Summer By David Updike Analysis
In David Updike’s “Summer”, Homer is overcome with an innocence yet fixated crush on Sandra. The adolescents spend their school-free summer at Sandra and Fred’s family lake house. This vacation, according to Homer, proves to be different. Homer, Fred and Sandra’s transition to adulthood is much like the change from summer to fall they are experiencing. If Homer could get out of his own head, then he could get the girl and summer of his dreams.
In the beginning of the summer, Homer describes his days “spent in the adolescent pursuit of childish pleasure” (283). The summer heats up and Homer and Fred start to partake in more adult like activities such as drinking and smoking. Likewise, Homer looks at Sandra in a more desirable, mature way. “Her nightgown, pulled and buttoned to her chin, pierced him with a regret” (Updike 284). Homer is cognitive that she had been in front of him all along and he had “grown up in the shadow or her subtle beauty” (284), but as a young boy he was more interested in tennis and childish games like young boys do. Later, he is playing in a tennis match and when Sandra gets up to leave, Homer is distracted by this
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Because of Homer’s doubtfulness and boyish nature, his love for Sandra still festers silently in his mind and for only him to know. When all hope seems lost because summer is over, Sandra’s subtle placement of her foot onto Homer signifies the reciprocated feelings shared between them. The physical touch between the two represent the mutual feelings the two shy young adults were both feeling. Updike’s open ending is open up to the reader’s interpretation of what will happen next with Homer and Sandra. Will they confess their attraction? Will they continue to progress their desires through the colder months ahead? Or, what will happen in the last fleeting moments of summer stay frozen in time at the lake
My Daughter At 14 Christmas Dance Analysis
100 Words | 1 PagesThe appeal of adulthood and independence reaches its apex in fervent children. However, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, poet of My Daughter at 14, Christmas Dance, 1981, conveys the paternal perspective of viewing one’s own kin experiencing the “real” world through her daughter’s first relationship. The Family of Little Feet, written by Sarah Cisneros, illuminates the negativities of young girl’s eagerness to physically develop in hope of acquiring attention from possible suitors. While both pieces of literature possess varying perspectives of epiphanies, Gillan and Cisneros divulge the significance of cherishing one’s youth, as the realities of maturity divest children of their innocence.
Theme Of Greasy Lake
291 Words | 2 PagesEveryone goes through the transition from childhood to adulthood. Boys become young men, and girls become young women; this is a significant stepping stone in the “journey to maturity.” Of course, becoming mature does not happen over night. Instead, it is a long process of learning from experience, which gives the young adult a new outlook on life and a new set of skills. The initiation theme is discussed in the article “Greasy Lake,” by critic Dennis Vanatta who argues that the author T.C. Boyle has created a narrator who is reflecting on his youth and an evening that would prove to be his stepping stone in the journey to maturity.
Poem Analysis: Saturday At The Canal By Gary Soto
193 Words | 1 PagesIn the poem, “Saturday at the Canal” by Gary Soto, the act of irritation, an emotion often found in adolescents, was demonstrated. Through lines of imagery, the narrator who is a 17-year-old in highschool, expressed many variations of irritation. An example of this is when the narrator internally said, ”I was hoping to be happy by seventeen” (Line 1). As soon as the narrator said that they were hoping to be happy by seventeen, an issue many adolescents and highschoolers face got brought up. Adolescents often hope for better opportunities or even freedom when it comes to maturing but, maturing is realizing that not everything goes accordingly.
Symbolism In 'Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?'
700 Words | 3 PagesIn the coming of age story “Where Are You Going Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates uses symbolism, conflict, and the third person to foreshadow fifteen-year-old Connie’s unfortunate, yet untimely fate. While one may think that the conflict stems from Connie’s promiscuity, it is clear to see her promiscuity is only a result to a much bigger conflict, her mother’s constant nagging and disapproval, alongside the lack of attention from her father. the author paints a vivid picture of what happens when a fifteen-year-old girl such as Connie goes elsewhere to find to find the love, attention, and approval that she lacks at home. All which is vital for her growth and wellbeing as a person.
Theme Of Allegory In Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
1001 Words | 5 PagesBecause the lack of family support and guidance, Connie lies to her parents of her whereabouts, and she sneaks away to local hangouts. While being out, she unfortunately catches the eye of Arnold Friend. This man will erase Connie’s innosense and expose her to how cruel the world can actually be. Many literary
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Summary
552 Words | 3 PagesIt is no secret that most teenage girls desire attention especially that of an older guy, which is something Arnold Friend seeks to take advantage of. While Connie is skeptical of Arnold’s intent, his sense of familiarity draws her to him and he is able to persuade her to let her guard down. Oates conveys this when she writes, “Connie liked the way he was dressed, which was the way all of them dressed…” (4) Another example of how Oates indicates that Arnold’s interest in Connie excites her is when she writes how Connie “remembered him even better…and her cheeks warmed…--how she must have looked to him. And he had remembered her.” (4) At first, Arnold tries to charm Connie in an attempt to get her to leave with him, but she reluctantly declines the invitation.
