My Reflections on “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett
I feel like I know the characters so well after reading “The Help.” The author did a great job describing the characters and their stories. I could picture the person that all of the characters were. It was fun reading this novel. Aibileen was a nice, motherly character. Minny was a spunky person who spoke her mind often getting herself in trouble. Skeeter was an intelligent, career minded activist in hiding.
In “The Help,” a period in time when racial tensions were high was depicted. The story was told from several characters’ point of view. The sweet, older maid Aibileen felt like an old nanny who loved and adored children. It seemed like it would be difficult to be mean to someone like that. Her employer seemed pressured to treat her prejudicially in order to fit in. Skeeter seemed like she was pressured to fit in with her circle of friends even though she didn’t like the way they treated the help or their children. It was not surprising that two characters such as Aibileen and Skeeter would make such friendly cohorts while writing together. Both of these characters seem to care about people and the injustices that women were experiencing that they knew. They seemed bothered by the things happening in the world and their community as well.
The story had some interesting characters as well. Hilly, Minny, and Celia were lively characters that kept the story going. Hilly and Minny seemed hostile throughout most of the story. Celia seemed like a misfit and a little crazy at times.
I think the novel, “The Help,” depicted a time when African American people were mistreated and longed for equal treatment. The novel had a good message. By writing the stories, the characters hoped to make changes in the way things were similar to the way Civil Right movements do.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
My Reflections on “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe
The story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” felt like an excavation site where archaeologists are hard at work. It seemed rather mysterious also. The story was being told in the character of “I.” It was a little difficult to follow because of symbolism in the story.
The beginning of the story presents a conflict. Montressor feels he has been wronged and must seek revenge. The act that wronged him is never mentioned, but he seems consumed with it. He seems to be very adamant about seeking revenge against Fortunato. He devises a scheme which leads to talks of Amontillado. He tells the character that he wishes to seek revenge against to help him in the search for it. Fortunato seems to like drinking and Montressor feels like he can draw him in because of that. They seem friendly to each other in the piece which makes one question why he would want to seek revenge. The character Montressor does allude that his behavior is false to lure Fortunato in to go look for Amontillado.
At the end of the story, Montressor is working very hard to find Amontillado. It doesn’t mention Fortunato much in the story at that time. He is not mentioned again until the end of the story. Fortunato does not answer when he is called to which leaves the reader to think he is dead. Montressor seems very sad at the end of the story as well after Fortunato doesn’t answer.
At the end of the story, it felt to me like Fortunato had been sealed in the catacombs. There were so many references to laying this stone or that stone. The sad tone was present at the end too. I felt this way due to the rest in peace phrasing as well.
The story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” felt like an excavation site where archaeologists are hard at work. It seemed rather mysterious also. The story was being told in the character of “I.” It was a little difficult to follow because of symbolism in the story.
The beginning of the story presents a conflict. Montressor feels he has been wronged and must seek revenge. The act that wronged him is never mentioned, but he seems consumed with it. He seems to be very adamant about seeking revenge against Fortunato. He devises a scheme which leads to talks of Amontillado. He tells the character that he wishes to seek revenge against to help him in the search for it. Fortunato seems to like drinking and Montressor feels like he can draw him in because of that. They seem friendly to each other in the piece which makes one question why he would want to seek revenge. The character Montressor does allude that his behavior is false to lure Fortunato in to go look for Amontillado.
At the end of the story, Montressor is working very hard to find Amontillado. It doesn’t mention Fortunato much in the story at that time. He is not mentioned again until the end of the story. Fortunato does not answer when he is called to which leaves the reader to think he is dead. Montressor seems very sad at the end of the story as well after Fortunato doesn’t answer.
At the end of the story, it felt to me like Fortunato had been sealed in the catacombs. There were so many references to laying this stone or that stone. The sad tone was present at the end too. I felt this way due to the rest in peace phrasing as well.
"The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" by Ernest Hemingway
My Reflections on “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” by Ernest Hemingway
As the story, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” begins, it shows how things are going in the life of Mr. Macomber at that time. He is embarrassed due to his fears in dealing with lions. Many comments are made regarding his cowardly ways. His wife also senses his fears and is embarrassed by her husband’s cowardly ways. She seems to be more interested in the brave hunter Wilson than in her own husband even showing affection to him. This affects her husband and will ultimately affect his life.
