Writing Attributes of W.D. Valgardson

A detailed Summary of Writing Attributes of W.D. Valgardson

Typically, writing about ordinary people with ordinary lives doesn't produce interesting fiction. To capture the attention of readers, authors may add extraordinary, futuristic, or supernatural elements to their writing. This is done to create a more entertaining and interesting story. W.D Valgardson does not add these elements to his writing but he transforms the lives of everyday ordinary people into interesting stories. He accomplishes this through his use of irony, his emphasis on conflicting cultures, and his portrayal of how people overwhelmed with emotion can act uncharacteristically. These three attributes of Valgardson's writing are prominent in his book of short stories titled Bloodflowers.

Irony is a major attribute of Valgardson's writing. In both of the stories "Bloodflowers" and "An Act of Mercy," the use of irony leads to an unexpected fate for a character. In "Bloodflowers" the main character, Danny, moves to a secluded island and into a very superstitious community. Danny chooses to share a story of how a certain culture would sacrifice a man each year to conclude that year's misfortune. This choice comes back to haunt Danny when the island's misfortune continues unexpectedly. The people of the island find th

A third attribute, which deals with people's reactions to overwhelming emotion, is incorporated into all three of the stories: "Bloodflowers", "Brothers" and "An Act of Mercy." Valgardson's characters endure an event or series of events that stir up strong emotions within them. For example, in "Bloodflowers" Danny tells the Poorwillys of the ancient culture who use the sacrifice of their king to save themselves from bad luck. Mr. Poorwilly responds with "They weren't Christians" and "Must have been them Chinese." This shows that this behavior is unheard of to the Poorwillys. That feeling shifts when the misfortune of the island is prolonged. The people of the island are overcome with fear and panic. These emotions allow these people to justify murder in their minds as if it is the only way to save themselves. These actions are uncharacteristic of this community. Similarly, in the story "Brothers", a death occurs as a result of overpowering emotions. Fjola and Alex live together on a fishing camp and have for a very long time. Fjola becomes extremely jealous of Lulabelle, a Native girl, who is capturing the attention of Alex. This jealousy coupled with her contempt for Natives drives Fjola to commit murder. She kills Lulabelle's sick brother in order to remove Lulabelle from the house, her life, and Alex's life. In "An Act of Mercy" the situation is reversed because there is a character that wishes to die but is denied the fulfillment of that wish. A father has been stranded in a storm and if his sons save him the father will have to live without an arm and hi

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Approximate Word count = 1057
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English