyze the first brief paragraph in detail. How doe it help to introduce the story's theme? Why does the narrator use the unexpected word "invade" in the first sentence? Why is the second sentence written in passive voice?
I think the the first paragraph introduces the story's theme of letting life pass us by and not taking opportunities presented to us. The first sentence says that Eveline was "watching". She has been a spectator her entire life, always doing what she was told and never really making decisions for herself. I think the narrator uses the word invade because something new and unexpected has entered Eveline's life. Before Frank, Eveline had lived a life of pleasing others and always doing what was expected of her. Frank entering Eveline's life has forced her to make a decision that could ultimately change her life. I think the second sentence is written in passive voice to emphasize that Eveline is a passive person. She doesn't take control of her life or make decisions. She sits back and observes other people live their lives, never taking time for herself. She's clearly not happy with her life, with her dead mother, verbally abusive father, and unsatisfying job. However, she is too scared to take initiative and make a change in her life that could make her happier.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Bartleby the Scrivener
"I would prefer not to," he said, and gently disappeared behind the screen." page 650
Bartleby reminds me of the character Adrian Monk from the tv show Monk. Monk has O.C.D. so he is always making sure everything is perfectly in place. He has a million fears of things ranging from milk to bridges. He refuses to drive or shake people's hands. Bartleby reminds me of Monk because they are both socially awkward. Everyone around them thinks that their antics are weird but both Bartleby and Monk see nothing wrong with what they are doing. When Bartleby refuses to do something for the lawyer, he doesn't get angry or upset. He just says "I would prefer not to" and returns back to his desk. I think that Bartleby lives in his own little world. He doesn't go out of his way to meet people or make friends. Another way that Bartleby reminds me of Monk is that their obscure ways make them very good at their jobs. Monk's attention to detail makes him a great detective. Bartleby is very diligent as a copier, although he refuses to do anything else but copy. I feel like there was a part of Bartleby just waiting to come out. I feel like he was just waiting for someone to break through his shell and understand who exactly he was.
Bartleby reminds me of the character Adrian Monk from the tv show Monk. Monk has O.C.D. so he is always making sure everything is perfectly in place. He has a million fears of things ranging from milk to bridges. He refuses to drive or shake people's hands. Bartleby reminds me of Monk because they are both socially awkward. Everyone around them thinks that their antics are weird but both Bartleby and Monk see nothing wrong with what they are doing. When Bartleby refuses to do something for the lawyer, he doesn't get angry or upset. He just says "I would prefer not to" and returns back to his desk. I think that Bartleby lives in his own little world. He doesn't go out of his way to meet people or make friends. Another way that Bartleby reminds me of Monk is that their obscure ways make them very good at their jobs. Monk's attention to detail makes him a great detective. Bartleby is very diligent as a copier, although he refuses to do anything else but copy. I feel like there was a part of Bartleby just waiting to come out. I feel like he was just waiting for someone to break through his shell and understand who exactly he was.
Bartleby the Scrivener
"Some few days after this, I again obtained admission to the Tombs, and went through the corridors in quest of Bartleby, but without finding him." page 674
9. Does Bartleby have any lasting impact on the lawyer?
I think Bartleby does have a lasting impact on the lawyer. Throughout the entire story, the lawyer can not get Bartleby out of his head. He continuously has a battle within himself on what to do with Bartleby. He even thought that random people on the street were talking about Bartleby when they didn't even know him. I think the lawyer truly cared about Bartleby. Bartleby annoyed him and it was a huge inconvenience to the lawyer that Bartleby refused to do anything outside of copying. However, the lawyer still wanted to help Bartleby out. He didn't throw Bartleby on the streets and he offered to give Bartleby money if he was ever in need. That's more than anyone else offered to do for Bartleby. Also, the fact that the lawyer frequently visited the Tombs showed that he still thought about Bartleby. I think deep down the lawyer wanted to do something more for Bartleby and help him become normal but he didn't know how to go about doing that. Also, the fact that the lawyer is writing an entire story about Bartleby makes it obvious that Bartleby had a lasting impact on him.
