Skip to main content

How are the Burkes different from the Aarons in The Bridge to Terabithia?

The Burkes, Leslie's parents in the novel, are the more involved of these two sets of rather self-absorbed parents in the novel Bridge to Terabithia. The Burkes are city people who have moved to the country to learn how to live a simpler, rural life. They are writers who are often involved in writing projects. Their parenting style could best be described as informal compared to the Aarons'. The Burkes share conversations with Leslie...

The Burkes, Leslie's parents in the novel, are the more involved of these two sets of rather self-absorbed parents in the novel Bridge to Terabithia. The Burkes are city people who have moved to the country to learn how to live a simpler, rural life. They are writers who are often involved in writing projects. Their parenting style could best be described as informal compared to the Aarons'. The Burkes share conversations with Leslie about music, literature and politics.


By comparison, the Aarons, Jess's parents, are more traditional, rural parents. Their work on the land and home consumes their time and energy. Their relationship with the children revolves around chores and what needs to be accomplished around the home. Conversation is kept at a minimum, even though Jess longs for affection and interaction from his parents. Their traditional style of parenting extends to the chores assigned around the house. Jess, the only boy, is given far more chores to do than the four sisters because all chores are assigned based on gender. Jess, as the only boy, must do all the "male" chores. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more