Character Analysis of Elisa Allen in The Chrysanthemums...

Many readers who analyze Steinbecks short story, The Chrysanthemums, feel Elisas flowers represent her repressed sexuality, and her anger and resentment towards men. Some even push the symbolism of the flowers, and Elisas masculine actions, to suggest she is unable to establish a true relationship between herself and another. Her masculine traits and her chrysanthemums are enough to fulfill her entirely. This essay will discuss an opposing viewpoint. Instead, it will argue that Elisas chrysanthemums, and her masculine qualities are natural manifestations of a male dominated world. Pertinent examples from The Chrysanthemums will be given in an attempt to illustrate that Elisas character qualities, and gardening skills,†¦show more content†¦If he gave her any personal praise, as a woman of distinct qualities (one who was vital to the farms survival), he might be empowering her. Thus, he keeps his praise for her superficial skills, growing flowers. In this way, Henry fru strates Elisa by not seeing into her true character. The flowers represent Elisa trying to find some way of escaping from her frustrated and repressed husband, not from her own sexual frustration. Since Elisa is a woman with more than superficial qualities, in addition to being a good worker, she seeks a way to fit into this world she feels is limited to her. She feels that it is limited because it is being dominated and interpreted by men. Thus, she tries to seek out some understanding from a stranger who is looking to find fix-it work. Many readers see Elisa as being cold and frigid towards the stranger at first appearance. Yet, this is quite possibly her intelligent reaction from being experienced with the realities of life. This scene portrays a combat of wits in which she shows herself a person of right feeling, one who doesnt let her charitable instincts run away with her (Beach, 312). Here we have a strange man, and men have proven to Elisa they have a limited understanding of a womans gentler qualities. Her reaction shows intelligence, good instincts, and is revealing of the period in which the storyShow MoreRelatedEssay on Analysis of The Chrysanthemums1139 Wo rds   |  5 PagesAnalysis of The Chrysanthemums The short story The Chrysanthemums gives insight into the life of its author. John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California. The locale of the story is of key resemblance to the Salinas in which Steinbeck was born and bread. Salinas was a typical American small town, [differing] only in location and a few distinctive features (McCarthy 3). The protagonist of this story, Elisa Allen, also resembles Steinbecks first wife. SteinbeckRead MoreCharacter Analysis the Chrysanthemums1220 Words   |  5 PagesChristopher Engl. 1302 April 15, 2013 Paper 1 Character Analysis â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† by John Steinbeck John Steinbeck was born in 1902 and lived during what is said to be the most troubled time in American history. Steinbeck was alive during the Dust Bowl paired with the Great Depression, which is believed to be the reason for his almost melancholiac tone in some of his works but he seemed a very diverse writer. Along with â€Å"The Chrysanthemums†, Steinbeck is the author of the well-known and famousRead More The Chrysanthemums Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s, The Chrysanthemums, was published in 1938 in a book of short stories, entitled The Long Valley. The Chrysanthemums has been a rather powerful draw for scholars because of its wide gap for interpretations and analysis of its main protagonist character, Elisa Allen and also the unique descriptions used to portray the deeper meaning behind the setting of the story. Themes of sexuality, oppression of women, as well as other numerous types of conflict portrayed in this rather somberRead MoreEssay on Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck1179 Words   |  5 PagesSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck A symbol is an act, person, thing, or spectacle that stands for something else, by association a usually broader idea in addition to its own literal meaning (Cassill Bausch, 1728). John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums may seem as a story describing a simple day with the Allen couple. It begins with Elisa Allen working in her garden and her husband, Henry Allen, negotiating with two suited business men that want to purchase steers. TheyRead MoreProposal969 Words   |  4 PagesCharacter Analysis: Elisa Allen John Steinbeck has a very engaging mind. He not only makes people think when they read his work; he makes them think through a number of scenarios with his tales. I believe that looking at this story, you sense this woman, Elisa Allen, is a woman who is very unhappy with her life. The only satisfaction Elisa gets out of life is being in her garden with her family of chrysanthemums. Elisa is very unsettled with her life as a whole. She does not like being stuckRead MoreJohn Steinbeck2062 Words   |  9 Pagesminiature versions of books or novels, where an author takes a tale and crams it into a ten to twenty page story. John Steinbeck is not only a well-known novelist, but also writes short stories like â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† and â€Å"Flight†. In Steinbeck’s â€Å"The Chrysthemums† Elisa Allen is married to a negligent ranch owner. While her husband works on the ranch, Elisa tends to her chrysanthemum garden daily. One day while tending to her garde n, a charming tinker man pulls up to her in his wagon and tries toRead MoreEssay on Character Analysis of Elisa Allen in The Chrysanthemums747 Words   |  3 PagesCharacter Analysis of Elisa Allen in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck The Chrysanthemums, written by John Steinbeck, captures one day in the life of a woman who yearns for a more fulfilling life. Elisa is first portrayed as a woman whose tasks are exceeded by her abilities. As the day continues, a stranger briefly enters her life and, through manipulative words, fills her heart with hopes of change and excitement. We learn that these newly-found hopes are crushed when Elisa eventuallyRead MoreEnglish All Semester 26504 Words   |  27 PagesWeek 7 7.03A, 7.03B 7.05B, 7.08 Week 8 8.01, 8.02A and B, 8.03, 8.05 (segment exam) 5.03- A rose for Emily Part I: Character Identification in A Rose for Emily In complete sentence format, identify each of the following characters. Remember reporters, be sure to include as much information as possible to give your readers a vivid picture of each of the following characters: 1. Emily Grierson: Emily Grierson was a young lady, whose life was always run by her father. Her father who was

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The Negative Effects Of Divorce - 1089 Words

