1.
Compose a thematic statement for any of the
stories/plays we've read thus far. Keep in mind that a thematic statement must
contain a complete idea (i.e., "love" or "revenge" aren't themes
-- they're simply the subject of a theme. You may want to look at the lecture
on theme in Content to help you, especially as a) this isn't an unlikely
question for the final exam and b) theme is a popular element to pursue in the
final paper. The lecture also contains a number of thematic statements.
Answer: “To Build A Fire” thematic statement: The
power of mankind will always fall to the power of nature.
2.
Explain where/how you see the dramatic elements
(Freytag's pyramid) at work in "Trifles" "Love in L.A.", or
"Battle Royale". What do you get (or DO you get) an exposition? Which
moment/event signals the rising action? What's the climax? IS there any falling
action? What's the resolution? Explain your choices using examples from the
text.
Answer: In “Trifles” we, the reader, get a
little exposition when we are described the physical characteristics of the
house. Also, when the Sheriff begins questioning everyone about the scenario we
learn a little about the wife and husbands life style. The rising action starts
when the women, Mrs.Hale and Mrs.Peters begin to get question. They try to
justify the odd actions of their friend and scurry around the kitchen. The
climax is when Mrs.Hale and Mrs.Peters find the dead bird in the sewing box
with a rung neck. The falling action is when the women start packing up some of
the wife’s “harmless” household items as they talk about how they might have
helped her. The resolution is when the
ladies leave the house with the suspicious murder clues leaving the men to
arise at their own conclusion.
I think, when you said "we learn little about the wife and husband's life style", that's because the readers are supposed to get clues more and more as they are found by Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale. Their clues are more significant than the men's clues, making the readers believe and trust the women instead.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Sydney when you say the women's clues are more significant than the men's because the men make it seem as if all the women worry about are simple things like how the house looks and what things they should take to Mrs. Wright when in fact the women are the ones who actually figure out who murdered Mr. Wright which is funny because that is not what they were there for.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely seems that throughout the story "Trifles" that the women are more credible than the men. They are seen to figure out more of he clues than the men do. I think this story can be taken from a feminist point of view, in that the women are seen to be more deductive than the men and are thus seen as smarter in a way. At the same time, though, the women are also seen to be dishonest because they hide the dead bird they find in the sewing case which could be good evidence.
ReplyDeleteI agree wi your thematic statement because I think it portrays the story and the truth about human vs. nature.
ReplyDelete