Carol Peterson's Short Story 'Gryphon'

When John and Lorraine got to his house, they discovered Mr. Pignati was an older man with a cheerful personality and an infantile smile. After talking with Mr. Pignati for a while, Lorraine noticed that he seemed lonely. Mr. Pignati invited John and Lorraine to go with him to enjoy his avocation of going to the zoo, and while John did not want to, Lorraine felt bad for Mr. Pignati and told him they would go. When they got to the zoo, Lorraine started to feel uncomfortable and anxious with the animals and people there while John and Mr. Pignati had a great time looking at the reptiles and nocturnal creatures. During the day at the zoo, Lorraine was conscious of bad omens she was receiving such as the antagonistic peanut vendor. As they reached the end of their trip, Mr. Pignati showed

“Gryphon” is an thrilling fiction story by the funny author Charles Baxter. The story take place in a classroom in Five Oaks, Michigan and is about an ordinary 6th grade boy, Tommy who encounters a strange sub named Ms. Ferenczi. The message that Charles Baxter is giving us is that everyone is different and nothing is wrong with that.

On the last encounter Miss Ferenczi has with class she presents tarot cards to the class to predict their future. This obviously symbolizes that she is in a dark place mentally. Her ungroomed hair and the students having to remind her to remove her coat. With each reading she does for a student, it displays some misfortune or negative outcome. This is definitely inappropriate behavior because the children are likely to believe what adults tell them. She tells Carol Peterson, “I do not see much higher education. Probably an early marriage. Many children. There’s

Furthermore, Miss Ferenczi’s character commences to show signs of change as the story carries on. Initially, Miss Ferenczi is introduced as a unique substitute teacher compared to other teacher’s in Five Oaks Michigan due to her distinct appearance and deficient amounts of substitutes available. As Miss Ferenczi’s initiate’s class, she does not partake in anything unusual as stated by Tommy,

• On page 89, Mlle Reisz in saying “Courageous, ma foi! The brave soul. The soul that dares and defies.” What is the author’s purpose of having her in the story?

Hello Nina, Miss Ferenczi was truly an enjoyable character. Miss Ferenczi teaching methods challenges the students to not believe every thing they're told during lectures. Moreover, we see how students also start questioning Miss Ferenczi about her intriguing stories. Prior to Miss Ferenczis implementation of tarot reading, she emphasizes that “There is no death” and that students should not fear it (160). However, students like Wayne did not realize this during the reading, which resulted in Miss Ferenczi's dismissal from her teaching duties.

Gryphon presents a fourth-grade boy, Tommy, and his class’s experience with a peculiar substitute teacher, Miss Ferenczi. Tommy narrates the story as a mature, experienced adult from afar. The students are confronted with more than just a substitute teacher. They are presented with an unaccustomed view of the world and are challenged to open their minds and think for themselves. Do not believe everything you hear and do not be afraid to go against the grain of humdrum normalcy, are central to “Gryphon”, whose key symbol (Miss Ferenczi) support its central theme: life is dreary and uninspiring without a sense of imagination and wonder.

Charles Baxter's short stories are well-known for the strong presents of ordinary people encountering extraordinary strangers who disturb their lives. “Gryphon” written by Charles Baxter is not an exception. The story is filled with characters that are awaken from their boring lives and transported into a world of possibilities. As a central idea of the story, Baxter's critics often mention “middle America's” conventions, and the effect it has on anyone who does not fit the mold. Within “Gryphon” the reader experiences a few days in the life of fourth grade class; specifically, a few days spent with a unique substitute teacher. The narrative outlines, on many occasions, the unsureness in the face of the unknown. Is the society ready to

Ragged Dick, a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” children’s book about an honest and great kid named, shockingly, Ragged Dick is a story revolving around the rags to riches journey of the protagonist. While being a children’s book Alger still creates one-dimensional characters to in a skillful way to help guide his young readers into seeing all the qualities he believes are good in Dick. Specifically, Alger utilizes Johnny Nolan, Frank, and Henry Fosdick to suggest the traits that are harmful and necessary for Dick’s path to “successful” adulthood, but fails to accurately depict the reality of the world.

