Analysis of Gaitskill, Saunders, O’Brien, Proulx: Themes, Style, and Character Studies

What does Mary Gaitskill say about people being taught how to think?

middle-class people are taught what to think, not how to think, leaving them unprepared to think for themselves.

What does Gaitskill say about wanting a world where everyone is nice?

'isn't recognizable'—people aren't always nice.

What does Gaitskill believe about people's 'truest parts'?

They can be buried for many different reasons.

What topics does Gaitskill's work often focus on?

(abortion, prostitution, sadomasochism), self-destructive behavior, survivors of abuse/trauma, emotional isolation.

What are common themes in Gaitskill's writing?

Human longing and suffering, self-deception, and the search for intimacy—how it's found, created, lost, or squandered.

What types of characters does Gaitskill often write about?

People acting on their worst impulses; tough yet vulnerable women; misfits; victims who become as merciless as former tormentors.

How does Saunders describe fiction's purpose?

'compassion-generating machine' that helps us understand kindness and cruelty.

What unusual jobs did Saunders work before becoming a writer?

Geophysicist, technical writer, convenience-store clerk, doorman, roofer, slaughterhouse worker.

How do Saunders's diverse jobs influence his writing?

They contribute to his critique of capitalism and give originality to his work.

What is a major theme in Saunders's stories regarding capitalism?

Consumerism and corporate absurdity—characters stuck in dehumanizing jobs or capitalist hellscapes.

How does Saunders portray the working poor?

As ordinary people struggling with low wages, eroded dignity, and systems that deny their humanity.

What ethical theme appears repeatedly in Saunders's work?

The moral importance of kindness and compassion.

What are key characteristics of Saunders's style?

Biting satire, absurdism, dark humor, invented words, corporate jargon, magical realism, and unconventional first-person narration.

What famous line does Tim O'Brien say about stories?

'Stories can save our lives.'

What does O'Brien reveal about his war draft experience?

He opposed the Vietnam War but served because he feared rejection from family and community.

When and where was O'Brien born?

1946, Minnesota.

What is O'Brien's relationship to the Vietnam War?

He was drafted, served 1969-70, and loathed the war.

What is metafiction and how does O'Brien use it?

Fiction about storytelling; O'Brien writes stories that discuss how stories work and what truth means.

What kind of truth does O'Brien believe stories can convey?

Emotional truth—often truer than literal fact.

What are key characteristics of O'Brien's writing style?

Shifts in point of view, smooth→gritty diction, detailed catalogs, listing techniques, and hyperrealistic detail.

What are common themes in O'Brien's work?

Anti-glorification of war, the psychological cost of war, loss of humanity, fear and shame, and the sustaining bonds between soldiers.

What does Proulx say inspires her stories?

Place—its geology, climate, flora, fauna, winds, weather.

What is Proulx's view on happiness?

She claims most people aren't truly happy and those who say they are 'are lying.'

What types of communities does Proulx often write about?

Small, rural communities facing hardship, social change, and decline.

What kinds of characters frequently appear in her stories?

Farmers, ranchers, laborers, people suppressing sexual passion, and people hardened by difficult survival.

What themes does Proulx explore?

Violence, intolerance, rural decline, environmental severity, and the consequences of repression.

What characterizes Proulx's writing style?

Choppy language, dialects, figurative language, harsh humor, rejection of sentimentality, landscape focus, and complex characters.

What makes 'Brokeback Mountain' somewhat unique in Proulx's work?

Despite containing violence and harshness, it is also a tender love story between two men.