Our Town by Thornton Wilder is a modernist play because it explores the transience of human life, in a sense that the characters in the play highlight the significance of the little things that they do in their daily lives. The play is also narrated through the view of a stage manager which openly tells the audience about how the stage is designed and what each prop is meant for. The stage manager is a character both inside and outside the play which blurs the wall between the reality that what the audience is about to see is fictional, and the fiction that the play is supposedly real in the character's point of view. This characteristic of the play destabilizes the line between fact and fiction and is considered a modernist play based on that setting itself, among all other themes of the play.
B) To entertain the reader
Answer:
(4) Some people believe that the government does not have the right to force people to be safe, and that these laws are unfair.
Explanation:
Counter argument is a statement which opposes writer's main argument for any purpose. However when a writer opposes one's own argument, it is usually for the purpose of including all point of views and aspects of the problem. In most of such cases the author negates (presents counter of counter argument) to finally establish one's original argument.
In this passage, the author is trying to establish the importance of making seat belts mandatory by law in each state of the United States. However in line 4, he presents some other people's point of view on this issue. And in line 5, restates his/her original argument. The overall effect, the author is trying to bring about in the audience by including the counter argument is that, he/she has already considered the counter argument as well.
Answer:
The contrast between life and death becomes prominent towards the end of the story. This story ending is not a very happy ending but a realistic one. “ 'She gave me a message: she told me to tell you. She told me to tell you that she never was engaged to that handsome Italian. I am sure I am very glad; Mr. Giovanelli hasn't been near us since she was taken ill. I thought he was so much of a gentleman; but I don't call that very polite!’ ” (James 448). This is very sad to hear if you are in Winterbourne’s position. He really loved her and she loved him but she was playing with his heart. Also, the fact that Mr. Giovanelli did not come around anymore shows his intentions were not the same as Winterbourne’s. Love and death is a sensitive subject that shows throughout the story and never fails to add a realness and an emotional standpoint to a story. These contrasts are what makes the story interesting and keep the readers on the edge of their seats. If these contrasts were solved or there were no conflicts would the story be as good? The story would possibly be completely different. If Daisy were not as spontaneous and flirtatious it would be safe to say her and Winterbourne could have had a life together. If American and European cultures were not as opposing would their even be any conflicts to begin with? These questions arise as contrasts are thought of as ideas are contrasted.
In literature, the term tone refers to the writer's attitude or feelings about the subject matter as well as towards the audience. Such tone is created by authors through the use of literary elements, such as diction( defined as word choice), syntax ( or the grammatical arrangement of words), imagery ( referred to the vivid appeals to the senses); details (related with facts that are either included or omitted) and figurative language (which refers to the comparison with apparently unrelated things.
In the particular segment.. “He was tall, gaunt, with a pale skin and sunken eyes the color of a kingfisher's wing, neither blue nor green...” details and figurative languages seem to be used by the author as literary elements to express his/her attitude towards Kenny, which could be categorized as indifferent
