Thesis # 2

I know we have already read this together in class, but mine was at the end so all criticisms, ideas to make better, and thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

      Thesis # 2: In “The Story of an Hour”, Kate Chopin uses phrases that display new life and freedom such as, “…the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life”, and “…countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves”, to demonstrate being released from the bounds of societal pressures and marriage of the time.  Conversely, Chopin paints images of death to show the restraints of being married on a women’s independence. This is done skillfully at the end of the story when Louise drops dead at the thought of being only Mrs. Mallard once again.

Summer, Indeed (SSRJ # 2)

                My first impression of the story took me back to a simpler time. This story is by far the best short story I have read so far.  Maybe because it hit so close to home or maybe because it steered clear of the unoriginal, played out, cliché happy ending.  Either way Updike did an amazingly masterful job of capturing the joys of youth of along with the uncertainty of adulthood.  I had a crush on a girl just like the story “Summer” one summer and never said a word to the girl.  I believe though that she felt the same way and it was sort-of an unspoken keenness between the two of us.  I had an amazing summer with her even though a relationship was never built with her, I can still look back and recall the memories of that summer any time I wish.

                     Updike’s use of a mellow, happy, and youthful tone throughout the short story “Summer” was made evident by the lack of drama and conflict in the story.  It was also made apparent by certain phrases he uses when describing the cabin and the land around it.  The narrator does build some tension though when referring to the feelings that Homer develops for Sandra; feelings he had never realized he had before this one summer and feelings he know he will never speak of and even if he could he would never be able to find the words to express those feelings. The tension becomes even more stressful when Homer finds himself alone with Sandra, and while intoxicated, almost rustles up the courage to make a move on her.  The tension then subsides and returns to a mellow, happy, and almost tranquil tone when Sandra and Homer part ways and move on to the next day.  The ending unified the tone for me.  Most people would have written the story with the cliché happy ending and have Homer kiss Sandra in the end but not Updike. He chose to stick with the peaceful tone and not take it over the top with happiness by having Homer and Sandra share only a small, but very significant, intimate moment when Sandra’s foot rests on Homer’s back and he puts his hand on the arch of her foot and that is all.  This was a sign that Sandra and Homer were going to move on with their lives without complicating it any further than they need to seeing as how school and adulthood were on the horizon.

Questions/Comments: Have you ever had a "summer love"? If so, how does this story compare to yours?  What do you think the authors theme was?  For all the older students, like myself, do you remember the uncertainty of entering "adulthood"? Did that make you nervous or scared? Or were you excited?

SSRJ#1:Mines is on "Mines"

Mines is on “Mines”

Susan Straight’s “Mines” made me a little weary of a really dark and depressing ending; unfortunately it fell very short of such an ominous finish.  The ending however did bring about a hint of irony in that when the narrator gets her hair pulled out by the kid on the floor, it refers back to the beginning when she calls all of the inmates some shade of a bald-headed fool.  I thought it was quite clever to bring the story back all the way to the start and in a way call the narrator a fool herself.  My opinion is that because she was always in fear of fights breaking out at the prison, getting TB, and other dangers at the prison she worked at that she was a fool for not attempting to overcome her fears or maybe looking for new work.  I also interpreted the ending as an acceptance of the work she does.  This is highlighted by her sitting back at her desk after the riot and continuing to look at the advertisement in the paper as if nothing happened at all.  This also could’ve meant that she was not going to let anything get in the way of getting things for her children, including money because her children are the most important things in the world to her.

Questions/Comments: What did the anti-climactic ending mean to you?  Can you relate to any of the characters in the story or the author?  Do you know anyone who has been to jail or is currently doing time?     

WELCOME ALL!

Hi everyone,
welcome to my blog.  It's only been one and half weeks of school and I'm already burnt....that is all.