Oh we would love to have you. We are in the middle of one right now.Originally Posted by Joreads
Oh we would love to have you. We are in the middle of one right now.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
"Love follows knowledge." – St. Catherine of Siena
My literature blog: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/
Guys I did a little more research in this and it seems that the story may actually have been based on a real case it seems that Glaspell claimed that the story was based on an actual court case. On December 2, 1900, sixty-year-old farmer John Hossack was murdered in Indianola, Iowa. His skull was crushed by an ax while he and his wife were asleep in bed. His wife, Margaret, was tried for the crime and eventually released due to inconclusive evidence.
Wow interesting.
I would like to get involved in other threads too, but I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do and a lot of reading to do before I start reading some of the things that are being selected for various reading groups here.
I really like stories with a social agenda, I know some people think they are too manipulated, or something, I don't know what they think, but apparently many people look down on this kind of fiction which has some sort of social message. That is one of the things I like about this story.
The nonverbal communication between the two women is also very well written--I think you really get a sense of what is being said between them, and all the nuances in their communication.
I really like symbolism in literature, which I find many modern writers and critics seem to think this is kind of old fashioned, but I don't know, I like it very much. The symbol of the caged bird representing the accused women is very good, and by itself shows the kind of life led by Minnie Foster. Really it is priceless symbolism because of how much it conveys so easily.
Another thing I enjoy is how poetic the language is in many places, with some alliteration and rhyme. A teacher once told me that this kind of thing should be avoided in prose writing, but maybe she only meant business writing and pieces of that nature. I enjoy "scandalized sweep" and "she took another look" (a few examples from the beginning) and these sort of word plays.
One thing that I have decided varies from my original post is the need to find meaning of the short story. Because of how well the silent communication and symbolism are used, the meaning is rather obvious. Many times I find fiction hard to understand, because it is so vague (there is another word for what I mean, but I can't think of it right now) and I really am not sure of the meaning. I can appreciate this as a device, but I think this is used in a different kind of story, and gives a different impressions, and free interpretations, which is hard for me. Maybe I just want a right answer (even if there isn't one).
Last edited by shortstoryfan; 12-17-2008 at 09:46 PM.
J.H.S.
Oh don't worry Shortstory. Symbolism helps us understand and appreciate a story. But a story has to hold up on the story itself or it's a waste of time.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
"Love follows knowledge." – St. Catherine of Siena
My literature blog: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/
That is interesting. You wouldn't have the link that explained that? I would like to read it.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
"Love follows knowledge." – St. Catherine of Siena
My literature blog: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/
With regards to The Best American Short Stories of the Century, one of my favorites, and one of the ones that got me into Roth, was his "Defender of the Faith". I think it's a really spectacular story, though in retrospect I think it was wrong for Updike to go against the grain and include it over "The Conversion of the Jews" which I find to be Roth's strongest early work, and one of my favorite American short stories of all time.
"To try to be informed and literate today is to feel stupid nearly all the time, and to need help." - DFW
I am just starting the collection really, and I haven't reached Roth's story. I must admit, I am sort of afraid of Philip Roth, for some unexplainable reason. I actually dread reading his work, but I feel I must do it.
J.H.S.
I've read all of Roth's books. Don't know quite how that happened. I find him very readable, writing some of the finest sentences in contemporary literature, though his early short stories were just good stories and not chock-full of great sentences that don't really add up to too much of a meaningful whole (which characterizes most of his novels, I feel). He's a great stylist, though his characters are often repulsive. Why do you fear reading him?
"To try to be informed and literate today is to feel stupid nearly all the time, and to need help." - DFW
Virgil this is the link
http://www.enotes.com/jury-her
I hope that works.
There is actullay a lot out there on this story it has also been made into a play.
Probably cause he wrote American Pastoral, which is set during the 60s...I think. I just find nothing interesting about that period of time. Ugh, I'm just waiting for a moderator to come yell at me for straying from my own original post...I'm very scared of THAT too.
J.H.S.
you should be
Yeah, I've already decided I'm terrified of Logos...but, you know, in the best way possible...a good way really...don't hurt me, please. HAHA.
J.H.S.
Ignore the back cover. American Pastoral is set over many periods of time and it's more about how we reconcile conflicting values, how we take responsibility of ourselves and our children, and basically live in a world fractured by radicals on the left and on the right. It's a very nuanced, very human book, certainly not a "60s book", just as Philip Roth is not a "60s writer".
"To try to be informed and literate today is to feel stupid nearly all the time, and to need help." - DFW
Relax shortstoryfan, Logos is a sweetie really but she won't put up with the kind of nonsense that occurred recently when two grown men started trading verbal blows over (can you believe it ?) HARRY POTTER.
Have to agree with this 100%
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