War of the Wall - A Reader of a Writerly Kind
The War of the Wall by Toni Cade Bambara
Review The War of the Wall. Identify your favorite parts. This is how we will begin our transformation process of becoming a reader of a writerly sort.
What are the story plots and story elements? Which ones are you impressed by? How do you intend to use these elements in your writing to make it better? How are intending to combine these elements with others to refresh your writing?
How does this exercise help you to better understand what a reader of a writerly sort is?
How does this exercise help you to better understand what a reader of a writerly sort is?
This book cover suggests to me a flow of creative and uniqueness. It reminds me of an abstract painting that a artist would make when feeling inspired and driven. It has so many different colors the aura it brings out when you look at it happiness and creative. It has many different shapes in which it flows perfectly and works together to create the image we see on the cover of our book. A main color we see in the cover is green. The green over takes a lot of it but even though it does there is a hint of so many different colors outside of it. The colors make the green pop out first sight and the color coordination meshes all together.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very beautiful story. I loved the country aspect to it because I am from the south so it made me feel at home. I love the way that everyone was hating on the painter lady but in the end they all were admiring her work.
ReplyDeleteThis writing taught me to have different perspectives while writing. As I write I can’t only be in my head. Sometimes I must put myself into other perspectives.
DeleteI like how the author’s story really speaks to the idea of not judging a book by its cover.
ReplyDeleteKeili Martin
My favorite part was when the twins were laughing about the painter it reminded me of my friends and I laughing during moments were we should not be laughing but we could not help it when foolish people ask odd questions.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this story is the realization that flooded everyone when they saw the painted wall. It was almost tangible. The author did a great job of making you feel like you are standing in that crowd.
ReplyDeleteAbby Ford
My favorite part was when the kids wanted the lady to get chewed out by their mom when she ordered a salad with beets. I think that the story had some good humor.
ReplyDeleteThis story is very illuminating of how people in the south don't like outsiders and my favorite part was the ending when the two children realized who the lady was and what she had done.
ReplyDeleteI thought the author did a great job expressing the dedication the "painter lady" had to create and finish the mural. She never let the kids get in her head and finished what she started. She was determined to create this piece to her cousin.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this story, because it taught people to not judge a book by it’s cover.
ReplyDelete- Anthony nguyen
Emma Caudill
ReplyDeleteI liked how they were hating on the painter but in the end they ended up loving her work and that just goes to show you not to judge someone so quickly
The child originally saw the lady as ruining a special wall when in reality she was creating one. The mother was annoyed by her manners but she realized that she's from up north and it wasn't her fault because she was raised differently. It shows that you can't judge a person before you know where they're coming from.
ReplyDeleteI love that throughout the piece, the kids were getting more comfortable with the painter. Like most people, we tend to have a predisposed opinion about people before we even know them. As the kids saw the painting complete, they knew the story and began to feel a connection. I like that it not only portrays their growth of relationship, but the meaning of their relationship.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things throughout the reading was the way the author used descriptive words. The words really explained the story and how it was based on the south with a lot of emotions.
ReplyDeleteI like how the author did a good job portraying the reactions of the children, how they were stubborn at first, just wanted their wall back, didn't understand why the painter lady didn't just paint on an easel somewhere else, until they realized the intricacy of the mural and what it represented and they felt a newfound appreciation for the art.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite part would be when they talk about all of the different types of art and the background of it all. I also like how it talks about his background story and how they realize that the lady was not actually who they thought she was.
ReplyDeleteThe author wrote this piece very well. It flows together amazing and was pretty touching. My favorite part is the ending of the story.
ReplyDeleteI think this story was very sentimental. It really had a meaning and strong views. I think the theme is to not judge a book by it’s cover. They didn’t like the painter lady but towards the end they realized how meaningful and beautiful her artwork is.
ReplyDeleteIt love how they were all making fun of her questions in the mother’s restaurant because she was not from there. What could be described as blasphemy is displayed but examined through the eyes of those from there because it’s an outsider disrupting there lives. Her gift back to them for causing them confusion and worry is much more special than anything that they could’ve thought.
