The modern age is full of innovations but also social reforms and cultural integration. The sad story of Nikki begins when her “boyfriend” dumps her during high school. Those memories during that night at the docks in Canada has forever changed her emotionally and physically. The contemporary short story, “It would be different if”, by Maggie Mitchell, shows the pervasiveness of a broken heart seeking to mend itself back to normal by highlighting the emotional responses which has been affected by the perspective of Nikki. Ordinarily, Nikki’s perspective seemed to change with Jeff from wry to accepting as the story progressed after that night at the docks in Canada. Mitchell used the anxieties that haunted her to amplify what Nikki felt which
The novel “Looking for Alibrandi” is a realistic portrayal of teenagers’ lives in the contemporary Australia. The author Melina Marchetta has portrayed her teenager characters in ways, which engage with the contemporary Australian teenagers. In this critical response, it will examine different kinds of relationships of the teenagers in this novel, the friendship, love relationship, and expectations from the family.
Within every story or poem, there is always an interpretation made by the reader, whether right or wrong. In doing so, one must thoughtfully analyze all aspects of the story in order to make the most accurate assessment based on the literary elements the author has used. Compared and contrasted within the two short stories, “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, and John Updike’s “A&P,” the literary elements character and theme are made evident. These two elements are prominent in each of the differing stories yet similarities are found through each by studying the elements. The girls’ innocence and naivety as characters act as passages to show something superior, oppression in society shown towards women that is not equally shown towards men.
The setting of these two stories emphasize, on visually showing us how the main characters are based around trying to find freedom despite the physical, mental and emotional effects of living in confinement. While on the other hand, dealing with Psychology’s ugly present day behavior showing dystopia of societies views of women during the time period they lived.
How does one compare the life of women to men in late nineteenth century to mid-twentieth century America? In this time the rights of women were progressing in the United States and there were two important authors, Kate Chopin and John Steinbeck. These authors may have shown the readers a glimpse of the inner sentiments of women in that time. They both wrote a fictitious story about women’s restraints by a masculine driven society that may have some realism to what women’s inequities may have been. The trials of the protagonists in both narratives are distinctive in many ways, only similar when it totals the macho goaded culture of that time. Even so, In Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing we hold two unlike fictional characters in two very different short stories similar to Elisa Allen in the “Chrysanthemums” and Mrs. Louise Mallard in “The Story of an Hour”, that have unusual struggles that came from the same sort of antagonist.
In Ammonite, Nicola Griffith tells the story of one woman’s encounter with and assimilation into the culture of an alien world. Ursula K. LeGuin’s “Forgiveness Day” similarly recounts one woman’s experiences as she confronts an alien culture. In both cases, these women, Solly in “Forgiveness Day” and Marghe in Ammonite, learn about themselves as their position shifts away from that of an outsider and they find their place in society. Although there are similarities in the characters’ backgrounds, their journeys, and their quest for belonging, there are fundamental differences in the process the characters go through in order to find a place where they belong. Specifically, LeGuin and Griffith mirror one another in describing the causal relationship between accepting oneself and participating in a romantic partner relationship. This difference is telling as it reflects the differing attitudes towards the role of romantic partnerships in one’s growth process as well as in society as a whole.
In the short story, “The Story of an Hour,” author Kate Chopin presents the character of Mrs. Louis Mallard. She is an unhappy woman trapped in her discontented marriage. Unable to assert herself or extricate herself from the relationship, she endures it. The news of the presumed death of her husband comes as a great relief to her, and for a brief moment she experiences the joys of a liberated life from the repressed relationship with her husband. The relief, however, is short lived. The shock of seeing him alive is too much for her bear and she dies. The meaning of life and death take on opposite meaning for Mrs. Mallard in her marriage because she lacked the courage to stand up for herself.
Morrie helped Mitch discover who he truly is, and gives views on culture and the pressures of fitting into society’s uniform mold.
In conclusion , I believe that as strong as the protagonist’s self image of herself was, one girl is no match for all of society, which has efficiently put her “in her place”. This manipulation of the girl’s self image is not only the end of her unique identity, but it is also a blow against freedom and individualism. Unfortunately for this horse, she could not roam free forever, and she has finally been caught.
The famous French playwright Moliere once said, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” Throughout our lives, we often are faced with hardships that cause us to change ourselves, the people around us, and the situation itself. Because of this, it may reveal our true characteristics to show who we truly are. In the memoirs “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls and “Warriors Don't Cry” by Melba Patillo, they vividly illustrate the story of how they faced their struggles. They both prevailed because of their tenacious mind sets, but handled the situations in both different and similar ways. The characteristics of the characters Jeannette and Melba show the similarities and differences between the characters.