In the United States, over 90% of people are said to marry by the age of 50 years (Scott, Rhoades, Stanley, Allen, Markman, 2014). Healthy marriages are considered to be good for the mental and physical wellbeing of the husband and wife. As for the children, they get to grow in a happy home that provides them protection from mental, educational, social, and physical problems. However, the society may have been successful in getting rid of the stigma that is associated with ending a marriage, but it can no longer ignore the massive effects that come with it, especially to children. To the parents, the effect is separation from one another. To the children, the effects include engaging in drug abuse to get over the emotional turmoil,†¦show more content†¦According to Scott et al., (2014), there are some reasons that lead people to divorce. The first reason is unfulfilled emotional needs. They materialize because of lack of sex for men and lack of emotional support for women f rom the men. As a consequence, they feel that other people may fulfill their emotional needs. The second reason is communication problems. They occur because partners do not understand how to communicate with one another. Thus, they look to other people who they can communicate with without problems. The third reason is different attitudes towards gender roles. They arise because the husband may feel that the role of his wife is only to cook and clean the house. Therefore, the wife looks for another person that values their gender. The fourth reason is different priorities concerning family time. The husband may be spending a lot of time at work than at home in order to provide for the family. As a result, they may grow apart. The fifth reason is an absence of the ability to solve conflicts. When there are conflicts, the couples are unable to resolve because they cannot come to an agreement making them feel that they cannot rely on one another in times of problems. Due to the above reasons for divorce, I decided to carry out a study to find out the key to a happy marriage. The method of research used in the study was qualitative. The method wasShow MoreRelatedNegative Effects Of Divorce1475 Words   |  6 PagesDivorce is the termination of a marriage or marital union, the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, Divorce occurs after a husband and wife decide not to live together anymore and they do not want to marry one another. They agree to sign legal documents that allow them to marry other people if they so wish. Divorce is a problem that is increasing every year. It also affects our society, which most countries face. Divorce causes many negative effects, someRead MoreNegative Effects Of Divorce1718 Words   |  7 PagesDivorce is a controversial issue in the United States. On one side of the argument, some researchers claim that children of divorced parents are still able to adapt to their new environment and have an enhanced level of maturity, among other things. On the other hand, researchers like Karl Zinsmeister believe that the effects of divorce on children can never be fully overcome and marital conflicts cause significantly less damage to children than divorce does (Zinsmeister, 1996). The purpose of thisRead MoreNegative Effects of Divorce1303 Words   |  5 PagesDivorce c an be one of the biggest environmental pressures put on a child with lasting affects that can lead well into their adulthood. With an increase in the number of divorces taking place each year it is starting to become a major concern for not only children and their families but also for society as a whole. Every year around one million children are affected by divorce; furthermore when looking at this year alone half of the children born will see their parents divorce before they reach ageRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Divorce1710 Words   |  7 PagesGetting a divorce is not an easy decision. As a matter of fact, for many people getting a divorce is one of the hardest things they will have to deal with. Divorce has a long-lasting effect on the entire family. For example, according to Clarke-Stewart and Brentano (2006, p. 56), the couple getting a divorce can feel anxious and depressed by the situation. They also mention that children can be the most affected because they might fe el confused and betrayed. However, the aftermath of divorce is differentRead MoreDivorce Negative Effects1285 Words   |  6 Pages2017 A Positive Outlook on a Divorce Divorce is always a dreadful experience in a persons life, especially a childs’. When parents divorce, children are left hopeless and confused. A divorce can cause a child to have a variety of different reactions. The effects on the child are much more important than the actual divorce. A divorce causes the most damage to the children in the divorce. Each child sees a divorce differently, but most divorces have a negative impact on the childs life. WhenRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Divorce1447 Words   |  6 Pagesworldwide is divorce. Research has shown that there is a significant amount of effects on children after a divorce. This is most likely because of the mental and physical chaos the children are feeling. In many divorce cases, there are long-term effects that hinders children from having a peaceful adult-life. These effects include: relationship issues, inability to make a place feel like a home, and the emotional hardship that comes with moving away from a parent . Aside from the negative effects divorceRead MoreNegative Effects Of Divorce1409 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Center for Disease Control and Prevention 813,862 divorces have been granted in 45 out out the fifty states in 2017 alone (Marriage and Divorce). Around half of those divorces will involve children. With divorce becoming a prominent phenomenon it has become increasingly important for the two parties involved to remain courteous. Children’s lives are easily impacted when they are forced to go through this life altering situation. Divorce can inflict damage both mentally and psychologically. WhenRead MoreThe Negative Effects of Divorce689 Words   |  3 PagesWith approximately 876,000 divorces per year in the United States alone, many people today are bringing up the controversial topic: should divorces be made harder to obtain? Many people think that it would be best if families stayed together, while others believe that an unhappy marriage is useless, and the dissolu tion of the marriage is the best choice. However, with current laws being the way they are, the process of getting a divorce is too simple, which is why people tend to opt out of theirRead MoreNegative Effects Of Divorce On Children1072 Words   |  5 PagesWhat are the Negative Effects of Divorce on Children When I was five years old I was forced to make a choice. This was a choice many children should not have to make and can never really be prepared for. My parents were getting a divorce and they decided it was in my best interests to give me the option to live with whomever I chose. It was a burden that to this day affects my relationship with one of my parents. Ultimately, I chose to live with my mother and from then on, my father would barelyRead MoreThe Negative Effect of Divorce on Children Essay941 Words   |  4 PagesThe Negative Effect of Divorce on Children Divorce has a negative effect on the psychological and social aspects of our children, which may appear instantly or not come to the surface for years. This is why I think that divorce should only be a last resort and not rushed into even by couples with the most troubled marriages. The only acceptable reason for someone rushing into divorce is if they or their children are in danger. I believe that marriage is a commitment not to be taken lightly and