ReplyDeleteOther people’s writing is threatening because all things have to be a competition. In this case, having the narration from a young girls perspective helps see the volume at which different groups view situations. All writing has a purpose and this has a purpose that change is okay, and changing your writing is okay.
DeleteI like how the author had the southern spelling and touched a lot on the southern manners and hospitality that most people in the south have. I also enjoyed how the mom took back the mean snappy things she said to the painter and explained how she doesn't dislike that woman for sticking to a strict diet. The cover of this story i don't think has much to do with the story its self but it does draw attention and get you brain thinking "what could this story be about".
ReplyDeleteThey invited a sense or art, creativity and community with the wall. They brought the community together in an unlikely way. They not only brought down the internal walls separating people, but created a wall with meaning, that connected each other.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte Pesek
The book really had a southern vibe that they talk about a lot. The food, the way they talk, the ideas and concepts they have, all point to the southern culture that the characters have grown up in and have been around their whole life.
ReplyDeleteThe wall represents the barrier they have to outsiders, and they learn that the wall can be used for a sense of community with people not from where they are from
Oliver King
My favorite part of the story is focused on the language. It feels like I could connect more to what’s going on in the story. It made me feel like I was part of the story instead of watching the story because I can relate to the language, it’s informal and felt friendly. Since I was grown and raised in the south, it felt like home.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the story is how the kids started by hating the painter because she took away their wall but by the end of the story they appreciated what she had made on the wall and how much it means to their community now.
ReplyDeleteGabriel Roman
The first thoughts that jumped into my head was the known lesson of not judging a book by its cover. Which is exactly what these children did to the painter all along. They definitely did not trust the process of her work. But the second they saw the finished work, they no longer were upset with her covering the wall but instead amazed by her dedication to her cousin, Jimmy Lyons, one of their favorite people.
ReplyDeleteThis story is about how everyone has different perspectives in general, but focuses on art. Art oftentimes is controversial and can make people upset. There are preconceived notions and we oftentimes find ourselves thinking we know everything about a subject, when in reality we don't.
ReplyDelete-I loved the revelation at the end- the beautiful imagery with the message was incredibly well done
ReplyDelete-the story plot told from a child's perspective was a new way of reading about things and it's interpretation was very thought provoking
-a story about how people don't trust outsiders only for that outsider to give a tremendous gift to the community
-this was very emotionally affecting
-the element of surprise too the reading experience of the flash fiction story to a whole new level
It helps you understand what a reader of a writerly sort is how to hold onto the tension for longest part and the reasoning behind that
DeleteThis story is a good example of “never judge a book by its cover.” When the painter lady came into town and began painting the wall everyone there adored so much they all judged her until they began to realize it was a memorial for someone they loved. I enjoyed the ending when they had that realization that they were mis-judging her.
ReplyDeleteI think that this read is really creative but there were times when it was definitely hard to understand. I think that there were a lot of emotions. throughout the read that it was nice to see the kids got more comfortable with the painter. they did a really good job with using descriptive words to explain the story.
ReplyDelete-very traditional and feels organic
ReplyDelete-people in the south do not easily trust people in the north
-the main character was very hidden and closed off and did not explain why she did what she did
One of my favorite parts would be when Lou and his friend try to find ways to recapture their wall. And so their was a story on the New York subways, When there was a train with writings and paintings on it and it sparked something for them and they slapped hands. Sometimes what we are doing or need help with, little things such as this can help.
ReplyDeletemy favorite part of the story is how the author used a lot of imagery to express the "painter lady's" paintings and how she never let the children get in her head.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle Faulkner
My favorite part of the story was the southern tone used throughout the writing because it helps the reader understand the environment and use their imagination to create a setting in which this story is taking place in. The story made it clear that people from the south don’t like outsiders and I enjoyed it when the children realized who the lady was.
