I HAVE TO DO A PEER REVIEW OF 2 CLASSMATES ESSAYS BY THOROUGHLY ANSWERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
Does the author effectively introduce the subject matter of the analysis? Is there a clear thesis to guide the essay?
Is there adequate support throughout the paper to reinforce the author’s ideas? Are there specific quotes used for support? Could he/she add more in the way of evidence to prove his/her points?
Does the author provide a succinct explanation regarding the importance of the information he/she is discussing? Or, does it seem like there is too much plot summary or extraneous, unnecessary, information?
Does the author refer to the elements of fiction in his/her discussion in order to aid the reader in understanding his/her points?
Is there a clear pattern of organization to the essay (introduction, body paragraphs, concluding paragraph)? Does the author include transitions between paragraphs to create a more unified final product?
Are there any suggestions for improvement you feel you can make to the author of the essay?
ESSAY #1:
Character Analysis: Pheonix, Jackson (“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty)
The short story starts by the presence of old African American woman that goes by her name Phoenix Jackson, a woman who is looking for something in particular at the town, but she doesn’t remember for what and who exactly, the only sentiment that thrives in her mind is the short-term objective of succeeding to her destiny. The author made no mistake about her appearance, especially his physical look “and as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead, but a golden color ran underneath,” (Welty, Eudora) which entitled her as a veteran but wise woman.
Throughout her path, she gets to face many adversities, from forest wildlife, whose only purpose was to delay Phoenix’s route “I got a long way.’” (Welty, Eudora) to fallen trees and broken sticks, that also contributed to her despair. This in particular explains the first image of Phoenix, who she really is, and what type of purposes she has in life by not being afraid of what others might be. The way age had impacted on her appearance can also be recognized by the physical scars and marks she possessed, marks that can mostly express strength and constancy. Pheonix also states “horns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir.” (Welty, Eudora) which can be interpreted on how rational she is.
Phoenix demonstrated bravery and cleverness, traits that can hardly be seen in today’s society, “‘No, sir, them old dead weeds is springy enough,’…, when she had got her breath. ‘I thank you for your trouble.’” (Welty, Eudora) simple tranquility and experience is expressed. Furthermore, the author mentions how the white man carrying a gun tries to intimidate the old woman hoping she would turn back her way and disregard her objective, a common situation that has always and still happens nowadays, with it the hunger to face any challenge. The scenario finishes when one of the man’s dogs loses control and requires his help, Phoenix decides to bend over to the ground for a flashing nickel that caught her attention from the beginning, shortly after the man comes back expecting any scary reaction to his gun from Phoenix, “’No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done,’” was her only answer that spoke volumes against the man’s arrogancy that once again failed to impress the old woman. This time, the protagonist (Phoenix) shows no fear and withholds her feelings, making her less propense to quit her path.
On she went, through the deep forest without any sunlight until her eyes reacted to multiple electric color lights with multiple kids playing along the distance, without any doubt she knew she was closer. The author emphasizes the physiological state of the old woman as well, by Phoenix meeting a lady on the street and instantly asking assistance with her shoelaces “‘Can’t lace ’em with a cane,’” (Welty, Eudora) the lady which exuted a perfume smell like “red roses in hot summer” according to Jackson didn’t hesitate to help her. She then tired but surely entered the building that contained the same gold frame she dreamed of in her head which turned out to be the physician/clinic she intended to visit from the beginning. Jackson did not interact with the attendant in any sort of way, until she regained her consciousness, “‘My grandson. It was my memory had left me.” Jackson stated.
Our history concludes with Phoenix successfully getting the necessary medicine for his grandson by the exchange of ‘Charity’ according to the attendant, which was trying her best to hush her out the building. Jackson went once again slowly but confidently marching each step back home and completing her remarkable day. At the end, our protagonist does show signs of weakness more than likely based on her undisclosed age, as well as poor education received “‘I never did go to school — I was too old at the Surrender,’” (WhatSoProudlyWeHail.org) cases that influenced her decisions throughout the story, nonetheless, experience and resiliency were key for the most part during her crossing, making her less propense for failure. Don’t hesitate to rush, make ‘time’ your friend and he will be kind to you.
Works Cited:
1*132469577.pdf (theatlantic.com)
2*Phoenix Jackson Character Analysis in A Worn Path | LitCharts
3*Worn-Path-Eudora-Welty.pdf (whatsoproudlywehail.org)
ESSAY #2
Character Analysis Paper
For the character analysis assignment, the unnamed man from the short story “To Build a Fire” by Jack London has been chosen. The main character of the story is an arrogant and ignorant man, and as the events of the story play out, these turn into defining characteristics that shape him in the wrong decisions he made.
