The theme of War and the trauma that comes with it is present in both short stories. War can be defined as a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation. In the short story Stones, we see a David Max who went to war, but did not return completely. He was physically home, but he was not the same man emotionally. Before David went to war, he was happy and he loved his family. David joined the army for his family. He wanted to protect them. When he joined he felt that by him joining, his sons Ben and Cy would not have to join and become solider. The relationship he shared with Ben was a relationship that most long for it was a relationship that is desired for. That is, until he returned from war. Likewise, In the story “The Red Convertible” Henry suffers greatly from the war and it can be compared to Davids suffering. In the beginning, Henry comes off as an easy, hilarious, carefree, and cheerful young man. After spending three brutal years fighting in the war he became a very different person and he came back physically but like David he was not emotionally stable. Lymann begins to tell us that Henry was very different after returning home from war. He describes the change as being “no good”. He was very quiet, and he could never sit still and he would be constantly moving around. He was always a very cheerful man and now you couldn’t get a laugh out of him and it was all very different.
Contrasting symbols in “Stones” and ” The Red Convertible”
The symbols in both short stories are very much different. They are physically different but in some way they may interconnect to somehow be relate able. The most important symbol in “The Red Convertible” is the car alone. The red bright car symbolizes the young, bright, and exciting relationship shared intimately between Lyman and Henry. Before the war, the car is in excellent condition and the boys are overjoyed. The boys care for each other and spend almost all of there time together and their actions and the road trip they embark on show this. While the wart is going on, Henry and Lyman are not together and the car is left alone in the garage. When Henry returns from war, he is a changed man. Lyman wants to regain the relationship they shared before but when he fails in doing so, he destroys the car. Destroying the car is symbolic of destroying the relationship. As the story comes to a close and Henry drowns and becomes lost forever, Lyman launches the car into the river to sink with him. This represents that the relationship they once shared is now gone forever. The stones are a symbol as well. Stones are often viewed as cold and lifeless and this can be compared to David after he returned from War. He was very different and ti was not good. David did not want any emotional contact with anyone but maybe if he let Ben in to love and care for him, things would of been different. David wanted his ashes with his fellow dead soldiers in Dieppe so there would be a “stone among stones.” “ The stones are treacherous, But they are also beautiful.” This is very symbolic because David himself is treacherous. He decided to fight for his country even though it emotionally destroyed him. He was a very brave and filled with courage.
One theme present in ” The Hunger Games ” By Suzanne Collins
On theme that is present in this novel is the inequality that is shared between the rich and poor people of Panem. In Panem, money and being wealthy is very much concentrated on. There are people living in the Capitol and certain of the districts that are very rich and since they are so rich they get despaired there lives rather than the poor people who have to always chance it. Food is the number one way in which the rich are despaired because they do not need to worry about having there names being put in extra times to become reaped, whereas the poorer districts have to take food meaning there names get put in the bowl more. Katniss immediate picks up on the starvation levels in District 12 and she has to hunt illegally in the deep woods to feed her family. The novel hints around the fact that most districts are incapable of hunting while Katniss is more than capable. This may suggest that even though Katniss doesn’t have a lot of money, it is an luxury that some families in Panem has. It is revealed to Katniss later that Peeta’s family, whom owns a bakery and seems to be one of the richer families of the district actually can’t afford most of the food they bake. The family also eats the stale and gross leftovers that no one buys. When Katniss arrives in the Capitol which is the richest place you will find, she is stunned by the huge feasts and perfectly prepared dishes. The food is rich and mouth watering, and for the first time ever Katniss tries hot chocolate.
Symbolism/Imagery present in ” Boys and Girls ” by Alice Munro
In the beautifully corrupted short story “ Boys and Girls” by Alice Munro, there are many symbols present. In this blog I will be discussing what I believe to be six symbols and what they all symbolize.
- The “odor of the fox itself” which creates imagery consisting of smell is something the narrator tells us is “reassuringly seasonal” and it provides comfort to her at night.
- Images of light and dark which creates imagery consisting of sight and touch. the “brightly lit downstairs world,” and “stale cold air upstairs.” Light symbolizes warmth and dark symbolizes cold and fear.
