Where is the love?

Somewhere during their marriage, Norma Jean and Leroy lost their connection. This does not become apparent until he starts spending all his time at home because he cannot continue his job due to his injury. They do not fight, they just cannot say what they want and need to. It is hard to say where the problems started. It might have been early on when they lost their child. It might have been just something to happen over time. Regardless, Leroy’s main solution is a new home. This idea is something he promised her long ago, perhaps by fulfilling it, they can return to the feelings they once had. Leroy is blind to the fact that his actions are too late. The incident that brings out the truth of their relationship is one prompted by Norma Jean’s mother.

By visiting Shiloh, the couple realizes what they are feeling. Norma Jean is finally able to admit to Leroy her desire to leave him. It is interesting that such a confession would occur in this place. Norma’s mother tries to convince them to visit the whole story partly because she loved it when she visited for her honeymoon. Shiloh, a place that inspired love for her mother, inspires reality for herself. On the other side, Leroy had hoped this trip would bring them together. He failed to see the obvious however. It was too late. He finally became invested in his marriage only once he was forced to be part of it. That is not to say he did not regret his traveling or was a bad person, it only means something in the relationship died long ago.

Can a log cabin really save a marriage? Nope. It would seem not in “Shiloh.” Leroy knows things are off balance between him and his wife. In doing so, he makes some small strides in an effort to salvage the relationship. Buying the keyboard for Norma Jean seems to truly make her happy. Leroy tries to continue this by insisting on the house. He wishes to make her blissful and once upon a time had promised her a new home all their own. He thinks by building this cabin on his own, just for her, it will somehow restore the two together. Norma Jean says however that she doesn’t want it. Leroy has missed the point, and his third attempt at reuniting the two, the trip to Shiloh, concludes his efforts.

Where their relationship went is impossible to say. It is likely that their baby’s death killed something between them but because Leroy was often traveling for work it might not have surfaced as much of a problem. However, when he returns home, their disconnect becomes apparent. I think, had he not been injured, they might have continued their lives together for longer because Norma Jean was just as unaware as Leroy of their troubles until his injury. In “Shiloh” the story of a lost marriage reveals the irony of attempts at trying to fix it only bringing about the sad truth.

Who is a Lady?

Who is a Lady? To define a lady is a task left only to Webster. He provides us with many options, mainly focusing on the more archaic idea of a lady as a woman connected to a knight. It seems 3a and 3b in the dictionary really capture the meaning for the story stating “a woman of superior social position or a woman of refinement and gentle manners” respectively. However, in the case of “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, the definition becomes more of an interpretation by the reader. The Grandmother of the story frequently likes to think of herself as a lady based off her own conclusions. Yet, her actions in the final scenes of the story are unexpected if her own classification is to be true. Is the Grandmother a true lady?

To answer this question, the meaning must first be decided. I believe Webster was on to something with 3b. “A woman of refinement and gentle manners” certainly sounds like a lady. I think this is only a partial definition however. In addition, I think she should attempt to bring light to any situation and care for others before herself. By adding these details, the new meaning would then encompass the behavior, appearance, and actions of a lady. Does this all apply to the Grandmother?

Language in its nature is subjective. Because there are so many words and because everyone thinks differently, language has become a vast road with endless pebbles trying to work together and lead in various directions at the same time. Therefore, I do not think the Grandmother can wholly be classified as a lady. Based on Webster’s definition, I do not think she qualifies. Based on his plus mine, I do not think she makes it. I do think, although not the whole package, she still retains lady-like qualities.

The Grandmother does her best to present herself well. She dresses nicely and speaks politely. She also attempts to try to connect with her family, but usually with selfish motivation. Such as when she prods the children to wish to see the old house, but only so she might see it too and relive her past rather than show them something interesting. Her manners and level of refinement are perhaps average to above average enough to make her lady-like. Yet the end of the story comes around and her image changes. First, she pleads with the Misfit. Next, she ignores the killings the behind her. Finally, she reaches out to her killer. The pleading does not deny her the lady title, but the fact she is not pleading for all her family does. Combined with her disregard for the events taking place in the woods behind her, the Grandmother seems very unconcerned for anyone else. This selfish characteristic is maintained in the whole story. However, because of its demonstration at the end of her life, it casts a large negative shadow. By reaching out for the killer, reaching out perhaps even to embrace him, little can be concluded. This action is so off base, I believe an analysis is unfair.

I also think, judging much of that last scene is unfair. To be in such a situation is something few can relate to, and I can only imagine the traumatic emotions. Yet, because it is a short story, I know it must be at least delicately read into beyond the basic lines. I feel as if a lady stands out and is highlighted by all she does. Therefore, I find it easy to say the Grandmother was not a lady; less so because of her actions and more because of the lack of action. (612)

Blame in "Teenage Wasteland"

Daisy is just a mother trying to do her best. There is no simpler interpretation than that. Her best may not be good enough, in fact, it may be damaging to her cause. In “Teenage Wasteland” it is difficult to place blame for Donny’s troubles. There are many people who have contributed to his development including him. The story gives little fault to Donny and so did our class. This perplexed me. Yes, he is young; however, he clearly deserves some credit for his actions. Daisy can also be credited, but for how much? I believe the poor path Donny is following lies in the hands of many people.

