Eveline

This story wasn't bad, I suppose. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but it was short and easy to read. So basically, it's about a woman named Eveline who has told this guy, Frank, that she will run away with him to Buenos Ayres where he has a house. Almost all of the story, except the ending, revolves around her trying to make the choice of whether or not to leave. She seems almost certain of her choice when the story starts, but the more she thinks about it the more she starts to doubt herself.
It kind of reminded me of Romeo in Juliet when it talks about how they had to see each other in secret, which is pretty great because I love Romeo and Juliet, and basically all Shakespeare. I think that's the reason I kept reading, because it reminded me of the play. Anyway then it talks about her mother's dying wish and how she wanted Eveline to keep the house as long as she could, and Eveline begins to feel terrible about this promise she made. Her mother keeps shouting "Derevaun Seraun", which means "The end of pleasure is pain". I wasn't sure what that had to do with the story, but it was interesting nevertheless.
Then finally, at the end of the story, when they are about to leave together she has a change of heart. I guess the guilt from her mother's dying wish, which seems to be the main reason she stays behind, catches up to her and she decides not to go. It says "Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition." And I mean, you can't help feeling bad for the poor guy. She promised her she'd leave with him and at the last second she bailed. I wonder what he did after?
Throughout the entire story I wasn't sure if Eveline actually loved Frank the way she thought she did, mostly because when she thinks about the things she'd get if she ran away she says "He would give her life, perhaps love, too." Perhaps? So you mean, you run away with a guy to a foreign place that you have no idea how things are and THEN you learn to love him? That doesn't sit right with me. Anyway, she doesn't go after so I guess maybe she realized how she actually felt. Not a terrible story, but not something I'd read for fun.

The Red Convertible

I actually liked this story, it wasn't too bad. I liked that it was kind of like Stones, in the fact that it was about the affects of the war. The connection between the brothers was really nice, and I was quite sad when Henry came back from the war and he was completely changed. It talks about how he just sat in front of the tv and bit his lips until they bled, clearly showing how unstable he was. Just like in Stones, when the father would drink and yell, the loving relationship he had with his son completely gone. It really makes you think what an impact things like this have on people, because from everything I've read it seems that nobody comes back the same.
It made me think back to when I was in grade 12, in World History, and my teacher was talking about the first war. She told us about how when everyone had signed up to go, all the young boys thought it was going to be a great adventure. They thought they would go over, get to fight for their country, and come back a hero. Unfortunately, a lot didn't even get to come back. The sad thing was, it probably would have been better to be killed than to come back a changed person. Especially when the change wasn't for the better, and pain had to be subsided with beating your loved ones or drinking non-stop. The nightmares, the sudden fits of rage, the images of friends being killed always burned into your brain. The "adventure" that they boys thought they were embarking on would suddenly turn into a nighmare, and their minds definitely changed at that point. The killing, being surrounded by death, living in the filthy, rat infested trenches, and having to see your comrades suffering would definitely be something to change a person. The sad part is, even if your loved one comes home, their real personality never does. And then you're faced with a shell of the person you once knew. I can't even imagine what something like that would be like.

A Worn Path

When I first read this story, I had no idea why we were studying it. Maybe it's because I speed-read it before class (hey, at least I read it), but it didn't jump out at me. I didn't really like it, nor did I like the odd ending, but it's not the worst story I've ever read I suppose.
Anyway, basically the story is about an elderly black woman, named Phoenix Jackson, who travels into town to get some medicine for her grandson. She crosses a creek, goes through some trees, and encounters a man along the way. The thing that annoyed me the most was that everyone kept referring to her as "Grandma". Isn't that some kind of an insult? If that were me I'd reply with a "I'm not your grandma, buddy" followed by a swift kick in the shin. Either way, the man doesn't treat Phoenix very well. She uses the dog he has with him as a distraction, and then she picks up the nickel he dropped. He responds by pointing his gun in her face, which is pretty brutal considering it's just a nickel. Here's where I give the old woman some credit, because she doesn't even react. Doesn't flinch one bit. I think if I were ever staring down the barrel of a gun, I'd just pee myself and cry. But seriously, it doesn't phase her. She's a lot braver than me. I guess that's because she's elderly, and throughout her life she's just gotten used to dealing with prejudice and racism.
In the end she gets to the hospital, and yet another person calls her Grandma. The first girl she talks to is kind of rude, but the second one is okay. She gives her another nickel and the medicine, and Phoenix is on her way.
Anyway, my noodle cup is ready and I'm tired of writing, so that's it.

