Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson; is a collection of short stories reproducing the town of many "grotesques". Anderson defines the term "grotesque" as being a person that "took one of the truths to himself, call it his own truth, and tried to live his life by it" (Anderson, 3). In the book, each story is about a grotesque character, including Wash Williams in the story "Respectability". Williams is the worst grotesque in the book. Specifically, the worst grotesque is a person who has become obsessed with an idea or feeling and cannot accept a different opinion. Wash Williams is the worst grotesque, because from what happened to him, his feelings towards change. He became violent, he forces his opinions on others, and it seems to be unable to change his beliefs.
In "Respectability", Wash Williams is an ugly, miserable man with no friends. Anderson describes him as "a huge ugly kind of ugly monkey, a creature with ugly sagging hairless skin below his eyes, and a bright purple underbody." (Anderson, 68).Williams was the best operator in Ohio, but after what happened to him, he got demoted to his state. Williams hated the people of the small town, especially women. His obsession with hating women; took over his passion for work. He viewed all women as "Bitches" because of his failed marriage, his feeling for men were different; he pitied them. “Does not every man let his life be managed for him by some bitch or another?” (Anderson, 68).He found his
When you think of a good life you definitely don’t think of Max Vandenburg. Max was a good Jewish man, he was just on a rough path. In his time staying with the Hubermanns, Max did change into a new person.
Does Vinny really mean it when he says Joe-Boy is his best friend In the story, “The ravine”? Vinny and Joe-Boy are 15 year old boys that were born in Hawaii. They are heading to the ravine to swim and jump off a 50 foot precipice.Vinny and Joe-Boy are best friends . Also Joe-Boy and Vinny are different that doesn’t mean they’re completely different, they are still similar in a few ways, they might be friends , but they are also very different and still alike.
Most people when asked to describe what the word grotesque means they might refer to the dictionary’s definition of the word, which according to The American Heritage Dictionary the meaning of grotesque is “characterized by ludicrous, repulsive, or incongruous distortion, as of appearance or manner.” Not only can one be grotesque with one’s appearance but also their behavior. Sherwood Anderson in his book Winesburg Ohio mentions that “the grotesques were not all horrible. Some were amusing, some almost beautiful”. Anderson lets the reader know that a grotesque is not so just because of their physical appearance but, “was the truths that made the people grotesque.” People in Andersons book “took one of these truths to himself, called it his truth, and tried to live his life by it, he became a grotesque and the truth he embraced became a falsehood.” (Anderson 8). Elizabeth Willard by this definition is the “worst” grotesque in this book. She has been transformed by her beliefs into a sad, ugly & dangerous grotesque. Her appearance, beliefs, and actions are all contributing factors to her
Randy Pausch. Who is he? What does he stand for? The day he gave the last lecture... His last lecture he only had months to live. He packed a lot of lessons into his lecture. The claims he gave that stood out were to be optimistic, to be determined, and to take risks.
The 1998 movie, Bulworth, dives into the realm of the scandalous American political system. From income inequality, to corporate greed, Bulworth manages to put a comedic twist on a very serious set of topics that politicians and the American public face daily. The main character, Jay Billington Bulworth is a liberal democratic Senator from California who is running for reelection (Bulworth: 1998). He has recently accepted millions of dollars in financial campaign donations from large corporations in order to combat his younger, populist opponent. At the beginning of the movie, Bulworth is sitting in his office, re-watching an old commercial from a prior election campaign. He hasn't slept or eaten for days and is considering ending his life.
Human vs Nature, Rainsford being cast off his yacht would be a good example of this struggle.
1) The Virginian: The Virginian was a man of justice and order. He strived to keep peace and make sure everything was fair. He was clean and orderly. The Virginian is a cowboy in Wyoming. He is good with people. He is a strong man that fights for himself and justice. When he was faced with Balaam, he attacked and won against him. Balaam was the horse killer, and since the Virginian saw Balaam trying to beat the horse, he became infuriated and killed Balaam. He falls in love at first sight upon meeting Molly Wood.
