Final: Literary Analysis: The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder

The Bridge of San Luis Rey is the story of a bridge in Lima, Peru that suddenly collapses on June 12^th 1714, killing five victims. Brother Juniper, a witness, decides to research the lives of the victims in order to prove that their deaths were simply, an act of God:fate. At the end of his research, Brother Juniper decides to publish a book with his findings. His book, however, was not well received leading his book, as well as himself to be burned in the public square. Although the mood of The Bridge of San Luis Rey seems to be somber, tragic and ironic, the major theme expressed through the characters of the novel is the importance of love in one’s life.

The Marquesa, Esteban, and Uncle Pio, three of the five victims of the accident, have struggled to feel loved throughout their whole lives. Just as they begin to attempt to put some new meaning in their existence, they ironically lose their lives crossing the bridge of San Luis Rey, which intensifies the tragic mood of the novel. Wilder does, however, succeed in exposing some humour through some of the personality traits of his characters to break this somber mood.

The Marquesa is the mother of Dona Clara, whom she adores. However, she feels distressed that Dona Clara does not reciprocate her love towards her. Throughout the novel, these two characters exchange letters to one another, from which the Marquesa feels rejected by her daughter’s love. It is only the night before her death that she understands the possibility of true love when she sees it written by her child companion, Pepita. That night, she discovered that love takes courage and decides to begin a new life, but it is too late for her to do so.

Esteban had always been inseperable with his twin borther Manuel. However, when Manuel fell in love with Camila, feelings of guilt and tension rose between the two brothers. These feelings never had a chance to disappear before Manuel’s death, leaving Esteban lonely with thoughts of suicide. However, after a while, Esteban discovers that love is never reciprocated perfectly and that it can survive death. From this point on, he decides to live life from an optimistic point of view. Esteban, however, never has the chance to do so as he dies at the fall of the bridge beforehand.

Uncle Pio was the guardian of Camila, who rejected his love and left him behind to become the mistress of the Viceroy. He continued to persue a life with countless romantic partners after this. Uncle Pio, unlike the other characters, fails to learn something about love; he fails to discover that love is more than a “sort of cruel malady”.

Despite the somber mood of the novel, the importance of love is one of the recognized themes of the novel. What is love and why does it matter to humain life? These are some of the unspoken questions which Wilder explores inside his novel.The five characters who lose their lives with the fall of the bridge, have all sought love during the life times. However, all of them were left feeling rejected by their search for love. After their deaths, their loved ones realize their worth and try to cherish their memories of them.They are all more open to love and do good to others, trying to compensate for the love they refused to give beforehand. As a result, even though five people die in a tragic accident, their love lives on through their loved ones.

Book Report

The Bridge of San Luis Rey, written by Thornton Wilder.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927) is a novel that takes place in Lima, colonial Peru, at noon of Friday, June 12, 1714. At this particular time, an ancient rope-fiber suspension bridge (which was fabricated by the Incas a century earlier) collapses, killing the five people who were crossing it. In his novel, Thornton describes events lived by the characters leading up to their being on the bridge, and eventually to their sudden death. He also explores the reasons for which each of the characters might be there. He does this through Brother Juniper, a Franciscan monk, who witnessed the horrible event while he was on his way to cross the bridge himself. Brother Juniper's curiosity about why God would let such an awful event happen leads him to inquire the question through scientific methods; he decides to inquire into the lives of the victims. The Bridge of San Luis Rey explores a philosophical question which many may tempt to answer: does everything happen for a reason? I found the novel very interesting to read mainly, because I am intrigued by these types of philosophical questions.

In the novel, Thornton expresses through the character of Brother Juniper that perhaps one of the reasons for which the five victims were "chosen" to die was to end their unhappiness. ("Like all the cultivated he believed that only the widely read could be said to know that they were unhappy.") I thought this was an interesting approach to the philosophical question he explores throughout the novel. It did however leave me with another question: does one die because it wants to on some level end their unhappiness? The Bridge of San Luis Rey was, for the most part, narrated through the third person omniscient point of view. Because it was written this way, the author gives more information helping to understand the events without one of the characters perspective (which often makes it bias)

(Thornton won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel in 1928, one year after it was published.)

Literature: 54/60

Language: 28/40

Total: 82/100

For the extra 5%...

The Bridge of San Luis Rey, written by Thornton Wilder.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927) is a novel that takes place in Lima, colonial Peru, at noon of Friday, June 12, 1714. At this particular time, an ancient rope-fiber suspension bridge (which was fabricated by the Incas a century earlier) collapses, killing the five people who were crossing it. In his novel, Thornton describes events lived by the characters leading up to their being on the bridge, and eventually to their sudden death. He also explores the reasons for which each of the characters are there. He does this through Brother Juniper, a Franciscan monk, who witnessed the horrible event while he was on his way to cross the bridge himself. Brother Juniper's curiosity about why God would let such an awful incident happen leads him to question the occurence with a scientific point of view; he decides to inquire into the lives of the victims. The Bridge of San Luis Rey explores a philosophical question which many may strive to answer: does everything happen for a reason? I found the novel very interesting to read mainly, because these types of philosophical questions intrigue me.

