The Body

Plot
As I read The Body, a short story by Stephen King, I didn't feel that there was a central plot or problem. This had a profound effect on the story as a whole because it made the story seem more real and exciting. The story seemed more like the retelling of a childhood memory rather than a a fabricated tale. The central theme of the story was the missing body of Ray Brower and how a group of four kids were determined to find and return his body in hopes of public recognition. This issue interrupts the story about 6 pages in when Vern rushes to the tree house to tell the guys the big news, " 'Holy Jeezum. You won't believe this. Sincerely.' He slapped his sweaty forehead to show us how sincere he was." This big news is what initiates the boys' journey to search for the body. On their search they encounter several obstacles which challenge, frighten, and excite the boys. Ultimately, through their journey, the friendship and bond between the four boys becomes stronger than ever as they work together in pursuit of honor.

Point of View
One thing that was very interesting about this story was the fact that it was told from the point of view of one of the boys; Gordie LeChance. Gordie has grown up to be a writer- which is reflected in many ways throughout the story (especially in the fact that he wrote this story himself). Because this story is told from Gordie's point of view, everything that happens in the story seems twice as emotional and important. In addition, many of the things revealed about Gordie, as well as his friends Teddy, Chris, and Vern are revealed thorough prior knowledge that Gordie already has. This helped progress the story because the reader was never left guessing the actions, thoughts, or motives of the characters. One example of how the point of view effects the story as a whole is the instance when Gordie and Vern are walking across the bridge when a train comes. Gordie describes exactly how he feels; "The steady thump of my heart, the bloodbeat in my ears like a drum being played with brushes, the creak of sinews like the strings of a violin that has been tuned radically upward, the steady hiss of the river, the hot hum of a locust digging into tight bark., the monotonous cry of a chickadee, and somewhere, far away, a barking dog." With every encounter the boys face, the reader is provided with a detailed explanation of how a person feels at that moment in time- ultimately pulling the reader even deeper into the story.

Characterization
Characterization played a major role in this short story. There were a lot of dynamic characters in this story- the main four however were obviously the boys: Vern, Teddy, Chris, and Gordie. I think that the characterization in this story really tied in with the theme (friendship- which I will expand on later). Each one of the characters were very different and yet they all shared a common bond. Through their actions not only on their journey, but also the background information which Gordie provides, the reader is able to learn more about each individual character. Vern was sort of portrayed as the loud ignorant one in the group. I think this is best seen when Gordie is trying to tell his story about The Great Pie Eat of 1960. As he begins his story Vern interrupts several times saying things such as, "Gretna?...What Kind of name is that?" and "Yeah, Pioneer Days, that's a fuckin blast." Both Teddy and Chris must beg Vern to actually shut up to allow Gordie to tell his story. Next there is Teddy. Teddy was treated badly at home and has the tendency to try risky behaviors. One of Teddy's latest stunts was trying to jump in front of the freight train. Although Teddy seemed to have more smarts than Vern, clearly he lacked the common sense. Another member of the group was Chris. Chris is probably my favorite character of the story. Chris was a sort of role model and peacemaker in the group. Whenever there was a fight or and issue Chris was always the one to solve it. The other boys showed a lot of respect for him. This is evident in the way that Chris was able to admit to his shortcomings or fears and yet no one would dare "rag" on him. Another reason why I liked Chris was because he was really intelligent but also very humble. At one point in the journey Chris advises Gordie to stay in school and challenge himself. He encourages Gordie not to let his friends influence his life by saying, "Your friends drag you down, Gordie. Don't you know that?...Your friends do. They're like drowning guys that are holding onto your legs. You can't save them. You can only drown with them." I thought it was really interesting that at only 12 years old Chris had some insight that many adults are lacking. Finally, I liked Chris' character because I felt sympathetic for him. He was always accused of doing the wrong thing because of his family reputation. He stole milk money from the school but decided to return it. But because the teacher knew that he stole it, she took the returned money for herself and still punished him. The last major character within this story is the main character, Gordie. Gordie is a smart and quirky kid. He likes to make up stories and not until recently has he been writing them down and sharing them with his friends. Gordie is a complex character because only the reader (and his best friend Chris) really know what is going on in his life. Gordie's brother died a few years back and ever since then Gordie has become almost invisible to his family. When Gordie does a book report on the book The Invisible Man he suddenly feels as if that story is a reflection of his own life. "This invisible Man is about a Negro. Nobody ever notices him at all unless he fucks up. People look right through him. When he talks, nobody answers/ He's like a black ghost. Once I got into it, I ate that book up like it was a John D MacDonald, because that cat Ralph Ellison was writing about me." Because of the lack of attention Gordie receives at home, he is able to do the things he wants to do with his friends without his parents worrying about where he is or what he is doing. This gives him a freedom he uses to his advantage to hang out with his friends. Gordie is also very smart, smarter than the rest of his friends. At one point during his journey a grocer attempts to gyp Gordie by charging him extra for his groceries. Gordie catches the grocer and even though he is a kid, he stands up for himself. Although he is a well-behaved boy, his parents have hinted that they don't approve of the friends he has chosen (side note: Gordie also grew up to be a high school English teacher).The different characters in this story affect the overall theme of the story because their different personalities are what brings them closer together. Friendship I believe is the overarching theme of this story. This close friendship develops from the mismatched personalities of these four friends because they all complement one another.

