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Bambara

 The story of The Lesson is an interesting insight into the minds of children and the differences that even a close friend group can experience. Miss Moore doesn't outright tell the children what lesson they are meant to learn, but instead gives them the ability to question and come up with their own lesson. We are introduced with a narrators point of view, but they are not the sole focus. Throughout the story we see each child's responses and the way their own experiences shape their takeaway from the trip to FAO Schwartz. There is a lot of little clues in the book that lead to an understanding of why these children would need an education from Miss Moore, the mention of moms hanging out at a fancy apartment, the way Miss Moore dresses, and even the way Sylvia criticizes someone of her own race in a derogatory way. To Sylvia, her and Miss Moore are not equals, they are completely different and by the end Sylvia is set on a path to prove that to everyone.  
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Hemingway

 In Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" we are privy to an intense conversation between two people, in what is otherwise a seemingly inconsequential pitstop along their trip. The story doesn't have a beginning really, nor an end; it is just a scene of their lives and there is no resolution. The discussion they're having is one a lot of people can empathize with, even if it isn't the exact situation. It seems as if its a conversation they've been having frequently, as the man comments on them being 'happy before', implying they have not been happy as of late. Jig does what a lot of people in these types of situations do- they brush off the uncomfortable conversation, they stamp down their feelings, the words 'I'm fine' get repeated often. At one point Jig even asks if she does this, will he love her again, suggesting that she believes he won't if she does not go through with it. I feel for Jig in this moment, because for her thi...
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Kate Chopin

 Upon first reading of this story I had a lot of conflicting responses. My first initial response, was that Mrs. Mallard was truly distressed at the news of her husbands demise. When she shuts herself off from her friends and family, we are first given the imagery of an open window, and my mind conjured the belief that this was a story of how she throws herself from that window in misery at the loss of her love. As the story progresses we see her own inner turmoil, of knowing that she loved this man, but also the undeniable relief at his death. I have never experienced the death of a partner, but when a relationship ends you often feel this weight lift off of you, like you can breathe for the first time even though you hadn't realized you'd been struggling. When going through my separation I was saddened by all that I was losing from that relationship, but once I moved past my grief I was able to see all the opportunities ahead of me and became hopeful for what lie ahead. I fel...
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