"Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. 'It isn't fair,' she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head" (page 271).
After reading this story, I really tried to figure out the significance as to what the 'lottery' was. After much thought, I realized that the 'lottery' is actually something that people don't want to win. If a person receives the lottery in this story (aka the black dot), then that person is to be killed. I find this incredibly ironic because in real life, people WANT to win the lottery. Here, it is casted as a terrible thing. When I first read that the story was title 'The Lottery,' I expected a person to win the lottery and to have a happy ending. I honestly am not very surprised. These short stories are killing me because I am a hopeless romantic who loves fairytales. These short stories that we've read over the past couple weeks are crushing my dreams of fairytales, and this just makes me sad. A scapegoat is an innocent being who is blamed for another person's fault. Tessie is the scapegoat in this story because she did nothing wrong, but the town decided to kill her nonetheless. This story kind of reminds me of the story of Jesus. Okay, yes, I always tie things back to my faith, but my faith is the one thing that I love to talk about. Jesus was the chosen one. He came into this world as a human, like everyone else. Even though He didn't do anything wrong, He still was chosen to be killed. It is sad, but He had to live a painful death. Was it fair? No, but He had to do it for the benefit of all. I don't know what the probability was for someone to die in this story, but I am just upset that Tessie had to be innocently killed. (It also freaks me out that her name is very similar to mine, and she was stoned to death.... I do not like these tragic ends to short stories! I want a cute love story where everyone lives happily ever after!)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver
"She would have it, this baby. She grabbed the baby's other arm. She caught the baby around the wrist and leaned back.
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" (page 345 [handout]).
The story's final lines hold symbolic meaning. Yes, I think that the author is leaving this up to interpretation whether who got the baby. However, I do think that maybe the baby was pulled so hard in both directions that the baby simply died. Neither parent deserved the child, so maybe that is how the issue was "decided." Perhaps the answer lies with the author of the piece, or maybe like the story that we read about last week (I think it was "Eveline"???), the author is leaving the answer up to the reader's imagination. The few details in the description of the story establish the tone. First off, the story is set in the end of the snowstorm. The snow is melting, and it is now "slush." In the winter, it is really dreary without the sun being out all the time. I simply think of winter as kind of a dark, dreary time. That's why we always put up lights and such to add light to this darkness. Or maybe that's just me, I don't know. However, the literary elements also add to the tone. When the mom and dad are yelling at each other, there is no quotation marks. Everything is just simply stated. It's almost as if the parents' words do not deserve true punctuation. The child, for one thing, does not deserve to be hearing these things. It's just kind of sad though because children are what generally hold a family together. One would think that these two parents would make their relationship work for the benefit of the child. However, even their this moment, greed comes out of the parents and neither can give it up. How could a parent do this to his child?! I don't like this. The words are harsh and the violence is worse. In this case, actions truly do speak louder than words.
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" (page 345 [handout]).
The story's final lines hold symbolic meaning. Yes, I think that the author is leaving this up to interpretation whether who got the baby. However, I do think that maybe the baby was pulled so hard in both directions that the baby simply died. Neither parent deserved the child, so maybe that is how the issue was "decided." Perhaps the answer lies with the author of the piece, or maybe like the story that we read about last week (I think it was "Eveline"???), the author is leaving the answer up to the reader's imagination. The few details in the description of the story establish the tone. First off, the story is set in the end of the snowstorm. The snow is melting, and it is now "slush." In the winter, it is really dreary without the sun being out all the time. I simply think of winter as kind of a dark, dreary time. That's why we always put up lights and such to add light to this darkness. Or maybe that's just me, I don't know. However, the literary elements also add to the tone. When the mom and dad are yelling at each other, there is no quotation marks. Everything is just simply stated. It's almost as if the parents' words do not deserve true punctuation. The child, for one thing, does not deserve to be hearing these things. It's just kind of sad though because children are what generally hold a family together. One would think that these two parents would make their relationship work for the benefit of the child. However, even their this moment, greed comes out of the parents and neither can give it up. How could a parent do this to his child?! I don't like this. The words are harsh and the violence is worse. In this case, actions truly do speak louder than words.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
"Miss Brill" by Katherine Manfield
"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. The box that the fur came out of was on the bed. She unclasped the necklet quickly; quickly, without looking, laid it inside. But when she put the lid on she thought she heard something crying" (page 186).
