Question 1: Initial Post Discussing Characterization

Question 1initial Postdiscuss Characterization In One Of The Short St

Discuss characterization in one of the short stories we read for this week. How is the protagonist revealed and developed? Parameters: You must make a substantive and thoughtful initial post of 250 words or more to one of the questions, incorporating MLA citation and a Works Cited. Readings Meyer, Michael and D. Quentin Miller. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing, 12th ed., Macmillan Learning, 2020. “The Flowers" by Alice Walker “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” by ZZ Packer.

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Characterization is a fundamental literary device that authors use to reveal and develop their characters, particularly protagonists, thereby enabling readers to understand their motivations, conflicts, and evolution throughout a story. In examining Alice Walker’s “The Flowers,” William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” and ZZ Packer’s “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere,” it becomes evident that each author employs distinctive strategies to portray their protagonists.

In “The Flowers,” Walker introduces Myop, a young girl experiencing innocence and curiosity about her surroundings. The narrative’s vivid descriptions and Myop’s interactions with nature help reveal her innocence, but as she ventures into the woods and discovers a lynched man’s remains, her innocence is abruptly shattered. Walker’s use of symbolism—particularly the flowers—and the detailed depiction of the lynched man serve to develop Myop’s character from one of naive wonder to a more conscious awareness of racial violence and history. This evolution underscores Walker’s commentary on the loss of innocence and the awakening to societal realities (Walker).

Similarly, in “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner employs a complex narrative structure to gradually reveal Emily Grierson’s character. Through detailed characterization—such as her controlled manners, her isolation, and her interactions with townspeople—the reader uncovers her deeply ingrained pride and the impact of her loneliness. Faulkner’s subtle revelations about Emily’s life, including her refusal to accept change and her eventual descent into madness, are developed progressively through the narrative’s shifting perspectives and temporal jumps. This meticulous character development evokes sympathy and horror simultaneously (Faulkner).

O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find” presents the Misfit and the grandmother as contrasting protagonists. The grandmother is characterized through her superficial morality, class consciousness, and manipulative tendencies, while the Misfit embodies existential nihilism and moral ambiguity. O’Connor develops their characters through dialogue and internal monologue, revealing their beliefs and contradictions. The story’s climax, where the grandmother reaches a moment of spiritual awakening before her death, is the culmination of this antagonistic and insightful characterization that explores themes of grace and redemption (O’Connor).

Finally, ZZ Packer’s “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” uses dialogue and introspection to develop the narrator, a young African American woman, highlighting her identity struggles and emotional conflicts. Packer’s nuanced characterizations depict her internal battles with race, gender, and societal expectations. These revelations are carefully woven through her interactions and reflective moments, creating a layered portrayal of a woman seeking agency in a complex social landscape (Packer).

Overall, each author’s approach to characterization—whether through symbolism, narrative structure, dialogue, or introspection—serves to deepen the reader’s understanding of their protagonists. These techniques illustrate the characters’ internal and external conflicts, facilitating a richer engagement with the themes and messages of each story.

References

• Faulkner, William. “A Rose for Emily.” The Portable Faulkner. Library of America, 1982.
• O’Connor, Flannery. “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1955.
• Packer, ZZ. “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere.” Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. Riverhead Books, 2003.
• Walker, Alice. “The Flowers.” In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1981.
• Meyer, Michael, and D. Quentin Miller. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing. 12th ed., Macmillan Learning, 2020.