Francis Macomber seems very embarrassed by his fear of wild animals. This character cannot believe the fear he has and where it could be from. His wife seems to not want to be with him because he was a coward. She seems very turned off by his fears. This feeling is echoed by Mr. Wilson as well. No one feels like being a coward is the way someone should be. Macomber’s wife seems to really like the hunter, Mr. Wilson as well. She is so intrigued by the hunting and the hunter that she feels compelled to accompany them on the hunting trips. She also makes several flirty type remarks to Mr. Wilson in front of her husband and insults her husband.
As the last hunt of the story begins, the reader can see that Francis Macomber is finally living the type of life that he wants to live. He seems to finally be free of the fears that encompasses him. Through the last hunt, he had hopes of redeeming himself. Ultimately, he is accidentally shot and killed by his wife. Francis Macomber finally lived a happy life, but it was brought to a short, abrupt end.
As the story, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” begins, it shows how things are going in the life of Mr. Macomber at that time. He is embarrassed due to his fears in dealing with lions. Many comments are made regarding his cowardly ways. His wife also senses his fears and is embarrassed by her husband’s cowardly ways. She seems to be more interested in the brave hunter Wilson than in her own husband even showing affection to him. This affects her husband and will ultimately affect his life.
Francis Macomber seems very embarrassed by his fear of wild animals. This character cannot believe the fear he has and where it could be from. His wife seems to not want to be with him because he was a coward. She seems very turned off by his fears. This feeling is echoed by Mr. Wilson as well. No one feels like being a coward is the way someone should be. Macomber’s wife seems to really like the hunter, Mr. Wilson as well. She is so intrigued by the hunting and the hunter that she feels compelled to accompany them on the hunting trips. She also makes several flirty type remarks to Mr. Wilson in front of her husband and insults her husband.
As the last hunt of the story begins, the reader can see that Francis Macomber is finally living the type of life that he wants to live. He seems to finally be free of the fears that encompasses him. Through the last hunt, he had hopes of redeeming himself. Ultimately, he is accidentally shot and killed by his wife. Francis Macomber finally lived a happy life, but it was brought to a short, abrupt end.
Monday, September 13, 2010
"Horse Dealer's Daughter" by D.H. Lawrence
My Reflections on the “Horse Dealer’s Daughter” by D.H. Lawrence
In the “Horse Dealer’s Daughter,” the story begins showing a family who had just lost the last of their family’s fortune. The three brothers and their sister Mabel seemed to be figuring out what they could do with their lives now. They remembered how full their home was when their successful horse dealer father was alive. Now, the house didn’t feel the same. The hustle and bustle of those days were now gone. No one came around like they did before when people were everywhere. This situation seemed to affect Mabel this most. At first, she appears to be in denial, but later it appears she may be depressed.
The story turns from focusing on the family to focusing on Mabel’s relationship with the doctor. When they first meet, the author hints that a relationship will be coming. The doctor seems intrigued by Mabel.
Mabel seems like she doesn’t want to leave the home that she remembered so fondly sharing with her deceased mother. Mabel appears as though she is sad, but accepting what must happen now with the impending move. This realization must send Mabel into a depression when she tries to commit suicide in the pond.
Thankfully, the doctor who was consumed by Mabel saved her. He seems to bring her back to life. She falls in love with the doctor who has saved her life in two ways. She now has someone to be with and something to do because the doctor wants to marry her. Even though the doctor viewed her as a patient, he begins to love her. The doctor can’t understand the draw he has to Mabel. The doctor helped Mabel make such a change in her life because she was headed down a very, dangerous path.
In the “Horse Dealer’s Daughter,” the story begins showing a family who had just lost the last of their family’s fortune. The three brothers and their sister Mabel seemed to be figuring out what they could do with their lives now. They remembered how full their home was when their successful horse dealer father was alive. Now, the house didn’t feel the same. The hustle and bustle of those days were now gone. No one came around like they did before when people were everywhere. This situation seemed to affect Mabel this most. At first, she appears to be in denial, but later it appears she may be depressed.
The story turns from focusing on the family to focusing on Mabel’s relationship with the doctor. When they first meet, the author hints that a relationship will be coming. The doctor seems intrigued by Mabel.
Mabel seems like she doesn’t want to leave the home that she remembered so fondly sharing with her deceased mother. Mabel appears as though she is sad, but accepting what must happen now with the impending move. This realization must send Mabel into a depression when she tries to commit suicide in the pond.
