"Cathedral"
Author: Raymond Carver
Main Characters:
Unnamed narrator - The unnamed narrator is a man in his forties who has little understanding about having personal relationships. He and his wife are somewhat distant toward each other and he has no really close friends. He suffers from substance abuse, continually having one drink after another as well as smoking marijuana during the story.
The narrator's unnambed wife - The unnamed wife is pleasant, polite, and patient with her husband. She has maintained a friendship with Robert over the years and is looking forward to seeing him. The wife is prone to depression which is evident due to the fact that she at one time did attempt to commit suicide.
Robert - A blind man who used to employ the narrator's wife. She and the blind man developed a very strong bond. The wife had to resign as Robert's employee because she and her exhusband (the narrator is her second husband) were moving out of town. She and Robert maintained contact through tapes they sent each other over the course of 10 years. Robert has recently lost his wife. He is an overnight house guest of the narrator and the wife.
Summary:
"Cathedral" begins by giving the readers some background information on the relationship between Robert and the narrator's wife. Robert is blind and the narrator's wife used to work for him an read to him. At the time of her meeting with Robert, she was married to someone else who was in the Air Force. The two were relocated and moved away from the town they shared with Robert. In an effort to maintain their friendship, Robert and the narrator's wife communicate by sending tapes to each other on a regular basis.
Robert's wife has recently passed away and he hasn't seen the narrator's wife in over 10 years. He has never met the narrator. He is on his way to pay them a visit and the narrator is very anxious about having a blind man visit. The narrator goes on and on about how he has never even met a blind person before. He wonders what it would be like to not even know what your wife looked like. He says odd things to his wife regarding her friend, such as "Maybe I'll take him bowling." There is a distinct impression in the story that lends evidence to feelings of jealousy harbered by the narrator regarding his wife's close friendship with Robert. At one point the narrator says to his wife, "I don't have any blind friends" to which she replied, "You don't have any friends. Period."
The narrator watches as his wife pulls into the driveway after picking Robert up from the train station. He notices how they are smiling and laughing while they talk and they are both very animated. He watches as his wife excorts Robert to the door and into the house. The wife introduces the two men and they exchange pleasantries, although Robert's comments are perceived as more sincere than the narrators. Robert has an ease with people that is not evident in the narrator's communication. The narrator suggests that they all have a drink, so, he pours each a very tall glass of scotch. They sit down for dinner and have another drink with dinner, then dessert.
After dinner the group headed to the living room and had a few more drinks and chatted about trivial things. They smoked marijuana and had even more drinks. Eventually, the narrator grew weary of the conversation and turned on the television. The wife fell asleep on the couch, so essentially, the two men were there alone with each other. The narrator kept Robert informed as to what was happening on the television. The weather report came and went, then the narrator changed the station to a show about cathedrals. The two men started to discuss cathedrals with the narrator asking Robert how he envisions cathedrals. The narrator's efforts at describing cathedrals to Robert were in vain and the narrator knew he was lacking the ability to properly convey a good illustration for Robert. Robert then asked the narrator for some paper and suggested he draw a cathedral. The narrator came back with paper and pencil and he began to draw. Robert put his hand on top of his hand so he could feel where the pencil went on the page. Robert encouraged the narrator to keep drawing and to include some people in the cathedral. Then, Robert asks the narrator to close his eyes. He complys. Robert says, "Keep them that way. Don't stop now. Draw." Robert said, "You've got it. Take a look. What do you think?" The narrator did not open his eyes. He had an epiphany and tells the reader, "My eyes were still closed. I was in my house. I knew that. But I didn't feel like I was inside anything." He then says to Robert as the story concludes, "It's really something."
Reaction:
What do I think about what I've read?
This is a story about a man who was truly blind - the narrator. While he enjoyed literal eyesight, there was so much around him in an emotional sense that he was blind to. He was not very adept at building relationships, lacked true friendships, and had a somewhat dull relationship with his wife. His focus was on escape the superficial and he had a serious drinking problem. Almost in every scene, he is depicted as "having a few more drinks." It is when he connects with Robert and shuts his eyes that he is ushered into Robert's world for just a moment. Experiencing life as Robert does gives the narrator a new perspective on things and he is able to realize he has been missing out on a lot that life has to offer.
What can I imagine that is not specifically outlined?
As a reader, I could visualize in my mind the scenes the narrator describes. I saw the narrator and his wife as very middle class living in a small, tidy, ranch home. I could sense the closeness between Robert and the narrator's wife. Had I been the wife, I probably would have asked my husband to please stop drinking so much.
What is my favorite passage in the story?
My favorite part is where the narrator asks his wife if the blind man had been married to a black woman because her name was Beulah. He states that he thinks of Beulah as being a black woman's name to which she replies, "Are you crazy? Have you flipped or something? What's wrong with you? Are you drunk?"
I found her reaction to his question to be quite amusing.
What is my emotional response to what I've read?
I feel it is ironic that it is a blind man who taught a sighted man to see in this story. It is by feeling that we can truly see, and the narrator was numbing himself to feeling with all the alcohol and marijuana. The beauty of this story is that he taught him not to see with his eyes, rather with his heart.
How would I feel if this happened to me?
I am looking at the situation from the wife's point of view and I would most likely not be very happy with my husband and his behavior. His continual drinking would anger me as would his marijuana use. I would be very unhappy.
How does this reading relate to my own life?
I don't see a connection with this particular story and my own life.
Would I recommend this story for someone else to read?
I would recommend this as a good read for anyone who appreciates literature. I was surprised at the ending as I had myself convinced the narrator's wife was going to end up with Robert.
I also find it interesting that so much reference is made to alcohol in this story. I feel this story could have an autobiographical element, as Carver was indeed an alcoholic who died at the very young age of 49.
About the Author:
Raymond Carver lived from 1938 - 1988 and was known to be a raving alcoholic, which is thought to have contributed to his death. He typically writes about the average citizen, and often includes alcohol in the story lines. He writes about every day, commonplace situations that most people can relate to.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
"Good Country People" - Review
"Good Country People"
Author: Flannery O'Conner
Main Characters:
* Mrs. Freeman - Mrs. Hopewell's housekeeper. Mrs. Freeman has two daughters, Glynese who is 18 and Carramae who is 15, married and pregnant. Her daughters are mentioned numerous times in the story, but, they are never actually present at all.
* Mrs Hopewell - A somewhat wealthy divorced woman. She has one daughter, 30 year old Joy.
* Joy - Mrs. Hopewell's 30 year old daughter. Joy has an artificial leg that is the result of a hunting accident when she was just 10 years old. Joy is highly educated, possessing a PhD. Joy legally had her named changed to Hulga, but, her mother still calls her Joy.
* Boy selling Bibles, named Pointer - A seemingly ignorant boy who is a bit of a con. He is a door to door salesman who is also very oportunistic. He is 19 years old.
What do I know about the story/topic I am reading?
This story is completely new to me, but, I am somewhat familiar with Flannery O'Connor before reading the story.
What do I want to learn more about?
I would like to have known what happened to Joy after this happened. Was she provided another prosthetic devise, or did the family not have the money. Was the incident reported to the police and if so, what transpired? I think O'Conner ended the story a bit to early
Summary:
This is a great little story that actually took a while to get going, but, once it did, it took off and was very interesting. We are taken into the Hopewell household where Mrs. Freeman works as a housekeeper for Mrs. Hopewell and her daughter Joy. Joy and her mother have breakfast every morning in the kitchen unless they have a guest. Mrs. Freeman stands next to the refrigerator waiting to clear the dishes. Mrs. Freeman has worked for Mrs. Hopewell for four years and they had a mutual respect for each other, in spite of each one always needing to have the last word in every conversation. Both women are opinionated and are not ashamed to show it.
We hear some conversation between the two ladies in regard to Carramae, Mrs. Freeman's daughter who is experiencing a great deal of morning sickness with her pregnancy. Then, out of the blue, a tall young man comes calling on Mrs. Hopewell selling Bibles. Not having a rude bone in her body, Mrs. Hopewell allows the young man inside, but, tells him firmly she is not interested in purchasing anything from him. He remains very persistant, speaking of God, and how he wants to save his money in order to become a missionary and a servant of the Lord. She is taken with him and invites him to stay for dinner to which he much obliges.
