Scratch Ticket
"Alice reached into the garbage can and started sifting through the contents. It was one of a half a dozen that lined the front of the train station. She pawed the top of the pile, but feeling nothing worthy of further inspection, dug downwards like a mole burrowing its way through soft earth. She couldn’t see very far inside because the bin was encased in a stainless steel box with a door at the back that was latched and locked, as if there were something of value inside instead of just things people had tossed away..."
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- Mr. Martin
posted by Corey Charron @ 1:14 PM
33 comments
33 Comments:
The short story “Scratch Ticket” was a very enjoyable read, and was an all-around great story. Every aspect of “Scratch Ticket” was quite strong, but personally, I believe the character was the greatest element of the entire story.
The character Alice was a very intriguing character, as although she was the protagonist, I didn’t feel sorry for her when she lost her winning ticket. I actually believed that she got what she deserved. I even thought that the bartender, whom she inadvertently gave the ticket to, would probably make better use of the ten grand anyway. I am guessing that I felt this way while reading the story, because of Alice’s words and actions. She curses, is an alcoholic, and throws insults at innocent pedestrians. As you can clearly see, she is not exactly a model citizen. When Alice ultimately drinks away her good fortune, instead of feeling sympathetic, I felt that the whole situation was rather amusing.
The author’s physical description of Alice was also extremely effective. When he describes the pus gushing from her lips, a grotesque image was painted in my head, that me cringe a little bit in my seat.
All in all, the short story ranks up there with one of my favorites of this unit. The irony, foreshadowing, theme and atmosphere all were superb aspects in this story, but without question, the strongest element was character. The creativity and description used by the author was second to none.
“The Scratch Ticket” by Corey Charron, was a very well written story, which was about a bum who won ten thousand dollars on a scratch ticket. The protagonist, who was the bum name Alice, faced many challenges throughout the story. One of which was her alcoholism. This was a major conflict because throughout the whole story she combats against it, but in the end loses resulting in the loss of her winning lottery ticket.
This story was one of my favorite short stories, besides “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty. I really enjoyed this story, mainly because it was from a different aspect of life. It isn’t to often people stop and think about, what a bum with ten thousand dollars would do. For example in the story when Alice is thinking about how she is going to cash the ticket. This would be a hard task to accomplish because everyone would think that the ticket was stolen. To me this is ingenious, because it is real, and if I were in that position I would not know what to do, like Alice. Nobody would believe you, only your fellow bums. If they knew how much money the ticket was worth, they would probably try to end your life. This is why I think Alice was in a bigger situation than what she was aware of.
The story “The Scratch Ticket” was an excellent story as far as writing devices go. This story had excellent foreshadowing, irony, and I thought the part where Alice lost the other ticket on the floor while in the bathroom stall was suspense. I think this because throughout he story I kept wondering if someone else picked the ticket up, and won with it. It turned out no one did, but that made me want to keep reading on. The use of similes, and metaphors are also used in this story, which add to the depth of the storyline.
I loved this story, and the realism of it, but I didn’t like the conclusion. I didn’t like the conclusion because I thought it would have been more dramatic if Alice had committed suicide. If it went the I mentioned it would go sort of similar to this. Alice would lose her ticket then once she had came back to her senses about what happened, she drowns herself in a mud puddle, because it was the only way to perform suicide cheaply and easily. This way it leaves the reader feeling happily satisfied, because it relieves there anger towards Alice and her stupidity, for giving away the ticket for alcohol. In my opinion this was a great story that captures life’s up and downs perfectly. I hope I get to read another well-done story like this again, keep up the good work.
Brad O'Hearn
From beginning to end, the short story, “Scratch Ticket”, had my attention. It always kept me guessing what Alice would do with the scratch ticket. The part about the story that interested me the most was the main character.
Alice is a bum and an alcoholic who lives on the streets. She isn’t much of a “people person”, yelling at almost everyone she sees, and basically hating the world. Just when she thinks nothing good could happen to her, it does, and she finds a way to mess it up.
Questions I have about Alice and the story are, why didn’t she just cash the ticket as soon as she got it? I know I would have. She had a perfect opportunity right in front of her and she let a bad habit get in the way. I would have thought that this would have been a turning point for Alice. Do something good, and change. I think she probably could have got around people thinking that she stole it. Why did you choose for the story to go in that direction?
