Response to Course Material #5

During this past week of class we've discussed our annotations on Ceremony. I have to say that though this is the least productive my class has ever been (we've spent four days on the first group) it is the most I have gotten out of any of our class discussions. Ceremony is so full of symbols and deeper meanings that every time you read a passage you can find something new. And though it can be a pain to read, it has definitely become my favorite book so far. The message of reconnecting with one's cultural traditions to solve the answers of the present is a powerful one and one that means a lot to me. The slow close reading our class does allows everyone to be able to find a large majority of the symbols and be able to interpret the book in different ways though all correct which is the beauty of Ap Lit. I think it's safe to say that I am thoroughly enjoying class.

Closed Reading #5

Live Responsibly; Shop Drunk

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/mens-lives/201112/shopping-drunk-buying-clothes-strategy

Among Alcohol’s several uses, making the act of shopping smoother and more enjoyable is not one of them. However in this article “Live Responsibly; Shop Drunk, the author Brett Martin proves that alcohol does just that. In this refreshingly humorous piece Martin utilizes language, detail, and diction to carry the message that the ever so difficult task of shopping is better done with a buzz.

The first point the author makes is just how impossible shopping can be with the use of imagery and diction. Brett Martin illustrates his anxiety toward the task by using vivid imagery. Shopping causes him to have “sweaty palms,[a] pounding heart, general despair followed by either a hasty, bad decision, or a rip-cord-pulling abandonment of mission.” This makes it clear that Martin cannot successfully shop because the process brings up deep insecurities, causing him to second guess himself and therefore not feel confident or competent enough to purchase something decent or anything at all. He strengthens this point with the use of diction. With words such as “porkpies” and “pandoras” both of which hats that only the truly stylish and competent shoppers would know the names of reinforce the idea that Martin is an outsider who desperately wants to be included but is afraid that he won’t really fit in. Because of course to truly fit in one must know the right thing to wear, which requires a confident decision something Martin cannot do while shopping.

The author’s other point is that the only way to effectively shop is to do so after a couple of drinks, though one shouldn’t be drunk. Martin achieves this point through the use of language and details. Martin seriously introduces us to the idea through juxtaposition: shopping is the problem and drinking provides a cure to the symptoms that is causes. He continues to expose us to this solution through detail. The decision to add the fact that his most prized possession was purchased after a couple of drinks helps prove that alcohol just might be the answer. In addition the end result of him purchasing a straw fedora is the result of one Bloody Mary making his point that a buzzed shopper is a productive one.

In conclusion Brett Martin carries out this purely comedic piece through the intelligent use of literary techniques such as language, detail, imagery, and diction. He impressively proves his point that his best shopping is done while drunk and suggests that men who face the same hardships follow suit, after clothes are returnable.

*Please don't try this at home :)

Open Prompt #6

1978. Choose an implausible or strikingly unrealistic incident or character in a work of fiction or drama of recognized literary merit. Write an essay that explains how the incident or character is related to the more realistic of plausible elements in the rest of the work. Avoid plot summary

 The addition of an utterly bizarre incident in a play or novel  strikes us, as readers, but it also prompts us to make the connection to our lives and in doing so achieve what the author desired. In Edward Albee’s The American Dream, Mommy and Daddy’s treatment of the baby is incredibly bizarre and unrealistic, this incident however is tied to realistic elements of the story. However this addition is heavily responsible for creating the meaning of the play, illustrating how not to live one’s lives and where Albee thought the current society was going.

                Many aspect of the play would strike the reader as normal and not at all out of the ordinary. These aspects are the most important because these are what allow the readers to relate the play to their own lives. Starting with the Mommy and Daddy, Albee paints them to be obviously distant and estranged, though they live together. This relationship is clearly seen in the domineering language of Mommy towards Daddy, and his genuine lack of interest and sentiment towards her. The author also adds in that they no longer sleep together. It also shows that they are both very consumed in the culture of the present times , and follow very much the expectations of Society. This is seen first with Mommy during the hat fiasco and even more through the fact that they are in an assortment of clubs showing their need to belong. Knowing their other characteristics: needing to appear rich, wanting to have a family—seen in them calling each other Mommy and Daddy sans the presence of a child—and having to have the right color hat, these all begin to form a certain picture. A particular one that shows a couple who prizes materialism, outward appearances, and ultimately themselves before any others. These are all things that we see everyday even now; it’s the new american culture.

