Cathedral by Raymond Carver is an “open text” narration. It is clear as we read the story that the author wanted his audience to interpret the ending in their own personal way. There is no real ending to this narration and personally that is what caught my attention the most. For this specific story we need to think of different outcomes; brining many different conclusions to the table. Also, Cathedral is a story that has a double meaning. This essay is more then what meets the eye; there is a moral to the story. The double interpretation is seen at the end. The protagonist and his wife were having a “blind man” over their house. The protagonist had never been associated with anyone with this type of disability thus categorizing him as indifferent.
The essay ends with the protagonist seeing as the blind man did. Not only is there a moment of epiphany and realization of the stereotypical remarks that he was making against the blind man but he saw what “Bub” saw. Also, I believe that this essay has a lot to do with religion. This is because the protagonist was not very religious and after he painted the Cathedral he saw that even though we can’t see things sometimes it doesn’t mean its not there. Faith is the expectative of the things we can not see. The protagonist could not see God thus making him believe God didn’t exist. This essay teaches us two things, one that we can not make remarks against people even though they have certain disabilities. The second thing this narration teaches us is that even though we can’t see things certain times that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Richard Corey
Edwin Arlington Robinson described human life in his poem, "Richard Corey." This poem is basically about a perfect man who is envied, honored and looked up to. This man was the closest thing to perfection since Jesus. He was educated, good looking and he was rich. Everyone wanted to be Richard Corey because in their eyes he was the best of the best. This poem's tone is soothing and relaxing. In no way or matter can the auidence depict what happens is soon to come. Drastically, Richard Corey put a bullet throught his head on a perfect day. The author did a great job in writting this essay because what happens at the end is inexpected.
I believe Edwin A. Robinson was trying to tell the story of human life through this man called Richard Corey and those who envied him. Though the Constitution of the U.S. tells us we are all equal it is evident that we are not. There are those you are leaders and those who are followers. Those who are envied and those who envy. We are sorrounded by what people categorize as "big-shots" daily, and by people who are just another face in the crowd. The reality is that just because someone seems perfect that doesnt mean thier life is perfect. In this poem everyone looked up to Richard Corey because of the way he carried himself about, but they didnt necesarilly know what his life was all about. That is why we see in the tv that celebritys kill themselves sometimes or that they overdose on pills, because eventhough there life seems perfect it isnt; looks are decieving.
I believe Edwin A. Robinson was trying to tell the story of human life through this man called Richard Corey and those who envied him. Though the Constitution of the U.S. tells us we are all equal it is evident that we are not. There are those you are leaders and those who are followers. Those who are envied and those who envy. We are sorrounded by what people categorize as "big-shots" daily, and by people who are just another face in the crowd. The reality is that just because someone seems perfect that doesnt mean thier life is perfect. In this poem everyone looked up to Richard Corey because of the way he carried himself about, but they didnt necesarilly know what his life was all about. That is why we see in the tv that celebritys kill themselves sometimes or that they overdose on pills, because eventhough there life seems perfect it isnt; looks are decieving.
The Story of an Hour
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin is both ironic and controversial. At the very beginning of the story we clearly see that Mrs. Mallard has heart trouble, this is a sign of foreshadowing. The story basically revolves around four characters, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, Josephine and Richard. Richard is Mr. Mallard's close friend, he is the one that tells Josephine, Mrs. Mallard's sister, about the death of his friend. The plot in the story evolves when Mrs. Mallard is told that her husband has died. Any one's initial reaction would be that of agony, pain and sorrow. I can only imagine the pain that one could feel when they are notified of a death of a relative. The first thing one naturally could do is mourn that persons death. In the story we see a sense of sadness from Mrs. Mallard, but this only lasts for a couple of minutes. This is where the conflict begins in the story.
After being notified of her husband's death Mrs. Mallard quickly begins to speak of freedom. She mentions that now she can do all the things that she's always wanted to do but could'nt for whatever reason. Now she would begin "living for herself." This is controversial because as the readers we can only interpret what is said. At least in my case this meant jumping to conclusions and believing that her husband did not love her or he treated her bad, thus taking her to feel a sense of relief now that her husband is dead. Finally, the story becomes ironic at the ending. At the very ending of the story we find out that her husband, Mr. Mallard is not dead. The irony becomes when Mrs. Mallard dies of a "joy that kills." As the audience we can interpret it in two separate ways. One, Mrs. Mallard died because she was happy and then she found out her husband wasnt dead so she died because she began thinking of all the things she would now miss out on. Or two, she died because she was happy that her husband was not dead. But, once again the ending is not too specific rather its vague because the author wanted us to interpret it in our own way.
After being notified of her husband's death Mrs. Mallard quickly begins to speak of freedom. She mentions that now she can do all the things that she's always wanted to do but could'nt for whatever reason. Now she would begin "living for herself." This is controversial because as the readers we can only interpret what is said. At least in my case this meant jumping to conclusions and believing that her husband did not love her or he treated her bad, thus taking her to feel a sense of relief now that her husband is dead. Finally, the story becomes ironic at the ending. At the very ending of the story we find out that her husband, Mr. Mallard is not dead. The irony becomes when Mrs. Mallard dies of a "joy that kills." As the audience we can interpret it in two separate ways. One, Mrs. Mallard died because she was happy and then she found out her husband wasnt dead so she died because she began thinking of all the things she would now miss out on. Or two, she died because she was happy that her husband was not dead. But, once again the ending is not too specific rather its vague because the author wanted us to interpret it in our own way.
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