...“Look at me! I said look!” she demanded. Reluctantly I looked up. I saw her standing in front of me snarling. “You’re not good enough,” she spoke harshly. “You aren’t perfect!,” she yelled. Was she right? Am I not good enough? I turned and looked away, but she followed me. I tried to walk away from me, but there she was right next to me. I took off running down the hall, but she trailed right behind. I could see her in every window and mirror that I passed. “You won’t be loved! You won’t be able to follow your dreams!” Her screams became louder and louder. I dashed around a corner, but she wouldn’t leave me. She was always with me and she would never leave. I stopped and looked at a window. There she was with her long...
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...“’Someday somebody’s going to come along and knock this old fence down,’ Annie said. And I nodded. ‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘Someday.” This excerpt is from the narrative The Other Side, the fictional account of Clover, an African American youth, and her encounters with her neighbor Annie, a white, young girl. The author, Jacqueline Woodson, uses clever symbolism within her writings to not only convey the racial partition between Clover and Annie, but the foretelling the division between them would soon fall. Furthermore, she also utilizes a naïve, informal tone to generate an audience of kids. These literary elements contribute majorly to the story, as without them there would be no meaning to the story at all. Woodson uses symbolism throughout the...
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...outcast. Gender roles seem to be the most common. From the day a child is born societal norms are placed on them. For example a young boy’s room will be probably be blue and filled with sports items, while a young girls room will be pink and be filled with dolls and a play kitchen set. These small details, along with expectations, begin to shape their role in society. “Barbie Q” by Sandra Cisneros is a perfect example of societal expectations. In this short story Cisneros introduces two young girls who are playing with their Barbie dolls. The girls go into great detail when describing their dolls and the outfits the dolls are wearing. One can conclude that the girls are poor when the main character tells the reader that they only have one outfit for their dolls. They even had to make a dress from a sock because they could not afford other outfits. This is further illustrated when the girls begin describing how they will play with the dolls. Everyday the two girls play out the same story with the two Barbies fighting over an invisible Ken doll. One day when walking through a market, the young girls discover a set of dolls that have been damaged by a fire in the toy warehouse. Although the dolls are not clean and still smell of smoke, the girls do not mind. As long as they can dress their Barbies with the outfits and continue to play...
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...Life of a Slave Girl, Terry McMillan’s The End and Maya Angelou’s Willie are significant literary pieces to discuss. It is important to consider factors such as historical, socio-political and cultural climate because these factors contribute and influence an author’s point of view as well as each author’s unique voice and message depending on the time period. Harriet A. Jacobs’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, is a slave narrative. The literary conventions of the slave narrative define the work. Slave narratives echo biblical stories that often reflect persecuted groups attempting to escape to freedom. Jacobs’s piece details her struggle to escape her master from sexual abuse. Vivanco (2003), “The process from sin to rebirth in spiritual autobiographies is paralleled by the process from slavery to freedom in slave narratives. Slaves experience a change from chattel, enduring suffering, to man or woman living in the Promised Land, the North,” (para. 5). Further distinction of the slave narrative is how authors shape the story, often chronologically. Slave narratives illustrate an author’s personal experience though many share common themes of extreme violence/abuse and racial prejudice. Slave narratives are essentially autobiography, which offer an author’s own experience for readers to find meaning. Jacobs’s female voice sheds light on issues affecting slave women; sexual abuse and losing children to death or slave trade particularly. Jacobs’s narrative is a prime example...
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...The message that the gallery of winners is trying to convey is the idea of individual freedom within the social context of the collective part of society. Diversity, for example, is an integral part of establishing social equality within society by allowing other entities and voices to be heard. The new Barbie that Mattel released gives young girls, particularly African Americans or even girls of color, the opportunity to relate to the Barbie doll as well as celebrate the idea of diversity by making these products the new social norm in our culture. Additionally, it also encourages a young generation of girls not to discriminate against those who may be different in terms of race and culture. Under this culture, women are seen as inferior to...