The boy, whose name we don't learn until the very end of the story says he is 19 years old and has been selling Bibles for the past 4 months. During dinner the boy and Mrs. Hopewell engage in a nice conversation. He seems vrey interested in what Mrs. Hopewell has to say and she tells him he would be a welcome guest for dinner anytime. Joy doesn't really say much during dinner, so Mrs. Hopewell has to show extra hospitality due to Joy's somewhat backward behavior.
When the boy was leaving, he walked out the front door down to the gate where Joy was standing. Mrs. Hopewell watched the two engaging in conversation and she was astounded. Joy? Is this Joy outside laughing and speaking with a boy? Joy and the boy walked together for a bit until they were out of sight. Mrs. Hopewell was very curious as to what they talked about, but, knew not to ask, as it was none of her business.
The next day Joy had eggs for breakfast and Mrs. Freeman said of the boy, "I seen him walk up, and then later, I seen him walk off." Mrs. Freeman then looked at Joy as if she knew they had gone off together. Joy abruptly left the table, retreating to her room.
What Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman did not know was Joy had a date planned that very morning with the boy. She was to meet him at 10:00 at the gate. Joy was looking forward to meeting with him again. She had romanticised about him all the night before and found it very hard to sleep due to the anticipation. She went over and over in her mind the conversations she would see them having together.
Joy was at the gate, looking around did not see anyone. She felt a twinge in her stomach as if she had been the subject of a cruel joke. Then she saw him, almost out of no where came th e boy. They walked for a while, talking, and Joy began to realize that he really was not very intelligent. One minute she would be irritated with him, then the next she would feel affection for him.
The two decided to sit and talk and what better place than a barn? They found an old barn and Joy sat by the window, when he kissed her. He proceeded to tell her how brave she was to live her life with a wooden leg. He asked if he could see it, which she indignantly replied a resounding, "NO!" She couldn't believe it. She was so mad her face turned bright red. He said he didn't mean to insult her, but, he just thought she was so brave. He asked again so sweetly to see it. This time she let him. He asked her if she would take it off and show him how she puts it back on. Joy was trusting the boy now and showed him something she had never shown anyone else before. She was really letting him into a very private part of her world now. If she had only known what she was in for. He took her leg off and pushed it to the side. He then began kissing her and she felt helpless without her prosthetic leg. She became very anxious and told him she wanted it back on to which he just pushed it even further away. The boy then opened up a small flask of whiskey and took a swig.
Joy continued to scream for her leg to which the boy replied, "What's the matter with you all the sudden?" Joy said, "Aren't you just good country people?" Then she started screaming about him being a hypocrite and not really a Christian. The boy jumped up, opened his briefcase, put her leg inside it and proceeded to leave Joy in the barn. As he was leaving her, he said, "I've gotten a lot of interesting things. One time I got a woman's glass eye this way. And you needn't to think you'll catch me because Pointer ain't really my name. I use a different name at every house I call at and don't stay nowhere long." That was the last time Joy saw the boy. Joy was stuck in the barn without her artificial leg, not knowing quite what to do while her mother and Mrs. Freeman saw the boy coming from the back and commented, "He must have been selling back in there." They did not have a clue as to what had just transpired. The two women continued their gardening.
Reaction:
What do I think about what I've read?
I really liked this story. I thought it was wonderfully written and I thought the ending was something I never expected. I could just feel how badly Joy felt when she realized she had been completely fooled by the boys originally sweet demeanor. He seduced her to do something she would have never done otherwise, and he completely took advantage of her trust. It was really a dirty trick, but, incredible writing. I never would have thought of that ending.
O'Connor may have been inspired to create Joy's character due to the fact that she infact could not walk without crutches due to lupus. I think she identified with Joy's sense of vulnerability concerning her leg.
What can I imagine that is not specifically outlined?
I really liked both Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman. I could just see the two women bantering back and forth like good friends. I imagined that Mrs. Freeman felt like such a part of the family, that her work really didn't feel so much like work anymore.
What is my favorite part of the story or favorite passage?
I liked the interaction with Joy and the boy at the end of the story the best. I was very anxious to see what unfolded there, even though I kind of suspected something like that would happen to Joy. I could sense that the situation was not going to be a good one for her.
Would I recommend this story?
I loved this story and would highly recommend everyone read it. I thought the end was brilliant and very unexpected. Great story by Flannery O'Connor!
About the author:
Flannery O'Connor lived from 1925 - 1964, a short life even in those days. She was born in Savannah and lived her life with her mother in Milledgeville, Georgia. She suffered from lupus which is the cause of her untimely death. She never wallowed in self pity in regard to her afflicition, and was highly dedicated to her writing. In her early life she disired to be a cartoon artist, which I am happy she didn't do. Personally, I am pleased that she pursued her writing instead.
Author: Flannery O'Conner
Main Characters:
* Mrs. Freeman - Mrs. Hopewell's housekeeper. Mrs. Freeman has two daughters, Glynese who is 18 and Carramae who is 15, married and pregnant. Her daughters are mentioned numerous times in the story, but, they are never actually present at all.
* Mrs Hopewell - A somewhat wealthy divorced woman. She has one daughter, 30 year old Joy.
* Joy - Mrs. Hopewell's 30 year old daughter. Joy has an artificial leg that is the result of a hunting accident when she was just 10 years old. Joy is highly educated, possessing a PhD. Joy legally had her named changed to Hulga, but, her mother still calls her Joy.
* Boy selling Bibles, named Pointer - A seemingly ignorant boy who is a bit of a con. He is a door to door salesman who is also very oportunistic. He is 19 years old.
What do I know about the story/topic I am reading?
This story is completely new to me, but, I am somewhat familiar with Flannery O'Connor before reading the story.
What do I want to learn more about?
I would like to have known what happened to Joy after this happened. Was she provided another prosthetic devise, or did the family not have the money. Was the incident reported to the police and if so, what transpired? I think O'Conner ended the story a bit to early
Summary:
This is a great little story that actually took a while to get going, but, once it did, it took off and was very interesting. We are taken into the Hopewell household where Mrs. Freeman works as a housekeeper for Mrs. Hopewell and her daughter Joy. Joy and her mother have breakfast every morning in the kitchen unless they have a guest. Mrs. Freeman stands next to the refrigerator waiting to clear the dishes. Mrs. Freeman has worked for Mrs. Hopewell for four years and they had a mutual respect for each other, in spite of each one always needing to have the last word in every conversation. Both women are opinionated and are not ashamed to show it.
We hear some conversation between the two ladies in regard to Carramae, Mrs. Freeman's daughter who is experiencing a great deal of morning sickness with her pregnancy. Then, out of the blue, a tall young man comes calling on Mrs. Hopewell selling Bibles. Not having a rude bone in her body, Mrs. Hopewell allows the young man inside, but, tells him firmly she is not interested in purchasing anything from him. He remains very persistant, speaking of God, and how he wants to save his money in order to become a missionary and a servant of the Lord. She is taken with him and invites him to stay for dinner to which he much obliges.
The boy, whose name we don't learn until the very end of the story says he is 19 years old and has been selling Bibles for the past 4 months. During dinner the boy and Mrs. Hopewell engage in a nice conversation. He seems vrey interested in what Mrs. Hopewell has to say and she tells him he would be a welcome guest for dinner anytime. Joy doesn't really say much during dinner, so Mrs. Hopewell has to show extra hospitality due to Joy's somewhat backward behavior.
When the boy was leaving, he walked out the front door down to the gate where Joy was standing. Mrs. Hopewell watched the two engaging in conversation and she was astounded. Joy? Is this Joy outside laughing and speaking with a boy? Joy and the boy walked together for a bit until they were out of sight. Mrs. Hopewell was very curious as to what they talked about, but, knew not to ask, as it was none of her business.
The next day Joy had eggs for breakfast and Mrs. Freeman said of the boy, "I seen him walk up, and then later, I seen him walk off." Mrs. Freeman then looked at Joy as if she knew they had gone off together. Joy abruptly left the table, retreating to her room.
What Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman did not know was Joy had a date planned that very morning with the boy. She was to meet him at 10:00 at the gate. Joy was looking forward to meeting with him again. She had romanticised about him all the night before and found it very hard to sleep due to the anticipation. She went over and over in her mind the conversations she would see them having together.
Joy was at the gate, looking around did not see anyone. She felt a twinge in her stomach as if she had been the subject of a cruel joke. Then she saw him, almost out of no where came th e boy. They walked for a while, talking, and Joy began to realize that he really was not very intelligent. One minute she would be irritated with him, then the next she would feel affection for him.
The two decided to sit and talk and what better place than a barn? They found an old barn and Joy sat by the window, when he kissed her. He proceeded to tell her how brave she was to live her life with a wooden leg. He asked if he could see it, which she indignantly replied a resounding, "NO!" She couldn't believe it. She was so mad her face turned bright red. He said he didn't mean to insult her, but, he just thought she was so brave. He asked again so sweetly to see it. This time she let him. He asked her if she would take it off and show him how she puts it back on. Joy was trusting the boy now and showed him something she had never shown anyone else before. She was really letting him into a very private part of her world now. If she had only known what she was in for. He took her leg off and pushed it to the side. He then began kissing her and she felt helpless without her prosthetic leg. She became very anxious and told him she wanted it back on to which he just pushed it even further away. The boy then opened up a small flask of whiskey and took a swig.
Joy continued to scream for her leg to which the boy replied, "What's the matter with you all the sudden?" Joy said, "Aren't you just good country people?" Then she started screaming about him being a hypocrite and not really a Christian. The boy jumped up, opened his briefcase, put her leg inside it and proceeded to leave Joy in the barn. As he was leaving her, he said, "I've gotten a lot of interesting things. One time I got a woman's glass eye this way. And you needn't to think you'll catch me because Pointer ain't really my name. I use a different name at every house I call at and don't stay nowhere long." That was the last time Joy saw the boy. Joy was stuck in the barn without her artificial leg, not knowing quite what to do while her mother and Mrs. Freeman saw the boy coming from the back and commented, "He must have been selling back in there." They did not have a clue as to what had just transpired. The two women continued their gardening.
Reaction:
What do I think about what I've read?
I really liked this story. I thought it was wonderfully written and I thought the ending was something I never expected. I could just feel how badly Joy felt when she realized she had been completely fooled by the boys originally sweet demeanor. He seduced her to do something she would have never done otherwise, and he completely took advantage of her trust. It was really a dirty trick, but, incredible writing. I never would have thought of that ending.
O'Connor may have been inspired to create Joy's character due to the fact that she infact could not walk without crutches due to lupus. I think she identified with Joy's sense of vulnerability concerning her leg.
What can I imagine that is not specifically outlined?
I really liked both Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman. I could just see the two women bantering back and forth like good friends. I imagined that Mrs. Freeman felt like such a part of the family, that her work really didn't feel so much like work anymore.
What is my favorite part of the story or favorite passage?
I liked the interaction with Joy and the boy at the end of the story the best. I was very anxious to see what unfolded there, even though I kind of suspected something like that would happen to Joy. I could sense that the situation was not going to be a good one for her.
Would I recommend this story?
I loved this story and would highly recommend everyone read it. I thought the end was brilliant and very unexpected. Great story by Flannery O'Connor!
About the author:
Flannery O'Connor lived from 1925 - 1964, a short life even in those days. She was born in Savannah and lived her life with her mother in Milledgeville, Georgia. She suffered from lupus which is the cause of her untimely death. She never wallowed in self pity in regard to her afflicition, and was highly dedicated to her writing. In her early life she disired to be a cartoon artist, which I am happy she didn't do. Personally, I am pleased that she pursued her writing instead.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
"A White Heron" - Review
"A White Heron"
Author - Sarah Orne Jewett
Main Characters:
Sylvia - A 9 year old girl who loves to walk in the woods. She is isolated and doesn't have any real friends. She has a cow named Mistress Mooly that she loves and considers to be her friend.
Mrs. Tilly - Sylvia's grandmother. Sylvia lives with Mrs. Tilly.
The boy from the woods - We never get to know his name, but, the boy from the woods is who Sylvia runs into and brings home to her grandmother's house. The boy is an avid hunter and a fan of taxidermy. He is on the lookout for a white heron that he has seen periodically.
What do you know about the topic or story you are reading?
This story and author are both brand new to me. I was completely unfamiliar with them both prior to reading the story.
What can you imagine that is not specifically outlined?
I do believe Jewett did an excellent job in setting the scenes, I could really see the setting in my minds eye.
What would you like to learn more about?
I would be interested to know if the boy ever returned and persisted in finding the heron's nest.
How would I react if this happened to me?
I would have been just like Sylvia. I would have never told him where the nest was because had he killed the bird I would have been sick. I would have done exactly as she did.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Sylvia heading home early one June evening. Sylvia loves the outdoors and has been out that day with her beloved cow, Mistress Mooly. Mistress Mooly is quite intelligent and has been raised as a pet by Sylvia, so, the cow plays games with Sylvia in an effort to not have to go back to the barn. Eventually gets Mistress Mooly moving and as they are walking Sylvia hears a whistle. She knew it wasn't a bird, but it was a person, probably a boy. Shortly, she sees where the whistle came from because there appears a boy with a gun.
Sylvia was frightened at first, but she soon realized the boy was very friendly and not out to hurt her. He told her the gun was for shooting birds, and he asked her if she had seen the elusive white heron that was in the area. She said that she had. They kept walking, and the boy asked Sylvia if he could stay at her house for the night. He said he would be gone early in the morning. Sylvia was nervous about bringing this boy home to her grandmothers house, but much to her surprise her grandmother was not bothered by the boy at all. She made him dinner and let him sleep in her home that night.
The following day, the boy told Sylvia he would pay her $10 if she would help him locate the white heron's nest. She and the boy headed out to the woods and unfortunately for the boy, they came back empty handed - no white heron. Early the next morning Sylvia awoke before it was light. She decided to go out to the woods and climb the tallest tree she knew of and look for the white herons nest from up high in the air. Sylvia climbed up as high as she could in the old tree and low and behold, there was a white heron. She saw it fly right to it's nest and it's mate.
When Sylvia returned to her grandmother's home, it was getting light outside. Her grandmother never worried about her because Sylvia was constantly playing outside so, when she walked in that morning it wasn't unusual. What was unusual was Sylvia's silence. The boy and the grandmother question Sylvia. She says nothing. She knows the boy will want to know where the heron's nest is and she cannot bear to tell him. She has decided to keep it a secret so the heron will still be able to live.
Reaction:
What do I think about what I've read?
I enjoyed this story. I feel Jewett's attention to detail in describing the scene was great. I also felt that she did a very good portrayal of Sylvia. Sylvia was a lover of nature and having come from a city environment, she really appreciated the countryside she shared with her grandmother. Sylvia also had a deep connection to animals. She loved her cow and admired all of the wildlife around her.
I got a sense that Sylvia had a bit of a crush on the boy, and she was eager to help him find the heron early on because of her crush. Sylvia learned though, after seeing the heron in it's nest that she didn't want the heron to die. In the final paragraph Sylvia is pondering whether or not the birds were better friends than the hunter would have been, but she realizes now she will never know.
I was proud of Sylvia for protecting the heron. I would have done the same thing. I personally don't agree with hunting, so I was hoping he wouldn't find the heron. I feel this story is about making choices and companionship. Sylvia's big choice was to choose the boy or the heron.
I found it interesting that in those days it was considered normal to have a stranger just stop by for dinner and a place to sleep. I got the feeling of "Little House on the Prairie" while I was reading this and I pictured Sylvia looking a lot like Laura Engles.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I would recommend this story. I don't think it would appeal much to a male audience as much as women. It is a good story with a nice ending.
