In Jo Ann Beards, “Bonanza”, there are certain elements that contribute the development of her essay. She uses both direct and indirect characterization, as well as figurative language to help develop this essay. First, the direct characterization of Ralph happens at the very beginning of the story. Ralph marries the Grandmother after the Grandfather dies, and the family does not approve. The narrator describes Ralph as always being grumpy and never smiling. He also forbids the main character from whistling while she visits her Grandmother. Through indirect characterization, I believe that the Grandmother is a very kind-hearted woman. She states, “Honey, you can whistle when you’re outside.” (Beard, 1995, p.53). In my opinion, this
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She recalls her Grandmother and Ralph having a lot of interesting things around the house, but as she ages she realizes that they are covered in dust and no longer serve a purpose. They live meagerly, and seem to have a lot of canned foods around. Regardless, the young girl loves going there to get away from her family. She recalls that she was never actually invited to come over, but she would request to visits. She recalls the last time she went for a visit. She was served the usual nearly expired food and they watched “Bonanza.” Her Grandmother is knitting and Ralph is sharpening his knives. She realizes that they don’t even like “Bonanza” and they don’t really enjoy much of life at all. Suddenly, she can’t wait to be taken away from the misery of this quiet, sad life and back into her noisy home. She is crying and continues to cry barely noticing that her Grandmother was on the phone with her parents. Her family comes to get her, after only the first night. Through characterization, I believe that the Grandmother called parents because she knew the girl was upset and also did not want to upset Ralph. Also, they girl doesn’t want her parents to know why she is crying and upset so she tells them it was
She recalls her Grandmother and Ralph having a lot of interesting things around the house, but as she ages she realizes that they are covered in dust and no longer serve a purpose. They live meagerly, and seem to have a lot of canned foods around. Regardless, the young girl loves going there to get away from her family. She recalls that she was never actually invited to come over, but she would request to visits. She recalls the last time she went for a visit. She was served the usual nearly expired food and they watched “Bonanza.” Her Grandmother is knitting and Ralph is sharpening his knives. She realizes that they don’t even like “Bonanza” and they don’t really enjoy much of life at all. Suddenly, she can’t wait to be taken away from the misery of this quiet, sad life and back into her noisy home. She is crying and continues to cry barely noticing that her Grandmother was on the phone with her parents. Her family comes to get her, after only the first night. Through characterization, I believe that the Grandmother called parents because she knew the girl was upset and also did not want to upset Ralph. Also, they girl doesn’t want her parents to know why she is crying and upset so she tells them it was