Short story Three Girls by Joyce Carol Oates

Three Girls by Joyce Carol Oates, presentation y questions fopr discussion in English.

1. Three Girls Joyce Carol Oates

2. About the author 1

3. Joyce Carol Oates is an American writer known for her prolific literary output in various styles and genres. She was born on June 16, 1938, in Lockport, New York. Oates published her first book in 1963 and has since written 58 novels, numerous plays and novellas, and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and non-fiction. Some of her notable works include "Black Water" (1992), "What I Lived For" (1994), and "Blonde" (2000), as well as the short story collections "The Wheel of Love" (1970) and "Lovely, Dark, Deep: Stories" (2014). Several of her works have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize

4. In addition to her writing, Oates has been involved in various literary organizations. She served as a member of the board of trustees of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation from 1997 to 2016. Oates is also an honorary member of the Simpson Literary Project, which awards the Simpson/Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize to a mid-career writer. She has been the project's artist-in-residence multiple times.

5. Oates is known for her ability to depict violence and evil in modern society, and her works often explore complex themes and characters. One of her notable stories is "Three Girls," which was published in 2002. The story revolves around a lesbian couple who observe the behavior of a disguised Marilyn Monroe, providing insight into gender roles and the experiences of a lesbian couple in 1956 New York.

6. Overall, Joyce Carol Oates is a highly respected and influential writer, with a vast body of work that spans multiple genres and explores a wide range of themes.

7. About the story 2

8. A Plot; "Three Girls" by Joyce Carol Oates is a short story that takes place on a snowy evening in 1956 in New York. The story is about two NYU girl-poets who visit a used book store called Strand Used Books. While at the bookstore, they encounter Marilyn Monroe who was disguised as a man, as an ordinary person rather than a celebrity. The story explores the gender roles and societal expectations faced by women in 1950s New York, as well as the thoughts and reservations of a lesbian couple during that time period.

9. B Setting;The story is primarily set in New York City on one March snowy early evening in 1956. The setting is Broadway and Twelfth Street, where the two girl-poets encounter Marilyn Monroe in a bookstore called Strand Used Books.

10. C Characters; The two main characters are a young lesbian couple (19 and 20 years old) who observe Marilyn Monroe's behaviour and are surprised to find that she wants to be seen as an ordinary person. Their names are not given. Marilyn Monroe. The cashier.

11. D Narrator ; The story is narrated in the second person, with one girl recalling the events to the other. The narrator tells the story as if she is writing a letter to her friend.

12. E Themes; Gender roles and societal expectations faced by women in 1956 New York. Sexual identity and freedom. Young love and the exploration of one's sexuality. Taboo. Sorority. Stereotypes; Famous people vs Ordinary people.

13. F Symbols; Marilyn Monroe The Bookstore divided into different sections. The two girls clothes vs Marilyn costume. Money. Places; Tiffany vs Strand.

14. G Tone & Language; The story is written in a reflective and nostalgic tone, as one of the girls recounts the events of that snowy evening in 1956 to the other girl years later. The language used is descriptive full of vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the characters' emotions and experiences.

15. H Conflict; Internal Conflict: The two main characters, who are in a lesbian relationship, struggle with their own feelings and reservations about their identity and relationship. External Conflict; the two girls helped Marilyn Monroe to be unnoticed.

16. I Climax; It occurs when the two main characters approach Marilyn Monroe in the Strand Used Books store to pay for her, so the cashier would not recognize her.

17. Time to think and discuss 3

18. What is the main theme or message of the story? How does the author convey this theme throughout the narrative?

19. Describe the three girls in the story. What are their individual characteristics, and how do they interact with each other?

20. Analyze the narrative structure of the story. Is it linear, or does it employ flashbacks or other techniques?

21. Consider the title of the story, "Three Girls." Why do you think the author chose this title? How does it reflect the themes and events of the narrative?

22. Discuss the social and cultural context in which the story takes place. How do gender, power, and societal expectations influence the characters' actions and relationships?

23. Great work!