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Cynthia Ozick's Short Story 'The Shawl'

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Death by Betrayal
Cynthia Ozick’s short story “The Shawl” is arranged to indicate cold loss and anguish. Magda, an innocent baby, is the only character who blossoms for most of the story, yet she still becomes victim to the harshness of the world that surrounds her. Rosa attempts to keep Magda alive through the shawl, providing that it is the only warmth in the story, while Stella bitterly watches Magda adopt to the attention that Stella herself needs(Word Press).
In the begging, Stella is described as “cold, cold, the coldness of hell.” Stella only being fourteen is not physically nor mentally prepared for the death march needless to mention the extra affection that her mother has bestowed upon a new baby. Image being fourteen not knowing …show more content…

Under the UDHR, Article 3, 4, and 25 was violated. Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. Article 4: No on shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all forms. Article 25:1: everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being of himself, of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care necessary social services, and the right to security on the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood inn circumstances beyond his control.
Magda’s death was the loss of hope for both Rosa and Stella. Rosa “took Magda’s shawl and filled her mouth with it, stuffed it in, until she was swallowing up the wolfs’ screech and tasting the cinnamon and almond depth of Magda’s saliva, and Rosa drank Magda’s shawl until it dried.” It was Magda’s death that establishes the feelings of hatred, disconnect, and pain (The Shawl).

Works Citied
Ozick, Cynthia. "The Shawl." N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2016.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations. 1 August 2016
"WordPress.com." WordPress.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug.

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