Emily Green-
Why would William Faulkner start the story at Emily's funeral?
The author would use this literary device in order to let the reader know what will happen in the end. Shakespeare does the same with Romeo and Juliet. In "A Rose for Emily," the author explains Emily's tragic ending, then focuses on telling about Emily's life leading up to her death.
Olivia Wolff-
Do you see any symbolism in Emily's house?
I believe that Emily's house symbolizes her hidden life concealed from the public eye. Within her house, she is free to act in whichever way she wants, and she doesn't have to worry about being critisized by the public. She finds freedom in her ability to act as she pleases within her own house.
Sarah Williamson-
Why would the narrator scramble the order of events in the story?
The narrator might do this in order to provide explanation for the way Emily conducts herself. The author explains how Emily's life ends, then provides explanation and reasoning to back up why her life ended the way it did.
Literary Analysis:
The author maintained a mysterious tone throughout the story. The author kept the readers thinking and contemplating Emily's story through mixing the order and not going in chronological order. While the reader stays confused throughout the story, the ending provides closure; however, there are still questions left unanswered.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Miss Brill
Emily Green-
What changes Miss Brill's mood or emotions in the end of the story?
Until this point, everyone in the park tended to their own business. Now, the action is being directed towards her. The older couple didn't seem to have a problem with Miss Brill. They kept to themselves. When the younger couple arrived, they kept to themselves but spoke badly about Miss Brill.
Olivia Wolff -
Does the fur symbolize anything?
In the park, Miss Brill made the scene around her better than reality. She does the same thing to the fur in the beginning of the story when she "rubbed the life back into the dim little eyes." In the end, Miss Brill no longer wants to deal with the fur because she is put down and unable to make it better than reality.
Sarah Williamson-
Why didn't Miss Brill want to get a honey cake that day?
Miss Brill sometimes got an almond in her cake and sometimes didn't. She liked the almonds, so it made her day bad if she didn't get an almond. Because her day was already bad enough, she didn't want to risk making her day even worse by not getting an almond.
Language and Style-
The speaker throughout Miss Brill is very vague yet observent. The lack of dialogue throughout the story enhances the writer's third person limited point of view. As opposed to hearing what all characters might have to say, the speaker only observes other people's actions.
What changes Miss Brill's mood or emotions in the end of the story?
Until this point, everyone in the park tended to their own business. Now, the action is being directed towards her. The older couple didn't seem to have a problem with Miss Brill. They kept to themselves. When the younger couple arrived, they kept to themselves but spoke badly about Miss Brill.
Olivia Wolff -
Does the fur symbolize anything?
In the park, Miss Brill made the scene around her better than reality. She does the same thing to the fur in the beginning of the story when she "rubbed the life back into the dim little eyes." In the end, Miss Brill no longer wants to deal with the fur because she is put down and unable to make it better than reality.
Sarah Williamson-
Why didn't Miss Brill want to get a honey cake that day?
Miss Brill sometimes got an almond in her cake and sometimes didn't. She liked the almonds, so it made her day bad if she didn't get an almond. Because her day was already bad enough, she didn't want to risk making her day even worse by not getting an almond.
Language and Style-
The speaker throughout Miss Brill is very vague yet observent. The lack of dialogue throughout the story enhances the writer's third person limited point of view. As opposed to hearing what all characters might have to say, the speaker only observes other people's actions.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Everyday Use
Olivia Wolff -
Describe the difference between Maggie and Dee's view on heritage.
Dee believes that heritage is seen through objects (quilts, churns, etc.), while Maggie believes that heritage is able to be seen in other ways such as stories or memories. Dee might not recognize this because she doesn't have any memories because she didn't spend much time with her family. If she had spent more time with her family, she would have made more memories; therefore, she wouldn't need objects to see her heritage.
Emily Green-
What is the difference between Maggie and Dee's view of "everyday use?"
Maggie believes in the importance of being resourceful and using what has been given to her. Dee believes that it is important to preserve old items and not use them for "everyday use." Instead, she would prefer to use newer items for "everyday use." Although Maggie has the ability to make new quilts which Dee does not, Mama recognizes that while a valuble piece of family history is being put at risk when Maggie is using them, she can easily make a new quilt which becomes a new piece of family history. She has the ability to create new family history while Dee merely wishes to pass on the same bit of family history.
