"He had long months of abstinence behind him and an eternity of pleasure before." (pg. 346)
I think that the title refers to both the father and the son, each in their own way. Obviously, the father enjoys drinking too much. It is tearing his family apart. However, the son is the one who gets drunk in the story. Also, I believe the story has to do with becoming like one's parents, which is something many children dread. Alcoholism runs in families, so I believe that the son will become an alcoholic. The mother predicts this when she is yelling as the father. Also, this is encouraged by the mother's praise of the son when he wakes up.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carter
"She would have it, this baby. She grabbed the baby's other arm. She caught the baby around the wrist and leaned back.
But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard.
In this manner, the issue was decided" (page 345 [handout]).
I believe the meaning of this work was to symbolically show how divorce tears a family, and especially a child, apart. The parents must have once loved each other enough to get married and have a child. Now, for whatever reason, they are splitting up. Many children blame themselves when this happens. It tears them up inside. Also, when parents can't agree on time, children must split their time. This can be difficult, as parents may live far away from each other. All in all, I believe this is the author's interpretation of how divorce affects a child.
But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard.
In this manner, the issue was decided" (page 345 [handout]).
I believe the meaning of this work was to symbolically show how divorce tears a family, and especially a child, apart. The parents must have once loved each other enough to get married and have a child. Now, for whatever reason, they are splitting up. Many children blame themselves when this happens. It tears them up inside. Also, when parents can't agree on time, children must split their time. This can be difficult, as parents may live far away from each other. All in all, I believe this is the author's interpretation of how divorce affects a child.
"You're Ugly, Too" by Lorrie Moore - Question 1
"This was what she'd become: a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie." (pg. 363)
What is the significance of Zoe's many eccentricities-for instance, her keeping all her pocketbook items in Baggies, and her unusual way of interacting with her students? Does her eccentricity make her more of less sympathetic of a character.
Zoe's eccentricities are details to show how she does not fit into society. In a way, she has chosen to be herself, but this also means she is lonely. This all results in her almost pushing Earl off the balcony. At this point, she stops attempting to make friends with him. I don't know if I would say I feel sympathy for her, but I definitely feel pity for her. She's just different, and she doesn't have anywhere that she fits in. She's kind of in a mid-life crisis. She's in a job that she hates, she's single, but her sister is getting married. Nobody pictures his or her life to be this way.
What is the significance of Zoe's many eccentricities-for instance, her keeping all her pocketbook items in Baggies, and her unusual way of interacting with her students? Does her eccentricity make her more of less sympathetic of a character.
Zoe's eccentricities are details to show how she does not fit into society. In a way, she has chosen to be herself, but this also means she is lonely. This all results in her almost pushing Earl off the balcony. At this point, she stops attempting to make friends with him. I don't know if I would say I feel sympathy for her, but I definitely feel pity for her. She's just different, and she doesn't have anywhere that she fits in. She's kind of in a mid-life crisis. She's in a job that she hates, she's single, but her sister is getting married. Nobody pictures his or her life to be this way.
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson - Question 1
"The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green." (pg. 263)
What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?
The primary definition of lottery from dictionary.com is "a gambling game or method of raising money, as for somepublic charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes." However, the fourth definition is "any happening or process that is or appears to bedetermined by chance." The cultural connotation of lottery is in line with the first definition. The title creates the illusion that this lottery has a positive result. Besides the title, the first part of the story creates the image of a peaceful day in a happy small town. The only hint that this is a stoning is the children's gathering of stones, yet this detail is disregarded. This makes the ending all the more surprising.
What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?
The primary definition of lottery from dictionary.com is "a gambling game or method of raising money, as for somepublic charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes." However, the fourth definition is "any happening or process that is or appears to bedetermined by chance." The cultural connotation of lottery is in line with the first definition. The title creates the illusion that this lottery has a positive result. Besides the title, the first part of the story creates the image of a peaceful day in a happy small town. The only hint that this is a stoning is the children's gathering of stones, yet this detail is disregarded. This makes the ending all the more surprising.
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