The narrator is infatuated.
An infatuation that provides meaning to the days, and tries to seep
out. It turns out that the person whom
the narrator is infatuated with, is a nun.
A disappointment, but the infatuation does not readily subside. The nun suggests going to the bazaar, to
Araby, but the nun cannot go. The
narrator decided to go, and get something for the nun. An uncle was supposed to take the narrator to
Araby, but failed in this duty. The
narrator goes to the market by oneself. Arrives
at the bazaar late. The stalls
closed. At an open stall, the narrator
buys nothing. Why does the narrator not
buy anything?
Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
Boys caught up in the novelty of the
Wild West. Interest that overrides the
lessons they are meant to receive.
Interest that gets them to skip school to play as if they are in the
Wild West. While playing, the boys have
an encounter, with a person who gives them a monologue. A monologue that changes what they
think. A monologue that begins a change
in how the boys interact, and their futures.
What was the monologue about?
Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
A priest is dying.
The priest had a friend, a young boy, the narrator. The priest had taught much to the boy, but
the boy is ambivalent toward the priest.
When the priest died, the boy was annoyed at feeling freedom by the
death. Some said that the young boy
should have friends of one’s own age. While
talking to the sisters of the priest, the boy finds out that the priest’s
mental health was declining for some time.
What was the relationship between the boy and the priest? What did the priest do when the mental
faculties were declining?
Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
A set of short stories that were meant to be derogatory
references to the author’s ethnic group, the Irish. Sharing the various behaviors that the author
disapproved off. Sharing how the people
held themselves back. Sharing the disapproved
ideas the Irish had on various topics. The
original language used inhibited the publication of the stories. The references were meant to be derogatory,
but the author still had nostalgia for Ireland, wanted to take part in the
culture.
Caveats?
These are short stories, which means they contain little
information. Usually have a single
pivotal moment, leaving the potential development of characters for the reader
to decide. The lessons about behavior,
or the Irish, can be simple, open, and not limited to the Irish. Other lessons can be hidden, only to be
revealed by a reader who knows the situation the characters were part of. The socioeconomic, political, and religious
background of the characters.
Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•To whom would you suggest this book?
•What is your favorite story?
•What is the story you disapprove of most?
•What do you think of Ireland?
•What did the author think of the Irish?
•Were the characters representative of their culture?
“Try as we may, it is difficult to
conceive of our universe in terms of concord; instead, we are faced everywhere
with the evidences of conflict. Love and
hate, production and consumption, creation and destruction – the constant war
of opposing tendencies would appear to be the dynamic heart of the world. Man runs the eager gamut of his life through
hazards of sickness and accident, beasts and bacteria, the malignant power of the
forces of nature, and the vengeful hands of his fellow men. Against these numberless forces of
destruction, the long thin line of defenses afforded by scientific intelligence
ceaselessly battles in an effort to thwart the destruction of mankind.” – Karl
Mennigner, Chapter One: Eros and Thanatos, Page 3
“This is what one would see who surveyed our planet
cursorily, and if he looked closer into the lives of individuals and
communities he would see still more to puzzle him; he would see bickering,
hatreds, and fighting, useless waste and petty destructiveness. He would see people sacrificing themselves to
injure others, and expending time, trouble, and energy in shortening that
pitifully small recess from oblivion which we call life. And most amazing of all, he would see some
who, as if lacking aught else to destroy, turn their weapons upon themselves.”
– Karl Menninger, Chapter One: Eros and Thanatos, Page 3
“To summarize, then, suicide, must be regarded as a peculiar
kind of death which entails three internal elements: the element of dying, the
element of killing, and the element of being killed. Each of these requires separate
analysis. Each is an act for which there
exists motives, unconscious and conscious.
The latter are usually evident enough; the unconscious motives are now
to be our chief consideration.” – Karl Menninger, Chapter Two: The Motives, Page
24
Review
Is This An Overview?
Humankind is involved in conflict,
from which derives destructive behavior against others. But, there are times when the destructive
behavior is turned inward, toward the self.
People commit self-destructive behavior, such as suicide. While there are some forms of suicide that
are sudden, there are other forms that occur over time, chronic suicide. With chronic self-destructive behavior, death
can be postponed potentially indefinitely, at the cost of suffering. By understanding why people commit
self-destructive behavior, can help be brought toward self-preservation. Reasons for self-destructive behavior are not
simple. Various cultures have elements
that contain encouragement of self-destructive behavior.
Caveats?
This book covers a sensitive topic,
with a variety of examples. The purpose
of the book was to improve upon the understanding of why people commit
self-harmful behavior. Some ideas
covered can be an improvement, as simple explanations are still used. But, there are also explanations and methods which
have improved. With various societies
finding ways to help those with mental health needs.
Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•To whom would you suggest this book?
•What kind of destructive behavior that people have?