In the novel, Thornton expresses through the character of Brother Juniper that perhaps one of the reasons for which the five victims were "chosen" to die was to end their unhappiness."Like all the cultivated he believed that only the widely read could be said to know that they were unhappy." I thought this was an interesting approach to the philosophical question he examines throughout the novel. It did however leave me with another question: does one die because one wishes to on some level end their unhappiness? The narration in The Bridge of San Luis Rey is from a third person omniscient point of view. Because it was written this way, the author provides more information which helps the reader to understand the occurences better.

(Thornton won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel in 1928, one year after it was published.)

11 ways to spice up your intro!

1. Biographical Information: Ambrose Pierce was in the Northern Army, yet in Occurence at Owl's Creek he takes the point of view of a confederate to express the negative side of war / the horror of war for everyone

2. Quotes : In Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart: ''I am not mad ; no, not me''. Why did the narrator say this? Was he really mad? Explores the fine line between madness and sanity from the perspective of the antagonist.

3. Definition: According to the dictionnary, a lotery is a random draw with money as the prize. In Sally Jackson's The Lottery, the prize is indeed very macabre, but is not money.

4. A Litterary Element: Imagery is a powerful way to express feelings and emotions In L. Allan's Strange Fruit, there are many visual images to show the tragredy of lynching.

5. Life Experience of the Author: Ernest Hemingway had a lot of problems communicating throughout his life. This is reflected in Hills Like White Elephants, when Jig and the American, have problems communicating.

6. Plot: In O.Wilde's The Nightingale and the Rose, the bird his heartbroken by the students pain. By the end of the story, the Nightingale heart's is literally broken, as it is pierced by a thorn.

7. Philisophical (Socialogical) Concepts : Racism has always existed and will always exist, particularly towards people of other skin colors. In L.Hughes I, too, sing America, denounces rasism and delivers a message of hope.

8. Historical Background: Romanticism was in vogue in the early nineteenth century. It extolled the beauty of nature and denounced science and the industrial revolution. In P.B. Shelly's Ozymandias nature corrodes the statue of Ramses II which represents power.

9. Claim to fame: notoriety: J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye was written in 1951, yet still today it is read in almost every literature course.

10. Allusion: (Reference to past works) Many great works use the context to a trial to express a universal message. These include Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Rose's Twelve Angry Men, and Arthur Miller's The Crucible.

11. Using Imagery: "A painting for the painter is what the novel is for the writer. The authors of all genres face endless possibilities when shaping the canvas of their work." X. Tam

book report

The Bridge of San Luis Rey, written by Thornton Wilder.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927) is a novel that takes place in Lima, colonial Peru, at noon of Friday, June 12, 1714. At this particular time, an ancient rope-fiber suspension bridge (which was fabricated by the Incas a century earlier) collapses, killing the five people who were crossing it. In his novel , Thornton describes events lived by the characters leading up to their being on the bridge, and eventually to their sudden death. He also explores the reasons for which each of the characters might be there. He does this through Brother Juniper, a Franciscan monk, who witnessed the horrible event while he was on his way to cross the bridge himself. Brother Juniper's curiosity about why God would let such an awful event happen leads him to inquire the question through scientific methods; he decides to inquire into the lives of the victims. The Bridge of San Luis Rey explores a philosophical question which many may tempt to answer: does everything happen for a reason? I found the novel very interesting to read mainly, because I am intrigued by these types of philosophical questions.

In the novel, Thornton expresses through the character of Brother Juniper that perhaps one of the reasons for which the five victims were "chosen" to die was to end their unhappiness. ("Like all the cultivated he believed that only the widely read could be said to know that they were unhappy.") I thought this was an interesting approach to the philosophical question he explores throughout the novel. It did however leave me with another question: does one die because it wants to on some level end their unhappiness? The Bridge of San Luis Rey was, for the most part, narrated through the third person omniscient point of view. Because it was written this way, the author gives more information helping to understand the events without one of the characters perspective (which often makes it bias)

(Thornton won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel in 1928, one year after it was published.)

