IRP- Short Story Blog

"The Body" by Stephen King

Plot: The plot of this story is a group of four boys who go looking in search of the corpse of a boy named Ray Brower. The structure of this plot is Gordie telling a story about an event that happened right before he began junior high. It is a story that is told in past tense. Throughout the story, there are mentionings about the present. This gives the reader a better understanding of the characters in the story, and see the effect certain events in the past had on Gordie in the future. For example, when Gordie sees the deer, he says right after about how he would think of that moment "when there was trouble in [his] life". Another important part of the plot is the stories that Gordie writes. The one called Stud City relates to Gordies feelings towards his family. Both he and the character lost their brother, and there is conflict with the parents. The stories he tell sometimes give the reader insight on the character of Gordie. In addition to structure, the narrative pace has an effect of the overall story. The next year after the 'adventure' is told in a very quick pace. It says how the friends drifted apart and then how Chris ended up getting into the honors courses. The speeding up of the pace of this shows how the eventual ending of the friendship didn't matter. What mattered was the time they spent together and how good of friends they were. I was reminded of when Gordie says he "never had friends like he did when he was twelve. Jesus who does?"(page 341). This proves that he really meant this because he seems to not care about what happened. Rather, he cares about what a great friendship they group of them had.

Point of View: This story is told in first person by Gordon Lachance. He is telling about something he experienced when he was twelve. He recounts the story, but throughout the story he will have sidenotes or entire chapters that are from the present. The present would be when he is writing this story down years later. An example of when he does this would be when he says things like "the story never did get out" (page 427), "I've thought of going back and looking for it"(Pg 421), or "my wife and children far off in another world"(page 421). These all show that he is looking back or providing the reader with thoughts that he has now, after the event. This also shows that he has been impacted greatly in various ways by this event. If it was just some unimportant childish adventure, he may have remembered it, but it would have been told in a more childish upbeat story. While there are some funny parts, there are a lot of serious events that take place which he reflects on to the reader, such as the event with the deer or the almost speech that Chris gave him about friends. The things he learned stuck with him, so he tells this story. Also, the first paragraph is very important in regards to the point of view. He tells why he wants to tell the story. He says he tells it for the "want of an understanding ear"(page 293). We saw how the family life of Gordie was not so great, but this event was very important to him. He tells this story to recount its importance. By having that first chapter, Gordie relays to the reader that this is a difficult story to tell, but it must be done. Through this point of view, the story is given a deeper meaning and shown to not be just some childhood experience. Rather, it was a life-chaning experience.

Characterization: There is both indirect and direct characterization that takes place in this story. Mostly, there is indirect characterization. In the second, third, and fourth chapter, there is a lot of description about each of the characters. Sometimes it is directly said about the character. For example, it says that"Teddy couldn't see very well"(page 295). While Gordie tells the reader explicitly about the character, he uses a lot of stories to give the background information. This happens when he tells of how Chris was suspended for school because the "milk-money disappeared"(page 307). A lot of the past stories are used to tell about the characters. At first, they may seem shallow or obvious, but throughout the rest of the story actions that each character does reveals a much deeper characterization. At the beginning, Teddy seems macho through the story of how he does "truck-dodging"(page 297). Later, though, Milo calls his dad a "loony" (page 348). After this, Teddy "burst into tears" (page 351). This shows that Teddy has a deep love for his father, and he is not so tough and isn't just a daredevil. He has feelings. Lastly, the character of Gordie has a direct relation to Stephen King. I was looking up information about the story and came across this. Gordie wrote short stories in college, which many were published in "small literary journals and men's journals". "His first novel and story were hugely successful". "He goes on to write several supernatural novels, and he has a wife and three kids". All of this is paralled with Stephen King. This relationship between the two shows that he had a connection to this person, and that the person has realistic qualities. It is a deep, almost real character.

Setting: The setting of this story overall is Castle Rock. The importance places in the town where things occur would be mostly the railroad, and Castle River. A very important phrase made by Gordie(when he is older) about the setting would be when he says something about Castle river and how it "is still around" (page 436). After he says this, he says "so am i"(page 436). This shows that he relates the river to himself. The river holds his memories of that journey and reminds him of it. As long as the river is still there, so will his memories of his friendships and that journey. This provides a major theme of the fact that memories last a lifetime. Also, even though his friends have died, he still remembers and will never forget. Time may have passed, but he still remembers. He is still there to remember. Also, Gordie says that "desire to get away from Castle Rock and out of the mill's shadow seemed to me to be my best part"(page 435). This refers to Chris and how he was labeled by his family. Everyone knew him, yet no one knew him. This shows the theme of moving on and going onto a new life. The setting is important because Gordie holds on to it in order to keep the memories of his friendship alive. Also, in the past, it is shown as an obstacle that keeps Chris from reaching goals, such as the honors classes and how old lady Simons used this against him(page 383). The little town where everyone knows everything is seen as both bad and good. This is because of Chris' situation with his status in society as a result of their opinions of his family, and how it held him back. It was good because of how great of friendships the boys had when they were younger.