                Mommy and Daddy’s dissatisfaction is obvious and understandable when looking at their character make-up. Though Mommy is the biggest offender and big villain, neither of them are innocent, especially in the act against the baby. The mutilation of the baby is the bizarre act that Albee has added. Though it hits us as strange at first through further reflection and examination of the characters and morals of both Mommy and Daddy it no longer seems so unrealistic. The reason for the baby’s mutilation was what Mommy saw as wrong doing towards her, “[the baby} had eyes only for his father,” something that is rare. Usually babies have eyes for the mother’s which molded society to expect that the baby would prefer the mother. Because the baby went against society’s norms and in doing so embarrassed her she punished him, by ordering Daddy to mutilate the child and emasculate him.

                The technique of linking the normal with the bizarre makes for a well relatable play; one that will enable audiences to learn from it. This was indeed Albee’s purpose in writing the America Dream. By pointing out the normal elements  of the play in our everyday world such as the obsession with materialism, estranged couples that no longer love each other, and the valuing of a group acceptance it makes it easier to relate the bizarre to our lives as well. The ordinary elements of the play lead to the unrealistic act that caused tragedy, so by not living our lives in that way we can ourselves avoid that tragedy and dissatisfaction.  

Closed Reading #4

http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/in-sable-and-dark-glasses-joan-didion/

Fantasies, something we all have, allow us to indulge our greatest desires and live in our perfect world. Writer Joan Didion shares with her us her rather peculiar at times fantasy of what she thought her life as an eight year twenty-four year old would be like in the piece “In Sable and Dark Glasses”. Didion’s use of imagery, details and diction effectively portrays her desire to become worldly, independent, and sophisticated adult.    

Didion’s desire to be older and sophisticated is addressed right off the bat which the author carries out through her use of imagery. Wishing to be “followed by paparazzi” or standing on the steps of an Argentinean Court house disguised in dark sunglasses paints the picture of life that is worldly and glamourous, something that’s extremely hard to do as an eight year old. She further adds to his by recounting the memory of her family traveling on a cross continental train to see her father perhaps where her desire to travel began. Added descriptions of her domineering ways show her desire to be independent and not be controlled but the other sex, hence why her fondest fantasy is on the steps of a court house after getting a divorce. The use of diction further adds to the point, with references to things such as “sable, moor, and schubert alley,” all of which are very sophisticated and not known to many eight year olds gives another indication of her desire to be an adult. These words also show her desire to live in luxury being that sable coat being made out of fur is extremely expensive. These together firmly communicate to the reader that she wishes to be worldly and independent.

Explanation to how she even came to know about such things is shown through the use of details, language, . Didion came to know these things by observing and listening to her mother. She frequently references her mother by recounting how she “gave teas” and most importantly shared with her that her favorite age was 24, which is the reason why didion herself fantasizes herself at this age. She highly respects her mother and wants a more glamourous version of her life and a more independent one. Her respect for her mother is seen in the way she explains her habits like “giving teas” or “ tucking away her poncho.” The language used shows at her mother was meticulous and completed each task with care, something Didion herself wished to be able to do herself.  We see evidence of why she wants to be independent in the action of her grandmother; a woman who took great care to teach her grandchildren not to depend on anyone else to provide for luxuries in their life. This is communicated by Didion telling us about when her grandmother would by her flowers and trinkets, something usually done by a significant other.

Joan Didion’s uses diction, imagery, and details to show us her fantasies as a child specifically her desire to be independent and unbounded by others. The teachings of her mother and grandmother along with childhood experiences all influenced her fantasy and in the end, the woman she became.

Response to Course Material #4

This past week was spent creating a Prezi on a designated era, my group did Modernism and Post- Modernism. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed doing this, not only did we get to focus on the ever important history and contextual information, we also got to learn how to use the handy, fun-to-use, and dandy Prezi. (excuse the word play, got a little carried away)This project re-familiarized many of us with the literary eras that we briefly touched on before in other classes, which will further help us draw our own conclusions and connections. I personally took the assignment as an excuse to discover and learn about anything and everything modernistic and post modernistic, quickly reaffirming that it is in fact my favorite literary era. This was also a FANTASTIC thing to be doing the week before thanksgiving with just about one or two quizzes and/or tests in every other class. It was relaxing and fun without being unproductive but heavily rewarding at the same time. As a matter of fact I decided to read books my some of the authors I group featured including Vonnegut and Fitzgerald.

