Everyone was Happy

Kate Chopin 's "The Storm"is an unique story on the idea that one must bear their marriage, and sometimes not knowing is better than knowing. The quote on page 146, "As for Clarisse, she was charmed upon receiving her husband's letter. She and the babies were doing well. The society was agreeable; many of her old friends and acquaintances were at the bay. And the first free breath since her marriage seemed to restore the pleasant liberty of her maiden days. Devoted as she was to her husband, their intimate conjugal life was something which she was more than willing to forego for a while. So the storm passed and everyone was happy." It is apparent in this passage that marriage can be something you must bear, and a separation from that can cause happiness and a sense of freedom. Calixta and Alcee were happy to have the freedom to be with another spouse, and Clarisse was relieved to hear her Alcee's letter that he was staying longer. Kate Chopin is telling us that sometimes freedom is not held in a marriage

All Just a Facade

The Monarchs were stiff aristocrats and the narrator was a lower class than the couple. Yet, the Monarch’s were the one’s in need of the painter while the Monarchs ended up being no use for the narrator. As Henry James’ “The Real Thing” progressed, the narrator’s views on the Monarchs changed.

In the opening scene, the narrator judges the couple bases purely on appearance, as they looked wealthy. He believes that they have been recommended to him to have a portrait drawn of them, but in fact they are looking to exhibit their services as models. Not only does he believe they are wealthy, but the narrator also thinks that they are the “real thing”. He has bought the fact that they are the real version of what he must convey in a painting. So, he believes that they are the perfect models for his upcoming book.

At the end of the story, it is obvious his view has changed completely. He understands that they are not in fact wealthy, and although they are labeled “aristocrats” they aren’t the real thing. Their clothing and attitude is just a facade of grandeur, and the painter notices it. In the end, the narrator’s “real” aristocrats are cleaning his dishes.

Edgar Allen Poe on Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne is an incredible writer. His use of symbolism and detail makes his stories extremely satisfying to read. Hawthorne is a man after my own heart. We both know that humans are filled with greed, lust and sin. We are also both, not afraid to express our views in our writing. He believes that humans will never be perfect and my short story “The Black Cat” drives the same point that “the Birthmark” does. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s elegance and flow in his writing is truly a pleasure on the reader.

Although I believe that he is a great writer, I do have some grievances on his style of writing. I believe that Hawthorne uses dialogue too frequently, and doesn’t tell the story in a direct manner. Another issue I have is I don’t think that he gets into the mind of the character enough, as that is where the true story lies. Hawthorne is a great writer, but if he improved on these two areas he would be perfect.

Benjamin Franklin-Founder-Legend

What does Benjamin Franklin Stand for?

Benjamin Franklin is known for many things, his face is printed every day on the 100 dollar bill, he was credited with discovering electricity, and he was a founder of the United States. We know what he did during his life, but what did he stand for?

• Benjamin Franklin stood for the three bases of freedom, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
• He stood for independent sovereignty for the Americas from the European Powers.
• Benjamin Franklin stood for peace. He was against any war against the parent country England, but was forced into the idea by the cruelty of the British.
• He was against the idea of bowing down to a King and monarchy.
• He believed and was enticed by science and the learning of new things.
• He believed in the idea that life was short as he was into philosophy.
• Benjamin Franklin believed that the people should have a say in Government.
• Benjamin Franklin stood for a Sovereign United States.

What is American Literature?

American literature is in some ways a foundation of this country. The Declaration of Independence, written by our nation's founders, was the first and maybe the most important piece of writing in American history. One may ask, what is literature? Merriam Webster defines literature as," written works (such as poems, plays, and novels) that are considered to be very good and to have lasting importance." American literature is exactly that, novels, plays, poems and even pamphlets that have had a lasting affect on America. 

Common Sense, a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine was published on January 10, 1776. Common Sense was written in order to spur the English colonists into revolution against England, and to explain the need for independence for Britain. Its intended purpose was fulfilled, and the Declaration of Independence was signed just seven months later on July 4, 1776. 

Not all American Literature has such an obvious impact as Common Sense and The Declaration of Independence, but they still are a great part of our culture nonetheless. Novels like To Kill a Mockingbird and Moby Dick are a huge part of the culture of America and feed into what it means to be American. American Literature is the culture of America expressed through many different ways.