Another question I have is why did you mention the ticket that fell on the bathroom floor? I kind of expected to see something happen with the other ticket.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. It was very intense, and very different than any other short stories I have read.
For me, this short story was full of surprises and not to mention irony. Alice was a homeless bum who digs through garbage cans for a living. I could not imagine having to live that kind of lifestyle. Every time Alice feels hunger, she has to take the chance of getting stabbed by a needle in the tin cans in which she scrimmages. Pretty much every single everyday task which she completes daily could cause her harm. But it seems has though she doesn't have the urge to want to change it, this is where I thought the irony came into the story.
An example of this is how Alice didn't even want to get the ticket cashed right away. I think that if you were truly desperate, you would cash it as soon as possible. It was ironic how she started out with nothing, received an opportunity to make something of her life and then lost it, because of her drinking. I know that when I was reading this short story, that thought never crossed my mind.
One of the surprises that caught my eye the most in " Scratch Ticket", was when Alice first won off the ticket, she purchased a drink. If I had been on the streets living like a bum, homeless and dirty woman, I would have seized the chance. I do not think Alice really knew what to do because she was not used to that kind of lifestyle.
All in all, I do not think that if the author, Corey Charron had portrayed Alice in any other way, and the story would not have been the same. Nor would it have been without it's unexpected happenings or ironic points.
Shana Olsen
Foreshadowing is one of the many literary devices used in the story “Scratch Ticket.” It is used on many occasions to give the reader a hint as to what might become of the main character of the story, Alice. Her actions and thoughts in different parts of the story are examples of foreshadowing, along with parts of the story where Alice interacts with other characters. These examples include Alice’s paranoia, the lost ticket in the bathroom stall, and the clerk’s warnings at the liquor store.
Shortly after Alice scratched the winning ticket in the public bathroom, there was an immediate feeling that Alice might go on to cash the ticket later in the story, followed by a luxurious, and happy ending for her. However, the overall feeling generated was that this story was written with the intent to accurately portray what everyday was like for a homeless person, so it was fairly obvious that Alice would not achieve her goal of cashing the winning ticket. She would probably never be able to live the temporary life of luxury she desired. The twist at the end of the story where Alice loses her treasured lottery ticket is clever and surprising. But even if Alice didn’t trade her ticket for a few more rounds of beer at a tavern and a nauseous blur of a morning the next day, it is not likely that she would have succeeded in cashing it anyway. She said herself that most of society would be suspicious of a bum with such a large amount of money when she tried to cash it or take her winnings to a bank. And of course, the police would be of no help in backing her up. Her paranoia towards other people was the first sign that she would fail.
A second example of foreshadowing is when Alice dropped the unscratched lottery ticket in the bathroom stall. The ticket fell from her grasp and she didn’t even notice. Not that the unscratched ticket was of any value to her anyway. This lost ticket could have been hinting that Alice would end up losing her prized ticket away, and she did at the bar. She would throw it all away like she threw away her other tickets in the bathroom. She would never know what was on the forgotten ticket. Other than this ticket being an example of foreshadowing, it serves no purpose in the rest of the story, unless it is just a point of interest.
And finally, one of the most obvious examples of foreshadowing is the clerk at the liquor store. Alice mentions that whenever she went there to buy some alcohol, he would make an unsuccessful attempt to convince her to turn her life around. He told her to put her money towards more important things like rebuilding her life. Alice paid no attention to his warnings each time. This is a hint that alcohol may be the cause of her demise. Whether it is the cause of her death, or of her losing her ticket.
It was evident throughout the story that Alice living the high life was too good to be true. It seemed that Alice knew this all along as well when she constantly explained all the ways she could fail. These examples of foreshadowing couldn’t entirely prepare the reader for the twist at the end, but it gave the reader an idea of the overall outcome of the story.
Scott Saunders
“Scratch Ticket” Response
by Megan Keating
The short story “Scratch Ticket” is very different than any other story that I’ve read. The author definitely has a unique and distinctive quality to his writing. It is very descriptive. It consistently conveyed a clear picture in my mind. Since there are not many fancy words in it, the story seems more down to earth. It has an element of realness about it, although I thought it was somewhat crude.