ReplyDeleteBRANDON FIGUEROA
ReplyDeleteThe story is immediately authentic with a story that appears to be remembered as well as yesterday. I was able to feel every emotion the twins felt even though some of them were not entirely explicit. The conclusion does a perfect job of revealing the painters intentions and wrapping up the relationship it influenced.
I thought it was really cool the painter ended up painting such an important piece for this community. It really surprised me cause I thought she was gonna paint something that didn't have a lot of meaning behind or was not important to the kids/ community. I also really loved how the story was in the view of one of the kids, and stayed in her view the entire time.
ReplyDeleteI loved the element of surprise and how the author did not leave any clues that the painter was there to do something special for the community, I love a good aha moment. I also enjoyed the description and thought process of the narrator.
DeleteThis story is short, but I feel like it represents every person in the world. People always think others are out to get them, or are trying to steal things that are important or memorable to them. When in reality they’re just trying to help or bring peace/joy.
ReplyDeleteIt stood out to me how the painter was judged by the children and people at first, but as she continued to paint it ended up being that she was doing something amazing and that they all enjoyed it. I was confused as to why she did not tell them what she was doing or explain it or take any credit for it once it was done. I understand that as part of the plot she didn't tell them because the whole "problem" that the children faced was that their wall was being painted, and if she would have explained what she was painting there would have been no plot or climax and it would've gone straight to a resolution. A little part of me wished that she would have said something, defended herself, or taken credit for her picture. Kate Henderson
ReplyDeleteThe painter lady had no idea that she was painting over a wall that was that special to everyone who had lived there. The story plot is mainly about the painter lady not being trusted at first and the children messing with her but she continued to work through it and finish. Then later developing the knowledge of what the lady was doing and how she created something new and amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis story really comes full circle. I think it's interesting how the cultural differences are displayed between the painter lady and the southern family. In the end everyone starts to understand one another and is able to respect each others work and I think that is a great part of the story.
ReplyDeleteAvery Gulgren
This story from what I can tell is already a memorable one. I loved the way they started off so angry with the painter lady then in the end they seemed more than overjoyed with what she had done. They were quick to judge then it turned out she ended up helping their wall. It shows how the kids didn't trust this stranger coming into their land but she didn't give them a reason too because she stayed silent when they asked and almost came off as rude. She could have been nice and the story would have just rolled through. She brought real life characteristics into the characters, for instance New Yorker traits into the painter lady. Also, She brought a kind southern trait into the mom like how in the story the mom wanted to apologize after being rude at the store. It kinda brought all their characteristics together in the end.
ReplyDeleteUsing personification and illustrative writing techniques assists the writer in describing the frustration that the people within the community have with the artist. Regardless, in contrast, the artist refuses to accept any form of hospitality. Ironically, the people in the community return and find that the mural was one that reminded them of the community they cared for and celebrated the culture within their community.
ReplyDeletethis story helped me understand how to make drama and suspense i also liked how the author drawled out the emotion of the readers.
ReplyDeletedonovan bender
DeleteI liked that the author didn’t show the whole plot ahead of time. The narrator was not perfect, they had a distorted vision of events due to age and lack of information. The evidence of growth in a character is a great part of a story.
ReplyDeleteReading this story from the perspective as a writer, I want to take away the following things:
ReplyDelete- you can be more free with your writing style- get more creative!
- don't be afraid to use more analogies (they help develop your story)
- use more vivid language (some people may not be able to directly relate to what you have to say, but HOW you say it can make them feel like their in the moment)
I am learning to never judge a book by its cover and to always be careful of your surroundings
ReplyDeleteI liked how the kids had no idea waht the painter lady was doing and thyen they realized at the end what her intentions were. It shows how kids may not know everything but they are still passionate about what they believe in
ReplyDeleteZoe Brewer
I liked how he author never really flushed out what that painter was doing, it was an amazing reveal at the end.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer I want to work on my reveals.
