Characters in the Fictional Writing - Essay Example

Module 3 Characters are an essential part of any piece of fictional writing. They form the body of any writing. It is these individuals that provide any writing with the soul and essence required to make the fictional piece take on a whole new edge. Characters are the heart and soul of any work and assist in adding life to the story. Thus, this essay will discuss the fundamental role played by a character to two fictional works: Barn Burning and The Chrysanthemums. This essay will explain the humanistic effect; characters in a story can produce. This is helpful not only to better understand the situation but to see the depths of human morality and principles. The story is about the son of a man who is a potential arsonist: setting barns on fire. This story is built of a number of characters including Abner the father, Sarty the son and the rest of the family: wife and daughters along with the people this family come in contact with. However, Faulkner uses Barn Burning to be a story that concentrates on the opinion of Sarty Snopes. Though this article is not written from the viewpoint of the character himself, there are certain moments throughout the story that divulge the reader with his emotions. With such a multitude of characters it is impossible for the reader to be unable to gain a true gist of what the story portrays. The concentration on Abner’s character allows a deep understanding of humanity and the instinct which compels each individual to develop an attachment to family. In Barn Burning, Abner is a dark influence on his young son. The protagonist forces his child to delve in a loyalty so deep, that injustice and sin are ignored in the process of protecting one’s own family. The story develops as Sarty begins to see the evil obstacle created by his father in his own growth. His constant belief that the father will change “Maybe he has done satisfied now, now that he has” However, in the end, the child is forced to give up his loyalty as a sense of righteousness sinks in. Though this confession leads to disastrous consequences, following the death of the very man Sarty has been ardently protecting, the judgment seems to shatter the young man who “He got up….He did not look back.” Thus, Barn Burning is an evident portrayal of family and the human mind that delves to protect the sacred bond. It also shows the dire consequence that follows when this bond is broken. The Chrysanthemums is another story which concentrates on the importance of character to a story. In this story, the main subject of interest is Elisa. The very portrayal of this woman, from the beginning is shown as strong and energetic. The reader is won over by her charm as she works steadily in her garden. This image continues as we see her cordial but friendly relationship with her husband. However, the arrival of an unknown man shatters the reader’s entire view of Elisa’s character. She develops from a woman gardening to a woman who is caught alone in a farm with no other activity. The slightest of attentions to her chrysanthemums wins her over and she is ready to sacrifice these flowers to any individual who displays an interest. Elisa is shown as lonely woman who invests her “planting hands” into her flowers. We see her feminine strength as she claims “I wish women could do such things" when she discovers the peddler’s life. And as he leaves she envisions his freedom “thats a bright direction. Theres a glowing there" This appreciation of her chrysanthemums gives her a new life as she dresses up with a renewed vigor to go out with her husband. Only, seeing them thrown on the road seems to break her. We see “She turned up her coat collar so he could not see she was crying weakly-like an old woman.” This shows her fragility but despite the odds she puts up a strong exterior. Thus, both stories portray ample evidence of their characters and their capabilities. An understanding of both stories shows how both characters are shaped and presented in a light that reflects upon basic human instinct and the superiority of the soul. Sarty gives up his father despite the risk involved because of his better judgment. In a different instance, Elisa succumbs to the charm of a peddler and is shattered by his cruel lies. Thus both writers show the strength and weakness of each character as they display humanistic and individualistic traits. Study Questions Edgar Allan Poe-The tell-tale heart 1. The reader is immediately aware of how this story will be a first-person narration from a man who is seemingly uneasy and thought to be insane. This confused state of mind is our first glimpse of what the story will present. 2. The first line of the story surprises and excites the reader. The element of curiosity is built as the reader now begins to wonder what the narrator is so anxious about and how this can be enough to deign him mad. 3. The narrator stays with an old man who possesses an eye that is disturbing to him. This clouded, pale blue, “vulture-like” eye is distressing enough to drive the narrator to commit a planned and cold-blooded murder 4. The narrator has a nightly ritual by which he abides before he murders this man. Every night, for seven days, he opens the door of the old man’s room. This process takes him an entire hour but his efforts are wasted because the old man’s eyes are always closed. To the reader, this careful precision and plot makes it evident that the narrator has enough sense of mind to plan the details out. 5. The narrator chops up his victim and places the body under the floorboards. However it is when the officers’ visit to investigate the scene the narrator’s “over-acuteness of sense” comes into effect. The constant and rhythmic heartbeat is the narrator’s own yet assuming it to be of the man he has murdered. His insanity comes into play and he confesses to his entire crime, leading to his demise coupled with that of the old man. 6. The story aims at presenting a rational mind compared to an imaginative one. Lines like “haunted me day and night” and “over-acuteness of senses” are evident displays of this imaginative streak. Jack London- To Build a Fire 1. London’s entire story is based on a setting that is too cold for the character to survive. Thus by giving a precise and repetitive description, the writer is able to establish the brutal and harsh weather reigning in the region. 2. It is significant because the man has no knowledge of how to keep himself warm. He is involved in carrying out futile practices to retain heat. Also the advice of an old-timer assists the man in being frightened into making the wrong decisions. 3. The dog is the one who survives in the end. He is the one able to walk back to a camp, showing the inability and ignorance of a human compared to the intelligence of an animal. 4. The man begins to run to keep himself warm. This is essential as it shows the desperation which has arisen in the man. It is filled with fear and suspense because the reader is unable to tell if the man will survive. 5. The entire story is full of horror and surprise. Despite the ominous sense of doom, the reader is torn between whether the man will survive this immense cold or be frozen to death 6. This story is disturbing and frightening. It plays on the weaknesses of man compared to the brutal force of nature. Also, it shows the great consequence arrogance can play on life itself because the man dies due to his loneliness. This is despite him being told that one should not venture into Klondike alone. Shirley Jackson- The Lottery 1. The day begins ordinarily. It is a sunny day with fragrant flowers and green lawns. The people living in the village also seem considerably human. However, the story begins to change when the lottery is being drawn as each individual begins is “quiet, wetting their lips, not looking around.” 2. Before the lottery was drawn the villagers who were friendly and amiable have now become quiet and distant. A certain fear is seen running through them as they meet nervously. 3. It is evident that a human sacrifice must be made to ensure a good harvest. The month and timing of the crop is vital. With the sacrifice being conducted in the heat of June, a prime month for the corn season, it is evident that the sacrifice will bring in a good round of crop. The rite is not one taken from a traditional place because these individuals are educated enough to conduct worldly rites “The lottery was conducted- as were the square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program.” The villagers do not seem to be obedient and unwitting. They are aware of the personal loss this lottery causes as is evident by their nervousness. This is combined with the Tessie Hutchinson’s remark that she was not given enough time. Both being clear evidence that while the sacrifice was carried out, the horror and fear was a strong vein amongst them. This can be a satirical view of society. Every member’s name is put in and taken out with the same rites such as “lists to make up- of heads of families, head of households in each family….” This was coupled with a “proper swearing in”. Both aspects giving the rite a very formal and organized air, just like army drafts. The story is impossible to be signifying nothing at all. With the depth and hidden undertones behind the lines and activities like the children collecting stones, it is evidently a well planned plot. Comment: The story by Shirley Jackson is ample evidence of the ignorance and capabilities of mankind. It takes an ordinary village and assumes them to be conducting ordinary tasks, awaiting what seems to be an exciting but yearly event. It is only when the reader reaches the end of the story that the true significance of each prior line becomes evident. The Lottery is a well formulated plot which is deficit of any flaws. The sacrificial vein present in the plot shows the depths which an individual is ready to seek for their own personal gain: in this case a good harvest. Read More