The+Portable+Phonograph

Short Stories - Literary Devises Title: The Portable Phonograph

Point of View: 3rd person, omniscient

Protagonist: Dr.Jenkins, a kindly old man with many treasured possessions.

What type of character is the Protagonist? Round and dynamic, as is the trend of main characters

Antagonist: The environment and previous events that created this harsh environment, and now threaten the life of the protagonist. Also, the young, sick, musician seems to be threatening the safety of Dr.Jenkins. When they open

Describe the setting: The future, after a devastating world war. Specifically, winter on the prairies, where the blizzards wreak destruction.

Type of Conflict: Man Vs Environment/ Man/Himself

Describe the main conflict: The Men have a huge inner battle when the music is played, with so many warring emotions that they can’t even understand themselves.

Describe the Climax of the Story: While the music is played the musician is taken over by spasms, and the other three men grow scared for their safety, until they realize that his untamed emotions have taken over. Soon, the other men become entranced too.

How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story? He begins as a naïve and overly generous man, and as the story progresses he becomes more wary, knowing that the musician could attack at any moment.

Describe the relationship between the title and the theme: I believe that the theme is to treasure what you love the most, and that when you’re desperate, your emotions can take over. The title was symbolism for something that is treasured, and evokes emotion, linking with the theme.

How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme? Being taken over by emotions because of an inner struggle involving a prized possession, is very similar to what I said about the theme.

How does the climax help to illustrate the theme? Wrapped up in a war of inner desires and, an intense, inner fear of what you could do if taken over again, by this burning tide of love, fear and hatred.

Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):

Simile: //Within the cell there was a little red of fire, which showed dully through the opening, like a reflection or a deception of the imagination.//

Metaphor: //My brain becomes thick, like my hands.//

<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Personification: //The expansive blizzards paraded for days over the vast plains.//

<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Symbol: The Phonograph is a symbol of hope and joy, in this bleak future

<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Foreshadowing (give both elements): //A sound of suppressed coughing// and //on the inside of his bed, next to the wall, he could feel with his hands, the comfortable piece of lead pipe// are both elements of foreshadowing that suggest that the musician will attack Dr. Jenkins.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Irony: I think it was ironic that the musician, who treasured the music most, was prepared to assault for it, even in his sickness and understanding of the doctor’s passion for the music.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Imagery: //They were the scars of gigantic bombs, their rawness already made a little natural by rain, seed, and time.//

<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story: I believe that humans are the only sentient beings that can become so wrapped in their emotions, that they could do something they very much regret. This works on both ends of the scale, as portrayed by the way that Dr. Jenkins listens to the music once a week, //knowing// that these masterpieces are the last examples of great music, and are being slowly destroyed by Dr. Jenkins himself. Humanity’s emotions are so overpowering when pushed to extremes, and that is included very much in //The Portable Phonograph//

Specefic questions
===When is this story set? This story is set in the future, after an apocalyptic war. Humans have realised now that they are a dying civilisation, and are trying to make the most of what little life they have left. I say this because during the story they give subtle hints to a world war (example: //The frozen mud still bore impressions of great tanks)// and, the surviving men seem to be trying so hard to conserve what little they have left.===

===What is the purpose of the men’s meeting? To listen to an ancient record and see some authentic books that provoke strong emotion, Dr. Jenkins seems a kindly man to offer such a luxury. The author compares the opening of the books to a ceremonial rite because the men are spun into such a cocoon of emotion and desire that they can’t even speak.===

===What is the significance of the books that were saved? Dr. Jenkins considered these works of literature as pinnacles of human achievement, which, in some ways, they were. The reason he chose classics over more modern books is because he wanted to portray the best of the best to a future civilisation, discovering the artefacts of the past===

===a) What do think is the significance of Dr. Jenkins clutching the lead pipe at the end of the story? It became clear that the sick young man could attack at any point, portrayed by foreshadowing (Suppressed coughing), so the lead pipe became a symbol of security for the old man because he could defend himself with it.===

===b) What do you think might happen next? The sick young man will attack with unexpected savagery, demanding the records. Dr. Jenkins will attempt to defend himself, though the musician will give everything he’s got, and overpower him. The blinding emotions will cause the young man to kill his kindly elder, and will back away appalled, running away into the blizzard to die for what he’s done.=== COMPLETION 5/5 EFFORT 4/5 CONTENT 4/5 QUESTIONS 8/8 TOTAL 21/23 Link to my google presentation []