Salamanca is an ordinary thirteen-year-old girl. Throughout the book, very difficult struggles come Sal’s way. Sal’s best friend Phoebe also goes through some of the same struggles as Sal, such as when they both had lost a family member. After their mothers leave, the girls begin to build regret for the way they acted towards their mothers the day before they had disappeared. In the book, Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech, an important theme of the story is that “We don't know the worth of water until the well is dry”.
The theme “We never know the worth of water until the well is dry” is contributed by the character Sal. When Sal sees the way Phoebe and Prudence treat their mother, she reflects on her own life with her mother. “What I started
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doing was remembering the day before my mother had left. I did not know it was to be her last day home. Several times that day, my mother asked me if i wanted to walk up in the fields with her. It was drizzling outside, and I was cleaning out my desk, and I just did not feel like going. ‘Maybe later,’ I kept saying. When she asked me for about the tenth time, I said, ‘No! I don't want to go. Why do you keep asking me?’ I don't know why I did that. I didn't mean anything by it, but that was one of the last memories she had of me, and I wished I could take it back.” (97)“Prudence had her own agenda, just as I had had my own agenda that day my mother wanted me to walk with her. I couldn't see my own mother’s sadness.” (97 and 98) The character Sal contributes to the theme “We don't know the worth of water until the well is dry” because when Sal sees Phoebe and Prudence disrespecting their mother, Mrs. Winterbottom, Sal starts thinking about the times before her mother had left that she had also disrespected her own mother. In the quotes, Sal says that she screamed at her mother for continually asking her if she wanted to walk with her even though she did not want to go. Sal did not know it would be the last time she would see her mother, so she just went off on her. Sal had not realized at that moment how disrespectful she was being towards her mother, but now that she is looking back on it, she sees that her mom was trying to be kind to her and spend quality time with her. Also in the quotes, Sal explains that her mother was doing her thing while Sal was doing her own thing. She says that she did not realize how depressed her mother was. It was not until now, after seeing how Phoebe and Prudence treat their mother, after her mother has left, that she has actually realized how harsh she was on her mother, just like the theme states that you don't know the worth if the water until the water is gone. Earlier in the book, Phoebe begins to realize the importance that her mother was to her.
In the book, Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech, the theme “We don't know the worth of water until the well is dry” is also contributed by the character Phoebe. Phoebe immediately feels regret once she finds out her mother has left and could possibly not be coming back.“I still didn't think much of it, but Phoebe was suspicious. Prudence made the spaghetti, while I helped Phoebe set the table. Phoebe and I even made a salad. ‘I do feel sort of independent,’ Phoebe said. When Phoebe’s father came home, Phoebe showed him his note. He opened it and sat down, staring at the piece of paper. Phoebe looked over his shoulder and read his note aloud: I had to go away. I can't explain. I'll call you in a few days. I had a sinking, sinking feeling. Prudence started asking a million questions. ‘What does she mean? Go away where? Why can't she explain? Why didn't she tell you? Did she mention this? A few days? Where did she go?’ ‘Maybe we should call the police,’ Phoebe said. ‘I think she was kidnapped or something.’ ‘Oh Phoebe,’ Mr. Winterbottom said. ‘I'm serious,’ she said. ‘Maybe a lunatic came in the house and dragged her off-’ ‘Phoebe, that is not funny.’ ‘I'm not being funny. I mean it. It could happen.’” (117)Therefore, the character Phoebe contributes to the theme because as the quotes say, Phoebe feels more independent now that her mother is gone, she feels uncomfortable to be in more charge than if Mrs.Winterbottom was still there. Phoebe begins to get worried about Mrs. Winterbottom, whereas though before she had left, Phoebe did not really care about her mother. Now that Mrs. Winterbottom is gone, Phoebe begins to realize how important she is to her and how much she does for her. Phoebe begins to think of something else to believe because she doesn't want to believe that her mother had left because of her. Phoebe's mother is like the water in the theme. Phoebe hadn't realized
how hard Mrs. Winterbottom was trying in order to keep Phoebe happy until she had disappeared, or as the theme says, until there was no more water. Looking back on the way the girls treated their mothers left Phoebe and Sal in major regret of what they have done. Phoebe’s mother ended up coming back home, but sadly Sal’s mother had passed. Always make the most of someone or something because you will never know when it will be gone.