- Henry Bailey’s laugh which creates imagery doing with sound. The children “admired” the sound of “whistling and gurgling…faulty machinery of his chest.” Even though he is very sick, Henry Bailey gives emotional comfort and a sense of being protected.
- We then get a description of the “hot dark kitchen in summer” which creates sight and sound imagery. This shows that the narrator feels very closed in and almost like she is trapped in a cage by tasks committed by a female that almost seems like she needs to inherit but this drastically conflicts with the freedom she feels when she is out doing labor around the yard, what most would consider as man work.
- Lastly, I noticed right away that our narrator is unnamed and as I read the story I thought to myself, why? Well I have come to an opinion on why. I think that the reason the narrator remains unnamed through the whole story is because she is soul searching and she doesn’t really know who she is.
Opinion(s) on ” The Catcher In The Rye ” by J.D Salinger
This book opens up a whole lot of controversy and its an interesting read and that’s certain. The Catcher in the Rye is not a book everyone would love. However I found it very exciting. It explores the reailites of life along with some humour presented and it also highlights some depressive times.
The book itself was written in 1951 but with this being said many of us teenagers would be able to relate at least one of the many themes present in this novel. I find Holden Caulfield whom is 17 at the time to be very interesting and it was mind blowing to get inside the head of this stranger, crazy teenager.
The book starts off with Holden immediately referring to us, the readers, and he tells the events which has happened over a three days last December. He begins to tell the story about Pencey Prep, a boarding school filled that consisted of “phonies”.
Everything in this story is flash backed to the three days in December with a scatter reference to the present. Another thing that differentiates this novel is all of the profanity that is used. It isn’t only the language used that makes The Catcher in the Rye not appropriate for younger audiences, it is the overall theme of morality that is not suitable for younger people.
Movie adaptation of “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer
There are many differences present in the original novel “Twilight” and the movie adaptation. Below, I have listed some of the many differences.
- In the book Bella don’t eat at the diner. Instead, Bella stays home and cooks. But in the movie, Bella is often seen at the diner eating.
- In the book, Edward takes Bella to his house to meet his family. While there, he shows her the house and then they have a talk about a cross. He takes her to Carlisle’s office and talks about his history as well. However, in the movie when Edward takes Bella to his house, his parents are cooking Italian food for her. When Edward tells Rosalie that Bella has already eaten, she then breaks a bowl with her hands.
-
In the book it wasn’t mentioned on what the Cullens wore to the baseball field. Esme takes the role of umpire on but she does not get physically involved. Esme stays on the sidelines with Bella. In the movie, he baseball scene has the Cullens family wearing jerseys and hats. But Bella takes the role of umpire and Esme is the catcher. The teams overall are formed differently than the book.
-
In the book, there were guys that were followed her around and teased her but she never once kicked the guys. Also, Edward does not leave his car. He pulls up quickly and opens the door viciously screaming fiercely, “Get in.” He does not leave his vechiles because he knows deep inside he will kill the stalkers. In the movie, Bella kicks one of them fiercely. Edward then gets out of the car and freaks at the men who were stalking her. He then starts speeding off with Bella.
Movie adaptation of “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.
The Hunger Games novel has adapted into an award winning movie. With this being said, there are many differences in the novel and movie itself. As you read deeper into this blog, you will begin to see some of the many differences. Firstly in the book, Gale Hawthorne is Katniss Everdeen’s best friend whom lives in District 12. District 12 is all about the coal mining. The two often hunt together and equally share the wild that they catch. Although no romance is shown from either of them towards each other, Katniss continues to grow feelings for him. But when Katniss is shipped off to the games, where she will face off with 23 more tributes, Gale is left behind in district 12. Katniss often thinks of Gale while she is in the games but he is never shown or talked about back home.
As you watch the film, you will notice that the narrator is no longer first person, it is changed to a third-person view so everyone will see what Gale is doing as Katniss fights for her life in the hunger games. We watch Gale fall in love with Katniss and we see how badly he wants to be with her. Gale also notices that she is falling in love with a fellow tribute, Peeta.
