I am going to write a critical paper on the short story “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood. I plan to write about and discuss each individual scenario.
Reactions to “This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arazona” January 27, 2010
This story was very well written and I enjoyed reading it. I was very sad that Victor almost didn’t get to go to Phoenix and get his dad’s ashes because he was so poor. In fact if it hadn’t been for Thomas, then Victor would have never gotten to Phoenix. I also felt sad for Thomas, because throughout his life he was picked on and ignored, all because he had a gift of being able to tell stories. Yet I felt as though he was the sweetest characters in the story.
Reactions to “Reunion” January 27, 2010
I thought that this story was funny in a twisted sort-of way. The dad made me laugh at his crazy expectation that he had for each restaurant, and that he kept going to different ones only to manage to get one drink before his son had to get on his connecting train. It Especially cracked me up when the dad went to the newspaper stand and tried to politely ask for a newspaper but ended up asking just as rudely as he had asked for the waiters to take their order in the restaurants. I did also feel sorry for the boy who just wanted to spend and hour with his father that he hadn’t seen in three years, but ended up just becoming embarrassed because of his dad’s actions. I can see why the boy’s mother divorced her husband!
Reactions to “The Secret Miracle” January 27, 2010
I have to say that I thought this story was extremely boring. It made absolutely no sense and the language made the story hard to follow. The only thing that I understood out of the entire thing, was that the main character was going to be executed for something he did, and that he prayed to God to give him one more year until his execution which God granted him by freezing him in time, right as he was being executed. I sure hope I never have to go through that agony!
Reactions to “Up in Michigan” January 25, 2010
I thought that this story was rather strange and awkward. It made me sad to think that Jim still didn’t like Liz yet he took advantage of her interest in him and she allowed it.
Reactions to “Seventeen Syllables” January 25, 2010
I thought that this story was slow at first then it seemed to pick up some in the middle and then slowed again as the story ended. It also seemed to make absolutely no sense, yet at the same time I could follow where the author was going with the story line. I enjoyed reading it because it was so bazaar.
Reactions to “The Story of an Hour” January 25, 2010
I felt that this story was a little difficult to read. I got confused at times, not knowing exactly what the author was trying to say. It also seemed strange that the woman was happy for her husband’s death and that instead of dying from the shock of the news of his death, she died from the shock of him being alive.
Research on “Sonny’s Blues” January 22, 2010
Question On “Sonny’s Blues”
My question on “Sonny’s Blues” is “What are the symptoms of polio?” I started my quest for the answer by googling the phrase “What are the symptoms of polio?” Then I clicked on this link Polio Symptoms. Next, I read about how some people when they contract the poliovirus, they don’t show any of the symptoms. How weird is that?! Also, for those that do show the symptoms, they feel as though they have the flu because the symptoms are so similar. If the person is not treated soon then the symptoms become more severe and complications can arise leading to death. I encourage everyone to look at this article. It is very informative and fascinating!
Reactions To “Happy Endings.” January 13, 2010
When I read “Happy Endings” I had to stop and think at how many relationships now-a-days have happy endings. I don’t personally know of very many. Most relationships that are out there are like the ones in parts B-E of “Happy Endings.” I think it is sad that relationships end like that and that many don’t have happy endings. I hope I can have a happy ending some day!
Reflections. November 29, 2009
As I look back on this past semester, I find that I am a little more confident in my writing and I find that I have improved somewhat from where I was at the beginning of the semester. I still have a long way to go but I am not as afraid of writing anymore. Thank you Dr. Shattuck!