Open Prompt #4

A stereotype is a popular belief about a particular group or kind of person. In Priestley Cooper’s An Inpector Calls the stereoptyped characters are the Birlings, a wealthy middle class family in 1912 England. The stereoptypical characteristics and actions of the family bring meaning to the author’s message that humans are responsible for each other.

The wealthy Birlings show the expected characteristics of the middle class in 1912 Brumley, England. The Father, Mr. Birling, is the owner of a factory and a true believer of individualism. As a typical factory owner at this time, Mr. Birling cares only about making the most money  possible especially if that mean exploiting the working class. His son, who is the heir to the family company, is womanizer and a heavy partier, and his daughter is incredible spoiled. All three of them put themselves first and see no fault in their ways. This is pointed out to them by the inspector who links their selfish behavior to the death of a young woman.

Though the Birlings didn’t really murder the young woman, by using stereotypes Cooper pins the blame on them. Mr. Birling’s refusal to hede to his workers demands for better wages left the young woman out in the cold which was made worse by his daughter, and his son’s actions left her pregnant and without means to support herself. The young woman in the play is representation of the working class, the hopeless victims of the wealthy. The Birlings’ actions prompted by stereotypes of the wealthy because they are the representation of what that mind set has done and can do.

Cooper’s view of the wealthy was one of contempt, he found them selfish and truly believed that human beings were responsible for each other. By using stereotypes to model the Birling family he communicates his opinion that humans are responsible for each other. 

Response to Course Material #3

This week we have finally began annotating, and put to action all of the lessons and practice that we have had. I have to say that in the beginning the annotating was a bit difficult. The finding part wasn’t difficult but choosing what to write down and how was proving to be. I found myself either writing too much, so much in fact that it would distract me from reading the passage itself or not knowing how to mark things. I realized however that I needed to find a way to organize my thoughts and to effectively pick and choose. And though the book had a graphic organization tactic through previous experiences I find it more useful if I come up with my own technique that will automatically employ each time I annotate. So far I have decided to circle examples of diction and underline syntax. I’m still looking for ideas for imagery; I’ve decided though that details will be the only technique that I will write notes for so I won’t run out of space.

Close Prompt #3

http://www.macobo.com/essays/epdf/Me%20Talk%20Pretty%20One%20Day%20by%20Sedaris.pdf

Me Talk Pretty One Day – By David Sedaris

The terrifying feat of learning a foreign language is one that is scary, and nerve racking especially when you are expected to speak perfectly already. In David Sedaris’ essay he recounts his experience of enrolling in a school to learn French in Paris by an extremely sarcastic and unwelcoming teacher. This essay accurate reveals the Sedaris struggle and fear of speaking through details, language and imagery.

Sedaris’ time in France was characterized his limited knowledge of the language, not only was he not able to speak confidently his listening needed work. The author’s incapability of understanding what his teacher said let alone anyone else is shown through the details. The author’s choice of including gibberish that represents that French words Sedaris couldn’t understand like “fiuscrzsa ticiwelmun.” By using gibberish Sedaris emphasizes his confusion. The author’s reaction to knowing the alphabet is another great example. The alphabet is a fundamental element in any language and the fact that Sedaris doesn’t know it shows even more that his French skills are not up to par.

The judgmental and unwelcoming classroom environment created by the French teacher kept the students in constant fear. This is seen through the imagery used in the piece. The author described the teacher’s reaction to the first speaker—on the first day of class— as “cold and blunt, shocking to all in the room.” She attacked the answers the student gave with ease. He sets the scene by describing her “domineering” presence and “voice dripping with sarcasm,” showing the reader the classroom dynamic.

It is easy then to understand how in that environment the students after a year did not improve their speaking skills, this supported by the language used. Sedaris tells us that the students only felt safe talking amongst themselves in the absence of their teacher. The dialogue between the students is one filled with grammatical errors, for example, “Sometimes me cry alone at night.” The author’s use of bad grammar in his translation of the exchanges shows the lack of improvement of the students. This in turns supports the idea that the student’s growth was limited because of the hostile classroom environment.

