Category: Entry 9

Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable(adjective)

This is the meaning of the word extraordianary according to the dictionary. I first saw this word while reading “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston in the first page where it said “An extraordinary place by any reckoning, Hurtson’s hometown takes on an almost mythical quality in her fiction and autobiographical writing”. The author felt amazed and in wonder about seeing the hometown that she read about in person. She was highly impressed with how mystical and wonderous the place was. When I thought of it like that, I understood what the word extraordinary meant.

According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, deliberately is defined as characterized by or resulting from careful and thorough consideration. In the reading “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell, the word appears at the top on the third page as stated “When he began this time, it was very deliberately and carefully”. Now knowing what the word means, the author is saying to the reader that they start to retell what exactly happened carefully in details.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word Quilt is a noun and it is “a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (such as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs.” In the story, “A Jury Of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell it says on page157 (paragraph 11) “They were so engaged with the quilt that they did not hear the footsteps on the stairs. The word quilt is used as a two layer of cloth to show how thick the bed coverlet is. They did not hear the footstep because of the double layer cloth. This word helped me understand what the author was trying to tell us.

gal·​lant·​ry

The short story ” A Jury of her Peers” by Susan Gaspell is a well known short story due to its dramatic arc and the mystery that goes throughout the story. While reading this story I stumbled upon the word gallantry. At first glance I had no idea what it meant. I researched it. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary gallantry is a noun with multiple definitions. It was defined as a gallant appearance, an act of marked courtesy or as spirited and conspicuous bravery. This just made everything more confusing. I had to use the context within the actual reading. Susan included the lines …”with the gallantry of a young politician”. Using the definitions I realized that the one that made more sense was the gallant appearance, meaning that the he was elegantly dressed as a politician.

 

According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, repulse is identified as a verb. It means “to repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial.” In the short story “Sweat”, by Zora Neale Hurston, it states “Two or three times Delia had attempted a timid friendliness, but she was repulsed each time.” The word repulsed is used to describe how Sykes is treating her. Delia puts in the effort to make the situation better but Sykes doesn’t want to cooperate. Sykes is giving Delia this coldness because he tired of her and wants Bertha instead. He hopes that Delia gives up and leaves the house

dis•may (noun)

The definition of dismay is a sudden disappointment according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. This word appears in the story “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston on the second page when it states, “His wife gave a little scream of dismay, and quickly gathered them together again.” Knowing the definition of this word helps to better understand that the women screamed in a sudden disappointment after her husband made a mess of the clothes she was folding.

Trifle (noun): Something of little value, substance, or importance.

According the Merriam Webster, the definition of Trifle means something of little value, substance, or importance. On November 5th, 2018 I encountered this word in my readings. In the reading entitled “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell, the word can be found on page 154. On page 154 it states, “‘Oh, well,’ said Mrs. Hale’s husband, with good-natured superiority, ‘women are used to worrying over trifles.'”. In this context I was unsure of the meaning of the word. I did not understand what the word meant in the context of the evidence. Prior to encountering the word, it was discussing being held for murder and only worry about her preserves. I assumed this meant, they were worried about themselves in the self. The author was trying to save women are used to worrying over themselves. I see now how this definition fits into the text because what the character was worrying about was of little value. It was not importance as being held for murder was. There is more serious to worry about rather than the minor things. In the word trifle, it is showing the smaller things rather than the bigger picture. I understand the word better after looking up the definition and replacing it with the definition’s words.

 

The Merriam Webster’s defined stoic (adjective) means showing no emotion especially when something bad is happening. In today class we discusses on how male should have the same right as women have. In “What Feminists Can Do for Boys” it state that, “Feminist ideas can help men — be it the rejection of expectations that men be strong and stoic or ending the silence around male victims of sexual violence. But boys also need the same kind of culture we created for girls.” This quote shows that men have a lot of pride; they think that society will see them less man if women help them.