“When I was young I never needed anyone/ And making love was just for fun/ Those days are gone/ Living alone/ I think of all the friends I’ve known/ When I dial the telephone/ Nobody’s home/ All by myself/ Don’t wanna be/ All by myself/ Anymore.” As Eric Carmen spoke out the monologue of the Bridget Jones in the film Bridget Jones’s Dairy, unmarried 30s women, no matter how good they perform in their jobs, how successful they are, how comfortable and enjoyable their life are, feel insecure and obscure as they don’t have male spouses to rely on. In addition, Japanese writer Sakai Junko’s novel The Lost Lady, television series My Queen in Taiwan, and Women Should Get Married on Coming of Age in China, all focus on the unmarried 30s women’s life situation and dilemma, attracting concerns as well as attentions from society; moreover, mainstream media overreact and keep emphasizing the negative consequence of being single. However, I am in favor of the hot television series in America Sexy and City which motivates the women around the world never give in and limit personal choices due to age and surroundings but seek for true love and independence by showing the life adventure of heroines in their 40s in New York city. Even though this series also had a cliché ending that all characters harbor a warm family life, neither getting married or stay in stable relationship, which bring deep thoughts. How could the classic pop culture masterpiece final give in to the mainstream social values? I am arguing this kind of ideology that use “lost lady” or “leftover women” to describe educated unmarried females over 30 years old presenting on the media is narrow and stand for the masculine-dominated ideas. More or less, however, this phenomenon ref...
Katherine Anne Porter’s stories are brilliant, vivid snapshots of lives, and reveal the foolishness of man. Everyone sees life from their own perspective and bases their actions and thoughts on personal experiences. Some of her characters will never see past their own noses, while others cannot get the courage to change. Reality clashes with dreams in many stories, and can leave disillusionment or despair.
James Joyce’s “Araby” and the story of “A & P” by John Updike have many characteristic similarities as well as literary traits. These stories focus on a young man trying to learn the difference between the romantic fantasies that play in their mind and the bitterness that reality can bring to a young man. In both stories a young man has built an unrealistic expectation of women only to meet the tragic despair of being rejected by the object of their boyish fantasy. In both of these stories the authors choose to show that life is not always what it may always appear.
This event is clearly psychological in every way. Psychologically Nikki felt no remorse about what she had done. Jealousy and rage dominated her, to the point that she had token her boyfriend’s life. She stated his eyes are now permanently close, when all eyes should have been on her. When it comes to serious relationships, especially at this time with these new rules and regulations for the 21st century things like murder for just posting a picture of someone else will occur. Social networks have become a very dangerous thing. It changes the way one thinks, act, and
Through literary works readers are able to learn about the various meanings of human life experiences. Literary works influences each reader differently. Country Lovers and The Welcome Table are two short stories that deal with the common struggle of racism and discrimination among African American women.’’ Racism is an enduring, salient aspect of social and global structures. It is based on demonstrably false theories of racial different appropriated by a culture in order to deny or unjustified distribute social privileges, economic opportunities, and political rights to the racially stigmatized groups. Racism thus, structures social differences, power or culture or whom.’’ There are many stories that are written to show the everyday struggles of human conflicts and struggles that humans embark on in everyday life. The two stories I will be identifying the differences and similarities among the two powerful stories of two African American woman. I will be examining the content, form, Style of the literary works.
When it comes to decision-making, we tend to choose based on what we have learned or been taught surrounding our culture. Culture plays a significant role in how we make our choices. Professor Donnel Briley of the Research Frontier concluded, “People with different cultural backgrounds have different expectations, norms and values, which in turn have the potential to influence their judgments and decisions as well as their subsequent behaviour.” (Briley) In two specific short stories, we find two women trapped inside these cultural “expectations, norms and values” that force them to make an abrupt and rash decision. Eveline Hill, from James Joyce short story “Eveline,” is a tormented young woman who is left behind to raise her younger siblings along side her father in her monotonous small town of Dublin. When given the chance to change her fate, she is left in a suspenseful moment faced her fiancée and confronted with a major decision to escape her responsibilities. Mathilde Loisel, from Guy de Maupassant’s story “The Necklace,” is confined within the limits of society’s expectations from women of her time. She is confronted and conflicted by the awareness of her current financial estate and when given the opportunity to appear of more worth by accessorizing herself in that manner, she makes a huge decision that will affect her and her husband’s life forever. Although culture can be represented by ethnic backgrounds, or world origins, this paper will utilize the culture of women with an approach to the significance of cultural backgrounds effecting decision-making. Culture will effect major decisions because, culture is often inherited and not learned; second, inherited culture is often expected; and l...