This reading journal was done on a short story titled The Wrong House written by a French writer named Guy de Maupassant (left image). In doing this reading journal, several course objectives were touched, including objectives two and three. Using his text, I was able to depict a picture of the story as well as discuss key ideas that happened throughout with help from the schools of literary criticism and theories.
Reading Journal Pt. 1: Short Story Analysis
A soldier named Quartermaster Pere Varajou, who married a tax preparer’s sister goes to the town of Vannes, looking for a good time and money from his family. He then proceeds to a café (the descriptions he announces paint a bar scene), gets a few drinks, and leaves the café to find an apparent whore house. Shortly upon arrival, his brother-in-law comes barging into the room, to question his motives, as he repeatedly says “rascal!”
This story can lend itself to a few of my life experiences, as I have had many conflicting emotions in several events. One, in particular, happened recently. The irony is that women were involved, although I am not married, remaining faithful is something I will do. It is one definition to me as a person. Long story short, the girls went home without breaking my character. It is something that Pere apparently has very little of in regards to his wife.
1. Thoughts before and after reading:
My initial thoughts before reading The Wrong House were of a suspense-filled drama. The title paints a vague picture, possibly about a misguided individual who stumbles upon a home that has potential dangers lurking inside it. The person does not see them, and approaches without caution. Perhaps one needs directions, or even assistance of some sort, which the house will not fulfill for them. After reading this story, I now realize that the story has much insight to being imperfect, and one can relate to the mood of the story as being on a weekend; trying to have a great time with little to no consequence.
2. Memorable quotes from the Story included:
"Oh, oh, oh, you scamp, you scamp! You are out for a good time, too. Oh,
you scamp! And my sister! Are you tired of her, say (de Maupassant, 2004)?"
This quote from the brother-in-law Padoie uses an almost comical, yet serious tone towards Pere. His exclamation appears threatening towards the end, speaking on behalf of his sister. Scamp refers to a rascal or mischievous youngster, when used in this sense, promotes it to be a demeaning statement.
"What house is this (de Maupassant, 2004)?”
Quoted from Pere, upon getting caught, promotes the title of this story. It is important to note that he had been unexpectedly caught attempting to cheat on his wife by his brother-in-law! While he was apparently ‘unable’ to compute what was happening, this quote stammers out. One can sense distress and humbleness from his nonchalant attitude. Very simple use of words, that promotes a powerful picture.
3. Questions, followed by attempted answers:
Q: What was Pere Varajou thinking in regards to his commitment for his wife?
A: He must have longed for some free time after serving the armed forces, possibly growing distant from his wife. To be away from your loved one has to put a hamper on one’s judgment and emotion. The text did not offer any insight into his wife, possibly hinting toward the idea. The term “high and dry” from the text suggests a depressing action or event unfolded on Pere, who closed off his son two years before retiring from his business (de Maupassant, 2004). All it took was the depressant alcohol to question his morals.
Q: Could Padoie have aided in the unfolding of Pere?
A: There seems to be a possibility that Padoie led Pere into committing the action. Pere had remembered that his daughter married a man of character to which he had never approached for money. Although his life was “gay,” there were potentially money problems, perhaps due to his spending habits (de Maupassant, 2004). Padoie’s involvement comes later, when he leaves dinner to spend time at the ‘judge’s house,’ possibly pushing him to go out on the town to find his own fun.
4. Literary terms learned:
1. Protagonist:
Varajou can be seen as the protagonist of this story, from the context of his speech and frequent notation to events happening before him. The first paragraph lends itself mainly to Pere Varajou, stating he “was in garrison at Rennes and leading a pretty gay life, finding himself high and dry,” suggests a story devoted to him (de Maupassant, 2004).
2. Motif:
Alcohol plays a key motif throughout the story, as Pere consistently refers back to it (talking about wine or the ‘cafes’). As his sister Josephine (Mrs. Padoie) states to him: “It seems that you are behaving like a blackguard, getting drunk and contracting debts (de Maupassant, 2004)." These mark alcohol as a key part to the story.
3. Irony:
The fact that Pere is caught at a whore house by his brother-in-law is ironic due to the situation of both being married to each other’s sisters. More-so, Padoie gets mad at Pere when he is at fault as well!
5. Interpreting the text according to literary criticism:
The story of The Wrong House is one of hardship, inner struggles, and perhaps depression. Looking into Formalism, the story deducts a great connection between the main character and his surroundings, and lends him to be an entertaining story. Irony and tension play key roles in the dramatic and exciting end to the story, as brother-in-laws are confronted with each other in an unfamiliar place attempting to perform illicit acts against their marriages. The form of this story’s content has to come from the way it escalates from action to action and the various scene transitions. Going from a dinner with family to finding himself embarrassed at a whore house, Pere seems to escalate matters consistently throughout the story. Although a sad theme stems from Mr. Varajou’s attitude, The Wrong House keeps an interest for the reader throughout.
Work Cited
de Maupassant, Guy. The Entire Original Maupassant Short Stories, Volume IV, “The Wrong House”. Trans. Albert C. McMaster, A E. Henderson, and MME Quesada. N.p.: n.p., 2004. Web. 4 Feb. 2013. <http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world /readfile?fk_files=3015779>.
