Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story

  1. Purpose. Why has Proulx structured the story with back-to-back narratives by the two characters? How does this help her convey her purpose? What would change if she intermingled the narratives?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Purpose. Why has Proulx structured the story with back-to-back narratives by the two characters? How does this help her convey her purpose? What would change if she intermingled the narratives?
  2. Audience. How does Proulx’s story appeal to a reader with a twisted sense of humor?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Audience. How does Proulx’s story appeal to a reader with a twisted sense of humor?
  3. Rhetorical appeals. Proulx is often labeled a western writer. How does she establish her ethos as a western writer in the story?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Rhetorical appeals. Proulx is often labeled a western writer. How does she establish her ethos as a western writer in the story?
  4. Rhetorical appeals. What details does Proulx use to make her readers feel the horror of the crime committed?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Rhetorical appeals. What details does Proulx use to make her readers feel the horror of the crime committed?
  5. Modes & media. If you were to record Proulx’s story to be listened to, would you have a male or female narrate the story? Why?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Modes & media. If you were to record Proulx’s story to be listened to, would you have a male or female narrate the story? Why?
  6. Elements of the genre. What is the function of the story’s final line? Is it meant to be read ironically? Is it a commentary on life in the West?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Elements of the genre. What is the function of the story’s final line? Is it meant to be read ironically? Is it a commentary on life in the West?
  7. Style. How does the title “55 Miles to the Gas Pump” fit the story’s content? How does it shape your understanding of the story?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Style. How does the title “55 Miles to the Gas Pump” fit the story’s content? How does it shape your understanding of the story?
  8. Style. Based on Proulx’s use of language and sentence structure, how would you characterize the tone of her story? How does her tone contribute to the overall effect of her story?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Style. Based on Proulx’s use of language and sentence structure, how would you characterize the tone of her story? How does her tone contribute to the overall effect of her story?
  9. Style. What details shape your understanding of the history of the Crooms’ marriage? Which details about the characters shape your understanding of them as people? For example, what do Rancher Croom’s handmade boots tell you about his personality?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Style. What details shape your understanding of the history of the Crooms’ marriage? Which details about the characters shape your understanding of them as people? For example, what do Rancher Croom’s handmade boots tell you about his personality?
  10. Design. What does Proulx gain by keeping her story just a few paragraphs long? What is the effect of designing the story so that it ends with a one-sentence paragraph?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Design. What does Proulx gain by keeping her story just a few paragraphs long? What is the effect of designing the story so that it ends with a one-sentence paragraph?
  11. Sources. How is Proulx’s familiarity with westerners, such as ranchers, evident in the short story?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 2 - Questions: Analyzing Proulx’s short story: Sources. How is Proulx’s familiarity with westerners, such as ranchers, evident in the short story?