Short Story Analysis

Bernice Bobs Her Hair

“Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a short story by F. The character development of Bernice is at the core of F. Scoot Fitzgerald’s tale titled ‘Brennice Bobs Her Hair,’ following the protagonist as she embarks on a journey from a small-town girl to visiting a city-dwelling cousin. Bernice finds fitting in with Marjorie’s popular clique challenging because she is flashy and outgoing (Plath 147). To teach Bernice how to become more appealing among male interests, Marjorie designs a methodical approach, beginning with altering Bereniece’s physical presentation, which includes chopping off most of her locks. Despite her reservations, Bernice finally relents and proceeds toward a close-by beauty parlor. Initially, Bernice’s fresh appearance is well-received, and she begins to make waves socially. Her sudden popularity makes her arrogant and dismissive of her old friends. The fame too easily went straight to Bernice’s head, leaving her with a sense of superiority over everyone else, including some people who would have counted themselves as part of her inner circle. Feeling threatened by Bernice’s newfound popularity, Marjorie begins to plot against her. The once friendly Bernice becomes arrogant towards her friends. Among those invited to Marjorie’s party is Warren, who likes Bernice. When Marjorie tells Bernice what she must do during the celebration, she expects that Warren will reject it. Upon following Marjorie’s directions, Warren declines and leaves Bernice feeling humiliated as a result. Marjorie then spreads rumors about Bernice, telling everyone she is a terrible dancer and a bore.

A Worn Path

“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty is a story with symbolism. Phoenix faces numerous symbolic representations of her hardships on this well-traveled path while seeking medication for her grandson (Brandon 120). Throughout her journey, various symbols illustrate the challenges and obstacles Phoenix must overcome to reach her destination. Naming the story “A Worn Path” presents immediate imagery of something being worn down or overused. This forebodes several symbolic metaphors for societal and personal influence on humanity. One significant symbol throughout ‘A Worn Path’ is represented by danger in the form of trees in wooded areas, while another relates to threatening behavior, which was portrayed through the imagery of a hunting dog. ‘A Worn Path’ is rich with symbolism from various objects, including woods and an obstacle-pervaded place holding danger while featuring challenging ones like barbed wire fences. The scarecrow found also acts as evidence to attest to society burdening African American people similarly way back during periods of enslavement. The nickel that Phoenix receives from the attendant at the hospital symbolizes the monetary value placed on human life. Through symbolism in ‘A Worn Path,’ it is conveyed that both thorny bushes and wired fences act as hardships for Phoenix to conquer while on her journey; nevertheless, Christmas decor represents optimism amongst citizens. The white hunter, who helps Phoenix up when she falls, represents the possibility of racial harmony and understanding. The stairs that conclude Phoenix’s journey reflect her perseverance and signify hope for all marginalized individuals. A Worn Path’s symbols illustrate the trials Phoenix must conquer to reach her destination.

Death of a Salesman

Throughout the play, Miller uses foreshadowing to show how his dreams and illusions have led him to his inevitable downfall. Hints provided through foreshadowing highlight Willy’s tragedy, accentuate his downfall and commemorate the American Dream, which eludes him. One prominent literary device Miller employs throughout Death of a Salesman is foreshadowing, which he uses to build drama and suspense while underscoring the tragedy of Willy’s life and highlighting his ultimate ruin (Wei 330). The appearance of Ben constantly Haunts Willy’s thoughts and Dreams. A symbol of the American Dream – unachieved that hinted at death and disillusionment. Numerous examples throughout Arthur Miller’s play allow readers to see moments where death is alluded to prior to Loman’s inevitable passing. The appearance of Willy’s dead brother Ben who is a constant presence in his thoughts and dreams, demonstrates another example of foreshadowing used by Miller. The appearance of Ben throughout the play highlights how Willy’s dreams and illusions have led him to his inevitable downfall. Miller employs foreshadowing throughout the play to stress Willy’s tragic life and how his hopes have led him to ruin.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird

Wallace Stevens’ amazing poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” addresses the complexity of vision via several viewpoints on a blackbird. The poem’s second stanza is the most striking among its many lovely ones. This verse perfectly encapsulates the poem’s main idea, demonstrating the numerous lenses through which we view the world. This speaker has “three minds,” which implies that he has several viewpoints and interpretations of the same event. The allusion to a tree with three blackbirds underlines how perceptual experience is flexible and ever-evolving. The tree’s significance is further emphasized by its symbolizing steadfastness and rootedness, while the blackbirds stand for change and mobility. The poem’s basic conflict between stability and change is thus highlighted in this verse. Additionally, the word “mind” is used to stress the cognitive and psychological aspect of perception rather than “thoughts” or “perspectives” Overall, I think this stanza is a lovely and thought-provoking start to the poem’s investigation into the nature of perception, and as I read and consider the following stanzas, it keeps hitting home with me.

Works Cited

Brandon, Caroline. “2018 Eudora Welty Research Fellow Report.” Eudora Welty Review 11 (2019): 115–124.

Plath, James. “O. Henry and Ironic Reversals in Early F. Scott Fitzgerald Stories.” Studies in the American Short Story 1.2 (2020): 145–158.

WEI, Qingxia. “The Analysis of Death of a Salesman from the Perspective of Modern Tragedy.” US-China Foreign Language 17.7 (2019): 328–331.