Short Takes by Elizabeth Penfield - Book Report/Review Example

Becoming a Sanvicentena five stage from the book Short Takes by Elizabeth Penfield The story points out the major facets of human decision making while on a journey. According to Hopper (165), the chapter opens in a rhetorical mode. The author addresses fear in stage 1, uncertainty in stage 2, enthusiasm in stage 3, and withdrawal in stage 4, as well as understanding in stage 5. First, in stage 1 the author gives an account of a very tough journey. When the road network is poor the chances of not enjoying the ride are usually very high from my personal experience when i went for summer holidays.

When the author says dust billows through the open windows shows the personification of the dust that enabling it to pass through the window. In this scene, the author also compares the road being as pale as a bone. This shows the use of metaphor.Secondly, uncertainty is also evident when the author says he did not comprehend the Spanish language. Linguistic diversity is inevitable when one moves from one region to another. I, therefore, agree with the author that language barrier is major obstacle in communication.

The use of metaphor is also evident when the novelist writes, “You are as white as a milk worm” (Hopper, 176).In the third stage, the author talks about enthusiasm. Here the author uses personification when he writes that the “smoke begins to curl” (Hopper, 179). The author is eager to know how Betty cooks her meal in spite of the entire complicated cooking environment.In the fourth stage, it talks about withdrawal. The author says he was so tired to the extent that he was unable to establish the true faces of the people who were coming with the vehicle.

He relates the vehicles to rumbling. This shows how the author is able to user personification. I agree with the author that any one is likely to withdraw from an area that has harsh climatic conditions.Lastly, understanding is very crucial in situations that you are not familiar with. The author enjoyed the soothing music form the blaring stereo. He is so moved with the music that he is attempted to dance, but only shakes his head. He says to himself, “Now I’m a real sanvicenteña” (Hopper, 182).

From the text I have learnt that when you embark on an uncertain journey it is advisable to tackle every obstacle with a positive mind.Works CitedHopper, Kate. "Becoming a Sanvicenteña: Five Stages." Penfield, Elizabeth. Short Takes. New Jersey: Longman Inc, 2012.