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.
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