Matisse
The first part presents the internal struggle of a man named here as "he’’ who continues to ask himself if what he is doing is the right thing or not. The manner of the action is not named, thus, the story being shrouded in mystery. However, as the play progresses it becomes clear that the action is not important, but rather the internal struggle the man has to face every day.
The narrative then changes and is told from the perspective of ‘’others’’ or rather those around the major character described in the first part. The second part focuses on how the first person’s actions were interpreted in various ways, depending on the person who was thinking about ‘’he’’ and his actions. What it is clear however is that everyone thought the man did ‘’something’’ which was worth analyzing and talking about. This also proves just how quickly things can get out of hand and how events can become twisted and be interpreted as being something else in the end.
The uncertainty remains ever-present and he narrator suggests that the man was struggling with something and this was observed by those from the outside. Despite these problems, the narrator claims that some did end up knowing the man’s secret and what was bothering him. But even though these revelations took place, there were still some who knew the man’s secret and who continued to debate the nature of the man’s actions, showing thus how some will never be satisfied with knowing the truth but will also feel the need to analyze every little detail.
The man was revered by those who knew him and many wanted to have the same life as the major character. This means that even though the major character’s actions appeared to be controversial at a first glance, they could still pass as acceptable and possibly, desirable.
The story ends with a conclusion, the narrator claiming everyone could be doing what the main character was doing but yet few found the power and the desire to put a great amount of effort into becoming extremely good in a certain field. The major character continued to remain controversial, many thinking about the man’s actions, questioning them and wondering about their nature. Still as the narrator points out, there was no doubt that the man’s actions and the efforts he put into trying to become someone great should be appreciated and praised.
[The house was just twinkling in the moon light]
The title represents also the first sentence in the story, followed by the description of a ‘’baby bright’’ inside the house. Through this, it is possible that the narrator wants to transmit the idea of marital bliss or rather the happiness which the narrator found in her home. The action described takes place during the night under the light of the moon and the narrator points out the contrast between the darkness from the outside and the light coming from the inside of the house. This image may suggest how people usually feel safer when surrounded by family and the darkness coming from the outside could be possibly used to suggest the rest of the world and the unhappiness it may produce.
The Work
The narrator begins the story with the description of a few soldiers seen by the narrator, shown here as kind and even sweet. The weapons operated by the soldiers are called ‘’Aunt Pauline’’, thus making them appear as something friendly, which could never hurt anyone.
The narration changes, the main characters leaving Paris during a time of heavy rain and turbulence. This could be a reference made to the Second World War and the invasion of France which forced many to flee their country. When the people left Paris, the characters feel unprepared but it is implied that the characters quickly got accustomed to their new way of life.
In the second part, the narrator introduces the Americans, which the narrator and the rest of the characters are happy to see. Every character thanks the Americans and the soldiers. The narrator is impressed by the fact that the soldiers talked with the rest of the people and tried to make the people who suffered because of the war.
The flag of the Americans is used here as a symbol for hope, giving everyone who came out of the war zone a sense of safety and happiness. The people pined small flags on their cloths to show their happiness and to give hope to others as well. The attitude of the people changes drastically and the story ends with the narrator describing the smiles on the face of the people.
