Caitlin Horrocks Steal Small Analysis
Read “Steal Small” by Caitlin Horrocks, paying attention to how specific details are used to establish style and voice and to define the plot.
In your initial post, identify elements of the plot for what actions drive the story. How does Horrocks keep the plot moving? What are the actions and consequences?
In responding to your peers, compare and contrast how you viewed details of the plot differently from your peers. As a writer, would you have approached the theme differently compared to the amount of detail that Horrocks provided?
In Steal Small by Caitlin Horrocks, the author has a definite writer’s voice that utilizes simple but interesting word pairings and phrases to establish her style and define specific story elements. We are treated to a plot that is telling us more than what is revealed in a literal reading.
In the first sentence the narrator, Lyssa feeds us important clues about the past and present, “I live in a good house now…” (Horrocks 153). The reader expects to learn about that ‘good house’ and the narrator doesn’t disappoint. She explains her life in simplistic terms that show us she is satisfied with status quo. She is afraid to want more in life in case it disappoints. …show more content…
Leo is very complimentary to Lyssa, admiring how she sews on a button or heats up frozen food in the microwave. Lyssa is less openly admiring of Leo but internally appreciates his contributions to the relationship including his disgusting job killing cattle and rounding up unwanted dogs to sell for animal testing. She admits she has seen the less than nice side of him and does whatever she needs to do to avoid upsetting him. Lyssa and Mouse have a friendly but distant relationship. Mouse avoids seeing Lyssa and I feel it is because the past is too painful to bear in Lyssa’s knowing
In your initial post, identify elements of the plot for what actions drive the story. How does Horrocks keep the plot moving? What are the actions and consequences?
In responding to your peers, compare and contrast how you viewed details of the plot differently from your peers. As a writer, would you have approached the theme differently compared to the amount of detail that Horrocks provided?
In Steal Small by Caitlin Horrocks, the author has a definite writer’s voice that utilizes simple but interesting word pairings and phrases to establish her style and define specific story elements. We are treated to a plot that is telling us more than what is revealed in a literal reading.
In the first sentence the narrator, Lyssa feeds us important clues about the past and present, “I live in a good house now…” (Horrocks 153). The reader expects to learn about that ‘good house’ and the narrator doesn’t disappoint. She explains her life in simplistic terms that show us she is satisfied with status quo. She is afraid to want more in life in case it disappoints. …show more content…
Leo is very complimentary to Lyssa, admiring how she sews on a button or heats up frozen food in the microwave. Lyssa is less openly admiring of Leo but internally appreciates his contributions to the relationship including his disgusting job killing cattle and rounding up unwanted dogs to sell for animal testing. She admits she has seen the less than nice side of him and does whatever she needs to do to avoid upsetting him. Lyssa and Mouse have a friendly but distant relationship. Mouse avoids seeing Lyssa and I feel it is because the past is too painful to bear in Lyssa’s knowing