"' It isn't fair, it isn't right,' Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her." Pg. 271
To be honest I think this story would have surprised me a lot more if I hadn't read The Hunger Games series while on summer field studies. I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance the two works had to one another. Both involve a system where members of a town or district pick a name and the person whose name is picked is pretty much marked for death. Both Tessie and Katnis were females who were forced to endure this torture. Also both attempted to rebel against the system. I won't spoil the ending of The Hunger Games in case you haven't read them (you should :) ), but basically both characters seem to have the odds against them. Also in both stories certain members of the societies even seem to endorse this insanely cruel tradition. A difference is that Katnis took the place of her sister to fight to the death, but Mrs. Hutchinson was picked to be stoned to death. What I can't seem to understand is why Mrs. Hutchinson didn't run. Obviously she was very against the action once she was picked, but she never did anything but say it wasn't fair. A whole lot of good that did her. It sort of reminds me of Eveline when she chose to stay home even though she hated it. Still I think the fact that anyone could think a system like this is fair is crazy. In The Hunger Games children are chosen to fight to the death because of an evil dictator, but in "The Lottery" all the people seem more than willing to participate. I really wanted to scream, "WHY DONT YOU FIGHT BACK!?" Whether its brainwashing or just plain insanity involved here I guess I'll never know. However, I'm interested to know whether The Hunger Games was based off this story now.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Humor (or lack thereof) and Awkwardness in "You're Ugly, Too"
"'Just kidding,' she said, whipping around. But he gazed at her appalled and frightened...". Pg. 570
This story was down right uncomfortable. Zoe was the definition of awkward. Every time she tried to make a joke she just freaks whoever she is talking to out. Also when asked about love she tells an incredibly depressing story about a girl who kills herself. Also there's the fact that she is talking to a man dressed like a woman. She also has a sister named Evan and when she tries to pluck a hair from her chin, she looks like she just shaved. In fact there was a whole paragraph devoted to how women may start to resemble men when separated from their company long enough. All this gender reversal is strange and unsettling. Why can't these characters just stick to the sex they were given? I guess the gender role switch could be considered ironic but I see absolutely no humor in it. All I got out of the uncomfortable comments and jokes was a big dose of awkward. What's more, it felt like the story had no point. It started with a weird girl with a depressing life who can't tell a good joke, and ended the exact same way. Next time you could just spare me the strange story, and save me some time.
This story was down right uncomfortable. Zoe was the definition of awkward. Every time she tried to make a joke she just freaks whoever she is talking to out. Also when asked about love she tells an incredibly depressing story about a girl who kills herself. Also there's the fact that she is talking to a man dressed like a woman. She also has a sister named Evan and when she tries to pluck a hair from her chin, she looks like she just shaved. In fact there was a whole paragraph devoted to how women may start to resemble men when separated from their company long enough. All this gender reversal is strange and unsettling. Why can't these characters just stick to the sex they were given? I guess the gender role switch could be considered ironic but I see absolutely no humor in it. All I got out of the uncomfortable comments and jokes was a big dose of awkward. What's more, it felt like the story had no point. It started with a weird girl with a depressing life who can't tell a good joke, and ended the exact same way. Next time you could just spare me the strange story, and save me some time.
Irony of "The Drunkard"
"I took a longer drink and began to see that porter might have its advantages." Pg. 343
This story is disturbing and intriguing all at the same time. In the story this little kid tries to keep his dad from becoming a raging drunk. He knows if his dad takes the first drink then he will undoubtedly go off the deep end, going through all the awful stages of a drunkard. It turns out his son might have the same problem. Ironically in an attempt to keep his dad from drinking, Larry drinks the beer himself, causing him to get sick several times. Then to make matters worse, when his dad tries to take him home, he creates a huge scene, including songs and expletives screamed at neighbors. The true irony is that the son has become exactly what he was trying to prevent his father from becoming. However, a big and disturbing shock was that his mother actually praised him for his actions. She even calls him a guardian angel. My question is, what parent praises their child for getting drunk and making a fool of themselves? Maybe she just valued his intentions, but I think it would have been better to just let the father drink. The irony of the whole ordeal just highlights how truly messed up the situation is.
This story is disturbing and intriguing all at the same time. In the story this little kid tries to keep his dad from becoming a raging drunk. He knows if his dad takes the first drink then he will undoubtedly go off the deep end, going through all the awful stages of a drunkard. It turns out his son might have the same problem. Ironically in an attempt to keep his dad from drinking, Larry drinks the beer himself, causing him to get sick several times. Then to make matters worse, when his dad tries to take him home, he creates a huge scene, including songs and expletives screamed at neighbors. The true irony is that the son has become exactly what he was trying to prevent his father from becoming. However, a big and disturbing shock was that his mother actually praised him for his actions. She even calls him a guardian angel. My question is, what parent praises their child for getting drunk and making a fool of themselves? Maybe she just valued his intentions, but I think it would have been better to just let the father drink. The irony of the whole ordeal just highlights how truly messed up the situation is.
Minimal detail in "Popular Mechanics" makes for a dark tale
"In this manner, the issue was decided."
There is no doubt the story "Popular Mechanics" is morbid. Ripping babies apart is no laughing matter. However, this bleak mood is created from very little detail at all. Raymond Carver's writing style is very minimal and fast paced. The story takes place right in the middle of the action with no indication of who the characters are or what the specifics of the situation are. The only thing he really tell the reader is that this couple is splitting up and they are fighting over their baby. In fact, the most detailed part of the whole story is the description of the weather in the first paragraph. In it, Carver describes melting snow becoming dirty water and cars driving through slush. It also talks about it becoming dark outside. Then he connects the horrid weather outside to the equally declining situation inside the house. The first time I read it I thought it was just referring to inside the house, but then I wondered if it maybe meant inside the characters. As the story progresses they become darker and more selfish. This kind of darkness is exactly what caused this family to become torn apart. Literally. The only thing I don't understand is the title. Why is it called Popular Mechanics? Maybe if the author had given more detail it would be more apparent, but the lack of it is exactly what creates such a chaotic and dramatic look into a difficult situation.
There is no doubt the story "Popular Mechanics" is morbid. Ripping babies apart is no laughing matter. However, this bleak mood is created from very little detail at all. Raymond Carver's writing style is very minimal and fast paced. The story takes place right in the middle of the action with no indication of who the characters are or what the specifics of the situation are. The only thing he really tell the reader is that this couple is splitting up and they are fighting over their baby. In fact, the most detailed part of the whole story is the description of the weather in the first paragraph. In it, Carver describes melting snow becoming dirty water and cars driving through slush. It also talks about it becoming dark outside. Then he connects the horrid weather outside to the equally declining situation inside the house. The first time I read it I thought it was just referring to inside the house, but then I wondered if it maybe meant inside the characters. As the story progresses they become darker and more selfish. This kind of darkness is exactly what caused this family to become torn apart. Literally. The only thing I don't understand is the title. Why is it called Popular Mechanics? Maybe if the author had given more detail it would be more apparent, but the lack of it is exactly what creates such a chaotic and dramatic look into a difficult situation.
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