As the semester has progressed and many novels explored, one particular character emerges as being truly Appalachian: Clay from Clay’s Quilt. Of course he is not the only character that qualifies as being Appalachian, but he serves as the superlative illustration and expression of this culture. He exhibits several aspects of Appalachian culture including having a strong sense of family (whether alive or dead), displaying an adoration of music, and demonstrating an ultimate fondness of home and a longing to return there despite events that may have transpired. Clay’s devotion to and dependence upon his family members is evident throughout the entirety of House’s novel. Clay’s Quilt begins with one of the few recollections he has that include …show more content…
Early on, Clay’s concept of home is tainted by the murder of his mother. Many eerie affairs transpire in Clay’s lifetime, but none surpass the death of Denzel. Although Clay killed Denzel in self-defense, this action haunted him exceedingly, especially after he learned how his mother was also killed by an ex-lover with a similar murder weapon. He and Alma spend time at Myrtle Beach in order to help him cope with his actions but, even then, Clay is ready to return home. He finally informs Alma that it is time to leave, and on the drive he eagerly notes that “the landscape began to look more and more like home” (House 285). Clay longs to go home and is prepared to face his shadowed past that accompanies his abode. Clay’s fondness for home and his insistence to return despite emotional obstacles certainly typifies him as an Appalachian character that is preferable to the other Appalachian characters. Clay, from Silas House’s Clay’s Quilt, demonstrates not just one facet of what it means to be Appalachian, but fulfills three incredibly significant aspects that are required by this culture. He possesses a strong sense of family, utterly adores music, and realizes that his only true home is found in the Appalachias. He is an extremely well-rounded man, casting him as an Appalachian character to shame all
The author, Silas House, takes offense to the put down of his hometown. The article maintains an angry tone as he describes all of the good of his homeland and all the things reporters that “ don’t know what they’re talking about” say. I agree with Silas, that the region of eastern Kentucky does not get enough credit for the good things is possesses, like “passing fair ordinance laws to protect all people from discrimination”. Silas talks about how people have worked so hard in this community, about those who try their best to defeat the stereotypes of outside people. I know many people who have worked hard and long to make something of themselves in this area.
Once Jacqueline has tasted the sweet life of freedom and privilege in New York, she realizes how ignorant she was about Greenville. Her Grandmother had been protecting her from the racism and segregation that permeated the town like a disease. Through metaphor and character growth, it seems obvious that Woodson is trying to convey the theme that perceptions of home can grow and changes as one grows older. One inference to be made in the story is when Woodson’s Grandmother warns her to stay away from the poison ivy slowly choking the base of a tree in their backyard.
Cathy Ames has been criticized because she is completely evil. It has expressed throughout the novel that Cathy is inhuman. She has no emotion, no feelings, and no good in her. Many state that she is a symbol for Satan or a witch, who is pawn of Satan. People go so far in declaring that she is one of these evil spirits because even from birth she was filled with extreme evil and darkness, lacking characteristic that make up a human.
Main characters of films and short stories are evolving tremendously, from their actions to their character traits. In the thriller short story “All the Kings Horses” by Kurt Vonnegut, the main character portrays himself as an excellent and intelligent individual. Reason being in the short story Kelly was placed in a really bad situation. However because of specific reasons; his actions, determination, and sacrifices he was able to get the result he wanted while being under so much pressure. Colonel Bryan Kelly, father of two and husband to one, had to play a life or death game of chess.
Character Comparison There are many similarities between characters from A Separate Peace and Dead Poets Society. One of them is between Neil and Finny. They both have lots of energy and are very friendly. Two other characters that are similar are Todd and Gene. They’re both quiet and dedicated to their academics.
Charlie by, Lee Maracle is about a young Indian boy who goes to a catholic school. Charlie dreams about going outside and exploring but the school will punish him if he does. One a day a group of kids including Charlie sneak out to go to one of their families houses. When they get their Charlie leaves to go to his family’s cabin. Unfortunately his long journey is cut short by frost bite and he dies of hypothermia.
