LITERATURE

ASSIGNMENT
“Before the End of Summer”
Analysis and Review

GROUP MEMBERS
SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL
ADDIS ABABA
1. HIZKIAS ASFAW
MAY 2023 2. ABEL TEWELDE
3. EYOSIAS H/YESUS
4. YOFTAHE ARAYA
Submitted To: Tr. Tariku

GRADE 11A
Table of Contents
 Acknowledgment……………………………………………….………..1
 Introduction………………………………………………………….……2
 Summary……………………………………………………….…………3
 Personal Reflection……………………………………………….……..3
 Critical Analysis………………………………………………….……….4
Setting………………………………….……………..4
Character Development……………………..…4
Plot Structure………………………………4
Theme………………………………..5
Diction………………………...5
Quotes……………..…5
 The Purpose of the Author……………………………………..6
 Literary Devices……………………………….………………...6
 Conclusion……………………………………………………….7
Acknowledgment
Above all else thank God Almighty because he always had his hand on us during every
step of this journey to completion.

We are grateful to our respectable teacher, Tr. Tariku who has been instrumental in
guiding us through this assignment successfully. We are grateful for his insightful
leadership and knowledge which benefited us in completing this project successfully!
Thank you so much for your continuous support and presence whenever needed.

Last but not the least; we sincerely appreciate all those whose contribution was either
direct or indirect. We could have never done it without them!

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Introduction
"Before the End of Summer" is a short story penned by Grant Moss Jr. that revolves
around a young boy named Bennie and his experience of facing his grandmother's
impending death. The story touches on the themes of accepting the inevitability of death
and the journey of coming of age. It was originally published in The New Yorker Magazine
on October 15, 1960.

As we read the story, we gained insight into how young individuals can grapple with such
situations, providing us with a deeper understanding of children's perspectives on death.
The story effectively portrays the reactions and emotions of a 10-year-old in such
circumstances, making it relatable and engaging.

This short story is set in the summer during the 1960s. The main characters live in an all-
black community in the Southern part of the United States. In the exposition, we are
introduced to Bennie, a 10-year-old black boy, and his grandmother, Hannah, who takes
care of Bennie.

At the beginning of the story, the scene is set and we are introduced to the personalities of
the characters. Bennie spends his summer playing by a local spring and his grandmother
cooks for him and watches over him.

The main conflict in the story is that Bennie’s grandmother finds out she is sick, and
Bennie struggles with the terrible news. This conflict is an internal conflict because it
shows how Bennie copes with the idea of his grandmother being fatally ill.

We found the story's language and narrative style captivating, and we enthusiastically
recommend it to those seeking a meaningful read.

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Summary
The short story "Before the End of Summer" centers around a young boy named Bennie
who is on the verge of witnessing his grandmother's impending death. The story unfolds in
a rural Southern American village, likely taking place during the 19th or 20th century. It
begins with Bennie overhearing a conversation between his grandmother, Hannah, and
her doctor, Dr. Frazier, where he learns about her illness and the prognosis of her passing
before the summer's end. This news shocks Bennie, leaving him uncertain and unable to
cope with the situation. As a result, he starts engaging in solitary activities and undergoes
a noticeable transformation.

In the middle of July, tragedy strikes when Bennie's grandmother's close friend, Mary
Mathis, dies. During Mary's funeral, Bennie listens to Reverend Isiah's sermon about the
afterlife, which confuses him as he wonders why people aren't happy for Mary since the
afterlife is portrayed as a place of complete satisfaction. However, Bennie is taken aback
by how his grandmother handles the loss of her dear friend, which fills him with pride and
alters his understanding of death.

As time passes, August arrives, and the long days of summer come to an end. Then, one
day, Bennie's mother announces her engagement to Joe Bailey. This news brings Bennie
a sense of relief as he believes Joe will take care of him. Although he hadn't explicitly
expressed his feelings, his grandmother advised him not to sabotage the family's
happiness. However, Bennie starts feeling as if Joe is replacing his grandmother in his
mother's life. Near the end of the month, while sitting under a tree, Bennie hears his
grandmother let out a sudden cry, marking a significant moment in the story.

Personal Reflection
We were truly inspired by the story we read as it presented a fresh and intriguing take on
the concept of 'Coming of age.' Unlike typical narratives that focus solely on the challenges
of growing up and finding one's place in the world, this story delved into the topic of death
and how it can shape the maturation process. It demonstrated how acknowledging the
inevitability of death can lead young individuals to develop a deeper understanding of life
and confront their fears.

