Click here for a selection of past questions on the short stories. Over Easter, you should aim to do "15 Minute Writing Challenges" on as many as possible, comparing two stories and at least one full timed essay, by hand.
Please post questions as comments and also any of your writing which you'd like me to have a look at. Please remember to include the question number with your work.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Look again at "The End of Something." Compare how the writers present characters experiencing loss in this and other other story from the selection.
ReplyDeleteIn "The End of Something," Hemingway presents characters experiencing loss by describing their reactions:
"Marjorie stood up. Nick sat there, his head in his hands." Almost immediately there is a definite contrast in the character's ways of experiencing their loss of the relationship between them. Whereby Marjorie instantly takes control of the situation to suit her, Nick succumbs to his inner emotions: "his head in his hands." This implies that Nick, rather than approaching his loss as Marjorie did, he is ashamed and tries to hide away from it. This therefore portrays that Nick is the weaker of the two and instead of coming to terms with it, he tries to block it as if nothing had happened, shielding himself from the outside world.
In comparison, in "Flight," Lessing also describes character's actions to present them experiencing loss:
"He deliberately held out his wrist for the bird to take flight and caught it again at the moment it spread its wings." The Granddad in this story cannot bear to let go even though he knows that his granddaugher, personified by the pigeon, has already gone. "At the moment it spread its wings" implies that at the very last minute he decides to pull her back. It shows that although he may want his family member to be free to do what she wants, he cannot bear it. However, "deliberately" insinuates that this action is spiteful yet may be his way of hiding his emotions with anger because he is ashamed of them just as Nick is in "The End of Something." Nick and the Granddad in "Flight" are very similar, they cannot let go of their loved ones and hide their emotions away. Therefore, in "The End of Something" and "Flight," the poets portray characters experiencing loss by descriptions of their methods of dealing with it.
Excellent and cogent comparison here which is well focused on the question. One small thing to note is that you occasionally refer to the writers as poets which, obviously, they are not so be careful with this. I particularly like your analysis of the word "deliberately" at the end and think you could go further with this: the word "deliberately" clearly demonstrates that Lessing shows the Grandfather as someone who wants to take control of the situation despite his innability to do so and this is in stark contrast to Nick who, despite trying to take control in TEOS ("shall I push the boat off for you") is rendered passive and impotent by the loss of Marjorie ("his head in his hands").
ReplyDelete6-Compare the ways the writers in Flight and Your Shoes present the relationship between parents and children?
ReplyDeleteIn Flight, Doris Lessing portrays the relationship between the Grandfather and the grandaughter as being too possesive and agressive;
"his fingers curling like claws into his palm".
This quotation reveals the animalistic and malicious side towards the grandfather as he realises Alice is in another relationship other than the one with him. The anger and rage shown mounting up inside him depicts his attitude and physical behaviour as being irritating and domineering towards Alice. Furthermore, due to the reinforcement of a birds physical action depicting anthropomorphicism, it exploits another meaning in that Alice is exceedingly close to his heart. This is slightly bizarre due to the fact that he is portraying his love for her while showing such evilness, revealing a strange relationship between the two.
In comparison, in Your Shoes, Michele Roberts presents the relationship between the mother and the daughter as being seperate and very distant;
"I thought i knew you as well as i knew this house".
This phrase reveals the fact that they do not really know each other at all showing immatureness and lack of care as they have not bothered to find time to bond with one another. The reason for this is because the mother mentions that she knows the house more than her own daughter revealing a loss in genuine love. Furthermore, because she is speaking about her own daughter in a unloving way, it depicts a depraved and despondent person who tries her hardest to transform the person she is supposed to cherish and love into something she is most definately not by corresponding her to a pair of white, clean trainers. This obviously shows dissapointment towards the daughter revealing a very distant relationship.
Where Lessing uses the word 'claws' to reveal the anger building up inside him because of the strong sense of love, Roberts uses the word 'thought' to show that she no longer feels the love andd closeness towards her daughter. Both quotations portray dissapointment to the relative close to them conveying how the relationships with the children do not seem to work well. - Antonia
Really strong comparison and analysis as always Antonia, very well done. Only two things I might change and both are very small:
ReplyDelete1) Analyse the language of your quotations in the first instance (although your analysis itself is excellent
2) I would make explicit the difference between thoughts and actions in your final comparison- you hint at this but I would spell it out.
Definately A* quality though, well done.
1.In both Superman and Paula Brown’s New Snowsuit and Growing Up the main characters learn about people around them. Compare the things they learn and the ways the writers show the characters’ experiences of learning.