Inherit the Wind

Characters:

1. Bertrand Cates:
   main character
   science teacher
   24 years old
   defendant
   
2. M. H. Brady:
   prosecutor
   christian fundamentalist
   political figure: ran for president several times but lost
   "hero"
   "country guy"
   
3. Henry Drummond:
   defense attorney
   against the fundamentalist
   free thinker
   does not care about what people think about him
   "city guy"
   
4. E.K. Hornbeck:
   cynical
   journalist
   hates Brady's fundamentalism
   "city guy"
   
5. Rev. J. Brown:
   pillar of christian fundamentalism
   pastor / preacher
   preaches "fire and bromstone"
   
6. Rachel Brown:
   daughter of Rev. J. Brown
   lover of Cates
   conflict: belief? (follow the beliefs of her father or her lover)
   grade two teacher
   
7. Judge:
   supposed to be impartial but shows favoritism towards Brady
   open to free thought
   
8. Townspeople:
   reserved
   conservative
   fundamentalists
   evolution
   strong / good values
   "country people"

Study Questions

1. How does Howard and Melinda’s interaction at the beginning of the play foreshadow
the major issues of the play?
IRREVELANT

2. What does Meeker, the bailiff’s, willingness to let Cates out of jail to meet with Rachel
tell us both about his offence and the town?
It tells us that Cates is not a threat to anyone and the whole atmosphere is easy going.

3. What kind of town does Hillsboro seem to be in its preparations for Brady’s arrival?
It is very religious and proud of their beliefs (they want to show their beliefs to the outsiders).

4. What does Brady’s relationship with his wife tell us about his character?
That Brady seems insecure although he had a very high stature.

5. What does Brady’s conversation with Rachel, and subsequent behaviour afterwards tell
us about his character?
That he seemed to be very manipulative and sly.

6. How is Drummond characterized by the townspeople? Later when we meet him do
they seem to be correct?
Drummond is seen as a heathen and unethical. At first it seems, but later we are proven wrong.

7. What role does Hornbeck play in the action of the play? What is the significance of the
way he speaks?
He is a troublemaker, a cynic. He is a non-believer who supports Drummond. Self Centered. Close minded. condescending

8. Do the elements of the trial seem fair to you? Why or why not?
That J also names him colonel; however, the J disregards all his witnesses

9. What do you think Rachel’s motivations for asking Cates to drop the trial and admit
his guilt stem from?


10. What does Brady’s intervention in Reverend Brown’s sermon say about him? Does
this contradict what you thought about him as a character?


11. What is the central issue that Drummond is arguing for in the courtroom?


12. Do you think it is fair that none of Drummond’s expert witnesses are allowed to act as
witnesses?

The Lottery

Vocabulary

Midterm Writing Test

Part A:

Question 2:
Louise Mallard stops crying after realizing that she is now liberated from her husband and can start living for herself: she is excited about the idea of being independent. This is clearly shown in the following quote: "She said it over and over under her breath; 'free, free, free!' The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright."

Question 3:
When Louise finds out that she is a widow she goes through a mix of emotions. After having first heard the news, she is sadened by it; however, she feels liberated now that she is alone. She ccan now live for herself and no longer for her husband: she is independent. "There would be no one to live during those coming years; she would live for herself."

Question 5:
While Louise is sitting in the chair, looking out a window while she is alone in her room there are many descriptions of what she can see through the window. The first thing that she can see through the squares of her window is the new spring life aquivered at the top of the trees. This is important because the new spring life represents the new life she is about to begin as a widow. She also see's patches of blue sky here and there piercing through the rainy clouds. The patches of blue sky can here be compared to hope; hope that there is life after the dark times. (What she is seeing through her window reminds her of what her life as a widow will be like).

Question 7:
Louise feels joy and sadness at the same after the death of her husband. In the text, it is stated that Louise did love her husband, but only sometimes: most of the time she had not. This helps understand why at first she feels sadness towards the death of her husband: because she had in fact loved him. However, because she had not loved him a lot of the time, she felt liberated by the idea of him no longer being there.


Part B:

In Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour", there is a great deal of irony used in order to make a greater effect upon the readers. The message of the story as well as the marriage situation comes across differently through the use of irony. The main use is of course, the fact that the sick wife celebrates her husband's death and then dies after realizing that her husband is in fact, still alive. The first example of irony found in the text is when we find out that Louise's husband is dead. "He has only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram." After reading this sentence, it is clear that the husband is dead, although later on in the text, it is shown that he was never dead to begin with.

The use of irony creates a wonderful effect while describing the couple's marriage in the story. The reader first gets the sense that Louise has an emotional attachement to her husband when reading: "she wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms." However, when Louise cries out "free, free, free!" it is easy to understand that she has here understood that she is liberated from her unhappy marriage with her husband and that she did not have as big of an emotional attachement. It is later stated that "she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome." By reading this is is clear that she did not love him as much as she felt hate towards him (as she would spend more time being happy about his death rather than sad).

Another use of irony throughout the short story is Louise's illness. It is stated at the begining of the story that she is sick and her resentement of life is clearly shown throughout te story. I first came to that realisation after reading the sentence: "It was only yesterday that she had thought with a shudder that life might be long." After reading that Louise is sick at the begining of the story, it comes across as being meaningless; however, when she dies after realizing that her husband was never dead, the use of irony creates a great effect for the reader. It seems as though Louise was destined to die. Without the use of irony in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour", the story would not have been as interesting for the reader.