b) Comment on the title of the story. What is “the carnival”?
A Carnival is a travelling amusement show. The title matches the story since all the characters are mostly wearing, carrying or doing such an act that amuses or cackles up the readers. While it is evident how the workers in a carnival try to pretend things by not showing what they really are in reality, keeping their traumas behind the curtains and making others happy by wearing a mask on their faces.
c) What are some of the ideas that the story seems to be expressing? What do you think Carol Shield’s purpose was in writing it?
Some of the ideas that the story seems to be expressing are the relation between a carnival and the real life or in other words the major difference between reality versus illusions. The main purpose in writing this was to show that people in daily lives try to pretend they are better than others by improving their behaviors instead of accepting the
truth about their life. She relates to the best illustration as Carnival as the situation best matches with it.
d) Did you like this story? Explain your answer: Have you read any other stories with a similar style?
Yes, I liked the story as it depicted both sides of different personalities which we never give so much notice in our daily routine life. I haven’t read any story with such a style of writing this story had a unique flow and was very different and interesting, written in a very variant format by Carol Shields.
#3) Create another episode for “Dressing Up for the Carnival”, exploring the perspective of another character placed in this town. You might imitate Shields’ writing style and/or expand on her ideas or themes. After your writing is complete, go back to the story and see where your episode would best fit. Did you find it easy or difficult to match your writing with that of Shields? Explain.
Aryl a teenager, seventeen year old, wearing white color sleeveless shirt and black long skirt, is coming out of the beauty parlor at the corner of the market. She is carrying a book in her right hand and a white purse in her left hand beaded with silver and golden beads and small mirror pieces that reflect the background of the tall buildings and trees as she walks towards the bus stop. She is a high school student, who works at Layne Dribble under an accountant; her earning is about $8 per hour. She sees Mrs. Gutterson waiting for the bus, wishes her, but then gets busy with reading the book .Manages her time very well as is passionate to achieve her goal as a Charted Accountant.
This episode can well fit in after the Borden’s sister’s episode as it would be a good comparison of two different female personalities.