Journey from Beyond

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Journey From Beyond Megan Lazansky ENG 125: Introduction to Literature Ashford University Rozlyn Truss-Linder August 13, 2012 Journey From Beyond In this paper I will analyze “Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys. I will describe the theme of the short story. I will identify literary elements, of the piece, that contribute to the theme and I will explain how the literary elements affect the narrative theme. I agree with the author when he says, “The theme in a story is associated with an idea that lies behind the story” (Clugston, 2010). It is not a summary of the plot, an attitude, or a feeling. Instead, plot, point of view, tone, and setting add to the theme and make it more meaningful. The theme of “Used to Live Here Once” is about the spiritual journey after death. The theme is not immediately evident. The beginning of the piece describes the setting. A woman is standing by a river. The first paragraph also speaks to the tone by saying, “…looking at the stepping stones and remembering each one”. According to Wikipedia Tone encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience implied in a literary work. How the theme is approached within the work is known as the tone [Wikipedia]. The tone being set in this story indicates that she has been to this place before, but things have changed. This gives a small clue about the theme. The first paragraph does provide a clue that this journey is referring to the afterlife. The narrator speaks about the stones, which can refer to milestones or parts of her life. Also, many times in literature, crossing can refer to crossing over. The narrator also does not speak about her stepping from one stone to the next, but merely states “it was easy and soon she was standing on the other side” (Clugston, 2010). The story is told in third-person limited omniscient point of view. This
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