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Literary Analysis of Selected Short Stories: Themes, Characters, and Devices

Explore the intricate characters, themes, and literary devices in Kate Chopin and Ernest Hemingway's short stories. From Babette in "Ripe Figs" to the symbolism in "Desiree's Baby", delve into the rich narrative tapestry of these timeless works.

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Literary Analysis of Selected Short Stories: Themes, Characters, and Devices

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  1. Honors English 11 Review of Skills & Knowledge

  2. Reading “Closely” • Kate Chopin • Ripe Figs • The Story of an Hour • Desiree’s Baby • Ernest Hemingway • Hills Like White Elephants

  3. Ripe Figs - Characters • Babette • Young, child-like, impatient • “dances” out to the trees every day • Finally presents figs to her godmother • Comments that time has dragged • Maman • “patient as the statue of La Madone” • “stately” • Sees time as quick progression of seasons

  4. Ripe Figs – Literary Devices • Contrast through the characters’ personalities and maturity levels • Symbol of the ripening fruit parallels Babette’s own growth/maturity • Allusion to “La Madone” • Motif – reference to “La Madone” and the characterization of Maman as saintly • Theme - ?

  5. Story of an Hour - Characters • Louise Mallard • “storm of grief” followed by quiet, then arrival of epiphany • Felt husband’s and society’s “oppressive will” • Realizes she can live for herself w/o his presence • Overcome w/ his return • Brently Mallard • “never looked on her save with love”

  6. Story of an Hour – Lit Devices • Visual imagery – the trees, clouds, sky • Auditory imagery – birds, distant song • Organic imagery – the physical effects of the arrival of her epiphany – the feel of freedom • Symbol – parallels between natural surroundings and her shifting status from “owned” to “free” • Dramatic Irony – reader knows she does NOT die “from joy that kills” and understands she was overwhelmed with shock/dismay at Mallard’s return • Theme - ?

  7. Desiree’s Baby - Characters • Desiree • Mysterious origins • Loves husband deeply, desperately • When rejected, takes child into the swamp/bayou • Armand • Exacting and imperious • Softened by marriage and baby • Turns w/ “the very spirit of Satan” • Violently treats the slaves and ignores wife, sending her away

  8. Desiree’s Baby – Lit Devices • Mood established through setting of l’Abri • Diction carefully chosen to establish mood • Motif – the interplay between light and dark, good and evil • Symbol – dark/evil/foreboding house mirrors its master • Allusion – Armand “possessed” by Satan • Theme - ?

  9. …White Elephants - Characters • Man • Desires woman get an “operation” • Seems unaware of her battle over the decision • Appears to make the decision for the couple at the end • Woman • Recognizes the gravity of the decision through comments about the setting • Desires the “old life” and love • Appears reconciled at the end (gives man a smile)

  10. …White Elephants – Devices • Setting as symbol • Hill shape like pregnant woman, especially when the woman says they have “skin” • Barren, dry, lifeless side • Verdant, lush, fertile side • “Shadow of a cloud” = passing darkness of doubt? Guilt? The actual child? • Contrast – the two sides and the decision • Theme - ?

  11. Academic Writing • Introduction • Lead-in • Thesis • “Road map” • Body paragraphs • Clear main point/topic sentence • Evidence (RDF) • Commentary (E’s = explanation, elaboration, etc.) • Wrap-up/concluding review

  12. Intro Strategies • Ask a question related to the central concept • Begin w/ a quote from a well-known person that relates to the central concept • A universal/general opening stmt related to the central concept • A fact or statistic related to the central concept • Definition of a key word in the central concept • Anecdote related to the central concept • (In a short response) the thesis/main point

  13. Characteristics of a Quality Thesis – Lit Analysis Essay • Author first/last name • Text title • The ARGUMENT or CLAIM you aim to support related to that text

  14. What is the “Road Map?” • Provides an outline and preview of the upcoming discussions (body paragraphs) • In a longer essay (longer than 1.5 pgs), give at least one sentence per anticipated body paragraph

  15. Body Paragraphs – Topic Sentences • Similar to the thesis statement – provides a focus for the paragraph’s discussion • Focuses on one specific aspect of the text

