When I first read this story, I really couldn't understand what in the world it was about, the only thing I could garner from it was that an accident with a train had occurred. However, when we went over it in class, I found it really interesting, the author uses an odd method of writing that involves the change in point of view and changes the narrator as well.
With the changes in narration, the points of view change between being omniscient, first person, third person, and dramatic. The change in perspective gives the audience a viewpoint on human connection. The train accident in this community causes everyone grief and they discuss what has happened. In doing this, we; the audience observe the way that a community reacts to tragedy. For example, we see through the eyes of the mechanist, and how he feels about the accident. He feels guilt over what has happened, as he was not able to stop the train in time to avoid hitting Su Lin. We see the way that the news spreads when Su Lin's boyfriend has to overhear that she had died while he was in a coffee shop. And we can see into the mindset of Su Lin as well, she feels so depressed that she commits suicide by walking in front of a train.
Through this unconventional use of changing perspective, we get to see how a tragedy has an effect on a close-knit community of people. It is an interesting way to write a story and really made me think on how stories are written, and how much the point of view of a story has an effect on the way it shapes our opinions and the way we see the events that take place.
I completely agree, the first time I read this story I was really confused. But once we went over it, I found it really interesting. The different points of view made it easy to see how different people are connected and how they all view a tragedy. Kind of reminded me of Lab City actually. Great points :)
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you, when you first read it, it is quite confusing. But when you break it down into the different view points we get a sense of what is going on within the story.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment on how tragedies effect a "close-knit" community. Speaking from experience, the effect of tradegies and death is most definitely intensified when you live in a small town. Unfortunately, I have lost many friends over the last 6 years. Just in Charlottetown alone we have had 4 people pass way in the last year! When coming from such a rural area where everybody knows everybody, it is so shocking and so sad when someone dies. It is so quiet throughout the town and the whole atmosphere completely changes because everybody is effected by it. That is why I connected to this story also. Great points, Doug!
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