In How to Become a Writer, author Lorrie Moore describes how Francie, a disgruntled young woman, struggles with writing and other obstructions she faces as a young adult.
The stories narrator, Francie, speaks in a second person point of view which makes it unique among other short stories. What makes this story more interesting is that she is not speaking to the reader but rather herself. The following quote is an example as she instructs the reader to, "Give it to Mr. Killian as your final project. When you get it back, he has written on it: 'Some of your images are quite nice, but you have no sense of plot'" (148). The reader likely does not know of a Mr. Killian. This use of second person point of view makes the reader think that maybe the "advice" that Francie is presenting may just be a disguise of her true intention; to reveal the different events that shaped her life and emotions that accompanied them. As a result, a sense of doubt forms in the reader's mind as they probably no longer expect for this story to teach them how to become a writer.
This story could be told in a first or third person point of view, but it would be missing much of its humorous charm. For example, the following quote is told in the second point of view, "Insist you are not very interested in any one subject at all, that you are interested in the music of language, that you are interested in-in-syllables, because they are the atoms of poetry, the cells of the mind, the breath of the soul" (150). When told in the first person it loses its funny undertone, "I insisted that i am not very interested in any one subject at all and that i am interested in the music of language, that i am interested in syllables, because they are the atoms of poetry, the cells of the mind" (150).
Another thing that should be considered is that perhaps the reader has the impression that they will become a better writer because of the title of the story. Francie ends up quitting her job and school and apparently never becomes a writer. What the author might have been referring to is how Francies experiences developed her into what is understood as a "writer" a person with wild imagination but has no job or goal in life.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Blog Entry One: A Worn Path
Often authors introduce characters in fiction stories as complex, human-like people. The central character in "A Worn Path", named Phoenix Jackson, shows exactly how intriguing one single person can be through her actions, possessions, and thoughts.
The author, Eudora Welty, reveals a great deal about her character through her clothing and name. A phoenix is a bird often attributed with flames. This suggests that Phoenix Jackson, despite her old age, is a fiery woman. Her attire consists of a red rag, a black dress, and shoes with untied shoe laces. The red rag further strengthens the notion of her fiery personality. The untied shoe laces could suggests that she probably does not care for such a trivial matter. The black dress is an interesting article as it denotes mourning for the loss of a loved one. It is also revealed that Phoenix is a black woman.
Phoenix's actions and thoughts also show much about her character. She speaks to inanimate objects and sometimes blames them for her short comings. She seems to have a constant worry of getting her dress torn which means that it has value to her. One incident in the forest tells much about her psychological health as she imagines a little boy handing her some cake. Another incident occurs in which she crosses a log that is suspended over a lake. For an elderly woman to do an action as dangerous as that shows how determined she is to get to her destination, which is revealed to be a town that is very far away. Through all these events, it becomes more apparent to the reader that Phoenix is a strong willed woman with some mental health issues.
Toward the end of the story, it is revealed by a nurse that Phoenix went to town to get medicine for her grandson. The nurse alludes that Phoenix's grandson is dead, but Phoenix denies this and asks for the medicine.
The author placed much emphasis on Phoenix's character and revealed a shocking truth toward the end of the story. Her use of character disclosure made this an enjoyable yet emotional story to read with great depth for the length that it was presented in.
The author, Eudora Welty, reveals a great deal about her character through her clothing and name. A phoenix is a bird often attributed with flames. This suggests that Phoenix Jackson, despite her old age, is a fiery woman. Her attire consists of a red rag, a black dress, and shoes with untied shoe laces. The red rag further strengthens the notion of her fiery personality. The untied shoe laces could suggests that she probably does not care for such a trivial matter. The black dress is an interesting article as it denotes mourning for the loss of a loved one. It is also revealed that Phoenix is a black woman.
Phoenix's actions and thoughts also show much about her character. She speaks to inanimate objects and sometimes blames them for her short comings. She seems to have a constant worry of getting her dress torn which means that it has value to her. One incident in the forest tells much about her psychological health as she imagines a little boy handing her some cake. Another incident occurs in which she crosses a log that is suspended over a lake. For an elderly woman to do an action as dangerous as that shows how determined she is to get to her destination, which is revealed to be a town that is very far away. Through all these events, it becomes more apparent to the reader that Phoenix is a strong willed woman with some mental health issues.
Toward the end of the story, it is revealed by a nurse that Phoenix went to town to get medicine for her grandson. The nurse alludes that Phoenix's grandson is dead, but Phoenix denies this and asks for the medicine.
The author placed much emphasis on Phoenix's character and revealed a shocking truth toward the end of the story. Her use of character disclosure made this an enjoyable yet emotional story to read with great depth for the length that it was presented in.
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