Setting
The setting impacts this story in several ways. The story takes place in a small town called Castle Rock, Maine. Because the town is so small everyone knows everybody's business. This is seen in the way the narrator (Gordie) provides a great deal of background information on all of the characters as well as their families. This helps the reader learn more about each character as well as the reason for why they act the way they do. Another way in which the setting impacted the story was the fact that the town was small and news traveled fast. The news of the missing boy from the neighboring town had made its way to Castle Rock where the boys first heard the story. It wasn't until Vern overheard his brother talking about the location of the body that the boys decided to go search for it. Because the town was so small the boys were fairly familiar with the land and were able to make a journey to Harlow on their own. However, the land between the two towns was undeveloped and deserted which added unknown expectations to their journey (such as the mysterious screaming in the middle of the night and the leeches). "In those days it was still possible to walk into the woods and lose your direction and die there." This obviously impacted the story because it not only provided the boys with the opportunity to go on an adventure, but it also gave them the means and the information to do so. I also really liked the time era that this story took place in. This story took place in the mid 1900's (late 1950's - early 1960's). During this time people were still much more relaxed and carefree. Kids hung outside until dark and parents generally didn't have to worry. Kids were always active, running around and getting into trouble- just like the four main characters in the story.

Theme
I felt that the overall theme of this story was friendship. At first, this story appears to be about four guys' attempt and fame. However, in the end, it isn't the body of Ray Brower that struck them the most, it was the journey as a whole. Repeatedly throughout the story the narrator mentions how the scent of different things or the feel unbearable heat will always bring him back to that summer in 1960 when he made the adventure of his lifetime with some of his best friends. Although the friendships Chris and Gordie had with one another were great, "We were clinging to eachother in deep water.", their friendships with Teddy and Vern slowly diminished, "Teddy and Vern slowly became two more faces in the halls or in three thirty detention." Overall, I think this story had a lot of insight about life and friendship. Some friendships stay strong and others fade away, but the memories last forever.

Eveline

Q2: What in Eveline's present circumstances make it desirable for her to escape her home? Characterize her father and Miss Gavan, her supervisor. What does the memory of her mother contribute to her decision to leave?
Eveline has met this man named Frank whom she believes she is in love with. He asks her to run off with him to Buenos Aires. Growing up, Eveline was mistreated by her father a lot. He is described as a strict parent who criticized her for how she worked and spent her earnings. Eveline is given a lot of responsibilities once her mother passes away. Eveline is in charge of taking care of two young children. Although Eveline's father would have been furious if she left (partially because he disliked the fact that Frank was a sailor) Miss Gavan would have been thrilled. I think that Miss Gavan knew of the stress Eveline was under and hoped that one day she would be able to get out of that house. I think that the memory of her mother dying is part of the reason Eveline decided to stay- she did not want to leave her father home alone with all of those kids. Also, rather than running from her pain, Eveline's mother accepted her fate and put her life in the hands of God. Maybe that is what Eveline decided to do at the end of the story.

Miss Brill

So this was another one of those odd stories. Just like A Worn Path, the main character in this story is a lonely elderly woman. What really stood out to me in this story was the fur that Miss Brill obsesses over. The story starts off with her petting this fur and talking to it as if it were alive. The author almost uses an apostrophe here when Miss Brill is speaking to the fur because she is acting like it is a friend whom she calls Dear Little Thing. I really felt sorry for Miss Brill throughout the story because she seemed so lonely. Pages 184 and 185 really convey how lonely she was. Although Miss Brill makes it sound like she is very involved in the lives of others "No doubt somebody would have noticed if she hadn't been there; she was part of the performance after all" I could tell she wasn't because of the way she never really communicated with the other characters- just simply eavesdropped. One of the strangest parts of the story was on pg 183 "They did not speak. This was disappointing, for Miss Brill always looked forwards to the conversation". Obviously when I read this I assumed that Miss Brill enjoyed conversations with these people. However, the next line reads, "She had become really quite expert, she thought, at listening as though she didn't listen, at sitting in other people's lives just for a minute while they talked round her". So basically Miss Brill is so lonely that she doesn't even remember how to have pleasure from being engaged in a conversation anymore. Rather than being in the conversations, Miss Brill eavesdrops on them and cherishes them like they are her own.

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.