INTRODUCTION The short folktale The Man Who Danced with the Rusalky tells the story of a man who dances with rusalky after being told not to and is punished accordingly. By analyzing the plot, the symbols, and characters in the story, one can see how the tale, while brief, argues for several codes of behaviour and beliefs.
PLOT
The story is quite brief and its plot is simple. Given that it is portrayed as a real event, it has messages that exist both on the surface and more profoundly. Before the plot begins, readers are told about the existence of rusalky. It describes their origins as coming from a death that “is never a good death.” The exact wording there, while translated, implies not only that rusalky are real, but that they exist right now. Natalie Kononenko says, “Legends are stories that are told as if they were true.” It is said that the rusalka “hide among the branches so that she cannot be seen—only her reflection in the water below is visible… When he bends to take a closer look, the rusalka… drags him under the water.” This serves as a type of foreshadowing with the intent of getting listeners’ minds ready for what may happen. The plot begins with the introduction of the protagonist: “a young man named Oleksandr.” He wants to see rusalky. In fact, “it was all he could talk about or even think about.” He considers seeing one, and even though everyone told him “not to do it,” he would “quietly continue his scheming.” Eventually, he sees the oldest woman
The climax is very heart-retching and deals with the narrator selfishness. After that, the narrator should have learned not to be selfish and to never let anyone get left
is a character study of Anton Rosicky, a man who, facing the approach of death, reflects on
These messages make the book more relatable to today’s life. All together, these principles of a story were combined to create a thrilling story while maintaining the truth. The rhetorical effectiveness of the text was incredibly strong, and what makes it such a great book. It is not just a book for history lovers, but for any mature reader. This is definitely a
The author writes the story in a very interesting way. The way that there are only a few descriptions scattered about and that it focuses on dialogue is what allows us to figure out what the characters are speaking about and to find the intentions behind their words. The subject of this short narrative stands out boldly. Though it was written in
First, let me introduce you to the main character himself otherwise known as the murderer in this story. Raskolnikov is the main protagonist of the novel, making the story in his point of view. He is very alienated from society due to his
the story is an important one, which brings to the forefront the particular allure of
Additionally, by including less detail, Spiegelman makes his characters easier to relate to, or as McCloud references, more universal. After Vladek recalls the hanging of a few of his associates, Spiegelman illustrates a very plain, bleak image of him mourning their loss in present day. The image consists of the most basic character features, making it effortless for the reader to mentally input their face on Vladek’s. Overall, this “amplification through simplification” (McCloud), aids the reader in feeling the emotion of the character, finding a deeper connection to the story as a whole, and can reveal universal truths.
In this fantastic short story of Alexander Pushkin there are many questions left to be answer through his audience leaving for many different interpretations. A supernatural story is always good to read. They are interesting and it gives an idea in the most famous question of “what if” was really reality. Having the idea of the “what if” as reality leads open questions about the message that is being persuaded as well as the moral.
The dance competition sparks hope in Sam and Hally and they both wish that the dream of dance could make “A World Without Collusions (1264).” A world where people will no longer bump into each other and there would be no problems. Both of them come to the opinion that “Maybe there’s hope for mankind after all” as they recall famous people, like Gandhi and the Pope, who have stepped out of the mold of society to create change (1262). Sam, as the teacher notes, “We’re bumping into each other all the time. None of us knows the steps and there’s no music playing. And it doesn’t stop with us. The whole world is doing it all the time” (1262). Fugard makes the point that everyone in the world is still struggling in ways to get along with one another and while it is not easy, it should not be a reason to not try to learn to dance in harmony with others and create a better world.
Before the reader knew the allegorical meaning of the story, they didn’t have a strong foundation or base on what the story actually symbolized. As they understand the allegorical meaning of the story, they were able to change their perspectives of the story from a regular folktale, to something that has great meaning and symbolizes events in history and humanity. In result, they are able to relate this to the U.S. and Soviet Union’s conflict and how they came to find a solution that both agreed on. This allowed peace for both sides at last, and was a massive step to fully ending the Cold War. All in all, the reader’s change in perspectives allows them to understand more in depth that cooperating together achieves more than conflict does.
The protagonist, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, a former student, decides to murder and rob an old pawn broker, Alyona Ivanovna, not due to his desperate need of money, but due to a theory he wants to test. Raskolnikov leaves no evidence which would lead the investigation to him; however, the police lieutenant in charge of the case, Porfiry Petrovich, a meticulous thinker, understands Raskolnikov’s theory and has a big role in influencing the student to confess. Between the murder and the confession, Raskolnikov undergoes a long and painful process of thought. His friend, Razumikhin Prokofych, along with a prostitute and his future significant other, Sonia Semyonovna Marmeladova, are part of the protagonist’s path. In the end, Sonia turns out to be Raskolnikov’s salvation as she helps him find redemption and start living
The most significant part of the entire text is that most of the readers will never feel the pain of author. The ability not to be able to relate and understand someone’s struggle is very impactful.
During this interactive oral, it was pointed out that the dreams in this novel are very influential to a character’s state of mind and actions. We discussed the graphic dream in which Raskolnikov, as a child, watches a mare as it is beaten to death. This dream is interpreted by Raskolnikov as a cue to murder the old woman. The mare seems to be a parallel to the
Also, the other question every critic must consider is what the story means. The only real consensus on this point is that the exact meaning of the story is not possible. There is even a question by some as to whether the story is meant to have an exact meaning. Yet, many critics also agree it is the discussion the story encourages which gives it much of its value rather than a complete understanding. The primary concern was the
Though Ruskin is known to his autobiographical writings, yet different types of sound, he produces, in his literature, make him popular amongst his readers, His stories brings smile on faces, and sometimes tears in eyes; sometimes, give voice to the subject which you have never imagined, thus Bond would amaze the literary world and his fans. ‘Death of a Familiar’ is one of many stories, in which oscitant theme oscillates readers. The story revolves around the character of Sunil, a young boy of spoiled career who has every vice except of one virtue that is the art of making friends. Though the narrator is not bound, yet he feels a compulsion to make him civilize. In spite of his uncountable faults, he is in the hope of his better future. So when his land- lady alerts him, he defends him, “‘He’s only a boy’, I said and he’s taking longer than most boys to grow up. He does not realize the seriousness of what he does. He will learn as he grows older.”(Dust 184) The narrator does not like that any person hurts his friend so he