The novel Nukkin Ya is a compelling book, written in the perspective of the character Gary Black, the author of the text is Phillip Gwynne. The novel is set in rural South Australia for Australian readers. The novel conveys a number of themes and messages including racial difference, love verse hate and the ability and choice to move on. These are depicted by the literally techniques of imagery, literary allusions and intertextuality.
The movie “Walkout” is about young Chicano/a activists who demand educational equality. In 1968, students living in East L.A were treated unequally. Since, most of these students were Chicanos they were given few resources. One example was presented when Paula visited the Palisades library. In East Los Angeles, bathrooms were close during lunch breaks and students were forced to janitorial labor as forms of punishment. Throughout, the movie some themes that arose were regarding identity (What is a Chicano?), walkouts as forms of protest for equality, and gender expectations. After Salvador Castro read the poem “I am Joaquin” by Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez, the Chicano/a activist’s had a hard time understanding who they were. Many Chicano/a’s identified
“Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel, is a beautiful romantic tale of an impossible passionate love during the revolution in Mexico. The romance is followed by the sweet aroma of kitchen secrets and cooking, with a lot of imagination and creativity. The story is that of Tita De La Garza, the youngest of all daughters in Mama Elena’s house. According to the family tradition she is to watch after her mother till the day she does, and therefore cannot marry any men. Tita finds her comfort in cooking, and soon the kitchen becomes her world, affecting every emotion she experiences to the people who taste her food. Esquivel tells Titas story as she grows to be a mature, blooming women who eventually rebels against her mother, finds her true identity and reunites with her long lost love Pedro. The book became a huge success and was made to a movie directed by Alfonso Arau. Although they both share many similarities, I also found many distinct differences. The movie lost an integral part of the book, the sensual aspect of the cooking and love.
Antonio prefers the river for company rather than any other place in town; therefore, he was devastated when a misfortunate event tarnished his memory of this beloved landmark. “How would I ever wash away the stain of blood from the sweet waters of my river!” (23). Antonio has established an ardent relationship with the river, yet the tragedy of Lupito’s death ruins the serenity that accompanies his memory of that breathtaking location. The series of events that play out all take place at or around the river, which proves symbolic of the correlation that the people have with that area. Not only does it often stand as the setting of many occasions, the river also is a recurring figure in Antonio’s dreams. “...that the sweet water of the moon which falls as rain is the same water that gathers into rivers and flows to fill the seas.”(121). The river in Antonio’s dream denotes the connection between his two completely opposite families all intercorrelated by Earth. Through the river, there is a unique peace and unity, similar to Antonio bringing his own uniqueness as he upholds and represents his two families. From a feeling of oneness to placidity, the river represents a variety of themes that prove significant in Antonio’s paramount transition from a child to an adult, many of which help the reader understand the crucial role
Grande introduces to the audience various characters that cross Juana 's path to either alter or assist her on her journey to find her father. Through those individuals, Grande offers a strong comparison of female characters who follow the norms, versus those that challenge gender roles that
Twilight is a book written by Stephanie Meyer, originally published in 2005 and later made in to a movie in November, 2008. The story of Adam and Eve is a story from the bible. Both stories have things on common. I will discuss how Bella and Edward which are the main characters from Twilight, demonstrate good and evil. Specifically, how their relationship compares to that of Adam and Eve. There are four themes / symbols that while researching and analyzing both stories I found that are very similar in meaning for both stories. Those themes/ symbols are: “The Apple,” “Good Vs. EVIL,” “Choices,” and “Mortality.”
When Myrtle gets hit by Gatsby 's car and dies, Wilson’s neighbors, friends, and even strangers try to help him cope with the death of his wife. The shock from Myrtle’s death was making Wilson “sway back and forth” while “holding the doorposts with both hands”(Fitzgerald 139). A complete stranger was trying to help Wilson get through this by “talking to him in a low voice and attempting, from time to time, to lay a hand on his shoulder”(Fitzgerald 139). This shows that people care for one another, even if they have not met each other. It is an aspect of human nature, and that is one of the many things that makes a community flourish. In the 1920’s the aspect of caring for others is one that countless numbers of people have. Similar to The Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God has people that unknowingly care for one another. When the hurricane strikes the Everglades and tears apart the muck, people do not hesitate to aid others in need. This is evident when Janie is under attack by a rabid dog while cast down a river. As the dog is trying to maul Janie, without a second thought, “Tea Cake split the water like an otter, opening his knife as he dived” (Hurston 166). Tea Cake struggles with the dog for a moment “somehow he managed to bite Tea Cake high up on his cheek-bone” (Hurston 166), but then Tea Cake “finished him and sent him to the bottom to
Federico Garcia Lorca’s “Romance de La Luna, Luna” is a Spanish poem that tells the story of a young gypsy boy and the moon. His love and infatuation with the moon leads to his death. This poem not only tells the story of this young child’s demise, but also shows the effects when someone is lured in by an appealing temptation.