  16. What’s RDF? • Reasons, details, facts • In academic essays for English/history/psych and soc. • Direct quotes • Summary • Paraphrase • Un-arguable, objective data

  17. What’s Commentary (The E’s)? • Explanation, elaboration • Explain why your evidence was chosen and how it is relevant to your present discussion

  18. Small Details in Quality Writing • Consistent verb tense • Problem: When Macbeth heard that he was named Thane of Cawdor he starts believing he can be king. • Unnecessary repetition of words and phrases • Problem: The ripening figs on the trees symbolize Babette’s “ripening;” they symbolize the emerging maturity that will allow her to go visit her cousins on the bayou. • Helping verb plus –ing verb • Problem: With Armand’s evil nature the author is showing us that racism causes harm. • Problem: Macbeth was now beginning to feel guilty about killing King Duncan; Shakespeare is then showing that when we try to control our own fate, it can have severe consequences.

  19. Further Comments • When a quote is used in a paper, it is best to provide a context for the quote by introducing it: • After receiving the letter from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth worries over her husband’s ambition by stating he is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness.” • As the woman sits looking at the hills across the barren landscape, she comments, “They look like white elephants.” • Each body paragraph in a formal essay requires BOTH a topic sentence and concluding statement that wraps up and reviews the main point. • It is only through multiple readings that one can discover the full complexity of a text • It is only through multiple revisions that writing can meaningfully improve

  20. Macbeth - Characters • Macbeth • Lady Macbeth • King Duncan • Malcolm • Donalbain • Banquo • Fleance • Macduff • Macduff’s wife and son • Weird sisters/witches • Siward • King Edward of England

  21. Macbeth – Plot Line • Macbeth receives prophecy from witches: Thane/King • Macbeth success in battle leads to Thane of Cawdor title • New title makes attainment of King seem possible • Letter to wife incites her to action • Wife encourages Macbeth to take the throne through action • Macbeth murders Duncan – Duncan’s sons flee • Macbeth orders the murder of Banquo to ensure his own line • Banquo murdered, Fleance flees, ensuring truth in prophecy • Macbeth seeks advice from sisters: new prophecies/visions • Macbeth orders murder of Macduffand family • Lady Macbeth exhibits madness – guilt? • Malcolm rallies troops and Macduff in England • Troops hide behind trees of Birnham, advance on Dunsinane • Macduff confronts and kills Macbeth (killed by one not of woman) • Malcolm becomes king

  22. Topics and Themes • Fate vs. free will – Do you rule you own life, is it only partially ruled by you, or is it ruled by outside forces? Note that the witches never DO anything except provide prophecies and visions; none of these are explained to Macbeth, who must make sense of their meaning on his own. • Madness and the presence of dark forces – malevolent acts poison the mind • Revenge • Paranoia and power – Can one be in power free from fear? • Ambition and power – How much is healthy? Too much? Does power corrupt? • Gender roles – Is cruelty inherently masculine?

  23. Elements of Greek Tragedy • Mimesis – A dramatization of reality that is close enough to reality that we can “buy in” – realistic conflicts/themes • Muthos – Plot is driven by a logical chain of cause-and-effect events – centers only around one central idea/theme/goal • Hamartia – A “tragic hero’s” misjudgment, flaw, or mistake that causes a fall – inherent in his character • Peripeteia – A reversal, usually of fortune, for the tragic hero following the presence of the hamartia • Anagnorisis – The recognition/epiphany of the true self by the tragic hero – they see themselves for what they really are • Catharsis – The arousal and purging of pity and fear in the audience caused by watching the fall of greatness

  24. Vocabulary • Ebullient • Exhort • Finicky • Gall • Inane • Indemnify • Peruse • Spurn • Tepid • Wager • Wane • Ameliorate • Detriment • Folly • Harmony • Ignore/ignoramus • Impediment • Indolent • Invalid • Parsimonious • Raze • Reticent • Retire • Retort • Subvert • Tractable

  25. Usage (and some grammar) • Refer to the grammar/usage slides in a separate file

  26. The exam • Matching • Multiple choice • Short answer • Identify writing errors and correct them • Intro • Body paragraph • Style and usage

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