1. How does the relationship between the two characters compare to the other relationships in Boyle's other stories?
2. If any, how does their relationship compare to Biblical characters?
3. What are the main theme(s) of the story?
4. How do these themes compare with the themes of his other stories?
5. Where is there hope in not only this story, but the others stories we've read?
6. What is Boyle's message, when it seems that evil always prevails?
7. Why does he not take the cup away when he has plenty of time and realizes that its her?
8. Who can you relate with most in this story?
9. Do you feel sympathetic towards the characters? If so, why?
10. Do you agree with the messages Boyle is trying to send?
Monday, December 3, 2007
She wasnt soft, Cretive Response C
There are two main characters in this story so I am writing a letter to each of them.
Dear Paula,
I think it is great that you are true to yourself as an athlete. Your strength and drive to get better is unbelievable. I can imagine to get to the position you are in took a lot of hard work. And I am sure that the hard work is what forms your personality. From what I have seen, your personality can change from one place to another. It seems that you can be a very kind and friendly person, but also a tough person when focused. I can tell you do not really love Jason and I think that is what sets you back a little. On top of that, a couple days before each race you shut people out of you life even if they are trying to help you or wish you luck. Being an athlete I know when a little space is needed but having people around makes the training, preparation, and situation easier to manageable. I am sure eventually you will realize this. And I am sure that what ever happens between you and Jason, you will always be a strong, physically fit athlete who doesn’t give up on anything.
Dear Jason,
It appears you are a very laid back type of guy who takes things as they come. There is nothing wrong with that. You have your own supply shop and live an easy going life. There are times thought when you have to be serious. First of all lying to your girlfriend about your birthday is a bad idea. And then to top it off, making a big scene at a restaurant with Paula’s biggest competition right in front of Paula is a huge mistake. You should have thought about what you were going to do before acting that way. It was nice when you tried to apologize and wish her luck before the big race and I don’t think it was right for Paula to try to shut you out. The way you acted after she let you in could have been a little better. Finally when you tried to cheat things went way wrong. The problem could have been avoided but it also seemed like you wanted it to happen. Once you realized it was Paula in first, you could have easily taken a couple steps back and not given her the drink you made. It seemed like part of you wanted her to have the drink because your relationship was over. To tell you the truth she planned on leaving you after the race so it giving her the drink may not have been such a bad idea in you favor after all.
Dear Paula,
I think it is great that you are true to yourself as an athlete. Your strength and drive to get better is unbelievable. I can imagine to get to the position you are in took a lot of hard work. And I am sure that the hard work is what forms your personality. From what I have seen, your personality can change from one place to another. It seems that you can be a very kind and friendly person, but also a tough person when focused. I can tell you do not really love Jason and I think that is what sets you back a little. On top of that, a couple days before each race you shut people out of you life even if they are trying to help you or wish you luck. Being an athlete I know when a little space is needed but having people around makes the training, preparation, and situation easier to manageable. I am sure eventually you will realize this. And I am sure that what ever happens between you and Jason, you will always be a strong, physically fit athlete who doesn’t give up on anything.
Dear Jason,
It appears you are a very laid back type of guy who takes things as they come. There is nothing wrong with that. You have your own supply shop and live an easy going life. There are times thought when you have to be serious. First of all lying to your girlfriend about your birthday is a bad idea. And then to top it off, making a big scene at a restaurant with Paula’s biggest competition right in front of Paula is a huge mistake. You should have thought about what you were going to do before acting that way. It was nice when you tried to apologize and wish her luck before the big race and I don’t think it was right for Paula to try to shut you out. The way you acted after she let you in could have been a little better. Finally when you tried to cheat things went way wrong. The problem could have been avoided but it also seemed like you wanted it to happen. Once you realized it was Paula in first, you could have easily taken a couple steps back and not given her the drink you made. It seemed like part of you wanted her to have the drink because your relationship was over. To tell you the truth she planned on leaving you after the race so it giving her the drink may not have been such a bad idea in you favor after all.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
~
- Dialogue between me and paula at a Borders Bookstore over
coffee -
ME: Hey Paula, are you excited for your upcoming competition?
PAULA: No, not really, Jason's making everything so difficul around here - he won't
let me just have time for myself - I'm lucky to be here now! haha, how havbe you
been?
Me: Good, I just wish you had more strength to ignore that surfing idiot, you're too
good for him anyways.
PAULA: I know, sometimes i feel in my heart that I can overcome his temptations, but
it's just so hard.
ME: I think you should really look into what YOU want to do, and what YOU need,
rather than satisfying Jason all the time, Paula.
PAULA: I know,I know.
Me: Well, I just hope your getting alot of rest tonight, right?
PAULA: Actually, i am going to dinner with Jason, I guess it's his birthday!
ME: yeah, okay Paula, or just another reason for him to get drunk.
PAULA: You're probably right thats the sad thing, and all he wnts all the time is to
have sex, its like he doesn't even like me for me anymore.
