...THE ART OF FICTION by Henry James [Published in Longman's Magazine 4 (September 1884), and reprinted in Partial Portraits (Macmillan, 1888); paragraphing and capitalization follow the Library of America edition.] I SHOULD not have affixed so comprehensive a title to these few remarks, necessarily wanting in any completeness, upon a subject the full consideration of which would carry us far, did I not seem to discover a pretext for my temerity in the interesting pamphlet lately published under this name by Mr. Walter Besant. Mr. Besant's lecture at the Royal Institution--the original form of his pamphlet--appears to indicate that many persons are interested in the art of fiction and are not indifferent to such remarks as those who practise it may attempt to make about it. I am therefore anxious not to lose the benefit of this favourable association, and to edge in a few words under cover of the attention which Mr. Besant is sure to have excited. There is something very encouraging in his having put into form certain of his ideas on the mystery of story-telling. It is a proof of life and curiosity--curiosity on the part of the brotherhood of novelists, as well as on the part of their readers. Only a short time ago it might have been supposed that the English novel was not what the French call discutable. It had no air of having a theory, a conviction, a consciousness of itself behind it-of being the expression of an artistic faith, the result of choice and comparison. I do...
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...Brokeback Mountain Annie Proulx Ennis is a man of few words, whose actions often speak for him. When Ennis meets Jack, he is saddled with responsibility, engaged to Alma, and at the mercy of a conservative Wyoming culture that has no place for a gay ranch hand. Yet Ennis has nowhere else to go and no other profession at which to try his hand. An orphaned high school dropout dependent on hardship funds and raised to be pragmatic, he is trapped in a life over which he has little control. Rather than run off with Jack and try to build a happy life, as Jack repeatedly suggests, Ennis considers the reality of it all: the violent opposition that would greet two gay ranchers living together, his marriage to Alma, his love for his daughters. The life he builds, which involves financial hardship and eventually child support, effectively prohibits him from escaping. Ennis is a prisoner of the life he has been born into. Without the financial wherewithal to escape, without any sort of community support for his sexual proclivities, and imbued with the belief that one must bear whatever one can’t fix, Ennis is fated to live out the rest of his life as a man who tasted happiness once but has never again reached that peak. Though it is Jack Twist who, we infer, is murdered by those who oppose his sexual orientation, it is Ennis Del Mar—living in his trailer, confined to a sad life on the broad, flat plains of Wyoming—who is the story’s tragic soul. Jack Twist Jack Twist is the more...
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...“The Story of Stuff” is a short video created by The Story of Stuff project in 2007. In the video, writers Annie Leonard and Jonah Sachs describe the process of turning natural resources into consumer goods, then into waste. The writers describe a seemingly linear five-step process: extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Leonard and Sachs describe a carefully-scripted culture of unsustainable consumption and waste. The extraction phase of “The Story of Stuff” refers to the removal of natural resources such as timber, natural gas, coal, oil, and water. The writers emphasize the unsustainability of this phase, especially in the United States. The video states that the United States holds 5% of the world’s population but uses 30% of the world’s natural resources and creates over 30% of the world’s waste. This is a staggering statistic. Four percent of the United States’ forests remain. FOUR PERCENT. How much longer will it be before trees are things read about in storybooks (digitally printed of course, as there are no more natural resources to harvest.) The production phase is described as the addition of toxic chemicals to natural resources in order to produce the “stuff” we want. Please note the use of the word “want,” not “need.” The authors note that over 100,000 synthetic chemicals are commercially available today and are regularly used in production. Of those 100,000 synthetic chemicals, very few have been tested in a significant way to measure...
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...composition, which I will de-scribe even further later in this essay. Additionally, I will make a characterization of the per-sons, get around the use of supernatural elements and in the end explain how I have inter-preted the short story. The story is written in a 1st person narrator, who is Annie – the main character. The spoken language is unique because the story takes place in contemporary Northern Ireland, and the writer has chosen to show the Irish dialect in the spoken language. The language, especially when the father speaks, contains a lot of slang and unusual ways to pronounce the words. An example of this, appears in this quotation: ““What’s that oul’ shite you’re listening to?” he said, and near put me off the road. A twitter of a laugh: “That would deave you,” and his arm reached out, and turned down the dial.” (Page 5, line 133-135). The fact that the short story is written from the narrative’s perspective, gives the reader an opportunity to feel like he is inside An-nie’s head. Her narrative language is not very formal; as an example she calls her father “Dad-dy”. The story begins in medias res, because the reader is thrown directly into the action when Annie sees her dead father for the first time in the shower. The reader knows therefore right away that this short story especially is about someone’s relationship to his or her dead father. The main character’s name is not revealed before the reader gets to the middle of the story, which gives the reader...
