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The Cost of Endurance, Silence and Survival

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 In the short story  The Suit  by Can Themba, Matilda's quiet endurance kills her more than actually going through the punishment itself. She hates the feeling of embarrassment and the long term endurance is the most devastating part. Forced to serve the suit at every meal, which is a cruel reminder of her infidelity, she accepts the humiliation as it was justice for her infidelity. Her silence is not simply her being submissive, it is survival in a world where speaking out and calling out for help could mean Matilda loses everything. The Fear of Speaking Out Matilda's story resonates why beyond fiction it is true in real life. Survivors of abusive relationships very often stay silent because feels more dangerous than staying with their abuser, and the fear of judgement - worrying about being laughed at, rejected, or seen as “wrong.”. Survivors also stay silent because of power dynamics - higher power/authorities often get away with abusive behaviour, b...

Breaking Down or Breaking Free?

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  Breaking Down or Breaking Free? Disaster or Confrontation At first the narrator in the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, seems like she is going "mad". She is alone, silenced, and stripped of agency proper medical care. Yet, her final act of tearing down the wallpaper and declaring her own reality can also be seen as defiance to society norms. By refusing the “cure” given to her, she resists a system that denies her voice to be heard. Madness, in this sense, becomes both a trap and a weapon, a refusal to conform to serve norms.   Societal Norms of Today Even today, people who feel excluded often have to do "normal' things to feel accepted and to make their voices be heard. Whether it’s through protest, art, or public outburst, breaking norms becomes a way to challenge systems that silence them. From global movements for women’s rights to youth leading climate strikes, these acts show that resistance often requires d...

The Mask Slips

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Crisis Reveals True Character Poison by Roald Dahl is a classic that demonstrates how crises does not change people, rather, they reveal their true selves by tearing off their mask of decorum. As he faces the supposed presence of a fatal krait on his stomach, Harry Pope initially comes across as composed and logical. His whispered instructions and calm composure suggest bravery. However, his mask comes off when the threat disappears and what is revealed is hateful discrimination against Dr. Ganderbai, the Indian physician who put his own safety in risk to assist him, rather than gratitude or relief. Stress and Responsibility  Harry’s outburst, “You dirty little Hindu sewer rat!” is his true form, prejuidice embedded beneath the surface. Dahl makes it clear that stress does not invent cruelty; it exposes it. Timber, the narrator, tries to excuse Harry by saying “this thing’s made him so he doesn’t know what he’s saying,” but the venom in Harry’s words suggests otherwi...

Target: Your People or Your Brother

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  The Truth about Reality The twisted ending is intense as it shows how your own "brother" could be fighting against you in war or in real life. For example the story "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty highlights that idea. Two brothers in war are fighting against one another and they don’t know it until one of the brothers kills the other. This story is impactful as it forces readers the brutal of war in a way that news media and action movies fail to show. Different Narratives Painted The dramatic irony that is painted in the story, "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty, is that in many movies, video games and news media the narrative "us" and "them" is painted. Separating two parties against each other. Soldiers are seen as brave people protecting their country/party/what they stand for, fighting against the villains from their point. This goes for the opposite side (team) from their view. In video games and some movies it reveals one...

Fullfilled Life or Circumstance

 In the short story "The Little Match-Seller" by Hans Christian Anderson we read about a young girl who is selling matches on the streets, last day of the year. New years Eve. She walks around the winter cold streets no shoes, no jacket just a box of matches. This story highlights the idea/theory that society makes a very bad situation and death as an escape or finding opportunity in a bad situation. Making death seem like it's better than living your life to your full extent, falling into major issues. Poverty, finding business oppurtuity in your hardships. Abuse of any sort because your needs/wants are being satisfied or paid for by your partner. Lastly being a single parent due to it being glorified by being reselient. And there are many more. The girl in the poem illustrates/shows the raw and real truth of society. Society shys away and covers up the raw reality of child poverty and abuse. A late 2025 UNICEF report indicates that over 19% of children worldwide live in...