The Beet Queen
Read the first 6 paragraphs from this novel written in 1986 novel by Louise Erdrich. Read the passage
carefully. Then write a well-developed essay in which you analyze how Erdrich depicts the impact of the
environment on the two children. You may wish to consider such literary devices as tone, imagery, selection of
detail, and point of view.
Also, the exam is this coming Wednesday. Now is the time to start looking over your MWDS's that you have done over this year, and last year if you have them. Choose 5 of your favorites, or 5 that you think will be useful. Starting today, read them over daily so that they are fresh in your mind for the exam. It will be well worth it!
"The Beet Queen" is filled with imagery and a shift that make the story profound and descriptive. The environment surrounding Karl and Mary is what ultimately determines their decisions of either returning to the boxcar or continuing on.
ReplyDeleteWhen the children arrive from the train, the imagery begins, delivering a negative connotation to the beginning of the piece and setting the tone. The children arrive on a cold day with "violet lips" and numb feet. Karl is described as "pale" and "hunched," a look created by the dreary weather. He is sick because of the cold environment he is in and is hunched because of his lack of interest and excitement towards the place. The entire atmosphere with the dirt roads and the "peeling gray paint on the houses" makes Mary and Karl put one foot in front of the other with no enthusiasm but only need to find the butcher.
The only hope that is shown in the dismal environment is the flower tree Karl finds. He takes advantage of this ray of hope by immediately burying his head in it. It immediately turns his cheeks from pale to pink and makes him happy. Because he experienced first hand the happiness that he could have more of somewhere else, he chose to run back to the car when he was attacked by a dog. Mary, on the other hand, could only spectate as her brother saw a glimpse of hope. Since she did not experience it, she did not know what she would be missing out on and continued down the dead and uneventful path to her aunt's house. She can attempt to make a life out of the darkness on her own without her brother who realized there are better things in life than could be provided by that town in North Dakota. This major shift that occurs when the tree is spotted is what changes the story. The story at the end as a flashback symbolizes the memories Mary must hold onto so dearly as her dreadful life continues at her aunts. She remembers these times and since her mind is not preoccupied with other things, she is haunted to think about what happened
I like the way you pointed out how the tree is like an abode of happiness in a dismal world, and how it is consequently the thing that Karl holds on to. He sees that there is more to life than what he first thought, and he wants to experience more of the happiness that he found. I think this is something that happens everyday. People are constantly looking for happiness, so they often cling to the things the being them even a little bit of hope. Unfortunately, these things can sometimes be more toxic than good. For this reason, we have to be careful to the things that we hold on to, and make sure we're searching for the right things - that is, the things that will bring a lasting happiness.
DeleteGrace, our blogs were quite similar when we talked about the tree. I did not talk about Mary's flashback, and I think you brought up a very good point. Since Mary did not experience the same feelings as Karl when they were by the tree, she is haunted by the dog's attack and subsequent actions. Many times, people do not understand others' actions because they have never experienced that emotion before. Because they do not understand, they must speculate about the other person's reasoning. This is what happened to Mary. In addition, her life with her aunt makes her wonder about Karl, and whether he is happier now.
DeleteGrace, I really did not note the significance in the tree in my blog, but in reading yours I was able to find that it really was significant. I took the tree just as imagery to juxtapose the images the author puts forth when the children arrive in town. However, you portrayed the tree and it's flowers as a sign of hope which is very interesting.
DeleteGrace, I really did not pick up on the importance of the two children running to different locations when they were attacked. I just thought it was almost like random chance that Karl ran to the boxcar and Mary ran to her aunt's. But I really like how you pointed out that Mary now leads a life of regret and Karl is happy.
DeleteIn this excerpt from "The Beet Queen," Louise Erdrich tells the tale of Karl and Mary, two children on a journey to find where they belong. Erdrich utilizes the devices of point of view and imagery to depict the children's quest, and to portray the way that the environment affects them. By using such devices, Erdrich is able to make the claim that one's environment ultimately influences their decisions, and it is only in analyzing one's surroundings that they can determine their own path.
ReplyDeleteA great deal of imagery is included in this excerpt, and it is quite profound. In the beginning, when the children are exiting the train, the imagery is very rough and unpleasant. Erdrich explains that "their lips were violet" and "their feet were numb," which causes the reader to infer that the place where the children have come from is not one to which they would be keen to return. This is significant in that it shows the reader early on that the children are seeking a new refuge. The children begin to make their way from the train, and the author writes "once they began to move they felt warmer." This quotation could be interpreted in both a literal sense and a figurative sense - both of which show the impact of the environment. Taken literally, the reader derives that the action of moving as opposed to standing still in the cold brings warmth to their physical bodies. This signals their moving forward. In a more metaphorical sense, this imagery shows that the concept of moving forward and seeking new paths brings warmth to their soul, because the children are able to denounce their old lives and venture into the great unknown together. Additionally, the imagery surrounding Karl is important in that it shows his desire for something more, which is instigated by the "delicate perfume" of the tree which draws him in, away from his past life.