Falling in Place

Reading this story for the first time confused me a lot. The shifting narration made it hard to follow the first time, but once I re-read it, it wasn't a bad story. Basic plotline is, a Chinese girl gets hit by a train. And it seems like the shifting narration is just to get everyone's different opinions, and to show how everyone is affected by a tragedy. In a small town, everyone knows pretty much everyone so when something happens the news gets around pretty fast. Worst part is, the girl's boyfriend finds out when he's sitting in a coffee shop and overhears a conversation. What a terrible way to find out about the death of the person you love. I'm pretty sure I'd have a breakdown if that's the way I found out about something that terrible... I can't even imagine.
The person most affected in this story seems to be the machinist who couldn't stop the train. I mean, there's nothing you can really do to stop something that huge. Especially if it was way too late by the time the driver spotted her. In my opinion, that would be an absolutely brutal way to go. Drown, catch fire, or get run over by a train? Pretty sure I'd rather catch on fire, THEN drown. No way I'd want to be reemed by those wheels. Would it cut you in half? Well, I suppose it would cut you in three if there's only one of you and two sets of wheels. Again, terribly brutal.
Anyway, it seems that the Chinese girl, Su Lin, was unstable. She was away from her family, and it was evident that she was unhappy in what she was doing. She was in the hospital, and then just decided she was done with life I guess. I bet she didn't want to suffer anymore, especially since she had a mental breakdown and didn't have any family around to support her. She did have a boyfriend, but I mean that only goes so far in comforting a person. I'd love to have the person I'm with by my side, but I'd much rather have family too. The narration in this story shifts from person to person, and it's interesting to see just how much everyone really is connected. All in all, I did like this story.

Serotonin

I can't say I'm very familiar with the effects of drugs, not being the kind to engage in such activities, but from this story I got a pretty good idea of what happens. It reminded me of what happens when you drink a little too much, you know when you get all lovey and everything you say to the person you like seems to come out like mush? I'm sure most of us know that feeling all too well. Kinda the same thing happens here, when the protagonist takes these pills (probably ecstasy) he begins to feel things for this girl. Already having a girlfriend, the result of the drugs probably isn't the best thing for the relationship. It ultimately causes him to ignore his girlfriend and pay all his attention to the other girl, who happens to be his friend's girlfriend. The other guy's name is Doke, what a name right? It just screams "I sell drugs", really. I thought it was funny because it rhymes with "toke"... But I suppose that's besides the point.
Ecstasy makes you feel confident, like you could go up to a random stranger and talk to them like you've known them your entire life. It lasts anywhere from 3-6 hours, and it gives a very intense feeling that most people say is hard to describe. Some people say it's like a rush, a feeling of extreme relaxation and it causes feelings of empathy for others. It releases serotonin (I guess that's where the story title came from) in the brain, which has been known to be linked to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Coming down off the high is a different story, as you can see if you've read the ending. The sweating and cold shivers are probably pretty bad, and I can't imagine how tired a person would be. But in the end, coming down off the high is what makes the protagonist realize how comfortable he is in his relationship and he isn't in love with the other girl anymore. It was all just serotonin.

"If you wanna try it do it once or twice, so you won't become one of those E-tarded burn-outs"