About the author:
Sarah Orne Jewett grew up in a wonderful family on the east coast. She had a secure homelife with two sisters. She began to write in her teens and her first publication was in 1869 in the "Atlantic Monthly." In the 1870's, while in Boston, she surrounded herself with a literary group comprised of prominent women writers of the time.
Author - Sarah Orne Jewett
Main Characters:
Sylvia - A 9 year old girl who loves to walk in the woods. She is isolated and doesn't have any real friends. She has a cow named Mistress Mooly that she loves and considers to be her friend.
Mrs. Tilly - Sylvia's grandmother. Sylvia lives with Mrs. Tilly.
The boy from the woods - We never get to know his name, but, the boy from the woods is who Sylvia runs into and brings home to her grandmother's house. The boy is an avid hunter and a fan of taxidermy. He is on the lookout for a white heron that he has seen periodically.
What do you know about the topic or story you are reading?
This story and author are both brand new to me. I was completely unfamiliar with them both prior to reading the story.
What can you imagine that is not specifically outlined?
I do believe Jewett did an excellent job in setting the scenes, I could really see the setting in my minds eye.
What would you like to learn more about?
I would be interested to know if the boy ever returned and persisted in finding the heron's nest.
How would I react if this happened to me?
I would have been just like Sylvia. I would have never told him where the nest was because had he killed the bird I would have been sick. I would have done exactly as she did.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Sylvia heading home early one June evening. Sylvia loves the outdoors and has been out that day with her beloved cow, Mistress Mooly. Mistress Mooly is quite intelligent and has been raised as a pet by Sylvia, so, the cow plays games with Sylvia in an effort to not have to go back to the barn. Eventually gets Mistress Mooly moving and as they are walking Sylvia hears a whistle. She knew it wasn't a bird, but it was a person, probably a boy. Shortly, she sees where the whistle came from because there appears a boy with a gun.
Sylvia was frightened at first, but she soon realized the boy was very friendly and not out to hurt her. He told her the gun was for shooting birds, and he asked her if she had seen the elusive white heron that was in the area. She said that she had. They kept walking, and the boy asked Sylvia if he could stay at her house for the night. He said he would be gone early in the morning. Sylvia was nervous about bringing this boy home to her grandmothers house, but much to her surprise her grandmother was not bothered by the boy at all. She made him dinner and let him sleep in her home that night.
The following day, the boy told Sylvia he would pay her $10 if she would help him locate the white heron's nest. She and the boy headed out to the woods and unfortunately for the boy, they came back empty handed - no white heron. Early the next morning Sylvia awoke before it was light. She decided to go out to the woods and climb the tallest tree she knew of and look for the white herons nest from up high in the air. Sylvia climbed up as high as she could in the old tree and low and behold, there was a white heron. She saw it fly right to it's nest and it's mate.
When Sylvia returned to her grandmother's home, it was getting light outside. Her grandmother never worried about her because Sylvia was constantly playing outside so, when she walked in that morning it wasn't unusual. What was unusual was Sylvia's silence. The boy and the grandmother question Sylvia. She says nothing. She knows the boy will want to know where the heron's nest is and she cannot bear to tell him. She has decided to keep it a secret so the heron will still be able to live.
Reaction:
What do I think about what I've read?
I enjoyed this story. I feel Jewett's attention to detail in describing the scene was great. I also felt that she did a very good portrayal of Sylvia. Sylvia was a lover of nature and having come from a city environment, she really appreciated the countryside she shared with her grandmother. Sylvia also had a deep connection to animals. She loved her cow and admired all of the wildlife around her.
I got a sense that Sylvia had a bit of a crush on the boy, and she was eager to help him find the heron early on because of her crush. Sylvia learned though, after seeing the heron in it's nest that she didn't want the heron to die. In the final paragraph Sylvia is pondering whether or not the birds were better friends than the hunter would have been, but she realizes now she will never know.
I was proud of Sylvia for protecting the heron. I would have done the same thing. I personally don't agree with hunting, so I was hoping he wouldn't find the heron. I feel this story is about making choices and companionship. Sylvia's big choice was to choose the boy or the heron.
I found it interesting that in those days it was considered normal to have a stranger just stop by for dinner and a place to sleep. I got the feeling of "Little House on the Prairie" while I was reading this and I pictured Sylvia looking a lot like Laura Engles.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I would recommend this story. I don't think it would appeal much to a male audience as much as women. It is a good story with a nice ending.
About the author:
Sarah Orne Jewett grew up in a wonderful family on the east coast. She had a secure homelife with two sisters. She began to write in her teens and her first publication was in 1869 in the "Atlantic Monthly." In the 1870's, while in Boston, she surrounded herself with a literary group comprised of prominent women writers of the time.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"Desiree's Baby" - Review
Story - "Desiree's Baby"
Author - Kate Chopin
Main Characters:
* Desiree - Desiree is the subject of the story. She was an orphan who was discovered lying at the entrance to the Valmonde residence. Madame and Monsieur Valmonde loved her and raised her as their own child.
* Madame Valmonde - Desiree's adoptive mother who loves her daughter very much.
* Monsieur Valmonde - Desiree's adoptive father who found her sleeping by at the foot of a pillar at the entrance to the Valomde residence.
* Armand Aubigny - Became Desiree's husband after falling in love with her at first sight. He was in Paris until the death of his mother at age 8. Upon the death of his mother, his father took him home from Paris to the United States.
* Zandrine - Desiree's nurse.
* Quadroon boy - One of the young servants employed by the Aubigny household. He is depicted in the story as fanning the baby with peacock feathers.
Summary
The story is one that I'm sure has much truth to it when considering the time in which it takes place. Slavery was not abolished yet and the races were very much divided. The story begins with Madame Valmonde going on a trip to see Desiree and her baby boy. She hadn't seen them in some time and was looking forward to the visit. She could not imagine Desiree as a mother, because it seemed like yesterday that Desiree was just a small child herself.
Desiree was extremely happy being a mother and her husband Armand was equally elated being the father of a son. Upon entering her daughter's residence, Desiree's mother leaned down to kiss her daughter and the baby. In a startled tone, she announced, "This is not the baby!" Desiree laughed and shared with her mother that she knew she would be shocked at how much the baby had changed in the four weeks since she had seen him. Desiree conveyed to her mother how very happy she was and how being a father seemed to soften Armand. She stated, "Oh Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to bear his name; though he says not, - that he would have loved a girl as well." She goes on to say that Armand has even been kindler to their household help since the birth and did not even become angry when one of his workers pretended to be injured in an effort to get out of work.
Things soon changed however, as when the baby boy was near 3 months old Armand began to change. He stayed away from home more often, and when at home he avoided contact with Desiree and his son. He seemed to fall out of love with her as quickly as he had fallen in love with her.
One afternoon, Desiree was relaxing in her room with her baby son while a quadroon boy fanned the half naked child with peacock feathers. It was at this moment it occurred to Desiree that her son was different. She looked at the young black boy as he fanned her son. She looked at her son and back at the boy. She spoke to the boy and motioned for him to leave the room. As the boy left the room in walked Armand. She called out to Armand and he ignored her. She then approached him and put her hand on his arm to which he abruptly removed her grip from him. She said, "Look at our child. What does it mean. Tell me." Her husband replied coldly, "The child is not white; it means that you are not white."
Desiree pleaded with her husband pointing out her caucasian features. Her eyes were gray, her hair was golden brown, and her skin was more ivory than Armands. Her husband was angered and left the room abruptly. Desiree wrote to her mother explaining the situation to which her mother replied, "My own Desiree: Come home to Valmonde; back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child."
Desiree left her husband never to return to him again. She walked through the bushes in her white dress and slippers. The thorns and sticks tore her dress to shreds and bruised her delicate feet. She never came back again.
Some time later, Armand decided to burn his wife and son's belongings. He burned her beautiful, expensive gowns and the finest layette. He burned notes and letters Desiree had written him over the years as well as one note from his own mother to his father. In his mother's note she is thanking God for the love of her husband and added, "But above all, night and day, I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery." This is where the story ends.
What if this happened to me?
I would be outraged! I would be so angry at my husband for turning his back on his own child. I would gladly walk away from the man and never look back.
