Question

2. Discuss the structure of Nadine Gordimer’s ""The First Sense."" How does the structure highlight the differences between the wife and her husband? How does Gordimer set up the reader to understand the wife’s choices? Do you think she is successful? Why or why not? Answer these questions in your discussion with a defensible claim and provide textual evidence.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. In the first paragraph, the author of the text presents a structure of comparison and contrast, showing the differences in salary and work between husband and wife. While he earns a good salary as a cellist in a symphony orchestra, she lives on a basic salary working in a local government office. In the second paragraph we can see a descriptive structure, in which the author describes how the couple's life is based only on the husband's professional circle, which makes the wife often devalued.

2. The author shows that the wife is proud and happy for her husband's success, even though her life seems boring and people devalue her. This makes the reader understand that the wife decided to have a simpler life, so that it was possible to support her husband's dreams and success.

3. When reading the text, we can see that the wife is happy that the husband has achieved success and is not sad at any time or sorry. Thus, we can conclude that she is happy.