Public Fiction Project

Public Fiction Project

Hey all:

To meet this requirement, you can go to a fiction reading. Here are some listings:

http://www.bookforum.com/events/

And check out the Center for Fiction in Midtown:

http://www.centerforfiction.org/

They have frequent readings and even a literary magazine that you can submit to.

If you'd rather submit your fiction to a publication, I'd suggest Newpages.com:

http://www.newpages.com/magazines/literary-magazines

or Poets &Writers:

http://www.pw.org/literary_magazines

Nowadays, many mags will allow you to submit your stories via the internet. We'll talk more about submitting your fiction, and I'd be happy to speak one-on-one w/ you about this too.

The Night of the Satellite

"The Night of the Satellite" was quite an interesting short story. Basically it's about a couple conflict. They are both English graduate students. At the start it shows the couple heading to there friends Chris and Annelise  farmhouse, where they encounter the couple having what they call it "a lover's quarrel."  Mallory get's in between them stopping them from arguing. Malory in my opinion has no right to get involve in another couples conflict. Couples should be able to fix whatever problem they have  between themselves. It is the girl's fault for getting herself into that mess. She states "he is a jerk". Most likely he is a bad boy and that is her choice. Now a days girls don't want a nice guy that WILL actually be there for them in any giving situation. There into players and that's how they get there hearts broken. Later on as they grow older they begin to look for nicer guy's. They live and they learn unfortunately.  

Conflict, Climax, and Resolution

These are three elements that nearly every story has. "Night of the Satellite," in many ways is a classically structured story w/ each of these elements positioned in fairly traditional ways. "After the Flood" is a bit less conventional, but I think we could probably pinpoint similar moments in this story too. If you don't know what these terms mean, no worries, we'll discuss them in more detail tomorrow night.

The story "after the flood" left me wondering how did her daughter and grand daughter die. Did charles kill them? Do old people really live like robert and his wife?

That girl Mallory is a bitch.  Sorry, I had to say it.

ABC story

All I ever wanted was you

Because life without you is hard

Can’t sleep at night

Don’t want to eat

Even when food is in front of me

Forget about going out

How can I go ?

In this world

Just because I lost a love, I

Keep telling myself I’m much stronger

Like never giving up on my self esteem

My mind is racing

Not allowing myself to be weak, I

Opted out of this because your no good of a

Person for me, I will get over the

Quarreling, a lost cause will only hold me back

Real life waits. I am

Strong I will not be broken

Take that!! Ha and I realized

U will not win I’m over you

Victory is mine

Worship and Respect me. Understand this
Xcerpt. I am a beautiful

Youthful woman, your no longer in control of me, my life now is

Zoetic

After the flood

Well obviously the story talks about two families who lives were affected by a flood. It seems like the family who came to stay were embarrassed so they stayed to them self and tried not to be much of a bother. The reverend seems to be nosy.  This story talks about the death of her daughter and their family, which may of hinted the husband of her daughter killed them because he may of been depressed about losing his job. The family who took them in the married couple seemed estranged although living in the same house had respect for one another but distant. The story was pretty dull no real excitement, it ended with the married couple deciding not to go to church any more

The night of the satellite

This was an interesting story. It spoke a quarrel between a man and his girlfriend. The quarrel being so unnecessary but enormous enough o ruin a vacation meant for fun.  Mallory being so upset that she didn't want to think of anything else besides being angry with her boyfriend, not even when he got hurt. I guess she was angry for him not getting involved in the quarrel of another relationship they seen on the way to their friends house. The possible satellite that fell and hit him just made me think if the argument being so big to her that she got rid of and ignored something that was special to him. maybe because helping that girl meant a lot to her. Sort of like revenge but she was acting petty to me

The Night of the Satellite

The first time reading this short story, I was dumbfounded by the ending, but only after reflecting on it a bit. Directly after the ending, I assumed it to be quite anticlimactic, like there weren't any morals. Later, I deciphered the moral as confirming that our problems as humans, no matter how big, are useless compared the vastness of the universe. The protagonist seemed to have realised this when he decided to go back to his normal life.

