Auggie Wren’s Christmas Story

1. How would you characterize a traditional Christmas story? Which elements would you expect to find?  

-A traditional Christmas story usually consists of someone who are lonely and after a series of events; he or she ends up having a great and cozy Christmas Eve. Some elements I expect to find are snow, food, Christmas trees and presents.

2. How does this short story comply with the Christmas story genre?

-I would not say it is a regular run-of-the-mill Christmas story. It does not directly relate to things we associate with Christmas.

3. Since Auggie does not come off too well in the story, he does not want to reveal his real name. What do you think? Is truth always for the best?

-I think it’s understandable that Auggie does not want his real name to be revealed. He did something illegal by stealing and he fooled a blind woman.

 

4. The story is set in Brooklyn. What can be said about the setting? In which way is the setting typical American – or is it?

-I would say the setting is typical American. They talk about the NY Mets and they have pictures of the LA Dodgers in the restaurant. I pictured a typical busy American street when Paul looked through the photos.

5. An important theme in the story is time. How is this expressed?

– We know there has been a lot of time between the events because Auggie says that he looked trough the wallet from time to time.

6. Paul Auster is well-known for telling many stories within one story. In many ways his stories are like a Chinese box. How is this evident in this narrative? What function does such a narrative technique have?

– There are different settings and stories inside his stories. This technique makes for a unique and memorable experience.

Sources: augie-wrens-christmas-sto-001.jpg

The Help Review – You is kind, you is smart, you is important

Summary:

In the 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, the aspiring writer Skeeter has just returned from college. She decides to write a book about the coloured maids in America from their point of view for a company in New York.

In the beginning, she has trouble finding anyone willing to be interviewed. The helps feared the backlash that the book would bring because of the racial issues in the South.

Eventually, the maids Aibileen and Minnie agree to tell their stories anonymously. Skeeter starts meeting both of them to write down their stories. Aibileen and Minny gather the other maids in the town who also wants to share their stories.

Soon, Skeeter has enough material for her book. The book is an immediate success all over America. The book exposed how poorly the helps was treated by the upper-class.

Review:

“The Help” gave me a great picture of the racial issues in the South in the 60s. The characters are unique and interesting. The comic reliefs are a great addition to the otherwise serious movie. All in all, The Help is a good movie with an important theme and great acting.

6/10

Image sources: http://www.dreamworksstudios.com/files/946_d_08558r1_0.jpg