Comparison of Anne Tyler's Average Waves in Unprotected Waters and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

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Life is all about challenges and the choices made because of those challenges. The result of this impact lives either for better or worse. This idea of challenges and choices in life is shown in literature as well. “Average Waves in Unprotected Waters” by Anne Tyler and The Jungle by Upton Sinclair have similar messages; however, each story displays these messages by using different themes, characterization and symbols.
The short story, “Average Waves in Unprotected Waters” conveys a similar message of The Jungle. The message the authors portray in the stories are that life challenges create choices for the characters which ultimately affect lives. “It was arranged that they should leave the flowing spring…”(Sinclair 26) This showed that Jurgis and his family decided to move to America in hopes of a better life style, and leaving their homeland in Smolensk. Jurgis was challenged with providing a better life for his future wife Ona, and made the ultimate decision to leave their homeland. The choices made changed Jurgis and this was the initial beginning of change. Although Jurgis left his previous home to create a new one, it became much worse than his previous life and later created consequences for himself and his family. Similarly to the short story by Anne Tyler, the main character, Bet, wanted a better life for herself. “‘Yes. Say goodbye to Mommy now, Arnold.’”(Tyler 7) This displays Bet and Arnold departing ways. Bet makes the ultimate decision to leave her son, Arnold, in the care of others. The messages of each story is conveyed differently and appeal to each character differently. Jurgis plans to create a better life with his family, while Bet wants to create a better life by getting rid of her only family left.
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...splays these messages by using different themes, characterization and symbols. This similar messages that are displayed different help create different ideas and help portray the stories differently.

Works Cited
""Average Waves in Unprotected Waters" By Anne Tyler As soon as." Docstoc.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. .
"Sparknotes." Jungle Themes. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. .
"Symbolism of The Jungle - Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"." Symbolism of The Jungle - Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle". N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. .
"The House." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. .

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