- Anthony Nguyen
so I think that this story has taught me to use more descriptive words because of the fact that this writer just proved if you do then you'll be able to tell more of a story. I think that Also this story has taught me to think outside of the box of what those descriptive words mean. the last thing it taught me is to be creative.
ReplyDeleteWhat this story told me as a writer is how to engage the reader. It shows how important it is to add vibrancy to my writing, to make them feel connected to the story. I don’t want my readers to get bored of my story, so having great language and depth in my writing will help. I want them to feel the way that I did when reading this story, like they’re a part of it.
ReplyDeletesomething i learned is that you don't have to let every thought of your character be said. some things are better left unsaid and so by doing this, it leaves the reader guessing. For example, we dont know if the parents knew why she was there, thats part of the mystery.
ReplyDeleteAbby Ford
While reading this story I was taught to consider uncommon perspectives when composing a story, just as this story took over the mind of an eight year old. When I am a writer I need to consider all sorts of perspectives.
ReplyDeleteAs I read this story I really learned that my writing needs to bring more emotion so that it can grab the attention of the readers. As well as use more literary devices throughout my writing to be more descriptive which the author in this story used a lot of.
ReplyDeleteThe perspective of the narrator is one of the most important things when writing a story. How they feel, what the narrator thinks other people are feeling or thinking, and what the narrator knows, or more importantly, doesnt know.
ReplyDeleteOliver King
This story helped me understand how to use descriptive words to create suspense and humor when needed. I think that the story was very interesting and really kept the readers in the story
ReplyDeleteas a writer I took away that the element of the plot and characters are really important, because if you have someone say something too fast or too soon in the story it can ruin the end and make the suspense go away. Sometimes confusion can make the plot or continue the storyline more than explaining something does. she build up what she is doing with the wall so that at the end it is revealed in a dramatic way. It makes the climax and resolution more extreme and emotional.
ReplyDelete-Kate Henderson
DeleteAs a reader, this helps me realize that using personification and imagery in the story will help you get a better understanding of what is going on. She did a good job at building tension and keeping us wondering.
ReplyDeleteWhat I was able to take away from this story is that the speaker is not always who I think they are. I never thought that the speaker was a young girl but now that I know it is it completely changes the whole outlook of the story. I also agree with the TA that the suspension at the end is what made the whole story interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteIt helps me because I see what the writer made the story by who narrating, and making "villains" and then turning all good in the end. Also leaving the reader curious, it helped me understood a good way to make the reader more involved and into the story.
ReplyDeleteWhat i learned is that a reader builds up to a reading, for example: the beginning, middle, and climax, rising point, ending. Certain things like that helps with reading a short or even long story.
ReplyDeleteI liked how she kept the tension throughout the story. it helped me understand the importance of that story telling tactic
ReplyDeleteThis story has taught to write with more emphasis on different parts of the story, she seemed to focus in on the things that were different about the painter. This has taught me also it is okay to have plot twists that really come out of the blue as well, to build someone up as this different and northern lifestyle and have all those who dislike and then to have her doing something for them at the end, I liked that. I also think that depending on the story you can or cannot wait that long to let the cat out the bag, there are other ways to build up tension as well. I also like the short but very descriptive words that put the image in my head.
ReplyDelete- Jackson Klein
- I now want to use my experiences from childhood and life to dive deeper into understanding what a narrator might think or how they might act
ReplyDelete-I think its always good to know socio-cultural events or things that might shape how people think of one another...ex: people in the north verse south
-I want to work on diction and sentence structure after reading war of the wall
I learned how to implement tone into writing. The narrator being a girl caught me off guard, and the aggressive tone the narrator used throughout the story made it feel more masculine even though it was an eight year old girl. You can use tone to show or hide a lot in writing, such as the secretive tone used throughout the story until the end which gets the reader excited to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteWar of the Wall, a story about a kid that are obsessed with making art on a wall. Then this lady comes into the story and decides that she wants to take over the wall. The kid is befuddled about it and didn’t really like it. Closer to the end of the story, the lady fixes the situation for the kids and they are able to use the wall too. This lady in the story relates to people in real life, like in New York, how they won’t really acknowledge you, but won’t let anything happen to you, at least without helping. This reading showed me that not everything or everyone new isn’t a bad thing. Basically says to have an open mind about the possibilities of things that could happen.
