The Jilting of Granny Weatherall

When the story is just told and relived through Granny Weatherall's point of view, we get a peek at all of her memories, but the present tends to get mixed with the past in a very confusing way to some point where you are pretty sure she is dying and all of her memories are slipping from her. I wouldn't say it's a bad narrative, because it's supposed to play a purpose. These type of narratives are "streams of consciousness", so we are supposed to take them as we get them, no matter what order (it's the order their brain is working in), and try to make the best sense we can out of them, because we can't get inside another person's head realistically either. We can only hear their recollections and try to make sense of them ourselves. Especially a dying individual who understandably, may not have all their marbles upstairs. It can get confusing but do you ask a dying person to clarify? No, probably not. You might as well just keep listening.

The Lady with the Dog

Dimitri changed a lot from the beginning of the story to the end of the story. In the beginning, he looked down upon women, considering them a "lower race". He also had multiple flings with many different women, having no fear of the playboy lifestyle. At the end of the story, after he meets and spends time with Anna, and they are forced to go back to their own life... he is very much in love with Anna and can't stop thinking about her. He never used to be a one-woman man, but now all of the sudden, here he is, peeping in on Anna and her husband at the theater. He even confronts her, and both promise to meet somewhere, but the story is never resolved. Just by those instances, however, I can tell that Dimitri has changed quite a bit from the beginning of the story.

The Chrysanthemums

I've always been highly impressed with John Steinbeck's ability to portray realistic human behavior (not to mention his accuracy with depicting settings and scenery). It's common for people to manipulate other people after picking up on their vulnerabilities. The tinker in the story talks Elisa into giving him tinkering business after feeding her self-image which she unfortunately lacks because of her mundane life and existence. He found that the secret to her self-worth was to simply complement her flowers and make up some BS about it just butter her up. Although she is reluctant to give this man business, she ends up doing so because this man has found her soft-spot.

This is easily believable because it happens everyday in all aspects of life. One example is in the work place. If you have a higher up who seems to appreciate your work as opposed to a boss who doesn't have any idea that you exist other than having to sign your check... the employee will almost always choose the appreciative boss.

Desiree's Baby

Armand, the wealthy creole, banishes Desiree (his wife) and her baby from his estate because of the shame she brought to his name. This shame has only to do with one thing. Race. Because Desiree's origins are unknown to him, he assumes she is part black when he sees that their baby has the skin tint to be black. In a time period where slavery was rampant and miscegenation was rare, Armand wanted nothing to do with anyone who was disgracing the family name, because they were part black.

In the end of the story it is revealed through a letter from Armand's mother to his father that Armand is actually the one who is half black, and his mother "belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery". I like to call this justified irony, because he thought he was ridding himself of this shame that no men should ever be ashamed for, but he really just lost his wife, lost his kid, and destroyed his self-image. In essence, he destroyed his own life when he thought he was saving it.

Everything that Rises Must Converge

I felt sympathy for both Julian and his mother in this story. I can see where Julian is coming from when he tries to spite his mother for her ignorant unenlightened mother who lived most of her life in a wealthy home with slaves, and is now poor with nothing but bad health. She still holds herself in high regard, and she is afraid to ride the bus alone since it's desegregation, and this gets to Julian a little bit. So he thinks of ways to befriend blacks etc just to get to his mother.

I feel just as much sympathy for Julian's mother though too. It's not that she was a devout racist, but she grew up in a time period where her elders owned blacks as slaves, and most likely professed of their inabilities and incompetencies as white southerners did back then. They instilled prejudice in their children, and prejudice is really hard to erase from someone's existence. It's how she was raised to think, and most of our grandmothers still have a little bit of that.

Good Country People

The many mentions of faith, the Bible, and Christianity represents Flannery O'Connor's memory of the "Do as I say, not as I do" Christians. You could tell by the their actions that all of the "God-fearing" characters ironically had no fear of God at all. I myself have went to school with these type of people for years and years when I attended Christian school. There are so many people out there who read the "good book" but take nothing from it, and don't practice the teachings in their own lives.

