Blogging and house hunting
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First three responders:
Choose one or two literary terms from pages 437-439 of _The Little, Brown Compact Handbook_ (also attached in .pdf format below) and write a 2- to 3-paragraph response to Michael Chabon's short story "House Hunting."
All remaining responders:
If you see that at least three responses have already been posted, choose one of them and respond in turn, inserting your own usage of at least one of the literary terms.
The purpose here is to start a conversation. After three responses have been articulated, I'd like you to engage with them directly, cultivating a sustained dialogue that will give us a solid point of departure for class discussion.
In your response, DO NOT summarize the story. Everyone has read it; we already know what happens. Also, make sure you CRITICALLY ENGAGE with the text; your response should be the result of a CLOSE, CRITICAL READING, and you should site evidence from the text (direct quotations and page numbers) wherever necessary to back up your claims.
In your Subject box, please give your blog entry a fitting title such as "Imagery in House Hunting" or "A response to [student name]."
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| ENGL 106 reading & writing about literature.pdf | 210.09 KB |
Characters (House Hunting)
In the story House Hunting there are three main characters that are described. There is Mr. Houge, Christy, and Daniel. Daniel and Christy are trying to find a home to live in together after being newlyweds. Christy and Daniel's relationship seems to be struggling. Mr. Houge is showing them a house that he thinks they may be interested in. Christy is more of a polite person who tries not to be negative about anything. Daniel, on the other hand, is not afraid to say things that are rude and he finds everything to be a joke. As the three are looking at the first house it seems that they are all a little annoyed with the situation.
Mr. Houge is acting as if he is unsure about the house that they are looking at, and this raises some questions from the couple. When they question Mr. Houge saying things like, "Are you sure that's the right number?" for the combination of the lockbox, Mr. Houge snaps back by saying, "Why are you always pestering me like that? Don’t you know I'm doing my best?” As they finally reach the inside of the house Mr. Houge goes on to steal valuable things from each room. Throughout the whole story there seemed to be a feel of awkwardness and tension.
Throughout the story I could
Throughout the story I could not but be interested in Mr. Houges character. His stench of strong cologne, his harsh attitude with potential customers, his constant sweating and stealing; something was terribly wrong with the situation. However, Daniel and Christy did not seem to be too interested in the fact that something was not right. When Daniel asked Mr. Hough what the selling price was his response was, “God only knows,” and then reached down right in front of his clients and placed a flower in his pocket. If I were Daniel or Christy I would have been completely taken back by the fact that he had just stolen something, and continued to question him about the homes asking price considering this was his job.
I also agree with the fact that Daniel and Christy's relationship seems to be struggling. They are newlyweds and should be exicted about buy their first home together. Instead, it seems as though it is a chore. There is much confusion as well considering Christys father told Daniel he would help purchase the home, and Christy is still unaware of that and does not believe they can afford to buy such a large expensive house.
Plot of House Hunting
In the beginning of the short story, the 3 main characters (Mr. Hogue, Daniel and Christy) are sitting in Mr. Hogue's car outside of a house that is for sale. From the very beginning you can sense the tension between the characters by their actions and the descriptions the author gives. On the second page of the story (pg 32), the smells of the car were bothering Daniel and he was surprised by the house they were sitting outside of. It goes on to say that Mr. Hogue sounded "weary, as though he had spent the entire day dragging them around town," when it was the first house they had looked at all morning. On page 31 we are told the house was all wrong for them, but Christy and Daniel decide to take a look at it, so as to not upset the aggitated Mr. Hogue. As they are waiting to be let into the house, we begin to learn that the married couple came from completely different families (pg 34), which has seemed to cause some conflicts in their relationship. While Christy is trying to fix things, thinking of different ways to bring back romance in the relationship (pg 33), Daniel wishes she wouldn't, frustrated that is all Christy talks about (pg 39). We can also assume that Mr. Hogue has had some problems in his love life because of the toast he gave at Daniel and Christy's wedding(pg 39). As Mr. Hogue fails time and time again to open the lockpad, Christy asks him if he's using the right number. Mr. Hogue snaps asking, "Why are you always pestering me like that?" We can tell that there is more bothering Mr. Hogue than we are being told. Yet, Daniel takes Mr. Hogue's attitude as more of a joke, saying, "I think he just needs a drink."(pg 38)
Once the characters get into the house, we begin to realize it has been a while since Mr. Hogue was last there and the house owners were not expecting company. The house was different and this seemed to bother Mr. Hogue (pg 40). From this point on we are told numerous times of different items Mr. Hogue steals from the house. Yet as he steals things, neither Daniel nor Christy speak up. They seem to be afraid of him. Daniel looks at a stack of letters wondering if Mr. Hogue tampered with them and finds a hate letter that we assume is to the lady of the household(pg 44), which from the previous series of events made me believe it was from Mr. Hogue. Christy and Daniel look at the bedroom, where Mr. Hogue talks about what it used to look like (pg 46). We end the story with Mr. Hogue's chin bleeding and his ex-wife standing over him saying she is going to call the police. This is where everything ties in, making more sense to the characters and the readers. Then when she sees the familiar married couple, she asks how they liked the house, which from the beginning of the story never seemed like a house they would want. Daniel, however, replied, "It's perfect."(pg 51)
Appeal
I personally feel that this story is not very good I find it to be confusing at points. I really don't see the true point in the story, I understand that they are a new couple and trying to find a house but so what. It doesn't have much appeal to me but that may be due to the fact that I don't enjoy reading these types of stories that aren't true. I guess it could be related to a real life type of situation involving newlyweds and house hunting but it just doesn't seem relevant to a college student.