Signs of Stress in the Police Profession - 531 Words

What issues can be a sign of stress in the police profession and what could be done to help prevent it? All aspects of any job can be stressful. There are several different factors that can cause stress. The cause of stress in the police profession is characterized by job related stress and fatigue. According to Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (2013), stress in general is a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation (Full definition of stress, 1c.). Job stress may involve the type of work your do, your boss, or co-workers or your hours you work. When it comes to job stress, it can take a toll on your productivity, as well as your physical and emotional health. Job related stress is one of the most common causes of heart disease in the workplace. However, in my current career as a Deputy Sheriff, I have more stress from work related issues then the stress that comes from everyday life. Besides the job re lated stress issues and concerns, my job is very rewarding to me. I have the opportunity to help people and give them a sense of security. However, there are times where the workplace is not so rewarding because we are over worked and under paid. Also the constant changes to the workplace policies and procedures are designed to benefit the employer instead of the employee is major cause in job stress. These types of stressful situations may affect police personnel on every level.Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Stress On The Body s Normal State1402 Words   |  6 PagesStress is the body’s reaction to internal or external stimuli that upset the body’s normal state. A stimulus that causes stress that can physical, mental, or emotional. The term stress is used to refer to both the body’s reaction and the stimuli that caused it. The body’s reaction to highly stressful situations is known as the flight or fight response. Under stressful circumstances, quantiti es of adrenaline, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that are released into the bloodstream. This stimulatesRead More Police Trauma and Addictions Essay1116 Words   |  5 Pages Police Trauma and Addictions Tabel of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦1 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.2 Substance Use and Abuse†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..3 Alcohol Abuse Chart†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3 Trauma Strass Interventions†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 A study of 852 police officers found that nearly 50 percent of male and 40 percent of female officers consumed excessive amounts of alcohol. Excessive amounts of alcohol isRead MoreThe Problem Of Police Enforcement1149 Words   |  5 Pagesin 493 (0.2%) United States citizens who have been trained to react in that situation, the media would dissect the situation and gleefully inform the entire country of your misconduct. The people who have been trained to react in that situation are police officers, whom have undergone heaps of scrutiny throughout the course of United States history – most exclusively the past decade. As a country, we categorize law enforcement in two distinct categories: brutal or helpful; we fail to consider similaritiesRead MoreThe Dangers Of Law Enforcement1538 Words   |  7 Pagestelevision, is a very dangerous job. Police officers face many dangers daily, in their jobs. They never really know the outcomes of any situation they get called in to. Dange rs that policemen face are the risk of getting shot, PTSD, biohazard exposure, dangers in making arrests and serious or minor trauma. All of these dangers occur in different situations just in making a simple traffic stop, making an arrest, hazmat scenes, and even directing traffic. Police officers are constantly being facedRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder is on the Raise Essay1155 Words   |  5 PagesPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is defined as mental health disorder triggered by a terrifying event (Mayo Clinic). This ordeal could be the result of some sort of physical harm or threat to the individual, family members, friends or even strangers (NIMH). While PTSD is typically associated with someone who has served in the military, it can affect more than just that genre of individuals. It could affect rape victims, victims in a terrorist or natural disaster incident, nurses, doctors, andRead MoreThe Importance Of A College Education And Why Police Agencies Should Make Dramatic Changes Essay1724 Words   |  7 Pagescollege credits reasonable enough to become a police officer? There have been many studies that show the same outcome on why a police officer should need sixty college credits if not more. There are more advantages having a college education than just a high school diploma. Many people ask if sixty college is enough or should they have at least a four-year degree. In this essay, I will list and example some advantage of having a college education and why police agencies should make dramatic changes inRead MorePolice Enforcement Work And Its Effects On The Members Of Its Department Essay1623 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Police Officers work is never routine. The diverse work load for officers range for long periods of tediousness too adrenaline-driven, life threatening activities. Decisions stand within each context of work effectiveness. While using discretion, officers entrusted to manage criminal episodes while simultaneously protecting basic citizen liberties. Outlooks for police officers to be all things to all people are mythical and debatably less burdensome compared to other professions. PoliceRead MoreThe Law Enforcement Profession Essay1712 Words   |  7 PagesThe Law Enforcement Profession Abstract In order to understand comptemporary law enforcemment, we should recognize the conditions that impact our profession. It is agreed upon by many scholars that major changes in law enforcement occur every five years. Policing is sometimes