So I can't say I enjoyed the readings as much this week, mostly because I didn't really feel like I understood the message or point to the stories we read. I am looking forward to remedying this on Tuesday during our discussion so that maybe I could go back in time to re-write this blog post so it doesn't suck as bad as I think it will. . .
The two stories that stuck out to me the most were "Araby" and "A Painful Case." I felt like "Araby" was a little cute but sad, and I'm sure a lot of you little boys remember when you had crushes on little girls that just didn't pan out the way you thought they would. I felt a lot of sympathy for him and pitied his situation, because I was a little (ok, a lot) BOY CRAZY when I was a youngster, and sadly I was never been cute enough for it to work out in my favor. . . I was the type to send love letters with "yes" or "no" boxes to check and chased them around the playground until I could corner one of them long enough to kiss 'em.
Also, he only had enough money to basically get to the bazaar and back, which brought even more painful memories of me giving away my own, beat up belongings to boys I liked at Christmas time because I couldn't afford to buy them something cool.
Wow, this turned into some kind of Dr. Phil/Tyra moment I didn't really want or need. . . .
"A Painful Case" was even more depressing, I absolutely HATE it when the protagonist is flirting around with adultery because the way this type of story is written softens it up so that the reader starts to feel as though this type of behavior is OK! IT'S NOT!! I still have to give them credit for breaking it off when they did. . . . but wait!?! Doesn't it sure look like she kills herself because she was still in love with them man she could never be with because she's MARRIED to someone ELSE!!!????? AAAAEEEGGGHHH!!!!!!
I didn't like that one. Obviously. Remember, my dear classmates, I will say it until your ears bleed its goodness and truth:
LOVE CONQUERS ALL!! Except marital bonds. . . ? Not sure how I can spin that one this time.
No need for therapy now... blogging is good for the soul ;-) Anyways, thinking about the protagonist in "A Painful Way", I can't help but feel sorry for both of them. It's really rare to find that "someone" (your best friend) that mutually share all of your feelings and thoughts with, much less marry them. I think that maybe he found that person but disconnected the minute it was getting out of control, for respect of the sanctity of marriage. She couldn't deal with of course (maybe?) and offed herself.
ReplyDeleteMoral of the story?
Don't get involved with married people!!! Only bad things can happen!
I like the way that you talk about not getting the stories and then proceed to discuss specific things about them in a fairly critical way. Don't underestimate how important that is in the grand scheme of things.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you tied your own awesome childhood stories into the stories! You gave your crushes beat up junk? That is AWESOME! LOL.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I bet you were the cutest girl in class and the boys probably loved your personal items, depending on what they were of course. Stuffed animals, probably. Used toothbrush, not so much. I'm sad that you didn't like "A Painful Case." That was my favorite. I thought Joyce did a killer job showing the isolation of a man in a setting that felt familiar and natural to him yet he still doesn't really fit in anywhere. Feel free to read my blog where I somewhat validate their bizarre affair.
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