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...500 Days of Annie Hall Romantic Comedy contains the favorable elements of both romance and comedy genres. Some notables are funny jokes and humorous plots, which surround a love story or the search of a true love. Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (1977) and Marc Webb’s 500 Days of Summer (2009) are both movies that fall under the genre “Romantic Comedy”. These two movies are connected in many ways, for each film contains relatable characters and effective narrative techniques to portray a realistic relationship. Each film is also able to portray the differences between the reality and expectations of a relationship in humorous ways that allow them to be called a romantic comedy. Alvy and Tom are two different characters with separate mindsets. In 500 Days of Summer, Tom Hansen, despite his passion to be an architect is an unmotivated greeting card writer who deeply believes in the concept of true love and soul mates. Whereas in Annie Hall, Alvy Singer is a pessimistic comedian and control freak that is seen changing things to benefit him. Both characters due to their attitudes on life and relationships bring forth different aspects that make them such unique and likable characters. Tom strongly believes that he will never be happy until he meets the person that he believes is ‘the one’ for him. Whereas with Alvy he pushes Annie and doesn’t fully accept either Annie’s insecurities or support her as she finds ways to work through them. Summer and Annie, like their male counterparts...
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...The movie Misery death is the film adaptation of Stephen King's novel, he tells the story of a rich and famous writer of best-seller, Paul Sheldon, known for the legend of a romantic heroine, Misery Chastain, is victim of a grave car accident, while he travels in mountain. He is then saved by a nurse, Annie Wilkes, who tells to be his most fervent admirer. But very fast, Annie's kindness and its more and more bizarre behavior (The nurse refuses to call the help in spite of the grave wounds from which suffers the writer) arouse Paul's suspicions. Giving in to the whim of his benefactress, he agrees to make him read the sketch of the last volume of "Misery", entitled «The child of Misery ". It is then that the nurse discovers with dismay that her heroine dies and that the legend stops with this last novel. Then begin a true hell for the writer who finds himself constrained and forced to rewrite the return of Misery to great reinforcement of tortures, as well physical as psychological. Indeed it has to burn itself the outline of its last volume, and he is going to have to support Annie's drug, pain of his wounds and fear of taking out never this situation. As I left on a school journey to Spain before to have looked at the end of the film Misery death, I cannot tell you the continuation of the history because I only could see until the moment when Paul Sheldon stops taking the drugs; indeed it hides them in the mattress of his...
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...of various cameras, watch the video demos, identify the model you want. Then perhaps you employ Google’s shopping search to price out the options and find the best deal. All of the sudden, it’s four hours later. You’ve found the perfect camera, but your purchasing triumph is tainted by a creeping feeling of, well, disgust. Couldn’t that time have been used better?I was thinking recently about what my biggest distractions were – the things keeping me from pushing my creative projects forward. As I scanned through my daily activities, I found that the most insidious distraction was, in fact, things. More specifically, the wanting, hunting, and getting of things – whether they be tangible (a new computer) or intangible (information). As Annie Leonard says in The Story of Stuff, “Our primary identity has become that of being consumers – not mothers, teachers, or farmers, but of consumers. We shop and shop and shop.” We love our stuff. Yet more than the stuff itself, we love the act of finding it – the search, the anticipation. But why is consumerism – and particularly, an online hunt for the ideal purchase – so addictive? It turns out that our consumerist impulse stimulates the same part of the brain that fires when we’re on the trail of a great idea. As we go through the trial and error of executing an idea – What if I tried this? Ah! Now what about this? – we’re using those same wanting, hunting, getting instincts but in a nobler pursuit. Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp...
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...under the influence, but I asked her anyway, “Have you been drinking?” Unable to understand her I asked her if she had a home. She said no, and that she’d been sleeping outside. I asked the woman her name and she answered, “Annie.” I said, “Annie, do you have a family?” Her reply was that her husband had died. I asked if she had any children; her response was incomprehensible, so I asked her if she’d like a place to stay. She answered “I’m really tired and want to sleep. My bones feel like their breaking." My heart went out to Annie. What experiences had she endured that had caused her to come to this point in her life? I knew of only one way to get some immediate help for Annie. I asked if I could pray with her and she immediately agreed. She was wearing thick woolen gloves, one of which she immediately took off so she could clasp her hand in mine. That really affected me; her action indicated to me that she really wanted the touch of another warm hand. I wondered how long it had been since she had felt any kind of human contact. Right there in the Post Office parking lot I closed my eyes and we had church. I was oblivious to everything going on around me as I asked the Lord to touch Annie and become real in her life. As I opened my eyes, I saw Annie looking at me. Her face was just a few inches from mine. I asked if she knew Jesus. She looked almost a little indignant that I had asked her such a question and answered me quoting Matthew 8:20, “The foxes have holes and the...
