AFRICA

By: David Diop

The persona in the poem “Africa” is a person from Africa (a black one) but is
living in another country. This can be seen in the lines; “Africa my Africa, I have never
known you but your blood flows in my veins”. You can sense how much he misses his
homeland by his stress on the word Africa, and he continues to call it "My Africa" to
emphasize that it is his land and his feelings of patriotism towards it. I have also known
the authors biography, stating that he is of West African descent and he lived in France
throughout his childhood and only visited Africa in the 1950s. His choice of word
“distant” from the line “On the banks of a distant river” again symbolize how far he is
from his country. In some lines in the poem we may be able to know that the persona is
a young one (maybe in his teens or early 20’s), from the verses “Africa whom my
grandmother sings” As he stress that he did not know Africa until he heard it from his
grandmother songs (his grandmother maybe telling him a story from Africa to satisfy his
cleverness since for me he is a child), and “Impetuous child that tree, young and
strong”.

The theme for me would be “patriotism”, again understanding the poem in

biographical perspectives most of the authors poems highlighted the problems of Africa
brought about by the colonialism. In this poem he gave a message to African people to
urge and bring about the change & freedom in verses; “Is this your back that is unbent,
this back that never breaks under the weights of humiliation, This back trembling w/ red
scars and saying yes to the whip of under the midday sun”. These lines encourage the
African people to stand up to the pain and humiliation that they are experiencing in their
own land. He then reminds them of the strength and pride they have in them, despite of
the suffering he urges them to remain unbent and must not this break them despite the
weight of their suffering.

It is indeed a very nice poem. For me this serves as a wake-up call, not just to
the African but also for everyone who continues to live in oppression. I admire the fact
that it does not encourage the oppressed people to pursue the act of violence in order
attain freedom. There he stressed the importance of patience, and suggest everyone to
be calm and be wise enough. Like the old adage saying that it is better to wait, prepare
and be ready before going into a battle, rather than fought a fight in a hurry and
experience defeat in the end (simply because you are not ready). Another thing I admire
in this poem is that it encourages us especially the Africans to be an optimistic person.
That slavery, problems and challenges are only a path to better enjoy the sweet and
sour taste of success and freedom.
 Where the Mind is Without Fear

By: Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian poet, born in 1861 in what was then
Calcutta, India. He was and is the foremost poet in the Bengali language, and was also
versed in short story, play, and essay writer, as well as painting and composing music.
He started writing poetry early and throughout his life he would publish several books as
well as a complete collection of his work.

In 1913 he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
His goal was to blend the best of Indian and Western poetry, an element of his writing
clearly present in his poem, Where the Mind is Without Fear. During the time in which
this poem was written India was still under the control of the British Empire. In 1915,
only 5 years after this poem was written, Tagore was awarded a knighthood but gave it
up in protest only four years later when British troops killed 400 Indian
demonstrators. He died in 1941 in Calcutta.

The theme of this poem is freedom from colonization and what it takes to achieve
that. The British rule of India created a system that prevented many Indian people from
gaining education or positions of power in the country. He's aware that his own people
are being kept from knowledge—and not because it's the right thing to do. Instead, it's
caused by the "dreary desert sand of dead habit" that British rule became in India.

I believe in Tagore beliefs that education, working together, and "ever-widening

thought and action" can change things. He wants the reader to be fearless in whatever
situation they are in during that war, he wants them to express themselves and do not
depend only of what the society can offer to them, they should do something just like Dr.
Jose Rizal did during the Spaniards colonization in the Philippines. The author rebelled
in a peaceful way, not using any harmful weapon to go against the invader but with the
power of words he had written in his poem he encouraged his fellowmen to be brave
enough to something good for the country. That's why he says that the world he
describes is "that heaven of freedom" and asks "his Father to let his country awake."
The entire poem functions as a prayer. He's addressing his father, but not the one he
was born to. Rather, it appears that he's addressing God and asking that India, his
nation, be released into the world he describes.
 When I was One and Twenty

By: A.E Housman

This poem is written by A.E housman. This poem is about telling what happened
to the speaker when he was twenty years old. This poem tells us that the speaker was
being given some advices from a wise man who told him that the ability of love is more
valuable than the material objects; the speaker should not give love too freely to
everyone. But, the speaker seems did not notice the advice and at the end he regret
with it.