characterize... like a sandbar in a river, subject to being changed continuously by the currents in which it is immersed... (Swanson, Territo and Taylor, p. 2). However, in recent years some major changes have occurredRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder Essay1049 Words   |  5 Pagesnot only for the child, but also for the parents and family of the child. A long road begins for the family once this disorder is diagnosed and it takes a strong support structure for all that are involved. In today’s society, every person and profession will at some point encounter a child or an adult with autism. It is important that everyone has a basic understanding of this disorder. Autism is a complex mental disorder that at its best hinders the child socializing with peers and in worst casesRead MoreThe Range of Barriers to Effective Interpersonal Communications1082 Words   |  5 Pagesthe job training should be given about these issues to eliminate distress and embarrassment for all parties involved. Understanding and communicating with deaf people is hard to Achieve, it could involve use of Makaton or British sign language. This can be accessed through employers, local support groups and also colleges. It can give people a sense of belonging and involvement within the community that they live in, it can also break down the communication

Dually-Diagnosed Individuals Free Essays

Dually-diagnosed individuals refer to a â€Å"group of patients with severe and persistent mental illness and co-existing drug and alcohol problems† (Burns-Lynch, 1997). Patients are more likely to go through physical, psychological, social, and spiritual problems, not only affecting their families and loved ones, but the community as a whole. Some of these include family or intimate relationship, isolation and social withdrawal, financial problems, employment/ school problems, risky behavior while driving, multiple admission for chemical dependency services and for psychiatric care, increased need for health care services, legal problems, and homelessness (Hamilton, n. We will write a custom essay sample on Dually-Diagnosed Individuals or any similar topic only for you Order Now d. ). More importantly, the condition of the patients could get worse with psychiatric symptoms being masked by alcohol or drug use, alcohol or drug use or withdrawal that can mimic or give the appearance of some psychiatric illness, untreated chemical dependency that can contribute to a reoccurrence of psychiatric symptoms, and untreated psychiatric illness that can contribute to an alcohol or drug relapse (â€Å"Dual Diagnosis or Co-Occurring Disorders†, n. d. ). Certain treatments can be done, such as the care/ confrontation methods (choosing between managers who will care for the patients, or allow the client to care for himself), the abstinence-oriented/ abstinence-mandated programs (which depends on the willingness on the patient to remain abstinent, or abstinence will be made a goal), and the recovery and rehabilitation method/ deinstitutionalization (which focuses on restricting the patient in an intensive setting or allowing him to recover in the community) (Burns-Lynch, 1997). The law requires the safety of every member of the community. Dangers can be posed by dually diagnosed individuals. But it also has to be kept in mind that they too are people who need extra care and understanding. Man has a duty to help other men in times of need. Caring for dually-diagnosed individuals will not only bring safety to the patients, but to all members of the community as well. How to cite Dually-Diagnosed Individuals, Papers

How My Brother Leon Brought Hime a Wife Essay Example For Students

How My Brother Leon Brought Hime a Wife Essay Literary Devices Plot Devices A Literary Device is a technique that shapes narrative to produce an effect on the reader A plot device is an object, a character or a concept introduced into the story by the author to advance its plot. A Plot Twist is any unexpected turn of the story that gives a new view on its entire topic. A plot twist at the end of the story is called a twist ending. A Flashing Arrow is a technique used to focus the readers, but not the characters, attention on an object or a location that will be important later in the story. A Red Herring is a plot device that distracts the readers attention from the plot twists that are important for the story. It is used to maintain tension and uncertainty. A Deathtrap is a plot device that the villain uses to try to kill the protagonist and satisfy his own sadistic desires. A Comic Book Death is a technique makes a major character die or disappears for forever, but character re-appears later in the story. A Dark and Stormy Night is a cliche-like opening that usually includes darkness, violent lightning and a general mood of solitude. s a cliche-like opening that usually includes darkness, violent lightning and a general mood of solitude. Reverse Chronology is technique where begins at the end and works back toward the beginning. In medias res is a literary technique where the narrative starts in the middle of the story instead of from its beginning. The characters, setting, and conflict are often introduced through a series of flashbacks. Items Devices Some items and objects in the story may have a special significance for the plot. These can be divided into several categories: Chekhovs Gun is an item that is introduced early in the story and plays a crucial role later on. MacGuffin is an item whose nature is never quite explained to the reader but is a prime motivation for the characters. A Plot Coupon is an object that is crucial for resolving the conflict and completing the story. Commonly, it is a supernatural artefact divided into several parts and scattered all over the world. A Plot Voucher is an object similar to both plot coupon and Chekhovs gun: it is usually presented to the protagonist at the beginning f the story and plays an important role in the resolving of the conflict. Visions Characters share with the reader visions of the past or the future in order to explain a characters motives or certain plot twists. A Dream Sequence is a series of dreams which allow a character to see events that occur or have occurred in another time. Analepsis (flashback) presents events previous to the current time fr ame. Flashbacks are usually presented as characters memories and are used to explain their backgrounds and the back-story. Racconto is very much like a flashback but is usually somewhat longer and more gradual. Prolepsis (flash-forward) presents events that will occur in the future. Prophecy is often used science fiction to underline their futuristic structure. Foreshadowing is a premonition, much like a flash-forward, but only hints at the future. Had-I-Known is a form of foreshadowing that describes the consequences of a mistake a character is about to make. Finales There are several