The structure of Annie Proulx's Job History does not follow the typical structure of a short story. There is no real rising action and definitive climax. Rather, the structure of the story mimics real life. It follows one man through the ups and downs of his life, pointing out significant moments and referencing various historical events.
I think that this story could not have been told any other way. The chronological structure of the story emphasizes the message of the story. As the reader watches Leeland journey through life, a lot of things come up that seem sort of irrelevant, but often we find out later that they are very important. For example, it seems sort of like just a fun fact that he feeds his baby beer to keep it quiet. Of course, when the child has convulsions and suffers brain damage that seems kind of important. (Don't feed your baby beer.)
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I really liked this story, it was sad of course, but you have to give Leeland some credit for always bouncing back after he gets knocked down. I agree, beer is not for babies
ReplyDeleteLittle facts about what the character notices might tell us what they consider important in life...or something like that. I'm kinda shooting in the dark on that one.
ReplyDeleteI liked the way this story was to the point. Each sentence told something significant about Leeland.
ReplyDeleteI think by not mentioning Leeland's wife Lori many miss the dynamic of their relationship, or lack thereof. She is only mentioned as doing just like he is doing everything and anything to keep the family afloat. I think it is interesting to note her refusal to have an abortion and the small mention of how Leeland stayed by her bed until she died from cancer. Even impersonal relationships are deep.
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