The theme of this poem is knowledge and ignorance .The speaker of this poem
admits that he did not, or could not; follow the advice given to him when he was twenty-
one, even though it came from a wise man. There are two possible reasons for his
failure to act. The first is that he did not recognize the wisdom of the wise man until he
turned twenty-two and through experience came to see the wisdom of his advice. The
other possibility is that the poem’s speaker did realize that it was good advice at the
time but was helpless to do anything about it because he was too young; when he had
matured, it was as if a spell had been broken, and he realized the wisdom of the man’s
words.

Both of these ways of looking at the phrase “a wise man” illustrate the same thing
about knowledge—that it can only be absorbed when one is ready for it—but each one
implies a slightly different lesson about this particular character. The poem nicely draws
the line between knowledge that is told by someone else and knowledge that is gained
from experience, showing readers that experiential knowledge is the only kind that
matters. Another issue that is left to interpretation is whether ignoring wise advice and
only drawing from experience is meant to represent the human condition, as the poem’s
lofty tone implies, or if it is only a condition of youth.

As a youth who reads this kind of poem. It is very I catchy, it’ll help me to see
through myself and applies it whether should I take this wise man says or should I let
myself experience in order for me learn. As I reflected myself with it, yes youth shall be
needed to learn on their own. Sometimes just hearing advice doesn't work. We all need
to experience it for ourselves to truly learn about love. We face struggles, hindrances,
worries, problems through ourselves because in real word we want some advice but
advice is just a precaution we still wants what we wanted to do even it will hurts us or it’ll
be good for us.
 THE PROSTITUTE

By: Felix Cheong Seng Fei

Felix Cheong Seng Fei is a poet and recipient of the National Arts Council Young
Artist Award for Literature in 2000. He has published three volumes of poetry:
Temptation and Other Poems (1998), I Watch the Stars Go Out (1999) and Broken by
the Rain (2003). Cheong is also an active promoter of Singapore’s literary arts scene.
He was a freelance writer for local newspapers and publications such as Today, The
New Paper and The Edge.

His third volume of poetry the “Broken by the Rain” remains Cheong’s most
mature work to date. Cheong employed the use of the dramatic monologue, giving a
voice to those living on the margins of society. These include the bigot, wife-beater,
stripper, prostitute, pimp and serial-killer.

The persona in this poem is a girl who is a sex worker. She is narrating how this
kind of work does to a person who is doing it. There are times that she doubts if she can
still have a good life or the mere fact that she will be a nobody in the eyes of the many.
Just a living easy pleasure.

In the first stanza the prostitute is telling that she had no longer feelings about
having sexual intercourse with the different guys she encountered with as a sex worker.
Every time she looks at her reflection in the mirror she sees herself with the different
man she had, imagining things they did just pleasure no feelings at all. In the second
stanza the prostitute questioned her capacity to love; she felt that she is not capable of
loving anymore because even loving herself is unsure for her anymore. She has a doubt
if she can feel this love or give it to a man because of her work. In the line “I no longer
know my own body” she did things that are not usual for a normal person because she
forced to do it for a living. “What I have given I have no way of reclaiming it”. Being a
prostitute is not easy; people judge them easy because of their work, whenever she
gives her body her moral goes down as well as her dignity. In the third stanza the she
says that the prostitute has only little things left in her as a person. After what happened
there is still left in her being it is her body that is used and will be used again for others
pleasure.

The theme of this poem is a reflection towards dirty work. The real scenario or
the point of view of someone who does not know how to love, be loved, and self love
because of the work she’s capable to do. We tend to judge these persons by first glance
and we don’t care about the real situation, their feelings or what the story behind it is.
 THE THREE MUSKETEERS
By: Alexander Dumas

Although often dismissed is a fantasy engage in daring and romantic adventures

story, the Three Musketeers is a profound statement of human character and social
evolution, depicting four individuals who through their energy, courage, resourcefulness,
personal values and loyalty to one another are able to influence the course of events at
the national and international level. The story also provides an insightful glimpse into the
dynamics of French society during one of the most remarkable periods in its history.

The Three Musketeers (Les Trois Mousquetaires) is a novel by Alexandre

Dumas, père. It recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he
leaves home to become a musketeer. D'Artagnan is not one of the musketeers of the
title; those are his friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis - inseparable men who chant the
motto "One for all, and all for one".

