22 pages • 44-minute read
Petrified Man
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Essay Topics
Analyze Leota’s relationship with Mrs. Pike. Are they loyal friends? What does the trajectory of the relationship throughout the story tell us about the two women?
What role does Billy Boy play in the narrative?
In what ways do Welty’s characters subvert traditional gender roles of the 1930s American South? In what ways do they uphold those roles?
How does Welty utilize elements of the grotesque in this story? What do these elements demonstrate about southern life in the 1930s?
Are any of the characters truly satisfied with their lives? What is preventing them from feeling satisfied?
Analyze the symbolism present in the salon. What do the ironic details demonstrate about southern American beauty standards at that time?
Compare Leota’s, Mrs. Pike’s, and Mrs. Fletcher’s responses to the news about Mr. Petrie. What do these responses tell us about each woman’s character?
What effect does dialect have on the story? Is it critical for understanding the narrative?
What does Lady Evangeline’s character symbolize in the story? Why might Welty have included this minor character?
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