Stories of Women Short Story test 2

HLWE: Hills Like White Elephants, TGP: The Garden Party, GCP: Good Country People, LAWS: Like A Winding Sheet, TG: Three Girls, CSS: Cinderella Step-Sisters, BBHH: Bernice Bob's Her Hair

HLWE: Describe the setting. How are the two different landscapes on either side of the Zaragosa Train Station symbolic? How is the train station symbolic.

Fertile side where she keeps the child and the bare side in which she gets an abortion. The train station is where something begins, their awful relationship, once you get on a train you can't go back meaning when she has an abortion she can't go back.

HLWE: The drink ordered in the story has symbolic undertones. Examine the definition below and speculate on its symbolism.

Absinthe: A green liqueur having a bitter licorice flavor and a high alcohol content, prepared from absinthe and other herbs. It is now prohibited in many countries because of its toxicity.

The man is toxic like the drink.

HLWE: Who are the characters? Why do you suppose Hemingway names the girl, but not the man? Why does he use the word "girl" to describe her and "man" to describe him?

The characters are the American man, Jig, and the woman serving at the bar. He names the girl because Jig because she is a very lively spirit. Just like the dance, jig, in Ireland. She is called the girl because she is very childish and has no idea what she wants in life. He is called a man because a man is stronger than a girl. The man has all the power in this relationship. He is very controlling and manipulative.

HLWE: What operation is the man proposing?

The man is proposing to have Jig get an abortion.

HLWE: What is the nature of their relationship?

He does not want to hear anything on what Jig has to say. They are both toxic to each other

HLWE: Why does Jig look with fascination at the fields and trees across the plains? What does her comment about the hills being like white elephants reveal about her.

Jig wants to keep the baby. He said he has never seen these elements and she backs down.

HLWE: What does the man's response to her comment about the hills reveal about him?

He is very controlling person and will not let the girl speak for herself.

HLWE: What does the bead curtain (page 476) symbolize?

It symbolizes the unborn child.

HLWE: Why does Hemingway mention clouds and shade (page 477)?

He mentions it because it could symbolize that Jig is carrying. The American thinks that the baby is extra and expensive luggage and does not want to have the responsibility.

HLWE: What does the girl mean when she says, "I don't feel anyway…I just know things."? (page 477)

She means that she does not want to face the complications of the operation. Not only would her body bear the traces of the abortion, but also her psyche and it could happen again and she would never be able to have a baby.

HLWE: What does the girl mean when she says," I feel fine…there's nothing wrong with me. I feel fine."? (page 477).

She wants to say what he wants to hear.

HLWE: What decision do you think the girl has made? What evidence can you cite to support this?

I think she chose to give into the man's temptations and get an abortion. He manipulates her into getting one so he could be happy and leaves her in the dark. The train is here and she is ready to go.

HLWE: Hemingway's titles short story titles are significant. What different meanings could this title have? (look up definitions of a white elephant)

White elephants are rare. They are held in some countries like India and in some religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Thus "Hills Like White Elephants" represent a natural monument that is sacred and powerfully good. Another definition could mean that it is a burden. The baby is burden to the American man. He does not want to settle down. An unwanted object.

TGP: How is the day described in the opening paragraph?

It describes the perfect day. The sky is cloudless, the roses are blooming, the green bushes were heavy with hundreds of flowers that came out overnight.

TGP: How are the three daughters described?

The three daughters are Meg, Jose and Laura. Meg is the one that is always put together. She is always dressed and ready. Jose is the butterfly. She always comes down in a silk petticoat and kimono jacket. Laura is the artistic one of the family and will have any excuse to be eating outdoors. She also loves to rearrange things and could feel like she could do it better than anyone else.

TGP: How does Laura interact with the workmen?

She wants to be friendly with them.

TGP: Who makes the decision about where to place the marquee?

The workmen make the decision.

TGP: What does the workman do that makes Laura think she would get along better with workman than boys of her own class?

The workman bends over, pinched a sprig of lavender, put his thumb and forefinger to his nose and snuffed up the smell. She forgot all about the karakas and thought the men were extraordinarily nice and wants friends like them.

TGP: Mansfield only allows the reader to know Laura's side of the telephone conversation with her friend Kitty. Why?

It develops her character and shows how superstitial she is.

TGP: What is the significance of Mrs. Sheridan ordering so many flowers?

To show how grand everything was in her life. She is spoiled.

TGP: What gesture does Laura use to show her affection for her mother? What does it reveal about Laura?

Laura puts her arm around her mother and gently bites her ear. This reveals that Laura that she appreciates her mother and looks up to her.

TGP: What is ironic about the song Jose chooses to sing?