“It’s because he no longer loves us sweetheart. Pack your stuff, we’re leaving this house and your father who doesn’t care enough anymore about this family.”
Wes Moore’s mother Joy tried very hard to make Wes a well rounded person. She made sure Wes go to Riverdale Country school, which was one of the best school in Bronx. Even though Wes didn’t feel like he belonged there. When Wes got into horrible habits such as attending school irregularly. Wes’s mother warned to Wes if he doesn't straighten up, she will send him to military school. Wes knew if he didn’t start to behave there were be consequences. Wes said, “ I knew my mother was considering sending me away, but I never thought she’d actually do it” (Moore 87). Joy made Wes go to Valley Forge because he wasn’t behaving. Valley Forge is what shaped Wes into well rounded person. Joy’s disciplinary attitude is what influenced Wes into good person. Unlike the other Wes’s mother
Ottawa- Dan Stoddard was doing what he does every day when he came across a woman who seemed to be in danger. He asked her what was wrong and she confided in him that she was being abused physically and emotionally and that she needed a phone. Stoddard could have very well ignored this women but he the just thing and called transit security. In the end, the police came and were able to take the woman to a safer place.
In part one of the novel The Tortilla Curtain, Delaney Mossbacher has many personality traits that do not convince the reader he is a pleasant, all-American family man. Delaney shows narcissistic tendencies. His racist thoughts and actions are quite apparent, and Delaney’s lack of emotional intelligence becomes evident. Delaney Mossbacher Is not the man you may have been deluded to believe he is.
This short fiction focuses on the relationship between brothers, Lyman and Henry, along with a car that was shared between the two. From Lyman’s point of view, you see the two go on adventures together until Henry gets drafted into the army. While Henry is away, descriptions are vague and the only thing the reader learns is Lyman spent his time fixing up their red convertible. When Henry returns, the story picks up as Lyman observes how the war has changed his brother. In an attempt to get Henry’s original self back, he smashes the car. Once Henry returns the car to its original state, the story leads to tragedy as the reader experiences the death of both Henry and the vehicle. The changes of Henry’s personality and their adventures are portrayed
Initially Ms. Strangeworth is a widely respected lady among her those around her. In the beginning when Ms. Strangeworth was on her morning walk, she would often stop and greet them with a “good morning.” As well when she entered the store everyone stopped what they were doing and acknowledged her. Ms. Strangeworth knew everyone in town and everyone knew her back. She is very dedicated to the town and the townspeople that she would take the time to learn everyone’s name. She also never took more than “a day outside [the] town in all her life” as she cared greatly for the town especially Pleasant St. and its people. Ms. Strangeworth took great pride in her family and the success it brought to Pleasant St. Whenever tourists stopped by her house
A boat ride through the Caribbean Ina yacht made rainsford use his physical strength, intelligence, and instances for his survival. What seemed to be a harmless boat ride at night turned into a almost deadly scene. Rainsford fell overboard when he stood up on the railing on the side of the yacht. The reason he fell is because he herd a gun shot in the distance. His physical strength saved his life on the long swim to the shore.
The story of Bartleby by Herman Melville is circled around a boss and his workers. This short story is an exert from a larger collection of short stories within a book called, Great American Short Stories by Jane Smiley. The narrator in Bartleby is this Lawyer who holds much interest and worries over one specific scrivener who works under him. He pays close attention to this employee because of the attitude and behavior he distributes. This character is quite particular, his name is Bartleby, a unique individual in the eye of the Lawyer. Throughout this short story one may witness a change in Bartleby, it happens so gradually that they may not realize it or possibly skim over it. Bartleby was a very sequestered being; his development occurred over time with him losing motivation entirely. In the beginning, Bartleby is a silent but good worker, however, he eventually refuses his responsibilities as a scribe, then he suddenly stops everything except for staring at a wall in a courtyard.