What do you want to learn more about?
I got the impression that Desiree was very well dressed. I am interested in the fashion of this time period. I would like to know more about how they cared for their clothes, what kinds of fabrics they used, and I am also very interested to know what the babies layette looked like. It all sounded so wonderful!
What can I imagine that is not specifically outlined?
As I was reading this I was impressed with the mention of fine linens and the beauty that must have surrounded Desiree. I could nearly feel her love for her child as there is no greater love on earth as maternal love. I could sense her happiness in being a mother and happily married. Once it was apparent that her son looked different, I knew something was going to go awry. I felt bad as I read how Armand, who once adored his wife and child to turn so suddenly on both of them. I could feel Desirees shame in the disgust heaped upon her by her husband for something that was not within her control at all.
What was my emotional response to what I read?
In the end, I found it ironic that Armand was the one who possessed the genes that he found so offensive. I had to wonder if he was aware of this before and if he just blamed his wife because he could due to the fact that she had been orphaned. I had to believe that he was aware of his ancestry and was selfish enough to hate his wife and his own flesh and blood for something that came from him.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I would highly recommend this short story as a wonderful read. It gives insight to what I am sure was unfortunately the feeling of many people in this time period. It is very well written and the details provided by Chopin give the reader a great mental picture of the scenes and the characters appearances and demeanors.
About the author:
Chopin is the author of another wonderful story about family life, "The Awakening" is a great book with similar twists and turns as "Desiree's Baby." Chopin was born Katherine O'Flaherty to an Irish immigrant father who was killed in an accident when she was just four years old. She was highly influenced by her great grandmother who is said to have been "a great story teller." She was married to Oscar Chopin at the age of nineteen where they resided in New Orleans. Chopin's husband passed away in 1883 to leave her to raise six children on her own. She dedicated herself to her writing, often completing story in a single day all the while having the bustle of children around her.
Author - Kate Chopin
Main Characters:
* Desiree - Desiree is the subject of the story. She was an orphan who was discovered lying at the entrance to the Valmonde residence. Madame and Monsieur Valmonde loved her and raised her as their own child.
* Madame Valmonde - Desiree's adoptive mother who loves her daughter very much.
* Monsieur Valmonde - Desiree's adoptive father who found her sleeping by at the foot of a pillar at the entrance to the Valomde residence.
* Armand Aubigny - Became Desiree's husband after falling in love with her at first sight. He was in Paris until the death of his mother at age 8. Upon the death of his mother, his father took him home from Paris to the United States.
* Zandrine - Desiree's nurse.
* Quadroon boy - One of the young servants employed by the Aubigny household. He is depicted in the story as fanning the baby with peacock feathers.
Summary
The story is one that I'm sure has much truth to it when considering the time in which it takes place. Slavery was not abolished yet and the races were very much divided. The story begins with Madame Valmonde going on a trip to see Desiree and her baby boy. She hadn't seen them in some time and was looking forward to the visit. She could not imagine Desiree as a mother, because it seemed like yesterday that Desiree was just a small child herself.
Desiree was extremely happy being a mother and her husband Armand was equally elated being the father of a son. Upon entering her daughter's residence, Desiree's mother leaned down to kiss her daughter and the baby. In a startled tone, she announced, "This is not the baby!" Desiree laughed and shared with her mother that she knew she would be shocked at how much the baby had changed in the four weeks since she had seen him. Desiree conveyed to her mother how very happy she was and how being a father seemed to soften Armand. She stated, "Oh Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to bear his name; though he says not, - that he would have loved a girl as well." She goes on to say that Armand has even been kindler to their household help since the birth and did not even become angry when one of his workers pretended to be injured in an effort to get out of work.
Things soon changed however, as when the baby boy was near 3 months old Armand began to change. He stayed away from home more often, and when at home he avoided contact with Desiree and his son. He seemed to fall out of love with her as quickly as he had fallen in love with her.
One afternoon, Desiree was relaxing in her room with her baby son while a quadroon boy fanned the half naked child with peacock feathers. It was at this moment it occurred to Desiree that her son was different. She looked at the young black boy as he fanned her son. She looked at her son and back at the boy. She spoke to the boy and motioned for him to leave the room. As the boy left the room in walked Armand. She called out to Armand and he ignored her. She then approached him and put her hand on his arm to which he abruptly removed her grip from him. She said, "Look at our child. What does it mean. Tell me." Her husband replied coldly, "The child is not white; it means that you are not white."
Desiree pleaded with her husband pointing out her caucasian features. Her eyes were gray, her hair was golden brown, and her skin was more ivory than Armands. Her husband was angered and left the room abruptly. Desiree wrote to her mother explaining the situation to which her mother replied, "My own Desiree: Come home to Valmonde; back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child."
Desiree left her husband never to return to him again. She walked through the bushes in her white dress and slippers. The thorns and sticks tore her dress to shreds and bruised her delicate feet. She never came back again.
Some time later, Armand decided to burn his wife and son's belongings. He burned her beautiful, expensive gowns and the finest layette. He burned notes and letters Desiree had written him over the years as well as one note from his own mother to his father. In his mother's note she is thanking God for the love of her husband and added, "But above all, night and day, I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery." This is where the story ends.
What if this happened to me?
I would be outraged! I would be so angry at my husband for turning his back on his own child. I would gladly walk away from the man and never look back.
What do you want to learn more about?
I got the impression that Desiree was very well dressed. I am interested in the fashion of this time period. I would like to know more about how they cared for their clothes, what kinds of fabrics they used, and I am also very interested to know what the babies layette looked like. It all sounded so wonderful!
What can I imagine that is not specifically outlined?
As I was reading this I was impressed with the mention of fine linens and the beauty that must have surrounded Desiree. I could nearly feel her love for her child as there is no greater love on earth as maternal love. I could sense her happiness in being a mother and happily married. Once it was apparent that her son looked different, I knew something was going to go awry. I felt bad as I read how Armand, who once adored his wife and child to turn so suddenly on both of them. I could feel Desirees shame in the disgust heaped upon her by her husband for something that was not within her control at all.
What was my emotional response to what I read?
In the end, I found it ironic that Armand was the one who possessed the genes that he found so offensive. I had to wonder if he was aware of this before and if he just blamed his wife because he could due to the fact that she had been orphaned. I had to believe that he was aware of his ancestry and was selfish enough to hate his wife and his own flesh and blood for something that came from him.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I would highly recommend this short story as a wonderful read. It gives insight to what I am sure was unfortunately the feeling of many people in this time period. It is very well written and the details provided by Chopin give the reader a great mental picture of the scenes and the characters appearances and demeanors.
About the author:
Chopin is the author of another wonderful story about family life, "The Awakening" is a great book with similar twists and turns as "Desiree's Baby." Chopin was born Katherine O'Flaherty to an Irish immigrant father who was killed in an accident when she was just four years old. She was highly influenced by her great grandmother who is said to have been "a great story teller." She was married to Oscar Chopin at the age of nineteen where they resided in New Orleans. Chopin's husband passed away in 1883 to leave her to raise six children on her own. She dedicated herself to her writing, often completing story in a single day all the while having the bustle of children around her.
Review of Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"
"Everyday Use"
Author: Alice Walker
Main Characters:
The narrator: In the story she is known as "Mama." Mama is the mother to Maggie and Dee.
Maggie: Maggie is Mama's youngest daughter. She is a young girl most likely around the age of 12 years old. Maggie is thin, not attractive, and has burn marks on her legs from a house fire she was in.
Dee: Dee is Maggie's older sister and of course Mama's oldest daughter. Dee is living on her own and is a very outgoing, flamboyant young woman. Dee adores fashion and dresses very well. Dee changes her name from Dee to Wangero.
Asalamalakim: Dee's male companion. He is not a big part of the story. He has little dialogue and he tries to be friendly with Maggie, to which Maggie is a bit wary. We are not told whether or not they are married, but I get the sense that they are not. Asalamalakim has very long hair and is of a short and stocky stature.
Summary:
What do I know about the story/topic I am reading?