ME: Wow, you just keep adding more reasons to the basket of WHY YOU SHOULD LEAVE
THIS GUY!It seems like every time you take some spotlight, he crashes into the
picture making it seem like it was all his fault, and everything was/is made because
of his very being. I gotta say, I really hate this guy. You're too soft to handle
these idiots Paula, i can't tell you what kind of bad news this guy could bring into
your life. You have a lot going for you, don't blow it all away over some idiot
like Jason...Look at the difference! Your intelligent, friendly, you have set goals,
you exorcise and have a lot of supoortive friends, and Jason! There is no
comparison, he's a dumb surfer, who smokes his life away, and sucks the good out of
your own world and he is defintely the most self centered person I've ever met.
Common, be real about this, he's not right for you...
PAULA: Well, I never looked at it that way, I mean he does treat me like royal crap,
haha.
ME: EXACTLY!
PAULA: I'll think about it, thanks for all your advice - we will just see how good
this "Birthday dinner" will turn out to be.
ME: Haha, well make the right choices, NO MORE GIVING IN.
PAULA: I just don't think I can do this, he is so convincing.
ME: Stay on top of your game, Paula, don't let him win! It's only giving him more
satisfaction than he already recieves from you!
PAULA: Okay! Thanks, talk to you soon.
ME: Bye.
coffee -
ME: Hey Paula, are you excited for your upcoming competition?
PAULA: No, not really, Jason's making everything so difficul around here - he won't
let me just have time for myself - I'm lucky to be here now! haha, how havbe you
been?
Me: Good, I just wish you had more strength to ignore that surfing idiot, you're too
good for him anyways.
PAULA: I know, sometimes i feel in my heart that I can overcome his temptations, but
it's just so hard.
ME: I think you should really look into what YOU want to do, and what YOU need,
rather than satisfying Jason all the time, Paula.
PAULA: I know,I know.
Me: Well, I just hope your getting alot of rest tonight, right?
PAULA: Actually, i am going to dinner with Jason, I guess it's his birthday!
ME: yeah, okay Paula, or just another reason for him to get drunk.
PAULA: You're probably right thats the sad thing, and all he wnts all the time is to
have sex, its like he doesn't even like me for me anymore.
ME: Wow, you just keep adding more reasons to the basket of WHY YOU SHOULD LEAVE
THIS GUY!It seems like every time you take some spotlight, he crashes into the
picture making it seem like it was all his fault, and everything was/is made because
of his very being. I gotta say, I really hate this guy. You're too soft to handle
these idiots Paula, i can't tell you what kind of bad news this guy could bring into
your life. You have a lot going for you, don't blow it all away over some idiot
like Jason...Look at the difference! Your intelligent, friendly, you have set goals,
you exorcise and have a lot of supoortive friends, and Jason! There is no
comparison, he's a dumb surfer, who smokes his life away, and sucks the good out of
your own world and he is defintely the most self centered person I've ever met.
Common, be real about this, he's not right for you...
PAULA: Well, I never looked at it that way, I mean he does treat me like royal crap,
haha.
ME: EXACTLY!
PAULA: I'll think about it, thanks for all your advice - we will just see how good
this "Birthday dinner" will turn out to be.
ME: Haha, well make the right choices, NO MORE GIVING IN.
PAULA: I just don't think I can do this, he is so convincing.
ME: Stay on top of your game, Paula, don't let him win! It's only giving him more
satisfaction than he already recieves from you!
PAULA: Okay! Thanks, talk to you soon.
ME: Bye.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"She Wasn't Soft"--Analytical Response C
“She Wasn’t Soft” is a story of a strong-willed woman, Paula, and her boyfriend, Jason, who together do not complement each other well. Paula is a world-class athlete who is gearing up for a triathlon (which itself is a satellite event for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon), and Jason is a beach bum who spends his time drinking and smoking. In the case of this story, the old saying “opposites attract” does not apply well. Although they are dating, they relationship is severely flawed. Paula feels she has to beat her rival, Zinny Bauer, so she tries to be extremely prepared for the race by secluding herself with her proper food and fuel for the race; however, Jason just wants her to sleep with him that night. The next morning (after the date rape), Jason wants her to win the race so she will forgive him and sleep with him again that night. Therefore, in the process of trying to spoil Zinny’s chances of winning, he spoils an eventual upset by Paula. The abrupt ending raises many questions. Such questions could be what are the motivations of the main characters and if their polar personalities create a relationship conducive to love and happiness. By trying to lead different lives than their parents, Boyle remarks on the influence of one’s upbringing. It seems as if by trying to live unique and distinct lives, they are not honest with themselves and distort their true personalities. Paula can find great joy in her accomplishments, but later in life will she regret all of the sacrifices she made? On the other hand, Jason’s actions are fueled by three things: smoking, alcohol, and sex. Will he look back and realize how meaningless and empty a life he has led? “She Wasn’t Soft” highlights culture’s obsession with high achievement and selfish motives of each individual.
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