Final exam study sheet - Research Paper Example

STORIES REVIEW THE YELLOW PAPER Quote one (unreliable narrator)-“So I take phosphates or phosphites—whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas . . .”Explanation-In this quote it is evident that the narrator has some elements of dilemma whereby she need to be the more powerful one but the voices of her family, her medical establishment and husband outdo her. As a narrator her opinion should have greater weight than how it was portrayed in the story.

It is confusing to the listener when the narrator assumes John’s theme hence can be concluded that the narrator in this story is unreliable.Quote two (irony)-“And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern. I don’t like it a bit. I wonder—I begin to think—I wish John would take me away from here!”Explanation-the author’s irony is felt in the use of the words things to represent the ghostly women that are viewable to the narrator and that bring disturbing ideas.

Quote three (Symbolism)-I don’t like to look out of the windows even—there are so many of those creeping women, and they creep so fast. I wonder if they all come out of that wall-paper as I did.Explanation- This statement symbolizes the manner in which most women lack freedom and the joy they receive in gaining independence.BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENERQuote 1 (Irony)-"I would prefer not to.”Explanation- This is an ironical statement and also the mostly used in the entire story since it is the only answer that Bartle by provides for every question asked regardless whether he is to anything or not.

Using the word ‘prefer’ does not necessarily mean that Bartleby would do as expected despite what he claimed to prefer. Quote two (unreliable narrator)-Dead letters! Does it not sound like dead men? Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness; can any business seem more fitting to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters, and assorting them for the flames? Explanation- In this quote, it is evident that the narrator has ways of involving his audience through asking of questions hence providing a chance for them to flow with him.

He uses this technique in explaining the reasons behind the character traits of Bartleby and the reason that led to his job dismissal.THE STORY OF AN HOURQuote one (feminism)-“But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.”Explanation- The above quotes explains facts on feminism whereby the author shows the different reactions among women on receiving sad news.

The reaction of Louise shows how deeply the news reached to her and the mannerisms in which her reaction was different from that of other people. In her gaze, there is a difference that can be considered shrewder and even incredibly active.Quote 2 (Irony)-“She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.”Explanation-this quote is ironical in that the previous day before the news were brought Louise prayed that life would be long yet it is during this time that her loved ones die.

Also, in the prior days she had always prayed that her days would be shorter. This quote has some aspects of symbolism in that it shows the longer life expected for this woman since she had acquired independence.HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTSQuote one (Irony)-“Yes,” said the girl. “Everything tastes like licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited so long for, like absinthe.”Explanation- This quote is ironical in its meaning. The girl in this story is pregnant and dislikes the pregnancy just as she disliked the taste of the drink brought to her that which she had requested for.

It is ironical how at first she longed for a baby and after getting pregnant she does not want to keep it.Quote two (Symbolism)-“But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and you’ll like it?Explanation- Symbolism is evident especially with the use of the words ‘white elephants’ that symbolize the child that is unborn and not wanted by anybody. In my opinion, the narrator in this story is not reliable because they are still used as the main characters.

CATHEDRALQuote one (unreliable narrator) - And then I found myself thinking what a pitiful life this woman must have led. Imagine a woman who could never see herself as she was seen in the eyes of her loved one. A woman who could go on day after day and never receives the smallest compliment from her beloved…”Explanation- this quote is found at the beginning of the story and depicts good characteristics of the narrator in the way he introduces the life of Robert and the other characters. His choice of words is very accurate creating a complete picture of their different lives.

Quote two (symbolism) -“I stared hard at the shot of the cathedral on the TV. How could I even begin to describe it? But say my life depended on it. Say my life was being threatened by an insane guy who said I had to do it or else.”Explanation- This quote has symbolism of the cathedral depicted in the words carefully used to describe it. The cathedral drawn by both Robert and the narrator is an aspect of symbolism that depicts true sight in relation to the ability of viewing beyond the surface to the deeper understanding of a certain meaning.

Work citedFontana, David. Language of Symbols. New York: Chronicle Books, 2007.