Boys and Girls

This story really hit home, with me being a girl and what not. I honestly don't think I could have lived back then, especially not having very much freedom like women do today. But I mean, even the fact that the girl in this story is referred to as "just a girl". Ouch, that hurts. If someone called me "just a girl" I'd show them just how wrong they are. I mean, I played sports all my life and I kept up with the boys. I scored just as many goals as they did in soccer, I could run just as fast, and yet there are still these terrible stereotypes about women that exist out there. People assume that just because you're a woman you should spend all your time cooking and cleaning, and I for one can't cook very well. Not saying that I can't make toast or Kraft Dinner, but when it comes to anything else I'd probably have to unhook the smoke detector for fear of setting it off every five minutes. As for cleaning, I'm not very good at that either. My room is terribly messy and I'm just really not good at being organized. This is not to say that every girl is like me, I'm just saying that the stereotypes that exist aren't to be taken seriously because in most cases they're very wrong.
Take a very popular stereotype for example: Some people think that just because a girl is a lesbian she has short hair, and she behaves and dresses like a man. This is very untrue. Being openly gay, I can speak from self experience about this. I have long hair (that I spend a great deal of time on), I still act like a girl, and I don't dress in manly clothes. When I go out somewhere on the weekend I wear girly shirts, I do my makeup and sometimes I curl my hair. People assume that because a girl is a lesbian, she must want to be a man. Absolutely not, I love being a girl and I love the way I am. Just because I like other girls doesn't mean that I want to be a guy in any sense.
I can't imagine living back in the day when this story takes place, because I would be independent and I would want my freedom. I am so grateful for the women who have fought for our rights and the freedoms that we have today, I don't even want to know what the world would be like otherwise. Even though these terrible stereotypes still exist today, most people know better than to listen to them.

"There is homophobia in every corner and pocket of this world, but at the core... you just love someone and want to make mixtapes for them." - Sara Quin, from Tegan and Sara

"Me being in love with a girl and wanting her to be with me... it affects no-one - yet it's terrifying to people and they think you're a monster." - Sara Quin, from Tegan and Sara

"It's very dear to me, the issue of gay marriage. Or as I like to call it: "marriage". You know, because I had lunch this afternoon, not gay lunch. I parked my car, I didn't gay park it." - Liz Feldman

Hills like White Elephants

Okay so to start off, the first time I read this story it confused me. A lot. I had no idea what it was really about, especially when the guy says "to let the air in"... Let the air in where?! And to be completely honest, I thought he was talking about something completely different than what it actually was. At first I thought maybe a lobotomy, you know where they drive an ice pick into your eye/brain? Technically that would let the air in somewhere. Then I thought that would be far too brutal, but I suppose anything is possible. Then I absentent-mindedly thought maybe a boob job, 'cause you never know. But that wouldn't be letting "air" in per se, but more like silicone... Or whatever they put in there. I don't really fully understand the procedure, but either way that's not what the story was about. It was only until another person in the class piped up and said "I think it's about abortion" that I actually realized how well it fit. Anyway, so this story is about abortion. Basically it's about this couple who's sitting at a train station discussing it, but it seems like the American man has already made up his mind. The young girl, however, seems to be at a crossroads as to if she wants to actually keep the child or not. The man keeps reassuring the girl that it's a simple procedure with no risks, and that it's just "to let the air in" (which makes a lot more sense to me now).
I can see why the girl is on the fence about this subject, I mean it's probably not the easiest thing to give up a child. I wouldn't know first hand, obviously, but I can guess it's going to take a lot more thinking that just over a few drinks at the train station. And I'm sure there could be a million different reasons why abortion is bad, and people all have different opinions on the subject (I think it depends on the circumstances, not saying it's right or wrong). But this young girl is obviously suffering from a lot of internal coflict, whereas the man is certain he doesn't want this child. Now, the part I really liked about this story was the fact that it's clear that the train station represents the choice they have to make. One side of the tracks is barren and dry (white elephants), which would symbolize her getting the abortion, while the other side is lush, green, and fertile. The green side obviously symbolizes her fertility and choice to keep the child, which she seems to be leaning against. Who knows why the man doesn't want the child, there could be many reasons. Maybe the girl is too young and it would be frowned upon, or maybe she's colored and the man doesn't want that attachment to her. Maybe he's married and this young girl was his mistress, maybe he was fooling around with her behind his wife's back and got her pregnant. He would obviously not want to keep a love child, and an abortion would obviously be the easier choice for him.
In the end though, the girl picks up her things and moves to the green side, suggesting that she decides to keep her child.

