Objectives: 1. Restate main idea of story
2.In pairs hot-seat characters and get insightful answers.
3.Answer provoking questions to assess comprehension
The Day the World Almost
Came to an End by Pearl Crayton
In The Day the World Almost Came to an End by Pearl
Crayton we have the theme of innocence, freedom, fear, religion, insecurity,
connection and independence. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed
woman the story is a memory piece and after reading the story the reader
realises that Crayton may be exploring the theme of innocence. There is a sense
that the narrator believes what Rena has told her about the world coming to an
end. This along with the teachings of her church persuade the narrator that
what Rena has told her is true. This may be important as if anything the
narrator is being somewhat naïve or innocent. Though it also has to be taken
into consideration that the narrator was only twelve at the time when Rena told
her that the world was ending. It might also be a case that Crayton is
suggesting that religion can have a negative influence on a child particularly
if it is taught to the individual through fear. The narrator’s visions of hell
come directly from what she has learnt in church. However her interpretation or
those of the individuals teaching the narrator may not necessarily be correct.
It is also interesting that despite the narrator’s
belief that the world is going to come to an end. She still remains adamant
that she will continue to be a sinner. This too could be important as it
suggests that despite the teachings of the church the narrator is allowing
herself the freedom to be somewhat independent and to enjoy her life. She does
not intend to allow the rigid rules of the church to hinder her freedom to sin.
Even though the sins that the narrator feels she has committed are relatively
innocent and may not necessarily be deemed to have broken any of the
commandments. The narrator’s father is also an important character in the story
as in many ways his actions reassure the narrator. Though at first his honesty
frightens her and leads to the narrator’s imagination running wild. If anything
the narrator’s father removes any insecurity that the narrator may have. The
fact that the narrator has never seen or heard an airplane before is also
interesting as Crayton may be using the symbolism of the airplane to suggest or
highlight just how innocent the narrator really is.
It might also be important that the narrator relies
on her father when it comes to finding out if the world is going to end as in
many ways the narrator has a strong connection with her father. He is someone
that she respects and knows that he will tell her the truth. This is in
contrast to how the narrator feels about her mother. She knows that her mother
will not be able to give her the reassurance she needs that the world is not
coming to an end. If anything Crayton may be exploring the deep connection that
exists between a father and a daughter. A bond that is often stronger than a
mother-daughter relationship. There is a sense that not only does the narrator
respect her father and his opinion but that she also trusts him too. Something
that is probably helped by the fact that the narrator’s father is a deacon in the
church. Though the narrator may feel afraid her father has the ability to calm
her anxiety. Something that her mother would not be able to do. It might also
be symbolically important that the narrator is in the dark when she hears the
airplane as Crayton could be using the darkness in the narrator’s room to
heighten the narrator’s fears. As she can’t see anything she is only left with
her imagination which is directing her to the darkest scenario possible.
The end of the story is also interesting as the narrator
appears to reconnect with the world. She sees everything around her as being
beautiful. Any fear that the narrator had is gone. Thanks to the reassurances
of her father. If anything there is a sense that the narrator feels free again.
That she can continue to live her life as she sees fit without having to worry
about the world coming to an end. The independence that the narrator showed
through her ability or desire to sin has returned and no longer is she hindered
by what may happen to the world. Where previously the narrator had concerns
about the world ending now all she wants to do is to live her life as free and
independently as she can. It is also possible that Crayton is suggesting that
children should be allowed to live their lives as free as possible without the
influence of negative church teachings. Childhood only comes once and each
child should be allowed to live their live as innocent as possible. There will
be time enough for growing up when a child gets older and becomes an adult.
Comparative Questions
1. What are the similar traits seen in both protagonists?
2. Did they learn from the experiences or was each just a mundane action in their environment?
3. Differentiate two techniques used by the writers.
The purpose of the story is to tell adult that they should allow there child to live a an innocent and free. The narrator was also in fear of her life because she taught the would was coming to an end. But in the end her father explain to her and told her it was just an old airplane pasting by.
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