I didn’t really like this story much. I found it pretty hard to sympathize in any way with Alice. I just didn’t feel sorry for her. She made me frustrated because she didn’t have many goals for herself. She had no ambition and she didn’t plan to use her winnings in a useful fashion. She just wanted to continue being a homeless person for the rest of her life.
Because of this, the story was pretty boring for me to read. I felt that it rambled on quite a bit and it seemed to me like it really didn’t have much of a point. I just didn’t find that it was interesting.
Dear Mr. Charron,
We, Mr. Martin’s grade ten English were asked to read and respond to your short story “the scratch ticket”. Here is a copy of my assignment:
From the dark beyond of outer space, to beautiful rain drenched tropical forest, between the lines of any story lurks adventure, truth, and surprise in their worst as well as most glorifying conditions. Portrayed with admirable writing these traits are shown through character, atmosphere, and plot through out the story “Scratch Ticket”.
Short for characteristics, characters will make or break any piece of writing with or with their lack of individuality, charm, and integrity. For Alice, the cookie crumbles harshly but it is her crumby lifestyle, stale priorities and chunky visions in terms of what she, as a person should settle for that draw people in and make us want more. More bad decisions, more cheap liquor, cheap bars, and old subs because nothing draws out more feeling than a sense of failure.
Although Alice may not have had the cheeriest of dispositions, the general mood illustrated by Corey Charron, was not however always so far off the rails. Hope, though only a slight glimmer, is brought about by the winning ticket. Slivers of pride we shown by Alice herself, when she explains her hygiene habits verses those of other bums. But every attempt at a happily ever after is shot back down when she refuses to allow or act responsibly upon any beneficial incident that comes her way.
For example, in the washroom she lets the second ticket fall without even noticing, because she is too busy accepting that she has won, to even consider that she may have won more. Even after she knows that she has a great sum of money, she settles, for less at the liquor store, as well as in the bar until she inevitably bargains away her only shot at a more.
The stepping stones of Alice’s journey are laid out clearly, although undesirably. For me however, it is the unfortunate traits in her life’s plot that that I find more charming than those that work in her favour. It is her failures rather than here success that are the most interesting and easier to relate to. Granted, I have never been homeless, I shower daily, and I do not dig in trash cans, but I along with the rest of the world have experienced failure, and knowing that Alice may or may not fail, watching her stumble and waiting for her to pick herself back up are the elements in the plot that make it so hard not to keep reading.
Lurking within the small black font of “The Scratch Ticket,” you Mr. Charron has created a place visited by us and occupied by a woman whose situation is not worth much more than a second look, and whose path is scattered and unwanted. A realistic place full of truth adventure and surprise that I really enjoyed reading about.
Dear Mr. Charron,
I have recently read your short story “ The scratch ticket”, and really enjoyed it. There were three aspects of the story that I found really made it what it is, characters, atmosphere, and setting.
First of all, I loved the way you wrote Alice’s character. When I was reading I had a clear picture of what she looked like, and the way she acted around people like shouting vulgar words at them really suited her nasty appearance.
Also, the atmosphere of the story was great. I got this feeling of disgust when I thought of Alice and her puss oozing lips. Her overall attitude made me sort of angry, because she was so mean to everyone, and when she finally got a second chance she blew it because of her laziness.
And last but not least, I really liked the setting. It wasn’t this perfect little town or city, and I could picture a place that is cold, and wet, with real people, not the fake perfect ones that are in most stories. It was real.
All in all, I really loved your story, but I have some questions I would like to ask you about it. First of all, why did you name the main character “Alice”? Secondly, Why did you put the part in about Alice dropping the ticket in the bathroom stall if it wasn’t going to be brought up again later on? Thirdly, why doesn’t Alice confide in the other Bums? And last but not least, why doesn’t Alice seem to care in the end, and what inspired you to write a short story about a psycho bag lady?
Hi Corey,
I just got finished reading your story "Scratch Ticket" and was asked to write a response by the infamous Mr.Martin.
