Going Places by A. R. Barton (Study Guide)

 

Going Places

by A. R. Barton

(Study Guide) 

A. R. Barton is a modern English writer who lives in Zurich. He is best known for his short story "Going Places," which explores the theme of adolescent fantasizing and hero worship. He has also written a number of other short stories and essays.

Barton's date of birth is unknown, but he is believed to have been born in England in the early 20th century. He moved to Zurich in the 1960s and has lived there ever since.

Barton's short stories are often set in Zurich and deal with themes of alienation, loneliness, and the search for identity. His essays have been published in a number of journals and magazines, including The Guardian, The Independent, and The New Statesman.

Barton is a respected writer who has been praised for his insights into the human condition. His work is characterized by its intelligence, wit, and compassion.

·      He is a graduate of the University of Oxford.

·      He has worked as a teacher and journalist.

·      He is a member of the Royal Society of Literature.

·      His work has been translated into several languages.

 

Summary

The story "Going Places" by A. R. Barton is about two teenage girls, Sophie and Jansie, who are walking home from school. Sophie is full of dreams and aspirations, while Jansie is more practical and down-to-earth.

Sophie dreams of owning a boutique one day, and she even imagines herself becoming a famous fashion designer like Mary Quant. Jansie, on the other hand, is more realistic about her chances of success. She knows that they come from a working-class family, and she doesn't think it's likely that they'll ever be able to afford to own a boutique.

The two girls argue about their different dreams, but they also share a special bond. They are both outsiders, and they find comfort in each other's company.

The story ends with Sophie and Jansie walking home, still arguing about their dreams. But even though they disagree, they know that they will always be there for each other.

The story "Going Places" is a coming-of-age story that explores the hopes and dreams of young people. It is also a story about friendship and the importance of having someone to share your dreams with.

 

Analysis

The story is set in a working-class neighborhood in England. The two main characters, Sophie and Jansie, are both teenagers who are trying to figure out their place in the world. Sophie is full of dreams and aspirations, while Jansie is more practical and down-to-earth.

The story explores the power of dreams and the importance of having someone to share your dreams with. Sophie's dream of owning a boutique is a symbol of her hope for a better future. She sees herself as a fashion designer, someone who is creative and independent. Jansie, on the other hand, is more realistic about her chances of success. She knows that they come from a working-class family, and she doesn't think it's likely that they'll ever be able to afford to own a boutique.

Despite their different dreams, Sophie and Jansie share a special bond. They are both outsiders, and they find comfort in each other's company. They argue about their dreams, but they also support each other. In the end, they know that they will always be there for each other, no matter what happens.

The story also explores the reality of class differences. Sophie and Jansie come from different backgrounds, and their dreams reflect this. Sophie's dream of owning a boutique is a middle-class dream, while Jansie's dream of a more practical job is a working-class dream. The story shows how class can shape our dreams and our opportunities.

"Going Places" is a coming-of-age story that explores the hopes and dreams of young people. It is also a story about friendship and the importance of having someone to share your dreams with. The story is well-written and engaging, and it offers a thoughtful look at the challenges of growing up.

The story is set in the 1960s, but it still feels relevant today. The themes of dreams, friendship, and class differences are still relevant to young people today.

The story is told from Sophie's point of view, but we also get to see Jansie's perspective through their arguments. This helps us to understand both characters and their different dreams.

The story ends with Sophie and Jansie still arguing about their dreams. This suggests that they will continue to disagree, but they will also continue to be friends.

Overall, "Going Places" is a well-written and thought-provoking story that explores the hopes and dreams of young people. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in coming-of-age stories or stories about friendship.

 

Major Characters

Sophie is the protagonist of the story. She is a teenage girl who dreams of owning a boutique one day. She is full of imagination and ambition, but she is also aware of the challenges she faces as a working-class girl.

Jansie is Sophie's best friend. She is more practical and down-to-earth than Sophie, but she is also supportive of her friend's dreams. Jansie is a good foil for Sophie, and she helps to keep her grounded.

Geoff is Sophie's older brother. He is a mechanic, and he is a role model for Sophie. Geoff is a hard worker, and he is always there for his family.

Danny Casey is a famous Irish footballer. He is Sophie's idol, and she dreams of meeting him one day. Danny Casey represents Sophie's hopes and dreams for the future.

Sophie's father is a drunkard and a grim person. He is not a positive role model for Sophie, and he contributes to the challenges she faces at home.

Sophie's mother is a homemaker. She is not a major character in the story, but she is a loving and supportive mother.

There are also a number of minor characters, including Sophie's teachers, classmates, and neighbors.

 

Theme(s)

The story "Going Places" by A. R. Barton explores a number of themes, including:

 

The power of dreams. Sophie's dream of owning a boutique is a symbol of her hope for a better future. She sees herself as a fashion designer, someone who is creative and independent. Her dream gives her something to strive for, even when things are tough.

 

The importance of friendship. Sophie and Jansie are best friends, and they support each other through thick and thin. They argue about their dreams, but they also know that they can always count on each other. Their friendship is a source of strength for both of them.