David Sedaris’ essay reveals that full growth and improvement is restricted in hostile learning environments because students aren’t willing to put themselves out there due to fear.

Open Prompt #3

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.

Society in the 1960s was one driven by consumerism and conformity. This is seen especially in Edward Albee’s play the “American Dream” when looking at Mommy. Her actions in the play are clearly reflection of the currents society’s value of consumerism and peer approval.

The 1960s were a trying time for Americans, with the end of the cold war almost a decade prior and the start of the cold war. Events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis created an environment of constant fear of nuclear destruction. Possibly in order to escape the country turned even more towards materialism than ever before. It also began to value the opinions of others even more, allowing what others do virtually make all their decisions for them.

Mommy epitomizes both values of consumerism and the need for approval by peers; this is seen in the details chosen by Albee. Mommy is striving to attain what she believes is the American dream but in reality is nothing but a shell of it, a perception. This is seen in acceptance and keenness toward the young man, who Albee chooses to be visually appealing and young two things that were valued at this time. Another example is how with some hesitation at first Mommy accepts Mrs. Barker’s view of what color the hat is. There is also significance in the color Albee chose it to be, beige.  A color that some may say is bland but also one that is associated with a higher class versus the color wheat. Mommy submits to the pressures of society though with a underlying feeling of never being able to truly be satisfied.

Albee’s character Mommy in the play “American Dream” epitomizes the value places on consumerism and societal approval in 1960s America.

Close Reading #2

http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/04/jfk-jr-christina-haag-201104#gotopage1

                Love on the Edge

Memoirs often share important information about the author and people in their lives. This excerpt from Christina Haag’s Memoir retells her time with John F. Kennedy Jr. With the use of syntax, imagery, and details, she reveals to the reader JFK Jr.’s one and only fear, being another loss his mother must endure.

Haag paints John as a fearless child who grew to be an even more fearless adult, but also shows him to be caring. Haag met John when as a child, they were a part of the same group of friends and even then she recounts him as being someone that feared nothing. By including vivid recounts of their childhood together, she creates an image of John in the reader’s mind. She further includes instances of examples of his kindness and optimism for example when he sent her flowers and asked his cousin to stay with her in the hospital when he was unable to make it. This imagery creates a clear picture of John’s character for the reader and further adds to the piece’s meaning.

Along with showing John’s fearlessness she also shows the one thing he is afraid of, his mother enduring another loss. Haag does this by using detail. With the occasional mention here and there of he and his mother’s relationship she keeps is relevant in the reader’s mind. In addition to this by including John’s response of “Don’t tell my mother” after the kayak scare it is evident that she is the only one he is truly afraid for. Though he too was scared, the real reason for his fear was his mother and that is seen by noticing who he mentions first right after or before something is to happen. Haag drives this in more by including the fact that John’s mother insisted the secret service follow them when they were younger. This shows that he knew his mother was cautious and worried and was easily scared.

Taking his mother’s fear into count it is easily understood why John showed so much fear. Haag demonstrates this fear through syntax in the last part of this excerpt. By using short, heavy sentences Haag shows their nervousness and fear. For example when John’s commands like, “Bail! Find the Bail! Now!” show frustration and panic. It’s a drastic difference from the first half of the work where the sentence structure is longer and demonstrates calmness and peace. The reason for John’s panic is the fear not that he would lose his life but that his mother would again mourn the loss of a loved one.

With the use of Imagery, Details, and Syntax Haag not only demonstrates John F Kennedy’s fear but the source of his fear, another loss for his mother.

                               

Response to Course Material #2

         So far since the last post we've been practicing open prompts more and we formally lectured on syntax. Both of which are things I need some work on, the latter being a completely new concept until this year. Though we had a quick intro to syntax in the beginning of the course we finally went in to depth. Syntax is the ordering of words and use of punctuation to create meaning in a piece of literature. Practicing analyzing syntax was very helpful for me since I have the bad habit of confusing syntax with diction. We also learned more about how the author can use word order to create tone, and mood, which again add to meaning. I feel that syntax is definitely the most interesting technique because of it is so subtle yet so effective.
     As far as more open prompt practice goes, this was also extremely useful. Working in small groups allowed us to experience first hand others' thought processes and conclusions we could never have came to on our own. The group dynamic allows for people to learn and develop by observing others. And the repeated actions of forming intros and topic sentence ensure that the day of the exam we get it right. I personally feel that I benefited from working in a group because i was able to observe and hear the ideas and methods of others.

