Short Story Results/ Theme for Essay

   I feel that the test was incredibly hard and unfair. I had re-read all the stories the night before and had come up with possible themes, symbolism, etc. but I still ended up doing pretty bad on the test. I think the main reason for everyone doing so poorly was because it seemed that all the multiple choice questions had what seemed to be two or more right answers. The answers were all pretty similar or all seemed like they would be able to answer the question. Especially the questions that said 'choose the best possible answer.' On those I would read through all the answers and be forced to simply pick the one that I felt in my opinion to be the best theme, etc.

   For my essay i've chosen the short story 'The Guest' and the third prompt asking to explain sources of pleasure and disquietude. I feel that the reader experiences disquietude at the thought of what Daru and the prisoners actions will be and of what the consequences will be, but at the same time, the reader feels a kind of elation when they find out what those actions and consequences are. The choices Daru and the prisoner make are not the safest ones nor the easiest ones and leads to suspense and anxiety, but they have both positive and negative outcomes which confuse the reader, but at the same time content them with the reality and morality of it all. These are just my initial, really jumbly thoughts on the book and the essay. I feel I can do a really good job with this and make it to the best of my ability.

   I like the idea of being given more freedom with the structure of the essay, instead of having to strictly follow a given outline. We still have to follow the basic format, but we have a lot more liberty to express our ideas in the way that we want to without having to tweak them in order to suit requirements.