To start, the lack of much of a father character in the story certainly did not help. Because we rarely hear from him, we can only assume he barely plays a role in Donny’s life. This draws the attention to Daisy. However, I maintain that Donny could have used a strong male role model. Next, I’d like to turn to Cal. He arrives in Donny’s life only after his path has begun the downward spiral. Yet, Cal represented hope. He was highly recommended, made Donny happy, and at first even seemed to make an impact. Due to those facts, it is hard to bear that Donny did not permanently change from their relationship. Also, it shows that clearly Cal did not help; whether or not he negatively affected him is up for debate. The final candidate besides Daisy is Donny himself. Similar to the other characters, he does not warrant all the blame, but he did not help. At some point, he must have realized his actions were harmful to not only himself but also his family. Why he did not change then? The story will not allow us to know. Instead, “Teenage Wasteland” highlights Daisy’s responses to his life. She had some trouble raising Donny right, and once the problems became more serious her reactions became more scattered. Daisy does deserve some blame for the outcome. How much is impossible to determine. However, I certainly do not believe her insecurities, which are demonstrated in some areas of the story, are a direct cause to Donny’s troubles. As a reader it is unfair to hold them against her for two reasons. First, we cannot be sure she displays them in front of Donny enough to be a weak parent for him. Second, is she not allowed to have insecurities? I felt as if the class answered yes. There is not some point in our lives when we will lose such a weakness. Therefore, it seems obvious that there is no one person whom the finger can be pointed at.

Why Donny left, what went wrong, what could have been different? These are all questions we, as readers, get to decide for ourselves since the story does not. To me, in addition to such quandaries, I wonder why we are so concerned. I understand the family was torn apart, and I do see this snapshot (this being the specific scenes we see in the story) as a crisis. However, who is to know the future? Donny may learn his lesson away from home. He may return and reunite the four of them. I like to think that Donny finds something new out of life while away from home. He is so altered that when he returns home, not after too long, he can apologize to his parents, something extremely hard to do. Yet, we cannot know the conclusion. We are only meant to decide for ourselves.

Interpreter of Love Lost

A woman’s purse is often seen as an object of mystery and intrigue. Depending on the woman, it can be large or small, complicated or simple, cheap or expensive. The accessory in question is a statement of a particular woman’s personality; its unique qualities demonstrate how the woman leads her life. She might choose to use a small bag when attending a formal event for she need not carry much. However, on trips, a larger purse is helpful to provide for easy access to many essentials, like a hairbrush. Additionally, in the case of a mother, bigger is often better. Mothers can bring with them tools of entertainment or snacks for their dependent children to utilize especially while on long excursions from the house. This specific purpose is consistently demonstrated throughout the Interpreter of Maladies. Mrs. Das finds many excuses to dig through her bag whether looking for herself or for her children it seems she always finds what she needs. Yet her constant rummaging suggests more than a desire for what she needs. Through searching and using the items in her purse, Mrs. Das is looking for an escape from her loveless life. Whenever a moment emerges that illustrates her emptiness, the handbag seems to emerge as well.

The first encounter with her handbag is her purchase of some puffed rice. She bought it after reluctantly escorting her daughter to the restroom without any feelings of attachment since she didn’t even hold her hand. In this situation, it would be typical for motherly affection to be displayed; yet, Mrs. Das only fills the void by adding to her purse. This snack becomes a reoccurring character throughout the story. She often pulls it out when it seems she needs something to do. Although, it’s most important performance comes at the end of the story. By leaving a trail of puffed rice pieces, she inadvertently attracts the hungry monkeys. This leads the animals to her son, and they begin to attack him. Mr. Kapasi saves him quickly, and the parents begin to care for the boy. Mrs. Das almost instinctively reaches for her purse. She produces a band-aid to cover the boy’s wounds. Ironically, in this case the purse brought her closer to her son instead of giving her a reason to ignProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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e him because she was able to share with him relief that was usually maintained only for her.

Another example of Mrs. Das’s loss of connection is portrayed through the exchange of contact information with her tour guide. At first, it appears to be a genuine outreach. After taking down his information, Mrs. Das puts it in the place where her life can be maintained, her purse. By the act of “dropping it into the jumble of her bag”, it shows how any curiosity she might attain quickly becomes part of her messy bag (586). She seems concerned with his work and his life; later, the story reveals an ulterior motive for her actions. Her attempt to build a bridge with him turns out to be an attempt for her to confess her sins. She hopes he can absolve her of her adulterous guilt. Her effort at creating a relationship not only has the wrong intentions but also is a failure. Once Mr. Kapasi realizes what she is after, he abandons all interest in her. She soon follows suit. Mrs. Das’s loss of his contact information, although unintentional, from her purse represents much more. She cannot fill the void of her loveless life, even through the use of her purse as storage for her necessities.

Mrs. Das tries to use her purse to keep herself together and that is all she can keep together. She has lost her ability to love. Perhaps it is because she has messed up in her marriage or perhaps it is because she lost her friends early on. But within this short story, there is a glimpse at her endeavors to reconnect with someone. While doing so, she carries along her purse loyally to keep her close to something. It also allows her the ability to escape, such as having entertainment, such as “a bottle of colorless nail polish”, rather than having nothing to do (582). No matter where she goes she will keep her purse with her as if it is the only weight to keep her from floating away.