Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega 1Susana Trillo Rodriguez de la Veg.docx
Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega 1 Susana Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega Professor Kiefer English Writing 301 15 Sep. 2014 Cultural Studies When talking about literature most of the times we think in works like The Divine Comedy, or Don Quixote (Gardner, 170). We look for a good plot containing conflict, complications, rising actions, climax and falling action. Further, we expect to find at least a protagonist and an antagonist. Finally, we expect a thorough description of the setting. We then analyze or criticize the work using all these components. But what happens if a text doesn’t have all these components? Cultural critics try to broaden the canon by analyzing all texts; rather than, only traditional literary objects (Gardner, 171). Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101Words by Jason Sinclair Long contain one hundred one mini stories. These stories don’t have the traditional literary objects we are used to find in a story. In fact, at first some of them might feel as if they were taken from another, more traditional story. One of the stories is titled The Innocent Man and following the title the story is only composed by one sentence. This sentence reads “Cornered, he lashed out, becoming the monster for which they searched.” (Long, 78). And even if we cannot find many of the traditional literary objects like climax or even a setting, we can interpret so much of this powerful sentence. To start with the title The Innocent Man prepare us to expect the story to be about a man that is facing some kind of conflict. It can be that he committed a crime, or that he is being accused of something he didn’t do, or that he is feeling guilty of something. Then, the first word “Cornered” denotes that he is feeling trapped. Following “he lashes out” from here we now know that he is responding to the feeling of being trapped. Finally “becoming the monster for which they searched.” This last part explains so much. We see how this man starting being innocent, but as he felt cornered there was nothing else for him to do but to become what everyone else thought of him. Long´s words are so powerful because in just one sentence there is so much meaning. Further, many people can relate to them. No one is born guilty, or as monster, but sometimes life doesn’t give you any choice but to become one. There is nothing different in the genes of a criminal; in fact, the only difference is the situations that he had to face. Long’s stories might at first sight look like incomplete stories lacking components, but when analyzing them you realize that every word has a deep meaning. Works cited Gardner, Janet E. Reading and Writing About Literature: A Portable Guide, 3rd Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print. Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101 Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen Press, 2014. Print. Stanicia Boatner ENGWR 301 Professor Christian Kiefer 15 September 2014 Cultural Studies There are several stories in the book Tiny Giants: 101 stor ...
Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega 1Susana Trillo Rodriguez de la Veg.docx
- 1. Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega 1 Susana Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega Professor Kiefer English Writing 301 15 Sep. 2014 Cultural Studies When talking about literature most of the times we think in works like The Divine Comedy, or Don Quixote (Gardner, 170). We look for a good plot containing conflict, complications, rising actions, climax and falling action. Further, we expect to find at least a protagonist and an antagonist. Finally, we expect a thorough description of the setting. We then analyze or criticize the work using all these components. But what happens if a text doesn’t have all these components? Cultural critics try to broaden the canon by analyzing all texts; rather than, only traditional literary objects (Gardner, 171). Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101Words by Jason Sinclair Long contain one hundred one mini stories. These stories don’t have the traditional literary objects we are used to find in a story. In fact, at first some of them might feel as if they were taken from another, more traditional story. One of the stories is titled The Innocent Man and following the title the story is only composed by one sentence. This sentence reads “Cornered, he lashed out, becoming the monster for which they searched.” (Long, 78). And even if we cannot find many of the traditional literary objects like climax or even a setting, we can interpret so much of this powerful sentence. To start with the title The Innocent Man prepare us to expect the story to be about a man that is facing some kind of conflict. It can be that he committed a crime, or that he is being accused of something he didn’t do, or that he is feeling guilty of something. Then, the first word “Cornered” denotes that he is feeling trapped. Following “he lashes out” from here we now
- 2. know that he is responding to the feeling of being trapped. Finally “becoming the monster for which they searched.” This last part explains so much. We see how this man starting being innocent, but as he felt cornered there was nothing else for him to do but to become what everyone else thought of him. Long´s words are so powerful because in just one sentence there is so much meaning. Further, many people can relate to them. No one is born guilty, or as monster, but sometimes life doesn’t give you any choice but to become one. There is nothing different in the genes of a criminal; in fact, the only difference is the situations that he had to face. Long’s stories might at first sight look like incomplete stories lacking components, but when analyzing them you realize that every word has a deep meaning. Works cited Gardner, Janet E. Reading and Writing About Literature: A Portable Guide, 3rd Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print. Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101 Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen Press, 2014. Print. Stanicia Boatner ENGWR 301 Professor Christian Kiefer 15 September 2014 Cultural Studies There are several stories in the book Tiny Giants: 101 stories under 101 words by Jason Sinclair Long that vary in topics, subjects, and points of view. The stories in this book cross several genres of literary criticisms and provide the reader with an array of topics to ponder. One of the literary criticisms that is recognized among the several stories is cultural studies. One such story is named Inside. According to Janet Gardner’s
