Author Archives: susan

LITERATURE: The Sound and the Fury – Narrative Structure

The second section of the novel, Quentin’s view, takes place in a single day of wandering around Boston with a plan of sorts in mind–he cuts classes at Harvard, dresses up, writes a few letters and ruminates on the past … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Sound and the Fury Out of the Stream

Faulkner’s understanding of human nature comes through in this small scene.  Quentin, away at university, is standing on a bridge when three young boys stop to consider fishing.  There is one large wiley trout upon whose head a bounty has … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – On Fortune

Needless to say, Boethius is struck by his turn of fortune; from honored statesman to prisoner, and Philosophy renders Fortune’s argument: "If free-handed Plenty should dispense riches from her cornucopia as plentiful as the sands cast up by the storm-tossed … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Sound and the Fury – Technique

All right, so on this one I cheated–I did a bit of research on Faulkner’s novel and came across the term "stream of consciousness" to help keep me going on it because having done with Benjy’s section and finding that … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE & WRITING: Consolation & Fury

Perhaps these two selections read now are out of sync with the space of time and place in which I do reside… Faulkner is brilliant, but I’ve reached my breaking point of admiration and want to walk into the clearing. … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – Down to the Nitty Gritty

"You are confused because you have forgotten what you are, and therefore, you are upset because you are in exile and stripped of all your possessions.  Because you are ignorant of the purpose of things, you think that stupid and … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Sound and the Fury – Story Arc

All I have to say at this point is, dang good thing Faulkner didn’t have to submit the first thirty pages to find a publisher. I pray for dawn. Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Sound and the Fury

Working my way into Faulkner, wanting to like him, learning I must learn to like him.  Flipping a few pages ahead searching desperately for a chapter break so I can figure out WTF is going on. The good:  Character revelation … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Grand Finale

This particular issue of the Best American Short Stories collection has been an overall delight.  Which leads me more and more to the notion of seeking out one of the guest editor, Michael Chabon’s own novels if these stories appealed … Continue reading Continue reading

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BASS 2005 – Metaphor and More Relationships

David Means’ The Secret Goldfish (p. 288) is a tricky little story that can be read as a view into a family relationship, but with the metaphorical story within it of the resistance of the family goldfish to its environment … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE:BASS 2005 – Character

Most of the stories in this collection are strongly geared toward the development of character, the protagonist facing conflict that does drive them to face decisions that are moral crossroads that may take them in a different direction than they … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Magical Realism

I have just about finished the stories–only the last two to read–but have been absolutely uplifted by one in particular:  Tim Pratt’s Hart and Boot.  Totally caught up in it, I loved the characters, totally fell into the state of … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Braiding

I believe that’s what it’s called–braiding–and it is applied in Cory Doctorow’s Anda’s Game, by the reality of Anda and the online game she plays which is your pretty typical slash ’em and fight your way to points and status … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Story Layers

I’m in the middle of Cory Doctorow’s Anda’s Game (p. 223) and am a little conflicted in my reaction.  It is the story of a young girl (Anda) playing a computer video game online at some future time not far … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – POV

I’ve strayed in faithful reading of Boethius’ Consolation in that I have felt too personally in need of the lessons, therefore, thinking that my interest and my understanding of it was taken in a selfish way rather than for the … Continue reading Continue reading

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