The story “the man who was almost a man” shows irresponsible parenthood. Dave’s mother was lenient to her son and let her have the gun in spite of knowing the deadly consequences the gun could bring (Wright, 1). When Dave got the gun he shot dead, Jenny their mule leaving his parents distraught. In the story “Vermont tales” the parents to the two children had separated causing the children to put up with their grandparents (Helprin, 1). The grandparents show responsible parenthood by telling the children a tale about loons in order to teach them some life lessons in love, unity and family ties. In the short story the Lesson, Mrs. Moore is fond of the children she teaches. She listens to their concerns and is always willing to teach them what they want to learn (Bambara, 1).
In the story Desiree’s baby Monsieur Aubigny is shown as a tolerant and kind man. He was however suspected of having children with female slaves in the plantation (Chopin, 2). In the story Hills like white elephants the father is an uncaring and insensitive man who forces a woman to have an abortion (Hemmingway, 2). In the story Babylon revisited the father-Charlie Wales is depicted as a reckless alcoholic who squandered his fortune when young. However, since he regained sobriety, he has become a passionate man to his daughter, Honoria and dearly misses his late wife, Helen (Fitzgerald, 3).
In the story A small good thing the baker is initially depicted as a sombre and calm man. When Ann orders a birthday cake from him, he makes her uncomfortable (Carver, 3). When Ann fails to collect her cake from him that day, he harasses her through phone calls. He later asks for forgiveness and acknowledges that his conduct was wrong. It later emerges that the man was childless and lonely (Carver, 3).
In the film Midnight in Paris the characters of Inez, Adrianna and Gabrielle contrast. Inez is a pampered and flashy girl who adores her father’s riches and loathes her boyfriend’s choice of a struggling writer’s life in Paris (Allen). Adrianna is an artistic, reserved and conservative girl who is passionate about ancient things. Gabrielle on the other hand is a care-free girl antiques dealer who enjoys the same life as Inez as depicted in their common admiration of The Lost Generation.
Works cited
Chopin, Kate. Desiree’s Baby, 1893. Print
Helprin Mark. A Vermont Tale, 1980. Print
Bambara Toni Cade The Lesson. 1972. print
Fitzgerald, Scott, Babylon Revisited. 1931. Retrieved 24 April 2013 from http://web.usal.es/~anafra/BabylonRevisited.pdf
Midnight in Paris. Dir. Woody Allen. Perf. Woody Allen. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 2011. DVD.
Wright Richard The Man Who Was Almost a Man. Retrieved 24 April 2013 from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~DRBR2/wright.htm
Carver Raymond. A small good thing. Retrieved 24 April 2013 from http://www.scriptorpress.com/burningmanbooks/46_2006_carver.pdf
Hemmingway Ernest, Hills like white elephants Retrived 24 Apr. 13 from http://www.asdk12.org/staff/grenier_tom/HOMEWORK/208194_Hills_Like_White_Elephants.pdf
