In every story, there is a lesson that can come from it, even when the story was written in a time as far back as 1793. Laurie Anderson, author of the novel “Fever 1793” had used many lessons in her writing. One of which was used multiple times and has helped her characters, especially one by the name of Matilda, tremendously. The lesson is that paying attention and grasping all knowledge available during one’s life experience, then, later on, that knowledge and experience can become useful. Keeping in mind that the lesson can be used anywhere anytime, Anderson used the lesson in this time period to really show how helpful it can be. Back in 1793, Philadelphia, the setting of Anderson's novel, was going through a tragic and difficult time. …show more content…
She made a lesson that can be used throughout life, and she proved the positives of her lesson by showing how it helped her character Matilda’s life. The lesson she had made, was that the knowledge and experience a person can gain in life should be taken carefully, as it can help them later in life. In result of Mattie listening to Grandfather, she knew that someone who was about to go through rough times needed good sleep and a full belly, which had helped her after he died and she was on her own. Because Matilda had spoken to Mrs.Bowles, she knew about the orphanage and that it was an option to go to, as well as it gave her an option for what to do with Nell later in the book. Most importantly, she absorbed what she has learned at Bush Hospital about the bleeding and what really heals yellow fever. This then came into effect later when Eliza wanted to bleed Robert and William and Mattie knew to take them to the coffee shop where it was cool. She also knew that the bleeding would kill them, and argued, “But the French doctors say bleeding kills people. Think of all the patients you’ve seen who died after the doctors bled them. They didn’t bleed me and I’m alive.” Matilda used what the doctors said, she used what she learned from her own experience, and she used what she’s been seeing around to save them. And although there are now plenty of examples to prove how paying …show more content…
And then she explains; “If we bleed them, we’ll send them to the grave.” The way Matilda explains this, she obviously knows what she is talking about, and has paid attention when she was in the hospital,and the knowledge she has grasped is strong enough that she is using hyperboles that are actually fairly realistic, and she is capable of explaining herself in a long paragraph. Another way the author expressed the theme is by using Matilda’s inner thoughts, and then showing the consequence of not following what she had learned, in which the theme is that paying attention and during their experiences can help them later. Unfortunately, because Matilda did not pay attention to what she had learned there was a negative effect, and if she had listened, she would’ve been much better off. When Matilda was in the hospital, she was listening to what all the doctors and nurses were saying about all the people in the city and the hospitals and the actions everyone was taking and there was one specific line that really stood out. “ They told of thieves who crept in and stole jewelry off the dead and dying.” This quote shows that currently, there are people in the city, who are sneaking around stealing from people, that it is dangerous, how they are going after the dead, along with some who haven’t even
At some point in a person's life, they must make the transition from childhood to adulthood. Many of a persons early life experiences can contribute to this transition, even if it is the simplest of things. Yellow Fever hit Philadelphia hard in 1793. It also hit hard in the book Fever: 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. In this book, fourteen year-old Mattie Cook?s life gets turned upside-down when Yellow Fever strikes Philadelphia. In her adventure, Mattie must show responsibility, and experience the pain of death before she matures into an adult.
In Stephen Dunn’s 2003 poem, “Charlotte Bronte in Leeds Point”, the famous author of Jane Eyre is placed into a modern setting of New Jersey. Although Charlotte Bronte lived in the early middle 1800’s, we find her alive and well in the present day in this poem. The poem connects itself to Bronte’s most popular novel, Jane Eyre in characters analysis and setting while speaking of common themes in the novel. Dunn also uses his poem to give Bronte’s writing purpose in modern day.
Society tends to encourage virtuous qualities such as kindness, patience and optimism, indeed, these are virtuous qualities that could make up potential leaders and role models. But, the irony is that in some circumstances virtues can become a hindrance not just to yourself, but the people around you as well. This happened to Aunt Burnie, a gentle caretaker of the narrator and two girls Min and Jade, in George Saunders’ “Sea Oak”. Due to burglary, Aunt Burnie’s life came to an end, but due to strange circumstances she was resurrected. This resurrection changed her completely Aunt Burnie was no longer her pleasant self but full of spite and anger due to her life experiences and her compensation in death. Though she worked hard and was complacent
When looking into works of literature, some stories seem to be similar to others. They can have a similar setting, point of view, theme, or sense of language and style. However, all of these points could be very different as well and could cover different theme or style. Flannery O’Conner’s “Good Country People” and Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” have some contrasting elements, such as their points of view and use of symbolism, but their similarities in the underlying theme, language, and the setting of these stories reveal how these two stories are impacted by education on both the individual and their family.
There are some literary devices or methods that can be applied in analyzing a given story that can either be short or long. Other aspects include literary devices, contrast, repetition, and anomalies (Wallek and Warren, 1956). In this task, I will use the short story, The First Day, which is written by Edward P. Jones. I will provide a summary of the story and later analyze it by identifying the devices used and how they have been applied to bring out the meaning of the story. The story is about a little girl seeing her mother as a flawed woman. The first day of school or the young girl, she found out her mother is not perfect. It’s not easy when you grew up expecting something, but after a while you find out the opposite is completely right.
