Campbell Modernism Flashcards
What is Dexter Green’s hometown, and why is it significant?
Dexter is from Black Bear, Minnesota. His small-town upbringing and modest background contrast sharply with the elite world he aspires to join, which fuels his ambition and insecurity.
What is Dexter’s father’s profession, and how does it reflect their socioeconomic status?
A: Dexter’s father owns “the second-best grocery store in Black Bear,” indicating that while Dexter’s family is well-off by local standards, they are not part of the elite class Dexter desires to join.
Q: What is Dexter’s mother’s background, and how does it shape his life?
A: Dexter’s mother, Krimslich, was a Bohemian immigrant from the peasant class who spoke broken English. Her humble origins highlight the cultural and social gap Dexter must bridge to fit into the elite world he yearns for.
Q: Why does Dexter choose to attend an Ivy League school, and what challenges does he face there?
A: Dexter attends an Ivy League school, likely Princeton, instead of the University of Minnesota. Despite financial hardship, he believes the prestigious education will help him achieve his dreams. However, he feels out of place among wealthier classmates, highlighting his status as a “parvenu.”
Q: What does the term “parvenu” mean, and how does it apply to Dexter?
A: A “parvenu” is someone who has recently acquired wealth or status but lacks the accompanying social grace. Dexter, who rises above his modest beginnings, constantly struggles to mask his background and fit into elite society.
Q: How does Dexter’s quest for “glittering things” shape his decisions?
A: Dexter is driven not by a desire for meaningful relationships but by his obsession with wealth, status, and symbols of success. This fixation influences his choices, including his romantic pursuit of Judy Jones.
Q: What does Judy Jones symbolize in Dexter’s life?
A: Judy Jones represents the wealth and elite lifestyle Dexter longs for. His attraction to her stems from her symbolic value rather than genuine love, making her akin to a “glittering thing” he desires to possess.
Q: How does Dexter’s view of Judy and his ambitions change by the end of the story?
A: At the end, Dexter learns Judy married a terrible man, and her beauty has faded. This realization leaves him disillusioned, understanding that his lifelong pursuit of wealth and status, symbolized by Judy, was ultimately hollow and meaningless.
Q: How is the theme of the American Dream critiqued in “Winter Dreams”?
A: The story critiques the American Dream by showing how Dexter’s pursuit of wealth and status leads to emptiness rather than fulfillment. His desire for “glittering things” underscores the futility of materialistic ambitions.
Q: Where is Hills like white Elephats, and why is it significant?
A: The story takes place in a train station in the Ebro Valley, Spain. The barren, dry landscape reflects the emotional and moral tension between the characters. It’s the perfect backdrop for the unspoken conflict over abortion, a controversial topic in a rigid, patriarchal 1920s-30s society.
Q: What is the relationship dynamic between the American man and the woman (Jig)?
A: The man is manipulative and dismissive, reducing the abortion to a “simple operation” to pressure Jig. Jig, in contrast, is hesitant, emotionally vulnerable, and avoids direct confrontation because she fears abandonment.
Q: What does the phrase “hills like white elephants” symbolize?
A: The “white elephants” symbolize the pregnancy, which is seen as a burdensome gift that neither character openly welcomes. The hills serve as a metaphor for Jig’s internal struggle and their uneven power dynamic.
Q: How does the dialogue illustrate a breakdown in communication?
A: The man dominates the conversation, dismissing Jig’s emotions. Jig evades direct answers, signaling her reluctance. Their fragmented communication mirrors the fractured nature of their relationship and the unspoken societal pressures they face.
Q: What are the interpretations of the story’s ending?
A: Most readers interpret that the man successfully pressures Jig into the abortion, against her wishes. An alternative view is that Jig subtly decides not to comply, choosing her own path. The ambiguity forces readers to reflect on the larger implications of gender, power, and autonomy.
Q: What is the symbolic meaning of the gilded coin?
A: The gilded coin appears valuable but is fake, symbolizing Slemmons’ deceit and the illusion of wealth. It also serves as a metaphor for Missie May’s mistake, highlighting superficiality versus authenticity.
Q: How is Joe depicted as an authentic character?
A: Joe’s consistent love and forgiveness toward Missie May, even after her betrayal, depict him as a genuinely kind and devoted husband. His resilience restores their relationship, contrasting with Slemmons’ false charm.
Q: How does the story represent marriage?
A: The story portrays marriage as something that can endure mistakes and betrayals through love, forgiveness, and time. Joe’s love for Missie May overcomes her moment of weakness, creating a uniquely optimistic depiction of reconciliation.
Q: How does the community in Eatonville reflect the themes of the story?
A: Eatonville represents a safe, authentic environment. The story’s negative forces, like Slemmons, come from outside the community, emphasizing a cultural critique of materialism and valuing inner strength over external appearances.
Q: What does Harry’s gangrene symbolize?
A: The gangrene symbolizes Harry’s moral and creative decay. It reflects his existential despair, regret over wasted time, and the loss of his artistic potential.
Q: How is Harry’s marriage to Helen characterized?
A: Their marriage is transactional rather than emotional. Harry married Helen for her wealth, and Helen admired the idea of him. Their shallow connection underscores themes of modernist disillusionment and inauthenticity.
Q: What is the significance of Harry’s flashbacks?
A: The flashbacks reveal Harry’s traumatic past, including experiences in WWI and regrets over wasted opportunities. They depict his existential struggle and how his creative potential was sacrificed for material comforts.
Q: What does the epigraph about the leopard symbolize?
A: The leopard found frozen on Kilimanjaro’s slopes symbolizes enigmatic human endeavors and the quest for meaning. Like the leopard, Harry’s life reflects ambition and struggle, culminating in an ambiguous and solitary end.
Q: Who is Laura, and what is her role in the socialist movement?
A: Laura is a disillusioned socialist teacher who smuggles drugs and messages for prisoners. However, she feels disconnected from her work, her students, and the revolutionary cause.
Q: How does Braggioni embody the failure of the revolutionary movement?
A: Braggioni is selfish, materialistic, and narcissistic. Despite being a leader, he prioritizes his comfort and power over revolutionary ideals. His character reflects the movement’s hypocrisy and lack of authenticity.
