Donald Barthelme

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Donald Barthelme
1931-1989
Biography
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Possible Theme for the Barthelme Story
Rather than question the soundness of their own
specious moral principles, some closely-knit,
secretive, male-dominated organizations may
revert to unethical and/or illegal behavior
just to uphold them.
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Points of view in Fiction Limited Omniscient and
Dramatic
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Interpreter of Maladies
Limited Omniscient the short story is told in
the third person from the viewpoint of one
character (usually the central figure). Authors
tell us what this character sees and hears and
what he or she thinks and feels, They know
everything about their point of view
character--often more than the character knows
about him or herself. They limit themselves to
this characters perceptions and thus show no
direct knowledge about what other characters are
thinking or feeling or doing, except for what
the p.o.v. character knows or can infer about
them.
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Jhumpa Lahiri
Born 1967
Biographical Information
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Interpreter of Maladies
From even the expository section of the story, a
reader can depict an international theme the
disparity between the Americanized Das family and
the older, more traditional (Indian) Mr. Kapasi.
One of the major events/symbols driving
this theme is their arrival at the Sun Temple of
Konarak, par 91.
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Temple at Konarak
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One of the Twenty four wheels
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Hanuman
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Cultural Values
Protagonist
Antagonist
Mr. Kapasi
Mrs. das / Das family
traditional Indian morality
superficial American culture
raw sexuality/ animality
idealistic romance
attracted to artful, meaningful constructs of
language (interpretation)
culturally unevolved state of sensibilities,
crass, obtuse
living in dishonest marriage for eight years
honest in feelings
portrayed as a man of substance and imagination
adults Portrayed as overgrown children
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Discussion question
Do you think the limited omniscient (central
intelligence) pov is most effective for this
story?
Discussion question
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After completing the story, what are
your feelings about Mrs. Das and Mr.
Kapasi? Empathy? Sympathy? Pity?
Resentment? Other?
Discussion question
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Some who analyze the story (myself included) see
Mr. Kapasis mid-life crisis as central to
his feelings about Mrs. Das after her romantic
proclamation in paragraph 61. But we think
his are not the expected lubricious fantasies of
a sexual encounter but instead a return to his
youthful dreams of language. Agree? Disagree?
Discussion question
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Discussion question
What symbolism do you see in the last
paragraphs description of the piece of film
magazine floating up to where the monkeys are
sitting in the trees?
Discussion question
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Theme for Interpreter of Maladies
Some men that experience midlife
tribulations--whose domestic life is physically
comfortable but spiritually unfulfilling and
lacking in romance--may construct a fantasy life
around another woman to bolster their attachment
to idealistic romance and youthful dreams, not
expecting a sudden truth to shatter their world
and effect the continuation of their melancholy
solitude.
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John Steinbeck
1902-1968 Biography
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The Chrysanthemums
Objective (Dramatic) the narrator disappears
into a kind of roving sound camera this camera
can go anywhere but can only record what is seen
and heard. Readers are placed in the position of
spectators at a movie or play. They see what
the characters do and hear what they say but must
infer what they think or feel and what they are
like. The purest example of this p.o.v. would
be a story written entirely in dialogue.
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The Chrysanthemums
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Discussion questions
Elisa has been called a complex study in
frustration. How does Steinbecks choice of the
dramatic (cinematic) point of view add to or
detract from this? Would another point of view,
say first person or limited omniscient, have
helped you to better understand Elisas
frustrations, or are we better off not having
more detailed explanations of what is going on in
her mind?
Discussion questions
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Discussion question
Early on, Steinbeck incorporates description of
the setting--particularly the Salinas Valley and
the house behind Elisa. How does this help the
reader in understanding the protagonists
plight?
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Discussion question
Critic David Hunt sees the story as a paean to
feminism, not as narrative about a pathetically
weak woman oppressed by a superior patriarchal
society. Which side are you on?
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Protagonist
Antagonist
A society based on masculine ideals
Elisa
strong and intense
barriers
suppressed by economic necessities
has feminine talents
has compassion, a sense of the romantic, trust,
concern for others
men are self-serving and superficial, lack romance
Dispassionate
guilt-ridden

The dramatic point of view serves to enhance our
sense of what strengths the protagonist has, what
she longs for but will, perhaps, never achieve.
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Theme for The Chrysanthemums
For some strong, energetic women who want
to break free of traditional barriers, to realize
their spiritual and erotic cravings, to release
their nurturing qualities and feminine talents in
a wider world, the forces of a male dominated
society may too powerfully stunt their capacities
for growth and expression, thus perpetuating the
frustration of their present condition.
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FIN