Another important device in this excerpt is point of view. The structure of the excerpt in the way that it showcases the point of views of the two children is very significant. In the beginning, the children are depicted together, exiting the train while "scraping their palms and knees through the cinders." This shows the beginning of their journey together. The children continue to walk together, and Erdrich portrays the environment surrounding them at this point, and the effects that it has on both children - together and separately. The children soon get separated, which signals the children's search for their own path. They are then depicted on their own, however, as Mary realizes the absence of her brother, turning around in shock to see where he may have gone. Karl, on the other hand, is also shown alone, basking in the glory of the blooming tree he has happened upon. This is perhaps the most significant impact of the environment, for it instigates Karl's decision to abandon his path and to create his own.
KRAUS, I really liked how you talked about movement in your blog. Moving forward is an important part of a young person's life because it shows that they are maturing. For both children, moving forward is a chance to make a better life for themselves. Each of them takes a different approach to this. Mary adopts her new town and lives with her aunt, but Karl continues to search for something better. I feel like the two children show the ends of the happiness spectrum. People can either accept what they are given or endlessly search for something better.
DeleteYou are very thorough in your idea about how they move forward. I never noticed that part but it is very important that they felt this way as they began to get warm physically and also how they began to experience hope of a better life.
DeleteMary I think you brought out some interesting points about the reading. I also noted how that as the children went into the town the author noted how they became warmer. You took this a step farther with how much you talked about moving forward. I think that the children's new start in this town gave them a new hope about their lives.
DeleteMary, I think the movement idea is very touching. It is true that moving in your own life can either be for better or for worse. Movement in his poem is depicted in this way through temperature and color in the environment. The author is able to take a very normal circumstance and make it into a very tragic yet beautiful image to enhance the tragedy and hope.
Delete"The Beet Queen" by Louise Erdrich uses a variety of literary strategies in the first six paragraphs that greatly influence the message it conveys. Through the skillful use of tone and symbolism, the author is able to show the powerful way in which the environment impacts the two children, Karl and Mary.
ReplyDeleteThe tone of this passage is dull and gloomy. In the beginning, the children "stumbled and scraped" with numb feet and violet lips. The two have just finished what seems to be a long and unpleasant journey to a place that would be better for them. North Dakota, their destination, is to be their place of refuge from the tough times that have befallen the other western states. Unfortunately, the town they arrive in is just as depressing as the journey they completed. Not even a blossom colored tree changes the tone of the passage. However, there is a shift at this point in the work. Karl and Mary separate, and there is a moment of passive voice. This change helps highlight the helplessness and fear Mary felt when her brother fell behind. She could not help him, and this inability to act in a meaningful way is perfectly captured by the author's use of passive voice.
The blossoming tree also functions as a symbol that adds further meaning to the work. This tree represents hope. When the two children pass the tree, Karl stops but Mary walks by without even glancing at it. Her oversight shows that she has accepted the gloomy town as her new home, and does not feel as though she has any choice but to make the best of her situation. Mary is pragmatic, and takes comfort in the structure of society, evidenced by her return to her aunt at the end of the passage. Karl is just the opposite. He stops at the tree and embraces it. In a way, he is embracing hope and taking comfort in it. He is not resigned to living in the gray, unwelcoming town. He also uses the tree and symbolically hope to protect himself. He takes a branch from the tree and fights the dog that tries to attack him. This action shows how he uses his hope to break away from his expected role and move on from depressing town in which he was supposed to live.
Environment can be a powerful factor that influences people. Karl and Mary Adare are both influenced by the North Dakota city in different ways. Mary sees how the town is and accepts her place in it. Karl by contrast sees a blossoming tree, sparking an attempt to obtain happiness by moving on. In both cases, the place they were dictated their actions by reflecting their inner desire.
I like how you talked about the gloomy tone of the excerpt. I felt like the whole thing just had this dark filter on it as I read it in my head. But I think that was significant. Because the author wanted to show the children coming from a dark place so that there was hope for them to find the light. That hope begins to be seen when Karl encounters the tree, because the tone begins to change, becoming much more pleasant and hopeful. The tone definitely has a big impact on this piece.
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ReplyDeleteThe Beet Queen uses a variety of literary devices to show the shift that the children go through in regards to the different environmental settings that they are placed in. The author uses literary devices such as shift, imagery, and detail to show the change in the children. The author uses these devices to convey the shift that the children go through in regards to their environment and the effect is has on them.
