Dialogue

"I can't believe you," she snarled. "Of all the stupid things you’ve done this is dumbest of them all."

"Let's not point fingers here Emma," he subconsciously replied.

“Emma?!” her voice growing.

            “Becky. Sorry. When was the last time you read the paper?” he once again replied as though he was a robot.  Becky stood up and yelled,

 “No more!” before stomping away. The man quickly realized what had happen, stood up, and sped quickly to the door,

“Becky listen. I made a mistake; I can only do so much about it now.”

She looked at him intensely and before arguing stood concentrated on the man,

            “You said my name wrong. What’s your excuse for that? Besides the panda-”

            “Don’t bring her into this! I bought a panda, let it go already.” He argued.

            “That oversized cat is probably the reason you seem to so easily forget my name!” she stated as she sat down on an old discolored sofa bed. “We have no money. Then you go out and import a panda! Normal people don’t do that.”

            He sat beside her and gently reassured her, “Some people have cats, some people have dogs, and some people even have birds. It just so happens we have our very own panda. Emma is no different from any other animal.”

            Again she stood up but this time with anger she stated, “Stop giving it a name, we need to take him back before-” she was cut off by a loud growl that echoed from the kitchen. “We will discuss this after I go feed her!”

Legend of Daniel

 I am rich in humor. I am intelligent in every field. I am legend.

           

Born deep within an active volcano I was born with the ability to breath fire, however due to a passion for petite pink popsicles the wrath of my fire has been subdued. Raised along side the monks of Tibet my muscles have panther like quickness. So quick indeed that I have wrestled with a half bear half shark hybrid, my own creation. I won. I have jumped off the Eiffel tower using a spoon as a parachute. But these small feats only begin to explain my pure extravagance. It was I who created the chair. It was I who owned the first toaster. It was I that invented the first roller coaster! My idea of world peace would have succeeded if I had not wanted to bake mint cupcakes. Did you know I invented all 356 flavors of ice cream? Did you know Elton John’s song “Daniel” was written on my birthday for me? Did you know I enjoy apples? I did all these while knitting my grandmother a scarf. As well as I won the 2009 knitting world championships in Germany. Twice. Clocks originally had 13 numbers, until I changed them. When in India I rode a polar bear. I had a full career in movies and theater until I taught Tom Cruise how to act, and then I gave him the spotlight. Both Edward and Jacob are on my team. I can play the flute. I can swim. Because of my accomplishments monkeys can read books. Because I defused a bomb hidden in the pentagon the U.S.A can sleep at night. Because I was their to help give birth to superman he decided to save the world, with my permission and not past curfew of course. The world was flat until I sculpted it. My first sculpture was October 5^th 1657, a porringer. Later called the bowl. Before the man there was me. Before water was found I infused two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in my front yard to give to world a drink. Before paper was invented I used computers. I named F.D.R. My accomplishments cannot be counted. I have done all while wearing an eye patch. Others cannot comprehend my wit. Others cannot talk to me without blushing. Others cannot simply stand in front of me without wobbly knees. I have done all this, scaled dragons and ate pumpkin. Done things no man or woman could dream of. However I have not yet attended university.  

Elements of Fiction

Throughout the short story Identities the author W.D. Valgardson uses various elements of fiction to emphasize important qualities of the story as well as interest the reader. The story follows a man who begins driving and when he must stop to inform his wife of his absence is shot by a nervous, inexperienced police officer. Very many elements are unraveled in this anecdote. However, 3 important pieces of writing that are used include juxtaposition, foreshadowing and irony. With these powerful tools the story carries a theme while giving the reader suspense in their reading.

            Juxtaposition, comparing opposites to emphasize the contrast, is evident from the first paragraph. The author describes the flat characters flashback of childhood memories before reintroducing him as an adult which represent how he has aged and his knowledge. While driving amidst a poor part of a city the reader learns “Although he has on blue jeans-matching pants and jacket made in Paris-he is driving a grey Mercedes Benz.” This large contrast is a possible symbol for how wealth does not always equal happiness and the reader gains a deeper understanding of the character being very wealthy but not necessarily happy.

            Foreshadowing is found in numerous parts of the story. It can be directly found in the comparison of surroundings. When looking at the wealthy man in a rundown neighborhood is can foreshadow that he will not leave without a predicament occurring. More obvious foreshadowing is present when the reader views the protagonists mind and observes his intention to call his family because he “knows that, at first, they have blamed his absence on a neighbor’s hospitality and gin. However, by the time he can return, annoyance will have blossomed into alarm.” and we learn what would happen when he does not return. This begins to bring the reader to the conclusion he may not return.

            The most reoccurring element used by the author is irony. Irony adds to the effectiveness of the story by surprising the reader. After realizing how much his family will worry “he decides to call the next time he sees a store or phone booth”. Only when he does this the innocent man does not know has been followed by a cop. When he finally stops to finish his objective he finds “relief. Instinctively relaxing, certain of his safety.” as a police officer approaches however as the officer sees the “unshaven man in blue jeans as a potential thief” he proceeds to kill him with no hesitation. The irony of him being killed by an officer before telling his wife of his safety is very powerful. All these elements as well as others give this short story depth and are all important in conveying the author’s messages and ideas.