This is a far different practice from what one would witness in today’s society and would not be condoned at all. Even the actions of the characters in these first few lines reflect the norms of the south during this time period – smoking cigarettes openly in a confined space. “I don’t like no perfumed cigarettes.”” (Welty, Eudora, “Petrified Man,” The Norton Anthology, pg.1097) Within these lines its also clear that Welty often ignores basic grammar rules saying, “…without no powder…” in order to achieve a higher level of southern dialect, effectively allowing the audience to “hear” how people of the south speak. Fletcher, honey,” said Leota to her ten o’clock shampoo-and-set customer. Welty opens the story in the first few lines using this technique, ‘’’Reach in my purse and git me a cigarette without no powder in it if you kin, Mrs. For instance, Welty would often shorten or change words to accommodate to both Mrs. Fletcher and her beautician Leota, Welty was sure to incorporate typical conversational aspects that one would expect from the view of southern culture. Most prominent in the conversation between Mrs.
(Response) As someone who didn’t grow up in the south, my picturing of the atmosphere of the south perfectly matches the story of the “Petrified Man.” First with Welty’s use of dialect in the dialogue between the characters.
(Question) Based on this information, how do you see mannerisms of the south in the characters of this short story? How do you think Eudora Welty’s background impacted this story? What is your opinion of representation of female friendships in literature up to this point in history?
Strongest Discussion Post – Writers of The South:
0 kommentar(er)