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...Through the entirety of the classic novella ‘Of Mice and Men’, John Steinbeck uses a variety of dramatic techniques and stylistic devices to convey a clear message of: hopes, dreams and reality. Steinbeck’s placement of such techniques allows him to effectively create a causal loop within the narrative, subsequently applying heavy foreshadowing; whether Steinbeck used this consciously or not. The main plot explores the themes of idealism and more prominently- realism, Steinbeck connects a lot of his novella to real life issues currently happening in his time. Through the course of the narrative, Steinbeck used many literary techniques of which effectively drove the tale to become circular in its events. Steinbeck relied on events that had happened previously- before the narrative had taken place. Through doing so the author creates a vivid sense of ‘déjà-vu’ when a similar event takes place, of which happened quite frequently as the book progresses....
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...picture of the epic journey that the main character in the story, Valentino faces from the time that he flees the country to the time that he finally reaches what he thought would be the “Promised Land” in Atlanta, United States of America. He was soon to realize that even in America, life would not be a bed of roses but it would be marred by unexpected acts of violence and racial discrimination (Dave 28). One striking thing in the narrative is that the author brings out the culture of the Dinka people. For instance, polygamous nature of the Dinka people is clearly illustrated. The myth regarding the origin of the Dinka people is as well demonstrated (Bess). In regards to this origin, the Dinka people are given a choice by God to choose between the cattle and the “What is the What”. They choose the cattle which they understood better rather than “What is the What” which they did not as demonstrated in the line, "—you didn't tell us the answer: What is the What? My father shrugged. —We don't know. No one knows” (Dave 64). Through the narrative, a reader is informed on the historical background of the south Sudanese people. The relative geographical locations of the three African countries of Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya are well described, painting an unforgettable picture in the mind of the reader. The diversity in different cultures comes out clearly in the book as the main character traverses boundaries. Valentino’s story illuminates the story of thousands of Sudanese boys and...
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...Starving, desperate, and determined to find their food source Guy sends friend, and fellow soldier Stanislaus Adamski, to communicate with them in Russian in order to ascertain where they get their food from. The girls cleverly escape their hunger weakened captors, but one leaves a lasting impression on Guy, Mishka the girl with the green, almond shaped eyes. Later, providence brings Guy, Adamski,and Mishka together again, this time, with multiple aspects of human nature playing a significant...
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...From century to century there have been many instances of people standing up against wrongdoing in the face of great danger. One good example of this was slavery in the United States and the movement to abolish it. Frederick Douglass, a famous author and former slave from the time period, wrote numerous pieces arguing for the freedom of his people. In his autobiography entitled Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he describes his experiences as a slave and how he attained education, despite overwhelming adversity. His story draws similarities to the fictional character Guy Montag created by Ray Bradbury, author of the book Fahrenheit 451’s protagonist. Both of these authors utilize characterization and conflict to develop their main...
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...Oliver Nyambi considers The Uncertainty of Hope by Valerie Tagwira First published by: SAGE Open Jul 2014, 4(3) <http://bit.ly/1q7n9ui> ABSTRACT There is a subtle yet discernible connection between the post-2000 political power struggle and the gender struggle in Zimbabwe. In both cases, a patriarchal power hierarchy shaped by tradition and history is perpetuated and justified as the mark of the nation’s unique identity. In cultural, political, and economic spheres, the status of most urban Zimbabwean women is still reflected as inferior to that of most men. During this economic and political crisis period, the prevailing gender power-relations evolved into gendered appraisals of the impact of the crisis and this created the potential for rather universal and androcentric conclusions. The consequent eclipse of female-centric voices of the political and gender struggle tends to suppress women’s perspectives, consequently inhibiting a gender-inclusive imagining of the nation. This article argues that discourses about gender struggle in Zimbabwe’s post-2000 crisis have not sufficiently addressed the question of space; that is, the significance of the oppressed women’s physical and social space in shaping their grievances and imaginings of exit routes. Similarly, the article argues that representations of this historic period in literary fiction have accentuated the wider political and economic struggles at the expense of other (especially gender) struggles, thereby rendering...
