Lucy Culleton > Recent Status Updates

In this portion of the Scarlet Letter, a prison is being described and I think it has a deeper meaning. Nathaniel Hawthorne says that there is a "...rose-bush... that has been kept alive in history" (Hawthorne 46). The rest of the prison is dark and not taken care of. I think this single rose bush contrasting with the gloomy prison symbolizes the small amount of human kindness given to those receiving punishment.

Kate Chopin uses internal conflict within Edna Pontellier to impact the plot and show how she is changing. Edna is attempting to find herself throughout the book and there is a moment where Edna learns how to swim and felt "as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body" (52). This symbolizes her growth as a woman who realizes she can do things without her husband.

Describe the author’s craft (tone, POV, word choice, organization, etc.)

Kate Chopin's organization of the book is unlike a lot of books I have seen. She kind of hops back and forth between talking about each character, while trying to explain the plot of the main character, Mrs. Pontellier. She is seen with multiple characters throughout the book while she is trying to explore how it is to be a woman in her time.

Finny and Autumn's relationship changes because of a feud between their friend groups. Autumn is going through a hard time with her parents arguing. Finny shows up drunk, just at the right time. They talk and Autumn thinks, "I think about the things I would say to Finny if I were drunk... I would tell him that I like sitting here talking to him," (100 Nowlin). I think their relationship will grow from here.

I'm on page 30 of "If He Had Been With Me." I can see Autumn changing. She got a boyfriend and she's going through some changes. Autumn used to be a popular cheerleader and her new friends and boyfriend have changed her. Her boyfriend says to her, "It's almost like you were supposed to be one of them," (Nowlin 23) he notices the change as well. I think Autumn will develop a relationship with her old boy best friend.