ReplyDeleteThings that I took away from this writing...
ReplyDelete- Imagery is very important. Imagery can help a reader envision an idea, situation, or physical place/thing.
- Foreshadowing makes a writing more interesting. Using foreshadowing can keep a reader surprised and interested in the story. I also like how the author built suspense.
This story highlights the emotional attachment that the people from the south have for their town. I admire the motivation the painter had to finish her mural. The dedication was definitely strong . She was constantly showing her capacity to continue her goals against any obstacle. As a person from the north these kinds of things weren't new for her and she demonstrated how well she can handle hard situations like that. Thanks to the author, this article helped me be a better writer when it comes to providing details to help my audience get a closer feeling about the meaning of the things that I'm communicating in my story. Things like describing odors , peoples feelings , cultural environment and more.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite parts is just the image of Lou and his cousin in the kitchen at mama’s restaurant. It reminds me of my old job, being a concession worker in a movie theater and having fun with my coworkers.
ReplyDeleteThe rainbow with Jimmy Lyon’s name. I have a thing for rainbows anyway because they are just such colorful phenomenons in a world of green and brown and blue nature, but for the painter to incorporate the name that was already engraved, that already carried weight in the community in a symbol of unity and wonder makes me happy.
Reading this story showed me how true it is that writers have a point with almost everything they include in their works (Example: the way Jimmy Lyon has a part in the beginning but ends up being the purpose of the mural in the end). I think when reading like a writer, I have to think about the end from the beginning, which kinda ties back to the idea that “author’s do everything for a reason,” but also when thinking about story structure and pacing. This author knew they were starting with the background of the wall and would end with its transformation, with conflict between the children and the painter lady along the way. The author had to plan the plot points to efficiently tell the story while also balancing the artistic parts of the story (you have to plan the sciences before you paint the scenes).
What I would like to take away from this story is to learn how to hold suspension in a story without giving away too much in the beginning while also learning how to create characters that draw intrigue to their motives.
ReplyDeleteGabriel Roman
DeleteThe way the author delays emotional release. It builds up displeasure to the artist, but it doesnt finish it with the revenge story they built up, but finishes it with a a complete 180 release of heartfelt emotion, taking our built up resentment, and instantly transmuting the built up frustration to peace and a strange positive kind of sadness
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was the final reveal of the mural and its meaning to not just the artist but the people of Taliaferro Street. This story taught me the importance of descriptive words and how much it can enhance a story. Adding more descriptive words can make the story seem more real and interesting to the reader.
ReplyDeleteTwo important things that anyone writing a story can take from "The War of the Wall" are how to make dialogue feel authentic and subvert expectations. Writing about characters that are not the same age, gender, or time period as oneself can be extremely difficult. It is important to modify your dialogue to match the heart and soul of one's characters. Subverting expectations is also a more difficult skill to master. Building up the conflict of a story, only for the final confrontation to be a total 180 of what it seemed to be helps keep readers interested and truly think about the message of the book, story, or novel.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer there needs to be a problem. There has to be something to work for, and you have to give your readers something to root for. The build up, and the readers knowing the people hated the painting lady, keeps the readers interested. It's also presenting the problem in a relatable way. Looking through the lenses of a writer, you begin to notice these things.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte Pesek
I noticed their southern accents in the way they pronounce words like "suppah", "sistuh", "one way or t'other". This suggests they have southern mannerisms and how these mannerisms represent the characters. It was also interesting to see their attitudes towards the painter lady from the north and how "you couldn't expect her to have any manners". Yet, the painter lady seemed more to herself and less judgmental.