patterns for story endings: A Cliff-hanger is an abrupt ending that leaves the plot incomplete , without denouement. It often leaves characters in a precarious or difficult situation which hint at the possibility of a sequel. A Twist Ending is an unexpected finale that gives an entirely new vision on the entire plot. It is a powerful technique but it can leave the reader dissatisfied and frustrated. A Happy Ending is a finale when everything ends in the best way for the hero. Poetic Justice is a type of a happy ending where the virtue is rewarded and the vice is punished. Deus ex machina a plot device dating back to ancient Greek theatre, where the conflict is resolved through a means (by god, deus) that seem unrelated to the story. This allows the author to end the story as desired without following the logic and continuity of the story. Literary Devices Character Devices NARRATIVE What is Narrative ? Development of Narrative Certain character devices refer to the identity of the author related to characters in a story. Self-insertion is a literary technique used to intentionally introduce the author into the story as a character. An Author Surrogate is a character who expresses the ideas, questions, personality and morality of the author and acts as the authors spokesman. Mary Sue or Gary Stu is a character who can be seen as an idealized self-insertion by the author. The introduction of a Mary Sue or Gary Stu is generally unintentional. An Audience surrogate is a character who expresses the questions and confusion of the reader. This technique is frequently used in detective fiction and science fiction. Other character devices refer to special traits of a character. Christ figure is an extended metaphor where a character is strongly associated with the religious figure of Jesus Christ. Often, the Christ figure is represented as conspicuously moral, and may sacrifice himself. Sometimes, such a character is then resurrected. Setting NARRATIVE What is Narrative ? Development of Narrative Setting refers to the set of locations where the story takes place as well as the history, geography and the laws of nature of the world in which the story takes place. A Ficton is an imaginary world that serves as the setting or backdrop for a story. A ficton can be identical to our world or different as the author can imagine. A Fictional Universe is an imaginary world that serves as the setting or backdrop for science fiction and fantasy. Other terms related to Fictional Universe are Canon, Expanded Universe, Fanon, Multiverse and Linking Room. A Back-story is the history of the characters and the world where the story takes place. The back-story provides extra depth to the story by anchoring it to external events, real or imagined. Incluing is a literary technique that is used to make the uncovering of the back-story less straightforward and more intriguing. Instead of explaining directly the narrator (or the characters) constantly refers to various events, assuming that everyone knows what they are talking about. Retcon is an acronym for retroactive continuity, describes alteration of the back-story that contradicts the previously accepted vision. It is used to fix continuity errors is particularly in episodic media. A Fictional Crossover is a technique where otherwise separated fictional characters, stories, settings or universes meet and interact with each other. Shared Universe is a technique in which several different authors share settings and characters which appear in their respective works of fiction, often referring to events taking place in the other writers stories. Continuity NARRATIVE What is Narrative ? Development of Narrative Continuity binds a story together through consistency of the plot, the characteristics of characters, objects, places and events. It maintains the laws of nature and rational order of the facts, history, and the universe where the story takes place. Sometimes errors and inconsistencies in the continuity appear in a story. Breaks in continuity that are deliberate are plot devices. A Plot Hole is a gap in the storyline when the plot contradicts itself or simply leaves unanswered questions. A Plot Dump is a technique used when a lot of information necessary for understanding the story is given at once, typically in a dialogue between characters. Sunnydale Syndrome is a common challenge to the suspension of disbelief when the minor characters fail to notice unusual and even paranormal things going right in front of them. Stormtrooper Effect is a reference to the apparent incapability of minor characters (see also Redshirts) to seriously injure major ones even when having all advantages on their side. Chuck Cunningham Syndrome is a term that refers to plot twist (usually, in episodic media) when a major character is removed without satisfactory explanation or no explanation at all. Rhetoric NARRATIVE What is Narrative ? Development of Narrative Authors also manipulate the language of their works to create a desired response from the reader. Rhetorical devices draw the readers attention to the text and to make the characters conversations more realistic. Some rhetorical devices are: An Anacoluthon is an abrupt change of syntax in sentence structure. For example: a sentence sets up a subject and verb, but then the sentence changes its structure so that no direct object is given. An Analogy is a comparison based on similarity; a form of logical inference. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within a short passage . A Chiastic Structure is a figure of speech based on inverted parallelism; a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to each another through a reversal of terms in order to make a larger meaning. Conceit is an extended metaphor, associated with metaphysical poetry. Images and ideas are juxtaposed in surprising ways to provoke the reader into a more sophisticated understanding of an object of comparison. Constrained Writing is a form of writing in which artificial constraints are imposed, such as a story told in one syllable words. Diction refers the precise choice of words based on their connotation and meaning. Epithet is a descriptive word or phrase often metaphoric that are frequently attached to names. Juxtaposition is the placing together two elements for comparison or contrast. A Metaphor is a direct comparison between two or more seemingly unrelated subjects. An Oxymoron combines two normally contradictory terms; for example falsely true A Parade of Horribles is a rhetorical device used by the speaker who argues something by listing a number of extremely undesirable consequences. Parallelism is a balance of two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses; to give two or more parts of the sentences a similar form so as to give the whole a definite pattern. Parody is ridicule by imitation, usually humorous. Personification is a figure of speech which involves