That's why the title is pretty ironic as well. All these characters other than Joy/Hulga are referred to as "Good country people", when in reality they are terrible conniving individuals. All of these people represent the conflict that's presented to Hulga, along with her wooden leg deformity. The "good country people" like Manley Pointer try to take advantage of Hulga in her state of being which is extremely anti-christian.

Like I said though, these people are out there. They aren't just hawking over the weak and disabled though. The disability can be something else when addressing new characters. For instance, when I was in school, I was young and impressionable. I didn't have the ability to think for myself 100% like I do now. My disability was being a naive, perceptive student. Most of my "Christian" teachers would send me to the principal's office, for the most inane reasons, or they would call my parents and pretty much lie to them to make it seem like I was some kind of devil-child in the classroom. 

Once I left, and went to PUBLIC school with many non-Christians, and many non-good country people, I was never under a teacher's wrath like I was at Christian school ever again. This is why I enjoyed the story. I find it to be very symbolic of my experiences growing up.

Group story choice

Our group chose the story "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses". We chose this story because of the cultural relevance it shares with modern times, despite being published way back in 1939. We still see today that men will "scope out" attractive passerby's even though they are in a romantic relationship, and it often doesn't matter if they are with their significant other or not. This is an extremely general statement and it doesn't apply to all, but it's commonly known that men can't or won't control their in-most desires, and in this story's case, men will covet.

Our group also likes that the story focuses on two characters, and because of that, the focus is strong and will allow us to be much more descriptive of their characters especially if we do a profile page on each one such as those on facebook. Personally, I like the choice of the story because of the setting. The couple is in New York City and on 5th avenue. From my experiences going to the city, my opinion is that 5th Ave is the greatest street in the world. It has everything ranging from high-end restaurants to exclusive clothing boutiques etc... You can have a great day... actually, you can have a great week, without ever having to leave the streets of 5th ave. There is just so much to do. That's why the ending of the story surprised me. Instead of enjoying great possibilities of a day on 5th ave, the couple went their separate ways because of Michael's infidelity to Frances.

Author's Note

I think the added ending did the trick with this story. Otherwise, it's a bore on the big screen. However, a lot of the elements included in Wright's short-story served it's purpose in heightening the suspense. I especially enjoyed reading flawlessly from scene to scene, with no pause. There is always something going on leading to the story's grand finale.

It is also to be assumed that the days look gloomy and the nights are murky, to capture the essence of the dark story. The characters suggested for casting helps the movie stay credible, and to avoid typecast actors. I believe in Crawford to voice a 1920's african american from the south sensationally. Tisha Campbell-Martin was in Zack and Miri Make a Porno but what made her scenes memorable was her sternness. It can be used for comedy, but it can be done for dramatic purposes as well.

This is my 2nd draft if I count revisions. I just sat here at my computer for a good three hours, read the story again (and probably more considering all the lines I referenced), and went to work, from beginning of the story to the end, and the juicy middle includes plot, symbolism, conflict, (tremendous) irony, vivid settings, and my boring explanation for the name change :)

Royal Beatings

Relationships such as marriage, or sibling relationships impact the plot because it either gives us the ability to read the actions of those in the relationship, or takes that ability away. An example where we acquire the ability without needing a proper explanation through narration is in the story "Royal Beatings". Around the point of the story where Rose is about to receive her royal beating (but we don't know this yet), her brother Brian runs out of the room in fear. The narrator doesn't have to explain to us that Brian is afraid for his sister and therefore hides, because just by being able to relate to sibling relationships, we know what lies ahead for Rose when Brian jets.

However, in the same instance, because the narrator doesn't need to explain the sibling reaction, the narrator doesn't fill us in on what kind of relationship Flo and Rose's father operate on. It was vital that Brian and Rose's interaction was present in the scene because we would have no idea that Rose's father was going to do what he did.