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...economy. Germany had spent six years preparing for war, and a large portion of the economy was already devoted to military production. During the war, as Germany acquired new territories (either by direct annexation or by installing puppet governments in defeated countries), these new territories were forced to sell raw materials and agricultural products to German buyers at extremely low prices. Fiction as Reconstruction of History: Narratives of the Civil War in American Literature by Reinhard Isensee Even after more than 140 years the American Civil War continues to serve as a major source of inspiration for a plethora of literature in various genres. While only amounting to a brief period in American history in terms of years, this war has proved to be one of the central moments for defining the American nation since the second half of the nineteenth century. The facets of the Civil War, its protagonists, places, events, and political, social and cultural underpinnings seem to hold an ongoing fascination for both academic studies and fictional representations. Thus, it has been considered by many the most written-about war in the United States. The War That Never Goes Away: The Significance of the Civil War for the Cultural Imagination in the United States Despite the overwhelming body of academic work on the Civil War produced in the United States (and beyond) most of the American public (as well as the international audience) has been exposed to it through cultural...
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...“Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway is a short story every student studying English Composition should read. The narrative explores the difficult topic of abortion which college students should read about. Not only did the story explore the couple's dynamic it also delved into the feelings each partner had about the pregnancy. In “On Reading Fiction”, the author explains that readers enjoy fiction for three reasons, because it is an escape from reality, a possible answer to problems in their lives, and allows the reader the comfort of knowing that others are facing the same problems and feeling the same emotions as them. The author states, “we like it because fiction, as an image of life, stimulates and gratifies our interest in life.” This is without a doubt true, knowledge is power and reading about people’s lives and their experiences gives a leg up to the reader in his or her own life. While there are numerous short stories to choose from, “Hills Like White Elephants” should be part of the curriculum for college students because it digs deep into the conflicts everyone may face at one point in their lives about decision making, relationships, and changing your destiny. Being an ongoing issue in society, the topic of abortion is important to read about. Regardless of gender, reading about abortion is important because both parties should have a say in whether to keep the baby. Although not pointed out in black and white, in “Hills Like White Elephants” the reader...
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...(Lee, 1960, p.99) This line is one of the most explicit references to a mockingbird in the novel. While bearing the title of the novel, this passage refers to the idea that a mockingbird is a thing of innocence, a harmless creature that should not be hurt by others. This statement directly mirrors the title of the novel. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are both characters that reflect the imagery of a mockingbird in the novel, with both characters being attacked during their time in the fictional town of Maycomb. The title To Kill a Mockingbird refers to the innocent people like Tom and Boo who only wish to bring a little happiness into their harsh surroundings. For their efforts they are chastised, shut away and, in Tom's case, killed. The title of the novel stirs interest. It title attracts potential readers, as well as the symbolism it infers. Throughout the novel the title becomes an important metaphor. Lee makes it clear to the reader throughout the narrative that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. The mockingbird reflects the characters in the novel which the readers sympathise with, the ‘good guys’. Essentially, the title can be interpreted as saying that it is a sin to harm an innocent...
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...rigorous and dramatic. It made you think, what if that was me in that situation, what would I have done? Beast of the Southern Wild was a film about a little girl who lived with her father at the “edge of the world”. Her father showed her the toughest love to prepare her for when he departed and she had to live on her own. Hushpuppy was so fed up with her father that she hit him and her world came “crashing down”. Her father very ill and was unable to take care of her as he was before. She began having to go out on her own and do what she could without him. When he finally left she realized that it was her duty to take care of the “bathtub” (the...
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...Discovering Truth in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl _________________________ Melissa McGowen English 601 December 2013 Melissa McGowen Barish Ali English 601 December 2013 Discovering Truth in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Publication and Critical Reception: The autobiographical text, Incidents in the Life of Slave Girl suffered a difficult road in becoming published. The text suffered an even larger feat in becoming recognized for its worth. Because it took many years for the author, now revealed as Harriet Jacobs, to be properly identified, the work had been dismissed as fictional. Jacobs’ decision to remain anonymous came from guilt and disgrace over the way she was treated while enslaved and the actions she was forced to take to become free, particularly those pertaining to sexual acts. Wanting to be viewed as a “proper Christian” she decided to create the pseudonym name Linda Brent. It was under this name the text was published. In later years, her text has been viewed as an important text, speaking truth to the ears of sentimental novel readers in the north, and calling for action against the cruel institution of slavery. Employed as a teacher by Pace University in 1968, Jean Fagan Yellin wrote and published her dissertation. While re-reading Incidents in the 1970s as part of the project and to educate herself in the use of gender as a category of analysis, Yellin became interested in the question of the text's true authorship. Over the...
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