9. Does Bartleby have any lasting impact on the lawyer?
I think Bartleby does have a lasting impact on the lawyer. Throughout the entire story, the lawyer can not get Bartleby out of his head. He continuously has a battle within himself on what to do with Bartleby. He even thought that random people on the street were talking about Bartleby when they didn't even know him. I think the lawyer truly cared about Bartleby. Bartleby annoyed him and it was a huge inconvenience to the lawyer that Bartleby refused to do anything outside of copying. However, the lawyer still wanted to help Bartleby out. He didn't throw Bartleby on the streets and he offered to give Bartleby money if he was ever in need. That's more than anyone else offered to do for Bartleby. Also, the fact that the lawyer frequently visited the Tombs showed that he still thought about Bartleby. I think deep down the lawyer wanted to do something more for Bartleby and help him become normal but he didn't know how to go about doing that. Also, the fact that the lawyer is writing an entire story about Bartleby makes it obvious that Bartleby had a lasting impact on him.
Hunters in the Snow
"He leaned forward on his elbows and rested his chin in one hand. "Go on, Tub." page 200
7. What is the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern for food and coffee, leaving the wounded Kenny in the back of the truck? During their conversation, Frank analyzes his own character and expresses remorse. Are his insights and remorse genuine? Why or why not?
I think the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern is to show the change of allegiances. At first, Frank and Kenny stuck together and kind of ganged up on Tub by almost hitting him with the car, calling him fat and leaving him in the woods. After Kenny was shot, Frank and Tub bonded and almost forgot about Kenny. I think they were sick of Kenny instigating situations and bringing out their insecurities. I do not think that Frank's insights and remorse were genuine. I do not think he was remorseful at all. He confessed that he was in love with his babysitter but he never said that what he was doing was wrong. He sounded like he was going to keep pursuing the babysitter. Also, he was encouraging Tub to eat more and more food basically saying it was okay for him to be fat and eat all the time. He was trying to justify Tub's actions so that he could justify his own actions.
7. What is the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern for food and coffee, leaving the wounded Kenny in the back of the truck? During their conversation, Frank analyzes his own character and expresses remorse. Are his insights and remorse genuine? Why or why not?
I think the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern is to show the change of allegiances. At first, Frank and Kenny stuck together and kind of ganged up on Tub by almost hitting him with the car, calling him fat and leaving him in the woods. After Kenny was shot, Frank and Tub bonded and almost forgot about Kenny. I think they were sick of Kenny instigating situations and bringing out their insecurities. I do not think that Frank's insights and remorse were genuine. I do not think he was remorseful at all. He confessed that he was in love with his babysitter but he never said that what he was doing was wrong. He sounded like he was going to keep pursuing the babysitter. Also, he was encouraging Tub to eat more and more food basically saying it was okay for him to be fat and eat all the time. He was trying to justify Tub's actions so that he could justify his own actions.
Everyday Use
"I did something I never had done before: hugged Maggie to me, then dragged her on into the room, snatched the quilts out of Miss Wangero's hands and dumped them into Maggie's lap." page 181
4. Does the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicate a permanent or temporary change of character? Why has she never done anything like it before? What details in the story prepare for and foreshadow that refusal?
I think the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicates a permanent change of character. Mama has never stood up to Dee before or contradicted her. Dee was always the confident one with the sharp tongue and always dictated what was going to happen. By Mama standing up to Dee, she showed that she wasn't going to back down any longer from what she believed in. I think that Mama had never done anything before because she was scared of Dee. I think she thought that if she ever got angry at Dee or didn't let Dee have something then Dee would leave and never come back. No mother wants their daughter to permanently leave their life. One detail in the story that foreshadows the refusal is when Mama thinks to herself, "I didn't want to bring up how I had offered Dee a quilt when she went away to college. Then she had told me they were old-fashioned, out of style." This showed that Mama was angry at the fact that Dee had rejected her gift and now all of the sudden wanted it. Another detail that foreshadows the refusal is when Mama says, "It was Grandma Dee and Big Dee who taught her how to quilt herself." This showed that Mama understood how important the quilts were to Maggie and that she didn't want to take that away from Maggie.
4. Does the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicate a permanent or temporary change of character? Why has she never done anything like it before? What details in the story prepare for and foreshadow that refusal?