ReplyDeleteThis story has taught me how important describing attitude is in character development and story writing. Understanding how the kid's felt about the wall helped us understand its value rather than just saying the wall was valuable. Describing their attitude towards the painter lady from the North also helped me understand where their feelings were coming from and how they were justified.
One of the things that stood out to me is that throughout the entire story the children of the street had hated that the painter had taken over their wall yet at the end of the story the wall represents more to town than it ever would before.
ReplyDeleteI was confused that the painter left just the wall and never took any credit for the work.
This story gave me a better understanding with deeper meeting with the plot development and a simple twist at the end giving inspiration for how to switch a characters opinion in an instant.
What I want to take away from this piece is how well emotions of the narrator were conveyed through the text, and the importance of efficient language. As a reader I was truly able to feel the narrator's frustrations and confusion towards the painter lady.
ReplyDeleteI think this story is a perfect example that assumptions can cause a altered image that hides the true purpose. Especially in this writing. While the kids were upset about their wall being painted they had no clue what the intent behind that artwork was. When the kids assumed that she was there to ruin the wall with some "northern" artwork the painter did not react because she knew her intent, and she knew the admiration that would go along with it.
ReplyDeleteI think this story has taught me how to intrigue the reader with vagueness in the plot but draw them in with strong descriptors. for example the only thing we know about the painter is where she is from and what she is doing. But her appearance is largely touched on along with all the other little sensory details throughout the story. Sentence structure was something else that really made the story pop. The short sentences meant something more than just 4 words and the long sentences full of detail and emotion.
I feel like the use of plot twists helps me understand the emphasis in writings when used correctly, adding characteristics to characters makes readers create certain assumptions about them based on their own understandings and beliefs. The way the author allowed the painter to be unfazed and letting the story grow in its own before there was the final interaction between the kids and painter.
ReplyDelete-Wesley Coffman
My favorite part of the story was the ending because the children had a change of heart. Their wall was transformed into something that was able to inspire them and view an outsider in a different way. The outsider was able to teach the children a lesson by showing them how their biases can change. I like that the author included the vernacular of the community. Doing this allows the readers to immerse into the characters in order to understand more about where the story takes place. The language used also adds to understanding the culture of South.
ReplyDeleteLeila Dawson
DeleteI found it interesting how the narrator saw the painter as a threat, but once the mural was finished, she realized how important the painting was to her and the community.
ReplyDelete* I like how she makes the dialogue fit the character. She writes her dialogue in accents. It’s realistic.
ReplyDelete* It’s very emotional
* It covers black history8
I like how descriptive she is in this story. It almost feels like we are there. For example, blue chalk, cloudy lemonade, rotten hallow.
The story feels like one centered around black community and gathering. I think that the story represents how close a community is and how said close community reacts to someone who isn’t from around there but is doing something on “community property”, like how Lou and the story teller were getting upset that someone who was outside of the community was painting on “their wall”. I feel as if black communities can be very tight knitted and feel a little intimated by a change happening within the community unless they know everything there is to know about it. By the end of the story, when they all realize how the person wasn’t so much of an outsider as they thought and saw how much the wall was actually displaying the community, they kind of changed their tone and became more appreciative.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was when those who were speaking about parts of the wall at the end were more confident in a way that was different from how they were known to be or presented. For example, when the story teller said that they had never heard Side Pick speak with the pride he presented in the end when talking about the colors of liberation and the countries represented on the wall. That part to me tied up the story very nicely and kind of presented a new chapter and found closeness within this community because it gave everyone a new perspectives where they can now feel bigger than they used to since they are displayed in a larger-than-life manner.
The way Bambara portrayed the characters in this story felt very real to me. I felt as if I were in my stepdad’s home neighborhood in Paris, KY, where everyone knew just about everyone and where it’s very tight knit. The way that the kids knew about the respect to elders in every small way like a greeting when you walk into a small restaurant, the way that you’d be questioned when you step into a neighborhood that you aren’t widely known in, the way you’re expected to show your kindness in accepting whatever you’re given to eat, etc… It all felt very real as if the author has experienced this for themselves.