One of the questions after this passage said "What do you think Miss Brill looks like?" After reading this story, many descriptions came to mind. I kind of envisioned her to look like a person who wants to be all prim and proper but cannot pull off the facade. For instance, she is characterized as a person who wears a massive fur coat. Perhaps she is just someone who wants to be the fairest of them all but just does not fit into society. I'm not really sure. The fact that we do not know Miss Brill's first name also fits in to her characterization. This shows that she doesn't want society to know who she really is. Maybe she is insecure in some way. Also, this hinders society from knowing her on a deeper level. Society in this story never takes the chance to get to know her. She is merely just someone there, like a shadow. Miss Brill's observations about the people she encounters reveal that she is a lonesome, nosy person. For instance, everyone she mentions is mentioned with someone else. Couples are everywhere in this story. The only thing that Miss Brill matches herself up with is her coat. Maybe this shows some significance because perhaps Miss Brill cannot find someone herself. I feel that she watches other couples to live vicariously through them. I also feel that she is single. If she was widowed or divorced, she might be called Ms. Brill. The fact that she is called Miss Brill, though, just makes me think that she always has been single. The conflict of the story is that Miss Brill is unaware that people don't let her in. She simply only stares and watches other people's lives instead of living one herself. The antagonist of the story is the people involved (society) because they are annoyed with Miss Brill's way of living, or should I say "not living" her own life.
One of the questions after this passage said "What do you think Miss Brill looks like?" After reading this story, many descriptions came to mind. I kind of envisioned her to look like a person who wants to be all prim and proper but cannot pull off the facade. For instance, she is characterized as a person who wears a massive fur coat. Perhaps she is just someone who wants to be the fairest of them all but just does not fit into society. I'm not really sure. The fact that we do not know Miss Brill's first name also fits in to her characterization. This shows that she doesn't want society to know who she really is. Maybe she is insecure in some way. Also, this hinders society from knowing her on a deeper level. Society in this story never takes the chance to get to know her. She is merely just someone there, like a shadow. Miss Brill's observations about the people she encounters reveal that she is a lonesome, nosy person. For instance, everyone she mentions is mentioned with someone else. Couples are everywhere in this story. The only thing that Miss Brill matches herself up with is her coat. Maybe this shows some significance because perhaps Miss Brill cannot find someone herself. I feel that she watches other couples to live vicariously through them. I also feel that she is single. If she was widowed or divorced, she might be called Ms. Brill. The fact that she is called Miss Brill, though, just makes me think that she always has been single. The conflict of the story is that Miss Brill is unaware that people don't let her in. She simply only stares and watches other people's lives instead of living one herself. The antagonist of the story is the people involved (society) because they are annoyed with Miss Brill's way of living, or should I say "not living" her own life.
"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer
"Anyone who pulled off the sign YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED and tried to open the gates would have to announce his intentions by pressing a button and speaking into a receiver relayed to the house. The little boy was fascinated by the device and used it as a walkie-talkie in cops and robbers play with his small friends" (page 233).
At the beginning of the story, a writer is awakened by a frightening sound in the night. The cause for the sould that is the more significant cause for fear is the fact that it could be a murderer. She also thinks that it could be mysterious footsteps. These too create an emotional background for the 'children's story' she tells because it starts with a creepy, dark undertone. The writer is setting the tone for a scary child's story. The beginning just starts eery, and this tone remains until the end of the story. The stylistic devices that create the atmosphere of children's stories is that first off, it is titled "Once upon a time." Also, the story begins with a background story before it dives into the story at hand. Also, "one evening" and repetition of characters bad judgments is integrated throughout the story. I can somewhat fix the blame on the child's fate on his parents because the parents were warned from the beginning. Also, they allow their son to play with the buttons on the "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED." Obviously, the son is too young to realize that what he is doing is wrong. His parents could have warned him to stop playing. Also, the boy climbs a ladder. Come on, parents! Why aren't you watching your son?! It's also to be expected because of the foreshadowing. The YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED is repeated three times. It's just an accident waiting to happen. The audience obviously knows that someone will be punished for going against the wishes of the witch.
