Top 3:
1.) The Veldt- I liked this story the most for it's originality.
2.) Paul's Case- I related most to this story and it really stuck with me.
3.) The Lottery- The ending. Need I say more?
Not So Top 3:
1.) A Spinster's tale- This story really didn't keep my attention.
2.) The Jilting of Granny Weatherall- Again, just didn't keep my attention. I couldn't really relate to this story at all.
3.) The Birthmark- Good premise, but I couldn't keep my head in the story.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Conscience of the Court
Does Laura Lee telling her own story in her own voice help the story? Or does her rambling slow down the action in the courtroom? Why do you think Hurston chose to include her testimony?
I think having the story in Laura Lee's voice helps the story. It makes the reader sympathetic to her situation since you're experiencing it first hand. At first I wasn't sure if she was in the wrong or not, but as the story went on I realized that everything she did was simply out of self defense and love. At one point during her testimony she really stated rambling a little. I almost started to think she was nervously going on and on and thought the verdict was going to go the other way. I think Hurston chose to include Laura Lee's testimony so the reader will get that first hand experience of what happened, and so you'll gain sympathy for her. Overall, it was a very intriguing story that made want to know what happens next, which is something that I really look for in a story...
Peace.
I think having the story in Laura Lee's voice helps the story. It makes the reader sympathetic to her situation since you're experiencing it first hand. At first I wasn't sure if she was in the wrong or not, but as the story went on I realized that everything she did was simply out of self defense and love. At one point during her testimony she really stated rambling a little. I almost started to think she was nervously going on and on and thought the verdict was going to go the other way. I think Hurston chose to include Laura Lee's testimony so the reader will get that first hand experience of what happened, and so you'll gain sympathy for her. Overall, it was a very intriguing story that made want to know what happens next, which is something that I really look for in a story...
Peace.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
A Worn Path
Do you think she is in the right state of mind? Or is this all in her head?
I think she is just the crazy person that every town has. The person everyone puts up with and gives in to because they've been doing it for so long. It's a kind of the routine of the town. But, there's also enough evidence to make the reader believe that everything is going down as it is really happening. Although I lean toward her just being crazy, I ultimately think it's a toss up. I'm guessing that's what the author's intentions were, to make the reader wonder... Overall, I thought it was a good representation of what getting old must be like. She uses symbolism very effectively as well.
*We have one of these in my hometown, Robert. We call him CCR (Cruise Control Robert) because he's always walking the exact same pace everywhere he goes, and with a little hitch in his giddy up. And, because he's crazy, everyone in town just kinda gives him things and puts up with his craziness. So I was thinking about CCR when I was reading this story so that's how I interpreted it. Maybe I'm way off.
Peace.
I think she is just the crazy person that every town has. The person everyone puts up with and gives in to because they've been doing it for so long. It's a kind of the routine of the town. But, there's also enough evidence to make the reader believe that everything is going down as it is really happening. Although I lean toward her just being crazy, I ultimately think it's a toss up. I'm guessing that's what the author's intentions were, to make the reader wonder... Overall, I thought it was a good representation of what getting old must be like. She uses symbolism very effectively as well.
*We have one of these in my hometown, Robert. We call him CCR (Cruise Control Robert) because he's always walking the exact same pace everywhere he goes, and with a little hitch in his giddy up. And, because he's crazy, everyone in town just kinda gives him things and puts up with his craziness. So I was thinking about CCR when I was reading this story so that's how I interpreted it. Maybe I'm way off.
Peace.
Friday, June 26, 2009
A Spinster's Tale
Do you think Elizabeth has changed from the beginning to the end? If so, what causes her to develop and change?
I think she tried to change from a child to a more mature person from the start of the story to the end. At first, she is just this scared child who is afraid of this Mr. Speed, who ends up being harmless, and obviously doesn't know a whole lot about the hardships of adulthood and why people spiral down, as Mr. Speed as done. He is just a drunk who, for whatever reason, has lost his way. Towards the end of the story you see her trying to grow up a little bit when she gets the black boy to stop stealing milk and telling the cook to leave, it almost seems like she's becoming the lady of the house, like her mother was. But, by the end of the story she's just this little girl again, afraid of Mr. Speed, and not sure of how to handle things. I think she wants to grow up, but just like every 14 year old girl/boy, there are steps that have to be taken to become an adult.
Peace.
