Question

Think back to some of the stories you've read in the last year or two. Of those, maybe you had one that you started to read, but you just couldn’t get into it. Why? What made you keep putting it down? On the other hand, think about a story you really enjoyed. What literary elements did the writer use to make it impossible to put down? For example, was the protagonist easy to relate to? Did the author describe the setting with such vivid detail that you felt you were right there? Authors will produce works that place more emphasis on one element than another. As a result, sometimes there are gaps in literary elements that typically appeal to you as the reader. Discuss some of the recent stories you’ve read that have missed the mark. What advice would you give to that author to fill in the gaps you felt were missing? Also give your opinion on some stories that you’ve really enjoyed. Explain the elements that make it a good story. For example, how did the author use character, symbolism, or point of view to create such a page-turner?

Answer 1

“The Gift of the Magi” is a relatable story. Both Jim and Della are realistic characters with strengths and weaknesses. Their actions are believable. The language is somewhat simple and easy to understand. The dialogue and word choice build up the warm and comforting tone of the story. The narrator describes harsh truths in a humorous way, as in this line: “Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.” The author also uses a lot of details that make it easy for the reader to picture the events. Here is an example: “So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her.”

The narrator talks directly to the reader, which makes the story intimate. However, it also creates a sense of distance with the narrator, who is a character we don’t know. On the other hand, the narrator’s thoughts about the Magi help strengthen the theme in the story that true love involves sacrifice.

Some of the words in the story are difficult to understand. For example, this sentence is complicated:

“You've cut off your hair?” asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

I recently started reading a book called "The Mill on the Floss" written by George Eliot. I would have liked to have continued reading, but I couldn't help but abandon it. That's because I found the narration too dragged with little to the ground and where nothing really happened. I believe that this type of narration is not bad, but I know that it is not appropriate for my type of reading, since I prefer a narrative more agile and with events that are quickly established. I intend to try to read this book again in the future, when I am more mature, as I believe that maturity will bring me patience for this type of narrative. In addition, I was unable to identify with the characters, which further diminished my interest in the work.

After that, I started reading other stories. First I read a book called "Scythe" written by Neal Shusterman. This book deeply interested me mainly in the use of metaphors that the author uses to talk about life, death, the need to be alive, the advancement of science and technology and how life becomes a problem when death is prevented. O also created charismatic characters who carry with them many concepts that we can relate to our reality. In addition, the story has an overwhelming mystery and presents many historical figures.

I am currently reading Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", although the narration of this book is more legendary than the narrative used by "Scythe", I admire the way the author manages to make harsh criticisms of English society in the middle of 1812. The author uses irony as a constant literary resource that enriches his works and provides a very satisfying acidity in his books.

In addition, I like how the characters are well characterized and present arguments ahead of their time, which shows that the author's writing was a visionary and admirable writing.