blog #6 Andrew S.

1) For "Love in L.A." I believe the theme is that even freedom comes with a price.  In the story the main character Jake believes he has freedom to do whatever he wants because he is not held down by having a constant job.  But unfortunately for Jake, he really does not have complete "freedom," because he is broke and has a barely functioning car.  Jake imagines having a job and be able to afford all the things he needs, but he would rather live a care free life.  Jake's lifestyle comes into full view with the way he deals with his car accident: he tries sweet-talking Mariana, lies about his phone number and insurance, and the license plate on his car is not his.  If Jake did not live the life he lead, he would not have to lie his way out of these types of situations.  The theme of "Love in L.A." is freedom comes with a price and that nothing is really free.

2) There are some dramatic elements present in "Love in L.A." and then there are some that are not used.  The story starts with an exposition giving the reader where the story takes place ("...early morning beneath the overpass of the Hollywood Freeway on Alvarado Street." [Gilb 267]) and gives some insight into how the main character Jake thinks.  Into the second paragraph of the story, the rising action starts when Jake gets into a fender bender; "He pounced the brake pedal and steered the front wheels away from the tiny brakelights but the smack was unavoidable" (Gilb 267).  The story progresses with Jake dealing with the accident and meeting the woman he hit, Marianna.  Jake starts conversating with Mariana and they eventually start exchanging information.  I do not think it is very clear at first but the climax has to be when Jake lies about his information and exposes his true self to the reader; "He made up a last name and addres and wrote down the name of an insurance company an old girlfriend once belonged to" (Gilb 268).  The falling action occurs right after this when Mariana gives her phone number to Jake and the resolution would be that Jake managed to sliver himself out of taking care of the accident.  Because the story is very short, I did not think there was an emotional release for the reader but it does come as a shock when you do realize how much Jake is lying about everything to avoid the consequences.