At the beginning of the story, a writer is awakened by a frightening sound in the night. The cause for the sould that is the more significant cause for fear is the fact that it could be a murderer. She also thinks that it could be mysterious footsteps. These too create an emotional background for the 'children's story' she tells because it starts with a creepy, dark undertone. The writer is setting the tone for a scary child's story. The beginning just starts eery, and this tone remains until the end of the story. The stylistic devices that create the atmosphere of children's stories is that first off, it is titled "Once upon a time." Also, the story begins with a background story before it dives into the story at hand. Also, "one evening" and repetition of characters bad judgments is integrated throughout the story. I can somewhat fix the blame on the child's fate on his parents because the parents were warned from the beginning. Also, they allow their son to play with the buttons on the "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED." Obviously, the son is too young to realize that what he is doing is wrong. His parents could have warned him to stop playing. Also, the boy climbs a ladder. Come on, parents! Why aren't you watching your son?! It's also to be expected because of the foreshadowing. The YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED is repeated three times. It's just an accident waiting to happen. The audience obviously knows that someone will be punished for going against the wishes of the witch.
"A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty
"Then she went on, parting her way from side to side with the cane, through the whispering field" (page 225).
After reading this story, I tried my best to discover the theme of it. However, I was drawing a blank. This lady just seems crazy to me. She travels through the forest, talking to herself and other animals. I feel that she is characterized as an innocent, old lady who really does have a passion for life. However, like any other old lady, she's kinda crabby. What does the part of her forgetting to get her grandson medicine symbolize? Does she even have a grandson or is she losing it mentally? I don't know. The story doesn't really have a purpose. It just kinda starts and ends. Nothing really gets accomplished and the story just kind of rambles on. However, once I got to the end, I noticed something of significance. Throughout the story, the old lady is travelling "uphill." She may be crazy and losing her memory, but she knows the way of the forest. She knows the path. Then, the story ends with her traversing downward. The very last sentence is "her slow step began on the stairs, going down." Maybe this symbolizes her life. Her life was going uphill for a while, and once she reached her destination, her life just went downhill. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too far into things. However, this just makes sense to me. Also, there are many obstacles along the way. This is similar to a person's life. We all have final destinations and the desire to make the final quest. However, obstacles arise along the way and hinder us from reaching our destination in a timely manner. In my religion class, we discussed that the journey is more meaningful than the destination because it forms a person's inner being. Maybe this is the case here.
After reading this story, I tried my best to discover the theme of it. However, I was drawing a blank. This lady just seems crazy to me. She travels through the forest, talking to herself and other animals. I feel that she is characterized as an innocent, old lady who really does have a passion for life. However, like any other old lady, she's kinda crabby. What does the part of her forgetting to get her grandson medicine symbolize? Does she even have a grandson or is she losing it mentally? I don't know. The story doesn't really have a purpose. It just kinda starts and ends. Nothing really gets accomplished and the story just kind of rambles on. However, once I got to the end, I noticed something of significance. Throughout the story, the old lady is travelling "uphill." She may be crazy and losing her memory, but she knows the way of the forest. She knows the path. Then, the story ends with her traversing downward. The very last sentence is "her slow step began on the stairs, going down." Maybe this symbolizes her life. Her life was going uphill for a while, and once she reached her destination, her life just went downhill. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too far into things. However, this just makes sense to me. Also, there are many obstacles along the way. This is similar to a person's life. We all have final destinations and the desire to make the final quest. However, obstacles arise along the way and hinder us from reaching our destination in a timely manner. In my religion class, we discussed that the journey is more meaningful than the destination because it forms a person's inner being. Maybe this is the case here.
Friday, November 25, 2011
"Eveline" by James Joyce
"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" (page 218).
