"All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He was drawing her into them: he would drown her. She gripped with both hands at the iron railing." -"Eveline"
This theme unit was enjoyable for me because sometimes less lengthy short stories are easier to break down than long ones, like Bartleby. Each detail presented usually relates more importantly to the overall plot or theme. The short stories in this unit each gave small plot and theme clues throughout the story and built up to a thought-provoking conlcusion. I felt like the drawn out anticipation or surprise ending structures were used in most of these stories. I never expected Eveline to stay at home, Phoenix Jackson to totally forget the reason for her journey, or any member of the "Once Upon a Time" family to be harmed by something of their own creation. The language, diction and inner though processes of most of these characters were fairly rational and logical. This definitely added to the suspense and surprise, even if the situations described were beyond reasonable plausibility. Honestly, what suburban family has the resources to turn their home into a fortress or what normal person truly believes they are part of a large-scale play carried out in real life? I think this is why the suspense and climaxes of the stories contribute so well to each theme. Sure Eveline would like to run away with her lover and away from her pain, but human nature always seems to bind us to home. Sure Miss Brill would like to think of herself as elevated and dignified, but society reminds her that she is no more than an old woman. Most of the themes follow typical patterns of human behavior, and the build-ups serve to emphasize them.
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