Judgmental Attitudes, Isolation, and Forgiveness in Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead

The social setting in Maycomb County has a profound effect on the expectations in the novel. Initially, all individuals of Maycomb know about each other’s background and upbringing for

Johnson provides a brief account of the novella 's plot, together with his own perspective on the fact that so much of literature and literary analysis concentrates on the relationships that the characters have. In this case, the author examines the family as composed of children of ineffectual parents. While this writer does not know this with certainty, it is possible that many cases requiring family therapy are due to this very cause. The author then goes on to discuss the family in the context of the greater social system.

About a year later, Robinson’s uncle came to visit. He had served in the first World War. Afterward he had settled in California. When he returned to visit his family in Georgia, they scarcely recognized him, because he was dressed so finely (Mann 57). Once he learned of their troubles, he was immediately convinced that his sister and her children would do better in California. Within a few days, she boarded a train with her five little ones.

As human beings we are often reluctant to let go of our anger and unwilling to forgive others. This becomes especially true in the case of loved ones or family members. The poem, “How Do We Forgive Our Fathers?,” written by Dick Lourie, addresses the different dilemmas associated with a child forgiving his/her father. In his six-stanza poem, the poet discusses how a child should forgive their father for traumatic events imposed on the child. This includes reasons for forgiveness, appropriate time to forgive, and whether or not to even forgive at all. Detailed through the different stanzas, the poem suggests that until one learns how to appropriately forgive another for wrongful behavior, they will never be able to let go of resentment and

Gilman’s use of pathos, makes the reader feel angry that the narrator is tied and bound to a society that thought confinement was the best cure for post-partum depression. She knows what is best for her, yet no one will listen, “I sometimes fancy that in my condition if I had less, opposition, and more society and stimulus- but John says the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad” (Gilman, P.462). It made me feel bad that there was nothing that the narrator could do, but succumb to the norms of society, and try to recover without being around people, working, and living a normal

The story begins with the narrator’s use of dramatic irony which already tells the reader that something is suspicious about her. “John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage” (508 Gilman). The narrator, which is unknown, states

Lee’s writing is littered with descriptive and flowery visuals that truly capture both the environment and his emotions. In one such case, he recalls an evening where he “[stared] at the brightest star, viewing it not so much on this night as a beacon, something [he] wanted to believe would lead [he] out of this dark tunnel, but instead as a place [he’d] rather be” (155). His juvenile wistfulness is tangible in the words and the reader can almost feel the chill of the night air. He continues, wishing to be “anywhere but here…[wishing to have] been born anywhere but here.” (155). His yearning twists the heart with sympathy for his lonesome and pitiable plight. This moment is but a minute fraction of the incredibly intimate tale that Lee

Discuss the irony of the following statement and the situation which it describes on pg. 153. “…there fooled what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the men talked in near-whispers.”

Another aspect of human nature that we see in the story, and that adds to the effectiveness of the story, is the ability of man to hide his fear by joking about danger. When Mrs. Hutchinson arrives late, her husband jokes about "getting along without her," and she jokes back about leaving dishes in the sink. The whole town laughs. They must joke because someone they know will die very soon, and they have to cover their fear. This adds to the effectiveness of the story because we have all seen people act this way.

Furthermore, Crockett’s second analysis agues that the ending of The Grapes of Wrath is not purposeless, but hopeful. Again, Crockett is mistaken. Near the end of the book, the Joad family is in shambles; Rose of Sharon is sick, her baby dies, the family loses their possessions in the flood, and several other calamities befall them. Where is the hope? Understandably, many dissenters—Crockett included—will protest that the breast-feeding scene does constitute as hopeful. Dissenters will argue that the scene is symbolic of community because the mother’s milk, which is designated for her children, is shared with someone of no relation to her. Figuratively speaking then, strangers become family, through this act of benevolence. But, these dissenters neglect the death of Rose of Sharon’s