Plot:
Young D'Artagnan of Gascony leaves his home to travel to Paris to join forces
with the king’s army named Musketeers. Once there, he encounters a plot to discredit
the Queen and King of France. This plot is headed by the Cardinal Richelieu who is
being helped by another by the name of Milady. Milady is the wife of Milord, who is in
love with the Queen. D'Artagnan, along with his new musketeer friends Athos, Porthos,
and Aramis foil each attempt that the Cardinal tries to undertake. They have sworn to
protect the King at all costs and that is what they will do until death. Athos was once a
nobleman and had a wife, Milady. He thought she was dead until he was told of the
mark on her shoulder, then he knew it was her. He, along with the others, captured
Milady and then sentenced her to death by beheading her. With Milady gone, the threat
was over and D'Artagnan was given a lieutenancy in the Kings Musketeers.

Characters

D’Artagnan

The protagonist, a poor but intelligent Gascon who has come to Paris to join The
Musketeers and make his fortune.

Athos, Porthos, & Aramis,

The Musketeers for whom the novel is named. These men become D’Artagnan’s
closest friend and share in his adventures, his successes, and his failures.
Cardinal Richelieu

The second most powerful man in France, the Cardinal is the enemy of
D’Artagnan and the Musketeers and the chief antagonist of the novel. He is great
statesman and strategist but is driven by a need for control to commit devious acts
designed to advance his own cause.

Anne de Breuil (Lady de Winter, Milady)

An agent of the Cardinal and a woman devoured by greed and bent on

vengeance. She becomes a particular enemy of D’Artagnan.

Count de Rochefort

The first enemy D’Artagnan makes and an agent of the Cardinal. His destiny is
closely tied to that of D’Artagnan.

Setting

The Three Musketeers is set in 17th century France during the reign of Louis XIII.
The story takes place predominantly in Paris, but the protagonist’s adventures take him
across the French countryside and as far as England.

Though the novel is based on historical information, and many of the events,
such as the siege of New Rochelle, really occurred, Dumas has taken artistic liberties
with many of the characters. It should not be looked at as a factual account of this
period. Instead, the novel should be recognized as a fine example of the genre of
Romance.

Theme

The genre of Romance always contains the thematic elements of love and
chivalry and The Three Musketeers is no exception.

Moral lesson

In general, The Three Musketeers is a great, highly entertaining story. The main
lesson is not one of naturalness or generosity. It is the idea that friendships make the
world go round. Without friends, you have nothing. This message is extremely
important given the disconnection and remoteness brought about by the Internet era. It
is so easy to make friends online while avoiding the daily connections with friends that
make your life wonderful.

“Friendship is the most valuable asset one can possess.”

 HELEN OF TROY

By: David Benioff

Based on Iliad and written by Homer. The screenplay was written by David
Benioff and stars who were Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Diane
Kruger and Rose Byrne. The Importance of this film is in regards to the City of Troy, the
unions of the Greeks, and the reason behind the war itself. It was made to capture the
imagination of Homer and his poems.

Characters

Achilles was very strong and considered immortal

Hector was the bravest and modest leader of Troy under the Rule of Priam.

Helen was extremely brilliantly beautiful while

Paris was inexperienced and weak.

All of the characters involved had important roles whose actions were caused of
many important events. However, if you relate back to Homer and back of what
historians have discovered, the movie wasn’t accurate representation.

Theme

Love is a very strong weapon. Love not just in a romantic way but love for your
country and love for your family. You can do anything just make sure all the people you
love are safe.

Settings

The setting is in the city of Troy

Plot

Exposition:

The movie started showing how greedy the king of Mycenae is. The King of
Thessaly and the king of Mycenae agreed on some things about the land. The Thessaly
lost because of the great Achilles. Meanwhile, Prince Hector of Troy and his younger
brother Paris negotiate a peace treaty with Menelaus, king of Sparta, and celebrate the
end of a long and bloody war.On the same night, Paris sleeps with Menelaus’ wife
Helen and smuggles her on their homebound vessel. The Trojans left Sparta. Paris
reveals Helen to Hector, who warns that their peace treaty with Sparta is void and
chastises Paris for risking a Greek inv asion of Troy. Meanwhile, the furious Menelaus
asked for his brother’s help when he found out what Paris did. Agamemnon who really
wants to attack Troy, agreed. Odysseus, king of Ithaca visits Phtia to persuade Achilles
to fight. Achilles refused and later seeks counsel from his mother, Thetis. She tells him
that ifhe remains, he will live a long happy life but will not remembered. If he goes to
Troy, he will find everlasting glory and renown but will die. Wanting to be remembered,
Achilles chooses to go and takes his cousin, Patroclus with him.

