What is the significance of the title?
I would have to say, when I first read the title of this story, I was immediately thinking about someone actually killing their father. The title really did catch my attention but then once I started to read into this, after the second paragraph, I began to loose interest. As I read a long, at the end the author then gives explanation for the title by mentioning what her fathers last wishes are once he passes away. Don't get me wrong, I was relieved in a way that this was not about murder but I also felt that I was mislead to think something way different.
The author gave several examples as to why she did not have a good relationship with her father, different political views, his ambition with building guns, hunting, showing her and her sister how to shoot a gun at the age of 6 to name a few. Yes they had their differences but to think about it, what teenager does not have a difference with their parents? I remember quite well that I did but kids at that age are basically trying to find themselves and discover who they really are. The author discovered that she loved art, music, living creatures, and absolutely hated guns. At first, with this description you think that she is describing the differences between her and her father, but in the end you find out that they are very much a like.
Yes, she did not like her fathers line of work, but she realized that his work is art. Something that he was very ambitious about and it something that she absolutely loves. She finally realized that her father and her were very a like after a complete stranger went up to them and said "that's quite the machine you got there." (p 439) At that time she noticed her fathers cannon and then realized he was talking about her recording equipment which is called a shotgun mike. At that point, she mentions "my dad and I are the same person. We're both smart-alecky loners with goofy projects and weird equipment." (p. 439)
After realizing that they are one in the same, she became more fond of her fathers art and was more than willing to shoot a canon at any time but never a gun. She promised to fulfill his last wishes of shooting his ashes through his canon on the first day of the hunting season that way he was able to take his last hunting trip since he loved it so much and he will be shot out of one of his very own masterpieces.
Hi Jaime,
ReplyDeleteVowell is expecting you to think she's writing about shooting her dad. She's added a sensational title to hook the audience into her story. The title gets your attention, and it definitely fits, once the audience reads the story. But the question has to be asked: is this a good title?
I've had students in the past refuse to read this story because of the title and because of the violence it seems to promote. What do you all think?
Is she being a "morbid joker" like her dad?
Thanks for your ideas.
Take care,
Lauren
Hi Jaime,
ReplyDeleteI think the most defining moment for the author, when she felt certain that they could have a good relationship, was when she accepted that her fathers passion and love for guns could be considered art. I attempted to find the definition for art, and let me tell, it wasn't easy! There were thousands of interpretations of the definition. But I think Wikipedia's idea came close to describing what the authors dad was doing. "Art is made with the intention of stimulating thoughts and emotions." While the dad may not have realized it, and nor did the author, his passion for guns definitely stimulated emotions in his daughter. Emotions that actually kept her from having a relationship with him, but emotions nonetheless.
Carrie