Gryphon Story Reactions

After reading the short story Gryphon, I was left with the impression that this was one of the most puzzling stories I had ever read. Overall, I did not enjoy reading this story at all.
The story takes place in a rural town in Michigan during modern times. I did not understand the purpose of the eccentric teacher, Ms. Ferenczi. Obviously what she was teaching was incorrect. George Washington was in no way Egyptian. Diamonds are not magical. Death does exist. Based on her stories, I have come to believe that she was a little insane. I could not find any symbolism or theme of any kind. There were however, instances of foreshadowing and other literary techniques such as similes.

The Cask of Amontillado

The Cask of Amontillado tells a horrific tale of revenge on a local noble. It is set in Italy during Carnival. The festival is supposed to be the perfect time for the narrator to commit his murder because Fortunato would be drunk during the festivities. I believe that Poe's choice of wording was not as descriptive of the environment as it was of the character's emotions. Poe never sets up this beautiful Italian cultural scene; instead he focuses more on the brutality of Montresor intentions. Poe's sentences tended to be very mysterious, especially in the beginning. We go through the entire story without ever knowing the exact reason why Montresor wants to murder Fortunato other than that he insulted him. Montresor's method of murder was extremely brutal and cruel. The fact that the reader does not know the circumstances of the "thousands of insults" Montresor suffered from, it is impossible to understand why he would do such a terrible thing to Fortunato. Overall, the story was thoroughly entertaining and the author did a great job using mystery as a way to make the plot seem even crueler.

Indian Camp Assignment # 2

After discussing the story Indian Camp in class, my views on the characters and their circumstances changed entirely. Before, I had never questioned why Nick and his father were going to help an Indian women so early in the morning. Now, I strongly believe that she must be some how conncted to Nick's family, else why would they provide such assistence?

Another changed view involves the circumstance of the Indian man's suicide. Why would he have killed himself? There was no obvious reason. The first time I read this story, I believed it was because of some depression that had started before the story began. After the discussion, the idea that the child being born was not his certainly changes the context of the story.

Reflecting on this, I believe that when reading future stories, I will be much more questioning of characters and their circumstances so as not to miss hidden details or connections.

Indian Camp Assignment ( Final )

Indian Camp is a very interesting short story written by Ernest Hemingway. It is set in America at a small Indian village. The main character Nick and his father are going to help a women give birth to her child. This story also must have been set during a time when there was still racism towards Indians. At one point in the story, Nick's Uncle George is bit by the women giving birth as he tries to help her. To this, he yells at her and calls her a "Squaw bitch". To me, the setting was a great choice to make the plot even more mysterious and foreign.

This story was very short and not the most enjoyable. I believe Mr. Hemingway wanted it to be this way. The theme of the story was premature adulthood. Nick, who we as the reader quickly learn, is quite young. However by the end of the story, he has witnessed birth and death. Both of which he was not yet ready to see. The author did a great job in transmitting Nick's uncomfortable experiences to the reader. As I read the story, I to felt uncomfortable. The way the author accomplishes this is by telling the story in 3rd person limited omniscient.

With this, Ernest Hemingway's Indian Camp produces an uncomfortable reading experience, intertwined with themes of racism and premature adulthood.

Indian Camp Assignment (not ready to submit)

Indian Camp is a very interesting short story written by Ernest Hemingway. It is set in America at a small Indian village. The main character Nick and his father are going to help a women give birth to her child. This story also must have been set during a time when there was still racism towards Indians. At one point in the story, Nick's Uncle george is bit by the women giving birth as he tries to help her. To this, he yells at her and calls her a "Squaw bitch".

This story was very short and not the most enjoyable. I believe Mr. Hemingway wanted it to be this way. The theme of the story was pre-mature adulthood. Nick, who we as the reader quickly learn, is quite young. However by the end of the story, he has witnessed birth and death. Both of which he was not yet ready to see. The author did a great job to transmit Nick's uncomfortable expirience to the reader. As I read the story, I to felt uncomfortable.

<----- mr. small