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In the art film “The Way Things Go” we see the element of reaction in this world. On the surface, we see that this could be seen as a superficial physics experiment. However, in the end we should realize that the filmmakers wanted the viewer to be moved. Whether the viewer is moved to question certain ideas about his environment or just to ponder the reactions of his environment. The viewer may reach certain conclusions that the reason he is in a certain situation is because of another action. He may also be more aware of the consequences of his actions in the future because this movie moved him to think of the reactions and of the consequences of actions. Barthes’ claims, “we can through art, be intensely moved by something that does not exist, never has existed, and never could exist.” The dictionary’s definition of existence is to have actual being, to have life or animation. “The Way Things Go” is a film that without any effort brings this idea across. The Read more…

Solzhenitsen uses the symbolism and the interconnection of Matryona and her house to convey the unnatural ideas of communistic ideology. This idea spawns from Solzhenitsens own experience with a communistic way of life. In a communist government, there is no one person; there is only a group of people. This type of government does all in its power to destroy independence in a person. A person works for the good of the people, and not in the best interest of themselves. Solzhenisten quite fervently puts this idea to sleep. Read more…

In Oedipus the King, Sophocles makes it clear that the gods control the destiny of Oedipus. The story of Oedipus the King had existed for decades before Sophocles transcribed it into a play. By understanding that the ideas and concepts of Oedipus existed before Sophocles had written the play, it reveals his attitudes and philosophies were embedded in the play. It is virtually impossible for a person to avoid writing personal influences on a story. One’s environment and philosophy greatly effects the perspective in which they analyze the world. Read more…

Ernest Hemingway in “Hills like White Elephants” uses third person objective to show the inadequacies in the relationship. I will be focusing on the inadequacies in the relationship between the couple through Jig.

The third person objective writing style is normally used to portray a situation in a short story by its details. Each detail is used as a symbol or metaphor. A third person objective narrative can only be seen through the actions of each of the characters because the thoughts and the emotions are not known, but felt by the reader. The lack of emotions leaves the reader feeling left out and disconnected from the story. Hemingway used this technique to perfection. The inadequacies of the relationship are felt through this disconnection. Read more…

English 101
17 October 2005

Do you remember the images your mind created while reading a story? If not, fictional images do create mental images of all events that take place in a short story. Garrison Keillor uses metaphors to link mental images with philosophical questions. The major basis of this story begins with the facts that Annie was the first woman in baseball. The fictional reality uses Annie as the metaphorical symbol to connect the philosophical ideals being put across. What are the traditional conventions of the way a woman should act, not only acting as a woman, but a woman playing Major League Baseball (MLB)? These are the philosophical ideals put across in the short story, and will be covered in the essy.

The character of Annie in the short story represents the conventions of how a woman should act playing baseball. Annie went completely against all conventions of how a baseball player should act. For example, Annie hit a homerun at Fenway Park; this was a large feat, for she was the first woman to hit a homerun in the Major League. Now the norms of this situation would call for the person who accomplish the feat to step out of the dugout, give a wave or bow, and go back to the bench in the dugout. Annie did not do this protocol. In fact, she ignored her own teammates, umpires and even her own fans. It was not until the announcer of the stadium called her out, did she come out. Annie said “Tradition! I’m supposed to worry about tradition.” (Keillor) I believe that Keillor is attacking individuals who put no thought in traditions, or following traditions. Kellor finds it important for a person to follow tradition to a point that does not conflict on an individual’s moral ground.

Annie not only went against the traditions, but even against the norms of how a woman should act. Majority of individuals believe that women should act in a way that does not involve piggish mannerism. Annie completely disregard this concept by chewing tobacco; a habit that the public feels is disgusting even when the male baseball players chew it. The reporter said, “It’s this scribe’s opinion, but isn’t it about time baseball cleaned up its act and left the tobacco in the locker?” (Keillor) The reporter felt disgusted by the fact that not only did she chew tobacco, but also with the fact that she had to spit out “gobs of the stuff  in full view of the paying customers” . (Keillor) I believe that Keillor was trying to inform the reader that tobacco is a disgusting habit for all individuals by using such an extreme example of a female chewing it. The fictional story was proactive in its stance against tobacco. Another example of how Annie broke the norms of how a woman should act is during the interview with the reporters.

An interview with a male baseball player traditionally occurs in the locker room after a game. For Annie this was no different. She wanted to be treated just like a guy in every aspect. After the hard game, the reporters came to Annie. She was in her towel because she was getting ready to take a shower. Obviously, this had been the norm for a while, but this was different. Annie disrobed and walked around nude. This came as a slight shock to the reporters. The majority of people believe that nudity is against any moral, and therefore is wrong. I believe Keillor is proving his point once again. A woman should not expos herself in this way in front of ordinary men. This exposure should be saved for either one or that “special one”.

Garrison Keillor used the extreme actions to accomplish metaphorical ideas. Annie embodied the metaphorical ideas. While the interaction between the fiction and reality constantly changed as she embodied different philosophical, abstract ideas, Keillor constantly provoked the reader to think,l as well as proved his own points.