I had never heard of this story before, but I'm glad I read it. It is not surprising that a bit of "The Color Purple" comes through since both stories are the work of Alice Walker. As I read, I could see in my mind's eye the small, nondescript house where Maggie and her mother lived. I could sense Maggie's lonliness and shyness due to her physical injuries.
What can you imagine that is not specifically outlined?
As I continued to read, I could feel the excitement and see clearly in my mind the colorful character Dee, pulling up in her car with Asalamalakim. She gets out of the car in her yellow and orange dress accented by her gold earrings. I can see that Dee does not really fit in to her mother and Maggie's environment. Dee wants more than that for herself and she appears to have achieved it to some degree. I also get the feeling that Dee is the domineering personality in her relationship with Asalamalakim. He seems so quiet, and I picture Dee being rather loud and boisterous, although still feminine.
How does this story relate to my own life?
While my paternal grandmother wasn't a big boned woman as the narrator is described, the two remind me of each other. My grandmother was a seamstress and the single mother of 4 chidren. Her life was not easy and the life that Maggie and her mother are living, and the life that Dee is seeking to abandon remind me very much of how my grandmother lived.
While I read, I found myself really liking all the characters. Dee is my favorite, and I think her sense of adventure intrigues me. She does seem to have a selfish streak, though and I couldn't understand why she changed her name to Wangero. Perhaps she wanted to have a new identity, or perhaps it was just something she did on a whim because of her youth. I am struck by the irony of her giving up her name, which was a family name handed down for generations, yet, she wanted the old quilts made by her grandmother and saw them as priceless heirlooms.
What was my emotional response to what I read?
I was very happy that in the end Maggie would end up with the handmade quilts. For some reason I really wanted Maggie to have them and I'm glad her mother saw it that way too. I felt her mother giving the quilts to Maggie did her heart good. I saw Maggie being cheered up by this gesture.
How would I feel if this had happened to me?
That depends on which character I was. I would prefer to be Dee so, I will speak from her perspective. I would have been extremely happy to be removed from the poverty stricken environment. I would have been like Dee and migrated to the big cities where opportunity presented itself. I would have also loved to have the quilts as heirlooms, and I can see Dee's concern that they will be worn out and lost if Maggie uses them as "everyday" quilts, but, I would have understood as well that they were promised to Maggie.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I rate this story a 10. I would highly recommend it due to the characters. I think most people have met each of these characters in someone at some point in time. It does also bring up something that I find very important- Family heritage. I feel to have something like the quilts in this story, something handmade by my grandmother would be such a gift. With all the things my grandmother made, I do not have one thing from her. In a nutshell, "Everyday Use" is a great story about family, tradition, and love.
About the Author:
Alice Walker was born in 1944, and grew up in poverty. As a youngster, she was shot in the eye with a BB gun and suffered from the disfigurment until she had corrective surgery during college. She attended Spelman College and then went on to Sarah Lawrence College where she grew acustomed to the cosmopolitan ways of the north. One of her most famous works is "The Color Purple," which was made into an award winning movie starring numerous highly regarded movie stars.
Author: Alice Walker
Main Characters:
The narrator: In the story she is known as "Mama." Mama is the mother to Maggie and Dee.
Maggie: Maggie is Mama's youngest daughter. She is a young girl most likely around the age of 12 years old. Maggie is thin, not attractive, and has burn marks on her legs from a house fire she was in.
Dee: Dee is Maggie's older sister and of course Mama's oldest daughter. Dee is living on her own and is a very outgoing, flamboyant young woman. Dee adores fashion and dresses very well. Dee changes her name from Dee to Wangero.
Asalamalakim: Dee's male companion. He is not a big part of the story. He has little dialogue and he tries to be friendly with Maggie, to which Maggie is a bit wary. We are not told whether or not they are married, but I get the sense that they are not. Asalamalakim has very long hair and is of a short and stocky stature.
Summary:
Maggie and Mama are awaiting the arrival of Dee, Maggie's older sister. She no longer lives in the family home and has moved away from the rural life and now enjoys the fine things she can find in the city. She arrives with a man, who we don't know if she is married to or not. The man, (we will call him "A" in this summary do to the laborious nature of spelling his name) A attempts to shake Maggie's hand and she retreats.
Dee arrives and announces she has changed her name to Wangero. This appears to me to be an attempt to find a new identity in her new life. Also, she most likely thought it sounded more sophisticated than Dee. She is dressed very stylishly and the family says their hellos, then goes in for dinner.
Dinner was pleasing to everyone and they had nice conversation. After dinner, Dee went to Mama's hopechest that sat at the foot of the bed. She found some handmade quilts she decided she wanted to have. They did hold sentimental value for her as they were made from scraps of a great grandmothers, dress, an old childhood coat, etc. Dee and her mother got into a disucssion about the quilts, Mama announcing to Dee that she had already promised some of the quilts to Maggie. Dee's concern was that Maggie would use them as everyday quilts and not cherish them as she would as treasured family heirlooms. Dee accepted Mama's wishes and she and A left.
What do I know about the story/topic I am reading?
I had never heard of this story before, but I'm glad I read it. It is not surprising that a bit of "The Color Purple" comes through since both stories are the work of Alice Walker. As I read, I could see in my mind's eye the small, nondescript house where Maggie and her mother lived. I could sense Maggie's lonliness and shyness due to her physical injuries.
What can you imagine that is not specifically outlined?
As I continued to read, I could feel the excitement and see clearly in my mind the colorful character Dee, pulling up in her car with Asalamalakim. She gets out of the car in her yellow and orange dress accented by her gold earrings. I can see that Dee does not really fit in to her mother and Maggie's environment. Dee wants more than that for herself and she appears to have achieved it to some degree. I also get the feeling that Dee is the domineering personality in her relationship with Asalamalakim. He seems so quiet, and I picture Dee being rather loud and boisterous, although still feminine.
How does this story relate to my own life?
While my paternal grandmother wasn't a big boned woman as the narrator is described, the two remind me of each other. My grandmother was a seamstress and the single mother of 4 chidren. Her life was not easy and the life that Maggie and her mother are living, and the life that Dee is seeking to abandon remind me very much of how my grandmother lived.
While I read, I found myself really liking all the characters. Dee is my favorite, and I think her sense of adventure intrigues me. She does seem to have a selfish streak, though and I couldn't understand why she changed her name to Wangero. Perhaps she wanted to have a new identity, or perhaps it was just something she did on a whim because of her youth. I am struck by the irony of her giving up her name, which was a family name handed down for generations, yet, she wanted the old quilts made by her grandmother and saw them as priceless heirlooms.
What was my emotional response to what I read?
I was very happy that in the end Maggie would end up with the handmade quilts. For some reason I really wanted Maggie to have them and I'm glad her mother saw it that way too. I felt her mother giving the quilts to Maggie did her heart good. I saw Maggie being cheered up by this gesture.
How would I feel if this had happened to me?
That depends on which character I was. I would prefer to be Dee so, I will speak from her perspective. I would have been extremely happy to be removed from the poverty stricken environment. I would have been like Dee and migrated to the big cities where opportunity presented itself. I would have also loved to have the quilts as heirlooms, and I can see Dee's concern that they will be worn out and lost if Maggie uses them as "everyday" quilts, but, I would have understood as well that they were promised to Maggie.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I rate this story a 10. I would highly recommend it due to the characters. I think most people have met each of these characters in someone at some point in time. It does also bring up something that I find very important- Family heritage. I feel to have something like the quilts in this story, something handmade by my grandmother would be such a gift. With all the things my grandmother made, I do not have one thing from her. In a nutshell, "Everyday Use" is a great story about family, tradition, and love.
About the Author:
Alice Walker was born in 1944, and grew up in poverty. As a youngster, she was shot in the eye with a BB gun and suffered from the disfigurment until she had corrective surgery during college. She attended Spelman College and then went on to Sarah Lawrence College where she grew acustomed to the cosmopolitan ways of the north. One of her most famous works is "The Color Purple," which was made into an award winning movie starring numerous highly regarded movie stars.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
"Sonny's Blues" - Review
Author:
James Baldwin
Title:
"Sonny's Blues"
Main Characters:
Sonny - A man who having grown up in the ghetto succomed to a life of drugs. He is released from prison where he goes to stay with his brother. Sonny has a love for music and has a dream of becoming a musician.
