Yoonho Lee World Lit Journal

Eveline, By James Joyce (1904) Rating: 7/10 I think this is the simplest story I've read in World Lit. class so far. It describes how Eveline was trying to escape from her stagnant life, but at the end reveals that she, herself was stagnant too. The moment she froze and couldn't move at the end, was quite expected conclusion, but if we look deep we can find something more. The settings of this story is around 19th century Ireland, after Great Famine, when 30% of Irish people moved to across the borders. So Buenos Ires, as well as The Bohemian Girl and the photo of the priest in Melbourn represents freedom and hope that they strived for when the Irish immigrated. And the dust and their little brown houses in contrast to bright brick houses symbolizes the depressed and stagnant life they had in Ireland. But at the end, by showing Eveline, unable to get on the boat, the story well emphasizes the importance of 'change' in people's life and how moving forward is the only...

James Joyce vs Anton Chekhov First, I would like to define the characteristics of each author, starting with James Joyce. Based on Joyce's stories I've read so far, I felt that his stories are very concise and efficient. And he also manages well to use the advantage of writing a short story and maximize it. Instead, Chekhov focuses on the change of the character's mindset which is also emphasized by the same daily routine that is described differently from each perspective, before the change, during the change, and after the change. Both authors end the story with an open conclusion, but I found Chekhov's conclusion more intriguing to read. In the story <The Lady with the Dog>, Chekhov doesn't imply any ethical messages or moral lessons in his conclusion. For example, writers like Tolstoy would end the conclusion of wrongdoers with punishment, but in this story, Gurov and Anna don't pay anything for committing adultery, leaving the readers to decide. Overa...

The Lady with the Dog, By Anton Chekhov (1899) Rating: 6.5/10 I didn't really enjoy this story as much as other short stories. The reason why is because, throughout the whole story, there were unnecessary rhetorical devices that were repetitive. For example, the author describes the place 'Yalta' not only at the opening but kept mentioning it whenever Gurov and Anna would take a walk. For me, this style of writing distanced me, the reader from the flow of the theme that this story is trying to deliver. It did enhance the reader's understanding of each individual character's change of thoughts, but interpreting the theme, wasn't efficient. At least the story ended with a totally open conclusion, but I would've enjoyed it much better if the story gave more space to the readers also during the process of reaching the conclusion.

The Boarding House, By James Joyce (1914) Rating: 7.5/10 I think <The Boarding House> is a type of story that needs an in-depth analysis of 'characters'. The madame and her daughter as well as Mr.Doran, each had very unique characteristics and took different roles in the message. I believe the author also wanted to take some time with characterizing each person since Joyce writes about Mrs.Mooney's life before opening the boarding house. I could see how Mrs.Mooney herself has experienced a hapless marriage, which lead to divorce, but she is leading her daughter to the same pattern and passing on the vicious cycle. One common characteristic that these three characters share with one another is 'selfishness'. Their own goal and the way they achieve it is different for each character, however, the essential character that stimulates their life is, I believe, 'selfishness'. Overall I could clearly feel the filthiness of humans the author mingled within the...

Araby, By James Joyce (1914) Rating: 8/10 Just like other James Joyce stories, I could find very concise suspense as the story describes the boy growing up into an adult. Seeing the child entering the world of adults and being introduced to the ugly side of life was quite relatable and also brutal to watch, but all I could do was just wish for the boy to never lose the pure-hearted feeling that he had when he first met the Mangan sister. I wondered what role does the uncle represent in this story and came up with the thought that he symbolizes the obstacles in life, which we can't fully control and prepare for. It was impressive to see how a big theme is placed in such a short scene of life just passing by. 

  The Sisters, By James Joyce (1904) Rating: 9/10 This is so far the best story I've read. I think that <The Sisters> clearly emphasizes all the beneficial characteristics that a story can have in a form of a "short story". James Joyce's stories mostly unfold without much explanation and give the readers the responsibility to understand and follow the story, which allows the story to be shorter. Also, the ending that says nothing but delivers everything was a whole new style of literature that I actually 'felt'. How the author never even mentions a word about 'sexual abuse' in the story but manages to deliver the theme of the story was succinct in a stylish way. I think this piece of literature is suitable to recommend to those who have never tried short stories before.