Getting to the Reader
We have read or heard many stories throughout our lives. We know that stories can vary in purpose: They can either teach a moral lesson or entertain. Some stories interest us; others do not. In order for a story to be interesting, it must be told in a way that does not bore or confuse the reader. This story must have elements that attenuate to a central purpose. These elements (setting, character, plot, point of view, symbol, theme, etc.) forge the thoughts and ideas of the author. Joyce Carol Oates' "Stalking" tells the tale of a young girl growing up in modern suburbia. "Stalking" is a critical review of modern American society and shows the detrimental effects that it can have on a young child. The main character in this story is stalking the "Invisible Adversary", who is the personification of the neglect that she has received in her life. In order to send this message to the reader, Oates emphasizes the point of view of the main character, plot, and setting in her short story "Stalking". The narrator of "Stalking" is omniscient as she follows the main character, Gretchen, throughout a city. She shows us that Gretchen is anti-social: "If forced, she takes part in games (Oates 162)" and "she just stands around, her face
And Oates places us in a setting that is directly related to Gretchen's problems: The American culture leads to Gretchen's parents' neglect of her; Gretchen's parent's neglect leads to the manifestation of "The Invisible Adversary". Thoughts of "I'll get you (Oates 161). The narrator constantly reminds us where we are; where this story is taking place. We see this world from the narrator's and main character's point of view to better understand the main character: Gretchen is angry, spiteful, and anti-social. Of course, she is angered by their neglect and therefore is angry with the "Invisible Adversary". Her anger and spitefulness are directed towards her "Invisible Adversary" - an imaginary playmate that she has created. In one afternoon, she knocks over a garbage can, steals, vandalizes a restroom, and ruins a dress. No, he goes into the Buckingham Mall, by the Federal Savings Bank, and into Cunningham Drug Store.
Common topics in this essay:
Invisible Adversary,
America Gretchen,
,
Carol Oates,
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Oates' Stalking,
I'll Oates,
Gretchen's American,
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parents' neglect,
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Gretchen Gretchen's,
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Store Gretchen,
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cunningham drug,
character gretchen,
bank cunningham,
mall federal,
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savings bank cunningham,
federal savings bank,
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Acceptance Essays
