Assignment

  

You can find the reading here:

https://letras.cabaladada.org/letras/rose_emily.pdf

1/ Please answer the question in (one paragraph or two is enough for each) in informal way (your opinion)

Q: What happened between Emily and Homer?  Were they lovers?  Did they agree, as we are led to suppose, to marry?  If so, did Homer get cold feet, or did Emily simply take pre-emptive measures against that eventuality?

2/ And please respond to these two comments in one paragraph each (which is about the reading) informal and direct way (like saying: I agree with you…. , that a good answer but I have different opinion than yours which is I think …., what do you mean by …., or any think )

First comment:

As I read "The Overcoat", I could not help but feel some remorse for Akaky. He is a hard working man who has no real friends or family. What was really sad to me was that simply getting a new overcoat was one of the happiest days of his life. This I feel is the equivalent to a day a child is born, or a graduation for the majority of others. I do pity him, as he has very little money, even after working as a clerk for many years. In order to pay for his coat and other debts, he must rely on a large bonus and some money that he has saved for many years. Once he had the coat made, he was so proud and I clearly saw a change of tone & improvement in his mental attitude. Having such a nice overcoat proved to everyone (and himself) that he was not a simpleton and pathetic human being, rather someone who could achieve something of value with their life. As proud as he was, I could sense that something was bound to happen to the overcoat, as it was his one true belonging of value. It was almost poetic justice when the muggers stole his coat, as he had worked so hard to achieve even the simplest of feats. This is where I felt the most sorry for Akaky, and I predicted correctly that he would soon die, in this case of a fever.

I can understand the reasoning behind his supernatural actions. Why do these horrid things happen to him, a simple man with very limited capabilities? The actions he takes as a supernatural force are justified based on how he was treated during his living years. A polite man who wanted nothing more than a new cloak and help when it was eventually stolen, he could not get even an ounce of respect, respect which I believe a humble hardworking man like him deserved. It is only right that he should steal the overcoat of those who disrespected him, namely the important person. His actions lead to a change in character, as the VIP becomes more humble, and begins treating his workers with more modesty. Although his actions can be viewed as illegal and wrong by many, I think that they provide a powerful message. His ghoul acts as a reality check, and changes a persons attitude and manner of business forever. In the same situation, I can say that I would do almost the exact same thing, except I would pay a visit to the police superintendent as well.

Second comment: After reading the “The Overcoat”, I feel extremely sympathetic towards Akaky’s situation as he was bullied and edged out at his workplace by a group of co-workers, very few of whom actually felt guilty of what they had done. It would be hard to not feel sorry for Akaky because in my opinion everyone is socially awkward in some aspects and finds aspirations in nerdy things that give us a sense of security, and in Akaky’s case, his work.

In the short story, Akaky does not have any friend, any family, and lover around. He does not even have a social life. As a reader, I find Akaky’s life plain and pitiful, but I still find it admirable how Akaky could find joy in everyday life and work hard for the things he wanted. It’s very sad to see that he was mugged shortly finally getting a fashionable new coat that gained him popularity and pure joy after a long time of hard work and money saving. I sensed in the very beginning of the story that the ending for Akaky would not be so well since the author pictured a toxic environment to me where socially-awkward people like Akaky will find it hard to survive since no one would stand out for people like him or even care for their feelings. I find the toxic bureaucratic environment very relatable for the fact that current workplaces or many other social settings are similarly toxic in regard to bullying among peers and bullying between the superiors and the juniors.

After Akaky died of a serious fever, he became a zombie/ghost that robs pedestrians’ coat in cold winter in revenge for his own stolen coat. In the end, he even got to the superior who not only refused to listen to his call for help but also humiliated him with no respect. I found this especially tragic because when Akaky was alive he was stuck in his little bubble with little influence over others. But when he became a zombie/ghost and was given the power to scare people and do whatever he wants, he became a bully himself that targets anyone on sight with a coat. It’s a showcase of how a victim can grow into a bully himself. It was not until the superior official started to face real threats, or let’s say, physical form of guilt, that he started to treat people with lower status with respect. I find it tragic and pitiful.

???? Thank you