Engl 206: Short Story. Student notes on Munro, "The Shining Houses"

narrative aspects	interpretation	theoretical aspects
characterization: Mary's point of view encourages the reader to sympathize with her cause; she stands up for what she believes in; setting: "that house is bringing down the resale value of every house on the street": conflict between Mrs Fullerton and estate agent.	story centers around the issue of change in or threat to an existing community	two cultures, separate worlds: each refuses to take part in order to understand the other; shows conflict, power struggle
emotions orient us towards both sides of case: Mary vs. other members of community.	settles on the moral issue of one's right to force people out of their old community in order to bring in a new one.	inner world of self: Mary shows how she deals with the situation, "There is nothing you can do . . . keep a disaffected heart" (239); -- prompts readers to examine what their stance would be, their own inner morals.
character: Mrs Fullerton developed in isolation from other characters; she is only discussed by them; thus associated with moral aspects of land development issue, not personalized through interaction.	an exploration of human nature: exclusion of the individual as a result of group mentality and petty behaviour: cf. "And these were joined . . . each other for being drunk" (238).	"light of the flash": focus on the moment, no before or after; collective feeds off each other in the heat of the moment; remoteness from community: community vs. isolation of Mrs Fullerton (238)
points of view: (1) inside Mrs Fullerton's house, exposed to her feelings; (2) across the street, community point of view with Mary in sole opposition		Mr Fullerton's youngness contrasts with Mrs Fullerton's age: represents change (new houses) vs. unchanging.
characterization: all are flat except for Mary		character: stereotyped characters of community as young, idealistic, self-absorbed; no respect for traditional values and the elderly, except for Mary
point of view: story mediated through Mrs Fullerton's position coming first in story.	contrast of Mrs Fullerton's immobility vs. Mr Fullerton breaking away.

Other notes (DSM):

• stereotyped characters and their stereotypical expectations of community are imposed over the idiosyncracy of individualist Mrs Fullerton;
• power struggle manifested in torn up hillside, violence of men's work on gardens, legal strategy to evict Mrs Fullerton; children's party an interesting mirror image reversal of this: constraint of flash cameras and birthday games, then they go wild;
• reduction of values to money, what compensation Mrs Fullerton will get;
• gender issue: individuals under attack, rendered powerless, happen to be the women: Mrs Fullerton and Mary; real power lies with the men, Carl and Steve, and their "lane deal."