In the book si cology there's a guy named si has three brothers Tommy Phil and Barney. si first talks about his childhood. When he was young he was terrible at lying he couldn't tell a lie to save his life. One day with his brother they climbed under a gate and his pants fell off and a sworn of bumble bees came and stung him on the butt his mom had to take out all the stingers. Later when hes 18 his parents tell him hes going to college he says he dosent want to go but they send him anyway. He says all hes gonna do is party and his mom said well have a good one. And that's exactly what he did he only went to enough classes so they wouldn't kick him out amazingly he passed. But he has to do another year.

From the start, Tommy doesn't know anything about Miss Ferenczi, although he continues to like her more as her behavior becomes even more insane. At first, Tommy only listened to the conversation as Miss Ferenczi said “‘In higher mathematics numbers are...more fluid… It would be better for you to think that six times eleven is sixty-eight only when I am in the room’” (p. 48, line 180-190). Then, as he get more and more involved with Miss Ferenczi, he started to look up and respect her. The first time that Tommy defended her was when Carl Whiteside, the boy who he sits next to him on the bus, challenged her. Tommy had said “‘I read in this newspaper… and he combined a human being and a hamster.’ I waited, for effect. ‘It’s called a humster’”(p. 57, line 430-431). At that moment, he became loyal to Miss Ferenczi in a way and in the end, had a fight with Wayne, who tattletaled in Miss

Such results as reinforcing stereotypes that this book portrays. For example, from viewing this book it could be said the main character is more attracted to fashion than his counterparts in the book, but he is also less attracted to what is “normal” for little boys to be interested in such as when he attempts to play baseball, and for likes and dislikes he is labeled a “Sissy”. The book also displays blatant bullying by other kids at the main character’s school towards him, and use of derogatory names such as “Sissy”. Also, there is the daily indignity that Elmer must endure, that many flamboyant men must endure, whether straight or homosexual, every day when they are not accepted, or made to feel different by the dominant class (Straight people), that is portrayed very vividly in this book.

At first glance the text appears to be naive and childish but as a more detailed angle of view is taken the text appears to be exceedingly insightful in its way of showing self-discovery. Eoin Colfer shows in pronounced detail how self-discovery can be triggered by sizeable events as well how it can be prompted by minor events. We are introduced into this world and the mind of Felix as the current ruined state of Warsaw is described. This prompts Feliks to show his character to be arrogant and stubborn when he say's "Warsaw is not a city of buildings", "It is a city of People. We have been here longer." As well as when the audience is told that "Feliks did not take orders well." As Felik buys the fish the audience learns that this is a big deal because the family does not have much money to spend. This significant event leads to the beginning of the friendship between Lucja and the fish. This self discovery which is made by Lucja is a shock to the text because "Her mind wandered at the speed of light" yet for the fish she was able to stay still. This displays how vast events can trigger the process of self-discovery. Conversely, small events such as seeing your granddaughter may be seen as less in significance but can have the same profound effect of people. This happens to Feliks when he sees Lucja after they argue over the fish. Feliks discovers that in this war-torn world,

As I was using my bright pink pencil to write everything my strict teacher was writing down on the board, the loud aggravating bell rang. Which meant it was time for lunch. As the rancid smell of Mrs. Stone’s perfume came near I knew that Regie, Martie, Dan and I were going to be dismissed too line up for lunch. The expired milk smelt so awful sitting next to my squared piece of pizza, I gaged. I scarfed down the pizza feeling like I had to throw up. “Emma what are you going to do for the presentation in social studies?” asked Martie. “I don’t know, maybe my dad’s ancient baseball card collection.” I responded. “Sounds..” The bell rang. Lunch was over. As I was walking on the holy and cracked sidewalk to get home I decided that I would do

In studying a story, especially one that concludes within a few pages, forming an understanding of the characters can be challenging. Clues sprinkled within the story direct and develop the reader’s ideas about the characters, namely through the setting, tone, or even simple objects within the story.Charles Baxter’s Gryphon encompasses this exact problem; the limited number of pages contain all of the story’s information and the reader’s puzzle begins.Within the small classroom and few pages, the reality of life in Five Oaks evaporates, an implicit bond forms between Miss Ferenczi and our main character, and the reader’s begin putting together the pieces.