Understanding of Literary Themes
Understanding of Literary Themes
LaRonda E. Hicks
ENG 125 Introduction to Literature
Instructor Richard Schnoll
July 29, 2013
The short story that I have chosen to write about is “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys (as cited in Clugston, 2010). I will try to identify two literary elements in the story that will express the point of view, setting, tone and symbolisms. Stories are fragments of the human experience. Additionally, powerful stories make people think about who they are, what they believe, and whether what they are doing is right (Livo and Rietz 1986) noted. This is just another way to explain what had taken place in a story. Finally, the most important reason in doing this I will be able to advise the literary elements and how they affect the narrative theme.
The “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys (as cited in Clugston, 2010), theme is about a women journey in life that will experience life after death. In this short story I will try to examine and discuss the theme as well as symbols within the story. The overall theme is death, with the use of memories, time that has passed and the changes that have occurred as symbols. The theme starts at the second paragraph as the author starts describing the things that have changed and are not as they used to be. The road the main character used to walk along is a symbol of her memories. In the third paragraph the sky is referred to as glassy, a symbol for things being different. The author also mentions the road is wider than it used to be, symbolizing change and time has passed. As the character nears the house she once lived and sees the house has been added on which symbolizes the time that has passed and a car that she feels is “strange to see a car standing in front of it” (as cited in Clugston, 2010, para. 4), again symbolizing the changes that time has brought. Nearing the end of the story, the girl approaches 2 children playing outside as she tries to say hello and
LaRonda E. Hicks
ENG 125 Introduction to Literature
Instructor Richard Schnoll
July 29, 2013
The short story that I have chosen to write about is “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys (as cited in Clugston, 2010). I will try to identify two literary elements in the story that will express the point of view, setting, tone and symbolisms. Stories are fragments of the human experience. Additionally, powerful stories make people think about who they are, what they believe, and whether what they are doing is right (Livo and Rietz 1986) noted. This is just another way to explain what had taken place in a story. Finally, the most important reason in doing this I will be able to advise the literary elements and how they affect the narrative theme.
The “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys (as cited in Clugston, 2010), theme is about a women journey in life that will experience life after death. In this short story I will try to examine and discuss the theme as well as symbols within the story. The overall theme is death, with the use of memories, time that has passed and the changes that have occurred as symbols. The theme starts at the second paragraph as the author starts describing the things that have changed and are not as they used to be. The road the main character used to walk along is a symbol of her memories. In the third paragraph the sky is referred to as glassy, a symbol for things being different. The author also mentions the road is wider than it used to be, symbolizing change and time has passed. As the character nears the house she once lived and sees the house has been added on which symbolizes the time that has passed and a car that she feels is “strange to see a car standing in front of it” (as cited in Clugston, 2010, para. 4), again symbolizing the changes that time has brought. Nearing the end of the story, the girl approaches 2 children playing outside as she tries to say hello and
References: Cohen, Steven D. The Art of Public Narrative: Teaching Students How to Construct Memorable Anecdotes. Retrieved from EPHOST July 30, 2013 . Clugston, R.W. (2010). Journey into literature. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu. Livo, N.J., & Rietz, S.A. (1986). Storytelling: Process and practice Retrieved from EPHOST July 30, 2013