Make a compare and contrast rough draft on the stories "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville"

Answer 1

In a world filled with diverse and intriguing stories, two remarkable tales stand out: "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville." Both stories captivate readers with their unique narrative styles, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes. However, they differ in terms of their settings, tones, and underlying messages.

Setting plays a pivotal role in both stories, creating a distinct backdrop for the events that unfold. "No Dogs Bark" by Juan Rulfo is set in a rural Mexican village, where the protagonist, a young boy named Juan, embarks on a journey to find his father. The rural landscape's vastness and desolation mirror Juan's internal struggle and his yearning for paternal guidance. On the other hand, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" by Katherine Anne Porter is set in a vaudeville theater, where a group of performers grapple with their personal struggles. This dramatic and often chaotic setting illuminates the characters' lives, emotions, and their search for solace within their performances.

Additionally, the two stories diverge in terms of their tones. "No Dogs Bark" is imbued with a sense of melancholy and desolation. The story unfolds with Juan's journey, marked by poverty, abandonment, and tragic encounters. Rulfo employs a somber and wistful tone, capturing the loneliness and hardships experienced by the characters. In contrast, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" presents a more vibrant and energetic tone. The vaudeville theater's lively atmosphere, characterized by music, acrobatics, and comedic acts, evokes a sense of entertainment and excitement. However, the characters' inner struggles and their attempts to find happiness among the chaos add depth and complexity to the overall tone.

Moreover, the underlying messages of the stories diverge as well. "No Dogs Bark" delves into themes of familial love and sacrifice. Juan's relentless pursuit of his father reflects the unconditional love he harbors, even when faced with despair and danger. Rulfo highlights the notion that familial ties can transcend physical distance and hardship. In contrast, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" explores themes of identity and escapism. The characters grapple with their own insecurities and fears, seeking solace and liberation through their performances. Porter underscores the transformative power of art and the pursuit of personal freedom.

In conclusion, "No Dogs Bark" and "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" are two remarkable stories that captivate readers through their distinct settings, tones, and underlying messages. While "No Dogs Bark" immerses readers in a desolate rural Mexican landscape, characterized by a somber tone and themes of familial love, "Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville" transports readers to a vivacious vaudeville theater, characterized by an energetic tone, and explores themes of identity and escapism. Both stories serve as reminders of the profound impact of human experiences and the universality of emotions.