What we learned from Flo and Rose's relationship was that Flo was going to be apologetic, because of her love for Rose and her story about Rose plays a foreshadowing role in that.

Plans on Film Adaptation Proposal

Title: "Almost a Man"

I think the latter half of the original title serves well, because it drives the main point across, and captures in essence what the story is about.

Characters: 

David Glover = Jermaine Crawford

Jim Hawkins = Bruce McGill

Joe (the merchant) = Jeffrey DeMunn

Dave's Mother = Angela Bassett

Setting:

Same setting as the story. Takes place in the early 1900's. I haven't decided if it will take place right at the turn of the century or if it will be at the very end of the plantation age around 1930. Most of the story will take place at Dave's house, at Jim Hawkins' farm, and out in that open field. The climax will take place aboard the train.

Plot/Conflict, Irony, and Symbolism are coming in my next blog, after class. I'm hoping to get some ideas and inspiration from others.

EDIT:

Plot/Conflict:

The man vs. self conflict is going to shine through the plot. Dave is desperate to become a man, but doesn't want to do it the responsible way. He's sick and tired being talked down to and "mistreated" that he aims to buy a gun (no pun intended), so that everyone gives him respect and therefore treats him like a man. His understanding of respect is blurred because he associates it with fear, which can be a form of respect, but it's not the only form. In fact it's the most barbaric approach at earning respect, and my climax and resolution (which doesn't even appear in the story)morally punishes the barbaric attempts of the protagonist, however, the consequence he will face is unjust in the situation's literal aspect.

Irony:

When he gets his initial punishment from Jim Hawkins and when he gets his post-climactic punishment from the law, in both cases he pleads that he be let off easy because he's young, stupid, and not yet an "adult" (17 years old).

Symbolism:

You will also notice in my film adaptation, that the criticism that Dave puts up with is actually pretty menial, and nothing to lose your head over. Unlike an adult (again), Dave is just overly sensitive, high-strung, and his "miserable" existence is self-inflicted through his mind.

Siding with the Children

Almost anyone from all different cultures, societies, races, jobs, sports, schools, etc etc, can relate to the children in any of these stories. The feel of oppression is often felt by many, whether you're being lied to or hearing sugar-coated truths like in the story "Gorilla, My Love", or facing discouragement from the ones who govern you, kind of like what was portrayed in "Everyday Use". 

Everyone has been a subordinate in some way, shape, or form, and have felt the feeling of being kept from shining, excelling, and working to the best of their abilities. More importantly, in the time period of this written story, being deprived of freedoms and facing prejudices everyday is like being deprived of your best abilities, as a human being. Shedding good light on the children represents our moral responsibility to respect ALL others and treat everyone equally.

Everyone has a little bit of Hazel (from "Gorilla, My Love") in their character. Strong-willed, smart, able-bodied, but oppressed. The one symbol of Hazel's father putting his belt back on serves a message to all of us. We don't need to keep putting down who indeed share the same intellect.

The Man Who Was Almost a Man

... will be my film adaptation. The reason why I chose this short story is because it teaches the all-important moral, that being a domineer doesn't necessarily make you a man. Other things such as being responsible makes you a more of a man. I personally think the main character got off too easy. This type of villain will see justice through the wonders of a blockbuster film adaptation. In other words, expect a stronger conclusion, one that will likely include less room for interpretation.

Minority Report

I've seen the movie but I hardly remember it from scene to scene. I only know about the general idea and that it takes place in the future like the story does, with a few minor differences. In the movie, I believe the names of the precriminals (hah!) were branded onto small little golf ball sized alloy balls. In the story version, the future is still dealing with 1956 model punch-cards. Phil Dick didn't think that one out.

