Short Stories Essay

A detailed Summary of Short Stories Essay

The short story "Debut" by Kristin Hunter and "Manhood" by John Wain both explore central issues like masculinity and femininity. Through the use of narrative conventions, such as point of view, characterisation, selection of detail, conflict, descriptive language and symbolisation, the authors present issues more effectively. By using social, cultural and gender expectations in the context, the authors give a better understanding throughout the text, considering the different time frames.

At the time frame when "Debut" was written, in the sixties, society was changing dramatically. The woman's movement had a strong impact on social and cultural expectations at the time. Women were having sex and not being married changing the culture into a disimpowered culture. Wives were usually being the stereotypical mothers, staying at home, looking after the children and doing the housework. The time frame between now and the sixties has altered the reading of "Debut", letting the readers accept the changing cultural and social expectations of the time. Both Mrs Simmons and Mr Willison try to pressure their view on gender and social expectations as what they perceive as a better lifestyle. For instance, "No son of mine

The short stories analyse and explore the ways central issues might or should have portrayed depending on the reader's context. Narrative conventions help state issues like gender, race and social class. Without having narrative conventions and the context we would not sucessfully be able to interpret our issues, thus these are the main elements in effictively exploring a short story.

Both the texts are presented in a third point of view to identify a stronger view on the way that the characters are constructed. If the author used a first person point of view, it could not persuade the readers as strongly about the central issues demonstrated by the short story. From having more speaking, the dialogue supports issues giving a better concept of the text. Without this point of view you can not recognise the directed transformation of Judy from the naive girl to the arrogant woman. For example, "She had what they wanted, and the knowledge replaced her shame with a strange, calm feeling of power." The author engages with the reader intensively, especially by using a prodigious amount of descriptive language, by using a form of imagery style in this point of view. For instance, "...with spaghetti straps that bared her round brown shoulders and a floating skirt and a wide sash that cascaded in a butterfly effect behind." The author ends with a climax which built an atmosphere at the end of both short stories to make readers think about what the future would really be like considering the influence of teenagers parents.

Both parents, Mr Willison and Mrs Simmons, are very self-determined to prove their child's femininity and masculinity. Mrs Simmons, being the over-caring mother, tries to help her daughter become more responsible and mature. While Mr Willison also

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Approximate Word count = 1196
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English