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...“An American Childhood” Reader’s Response Many details in Annie Dillard’s “An American Childhood” suggest that the author is retelling the events of an early childhood experience from the viewpoints of herself as an adult. Ms. Dillard’s essay uncovers the differences between how adults and children view the world and seek happiness. However, there are a couple points to this essay. It seems as though, one of the author’s main points was to convey the message that some of the simplest moments in her life were also the happiest and most memorable. For example, she says, “I got in trouble throwing snowballs, and have seldom been happier since”. Also, I noticed that the author seemed to be motivated to inspire readers to chase life’s experiences passionately until one is satisfied. In the essay the author uses two rhetorical modes: narration and description. Ms. Dillard uses narration to describe her perspective of what it was like to be a child in America. In addition to using narration she also describes the intricate details of that particular winter day “Six inches of new snow had just fallen. We were standing up to our boot tops in snow on a front yard trafficked Reynolds Street slowly and evenly; they were targets all but wrapped in red ribbons, cream puffs.” (91). In relation to the unit theme: The shaping of Identity this writing piece uses an autobiographical narrative and flashback writing techniques to portray the American Childhood. Ms. Dillard’s perspective of...
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...Ryan Zamarripa English 1301 Julie Ratliff 4/6/2015 Review on Misery In the thriller/drama movie Misery, Paul played by James Cann and Annie played by Kathy Bates is about a talented writer and a crazy number one fan who is obsessed with the book. Paul is a popular writer that has written and published around nine books. He was finished with his tenth book and decides to make his way to New York City that same day to get his book published. Without knowing he sets off into the road which later came across a blizzard which caused him to drive off the road and wreck. He was saved by a woman named Annie Wilks. Early morning the next day he wakes up in pain and Annie introduces herself to him as his number one fan. Paul is flattered by her remarks on how talented he is at writing. As the time passes Paul starts to see what Annie really is like as she unveils her crazy self. While the people that know Paul are concerned about his disappearance. The sheriff later finds his car buried under the snow but was presumed dead since he had gotten out of the car. Back at Annie’s she introduces her pet pig named Misery to Paul, she then explains why she named her pig Misery. She first started reading Misery when her husband left her because reading the book helped her block her from the problems she had to face outside. When she purchased one of Paul’s newest books she had started reading it but later that night she went into his room angry asking why he killed Misery in the book then...
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...Anna-Lou Leibovitz Anna-Lou Leibovitz is an inspirational photographer who is known by many for her fantastic work, worldwide. Some things that make her such a good photographer is her ability to take risks. She goes above and beyond the average expectations of a picture in order to truly capture her viewers attention. Whether it be from the shoot with John Lennon’s naked while his legs were hugging onto his wife, all the way to the highly controversial photo of Miley Cyrus’ bare back, which many believed was only used and released for media attention and to make sales, Anna-Lou Leibovitz’ photographs are eye-catching and different from the norm of what society always views in photographs. Another reason why Anna-Lou Leibovitz is such a good photographer is because of the fact that she has a good sense of vision and sensitivity. Lebovitz’ vision is something that truly makes her, because she always knows exactly how many items, and which items to place on a set for a photo shoot. To be a good photographer you need to use the right amount to of set pieces to complement the subject of the picture, not take away from it, as well as be able to take pictures from various angles to test out which would look better, and these are both things that she does very well. She also has a good sensitivity meaning that she is able to recognize the subtleties of colour, texture, and lighting. Anna-Lou Lebovitz is now known as the photographer who tells a story through her pictures. She makes...
