Make a compare and contrast rough draft on the stories "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville"
In a world filled with diverse and intriguing stories, two remarkable tales stand out: "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville." Both stories captivate readers with their unique narrative styles, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes. However, they differ in terms of their settings, tones, and underlying messages.
Setting plays a pivotal role in both stories, creating a distinct backdrop for the events that unfold. "No Dogs Bark" by Juan Rulfo is set in a rural Mexican village, where the protagonist, a young boy named Juan, embarks on a journey to find his father. The rural landscape's vastness and desolation mirror Juan's internal struggle and his yearning for paternal guidance. On the other hand, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" by Katherine Anne Porter is set in a vaudeville theater, where a group of performers grapple with their personal struggles. This dramatic and often chaotic setting illuminates the characters' lives, emotions, and their search for solace within their performances.
Additionally, the two stories diverge in terms of their tones. "No Dogs Bark" is imbued with a sense of melancholy and desolation. The story unfolds with Juan's journey, marked by poverty, abandonment, and tragic encounters. Rulfo employs a somber and wistful tone, capturing the loneliness and hardships experienced by the characters. In contrast, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" presents a more vibrant and energetic tone. The vaudeville theater's lively atmosphere, characterized by music, acrobatics, and comedic acts, evokes a sense of entertainment and excitement. However, the characters' inner struggles and their attempts to find happiness among the chaos add depth and complexity to the overall tone.
Moreover, the underlying messages of the stories diverge as well. "No Dogs Bark" delves into themes of familial love and sacrifice. Juan's relentless pursuit of his father reflects the unconditional love he harbors, even when faced with despair and danger. Rulfo highlights the notion that familial ties can transcend physical distance and hardship. In contrast, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" explores themes of identity and escapism. The characters grapple with their own insecurities and fears, seeking solace and liberation through their performances. Porter underscores the transformative power of art and the pursuit of personal freedom.
In conclusion, "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" are two remarkable stories that captivate readers through their distinct settings, tones, and underlying messages. While "No Dogs Bark" immerses readers in a desolate rural Mexican landscape, characterized by a somber tone and themes of familial love, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" transports readers to a vivacious vaudeville theater, characterized by an energetic tone, and explores themes of identity and escapism. Both stories serve as reminders of the profound impact of human experiences and the universality of emotions.
Title: A Comparison of "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville"
Introduction:
Literature has the power to transport readers to different worlds, presenting unique narratives that captivate and provoke thought. This compare and contrast essay aims to highlight the similarities and differences between two captivating stories, "No Dogs Bark" by Juan Rulfo and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" by Sam Shepard. While both stories delve into themes of loss, abandonment, and self-discovery, they diverge in terms of setting, characters, and narrative style.
I. Setting:
a. "No Dogs Bark": This story is set in a rural Mexican village, highlighting the harsh reality of life in a poverty-stricken and isolated community. The arid landscape and the protagonist's family hut serve as a backdrop that reflects the characters' despair and struggle for survival.
b. "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville": In contrast, Shepard's story unfolds in a roadside bar somewhere in the United States. The setting emphasizes the desolate and decaying state of the American dream, mirroring the characters' sense of aimlessness and aimless lifestyles.
II. Characters:
a. "No Dogs Bark": The protagonist, Nicanor, is a young boy grappling with the abandonment by his father, struggling with the death of his mother, and searching for a purpose. His relationship with his dog, who plays a pivotal role in the story, showcases the connection between humans and animals.
b. "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville": Shepard introduces Eddie, a washed-up magician who represents the disillusionment and longing for past glory. He crosses paths with several other characters, such as the bartender and the woman in Act I and Act II, highlighting the transient and interconnected nature of their lives.
III. Narrative Style:
a. "No Dogs Bark": Rulfo's story employs a sparse and minimalist writing style, utilizing vivid descriptions and symbolism to enhance the reader's understanding. Through brief and scattered dialogues, Rulfo presents moments of introspection and raw emotions as Nicanor contemplates his journey and ultimate decision.
b. "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville": Shepard's storytelling technique centers around fragmented and nonlinear narratives, showcasing the characters' fragmented lives. In this play-like format, the characters engage in absurd and often surreal dialogues, reflecting their struggle with existential crises and their search for meaning.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, both "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" explore themes of loss, abandonment, and self-discovery within distinct settings, featuring complex and relatable characters. While Rulfo's story focuses on the rural backdrop of a Mexican village and presents a minimalistic style, Shepard's tale takes place in a desolate American bar and utilizes a fragmented narrative structure. By examining these differences and similarities, readers gain a deeper understanding of how these stories approach universal themes in unique and thought-provoking ways.