- 3. Reading and Writing about Literature book, other proponents of cultural studies turn their attention to the works of various social “outsiders,” like prisoners, schoolchildren, or mental patients. (p. 171) The story Inside in Long’s book is from the point of view of a young man whose whole life changed when he turned fourteen. He lost innocence when he killed two men and is now reflecting on how that event has changed his entire life. He is now in prison paying for his decision but to accept the reality of where he is and how much time he will be spending in prison he attempts to look on the bright side. I’m paying for it; I’ll always be paying for it. Free tattoos though, and I’m learning to cook in here. (p. 21) The next story in Long’s book that fits one of Gardner’s descriptions of cultural studies literary works is Feeding Ground. This story describes a mentally ill man that has come to the realization that he is now on his fifth psychiatrist and he still has the same affinity. He now realizes that he is unable to be fixed and is now accepting his condition. In accepting that he is “unfixable” the gentleman has decided to move to an apartment where he could witness car wrecks which in turn appease his fondness for the sight of blood. Both of these stories are examples of the human experience and daily lives of various members of society. Not everyone’s life is “normal” and examining such stories gives insight into how we view and relate to one another. Maria Lincitchi ENGWR 301 Professor Kiefer September 15, 2014 Marxist Criticism of Tiny Giants The short stories written by Jason Sinclair Long differ from most stories that carry conflict, complications and climax. Stories in Tiny Giants are relatively short but they still pertain elements that show different class and the effect of society on people. In The Revolution Will Not Have a Dress Code it is
- 4. seen how people follow trends and how clothing changes how others perceive you (46). The way one dresses is often a clue to the social class they belong to. In the story Outfoxed author shows Wanda to be of the upper class and sets the tone by using words such as “extravagantly” and “delicate.” Wanda is used to having nice things and hires a boy to do yard work. The fact that Tony works for her shows that he is of a lower class. She seduces him easily feeling accomplished in using her beauty to get what she wanted. The elite are used to getting the things they want by oppressing those of the lower class. This story is a perfect example of how people in society behave because of their economic status and how the oppressed might react to that. Tony stole her diamonds which shows that people in different classes try to take advantage of each other (108). Another story that shows how the oppressed react is The Three- Hole Punch. Getting fired from a job is difficult because it puts people in an economic position that they are not used to and is a perfect example of how people view their lives based on their status and their place in society. “Finally you take a breath and just go for it, snatching something - anything – in a blind fury. You’re not sure what it is, but you’ve shown them all. You’ve stuck it to the man!” (18). This shows how people react to change in life due to ideology that makes them feel like they are not where they are supposed to be in life. Society sets up ideology by showing people what life should be like and what they should want. American Dreamers shows how people strive to live a picture perfect life but often end up being not happy with it (73). Forever “It” is about an art class where students are waiting to be critiqued by the professor. “One word sealed fates” (40). Students depended their future on the opinion of one professor. Dominant class affects society because people of lower class don’t have a lot of possibilities to get their ideas out there to be heard.
- 5. Works Cited Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories under 101 Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen, 2014. Print. Melissa Sandberg Professor Kiefer English Writing 301 15 September 2014 Jason Long’s book, Tiny Giants; 101 Stories under 101 Words, has many stories that focus on culture. Some stories focus on the normal and the not so normal aspects of society. In America the American Dream is something all members of society aims for. Everyone wants the dream life, the beautiful house, the loving spouse, and the comfort and happiness that it comes with. Unfortunately, the American Dream is a hard thing for people to obtain. In one of longs short stories, American Dreamers, he describes a couple that is no sleeping beauty or prince charming but end up getting married, having four children, then getting a divorce and five more to follow (73). It is a sad thing to say when a story like this is closer to the truth here in America then a fairy tale love story. Out of Gas, By Jason Long, talks about a man over hearing an argument in a gas station. He hears something heavy being thrown then out walks a girl with puffy eyes. She asks him where he is headed and they leave the gas station together (33). This is one aspect of the American dream that is physically obtainable but mentally difficult to obtain. Physical abuse is known to happen all over the States, and escaping a situation similar can be scary. It is possible to leave the situation like the young girl in the gas station and be able to start a new life somewhere else, but being physically or mentally abused takes a toll on the psyche. Listening to the two short stories many thoughts about America’s society can be conveyed. It can be taken that the
- 6. American Dream is still alive or that it is all just a fairy tale, yet it is still something people thrive to achieve. Work Cited Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories under 101 Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen, 2014. Print.