A Thousand Acres Dialectical Journal
Simmy Shah
Quotes | Commentary | “When I think of them now, I think of how they probably seen nearly as little world as I had by that time” (5). | This quote displays the importance of the first person point of view in this novel. The unique perspective from Ginny not only allows the reader to view the events from her own angle, but it also allows the readers to understand her personality. In addition, this quote describes the tragedy of the farmer’s life: no new possibilities of adventure or travel. This foretells the possible challenges that occur between generations because the elders do not have an open mind. | “My father’s pride, always touchy, had been injured to the quick” (21). | This first description of Larry Cook illustrates one of his faults, pride, and prophesies the problems that will occur. The audience also begins to understand Ginny’s and her family’s lifestyle is revolved around her father. | “I saw that maybe Caroline had mistaken what we were talking about, and spoken as a lawyer when she should have spoken as a daughter. On the other hand, perhaps she hadn’t mistaken anything at all, and had simply spoken as a woman rather than as a daughter” (21). | This portrayal of Caroline makes it seem that she will prove a challenge to the authority of Larry Cook and will not act like “normal” women in Cabot because she speaks what is on her mind, not what she should say as the youngest daughter. However, it also seems that this is the first time for Ginny to realize that having the ability to express her opinions and stand up to her father is not wrong. | “That laughing, musical boy, the impossible merry James Dean, had been stolen away” (32). | This allusion and comparison to James Dean, a cultural icon in the 1970’s, displays the contrast between Pete’s personalities over time. It is clear what toll the farm’s endless amount of work taken upon farmers. | “One of the many benefits of this private project, I thought at the time, was it
Quotes | Commentary | “When I think of them now, I think of how they probably seen nearly as little world as I had by that time” (5). | This quote displays the importance of the first person point of view in this novel. The unique perspective from Ginny not only allows the reader to view the events from her own angle, but it also allows the readers to understand her personality. In addition, this quote describes the tragedy of the farmer’s life: no new possibilities of adventure or travel. This foretells the possible challenges that occur between generations because the elders do not have an open mind. | “My father’s pride, always touchy, had been injured to the quick” (21). | This first description of Larry Cook illustrates one of his faults, pride, and prophesies the problems that will occur. The audience also begins to understand Ginny’s and her family’s lifestyle is revolved around her father. | “I saw that maybe Caroline had mistaken what we were talking about, and spoken as a lawyer when she should have spoken as a daughter. On the other hand, perhaps she hadn’t mistaken anything at all, and had simply spoken as a woman rather than as a daughter” (21). | This portrayal of Caroline makes it seem that she will prove a challenge to the authority of Larry Cook and will not act like “normal” women in Cabot because she speaks what is on her mind, not what she should say as the youngest daughter. However, it also seems that this is the first time for Ginny to realize that having the ability to express her opinions and stand up to her father is not wrong. | “That laughing, musical boy, the impossible merry James Dean, had been stolen away” (32). | This allusion and comparison to James Dean, a cultural icon in the 1970’s, displays the contrast between Pete’s personalities over time. It is clear what toll the farm’s endless amount of work taken upon farmers. | “One of the many benefits of this private project, I thought at the time, was it