Open prompt #2

The amount of time a character has in a story doesn't reflect how much the character affects the story, in fact many stories such as Walk Two Moons. In this novel, the main character's mother is deceased, her upcoming birthday is the reason for trip that Sal, the main character, embarks on with her grandparents. The characters develop immensely on this trip to retrace Sal's mother's steps. Despite the fact that Sal's mother never appeared in the story alive, she still highly affected the action, development, and theme of the work.

The death of her mother takes a toll on Sal's whole family. Her father and her decide to move to Euclid, Ohio to restart their lives. This move, driven by the death of the mother, allows them to meet interesting characters that also contribute to the novel's action. Sal befriends Phoebe, a young girl who is in a similar predicament as Sal; her mom too in no longer with them. By aiding Phoebe finds out where her mother is Sal attempts to understand her mother's circumstances as well. Sal's mother decided to take a trip on her own to Idaho to visit family, on her way there she was killed in a bus accident. The major even however, that was caused by Sal's mother, was the road trip to Idaho to visit her grave on her birthday. This trip was the major component in the story where everything is revealed. We are learn about Phoebe and the other characters during said road trip.

In addition to contributing to action, Sal's mother also affected the development of the characters. The actions mentioned above which were caused by the mother also lead to major character development, especially seen in Sal. At the end of the book Sal finally comes to terms with the death of her mother and improves her relationship with her father and Mrs. Cadaver. During the trio with her grandparents Sal, finally finds out the whole story behind her mother's death and much confusion and anger is cured. She also comes to terms with her father temperament, and learns to let him in more.

The reason behind the character development is clearly the them of the novel; do not come to conclusions about someone until you fully understand their situation. Sal prejudged a lot of characters in the story like Mrs. Cadaver and her mother. Sal quickly wrote of Mrs. Cadaver and thought that she was possibly a serial killer because of her coincidentally morbid name. However it turned out that Mrs. Cadaver herself had just suffered a hard loss and that she was the only survivor of Sal's mom's bus accident. Sal also didn't realize how miserabel her mother truly was when she left for idaho. She realizes both of these during her road trip with her grandparents to see her mother's grave.

In Walk Two Moons, although Sal's mother only posthumously appeared in the nover briefly she affected many aspects of the plot such as the action, character development, and them. Sal's mother was the reason behind the road trip which turned out to be a journey in which Sal attains self improvement.

Response to Course Material

       During the past week in Ap English Literature we have been building the basic skills needed to write a successful essay on the exam, but overall learning how to effectively read literature as well as learn to find meaning. These skills not only help us do well in the exam but they are skills that we will need later on. The simple acronym DIDLS, allows us to remember to look for basic techniques that an author uses and determine how they fit in to the literature's meaning. It finally allows us to move past the elementary practice of being told a meaning and look for it ourselves. We also practiced essay structure for quite a bit, and learned how create a well organized essay that clearly expresses our arguments using literary techniques such as diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax as support.
       Another extremely useful skill we learned is how to close read and annotate. Though I had in the past took notes in the margin of my books, the textbook taught us an effective way to write notes in the margins that illlustrate and explaine our understanding. The annotating allows us to practice actively responding to the literature and jotting down main ideas, possible symbols, and techniques so that we can easily write about the writing later.
      This week we didn't just learn things that would be useful for the exam, most importantly we immensely improved our reading skills, which is something that can help us in our everyday lives. Being able to find profound meaning in literature will allow us to look at our world differently and be able to make many more connection.

Open Prompt #1

1987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader's or audience's views. Avoid plot summary.

Similar to how little kids desire to change and affect their world, authors sometimes strive to change their reader or society’s attitude in some way. In the play by JB Priestley “An Inspector Calls”, the selfish attitude of the Birling’s is the overall cause of death of the young woman.  The young girl represents the working class men and woman who are inadvertently victimized by those in power. Priestley, through vivid imagery, diction, and details portrays this and the need for society to, not only take care of its own, but of others as well.

