Close reading of Zora Neale Hurston's Spunk - Term Paper Example

A passage from the story Spunk by Zora Hurtson “Thass a fact,” went on Walter. “Lookit whut he done took a razor an‘went out to fight a man he knowed toted a gun an’ wuz a crack shot, too; ‘nother thing Joe wuz skeered of Spunk, skeered plumb stiff! But he went jes’ the same. It took him a long time to get his nerve up. ‘Tain’t nothin’ for Spunk to fight when he ain’t skeered of nothin‘. Now, Joe’s done come back to have it out wid the man that’s got all he ever had.

Y’ll know Joe ain’t never had nothin’ nor wanted nothin‘ besides Lena. It musta been a h’ant cause ain’ nobody never seen no black bob-cat.” (Hurtson part 11 pp. 237)Close reading analysis First impressions: The first thing that I noticed from this passage is that people were in a conflict or a misunderstanding. There is someone with a gun and the other with a razor. The second thing that I notice was that the two people were fighting over a girl. The two things that I noticed compliment each other.

The mood of the passage is vindictive or filled with exasperation. Vocabulary and diction: The words that I notice first were “toted a gun” . The diction that I noticed was “it took him a long time to get his nerve up”. These words seem to relate to each other as it gives a vivid explanation of what transpired when Joe when to fight with Spunk. However , there are some words that seem oldy used. Words such as “It musta been a h’ant cause ain’ nobody never seen no black bob-cat.

” and “skeered plumb stiff” (Hurtson Part 11 pp. 237) . They do not make grammatical sense. Unfamiliar word in this passage includes “Skeered” which means to be terrified. Discerning patterns Despite the fact that Spunk is stronger than Joe he uses quicker means to kill joe by shooting him with a gun. This passage forms the central argument of the entire book. Both Joe and Spunk are presented as cowards. Joe attacks Spunk from behind portraying a coward man. Spunk’s reaction to shooting Joe is also seen as a man with a quick tempter.

He is a man that does not show any fear as he carries on with another man’s wife with no hesitation. This passage can be regarded as a microcosm – it is a little picture of the entire work by the author. The sentence rhythm of this passage is short and choppy. However it does build on the overall story. The punctuation is quite unusual. There is repetition of the word “Skeered” to put much emphasis on the tension that was evident during that period. There are two types or writing in this passage; narrative writing and descriptive writing.

The paradox in this passage “Y’ll know Joe ain’t never had nothin’ nor wanted nothin‘ besides Lena” (Hurtson part 11 pp. 237). This has deeper meaning a Spunk was also in love with Lena. What is kept out or is silent in this passage is who Lena really loved between Joe and Spunk. Point of view and characterization From the passage, we know that Spunk is is a big man and is full of self confidence. E treated with much respect and fear as many people admire his courage. Joe is the opposite of Spunk, he is small.

His wife takes up with Spunk and he is unable to defend himself against Spunk. Work citedHurtson. Z. Spunk: Three Tales. New York, NY: Dramatists Play Service, 2000. Print.