After we read eight short stories as a class, we were assigned three more. I read Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway, The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty, and The Return by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o. Of these three stories, I plan to use The Return. I picked this one just because I really liked it. It is about the return of a soldier to his own village and the villagers' reactions. I think plot structure and characterization are two important features of this story.
After reading The Return I reviewed all the literary elements. Soon, I noticed characterization related to the story's plot structure. Throughout the story, Kamau's emotions are very dynamic. First, he is hopeful when returning to his village. However, when he arrives, his hope turns into anger after realizing the villagers don't remember him. Then, his anger turns into sorrow, because he soon reunites with his family and learns his wife was given away. And lastly, he becomes relieved at the end of the story after losing his bag in the river.
In my opinion this relates to plot structure because at each turn of events his emotions change. I find this an important aspect to the story that involves both characterization and plot structure, so after reviewing this with Dr. deGravelles, I may try to make it into a thesis. I think it matters because his thoughts influence his actions which eventually affects the whole story.
8/22 - 40min., 8/23 - 40min., 8/24 - 40min., 8/25 - 40min., 8/26 - 40min.
Total - 200min., pp. 20-30 (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), science notes
It sounds like you already have a great base for your thesis and this story sounds very interesting. I might have to go back and read it.
ReplyDeleteAgreeing with Matthew G. here I do think I will have to go back and read this again. I too read "The Return" and did not take as much out of it as you did. I think this will be under the category of "What compelled whom to write......" Basically this is another story that is not on my very short " I thoroughly enjoyed this story" list.
ReplyDeleteI once again........ have to give you kudos for being ably to get this much out of a story, because I'm still in the dark about the entire assignment so I see a visit to Dr.D during tutorial in my future. Nevertheless, great job off to another comment!