I think she tried to change from a child to a more mature person from the start of the story to the end. At first, she is just this scared child who is afraid of this Mr. Speed, who ends up being harmless, and obviously doesn't know a whole lot about the hardships of adulthood and why people spiral down, as Mr. Speed as done. He is just a drunk who, for whatever reason, has lost his way. Towards the end of the story you see her trying to grow up a little bit when she gets the black boy to stop stealing milk and telling the cook to leave, it almost seems like she's becoming the lady of the house, like her mother was. But, by the end of the story she's just this little girl again, afraid of Mr. Speed, and not sure of how to handle things. I think she wants to grow up, but just like every 14 year old girl/boy, there are steps that have to be taken to become an adult.
Peace.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Lady with the Dog
Why is Dmitry so infuriated when the official says, "the sturgeon was just a leetle bit off?"
He was angry because he didn't have anyone to talk to about Anna, and the official didn't really care about what Dmitry was saying. Dmitry had a longing to just talk to anyone, to tell anyone about how he felt about Anna and get all this stuff off his chest and maybe gain some outside perspective of what to do. I don't suppose this was something men sat around talking about back then, feelings and such. But given the way Dmitry described the beauty in the things he saw, he obviously isn't a "man's man" who just wants to sit around and play cards, drink brandy, and smoke cigars; he has thoughts that go deeper and beyond those. I think that might have been another reason he longed for Anna so much, the fact that he could talk to her about those things.
Peace.
He was angry because he didn't have anyone to talk to about Anna, and the official didn't really care about what Dmitry was saying. Dmitry had a longing to just talk to anyone, to tell anyone about how he felt about Anna and get all this stuff off his chest and maybe gain some outside perspective of what to do. I don't suppose this was something men sat around talking about back then, feelings and such. But given the way Dmitry described the beauty in the things he saw, he obviously isn't a "man's man" who just wants to sit around and play cards, drink brandy, and smoke cigars; he has thoughts that go deeper and beyond those. I think that might have been another reason he longed for Anna so much, the fact that he could talk to her about those things.
Peace.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Girls in their Summer Dresses
What are your impressions of Frances and how do you feel about her role in the relationship?
I see her as kind of weak. I mean every man, in a relationship or not, looks at other women; we just do. The only difference is some of us have the smarts to keep it to ourselves. So for Frances, she's hearing her man just ramble on and on about all these women and she's not really doing anything about it. So I think she's weak and needs to stand up for herself. Also, they can't even stand to be around each other for a whole day so obviously they aren't happy. My theory: When you're not happy with a situation, stand up and do something about it or suffer... Easier said than done though I suppose... I thought this story was a very truthful and accurate depiction of what really goes on inside a man's head. I love real and raw stories, so I enjoyed this one.
Peace.
I see her as kind of weak. I mean every man, in a relationship or not, looks at other women; we just do. The only difference is some of us have the smarts to keep it to ourselves. So for Frances, she's hearing her man just ramble on and on about all these women and she's not really doing anything about it. So I think she's weak and needs to stand up for herself. Also, they can't even stand to be around each other for a whole day so obviously they aren't happy. My theory: When you're not happy with a situation, stand up and do something about it or suffer... Easier said than done though I suppose... I thought this story was a very truthful and accurate depiction of what really goes on inside a man's head. I love real and raw stories, so I enjoyed this one.
Peace.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Desi's Baby
What type of irony appears in the final paragraph? What is the effect of that irony?
I belieive that would be situational irony. Where you think one thing is going to happen, but then something else does. The effect of this irony really makes you feel for the woman. The man, who was throwing around accusations, ends up being in the complete wrong in the end of the story. I mean she was at the point where she wanted to end her life all because he made her feel so guilty, and for something she didn't even do. The total effect of the irony on the story is shock, you don't expect for the man to be the one who is mixed race. I don't know, it was just kind of a crazy story. Pretty heavy.
Peace.
I belieive that would be situational irony. Where you think one thing is going to happen, but then something else does. The effect of this irony really makes you feel for the woman. The man, who was throwing around accusations, ends up being in the complete wrong in the end of the story. I mean she was at the point where she wanted to end her life all because he made her feel so guilty, and for something she didn't even do. The total effect of the irony on the story is shock, you don't expect for the man to be the one who is mixed race. I don't know, it was just kind of a crazy story. Pretty heavy.
Peace.
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