Conflict:

In Troy, King Priam is dismayed when Paris brings Helen home but
welcomes her as a guest. Hector begs his father to send Helen home to avert war with
the Greeks but Priam says Paris is in love with Helen and will follow her. Helen warns
Paris that Menelaus and Agamemnon will wreak havoc on Troy but Paris says he will
challenge Menelaus to combat for Helen. Achilles and the Myrmidons land first,
ransacking the temple of Apollo, and capture Briseis. Hector leads Trojan
reinforcements to the battle and confronts Achilles. As the Greek rulers celebrate the
capture of the Trojan beach, Agamemnon angers Achilles by taking Briseis and Achilles
orders the Myrmidons to stay out of the war until Agamemnon begs Achilles to return.

Rising Action:

The next morning the Greeks march on Troy, and Paris challenge
Menelaus to single combat, the winner talking Helen home to settle the conflict.
Agamemnon initially refuses and tells Menelaus he came for Troy not for Helen.
Menelaus convinces Agamemnon to agree to Paris challenge planning to attack Troy
after Paris is dead. Menelaus handily defeats the inexperienced Paris but is killed by an
intervening Hector after Paris cowardly retreat. A furious Agamemnon orders his troops
to attack, but are easily repelled by the Trojan force. In the aftermath of the battle,
Nestor and Odysseus persuade Agamemnon to make peace with Achilles, as the
Greeks are hopeless in the battle without him. Greek soldiers attempt to rape Briseis but
she is saved by Achilles. That night, Achilles talks to Briseis about the gods and taunt
her about becoming a priestess.

Falling Action:

While troy mourns Hector’s death, Agamemnon over the truce, despite the
walls still being unbreachable. Realizing that Agamemnon would see all the Greeks
slaughtered before abandoning his ambition, Odysseusplans to infiltrate the city by
building a giant hollow wooden horse. Before the operation is launched, Achilles makes
amends with Eudorus and orders to him to lead the Myrmidons home while he stay
behind. The Greek seemingly depart and hide their ships in a nearby cove, leaving the
horse behind. The Trojans take the horse for an offering by the Greeks to Poseidon for
a safe voyage home, and assume victory, bringing the horse into the city. Massive
celebration ensue but that night, the Greeks within the Trojan Horse, including Achilles
and Odysseus, emerge and open the gates, admitting the rest of the Greek army, which
commences the sack of Troy, destroying the city. As the Greeks overpower the few
remaining Trojan soldier, capture the royal palace and Odysseus kills Glaucus and
Agamemnon kills Priam, Andromache helps Helen and many others escape through the
secret passage which Hector had shown her. Paris gives a young boy called Aeneas
the sword of Troy and instructs him to lead the Trojan people. Paris then rejoins the
fight and hears Briseis calling for help.

Denouement:

Achilles does not participate in the slaughter but searches for Briseis, who is being
threatened by Agamemnon. She kills Agamemnon with a concealed knife and is saved
from his guard by Achilles. Paris arrives and shoot Achilles in the heel, and several
times more before Briseis manages to stay his hand. Achilles accepts his death as
revenge for killing Hector, and urges Briseis to join Paris and escape from the city.
Achilles removes all but the first arrow and dies of his wounds just as the soldiers arrive
to see the fallen warrior with a single arrow through his heel. Funeral rituals are
performed for Achilles in the ruins of Troy the next day with Odysseus lighting Achilles’
funeral pyre. As Achilles is burned on his pyre, the Trojan refugees, including Helen,
Andromache, Paris, Briseis and Aeneas are seen escaping.

Lesson

We should be patriotic: As in the movie Paris takes risk of war. He preferred his
love over his country and whole country was in trouble. So we should be patriotic and
don`t prefer our benefits over country and don`t be subjective.

