Post your Analyses (1-4) below the horizontal line--one analysis per student. Don't forget to title each post with Author's name and the type of analysis you are writing. Sign your name at the end.

Post your Comments below each analysis--one comment from each student on each analysis. Comments must point out a flaw or exception in the analysis.

Often you will find my suggestions, questions, and edits in your posts. Sometimes my remarks will be in red (like this). Other times I may just underline a mistake in grammar, punctuation or spelling. [Words and phrases that should be omitted are in blue and bracketed] Other problem words and phrases are in green. Punctuation and spelling mistakes are in orange font. All students should read my remarks even if they are in others' posts. In this way you can avoid making the same mistakes others do. Thanks!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Catholicism Analysis- While reading through Dubus’ writings about Catholicism, the notion of the importance of grace is hit upon. This made the story, “A Father’s Story” make much more sense. Keeping in mind that grace is defined as an undeserved gift from God, bringing one closer to Him, one can easily see how this ideal plays out in the story. Luke, being a loving father, decides to help his daughter in her time of great need. One may say it is just a father looking out for his daughter, but morally speaking, she killed a man and that man’s family deserved justice. He gives her undeserved help to save her life from imprisonment, and to ultimately bring her closer to him. This act of great kindness from Luke mirrors the great act of kindness that God had in giving us his grace. I thought the most interesting aspect of the whole story was when Luke claimed that he would not do the same for his sons, for they would be able to bear the pain. When questioned by God whether his undying love for his daughter was weakness, he merely stated that God must then have the same weakness to love humanity as absolutely as he does. - Sean

Comment: Sean - I really enjoyed your post and your ideas on the importance of grace. I would have to agree with this however I do question why Luke makes the clarification that he would only help his daughter and not his son. Why does Dubus make this point of selective grace and forgiveness? - Billy

Comment: I really liked your post Sean and your insight on grace. I do agree with Billy with questioning Luke's choice to only help his daughter rather than his son. Do you think Dubus did this for a specific reason or what? What are your thoughts? -Marco

Comment: After reading the through the material offered in the two links on the syllabus, it seems that Dubus aims to write about characters with flaws, and their relationship with God. Through his writing, Dubus manages to highlight the fact that God has unconditional love for all of us. I think that Luke's character was trying to justify his actions by telling God that he too could have watched his son(s) bear pain much like He had to when Jesus was crucified. However, God did not have to face the choice of delivering a daughter to a reality of pain, or using His power to protect her. In the end, Luke seems to find healing in receiving Communion as he works through the choice that he made. It certainly made for an interesting ending. Perhaps Luke's stance is taken as a man trying to justify a selfish choice he made to protect his child. It is almost as if he tries to tell God that He does not know what it is like to have a daughter, so He can't understand Luke's decision. -Amy

Refutation:

2. Literary Devices - The three literary devices I have selected to mention are narration (first person narrative), flashbacks and visual imagery. Luke Ripley offers a first hand account of his life in, "A Father's Story." This device allows the reader to understand his points of view as a father, husband, friend, and worker. In addition, an interesting insight offered by this device is the ability to understand Luke's relationship and conversations with God. However, having a first person narrator leaves room for ambiguity since the story is told from only one point of view. Dubus also uses flashbacks in the story, and this device allows the reader to understand Ripley's life when he was married as well as when his children were young. The flashbacks help bring depth to Luke's character as we see him as a husband of a failed marriage, and a father of four children. His flashbacks also help to show the contrast between his past life and his present life. Lastly, Dubus provides a tremendous amount of visual imagery for the reader. Luke is a nature lover and finds peace in the earthly things that surround him. Dubus's usage of visual imagery brings the reader into Luke's life in such a way that one can imagine being in each moment with him. This also ties in nicely with the notion that God is with him always. The continuous mention of "wind" carries a more significant meaning in the story, so Dubus layers the imagery of nature into the deeper meaning of God's presence. -Amy

Comment: Amy, I would have to agree that the first person account gives a far better insight to the life of Luke. We can truly feel his connection towards God however at the same time, feel his sadness and loneliness with the loss of his wife and family. I feel this aspect makes his character more of a comparison to Jesus because we can see how much Luke lost, yet he is still able to give back so much. - Billy

Comment: Amy, nice choices for the devices, I thought you were spot on. I thought the first person narrative was the most interesting device used by Dubus. I didn't recognize the significance of the wind like you mentioned, but looking back now I find that appealing in regards to all the imagery with nature. -Marco

Comment:

