Ann Petry: The Street
Deanna Graves
AP Literature
Period 3 Ms. Guy
October 4, 2010
The Street In the novel The Street by Ann Petry, there is an antagonist relationship between the main character, Ludie Johnson, and the wind that is terrorizing the city. Petry establishes the wind as an antagonist in the novel to show how the environment is affecting the daily lives of the residents of 116th Street by use of literary devices. The conflict with the wind is a daily occurrence in which every resident of 116th Street is faced with. The wind is personified; given human characteristics to show how the wind serves as the antagonist in the story. “It did everything it could to discourage the people walking along the street.’’ This quote shows how the wind pestered …show more content…
Even when Ludie is experiencing a conflict with nature she has to push forward and try to get what she is looking for, a home. She is faced with the difficulties with the wind everyday and she cannot do anything about it, neither can the others living on 116th Street. “Each time she thought she had the sign in focus, the wind pushes it away from her so that she wasn’t certain it said three rooms or two rooms.” The author shows how Ludie is experiencing problems with reading a sign and also how the wind is trying to keep her from getting what she needs. The underlying message in the quote is to keep on searching even if it is not clear to you what it is you’re searching for no matter the conditions. It is also implied that the protagonist didn’t have a place to stay because she was looking for place to live therefore it is virtually impossible for her to sit around at home and do nothing. She is resilient, even in her frustration, to the troubles caused by the wind. The people of 116th Street are all resilient to the poverty (as suggested by the filth), harsh weather conditions and the will to give up. They are all very determined to get what they need and let nothing, not even a little wind, obstruct their
AP Literature
Period 3 Ms. Guy
October 4, 2010
The Street In the novel The Street by Ann Petry, there is an antagonist relationship between the main character, Ludie Johnson, and the wind that is terrorizing the city. Petry establishes the wind as an antagonist in the novel to show how the environment is affecting the daily lives of the residents of 116th Street by use of literary devices. The conflict with the wind is a daily occurrence in which every resident of 116th Street is faced with. The wind is personified; given human characteristics to show how the wind serves as the antagonist in the story. “It did everything it could to discourage the people walking along the street.’’ This quote shows how the wind pestered …show more content…
Even when Ludie is experiencing a conflict with nature she has to push forward and try to get what she is looking for, a home. She is faced with the difficulties with the wind everyday and she cannot do anything about it, neither can the others living on 116th Street. “Each time she thought she had the sign in focus, the wind pushes it away from her so that she wasn’t certain it said three rooms or two rooms.” The author shows how Ludie is experiencing problems with reading a sign and also how the wind is trying to keep her from getting what she needs. The underlying message in the quote is to keep on searching even if it is not clear to you what it is you’re searching for no matter the conditions. It is also implied that the protagonist didn’t have a place to stay because she was looking for place to live therefore it is virtually impossible for her to sit around at home and do nothing. She is resilient, even in her frustration, to the troubles caused by the wind. The people of 116th Street are all resilient to the poverty (as suggested by the filth), harsh weather conditions and the will to give up. They are all very determined to get what they need and let nothing, not even a little wind, obstruct their