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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 4 page book review argues that Strout's characterization makes readers come to care for the unlikeable protagonist whose personality is revealed through 13 short stories. No additional sources cited.
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4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KL9_khstrout.rtf
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a pharmacist. She is a large, abrupt woman who is quick to offer judgments, and is often moody and taciturn. She is, in short, not a likeable person. However, the
reader cannot help liking her because, as the stories proceed, they reveal Olives compassion and ability to empathize with others, as well as her considerable insight into human nature.
For example, in one story, Olive is confronted with Nina, an anorexic who is so thin that as she slumps forward, "the back of each rib bone" can be seen
clearly "defined against her thin T-shirt" (Strout 95). Olive finished the doughnut she was eating, wiped her fingers clean of sugar, and commented, "Youre starving...Im starving too" (Strout 95). In
response to Ninas incredulous stare, Olive said, "Why do you think I eat every doughnut in sight?" (Strout 95). Nina, at this
point, expresses disbelief, "Youre not starving," to which Olive replies "Sure I am. We all are" (Strout 96). In other words, Olive accurately and concisely conveys her understanding that she
overeats precisely for the same reasons that Nina does not eat at all, that is, to a deprived inner emotional landscape in which they are both "starving." Olive begins to
cry and Nina apologizes, but Olive "shook her head," indicating that she need not apologize and, after getting control of herself, Olive tells Nina, "I dont know who you
are, but young lady, youre breaking my heart" (Strout 96). In the subsequent conversation, Olive makes it clear that she understands that Nina feels helpless to control her behavior and
she encourages Nina not to give up the struggle. As this indicates, there is depth to this character, as she is a woman of "sharp opinions...stormy moods and sudden,
...