directly speaking of an inanimate object, or an abstract concept, as if were a living entity. A Rhetorical Question is a figure of speech in the form of a question posed for rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer. A Simile is a figure of speech in which the object is compared to another object using the words like or as. Symbolism is the creative use of arbitrary symbols as abstract representations of concepts or objects or of attribution of symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships. Writers voice describes the individual writing style of an author, writers use of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc. Word Play is a literary technique in which the nature of the words used themselves become part of the work. Puns, phonetic mix-ups, rhetorical excursions, oddly formed sentences are common examples of word play Nursery Rhyme Charades I use this activity with my really little onesPre-Kindergartenwhen they are learning about nursery rhymes and Mother Goose. It is very simple, and a lot of fun for my students. We begin by discussing nursery rhymes in general, and by naming as many of them as we can. Then we play the game. Each student in turn goes to the center of the circle and pantomimes an element from a nursery rhyme. For instance, he might pantomime someone sleeping for Little Boy Blue. ) The rest of the class tries to guess what nursery rhyme is meant. When dealing with very young studentsalthough I suppose this activity would work with older kids as wellit is very important for the teacher to carefully guide the acting and guessing, and to make positive comments about the perform ances (Wow! thats a really interesting way to act out Bo Peep! ) and about the guesses (Well, no, that isnt what hes doing, but I can see what you mean. He does sort of look like hes jumping over a candlestick, doesnt he! ) so that everyone feels a part of the learning. My Pre-Kindergarten class is my most difficult, and this activity works extremely well with them. Newspaper Puppets This is a great project for older elementary through adult. In addition to exploring characterization and puppet manipulation skills, it builds teamwork and can bring a cast to a closer collaboration. You Will Need: †¢ A whole lot of old newspapers. Figure a stack 6-12 inches tall for each group of three or four students. †¢ Tons of masking tape. Figure four or five rolls per group. (Masking tape is fortunately really cheap. Making the Puppets †¢ Divide the class or cast into groups of three or four, and give each some newspapers and some tape. †¢ Each group must build a giant figure it can be a person or an animal, real or fantasticout of rolled up, folded   or wadded newspaper and masking tape. Generally limbs are made by rolling paper into long, stiff tubes held together by tape, while solid masses, such as torsos are made by loosely wadding paper and wrapping it thoroughly with tape. There is no such thing as using too much tape! I usually allow no scissors, but paper may be torn to shape. In general the figures should be about the size of the students themselves (altough they are of course much lighter) and the more flexible joints and movable limbs the better. (I once made a marvelous spider. ) †¢ Even as they are building the figure, the group should be thinking about how it will move. This is not the kind of puppet one puts hands inside, but rather the kind one manipulates from the outside. All team members should have a role in manipulating the finished puppet. (For instance, one might operate the feet, one the hands, one the head, etc. ) Manipulating the Puppets When the puppets are finished, including whatever changes have to be made to accomodate movement, the groups rehearse manipulation. They must focus on working together so that their creature moves as a unified whole rather than a collection of independent parts. They may experiment with the sound their creation might make. They rehearse until they can smoothy operate the puppet. †¢ Finally, in a controlled way, bring two or more puppets into interaction. Do they fight? Fall in love with one another? Fear one another? Cooperate on some task? Coach the students to explore all the possibilities. When the project is over, I usually end up just tossing the puppets in the trash. Thats the beauty of a rough-and-ready puppet project like this. (Naturally if someone really wants to take a puppet home I allow them to do so. ) †¢ With older students I compare the process of manipulating our Newspaper Puppets to other puppet techniques they may have seen, such as the huge, multi-puppeteer creations in The Lion King, Spanish Muerte puppets, Bunraku, etc. We also discuss the level of concentration and cooperation necessary to make the puppets work. My students always love this project. Narrative Structure Plot Structure pic]NARRATIVE What is Narrative ? Development of Narrative Plot is the basic structure of any story but narrative can have a variety of internal structures related to style, temporal elements and codification of the message. Plot describes a series of events that happens to the characters in a described setting. Ideally, all events should follow logically in order to maintain the continuity of the story. Larger texts often have subplots that run simultaneously with the main one. A-Plot is the term used for the main plot that binds all the subplots. The A-plot is not necessarily the most important one. The Fifth Business EssayTogether, these five codes function like a weaving of voices. Barthes assigns to the hermeneutic the Voice of Truth; to the proairetic code the voice of Empirics ; to the semic the Voice of the Person; to the cultural the Voice of Science; and to the symbolic the Voice of Symbol. According to Barthes, they allowing the reader to see a work not just as a single narrative line but as a braiding of meanings that give a story its complexity and richness. 