I found the short story very interesting, it's a good story. I found out a lot about homeless people and what they have to do to live on the streets and that it's really hard thing to do. I found that when Alice was getting drunk at the bar, that it's real life alcoholic. She cares more about her alcohol then anything at all.
I understand more what people on the streets are like. I found some parts very stupid though, like when Alice gave her money to the bar tender. Then when she ran out, gave the scratch ticket, only to be stabbed in the back and kicked out.
Alice, is a strange character, because she doesn't try to fix her life with the scratch ticket. To her it's just get drunk more often and go to the bars for longer. Eventually she would run out of money and be right back to normal. I think your story captures the true views of the streets in the big city. I found it was a really really good story, I have read it three times already.
What made you write this story? Have you ever been living on the streets?
This story is one of my favourite short stories yet becasue it captures reality but it is a bit of fiction involved also.
Scratch Ticket
There were many unique and profound values in “Scratch Ticket” that caught my attention. The setting was rough and real, the atmosphere stood out but most of all my thoughts were on the character. Her way of thinking was alarming in its simplicity, she had an unwavering mindset on how life is, and she showed no sign of evolving even when it seemed impossible not to.
One of the odd things about Alice was that she had absolutely no depth. She had few emotions and they all seemed as though she had decided on her reaction to every aspect of life. She is what you see when you look at her and nothing else. I think that’s a rare quality, if you can call it a quality.
Alice’s mind was set to how she thought her life should be and she would not think to change it, which opened my eyes to see how we can get so used to our own way of life that sometimes we see no other, even if we get the opportunity to improve it. This applies to the story in the way that Alice had her big chance start to clean up, get a job, and improve her lifestyle but the thought never occurred to her. I found this amazing.
The most extraordinary part of Alice might have been her final reaction, which showed just how dead her mind really is. She learned nothing from the experience when in the circumstances this seems impossible. But because she wouldn’t change anything when she had the money shows how it might not matter to her that the money was gone.
As you can see Alice is quite a character. She was alarmingly simple, had an
unwavering mindset, and overall had no ability to learn.
In the story ‘scatch ticket’there are many funny,serious and other special things that the author has placed in for effect wich make this story a great one.For instance,comparing it to the story ‘the cop an the anthem’,it’s not just one big story of constant irony wich sometimes is all right.But the cop and the anthem was just that.
Other reasons that I liked the story ‘scratch ticket’ were that it was written in modern day english.What I mean by that is it’s written in the way most people talk.With the occasional curse or two.Also it wasn’t one of those endings where everything all ways turns out good.Alice was a drunk and she knew it.She even planed to drink even more with the money she had won.that’s why I liked it,it was really could happen today.
As for the funny parts,they include parts such as when the women farted in the bathroom,when she and the pizza guy were yelling and of course when she walks by the prostitute.But also there were parts that were serious.Like when the guy at the liquor store told Alice she should stop drinking and get her life together.Another one was when she could feel the poison in her stomach and when she almost got hit by a truck.
All in all I must say that I very much enjoyed this story,it was very well done in every aspect in my mind.It had all the things that I like.Such as funny,serious and suspense to keep you hooked and want to keep reading.
The Scratch Ticket
In the story the “Scratch ticket” there were many interesting things such as, the characters or the atmosphere. However the one I enjoyed the most and would like to comment on is the plot. The plot contained many twists and turns which I never saw coming. Which made he story what is so suspenseful.
Some things I enjoyed was the way you added the little part about the unscratched ticket falling to the floor when she left with her winning ticket. This really made you think if the story would come back to this ticket. Or when you were done reading it made you think if that ticket was a winner of equal value or even more than the other ticket.
Another part of I enjoyed was how you didn’t try and pretty up the whole story. You actual told it how it was.
All in all I really enjoyed the story. But before I finish I would like to know a bit more about the story such as: where did you get the idea for this story?
Have you published other stories?
If so what ones?
How did you come up with the name Alice for the Protagonist?
I knew everybody would enjoy the premise behind this story. Some of the common questions and comments had to do with Corey's characterization of the protagonist, Alice. His descriptions made her come alive and many of you wondered what type of experience he had, to know the inner workings of a homeless person.
