Favorite and Least Favorite

My favorite story was the Veldt. I thought it was a fun read, and I enjoyed the subtle clues that foreshadowed the ending (the smells, the bloody wallet, etc.)  - it was like putting a puzzle together. I also liked the Story of an Hour. The irony caught me by surprise, and I think it was well-written in that the reader is given a lot of insight into Mrs. Mallard's character, and the emotions she feels after thinking her husband is dead. 

My least favorite story is probably Spinster. It took me a while to get into the story, and it didn't really have much of an effect on me after I was through reading it. Hence, there wasn't much that I could take away from it. I also didn't really like The Lottery. While it was well thought-out, and filled with irony, I was so confused that I had to re-read it several times to understand what was going on.

"Conscience of the Court"

Written in 1950, “Conscience of the Court” presents an optimistic view of the legal system, and how the courts should operate. I think that Laura Lee’s trial is thus both fair and hopeful. She was attacked first, and merely defending herself and the property of Celestine. It paints a realistic picture in that it represents how there is hope in the legal system with its heritage of justice and pursuit of fairness. Hurston does not offer an unrealistic model, but a model for change. Laura’s case simply symbolizes how this change will come about one case at a time. Furthermore, when Hurston’s story was published, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people was gaining prominence. It supported a growing number of legal battles that were fought for equal rights. It was also a factor that paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement. 

"A Worn Path"

I think that Phoenix is very conflicted with herself. She seems to have built up so much pain and awareness throughout the years. I also see a conflict with society. She is treated as inferior, and a bit crazy, not just because of her old age, but because of the color of her skin. The white man she comes across on her way into town, demonstrates one such example. He is respectful, but does not take her seriously. He points his gun at her, almost tauntingly - or as if to test her level of fear. I highly doubt he would have exhibited the same behavior had she been a white women of old age. 

It is also ironic, that at the story’s end, Phoenix is finally treated with a bit of compassion at the clinic. She demonstrates the ability to accept the harsh circumstances of her life, and go on. Whereas before, on her journey into town, her mind was pre-occupied with other thoughts (the animals, the smells, the sunshine).  Moreover, the path she is walking on is symbolic. It is not only worn because she herself has had to travel it so many times, but because it represents the path traveled by poor and oppressed people everywhere.

"A Spinster's Tale"

Elizabeth has an obvious conflict with Mr. Speed (man vs. man), but I think it is an outcome of the conflict she has with herself. As she remembers her childhood, she seems lonely, or even lost. She wants to escape the world in which she now finds herself, which is illustrated through her chant,  “away,” in the parlor mirror. Her loneliness may stem from the fact that her brother is usually not in the right state of mind due to alcohol, and her father is distant. When her father is around, he is either arguing with her brother, or in the parlor with his brothers drinking. Thus, Elizabeth has an obvious issue with alcohol. It is very-deep rooted. When she sees Mr. Speed, his drunken demeanor and uncoordinated movements, she is shaken up a bit. I think she takes the anger she feels about the death of her mother and the alcoholism in the family out on Mr. Speed. The conflict that she has with Mr. Speed thus drives the story. 

"The Lady with the Dog"

Chekhov is more involved with Dmitry’s character because he allows the reader much more insight into his feelings. Whereas Anna’s emotions are only revealed through the dialogue, and Dmitry’s observations of her behavior, the reader is allowed a more in-depth account of Dmitry’s conflict. He is obviously very conflicted with himself - he wonders why women young women flock to him, but then reassures himself that he is only deceiving them, and that there must be something about him that draws them in and makes them want to stay. Anna’s character, on the other hand, seems very vulnerable and unhappy. She explicitly states that she is unhappy, and she is obviously conflicted about how to sustain her relationship with her husband and to be with Dmitry. She would bring shame on her husband and herself if she were to act more impulsively on her love for Dmitry. 

In the beginning of the short story, Dmitry’s character seems reserved and confident. He is not looking for love, as he believes that all women are of a “lower race.” He is also able to cut himself off from those he at one point cared for. Going through the monotonous, daily motions of his life are not pleasing to him. He thinks that everyone around him is uninteresting. However, as the story progresses he realizes his love for Anna. He is unable to deny it, and willing to allow himself a chance to be with her. Thus, he is in a sense unhardened and humbled by the end of the story (he wonders why any young woman would love an aging man such as himself). 

"Chrysanthemums" and "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses"

“Chrysanthemums”: When Elisa is crying at the end of the story, she demonstrates that even though she tries to maintain a “strong woman” image, she is only human, and seeing the shoots on the ground does upset her. Between her emotional reaction, and the time she discovers the shoots, she brings up going to see a fight after dinner. I think she does this because she is trying to engage in repairing behavior. She deflected from a comfortable state when she saw that the “repair man” had thrown the shoots out on the ground. In order to regain a sense of being strong, she creates a conversation out of a masculine subject. She then inquires if women participate in such fighting, which exemplifies her need to want to keep poise, and not subject herself to the sensitivity she feels. Thus, she obviously has a conflict with herself in fighting back emotions that are apparent within her (she wants to be perceived as strong, not weak in character). 

“The Girls in Their Summer Dresses”: Upon the first few pages of the story, I am annoyed with Frances’ character. She seems whiney, and insecure. However, as the story progresses, I feel sorry for her. Her husband admits that he wants other women, and that he indulges in looking at all the pretty ones around Fifth Avenue (one of the reasons he moved to NYC). While she instigates his response by not backing away from the subject, she also accepts that he admits he may one day “slip up” from wanting another woman so much. Michael, her husband, is obviously very superficial. I am not impressed with his character. Moreover, the 1930s and 40s reflects a time in which women were more domestic. Thus, divorce or separation do not phase Frances - she is dependent on her husband. In this day and age, this story is stressful because the reader hopes that Frances will redeem herself and leave Michael. However, in the early - mid 1900s, the conflict between Michael and Frances seems more realistic (it is more realistic to think that she would stay with him, than leave him). 

"Desiree's Baby"

I was surprised by the ending of the story. I did not foresee the discovery of Armand’s ethnicity. However, I knew that there would be an oncoming twist, since the story was so brief - I thought Desiree was going to kill herself, and her child. These thoughts may have been influenced by the morbid themes in O’Connor’s works, as we just finished up with them. The impact of the cultural context of this setting is important. The Civil War began as a war to neutralize slavery, and escalated into a war of abolition. During the years preceding the Civil War, racial tensions ran high. It was unheard of for any proper man to father the baby of a colored, or mixed child. Many men of even average standing did not marry women of color, as they were categorized as slaves. Hence, it makes sense that during this time, Armand would want Desiree and the child to leave, so as not to tarnish his reputation. 

However, it is ironic that Armand was the one of mixed race. This is situational irony at its finest. The audience did not expect this outcome, as Chopin did not leave many indications of foreshadowing.