Deaths are portrayed differently in the book and the film as well. In the book however some of these deaths are dragged out because it allows us to share their final moments with us. In the movie, the deaths are done and over with within secounds.
Symbolism in “Oranges” by Gary Soto
Oranges” by Gary soto tells the story of youth innocence and young love. Symbols in “Oranges” include The orange, winter and December. “Cold and weighted down with two oranges in my jacket(Lines 3-4)” represents how nervous the boy is and he does not know what to expect when is with this young girl. Lines 10 and 11 are about the porch light at the girls house that burns yellow in any weather. This could signify that the young boy pays attention and is interested in her and the surroundings. When lines 51-56 appear, the symbol of the orange becomes obvious. The orange is contrasted between the cold December and the young love because the orange stands out “against the grey of December”. The orange is a symbol of the love that is blossoming between the young couple and how it can be recognized from a distance. Even though it is winter and its cold and plants and things seem to be dieing, love is seeming to be growing and becoming enlightening between the boy and the girl. When the couple is at the drugstore and he does not have enough money to pay for her chocolate he gives the saleslady an orange. This then creates suspense for the readers because they are left to wonder if the salesperson will accept or decline his offer. In the end the salesperson accepts the orange because she knows how nervous it is to be in his position and she immediately picked up on his love for this girl.
Plot summary of “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway
This spine chilling story takes place at a train station in Spain. The weather is overly hot and dry on this particular day, and the scenery appears to be ugly. The two main characters are a man (the American) and his partner, who is referred to as “Jig”.
While waiting for the train to Madrid, the American and the girl drink beer and a liquor, the girl compares to licorice. Their conversation is boring at first, but it quickly picks up to the subject of an operation the American is convincing the girl to follow through with. Though it is never said, it is the hidden through the hidden context that the girl is pregnant and they debating whether to have an abortion or not
After talking about this operation for awhile the American is very quiet about it. “I don’t care about me” says the girl. The american then responds, “You’ve got to realize that I don’t want you to do it if you don’t want to.” She tries hard to drop the subject, but the American questions the girl’s intentions and her mental state. She demands, “Would you please please please stop talking?” He grows silent for a while, but then says “But I don’t want you to, I don’t care anything about it.” She aggressively says, “I’ll scream.” “The train comes in five minutes.” The girl is briefly distracted, but then smiles at the woman.
The American then leaves the table and takes their bags to the other side of the station, but there’s still no train in sight. He walks back to the other side of the station and everyone else is still waiting for the train. He then asks the girl, “Do you feel better?” She smiles and says “I feel fine, There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine.” Then the story ends. It is never made clear what happened at the end.
Plot synopsis of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Yellow Wallpaper tells the story of how the narrator descends into madness. The narrator just gave birth and her husband John, who is a physician feels that it is in his wife best interest to rest up after having the child.
The family then goes to spend the summer at a colonial mansion. The narrator describes this mansion to have “something queer about it.” She is quickly taken upstairs to a room that she thinks was once a nursery. The windows are confined, the wallpaper has been torn, and the floor is torn up. The narrator then starts to think she was not the only one that had been confined to this room, she feels that there was another room held against her will.
The narrator of this short story writes journal entries and becomes obsessed with talking of this wallpaper. It is desribed as having a “yellow” smell. The patter is believed to be “breakneck”, the many missing patches, and it leaves a yellow smear on anything or anyone that touches it. She then tells the readers that the longer she stays in the bedroom the more change she sees happening and it happens in the moonlight. As the story continues, the pattern and designs of the wallpaper become very interesting and mind boggling to the narrator. As we read on the narrator begins to see a woman whom is said to be creeping on all fours around the room. The narrator feels she must save this woman and begins to tear off all the wallpaper.
On the last day of the narrators stay in the mansion, she locks herself in her room to demolish the remaining wallpaper. When John comes home, she resists to let him in. When he gets the key and comes back, he sees her creeping around the room and touching the wallpaper. She screams very proudly, “I’ve got out at last,” and John faints. She then continues to walk around the room observing whats left of The Yellow Wallpaper.
It's Austin Poole, not Austin Powers, thanks. 