Brandon’s Comments (group member since Oct 02, 2015)

Brandon’s comments from the Forms of Literature (Keating's Goodreads Discussion forum) group.

In "I Stand Here Ironing" and "Everyday Use" both families are seen to go through their own struggles. "I Stand Here Ironing" shows the struggle of a single mother raising her children in a low income household. It is, as well, narrated through the mother's eyes. This compares to "Everyday Use" to whereas it too deals with a single mother trying to raise her children as it is told through the mother's eyes too. Going back to "I Stand Here Ironing" though, Emily is more dependent than Dee is set to be, from "Everyday Use". This can be seen when Emily would always try to find excuses to stay home with her mother and siblings. Dee, on the other hand can be see to be independent from the start. She is persistent to leave and eventually does, slowly showing her independence.

Andres wrote: "In the story "The horse dealer's daughter" by D.H. Lawrence is full of different symbolism within the characters and the text, But the main symbolism is rebirth. Mabel who is the main character is ..."

Very true that Mabel had been mocked by her family Andres. Great use of textual evidence and a great clear point you made.

Eliana wrote: "The "Horse Dealer's Daughter "a story written by D.H Lawrence contains multiple symbols that create a greater meaning for the story. Symbolism reflects the authors thinking and makes a story be div..."

Really enjoy the connotation that you described for death and rebirth. Great description of her suicide to her rescue which is tied up to go back to the meaning of the connotations given.

The story, "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" goes in to depth with the character Mabel. From the beginning the reader can automatically acquire a feel for what type of character Mabel is portrayed to be. It is repeatedly shown in her actions such as,"she made no answer." and , "The girl did not move a muscle."There is an automatic assumption that this character does not socialize very much and is a more isolated soul. Later on in the story this is very well proven as she lost both parents and the only other person she would socialize with, her sister, had left her. This continues to add on and really define what type of isolation she may be going through, a sad soul too. Her brothers did not make it any more easier for her though. They mock her and treat her with disrespect, not accounting for her feelings whatsoever.

Emile wrote: "Before the war, I think that Krebs was a person who was very social and enjoyed talking to girls. After the war however, he became antisocial, lazy, and apathetic about life. He does not want to ta..."

Great attack towards the prompt Emile, describing his change not only in his lifestyle but his thoughts on women. Enjoy the approach very much leaning away from the generic choice of answer.

Jesus wrote: "In the story, "Soldier's Home", Krebs was a frat boy before he went to war and one may assume he was the usual college kid going to parties and stuff. Once Krebs goes to war and comes back, one can..."

Very true how the tone and mood portrays the type of person Krebs is. His mellow and serious mentality are felt throughout the story.

When Krebs returns from war, he is a no worry type of individual. It seems that he saw the war as the most important thing he could've accomplished. He spends his time mainly at home jobless and without a woman. His mother, as well, attempted to push Krebs to get his life together but he refused. Before the war, though, it was mentioned that he was a frat boy. A stereotypical frat boy is known as a party animal, being loud and annoying. So in the end you can see his transformation from a wild boy to a more mellow individual.

Leslie wrote: "In this week's video Mary Helen Washington discusses the idea of isolation in which Susan Glaspell incorporates in her story "A Jury of Her Peers". Throughout the story, Glaspell gives off a sense ..."

Really enjoy how you interpreted the POV of just not the characters but of a reader in itself, portraying how not only the characters saw it as a lonesome home. Very well explained and great use of content and vocabulary.

Jesus wrote: "In the story "A Jury of Her Peers", the setting plays a major role in the story. The setting gives the story and the characters a sense of isolation because first of all, the house that the story t..."

Very well written especially with the use of Mrs.Wrights own point of view. This gives the reader, not only the point of view of outsiders to the home, but its own occupants POV to understand how lonesome the home was from the inside out.

A sense of isolation is most definitely involved in, “A Jury of Her Peers”. One form of isolation, in itself, would be the home in general. The Wright’s home is said to be located on a “lonesome stretch of road” giving a sense of isolation, to their place of dwelling, early in the story. Just by being on an lonesome road, an image can be placed off on a single home, alone, with no neighbors, no life and no energy; just a dull gray image. Another form of isolation, is portrayed to be in Minnie Foster herself. Mr.Hale, as he describes the scene to the county attorney, conveys Minnie Foster to be “kind of dull like” as well as one to “not [get] a bit excited”. This description gives the reader a sense of her personality as it may have been set forth to be stagnant to just a gloomy mood. Her emotions very well make sense though, as in the 1900s, women were left to be home alone having only their children as company, if they may have been fortunate enough to birth offsprings. So this isolation, in her own home, could’ve drove her to be such a gloomy and dead person in and out.

Arely wrote: "When evaluating Emily’s character, I considered her to be a rounded character because throughout the story she undergoes development and towards the end of the story she surprises the reader. For e..."

I really enjoy the route you decided to take with the description of Emily. Instead of starting off with the implementation of Emily being a flat, one-dimension character you began by describing her as "rounded". Really shows how in depth you understood the text.

Jesus wrote: "In the story "I Stand Here Ironing", by Tillie Olsen, Emily is first portrayed as a flat-character by her mother. Emily's mother states how once Emily turns two years old "all the baby loveliness w..."

Very well written and straight to the point Jesus. Great implementation of the text and excellent application of chronological use to give a great explanation of the changes of point of views.

If Emily were to have grown up under better circumstances, such as a more stable household, better education and more money she would have most likely have been a more social individual and happier in general. As explained by the narrator, "Her face is closed and somber...", explaining how she was a very gloomy person. Collaborating with that statement, "She does not smile easily,...", goes further into depth on the description that her environment could've affected her personality and mood. If she was surrounded by more love, wealth and better care she may not have as many woes to follow her shadow. Along with this, her development of comedy would've probably have come at an earlier age as she would be more social and happier, as explained earlier. The only reason to her not developing her act for comedy would be if she grew up in a worse environment, as she may have been even less social, more close minded and gloomier in general.