"A Family Man" by V.S. Pritchett: How the writer makes the story interesting and entertaining.

Essay by eatburgersHigh School, 10th gradeB-, September 2007

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The writer of A Family Man has managed to make the story interesting and entertaining by the nature of its content, the progression of the story, and the different view points we look through.

The beginning of the story is about the entrance of Mrs Cork, and it can already capture the attention of readers, since instead of Mr Cork came a large ponderous woman. Berenice’s affair with William is on the verge to be discovered. When Berenice learnt that the visitor is none other than Mrs Cork, “her wrist went weak and her hand drooped on the door handle”. We would be stepping into Berenice’s shoes and experience the palpable effect of Berenice’s fear of being revealed by Mrs Cork. Mrs Cork shouted at Berenice “My husband! Don’t try and soft-soap me with all that twaddle.” And “I know what you and he are up to.

He comes every Thursday. He’s been here since half past two.” The writer’s description of Mrs Cork’s effusion of frustration and anger also leads us to keep on reading just to know what will happen. The writer’s metaphoric description of Mrs Cork and the flute, “she grabbed it and swung it above her head as if it were a weapon”, shows the aggression of Mrs Cork.

As the lies about her connection with William by Berenice are building on, the fear of the truth being exposed increases. Berenice herself is also “astonished, even excited, by a lie so vast.”Through flashbacks by Berenice, we know how she thinks of Mr and Mrs Cork all along. But her changing impression on both of them becomes an unusually interesting part to read. Before answering doors, she has to call out to her father, since “William told her to do this because...