"Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri: Analysis

      As I read, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, I find that communication and sensitivity are lacking among the characters.  Although the family is vacationing in their homeland of India, there seems to be no sense of family in this group of people.  To start, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Das are downright hostile towards each  other.  For the reader, this indicates that this marriage is clearly failing.  Mr. Kapsi notices "Mr. and Mrs. Das behaved like an older brother and sister, not parents" (Lahiri).  Mr. Kapsi sees himself in the lonely, misunderstood Mrs. Das and wishes to become her companion.  However, with the negative attitude of Mrs. Das, she does not wish to pursue this friendship.  In my personal opinion, I believe that a companionship between Mrs. Das and Mr. Kapsi could benefit both of them immensely.  They could be have something to talk to about their difficulties, help each other through them, and then lead healthier and happier lives.  However, this is not the case.  Mrs. Das looses Mr. Kapsi addresses, ending any chance of communication between the two.  This short story shows how refusal to communicate and be sensitive will ensure one a sad, hopeless life.

"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker: Imagery

      After finishing the short story, Everyday Use, I see the abundant usage of imagery woven in the lines of this piece.  Imagery enhances the story by evoking sensory experience. Author Alice Walker starts her work off by describing the yard as "so clean and wavy" (Walker).   From the start, the author carefully writes of each specific detail.  These particularized descriptions aid in bringing to life what is written in the text of this poem.  In my opinion, I actually feel as those I am blinded by Dee's dress of "yellows and oranges" (Walker).   Also, the read has more of an idea of what the personalities, opinions, and appearances of the characters are.  For example, at the beginning,  Maggie is noted as being "homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs" (Walker).  This imagery leads the reader to conclude that Maggie has been pyschologically damaged by her past, leaving her embarrassed of her looks.  In Everyday Use, imagery serves as a device that enables the reader to better understand the surroundings and individual thoughts of the characters.

"Hazel Tells Laverne" by Katharyn Howd Machan: Dialect

     After reading the humorous poem, Hazel and Laverne, I sense that dialect serves an imperative purpose throughout the work.  First, Hazel's way of speaking shows much about her character.  With her "sohelpmegod"s and "flushm"s, the narrator reveals that she is an uneducated Southern member of the working class (Machan).  Because of her place in society, I predict Hazel to be extremely frank and realistic with her thoughts and opinions.  With this, the narrator thinks it a laughable idea to kiss the frog because she cannot imagine herself "a princess" (Machan).  Hazel's dialect leads the reader to conclude that she clearly does not think she qualifies to be of royalty.  In a way, the author may be trying to convey that society has led the working class to believe they are worth less than they are.  Also, Hazel's way of speaking adds blunt, slapstick humor to this not-so-fairy tale situation.  The dialect of Hazel not only assists the reader in further analyzing the piece, but helps in finding amusement in the work as well.

"Toads" by Philip Larkin: Symbolism

    Upon reading the intriguing poem, Toads, I notice the author's great usage of symbolism.  In my personal opinion, toads are vile creatures that are quite revolting.  Author Philip Larkin crafts a symbol of a toad to create a representation of work.  With this, I assume the narrator has an extremely negative view of work as he describes it as a "sickening poison" (Larkin).  The narrator of this piece time and time again mentions how this toad has placed a huge burden on his life.  The toad symbolizes the stress experience by work.  This stress brings out sheer jealousy, anger, hatred, and hopeless.  This symbol inhibits the narrator from pursuing his dreams.  I find it confusing how this symbol operates.  This toad of work instead of providing from the narrator financially and bring happiness, it only drags him down.  Philip Larkin uses a toad to symbolism the stress dealt with in work.

"Mr. Z" by M. Carl Holman

    In the poem, Mr. Z, author M. Carl Holman writes of society molding its members to have no sense of their own personal background.  The main character, Mr. Z, was "taught early that his mother's skin was the sign of error" (Holman).  This biracial character strives to dissociate with his mother's background by choosing "race less views of each situation" (Holman).  Overall, I believe M. Carl Holman is scrutinizing society.  Society has created this image of what the ideal person should be.  To live up to this image, one must eradicate themselves of any sense of ethnic culture.  Mr. Z clearly works to become this perfect member of society when he "disclaimed kinship with jazz and spirituals" (Holman).  Yet, at the end, Mr. Z becomes "one of the most distinguished members of his race" (Holman).  All in all, people spend their lives trying to become something they are not. But when these people are gone, they are remembered as the person they tried so hard to rid themselves of.

Thoughts on Perrine's Interpretation of Poetry

     After examining Perrine's thoughts and criteria concerning the interpretations of poetry, I both agree and disagree with his opinions.  I truly do believe that a reader can see absolutely anything in the depths of a poem.  Moreover, one cannot limit the imagination by creating one absolute meaning to a piece of literature.  It would be completely wrong to do such an action.  There are far too many differing people with their own unique beliefs and backgrounds in this world to place one definite reading to a poem.  Perrine mentions, "There are no correct or incorrect readings: there are only readings which differ more or less widely from a statistical norm."  I find it confusing how Perrine asserts this free spirit statement, but then goes on to list the criteria of what makes an interpretation correct.  This way of thinking place a severe restriction on artistry and basically defeats the point of fiction.

     This article by Perrine fortified my own belief of interpretations of literature.  After reading over Perrines criteria, I see how foolish and narrow minded it is to place a correct or an incorrect reading on a poem.  If we were all to be convinced of this, there would be a sense of uniformity that would confine people's individuality.  It struck me as surprising of how a professor could think in such a way.  One who teaches others should, no doubt, aid their students in developing their own particular styles and ways of thinking.  However, I do agree with the notion that not even the author should put labels on his work.  It is for the reader to use his or her own personal life to make connections and decide what he thinks the poem to be.  In the future, I will use the knowledge gained from this article to form a greater appreciation of my classmates differing thoughts on pieces of literature.

 

The Great Gatsby: Picture

Oh, just reading The Great Gatsby while doing high ropes at cross country camp..