Thankfully, the doctor who was consumed by Mabel saved her. He seems to bring her back to life. She falls in love with the doctor who has saved her life in two ways. She now has someone to be with and something to do because the doctor wants to marry her. Even though the doctor viewed her as a patient, he begins to love her. The doctor can’t understand the draw he has to Mabel. The doctor helped Mabel make such a change in her life because she was headed down a very, dangerous path.
"Barn Burning" by William Faulkner
My Reflections on “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner
In the story, “Barn Burning,” it felt like a mysterious story to me. The story seems to be told from the boy’s point of view named Sarty. Sarty experiences fear and turmoil throughout the story until the end relief. The story also felt like it popped in and out of time sequence as well.
In the beginning of the story, the boy’s father, Snopes, was on trial. As the Justice asked questions, he could not really prove that Snopes is the guilty one responsible for burning down the barn. So Harris, the plaintiff, wants the boy Sarty to get on the stand. Sarty’s father is angered by Sarty. Sarty’s father feels during the court proceedings that Sarty should stick with his blood even if it requires lying. Sarty seems to feel scared of his father. He also seems to feel like he let his father down.
During the middle of the story, it goes back to the court setting. During this time though, Snopes is found guilty of another crime and is ordered to compensate the person. Snopes does not like these findings and has no intention of paying the fees that he is ordered to pay.
The boy Sarty seems to have a conflict between doing the right thing and what his father makes him do. It appears that Sarty’s father doesn’t speak much and treats Sarty very sternly. The story feels like a constant turmoil between the boy and his father. It even incorporates the mother, sisters, and aunt into the story. Everyone seems scared or intimidated of the father and will do what he says even if they do not feel it is the right or moral thing to do.
In the story, “Barn Burning,” it felt like a mysterious story to me. The story seems to be told from the boy’s point of view named Sarty. Sarty experiences fear and turmoil throughout the story until the end relief. The story also felt like it popped in and out of time sequence as well.
In the beginning of the story, the boy’s father, Snopes, was on trial. As the Justice asked questions, he could not really prove that Snopes is the guilty one responsible for burning down the barn. So Harris, the plaintiff, wants the boy Sarty to get on the stand. Sarty’s father is angered by Sarty. Sarty’s father feels during the court proceedings that Sarty should stick with his blood even if it requires lying. Sarty seems to feel scared of his father. He also seems to feel like he let his father down.
During the middle of the story, it goes back to the court setting. During this time though, Snopes is found guilty of another crime and is ordered to compensate the person. Snopes does not like these findings and has no intention of paying the fees that he is ordered to pay.
The boy Sarty seems to have a conflict between doing the right thing and what his father makes him do. It appears that Sarty’s father doesn’t speak much and treats Sarty very sternly. The story feels like a constant turmoil between the boy and his father. It even incorporates the mother, sisters, and aunt into the story. Everyone seems scared or intimidated of the father and will do what he says even if they do not feel it is the right or moral thing to do.
"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid
My Reflections on “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
In the short story, “Girl,” it sounds like directions a mother might be giving to her daughter. The mother speaking to the daughter in this story sometimes has harsh things to say to her. The theme of not turning into a slut (slang from book)is found throughout the story as well. In the introduction of the author, it mentions that Jamaica Kincaid’s stories are often sent in post colonial society times. This time period seems appropriate as the person telling the story warns or becoming a slut, dressing like one, or acting like one. The girl of the story is told how a lady should act too. The mother telling the girl what to do in the story seems certain that the girl will grow up to not act like a lady.
Young girls do need direction from their mothers. Mothers usually do not speak to their daughters in a derogatory manner though. So, those harsh words set the tone of the story. The instructions seem to be at a rapid rate as well. At the end of the story, the person (or mother) telling the story can’t believe after all the many details given, that the girl would only be concerned about the last meaningless thing described. That type of thing seems typical of a young teen. They kind of tone out what their mothers say. The mother telling the story doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with the girl.
The time setting seems like an older time period when women were more subservient to men. It seemed to be at a time when it was looked down upon to not be that way. The time period seemed to take place at a time when women only worked in the home as well.
In the short story, “Girl,” it sounds like directions a mother might be giving to her daughter. The mother speaking to the daughter in this story sometimes has harsh things to say to her. The theme of not turning into a slut (slang from book)is found throughout the story as well. In the introduction of the author, it mentions that Jamaica Kincaid’s stories are often sent in post colonial society times. This time period seems appropriate as the person telling the story warns or becoming a slut, dressing like one, or acting like one. The girl of the story is told how a lady should act too. The mother telling the girl what to do in the story seems certain that the girl will grow up to not act like a lady.
