Red Ryder Nails the Hammond Kid

Plot

The plot of this story follows a very short time-line of events which makes the Christmas season being discussed seem even shorter. On page 476, the season starts and then in only 18 pages, it ends. As the story begins, it appears that the rest of the story is a flashback, because of a woman who blatantly wears a button: "DISARM THE TOY INDUSTRY" (p. 473). Then, the flashback ensues after her fervent speech about the negative effects of toys (474-5.) I feel like this woman's speech makes the narrator question the effects of such weapon/ toys in his past, as he flashes-back to childhood. As the plot continues, individual moments, ones in which he does his best to get the gun, create slight peaks in action, and thus, interest. The author frequently uses the irony of: "You'll shoot your eye out," as a threat to the narrator's chances. In this way, he ensures that the plot ties together and ends smoothly, through the ironic event of truly shooting himself, nearly in the eye.

Point of View

The point of view throughout this story is first person. I find it interesting how the story begins with the narrator as older (p. 473-6) and then goes on to tell of his childhood(476, on). He ties both narrators together through the use of weaponry toys, and their effects on youth. I found it interesting to see the change in views from the childhood to adulthood in the narrator and his opinions. In using the same narrator, but maintain the same voice, not speaking from a child's perspective, per-say, I feel that the story was easier to relate with. The adult views (ex: p. 485), telling how it was he felt in the past, give a nostalgic tone that would not exist if it were told from the perspective of himself as a child.

Characterization

The main character of this story is Ralphie, who is also the narrator, as an adult and a child. He is the most developed character, but many details about his physical appearance do not appear until the end of the story. (p. 493, glasses). A supporting character in this story is Randy, Ralphie's brother. From the story we determine he is whiny (485) and also that he younger than Ralphie. This is from descriptions of his behavior, toys, and Ralphie's feelings of superiority over him. Other characters in this story are Ralphie's mother, father, his teacher, and friends. The only importance of most of these characters are their reaction to Ralphie's pining for a Red Ryder. The personality of Ralphie, as easily persuaded by magazine articles, sneaky, and intelligent, provide a backing for the story itself. The other characters however, are rather two dimensional because of their lack of importance.


Setting

The entirety of this story takes place in Hammond, Indiana, as evidenced by the title "Red Ryder Nails the Hammond Kid". The snowy scene of Indiana is further described in pages 477, 478, and 492. The specific places within this overall setting are Ralphie's school, home, and Goldblatt's (a department store.) The most prominent of these is the home, as this is where most of Ralphie's conquests for the Red Ryder occur. These settings, especially the overall snowy landscape, help to deepen the plot by giving the story life. Some of Ralphie's reasons for needing a Red Ryder are more understandable from a child's view because of the snow. Additionally, the entire setting helps to emanate a Christmas vibe which is key to the plot.

Theme

I felt that the overall theme for this story was the timelessness of Christmas and the things that go with it. Even in these days, during the Great Depression (480), children wanted the most extravagant and expensive gifts. The magic of store windows and adds, also existed then as it did now. Most of all, the traditional shopping center Santa with which many of us grew up is evident too. The gift giving in this story, I believe, is also a large component. Ralphie speaks of its secretive nature (481, 489). It then goes on to emphasize the joy of giving on page 491. Small details throughout the story also provide insight into the overall theme of joy in the holiday and its timelessness, with its belief in Santa and giving of gifts. 

Miss Brill

I think I found this story most interesting because it is kind of like a story within a story. Through Miss. Brill's imagining, another world or story is created. I also found it to be interesting how many things in the story foreshadow the ending result of the story itself. For example, Miss. Brill's thought over others being from "dark rooms." This is the same place to which she goes later. Also, there is foreshadowing in the woman who is rejected by a man, in the same way Miss Brill will too be rejected by the young couple. I think this story is in part meant to speak about the result of gossip on society. But, I also think it is supposed to cover an average view on a Sunday and the commonality of what is taking place.

Once Upon a Time

When I read this story, I found it to be rather interesting. However, I also found it to be odd. For one, most fairytales are clearly known to be based around medieval times. In this story, it is more modern times and the "magical" things that occur really aren't that magical. Also, as in most stories, a fairy tale ending is expected to be happy. This story, however is not. In the end, the boy is injured and I believe, dies. This is not at all the ending of a fairytale in my opinion. So, I guess my question is, what is the over arching point for this short story? Why have a disturbing ending? And who was it trying to influence?

A Well Worn Path - #3

Throughout this story, Phoenix is characterized as a strong, self-determined elderly woman. It is also clear that she envisions things along her journey, but this does not stop her from fighting toward her goals. As is clear in the story, Phoenix's journey through the woods has been made many times before. The characterize throughout the short story seem to be familiar with her, further clarifying her repetition and determination each time she makes the travel. I believe the theme of this story is suppose to be focused upon having the strength to always continue on with one's goals. The characterization of Phoenix emphasizes this because it clearly shows her inability to give up. Her avoidance of giving up makes the theme more believable, as she is not only determined, but also clearly impaired. These factors all feed into the theme.

Eveline - #4

To me, Frank didn't appear to be a horrible sort of person, as expressed through the narrator's description. Frank was, however, a sailor. Often times, sailors where known to be flighty men. They were also known to be rather fickle in their choice of women and to lose their money easily. This may have contributed to her father's refusal to allow her to see. I also believe that her father made this refusal because it meant that he was able to keep her home a little longer. I feel that her father was over reliant upon his daughter, perhaps because of his wife's death. This in turn would also explain why she was not allowed to socialize with Frank.

