A Worn Path

I believe the theme of the story is that life is full of events and sometimes very trying for some people. Not many things in life come easy and many people have to work hard for what they want or need in life. Sometimes when you take one path it may lead you to many difficult situations. However, if you keep going and trying down that particular path, good things can come. Especially if it is for a good reason like life or death. Sometimes people have to do things they wouldn't typically do or sacrifice their own lives in order to save another life.


The stories plot was about an old black woman, Phoenix Jackson, whom by the way is the main character of this story, who makes a journey into town, which is miles away from her home, on a cold December day, through the woods(setting) to retrieve some medicine for her sick grandson. She encounters many difficult things along the way. She was caught by a thorn bush, in which she states, "something always take a hold of me on this hill - pleads I should stay." "Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never to let folks pass, no sir." Another situation she encounters is the black dog that come at her and she goes into ditch. Where a white man who is a hunter and his dog find her and help her out of the ditch. The hunter runs off the black dog with his gun and his own dog. He then tries to get, Old phoenix to go on back home. She states "I bound to go to town, mister." "The time come around." Old Phoenix finally gets into town, where she stops a lady on the street and asks her to tie her shoes for her stating "Can't lace 'em with a cane." She then goes into the big building to see the doctor about getting medicine for her grandson who Old Phoenix tells after being asked how her grandson is doing, that he just the same.

Guests of the Nation

The story "Guests of the Nation" took place during the British War where two Englishmen Hawkins and Belcher, and two other men, Noble and Bonaparte, soldiers in the war are residing in a cottage together where the four of them seem to be pals. Jeremiah Donovan, another soldier appears to be the one in charge. The four men sit around and play cards and argue about the war and religion. The problem is that Bonaparte and Noble believe that they are just keeping an eye on the two Englishmen until Donovan explains that they are hostages. Donovan explains that the enemy has four of their men held as prisoners and is awaiting word on whether or not the enemy is going to shoot the four prisoners. If this happens, then Noble and Bonaparte will have to shoot the two Englishmen as a reprisal. After word comes that the four men were shot, Donovan, Noble, and Bonaparte lie to Hawkins and Belcher and tell them they have been shifted again. Moved to another area. This is to get them to the spot to which the Englishmen will be shot, quietly and peacefully. Hawkins and Belcher unaware of what is to happen, are in shock when told on the walk to the bogs of what is about to happen. Hawkins tries to more or less plead his point on the happenings. In the end, Donovan shoots both the Englishmen and they are buried.



My reaction to this story is that I felt pain and sorrow not only for the two Englishmen, but also for the two soldiers Noble and Bonaparte. I realize that in an event like war, people have to be killed in the line of duty. However, in this story, Noble and Bonaparte neither one anticipated having to shoot the two Englishmen. After all, they had shared a cottage with them and played cards on a regular basis. In the end, they had all became chums in a way. I found myself teary eyed as I reach the end of the story where Hawkins tries to plead is point on what was about to occur. I could almost feel the pain in Nobles and Bonaparte behalf. This was an excellent short story. It kept me intrigued.

The Story of an Hour

Question #7: Why does Mrs. Mallard die? To what extent is her husband responsible for her death? For her unhappiness?

I believe she dies from despair. From a broken heart because she felt monstrously joyful about finally being free. Free from her husbands dominance over her and although she states he has a kind hand, he never showed it towards her. Nor did he show her love. This caused her so much unhappiness and despair that once the reality set in that he was dead, she felt relieved and happy that finally she would be able to live for herself. However, the surprise of her husband walking through the door, alive, not dead, as she was to believe, was more than she could handle. Having a heart problem to start with, Mrs. Mallard just gave up on her own life.

Question # 8: What general idea about marriage does the story convey?

That although some married couples seem to be so happy in their marriage, in a lot of cases that is far from the truth. Some marriages are not alway what they appear to be. That not all marriages are based on love. Some are based on convenience and security. In Mrs. Mallards case, I believe she stayed married because she didn't want the embarrassment of divorce. That some people saw Mr. Mallard as having a "kind hand". Perhaps friends and family would not believe her if she told them the truth. The truth about how he treated her in private.

"A & P"

My alternative ending to this story is that after Lengel embarrasses the girls by telling them in front of other shoppers and Sammy that they are dressed inappropriate in his store, the girls leave and not only Sammy but a few of the shoppers tell Lengel that he overreacted about the way the girls were dressed, that they were not hurting anyone. However, Lengel insist that he was in the right. Sammy then quits, rushes out of the store to apologize to the girls for what his boss has done. In the meantime, with Sammy being attracted to "Queenie" from the beginning, ends up with her phone number and Lengel stuck working the checkout.