Young girls do need direction from their mothers. Mothers usually do not speak to their daughters in a derogatory manner though. So, those harsh words set the tone of the story. The instructions seem to be at a rapid rate as well. At the end of the story, the person (or mother) telling the story can’t believe after all the many details given, that the girl would only be concerned about the last meaningless thing described. That type of thing seems typical of a young teen. They kind of tone out what their mothers say. The mother telling the story doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with the girl.
The time setting seems like an older time period when women were more subservient to men. It seemed to be at a time when it was looked down upon to not be that way. The time period seemed to take place at a time when women only worked in the home as well.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
"Revelation"
My Reflections on “Revelation” by Flannery O’Conner
In the story, “Revelation,” Mrs. Turpin is a woman with many discriminating views. Mrs. Turpin seems to look down on everyone in the doctor’s office waiting room setting in the story. Mrs. Turpin claims to be a Godly woman, but her thoughts seem to be very prejudiced. She also judges everyone and makes assumptions about their character from their shoes as well. The descriptions of the characters in the waiting room do seem to be unsavory. Mrs. Turpin doesn’t mind the pigs at her home, but is bothered by unsavory characters in the story and feels she must let them know how she lives her life.
The girl in the waiting room obviously has a problem with Mrs. Turpin. The situation in the waiting room area seems to get very intense as the story builds. The longer Mrs. Turpin talks, it seems the girl gets more agitated. I didn’t expect the girl to jump up and choke Mrs. Turpin. Maybe the girl didn’t like the condescending works spoken by Mrs. Turpin. Maybe the girl was a little mentally disturbed or has anger management problems as well.
Mrs. Turpin seemed to be highly disturbed by the girl calling her an old wart hog from hell. She even mentions it to the workers. When they tell her she isn’t such a thing, she doesn’t hold their opinion very high as she feels they are beneath her as well. Although Mrs. Turpin looked down on others and felt she was better, she didn’t find anything wrong with that behavior. Mrs. Turpin is very puzzled and can’t seem to figure out how she be called such an undesirable thing. She thinks her kind treatment of those she looks down upon makes up for her discriminating views of them. It is hard for Mrs. Turpin to accept that someone could think low of her.
In the story, “Revelation,” Mrs. Turpin is a woman with many discriminating views. Mrs. Turpin seems to look down on everyone in the doctor’s office waiting room setting in the story. Mrs. Turpin claims to be a Godly woman, but her thoughts seem to be very prejudiced. She also judges everyone and makes assumptions about their character from their shoes as well. The descriptions of the characters in the waiting room do seem to be unsavory. Mrs. Turpin doesn’t mind the pigs at her home, but is bothered by unsavory characters in the story and feels she must let them know how she lives her life.
The girl in the waiting room obviously has a problem with Mrs. Turpin. The situation in the waiting room area seems to get very intense as the story builds. The longer Mrs. Turpin talks, it seems the girl gets more agitated. I didn’t expect the girl to jump up and choke Mrs. Turpin. Maybe the girl didn’t like the condescending works spoken by Mrs. Turpin. Maybe the girl was a little mentally disturbed or has anger management problems as well.
Mrs. Turpin seemed to be highly disturbed by the girl calling her an old wart hog from hell. She even mentions it to the workers. When they tell her she isn’t such a thing, she doesn’t hold their opinion very high as she feels they are beneath her as well. Although Mrs. Turpin looked down on others and felt she was better, she didn’t find anything wrong with that behavior. Mrs. Turpin is very puzzled and can’t seem to figure out how she be called such an undesirable thing. She thinks her kind treatment of those she looks down upon makes up for her discriminating views of them. It is hard for Mrs. Turpin to accept that someone could think low of her.
"Good Country People" by Flannery O'Conner
My Reflections on “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Conner
In the story, “Good Country People,” it begins by introducing good, country type people. The characters Mrs. Hopewell and Hulga seem to think differently about good, country people. Hulga seems to feel aloof regarding them until they encounter the salesman. The salesman turns out to be a scam artist in the end. He is not what Mrs. Hopewell and Hulga regard to as good, country people.
I think the story begins with Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman to give a back story dialogue regarding good, country people from the area and time. Hulga is exposed to good, country people for a long time. She sees how her mom talks with Mrs. Freeman who they think is a good, country person. They have seen how Mrs. Freeman and her family are but her mom thinks of them as good, country people also. So when she encounters the salesman, after being a little distant, she begins to equate him with the good, country people she has been around before. He seems to be a nice Christian person who is trying to sell Bibles.
