Beyond Reason or Understanding - Essay Example

Not many dialogues are used in the story. More focus is laid on description and the central action. The dialogues are scattered all over the story, and suite perfectly to the situations and purpose. WeaknessThe title of the story hints of philosophical content whereas the content points more towards mysticism. Even after reading the whole story we never really find out who Mr. Parish was. In this regard, the story bears a sense of incompleteness. ‘Jessica’ might not be the real identity of the girl.

She remains just as a “dead body” who lived in the house and was enrolled at the local hospital. StrengthThis story has numerous strengths. The picture of the crime scene in the beginning, of Mr. Hannay himself, the entrance room, and above all about Mr. Parish- his appearance and expressions- are all picturesque- “jogging pants and a sweatshirt”, “his green eyes almost seemed made of glass”. They are very much lively and vivid. Moreover, the story is capable of holding t reader’s interest until the very end.

Every segment of the story is tightly bound to one single theme and the readers become excited, frightened, and enthralled to discover the true identity of Mr. Parish. Suggestion for improvementSomehow, a casual reading of the text does not reveal what made Mr. Parish kill a so-called Jessica, a girl he doesn’t even know. The author could have further developed her character. Also, Mr. Hannay’s character could have been more informative. BibliographyMiller, Johnny, Beyond reason or understandingCRITICAL EVALUATION‘THE CLOSET’Beginning ‘The Closet’ presents a slice of Robert’s life.

It opens all of a sudden, and the readers find Robert and his friends in the final year of high school. The beginning is apt to the story. Narrative person The story is told in third person narrative. Narration is a descriptive type during the first half.Dialogue The dialogues perfectly suit the situations. There is no excess flow of emotions. Nowhere are they exaggerated, but the readers can very well perceive Robert’s eagerness and worries, Julie’s likings, and Mike’s casual feelings.

Comparatively, dialogues are fewer in the first half of the story. But they make the ending a brilliant one. Weakness In the first half of the story, the motive of “The Closet” is not stated clearly. The reader wanders around senior high school manners, prom- night conventions, and ceremonies until one realizes that the sole subject is Robert. Instead of focusing on the inner desires of Robert, the beginning of the story shows possibilities of delving deep into various other themes like that of twins of Mrs.

Andrews, ways of approaching girls for proms, Robert’s friendship with Mike Rodriguez, etc. StrengthBefore knowing Robert’s fervent desires and his love for Mike, the reader get to know Robert’s inner persona- what made him avoid, lie, and hide. One also gets to know about social perceptions regarding homosexuals in Julie’s words: “Have you seen the way those kids get made fun of? The way my dad talks about homosexuals going to hell?”. The story also successfully traces the transformation of these senior high school kids, as they become more mature and sensible to realize their sexuality or even respect others’.

Above all, it stresses value to love and care, be it friendship or any other relation. Suggestions for improvement It is only towards the midway that one gets a hint of Robert’s apprehension and longing. The approach could have been more direct. The story is an interesting piece of adolescent life. Challenges, aspirations, helplessness, coyness, and high spirited passionate love all are perfectly blended together. The author could have more details about Mike and his friendship with Robert.

This would have aroused more empathy on part of the readers.