Sonny's brother - The story is told by this unnamed character who is the only relative left for Sonny from their immediate family. Sonny's brother is older than Sonny, and prior to Sonny and his mother's death, the brother is asked by the mother to look after Sonny and not let him become a statistic.
Sonny's father - He is not alive in the story, but, the mother mentions him and how tormented he was after witnessing his own brother hit by a car and left for dead by what he said were to be white men.
Sonny's Mother - Sonny's mother is greatly concerned about Sonny becoming involved in bad things due to the ghetto life they live. She asks her eldest son to look after Sonny and reminds him that his brother is a good person and even good people can get caught up in bad things.
Creole - Creole is a friend of Sonny's who plays bass in their jazz ensemble. Creole takes Sonny under his wing and encourages him to find himself through his music.
Summary:
Sonny is a drug addict being released from prison. His brother is picking him up at the airport and is very excited to see him. He's not sure what to expect due to the fact that he could possible relapse back into drugs once his freedom is given back to him. Sonny's brother is a school teacher in Harlem and sees students get into the drug scene every day.
Sonny proves his brother wrong by getting involved in a blues band. Sonny is eventually able to break away completely from his former life of drugs and be a productive member of society. One person in the story that is key to Sonny's success is Creole.
What do I know about the story/topic I am reading?
I have some knowledge of blues music and how it came to be, where it's roots are. I've been to NYC several times, and I've seen the ghetto and the oppression that keeps people in the cycle of drugs and violence.
What did I think about what I had read?
This main theme in this story is overcoming adversity. While Sonny did spend time in jail for becoming involved in drugs, he did manage to escape the ghetto life through his music. Sonny's return to his brother's home after prison was met with some skeptisism by his brother. Sonny's brother gave the impression that he didn't think Sonny would make it. Sonny proved him wrong and he saw this in the end.
What was my emotional response to the story?
While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, when I finished it, I was in need of some more light hearted material to read. The story is very good at depicting the opression that is evident in the streets of the ghetto. In one part, it talks about young boys coming out into the streets to find relief from their terrible home lives, only to find it even worse on the streets. Drugs are depicted as a possible, although temporary, escape from this life.
Their are rich overtones of religion, music, and references to drug usage. It becomes obvious to the reader that these are three ways in which one can find refuge from the ghetto. One can seek
God, find pleasure in music, or one can seek solace in the world of drugs.
What do I want to learn more about?
I would like to be able to find a way to end the cycle of poverty. I would like to learn about ways in which I can make a difference in someone's life, so they can avoid falling into a life of drugs, gangs, poverty, etc.
What can I imagine that is not specifically mentioned?
I've been to NYC several times, and as I was reading this story, I could hear the traffic, the honking, the zip, zip of the police sirens. I could see the crowds of people not making eye contact walking with determination to their various destinations.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I would definitely recommend this story! The story had a positive outcome, and really made me think about how individuals really feel trapped by life in the inner city ghetto and how they can possibly never see a way out.
About the author:
James Baldwin lived from 1924 - 1987. He grew up in Harlem in a very religious home. When he was 17 years old, he moved to Greenwich Village in NYC where he felt more at home among the writers and artists who lived in the area. James Baldwin was a homosexual and was disturbed about the injustices he saw against African American and homosexual people.
James Baldwin
Title:
"Sonny's Blues"
Main Characters:
Sonny - A man who having grown up in the ghetto succomed to a life of drugs. He is released from prison where he goes to stay with his brother. Sonny has a love for music and has a dream of becoming a musician.
Sonny's brother - The story is told by this unnamed character who is the only relative left for Sonny from their immediate family. Sonny's brother is older than Sonny, and prior to Sonny and his mother's death, the brother is asked by the mother to look after Sonny and not let him become a statistic.
Sonny's father - He is not alive in the story, but, the mother mentions him and how tormented he was after witnessing his own brother hit by a car and left for dead by what he said were to be white men.
Sonny's Mother - Sonny's mother is greatly concerned about Sonny becoming involved in bad things due to the ghetto life they live. She asks her eldest son to look after Sonny and reminds him that his brother is a good person and even good people can get caught up in bad things.
Creole - Creole is a friend of Sonny's who plays bass in their jazz ensemble. Creole takes Sonny under his wing and encourages him to find himself through his music.
Summary:
Sonny is a drug addict being released from prison. His brother is picking him up at the airport and is very excited to see him. He's not sure what to expect due to the fact that he could possible relapse back into drugs once his freedom is given back to him. Sonny's brother is a school teacher in Harlem and sees students get into the drug scene every day.
Sonny proves his brother wrong by getting involved in a blues band. Sonny is eventually able to break away completely from his former life of drugs and be a productive member of society. One person in the story that is key to Sonny's success is Creole.
What do I know about the story/topic I am reading?
I have some knowledge of blues music and how it came to be, where it's roots are. I've been to NYC several times, and I've seen the ghetto and the oppression that keeps people in the cycle of drugs and violence.
What did I think about what I had read?
This main theme in this story is overcoming adversity. While Sonny did spend time in jail for becoming involved in drugs, he did manage to escape the ghetto life through his music. Sonny's return to his brother's home after prison was met with some skeptisism by his brother. Sonny's brother gave the impression that he didn't think Sonny would make it. Sonny proved him wrong and he saw this in the end.
What was my emotional response to the story?
While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, when I finished it, I was in need of some more light hearted material to read. The story is very good at depicting the opression that is evident in the streets of the ghetto. In one part, it talks about young boys coming out into the streets to find relief from their terrible home lives, only to find it even worse on the streets. Drugs are depicted as a possible, although temporary, escape from this life.
Their are rich overtones of religion, music, and references to drug usage. It becomes obvious to the reader that these are three ways in which one can find refuge from the ghetto. One can seek
God, find pleasure in music, or one can seek solace in the world of drugs.
What do I want to learn more about?
I would like to be able to find a way to end the cycle of poverty. I would like to learn about ways in which I can make a difference in someone's life, so they can avoid falling into a life of drugs, gangs, poverty, etc.
What can I imagine that is not specifically mentioned?
I've been to NYC several times, and as I was reading this story, I could hear the traffic, the honking, the zip, zip of the police sirens. I could see the crowds of people not making eye contact walking with determination to their various destinations.
Would I recommend this story to others?
I would definitely recommend this story! The story had a positive outcome, and really made me think about how individuals really feel trapped by life in the inner city ghetto and how they can possibly never see a way out.
About the author:
James Baldwin lived from 1924 - 1987. He grew up in Harlem in a very religious home. When he was 17 years old, he moved to Greenwich Village in NYC where he felt more at home among the writers and artists who lived in the area. James Baldwin was a homosexual and was disturbed about the injustices he saw against African American and homosexual people.
"A Good Man is Hard to Find" Review
Title:
"A Good Man is Hard to Find"
Author:
Flannery O'Connor.
Main Characters:
The Grandmother - Throughout the story, the grandmother is depicted as a manipulative, somewhat selfish woman. It is at the end of the story, the reader can see a softer, vulnerable side of her personality.
Bailey - The son of the grandmother does not have much dialogue in the story. The reader does get the impression that his mother irritates him to some degree. He appears to me to be cowardly, lacking the courage to try to save his family from certain death at the hands of the Misfit and his gang.
June Star - June Star is a child with an attitude, and not a good attitude. She is often very disrespectful to her grandmother.
John Wesley - John Wesley is an inappreciative young man. He is younger than his sister June Star and I perceived that John Wesley looked up to his sister in certain ways.
The mother - The mother is wife of Bailey, mother to John Wesley and June Star, and the daughter in law of the grandmother. She is not a large part of the story as her name is not even revealed.
The Misfit - A murderer, a felon who has recently escaped from prison. He is filled with hatred and has succomed to a life of crime. He doesn't appear to believe he can be anything but a criminal due to his long life of crime.