Theme: The major themes of this story are friendship, becoming older, and the way society and its perceptions can hold you back. The theme of friendship is that no matter what, friendships last forever. Whether they talk or not, the memories are what keep people friends. People hold onto these memories. This is shown when Gordie says that the river and him are both still there(page 436). Also, the theme of friendship is that you are a part of your friends. This is seen when Gordie says "if he had drowned, that part of my would have drowned with him"(page 435). People grow attached to each other, and sometimes they almost become one. This is not something that just goes away. Instead, the friendship will last even if they are not together. At the same time, certain friendships are not right because they can "drag you down"(page 381). Friendship is a major importance, but friendships change as people grow up, which is another important theme. The drifting away of the friendship with Teddy and Vern show this because they were best friends, but then as they got to junior high they began to hangout with different people and change. This shows that growing up causes some losses, but the strong friendship between Chris and Gordie show that not everything has to change. Lastly, society and the setting reveal the theme of the negative effects of the perceptions of others. Chris' brothers cause others to assume he'd "turn out bad"(page 307). Also, the continuous comparison of Gordie to Denny causes him to feel like he is the "Invisible Boy"(page 298) and inferior or not good enough. His dad shows this through his disapproval of what he is, such as his choice of friends when he says "Those are the only people you want to be with, aren't they, Gordon?"(page 309). It is also seen through the scene with Mr. Dusset(page 343-344). These themes are supported through the various elements of the story, as shown before.

Theme Blog #4

"Miss Brill"
I am very confused about this story. I have pretty much no idea where it takes place. I thought it may be a church because she said something about her "special seat" and recalls "Last Sunday" (p 183). This made me think that she would go there on Sundays, and since she is older, they usually have a seat they always sit in. I think this is wrong since the setting was outside, so maybe it is at a park? I don't know! Also, even though I did not really understand this, I did find some irony in the story. Throughout the whole story, Miss Brill sits there and judges others/people watches. She says "there was something funny about nearly all of them", so she obviously thinks about them and makes fun of them. It is like her form of entertainment. Then, at the end she hearst the kids talk about her. She gets so upset. I feel bad because I saw some little old lady being made fun of. At the same time, it was ironic because they were just like her. The only difference is that they said their thoughts outloud.

Theme Blog #3

"Once upon a Time" #1
The two causes for the sound are "a voice in the echo-chamber of the subconscious"(p 231) or an intruder, someone who could murder or harm her. She syas she felt like a "victim already"(p 232) , so she is afraid someone else is there maybe. Her fear is evident, and she was reading everything going on as a "possible threat"(p232). An intruder would be a threat, and she had just told the story of a murderer. She is being very paranoid and fearful. These feelings are what cause her the fear. Since she goes into more detail about her inner feelings, although it is caused by thinking there is an intruder, I think that the ultimate fear is in her paranoia and subconcious fear. The inner feelings reveal why she couldn't "release [herself] to sleep again"(p232). She keeps thinking about all the possiblities and convincing herself it could be something bad, which is a voice inside her head. Her own worries are what cause her the fear. This prompts the feelings of the children story because she is trying to convince herself that worrying about intruders and the outside world is not always the biggest concern. Your own worries and fear can harm you instead.

Theme Blog #2

"A Worn Path" #5

The plot/structure of this story starts out with her getting through struggles of her own,like old age, to get there. At one point she says "I wasn't as old as I thought" (p 224). She then encounters various animals or thorn bushes, which give her difficulty. Then, the man tries to persuade her to turn around. Lastly, when she is at the doctor's office, the people there keep questioning her. She is unable to answer because she forgets what she was there to do. Her internal struggle is at the end because she either cannot say why she is there on her own, or she cannot come to grips that her grandson is dead. I am not sure if he is dead or not, but she struggles at the doctors office because of some internal conflict, maybe a memory or forgetting. I am not sure though. The obstacles are her old age, which she fights through. Another obstacle is the nature, like the thorn bush. Another is the distance of the town, but she is determined. Also, the man tries to tell her to turn around and really tries to make her go back, but she refuses. He even says "wouldn't misss going to town to see Santa Claus", so her determination to get there is evident. Lastly, at the doctors office she struggles to say why she is there. She overcomes this by having the nurse help her.

