Round 7 Review

Ocean Child:  http://www.npr.org/2011/10/23/141622174/ocean-child

In the story "Ocean Child," the author jumps right into the action of the story. The short story is about a young mother with a child that has down syndrome and is stuck with a family that doesn't support her trying to help the baby as much as she can. They believe that since the little girl has down syndrome, she is essentially worthless. The mother then takes her baby to the beach in attempt to follow the directions of the baby books she read; which tell her to treat the child normally and to do things with her that will stimulate her brain. The mother figures that no place could be more stimulating than the beach. The author is very effective in getting across that the family doesn't support the baby, and you almost get the feel that they would rather her not have had it at all. I liked the ending especially, when she finally takes her baby to the beach. The ending line was the one that caught my attention most, it was creative, abstract and described in a way that I could picture what was going on perfectly: "The horizon stretched out like a new beginning exchanged for an ending I never asked for. I whispered in Dooriya's ear, Ocean child, and with tourists lining up below, offered her up to the air she came from." Though this was a short story, it was one that communicated a very powerful message and grabbed the reader's attention from the get-go.

Polished Piece.

Every morning just before the sun lit up the sky, the old man would come out of his apartment building, make his way over to the little diner across the street, grab the mornings paper and sit on the bench on the corner to watch the sun come up. He never had someone with him, but enjoyed talking to any stranger that passed, offering the time, or directions, or simply good conversation. He never talked about himself, though you could tell he had quite a story behind his faded blue eyes and deep laugh lines. His hands were scarred and rough, he favored his left leg when he walked and his back was sort of hunched; which suggested a life full of hard labor. He was sweet, and appreciated every day to it’s fullest, though his body seemed to have been failing him; nothing ever broke his bright smile.  He was always interested in what others had to say, and would sit and listen to anyone that had a tale to tell. Though many talked to him, no one knew his name and the very few that paid enough attention to recognize him, referred to him as “the old man on the bench,” which hardly seemed to do such a humble man justice.