Ann Petry - Like a Winding Sheet (Overview - Part 4)

Read part 1 of this overview which includes a brief introduction, includes a link to the full text of the story, some details about the author's life as well as an analysis of setting and plot.

Part 2 contains an analysis of the characters that appear in the story and the point of view.

Part 3 discusses the symbolism found in this complex short story while this final post deals with the themes and the title of the story. 

Ann Petry - Like a Winding Sheet (Overview - Part 3)

Read part 1 of this overview which includes a brief introduction, includes a link to the full text of the story, some details about the author's life as well as an analysis of setting, plot.

Part 2 contains an analysis of the characters that appear in the story and the point of view. 

This part discusses the symbolism found in this complex short story.

Part 4 follows to discuss the themes and the title of the story.

Ann Petry - Like a Winding Sheet (Overview - Part 2)

Read part 1 of this overview which includes a brief introduction, includes a link to the full text of the story, some details about the author's life as well as an analysis of setting, plot. 

This second installment contains an analysis of the characters that appear in the story and the point of view. 

Part 3 discusses the symbols found in the story.

Part 4 deals with the story's title (how it foreshadows the ending) and themes.

Ann Petry - Like a Winding Sheet (Overview - Part 1)

Many read "Like a Winding Sheet" and conclude the drama that ensues has to do with race. Yes, that indeed would be the obvious conclusion. However, details pertaining to lipstick, tossing one's head back, lifting hair away from one's nape tell a different story. 

This story is Ann Petry's primary narrative, I feel, as more care has been given to leave a trail of feminine breadcrumbs against the manifest backdrop of racial inequality and heartless behavior by those in a position of power, which happen to be the destructive forces behind further victimization. Petry manages to show just how everything comes full circle in the worst possible way when people try their damnedest to be the brutes they shouldn't be in their dealings with others.

C2 Sample Essay 25 (Science versus Economics/Language)

Writing at C2 level (Proficient User) on English language examinations is the same no matter the awarding body when it comes to writing essays. If you are a candidate giving an exam in English, make sure you read my earlier post What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog? to get the most out of the sample essays provided on this blog. 

If you are not taking an exam but need ideas on whether a government should fund science-related subjects more than other disciplines, then read on and note down what you deem useful. If you intend to use this essay as part of an assignment, remember to paraphrase so as not to plagiarize.

Oracle & Folly du Jour: On the Root of All Evil

Top Tips for Speaking Examinations: Two-Sided Opinion Questions

Exams which test your knowledge of the English language test oral competency in their majority. The topics on which the questions are based are numerous, so it is much more difficult to predict what candidates will be confronted with on the day of the test.

However, no matter the level of the test, the awarding body or the format of the oral examination, what can be predicted is the type of question that will be asked. 

In this blog post, I will deal with what I call two-sided opinion questions and the steps candidates can follow to tackle them effectively and achieve a better score than if they had no idea what to expect before entering the exam room.

Examples will follow for clarification, naturally.

C2 Sample Essay 22 (Women's status)

Writing at C2 level (Proficient User) on English language examinations is the same no matter the awarding body when it comes to writing essays. If you are a candidate giving an exam in English, make sure you read my earlier post What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog? to get the most out of the sample essays provided on this blog. 

If you are not taking an exam but need ideas on the causes that have led to the change in women's status over the years, then read on and note down what you deem useful. If you intend to use this essay as part of an assignment, remember to paraphrase so as not to plagiarize.

10 More IELTS Cue Card Questions (part 4)

Please note that the following questions are not only for those sitting the IELTS examination. Teachers, students or anyone who wants to improve their spoken English can use them to practice speaking.

All you have to do is practice with a tutor or speaking partner, or even by yourself. Use a stopwatch to time your answers -- a reasonable answer should last 2-5 minutes. 

For IELTS test takers, this is the fourth list of cue card questions, so if you haven't seen the previous lists, you can find them here (part 1), here (part 2) and here (part 3). Remember to limit your answers to 2 minutes.

IELTS candidates should also read the tips for Part 2 of the Speaking section here:IELTS Speaking: Part 2 Sample Questions (List 1) & Tips.

Kate Chopin - A Pair of Silk Stockings (Overview - Part 2)

Before reading this post, if you haven't already done so, please read the first part here. It has a very brief note on the story's author, covers the plot, characters and setting.

You can find the story itself here.

This second part will deal with point of view, themes, symbolism, irony, the story's title, and will try to give some explanations as to the reasons why Mrs. Sommers gave in to temptation.