The informal language, creative word choice, and diction used by all of the characters in this story are true to the Southern Gothic genre short story style (Kirszner & Mandell, 2012). Southern imagery extends beyond the characters to the setting and language. As we read about dirt roads, southern plantations, “red clay banks”, and crops in the field, we are
To Kill a Mockingbird Journal #3 I am in the middle of the Novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” in which so far there has been conflict with families in a small town in Alabama. Some conflict between these families is what is considered the good thing to do and what is considered the bad thing to do. In this journal I will be evaluating the Character Atticus and his most recent of emulation between his heart and his town.
Lee expertly weaves the chronological tale of Almarine Cantrell’s life, death, and subsequent family lineage through a variety of distinctly crafted personalities, all adding to the narrative through their unique perspectives. While Almarine’s romantic hardships and resulting offspring are at the heart of the novel, Oral History also explores Appalachian life through a myriad of lenses, preconceived notions, actualities, and the exploration of traditions and daily life. Smith offers a rich and complex study of an often forgotten about southern geographical region and population. The narrative rarely drags, drawing the reader into an exciting tale of Appalachia that includes folklore, storytelling, a strong sense of the past, and a continuation into the present that attempts to reconcile what was with what the mountain region has become (Eckard
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell is a story about a man, Sanger Rainsford, whose ideals and overall character change throughout the story, specifically about hunting, due to his encounter with General Zaroff. At the beginning of the story Rainsford is a stuck up man. He could not care less about any other living things other than humans. He believes all living wildlife are expendable and only there for his pleasure of hunting. During the story Rainsford has to make many quick and overall difficult decisions during his encounters with the ocean, General Zaroff, and the island wilderness to survive, that change how he thinks about animals.
Throughout “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy, the main character John Grady Cole is submitted to many evils as he tries to find his own place in the world. In his own personal quest for a happy ending, John represents the idealized cowboy of the Old Wild West uncovering the truth of the violent and deadly landscape he encounters. John Grady attempts to mesh together his romanticised cowboy honor code into a land that concedes nothing to nobility and the only winner is the one who survives. Only through his many trials and beatings does John Grady begin to accept the world for what it is, a place that does not contain only pretty horses; however, he still manages to remain true to himself and what he believes in. From the beginning of “All the Pretty Horses,” John Grady Cole faces threats from the modern world towards the cowboy life he admires so much.
Literature 1 Michael Arroyo August 28, 2015 4th Period “As Simple As Snow” by Gregory Galloway “As Simple as Snow” is a mystery novel made in 2005 that may confuse people’s minds with all the art, magic, codes, and love while reading. As a teen age boy who wants to find the secrets his girlfriend who left behind all these mysteries after her odd disappearance. It also tells about the lost gothic girl, Anna Cayne, who meets the young high-school aged narrator. Throughout the postcards, a shortwave radio, various CDs, and many other irregular interest.
At many times, not everyone understands a central idea or law that coexists in their livelihoods. There are several reasons reasons for a lack of understanding but one reason is innocence. Particularly in the youth generation, innocence is a critical component of their mindset. In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck Finn disregards societal values and portrays his own innocence and childhood by running away from town and helping a black slave.
The play “ A Raisin In The Sun “ wrote by Lorraine Hansberry is a inspiring play about the Younger family. A typical African American family in the late 1950’s trying to make life better for themselves. They’re a family trying to overcome the difficulties and obstacles that comes with being black in America in that time. Obstacles such as lynchings,segregation,racial discrimination and overall the difficulties that comes with being black in America. With external problems within the family the characters also internal conflicts within themselves.
The story of Young Goodman Brown is the story of a tale about the main character becoming aware of the hypocrisy of his faith as a Puritan. Through his travels in the woods at night, he unveils the truths, or what he believes as truths, about his wife Faith, neighbors, and fellow Christians. By the end, Brown loses all trust in his Faith, both literally and spiritually, and refuses to see any good in the world. The beginning scene where Goodman Brown meets the old man has the most significance in the story’s resolution. This is where his mistrust starts to form and where he experiences his first temptations to sin.