"But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard. In this manner, the issue was decided."
1. Discuss the story's final lines. What is the "issue" that is "decided"?
I think the issue is that both parents want the child. Obviously, the couple's relationship has gone downhill. The wife yelling at the husband, "I'm glad you're leaving" gives off the impression that the husband did something wrong. He could have cheated or been abusive. However, the fact that the husband wants to baby makes me think that he did care about the family. The way these parents are handling the situation shows how immature they are. It's understandable that they both want their kid; however, they aren't taking into account that they are physically hurting this baby by pulling the baby in two directions. I think the issue decided is who got the baby. It sounded to me like the baby was being physically torn apart and so no one got the baby. I don't think it really matters if the baby was physically hurt or not. I think the author is trying to show how these two parents going their separate ways is going to affect the rest of this baby's life.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
You're Ugly, Too
"Then he went up and bought a round of drinks for everyone but her. She got her coat, went home, and shot a gun through her head." page 369
4. Find an instance in the story when Zoe speaks sarcastically, then find another instance when she speaks ironically. How do they differ?
I think irony and sarcasm differ in that irony is more funny and intelligent while sarcastic is more rude. Zoe talks about one time when her student asked "what is your perfume?" and Zoe replied, "room freshener". Also, when Evan says that Zoe is just jealous because she isn't married yet, Zoe says, "Oh, my God...I forgot to get married." Zoe is saying these things because she thinks they are funny. These are examples of irony because Zoe isn't intentionally trying to hurt someone's feelings. An example of sarcasm is when Zoe tells the story about the woman killing herself because her love interest was being cruel to her and then calls it a "love story". This story was more sarcastic because Zoe didn't want to talk about love because she hadn't been in any good relationships. She wanted to get Earl off her back about love and move on to a different topic.
4. Find an instance in the story when Zoe speaks sarcastically, then find another instance when she speaks ironically. How do they differ?
I think irony and sarcasm differ in that irony is more funny and intelligent while sarcastic is more rude. Zoe talks about one time when her student asked "what is your perfume?" and Zoe replied, "room freshener". Also, when Evan says that Zoe is just jealous because she isn't married yet, Zoe says, "Oh, my God...I forgot to get married." Zoe is saying these things because she thinks they are funny. These are examples of irony because Zoe isn't intentionally trying to hurt someone's feelings. An example of sarcasm is when Zoe tells the story about the woman killing herself because her love interest was being cruel to her and then calls it a "love story". This story was more sarcastic because Zoe didn't want to talk about love because she hadn't been in any good relationships. She wanted to get Earl off her back about love and move on to a different topic.
The Drunkard
"My brave little man!" she said with her eyes shining. "It was God did it you were there. You were his guardian angel." page 351
This story contains a lot of irony. The young boy gets drunk and the father takes him home. It is expected that the boy will be punished for his actions. However, instead of being angry at the boy, the mother is happy and praises him. This is ironic because a young boy getting drunk is not usually something to be grateful and happy about. Nevertheless, the mother was excited because the boy getting drunk meant that the father wasn't drunk. The mother did not want the father to be drunk because he would then refuse to go to work and make a fool of himself. Another ironic piece of the story happened on the way home. The father was so embarrassed of the way his son was acting. The boy was singing and yelling at strangers. The irony is that the father was embarrassed about something he has done quite a lot. He saw being drunk differently when it was his son instead of him.
This story contains a lot of irony. The young boy gets drunk and the father takes him home. It is expected that the boy will be punished for his actions. However, instead of being angry at the boy, the mother is happy and praises him. This is ironic because a young boy getting drunk is not usually something to be grateful and happy about. Nevertheless, the mother was excited because the boy getting drunk meant that the father wasn't drunk. The mother did not want the father to be drunk because he would then refuse to go to work and make a fool of himself. Another ironic piece of the story happened on the way home. The father was so embarrassed of the way his son was acting. The boy was singing and yelling at strangers. The irony is that the father was embarrassed about something he has done quite a lot. He saw being drunk differently when it was his son instead of him.
The Lottery
"Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones." page 271
1. What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?
A lottery is a chance in which a person could win or lose. Winning a lottery usually has a positive connotation because it means a lot of money is won. Reading the title of the story makes it look like a prize is going to be won. The entire village comes to the lottery and everyone takes it seriously. It is ironic that the winner of the lottery actually loses their life. However, after reading the ending, the things that happen earlier in the story begin to make sense. The boys made a pile of stones in order to prepare for the stoning. Mr. Adams mentioning that some villages had stopped doing the lottery showed that people were apprehensive about continuing it, meaning winning the lottery wasn't a good thing. Tessie complaining when her husband "won" the lottery also foreshadowed that something bad happened to the winner of the lottery.
1. What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?
A lottery is a chance in which a person could win or lose. Winning a lottery usually has a positive connotation because it means a lot of money is won. Reading the title of the story makes it look like a prize is going to be won. The entire village comes to the lottery and everyone takes it seriously. It is ironic that the winner of the lottery actually loses their life. However, after reading the ending, the things that happen earlier in the story begin to make sense. The boys made a pile of stones in order to prepare for the stoning. Mr. Adams mentioning that some villages had stopped doing the lottery showed that people were apprehensive about continuing it, meaning winning the lottery wasn't a good thing. Tessie complaining when her husband "won" the lottery also foreshadowed that something bad happened to the winner of the lottery.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Miss Brill
"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.
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.
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.
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