Summary:
The story is essentially about a family who goes on a trip to Florida, against the wishes of the grandmother who desires to go to Tennessee. The family becomes involved in a car accident where they are approached by "The Misfit," an escaped convict who enjoys causing people harm. The Misfit is accompanied by two other men and the three men proceed to kill the entire family. The grandmother is the last one to be killed.
The scene is set mainly in their automobile. I picture it as an older model car lacking air conditioning. I get the impression the ride is filled with tension in the air due to the constant complaining and pleading of the grandmother. The grandmother and the children are heard bantering back and forth in the back seat which gives me the impression her son Bailey would be very irritated. The mother sits quietly in the front seat and one can almost sense her distance from the rest of the family. She doesn't really interact with anyone, not even her husband. She seems to be depicted as distant, and probably isn't a very happy woman. The whole family gives me the impression of the American Dream gone bad.
The family's auto accident is essentially caused by the grandmother and her cat attacking Bailey while he's driving. The family is murdered due to the fact they encounter The Misfit at the scene. I find it ironic that the family is endangered by one who really should care about them the most, the grandmother. As a reader, I found the grandmother to be an irritating character in the story. The Misfit proceeds to have Bailey and his son killed first, then kills the mother, then the daughter. The Misfit engages in some dialogue with the ever chattering grandmother. The grandmother encourages The Misfit to pray, informs him he should have prayed when he first started his life of crime. She attempts him to seek help from Jesus.
It is when the grandmother begins speaking with The Misfit that I began to have some sympathy for the woman. She appeared to be a woman following the rules of society with her ladylike ways. She knew and understood the power of prayer and tried desperately to save her life by encouraging The Misfit to accept the aid of Jesus. The fact that The Misfit kills her in cold blood and then makes derogatory comments about her afterward illustrates true evil and lack of respect for human life.
The Misfit didn't have respect for his own life. He conveyed that by seemingly enjoying his criminal life. The story for me, represents the classic story of good against evil. It also brings to mind the old Grimm's Fairy Tales wherein one encounters "a big bad wolf" in the woods.
What do I know about the topic/story I am reading?
This story is one I've never read, but I am familiar with Flannery O'Connor.
What can you imagine that is not specifically outlined?
O'Connor doesn't really depict a lot of fear on behalf of the family. I imagined that there was a great deal of fear evident in crying, shaking, begging for life.
What do you think about what you read and what was your emotional response?
It seemed like such a coincidence that the grandmother was fearful they would get hurt by the Misfit and then it actually happened. That was almost too much. I had to ask myself, "What are the odds of something like that happening?" My emotional response was of course sadness. The whole family was killed. I was a bit angry at the grandmother, because without her interfering and her manipulative ideas, none of this would have happened.
What do I want to learn more about?
I am interested in learning more about the author. I have enjoyed her writings very much.
How would I react if these events happened to me?
Of course I would be mortified and scared out of my wits. I would never want to be in such a situation where my whole family was murdered. It would be the worst thing that could ever happen.
How does this story relate to my own life?
I can't see how it relates to me at all, with the exception that I am very familiar with Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Many times when stories take place on the west coast it's hard for me to grasp what the lanscape might look like. I can relate to the geographical context of the story,
Would I recommend this story to others?
I am a fan of Flannery O'Conner, and while this is not my favorite work of hers, I would recommend it.
About the Author:
Flannery O'Connor lived a short life due to Lupus, which took her in 1964. In her short life, she managed to produce several wonderful works. She never wallowed in self pity due to her poor health, rather, she made light of it at times, once stating that she had the best looking crutches in Europe.
"A Good Man is Hard to Find"
Author:
Flannery O'Connor.
Main Characters:
The Grandmother - Throughout the story, the grandmother is depicted as a manipulative, somewhat selfish woman. It is at the end of the story, the reader can see a softer, vulnerable side of her personality.
Bailey - The son of the grandmother does not have much dialogue in the story. The reader does get the impression that his mother irritates him to some degree. He appears to me to be cowardly, lacking the courage to try to save his family from certain death at the hands of the Misfit and his gang.
June Star - June Star is a child with an attitude, and not a good attitude. She is often very disrespectful to her grandmother.
John Wesley - John Wesley is an inappreciative young man. He is younger than his sister June Star and I perceived that John Wesley looked up to his sister in certain ways.
The mother - The mother is wife of Bailey, mother to John Wesley and June Star, and the daughter in law of the grandmother. She is not a large part of the story as her name is not even revealed.
The Misfit - A murderer, a felon who has recently escaped from prison. He is filled with hatred and has succomed to a life of crime. He doesn't appear to believe he can be anything but a criminal due to his long life of crime.
Summary:
The story is essentially about a family who goes on a trip to Florida, against the wishes of the grandmother who desires to go to Tennessee. The family becomes involved in a car accident where they are approached by "The Misfit," an escaped convict who enjoys causing people harm. The Misfit is accompanied by two other men and the three men proceed to kill the entire family. The grandmother is the last one to be killed.
The scene is set mainly in their automobile. I picture it as an older model car lacking air conditioning. I get the impression the ride is filled with tension in the air due to the constant complaining and pleading of the grandmother. The grandmother and the children are heard bantering back and forth in the back seat which gives me the impression her son Bailey would be very irritated. The mother sits quietly in the front seat and one can almost sense her distance from the rest of the family. She doesn't really interact with anyone, not even her husband. She seems to be depicted as distant, and probably isn't a very happy woman. The whole family gives me the impression of the American Dream gone bad.
The family's auto accident is essentially caused by the grandmother and her cat attacking Bailey while he's driving. The family is murdered due to the fact they encounter The Misfit at the scene. I find it ironic that the family is endangered by one who really should care about them the most, the grandmother. As a reader, I found the grandmother to be an irritating character in the story. The Misfit proceeds to have Bailey and his son killed first, then kills the mother, then the daughter. The Misfit engages in some dialogue with the ever chattering grandmother. The grandmother encourages The Misfit to pray, informs him he should have prayed when he first started his life of crime. She attempts him to seek help from Jesus.
It is when the grandmother begins speaking with The Misfit that I began to have some sympathy for the woman. She appeared to be a woman following the rules of society with her ladylike ways. She knew and understood the power of prayer and tried desperately to save her life by encouraging The Misfit to accept the aid of Jesus. The fact that The Misfit kills her in cold blood and then makes derogatory comments about her afterward illustrates true evil and lack of respect for human life.
The Misfit didn't have respect for his own life. He conveyed that by seemingly enjoying his criminal life. The story for me, represents the classic story of good against evil. It also brings to mind the old Grimm's Fairy Tales wherein one encounters "a big bad wolf" in the woods.
What do I know about the topic/story I am reading?
This story is one I've never read, but I am familiar with Flannery O'Connor.
What can you imagine that is not specifically outlined?
O'Connor doesn't really depict a lot of fear on behalf of the family. I imagined that there was a great deal of fear evident in crying, shaking, begging for life.
What do you think about what you read and what was your emotional response?
It seemed like such a coincidence that the grandmother was fearful they would get hurt by the Misfit and then it actually happened. That was almost too much. I had to ask myself, "What are the odds of something like that happening?" My emotional response was of course sadness. The whole family was killed. I was a bit angry at the grandmother, because without her interfering and her manipulative ideas, none of this would have happened.
What do I want to learn more about?
I am interested in learning more about the author. I have enjoyed her writings very much.
How would I react if these events happened to me?
Of course I would be mortified and scared out of my wits. I would never want to be in such a situation where my whole family was murdered. It would be the worst thing that could ever happen.
How does this story relate to my own life?
I can't see how it relates to me at all, with the exception that I am very familiar with Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Many times when stories take place on the west coast it's hard for me to grasp what the lanscape might look like. I can relate to the geographical context of the story,
Would I recommend this story to others?
I am a fan of Flannery O'Conner, and while this is not my favorite work of hers, I would recommend it.
About the Author:
Flannery O'Connor lived a short life due to Lupus, which took her in 1964. In her short life, she managed to produce several wonderful works. She never wallowed in self pity due to her poor health, rather, she made light of it at times, once stating that she had the best looking crutches in Europe.
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