The song is about a weary life and is something she is unacquainted with. In the Sheridan family, weariness and sorrow are merely lyrics to be mocked. Mansfield's exquisite use of imagery is as telling as her irony. They are wealthy family.

TGP: How many kinds of tea sandwiches does "cook" make? Why would that be worth mentioning?

The "cook" makes 15 sandwiches. It is worth mentioning because it reveals how "perfect" the garden party must be. Also to show they have wealth.

TGP: What news was Goober's man relaying to cook, Sadie and Hans?

Goober's man relays that a man was killed near the cottages.

TGP: What is Laura's reaction to the news? What is Jose's?

Laura is scared and concerned about the garden party. Jose's reaction was calm. The family does not want to stop the party.

TGP: In the paragraph that begins, "That was really extravagant", is a description of the Scott's home. How does it contrast with the Sheridan's?

It contrasts with the Sheridan's because this home is older and more rundown whereas the Sheridan's is newer and more extravagant. The house is poverty stricken.

TGP: What assumption does Jose make about Mr. Scott?

That he is a drunk.

TGP: How does Mrs. Sheridan's react to Laura's idea that they cancel the garden party? What does her conversation with Laura reveal about her?

Mrs. Sheridan's reaction is similar to Jose in that she tried to reassure Laura that everything was going to be just fine. Her conversation reveals that she believes she is better than their neighbors and that they should not worry about those people.

TGP: What is the significance of Mrs. Sheridan giving Laura a hat?

The hat is symbolic because she is passing her values to Laura.

TGP: Laura walks into her bedroom and looks at herself in the mirror. What is the significance of this moment?

She is taking her mother's ideologies and is believing that she should not have to sacrifice anything for her neighbors. Laura does not want to be her mother.

TGP: The description of the garden party is only one paragraph. Why is that ironic? Why do you think Mansfield constructs the story this way?

This is ironic because the whole story is wrapped around this party, so for the description to be only a couple of sentences is ironic. I think that Mansfield constructed the story this way to keep the reader on edge. The party is not important to Laura anymore.

TGP: What is the symbolism of describing the party as "…the perfect afternoon slowly ripened, slowly faded, slowly its petals closed'?

The symbolism goes back to describing the party with the roses. The roses were in full bloom in the beginning of the story and now they are slowly dying. This represents that Laura is going to change.

TGP: Why does Mrs. Sheridan add the arum lilies to the basket of food for the Scotts, but then change her mind?

Mrs. Sheridan adds the arum lilies to the basket originally to impress them because "people of that class are so impressed" with them. She changes her mind because the stems would ruin Laura's lace frock.

TGP: Why does Laura pray as she enters the Scott's house?

She prays because she was nervous with all the people standing around Mr. Scott's house.

TGP: When Laura looks at Mr. Scott's body, what question does she ask? How is it significant?

She wonders why the garden parties and baskets and lace frocks matter in life. This is significant because Laura is beginning to understand that these parties and other things in her life are not as important as her family makes them out to be. What do garden parties and lace frocks matter to him?

TGP: Why does Laura tell her brother that her visit to the Scott's was "simply marvelous"?

Laura tells her brother that her time at the Scott's was "simply marvelous" because she wants him to believe that everything is fine, but in reality, her whole world had just changed. She also knows that saying to her brother that she does not want to live like this anymore, she knows there is no point in saying that. So, she does not say it.

TGP: Look back at the mention of hats and flowers. How are they significant to the story?

The hats are significant to the story because they represent the world of luxuries that attract Laura and her family while distracting them from the poor. The flowers are significant because they represent the purity of Laura. She wanted to pay her respects to the grieving family, but her mother didn't want to because they are lower class people.

GCP: The first paragraph, O'Connor describes Mrs. Freeman as having three expressions. What are they? What does the implied metaphor suggest about her?

Mrs. Freeman's expressions consisted of neutral, forward and reverse. Her expressions were similar to a car in that she has no regards for others, and how she feels towards something. She will reveal it through her expressions.

GCP: Describe Joy.

Joy is blonde and has an artificial leg. She is highly educated and is 32 years old. Joy is Mrs. Hopewell's daughter. Joy is an angry person who thinks she is better than others. She is extremely intelligent and has an artificial leg. She has a heart condition. She changes her name from Joy to Hulga because of the God Vulcan. She thinks she is better than everyone else.

GCP: Who is Mrs. Hopewell? Why does O'Connor begin with a description of Mrs. Freeman and not Mrs. Hopewell?

Mrs. Hopewell is the owner of the house and Joy/Hulga's mother. She begins with the description of Mrs. Freeman to introduce her in relation to Joy/Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell.

GCP: Mrs. Hopewell describes the Freeman's as "good country people". What does she mean?

They are "good country people" because their father was a good farmer and "they were not white trash."

