Once Upon A Time

Alright, so I am just wondering... do you actually read these stories before you assign them? and if so, Why are they all so depressing? This story was just awful to read however I felt that a lesson could be found in it. I think that the author is trying to convey the idea that paranoia will ultimately lead to your demise. This family was so concerned with the irrational fear of being robbed that they went to some extremes in order to protect their family. Ironically this form of protection led to the death of their son. ANother irony in this story was the fact that the mother gave the child the idea of playing Prince. Though she did not tell him to climb upon the wall, she provided him with the story and background to think to do that. (It was really weird because the narrator refers to the mother as "the witch". I thought that made it seem almost like the mother did this on purpose- although I know thats probably way outside the cone of reason.) Also, I noticed that the wife desired to put up the razors and thorns on top of the wall after seeing footprints. I was wondering if maybe those footprints were the footprints of the son who (as we know) played on pretending to be a prince. Really depressing and disgusting story overall.

A Worn Path

Q 4: Analyze the minor characters. What do they reveal about Phoenix and about the world in which she lives?

Obviously Phoenix, the main character, in this story is somewhat crazy. With old age she loses a lot of her senses and has become somewhat delusional. In the story Phoenix travels away from her home through a forest in order to get to the doctors office to get medicine for her ill grandson. She encounters several minor characters on her way: a hunter, a random woman on the street, a doctors attendant, and a nurse. Although the attendant develops somewhat of an attitude with Phoenix (probably as a result of impatience because Phoenix is unresponsive to her) the rest of the minor characters are very kind and sympathetic towards her. First Phoenix runs into the hunter. He insists that such a journey is too long for her and advises her to go home. He also gives her a nickel (or rather lets her keep the nickel she took). Next Phoenix asks a random woman to tie her shoe. This woman is carrying several bags and she still takes the time to set them down to help Phoenix. I don't know about you, but I tend to avoid talking to strangers. Of course if an old woman asked me for help I would help her- but the hunter went over and talked to her out of his own free will. Also, the nurse Phoenix sees has developed somewhat of a relationship with her. She inquires about Phoenix's grandson and shows that she genuinely cares about him. I think these characters support the idea that Phoenix is living in a safe and kind society. I think this contrasts a lot with the society in which we live today because I feel that no elderly woman in todays society (who is practically blind and deaf and delusional) would be safe.

Everyday Use

Alright, so this story just made me mad. It sort of reminded me of my sister and I. Dee reminds me a lot of my sister because she is sort of distanced from the family (Now even more so because she is at Purdue). It seems like while Dee was growing up she was constantly spending more time and energy focusing on friendships rather than her family. My sister was the same way. On the other hand Maggie seemed to know more about the family history and everything that went on. A good example of this can be found around paragraph 52 when Maggie remembers Uncle Henry (dash). I really felt like Dee was a selfish character because she wanted all of the family heirlooms. And although she claimed they had sentimental value, it is obvious that she barely knows anything about the items she wants. Clearly she just wanted them for show- like everything else she wanted. I think she is very materialistic which clearly contrasts with her mother and younger sister. Dee changes her name to Wangero, admits that she will not bring friends to the house, and takes family heirlooms all to impress others (esp. her uptight husband who thinks he is too good to eat collards or pork).

Everyday Use

(response to question 4)
This question asks if the mothers choice to not give her quilts to Dee shows a permanent or temporary change in character. Personally I don't think it is an indication of either. On the contrary, I feel that her determination to hold on to the quilts and to give them to a daughter who will appreciate their true value and history fits her character. As a hard working African American, I feel like she has a very strong personality. Their family worked hard for everything they had (especially since they have been through so much like the fire). I think it is only fair that Maggie should inherit the quilts because she is not embarrassed of her heritage like Dee is and the quilts are a representation of that heritage. Also, Maggie took the time to learn about her family and how to quilt and since Dee, or Wangero, only wants the quilts for decoration she doesn't really deserve them.

Bartleby

This story was long and boring about a job that seems extremely long and boring. Coincidence? I think not. Alright, so this story was about 4 main characters (and of course the narrator who is the boss guy at this office). (This sort of answers Q1 ) Nippers, Turkey, and Ginger-Nut are all introduced first. In fact, Bartleby really doesn't enter the story until about paragraph 15. I think that the author did this for a few reasons. First of all, Bartleby is new to the business and the others have been at the office longer than he. Secondly, because the story is named Bartleby and focuses on Bartleby, I think this was a good was to separate him from the other characters. Alright, so not only did the length of this so called "short story" bother me, but also the repetition of the phrase "I would prefer not". Just say no. In addition to "i would prefer not" Bartleby also says "I am not particular". This kind of reminds me of something you say just to be nice although you don't really mean it. For example, around paragraph 200 the boss is talking to Bartleby and explaining that there needs to be a change and that he may need to find a new job. Bartleby, in his annoying way, says that he would prefer not to make a change although he is not particular. I can just tell that the way he said it made it perfectly clear that he was particular and he was only saying that to sound more considerate.

Hunters In The Snow

The word "friendship" definitely does not come to mind when thinking about this story. When I started to read this story I thought, "okay, this is a story about a group of friends (somewhat sarcastic ones) are going on a hunting trip together. sounds nice." Well, I was wrong. There are three main characters in the story: Tub, Kenny, and Frank. Tub is described as overweight and picked on probably the most throughout the story. However, there are a lot of "shifts" in the story. At some points it seems like Tub is being picked on (for example paragraph 34 where Frank and Kenny make fun of Tubs weight). At other points in the story however Tub is trusted. (for example pages 197 and 198 when Frank creepily admits to having a secret love for his 15 year old babysitter). In response to question 4 I don't think any of the characters really underwent a major change in the story. If i did have to choose one character I think I would say Kenny. This is because before he gets shot he seems to have a lot more insulting and argumentative dialogue. However, after he is shot he sort of just goes with the flow listening to whatever Frank and Tub tell him to do. I thought the characters in this story were just unrealistic and rude. I would never go on a hunting trip with people who were so hateful towards one another(i hate hunting anyways so it doesnt really matter).

How I met My Husband

So I know I just spent my whole last blog complaining about this story, but I really did like it. It was really unexpected. The curve-ball at the end was kind of cute. I really liked the main character in the story because she seemed really relatable to a younger girl- she was a little naive and curious. I especially liked the ending because I think the mail-man suited her much more. What I was thinking was if this Chris guy has a fiance and leaves her for a little girl (which I pretty much had the feeling was close to illegal) how in the world could she believe that he actually loved her? It was really sad that Edie was so gullible to believe what he said. Even worse than that is the fact that she didn't have a doubt in her mind he was lying to her; for months she just waited by the mailbox hoping to hear from him. I like happy endings (and legally appropriate ones) which is why I really liked the fact that she ends up falling for the mailman. However it does make you wonder if she really did love him or if he was kind of a rebound. I mean the girl never had a boyfriend and she practically had her heart broken by some stranger and then this guy comes along and she just falls for him like that. Quick enough that it really only requires one sentence to explain it.