“Why for instance, does Anders not find the “Rape of Europa” imitation on the bank’s ceiling to be a gratifying thing? As a literary critic-a custodian of high taste-Anders should have been pleased by the fact that the architect thought it to be suitable to decorate the lobby with classical images rather than something less exalting, less demanding of its patrons”(144-161). This painting is what caused Anders to hysterically laugh, infuriating the robber, which led to his slaying. However, it took Anders being shot in the head to perceive that he could have been a better person. Anders was able to remember the person he once was.
He remembered the only line that his one friend told him which included the words “They is” which is grammatically incorrect. Anders did not tell his other friends about one this other kid told him because he realized that he would be a jerk if he did that. Those two words gave Anders some kind of excitement because he did not expect those words at all. That was his final memory because it gave him the happiness because it was truly unexpected for him compared to the life that he was in when he was still alive wherein he always critics things because he thought that he already saw all the things that may be unexpected for others. When I read this story, the main character’s personality is static when he was alive and when he got into that bank robbery situation where he criticizes the bank robbers without hesitation.
Wolff says “But for now Anders can still make time. Time for the shadows to lengthen on the grass, time for the tethered dog to bark at the flying ball, time for the boy in right field to smack his sweat-blackened mitt and softly chant, they is they is they is” (Wolff). The imagery in the memory provides the reader with the genuine happiness that Anders was able to feel. It was only at that point in that story where the character of Anders is placed in peaceful state. It seems like it was the last moment where his character truly felt this
“Bullet in the Brain” is a fictional short story by Tobias Wolff. The story follows the last moments of Anders, a visceral book critic, in the bank. Anders’ character is identified as a grumpy and cynical man often criticizing and mocking others. The story shows Anders in a bank robbery; after an altercation with one of the robbers, Anders is shot. After he is shot he flashes back to his childhood recalling the moments of his innocence playing baseball.
The situational irony used reveals the contrary character of Anders when he was young, compared to his character during the story reveals the entire truth to the reader. The reader expected Anders to die because of how his character was throughout the story, but yet that was never truly him. He turned out to be that character, because the events he experienced throughout his life is what conformed him to the character the reader initially assumed him to be. Clearly, Anders does not regret who he has become because what he went through was not a walk in the park and it was brought upon him by his peers. He remained to be who he was - cranky, blunt, and rude - even when his life was literally seconds away from being taken from him.
Not only does he believe that the question misrepresents the value of teaching, but it also seems to disregard the opportunities that can be taken from class. The sarcastic tone helps portray Wayman’s frustration and annoyance, and the juxtaposition emphasizes the differences between the two opposite types of answers to the question. The repetition of two words at the beginning of each stanza further accentuates the juxtaposition and the range of situations that could have happened when one was absent from class. In the end, “Did I Miss Anything?” serves as a reaction of the poet towards the common question asked by students, and it communicates the value and importance of one’s presence in the
Author David Sedaris, writes “21 Down”, a short essay about The New York Times crossword puzzles and the role it plays in his life as well as the lives of others. Sedaris describes in detail the bitter truth about the search for recognition, getting older, and the fear of loneliness that comes with it. Sedaris uses contradictory tone against himself between his need for superiority and self criticism which exposes his personal struggles with his identity. He also appeals to the pathos of the audience by using self-deprecating comments throughout his essay to emphasize his feelings of self doubt and insecurity that the reader can easily relate too. Lastly he uses his renowned tone of sarcasm and humor to bring to light serious topics that aren't commonly talked about while promoting a lighthearted way to deal with your issues.
The tone of the essay is mocking and ringed with ridicule in the context of the outsider’s views of voodoo. She paints the outsiders as foolish toddlers while painting her people as saints placating and indulging the toddlers’ humorous misgivings. It reads like a scathing open letter from ‘them’ to ‘us’. It is a tirade, verbal diarrhea of pent up rage that comes spewing out with not an ounce of consideration or sympathy. She abhors outsiders and dubs any communication with them as a chore.
His character likes to turn discussions into fights, make rude comments to his wife, and act all around immature. A part that accurately shows the way Walter conducts himself is when he is arguing with Ruth and says “Man say: I got to change my life , I'm choking to death, baby! And his woman say- Your eggs is getting cold!” (Hansberry 495). Some argue that his attitude isn’t solely because he’s choosing to be pessimistic, perhaps he is also tired of living the life he’s living. Walter works as a chauffeur for a rich white man and feels that
Sometimes, he is almost objective and remains in the background, but a few pages later he can be ironic towards the city, the advertisements and the Marches (197). Thus, the narrator mocks Isabel's lack of morals and her superficiality following these overwhelming encounters with