**If someone has posted the sections of the story before you, then you must find new ones for credit**
Monday, November 8, 2010
"Gulleywasher" Blog
After reading Jonathan Raban's "Gulleywasher", please find two lines from the memoir that resonate with or appeal to you and to your 5 senses. Post them on the blog. You can list them as #1 and #2, or merely write them in quotations--with proper, MLA citation. Then write a short passage--5 to 7 lines--about why they appeal to you. Do they remind you of anything? A story, perhaps? An experience? Enjoy the story, and explore your story.
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"The pictures on its walls were all of water: two horseback explorers were in the act of discovering a mountain lake; a pack horse bridge spanned a river in what looked like Constable country; printed on dark blue velvet, a Japanese sea was in the grip od a tsunami." (Jonathan, Raban)
ReplyDelete"At the back of the place, two poker tables were in session with the players gossiping unprofessionally between the reckless bids of 50¢ a time." (Jonathan, Raban)
They are very descriptive of the setting. The mood and the tone of the story really comes through because if these long, vivid descriptions. It reminds me of my grandparents ranch, out in the country near Cado. There are plenty more descriptive passages in the story, too many to name, but it is worth the read.
Good night, and good luck.
-Sam
"Its greasy waters were colored red, white, and blue by the neon signs in the bar window." (Johnathan, Raban. 37)
ReplyDelete"That evening a lightening-storm moved in on Baker from the west. One could see it coming for an hour before it hit: the distant artillery flashes on a sky of deep episcopal purple." (Johnathan, Raban. 35)
I liked these lines because they remind me of thunderstorms. I enjoy watching a giant storm come over Houston. Especially when you are driving on the highway and you can see the dark rain clouds in the distance. Then you drive into the storm and you can always smell the rain or the humidity.
1) "... a packhorse bridge spanned a river in what looked like a Constable country; printed on dark blue velvet, a Japanese sea was in the grip of a tsunami" (Raban, 35).
ReplyDelete2) "A Mexican seated at the table next to me was talking to a scrawny, pencil-mustached, thirtyish type, perched on a swivel-stool at the bar" (Raban, 36).
I love Raban's deep descriptions. I feel like his descriptions are never-ending. He sparks my own creative mind and gives me ideas for my own experience essay. He is not afraid to use fierce writing and doesn't really care what people might say. His senses are completely exposed here and he makes people want to keep reading more.
KP
"A woman laughed; a low cigarette stoked laugh that sounded uncannily like the hiss and crackle of the rain itself" (Raban, 38).
ReplyDelete"I know Wilmer! I was in jail in Wilmer. Buy you a drink, man?" (Raban, 37).
Raban's description of the a woman's cigarette laugh was an excellent metaphor to what was going on at the time. The sound of laughter that has had many years of smoke digested is a comforting feeling to me because I remember the laughter of older relatives who had smoked. The qoute about Wilmer brings a level of bonding to the bar that although contains mostly towns people, an outsider or two feels welcome, even if through an uncommon bond.
"That Evening a lightning-storm moved in on Baker from the west. One could see it coming for an hour before it hit" (Raban, 35).
ReplyDelete"The thunder was directly overhead, and it was immediately followed by a long kettle-drum tattoo of rain on the roof" (Raban, 37).
Both lines by Raban in Gulleywasher bring me back to a certain place, a certain time. The lines allow me to recall the people I was with, the outfit I was wearing, the smell of the rain rolling in, pushing down hard and rapidly on the rooftop. These lines bring me to Galveston Island, reminding me of hot summers, sitting on the dock facing the bay, watching a storm roll in, bringing in a cool breeze. I remember sitting on a swing, watching the lightning get closer, counting the seconds between the lightning and the thunder. I remember the people I was with, and how we were silent, just sitting and watching, enjoying the thunder and the lightning as the wind created ripples on the usually smooth water. These two quotes appeal to all my senses, taking me back to cool summer nights, allowing us to escape the heat for a while.
#1- " The rain fell in gleaming Rods."
ReplyDelete#2- "Mainstreet was a tumbling river, already out of its banks and spilling over onto the sidewalk.
These two quotes remind me of San Felipe right next to the feeder during a huge rain storm. Cars cant pass through the streets, and theres not a person outside. Its that feeling of your jeans sticking to your skin, and water slushing back in fourth in your socks; the feeling of being wet and gross. The tumbling river and gleaming rods are silent. The thought of homeless animals has always come to mind since i was little, in hopes that they were safe and warm.
"the thunder rolled directly overhead, and it was immediately followed by a long kettle-drum like tattoo of rain on the roof" (Raban, 37)
ReplyDelete"it falls like money" (Raban, 38)
The story brings back memories of rainy Houston summer days. I can visualize the sky opening up to the heavens and hear the thunder cracking in the sky.i really enjoy rainy days and the peace that comes with the chaos. this story puts me in a happy place which i can just sit and become relaxed.
Good
ReplyDelete#1 One could see it coming for an hour before it hit: the distant artillery flashes on a sky of deep episcopal purple.
ReplyDelete#2 The rain fell in gleaming rods.
These sentences, filled with description, remind me of a few nights ago when it was storming outside. Noticing the dark grey clouds before I went to sleep, I knew there was going to be a storm, just like the author of this story did, saying he could see it an hour before it hit. The thunder and lightning woke my dog up, her paws clawing at her cage and her little tail wagging. I noticed the dark purple of the sky and and brightness of the lightning, but i would have never characterized it as gleaming rods. I like when it rains, but not when there is lightening. This passage made me realize that even though lightening is frightening, it is still very beautiful and to some people, peaceful.