Sam the Althete

Although every story emphasizes different elements of fiction, Stuart Mclean captivates his audience with humor, conflict and symbolism in his short story Sam the Athlete. This is a story of a boy who is about to start the daunting first year of middle school and learned valuable lessons.

           

            Stuart Mclean adds humor in his story to engage the reader. In the beginning of his short story, Sam is threatened by failure in every aspect of his life involving sports.   It all starts in grade one when “Sam’s teacher reminds her class to bring clothes for gym for the next day” and not aware of how things work in the world of sports “Sam looked around the class, wondering which kid was Jim and why he couldn’t bring his own clothes.”  Later, instead of quitting the all girls field hockey team “Sam went home and shaved his legs.” It’s the little real life things, which we all can relate to, that make this story humorous. Such as when Dave finds Sam in his room “wearing a skirt practicing [his] moves in front of the mirror and holding a Lady Bic razor.” And after an “uncomfortable silence”, Sam explains that he has a secret and he has “been dressing up as a girl.” In this particular scene, the readers know the reasons as to why Dave finds his son acting this way, but the character Dave is unaware of the details which make it awkward, there for funny for the readers.

            Conflicts in a story are what make it interesting. We all don’t want to hear stories where nothing goes wrong- that wouldn’t be fun! In this story, Sam wasn’t very athletic; which created a lot of problems for him even though “all Sam wanted in the world was to be an athlete.” And even though “he kept trying so hard, he kept failing –miserably” at all soccer, baseball, bowling and hockey. When Sam had an epiphany and ‘his suspicions were confirmed’ that the team he just joined was an all girls team, which created the biggest problem of them all. He had finally found his calling, but he was a boy. Sam had the choice to “just disappear silently” and “never come back to the field hockey team.”  But “at the end of practice when Coach lined the team up and handed out the team uniforms” Sam decided he didn’t care and chose to play anyways, making it “Sam’s first-ever skirt.”

            The red runners symbolize comfort for Sam. He seems to think that buying the newest, coolest shoes will equip him for this big step into the life of middle school. When his mom took him shopping he sighed as he watched the sales man take out “the red runners…wrapped in gold tissue” out of the “royal blue cardboard box” and all his fears began to lighten. Thankfully the “firm but spongy” sneakers fit perfectly. Even though the shoes really wouldn’t make a difference, they made his world just a little bit better.

When Sam was handed his first ever uniform, the fact that this was an all girls team didn’t seem to matter anymore because for once he belonged to a team and he was now finally good at something. “Sam had been aching to hear those words ever since his first soccer game.” Sam skirt symbolizes acceptance. Stuart Mclean uses humor, conflict and symbolism in his short story and it makes all the difference; allowing no room for dull writing.

Grade 12 - The Light

I see a light in the distance. It's not far off considering it used to seem ages away. I have been pacing these bland and restless halls for four treacherous years, trying to keep on the path to this brilliant, bright light. My character has been shaped, molded and sculpted. Through devotion to this enduring experience I have gained confidence and courage. Failure has made me successful because I have learned to start over. Hard work has paid off. But most of all I have required the basic essentials for my future. I snap out of my daze and into reality when I hear my name being spoken. My heart begins to beat faster. I feel a smile form upon my lips and my entire body trembles. A petite and jovial woman appears seeming quite familiar, gently guides me towards the steps. One foot after the other; this is what I tell myself. A rough hand secures mine and shakes firmly. I am handed a rolled piece of paper and I continue to walk. That same light that has shone in the distance is shining on me now, bright and full. Just before I step down, I see the proud faces of my family with tears in my mother's eyes. Taking this all in, it suddenly resisters. I am graduated.

College Application

Unusual is my middle name. I am quiet and sneaky. During my spare time, I stack sugar cubes and fly kites. My ancestors have come from Never Land, being distant cousins five times removed of Peter Pan himself. Flying was useful until my right hand was chopped off by the American soldiers in the Vietnam War. I have been the lucky winner in Lotto 649 three times. Coke is the ultimate soda. If you don't know me, you don't know that I personally have met the immense Shack O’Neill. If you don't know me, you don’t know that I can through a dart and hit the bulls eye 98.4 % of the time. If you don’t know me, you don’t know that I have many talents. This includes holding the Guinness world’s record for standing on my head, making the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and my personal favourite, whistling the exact tune of Beethoven’s commanding piece, the second movement from Symphony No. 7. I was successful in taking a multitude of nuns to a Justin Bieber concert. Just for the record, they are all now “beliebers.” I was successful in designing the Chinese flag. I was successful in baking my first pie with my bare hands. I am indolent. At exactly 1:05pm I take a nap; just after I play a round of crochet with the Prime Minister. When I ask for rain, it pours. When I ask for sun, it shines. When I ask for allowance, I’m told no. I am divinity. Everyone wants to be me because I am everything. But I have not yet attended college.

The Book and the Lady - Secret Unknown Scene from Mice and Men

George stepped out under the evening sky and began to jog as he headed to the bunk house. It was dinner time and if he didn't hurry, the other men would devour his meal. He rushed toward his bed and started searching for the book "All's fair in love and war" Crooks had lent him. The men had a quarrel about the characters in the novel so he thought he would solve it once and for all. The feeling of someone watching, while searching his bunk, made George turn towards the door.  She stood there once again, dressed in all nines, meeting his gaze; eyes as bright as the sun with a slight smirk on her face. She was as beautiful as the day was long, and it was hard not to stare. It was like she caught him with his pants down. "Cat got your tongue?" There’s that beautiful smile again. George cleared his throat. "Ahem…Can I do something for ya miss?" She whispered, "Ask me no questions tell me no lies." God she is sure a puzzle, George thought to himself. "I never asked you no questions ma'am." "I know silly," she giggled "it's a line from that book yous guys are readin." He thought for a moment, "Oh- well umm, yes, that's right." George hoped he wasn’t as red as a tomato for supposin such things. "But I better get back; don't want my food to get cold." Really George was just looking for a way out and didn't want to upset Curley's wife and makin her think that he was scared of talkin to her. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained I guess." There she goes again. "Yeah well, see ya around miss." Side stepping though the door trying to avoid her intense stare, George trots back to where the guys were avoiding the questions as to why it took so long to grab that measly book. Sat in silence, George finished the rest of his meal caught up in his own thoughts to notice the elephant in the room, Curley's wife, sitting in the corner all alone like a troubled child.