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Topic Analysis of a Short Story
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Topic: Analysis of a Short Story
Powder by Tobias Wolff narrates about the interrelation between a son and a father. The story is narrated through Wolff’s perceptive when is much older as compared to his age in the narrative. He explores a strenuous relationship between father and son although their characters are different they ultimately bond over the trip. Through the story, the theme of platonic love is evident whereby the father takes the son on a skiing trip to bond and show him new adventures. Nonetheless, the theme of platonic love is shown through the manner in which the father goes through challenges to gain the trust and love of his son. He overcomes the constraints that the son’s mother has put over his time spent with the son as well as the ski trip and also her worry over taking his son out on the snow. Despite his son’s rigid character, the father tries to show him new adventures such as listening to jazz and the skiing trip (Wolff 4). All these efforts depict the love that the father has for his son.
Although the father is free-spirited and spontaneous, the son perceives his character as “flushed with certainty.” (Wolff 17). Nonetheless, this does not stop the father to be present in his son’s life and cater to his needs. In the book, the author quotes that the father “fights for the privilege of his son’s company.” (Wolff 19). Taken over by his spontaneous character, the father has a deep desire to spend time with his son thus even though he pleads with the mother to return his son home before dinner, he breaks this promise due to the skiing trip. As much as he is troubled over his spontaneous acts, he tries to seek validation for his son on whether he wants him in his life. In light of this, the father depicts a character that is indecisive on being a present and responsible father or acting on his free-spirit. However, his father has a deep love for his son through the way he tells him, “I can’t let that happen…I’ll tell you what I want. I want us all to be together again. Is that what you want?” (Wolff 54).
Moving on, the theme of platonic love is also portrayed through the way the father speeds through a terrain filled with snow so as to get them home safely. Though the son fails to comprehend his father’s action, like his mother he does not approve of these actions. Accustomed to his father’s impulsive nature, the son does not agree with his father’s decisions such as when he is irritated and fearful of his father’s decision to do another snow-run (Wolff 31). At this point, the author uses snow as a symbol to illustrate the theme of platonic love. The snow acts as a medium to strengthen the bond between father and son. Without the snow, they would not go on the skiing trip and also it acts as a platform for the father to show how much he loves his son. Through the snow, the father is able to earn his son’s trust and respect thus it is binding their platonic love for each other. Also, the powdery white snow is a symbol of the formation of a new relationship and bond between father and son. Moreover, the manner in which the snow covers all tracks and terrains is another symbol of the father and son burying their old characters and habits hence indulging in a new adventure that strengthens their bond. On that note, the symbol also means that the son foregoes, his past feeling and perception of his father and starts to trust him and feel affectionate about him (Wolff 26). More so, the roadblock is a symbol of an emotion obstruction between father and son hence It blocks the relationship between the two. By moving the roadblock and surpassing it illustrates his father deep love and admiration to his son and through this, the son is able to trust and love his father back.
In conclusion, the son views his father as an irresponsible man who often lands into trouble thus he renounces all reasoning with the father thus “ sticking to him like a white on rice.” On the contrary, as the father maneuvers them through the thick snow, it comes to the son’s realization that he will manage to get them home safely despite the roadblock. Besides, the son also remembers the ski slopes and how his father guided him along without “sailing off a cliff” (Wolff 23). Thus he begins to entrust his father and slowly embraces his persona. Ultimately, the Wolff utters that, “if you haven’t driven fresh powder, you haven’t driven.” (Wolff 19). Through the trip with his father, he is able to close the ridge between him and his father thus being affectionate towards him. Notably, the theme of platonic love has been displayed throughout the story whereby the author has illustrated the complex relationship between father and son that has ultimately turned into a strong bond.
Works Cited:
Wolff, Tobias. Powder. Blackstone Audio, Incorporated, 2013.
Pirsig, Robert M. Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance An inquiry into values. Random House, 1999.
Rober Pirsig’s Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: Quality, Identity, Duality and Zen
Citation
Pirsig, Robert M. Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance: An inquiry into values. Random House, 1999.