The Night of Sattelite

I enjoyed reading the 'The Night of satellite" I pretty much love short stories and books that have a lot of drama. That pretty much is what makes the book interesting. " The Night of satellite, was about graduate students that seem to be dating. There started off with just two but then the book introduce two of their friends that seem to also be dating one another. They seemed to have responsibilities but didn't really look like they had a real job, they were just mainly going to school and hanging it. I'm not sure if anyone got the same visual but in the beginning of the story, The narrator and his girlfriend seemed to be taking ecstasy at the place they stated they were at in which they stated was at Chris white's place, dinner and the bar. On their way to their friends house Chris and Anneliese they noticed a woman being yelled at and disrespected by her boyfriend. They stop to see if she was okay and Mallory the narrators girlfriend wanted to help her but he stated that was relationship problems and they shouldn't get involved. I don't want to tell the whole story, so In conclusion I felt like the narrator was arrogant at first because how he dealt with the woman that was crying and seem to need help but then I agreed with him because it was a relationship problem, she still ended up staying with him and everything was fine so why should they get involved and causing more drama between their selves and the boyfriend. pretty much that's what ended up happening and Mallory and her boyfriend started to go through changes between their relationship all from the start of interfering in someone else's problems.

The Indian Uprising

This story was a mind blower. It was interesting it took a page for me to start to realize that the old man was a teacher having dinner with an older student.. I hope that's what I'm getting at.. Then the old man dies of kidney failure I assume because he refused dialysis. I guess this teacher left an impression on his student because her ex seemed to remember him. The teacher has a witty mouth and doesn't seemed to bite his tongue. Maybe cause he knew he was dying he didn't seem fearful of the blood on his sock and he added humor by leaving the restaurant taking the hat off the wall.

Starting w/ Best American Short Stories

As we leave behind Charles Dickens and his creation David Copperfield and jump over a hundred years into the future, lets think about the innovations that have happened with the story--and also about what has stayed the same. Obviously, these stories are a lot briefer than David Copperfield, but I think there are probably other differences too. As we begin this book, I'd like us to think about ways in which modern short stories deviate from a canonical text like Dickens'. In what ways are these stories innovative? In what ways are they traditional?

Charity

This story was good. It tells a lot about how love can live although the flames dim. It says a lot about what the effects of drugs can do to you by tearing you apart. This story talks about friendship and the lives of people who help overseas and what they may encounter. I'm glad Matty had a good friend to stand bu him and stick it out through thick and thin

I enjoyed the movie of David copperfield because it was visual. I still think the ending was disappointing to have ham die in a boating accident after seeing Steethfort and not engaging in an altercation gave it a less dramatic ending to such a dramatic story.  I'm Glad David found happiness in his life with Agnes. There were scenes in the movie I hoped to see such as the Murdstones in David's future and the strongs because I wanted to see how they would cast these characters an older gentleman with a younger woman. 

The Indian Uprising (spoiler alert)

The Indian Uprising(

I read this story first hoping it was something about a rebellion, but was pleasantly surprised at the actual narrative. It did read strange at first as there was no introduction to the characters. You have to do some comprehension to figure out who's who. The relationship of the professor and ex-student isn't a popular topic to write about so it was refreshing reading this.

However there was little substance to this story; there was little gained. It didn't feel like a written story, it felt like somebody was reliving a day they had with an old professor they still kept in contact with. So when it ended I didn't really feel sad that Franklin died. There certainly wasnt alot of character development. They only thing I felt was the relationship between Franklin and Maude must of been pretty strong for her to keep a connection alive between them. If that was the author's intent than I guess Ann Beattie did a good job.

Charity

So basically it starts off with a young gay man named Matty Quinn. When Matty met Harry , they were Americans living in Africa doing what they could to help sick people. Turns out Matty gets addicted to pain killers. I respect Harry for loving Matty for the who he is. He saw that he is filled with kindness for the people all around him. He saw that he wasn't helping out in hope of making a profit. I love that even though Matty is going through a difficult time with his addiction, Harry is still there for him and is willing to be there. Now that's what I call love between two people. A bond that cannot be broken and will always fight for one another.