I think that other responses would most likely differ from mine becuase of the fact that I tend to have strong view points on readings. I am not an avid reader therefore I really don't like to read stories like these that aren't real and appealing to me. There may be some people with the same viewpoint but I highly doudt it. I just think its a pointless story and has no relevance to my life currently.
Reply to Appeal by aberwald
I have to agree with most of what aberwald thought about the story. I found this story very hard to read and completely pointless. I became confused easily as the story went from topics such as buying a house to the intimate relationships between Daniel and Christy. I really tried hard to find the central purpose in the story, but I kept coming up with nothing. The story just seemed to be very back and forth amongst topics, all while the main "plot" of them house hunting occurred. It just seemed like there was so much story, but no real point ever.
I just don't feel the story really appeals to college students for several reasons. First of all, most of us are not newlyweds, and are certainly not unhappy newlyweds. I found it depressing to hear about Daniel and Christy's troubles. Second of all, I found it hard to relate myself to people who are trying to purchase a house from a shady salesman such as Mr. Hogue. Overall it was just not a very appealing story. From the beginning to the end, there was little we as college students could relate to, let alone understand.
Appeal Really Does Matter in some Cases
I would have to say that I whole heartedly agree with both aberwald and idhall1 about not particularly care for short story "House Hunting". I dislike this peace because I believe the content of the story is uncommon and overall nasty. I mean who would try out a bed that will not be there when you may or may not move into the house. Also, if the bed looked messed up amd the room looked as if something sexual had already happened, the one turns around and does the do in the bed as well, gross. I really don't see how DAniel and Christy could "reconcile" in the mist of someone else's home which while in the act of "newlywedness" find out that the house belongs to Mr. Houge the realitor and his wife, now that's creepy to show your own house to customers.
I do not see how this story of a unhappy newly married couple is to relate to me as college student. I do some seniors or superseniors who are engaged but are not getting married untill both graduate. Thats was the only thing I could kind sort like the story, even with that the story was still not very good. I mean I am not looking for house and if I was as aoon as walked up to this haouse seen that the realitor was having trouble getting in the house that would be signal. I think the content was a little surprising, I was expecting something totaly different. If I were to rate this story I would give it two stars.
reply to appeal entries
I definitely agree with the sentiment that this story is not meant for college students. The fact that there are crude sexual references made throughout the story does not qualify it as college reading material. I felt very uncomfortable many times while reading, not only because of the sexual content but also because of the story line. I could not imagine myself as Christy in this story or acting the way she did. I would be very disturbed by the actions of Mr. Hogue, even if he was a "friend of the family".
Also, I dont understand why Daniel says the house is perfect in the very end. He knows that they have problems in their marriage and relationship and he sees in Mr. and Mrs. Hogue what these problems can lead to, but it seems like that is what he wants. He did not have any interest in the house until he sees Mr. Hogue bleeding on the floor. It is almost as if he wants the house because the former occupants had a failing relationship.
Reply to Appeal
aberwald thought people would dissagree but it seems she was right on, gaining the reply of many other students who agreed. I also agree, it was confusing and didn't apply to us as college students. I don't think we were Chabon's intended audience though. I liked how jdhall1 said, "there was so much story, but no real point." I kept thinking, "why is this important," but couldn't find a reason. I like to learn when I read, otherwise I find it a waste of time, and this story had nothing for me to learn from, detracting from my interest.
Reply to appeal
I think appeal is one of the most important things in a story. If it doesn't appeal to you, you don't want to read it. No one wants to sit through something that doesn't interest or engage them in any way.
The message of the story may not just be about house hunting, but about relationships. More specifically, marriage. Marriage is something that most of us aren't involved in right now during our college years. So, a lot of us can't really relate to what Daniel and Christy are going through.
Another thing that turned me off about the story was Mr. Hogues character. He just kind of pissed me off. And, it really bothered me that Daniel and Christy didn't stand up for themselves and make a decision on what they wanted. They didn't want to hurt Mr. Hogues feelings. So, I guess a lot of the plot and the tone just didn't appeal to me.