2. Temporal Environment A story can be presented in several parts. Although this is often done for marketing purposes, it is also a literary device used to create specific narrative structures. Some common forms are: Serial or Episodic Stories Serial stories are divided into a number of smaller episodes that form a single plot. This structure is rather uncommon in literature but is often used in television and subscription publications. Duology, Trilogy, Tetralogy, etc. Several individual stories may be connected through common characters, geography and history and can be perceived as a single work composed of a set of stories. Frame Stories Segmented stories can be knit together by a frame story, a main story that serves as a framework for a set of shorter stories. Extradiegetic Narrative An extradiegetic narrative is a story that frames the primary story. Frame Narrative A frame narrative is a story within a story. In stories such as Chaucers Canterbury Tails different individuals narrate the events of a story in each frame. Unlike an omniscient narrative, the teller of the story is an actual character with particular traits, prejudices, and motives. This structure can also resemble the psychoanalytic process of uncovering the unconscious behind various obfuscating narratives put in place by the conscious mind. The following terms are commonly used to identify different types of split stories: Sequel: a story set in the same fictional universe but later in time. It usually continues the original storyline. Prequel: a story that happens in the same universe as some previous story. It is provided to explain the original story context. Interquel: a story chronologically set during the interval between two previous stories. Midquel: a story set in the same time and universe as a previous story. In episodic media such TV series and serialized publications stories are composed of episodes, short segments of a main story connected to a story arc, a frame narrative or a side story. Filler: an episode that has no connection to the ongoing storylines. Fillers are used to give background information about the characters or present the back-story. Temporal Order Fabula refers to the chronological sequence of events in a narrative. Simple narratives follow the chronology of history but this is not always the most effective manner to present events when the narrator wishes to provoke high emotional response through suspense. For example, anticipation can be created by presenting certain events in an inverted order. A couple of ways for changing the fabula of a story are: Analepsis (flashback) presents events previous to the current time frame. Prolepsis (flash-forward) presents events that will occur in the future. A classic example of prolepsis is prophecy. In medias res refers to a story that begins in the middle of things rather than at the chronological origin of the story. This reordering of events engages the reader immediately in the action of the story. 3. Literary Style Syntagmatic Structure Syntagmatic structure refers the mode of time-awareness in which listeners are placed by the surface structure (syntax) of the narrative discourse. Simple Narrative A simple narrative is a story that is historically and culturally grounded and shaped by human personality. It organizes a particular stretch of time into a conscious experience. Epic Narrative Epic narratives are prolonged stories of the life of heroic or mythological persons. They create a cyclical state of recurrence. See Monomyth. Lyrical Narrative Lyrical narratives are stories conveyed in verses that are to be accompanied by music. The discourse uses elements of metre and symmetry and a relatively short time period. Literary Genres The development of written narrative has produced a number of distinct fashions or literary styles of narrative discourse. Some common styles are: An Autobiographical Novel is the fictionalized story of an authors life as seen by the author. An Epistolary Novel is a story presented as an exchange of letters between characters. A Historical Novel is a story set within the context of historical events. Protagonists may be fictional or historical personages, or a combination. Hysterical Realism is a literary genre characterized by chronic length, manic characters, madding action, and frequent digressions on topics secondary to the story. Magic Realism is a form of story that realistically describes events set in a magical haze of strange local customs and beliefs. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a master of this style. A Pastiche is a literary form that openly imitates previous works of another artist, often with satirical intent. A Picaresque Novel is an episodic narrative of the adventures of a rogue on the road. Tom Jones is a classic example. Roman a clef is a story that describes real-life events behind a facade of fiction. Satire is literary style in which human weakness is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. Stream of Consciousness is a narrative discourse that proposes to reveal a characters inner thought processes. The Narrator Corporal Form Physical Position Narrators Bias Grammatical Position 1. Corporal Form Three entities are necessary for storytelling of any kind, an author, a narrator and a reader. The author creates the characters, and events within the story. The narrator presents the story in a way the reader can comprehend. The readers function is to understand and interpret the story. The author and narrator can one if they share the same entity relative to the story. The narrator has definite attributes and limitations that are crucial for the way the story is perceived by the reader. The most important aspect of the narrator is the point-of-view from which the story is told. Point-of-view consists of corporal form, physical position, bias and grammatical stance. There are two basic forms of narrative according to the corporal form of the narrator: Diegesis: a personified narrator describes events in the narrative, addressing the audience directly describing what is in the characters mind and emotions. To enter the world of the story, the reader must suspend disbelief and accept the storys diegesis. Mimesis: the story is told by an omniscient incorporeal entity; what is going on in a characters inner thoughts and emotions are shown through external actions rather than through description of the characters state of mind and emotions. 2. Physical Position The physical position of the narrator determines what the narrator can see and therefore what the reader can see. This has particular relevance when a narrative is presented as a film. The position of the camera lens, the focalization, is critical for the viewers interpretation of a scene. Focalization Focalization is the presentation of a scene through the subjective perception of a character. The term can refer to the focalizer, the person doing the seeing or to the object that is being perceived. In literature focalization is established through narration in the grammatical first-person. In film, camera positions such as point-of-view shots, subjective shots and over-the-shoulder shots are combined with presentation of shots in specific sequences. Point-of-view Shot A point-of-view shot is a scene in a film that shows what a character is looking at. It is usually established by positioning the point-of-view shot between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the characters reaction (a reverse shot). Subjective Treatment In film, subjective treatment shots show events as if we see through the minds eye of the character. Such as shot may be used to portray a vision, a memory, or a hallucination. Objective Treatment An objective treatment of a scene presents what is before the camera in the diegesis of the narrative. Objective treatment corresponds to third-person narration in literature. Over-the-shoulder An