Theme Blog #1

"Eveline" #2
Eveline feels trapped in her present life, and I do not think her father respects her as he should. On page 219, she says that "she would not be treated as her mohter had been". She would have "respect". Her father must not have respect for women. I think he may have physically hurt her mother and controlled what she did. Eveline says that she is afraid of "the danger of her father's violence". He was controlling and probably has anger issues. She wants to live a life of her own. He "had forbidden her to have anything to do with [Frank]"(p 220), which is what made her happy. She also said that she had a "right to happiness" (221). She must not have happiness in her current situation since she says this. Miss Gavan is very critical of Eveline, by correcting everything she did. Eveline says she "would be glad" if Eveline left, which also shows that Miss Gavan gave her more incentive to leave. Lastly, I think her father forbidding her from things made her want that life even more. Also, her memory of her mother contributed to her decision to leave. She saw how her mother was treated and did not want to be trapped. Since she remembered how life for her mother was, she knew what she did not want. Eveline wanted to escape into a life of her own, not dictated by her father.

Characterization Blog #4

"Bartleby the Scrivener"

I honestly still am trying to finish this story. I have tried so many times but it keeps confusing me! Its a lot of details and a slow start, so hopefully it gets better. I found this kind of humerous with the descriptions of the three scrieveners who were already employed. On page 646, I thought it was funny when the narrator gave the contrasting descriptions of Nippers and Turkey. And For real, how can you not find their nicknames funny? Its a comic relief to the story because most of the content of the story is kind of serious, but the author does throw in some humor. I think, but I am really bad at picking up on if things are supposed to be funny or not so I am sure that is wrong. Lastly, I think it is weird that Bartleby always says "I prefer not to". He does not want to work for some reason. Also, it is very strange on page 659 when he won't even say something about himself. I still have to finish, but I am just not sure why he always is saying this and what the meaning is behind it if there is one.

Characterization Blog #3

"Hunters in the Snow" #7

This scene is important into revealing one of the messages of the story. I mentioned this in my previous blog, but this is the scene that best shows the type of friendship these three have. The three have a shallow friendship and do not truly care about the friendship. They are friends who make fun of each other and just say their problems. They don't help each other and this proves that. They go into eat while Kenny is laying in the freezing cold on the back of the truck. He was shot! He needed to go to the hospital but the other two were too selfish to take him straight there. They figure it won't make any difference, but at the end when the narrator says "but he was wrong" when Kenny says he is going to the hospital it shows that they never make it and Kenny is most likely going to die. This is terrible! Also, they do not help each other because Tub reveals that he has no gland problem. Instead of giving advice, Frank makes him eat a ton of pancakes. Why would a friend want to encourage a problem like that? A real friend would try to help them get over something like this.

Characterization Blog #2

"Hunters in the Snow" #1
I find all of the characters mostly insensitive. Each of the friendships between the three is very shallow. They do not seem to care about each other. If I had to pickt he one I find most sensitive, I would say Kenny. Although he is very rude and obnoxious in the beginning, Kenny seems to change and show the real him after he is shot. He puts on a front. He tries to be all manly and macho, but really he cares for people. He acts like he wanted to kill the dog, but we find out on 194 that he had been asked to do that. He was actually helping out this old man who could not bear to put his dog out of misery. Also, after getting shot he says that he was not really going to shoot Tub. I think that he is most sensitive also because he stops being rude right after he is shot. He relies on his 'friends' and feels pain. Even though it is something anyone can experience, his pain causes him to end his insensitivity towards his friends. In contrast, Frank would be the least sensitive. He cares about no one but himself and his own problems. He "left the directions on the table", and instead of easily going back to get them he just says he will pretty much wing it. That is so insensitive since his friend's life is on the line. He has them stop to eat and has Tub take even more time to eat the pancakes. In addition, making Tub eat those pancakes shows insensitivity. A real friend would have helped Tub overcome his weakness, but instead he is sitting there making it worse. Lastly, he cheats on his wife emotionally. We do not know for sure if it was physical but he knows when the girl was born, like exact time, so obviously they talked. He does not care about how his kids will feel when he leaves his wife. He only cares about himself. Tub's name makes me want to feel bad for him, but at the same time I don't because obviously it is his own fault.

Characterization Blog #1

"Everyday Use" #3
Each of these events provide evidence of Dee trying to reject her African American heritage and in turn embrace her African heritage. She changes her name from Dee to Wangero. She is abandoning her mother's side of the family heritage by doing this. She wants to get rid of her connection to that side of her. Hakim's behavior shows that he is also trying to escape his heritage. He embraces a Muslim heritage instead. They both are running from what made them. Also, the "beef-cattle peoples down the road" present a similar resentment to the African American heritage of Dee. The mother criticizes these people by saying that they are "too busy". From how she explains them, it seems as if she find the way they live foreign because she said something about going "a mile and a half just to see the sight"(p178). She explains them as something she is not familiar with and doesn't exactly approve of. Hakim accepts"some of their doctrines" but not the "farming and raising cattle". This shows that the mother was trying to mock or make a rude comment. Dee is definitely straying from her mother's way of life and acceptance. Lastly, Dee has no real concern for the family heritage of the quilts. She cares about the rarity and antique heritage of it. She does not care about it being from her family.