Setting of House Hunting
For the short story, House Hunting, the setting is mostly the house in which Mr. Hogue, the realtor, is showing to potential buyers Daniel and Christy. The story also takes place in modern time. The three characters arrive to the house in Mr. Hogue's car and stand outside for a considerable amount of time before actually moving into the house. Mr. Hogue has trouble unlocking the door, which forces Daniel and Christy to wait to enter the house.
Throughout the rest of the story, the characters are shown throughout the various rooms of the house. Each time a new room is shown to them, we as readers, find Mr. Hogue pick-pocketing random objects from the house. After seeing the living room, kitchen, foyer, and many other rooms throughout the house, the story commences in the master bedroom, right before Daniel and Christy decide to buy the house.
Imagery in House Hunting
The author uses a lot of imagery from the very beginning of the story. The very first sentence descrebes the outside of the house in great deal. In my mind it sets up the visual of an old victorian style house that is in a wealthy suburban area. Also in the opening pages, the author describes the intense smell in the car with incredible detail. This gives me a little more of an idea of who Mr.Hogue is.
As the story progresses and they move into the house, the author continues to use many details about the rooms. On page 40-41 the author describes the house as they walk in the door. Because of all of the detail that he uses, the reader is able to get a complete sense of what the house is actually like, and also reinforce the authors suggestion that the owner was not ready for his/her house to be showed to prospective buyers.
The author also does a great job at making us assume that this house means something to Mr. Houge. The way he is astonished when walking in the door, and the way he looks at the photographs and steals little, "unimportant" things, lead us to the conclusion that this house is important to him. These images set me up to predict this was once his house. Which in the end proved to be true.
The Title
I don't think the title really fit the story. Yes, the couple was looking for a house, but to me it made the story seem as if they were going to many different houses. Also, while the couple was in the house, they weren't really looking. The two were too busy getting busy in somebody else's bed. Gross.
I also agree with some of the other students. I understand that the couple was having problems, but if I saw a person, who was showing me a house, steal something from many rooms; I wouldn't just ignore the situation. I would be very upset and want to know what was going on. I would also ask more questions about the history of the house and the current and previous owners.
I understand that not all the stories in this book are not going to relate to us as students, but this story was very hard to comprehend. The events in the story jump back and forth and it is hard to follow along.
Along With Title
I agree this story was lame, the title really threw me off. It is never a good thing to start by confusing your audience with the title. I did not enjoy it very much. I feel like the story went no where. There was no climax, no big part that really grab my attention. I could see myself enjoying this story after I buy my first house but now I have no experience with it. I enjoy the stories that we, as teenagers almost mature enough to purchase alcohol, can relate to.
Also some of this book has some major "Oh my, I can't believe they put that in there" scenes. For example (page 36), the couple laying on a bed massaging each others feet. Honestly that is a bit disturbing, and saying that Daniel didn't pop a "you know what". I was not a fan of this story from the beginning. At least give it a title that previews what the story is really about.
Character and Setting
I think that the way the setting affected the characters is a very important part of the story. The main focus of the story has to do with looking for a house, thereby making the house they are in a very important part of the tale. The uneasy, messy, and overall odd feeling of the house was somewhat parallel to the relationship between Christy and Daniel. Everything about being in the house seemed strange and somewhat wrong to them, but they could not exactly figure out why. This tied in at the end of the story after the two made love. Daniel then realized that the marriage was never going to be absolutely perfect and right, and that was just the way it was going to be. I think that the setting of the story helped to drive this point home. Having the story take place in such an odd setting was not necessary, but it helped to amplify the emotions and actions of the characters.
Poor Character Development
I feel the author did a poor job of developing the characters Christy and Daniel. We got a pretty good feel of what kind of guy Mr. Hogue is and where he is in his life. We even feel like we understand his wife despite her only being in the last page or so. But even with an intimate scene i didnt feel like i got to understanding christy or daniel at all. For some reason their dialogue together was void of content or real meaning. we are told that they are having problems by the narrarator but we dont get to see a good example of it in their dialogue or their behavior. their snapping at each other seems all too normal and harmless. I also had trouble grasping the meaning of the whole story. The house that another couple failed in should be a negative metaphor or symbol but in the end it was positive and was what sold the house to the couple. i didnt understand this.
Theme
Although the theme is not very clear but the narrator develops the story based on human psychology.Daniel and Christy are the newlywed couples,searching for a new house and on one of their search trips they are accompanied by Mr. Hough who is a real estate agent and also somehow related to their family.
Mr. Hough can be considered as one of the main character of the story as the story pretty much revolves around him. Mr. Hough character can be described as inferior,greedy,egoistic and irresponsible.This can be supported from the various evidences from the story.Firstly he forgets the code to open the door, then he steals the things that belonged to the people who owned the house.
The tone of the narrator is also confusing as it raises doubts on Mr. Hough's character as he breaks in the house and doesn't exactly know the price and also steals things from the house.
Overall the story is confusing it just describes an incident that has not much significance and has no real motive.