Passion and Determination: Paris was passionate and honest about his love. He
was ready to fight for his love. This shows his truth love and passion so if we are honest
and passionate we can achieve our intention. He doesn`t change his mind in the
pressure of fighting he offers himself foe his love.

Greed: As Agamemnon was greedy and not sincere with his brother. At the end
of his greediness he gains nothing. So we should sincere not be greedy.

Planning: Odysseus made plan of Trojan horse and through Trojan horse they
entered city Troy and attacked. If they have no any plan they never entered nor may
they face number of problems. There should be needed a strategy to win the race.

Conclusion

I am giving this movie, two thumbs up! This movie is really a great art. I have
watched different movies which are good and I did appreciate this one. I salute the
director and the people behind this movie. They just made a film which will remain in the
mind of the audience forever. Not just because the movie is great but also because the
film is part of mythology which we believe, is part of the past.
 MATEO FALCONE

By: Prosper Merimee

Mateo Falcone is meant to reveal deep truths about the character and values of
the people native to the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is such a good story written
by Prosper Merimee, the translator of much Russian literature in France. It is about the
family, and a son that once in his life he made mistake and the as a punishment his
father took in his life.

Setting

This story was particularly happened in Port Vecchio, northwesterly direction.

Theme

Include betrayal and honor, savagery and civilization, vendetta and law, and
custom and morality.

Characters

Mateo Falcone

The man who has a good reputation in their town.

Guisepa

Wife of Mateo Falcone.

Fortunato

Son of Mateo and Guisepa.

Gianetto Saupiero

The prisoner.

Gamba

Cousin of Mateo
Plot

Exposition:

The novel opens with a framing narrative. The narrator remembers once meeting
the rugged Corsican outdoorsman and landowner Mateo Falcone. Although the narrator
encountered Mateo two years after he had undergone a traumatic event, there was no
sign in his outward demeanor or appearance that he had been affected in any way.
Mateo’s story shows that he has never lost his honor – by clinging to this, he had the
internal strength to do what was necessary when the moment came to choose between
honor and family. Two years earlier, in early fall, Mateo and his wife, Giuseppa left the
house to tend to a flock of sheep, leaving behind their ten-year-old son, Fortunato. He is
their fourth child, a much-longed-for boy who was born after three girls who are now
married and out of the house.

Conflict:

After the sound of gunfire, a disheveled and injured man comes to the door –
Fortunato sees the man is the wanted bandit Gianetto Sanpiero, who is being pursued
by government troops after conducting several raids in the area. Recognizing the house
as Mateo’s, Gianetto asks Fortunato to help him hide from the soldiers. In an exchange
that demonstrates the flawed nature of Fortunato’s character (at least in terms of
Corsican ideals), Fortunato resists helping Gianetto until the criminal offers the boy a
five-franc coin. Then, using his wiles, Fortunato camouflages Gianetto under some hay,
putting a cat with her litter of kittens on top to disguise the area further.

Soon after, the soldiers tracking Gianetto come to the house, led by Sergeant
Tiodoro Gamba, Fortunato’s distant cousin. Tiodoro asks whether Fortunato has seen
anyone come through; he immediately sees through Fortunato’s excuse about being
asleep. When he threatens the boy to get answers, Fortunato refuses to reveal any
information, reluctant once again to help someone who has come for assistance.
Instead, he shouts, “My father is Mateo Falcone!” over and over. The soldiers look
around, but even after they poke the haystacks with bayonets, they discover nothing.

Rising Action:

Finally, Tiodoro finds Fortunato’s weak spot – the same one Gianetto had used
earlier. Tiodoro points out that his young son has a watch while Fortunato doesn’t, and
then offers the boy a fine silver watch worth at least ten écus. Jealous of this watch-
owning boy, Fortunato, again, allows himself to be bought. He points to the hay, where
the soldiers uncover Gianetto and arrest him. Matteo and Giuseppa come back just at
the moment when the soldiers are tying up Gianetto. While Tiodoro explains what has
happened, and Gianetto curses, spitting on the threshold of the “traitor home,” Matteo’s
face remains silent and blank. He doesn’t help Gianetto, because he isn’t the one who
was responsible for his safety as a guest. However, he also doesn’t say good-bye to
Tiodoro
Falling Action:

Realizing that he has made a mistake, Fortunato tries to fix things by offering
Gianette a bowl of milk. However, the criminal turns away from the boy and, instead,
addresses the soldier who has arrested him as friend, asking him for water. Fortunato
has done the worst thing possible – he has acted as a traitor.

