The night nurse
After reading Joyce Carol Oates story, “ The Night Nurse,” revenge is what is found. This story starts off by a woman by the name of Grace Burkhardt, collapsing at a shopping mall because of a reason that was unknown at the time. She is taken in an ambulance to a hospital where she undergoes an emergency surgery for a blood clot that is in her leg that could have traveled to her heart. Grace’s stay in the hospital that night was not how she expected. The worst pain a person can indure, is the one who is left out. In the beginning of the story Grace explains herself as being laid back. “I am behaving well, look how calm and civilized” (654). Grace never screamed out at the shopping mall. She tried to act as calm as possible. Even though Grace was in so much pain, she never sobbed to God or never did she ask, “Am I dying? Will I die” (654)? Shortly after the doctors took care of Grace, she went into surgery. After this is when her attitude begins to change. After surgery Grace just lied in bed in so much pain. She cried out “help me…. I’m so cold, I’m so frightened” (654)! This is when the reader notices the shift in Gra
As Grace laid there waiting, she began to drift into her years at college. She thought about her several administrative positions she held during her years at Wells College. During these years people had always praised her. Grace always seemed to be favored by others. Back in Harriet’s college years she was suppose to be roommates with Grace, but Harriet came late twelve days late into the semester because her mother died. The residential advisor warned Grace and her friends what had happened so they could avoid bringing the subject up. Once Harriet came, her hall had already bonded with Finally Grace saw a nurse standing at the door. Grace wondered why the nurse was just standing there. The nurse finally told Grace her name. It was Harriet Zink. Harriet says her name so the reader can tell there is a conflict occurring. All Grace wanted was a blanket and her bedpan removed, but Harriet replied, “registered nurses aren’t required to touch bedpans” (660). This is when the reader can tell Harriet is going to be difficult for Grace to deal with. Once Grace stated, “I am a good person, I am well-liked, respected” (660), is the time the reader finally gets to know what the conflict is between Grace and Harriet. Because of Graces comment about her H
Some common words found in the essay are:
Grace Burkhardt, Grace Harriet, Zink Harriet, Harriet Graces, Finally Grace, Harriet Grace, Night Nurse”, Carol Oates, reader tell, Bibliography Short, Unforgettable Night, grace pain, pain person indure, pain person, 660 reader, called nurse, worst pain, beginning story, grace friends, worst pain person, shopping mall, person indure left, grace harriet,
Approximate Word count = 879
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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