Question
Alanis shut the door behind her. She could only stare at the empty driveway for so long. It wasn’t going to bring Daria back. It was bad enough that her best friend was moving, but did she have to leave right at the beginning of the summer? The two had planned to spend their last summer before high school doing all of their favorite activities before Daria’s parents broke the terrible news. Both girls were devastated, to say the least.
That was over a month ago, and now Alanis was left standing by her front door with an empty summer in front of her. She sat down on the welcome mat, unable to keep the tears from falling. She studied the pattern in the rug and tried to think of the silver lining. However, staying positive and upbeat was Daria’s job. She kept both girls in high spirits as she talked about writing letters and planning visits. Somehow, she’d made the hundreds of miles seem small when she described all the phone calls they would share. Both friends swore they’d try out for the same sport so they would have that in common. Together they’d decided on track.
After a few more moments of letting herself feel sad, she spotted her brand-new running shoes tucked away in the corner. Before she could talk herself out of it, she reached out and put them on. Lacing them up quickly, she opened the front door once more. This time, she had a goal in mind. She was going to get ready to join the track team so she would have something to share with Daria!
Which element of the story’s setting has a symbolic meaning as well?
Alanis’ running shoes symbolize her desire to run away from Daria’s absence.
The summertime setting symbolizes the warmth of Daria and Alanis’ friendship.
The rug Alanis stands on was made for her by Daria, which is a memory she reflects on.
The empty driveway is a symbol for how empty Alanis’ summer feels without Daria.
That was over a month ago, and now Alanis was left standing by her front door with an empty summer in front of her. She sat down on the welcome mat, unable to keep the tears from falling. She studied the pattern in the rug and tried to think of the silver lining. However, staying positive and upbeat was Daria’s job. She kept both girls in high spirits as she talked about writing letters and planning visits. Somehow, she’d made the hundreds of miles seem small when she described all the phone calls they would share. Both friends swore they’d try out for the same sport so they would have that in common. Together they’d decided on track.
After a few more moments of letting herself feel sad, she spotted her brand-new running shoes tucked away in the corner. Before she could talk herself out of it, she reached out and put them on. Lacing them up quickly, she opened the front door once more. This time, she had a goal in mind. She was going to get ready to join the track team so she would have something to share with Daria!
Which element of the story’s setting has a symbolic meaning as well?
Alanis’ running shoes symbolize her desire to run away from Daria’s absence.
The summertime setting symbolizes the warmth of Daria and Alanis’ friendship.
The rug Alanis stands on was made for her by Daria, which is a memory she reflects on.
The empty driveway is a symbol for how empty Alanis’ summer feels without Daria.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The empty driveway is a symbol for how empty Alanis’ summer feels without Daria.