Comparison of Donald Antrim's He Knew, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's Aphrodisiac, and Nalini Jones's Tiger Articles - Assignment Example

Article Comparison The setting of an article or a narrative is very important especially with regard to providing a metalpicture to the audience who gain information and anticipate experiencing certain behaviors based on the images formed in their minds. Although different narratives may exhibit diverse settings, there are common traits in these settings. Taking a closer look at some of the narratives that we have engaged with in class, there are various elements related to the setting in at least three of the narratives that are similar. Here, I intend to show the similarities and the commonalities existing in three of the main articles that we engaged with. These articles include Donald Antrims "He Knew", Ruth Prawer Jhabvalas "Aphrodisiac", and Nalini Joness "Tiger". In these articles, the setting has concentrated on a modernized world where even the parents are allowing their children to make decisions of their own without interference of dictation, as was the case in the past. In addition, the setting has been concentrated in countries in the developed world. The issues that the individuals go through are also specific to college age individuals. Therefore, the setting is a critical element in these narrative works because it is responsible for the establishment of a mental image, which is essential to understanding the message being passed by the author. Taking Ruth Prawer Jhabvalas “Aphrodisiac” into consideration, it is clear that the characters that the author has chosen are college students. This can be seen from the very first paragraph where the author reveals that university friends were discussing the novel that that would best fit the Indian context of lifestyle. Here, Kishen, the main character, suggests that the best novel that ought to fit the Indian context would incorporate the urban slum dwellers, indecently rich commerce and landless laborers. The author also shows that traditions are important to most societies and are always exhibited and observed when certain activities are done from the traditional perspective. For instance, in Aphrodisiac, the author makes it clear that the Indian culture observes its traditions by maintaining that while Kishen was away studying at Cambridge, his elder brother Shiv had got married in a traditional wedding. This creates an image in the audience’s minds of how the scene of the marriage was and how the practices were performed. To show that this context was set in the modern world, Kishen went to the U.S to study there, which is what is currently happening as most students from India and other countries are seeking to acquire advanced education form U.S universities that are better equipped. However, contrary to what most students do, which is look for jobs following their education in America, Kishen decided to go back to India to live with his mother. The modernity of the narrative can also be seen when considering Kishen’s mother. Here, Kishen’s mother went against the traditions of the Indian community that involve arranging marriages for the children. Instead, she allowed Shiv to arrange his own marriage. This represents a very important aspect that come through modernity, which is allow the children to make their own decisions instead of dictating what they should do. The author continues to explore a modern trend that involves more women going into the education and helping in re-shaping their lives as well as those of their communities. This involves Kishen’s mother who, as the author states, is a respected economist who has always been at the forefront with respect to educated Indian women. She is even seen trying to encourage her daughter in law to get some education at a local college but she turns its down claiming that she is too stupid. In this narrative, Jhabvala also introduces a new context of socialization, which is highly valued in the modern times. This can be seen when Naina states that she wants to meet with her friends with whom they intend to have fun. This can also be said to be an influence of the western culture in other countries. In this context of the Indian lifestyle, parents are seen as highly concerned with their children’s progress especially when Kishen’s mother constantly enquires about both brothers’ work. On the other hand, considering Donald Antrims “He Knew”, this article also has similar setting aspects as compared to the previous article; Aphrodisiac. This is because the modernity exhibited by the main characters is common to that exhibited by Kishen in the previous article although in a different perspective. This is because while Kishen displayed modernity by seeking education in American education system, Stephen and Alice show it through socializing and spending money on each other. Specifically, Stephen appends on Alice. The typical American lifestyle incorporates these behaviors where the male teens showoff to their friends through spending and attending the most expensive places. Other activities in this context also include going to pubs and taking beer, which Stephen had suggested although his favorite place was away from his position. In spite of the fact that the modernity is displayed in the most positive perspective in the Indian perspective in the previous narrative, in the American context it is displayed in rather negative perspective. This is because in most instances, the individual are not getting along with each other. For instance, Stephen freaks out at Alice when she teased him as they were doing some shopping. This also shows the hunger to show power for the American context with respect to these teens. This helps the audience in crating n image that is specific to this society where it helps them in comprehending the issue in a better way. In addition, the setting also incorporates a context that shows infidelity. This is a critical issue in the modern society that helps the author in passing the information in a better way