Quotes
The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling (Pirsig, pg. 2)
If someone’s ungrateful and you tell him he’s ungrateful, okay, you’ve called him a name. You haven’t solved anything. (Pirsig, pg. 22)
Peace of mind isn’t at all superficial to technical work. It’s the whole thing. (Pirsig, pg. 72)
If your mind is truly, profoundly stuck, then it might be much better off than when it was loaded with ideas. (Pirsig, pg. 130)
His inner peace of mind occurs on three levels of understanding. Physical quietness seems the easiest to achieve, although there are levels and levels of this too, as attested by the ability of Hindu mystics to live buried alive for many days (Pirsig, pg. 134).
Pima Community College
Pima Community College
Early Childhood Education
Signature Assignment 1- Vignette Template
(Your Name)
Using your knowledge of young children’s characteristics and needs, develop an analysis of the vignette. Use at least 3 references for your analysis, and cite them following the text, in paragraph form (APA style), where applicable. Include a full APA list of the references after the table. Also complete the “check your work” table at the end, as a way to self-evaluate your own work.
Vignette # 3: Preschooler
Domain Characteristics of the child’s… (1a) Possible influences
that impact this area
of development (1b) Ideas to support and
enhance a healthy,
respectful, supportive and
challenging learning
environment for this child
(1c) Developmental theories
that support why you
chose the ideas for the
learning environment
Physical
development Not much is seen of Justin’s physical development in this vignette, so it is hard to get an accurate picture of where he stands developmentally.
He is not shown performing any large motor skills, calling to the teacher to get her attention, rather than running to retrieve her.
He has little trouble manipulating the three dimensional puzzle that he is working with, only tipping it over once before using both hands, and he gets the piece into the correct opening with no difficulty, so his small motor development seems to be progressing normally. Influences on physical development include genetics and gender. They gain body awareness and develop new gross and fine motor skills. Physical development can be promoted in a variety of ways. Knowing what Justin likes to do and providing him with space to run, jump, and climb is one of the best and easiest ways to promote his large motor development. Providing him with appealing toys, such as large balls that he can kick and throw, or riding toys would also help encourage his large motor development. Small motor skills can be promoted by allowing Justin to help dress himself, especially when his clothing has buttons and zippers. Providing him with simple puzzles to put together is another way to promote both his physical and cognitive development. The maturation theory can be applied in Justin’s case which states “…that growth and development are characterized by an ‘unfolding’ or maturing of genetically preprogrammed traits and abilities” in which “growth and development are thought to proceed according to predetermined orderly and predictable patterns, but it is recognized that not all children proceed through these sequences at the same rate”. Because not much is seen of Justin’s physical behavior, the only assumption that can be made is that he is developing according to the sequences at his own rate, which, from what is shown, appears to be relatively normal for a three year old child.
Cognitive
development Justin is three, and in peak condition to learn and grow cognitively with the right stimulation.
According to Piaget, our thinking processes change from birth to maturity because we are always trying to make sense of our world. The changes are radical but slow and four factors influence them: biological maturation, activity, social experiences, and equilibration. Justin’s parents should provide him with open ended materials, such as blocks, sheets, and other items that he can use for pretend play. Giving him materials that he can be creative with is more stimulating than a toy that only has one use. In addition to open ended materials, things like simple puzzles would be ideal for his development, especially since he is seen playing with a puzzle, and obviously enjoying it. Providing Justin with new and challenging vocabulary will help stimulate his language development. Piaget’s theory applies in Justin as he appears to be cognitively normal for his age group. He has moved into what Piaget calls the preoperational stage of cognitive development.
He is seen demonstrating what Piaget calls egocentrism when he refuses to share the puzzle he is playing with.
Social/emotional
development Justin seems to be rather normal in social-emotional development Family risk factors such as maternal depression or mental illness in the family, parental substance abuse, parent incarceration, parental unemployment, family violence and poverty. Risk factors within the child include fussy temperament, developmental delay and serious health issues. Justin’s parents can help him develop in this domain by providing him with stable caregivers and predictable routines.
They can provide him opportunities to spend time with other children allows toddlers to interact and engage in conflict over toys gives them an opportunity to develop perspective and learn skills for solving their own problems, as well as teaching them how to self-regulate their behavior. Justin is seen demonstrating the egocentric behavior expected of a toddlers. He has moved in to the next stage of Erikson’s Psychosocial Development, the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt period. Adults support autonomy when they recognize that the toddler needs to feel self-sufficient and capable.