Chapter 6 Analysis From Prose Models
Chapter 6 of the Prose Model book talks about description and how important it is to stories. It states, “In describing a person, place, or thing, we create a picture (p.83).” Here it explains how important it is to describe places, people, and things clearly and with detail in order to get one’s purpose across to the reader. For example, George Orwell gives a great description in his story when he says “It was a very poor quarter, a labyrinth of squalid bamboo huts, thatched with palm-leaf winding all over a steep hillside (p.83).” This description makes a very clear image in one’s mind which is important for the reader. If one gives too little description it will not the point across and it will be hard for the reader to understand what is going on. But if one gives too much information it will deviate the reader from the main point. Having a balance of describing things and its detail is key for one to create a good story.
One interesting short story one comes across in chapter 6 is “The World’s Largest Pile Of Scrap Tires” written by John Mcphee. In this short story Mcphee expresses his concern for the environment and its issues. He starts by describing the pile of tires and how even though the tires are not visible from one part of California, they are still close to it. He explains the appearance of the tires from afar and creates an image in our minds of a very high pile of indestructible car tires. For example, he states “The individual tires appear to be grains of black sand. They look like little egg-stones-oolites-each a bright yolk ringed in black pearl (p.85).” Each little detail given about the tire gives the reader a glimpse of how it truly looks like. It also makes the short story clearer and helps the reader better understand the concepts.
Mcphee explains, “Of the problem the tire pile represent, everybody is the cause, and the problem, like the pile has been increasing (p.86).” Here he blames the problem on every individual because they are the ones who own cars and use them everyday. As the tires are very durable ad have no place to go, the earth is left with these tires and they are covering up space that could potentially be used for something else. These tires represent large amounts of waste in society which is produced by its inhabitants.
