The Psychological Journey of the Narrator in Atwood’s Surfacing

This is shown by the quote “When dad was not telling us all about the amazing things he had already done, he was telling us about the wondrous things he was going to do” (Walls 25). She had faith in her father’s extraordinary ideas, but denied the fact that the life her parents provided for her was harmful to her physical and emotional health. This is shown by the quote “I told my dad I would never loose faith in him, and I promised myself that I never would” (Walls 117). She was refusing the truth about her fathers drinking and kept convincing herself hat they would change and provide a better life for her and her

The interior narration here allows the focus to hold a contemplative and introspective view of Michaels thought patterns. He remembers his dreams and notes them as being irrational and beyond all reason of reality, yet he finds himself yearning for her

Anne: I’m trying. Really, I am. (She lies back more relaxed.)Every night before I go to sleep, I think back over all the things I did that day that were wrong - like putting the wet mop in Mr. Dussel’s bed - and this thing now with mother. I day to myself, that was wrong. I make up my mind, I’m never going to do that again. Never! Of course I may do something worse - but at least I’ll never do that again. (The medicine begins to work. She becomes relaxed and drowsy.) I have a nicer side, Father - a sweeter, nicer side. But I’m scared to show it.

She believes that she did what she had to do, in her circumstance. For whatever motive, whatever reason, she had an abortion. She presumably didn't think it was a crime, because an abortion is a legal act; however, the consciousness of her emotions has made her believe that it is criminal, and she feels guilt-ridden. She tries to pass off her guilt when she says, "Since anyhow you are dead," but quickly rebukes

For instance, when Aylmer felt miserable, she felt miserable too. Nevertheless, it can be seen that then she demonstrated a total opposite attitude, a strong woman who challenges his husband to go ahead with his experiments. A girl with no fear at all. Far from being the typical woman in her house, she is educated and intelligent, and she is able to read and understand the intricate experiments that her husband documents in his diaries. With them she understands how his husband's love for her is, and she accepts it, and that Aylmer's lofty ideals condemn him to permanent dissatisfaction. She also knows that her husband's attempts to erase the birthmark will not succeed. In spite of this, she voluntarily takes the concoction he offers. The drink finishes with the birthmark, yes, but also with her, who says goodbye to her husband making him know that his search for divine perfection has made him despise the best the earth could offer. Therefore, with all those decisions it can be seen that she has the will to do it and she can make her own decisions. She is completely different from Aylmer. She understood and was aware about what happened to the birthmark, and why she died.

The concept of Exploring Transitions is presented through the text, ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ by J.C Burke. ‘The Story of Tom Brennan,’ is about the transition of immaturity to maturity and the adversities that come with moving from one town to another. The transition that are present throughout this story are mental and physical transitions. Similarly, the aspects of mental transition is also in ‘Song of the Sea,’ of Ben who feels little obligation to his sister, Saoirse due to his mother’s disappearance. Saoirse also goes through a mental and physical transition throughout their journey.

Authors often create texts that share common themes to teach readers importance of certain aspects and hardships of life. Theme may be expressed through an author’s use of rhetorical devices and many other contributing factors such as figurative language and repetition. The essay, “Once More to the Lake” written by E.B. White and the poem “Forgetfulness” written by Billy Collins, both contain a theme of identity loss. In “Once More to the Lake” E.B White connects to a lake at young age and when returning with his son years later is unable to identify himself. In similar theme “Forgetfulness” describes different factors of human life and everyday things being forgotten and lost. Both White and Collins use repetition and metaphors to further push the theme of identity loss throughout the texts.

In the beginning of the book, that she explained her experience and life, which she was struggling because she showed her emotions

“But you will be faced, now,” she explained gently, “ with pain of a magnitude that none of us here can comprehend because it is beyond our experience.” pg 62-63

The narration is in first person only. This allows for the reader to really feel for and understand what the main character is going through. The mental illness she is suffering from over takes her; leading to full blown hysteria by the end of her stay.

The Narrator is convinced she is sick; however, her brother and husband do not believe her. She says, “You see, he does not believe I am sick…If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but

but she describes how when her daughter was there she was overprotective, although she didn’t see herself that way. She shows this by her treatment of the shoes that symbolise her daughter throughout the story, ‘I locked the wardrobe on those rebellious shoes.’ The mother’s monologue is the entire story, and throughout it she becomes increasingly nervous and irrational. At the very end she goes into what seems to be a mental breakdown, ‘I knew you’d come back, I knew you’d come back to me’, although the daughter has not come home.

In “Diving Into The Wreck”, Rich’s well crafted imagery and use of an extended metaphor helps to develop a powerful theme. In this poem, Rich suggests once people go through a traumatic experience they tend to hide behind a false memory they create in order to protect themselves. In order for people to completely heal themselves, they must be willing to go back into the memories they have suppressed. By taking this journey, they can reclaim what beauty was lost and put to rest the damage that was done, allowing for a rebirth of their soul.

beginning is constructed through the narrative in such a way that the spectator defines her as

The narrator is unknown to the readers but describes Catherine’s, and other characters inner thoughts, that would otherwise be reserved to them. Although it is Catherine that is made the main focus, “Catherine’s feelings, as she got into the carriage, were in a very unsettled state; divided between regret for the loss of one great pleasure, and the hope of soon enjoying another”, her narrative representation is sympathetic and pleasant but the third-person structure also allows for Catherine’s nature to be presented without confusing the