"Scratch Ticket" is a stark contrast to the hyper-vocabulary and fancy terminology of O. Henry's short story "The Cop and the Anthem. Both stories are filled with irony, but the difference I hear most about is the realism of Corey's writing. Although I thoroughly enjoy the wordy, descriptive style of O. Henry, I also like bare, raw and gory details laid out in "Scratch Ticket". How else could one fully understand the degradation and misfortune of the homeless?
Throughout my years I have read many stories. But this story “Scratch Ticket” was by far the strangest and oddest story I have ever read. But I did enjoy it and I will tell you why. Or in some places why not. I will also give kinds of irony I found in the story.
First of all, this story was actually very good, in places. Some of the places that I liked were when first Alice talks about how paranoid homeless people can be. Second, I liked the part of the story when Alice was deciding what she would like to do to the ten grand that she won. Or found I guess.
Second of all, I would like to say that the irony I found in the story was funny, but also sad as, Alice was homeless so the money could have been good for her, but ultimately she would probably have just drank it away. Well some of the things I believed that were ironic. Was well that Alice did find the ticket, but than she gave 10 000 dollars of two glasses of draft beer. Also when Alice couldn’t actually remember what she had done with her ticket, and in her rage he ripped her jacket one of the most important things that she owns.
Third and finally, I believe that the story was in a way very, very horrible, I didn’t like the length of the story was really to much and it wasn’t what I expected.
To Conclude I would just like to say. That I have read better stories in my life-time but this one was alright.
“Scratch ticket.” The name says it all. Anyone who has ever heard the pestering irrationalities of 'the betting voice', and has delved into the worlds of convenience store gambling, knows the bitter sting of defeat when it comes to a scratch ticket. You scratch and scrape, each time waiting to see that third cherry or the lucky ace of spades, each time hoping that it will be the last, that this time next week you'll be on a cruise around the Caribbean with enough dough to buy two thirds of Mexico.
But alas, you get the dud. You curse and tear it apart, wasting even more money on the frivolous expense; and lose again. Life just is not fair. That is an all too true statement for old Alice, who seems to have harder luck then 1940s Poland. This filthy street-monger, who has more then her share of dents in the head, lives in the comforting security of cardboard boxes, and feed off the cornucopia of delicacies that is the dumpster. With such a rough life, it is strange to imagine this character winning ten grand; but she does just the same.
From within the wonders of a garbage can, Alice retrieves several lottery tickets, one of which bestowing to her ten Gs. A formidable load of cash for someone so downtrodden.
First and foremost, let be perfectly clear.
Never has so much cash been given to someone so undeserving. Yes you did read that correctly. No I do not hate the homeless, and no I am not some ultra-conservative bureaucrat who wants to position all the poor on the planet Jupiter. My reasons will be clear soon.
First of all, the fact that Alice has been a bum for quite some time is evident. She displays the psychological mentalities of a bag lady, and many examples in the story are less then subtle. Firstly, she seems to know her way around the street life, knowing how to pick through the garbage and avoid syringes etc. Secondly, Alice makes an excellent portrayal of the common paranoia found among the less fortunate. Over seventy five percent of all homeless people are schizophrenics, and ninety percent have been informally diagnosed with textbook paranoia. Alice seems frightened by everything, and reacts by ranting wildly for no reason, as an attack on the society who is 'out to get her.'
Finally, Alice remains trapped in her mental box, locked in the idea that she is worthless, even after winning ten thousand dollars. In the story it clearly mentioned that she would have trouble sleeping in a regular bed, and have to sleep on the floor with the windows open to feel secure. Also, she rants and raves at passer-byers for no reason then to be a nuisance, and continues to buy cheap firewater and smokes, all the while eating a half finished sandwich that was found in the trash.
The reason I have no pity for Alice is her refusal to change, even when given the opportunity and the advice to do so. Instead of going downtown and fixing her shattered life, Alice spends her life savings on a booze binge, losing the ticket in the process. That is what I call poetic justice.
Furthermore, the reader is never given any excuse to feel sorry for the old wretch, even with her current social status. The reader is instead compelled to dislike Alice for not what she is, but what she does. Maybe I'm being a bit cold, but I personally just hated the old bag. She fits her position perfectly.
