The Death of a Bachelor

Torejas, Chelyn R.

IV ABMC

The Death of a Bachelor

Written by Arthur Schnitzler, the Death of a Bachelor depicts the concept about erotic relationship. It has shown how typical men with so many mistresses die alone in a cold a night. This story has also shown the side of the bachelor who was nearly dead throughout the story his yearning to tell the truth before he leaves.

After reading this story and after reading a short summary about the life of the author, I am now considering the notion that the story was based on using, modifying and playing the different sides of the author. To make it clear, the author in reality is a writer and a doctor and with that he is also a merchant. Schnitzler, to add, is often described as man who was often in relationships with several women at once. Looking at it, I can see that all the men characters presented by the author shows the reader a reflection of the author.

From the beginning up to end, the author has been consistent in putting up clues reminding the readers about the story’s setting. Examples are “the soft heavy air of that spring night…”, “swaying in the night air…” and “dark air of the spring night…” among others. The whole story happened throughout the entire dark night with lampshades and moon as the only source of light. With this, it has created a picture of a gloomy atmosphere. The story started with the gloomy death and ends up with the revelation of the bachelor’s wickedness. In general, this is a story presented in a gloomy atmosphere with only little tint of humor in some parts.

Not one major character has been specifically named in the story. They have been all called by their professions instead. Almost all characters dynamically evolved as the story develops.

The author has been gradually revealing the plot which slightly intensifies the conflict. I consider the falling action and the conclusion, however, as weak. These parts keep the resolution blurry and have leave questions unanswered. The theme is more on promiscuity which is an issue generally opposed. So with this notion, I have expected that the author could have injected his particular stand on the issue using his characters.

The Doctor said that whenever he left a sick-room at night, the first thing he did was to light a cigarette. With a mission of lengthening others lives, his character was ironically self-shortening his own life.

Schnitzler was able to give an imagery of vivid pictures of the dead man, the way how the bachelor died and the clothings of the characters using descriptive words.

This story is analytical. It leaves a room for the readers to solve questions. It somehow gives clues for the readers to solve questions like when did their dishonest relationships happened? Was the Doctor already aware of his wife’s action before? Does the word “bitterness” in the fifth paragraph signify that he already knew it?

The repeated presence of cigarette including the smoke could mean that people can not keep or take hold of smoke the same as people can not hold secrets. Believing that people came from dust and certainly will go back to dust in due time, ashes presented by the story can also symbolize death. “Swine” is a metaphor for something that is akin to erotic relationship. The words “another world” in the story would also mean that the three of them are about to face the world of reality.

The bachelor could have chose to die without divulging his secret but he choose to divulge his secret awkwardly. After doing those wicked things, he has still the guts to call the three men his “friends”. At first I taught, the author wants to show the value of honesty yet this has not been reinforced by the showing the value of regret. The bachelor even give brief details how was his relationship with their wives as if he wanted to annoy the three.

This story which utilized the omniscient point of view has also utilized the style of flashbacking and of self-monologues. The death of the bachelor, however, does not show the heavy use of figurative language.

The Chief Test Mourner Analysis

The Chief Test Mourner Analysis

Torejas, Chelyn R.

This is a short story authored by Aida Rivera Ford. The story is all about the death of the narrator’s uncle. It is a story with a focal point focused on love and innocence in the context of death.

At the establishing point of the story, the first story lines already shows a tint of innocence and simplicity but the gloomy tone of the story is already felt. The situation is just a very typical scenario in the Philippines but through the writer’s prolific used of diction and imagery a common situation is turned into something new – a work of art. As you look at it, the plot is so simple. But what will move most of the readers is the author’s command of language and smooth flow of situations.

In economic terms, the reader can easily predict that the characters are somehow wealthy considering that the narrator, who happens to be the niece of the dead poet is boarding at the big girls’ college in Manila, the presence of a conference room and the regular use of Spanish language. These are matters that only well-off families can afford and practiced.

The story is so culture bounded and is so reflective of our society. Some reflective traits are the delicadeza system being practiced, the unfaithfulness of husbands, presence of gossipers, scandals in public and ridiculous funeral set-up with two different camps in opposite sides.

A minimal Spanish colonialism practices is also being reflective in the story through the practiced of delicadeza system and the regular used of Spanish language.

Along the way, the reader can feel that the narrator itself is being caught between love and disloyalty.

Three Arshins of Land

Torejas, Chelyn R.

IV-ABMC

Three Arshins of Land Leo N. Tolstoy

The “Three Arshins of Land” is just one of the works of the renowned Tolstoy. It is clear that this story is being influenced by the author’s life. The story partly shows the typical life of a peasant who works, who dreams and who fails. This has been smoothly narrated using the omniscient point of view. It has been foretold in an entertaining and simple way.

Obviously, the author wants to exemplify its theme. It talks about greed. With the author’s use of simple English, both young and old can easily understand the message of Tolstoy.

This story preaches a universal message that man can never have enough. It tells readers that reaching for too much can result to the loss of everything. Anything that is in excess is not good. Tolstoy seems to remind people to take only according to what he can accommodate.

The story has also touched the topic of freedom of choice. It has been clear that Pakhom’s decision and action in this story has been a product of his freedom of choice.

If we analyze it, the general theme of the story withstands time. It keeps on reminding readers about an attitude commonly practiced and enjoyed by people. This story seems to stress man’s nature of greediness. The author, however, warns readers using the scenario of Pakhom’s death. The message has been wrapped by the character and transformation of Pakhom.

Other lesson may include the contention about the limits of human body. Pakhom did not die of running. He may die due to heat stroke, dehydration or other heart related malfunctions. This tells readers that the human body has limits but greed doesn’t. Because of greed, Pakhom tried to reach a matter that is way too much for his grasps.

Sometimes greed comes together with pride. This, however, is true for this story as Pakhom has been aware that he can not make it. Several lines like “I was too greedy”, and “Did I not make a mistake? Did I not try to grab too much? If I only get back in time”. Though aware, Pakhom still continues because of pride as reflected on this line, “…he could not stop. “I have run so much that if I stop now they will call me a fool.” It is ironic how he feared to be called a fool even to the point of sacrificing his own life. With this, the poor Pakhom died miserably.

The topic of greediness has been stressed even more through the presence of a devil in the story’s different characters particularly narrated on Pakhom’s dream. The appearance of a devil created a dark atmosphere in some parts of the story.

The story proves that temptations do not come as it is. Mostly, it is wrapped in vibrant and palatable offers. In this story, it is narrated in these lines, “For one day, we sell you as much land as you can walk around in one day. The price of one day is one thousand rubles.”

Pakhom, the lead character, made a gradual transformation all through out the story. At first, he was a character of hard work. But later, he turned out to be a character of dissatisfaction. At the end, his character turned opposite.

It is ironic how Pakhom’s walk which is aimed for the acquisition of vast land turned out to be a willful walk for his three arshins tomb. Sometimes it gives readers a chuckle but it is usually counteracted with Pakhom’s miserable death.

The race of Pakhom prior to the deal he made with the Bakshir may symbolize his race against time. It may also symbolize his race against life. The dream of Pakhom may stand as a form of warnings a number of people including Pakhom normally disregards.

Some figurative language employed by the author can be spotted in these lines, “his bosom was heaving like the bellows in a forge, his heart was beating like a hammer, the knees felt as though they were another’s and gave under him”, “he ran as though someone were driving him”.