ReplyDeleteIn Cary’s Growing Up, the father learns of an absolutely different side to his daughter than he is used to:
“Eyes were wide and glaring, her lips were curled back to show all her teeth”
By giving Jenny an animalistic personality, such as “wide and glaring” and “curled back”, this conveys she is untamed and therefore dangerous. The description of her eyes also suggest she is taking in the fact that she is causing pain to her father and as it connects to “showing all her teeth”, it is believed that she enjoys it and can’t even hide this fact. Being such a vulgar sentence, the reader immediately sees the father is disgusted and possibly afraid of his on daughter. Similarly, Plath’s descriptive words also play a part in the revelation of characters:
“The rest of them faced me with a strange joy flickering in the back of their eyes”
Interestingly, Plath uses the description of “eyes” as well in Superman. The personification in “strange joy flickering” conveys a lively attitude as the children accuse the narrator. Therefore, it makes sense to believe they all have a schadenfreudic personality. The main character obviously finds it unfair how everyone is turning against her as seen in “the rest of them”. Both stories show the main character feeling intimidated by learning of other people’s personalities. The authors also did this in a similar way – through the description of eyes. This is effective for presenting how the characters deal with such an experience.
1.In both Superman and Paula Brown’s New Snowsuit and Growing Up the main characters learn about people around them. Compare the things they learn and the ways the writers show the characters’ experiences of learning.
ReplyDeleteIn Cary’s Growing Up, the father learns of an absolutely different side to his daughter than he is used to:
“Eyes were wide and glaring, her lips were curled back to show all her teeth”
By giving Jenny an animalistic personality, such as “wide and glaring” and “curled back”, this conveys she is untamed and therefore dangerous. The description of her eyes also suggest she is taking in the fact that she is causing pain to her father and as it connects to “showing all her teeth”, it is believed that she enjoys it and can’t even hide this fact. Being such a vulgar sentence, the reader immediately sees the father is disgusted and possibly afraid of his on daughter. Similarly, Plath’s descriptive words also play a part in the revelation of characters:
“The rest of them faced me with a strange joy flickering in the back of their eyes”
Interestingly, Plath uses the description of “eyes” as well in Superman. The personification in “strange joy flickering” conveys a lively attitude as the children accuse the narrator. Therefore, it makes sense to believe they all have a schadenfreudic personality. The main character obviously finds it unfair how everyone is turning against her as seen in “the rest of them”. Both stories show the main character feeling intimidated by learning of other people’s personalities. The authors also did this in a similar way – through the description of eyes. This is effective for presenting how the characters deal with such an experience.
11. Remind yourself of Growing Up and one other story in the selection. Compare how the writers present conflict.
ReplyDeleteIn Growing Up, Carry presents conflict to be to be caused by a never ending struggle for power:
"Pale- paleface Robbie."
This case of repitition clearly demonstrates the daughter's built up anger being directed at Robert Quick. This also suggests to the reader that Robert was restricting her, with the aim of retaining his hold on the family. In addition, the use of repitition reveals that the conflict is continuously occoring in the close- knit household. Robert is obviously used to having the powerful role, but he feels uncomfortable and nervous when others attempt to seize the power:
"Robert was shocked."
This statement illustrates his worry when displaced from the leader's role. Consequently, the conflict of 'paleface' occores when the family members confront with one another.
Likewise, in Chemistry, the characters of Ralph and Grandfather conflict with each other when the power over the mother is mentioned:
"Why don't you leave her alone?"
This angry and attacking statement is dircted at the Grandfather with a deliberate and threatening force. This clearly suggests to the reader that the two characters are very possesive over the mother's power. Therefore this inevitable conflict breaks out between the two of them. In addition, this threatening quote directly links to the conflict present in Growing up: 'paleface Robbie.'
In both Superman and Paula Brown’s New Snowsuit and Growing Up the main characters learn about people around them. Compare the things they learn and the ways the writers show the characters’ experiences of learning.
ReplyDeleteIn both Superman and Paula Browns New Snowsuit and Growing up the main characters are presented learning something new. Both have a shock to their realities when their friends and family betray them. It is considered as a nasty experience and welcomes them to the real world.