Sarah Williamson-
When Dee changes her name, does she also change as a person? If so, tell how she changes.
While Dee tries to change her attitude towards her family when she comes back with a new name, she ultimately proves herself to be the same person. She attempts to show her interest in her family history which she would not have previously done; however, she goes about this in the wrong way. She tries to show interest in her family's history through asking for the quilts, but Mama doesn't see this as showing interest. Instead, Mama sees this as being selfish and unsensitive. She believes she has changed inside; however, Mama and Maggie see that she has not changed at all.
Language and Style-
Walker constantly uses flashbacks of memory to explain the differences or similarities between the present and the past. The writer also refers to her ideal relationship with Dee, then flashes to her actual relationship with Dee. Walker discusses her ideal relationship with Dee in the form of a TV show where the mother and daughter hug and are happy, then she shows what happened instead.
Describe the difference between Maggie and Dee's view on heritage.
Dee believes that heritage is seen through objects (quilts, churns, etc.), while Maggie believes that heritage is able to be seen in other ways such as stories or memories. Dee might not recognize this because she doesn't have any memories because she didn't spend much time with her family. If she had spent more time with her family, she would have made more memories; therefore, she wouldn't need objects to see her heritage.
Emily Green-
What is the difference between Maggie and Dee's view of "everyday use?"
Maggie believes in the importance of being resourceful and using what has been given to her. Dee believes that it is important to preserve old items and not use them for "everyday use." Instead, she would prefer to use newer items for "everyday use." Although Maggie has the ability to make new quilts which Dee does not, Mama recognizes that while a valuble piece of family history is being put at risk when Maggie is using them, she can easily make a new quilt which becomes a new piece of family history. She has the ability to create new family history while Dee merely wishes to pass on the same bit of family history.
Sarah Williamson-
When Dee changes her name, does she also change as a person? If so, tell how she changes.
While Dee tries to change her attitude towards her family when she comes back with a new name, she ultimately proves herself to be the same person. She attempts to show her interest in her family history which she would not have previously done; however, she goes about this in the wrong way. She tries to show interest in her family's history through asking for the quilts, but Mama doesn't see this as showing interest. Instead, Mama sees this as being selfish and unsensitive. She believes she has changed inside; however, Mama and Maggie see that she has not changed at all.
Language and Style-
Walker constantly uses flashbacks of memory to explain the differences or similarities between the present and the past. The writer also refers to her ideal relationship with Dee, then flashes to her actual relationship with Dee. Walker discusses her ideal relationship with Dee in the form of a TV show where the mother and daughter hug and are happy, then she shows what happened instead.
The Most Dangerous Game (continued)
Emily's question: How does Rainsford's view of hunting change?
In the beginning of the story, Rainsford believes that animals are truly meant to be hunted. He doesn't ever consider how an animal might possibly feel when being hunted. When Rainsford becomes the object being hunted, he considers the feelings the animals he previously hunted might have had.
style and language:
In this short story, the reader constantly sees suspense. The writer does not favor Rainsford or Zaroff, which shows that either character has a chance to win. He remains to be an unbiased writer through using the third person point of view. Rainsford not only struggles with conflict against other characters; however, Rainsford battles with self-conflict. His internal struggle with the idea of hunting is evident throughout the story.
In the beginning of the story, Rainsford believes that animals are truly meant to be hunted. He doesn't ever consider how an animal might possibly feel when being hunted. When Rainsford becomes the object being hunted, he considers the feelings the animals he previously hunted might have had.
style and language:
In this short story, the reader constantly sees suspense. The writer does not favor Rainsford or Zaroff, which shows that either character has a chance to win. He remains to be an unbiased writer through using the third person point of view. Rainsford not only struggles with conflict against other characters; however, Rainsford battles with self-conflict. His internal struggle with the idea of hunting is evident throughout the story.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Interpreter of Maladies
Olivia Wolff:
What irony is evident in this story? Name the kind of irony (dramatic, situational, verbal), if any.
After deep contemplation and thought, our group has concluded that the loss of the slip of paper containing Mr. Kapasi's address carries the most irony as it floats through the breezy air. We also found it ironic that the Das family was not as perfect or as content as it had first appeared to Mr. Kapasi. Both of these cases of irony are examples of situational irony.
Emily Green:
Does the slip of paper have any significant symbolization to the story?