The novel A Lesson Before Dying is about a young, college-educated man and a convict, Grant Wiggins and Jefferson. Grant is asked to make a man out of Jefferson who is convicted of killing a white man during a robbery in which he got dragged along to. Grant is asked by Emma Lou to make a man out of Jefferson, so if anything, Jefferson can die with dignity. Something that he was striped of when he was tried and his attorney used the defence that he is a hog. While trying to get through to Jefferson, Grant struggles because he is so far and separated from his own community. He holds resentment toward the white man and wants to get away from his town which he thinks is an on-going vicious cycle of misery. The novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines depicts the social and racial injustices faced by African Americans in the South in the late 40...
The Onion's "Girl Moved to Tears by Of Mice and Men Cliffs Notes" is an article with satirical and critical tone about a young communication major, Grace Weaver, who is emotional moved by reading the synopsis of the American classic Of Mice and Men over the original novel. In this article, the author describes Weaver's process and reaction to the assigned reading that aims to entertain an audience who has read the book. By using subtle satire and descriptions that let the reader understand the dangers of Weaver's shortcomings, the author is able to emphasize the importance of doing your own good work in a humorous and interesting manner.
Edie was raised in a very sheltered pious household. The reader may deduce from this that her thoughts and actions were probably ones that were careful, cautious, and inexperienced. Mr. Peebles one day inquires if Edie would be able to work as their nanny. Edie knows how to bake,
The lessons that are taught through experience are usually the ones that stick with children for a lifetime. In Toni Cade Bambara's “The Lesson”, Miss Moore, a prominent character in the story, teaches a lesson to underprivileged children growing up in Harlem. Bambara's work is described as “stories [that] portray women who struggle with issues and learn from them.” (Vertreace, Par. 48) Bambara uses Miss Moore and her characteristics to teach Sylvia and the other children about social inequality and the idea of pursuing personal aspirations regardless of social status. Miss Moore has many admirable characteristics; she's intelligent, patient and caring.
Veronica Roth’s book demonstrates, in a few key ways, how great literature must include life lessons. The story teaches readers to never give up and to push on even in hard and rough times of struggle. Beatrice prior (Tris), the protagonist in the book, leaves her home to live with the danger seeking “Dauntless”. During the evil plot set by the antagonist, Beatrice’s mother gets fatally wounded by a gun shot. Tris watches this horrible moment unfold right next to her as her mother lifelessly crumbles to the ground. Beatrice loves her mother very much and doesn’t want to leave her body there, but knows she has to uncover the strength to move onwards. Not only was Beatrice brave after witnessing the death of her mother but her mother was also brave. Beatrice’s mother was also brave, having to die like that for her people, sacrificing herself for her daughter and family. Beatrice shows how she feels about her mother’s braver when she says,” My mother’s death was brave. I remember how calm she was, how determined. It isn’t just that she died for me; it is brave that she did it without announcing it, wi...
The narrator Sylvia and the children in her impoverished neighborhood are prisoners in a dark cave, which is the society that encompasses ignorance and puppet-handlers. “The Lesson” begins with Sylvia as she talks condescendingly about her neighborhood of Harlem, New York: “Back in the days when everyone was old and stupid or young and foolish and me and Sugar were the only ones just right, this lady moved on our block with nappy hair and proper speech and no makeup. Quite naturally we laughed at her… And we kinda ha...
Frances Piper’s change in nature can be seen the day of Materia’s, her mother, funeral. She cannot control the laughter that escapes her while the funeral proceeding is happening. However she is amazed when James and Mercedes, her sister, think that she is crying. In that moment of her life, Frances learns something “. . . that will allow her to survive and function for the rest of her life. She finds out that one thing can look like another . . . Some would simply say Frances learned how to lie” (142)...
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”-MLK Jr. In the book A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines explores the relationship between a student and a teacher in Bayonne, Louisiana, in the 1940s, and how their actions affect the society they are living in. Jefferson, a young black man, is accused of a murder, and is sentenced to death because of his race. Miss Emma, Jefferson’s godmother, wants Grant Wiggins, an educated black teacher to “make him a man” before Jefferson dies. Even though Grant was reluctant that it would amount to anything, but he gave his word that he would try, and soon after a couple of visits to the jail, Grant starts to develop a bond with Jefferson. As the book progresses, Jefferson learns that you need to take responsibility for your own actions, you should always be humble, one should never submit their dignity no matter the circumstances, and always remember that even heroes are not perfect.
Very crucial to Dinah’s eventual freedom and liberation from her displeasing life is her enduring patience. Dinah does not revolt against the unjust society or demand an immediate change towards liberation, but instead lives through the misery and hopes for a future of freedom. Without patience, determination in achieving her goals, and perseverance through the challenging events of her life, Dinah would not have achieved such satisfying liberation in her later years. It is the patience and the decision to wait for the good that is to come that provide Dinah and Pecola with such remarkable liberation.
The persuasive attempts in both literary works produce different results. The effectiveness of the mother’s guidance to her daughter is questioned since the girl cannot recognize the essence of her mother’s lesson. Despite that, the mother’s beneficial instruction serves as a standard for the daughter to reflect her future behaviors in order to live up to the community’s expectations. On the other hand, Anne’s value of candid expression and lasting relationship dissuades her from obliging to her family’s meaningless duty to place her love and interest above to experience fulfillment in life.