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American Literature

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AMERICAN LITERATURE

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American Literature Since the Civil War. Create ed. McGraw-Hill, 2014. E-book.
Nick has a fixation if camping and fishing in nature which is an escape mode from the horrible and distressful experience that he had gained within his past. Nick is suffering from PTSD and this is main reason why he has emotional vision on his wellbeing by dwelling in nature. To some extent, Nick’s survival can be seen as a helpful mode towards his own wellbeing but in reality the case is quite different. Hemingway has emphasized greatly on the Nick’s disturbed psychological condition. Hemingway has used the swamp metaphors within his emphasis. The author has made attempts in revealing some particular nature aspects that reinstates the feeling of hopelessness within him through Nick’s plan of escaping to the surrounding nature. The story indicated that it is tragic to fish in the swamp. Suspicion is brought about by fishing in the swamp and Nicks urge to go fishing. Nicks is seen to have quite a deeper mental connection to fishing as opposed to the bodily adaptation of fishing within the swamp. Nick may have been observed to enjoy natural environment through his urge of escaping into nature that would do him better due to his mental condition. However, by the fact that Nick has a fixation of the tragic swamp, all feelings change. Within Nick life, the swamp acts as an obstacle as it represents a challenge that Nicks is not ready for. Hemingway through the use of the swamp metaphor tries to illustrate that Nick is not ready to let go of his past.
"Other Perspectives" in American Literature Since the Civil War.
"The Wrysons" by John Cheever
John Cheever’s story is an interesting story that mostly contains characters who are loser and never achieved the American Dream. The characters ended up to settle for complacency and familiarity. Donald and Irene are suburbanites that prefer their lives comfortable and familiar without any change. The two will not the world changing as long the change will not affect them in any way. The fear of change in represented through Irene’s dream, where change is compared to the end of the world for Irene. The Shady hill which is unchanging is seen as Irene’s comfort zone and the experience of living within a bubble. Any changes or disturbances to Irene’s bubble could be viewed as bomb going off. The Shady Hill provides a security blanket to Donald even though he requires being comforted every now and then. Baking is Donald Best ‘palliative’ since it reminds him the many times that he spent with his mother and was quite secure. Security and stability are high regarded by Donald. Towards the end of the story, Donald and Irene discover that there were things they had never known about each other. A chance to grow is presented to both of them within their relationship but they do nothing with this chance. They prefer their well defined lives as opposed to change even though they are mystified by life.

References
Hicks, G. (1967). The great tradition; an interpretation of American literature since the Civil War. (Rev. ed.). New York: Biblo and Tannen.
American Literature Since the Civil War. Create ed. McGraw-Hill, 2014. E-book.
"Other Perspectives" in American Literature Since the Civil War. ("The Wrysons" by John Cheever)

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