over-the-shoulder shot includes part of that characters shoulder or the side of the characters head while showing the scene from the characters point-of-view. 3. Narrators Bias In order to be credible, a narrator, like any person, must have a cultural background . This cultural baggage filters and influences the characters perception and therefore the characters narrative discourse. Gaze Gaze is a term that usually refers to the predominantly male gaze of Hollywood cinema in which camera angles and film editing tend to depict women as objects perceived by voyeuristic men. Gaze can refer to any biased, filtered, point-of-view such as racist, anarchist, humanist, etc. Scopophilia Scopophilia which means the love of looking refers to a voyeuristic gaze. This is a narrative point-of-view that is often used to portray intimate first-person discourse. Unreliable Narrator A narrator tells the story from his or her personal point-of-view. It is important for the reader to determine the motivation and psychology of the character assumed by the narrator in order to decide what is the veracity of the narrative. Why is this narrator telling the story in this way? Can we trust his narrative? Certain narrators withhold or distort a story according to their personal interests. The character flaws and incongruencies can reduce credibility. Unreliable narrators display traits that render themselves untrustworthy and their rendition of events must be taken with a grain of salt. Unreliable narrators usually speak in the first-person, since this form of narration tends to underline the motives for telling a story. Consequently, the narrators of memoirs and autobiographies should probably be considered unreliable. 4. Grammatical Position There are five grammatical stances or voices that a narrator can adopt: first-person, second-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient and third-person objective. First-person and third-person points-of-view are most common. The second-person points-of-view is very rarely used. First-person Narrative A first-person narrator tells a story in the grammatical first-person referring to himself as I or We. He must witness and experience events with his senses, or be told about events. This voice brings greater focus on the feelings, opinions, and perceptions of a particular character in a story, and on how that character views the world and other characters. This technique constitutes diegesis. First-person As if spoken There are several variations of first-person narrative. The first is expressed as listen while I tell you . This stance is favoured for short stories. Although the narrator can be a character who is a mere observer, usually a main character tells the story. Interest can be sustained for a long period by a narrators colourful and colloquial language as in Huckleberry Finn. In film this form of narration can be achieved through use of voice-over narration and judicious use of point-of-view and over-the-shoulder shots. First-person As if written The second form of first-person narrative is presented as written personal memoir or report such as in Robinson Crusoe. The narrator can interject reflections and comments on the action and characters with an appreciation matured by time. This form also allows the author to move smoothly from place to place and period to period with little confusion. An epistolary narrative is presented as a series of lettres. It can reveal a great deal about the characters, the correspondents, but the action may be somewhat distant and it may take some time for audience to connect with a story. Yet another form of as if written narrative is a diary that records, over a long period, the variegation of events in the diarists life. A diary may also introduce fiction of a personal nature as the individual speculates on the denouement of events. Stream of Consciousness An even more intimate first-person narrative is a stream of consciousness or an interior monologue. This form of narration presents a story through thoughts, impressions and sensations that flow through the mind of the narrator-character. The audience is made to feel that their thoughts are flowing directly through the characters brain, that the characters senses are those of the audience. First-person Multiple Narration First-person multiple narration uses several first-person narrators, alternating among them with each new phase of the story. This allows the diversity of presentation of an omniscient narrator with the advantage of varied voices. Different characters can present the same story elements from their particular bias providing a rich explanation of the events. Second-person Narration Second-person narration is a stance in which the narrator is telling the story to another character through that characters point-of -view. The listener is referred as You. This technique also constitutes diegesis. Second-person narrative is common in interactive fiction and role-playing computer games. The reader can associate with the listener and imagine being within the action of the story. Third-person Narration Third-person narration is a story told in the grammatical third-person; the voice of the narrator describes what He or They did. The voice of the narrator appears as that of the author. This is perhaps the most common sort of narration. Third-person Limited Narration In third-person limited narration, the narrator is disembodied. The narrator does nothing, expresses no opinions and has no physical form in or out of the story. There is no implied fictional intermediary between the reader and the story. Events are observed from the outside through the senses and thoughts of a single character. The narrative is limited to the thoughts, feelings, and memories of the single character, but of no other characters. Third-person Omniscient Narration An omniscient (all-knowing) narrator is also disembodied and takes no actions, casts no judgments, expresses no opinions and has no physical form in or out of the story. The narrator dissolves and ceases to exist as a detectable entity (mimesis). The omniscient narrator speaks with the voice of the author who is a witness to all events. Any element, secret, hidden, past or present as well as any thoughts of all characters can be told by the omniscient narrator. The chronological of the story can be re-ordered in any manner and important elements of a story can be withheld until the moment of greatest effect. The third-person omniscient narrator is usually considered to be the most reliable narrator. Third-person Objective Narration In a third-person objective narration, the author records what can be seen and heard. There is not presentation of the thoughts, feelings, memories or reflections of characters. This type of narration is like the view of a fly on the wall. Literary Devices Plot Character Setting Continuity Rhetoric Characters Characterization Stock Characters