and in creating a scene that is similar to the daily activities exhibited in this environment. With specific reference to infidelity, the author makes it clear that Stephen has been practicing infidelity, as Alice was not aware that he was already married yet Stephen had already started a relationship with her. This is a typical modern life where some behaviors have deteriorated and include infidelity. Additionally, looks are very important to the modern teens, which is exactly what was happening when Alice wanted to be told how she looked in certain clothes. Stephen himself was also concerned with his looks as he is seen claiming that he was overweight. This statement shows that being overweight and being obese are common societal problems. This is accurate because Alice responded that no one cares whether one is obese or not. Therefore, this has become accepted in the setting of this society. The author uses direct conversations from the characters to ensure that the scene becomes lively in that the audience can perceive it in their minds. This makes it easier for them to fathom. The setting also incorporates common wishes that teens and young adults exhibit. Here, Stephen wishes that he should have travelled abroad when he had the chance although he had not considered other factors such as where he would go and where he would work. This constitutes some of the mistakes that people make due to hasty decision-making practices, which mostly lead to regrets. Modern immoralities are also exhibited in this piece where the main character would spend time smocking pot. In the same way that those in India observed their traditions, other important traditions were also observed in this piece. The author has also included some health concerns that are specific to the modern world. These include depression and anxieties. This is seen when Stephen counts his antidepressants as well as Alice’s anti-anxieties. These conditions have been prevalent in the modern American society and are affecting this society in many ways. Their causes can be traced to the modern practices and the effects are far reaching. Some of the effects include suicide, which the author has also pointed out stating that Alice has also attempted suicide in the past. In addition, it is clear that Stephen had been in the Psychiatry for at least 15 years before his encounter with Alice. This is because he told Alice that he almost forgot his psychiatrist of almost 15 years. This presents the issues facing the modern American lifestyle and cements modernity in the setting of the narrative. The other narrative that forms a key interest due to its relationship to these two is Nalini Joness “Tiger”. In this narrative, similar to Aphrodisiac, the author shows that the aspect of modernity has had a greater impact for the characters and the society exhibited. This is because in spite of the fact that Essie had wanted her daughter to come back home and marry a catholic boy from the neighborhood, she got married to a Black American and Essie accepted without much resistance. This is in spite of the fact that on her opinion, it was inappropriate. This indicates that even in this society, people have changed the ways of dictating what their children should or should not do. Therefore, the children’s decision-making has been accepted and the children are trusted to make mature decisions especially those regarding their lives. Such decisions include who to get married to. In addition, the previous generations would not have allowed this especially if their daughters wanted to get married to a Black American. In a normal household setting, the oldest member of the family advises the rest whether they are grownups or not. Essie plays this role appropriately in the way that Kishen’s mother did in a previous narrative. This is because when the children found kittens, Essie was the first to advise them not to even touch them or take them to the house because they were wild and could pass diseases to them. In this narrative, the author uses direct speeches from the characters frequently to not only improve the liveliness of the scene but also form an image that would depict a normal life as exhibited by most Americans. The sympathy for animals and the lack of hesitation in adopting the kittens is a clear indication of a typical life of Americans. Additionally, the author seems to show that the modern kids have a way of getting away with anything that they want. For instance, while Essie put a lot of effort into trying to make the girls get their minds away from the wild cats, she did not succeed. This is because of modernity, which cannot be manipulated into changing a view. Furthermore, in Tiger, Jones expounds on the context of familial love although it could still be seen in both of the other narratives. Essie could be seen to want her daughter and grandchildren to stay before taking the flight back home. Although the grandchildren had to go back to school, Essie’s love for her family could not let her allow them to leave. In fact, her daughter had to leave in somewhat a forceful way because her mother wanted them to stay for several more weeks before leaving. She had suggested that they could extend their stay even before she noticed that she had a medical condition, which was later confirmed. To further illustrate love for family, Essie decided to accompany them as they went to the airport where she asked for several cabs so as to ensure that she would accompany them to the airport. The author also intends to show the audience that the family is the most important aspect one’s life. Essie is used in a way to illustrate this. At one point, she thought to write to her daughter and tell her that she did not have any appetite. While this took place following their departure back home, Essie did not encounter such issues when her daughter’s family was staying with her. This indicates the importance of a family not only to the parents but also to their children and grandchildren because the can get the most appropriate care that they require when living together. Read More