Robert Quick, a man who regards himself as an amazing father and husband to his wife and children. However we are shown that this is not the case within the first few paragraphs of the story. From Quick’s thoughts we are led to believe that his children are younger than they actually are. Joyce Carey presents a life lesson for Quick:
“They tore at the man and suddenly he was frightened”
This suggests that’s he was not as bothered before when the children were attacking Snort the dog, however now it is him he was very afraid. A parent should have discipline within a household and it is clearly shown here that the children rule the roost. Quick is suddenly faced with the true people his daughters are: violent, unruly teenagers.
Similarly, in Superman and Paula Browns New Snowsuit we are also presented with a feeling of fear. The young child we are introduced to has had an unfortunate experience and due to this she is given an insight into her supposed friends. Sylvia Plath portrays the excitement of being a child but also the disappointment and heart break.
“They were all moving in on me, chanting in chorus”
This creates a intimidating feeling for the child involved, she has been singled out and made to feel excluded from the rest of the group. Plath’s use of the words “moving in on me” could imply that the persona is feeling claustrophobic which leads on to suggest that she is surrounded unable to move away from them. The young child in the story is faced with the ugliness of adulthood, and learns that the people she called friends have turned against her.
In Growing Up the children continue to amaze their father with their behavior:
“He was deeply shocked”
This could suggest that the children have never reacted this way before or he was never around to see the way they treated other living things. Quick has a culture shock as he also believed his children to be sweet innocent angels that would never do wrong however they have proved that they can be just as cruel as anyone else. It is suggested that he is upset by what his children have done
Sylvia Plath presents the persona to be very upset, like Quick the young girl has had a shock and has lost the innocent of being a child.
“I threw myself fiercely down on my bed and lay there, dry-eyed and burning”
Plath’s use of the words “fiercely” and “burning” suggest a violent front. The child is obviously angry about what is happened yet unlike the children in Growing Up she does not take this anger out on anyone. Remaining quite she reflects on what has happened. It shows the heart ache caused by those who have turned against or changed their personalities.
In conclusion, both stories show the persona in a weakened position. Both characters suffer the pain involved in learning about people who surround them everyday. Growing Up finishes in a positive way with Quick realizing that his children are growing up and he needs to step back in order to allow them to do that. However Superman and Paula Browns New Snowsuit has a negative ending with the persona feeling alone and afraid of the world in which she has to live in. Both personas have similar experiences in learning what their friends and family are like, however both stories have very different outcomes.
http://mrmccareyy10.blogspot.com/2010/04/short-story-past-questions.html?showComment=1271330569674#c9159661865609844398
ReplyDeleteGreat A* comparison here, well done
28 April 2010 20:49
ReplyDeleteAlso A* comparison, well done. The only other thing I might add is with regards the word "Robbie" which is a childlike term and suggests that, in the midst of conflict, she is talking down to him. Similarly, Ralph uses the demeaning term "her" when he is driven to anger.
29 April 2010 18:14
ReplyDeleteA great essay which would probably get a strong A. The following, which shouldn't take any more time, would definately push it up:
1) "From Quick’s thoughts we are led to believe that his children are younger than they actually are" Excellent point but support it with a brief quotation which demonstrates the way the reader gets this impression- you won't need to analyse it
2)End of first comparison, compare the word "tore" with the word "chanting" as both imply the malicious intent which the children display
3)Work in a linguistic device at some point. The word "burning" in Superman is a metaphor- point this out
H.2. In Flight the grandfather has to face some unpleasant truths. Compare the ways the grandfather and one other character from another story in the selection have to face unpleasant truths.
ReplyDeleteIn both Flight and TEOS, Lessing and Hemmingway show their characters facing some unpleasant truths. In Flight, Lessing shows the grandfather can overcome his realization: ‘he lifted the bird on his wrist’. This shows he can be strong. ‘Lifted’ implies the bird is elevated above his head suggesting the grandfather is coming to terms with his unpleasant truth and allowing it to overpower him due to the use of height. Also the words ‘his wrist’ proposes the grandfather has taken control of the situation and has realized he cannot fight it any longer. On the other hand, in TEOS Hemmingway shows Nick regrets battling his unpleasant truth: ‘went back and lay down’. The words ‘went back’ suggests Nick regrets splitting up with Marjorie because ‘back’ implies Nick believe by going ‘back’ to the setting of the situation he will be able to redo what he regrets. Proving he wishes he didn’t break up with Marjorie’s. Interestingly, in both of the stories the authors show their characters reacting different to an unpleasant truth. Hemmingway shows Nick regrets facing his truth by using time as a metaphor. Whereas Lessing shows the grandfather is happy to take control by using height to imply his strength.
15 minutes.