Charity

The author does an exellent job at making you visualise two people (Harry and Quinn) who care for each other, rather than just two homosexuals. This is an important feature to combat the primarily sexual prejudice toward their relationships. The story also points out how the duration of love may vary while not necessarily opposing the "happily ever after" cliche either. Neither of the characters end up heartbroken by the end of the story, they're simply continuing their lives.

Charity

I was disappointed in the ending of the first short story, charity. To me, it had a very plain ending. Left me cursing out loud on the train

David Copperfield

One bizzaro scene in the movie was when David first arrived at Aunt Betsy's house and she started pouring salad dressing down his throat. I didn't quite understand why she did that. It was more of a "ummm what the..." than a "haha" moment for me. 

I was surprised that this rendition of Copperfield didn't have any scenes from when David went to school. I was somewhat disappointed that they didn't show the scene where David see's the "He bites" sign and thinks there's a dog but finds out the sign is for him. 

Overall I think that they portrayed the characters' personalities and appearances very well. 

Finishing Up w/ Dickens

As you finish the novel, I'd like you to think about how you would turn it into a film. Most film scripts are 80-120 pp. This novel is nearly 900 pp so clearly some abridgement is necessary in order to translate it into a film. I think the word "translate" is particularly useful when we talk about film adaptations. Rather than think about how films are not the same as a novel, I'm more interested in the necessary choices that a director/screenwriter has to make when adapting a film. I think examining adaptations is a useful exercise for fiction writers. Well-done adaptations help us to see what the "main" story is within a narrative, who the most important characters are, and what one way of interpreting the original text might look like (and how we might interpret it differently). Clearly, there is not just one way of interpreting a text, b/c films get remade all the time (there are 10 different versions of David Copperfield). Before we watch George Cukor's 1935 version of the novel (which is the first version), I'd like you to write for a bit about how you would adapt it. If you had to tell this story in two hours, what would you cut? What characters or stories would you remove? What is most important to keep for your version of David Copperfield?

Saki's ABC Story

About 3 in the morning and I’m still in the club.

Beer there, beer here, beer everywhere!

“Cock” screamed Sara!

“Dick” said Ashely.

Everywhere you go you see cocks or dicks.

“For god sake can you guys get anymore weird”?

Guy next to me starts to scream out “shot shot shot shot”.

“Harry is that you”?

“Interesting seeing you here Jack! It’s getting late, why are you still with Sara and Ashely” said Harry.

 “Jack you don’t understand, I am sleeping with both of them”!

“Knock it out, you must be joking,” said Harry.

“LOL my friend you are my role model” replied Jack.

“Makers on rocks bartender, only 3 cubes” screamed Harry.

“No Jack, don’t be ordering me drinks”!

“Obviously it’s for me, calm you’re titties” said Harry.

People all around me started dancing bachata.

“Quiet down, you need to listen to rhythm of the song!” replied Jack.

Right step back, two steps forward.

“Stop it you are doing it all wrong!”

“There isn’t much time, the club will close in 15 minutes”.

“Usually tonight it closes at 5”.

“Very nice, I like the sound of that”!

“What I didn’t hear you”? “

Xenos”!

“You are babbling, wait what kind of music this”?

“Zumba, that’s the dance we are dancing to now”!

end of book

So coming to the end of the book which i found to be quite interesting how Steerforth died and it was if he never existed, and here he was the guy who took Emily away but to only resurface dead on a beach. Agnes and David finally being together,,having children and I'm so glad that Copperfield decided to let David find happiness after all that he has been through. Dora dying but yet Im left with in my head,,died from what? Same with Davids mom and brother still,dont know how they died?

Ardi's ABC story

“Always put the toilet seat down damnit!” Martha screams. 

“But that’s why I have you baby” Pete slowly replied while scratching his belly.  Closing the lid with a sigh, Martha makes her way to the living room.

 “Do you always have to play video games with your butt buddies on Xbox?”  Martha said.

“Every time you nag me like this, yah” he replies.

 “Found your other sock by the window by the way” she said. 

“Go squeeze it on a bottle, I am sure there is enough sweat to hydrate us for tonight” he replies. 

