The+Portable+Phonograph

Third Person, Limited Omniscient. Dr. Jenkins
 * Point of View: **
 * Protagonist: **

Round and Dynamic.
 * What type of character is the Protagonist? **

Himself.
 * Antagonist: **

The story takes place after a war that has destroyed much of the character's world. Dr. Jenkins lives in a cavern in the banks of a nearby lake. It is getting dark, and the cold is settling in, but the men are keeping warm with the fire they have built. The mood is heavy, dark, but as soon as the music comes in, it suddenly becomes joyful, ecstatic and even sad for one of the characters.
 * Describe the setting (Time, Place, Mood and Atmosphere) **

Man vs. Environment
 * Type of Conflict: **

Dr. Jenkins is living in a post war environment with three other men. But the living conditions are getting worse, and soon the cold and snow will set in. These men struggle with the climate, staying alive and keeping their mentality and humanity in check.
 * Describe the main conflict: **

The climax of this story is when Jenkins steps outside and admires the stars. He hears a cough, and spots a shadow in the trees, and immediately recognizes it as the Musician who he assumes wants to steal his Phonograph.
 * Describe the Climax of the Story: **

We can see that the doctor changes over the course of the story by taking off his mask of friendliness and revealing his paranoid side. He holds his treasures very dearly, but if a threat arrives, he will no longer be the "wise and gentle doctor," and become defensive and if needed, aggressive.
 * How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story? **

The theme of this story is that there are many sides to a single person. They have different personalities and emotions that may be hidden behind the mask of friendliness and passiveness. But "The Portable Phonograph" talks about Dr. Jenkins' phonograph that he carries and protects at all times. This phonograph represents his baggage of different emotions that he keeps inside it. The songs and melodies he plays represent his personalities, and the fact that the needle wears down and the disks eventually break could represent how he will eventually lose control of his grip on humanity.
 * Describe the relationship between the title and the theme. **

The main conflict in this story is the struggle for survival. So the fact that these people have to fight to survive will obviously reveal some of their inner personalities and animal instincts.
 * How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme? **

When the Doctor realizes that his precious phonograph is at stake, he reveals a much more intense side of himself. Grabbing the pipe and securing the phonograph from intruders shows that he himself, although wise and good, has a need to protect the things he loves; even if it means to injure others.
 * How does the climax help to illustrate the theme? **


 * Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes): **

"He was like a prehistoric priest, performing a fateful ceremonial rite."
 * Simile: **


 * Metaphor: **

//"for the time when a man's breath blew white and the moisture in his nostrils stiffened at once when he stepped out,"//
 * Personification: **

The shooting stars were a symbol for the four men. The one, suddenly disappearing star meant that one of them were to have someone die or go away. Like the already sick musician, or the doctor who could leave for a safer place to guard his treasures.
 * Symbol: **

When Dr. Jenkins steps outside, he hears a coughing. This is foreshadowing to the musician's attempt to steal the phonograph, since we already knew he was sick in the beginning.
 * Foreshadowing (give both elements): **

I found it ironic how Doctor Jenkins wanted everyone to be civil and to be able to trust each other in his cell, yet he was not able to trust the musician, who he knew was going to try to steal his phonograph.
 * Irony: **

"The red sunset, with narrow, black cloud strips like threats across it, lay on the cursed horizon of the prairie."
 * Imagery: **


 * QUESTIONS: **

**Q:** When was this story set? What has recently happened? Support your opinion with details from the story. **A:** The story takes place in a post war area. It has been quite a while since the destruction of cities, because we can see that vegetation is growing back and animals are populating the area once more. //"There was no structure or remnant of a structure visible over the dome of the darkling earth, but only, in sheltered hollows, the darker shadows of young trees trying again."//
 * 1. **

**Q:** What was the purpose of the men's meeting? Why does the author compare the unwrapping of the book bundle
 * 2. **

to a ceremonial rite?
 * A:** In the world these men are living in, there is no longer a massive number of humans. So even if these men were not necessarily friends, they came together out of the need to be with other people. The fact that the Doctor wrapped up the books so neatly was because these books were like treasures to them, and were extremely rare, so they had to be handled with extreme care.

The books are very important to the Doctor, because they represent a past life not ruled by technology and invention, and give a sense of imagination and an escape for him. There would not be any recent books, because he considers that to be linked to the technological breakdown.
 * 3. **
 * Q:** What is the significance of the books that were saved? Why are there no recent works of fiction included?
 * A:**

**Q**: a) What do you think is the significance of Dr. Jenkins clutching the lead pipe at the end of the story?
 * 4. **

b) What do you think might happen next? Discuss using references from the story. a) I personally think that the pipe in his hands has to do with protecting both the phonograph and himself. He is no longer in good physical shape, and would probably not have a good a chance against the musician, even if they are sick because of his old age. But he does not truly entirely believe that the musician will come, so the pipe is for assurance. b) In the end, desperation will win for the musician, and he will attempt to steal the phonograph. It pretty much represented his being and his sanity, and he does not seem the type to give up on getting it, even if it costs him his life.
 * A: **

1. Literary Devices

Content: 15/15
 * required elements
 * accurate interpretation
 * support as required

Completion: 5/5

2. Response Questions 5/5
 * accurate interpretation
 * convincing support
 * completion

3. Visual Analysis: See your partners page.