Although very educated, Hulga feels less power when her leg is taken off by the Bible salesman. The salesman changes his entire disposition when he feels Hulga is helpless in the barn loft. Hulga realizes that the salesman is not a good, country person when he does these things. After all, the contents inside his Bible were not very Christian like.. It seems like the salesman had anticipated taking advantage of Hulga in the barn loft because he knew she was an Atheist. Hulga is left feeling like her thoughts about people are still correct. She thinks people pretend to be something like Christian or good, country people, but really are not the way they try to be at all.
In the story, “Good Country People,” it begins by introducing good, country type people. The characters Mrs. Hopewell and Hulga seem to think differently about good, country people. Hulga seems to feel aloof regarding them until they encounter the salesman. The salesman turns out to be a scam artist in the end. He is not what Mrs. Hopewell and Hulga regard to as good, country people.
I think the story begins with Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman to give a back story dialogue regarding good, country people from the area and time. Hulga is exposed to good, country people for a long time. She sees how her mom talks with Mrs. Freeman who they think is a good, country person. They have seen how Mrs. Freeman and her family are but her mom thinks of them as good, country people also. So when she encounters the salesman, after being a little distant, she begins to equate him with the good, country people she has been around before. He seems to be a nice Christian person who is trying to sell Bibles.
Although very educated, Hulga feels less power when her leg is taken off by the Bible salesman. The salesman changes his entire disposition when he feels Hulga is helpless in the barn loft. Hulga realizes that the salesman is not a good, country person when he does these things. After all, the contents inside his Bible were not very Christian like.. It seems like the salesman had anticipated taking advantage of Hulga in the barn loft because he knew she was an Atheist. Hulga is left feeling like her thoughts about people are still correct. She thinks people pretend to be something like Christian or good, country people, but really are not the way they try to be at all.
"A Good Man Is Hard To FInd" by Flannery O'Conner
My Reflections on “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” by Flannery O’Conner
In “A Good Man Is Hard To Find,” the grandmother foreshadows the meeting with The Misfit. As she asks her son to go somewhere else like Tennessee, she seems nervous about the possibility of running into The Misfit. Ironically, this scenario happens which leads to the demise of the grandmother and her family.
The family in the story is portrayed as a typical American extended family. There is a father, mother, three children, and a grandmother. The grandmother tries to tell her son what to do which is also typical. Even though children grow up, they are still children to their mothers. It is comical that the children fight in the car while on a road trip. The mother seems oblivious and the father appeases the children by trying to find the plantation house so they will be quiet. He seems rather irritated by the grandmother’s suggestion to find the plantation house. He wants to stay on the road to get to their destination. The grandmother is scared to run into the escaped inmate called The Misfit, yet her suggestion to find the plantation causes this to happen.
The Misfit in the story seems insane. At one point while talking to the grandmother, he does seem normal, but troubled. As he continues to talk, he appears insane by the things he says. He talks to the grandmother in a normal way as each of her family members are taken in the woods to be killed. The grandmother must have know what was coming by her references to Jesus Christ, telling The Misfit he is not bad, and praying. It doesn’t help her though, because she is killed in the end as well. None of the kindness shown to The Misfit affects him.
In “A Good Man Is Hard To Find,” the grandmother foreshadows the meeting with The Misfit. As she asks her son to go somewhere else like Tennessee, she seems nervous about the possibility of running into The Misfit. Ironically, this scenario happens which leads to the demise of the grandmother and her family.
The family in the story is portrayed as a typical American extended family. There is a father, mother, three children, and a grandmother. The grandmother tries to tell her son what to do which is also typical. Even though children grow up, they are still children to their mothers. It is comical that the children fight in the car while on a road trip. The mother seems oblivious and the father appeases the children by trying to find the plantation house so they will be quiet. He seems rather irritated by the grandmother’s suggestion to find the plantation house. He wants to stay on the road to get to their destination. The grandmother is scared to run into the escaped inmate called The Misfit, yet her suggestion to find the plantation causes this to happen.
The Misfit in the story seems insane. At one point while talking to the grandmother, he does seem normal, but troubled. As he continues to talk, he appears insane by the things he says. He talks to the grandmother in a normal way as each of her family members are taken in the woods to be killed. The grandmother must have know what was coming by her references to Jesus Christ, telling The Misfit he is not bad, and praying. It doesn’t help her though, because she is killed in the end as well. None of the kindness shown to The Misfit affects him.
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