Hot was the forecast for that day.  It was a perfect day to go out. 

Judy calls Martha on her cell and screams “ARE YOU READY FOR TONIGHT? WOOOT!”  Knowing she was going to call, Martha had prepared her reply, “I was born ready.”

“Love you, can’t wait to see you and your outfit tonight” Judy replies and then hangs up.

“Man, she’s annoying as hell” Pete states. “Nooo, she’s not annoying, you’re annoying” she angrily replies.  Obscure clothing is not what’s “in” in the club and this dissatisfies Pete.  Pete puts on his jeans and he was ready.  Questioning himself in the mirror he finally says “eh whatever, I already have a girlfriend.”  Reluctantly, Pete goes into the bedroom to see what she had put on.  

Short, short, short, was all that came to Petes mind but he says “You look great baby!” Tonight they were going to a club in the city where a famous DJ that all the girls love was going to play.   Unknowingly however, the place was going to be overcrowded because it was teen night.  Voila! And just like that, they had made it to the club in his 1998 Camry.  “Wow, I can’t believe how crowded this place is!”  Judy says while laughing like a hyena.   Xclusive was the Dj’s name and was clearly highlighted throughout the club.  Yep, this was the night they were looking for in the end, it was everything the girls wanted!  Zipping through the streets, they finally get come home and Pete lets out a sigh of relief that another night has come to a close.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought this was a little fun to be honest, however I also felt that it makes your story a little too restricted.  I do not feel like you have the ability to make many stories with this type of restriction.

Another Boy Crippled: An ABC Story

        "Apples or Oranges?" asks the boy as his mother pushes him out the hospital using his wheelchair.

              "But I prefer kiwi over those choices," replies the mother.

            "Can't you just answer the question right?" asks the boy, upset that his mother didn't answer how he'd wanted.

            "Don't you talk to me like that, ever!" says the mother, putting her foot down at this unruly behavior. "Everyone knows who the adult is here, so I suggest that you behave," she continues with a slightly raised voice.

           

            Fertility can possibly take the blame here, because if women were unable to become pregnant, there wouldn't be any ungrateful children in wheelchairs.

           

            "Getting in the car is hard!" complains the boy while in the hospital parking lot.

            "Hard for who? It's hard for me, and only me." she says, still in stressed out mommy mode. "Just sit down, okay?" she asks calmly after taking a deep breath, finally composing herself.

            Kids are, and always will be, a handful. Leaving them in the parking lot and driving off isn't an option, unfortunately. Must've been what the boy's mother had been thinking, prior to the exaggerated inhale/exhale to keep calm.

            "Never say never,"  the mother says as the boy keeps complaining how he's never gonna walk again.

            "Okay," he sighs, sounding defeated.

            "Poor thing," she thinks to herself as she puts her child to bed.

            Quietly, the mother walks out after she's sure he's sleeping. Reality has crept up on this child; perhaps for the first time in his young life. Such a sad situation to say the least. Togetherness is crucial in times like these. Unreliability, especially as a parent, is not an option.

            "Very interesting," the mother says as the boy shows her his latest class drawing.

            "When is dad coming home?" he asks, unaware of his father picking up and leaving the city.

           

            Xenophobia might have been one of the reasons for his father's abandonment, being born and raised in small town America.

         "You ask too many questions, you know that?" she asks rhetorically, knowing her son's attention span isn't the best, as she realizes he's daydreaming.

            Zoning out probably lets the boy imagine being able to walk again, to deal with a broken family, something that has become more common than people give it credit for.

            

ABC Story

A sudden attack by enemy pirates caught us off guard, and they charged at our war brig with their entire fleet! Bombarded by a slew of cannonballs, we attempted evasive maneuvers and successfully avoided a majority of the damage, although our hull sustained a few hits.

“Cap’n, we’re gaining bilge in the cabins! Darn it, those scurvy dogs are going to pay for this,” shouted a deckhand.

“Everyone, prepare to abandon ship; take the the dinghies and follow the sun to the east, where we can meet with the rest of our armada! Follow the tides home and don’t give up hope, men! God of the seas, Poseidon, is on our side this time and this battle will be ours as long as we can make it back to the mother ship,” I bellowed.

