The Theme Of Laura Van Den Berg's 'Antarctica'

The short story “55 Miles to the Gas Pump” written by Annie Proulx is a gloomy satirization of how in today's society a couple could be together for a long period of time and still keep secrets from each other. Furthermore, the author establishes how people in rural areas are more likely to hide their faults because they are far from civilization rather than those who are surrounded by witnesses in a rural area. Throughout the story, the author uses these two factors and connects it to the idea that many people live double lives.

When both involved do not effectively communicate with each other, a distant marriage may lead to discontent for all. Sinclair Ross’s short story, “The Painted Door”, deals with the growing dissatisfaction and loneliness of a farmer’s wife, Ann, who feels alone as her husband deals with the harsh conditions of the environment. This story demonstrates how deeply communication can affect a marriage, be it bad or good. One of the most fundamental elements of a healthy relationship is communication. Lack of communication in a relationship can result to severe consequences. Irrespective of the kind of relationship, lack of communication magnifies issues in a relationship undermining the very foundation of the relationship. The success of any relationship relies on one's ability to communicate well. Communication is important in relationships as it allows us to share our interest, concerns, support each other. John is a simple farmer who thinks the only way he can please his wife, is by working all day to earn money for her. However, Ann would prefer he spend more time with her. Their relationship is stressed even further when Ann is left at home alone with nothing to think about but their relationship because John has to go to his father’s house. The terrible snow storm accentuates Ann’s feelings of loneliness and despair. These feelings lead Ann to seek comfort and companionship from Steven, the attractive friend of her husband, John, thus leading to John's suicide.

Since Geography is such an important part of a story it is used to shape and compose a general feel and mind set while reading the story. In the article “Geography Matters” Thomas C. Foster covers the importance and the influence that geography can have on a story. In one section he references the geography of “ Italy or Greece or Africa or Malaysia or Vietnam” and how when characters are sent “south, it’s so they can run amok”(Foster 179). Thomas’s words relay a bias about having characters go to those geological areas and so if those areas were to be used in a story it would shape the story to

For example, at 7:03, "They had to get out quickly. So I started planning how to help them escape." Lee had already escaped North Korea and was getting used to a new life. However, when she heard the news about her family, she decides to leave the safety of South Korea and help them escape. She knows it will be dangerous, but she is determined to get them to safety. In addition, at 9:12, Lee's family was caught and thrown in jail, and Lee explains that she did everything she could. This displays Lee's determination because of how much she was willing to do. She traveled incredible distances to get them to safety, and used up almost all of her money. She did not give up helping her family, even if it meant having to bail them out of jail multiple times. Lee's determination was important to her and her family’s survival, and without it they would be jailed, or worse,

While true friendship can weather the storm, superficial friendships can change with the seasons. In the short story “Hunters in the Snow” by Tobias Wolff, a trio of men go on a hunting trip in the snow that ends abruptly when Tub shoots Kenny and they have to drive to the hospital. On their way there, Frank and Tub stop a few times, and they begin to talk and learn more about each other, all the time becoming less concerned with Kenny. These talks bring them closer while the snow outside dies away. The snowy setting is a symbol for being cold and distant to one another, drawing attention to the message that superficial relationships are not as strong as real ones.

These themes of hope and identity refer to the topic secret histories through the secret inner personal lives that people still manage to maintain despite this scrutiny.

Others may say, secrets must be kept because they can hurt people. In an article by Irene Van, says that you can keep secrets about family and friends. Irene Van says, “ Gossip about family or friends unless this is about something that worries you, in / which case you should tell a adult you trust” (Van.II). This proves that, Irene Van believes that secrets about family and friends should be kept because it can really hurt your friends feelings. Second, this could be true because if I tell my friend one of my secrets, I trust this person. If he or she is going to go and tell my secret to someone, I am not going to tell he/she any secrets. However, on the other hand, in the same article Irene Van says that any kind of touch should not be kept as a secret. Irene Van says, “ Secrets that are not safe to keep:/ Any kind of touch” (Van.II). First, I would tell my parents if this happens to me because if I tell this secret to my friends, and they spread it, it would hurt me. Second, this can lead to more problems if I kept this as a secret from my parents because, the same thing will continue if I don’t take

In the book Surviving Antarctica, written by Andrea Smith, one major theme is “Perseverance can lead to hope.” Examples of this theme are sprinkled throughout the book, in the form of actions done by the kids, the general population, and most importantly, Steve. Our first example of perseverance in the book comes from the kids. No matter how many obstacles are thrown at them, they manage to survive. On page 276, White reveals that there are six calamities that will occur to their kids during their expedition.

Secrets. Lies. Gossip. Truth. Things that we all hear throughout our lives, but when do these things actually start to matter? When does that insignificant rumor affect your life? More importantly, when does it affect others'? Only when a life is in danger, do we realize how much power a single word can have. And how that single word could save or destroy someone. Although some teenagers of “To Tell or Not to Tell?” by Mary Kate Frank, believe you shouldn’t disclose suspicious, life-threatening activity or behavior because you could lose your friends and/or be labeled as a snitch, closer examination shows that by telling you could save lives and better protect those around you.

Lack of communication affects the whole personality of a human being, in both a personal and social sense. Without proper communication one may feel separated from others, either physically or emotionally. Sometimes a person is aware of the cause of his or her deep discontent, while others are unfortunately unaware of how deeply their loneliness affects them. This unawareness of the truth with themselves creates a delusion of their reality. In the two short stories, “Cathedral”, and “A Small, Good Thing” by Raymond Carver we observe how encounters between people of different backgrounds and tragedy can reveal his or her delusion of their current state of mind. People should learn how to efficiently communicate because without it inhibits loneliness, creates a delusion of reality, and causes isolation. Lack of communication results in unhealthy relationships with yourself and with others.

Geography is a very important part of every film and book in every way. Geography is where a story takes place and how things work out. When characters live in a specific place they will gain accents, different forms of religion (or lack thereof), and cultural norms. The characters I have read about and watched are all very different when it comes to these certain norms, cultures, and what occurs during the story. Geography and setting are extremely influential in The Great Debaters, The Crucible, and my life living in Mahwah, N.J. because each and every one is complete different with completely separate directions and messages.

The point of view seen by Byrd is rough and shows the deep character of his struggle with his mental state while living solely in Antarctica. It shows his emotions and feelings throughout the text and allows the reader to understand the complexity of this jaunt as he goes through different trials of anger and misery which weaken his mental

He ends up continuing his studies while supporting his family. This highlights the importance of socioemotional growth. This type of growth allowed Lee to successfully achieve his dreams. He may not have been able to do so, without the emotional support from his principal.

The purpose of this documentary is consciousness. VICE wants to let people know humanity is in deep trouble. People that travel to Antarctica feel shocked to see the rapid change of ice retreating. People see frustration after a big ice sheet breaks away from the continent about the size of Singapore. People that lived below sea level altitude believe man made pollution should be stopped and reduced. They also believe that they can slow the pace of the ice melting.

Antarctica is a continent that is used for more of scientific study and holds 90% of earth’s ice. Antarctica is one big continent, meaning there are no other parts to Antarctica. Antarctica has even reached the nice and breezy -128.6 degrees F. Henceforth, there are not many animals in Antarctica. Both continents have extremely cold temperatures, and have two seasons instead of four. They have a “summer”