Getting Out

I preferred Cleopatra Mathis's Getting Out poem to the others, because it was easier to read. While it may seem easy, it actually contains deep messages. What I liked about this poem is the imagery used to explain the relationship. The speaker shows how the relationship worked, and what lead to the downfall. The author is able to speak eloquently in simple language. She doesn't need to use a rhyme scheme or write in iambic pentameter in order to put her message across, she can write like a normal human being. I find this a greater skill than to compress words into a rigid structure, for it allows the true nature of the poem to come across. I found the image of the couple that loves each other, but can't find the love to stay together a very interesting notion. Mathis writes " Yet I think of the lawyer's bewilderment when we cried, the last day. Taking hands we walked apart, until our arms stretched between us. We held on tight, and let go." This shows how even though the couple couldn't stay together, they still had love for each other. I found this poem to be striking for its deep meaning with simple words.

Popular Mechanics

I found popular mechanics a very odd story. One thought that was brought to my attention by the substitute teacher on Friday is that the story may be an allusion to the book of Solomon. In the book of Solomon, two woman claim a child to be there's, disputing it in front of king Solomon. When neither will deny that they are the mother, the king says he will split the child in half so they can each have a part. The woman that starts freaking out is obviously the mother and a much better suited mother. In Popular mechanics, two parents fight over a child, when the father is leaving. Neither will give up, so in a fight for the child, they each grab one of the child's arms. They pull and pull to get custody, until the author writes "He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard. In this manner, the issue was decided." The author implies the child had it's arms pulled off, likely dying. This shows that while in Solomon there was one quality parent, in this story, there are two terrible parents.

The Story of an Hour

Kate Chopin's The Story of an Hour exemplifies the literary terms of institutional irony and foreshadowing. The reader is told that the protagonist Mrs. Mallard's husband has just died in an accident and that her sister is trying to tell her carefully because she has heart problems. For a time, Mrs. Mallard is seen mourning, when a sudden shift comes. The lock of the door is heard unlatching with a key. It is Mr. Mallard, he is alive!  When Mrs. Mallard sees him at the front door, she is so overcome with joy that she faints, or rather dies of a heart attack. The reader has no idea Mr. Mallard is still alive, and it is surprises the reader. The sudden shift brings about a surprise the reader does not see coming. Also, the author gives the reader a sampling of the surprise ending by mentioning the heart problems of Mrs. Mallard. I found the story very surprising and entertaining due to the ending, when the doctor says " she had died of heart disease - of joy that kills."

You're Ugly Too

Lorrie Moore's You're Ugly Too portrays a bitterly sarcastic woman. Zoe Hendricks lives a boring life as a school teacher. From what the reader sees, it seems as if Zoe hates her life, and the people in it. Lorrie Moore does a good job using characterization in order to show Zoe's personality. Lorrie gives multiple anecdotes that display Zoe's cynical ways. She seems to be unable to take things seriously, choosing instead to make a joke out of things. She is also immature in her comments to her students and to her peers. Moore portrays Zoe as a depressed woman who is angry at the woman. The story is entertaining due to the little stories told to the side of the main plot. These include her being asked "What is your perfume" by a student, and replying "room freshener." This displays just one of the frequent sarcastic quips that she uses and that move the story forward. Overall, Lorie Moore's short story was entertaining primarily due to the character's scathing remarks.

Evaline Opionion

In James Joyce's Evaline the theme of escape is key. Evaline has two choices, to stay with her father, or leave with her boyfriend, Frank. Evaline's father doesn't treat her particularly well, and she gives up all of herself to her father and her family. Frank on the other hand treats her well, and loves her. When Evaline is forced to choose once and for all between Frank or her father, she is paralyzed.  She cannot choose what she will do with her life. I believe the right choice would have been to go live with Frank. Her life would have been much happier. She would not end up in madness like her mother, instead living her life with a man who loved her. Because of Evaline's inability to make a decision, she has forced herself into a life of working for her father receiving no praise. She will certainly live a less than joyful life. Evaline will be forced to live in a house where she will "Feel herself in the danger of her father's violence." (Joyce, 219).

Delight in Disorder Robert Herrick Question 2

In Robert Herrick's Delight in Disorder, the poem utilizes many oxymora.  The first used is "sweet disorder" (Herrick). This goes along with the title that disorder can be good. Next comes "Fine distraction," which again goes along with the title. The last oxymoron is "wild civility" which goes along with the theme of disorder. The oxymora help to progress the poem in it's central meaning. The author finds pleasure in the disorganized. He does not like the perfectly organized people. He prefers disorganization to neatness. The oxymora express the author's opinion on disorder.

Lonely Hearts Question 1

In the poem Lonely Hearts by Wendy Cope, five personal advertisements are placed in the form of a poem.   Each personal advertisement asks for a lover for a different person, saying "Can someone make my simple wish come true?"(P. 973). The first ad is for a biker seeking someone to tour with him. The second ad is a gay vegetarian who wants someone to listen to music and read Shakespeare with him. The third regards an executive searching a bisexual woman. The fourth brings a straight laced gentleman searching for an attractive Jewish lady with a son. The final is about a librarian searching for a slim non smoker under 21. All of the ads seem rather stereotypical, asking for what one would expect the groups would want. The needs the people in the ads range from what one would expect to rather out of place. The poem tells an odd story of 5 people looking for love.

How I Met My Husband Question 5

In How I Met My Husband by Alice Munro, the story of a young girl named Edie is told. Edie is infatuated with a war pilot named Chris, even thinking she might marry him one day. Overall, Chris Watters would not make a very good husband for Edie. Chris is not ready for marriage which is evident through out the story. First off, the fact that Chris is fooling around with a 15 year old seems alarming. Who's to say that Chris would not make off with another 15 year old after he and Edie got married. Chris is constantly on the move, and does not have time for a marriage. The only marriage like relationship he has which is with his supposed fiance who has to chase him down in order to get in touch with him. Chris even comes out explicitly stating he does not want to get married. When Edie asks him "Are you getting married?" he replies "Ha. ha. What time did you say they'd be back?" (Munro 142). This shows that Chris has not intention and does not plan on getting married. While Edie who is infatuated may have thought he would be a good husband, she now realizes he would not make a great husband.