ReplyDelete2.In Flight the grandfather has to face some unpleasant truths. Compare the ways the grandfather and one other character from another story in the selection have to face unpleasant truths.
In ‘Flight’ the grandfather has to face the unpleasant truth that his granddaughter is growing up and moving on.
“She’ll marry him. I’m telling you, she’ll be marrying him next!”
The structure technique of the explanation mark emphasizes his anger and frustration at facing this unpleasant truth. Lessing also uses the repetition of the word “Marry” to show how the truth he has to face up to revolves around love and relationships, suggesting perhaps that the grandfather finds it hard to accept maybe because of a past bad experience he has found stemmed from love. Also the way in which it is revealed to him (his daughter) perhaps triggers other emotions inside him therefore making it harder for him to come to terms with the truth. Similarly in ‘Your Shoes’ Roberts shows how family relationships are tested when unpleasant truths come out.
“You said lots of girls in your class had had sex by the time they were fifteen you weren’t going to be the exception” the unpleasant truth of her daughters promiscuity is hard for the Mother to face up too especially because of the shocking way it is revealed. The phrase “sex by the time they were fifteen” shows how the daughter is behaving illegally giving the Mother the right to not accept this. Interestingly this highlights the marriage that the grandfather has to face in ‘Flight’ because whilst they are not doing anything wrong the grandfather still finds it a struggle to face up to this as he still views it as an unpleasant truth.
2.In Flight the grandfather has to face some unpleasant truths. Compare the ways the grandfather and one other character from another story in the selection have to face unpleasant truths.
ReplyDeleteThe grandfather from "Flight" is able to face losing his granddaughter despite his feelings being against it: "clenched in the pain of loss, he lifted the bird on his wrist" The word "clenched" is an action which emphasises pain. When he realised it was time to let Alice go, not only did he get emotionally hurt but physically as well. Despite this, he "lifted the bird" - a sign showing he is willingly going to let go of the bird (which is used as a metaphor for his granddaughter throughout the story). On the other hand, in Plath's "Superman", the main character is unable to deal with the situation: "the silver airplanes and the blue capes all dissolved and vanished, wiped away" The "silver airplanes" and "blue capes" could be seen as emblems of childhood and excitement as they suggest adventure and heorism. However, as they are being "dissolved", "vanished" and "wiped away", this suggest the childish side of the character is leaving her and she feels alone and abandoned without it. The way both characters face the unpleasant truth is in total contrast beacuse, although the grandfather is able to move on, the narrator from "Superman..." is suffering and unable to cope with her loss of innocence.
-Simba :)
29th April 19:43
ReplyDeleteAn excellent, cogent and conceptualised response which would clearly be part of an A* answer. THe only slight problem (and this may just be a typo) is in your analysis of "Flight" where you say that the grandfather allows the unpleasant truth to "overpower" him as this seems to contradict everything else you have said. Other than this, great!
3rd May 2010
ReplyDeleteReally like this answer, particularly where you point out that, actually,the mother in "Your Shoes" has got a point! Could you therefore go on to say that it may be symbolic that the mother's justifiable anger doesn't fade away by the end of the story, the Grandfather has no real right to be angry and this is proved by his eventual acceptance of the situation.
Simba-
ReplyDeleteFantastic answer with very well chosen evidence. I really like the way you use a variety of linked quotations from "Superman". All it needs is a bit of close comparison- maybe contrasting the word "dissolved" with "lifted" to demonstrate that one character becomes active whilst the other is rendered passive by their losses.
Compare the ways the writers of any two stories present the relationship between parents and children - Your Shoes & Growing Up
ReplyDeleteIn both "Your Shoes" and "Growing Up" both parents seem disconnected from their children. Although, in both stories there are obvious signs that the parent loves their child, there are also hints of them wanting to be away and to escape from their children. In "Your Shoes", the mother is seen as a very obbsessive and loving person but also neglectful. "I used to shut the door on you and go back downstairs". This makes her seem weak and uncaring as instead of sticking to what she knows is right, she gives up and walks away. Because of this, their relationship is also seen as weak which is proven by the quote: "I didn't really know you at all". Relationships between mothers and daughters are usually seen as a very strong bond. However, in "Your Shoes" it's the opposite.