Sorry I haven't until now got around to writing a comment on this page for "Scratch Ticket". I sent personal responses to almost all of you and then got side-tracked and kept putting off writing here. I think most things have already been discussed at length in my personal emails and in your class, but one thing stands out in my mind: most of you have said you didn't like Alice and had no sympathy for her, but I did, and do. Sure she is nasty and bitter a lot of the time, but I'm sure I would be too if I was stuck out on the streets, and although she doesn't have the ability to better herself, I still feel sorry for her. I think we all do things we know we shouldn't, but thankfully for most of us, the consequences aren't nearly as dire as they have been for Alice. She does also disgust me. How can she not? You have to have failed an incredible number of times to get to the position she is in; even if life didn't give her a whole lot in the first place. I guess these dual feelings I have for her are what really interests me about Alice. She isn't the only person whom I struggle to understand how I truly feel about them. Marley Curran said in her critique that Alice wasn't worth a second look, but I think there are many things she can help us to think about, even of the answers aren't very clear
Lastly, Marcus Goguen said he didn't like "Scratch Ticket" because it was so long. Remember when you are criticizing to always support what you say. My story many indeed be too long, but Marcus, by not explaining yourself, it seems like you are lazy and don't like to read anything longer than the T.V. guide (which I am sure is not the case). Perhaps you meant to say the same story could have been said in half the words, was needlessly repetative, or there were too many descriptive passages that made the story way too long and boring. Remember, it is great to be tough and critical, but always back yourself up.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Corey
That's a good point Corey that I try to reinforce in my class on a regular basis: always support what you say and be able to back yourself up - it doesn't matter if you're criticizing a piece of literature, offering an opinion about who makes the best pizza or giving a friend advice - be prepared to support your thoughts, opinions and ideas!
You know...Corey the point about the story being to long...I could have been picking OR it was so good hahah that i couldnt find anything else to pick at.
The story, “ The Scratch Ticket,” in my opinion was written very well. Some points in which I was especially impressed with were the use of words, and phrases, the character herself, and what I believe to be the theme of the story.
The words and phrases that were applied in the story were remarkable, and very describing but also very down to earth, and straight to the point. . One phrase in particular that caught my eye was, “If you ever get tired of her abuse and need loving of a real woman, old Alice is never far away.” This quote especially caught my eye because of its humor. You would think a story about a homeless person would be sad, her dialogue to me is actually quite funny. The way she expresses her feeling is descriptive, but right to the point. When she gets lonely, she talks to herself. When she is drunk, she gets angry. I believe the author did this for a reason, and with this it truly describes Alice’s personality. Words such as: paranoid, vagrancy, dangerous, liquor, and pity are used throughout the story, to add emphasize and character.
Alice is the main character in the story, and I personally think her character was so well described that it could be a story itself. She is of course homeless but seems to be ok with it, seeing how when she won the money she was only planning on renting a hotel room. Not exactly renting an apartment, or taking any actions that would help her in the long term. I also find the homeless woman was also quite rude. She would yell remarks to the richer class. I found it ironic how she complained about people judging her and her way of life, when she also judged them and how they lived. Alice was an alcoholic, which I think is a way of coping with her lifestyle. It is very unhealthy, but she chooses it to be that way. I find she is also very dull to opportunity, because she did not take the money and cash it in. The ticket could have been a second chance for her, but instead she went and got drunk to celebrate, in my opinion not the brightest idea.
I think the theme of the story is, second chances do come and you should take it when it does because in a second it can be taken away from you. I think the over all message in the story is very true, and is something we should all pay attention to. When going wrong in life, we learn from our mistakes. Alice unfortunately, did not learn from hers and did not take another opportunity to redeem herself in life. This to me is very sad but she did have a choice. From now on, I am going to take every chance I get, cause I believe you only get one break in life, and you should take it, and use it to your advantage.
The words and phrases used in this story, Alice herself, and the theme made the story very enjoyable to read. There are many story in which capture the life of the homeless, but “Scratch Ticket,” by far capture exactly what it would be like.
Marcus G,
I'm sure that's what it was. You were reaching and couldn't come up with anything else. My story was therefore perfect. Wheeeeeeeeeeee! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Scratch ticket.