This story has made me realize how realistic I want my characters in my stories to be. I want my readers to be drawn back to their own memories of real events, or if they haven’t experienced something similar to what I’ve written about, I then want to almost trick them into thinking that they’ve been in a situation like that before. The characters to me should be someone you could see existing in real life, whether you want to be close to them or not because I believe that makes a reader, or a reader like me, more enticed into reader the story more since the emotions they can feel towards that character feel more real.
This reading has taught me how the perspective from which a story is told has a significant impact on the readers understanding. In this particular instance the story is told from the perspective of an eight year old girl who is opposed to the artist’s creation. Throughout the story her animosity is expressed through words and actions. In the end, the narrator comes to appreciate the artist’s work and realizes the importance of its message. Because of this she is able to view the artist’s work from a different perspective. As I continue writing I would like to incorporate multiple perspectives in order to create well rounded works that will allow the reader to grasp the intended message.
ReplyDeleteIt showed me the importance of perspective in a story. “War of the Wall” uses the perspective of a child to drive the conflict. She wants to fight against changing the wall because its always been the same. She villainizes the painter lady and is not even interested in understanding her for most of the story. This makes sense from the point of view of a child. She thinks change is bad, and those who try to create change must be bad because change is bad. The painter is just painting a wall, but from the perspective of the narrator she is in battle to save the wall from this evil lady. This gives the story conflict, making it a story.
ReplyDeleteWhat I truly loved about this story was the different use of language. Throughout the story I heard words like “Mama”, “Honey”, “Cookin”, etc. All of these words may not stick out to some but for me these are words that I hear almost every single day living at home. I come from a very southern-rooted family so hearing this story was very touching and comforting to me because it reminded me of my home and family out in the country. Collard greens and cornbread are so familiar to me because I used to be around them all the time working at a small town southern cooking restaurant. I think it is important that the character development was formed throughout the story with a storyline that played into a beautiful and humbling ending. Throughout this whole story the painter from New York was judged and looked at as out of place. In the end when she created that astonishing painting it baffled all of the southerners. The woman from New York was very quiet and never attempted to explain herself or her intentions. I absolutely loved the way the author related the children to things like sweat and bubblegum because from personal experience I have younger siblings and this reference is spot on! This better helps me understand character development and to trust the process of how the story comes together in the end. I will admit in the beginning I was a bit confused about the overall storyline but as I continued to go through this reading with this class and utilizing this exercise allowed me to understand that the writer intentionally wanted to keep a secret and that had a purpose in the end. What this writer did successfully adds the idea that perspective difference is good and the way each reader views the story will always be different but that is what makes a good story and a way for the readers to learn.
ReplyDeleteThis story helps me as a writer to understand the importance of imagery in writing, and how detail can perfectly explain a situation to the reader. As we spoke in class, the narrator explains their opinions towards the painter, and they write in detail about the painter’s actions, and what she is painting. This helps the reader understand their side, but then at the end the painter's true intentions are revealed. This changes not only the opinion of the children in the story, but also the opinion of the reader. By writing in a twist at the end of a piece, it gives the audience an opportunity to think through the story again, and by reading back through the piece they are able to change their perspective on the actions of each character.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was the ending. I liked seeing the realization that the painter lady was not their enemy; in fact she was their friend. It was a very clearly southern rooted story and growing up in the Midwest, the way everybody was referring to each other in the story was comforting. I like how very descriptive the writer was; that;s how I want my writing to be. I like when you can immerse yourself into a story and see yourself in their situations.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the cover of this story, I was very hesitant to read it. However, I am very glad I did read it. My favorite part of the story was the relationship the two sisters have. It reminds me of my relationship with my sister at home. We are best friends and we are similar but different in our own ways. I also love the idea that the painter lady was judged and disliked, but once everyone saw her work they were amazed and in love with it. They saw her true talent after they were blindsided by prejudice.
ReplyDelete