Would you remember a story that you read five years ago? The ability to remember a story varies from one person to another and is subject to a variety of factors. In my view, readers’ experience, the plot structure, concrete themes, and unusual occurrences help to enhance the memorability of a story. The short story "And of Clay We Are Created” by Allende and the play, “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen is easy to remember even in five years’ time because the writers skillfully engage the reader’s mind, use a basic plot and make use of unusual events.
Visceral experience enhances the memorability of a story. Ibsen’s “A Doll House” identifies the reader with the suffering of various characters. Mrs. Linde had to sacrifice her love for Krogstad to marry a wealthier man so that she could afford to provide for her mother and brothers. Anne the nanny had to abandon her own child to care for Torvald’s children. Nora narrates her many years’ sufferings before her husband was recently employed in a well-paying job at the bank. Nora is constantly in worry as Krogstad blackmails her, she does not want Torvald to discover that she borrowed a loan from Krogstad. Dr. Rank fears that his death is imminent because he suffers from a venereal disease that was inherited from his irresponsible father. "And of Clay, We Are Created” by Allende narrates the story of a young girl, Azucena, who is trapped in the mud caused by a massive landslide. The sufferings of the Azucena and the efforts of reporter Rolf Carle to rescue engage readers to the end of the story where Azucena passes on. The experience of reporter Rolf Carle in saving Azucena’s life seems to bear fruit initially but the hope wanes with time despite interventions from various quarters. Finally, Azucena is briefly examined by a doctor and a priest blesses her shortly before her death.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Unusual or extraordinary happenings are more memorable. “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen contains numerous unusual scenes. Torvald scolds, Nora for extravagance without considering it is Christmas Eve. He thinks that lack of financial knowledge is typical of women, “Nora, Nora! What a woman you are!” Torvald uses diminutive names such as “Little lark” and “Squirrel” when referring to Nora. Nora has accepted her treatment as a doll and holds the same view about her children. Her position towards her children is portrayed by the Christmas gifts, she purchases for her children; a doll for the daughter and a horse and sword for the two sons. In the story “And of Clay Are We Created” by Allende Azucena the trapped girl cannot be rescued because a pump cannot be traced. The narrator calls the senior government and business persons and makes an appeal to the millions of viewers but the efforts are futile and she cannot locate a pump. It is ironical that even the President of the Republic avails himself for filming with the girl only to promise that he would send a pump. Sufficient efforts are not made to rescue Azucena the pump symbolizes lack of compassion for humanity.
A basic plot and concrete themes are easy to remember. The play, “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen majorly captures events at Torvald’s house for several days beginning on the eve of Christmas. Torvald treatment of her wife and encounters of various characters help to build the plot. The main themes include; the sacrificial role of women, parental obligations and deceptive appearances. “And of Clay Are We Created.” By Allende is based on a true natural disaster of 1985 which involved a volcanic eruption of Nevado Ruiz in Colombia. Azucena represents one of the victims of the mudslide tragedy known as Omaira Sanchez who was pictured by global media. The plot concentrates around the rescue efforts made to save the girl’s life. She cannot be lifted using a rope and a pump is needed to help her out. Despite an appeal to the millions of viewers, business and government persons including the President, a pump cannot be found in time to rescue the girl and she finally passes on. The main theme is compassion for humanity
The short story "And of Clay We Are Created” by Allende and the play, “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen are memorable. The two skillfully engage the readers’ emotions, make use of basic plot structure, capture relevant themes and use of unusual occurrences to expound the themes. The features enhance the readers’ interest and ability to remember.