GCP: How does Joy's posture reflect her attitude about life? Why does Mrs. Hopewell excuse Joy's attitude?

Joy's posture is large and hulking, alluding that she is not pleased with her life and she wishes to escape her reality. Mrs. Hopewell excuses Joy's attitude because of her daughter's leg, which had been injured in a hunting accident when she was 10.

GCP: Why does Joy change her name to Hulga? What is the relationship to the Roman God Vulcan?

Joy saw the name Hulga as something that is ugly. She sees herself in Vulcan (the ugly Roman God), but also saw the name as having an ugly sound.

GCP: Hulga "takes a Ph.D " but returns home. Why? How does Hulga view others?

Hulga returns home because of the stress from taking the PHD. Hulga views others as lower than her and that she knows everything.

GCP: Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell are at breakfast talking. How is the Bible Salesman introduced?

The Bible is introduced after Joy entered and Mrs. Hopewell remembered that Hulga was talking to a Bible salesman the day prior. She was wondering how the conversation went and what Hulga said to the man. He was introduced by opening the door and he was in a blue suit.

GCP: How does Manly Pointer manipulate Mrs. Hopewell?

Manly Pointer manipulates Mrs. Hopewell by making her feel guilty for not buying a Bible. He also said he was just a simple "country boy" and that her kind does not like to "fool" with his.

GCP: Is his story about his heart condition, his father's death etc. believable?

No, I think Manly Pointer just wanted Mrs. Hopewell to buy the Bible and made up a story similar to Hulga's to entice her.

GCP: The story returns to the breakfast conversation and details of Glynese and Carramae's life. Then Mrs. Hopewell states that the Bible salesman "bored me to death". How is this situation ironic?

This is ironic because Mrs. Hopewell was the one who was intrigued by him, but after the dinner, she saw him as boring. She thinks he is boring and yet is fascinated by the life of the daughters.

GCP: The story shifts back to the conversation between Hulga and Manly Pointer. Why do you think she lies about her age?

I think she lies about her age to make herself seem younger and attractive. I think Hulga likes Manly Pointer, but does not want to say it.

GCP: What does Hulga plan to do with the Bible salesman?

The Bible salesman and Hulga are to go on a picnic the next day. She then wants to seduce him, but that backfires.

GCP: After the Bible salesman kisses Hulga, how does she regard him?

She regards him as "the boy."

GCP: What does Hulga think of her first kiss? What impression does she want to give the Bible salesman about it?

Hulga was pleased at the idea of intimacy was exactly as she thought it was; all in one's mind. She wants to give him the idea that she wants to mind her business. An unexceptional experience.

GCP: During the scene where Manly Pointer and Hulga are kissing, he is described as a boy and a child. Why?

He is described as a boy and a child because he is seen as lesser then Hulga which relates back to Hulga's idea of people. He is also like a child because of the way he kissed her and his breath reminded her of a child.

GCP: Hulga is described as taking care of her leg as "someone else would his soul." Explain.

She is describing herself this way because she wants the readers to understand that she takes great care of her leg as if someone else was helping her. Also, she does not like others to touch her leg.

GCP: After Hulga removes her leg, she thinks about running away with Manley Pointer. What does she imagine will happen?

Hulga imagines Manly Pointer taking her leg off at night and putting it on in the morning everyday if they were to run away together. Her leg symbolizes her virginity.

GCP: Manley's eyes are described as "two steel spikes". How does this contrast with his being described as a boy? What might it foreshadow?

This contrasts with the description of the boy because now it is saying he is like a grown man. This may foreshadow that he is going to leave her. His eyes show the evil that is within him.

GCP: What is in the valise? How does this contrast with the image Manly has portrayed?

The valise contains a flask of whiskey, a box of condoms, and a set of pornographic playing cards. These contrasts because he is not this good country boy that he manipulated Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman to believe.

GCP: The story ends with a dialogue between Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman. How is their conversation ironic?

Their conversation is ironic because they are saying how he is just a simple guy who has done no harm. In contrast, the guy just stole Hulga's leg.

LAWS: What had the main character planned to do before "Mae got up"?

Get up and make breakfast for Mae, but he went back to sleep.

LAWS: What does Mae say the sheet looks like?

She said, "Looks like a winding sheet." and "A shroud ---" before she was cut off.

LAWS: What simile does she use to describe the man?

"You look like a huckleberry --- in a winding sheet ---"

LAWS: How many times has the man been late for work?

Twice last week, three times the week before and once the week before.

LAWS: How long has he worked night shift?

Two years.

LAWS: What day is it?

It is Friday the 13th.

LAWS: Why was he late for work? What does "He wasn't made that way" mean?

He is late for work because they spent fifteen minutes arguing before he could convince her she ought to go to work just the same. "He wasn't made that way" means cares for Mae and will not fight for a difference in opinions. He will not hit women.