“Heave, ho, heave, ho,” chanted the crewmates as they rowed.

In the midst of the rowing came a foreboding sense of unease; it was too peaceful for some reason, as if the enemy had stopped chasing us. Just at that moment, giant pillars of water burst into the sky and ominous shadows loomed over the men.

“KR-KR-KRAKENNN!!! LORD HAVE MERCY ON OUR SOULS…” cried a fleet officer.

“Men, don’t you dare give up against this fiend! No, you shall all survive and live to tell another glorious tale,” I roared.

Oblivious to the death coming down from above, I kept belting words of encouragement until the tentacle connected with the dinghies and destroyed all of them. Broken planks went flying everywhere, impaling some of the men and killing them almost immediately; inducing mass panic from the surviving crew members. Quelling the screams of the men, the kraken fully emerged from the sea and consumed the rest of the crew; everything had disappeared into the abyss of the beast’s mouth.

Realizing that the brig sent for making treaties was taking longer than usual to return, the commanding admiral could tell that something had happened to them.

Signaling to the fleet on standby, the admiral commanded immediate mobilization.

The skilled tactician yelled, “To arms, men!! Until we send all of our foes to Davy Jones’ Locker, we will continue to hunt them down! Vengeance—IT SHALL BE OURS!”

“We should lead with our greatest Xebec, the Holy Nick! Xebecs are the best for vengeance on the high seas; we can swiftly eliminate the enemy’s war frigates while they struggle to aim their cannons at us,” noted the fleet’s quartermaster.

“YARRRR, LET’S GET GOING ALREADY—FOR OUR BRETHREN,” echoed hundreds of men.

Zealously rushing towards their fallen allies and going as fast as their sails could take them, the armada sailed into the horizon, enraged and ready to perish anything that obstructed their path… even the legendary kraken itself.

                              Amazing the feeling you get after winning a fight. Boxing has changed my life in ways I can’t explain. Considering all I’ve been through, the fact that I’m a professional boxer means more than just getting paid to fight.

            “Don’t run so much,” my mother would yell at me when I got crazy because she was afraid I’d get hurt. ”Exactly, calm down,” my father would agree with her when he thought I was getting too crazy.

            “Fuck that,” I’d say to myself every time someone tried to stop me from being me. God took something from me and I’d always ask why? How am I supposed to calm down knowing all the kids are outside playing and I have to stay in? I never understood why God did this to me, but I guess he has a plan. Joking was how I channeled my anger because I would fight when kids made fun of me and I had to stop getting in trouble. Kids are ruthless but I learned that fighting doesn’t solve everything even if it felt good. Luck was something rare to my family and we were raised to be hard workers. Money never came easy to me so I found myself doing things I wasn’t proud of. Never did I do things with bad intentions because God blessed me with a good heart. Or cursed with a good heart some might say depending on the situation. Obviously I have changed my ways because I’m back in school trying to make things happen. People I have met have helped me realize I have to change. Questions they have helped answer have changed my view on a lot. Respect, love, loyalty and honor become my base on life. Some might not agree, but I feel so strong about it that I have it tattooed on my body. Truth be told, I have a long way to go. Unbelievably, I’m a pro athlete, so I know there’s a God. Violence has left my life and that’s proof I’m changing into a better person. Welcoming these changes and being happy with them help me sleep at night. Xiomara once told me, “You’ll never get anywhere being so angry”. Years have passed since the last time I’ve gotten arrested and I’m glad because I don’t want my children to visit me in prison. Zoos are the only place I want to take my kids to see animals behind bars.