The slip of paper symbolizes Mr. Kapasi's hope for a future relationship with Mrs. Das. After Mrs. Das explains her feelings reguarding her family and relationship with Mr. Das, Mr. Kapasi loses interest in Mrs. Das and she ironically loses the slip of paper.
Sarah Williamson:
What do you think makes Mr. Kapasi realize that the Das family isn't from India even though they obviously have some Indian heritage?
Through being a tour guide, Mr. Kapasi has become well acquainted with American behavior. He recognizes the lack of respect between Mr. and Mrs. Das which the average Indian couple would have. Mr. and Mrs. Das fight over who has to take Tina to the restroom. This is a major signal to Mr. Kapasi that the Das family isn't from India. Mr. Kapasi sees the unhappiness and lack of respect within the Das family.
Style and Language:
One key element in this short story is the fact that it is written from a 3rd person point of view. This conveys the discrepency between what Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das think of each other. Mr. Kapasi sees the Das family as a happy family, and Mrs. Das sees Mr. Kapasi's vocation as one that is honorable. They do not see each other in the same way.
What irony is evident in this story? Name the kind of irony (dramatic, situational, verbal), if any.
After deep contemplation and thought, our group has concluded that the loss of the slip of paper containing Mr. Kapasi's address carries the most irony as it floats through the breezy air. We also found it ironic that the Das family was not as perfect or as content as it had first appeared to Mr. Kapasi. Both of these cases of irony are examples of situational irony.
Emily Green:
Does the slip of paper have any significant symbolization to the story?
The slip of paper symbolizes Mr. Kapasi's hope for a future relationship with Mrs. Das. After Mrs. Das explains her feelings reguarding her family and relationship with Mr. Das, Mr. Kapasi loses interest in Mrs. Das and she ironically loses the slip of paper.
Sarah Williamson:
What do you think makes Mr. Kapasi realize that the Das family isn't from India even though they obviously have some Indian heritage?
Through being a tour guide, Mr. Kapasi has become well acquainted with American behavior. He recognizes the lack of respect between Mr. and Mrs. Das which the average Indian couple would have. Mr. and Mrs. Das fight over who has to take Tina to the restroom. This is a major signal to Mr. Kapasi that the Das family isn't from India. Mr. Kapasi sees the unhappiness and lack of respect within the Das family.
Style and Language:
One key element in this short story is the fact that it is written from a 3rd person point of view. This conveys the discrepency between what Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das think of each other. Mr. Kapasi sees the Das family as a happy family, and Mrs. Das sees Mr. Kapasi's vocation as one that is honorable. They do not see each other in the same way.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Most Dangerous Game
Sarah: How does the idea of "games" play into the overall idea of the story?
In most cases, hunting is only dangerous for the game that is being hunted; however, in this story, it is dangerous for everyone invloved in the hunting: the preadator and the prey. In the beginning of the story, Rainsford discusses with Whitney the danger and excitement in hunting. While Rainsford believes that hunting is, "the best sport in the world," Whitney believes hunting is only the best sport "for the hunter, not for the jaguar." Rainsford does not see the truth behind Whitney's statement until he takes the jaguar's place later on in the story.
Olivia: How could General Zaroff have become so desperate that he would hunt humans? What do you think General Zaroff's motives are behind killing all those people?
Because General Zaroff was so good at hunting, the hardest things became easy to him. Therefore, he felt as though he needed more of a challenge. Humans had the same mindset, so if they were thinking alike, he knew he had to stay one step ahead which made everything more exciting.
Emily: How does Rainsford's view of hunting change throughout the story?
In most cases, hunting is only dangerous for the game that is being hunted; however, in this story, it is dangerous for everyone invloved in the hunting: the preadator and the prey. In the beginning of the story, Rainsford discusses with Whitney the danger and excitement in hunting. While Rainsford believes that hunting is, "the best sport in the world," Whitney believes hunting is only the best sport "for the hunter, not for the jaguar." Rainsford does not see the truth behind Whitney's statement until he takes the jaguar's place later on in the story.
Olivia: How could General Zaroff have become so desperate that he would hunt humans? What do you think General Zaroff's motives are behind killing all those people?
Because General Zaroff was so good at hunting, the hardest things became easy to him. Therefore, he felt as though he needed more of a challenge. Humans had the same mindset, so if they were thinking alike, he knew he had to stay one step ahead which made everything more exciting.
Emily: How does Rainsford's view of hunting change throughout the story?
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