I think the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicates a permanent change of character. Mama has never stood up to Dee before or contradicted her. Dee was always the confident one with the sharp tongue and always dictated what was going to happen. By Mama standing up to Dee, she showed that she wasn't going to back down any longer from what she believed in. I think that Mama had never done anything before because she was scared of Dee. I think she thought that if she ever got angry at Dee or didn't let Dee have something then Dee would leave and never come back. No mother wants their daughter to permanently leave their life. One detail in the story that foreshadows the refusal is when Mama thinks to herself, "I didn't want to bring up how I had offered Dee a quilt when she went away to college. Then she had told me they were old-fashioned, out of style." This showed that Mama was angry at the fact that Dee had rejected her gift and now all of the sudden wanted it. Another detail that foreshadows the refusal is when Mama says, "It was Grandma Dee and Big Dee who taught her how to quilt herself." This showed that Mama understood how important the quilts were to Maggie and that she didn't want to take that away from Maggie.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
How I Met My Husband
"I was fifteen and away from home for the first time." page 132
I think Edie's character is very relatable. The reader can sympathize with her because she is a young girl trying to figure out who she is. In some aspects, she is innocent and naive. She doesn't know how to act around Chris or what being intimate means. She hasn't had experience with boys so when Chris shows interest in her, she is flattered. Edie has qualities that make the reader admire her. She strives to do good work at her job and keeps her mouth shut when she knows she shouldn't say anything. She could have lied to Alice and said that she did nothing with Chris but she knew that telling the truth was the right thing to do. Edie just wanted to be loved and appreciated by someone which I think is what we all want. However, Edie learned that she wasn't going to wait around for someone that was most likely never going to show. She proved to be a strong and independent women which is a trait that all girls can look up to.
I think Edie's character is very relatable. The reader can sympathize with her because she is a young girl trying to figure out who she is. In some aspects, she is innocent and naive. She doesn't know how to act around Chris or what being intimate means. She hasn't had experience with boys so when Chris shows interest in her, she is flattered. Edie has qualities that make the reader admire her. She strives to do good work at her job and keeps her mouth shut when she knows she shouldn't say anything. She could have lied to Alice and said that she did nothing with Chris but she knew that telling the truth was the right thing to do. Edie just wanted to be loved and appreciated by someone which I think is what we all want. However, Edie learned that she wasn't going to wait around for someone that was most likely never going to show. She proved to be a strong and independent women which is a trait that all girls can look up to.
A Rose for Emily
"We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will." page 285
What are the advantages of first-person plural point of view in this story? What would be lost if it were told in first-person singular, by one of the townspeople, or in third-person limited point of view?
I think the advantages of using first-person plural point of view in this story is that it makes the narrator more reliable and makes the reader side with the narrator. Using the word "we" automatically makes the narrator seem reliable because it means that multiple people feel the same way. If the entire town thinks the same things about Miss Emily, then the reader believes they are true. Using the word "we" also put's the reader on the town's side. The reader usually wants to associate themselves with the majority, not the lady that everyone thinks is weird. I think the story would lose a part of Miss Emily if the story were told by only one townsperson. The entire town is characterizing Miss Emily and all believe the same things about her. If only one person thought Miss Emily was crazy, then the reader could have doubts that the narrator's opinions were legitimate. Also, having the story told by the townspeople means that the reader does not know what Miss Emily is thinking. This makes Miss Emily's character more mysterious and adds to the suspense of the story.
What are the advantages of first-person plural point of view in this story? What would be lost if it were told in first-person singular, by one of the townspeople, or in third-person limited point of view?
I think the advantages of using first-person plural point of view in this story is that it makes the narrator more reliable and makes the reader side with the narrator. Using the word "we" automatically makes the narrator seem reliable because it means that multiple people feel the same way. If the entire town thinks the same things about Miss Emily, then the reader believes they are true. Using the word "we" also put's the reader on the town's side. The reader usually wants to associate themselves with the majority, not the lady that everyone thinks is weird. I think the story would lose a part of Miss Emily if the story were told by only one townsperson. The entire town is characterizing Miss Emily and all believe the same things about her. If only one person thought Miss Emily was crazy, then the reader could have doubts that the narrator's opinions were legitimate. Also, having the story told by the townspeople means that the reader does not know what Miss Emily is thinking. This makes Miss Emily's character more mysterious and adds to the suspense of the story.
How I Met My Husband
"She hadn't taken her eyes off me. I thought she suspected my lie." page 143
How does the story generate suspense? Which developments of the plot help to increase the suspense?
