Throughout the story, there are explicit and hidden formalities involved in the interaction between the main character and the people around him. What role do these formalities serve? Why do you think the main character is less concerned about formalities, especially whenever he parts ways with Misha?
The main character is infatuated with Mischa, a straight young boy, and through out the story we see his calculated advances towards him. What is the significance of the main characters calculated and manipulative actions?
The style in which the story is written is abrupt and choppy, sounding somewhat like stream of consciouness writing. What is the purpose behind portraying such a style?
The character plans out every move around Misha. Yet, in his attempt to stay in control, Misha's sister mistakes this as interest for her. What is the significance of this irony?
Kevin asked a question about the stream of consciousness present in Kharitonov's writing--how does it serve as a diary, or entry into the main character's thoughts? Why is he so concerned about making proper introductions and the way that other people perceive him?
The Oven and Queer have a considerable amount in common, largely owing to the similarities of their protagonists. In what ways do these works (and characters) differ?
The structure of the story seems to be based simply on the actions by the main character and reactions from others. Why is the story structured this way?
How might the the title of this read "The Oven" relate the characters and occurrences in the reading?
Music and dance are two prevalent activities of choice for the characters of this read. What is the significance of having music and dance to storyline? How might these relate to the bars in "Queer"?
This story is written from the first person perspective with almost every sentence starting with I. What purpose does the first person perspective serve in this story? Compare the narration of the story with the narration of Queer. What do these perspectives tell you about Lee and the main character in "The Oven"? Do you think the first person style helps the narrator of "The Oven" establish contact with the reader? How does this compare with the way "Queer" establishes contact with the reader?
Why is the main character worried about not showing Misha his emotions at the beginning? Also I didn't understand why each paragraph represents one day, is there any hidden meaning of that? And why author jumps and moves throughout the story so fast?
It is clear from the start of the short story, "The Oven", that the author has a very unique style of writing- much like a diary. He uses very long sentences, occasionally run-ons and no proper quotations. What is the significance of this style of writing and how does it change the reader's perspective on the story being told?
Does the narrator every truly express his ultimate goal in his attempts to get closer to Misha, or do his somewhat hopeless attempts to stay close to Misha seem arbitrary? And what does the outward suppression of his desires offer us about the nature of the society in which he lived, which is very clearly different from the one we just saw in Queer.
It seems that the story has a very continuous almost anxious pace, it is as if the narrator had this erratic flow of consciousness, why does the author do this while portraying this character as a very careful and scheming individual. To what extent does the style portray the narrators' true personality?
"The Oven" feels like a fast-paced story, while Queer felt like a long, drawn-out novel. What techniques do the authors use that caused this effect on time? And what intentions do the authors have in invoking these techniques?
Yikes! I totally forgot we had to post a question for "Oven".
What does the lack of quotion marks for dialogue do to the tempo to the story?
What is the significance of the title, "Oven"?An oven is briefly mentioned when he refers to having a pie in the oven. Is there more to this quick mention or is there a more significant meaning to the idea of an oven?
And what was it about? This was a particularly difficult read for me. I didn't really get a clear idea or understanding of the characters or plot.
Throughout the story, there are explicit and hidden formalities involved in the interaction between the main character and the people around him. What role do these formalities serve? Why do you think the main character is less concerned about formalities, especially whenever he parts ways with Misha?
ReplyDeleteThe main character is infatuated with Mischa, a straight young boy, and through out the story we see his calculated advances towards him. What is the significance of the main characters calculated and manipulative actions?
ReplyDeleteThe style in which the story is written is abrupt and choppy, sounding somewhat like stream of consciouness writing. What is the purpose behind portraying such a style?
ReplyDeleteHow is the main character similiar to Lee in that they both seem to use some kind of routine to control other people?
ReplyDeleteThe character plans out every move around Misha. Yet, in his attempt to stay in control, Misha's sister mistakes this as interest for her. What is the significance of this irony?
ReplyDeleteKevin asked a question about the stream of consciousness present in Kharitonov's writing--how does it serve as a diary, or entry into the main character's thoughts? Why is he so concerned about making proper introductions and the way that other people perceive him?
ReplyDeleteThe Oven and Queer have a considerable amount in common, largely owing to the similarities of their protagonists. In what ways do these works (and characters) differ?
ReplyDeleteThe structure of the story seems to be based simply on the actions by the main character and reactions from others. Why is the story structured this way?
ReplyDeleteHow might the the title of this read "The Oven" relate the characters and occurrences in the reading?
ReplyDeleteMusic and dance are two prevalent activities of choice for the characters of this read. What is the significance of having music and dance to storyline? How might these relate to the bars in "Queer"?
This story is written from the first person perspective with almost every sentence starting with I. What purpose does the first person perspective serve in this story? Compare the narration of the story with the narration of Queer. What do these perspectives tell you about Lee and the main character in "The Oven"? Do you think the first person style helps the narrator of "The Oven" establish contact with the reader? How does this compare with the way "Queer" establishes contact with the reader?
ReplyDeleteWhy is the main character worried about not showing Misha his emotions at the beginning? Also I didn't understand why each paragraph represents one day, is there any hidden meaning of that? And why author jumps and moves throughout the story so fast?
ReplyDeleteIt is clear from the start of the short story, "The Oven", that the author has a very unique style of writing- much like a diary. He uses very long sentences, occasionally run-ons and no proper quotations. What is the significance of this style of writing and how does it change the reader's perspective on the story being told?
ReplyDeleteDoes the narrator every truly express his ultimate goal in his attempts to get closer to Misha, or do his somewhat hopeless attempts to stay close to Misha seem arbitrary?
ReplyDeleteAnd what does the outward suppression of his desires offer us about the nature of the society in which he lived, which is very clearly different from the one we just saw in Queer.
It seems that the story has a very continuous almost anxious pace, it is as if the narrator had this erratic flow of consciousness, why does the author do this while portraying this character as a very careful and scheming individual. To what extent does the style portray the narrators' true personality?
ReplyDelete"The Oven" feels like a fast-paced story, while Queer felt like a long, drawn-out novel. What techniques do the authors use that caused this effect on time? And what intentions do the authors have in invoking these techniques?
ReplyDeleteYikes! I totally forgot we had to post a question for "Oven".
ReplyDeleteWhat does the lack of quotion marks for dialogue do to the tempo to the story?
What is the significance of the title, "Oven"?An oven is briefly mentioned when he refers to having a pie in the oven. Is there more to this quick mention or is there a more significant meaning to the idea of an oven?
And what was it about? This was a particularly difficult read for me. I didn't really get a clear idea or understanding of the characters or plot.