ABC Story

“Are you listening to me?” said Becky.
“BECKY LEAVE ME ALONE!” said the guy.
“Can you hear me!?” Said Becky. “Don’t speak to me!” said the guy.
“Everyone is looking at you crazy Becky, please STOP!”
 “Forget about me, why don’t you?” “Go ahead!” “Hurt me and hurt me and hurt me again.” “…In a few days I’ll disappear.”
 “Just stop.” Said the guy looking highly annoyed.
“Karma is a bitch!”
“Look you don’t have to be so dramatic.”
“Move away from me.”
“No, I won’t leave you like this.”
“Open your heart to me then.” “Please don’t make me question your sincerity?”
“Question my sincerity?”
 “Rescue me.” “Save me.” Said Becky.
“Take this instead.” The guy hands over his military pendant to Becky.
“Um?” I said. Veiling my tears, I was heartbroken. “Whenever you need me, I’ll always be here.” “Xenial, you are.” Said the guy. “You are an angel.
” Zooming off in my car; I left my heart lying there shattered in pieces.

ABC Story

ABC Story

Autumn came crashing in as a sure reminder that school was in full swing. “Brandon promised he would call when he got settled on the base camp.” “Could I wait any longer to hear from him?” “Do I try and call him to see if he’s okay?”

“Every time he leaves it’s like I’m the one at war with myself.” “Fine; don’t call me.”

“Great, Rachel; there you go being selfish again.” “How can I be so worried about a stupid phone call, when he’s out there worrying about surviving another day.”

“I just have to convince myself that he’s fine, and he’s probably just traveling the desert without signal.”

Just as Rachel stopped pacing back and forth in the living room, and started to settle down on the couch, she heard someone coming up the driveway. Knocking at the back door startled Rachel. “Let me in! Mom’s gonna be home soon and she’ll freak if she sees me wearing her sweater.” “Nadine, how many times do we have to tell you to bring your keys when you leave the house?” “Oh, shut up and help me undo the zipper.” Putting the sweater back on the hanger, “so have you heard from Brandon yet?” “Quit asking me about it!” “Really, Rach? So getting mad at me is your solution to your army boy problems.” “Take mom’s sweater and bring it upstairs; I’m not getting into it with you.” “Unbelievable; I try to help you and push me away.” “Valerie called the house phone earlier,” Rachel said changing the subject. “Well, thanks,” Nadine answered walking upstairs.

X-men came on the television, and Rachel returned to her spot on the couch. “You just have to shut it off, and not think about it”, Rachel said starring at her phone.

Zapping ringtone went off as she was about to press ‘power off’; his ringtone. 

David's feelings in the upcoming chapters

I love the fact that Davide copper field always lends a helping hand when it is needed. he always tried to do what's right and hope to make everyone happy. The fact that him and Dora aren't going quite as great as I assumed them to turn out seems to be ironic but sometimes. .what's destined to be doesn't happen so easily.Dora has her downfalls where she acts very childish and can't even get simple house work right as a wife. Also, The fact that Dora has miscarried David's baby I believe will change their relationship very soon. 

Finishing Up w/ Dickens

As we finish up w/ David Copperfield, I'd like us to start to make some general comments on the novel:

• If you were to describe this novel to someone who hasn't read it, how would you do it (in one sentence)?
• What is one thing that you've learned about your own writing by reading this novel? 
• Who is the most interesting character? Who is the most unrealistic? 
• What is the funniest moment? What is the most moving? 
• After reading this novel, what qualities would you say that a first-person-narrated novel must have?
• Do you have any suggestions for a first-person novel for EN-201 in the future? 

These chapters are so dramatic and interesting. Uriah planned it out well. His past constant use of umble was just a disguise because now he's not that umble of a character. I'm glad David punched him in the face. Lil Em'ly seems to be a main story plot in these chapters as Dora. I'm sad to hear that Dora had such a terrible birth that took her legs. David losses his child. Although they Found Em'ly I'm more curious on the reason why steethfort felt the need to lock her away. Didhe not make her a woman?

poor david

He finally gets married but is he happy? Then Dora gets pregnant and loses the baby , why would dickens inflict more pain and heartache on David? See Uriah on the hand deserves what he is coming to him and he caught and confronted by David, Mr. Micawber, Agnes, Miss Betsey and Traddles. What kind of fraud did he actually comitt?
One thing that confused me is when Steerforth grows tired of Emily and locks her away so she wont hurt herself. What she that much in love with him to inflict harm to herself? And why after she ran away and was found by a nice couple who took her in and cared for her until relatives found. Why did Mr. Peggotty think it would be better to move to Australia? Everyone was worried and cared about her even Ham who she betrayed. Home is where she needs to be.

this weeks reading

David meets Doras aunts Lavinia and Clarissa who have come to basically see if he is fit for their niece. I think or am i the only that sees how childlike she is and the aunts treat her like a child. So David is fit for her even though he has been dealt a bad card he sees good in all but Dora I dont think is fit for him? On a good note Agnes tells David that will never marry Uriah. David is happy about that and who knows maybe there is hope for him and Agnes afterall-fingers crossed.