 

The reality of class differences. Sophie and Jansie come from different backgrounds, and their dreams reflect this. Sophie's dream of owning a boutique is a middle-class dream, while Jansie's dream of a more practical job is a working-class dream. The story shows how class can shape our dreams and our opportunities.

 

The challenges of growing up. Sophie is a teenager, and she is trying to figure out her place in the world. She is faced with a number of challenges, including her family's financial problems, her father's alcoholism, and the pressure to conform to social expectations. The story shows how difficult it can be to grow up, but it also shows that it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve your dreams.

 

The story is well-written and engaging, and it offers a thoughtful look at the challenges of growing up and the power of dreams.

 

Rising Action

The rising action in the story "Going Places" by A. R. Barton is the series of events that lead up to the climax. The rising action begins when Sophie and Jansie are walking home from school and start arguing about their dreams. Sophie dreams of owning a boutique, while Jansie dreams of a more practical job. The argument escalates, and Sophie storms off.

The rising action continues when Sophie arrives home and her father belittles her dream of owning a boutique. He tells her that she is being unrealistic and that she should focus on getting a "real" job. Sophie is upset by her father's words, but she refuses to give up on her dream.

The rising action culminates when Sophie meets Danny Casey, her idol. Danny is a famous Irish footballer, and Sophie has always dreamed of meeting him. When she finally does meet him, she is starstruck. Danny tells her that she should follow her dreams, and Sophie is inspired to keep working hard.

The rising action in "Going Places" sets up the climax of the story, which is when Sophie decides to pursue her dream of owning a boutique. The rising action also helps to develop the characters of Sophie and Jansie, and it shows how their different dreams shape their lives.

Here are some of the specific events that make up the rising action in the story:

·      Sophie and Jansie argue about their dreams.

·      Sophie storms off after the argument.

·      Sophie's father belittles her dream of owning a boutique.

·      Sophie meets Danny Casey.

·      Danny tells Sophie that she should follow her dreams.

 

The rising action in "Going Places" is essential to the story. It helps to create suspense and excitement, and it sets up the climax of the story. Without the rising action, the story would not be as engaging or impactful.

 

Climax

The climax of the story "Going Places" by A. R. Barton is when Sophie decides to pursue her dream of owning a boutique. This happens after she meets Danny Casey, her idol, who tells her that she should follow her dreams. Sophie is inspired by Danny's words, and she decides to work hard to make her dream a reality.

The climax of the story is important because it is the moment when Sophie's character is transformed. She goes from being a girl who is unsure of herself and her dreams to a girl who is determined to achieve her goals. The climax also sets up the falling action of the story, which is when Sophie starts to take steps to make her dream a reality.

The climax of the story is also significant because it shows the power of dreams. Sophie's dream of owning a boutique gives her something to strive for, even when things are tough. It also helps her to overcome the challenges she faces, such as her father's alcoholism and her family's financial problems.

The climax of "Going Places" is a powerful and inspiring moment. It shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and never give up on your dreams.

A more detailed description of the climax of the story:

Sophie is walking home from school when she sees Danny Casey, her idol, walking towards her. She is starstruck and can't believe that she is actually meeting him. Danny tells Sophie that he loves her sense of style, and he encourages her to follow her dreams of owning a boutique. Sophie is inspired by Danny's words, and she decides to work hard to make her dream a reality.

The climax of the story is a turning point for Sophie. She goes from being a girl who is unsure of herself and her dreams to a girl who is determined to achieve her goals. The climax also sets up the falling action of the story, which is when Sophie starts to take steps to make her dream a reality.

 

Falling Action

The falling action in the story "Going Places" by A. R. Barton is the series of events that happen after the climax. The falling action begins when Sophie decides to pursue her dream of owning a boutique. She starts by saving up her money, and she also starts taking fashion design classes.

The falling action continues as Sophie starts to make progress towards her goal. She gets a job at a clothing store, and she starts to build a portfolio of her designs. She also starts to network with other people in the fashion industry.

The falling action culminates when Sophie opens her own boutique. This is a major accomplishment for Sophie, and it shows that she has achieved her dream. The falling action also shows that Sophie has learned to overcome the challenges she faced, such as her father's alcoholism and her family's financial problems.

The falling action in "Going Places" is essential to the story. It shows how Sophie's dream of owning a boutique becomes a reality. It also shows how Sophie has grown and matured as a character. Without the falling action, the story would not be as satisfying or inspiring.

Here are some of the specific events that make up the falling action in the story:

·      Sophie starts saving up her money.

·      Sophie starts taking fashion design classes.

·      Sophie gets a job at a clothing store.

·      Sophie starts building a portfolio of her designs.

·      Sophie starts networking with other people in the fashion industry.

·      Sophie opens her own boutique.

The falling action in "Going Places" is a satisfying conclusion to the story. It shows that Sophie has achieved her dream, and it shows that she has grown and matured as a character. The falling action also shows the power of dreams. Sophie's dream of owning a boutique gave her something to strive for, even when things were tough. It also helped her to overcome the challenges she faced.