ReplyDeleteI When the two children, Mary and Karl are introduced, there is a stiff tone to the reading. The author uses fine details such as "hunched" and "ordinary" to explain the children. The author also uses diction and details to explain how downtrodden the children are when they first arrive. Imagery is used to depict their weary state as they travel off the train and into the town. Through the descriptive language and detail that is given, thereafter can easily picture these children arriving in town by train.
There is a shift when the children arrive in town. They "begin to feel warmer as they move towards their aunt's house. There is an obvious shift in both the tone of the writing and the details that are used. Now, it is if the children are opening up and can be more positively described because of their new surroundings. There is an obvious effect that the new environment has on the two children entering the town for the first time. The diction and detail is obviously warmer, the author noting the children's "pink cheeks" and the "blossoms" in the trees. Instead of the cold, harsh language used to describe the children's ride on the train and arrival, now they are being described with warmth and positivity which juxtaposes the two environments they are placed in.
The author purposely draws a distinction between the two environments to show the impact that they can have. The two children came from a hopeless environment, reflected by the callous nature that the story describes of them on their arrival. Then, it moves on to talk about the anticipation and hope they have as they move towards their aunt's house. The author purposely does this to draw distinction between two environments and show the effect that it has on a child.
Good job, Abbey. You stuck with the theme throughout the essay, which is hard to remember to do. As I was nearing the end of my blog, I remembered that I had to incorporate the environment's impact on the children. You never forgot the prompt and spread it throughout the paper while using rhetorical devices.
DeleteI agree Abbey. I like how you point out the shift. In the beginning it definitely is very sad and depressing as you mention. But there definitely is a shift where they begin yo feel some kind of hope as they head into their new town. When I read the excerpt, I thought the whole thing was just doom and gloom. But I like your interpretation much better than my own.
DeleteIn The Beet Queen, Mary and Karl find themselves in a new and strange environment. They stumble out of a boxcar and into a pretty nondescript town. Erdrich uses to literary techniques such as tone, imagery, and selection of detail to bring this nondescript town and nondescript children to life.
ReplyDeleteErdrich starts off the novel by establishing the tone. The tone can be described as very monotone and depressing. Erdrich establishes this tone through her excellent use of imagery. Karl is described as "hunched" and "pale." Mary was described as "short" and "ordinary." This selection of details seems to imply that there is a mundane quality to the characters and a cloud of depression seems to continually rain down on the characters. The town is a classic Depression era setting. The novel was set in 1932, the height of The Great Depression. There is a Main Street with a few stores and sad looking houses. Basically, a barren landscape lacking in vibrant colors or anything that can cause joy. Reading the passage sets up the overarching tone for the rest of the novel. This tone is one of sadness and desperation which can be felt in the characters of Mary and Karl and the barren town which they find themselves in.
Knowing that Mary that goes towards her aunt and Karl goes back to boxcar seems to set up a story of heartbreak and tragedy resulting from the separation of the two siblings. This adds another layer of sadness to a novel that already has so much of that. Through the use of literary devices, Erdrich set up a very depressing Depression Era novel that explored the relationship between Karl, Mary, and the strange new environment that they find themselves thrust into.
I agree, Nick. The fact it was set in the Depression adds sadness to the piece. It really shows the ability of the struggle to take away loved ones and make times harsh. The poem is a very gray and dull image that is only darkened by the loss of loved ones.
DeleteEnvironment has the ability to affect the mood and wellbeing of its inhabitants. Louise Erdich is able to distinguish between the two atmospheres of two different environments by employing imagery and diction.
ReplyDeleteThe author utilizes imagery to show the effects of the previous land to the new land. The old environment is so cold that they feel "so numb." When they move towards their new life, they "felt warmer." The author shows that even the path to reach the final destination is ultimately harsh. The path is made of dirt and lined with houses of gray or gray peeling paint. The environment in the more distant with her family is depicted as a much more glamorous lifestyle with a "blue silk dress and the necklace of sparkling stones" and "red diamonds woven into the carpet." The world came crashing down around them following the mother's affair and child with a deceased and married man that causes them to fall into a life of an even bigger lie.
The diction of the previous life is harsh. The children "stumbled and scraped their palms." The children get injured from having to run away from their mother's lies, and their world is left gray with depressing diction. The people from their previous lives are as "dull" as the diction used to describe them in order to emphasize their destitute state.
When the family goes looking for a new place, "the spring clouds were high and the air was warm." The author uses more hopeful diction in order to give the reader hope for a redemption and soften the environment.