In the following chapters I see what Dickens is trying to tell us with Mr. Peggotty. Dickens always talks about Mr. Peggotty being  at sea as if that's the place to be. What does this mean? Dickens is trying to show us how imagery connects us with Mr. Peggotty. Although Mr. Peggotty spends much of his time at sea, he lives in a boat near the water with little Emly and Ham. The ironic part is that those kids parents lost there lives at sea. The sea for Mr. Peggotty is all he has to left to offer. It gives him life, as well as a force that can take life away. It's pretty interesting if you think about it. 

Unnecessary?

As I was reading the most recently assigned chapters, I thought to myself,"Why does David have to lose a wife and his child?" At first, I though Dickens was being cruel for the sake of being cruel. Then I analysed it further to realise that Dickens must have done this so David's next encounter with good fortune would feel even more significant than his last. Perhaps he will end up with Agnes after all.

Ghostly

The beginning of the novel also states that he will be able to see ghosts. I believe that Dora is a "ghost" of his mother in a sense. She doesn't really know how to be a wife or take care of the house. It's also sort of ghostly that the Murdstone's come back into davids life when we that those characters have died out in the novel. It's interesting how the author makes references to ghosts and then later on Agnes calls Steerforth his "dark angel". Ghosts are mostly represented as see through and I believe he's starting to see through some of the characters such as Steerforth.

Unlucky

David's birth at the beginning of the novel foreshadowed how his life would pan out. His odd timing of birth led to the idea that he will be unlucky. As we read further into the novel we see how superstition was more than just that. I believe that David is very unlucky throughout his life from the people he comes into contact with and how these characters shape his life. I think David is a lot like his mother in the sense that she let people such as Mr. & Mrs. Murdstone take advantage of her and her naivety such as David does with Steerforth but he's starting to mature and see that his initial perspective of Steerforth is warped.

readings up to ch 14....I didn't see it coming. Em'ly and Steethfort. talk about back stabber.. I thought Steethforts disappearance had something to do with Martha disappearance. Im still waiting for murder, don't know why but I am. I see Mr. Murdstone is getting remarried maybe if this wife dies too someone will connect the dots...

Dialogue and Creating Character

We talked about using dialogue to create character briefly here:

http://en201s2015.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-closer-look.html

But I was a little dissatisfied w/ this discussion. I didn't really think that it explored what dialogue can do in fiction. I'd like you to reread pp. 462-465 and discuss how Dickens uses dialogue in this excerpt. How does it convey information? How does it help create character? How does Dickens use it to distinguish different characters?

Barkis dies, Steerforth betrays, and David Woos

First, let me commend you all: Great blog entries this week! I've made some comments on several of them, so feel free to add to those if you'd like--you get credit for responding, making posts, etc.

One thing we haven't talked about yet and it's so basic that maybe it's absurd to wait a month into the term to bring it up, but here goes: Titles. What do titles do? What is their purpose? When you read the title David Copperfield, what did you think? How do you register the titles of the different chapters? For instance, when you read "A Loss" for chapter XXX, what immediately registers before you read the chapter? Or when you read the next chapter title, "A Greater Loss"?

As I bring up these two chapters, I have to point out a clever thing that Dickens does. He uses the pretext of Barkis' impending death to bring David down from London although Barkis is a very flat character in the novel and most of us probably don't care whether he dies or not. However, let's imagine that David is not brought down from England. How would we be informed of Em'ly's disappearance and Steerforth's treachery? How would that change the effect of this event in the body of the novel? Since David is there, how do we find out this information?