Superstition
By: Mary La Chapelle
About the Author
- Mary La Chapelle (born April 28, 1955 Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American short story writer.
- In 1986, Mary LA chapelle received the award PEN/Nelson Algren Fiction Award
- In 1988, She also received the award of Whiting Writers' Award
- She graduated from University of Minnesota, and from Vermont College with an MFA.She teaches at Sarah Lawrence College
- In the review, "House of Heroes: And Other Stories, she chooses rough-hewn subjects - a mime and a giant who struggle with nonconformity, a boy who finds a dead body. But Ms. La Chapelle's writing and insights are smooth and elegant, a respite for readers bored with minimalist fiction and self-indulgent heroes" (Source:http://www.paperbackswap.com/Mary-La-Chapelle/author/)
Source:
http://www.paperbackswap.com/Mary-La-Chapelle/author/
Prereading Reflection
What does it mean to be superstitious? Give an example.
Superstitious means to have oneself or cultural beliefs that the person considers brings fortunes and misfortunes. For instance, One of America's superstition is when spilling salt you'll get bad luck. Furthermore, "spilling salt" is their superstition or cultural belief that will cause bad luck.
Do you consider yourself superstitious?
No, I do not consider myself superstitious because I've never learned the full-definition of superstition, but I've done some superstitions before. For instance, when I was little, I had always needed to clip my nails before night has shown, or ghost/bad luck will form. In addition, I guess that was m superstition my mom taught me, but I do not consider myself superstitious because I've become more mature now that superstitions are not real.
If no, why do you think you are not superstitious?
I'm not superstitious as I was young because it's like believing in another type of religion. For instance, a Chinese superstition is that if one points at the moon with one’s finger it will make one’s ear tips fall off. Additionally, this superstition is led to believe do not be rude to the moon, and maybe next thing you know you worship the moon as a god.
Why do you think people develop superstitions?
People develop these types of superstitions mainly to encourage themselves or to create self-manner for children. For instance, Spilling salt, An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and to find a four-leaf clover means good luck are superstitions. So forth, these superstitions " Spilling salt" is for children not to spill salt when eating, and "apple a day keeps the doctors away' is meant to for kids to be healthy. Also importantly, "a four-leaf'" is aactually to raise one's courage.
Superstitious means to have oneself or cultural beliefs that the person considers brings fortunes and misfortunes. For instance, One of America's superstition is when spilling salt you'll get bad luck. Furthermore, "spilling salt" is their superstition or cultural belief that will cause bad luck.
Do you consider yourself superstitious?
No, I do not consider myself superstitious because I've never learned the full-definition of superstition, but I've done some superstitions before. For instance, when I was little, I had always needed to clip my nails before night has shown, or ghost/bad luck will form. In addition, I guess that was m superstition my mom taught me, but I do not consider myself superstitious because I've become more mature now that superstitions are not real.
If no, why do you think you are not superstitious?
I'm not superstitious as I was young because it's like believing in another type of religion. For instance, a Chinese superstition is that if one points at the moon with one’s finger it will make one’s ear tips fall off. Additionally, this superstition is led to believe do not be rude to the moon, and maybe next thing you know you worship the moon as a god.
Why do you think people develop superstitions?
People develop these types of superstitions mainly to encourage themselves or to create self-manner for children. For instance, Spilling salt, An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and to find a four-leaf clover means good luck are superstitions. So forth, these superstitions " Spilling salt" is for children not to spill salt when eating, and "apple a day keeps the doctors away' is meant to for kids to be healthy. Also importantly, "a four-leaf'" is aactually to raise one's courage.
Vocabulary
Theorized:The term theorized, can be defined as to predict as used the sentence,"He theorized that little kids who got in from the top ad out from the top never had to make their beds." (P.42)
Apprehensive: The term apprehensive, can be defined as to be cautious as used in the sentence, "She was apprehensive as she brushed on toward the attic, because if she were to find it had been left open, it would be a bad sign that she couldn't change." (P.42)
Compelled: The term compelled, can be define as to be motivated as used in the sentence, "It was something she had begun, and now she was compelled to continue." (P.43)
Persistent: The term persistent, can be defined as nonstop as used in the sentence, "The sun was warm and persistent with promises to shine over everything by noon." (P.54)
Precautions: The term precautious, can be defined as to be careful as used in the sentence, "She was aware of certain precautions, like not looking into the sun too long."(p. 54)
Perceived:The term perceived, can be defined as becoming aware of as used in the sentence,. "After waiting for what she perceived as a stubbly enough amount of time, she stood up and followed him." (P.56)
Anguish: The term anguish, can be defined as grief used in the sentence, "Groggy, but conscious now, Jimmy cried like a wounded soldier, all anguish and failure in something he didn't understand." (P.60)
Apprehensive: The term apprehensive, can be defined as to be cautious as used in the sentence, "She was apprehensive as she brushed on toward the attic, because if she were to find it had been left open, it would be a bad sign that she couldn't change." (P.42)
Compelled: The term compelled, can be define as to be motivated as used in the sentence, "It was something she had begun, and now she was compelled to continue." (P.43)
Persistent: The term persistent, can be defined as nonstop as used in the sentence, "The sun was warm and persistent with promises to shine over everything by noon." (P.54)
Precautions: The term precautious, can be defined as to be careful as used in the sentence, "She was aware of certain precautions, like not looking into the sun too long."(p. 54)
Perceived:The term perceived, can be defined as becoming aware of as used in the sentence,. "After waiting for what she perceived as a stubbly enough amount of time, she stood up and followed him." (P.56)
Anguish: The term anguish, can be defined as grief used in the sentence, "Groggy, but conscious now, Jimmy cried like a wounded soldier, all anguish and failure in something he didn't understand." (P.60)
Contrasting Ideas
Frances feels STRONGFrances feels strong when next to Jimmy. For instance, "She would move closer too him and cover his whole arm with her own, lying her brown hand over his so each of her fingers covered one of his, and nothing was exposed." (p. 44) Furthermore, Frances feels strong when with the person she cares for.
Frances feels strong when she sees herself as the better person by comparing herself to Jim. "Of the two, Frances thought she was the stronger. She was tall with the dark skin of her Indian grandmother. Jimmy was fair, his skin translucent, the veins lying close to the surface. (p. 44) So forth, Frances thinks she is the stronger one when compared to Jim. |
Frances feels HOPELESSFrances feels hopeless when her bad superstitions get to her by the attic door opening tending to feel bad luck upon herself. The panic she had dreaded surged up from her stomach, making her run blindly down the hall until she was at the opening of the stairway. " (p. 43) Furthermore, she feels as though her superstitions are real beliefs.
Frances feels when she talking to her mother about "bad thoughts." For instance, "Sometimes I have bad thoughts." She announced this sentence, each word stated loudly and with long pauses in between, as though her mother might be hard of hearing or slow-witted. " (p. 50) So forth, she feels hopeless whenever her bad thoughts come in. |