Yuhwan's WL journal

 Eveline by James Joyce Rating: 8.9 /10  She had an alcoholic father, but he became more aggressive due to her mother's death by cancer. The only escape button was to leave to Buenos Aires. However, Eveline chose not to get on Frank's boat. I thought Eveline did make a right decision, letting the boat to go. If she moved to the Buenos Aires with Frank, there were only two brothers left with drunk father. It will be dangerous to leave them alone with the husband because he may attack two innocent brothers. Moreover,  Frank may be someone who he does human trafficking. Because Frank was a sailor and lived a nomadic life, he was used to moving to the other circumstances. I didn't find any mutual relationship between Eveline and Frank which meant that Eveline considered Frank as an escape button rather than love. I thought Eveline felt something wrong with their relationship through his reminiscence of his mother's last word, warning that "the end of pleasure is pain...

The sisters  by James Joyce rating : 6.5/10 In this novel, James Joyce pointed to details and suggestions, but never completed the puzzle. The ambiguity enabled readers to imagine about the possible interpretation, but I felt that it was hard to conclude the story. As "paralysis" is the main idea of this novel, I focused on the meaning of "paralysis" in this novel. From the description "subconsciousness toward the catholic", we can postulate the power of the catholic was predominant at that time. Moreover, I found several descriptions pointing out the corruption of the catholic like "rusty bicycle - pump" and "yellowing."  Putting these estimations together, I concluded that priest was sexually oppressed at the time, so he and the young girl had an inappropriate relationship. I thought that author used the word "paralysis" to criticize that Ireland was unable to move and lacked the developing process due to the corruption of c...

Gooseberries, By Anton Chekhov Rating: 9.1/ 10  Among Chekhov's short stories, Gooseberries is my favorite novel. It made me think deeper about happiness. Nikolay was so obsessed with money that he neglected his wife , starving to death. Nikolay thought that luxurious, cozy house with the full of gooseberries was the foundation for the happy life. On the contrary, for Alyohin, playing in the mud while working and staying with workers downstair rather than resting on the upstair was his happiness.   Nikolay and Alyohin both had different perspective toward happiness. It is impossible for all people to become happy. While one is happy by what one had done, someone on the earth must be unhappy. For instance, Nikolay was pleased by the abundant amount of gooseberries, overloading his workers and making them work like machines giving them alcohol. Moreover, he argued that his gooseberries had the best taste, although they were sour and bitter. We should respect people's indivi...

The Lady With the Dog, By Anton Chekhov ➤ Gurov, Anna (A lady with the dog) rating : 6.8/ 10   Gurov is an unlikeable character. He disposed me, while I was reading the story. Dmitri Dmitiritch Gurov was a man who loved women and pursues young life, although he was under forty, having twelve years old daughter. He went to Yelta which is known as a place where people travel to meet their love. He met a lady with the dog, Anna Sergyevna and they turned into couple.   I thought this story was just about adultery; however, after I read it twice I realized that author criticized attitudes of the men toward women. For instance, after Gurov and Anna shared their love, Anna started to cry because she felt guilty of her irrational decision to be with Gurov. Ignoring Anna, Gurov devoured watermelon. He considered Anna as a tool to satisfy his desire. Moreover, although he was fell in love with Anna, he said she was pathetic, feeling a negative impression toward her. I could find ou...

➤The Student, By Anton Chekhov(1894) Rating: 8.3/ 10 "Call to adventure"   Call to adventure is a stage where protagonist enters a new world. In this story, Ivan was a student of the clerical academy and a son of sacristan, wanting to become priest. It was Good Friday nothing should be cooked. As soon as Ivan entered widows' garden, he was separated from his devout Catholic world and entered into the corrupt Catholic world.    I loved this story because it can be interpreted in diverse perspective. At first, I thought this story is a growth story. Having a negative view toward Russia, Ivan met two widows who were having their supper on Good Friday. He gave them a speech about saint Peter, making Vasilisa cry. At the end of the story, he found hope from Vasilisa’s tear that he could change the Russia with his faith.  However, after I read this story several times, I found out different interpretation that this novel could be interpreted as a sarcastic novel. Ivan may ...