Throughout the story, however, Steinbeck portrays Casy as a parallel to Jesus Christ. Similarly to Jesus, Casy restores faith and brings hope to the people who are suffering the most. Like Jesus, Casy went into the wilderness for clarity: "I been in the hills, thinkin', almost you might say like Jesus wen into the wilderness to think His way out of troubles" (32). Additionally, Casy resembles Jesus before he is murdered when he declares, You don’ know what you’re a-doin” (386). These words are similar to Jesus’ famous last words “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Steinbeck also uses Uncle John to symbolize the power of Christianity. When RosaSharn gives birth to a stillborn baby, Uncle John is sent to discard of it. He places the baby in a stream and whispers, "Go down an' tell 'em. Go down in the street an' rot an' tell 'em that way....Maybe they'll know then." (448). Uncle John’s action alludes to the story of Moses. Moses’ mother sends her baby down the river to save him from slavery. Similarly, Uncle John sends the baby down the river to free it from the Joad’s miserable conditions. Uncle John wants to send a message to other migrants. He hopes the baby will “tell ‘em” of the family's’ misfortunes

The short story, “The Charmer,” by Budge Wilson sends the message that failure to hold children accountable for their misdeeds is dangerous as it often leads to dire consequences on their demeanor; this is a vital message to comprehend because parents who do constantly overlook the faults of their children, will often find themselves indulging in feelings of regret in the face of adversity. To begin, Zach’s absurd behaviour during the exposition helps Wilson illustrate her theme about the importance of punishing children for their wrongdoings. For example, Winnifred explains how “Zach stole money out of wallets that were left lying around...started smoking at thirteen…[and smashed up their] ...car one night after a poker party...But afterwards, Zach delivered apologies that would have brought tears to a preacher’s eyes” (Wilson, 4). This clearly proves that Zach is a manipulative son who believes that by using his charm, he is not obligated to abide by any rules. His parents’ excessive usage of forgiveness allows him to gradually magnify the degree of his crimes and impose financial burdens on the family. When a child happens to engage in criminal activity, parents are naturally inclined to be infuriated and impose strict consequences because they do not want their child to suffer in the future. However, since Zach’s parents are irresponsible, Zach is unable to differentiate right from wrong. Unfortunately, Zach’s actions show that he is becoming

In addition to the extreme limitations of their daily routine, both characters in MacLeod’s and Gilman’s short stories are subject to their significantly overbearing and oppressive spouses. The domineering management of their lives compels these characters to engage in either reading or writing, as an act of defiance towards their authority wielding partners. This minor form of rebellion allows the characters to feel as though they have at least some aspect of control over their lives. The father in MacLeod’s story is aware of his wife’s aversion to and disapproval of reading; however, this antagonism does not deter him from spending all his minimally free-time devouring books in his room. The narrator notes that his mother “despised the room and all it stood for,” yet his father remained inside it every night while “the goose-necked lamp illuminated the pages in his hands,” in an act of passive-aggressive opposition towards his wife’s

When Kevin sees his father almost dying, he begins to think of the fatherless children in the world. He extends grace towards fathers in general by thinking how important a role they play in a child’s life, regardless of the mistakes that they might make. After thinking about fathers in general, he then thinks about his own father and as Bailey puts it, “ The caring-the carefulness-which was the belief in holding on to something worth preserving and passing on. Love. Kevin felt the tide of emotion that had been at its lowest ebb flowing back into him again. He looked to his Dad”. (259-260). Instead of remaining angry at his Dad for previous conflicts or for accidentally shooting his brother, Kevin extends grace to his Dad when he chooses instead to think and remember about all the love and caring his father has ever shown him. When he begins to feel that love for his father, his emotions pick up and that gives him the grace to keep on going without emotionally breaking down.

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is an award-winning novel and considered one of today’s most popular, contemporary classics. The story is one of familiar themes such as loyalty, forgiveness, betrayal, love, and redemption. It follows the tale of Amir and how he must atone for his sins and find a way to “be good again” (Hosseini 2). The quintessential message of this book relies on the idea of second chances. Themes of redemption, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness are not only shown without doubt through this book, but are also common among many literary works and religions. Hosseini is successful in showing the significance of these themes throughout the novel.