T. Draiser (1871-1945)

“The Second Choice”

First reading.
Structure and plot.
• Why does the author start the story with Arthur’s letter to Shirley? What is the reason? Is it an unusual starting of the story?
• Does the author present the chronological or non-chronological order of events?
• How does it contribute to expressing the theme of the story?
• Does the author include flashbacks? Are they given through the characters’ thoughts, conversation or the narrator’s comments?
• What is the time arrangement in the novel? (December --> September)
• Are there repeated symbols or events in the story? Give your examples.
• In your opinion which is dominant in the story - the plot or characters? Give evidence to support your opinion.
• Describe briefly the plot of the novel. Does the story have a well-defined beginning, middle, end? Does it have a surprising ending?

Second reading.
Narration.
• The story is written in the third person. What kind of narration is it? What point of view does he present: omniscient or limited?
• Do you feel close to the narrator? Why?
• Very often the author includes Shirley’s inner speech into his narration. How can you prove that this is her speech and that some episodes are given through her eyes?
(Close analysis: p.75 “it was 6.15... ”; p.79)

Characters.
• What means of characterisation are most important for T. Draiser for creating the character? Speech portrayal? Details of the appearance, clothes? Inner speech?
• What do you find out about Arthur Briston from the very beginning (p.66, 67)? Through the eyes of whom was this characteristic given? How can you prove?
• The writer reveals Arthur’s inner world and personality through contrasts? What are these contrasts? (p.67 Arthur - Bethune Street; p.71 Barton - Arthur).
• What is the writer’s attitude to Arthur? (p.71 “Arthur was too gay and ethereal and too little settled in his own mind”.)
• How does usually the writer reveal the emotional and psychological state of the heroine?
• What is his main device? Comment upon the episode when she decided to return to Barton (p.76, 77). How does this episode characterize her? Barton?
• Does the author’s as well as your attitude to Shirley change throughout the story? How? Cite the examples.
• How is Shirley’s attitude to Barton and her “commonplace life” changing? Trace the steps that have brought about this image. How is it reflected in Barton’s description?
• How does such an important event as “getting the dinner” contribute to revealing the theme of the story and understanding the heroine’s personality? (p.81)

Setting.
• Why is the description of Bethune Street ”with its commonplace front yard and houses” so significant? (p.67)
• Does the setting aid you to understand the mood of a character or to establish an emotional effect or underline the theme of the novel? (p.69, p.78, p.81). To what extend does the author use descriptive details to develop the setting?
• What words does the author use for description of Bethune Street? (p.66 “commonplace, ordinary, sickly, dull” etc.)
• How is the meaning of “commonplace” changing throughout the story? (p.66 “commonplace yards”; p.81 “simple, commonplace souls”)
• Can we say that the setting on page 67 contributes to revealing Arthur’s inner world? Prove this point. Comment upon the title of the story.
• Some stories are humorous, historical, allegorical, psychological, naturalistic, or romantic. To which of these broad categories does the story belong?
• To what extend does the story reflects the experiment action, attitudes, and interest in psychology typical of the twentieth-century short stories?