My class was recently assigned to write a response to you, after reading “The scratch Ticket.’’ I think that it was an exceptionally well written story, that made the reader get a clear view of what really was going on.
I personally thought that using a homeless person as a main character was brilliant. It just goes to show that even the worst of luck, can somehow change in a blink of an eye. But one thing that I would really like to know more, is if the main character had any family. Or if there was a certain reason that they weren’t mentioned. Also I would like to know why you mentioned that she dropped a scratch ticket in the stall. Maybe there could have been even more money on the one that she had dropped. Was there any special reason for doing so? But I’m not trying to completely obliterate you like other classmates, I would just like to know is all.
Other than those few loopholes I was wondering about, I think that the story was actually pretty good. I thought it was a good story to do a study on in class. Alright, well that’s all I got to comment about Corey. Take er’easy
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The story “Scratch Ticket” was the very well written. I really enjoyed reading it. I thought the imagery was fantastic. “Near the bottom she found a half-eaten sub, still wrapped in the shop’s wax paper, pulled it out and stuffed it into her jacket pocket without inspecting it further. She didn’t care how it looked or smelled, unless steaks or bowls of lasagna started raining down from heaven…” when reading this you can really picture Alice, the main character, scrounging around in the garbage looking for her next meal.
In most stories the main character is usually someone who has a great life. This person, or persons, get caught up in a problem and with the help form their parents friends, resolve it, leaving us with a fairy tale ending. In “Scratch Ticket” Alice was not like this. She was a real person, the kind of person most people like to ignore. We are ashamed of these people and thus so, treat them like dirt. That’s what this story’s about. The author’s not afraid to show us what the real world is like. He’s not picking it up dusting it off and making it pretty for us. He’s taking the ugly truth and shoving it in our face, whether we like it or not. He’s forcing us to grow up and stop thinking the world is our friend. We can roll over and give up now or we can fight for what we believe in, and sometimes lady luck is on our side, if we use her well. Alice did not.
Alice had a hard life, she lived on the street, owning nothing but the clothes on her back. She didn’t even have money to buy any. If she did come across a few bucks she would “blow” it on booze. She had no real respect for herself or for anyone else. She abused herself with all the liquor she drank and cursed anyone who had the nerve to pass her.
Alice was a strong character and I enjoyed her all the much more for being real, being a drunk, being the person no one else would write about.
What Marley said, was almost exactly what I was trying to say!
How can you not feel sorry for the Alice. She had a disease. After being homeless so long you lose the value for everything, also being an alcoholic doesnt help the matter much. Now, you say the bartender deserved the ticket more than Alice, but you have to think if Alice really got determined and tried to clean herself up, she would make great use of that money. So all in all, I dont think that you are really understanding Alice's situation.
I completely understand her situation. I didn't feel sorry for Alice because of her behaviour and actions. Also, I didn't say the bartender deserved it more, I simply stated he would most likely make better use of it.
B-ryce said,
I completely understand her situation. I didn't feel sorry for Alice because of her behaviour and actions. Also, I didn't say the bartender deserved it more, I simply stated he would most likely make better use of it.
I completely agree with Bryce here. The reason I didn't feel sorry for Alice was because she could have made good use of the money but chose not to.
I'm responding to what Tim put about Bryce's response. To be honest, that is what I think took place too. Alice had a chance to make something of her life, and chose not to. But you have to wonder, was there other reasons why Alice couldn't make something of her good fortune. " If it's meant to be, it will be ".
I personally liked Alice, because she was a character who you could make fun of. Her actions, played a major role in this, like when see goes into the bar and gives the bartender her winning ticket for beer. What's not to like about seeing a bum give away a winning ticket for beer, I find that hilarious.
I agree with Bradley, Alice was an amusing character. Who wouldn't want to see a bum gain such a great amount of money, and then to lose it so abruptly. I just wish she could have died at the end.
To Shana,
I don't understand, what did you mean when you said:
"was there other reasons why Alice couldn't make something of her good fortune"?
I can answer that, she was a bum, and nothing good ever goes a bums way, thats why they are bums in the first place, because of bad luck...or drugs.hahaha
haha, or bad choices, which is what I think it could be in this case.
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