This story was very suspenseful and contained many exciting moments. Chris first appearing created suspense because Edie thinks she is alone in the house and the reader doesn't know what kind of a person Chris is yet. Alice coming to town was a twist in the story. It created the image of a villain because the reader sees a potential love story between Chris and Edie and then Alice coming interrupts that idea. After Edie leave Chris and returns to the house, the reader is on the edge of their seat. I know for me personally, I was almost scared for what might happen next. I knew that Edie kissing Chris would not be tolerated well by Alice so I was greatly anticipating how Alice would react if she found out the truth. I think the most suspense came towards the end of the story while Edie is waiting by the mailbox. The author has Edie routinely going to the mailbox everyday with high hopes. This makes the reader sympathize with Edie and want her to receive a letter so badly. Edie's husband being the mailman created a surprise ending. The reader was expecting the husband to be Chris the entire story so changing up the ending definitely created suspense.
How does the story generate suspense? Which developments of the plot help to increase the suspense?
This story was very suspenseful and contained many exciting moments. Chris first appearing created suspense because Edie thinks she is alone in the house and the reader doesn't know what kind of a person Chris is yet. Alice coming to town was a twist in the story. It created the image of a villain because the reader sees a potential love story between Chris and Edie and then Alice coming interrupts that idea. After Edie leave Chris and returns to the house, the reader is on the edge of their seat. I know for me personally, I was almost scared for what might happen next. I knew that Edie kissing Chris would not be tolerated well by Alice so I was greatly anticipating how Alice would react if she found out the truth. I think the most suspense came towards the end of the story while Edie is waiting by the mailbox. The author has Edie routinely going to the mailbox everyday with high hopes. This makes the reader sympathize with Edie and want her to receive a letter so badly. Edie's husband being the mailman created a surprise ending. The reader was expecting the husband to be Chris the entire story so changing up the ending definitely created suspense.
Interpreter of Maladies
"Mr. Kapasi stepped out of the car. He wanted to holler, to alert her in some way, but he worried that if she knew they were behind her, she would grow nervous. Perhaps she would lose her balance. Perhaps they would pull at her bag or her hair. He began to jog up the path, taking a fallen branch in his hand to scare away the monkeys." page 164
How does Mr. Kapasi's job as "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?
At first, Mr. Kapasi did not see his job as important. His job made him feel worthless and pathetic. However, like Mrs. Das said, Mr. Kapasi was crucial in helping patients receive the medication they needed. Mrs. Das viewed Mr. Kapasi as someone who can fix people's problem and offer advice. She took the term interpreter to mean that Mr. Kapasi can figure out what is causing the root of people's problem and come up with a way to fix it. This is what causes Mrs. Das to confess to Mr. Kapasi, she is seeking answers to her pain. I think Mr. Kapasi does have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability to interact with the Das family. Despite being disconnected from his own family, Mr. Kapasi likes helping people. After Mrs. Das leaves the car clearly angry at Mr. Kapasi, Mr. Kapasi chases after her. He is hurt that things didn't turn out the way he had hoped, but he was still concerned for her safety. He was not even a member of the Das family, yet he was the only one to risk being in danger in order to save Bobby. This showed that although he had his own struggles in life, his first thoughts were of what he could do to help others.
How does Mr. Kapasi's job as "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?
At first, Mr. Kapasi did not see his job as important. His job made him feel worthless and pathetic. However, like Mrs. Das said, Mr. Kapasi was crucial in helping patients receive the medication they needed. Mrs. Das viewed Mr. Kapasi as someone who can fix people's problem and offer advice. She took the term interpreter to mean that Mr. Kapasi can figure out what is causing the root of people's problem and come up with a way to fix it. This is what causes Mrs. Das to confess to Mr. Kapasi, she is seeking answers to her pain. I think Mr. Kapasi does have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability to interact with the Das family. Despite being disconnected from his own family, Mr. Kapasi likes helping people. After Mrs. Das leaves the car clearly angry at Mr. Kapasi, Mr. Kapasi chases after her. He is hurt that things didn't turn out the way he had hoped, but he was still concerned for her safety. He was not even a member of the Das family, yet he was the only one to risk being in danger in order to save Bobby. This showed that although he had his own struggles in life, his first thoughts were of what he could do to help others.
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