Refutation: Reading the story from a first person narrative also gives us insight into the fact that Luke knew he was going to help cover up the accident even before a body was discovered. He hoped for different scenarios that would not result in a dead body; however, he knew what his decision was without a thought. Dubus writes, "Then I threw the cigarette and hope both out the window and prayed that he was alive, while beneath that prayer, a reserve deeper in my heart, another one stirred: that if he were dead, they would not get Jennifer" (332). The ability to be inside Luke's mind and thoughts allows for this human tendency to come through the page. -Amy

3. Literary Themes- In Andre Dubus’ short story, “A Father’s Story,” an important theme to look into is the love that Luke gives to his children. It’s easy to say you love your children and would be willing to do anything for them, but in reality how many parents can actually say they’ve been 100% devote to their needs. Luke Ripley exemplifies extraordinary love for his children, especially Jennifer. After the hit and run incident, Luke and Jennifer’s relationship was able to blossom because of the love and support he showed his daughter. At that turning point, I believe Luke was able to reach God on a whole different level, making him an even better father/Catholic then he was prior. When I read the story I saw the accident to be his “calling,” a second chance for him to meet with God and turn things around. For Luke and the rest of the family, his love was unconditional after he met God this second time around, giving him a new perspective on how to go about his life. If there was more to read in the story I’m sure we would find Luke living a completely new, nourished life, with God by his side. -Marco

Comment: Marco - I agree that love is a major theme in the story however why is his love only selected towards Jennifer. Granted she is the only one in trouble but I feel there is a deeper meaning. Does Luke feel that since his sons have grown up, he has lost them and maybe there is still a chance to keep the relationship with Jennifer alive? What are your thoughts? - Billy

Comment: Marco, it would be interesting to see in what state Luke would find himself if the story continued. I did not think of that, and I appreciate that wonderment that comes out of that thought. I agree that he probably would be living a completely new life that slips in and out of different routines. Think about how he has to hide this sin from his friend, Father Paul. Aside from the theme of love, the concept of right vs. wrong seems to be at play. In the eyes of the law, Luke and Jennifer are wrong. In the eyes of a father, protecting Jennifer was Luke's only choice. In the eyes of God, Luke believes he will be forgiven because he has faith and God's grace is with him. -Amy

Comment:

Refutation: Billy, I felt as though Luke lost his sons and that's why he was aiming towards fixing his relationship with Jennifer. I agree there definitely is a deeper meaning behind this selection but I have to say that Luke chose her because he might have thought that she was his only shot at regaining a relationship.

4. Conflicts In "A Father's Story," by Andre Dubus, a major conflict throughout the story is why Luke decides to help Jennifer and says he wouldn't of helped his sons. I feel as the author's ability to connect Luke with a Jesus like figure and way of life was extremely strong throughout the entire story until the end. Why would the sex or person's ability to withstand jail be a difference if you were trying to create a message of helping all through grace and forgiveness? Jesus never picked who he specifically helped because he help all in need, no matter race, sex or economic status. Dubus's message is confused at the end because of this idea that he would do anything for his daughter but would have to decide on his sons. Why is this important? Does it enhance another meaning of tough love and if so, what does that have to do with a Catholic message? - Billy

Comment: Billy, interesting post! I like how you mentioned Jesus in the way that he would never be selective like Luke. But again it must have been for a specific reason not to help his sons. I'm wondering also if there is another meaning behind this. What is everyone else's thoughts? -Marco

Comment: I saw it at his attempt to remain in contact with his family. His wife is long gone and his boys are grown and have their own family. He sees her still as daddy's little girl and will do anything to create a lasting relationship with her. In saving her from prison, he is almost guaranteed to have a life long connection with his daughter over this event alone. He sees that he no longer has to protect his sons or shelter them from the world because they are grown men and can fend for themselves. I agree that it isn't very Catholic to pick and choose who to help, but as a father, he is just trying to protect his baby girl. - Sean

Comment: I agree with all of you guys. It is as if he lived life without a calling. He tended to horses and lived a simple life. However, one evening he woke up and realized his calling was to be a father and protector to Jennifer. There was a part towards the end of the story that mentions their eyes meeting in a moment of seriousness for the first time. It is almost as if he finally feels useful and needed. Understanding this doesn't help with the conflict that Billy identified because Luke has three other children, and his choice of how to love them is in his control. However, with Jennifer, he is helpless. It is confusing. - Amy

Refutation: Guy's, I think we are all intrested/ confused on why Jennifer is helped and the othe sons wouldn't be. I could also see this being a way the author would be connecting helping others out and why selection in help isn't something that should make you help or not help. Maybe this examples is to make us think and therefore agree that all should be helped?