This is also presented in "Gowing Up". Because the father is said to be at work a lot, the relationshop between him and his children would negatively be affected. However, when he is at home with them, it's clear that he's uncomfortable and doesn't want to be there. "Oh daddy, where are you going?", "he stole away". On both occasions the father attempted to escape, which is similar to "Your Shoes" as she hides away from the outside world. Even though he failed to get away, the fact that he wanted to reveals the weak relationship between him and his daughters. It's clear that he doesn't feel the way he should towards his children. This differs with "Your Shows" because, in the mother's perspective, the fault in their relationship is discovered after her daughter runs away, suggesting that the mother is less neglective and unloving than the father from "Growing Up". Both parents have daughters implying their situtations should be similer. Because of this, the mother in "Your Shoes" could be seen to overreact compared with the father in "Growing Up".
-Katherine
Katherine-
ReplyDeleteExcellent work here: even though you don't directly compare the language (which would be nice) you compensate for this by the detail in your comparison. Your ideas are original and I like the way you use multiple quotations. Only problem is that there is no analysis of language/words here and this obviously needs to be present.
Comparing the ways writers present characters experiencing loss.
ReplyDeleteIn ‘The end of Something’ Nick, the main character, experiences loss in a depressing and distressing way. ‘lying, his face in a blanket’. The word ‘lying’ suggests that he is grieving for his loss, something he thought wouldn’t have happened. This suggests that he regrets his actions and is saddened by the ordeal. Also, the word ‘blanket’ suggests that Nick needs comforting, like a child, emphasizing his need for Marjorie.
In Superman Plath shows a different kind of loss: not a loss of possession, but of identification. She shows a child who has realised the pain of growing up. ‘I lay there alone in my bed, feeling the black shadow’ shows the betrayal she feels in the life she used to have, it could also show the closing in realisation of reality.
Similarly, both authors present their loss as upsetting and a need for comfort. Hemmingway using a ‘blanket’ and Plath using a ‘bed’ to showing the attempt at ease from the increasing sadness caused by their loss. However, both authors show the effects of loss in different ways; Plath realising that she needs to grow up and Hemmingway showing Nick reverting back to a childlike state, shown by the childlike need of a ‘blanket’
Roberta
Roberta- excellent A* quality, conceptual writing here, well done. Only change I would make is to the word "identification" which should be "identity".
ReplyDelete11. Remind yourself of Growing Up and one other story in the selection. Compare how the writers present conflict.
ReplyDeleteIn both “Growing up” and “Chemistry” the authors present the younger children in their story to have a violent streak of nature that would ultimately change the narrator’s perception of life, and this illustrates how the narrator’s would rather continue in their ignorant bliss rather than experiencing conflict and violence.
In “Growing Up” Carey presents the protagonist Mr Quick to be an ignorant proud Father to what he considers his well mannered, polite and perfect daughters. However, the lack of his presence in his home proves to be the flaw in the story, as he witnesses the pure struggle of power with his own kin.
“The two children dashed after the bitch, laughing, bumping together, falling over each other and snatching up anything they could find to throw at the fugitive.”
The emphasis on the word “children” is apparent in this quote, as Carey would’ve wanted to highlight the sheer fact that the two sadistic characters are of a child mindset, which instantly goes against the innocent stereotype that a child is perceived to withhold. Also how the Quick’s daughters were “laughing, bumping together” demonstrates the schadenfreudic attiudes of the characters, and how they could relish in the pain and anxiety of the “sentimental” Snort. The word “fugitive” creates a sense of anthropomorphism, as it gives human characteristics to the pet dog and instantly creates the persona of Snort to be vulnerable. Carey creates this conflict where the children are in dominance and that their own Father can not put a stop to their primitively charged actions to demonstrate how the pure bliss of ignorance can come crashing down with reality.
Similarly in “Chemistry”, Swift uses a child narrator to demonstrate the newly-found anger that a child experiences and how they are unaware that the anger that they are encountering could lead to conflict in the future.
“I thought I would throw the acid in Ralph’s face at breakfast. I didn’t want to kill him. It would have been pointless to kill him-since death is a deceptive business.”
This compares with “Growing Up”, as neither the three children want kill but they want to cause unimaginable pain for a glimpse of attention that they are deprived of. For example, the absence of parents is apparent in “Growing Up”, so the daughters lash out to create a reaction through the unexpected conflict, and how in “Chemistry” the young boy who envies the attention that Ralph receives from his Mother wants to cast him out of the spotlight with violence and aggression. Both writers present conflict to demonstrate the fragility of a child’s mind, and how an untamed and disadvantaged mindset can link to aggression and ultimately a conflictance.
-Lizzy
Excellent comparison here Lizzie, well done. The only thing I'd change is that you need to use the key word from the question: "conflict" a little mroe often.
ReplyDelete