The Birling family  were a part of the new upper class, their father Mr. Birling owned a a very successful business that provided a luxurious lifestyle for his family. Like others in their class, the Birlings applied their business attitude to their relations with the lower classes. Their attitude was a selfish one, that put others in needs last and in result ruined the lives of the poor. This is seen not only in the fact that the girl has many names, but in her cause of death. Her numerous names mean that she represents not one girl but a whole class. It wasn’t her name that counted but the fact that she was overlooked like many other working class men and women in the early 20^th century.  Her cause of death as well, being collectively caused by actions in which none of them thought about the consequences it could have had on her. For example, Sheila Birling had the girl fired from her job merely because she felt insecure.

                The selfish attitude of the Birlings represents that of the upper class in early 20^th century England. This selfish attitude is what Priestley sought to change. The inspector in the story highlights the family’s flaws by individually shaming each one by making them believe that they were responsible for a death of a young working class women. In order to achieve this the inspector brings in a picture of a woman, and shows the picture to only one person at a time, the picture takes on a different meaning, story, and character for each family member. Making them remember the young woman, who though they believe is the same woman another family member wronged could very well be a different one. The inspector’s tactic shows that the family is so guilty of selfishness that they could have been responsible for the misfortunes of another. The author’s vivid imagery that depicts the girl’s state shows the cruelty of the upper class. Along with image of the family dining comfortably while a innocent girl is dying.

JB Priestley’s” An Inpector Calls” advocates for social awareness and change. The play showcases the selfish attitude of the wealthy and the effect that it had on the working class. The young woman the Birlings killed represented the lower class that were being victimized by the wealthy. Priestley achieves this through the additions of details, imagery, and language.

Close Reading: In Love and War

     In Love and War

by Janine di Giovanni

http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/in-love-and-war/

           Di Giovianni's "In Love and War" tells about the rough time that her and husband endured while dealing with his alcoholism. As warside reporters, the pair of them faced and witnessed horrible sights and actions that left both scarred and heavily affected their life afterwards. This essay documents their post war journalism period, when the couple moved to paris, to have some peace though it was anything but. The author accurately portrays her and her husbands's raw emotion, passion, detachment, and troubled persona through well chosen rhetoric. Such as her diction, syntax, and imagery that affectedly depicts her situation to her reader.

           Throughout the essay her simple, informal, yet precise word choice gets straight to the point and gives off an almost gritty emotion. One that is genuine and obviously not meant to please. The vulgarity of her words further add to this raw emotion that is obviously emitted from her husband. The diction paints an image of him as being very tough but very sensitive at the same time, because of the terrifying and cruel aspects of war that he has been devastatingly affected by. War in itself is to the point, vulgar and takes all and any kind of casualty not caring who in the end it hurts to get to the means, which is exactly what her language conveys. An example of this is seen in the excerpt "this stuff really f****d us up for good?" her word choice here is simple, vulgar, and extremely to the point (Di Giovanni). Adding to effect of her diction the author, Laura di Giovianni, uses syntax as well to further emphasize the mental state of both her, the family of the addict, and her husband, the addict himself. Her short punchy sentences have almost the same affect of portraying the attitude of war, the one that has so royally messed up her husband and her. The frequent use of lists like" the graves, the fires, the bombs." create a war like rhythm that seemingly has no end. One that is creepy, depressing, and gloomy.   

           The use of imagery in the piece shows the detachment of both the author and the wife. He, who becomes detached from the world after getting sober and she, who becomes detached from him. Through imagery we can see not only aspects of the what affected him like in the line " fever rising, his head damp, and his limbs splayed, but also how it did. When she describes her husband during rehab, " his face was white, hollow, and thin," you can't help but envision death. Which I believe is exactly what the author is insinuating, that part of her husband died, a part that she will never get back.

           All in all the author's rhetoric leaves us with a gloomy, filled with despair account of their lives. Her use of simple yet vulgar words, disturbing imagery, and short rhytmic sentences brilliantly depict a husband who is detached from the world, and a wife who must readjust. Laura Di Giovianni's narrative does, I'm sure, intended it to do.