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...“You've captured our relationship exactly. Promise me it'll be on the cover.” former Beatles singer John Lennon told noted photographer Annie Leibowitz after a prompt shoot on an instant Polaroid camera. Lying in the light taupe floor rug, naked John Lennon curled around his wife Yoko Ono with his eyes closed and lips kissing her right-side cheek. He had his left arm and wrist bent around her, locking her slightly tiled head. His right arm stretched out to give a powerful grasp at her freely spread long black hair. He raised his lap against himself and right knee high up to her chest. He hooked her waist with his tensed foot while his left leg tucked under her buttocks. On his right, Yoko Ono dressed in black sweater and indigo jeans extended her torso straight with her right arm around John Lennon and left forearm under her head. Yoko Ono half-opened eyes stared into her distant left through John. They displayed their composure with their emotionless faces and intimate pose. Next to them was their white bed in which a piece of denim cloth was placed. In his famous Dakota apartment in New York City, Annie Leibowitz took the last and arguably the single most controversial photograph of John Lennon. The striking elements of the image reveal not only his affection towards his wife but also his philosophies that brought him more publicity and criticism. John Lennon had doubtlessly made a name for himself in the music industry as the founder member of Beatles even before embarking...
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...Caniel Snowball 6/17/15 The Shipping News is a story about letting go of the past, the pursuit of happiness and a bunch of knots. Annie Proulx’s clever use of symbolism and interesting array of characters cohesively make an impactful tale and string the storyline together. A theme of having a troubled past becomes clear as it tactfully explained throughout the story to project potential for the growth. Quoyle is the story’s main protagonist who has a mid-life crisis at 36 when his cheating wife dies in a car accident and his parents commit suicide. Proulx describes Quoyle’s past as one with many shortcomings paired with his awkward looking chin and size that encapsulate him in a shell of low self-confidence. His newly found Aunt Agnis appears in his life after his parent’s deaths to bring him to Newfoundland for a new start on life. Quoyle find love and courage in Newfoundland and comes to point where his wife’s death doesn’t haunt him. The aunt, a widowed hard alcohol drinking closet lesbian, throughout the book attempts to stay busy with work and making plans. Upon introduction, Agnis appears to be a flat character but progresses into a more complex character when Quoyle’s father’s incestuous indiscretions with his sister are revealed. The reader can retrieve a sense of how she fits the operating method of someone after a sexual assault. Agnis’s refusal to show weakness or vulnerability and constant need to show she is in control adds depth to her character. When Cousin...
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...Dermot Bolger’s “The Ballymun Trilogy Essay” Dermot Bolger’s “The Ballymun Trilogy” consists of three separate plays, “From These Green Heights”, “The Townlands of Brazil”, and “The Consequence of Lightning”. Each of these individual plays reflects their own separate problems experienced by the inhabitants of the Ballymun Towers. Families that were offered to live in these flats saw it as a chance for a new start. Most of the new tenants saw this as the perfect opportunity for a brighter future and as a way to get out of their current unstable homes which some have even collapsed and claimed the lives of several people. Although in each of these plays, the residents of the Ballymun Tower all experiences different situations, each play are cleverly linked to each other in one way or another. Throughout “From These Green Heights”, the play oscillates between two time frames, the 1960’s and early 2000, each focusing on a period of Dessie’s life. At the start of “From These Green Heights”, Dessie, as a child, along with his parents, Christy and Carmel, were one of the first families to move into the newly constructed Ballymun Towers. Although the towers were far from finish, which was promised shopping centers, schools, medical clinics, and a playground for the children, the families moving into these flats had high hopes for their new home. As expressed by Christy, “We weren’t just moving up in the world – we were moving skyward” (p.4) and stated...
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...EMDA 201 Professor Erik Palmer 26 November 2012 Writing Assignment 5 - Visual Interpretation & Ethics For this writing assignment, I chose to read and analyze the article “Why It’s Annie Leibovitz’s Fault.” This article discussed a controversial photograph taken by the photographer Annie Leibovitz of the 15 year old Miley Cyrus in a sexual, risqué pose. I agree with the author of this article. The photographer has taken thousands of famous photographs, and has been published in magazines, and she should know better. Even though the majority of our media contains sexual representations and explicit images, the photographer should not exploit teenagers. The photographer is experienced in molding her models into the shape she wants. A young impressionable teenager could easily be manipulated into thinking a nude shot is the best way to show off her charm. In the article it says that Cyrus and the photographer sat down and looked at other images and discussed the type of pose they should take of her. In our society, sex is everywhere. This is a problem, because most of the media is exposed to the younger generations. It is making our younger generations think that exploiting themselves is acceptable. When they see a popular teen celebrity in nothing but a sheet, they think its okay to post similar images of themselves on social media websites, such as Facebook, Myspace, etc. This issue brings us to what parents are thinking. In this article, it tells us Cyrus’ parents...
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