I don't know how such an innovative answer to crime would end up in the law's hand in the film version. The government would be controlling every little bit like in the story. The last thing I can't possibly believe is that some general would come around trying to discredit Anderton, when this operation prevents 99.8% of all crimes from ever happening. It can't be done. What's even worse is that Anderton ends up killing him because he apparently fell for his empty threats.

92% on the Tomatometer. I don't remember this being all that special, but I'll probably enjoy it more this time around after reading the story. So glad we are watching a movie tomorrow! Happy Friday everyone!

The Story of an Hour

Symbols

I noticed a few symbols in "The Story of an Hour". They played a prevalent part in the story because of the widdled-down setting which takes place in one house, and in one hour. It's noted that springtime is among where the characters live which symbolizes the good days that lie ahead of Mrs. Mallard, spent free from her controlling husband who allegedly died in a train crash. A few paragraphs  allude to this symbolism such as paragraph six, which makes mention of patches of blue sky, to further insinuate that her life is entering a clear forecast. A few metaphors stay on theme with symbolic weather like "storm of grief" (paragraph three), and "breath of rain" (paragraph five). 

An oxymoron I noticed is used to foreshadow the formidable ending of the story. The "monstrous joy" she experienced reflecting on how her life will change. At the end, the doctors ironically comment that it was "joy that kills", when in fact, she was shocked to death that Brently Mallard was inexplicably alive at her front door, and the information she received earlier about his death was false.

A Rose for Emily

The physical setting impacts "A Rose for Emily," made evident by the disregard for proper punishment of a tax evader. Like today, Emily is spared the consequences largely in part because of her background, but unlike today, years and years pass without the county seat taking rightful action, such as forcefully removing this miserable lady from her even more miserable home. They don't even make it through the front door according to our unidentifiable first-person narrator. In the event that they did take action, they would have discovered the remains of Homer Barron, and reveal the real reason why Miss Emily Grierson purchased arsenic from the druggist... For murder!

The setting also plays a large part in her eventual break-down, sort of her self-realization that she cannot live without Homer Barron who isn't "the marrying type" and therefore poisons him as to easily confine him. She was kept from dating men for so long because of her father, proving that parental control was much more powerful in yesterday's times and indeed it was. Her deprivation of suitors led her to love a man beyond what is healthy love. Reading the last few statements leads us to believe that she had a pretty gross relationship going on with a dead person.

Get to know Noah...

Hi, I'm Noah Syed. You may know me... I've been at TCU since 2007, and I'm entering my senior year. I'm from Albany, NY... which is about 2 hours and 30 minutes or so away from THE CITY. Why did I come to Texas? The weather, and an absolute fascination with the "Texas" way of life.

Anyways, the reason why I took this class is because you can't go wrong with a good fictional story. Without the bounds of reality, fiction opens up a whole new world to be encountered through our imaginations. I feel strongly attached to this sentiment, so an Intro to Fiction class seems like the best elective I could take to spark my interests.

I like short-stories (usually fiction), because the focus is on the punchline. A lot of fictional short-story adaptations were used for my favorite television show of all-time... the Twilight Zone. With something like non-fiction "based on a true story" type pieces, some of the stories are remarkable, but nothing compares to reading a (good) fiction, and wondering, "what if" such events were actually true... now THAT would truly be amazing.

I hope to accomplish so much in this course that I get an A without a doubt (doesn't everyone?). Hopefully the 'Adventures of Noah and his A in Intro to Fiction' doesn't turn out to be a fictional story. :)

In order to teach me well... be passionate about what you're talking about. If you're passionate, chances are I'll feed off that.

Something interesting about myself? I love writing... but not like you think. I love writing hip-hop lyrics mainly about the nitty-gritty. I love writing/composing beats to set the tone with said lyrics... I can engineer an entire song myself, and I'm proud of it because frankly... who wants to drop Benjamin Franklin's for one studio session when you can put together a song of same quality for free? Fortunately for me, I have the choice!

I read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus!

- Noah I.I.