final post

My favorite short story that we read this semester came down to either The Veldt, Good Country People or Everything that Rises Must Converge. The Veldt won in my mind, only because the plot is actually a unique subject area that not many writers venture into and successfully complete. I have never been a huge fan of science fiction and creating worlds as if from the future, which is why this story particularly surprised me. It's modern and technologically advanced, but not in a boring, geeky way. The ending is truly the icing on the cake, and I almost chose this story as my film adaptation proposal piece because it would make such a great movie, especially considering what Hollywood can do to a script. Each time I read it, I could imagine all the awards some designer would win for set design and visual effects. As I've said before, descriptions are a big ticket item for me in terms of what makes me appreciate a story or not, and the Veldt fulfilled this area.

There were a few stories I simply didn't care for, didn't connect with but very few that I just simply flat out couldn't stand. Paul's Case wins the award for least likeable. The author successfully depressed me while reading this story which might be one of the reasons I didn't care for it. It didn't keep my attention and the story kind of dragged on a little. Although The Yellow Wallpaper went on quite longer than I would have enjoyed, it still was interesting. I felt that Paul's Case was just unnecessary and that in modern days he would have found an outlet and there would not be any societal conflicts with him discovering himself. Also, his suicide seemed a little unexpected to me and really, no one, especially not Americans enjoy a story that ends in suicide/unhappily.

the conscious of the court

Hurston uses Laura Lee's character as an example of the cultural differences in society at that time period. Her witness and telling the story from her perspective is effective in describing how she was not only uneducated but also portrays in a positive way the treatment of African-Americans in that time period, which I view and inaccurate. I honestly do not think that a judge or a courtroom would be so gracious and accommodating to a African-American, and especially a woman in the court at the time. They would use her lack of education and courtroom formality against her and cease to even give her a fair trial.

I like the way Hurtson writes, the story isn't difficult to read and the descriptions were vivid. I do however see conflict within the courtroom between the lawyers and the judge; they are obligated to listen and comply with him. Man vs Man is present here, but with Laura Lee and the court it is apparently Man vs Society and possibly she has a little bit of conflict within herself. She almost has no idea what is actually going on in the courtroom or why she is in fact there, why strangers are being so kind to her and why she gets to go home free in the end,

a worn path

The descriptions in this story about a seemingly senile old woman were really what kept my attention. The detail of the wrinkles on her face compared the pattern of tree branches is beautiful and paints the picture perfectly. Also, the part where she thanks God for allowing there to not be any snakes, she mentions how it once took her a while to get past the snakes which was really the first clue to me that she was having conversations with herself. This short conversation gave me the impression that she thinks she once encountered a similar situation in her life, but what is the snake representative of?

I kind of view this story as her plotting out her life experiences and going through different things that have happened to her. She might be on her death bed, as one conversation she has with herself she says, "who be you the ghost of? For I have heard of nary death close by" which implies she is aware that her life is coming to an end. This story also possesses an eerie feel to it, an old woman wandering by herself, the wind, nature, the conversations all seem like they could be a part of the setting of a thriller or mystery movie.

Old Phoenix draws sympathy from me, she is alone, seems wistful of another time, and preparing herself for the end. The story was saddening but captivating at the same time.

A Spinster's Tale

Elizabeth matures throughout the story, prompted by the death of her mother she is forced to grow into the only lady in the household next to her brother and father. Her birthday and seeing her brother drunk seem to be two significant turning points for her. The birthday may simply be a milestone, but her father declares to her that she is now a young lady. Seeing her brother drunk and acknowledging his drunkenness is an aid to growing up because alcohol and the effects of alcohol are adult issues.

Mr. Speed seems to be a representation of everything that is included in growing up and the dangers/perils of life, everything that a child should not know of. At first I really wasn't sure if he actually existed, but when interaction between him and the other characters occurred, I knew he not only existed but was also a symbol of everything in Elizabeth's life that she had to face and deal with. Her coming to terms and taking on the responsibilities of the house are a part of her maturing. I like how we hear all her thoughts and walk along with her as she grows up a bit, the narration point of view is essential to these insights.

I got a little lost in the story, and it took a few rereads to understand it a little more. I haven't exactly figured out the relation of the title to the story. A spinster is more of an old maid, sometimes a woman or girl who is unable to marry or unwilling. I don't gather this from Elizabeth's situation.

The Lady with the Dog

I didn't feel a whole lot of connection to this story at all. The two of them, Dmitry and Anna seem to live these bland, meaningless lives. Even after meeting one another and continuing their affair, there isn't any passion. I didn't gather a lot from Chekhov's writing, which maybe is the problem, lacking a connection to the story.

I don't particularly care for the inconsistent use of Dmitry's name, switching back and forth from last to first. I found it interesting how Dmitry refers to women as the "lower race" yet still pursues woman after woman, and continually cheats on his wife.

Anna's attitude changes as the story progresses, and she opens up to Dmitry more and more, despite verbally saying she felt guilty and that they shouldn't be doing what they were doing. When Dmitry goes to her house and sees the fence, he even references it saying how it would make anyone have a desire to escape- the fence is literally and symbolically keeping her from going where she wants to and being free.

Maybe these two are so bored with their own lives that they are indeed perfect for each other, find one another somewhat appealing and can start a different life together? It also seems a little illogical to me how they just happen to know the town and where the other one lives, do they ever give their address to one another?

The Girls in Their Summer Dresses

This story revealed a few things to me. Michael's struggle with Frances is all three types of conflict. He struggles with himself and controlling his eyes, being faithful and honest with his wife, he struggles with his wife in telling her the truth and he struggles with society because it is society that tells us to do whatever we want, pleasure is good, and pay no attention to consequences.

I also think the setting is important because if it were in a less populated city or a rural area the story wouldn't make sense at all. New York is perfect because of the diversity, as Michael notes, and the natural busyness of the city.

It is however, heartbreaking to see how pleasant, but almost in an insincere manner, the couple is in the beginning and how slowly the wife is persistent and her husband does reveal that he is bound to cheat on her. I wouldn't think anything of it if this man is looking at women, looking is just fine, we were given eyes to take in the world. It's the thoughts and actions that are problematic. Frances should be content with the fact that her husband says he hasn't touched another woman and he loves her, let him look, look all he wants just don't touch. I almost don't care for Frances character because she brings this all upon herself. The whole evaluation and dramatic explanation is unnecessary and frankly it brought to the surface issues that weren't even issues.

The Birthmark

The husband in this story is disgusted by a birthmark that is upon his wife's face, and eventually he convinces her that she doesn't like it either and that he can remove it. He is a successful scientist and creates a concoction for her "deformity". The husband really shouldn't make this attempt, he should love her the way she is, they way she was made. This reminds me of people investing in unnecessary plastic surgeries these days, thinking they need to fix something on their body when in fact they are fine. I am not talking about unhealthily obese or ill people, just the ones that aren't happy with the way they were made. The husbands attempt to remove the birthmark is a struggle between him and nature and in the end his quest for perfection kills her. If he loved her, he would love her for more than just skin deep beauty.

Also, his character is compared to Adam in the book of Genesis, who although he lived in paradise and had a perfect world, was tempted by the one thing he couldn't have. He not only gave into this temptation, but also convinced his wife that it was necessary, just as Aylmer convinces his wife that the blemish should be removed. If it is something God made, specifically placed, does that make it a blemish just because we are aware of its presence? I think Aylmer is selfish and stupid, cares more about his scientific and career accomplishments than his own wife and her feelings. This story was a little slow, but I mostly enjoyed it.