Flower (Photography)

What I Love About Photography

From the day I received my first camera, I’ve been curious about the world of photography; the message that a photographer can send through his or her pictures, the way one can tell a person’s mood through their photographs, or the way it can inspire creativity. And although the quality of the camera can make a big difference in the final product, the photographer does most of the work, and that is what I love most. I’ve grown to love the art of photography; the sense of unexplainable power that I feel when the camera is in my hands and I peer through the lens at the subject. It’s more than just taking pictures. Photography provides me with the perfect medium to express my feelings and point of view.

Response: Flower Garden by Shirley Jackson

This mundane-turned-mysterious story about Mrs. Winning and her recent acquaintance, Mrs. MacLane, left me begging for more. The author, Shirley Jackson, integrated elements of racial discrimination, sexual tension, and the ups and downs of friendship, while keeping the reader on their feet throughout the story. For instance, the relationship between Mrs. Winning and Mrs. MacLane began with a common interest in gardening, but soon turned fragile once Mr. Jones became involved. Although his role seemed unimportant, the color of his skin and his unknown past had an effect on the main characters of the story. The author describes his physical characteristics with such infinite detail that the reader wonders if there was any previous physical relationships between him and a member of their community.

While contemplating this assignment, I came across two literary elements that could equally apply to this story. The author embedded hints throughout the text that remained unresolved. For example, the way Mrs. Winning’s community reacted to Mr. Jones working on Mrs. MacLane’s garden gives us the impression that his past is questionable, a traditional foreshadowing approach. Yet, the hint is not settled in the end of the story, leaving us with an open ending, the other literary element that is applied in this story.

The connection between the characters in this story leaves us thinking about what might happen next if the story were to continue, a perfect preparation for a sequel, isn’t it?