Thought's on "A & P"

John Updike's short story "A & P" is an inside look on Sammy's desire for something more and his decision to step in that direction. Sammy is bored of working, what seems to him, a dead end job. He is so familiar with the store aisles and what they contain; He knows the names of each worker there, makes a jingle with the cash register and ponders the life of to of his co-workers. Sammy is interested when girls come in and bring life to the grocery store, but his interest is peaked on more than a mere physical level. Sammy wants the freedom and excitement of life that is portrayed in the girls' visit. Sammy then compares the achievements of one of his co-workers, his boss, Lengel, and the girls. He identifies more with the girls, so much so, that he quits his job from being offended, when his boss emphasizes his "policies" to the young ladies. Sammy doesn't quit to only attempt to impress the girls, but primarily to accept their way of living life. This is Sammy's own choice, not his parent's, and maybe his first adult decision to step into the direction in which he wants his life to go.

Thoughts on "Everyday Use"

In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday use", the everyday use of the family's quilt has Mama come to a new realization. Her older daughter Dee has forgotten about her heritage as African and possibly never really learned about her family history. In the beginning of the story the favoritism of the older child is clearly seen, but it later gives way to the younger. Dee wants things from her mother's home, including the quilt, to display in her home. While her younger sister, who knows much about their family history and skills, was finally given the favored position that she never had before. Mama chooses to give it to the younger, because her promise and that the younger would actually put it to "Everyday Use".

Favoritism spoils the favored child and blinds the caregivers to the effects. These effects are seen in the poor self image of the younger sister and the rude attitude of the older.

Can favoritism be done in a way that doesn't leave someone disadvantaged and the other possibly adopting a distorted view of life? Favor should not be determined by looks or smarts, but should be equal on all children, despite the desire to invest in what seems to hold the higher profit of investment.

Thoughts on "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

Flannery O'Connor wrote a short story named "A Good Man is Hard to Find", which seems to center itself in the perspective of the grandma and the dialog of the grandma and the Misfit. A family heads to Florida on a trip from Atlanta, Georgia. Passing through the state of Georgia that takes a short detour which costs them an accident. The children yell, "We've had an accident!", but one of them sadly states that, "nobody's killed".

What a statement to come from a kid. But the statement will be proven false in a few minutes when they meet three strangers.

The grandma tries to find a good man in the Misfit through their conversation, but there isn't one to be found, therefore,  "A Good Man is Hard to find".

They are all murdered a the story ends proving the title.

Thoughts on Bambara's "The Lesson"

Miss Moore is a teacher who is trying to provoke more from her students. She is an educated black woman who has a heart for children and passing on her knowledge in a interesting way. She allows the children to be in atmospheres that they aren't used to being in. This can be seen from the "shame" that one feels about walking into the expensive store. She also allows them to self discover the disparity between the way they live and the others that can afford the toys in the store. It seems that she wants them to want more out of life, even to the point in believing that they can be in a more prosperous position than they are now occupying. The children seem to strongly dislike Ms. Moore due to her being different than them, possibly an unconscious response from her well educated background. But a more reasonable reason would be that the students don't want to admit that obvious gap, which she is focusing on, between the way they live and those, "White folks crazy.".

One of the students feels something weird going on in her chest. It is this hated realization of their poverty, but she runs away instead of facing it. I'm sure that Ms. Moore isn't giving up just yet, but has sorrowfully experienced some of the children's lack of interest and or acceptance. On the other hand, celebrated a break through with one of the children.

Thoughts on "Hills Like White Elephants"

Starting in mystery and ending in unfinished business. This, what seems to be, couple is faced with a trying relational dilemma. They are waiting for a train after a trip filled with site seeing and consuming alcohol. During this wait, they are attempting to have a conversation. A conversation that requires drink after drink of indecision. They find themselves future parents; a result of spending many nights next to each other in hotel rooms. The man is try to mask his manipulation with care and concern. He wants her to abort the child and for them to walk the simple path. Many have walked and come out "happy", or so they say. She doesn't seem convinced, but in confusion of what to do, she drinks and drinks some more. Being weighed down by this burden, her self concern seems to fade. Still waiting for the train. Still lingering for a decision.

Today abortion is a heavy topic. Hasn't it always been? Do those who contemplate abortion and or make that commitment that they cannot reverse, experience the emotions portrayed in this piece? Masked force and helpless confusion? Is the process not a trauma of some sort? Or is this experience free of psychological pain? 

Thoughts on Kate Chopin's "Story of an Hour"

As the wife sat and pondered on her updated marital status, which has switched from married to widowed, she experiences an array of emotions and thought processes. She received the news of her husband's death from a friend of his, who tried his best to verify the information. In the end of the story, the acceptance and commitment to this false news led to the heart diseased death of Mrs. Mallard, when she found out that the report was not accurate. Being in joyful bliss of her new found freedom, she sees her living husband walk through the front door. This causes her to let out a cry, which her previously mentioned heart trouble could not bear. Due to this rude awakening she passes away. Her joy being interrupted caused her death, while those around her believed the joy of seeing him alive was the provoking cause.

In the present political sphere, the term "fake news" has been used and thrown around. I have not been keeping up with everything that has been occurring, but believing something has its consequences, whether it's true or not. It may be wise to verify important information for ourselves without letting others dictate to us what to believe, lest it leads us to an unpleasant destination as with Mrs. Mallard.