LAWS: What are some changes he would make at work?

Some changes include too many standing-up jobs for one thing. Some of them could be done sitting down and he'd put more benches around. The job he had that he pushed a little cart, on his feet for ten hours a night, would be able to be a sitting down job. One of those little trucks they used around railroad stations would be good for a job like this.

LAWS: How does he know the supervisor is angry?

Her face was red and her eyes were half-shut until they were slits.

LAWS: Why is Mrs. Scott angry with Johnson?

He was late again.

LAWS: What does Johnson say Mrs. Scott has no right to do?

Call him the n-word.

LAWS: What is her response?

She says, "Aw, forget it. I didn't mean nothing by it. It slipped out. It was an accident. Go on get to work." She is getting scared and takes steps back.

LAWS: As the day progresses, how does Johnson react to her racist remarks?

He stayed angry and he wish he hit her in the mouth.

LAWS: What would have given his hands pleasure?

Hitting her and feeling the soft flesh of her face give under the hardness of his hands. He thought his hands were not a part of him anymore and that they developed a separate life of their own which he had no control. If he hit her with his hands, one and then the other, his hands would feel relaxed.

LAWS: What does he say is the only trouble?

He couldn't hit a woman.

LAWS: What does the whistle blowing indicate?

It indicates that was he was thinking was wrong. Shift is over.

LAWS: What do he and Mae do when they get home?

They fooled around. They cooked and ate and listened to the radio and he always stayed in a big chair in the living room and went almost but not quite to sleep and when it was finally time for bed it was five or six in the morning and daylight was already seeping around the edges of the sky.

LAWS: Where does he stop on the way home?

He stops at the restaurant.

LAWS: Why does the waitress deny him coffee?

She had to clean the pot.

LAWS: What does Johnson think the reason is?

Because he was black.

LAWS: What does he want to do to the waitress?

He wants to hit her.

LAWS: On the subway what does he think is the reason for the pain in his legs?

It was because of anger-born energy that had all been piled up in him and not been used and so it had spread through him like poison.

LAWS: What does she say to him that enrages him?

She jokes with him and says the n-word.

LAWS: Why is it different than what the supervisor says?

Mae is using it as a term of endearment and the supervisor used it as an insult.

LAWS: How does he react in the end?

He starts hitting Mae and ends up killing her.

TG: What is the setting?

The setting is a snowy March evening in New York City in 1956. They were in a bookstore called, Strands.

TG: What does "N.Y.U girls" mean?

This means that the two girls go to New York University.

TG: What are the girls wearing?

They are wearing army-surplus jackets, baggy khaki pants, zip-up rubber boots and knitted wool caps.

TG: Of whom are the girls enamored? Whom do they scorn? Who are these two men?

The girls enamored T.S. Eliot and scorned Robert Frost. Both of these men are famous poets.

TG: List the other writers whom the writer mentions?

Yeats, Round, Kafka, Dostoevsky, Sartre, Freud, Crane Brinton, Margaret Mead, D.H. Lawrence. Kierkegaard and Mann.

TG: At the end of Paragraph three (3) how does Joyce Carol Oates describe the two girls?

Oates describes the two girls as American middle class, Caucasian females. They were also described as the merely not "conventional" female.

TG: How does the narrator describe her companion?

The narrator describes her companion as someone who is childish and self-absorbed. They are sulky and moody in the presence of superficial people.

TG: What does the narrator fear?

The narrator fears that the person she is with will break her heart.

TG: The narrator's companion draws her attention to a woman in the poetry aisle. What is the woman wearing?

The woman is wearing a man's navy coat, a man's beige fedora hat, black trousers and salt-stained cowboy boots.

TG: Who is the woman?

Marilyn Monroe.

TG: What "stunned" the two girls?

The two girls were stunned by the fact that Marilyn Monroe did not look "glamorous." The figure more resembled the two girls rather than the Hollywood image.

TG: The narrator describes herself, what does she say?

She says she is tall, has a pushy attitude, and has red hair. She is a basketball player and enjoys "forms" poetry.

TG: How does she describe her companion?

Her companion is petite, dark haired and attractive with Semitic sloe eyes. She is a gymnast and enjoyed "experimental" poetry.

TG: What book does Marilyn Monroe decide to purchase?

It is a book by Charles Darwin.

TG: Of what are the two girls fearful?

The girls are fearful of Marilyn Monroe discovering who they are and leaving the store and the books.

TG: When the narrator states, "She thinks she's like us", what does she mean?

The narrator means that she believes she can blend into society without being spotted. She can be anonymous and a human being.

TG: "To enter history is to " what?

To enter history is to be abducted spiritually, with no way back.