rising action of the First Read: She Unnames Them
The rising action of the first read "She Unnames Them" by Ursula K. Le Guin includes the following events:
1. The narrator, who is unnamed but referred to as "she," creates names for all the animals in the garden. The names are taken from Adam's task of naming the animals in the biblical story.
2. She becomes dissatisfied with the names, feeling that they diminish the true essence of the animals and impose human ideas and expectations on them.
3. The narrator begins to unname the animals, taking away the names she gave them and returning them to their original, unnamed state.
4. As she unnames them, the animals undergo a transformation. They become wilder, more untamed, and more attuned to their instincts and nature.
5. The narrator realizes that by naming the animals, she had imposed a human construct on them, limiting their true identities and potential.
6. The animals respond to the unnamings by reclaiming their wildness and reconnecting with their primal instincts. They become freer and more true to themselves.
These events lead to the climax of the story, where the animals have been unnamed and have embraced their wildness.
The rising action of "She Unnames Them" involves the events and developments that build tension and progress the story forward. Here are the key steps:
1. Introduction of the Naming: The story begins with the narrator explaining how Adam first named the animals and how their names became fixed. This sets up the premise of the story and the importance of names.
2. Eve's discovery: Eve finds herself fascinated by the act of naming and begins experimenting with un-naming the animals. She starts by un-naming a small fly and observing its behavior.
3. The un-naming process: Eve continues un-naming various creatures, starting with insects and gradually moving on to larger animals like birds and mammals. She notices changes in their behavior and appearance after un-naming them.
4. The reactions of the un-named animals: As the animals lose their names, they become more untamed and wild. They revert to their natural instincts and engage in behaviors that surprise and sometimes frighten Eve.
5. Confrontation with Adam: Eve confides in Adam about her un-naming experiments and expresses her desire to undo the entire act of naming the animals. Adam reacts with disbelief and disapproval, causing tension between them.
6. Transformation of the animals: As Eve continues to un-name the animals, they begin to transform further. Some take on characteristics of mythical creatures, defy categorization, or even revert to prehistoric forms.
7. The final un-naming: Eve makes the decision to un-name the last and most significant animal, the parrot, which represents language itself. As she does so, it transforms into an ancient creature with reptilian qualities.
These rising action steps contribute to the escalating tension and conflict in the story, showcasing Eve's rebellion and the consequences of her actions.
To understand the rising action of a story, it is important to identify the key events that build tension and advance the plot. In the case of the short story "She Unnames Them" by Ursula K. Le Guin, the rising action refers to the events leading up to the climax of the story. Here's how you can analyze and identify the rising action:
1. Read and understand the story: Begin by reading the story "She Unnames Them" to gain a clear understanding of its plot, characters, and themes. Take note of any significant events or developments.
2. Identify the introduction and exposition: The introduction and exposition establish the setting, introduce the main character(s), and provide necessary background information. In this story, the narrator describes how the protagonist, a goddess-like figure called "Woman," named all the animals.
3. Note the initial conflict: In the rising action, conflicts arise and tensions build. In "She Unnames Them," the initial conflict occurs when Woman feels dissatisfied with her naming and seeks a change. She decides to unname the animals she previously named, which creates uncertainty and tension.
4. Identify obstacles and rising tension: As the story progresses, obstacles and challenges emerge, and the tension continues to rise. In "She Unnames Them," Woman encounters resistance and confusion from the animals she unnames. They struggle to understand the implications of losing their names and adapt to a nameless existence.
5. Track character development and relationships: Pay attention to the changes in character dynamics and relationships during the rising action. In this story, the animals' reactions to being unnamed reveal their different personalities and relationships with Woman. Some animals resist, some adapt, and some are left feeling lost or disconnected.
6. Build-up towards the climax: The rising action should build towards a climax, which is the highest point of tension and conflict in the story. In "She Unnames Them," the climax occurs when Woman realizes the consequences of the unnamed animals losing their identities. This realization leads to a critical decision and resolution in the story.
By following these steps and analyzing the key events, conflicts, and character developments, you can identify the rising action of "She Unnames Them" and better understand how it contributes to the overall narrative structure of the story.