Realizing what is about to happen, Giuseppa tries to intervene with Mateo,

asking him to listen to his familial feelings. However, when Mateo responds saying, “I
am his father,” she acquiesces. Knowing that Mateo has the right to make decisions
about the lives of his family members, and partly agreeing with his decision, she kneels
in front of the Madonna icon in the house and starts to pray.

Denouement:

Mateo orders Fortunato to follow him into a ravine near the house. There, he tells
the boy to pray. After two prayers, Fortunato begs his father not to kill him, pleading that
he will learn and behave better from now on, offering to go to Tiodoro to beg for
Gianetto’s pardon. Mateo refuses to accept a traitor in his house. His only concession is
to allow the boy to pray before death so he will die like a Christian. Mateo allows
Fortunato time for two more prayers, then shoots and kills his son. The ground of the
ravine is soft, allowing for easy grave digging.

Giuseppa hears a gunshot and runs out of the house, half-hoping to see two
people coming back. However, Mateo returns alone and tells her what they will do next:
have a memorial service for Fortunato and invite one of the sons-in-law to the house.

Lesson

The most important in this world is our family, no matter what happened our
family is our strength and we must treasure each and everyone. The mistake of
someone is not enough reason to hurt anyone and most of all it’s not a license for us to
take his/her life. Family is more important than anything else, from it is a great blessing
that we will received God and we must take care of it.

Conclusion

The main character of this story which is Mateo Falcone shows an irresponsible
model as a father, he able to kill his own son just of one mistake. There is many ways to
punish your child and taking his/her life is another story.

Reputation will not bring back the life of your child and actually killing his son is
also ruined much more his reputation. He chose to lose his son just to justify the
mistake of Fortunato.
 B. Wordsworth

By:V.S Naipul

Taken from a collection of short stories titled Miguel Street, V.S Naipaul’s B.
Wordsworth presents before us a complex relationship between a young boy and a
rather remarkable man which is forged with great ease and simplicity.

Themes

Revolving around the themes of identity, alienation, curiosity friendship,

admiration, coming of age and the role of the artist.

Characters

The author himself

B. Wordsworth

A poet and a good friend of the author.

Setting

The narrator’s house, Trinidad

Plot

‘B. Wordsworth’ written by V. S. Naipaul is all about the beautiful bond between
Wordsworth and the kid. It’s a coming-of-age story written in first person from the young
boy’s perspective depicting his growth from young age to adulthood.

Lots of dialogues are used to make the readers understand Wordsworth’s witty attitude.
But, as the dialogues are small, those give us only a glimpse of Wordsworth’s character,
making him an unsolved mystery until the end. Wordsworth is a vagabond and the kid is
considerate, whereas the mother is the opposite of those two.

Conclusion

At the end of the story, it’s safe to conclude that Wordsworth had been living
inside an illusionary bubble which was created by him in hope to build an image of
himself which is drastically different from the real him. But in his last moments he
seemed to have accepted the reality by revealing that he wasn’t famous.
 The vocabulary and narration are intriguing. From the beginning it raises
questions about the main character, Wordsworth; about the stories he tells the kid, his
past and his true identity. Slowly the answers become clear.

Lesson

Wordsworth’s character, though a bit peculiar, is quite relatable. There’s a

constant internal struggle in him. He seems to be fighting with his old true self to
become something he wishes to be. This identity crisis has become rather common in
today’s world.
 NO PLACE FOR A WOMAN

By: Henry Lawson

Plot

'Ratty Howlett' has lived alone on his selection for fifteen years. His only company is the
occasional traveller he waylays on the road past his property and persuades to stop for
a yarn. When the narrator is invited back to Ratty's hut for a meal he is surprised to find
it clean and tidy. Ratty tells him his wife has gone out for the day and it is not until five
years later that the narrator learns the truth.

Characters

Ratty howlett, Unnamed Speaker, Mary - her wife and other bushmen

Setting

Never never - the vast remote area of the Australian Outback

Theme

Loneliness and Holding on the past

Lesson

Loneliness bring us to a state that tents to border on despair and dillusion

Man is a social being. The absence of other people holds an emotional effect on
people.

