WWho are the main characters of the story? Describe them.
The sole protagonists within this short story would be none other than Mary herself, as well as Mrs Fullerton. Mary depicts a keen eyed -observant nature, and this is evidently backed up with her habit of “exploring her neighbour’s life as she had once explored the lives of her grandmothers and aunts — by pretending to know less than she did”. Mary exploits herself to be charismatic and holds a soft spot when it came to the decision of action to Mrs Fullerton’s house by supporting the situation of her neighbour. Mrs Fullterton is perceived to be an honest and courteous old lady who inhabited herself in her house within the Garden House community while not seeing her husband for the past 12 years who inevitably undergoes the most conflict within the short story.
What is/are the major conflict(s) of the story?
Man vs Man (Protagonist vs Antagonist) The most prominent conflict being displayed within this short story is the conflict between Mr Fullerton and the white houses community newcomers. The community collectively reaches a consensus that appearance of Ms Fullerton’s outlying house is the sole cause of the mitigation in value of the other houses and plan to demolish the house. Man vs Self (Mary vs self) The sympathetic character of Mary is what made Mary hesitant with her consent towards the replacement of Mrs Fullerton’s house with newer houses for the betterment of the community. Man vs Society (Mary vs community) The conflict between Mary and her peers is that the community tries to convince her approval simply due to the fact that they believe Mrs Fullerton will not find it as a burdensome task to vacate her home due to her lack of wealth and health not being as immense as an issue as it seems.
What is the main message of the story? Who’s side are you on? Justify.
There are a few highly essential messages that can be carried on after reading the short story, one being the distinguishing between legals and morals, in specific, performing actions through a legal outlet might not be the most ethical option. The “white houses community” intend to condemn Ms Fullerton from her home, and albeit them executing this in a legal manner, they overlook the morals behind enforcing someone to move out of a place so loved to them. In addition, the ideology of sustaining a functional society must mean to learn how to accept the differences of others at large. This is shown through the mistreatment of the older generations by the newer ones as shown through the “white houses community” commuting to fulfill their desires without taking into account the harm that others may undergo in the process as the different generations within this short story all hold numerous views as shown through Mrs Fullerton, Mary, and the community. I would side with the Mrs Fullerton for the time being simply due to the fact that she has such a strong connection to her home, and is currently going through to a tough time with her husband away for the past 12 years. It is explicitly mentioned within the story that Mrs Fullerton suffered an immense mental trauma as well as withholding conditions for her well being as her end days were near. If the community waited until the passing of Mrs Fullerton, both parties could have been satisfied as the community of the white houses could execute their plans with Mrs Fullerton out of their future outlook.
Emad 