Everday Use

I was slightly confused with this story in reference to Dee's sudden change in behavior. At first I felt as if this might have been a movement during the time period of this story amongst people of her generation. Then I began to think it might have been a result of her going to college. Now, I'm not quite certain what caused her rebelling against her family. I feel like it may have started when she was a  younger child, as it always speaks of how she hated their old house. However, it never gives a reason for this. So, overall, I just want to figure out why Dee faced such a change, and what were the external factors that caused that. I feel that it might be a part of American History that I am forgetting, but I am not sure.

Hunters in the Snow

I thought that this story was expressive of people's own self obsessive behaviors. Kenny shows the least of these characteristics and seems the most involved in others lives. However, Frank and Tub are both fully indulged in their own issues and situations. This in the end, causes Kenny's death, because of their inability to focus on others. In two situations, Kenny focuses on others, even though at some points he tries to cover it up. Firstly, when he talks about the babysitter, he is focused on Frank's situation, but accidentally lets it slip. Later, when he shoots the dog, though he tries to act like he's doing it out of anger, he is actually doing it for another. This presents the biggest difference between the three characters in the story. It is just depressing that Kenny suffer because of his actions, while the others survive.

Bartleby the Scrivener

Throughout the story, Bartleby continuously says " I would prefer not to. I believe this is his attempt to remain in solitude and to keep his past a secret. However, overtime this begins to affect the other characters' speaking. The repetition of Bartleby's words sticks into their own minds and become their own habit. In a normal sentence where before "prefer" would not be a needed word, it became one. Eventually the other characters of the the story get into the same routine and can not stop using the word as well. I think part of this is due to psychological ingraining throughout Bartleby's job there. It is just habit formation, although I wonder why in particular this phrase was chosen to be used instead of one merely similar to it.

Everday Use #6

In this story, I don't find Dee to be wholly unsympathetic, only partially. I feel like she has gone through some change having gone off to college and has some new perspective. However, since she is used to getting what she wants, she expects her mother to just comply with this new view and all Dee's wants and needs. I don' think that the mother's victory was altogether positive either because as a result, she creates a greater void between her and Dee. Even though she finally says no, she also turns her back on what her daughter is trying to say. In the final scene between Maggie and her mother, the ambivalence is in the fact that the mother realizes the potential that Maggie can never fully reach. However, she finally sees the potential she has and she sees more than just deformation in her. This ambivalence leads to some closeness, but also an epiphany equaling her speaking against Dee. These actions within the novel present changing views throughout generations of the African-American culture and express the separation these opinions caused.

Interpreter of Maladies

I thought the premise of this story was rather entertaining in a way. Its not that I enjoyed the pain that the character suffered, it was the overall plot line that was attention getting. The story of a man from the native culture observing those from America who appeared like they belonged, but acted so radically different was intriguing alone. Then, by adding Mr. Kapasi's conflict, another level of complexity was added to the story and more depth was evident. Seeing the similarities and differences in cultural beliefs between the two sides was really interesting to me. However, I also enjoyed the fact that the story focused on Mr. Kapasi and the background of his life in order to give more emotion to the story as a whole. Altogether, the different story threads wove together to create an informative yet attention getting short-story. The way everything fit together helped to keep my attention as well as to give adequate detail so that questions over their past lives were not often left unanswered.

A Rose For Emily

Overall, I thought this story was interesting, although also disturbing to a degree. The fact that it was written in 1st person plural was different, and I haven't read many stories that take this form of narration. I didn't like how the story jumped in time randomly with little warning or description of an exact time period. And then, the end of the story was a little odd, I suppose. I felt like it was predictable, perhaps because I also feel as though I have read another story with a similar plot line before. I felt like the story lacked a moral or relevant point to redeem itself, it was sort of like a recounted history without an ending that ties everything together well. However, I did notice that many of the descriptions throughout the story were very detailed and easy to envision. In the end, I felt like this story would fit in as one told around a campfire, but I didn't understand its use outside of a 'spooky' setting.

Interpreter of Maladies ~ # 1

I feel that the central conflict of this story was Mr. Kapasi's disconnection in his own family and his feeling of loneliness. This conflict then drives his reaction to the attention given to him by Mrs. Das. It leads to his new-found appreciation in his job, but also to his misled belief that Mrs. Das truly was attracted to him. As the story continues, this feeling only seems to gain strength, as if the little amount of attention makes him yearn for more. Then, in the end, it is not even resolved. Mrs. Das asks him for help, and her son is attacked by monkeys. However, there is never an ending for Mr. Kapasi himself. He is instead left to sort things out, and the reader is never informed of whether this ever occurs. The ending of the story lacks closure, perhaps to symbolize the lack of closure in his own life, facing his own conflicts.

How I Met My Husband~ Question # 2

Suspense is generated throughout this story in distinct and important moments. The first real moment of suspense is when Eddie is caught in her employer's  dress, and thoughts of fear and embarrassment race through her head. The next moment is the arrival of Mrs. Bird and Alice, an unexpected twist. Then, the suspense builds during the scene between Edie and Chris, leading up to his departure. The final moment of suspense is then when Alice out-rightly attacks Edie because of her belief that she has been intimate with Chris. Although it appears that the actual meeting of her husband ought to hold some form of suspense or importance, it is left as falling action and rather unimportant to the story overall. The suspense throughout the story tends to be when Edie faces a new or uncomfortable situation to which she knows not how to respond. These moments give the story most of its 'flesh' and help to keep the attention of the reader as well as to guide the story as a whole.