Men and women are different. Ther are also some very depictions of each sex.

Conclusion

We should know how to accept the loses in life, only then we can move on
 THE STRANGER

By: Katherine Mansfield

The Stranger, by Katherine Mansfield, opens with a man named Mr. Hammond
waiting for his wife to disembark a ship. She seems to be taking her sweet time, and Mr.
Hammond keeps checking his watch. Impatient much? Well, we can't blame him. It's
actually kind of sweet how eager he is. He wonders what she is doing and hopes that
she is just sitting on the ship enjoying a last cup of tea. Mr. Hammond is a decent guy -
a family man. In fact, when he picks up a friend's daughter, he realizes that ''the
movement of holding her, steadying her, relieved him wonderfully, lightened his heart.''

Theme

Insecurity, freedom, jealousy, trust, control, independence and change.

Setting

Auckland, UK

Port

Hotel

Characters

Mr and Mrs Hammond

Mr and Mrs Scott

Mr. Graven

Captain Johnson

The dead man (the stranger)

Plot summary

The protagonist, Mr. Hammond, anxiously awaits the arrival of his beloved wife,
Janey, who has been separated from for several months while she traveled. Told from
the third person perspective, from a male point of view, Mansfield examines the theme
of marriage and questions the dynamics of the marital relationship when in conflict.
Mansfield, a modernist, often began her stories in medias res. She purposely neglects
to introduce character backgrounds or descriptions of setting. In doing so her stories
appear episodic, revealing characterization as the plot progresses. The use of the male
perspective is typical for the time period but unusual for Mansfield who preferred to write
from a female point of view especially when examining gender roles in relation to family
dynamics. As a result, Mansfield’s portrayal of Mr. Hammond at times leans more
toward the absurd as he attempts to reconnect with his wife.

Marriage, a reoccurring theme in many of the stories within The Garden Party
and Other Stories is central to "The Stranger." Mansfield pointedly refers to the main
characters as Mr. and Mrs. and establishes a tone of wary expectation when Mr.
Hammond is waiting for his wife’s ship to come in. He tells everyone gathered at the
dock all about Janey and how proud he is of her, and how he will soon be reunited with
her. Mr. Hammond is both excited and expectant, assuming Janey will be exactly as he
remembered her. Yet he senses something is wrong once they are alone together,
despite her reassurances to the contrary. He does not possess the wherewithal to
separate his desperate desire for physical contact with his need to protect and care for
Janey. Marriage to Mr. Hammond is akin to ownership; he loves his wife but years to
possess her. Janey in turn, seems to find her husband’s over-attentiveness draining and
yet she seems unsurprised by his behavior. She submits to his will only to a point and
then withdraws. The marriage does not seem unhappy and Janey is obviously devoted
to her family but she has spent months away from her husband and her feelings have
changed. Perhaps she found that she enjoyed her solitude while away, delighting in the
freedom of being just Janey and not Mrs. Hammond. To Mr. Hammond signs of
independence or the feeling that Janey is always on the verge of flying away from him
prompt him to hold her tighter, become even more possessive of her time, her body,
even her mind. In doing so he only serves to drive her farther away. Too caught up in
his own desire to posses Janey, Mr. Hammond is blindsided by her confession.

There are several interpretations concerning Janey’s confession. On the surface,

Janey’s admission to having been alone with the young man when he died is an act of
compassion. Janey had made many friends during her long journey on the ship
including the young man. She knew that he was ill but thought he was getting better. His
death shocked and grieved her. Janey knew that Mr. Hammond would be jealous of her
interaction with the young man; however innocent, and chose not to tell him until he
pressed her for details. A different interpretation suggests that Janey had a sexual
relationship with the young man throughout her journey. That was why she was with
him, alone, when he died. Janey never reached for Mr. Hammond first. He always
initiated any intimacy between them and always felt as if he could not reach the part of
Janey withdrew from his embrace. In death, the young man achieved what Mr.
Hammond could not. She embraced death, open to the one circumstance that Mr.
Hammond could never control in their relationship. Time and distance may separate
them momentarily but death is eternal and he fears he will never experience such a
binding and intimate moment with Janey as she had with the young man.