Jenny Davis Journal 3

June 24, 2010

Prompt #4

When I began reading “The Man in the Well” I had a lot of questions. And, by the end I had even more questions. I was very intrigued to begin with, and I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the story so I could have all of my questions answered, but to no avail, I will never find the answers I am looking for.

My perception of this story was like a yo-yo, it was going back and forth. At times I was sure there was a strong lesson at the end, and other times I predicted that it would end just as it did, as confusing as it began. At the same time my emotions were a yo-yo. I would get excited that I was going to find some answers finally, and then realize I was not, then I would anticipate a good ending, and I was disappointed. To me it was like a boyfriend who can’t commit. You never know what he is thinking and you just want to cut him off, but you are tempted to keep listening (reading) to his bull because you want to find something out, but you never will; because there is nothing to find out, you already know, he’s just playing a game. This story put me through a bit of agony I should say.

I use yo-yo as a comparison, because I also felt like this story was a game. “I think it was important that we decided not to help him.” (sher p1) I could not find a reason as to why the kids would not help the man. If they were truly scared I would think that they would tell their parents not just run away and come back the next day. The kids thought it was exciting. They wanted to find out his name. They wanted to know who he was. They also did not want to divulge their own names. He would have a sort of advantage if they did this you see. But, he found out their names, “As soon as she said it she was sorry, because she had broken one of the rules.” Ruth one of the little girls accidentally told the man one of the boy’s names was Aaron. The next day the man called Aaron by name. In revenge he told the man everyone’s names. That was the last time they visited the well. The game was over.

As stated before as I read I had a wide range of thoughts and emotions. From the beginning when the children first decided not to help the man. The next day they went back the man called up again, “God, get me out, I’ve been here for days.” (p1) At this point I began to wonder how the man got into the well to begin with. Then, as the days went on the children still were not helping him. They did try to ask him questions though they never got an answer, “Hello, is it dark?” “Can you see the sky?” “Is there any water down there?” (p2) Never an answer, only repeated, “Have you gone for help?” (p2) At this point I thought the man was actually a parrot. I couldn’t think of any other conclusion. And according to the text, “I know that none of us ever saw the man in the well.” (p1) The children never saw the man they only heard him. I am still slightly convinced it was a parrot. He did repeat himself an awful lot. He did finally answer a few questions though.

I did not see this story as having a clear point. I could not find one anyway. I hope that my fellow classmates can provide me with some insight!