First, In Canyons Gary Paulsen gives and uses a lot of examples of characterization as a technique to show feelings, thoughts and background about the characters. “He was still too young for fast food jobs but he mowed lawns for a lawn care service…” This quote from the text shows that Brennan is a hard worker and that he is mature, because even though he is too young for most jobs around him
In the short story “Bread and the Land” Allen uses metaphors to give the reader hints as to what the author is trying to convey with the characters such as Blunt, Hatch, or even the mother. The metaphors are used to give the reader more detail on the perspective of Hatch and how his relationship with his grandmother is complex. Allens choice of words such as similes gives the words he uses a greater effect given the context of the situation. The complexity of the relationship between the grandson and grandmother is staggering seeing as she had not been a part of her grandson's life for too long. The grandmother is confronted by her grandson when he exclaims to her that didn’t show up.
In Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, the theme people often reveal their true natures in their darkest moments is illustrated through the use of character. In many cases, people show their true colors when exposed to hardship and suffering. During his time as a POW, living under the harsh
In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster discusses various literary themes to help the reader more thoroughly understand and analyze pieces of literature. Foster references several literary works to demonstrate the depth added from the implication of the concepts. He writes that many authors use the same tools to shape their writing, therefore “Literature … grows out of other literature”(Foster 24). He also elaborates upon how the context changes the notion the reader receives from a device, such as with different weather or the mood when sharing food. Common literary themes, such as communion and weather, can be applied to “The Interlopers” and “The Scarlet Ibis” to further understand the meaning of these devices within the context of the stories.
Did you know that the scarlet ibis species of bird can live up to 25 years? In “The Scarlet Ibis”, a short story by James Hurst, the main character and narrator, Brother, receives a younger invalid brother, Doodle. Doodle dies of an extreme tragedy at the end of the story, only living 6 years. This story teaches readers that it is important to have gratitude for what you have, and to not let pride take over your life. The author implements this theme strategically with the help of characterization, which is the way the author introduces a character (direct or indirect); irony, a phrase that is said to express something of the total opposite (3 types); and foreshadowing, the use of clues to indicate a major event to happen later in the story.
Before colonization, Native Americans roamed the land in numbers estimated as 60 million. (Koch, 2019) When European colonizers arrived, 90% of Native Americans were murdered. (Koch, 2019) For those who remained, the land they once cultivated was stripped away.
Memorable stories describe characters to where the audience feels what the character must deal with. Often these stories relate to the fellow audience, creating a “bond” and or connection. Most readers can relate to the hardship of one of main characters of the “Scarlet Ibis”, Doodle’s brother, and what he must face. Like most memorable stories, James Hurst, author of the short story, “The Scarlet Ibis”, uses diction and actions and events Doodle’s brother experiences to characterise him in displaying determination, hope, and loving. One of Doodle’s brother’s qualities is determination.
It was a hot sunny evening in the Salinas River in Soledad. One side of the river had beautiful hills and mountains covering the earth. On the other side green vegetation near the edge of the river. Rabbits, lizards, and birds enjoyed another wonderful day but for George and Lennie it was the beginning of the end of a tough journey. Authors often use characters in their novels to help reflect the importance of their work.
Authors of short fiction always strive to communicate a message in their stories for the reader to discover. Their message makes their story memorable and it gives the reader something to take away. Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” and Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” have very comparable messages concealed behind their stories. Although these two authors share their messages with vastly different stories, the protagonists in their stories convey similar messages for the reader to uncover. The authors of both “Cathedral” and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” use the protagonist to communicate that maintaining a stubborn mindset is human nature and it takes a significant experience to change one’s way of thinking.
One of the main themes (or lessons) that steinbeck teaches is that we are all humans, and therefore we all have a lot in common. We need each other. The problem is that we ignorant humans have set up a system where we have put divides in between different groups of people that are nearly impossible to overcome. Steinbeck uses characterization to showcase this theme. Steinbeck gave each character a defining “physical” characteristic and a personality/main emotion.
Many times, Maurier uses characterization to allow the reader to better understand the characters in the story. For example, when the birds begin to come down the chimney and she writes, “He got sticks and paper and put them on the embers, then reached for the can of paraffin,” (74) the reader is able to learn about Nat. You may discover that Nat is a very witty and intelligent man as he knows that the smoke will keep the birds from entering and kill any birds that are already in the chimney. Next, Nat says, “I’ve got to go get food. I’ve got to go to the farm to find food,” (78).
Three of the most important aspects of any story are the point of view, characterization and plot. In the short stories “Geraldine Moore the Poet,” “The Story-Teller,” and “Enemy Territory” this statement proves to be true. With a good analysis, all of these things can be found in the stories. Additionally, the point of view, characterization and plot can relate to the theme. The point of view needs to be scrutinized throughout the whole story.
Vanderhaeghe’s writing often specifies the importance of going against society’s standards. Through his story, he shows the comparison between a round, dynamic character, to a flat, self-indulged woman. His writing proves that those who suffer undergo change in a way only they can understand. Vanderhaeghe was a writer that felt strongly towards speaking out for those who could not. Many of his stories represented a fight for emotional survival that were not always won.
Across centuries, characters have been an important part in carrying a plot. Animals, people and even thought-up species can be the main focus of the story, allowing the plot to move forward. Authors use character actions and thoughts as ways to illustrate the traits that each of them portray. These traits are important, as they assist the progression of the story. Throughout the plot of Marigolds by Eugenia Collier, Lizabeth’s growth is tracked through the traits she demonstrates.
A simple powerful story of a rural family that contains a returned changed daughter leaves a family in surprise. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker demonstrates that the theme of the story that consists different views of heritage by using literary elements like characterization, imagery, and settings. Each literary element holds a strong value to define the meaning of heritage from different perspectives of the characters. Alice Walker demonstrates it by Mama, Maggie, and Dee by how they each value their heritage by the things that they have left from their ancestors. To start of with, characterization is the highlights and explanation of the details of a character (“Definition and Examples of Literary Terms Characterization”).