"The Hand" by Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette
1. Why do you think the wife kisses her husband's hand in the final paragraph? Explain how the kiss might symbolize the nature of their relationship.
2. In "The Birthmark" Nathaniel Hawthorne also uses a hand for symbolic purposes. Compare the meanings he associates with the hand in his story with Colette's. How does each writer invest meanings in a central symbol? Which one do you find more effective? Explain.
"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver
1. Though there is little description of the setting in this story, how do the few details that are provided help to establish tone?
2. If you are familiar with the story of Solomon in the Bible, how might "Popular Mechanics" be read as a retelling of this story?
3. Discuss how the ending of "Popular Mechanics" is similar to the ending of Hawthorne's "The Birthmark."
In "Popular Mechanics," the author masterfully uses a very small amount of detail to allow the reader to use their imagination.
ReplyDeleteThe ending of both stories are shocking and unexpected. This element of literature is well-used by both authors.
ReplyDelete"Popular Mechanics" and the Song of Solomon are both tales of jealousy and revenge. Both end in losses for the main characters.
ReplyDeleteIn King Solomon, both characters fought over a child as well. However, true love is shown by the real birth mother because she would rather another woman have her baby than have it be cut in half. Popular Mechanics shows the absence of love because both of the parents are selfish and do not want what is best for the child. The parents each want the child just so the other can not have it.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, the lack of details makes the story move faster and you read it quicker, like the emotion shown- anger. Also the lack of details helps the reader focus in on the words shared between the two and the few details that are shown all are purposeful and the reader pays more attention.
ReplyDeleteCarver uses few details to make his piece flow. Like the lack of quotation marks, it makes the piece faster and easier to read. You can also sense the anger and tension in the parents voices.
ReplyDeleteAs both Dea and Holden said, Solomon's story it was about love and jealousy. I agree with both of their thoughts. I also believe that it could be seen as a retelling because it is the same story line, however it is father and mother arguing.
ReplyDeleteThe two stories are similar because you dont expect the outcome, like Holden said. In Carver's story I thought that one parent would give up the child. In Hawthorne's I did not expect her to kiss his hand, when she was so afraid of it.
ReplyDeleteThe little description adds a feeling of apathy. It shows that neither of the parents really cared about the child they just wanted the other NOT to have it. The whole thing seemed like a blur which made the parents true colors show.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Solomon and the two women is similar to "Popular Mechanics" (Why is the story called that anyway?). The only thing is, neither of the characters fighting over the baby really cared what happened to it whereas in the story of Solomon, the true mother did care. Its more of what the result of the story of Solomon and the two women if Solomon was not there to resolve the issue or if the mother really didn't care.
ReplyDeleteIn both "The Birthmark," and "Popular Mechanics" the characters really did not care about the result. The husband in "The Birthmark" does not care if his wife lives or dies he just wants her imperfection gone. In "Popular Mechanics" neither of the parents care if they can provide the best living situation for the baby they just don't want the other to have custody. Both stories resulted in the death of the ones they didn't care about. Ta-DAH! If you don't really care, you won't have it anymore. Lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteHolden,did you really find the birthmark death thing shocking? I knew she was going to die right when he wanted to experiment. Emily- good catch on the apathy! I didn't even realize that but you are very right. Hollwog- I really hope this counts as my third entry because I don't want to write anymore :)
ReplyDeleteI felt the stories (song of solomon and popular mechanics) are similar in that they both essentially tell of the possibility of separating babies, yet differ greatly where solomon tells of parental love and popular mechanics a severe lack thereof.
ReplyDeleteI think the wife kisses her husbands hand at the end because she realizes the futility of hating it. That nothing good can come of hating it. I feel this symbolism in the nature of their relationship shows how their affection toward each other ( as newly-weds) can and will help them, or at least her, overcome differences or tolerate mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI feel carver's lack of setting description in popular mechanics almost conveys a tone of objectivism. It just seems raw and unedited.
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