Structure And Symbolism In Elizabeth Alexander's 'Nineteen'
1297 Words | 6 PagesDuring the summer when she nineteen, the persona describes herself as "the baby, drinking rum and Coke" (4). The baby-like characteristics of the speaker, such as her lack of experience, contrast with the fact that she is drinking rum, which a baby does not normally do. This contrast illustrates how the persona is eager to be freed of her current situation, of her current reality, wanting the freedom to behave how she desires and discover more about life. For instance, when she meets the older man with whom she has a fling with during the summer, the persona "ask[s] and ask[s him] about Vietnam" (17), inquisitive about his experience. Despite her curiosity, the man is closed off on the matter, only stating that "he listened to a lot of Marvin Gaye" (18-9).
Horses Of The Night Character Analysis
1275 Words | 6 PagesWe often encourage people to actively pursue their happiness while also wanting to discourage them to escape from reality. However, avoiding your issues is also a way of pursuing happiness, even though this route will prove to be temporary. In the literary piece, “Horses of the Night” by Margaret Laurence, the author describes the story of a boy named Chris, who, due to his financial conditions, is forced to move from his home in Shallow Creek to dwell in Manawaka, in order to attend high school. Chris’ character is used to demonstrate the idea that individuals may escape from the miserable aspects of their lives in order to stay happy. Through the course of this work, you witness the changes Chris undergoes, through the eyes of his six-year-old cousin Vanessa, which ultimately lead to his downfall.
Desire In Their Eyes Were Watching God
2862 Words | 12 PagesJanie’s succeeding sense of desire arises when Nanny catches her kissing a local boy. Nanny perceives that Janie is growing into an adult and wants her to quickly settle down into a secure place before Nanny passes away. Janie’s new desire is to stay in adolescence. She feels strongly against Nanny’s plans of marrying a man who can provide for her and to keep her from harm, because she feels that she is still a child herself and immediately regrets kissing Johnny Taylor, the local boy. In this particular scene, desire is portrayed as a nonnegotiable aspect for Janie.
In The Lake Of The Woods Character Analysis
1047 Words | 5 PagesCan mere mortals with hold magical abilities? In the Lake of The Woods, a mystery war novel written by Tim O’Brien, whose major theme is that not every problem has a solution, but may present a different outlook on the problem and aspects surrounding it. The main character, John Wade, uses magic to hide his manipulation and deception in order to put on a smiling face on a daily basis. As a result of wanting to carry on his deceit, he ventures into the political world, while putting his wife,Kathy Wade, through misery. Kathy hated the political life style and gatherings, in this degree she was secretly relieved when he was unable to become a U.S. Senator.
Childhood And Adolescence In Lord Of The Flies
501 Words | 3 PagesIn some works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding the author portrays that children are not completely innocent. Golding’s representation of childhood and adolescence also shows us the attitudes children have towards participating in work. In Lord of the Flies Golding portrays that children are not completely innocent.
Compare And Contrast Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
693 Words | 3 PagesIn John Updike’s “A&P” and Joyce Oates’s “Where are you going, where have you been” there are multiple intriguing similarities and differences between both protagonists. Both stories involve an adolescent 's main character who goes through a type of struggle, however, the severity of their struggles differ greatly. “A&P” includes a young man named Sammy who loses his job grows an attachment to a small group of girls that are regular customers at the shop he works at. The situation in “Where are you going, where have you been?” is much more grim for the protagonist, a young teenage girl, Connie. She is put into a set of circumstances that put her life in danger.
August Heat Literary Analysis
469 Words | 2 PagesLiterary Analysis Suspense. It's what makes us sit on the edge of our seats at movies, or has us biting our nails as we read. It’s the backbone behind any classic horror film where the babysitter keeps getting unknown phone calls about checking the children and she asks the police to trace the call only to get a call back saying it's coming from upstairs.
Everyday David Levithan Analysis
1083 Words | 5 PagesThe author of the novel, Everyday, Mr. David Levithan, gives the readers a genderless, faceless, and virtually nameless protagonist who still manages to be endearing and emotionally resonant. Leaving a question—can a love between a bodiless soul and a real human possibly work—captivates on its own, the novel’s greatest strength lies in its ability to capture many different experiences of young adults. From stress to depression, the daily struggles of A’s bodies transform this love story into a brilliant mediation on teen life. The novel is called as wise, widely unique love story of a teen. The story began with a confusing jump start that bridges me to confusion.
How Does Bradbury Use Metaphors In All Summer In A Day
555 Words | 3 PagesIn life we can all relate to the feeling of longing for something. In All Summer in a Day, Ray Bradbury’s characters’ lives are clouded with rain and the only see the sun once every seven years. Bradbury uses metaphors, emotions, and repetition to express the sun’s meaning of hope to the main character, Margot, and the children of rocket men and women on Venus. Metaphors and emotions are used to help the reader relate to the connection with the sun. He describes the sun and the rain using metaphors, and uses the children’s emotions to help further the idea.
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