Plot and Structure Blog #4

"A Rose for Emily"
I was very confused by this story. I understood it mostly until the very end, which is the most important part. One of the questions says that Emily murder Homer. I know that this is probably correct, but I did not see where it said this in the story. I thought that Homer Barron left, but I guess on page 287 he went in to the house and it was the last they saw of him. I just assumed he went to the house, left, and it was the last time they ever saw him in town. On page 286, she buys arsenic, but I had a feeling she wanted to use this to kill herself. I honestly had no idea what to think this entire story. She seemed crazy starting from the point of when she yelled at all of the people that she has "no taxes in Jefferson" (page 283). Anyways, the last three or so paragraphs caused me to be really confused because it was when they say the man laying in the bed. I guess it just was surprising and I still do not see where it was forshadowed or stated in the story that she killed him.

Plot and Structure Blog #3

"Interpreter of Maladies" #1
The central conflict of this story is that Mr. Kapasi grows fond of Mrs. Das and wants to have a relationship with her in the end. He wants time alone with her, but her husband and children being there causes him to have difficulty doing this. When Mr. Kapasi does have time with just Mrs. Das, it seems to solve the conflict. She reveals something she has kept "a secret for eight whole years" (pg 161). This deep moment reveals to Mr.Kapasi the true Mrs. Das. She is not the perfect woman he imagined. She also does not make this an intimate moment, especially when she says "I'm twenty-eight. You probably have children my age"(page 163). He comes to the realization that all of his fantasies and thoughts were not going to be a reality. He gives her an response from his heart and truth, but she does not like it. If he wanted to make her happy, he would have candy-coated the way he said it. He sees that it was not meant to be and that he does not need her ike he thought. Also, he seems change sides and feels for Mr.Das by wanting to tell him about the lie Mrs.Das has kept. The conflict is even more resolved when his address falls out of her purse. He is content with this happening which proves that the conflict is resolved. If he was concerned with having contact with her or any type of relationship, he would have told her or given her the address again. The "picture of the Das family he would perserve forever in his mind"(page 166) is one that shows he is not meant to be a part of this.

Plot and Structure Blog #2

"How I Met My Husband" #7

The rols of Alice Kelling is important to the story because her arrival initiates the obastacle and struggle for Edie. It causes Edie to reevaluate her feelings towards Chris Watters somewhat, and it makes her want him even more. Alic also adavances the plot by being the one to initiate the entire climax of the story by questioning Edie about Chris' whereabouts on page 143. Then, her accusation of Edie being the type of girl "men despise" (page 144). Her anger and reel of derogatory statements directed toward Edie inevitably cause Edie to crack and have a breakdown. The presence of Alice is what makes this all happen. She seems to be an antagonist because she is engaged to Chris, which is what Edie wants. Edie feels threatened by Alice. We see this when she says that that Alice is "nothing in the least bit pretty"(page 138). In addition, Alice is an antagonist because she has a much more mature mindset than the innocent Edie. On page 144, Edie's misunderstanding of the phrase "intimate with him"(page 144) proves that Alice has much more 'street smarts' than Edie. It emphasizes the sheltered life of Edie and the innocence of her.

Plot and Structure Blog #1

"How I Met My Husband" #6

Throughout this story, the tone of reminisence and a sense of a now mature Edie come about. I recognized a older,wiser Edie when I read this story. She is a dynamic character who changes from the beginning as a "hired girl" to the end as a mature, happily married woman. I see Edie speaking as a much more mature person when she talks about Mrs.Peebles ascing her from Alice Kelling and Loretta Bird. She says that "I didn't fighre out till years later the extent of what I had been saved from"(page 145). This depicts Edie as an innocent girl who did not recognize the consequences of her actions. Also, the contrast of Edie's mindset to the older women show she was very innocent. For example, on page 144 she thinks that she was "being intimate" with Mr. Watters, but she did not understand what was the true meaning behind this. She thought that intimate was sharing a romantic moment pretty much. In addtion, she talks about how she waited for the letter. Her commentary reveals a foolish and embarassed feeling towards her younger self. At first she thought that a lettter not coming was an "impossible idea", but then she has the wise insight about what her future could be like if she does not come to terms with this (page 146). Also, her not wanting to tell her current husband about why she had waited for the mail shows that she is reminising about her past but she is not sad about how she turned out. She does not want things she cannot have like she did when she was a young girl. Instead, she is happy with her life. Lastly, her saying "I like for people to think what please them and makes them happy"(pg 146) shows a wiser Edie because if she had done this with telling Alice Kelling she would have saved a lot of problems.