The idea of protecting her virginity is so important as to have a blind father as a chaperone. This is absurd, to make a blind man to “watch” over Angela Vicario, and is how Gabriel Garcia Marquez ridicules the preconception of pre-marital virginity.
The theme of the story is maturity. This is because in the beginning of the story, Lizabeth had no sense of compassion for others. Lizabeth’s character had some hardships, and she was beginning to realize that she was growing up, but didn’t know the pace she was growing at. She was living in rural Maryland during the Great Depression as an African American, which can create many problems such as her dad not having any luck finding a job. Lizabeth’s mother had a job and was the breadwinner of the family. This really disturbed Lizabeth’s dad, who seemed to be going through a mid-life crisis and believed that he was worthless to his family and that he had failed them. For the first time, Lizabeth heard her father cry. This made Lizabeth fear because so many things in her life were going wrong, but hearing this
Confusion, embarrassment, and guilt can all be found throughout João Guimarães Rosa's short story "The Third Bank of the River." Rosa forces the reader to analyze his words and delve deeply into the hidden meanings behind them. Upon first glance, a story unfolds of a father who seemingly abandons his family and chooses to live out the remainder of his life rowing a small boat back and forth along a river. There are circumstances leading up to this behavior, which new insight to the author's psychological meaning.
Similarly, Homer Stokes also used popular music for his political marketing of the upcoming election in the Mississippi state. He used “Keep on the Sunny Sides” song which sounds more cheerful with the catchy rhythm and feels like a new material. Compared to Pappy, he used the acoustic band to promote his theme song and his candidacy, while riding on a truck around the state of Mississippi. He used the tagline “Keep the State Clean” while holding a broom. As a reform candidate, Homer used the song to promote his manifesto and tells everyone in order to keep the sunny side (brighter future), they must vote him for the
Isabel’s past is full of tragedy and sadness due to her family’s connections to the Chilean government. Isabel traveled to Chile with her mother after her parents got divorced. Isabel’s life improved significantly after she got married and got herself a reputation as a successful journalist. All of it changed after her uncle, Chilean president Salvador Allende, was killed. The persecution against Salvador’s family and friends led to the "creation” of Isabel Allende. Isabel’s first book “The House of Spirits” became a worldwide bestseller. Isabel had to overcome many obstacles living in Venezuela. Isabel got herself out of her own exile. Isabel was able to write “The House of Spirits” thanks to her grandfather who she could not see, because of her exile. Allende’s grandfather was dying. Isabel started writing a letter to her “dad” knowing that he was not going to read it. Isabel said “I think I write fiction but I don’t” This summarizes how Isabel’s writing style has a different approach to literature. She uses something that is more realistic and appea...
Two of the readings that stuck out to me the most this semester included A Good Man and Still I Rise. Both of these references exemplified living out both your own moral values as well as the Core Values that are encouraged by Marywood University. Some of the common themes that stood out in both of these readings was that of empowerment and respect. The two stories encouraged these themes in both personal and outgoing ways for others.
The poem in brief summary allows us to experience an outsider’s view of the death of Lucy Gray and her parents’ grief. The character narrating the poem tells the story of Lucy, a girl who was sent by her father with a lantern to light the way home, for her mother in town. On her way to town a snow storm hits and Lucy is never found neither dead nor alive. The fact that a stranger is narrating the story as opposed to one of the parents telling the story, allows the reader to witness the tragedy of Lucy Gray without feeling too tangled up in the parents’ grief. By having an outsider who is in no way involved in the tragedy tell the story, the writer of the poem William Wordsworth, gives the reader an objective point of view on the tragedy as well as room to relate the reader’s own experience to the poem without feeling uncomfortable. Had the poem lacked objectivity the reader would have surely felt uncomfortable and stifled by emotions of the parents’ or a parent telling the story of their daughter’s death. As well as that, the objectiveness of the stranger narrating gives the reader almost a communal experience. It is as if the reader was in a small town one day, and a local just happened to...