Edith Wharton
Meaning
holding a grudge is bad jealousy Point of View third person omniscient
Ms. Slade’s thoughts are jealous
Characterization
jealousy clouds judgement
Plot
reasons Slade does things is because of Jealousy and throughout the story this reason becomes more of a factor for each action.
Setting
Colosseum: Slade waging war with Ansley
Steps: Show Ms. Ansley going higher/ahead
Looking down on Rome’s past as they look down on their past.
Symbolism
Moon: roman fever
Roman Fever: Envy/Jealousy.
The Forum: Their messed up past Grace Ansley: Grace prevails
Delphin: Delphi was greek god who reveals fate
Stages of the moon: stages of their relationship
Their daughters are a reflection of themselves
Motif
roman fever moon Theme jealou sy/holding a grudge
A Rose for Emily
William Faulkner
Meaning
Holding onto the past is bad because it keeps you from moving on, this is shown by Ms. Emily holding onto her dead husband and therefore never leaving her house.
Point of View
First Person Plural
Since we don’t know if she’s mentally stable, makes sure that the opinion isn’t too skewed, although the town skews it a little
Characterization
Emily is compared to monument, something old, stuck in time, portrays how she can’t let things go.
Plot
funeral starts story, begins with death and ends with death. flashbacks so there is situational irony
Setting
House is old, like Emily
Shutting up of top floor= her mind shutting up/being mentally unstable
Symbolism
Tableau/painting, stuck behind her dad, a.k.a stuck in the past
Motif
Rose, Husband is rose, you want to keep it because it’s beautiful but it wilts
Theme
Not letting go
Incoming Tide
Elizabeth Strout
Meaning
The effect of suicide on a family and a person, therefore suicide is a thing to be avoided
Point of View
Kevin, to show effect from mother. Switches to girl because it shows how Kevin was effected as a boy by his mom’s suicide.