Reading Journal Pt. 1: Short Story Analysis
A soldier named Quartermaster Pere Varajou, who married a tax preparer’s sister goes to the town of Vannes, looking for a good time and money from his family. He then proceeds to a café (the descriptions he announces paint a bar scene), gets a few drinks, and leaves the café to find an apparent whore house. Shortly upon arrival, his brother-in-law comes barging into the room, to question his motives, as he repeatedly says “rascal!”
This story can lend itself to a few of my life experiences, as I have had many conflicting emotions in several events. One, in particular, happened recently. The irony is that women were involved, although I am not married, remaining faithful is something I will do. It is one definition to me as a person. Long story short, the girls went home without breaking my character. It is something that Pere apparently has very little of in regards to his wife.
1. Thoughts before and after reading:
My initial thoughts before reading The Wrong House were of a suspense-filled drama. The title paints a vague picture, possibly about a misguided individual who stumbles upon a home that has potential dangers lurking inside it. The person does not see them, and approaches without caution. Perhaps one needs directions, or even assistance of some sort, which the house will not fulfill for them. After reading this story, I now realize that the story has much insight to being imperfect, and one can relate to the mood of the story as being on a weekend; trying to have a great time with little to no consequence.
2. Memorable quotes from the Story included:
"Oh, oh, oh, you scamp, you scamp! You are out for a good time, too. Oh,
you scamp! And my sister! Are you tired of her, say (de Maupassant, 2004)?"
This quote from the brother-in-law Padoie uses an almost comical, yet serious tone towards Pere. His exclamation appears threatening towards the end, speaking on behalf of his sister. Scamp refers to a rascal or mischievous youngster, when used in this sense, promotes it to be a demeaning statement.
"What house is this (de Maupassant, 2004)?”
Quoted from Pere, upon getting caught, promotes the title of this story. It is important to note that he had been unexpectedly caught attempting to cheat on his wife by his brother-in-law! While he was apparently ‘unable’ to compute what was happening, this quote stammers out. One can sense distress and humbleness from his nonchalant attitude. Very simple use of words, that promotes a powerful picture.
3. Questions, followed by attempted answers:
Q: What was Pere Varajou thinking in regards to his commitment for his wife?
A: He must have longed for some free time after serving the armed forces, possibly growing distant from his wife. To be away from your loved one has to put a hamper on one’s judgment and emotion. The text did not offer any insight into his wife, possibly hinting toward the idea. The term “high and dry” from the text suggests a depressing action or event unfolded on Pere, who closed off his son two years before retiring from his business (de Maupassant, 2004). All it took was the depressant alcohol to question his morals.
Q: Could Padoie have aided in the unfolding of Pere?
A: There seems to be a possibility that Padoie led Pere into committing the action. Pere had remembered that his daughter married a man of character to which he had never approached for money. Although his life was “gay,” there were potentially money problems, perhaps due to his spending habits (de Maupassant, 2004). Padoie’s involvement comes later, when he leaves dinner to spend time at the ‘judge’s house,’ possibly pushing him to go out on the town to find his own fun.
4. Literary terms learned:
1. Protagonist:
Varajou can be seen as the protagonist of this story, from the context of his speech and frequent notation to events happening before him. The first paragraph lends itself mainly to Pere Varajou, stating he “was in garrison at Rennes and leading a pretty gay life, finding himself high and dry,” suggests a story devoted to him (de Maupassant, 2004).
2. Motif:
Alcohol plays a key motif throughout the story, as Pere consistently refers back to it (talking about wine or the ‘cafes’). As his sister Josephine (Mrs. Padoie) states to him: “It seems that you are behaving like a blackguard, getting drunk and contracting debts (de Maupassant, 2004)." These mark alcohol as a key part to the story.
3. Irony:
The fact that Pere is caught at a whore house by his brother-in-law is ironic due to the situation of both being married to each other’s sisters. More-so, Padoie gets mad at Pere when he is at fault as well!
5. Interpreting the text according to literary criticism:
The story of The Wrong House is one of hardship, inner struggles, and perhaps depression. Looking into Formalism, the story deducts a great connection between the main character and his surroundings, and lends him to be an entertaining story. Irony and tension play key roles in the dramatic and exciting end to the story, as brother-in-laws are confronted with each other in an unfamiliar place attempting to perform illicit acts against their marriages. The form of this story’s content has to come from the way it escalates from action to action and the various scene transitions. Going from a dinner with family to finding himself embarrassed at a whore house, Pere seems to escalate matters consistently throughout the story. Although a sad theme stems from Mr. Varajou’s attitude, The Wrong House keeps an interest for the reader throughout.
Work Cited
de Maupassant, Guy. The Entire Original Maupassant Short Stories, Volume IV, “The Wrong House”. Trans. Albert C. McMaster, A E. Henderson, and MME Quesada. N.p.: n.p., 2004. Web. 4 Feb. 2013. <http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world /readfile?fk_files=3015779>.