The story starts on the Yukon trail on a frosty winter day as the narrator remarks that there is darkness in everything caused by a lack of sun. The narrator also clarifies that the man is not worried or alarmed because it had been days since he had seen the sun. This is the first time we get a look into the inner workings of the character. His lack of worry about the sun’s absence shows that he does not respect or fear its implications and shows the first hints of arrogance and lack of respect for nature. It also tells us that it might be his first time in this area because he does not understand the danger that the sun’s absence may lead to in the future. The narrator describes the trail that the man has been walking, “The Yukon lay a mile wide and hidden under three feet of ice. On top of this ice were as many feet of snow” (London, Jack).
The narrator then mentions another defining characteristic of the man, which is his lack of imagination. The narrator remarks that the man has logic but is careless of common sense. For example, the knowledge that it was at least 50 degrees below zero, or probably 75 degrees, meant to the man that it was, “Cold and uncomfortable” (London, Jack), but he is not able to understand that such coldness can and will be dangerous to him. This kind of thought never comes to his mind. To the man, the temperature does not matter.
The man then heads towards Henderson Creek where his companions are located. The narrator says that the man does not carry anything besides a simple lunch wrapped in a handkerchief that is tucked closely to his body on the inside of his jacket to shelter it from the freezing temperature, he has nothing to protect his face from the fridge temperatures. The only company with whom he starts this journey is a dog. The dog instinctively knew that it was too cold outside. The dog does not know or understand what temperature is, but he knows it is not time for traveling, “Its own feeling was closer to the truth than the man’s judgment”. The man walks for a while, and as he is walking, the author reveals the extreme conditions to which he is exposed as described when he chews tobacco, and a long piece of ice forms in his mouth to represent his saliva freezing. Only then when he stops to realize his face has become numb does the man express his regret of not wearing a face covering. He then decides it does not matter because it seems to simply be frost and presses onward, which again, shows his arrogance and ignorance where nature is concerned.
As the story progresses, the narrator remarks on the dangers of the ice-covered snow making the man walk more carefully and watch his step. On one occasion he made his dog go first to check the path, the dog didn’t want to go at first but eventually went. The dog got wet, and both the dog for nature and the man from experience knew that the ice on his feet will make his toes sore. After this he decided to build his first fire and eat his lunch. He remembers that the man from Sulphur Creek told him how bad the cold is in the country. The narrator shows his arrogance when the unnamed man “laughed at him at the time” (London, Jack), but now he understands what he was trying to tell him. His first attempt at a build is a success, and he can warm up and defrost his face to eat his lunch. The unnamed man then continued his journey to Henderson Creek, but half an hour later, his fear became a reality when he stepped through the ice and got wet. This event marked the end of his journey. Once his wet hands and feet were exposed to the extreme cold, he was unable to build a fire to keep him warm and dry because his hands and feet were helplessly numb, making him vulnerable to face death itself.
In his desperation to defeat death and stay alive, he realizes he has made a grave mistake in underestimating the dangers nature can bring within an instant, and he remembered the story of a man who was in the same situation as him. He tried but the dog knew what was happening and did not let the man grab him. Eventually the narrator gives up. The narrator once again shows us the characteristics of our protagonist when the unnamed man remembers the words of the old man on Sulphur Creek, “No man should travel alone in that country after 50 below zero” (London, Jack). Despite these setbacks, the unnamed man believes he will be able to complete this journey on his own while challenging nature. Disregarding his numb hands and feet, he gets back up and attempts to think clearly, realizing he must do something to survive. He decides to start running in his last attempt to get to where his companions are waiting with hot food and a warm fire. He quickly realizes the difficulty the numbness brings after tireless falls and attempts to run again. When he eventually loses strength, “He sat and thought about meeting death with dignity,” and he resolves to give in to death and just rest as he starts falling into a deep sleep.
This short story contains an arrogant, unimaginative, and disrespectful man of nature, “Believing he can handle the journey to camp on his own,” (Study.com), who never stops to imagine he might encounter troubles on that journey. His arrogance led to his disrespectful attitude regarding nature, and for that, he paid the ultimate price in his lack of judgment. He did not take any of the pieces of advice the old man from Sulphur Creek gave him, because he believed they were just “womanish” comments. His actions and personality lead to the problems that he faces and his eventual death. A lesson learned from this short story is that our own pride can lead us to our own destruction. The next time you decide to take on a big project where you really have little knowledge, but no experience, and you get advice on that big project from a family member, friend, or a stranger who crosses your path for no reason, do not underestimate it. that orientation, analyze it, and put it into practice.
Works Cited
London, Jack. https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/to-build-a-fire.pdf
Alesandro, 10659152 844, Binus University, Faculty of Humanities.
Lone Star College. The Existential Theme in Jack London’s “To Build A Fire”
https://www.lonestar.edu/tobuildafire.htm
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