The Development of Theme in "The White Umbrella" Short Story
How does Miss Crosman's praise towards Eugenie's piano skills develop the theme in "The White Umbrella"?
Miss Crosman praises Eugenie's piano skills. Which best explains how this action develops the theme?
A: It helps create the image that Eugenie is perfect.
B: It shows that Miss Crosman is a good piano teacher.
C: It reveals that Eugenie is a fake.
D: It shows that Miss Crosman is overly excitable.
Answer:
My answer is option A: It helps create the image that Eugenie is perfect.
Review:
The correct answer is option A: "It helps create the image that Eugenie is perfect." The short story "The White Umbrella" by Gish Jen tells the story of a young girl that is ashamed of her working mother and praises her piano teacher, Eugenie Roberts. The fact that Eugenie has great piano skills helps to create the idea that she is perfect, in contrast to the young girl's mother.
In the short story "The White Umbrella" by Gish Jen, the theme revolves around the idea of perfection and image. Although Eugenie Roberts, the piano teacher, is portrayed as perfect through her piano skills, this perfection is contrasted by the imperfection seen in the main character's working mother. Miss Crosman's praise towards Eugenie's piano skills plays a crucial role in developing this theme.
By praising Eugenie's piano skills, Miss Crosman highlights the image of perfection that surrounds Eugenie. This action signifies to the reader that Eugenie is highly skilled and talented in playing the piano, creating an illusion of flawlessness. This contrasts with the main character's mother, who is portrayed in a less perfect light due to her working-class status.
Furthermore, Miss Crosman's admiration for Eugenie's piano skills serves to emphasize the importance of image and perception in the story. The young girl, who initially feels ashamed of her mother's occupation, is drawn towards Eugenie's perfection and talent, seeing her as an ideal figure to aspire to. This reinforces the theme of superficial judgment based on external appearances and achievements.
In conclusion, Miss Crosman's praise towards Eugenie's piano skills in "The White Umbrella" contributes significantly to the development of the theme of perfection and image. It helps create an image of Eugenie as perfect, highlighting the contrasting imperfections in the other characters. Through this action, the author effectively conveys the impact of societal expectations and superficial judgments on personal relationships and self-esteem.