FICTION

Critical Analysis:

Alice Munro is a well known Canadian short story writer. She is also a noble prize winner. She was born on 10 July 1931 in Wingham, Canada. Alice Munro’s father was a mink farmer. Alice Munro’s mother was a school teacher. Alice Munro had a passion of reading and collection of stories and she began writing short stories in her teenage. She studied journalism at university of western Ontario, and while studying she wrote her first book named as “The Dimesion Of Shadow”. She studied in the university under a two year scholarship program. Her financial condition was not good at that time so she used to work as a waitress, a tobacco picker and library clerk. After completing her college she married to a friend of her and moved to Victoria. There they opened a book store named as Munro’s books. Munro is the thirteenth women to win noble prize for literature. She had raised her work in a variety of ways. Many of her stories have been republished with variations. Also her books have been written in many other languages. Most of the stories written by Alice Munro has been set in her native place Ontario and a story named “Fiction” is one of them. Her writing skills is so effective that readers gets influenced and see the stories through the perspective of the author.

Summary:

“Fiction” by Alice Munro revolves around Joyce’s life dealing with her past events and situations. Jon and Joyce met each other at an urban high school in Ontario. Jon was the most intelligent guy amongst all his classmates. Joyce had a keen interest in music and she was expected to be a good performer in violin. In the first year of college Jon and Joyce

fall in love with each other and ran away. To earn their livelihood and satisfy daily needs money became an important issue. Also finding a job was difficult for both of them as they were not much qualified that is required for a good job. They started working at minimum wage which was disappointing for them. They had to travel across the continent for job but still there was money issue and had to compromise with their living standard. They lived a very simple life, dressed conservatively, drink homemade wine. Going through such phase of life they both became tierd and had to borrow money from their families. Jon learned carpentry and wood working. Joyce studied music and got a degree that made her eligible to teach music. Joyce got a job as a music teacher in Rough River School. They both entered a new phase of their life. Apart for their jobs they decided to plant gardens and they started making bead necklaces and herb sachets to sell in order to have extra earning. They also tried to build a friendly relation with their neighbours. Joyce also enjoyed a lot teaching music to the children. It almost becomes dark everyday for Joyce while returning home from. Joyce enjoys each and every moment. While returning home Joyce used to drive her car across the forests. There were people living in every quarter mile or so. Some people lived in rental houses and some have build their own houses but Jon a Joyce were still renovating their old farmhouse which had unfinished kitchens, uncurtained doors and windows. Jon was tall, dark and bright eyed, egoistic but had a calm nature to listen and respect people. It was a time when people were just getting used to computers and had an urge to understand about new technologies. As Jon was the most intelligent guy so all his neighbours would come to him and want Jon to make them

understood. Jon also patiently explains each one. Jon worked all day in his shed and when it began to get dark, he would send his apprentice and start working. Jon disliked people saying about his work with woods and carpentry. Jon and Joyce were living a normal happy life. They cooked together and talked about all the frustations and comedy of the day. Jon was not much talkative. A turning point came in their life when Jon started liking Edie. Edie is john’s apprentice. Day by day Jon was attracted by Edie. Her physical appearance and character made Jon crazy. Edie was not at all talkative and was very much focused to her work. She quickly learned what she was taught about wood working. Edie was also recovering from alcohol and drugs. Edie was doing all these just to provide a good life for her child. Jon was falling in love with Edie, knowing all these Joyce tried to convenience him but Jon was not in a mood to listen and her efforts were in vain. Both of them decided to move on separately. Now Jon was living with Edie and their children in that house. Joyce moved to an apartment in town. Joyce married Matt. Matt is a neurologist and also a very good violinist. Joyce was Matt’s third wife. Matt lost his first wife in a car accident as she had a brain damage. Matt and Sally had a son named Tommy. Matt’s second wife was Doris. After sally’s death Doris was there to take care of Tommy. Matt and Doris failed to continue their relationship and separated in less than a year. Her life was completely changed. She laughed at everything and flirted with everybody in music school. There was a competition in music school and Edie’s daughter was there to perform and Joyce expected Jon and Edie to come and watch her daughter’s performance. Christie O‘Dell was Edie and Jon’s daughter. Christie did her graduation from UBC

Creative Program. Christie O’Dell is married to Justin. Tommy liked Christie. Christie is a book writer and she has published a book named How Are We To Live. Joyce kept herself busy with the children to relax herself. She used to spend time with them.

Bibliography:

Panday, Dr.Sanjay Prasad. “Beauty: Illusion or Reality”. The Achiever’s Journal 1.1(2015)

npage. Web < theachieversjournal.com>

By Nil Kamal

Reg. 11408871