"My Son My Executioner"

I have to say, I didn't particularly like this poem. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful poem and all, it's just so sad. The basic message in this poem is you don't live forever, as if we didn't already know that. But come on now, I don't need another reminder. But at the same time, it's probably what every parent goes through when they have their first child. All through your adolescence and the beginning of being an adult you pretty much think you're invincible, and I can't speak for everyone but I'm really not a careful person because I'm just not afraid. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be, but I'm really not. And I'll probably feel that way until something happens that tells me otherwise.
When a father looks at a newborn baby, what does he really think? In this poem it's saying that he thinks about how he finally realizes he's aging faster than he thoought, he's "start[ing] to die". While the baby is "just astir", indicating it's his beginning, the father feels his youth fade away. It's a symbol of life and death in a sense, because even though the parents will die they'll still live on in their son. I guess that's why the author calls the child an "instrument of immortality".
Also, I don't really like the title of the poem. Not like it's irrelevant to the piece or anything, but it's just sort of brutal. An executioner is the big guy in the black mask who straps you into the guillotine and chops your head off, not your newborn son. I guess the little guy is an executioner in a sense because he makes the father realize he's aging and dying, but again it's still pretty brutal. It sure paints a picture, that's for sure.

When I was driving out to Cape Breton with my best friend and her parents a few years ago, they continuously played the contry music station and it absolutely drove me nuts. I know more country songs because of that road trip than I'd have ever liked to hear in my lifetime, but I couldn't help it because it basically sank into my head while I was sleeping. Anyway, this poem reminded me of a song that was drilled into my head back then by Toby Keith. It talks about a guy who's getting older and he realizes he's not in his prime anymore, and he's not as good as he once was. This song was a little less annoying than the rest of them, maybe that's why I remember it so well. But yeah, that's what this poem reminded me of. The poem is a bummer, but the song is a nice laugh.

"I ain't as good as I once was
My how the years have flown
But there was a time back in my prime
When I could really hold my own"

"Paperweight"

I think this poem really stood out to me because I've been in a situation like this... You know, you're going through a hard time and you need someone who's going to be able to hold you down when it feels like the stress of the situation is just going to blow you away. It's a lot easier to go through something difficult when you've got someone by your side, I think everyone would agree on that. I mean sure, sometimes you need your space to think and be alone but for the most part you need a rock. The one person you can go to no matter what, you can cry on them and they'll just try to make you feel better. But I guess it's different if it's a partner and not a best friend, cause they're pretty much expected to be by your side when tragedy strikes. If a person is "too flimsy" to "keep the edges from curling" then it's really going to make things a lot harder on you in the long run if your partner can't help you be strong.
It's kind of a bummer poem in a sense, because it's looking at mostly how this person can't hold the speaker up. Maybe it's not all about going through the hard times, it's about the actual support in the relationship. If you can't be supportive to each other then how can anything work? You need a certain amount of encouragement to give you that extra push to do something, even if it's as simple as applying for a job. If your partner doesnt support you, or doesn't want you to get the job, then how are you supposed to feel confident?
A relationship between two people should be mutual, that's my opinion anyway. Trust and support should be the foundation of something healthy and amazing.

"My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun"

Oh Shakespeare, how I love thee so.

No seriously, I love Shakespeare. And especially this poem in particular, it's a great example of how to love unconditionally no matter the appearance of a person. This is just a beautifully written sonnet that captures just how amazing a bond between two people should be. For the first little while it seems like Shakespeare is just ripping into this woman, pointing out her every flaw and being so critical towards her appearance. Even the title itself, apparently her eyes are "Nothing Like the Sun"... Seriously, they're not, that's basically what he's saying. And he goes on to say that her lips are pale, her hair is wiry, her cheeks aren't rosy, and her breath not only stinks, but it reeks. That's pretty bad. "My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:" When his mistress walks, she's no goddess, she still walks on the ground like a normal person. But then we see a sudden shift in the last two lines, and here's where it really gets good: "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare/ As any she belied with false compare." Hey, she's not perfect but she's my mistress and I love her. Just beautiful, don't you think?

This poem actually reminded me of a song, and I couldn't get it out of my head the whole time after I read this piece. Have you ever heard "Anyone else but you" by the Moldy Peaches? It's basically the theme song from the movie Juno, and one particular line stood out to me. "Here is the church and here is the steeple, We sure are cute for two ugly people." Is that not spot on? Two ugly people can be cute, I definitely agree with this. And I think that Shakespeare thought that hey, maybe my mistress is ugly, but I am too so we can just be cute together.