Analyzing a Short Story: “Geraldo No Last Name” Timed Write
In “Geraldo No Last Name”, author Sandra Cisneros uses a distinct slang voice to keep the reader involved and demonstrate the melancholy and mournful tone of the sad story.
Cisneros tells the story in the vernacular of the time, a sort of slang that helps the reader understand the melancholy then mournful tone toward Geraldo and the story. When speaking about the unnecessary death of the man Geraldo, the speaker laments, “Ain’t it a shame?” (560). In saying this the reader can tell that the story is not too formal. It uses everyday language that is understandable. It brings the reader into the story, and makes him or her feel down, just as Marin, the main character, does. When describing what happens, the speaker says it was an, “accident, don’t you know. Hit and run.” (560). This simple piece of information leads the reader to not just feel down, but feel genuinely sad for the man and his family. It involves the reader more, even speaking directly to him or her, letting the reader know that they are involved as well. Masterfully, Cisneros, by addressing the reader and informing the reader of specifics, draws the reader in, and creates a feeling, through the tone, of sadness for Geraldo—one that Marin feels also.
The strong voice and informality of the literary piece helps to establish a sorrowful tone once more is known of Geraldo and his life. When the speaker informs the reader that Geraldo was, “Just another brazer who didn’t speak English. Just another wetback. You know the kind. The ones who always look ashamed,” the reader feels sick (561). The one reading is empty inside. He or she feels terrible for the poor, disrespected man who didn’t have a great life. As a reader, one may come to mourn with Marin for the man. Through slight referenced to the reader, Cisneros has made a connection to Geraldo. The reader is pushed further into dejection when he learns, “The ones he left behind are far away, will wonder, shrug, remember. Geraldo—he went north…we never heard from him again.” (561) At this point, the reader has gone, as Marin has gone, from somberness to woe. Geraldo had a family who will never see him again; what a horrible feeling. The reader is crushed for his family. Cisneros’ distinct voice of mourning greatly changes the feeling of the reader, as well as the main character, from melancholy to despondent.
Cisneros beautifully uses a slag type voice in referring to the reader in her short story, “Geraldo No Last Name”, causing the reader to be gripped first by a melancholy, and then downright sorrowful tone, that echoes what the main character, Marin, goes through.
Reflection: Analyzing a Short Story or Poem
This year my class was assigned many timed writes, one of which was about the story “Geraldo No Last Name”. In this particular timed write the class had to analyze the use of literary devices such as tone and diction in the story. I took this story to particular interest because it was not one of those artsy stories that every student despises of. It was almost a mystery about the unknown man, who dies in the street that night. It made the reader sit and wonder about the man’s family, who they were. It made the reader feel bad for the poor man and his circumstances. Because of these interests, I was intrigued to choose this to write about. I used good concrete details in this timed write, which set me in the right direction. Because of the details, I was also able to write good commentary. Though terse, the story provided fodder for use in a literary analysis. I felt confident that I did well, and showed some of my better writing in this timed write.