Mrs. Turner: A Short Story

Question 3, (p. 1135): What are the “trifles” that the men ignore and the two women notice? Why do the men dismiss them, and why do the women see these things as significant clues? What is the thematic importance of these “trifles”?

Dorothy Allison's voice is one of authenticity, experience, and wisdom. This is apparent in her recounts of her mother's death and rape by her abusive stepfather as a child. She uses her storytelling as a way of sorting out her inner demons and memories of her broken life, “the [story] I wish I could make you hear,” as she says, because “the need to tell [her] story was terrible and persistent, and [she] needed to say it bluntly and cruelly, to use all those words, those old awful tearing words” (39, 42). She strives to get to the root of her own unresolved issues and, by her own admission, “[works] to make you believe [her]”:

Mrs. Betty Thomas is a seventy-three-year-old African American female who was born on April 17, 1942, in San Bernardino, CA. She was born into a family of nine children, six girls and three boys. I conducted the interview in the Thomas family home where Mrs. Thomas and her immediate family have resided in for fifty-five years. Her husband of over 50 years is deceased, and she misses him dearly. Mrs. Thomas is a tiny frame and short woman who stands about 5 feet, 105 pounds or less. She stands with no slump in here posture.  Her appearance was very comfortable dressed attire, black socks and not shoes.  Her home is well kept, tidy and scented with the smell of beef stew coming from a slow cooker on the kitchen counter. The home is in the midst of a working middle-class neighborhood; furnished with modern casual furniture, along with photographs of close family members spread throughout the living room and hallway area.

6th Grade: Mrs. McEversons. Moving up to sixth grade was really scary. Actually, not that scary, but it's a whole new school, new friends, and new, well, pretty much EVERYTHING, except for a few of my old friends.

The person I have chosen to do my essay on is Mrs. Gardner. Mrs. Gardner is my advisory teacher. When I first started school here at Potosi High School, I had a very difficult time adjusting to this new place. I had come fresh out of a homeschooling program and before that, I attended a small private school. I was scared that I wouldn't do well in this school. I was especially nervous about grade checks. I've always been a good student and made good grades, but I was worried that the stress of switching schools would get to me and I'd struggle. Mrs. Gardner has been encouraging and empathetic to me since day one. She has reminded me not to worry so much and that as long as I'm doing my best, that's all that matters. She has taught me

“Mom, just relax. Everything is okay; it isn’t what it seems. I’ll explain from the very beginning.”

“The Confessions of Nat Turner” , is a very interesting book, that was written by William Styron in 1967. This book revolves around Nat Turner’s life in prison, after he led a slave rebellion in 1830s Virginia. He also lays down the most gruelling facts about the wrongs that he has sinfully committed, which ultimately led to his arrest and later death. I think that this book would most be appealing to those who find themselves interested in the historical context of slavery or history in general.

The sun was starting to come out , I can feel my eyes getting heavy , I should have took that coffee to go made yesterday . I felt like I was wasting my time with this , Karen and Trever were probably right , I should leave this to the police and worry about my life . I got up from the bushes rubbing off the dirt from my jeans , all of a sudden everyone came running out

I push Grayson away. He gives me begging eyes. I grab his hand as I walk to Cameron. I pull them both to the couch. I sit between them. They both look at me scared.

It is a pleasure and a privilege to endorse Mrs. Dianne Roberts as the “Club Women of the Year,” representing the Daytime Florentine Club of Florence, Mississippi. I have known Mrs. Roberts for 25 years. We have worked together both professionally in education and personally in community affairs. Mrs. Roberts has dedicated much of her free time in doing for others. Whether it is family or friends, church or school, if there is a need, she will answer the call.

M’s office the first thing I noticed was how small it was. The room was stacked with music, a piano and desk in the corner, and a line instrument on one side of the room. She welcomed me in asked me to sit down. She then showed me the instruments and told me to pick any of them to try. I did as she said but none of the them seemed to work with me. The trumpet felt to small in my hands, all of the reed instruments sounded horrible, and don't even get me started on the flute. Growing tired of this process my eyes wandered around the room. Eventually they settled on an instrument hidden in the corner. It looked like a tuba, but was much smaller and just seemed so lonely. I went over and picked it up. I asked Ms. M, “ Can I please try this one?” She looked at me and smiled and said, “ Of course, that's the Euphonium. It's like a tuba in the regards that it plays similarly and serves as part of the backbone of the band, it's sound though is much more similar to a trombone.” I lifted it up gently, the cool smooth, shining brass fitting perfectly in my hands. Slowly I started to play it. I'll never forget the sound that came out. Sure compared to a more refined sound it was terrible, but it was the sound of a student who had his instrument. Immediately I chose it and walked out with it. When I brought it home my family joked that it sounded like I was playing the noises of a whale mixed with a foghorn but I loved it all the same.

Mabel had been doing nothing but nervously muttering slightly-varied versions of the above statement ever since she and Dipper had talked with Coraline about sneaking out.

Mrs. Price’s reaction makes me feel five and even more angry. In the hallway, I am fuming so I push her. She doesn’t expect it so she drops like a rock to the floor. She starts to cry and says, “ I hate that sweater too and am embarrassed that it belongs to me! It itches and smells like tomato juice!” All of the sudden, I feel really bad, and help her up. I decide to ask Phyllis if she wants to come to my house for my birthday party. She says, “Yes.”

Short stories, Mrs. Sommers has problems with making ends meet every month. While running her hands through an expensive pair of silk stockings she decides she wants to spoil herself for the day. She buys the stockings even though this is usually something she would never do. The way she decided to buy the silk stockings seem like it was just done out of pure instinct. She feels very relaxed and at ease for the entire day. She does not want to have to return to the tight budget she was on before. They came for Elizabeth today. She was accused of witchery, and they took her. They would not even take her quietly, they chained her and brought her through the town like some murderous traitor. Why must she suffer for the mistake I made? Why do you do this to her God? I am the one who

“I have recounted events that we’re painful to write and be read, but I had hoped they brought more understanding” says Mildred Taylor (Contemporary Black 16). Delois, better known as Mildred Taylor is an African American writer. She is well known for her novels Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Let the Circle Be Unbroken. Mildred’s work touches the mind of young and old readers. Her books are known for being entertaining and truthful. Of course, Mildred is an amazing writer and great at what she does.