I feel that this is an image that constantly is integrated throughout the story. For instance, Eveline is one of those characters who is constantly waiting on something or reflecting on life. She's pondering life at the beginning of the story. She looks out the window when her mother is dying. She looks out the window, thinking of Frank. At the end of the story, she looks across the railing as Frank leaves her. It's constant. She constantly is the person reflecting on things, but she fails to do anything for herself. This makes me believe that Eveline is a static character; she doesn't change much throughout the course of the story. Eveline's father is characterized as an angry person. He was always slightly mean to her, and he is characterized as a gruff character. I wonder if he is abusive at all to Eveline. I feel that the author wants the audience to sympathize with Eveline. For instance, her mother died, her brothers died, her father is mean, and she has to earn a living to support her brothers. However, I feel that there is a word in the end that best describes Eveline. The word used is "helpless." Eveline does so much for other people, but she cannot do anything for herself. I am still trying to figure out why she did not run off with Frank... I mean, it makes sense that Eveline cannot date him because Frank is a traveller, but still. The entire story seems to lack substance. Maybe this also parallels with Eveline's life. It's there, and it's interesting. However, the story lacks substance and meaning, just like Eveline's life.
I feel that this is an image that constantly is integrated throughout the story. For instance, Eveline is one of those characters who is constantly waiting on something or reflecting on life. She's pondering life at the beginning of the story. She looks out the window when her mother is dying. She looks out the window, thinking of Frank. At the end of the story, she looks across the railing as Frank leaves her. It's constant. She constantly is the person reflecting on things, but she fails to do anything for herself. This makes me believe that Eveline is a static character; she doesn't change much throughout the course of the story. Eveline's father is characterized as an angry person. He was always slightly mean to her, and he is characterized as a gruff character. I wonder if he is abusive at all to Eveline. I feel that the author wants the audience to sympathize with Eveline. For instance, her mother died, her brothers died, her father is mean, and she has to earn a living to support her brothers. However, I feel that there is a word in the end that best describes Eveline. The word used is "helpless." Eveline does so much for other people, but she cannot do anything for herself. I am still trying to figure out why she did not run off with Frank... I mean, it makes sense that Eveline cannot date him because Frank is a traveller, but still. The entire story seems to lack substance. Maybe this also parallels with Eveline's life. It's there, and it's interesting. However, the story lacks substance and meaning, just like Eveline's life.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
"Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville
"Men have committed murder for jealousy's sake, and anger's sake, and hatred's sake, and selfishness' sake, and a spiritual pride's sake; but no man that ever I heard of ever committed a diabolical murder for sweet charity's sake" (page 666).
This story was annoying beyond belief. Bartleby would not tell his boss why he would not obey him. He just kept saying, "I would prefer not to." And why would he hide in the the office itself? Was he homeless? Does he act this way because he's lonely? He is deranged psychologically? I don't know; I am just so confused... However, it is a wonderful feeling to know that Bartleby cannot ever be asked to do anything; he just does things out of the goodness of his heart. He does things because he wants to, not because he was asked to do so. Maybe this is how we as a society should live. We should live to do service to help the benefit of others. We should do things because we WANT to, not because we were forced or asked to do so. Our works become so much more meaningful when we do them without getting recognition. I think that this is how Bartleby is. He works very hard for the benefit of the company, but he does things because he wants to. The company represents society and how we must work to benefit the needs of others before the desires of our own. I also think that it is significant that Bartleby works behind a screen door. We are called to serve without having others notice what is going on. We should live like no one is watching us, like no is going to give us praise or recognition for what we have done. Our works then seem twice as heart-felt and meaningful when we do not care who gets the credit. I feel that I might have interpreted this entire the wrong way, but this is how I took it.
This story was annoying beyond belief. Bartleby would not tell his boss why he would not obey him. He just kept saying, "I would prefer not to." And why would he hide in the the office itself? Was he homeless? Does he act this way because he's lonely? He is deranged psychologically? I don't know; I am just so confused... However, it is a wonderful feeling to know that Bartleby cannot ever be asked to do anything; he just does things out of the goodness of his heart. He does things because he wants to, not because he was asked to do so. Maybe this is how we as a society should live. We should live to do service to help the benefit of others. We should do things because we WANT to, not because we were forced or asked to do so. Our works become so much more meaningful when we do them without getting recognition. I think that this is how Bartleby is. He works very hard for the benefit of the company, but he does things because he wants to. The company represents society and how we must work to benefit the needs of others before the desires of our own. I also think that it is significant that Bartleby works behind a screen door. We are called to serve without having others notice what is going on. We should live like no one is watching us, like no is going to give us praise or recognition for what we have done. Our works then seem twice as heart-felt and meaningful when we do not care who gets the credit. I feel that I might have interpreted this entire the wrong way, but this is how I took it.
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