Silver Water - Amy Bloom 

•       Research the author - ‘Genetic criticism’ can be used to connect the author and the story

The story which I had chosen is Silver water by Amy Bloom So basically the story is written by a trained social worker and psychotherapist. The story was published in 1993 in a book called come to me.  So at first when I read the story I thought that it might be experience of the author but when I tried searching more about the author I came to know about her background which says she was psychotherapist so it is possible that she might have had such experience while practicing. The way author had described the bond between sisters makes me think that it might be the bond of author and her sister.

The story is narrated by Violet who has elder sister called Rose who becomes mentally ill, diagnosed with schizophrenia. The young sister remembers how she had taken her to some opera show and sang a song in a parking lot for her and she says it was like water pouring out of silver pitcher and Jesus would love to visit earth at that time. So basically she narrates this story to every psychotherapist who comes for her sister to show that the girl who sings jingles and advertisements is not the same who used sing opera songs. The story goes on with showing the struggles of family with child’s illness. Throughout the story family plays a big role even they go to different counselors and they also act as counselor to Rose. But with time Violet moves away from family for her study and but she keep visiting home every weekend and one weekend when she goes to meet her family and Rose, that very night elder sister dies.

•       Did you like the story? / Why? Why not?

I liked the story because especially it is about hope for the best. There is always ray of hope in any situation and one should not forget that. The way the family treats the child and her illness is tremendously courageous and sensible for me. I like the description of the story and the way the author had used metaphor for everything is very beautiful. I liked it because somehow I can connect it to my life and people around me.

•       Which of the literary elements did you find the most engaging?

·         Why?

The way it is written is very beautiful. Narration and the metaphor used in story.  Plot of the story is very engaging in itself and I really like the part where the author is not completely gone into emotions or into settings. I have found it very balanced but by using some medical terms I think the story lose its charm because if it had been written in layman’s language. One can easily read and connect to it. But because of this terms I personally diverted from the story and tried looking for the word for me which was distracting.

•       Did your interpretation of the story match with other members of your circle?

·         Why? Why not?

Yes, my interpretation matched with almost all of the members but one of the member felt that the way they were taking Rose’s illness was not so optimistic, it was pessimistic. But rest of us didn’t feel like that and when we tried to engage in dialogue, we came to know that she also had similar kind of experience and she was trying compare the whole thing. But overall all the members had similar interpretation.

•       Did being part of the circle deepen your understanding of the text?

·         Why? Why not?

I think it really helped in a way that we sat and discussed about particular story and it is amazing to know different people’s opinion and interpretation because everyone carries their own world with themselves. I also liked the idea of literary circle because you can actually come to know the parts of the story which one might have missed because sometimes I as a reader see some parts only which attracts me. So in this way literary circle really helped.

•       What have you understood about yourself as a reader?

I have realized as a reader that first of all I try to imagine the settings and then characters and emotions. I have also realized that I was trying to be in those settings with the characters, imaging the atmosphere. But, as an outsider, I try to be there untouched by any emotions trying to understand what is happening but as I read it again I was actually feeling the emotions and feelings of the character.  Also, started building connection with them.

•       As a language educator, what insights would you carry about literary discussions?

As a language educator I cannot say many things but I must say that this kind of discussions in classroom really helps children to understand different perspectives and views about the story and helps them to think critically.