When a person, particularly a young or inexperienced individual, is first exposed to death,

their world is completely changed. For the first time, they are faced by the prospect of
death, and the alteration it will make on their life, forever. However, the real change does
not occur in the discovery of death, but rather the acceptance of it. In “Before the End of
Summer”, Bennie, a ten year old boy, discovers that his grandmother has a condition that
will end in her demise, “before the end of summer”. Initially, Bennie is not able to cope with
this news; he does not possess the maturity needed to accept her fate. Through a series

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of events in the story, after experiencing, first-hand, the effects of death, he is able to
accept crude nature.

The author skillfully crafted the story, ensuring that each character's actions had a solid
foundation and resulted in believable outcomes. We were impressed by the author's adept
use of language, which effectively conveyed the characters' emotions and thoughts. The
dialogue felt genuine, and the descriptions of the setting and atmosphere were vivid,
immersing us in the story's world. The narrative flowed smoothly, building tension and
suspense as the plot unfolded.

Critical Analysis
Setting
The story takes place in a rural region of the southern United States during either the 19th
or 20th century, which can be inferred from the dialogue and social interactions of the
characters. For instance, a sentence like "You did not go close to white people, either"
provides insight into the racial dynamics of the society depicted in the story.

Character Development
The characters in the story are depicted with depth and complexity, allowing us to observe
their communication and emotional expressions. At the beginning of the story, Bennie's
inability to cope with the news of his grandmother's impending death is evident through his
actions. As the story progresses, during Miss May's funeral, Bennie becomes more
observant and begins questioning the actions of others, reflecting his growing
development. The language employed in the story effectively conveys the characters'
emotions and actions, providing insight into their inner workings.

Plot structure
Plot covers the structure of a story and the sequence in which the author arranges events
in a story. The structure often includes the rising action, the climax, the falling action, the
resolution and others. The plot of this story has an antagonist, creating what is called
conflict. The plot is structured well. The major character, Bennie, is let to have internal and
external conflicts.

At the beginning of the story, the plot follows a somewhat predictable trajectory, with the
expectation that the grandmother will pass away soon. However, the story introduces a
twist by prolonging her life until just before the end of summer, creating suspense and
uncertainty as to when her death will occur. Additionally, the unexpected death of the
grandmother's friend adds an element of moderate unpredictability to the plot.

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The exposition of the story involves the introduction of the characters and the central
problem, which is the impending death of the grandmother.

Throughout the rising action, there are sudden changes in Bennie's behavior and tense
moments involving his grandmother, building suspense and tension.

The climax of the story is marked by the death of Miss May and Bennie's subsequent
contemplation of death and its meaning.

The falling action encompasses the characters' acceptance of the inevitability of death, as
they come to terms with its presence in their lives.

Finally, the resolution of the story occurs with the death of the grandmother, bringing
closure to the narrative.

Theme
The central theme of the story revolves around the concept of "coming of age," which
explores the process of personal growth and maturation in young individuals. This theme
is a recurring motif in literature and delves into the journey of self-discovery undertaken by
the main character as they navigate through various trials and gain valuable insights.

In stories with this theme, the protagonist initially possesses a sense of innocence,
naivety, and limited life experience. However, as the narrative unfolds, they are confronted
with challenging circumstances that demand difficult choices, ultimately shaping their
character and understanding of the world.

Through these transformative experiences, the protagonist acquires a deeper

comprehension of the intricacies of life and how the world operates. This newfound
maturity empowers them to face future obstacles with greater wisdom and make more
informed decisions.

The story does not have a “twist‟ or unexpected ending. It was pretty much expected.

Diction
 Old Southern accent
 Poor grammar

"There ain't nothin' else for me to do."

"But here I go runnin' on and on."

Quotes
“I can feel it. I can feel it in the air. The smell of fall is here already.” - Mr. John

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“How will it come? Tell me, Doctor. I can stand it.” - Grandmother

“You're not afraid?” He shook his head.

The Purpose of the Author

The author's intention in writing this story was to delve into the concept of 'coming of age'
and offer readers a deeper comprehension of the maturation and development of young
individuals. By utilizing the characters and their experiences, the author aimed to illustrate
how various elements, including death, can profoundly influence a person's growth.

Through presenting a unique perspective on this theme, the author sought to challenge
readers to engage in profound contemplation about the process of growing up and the
obstacles faced by young people.

Moreover, the author may have intended to prompt readers to reflect on their own
encounters and consider how they have been shaped by the events and individuals in their
lives. In essence, the author's purpose in writing this story was to provide a thought-
provoking and enlightening exploration of the 'coming of age' theme, while encouraging
readers to delve into the factors that contribute to their personal growth and development.

Literary Devices Used in the Story

Symbolism: The big oak tree mentioned in the story

Imagery: "She put on her pretty blue-flowered dress and her big wide-brimmed hat
with red roses around its crown and the black ribbon that fell over the brim and down
her back."
"...for she had high cheekbones and her nose was long and straight, but her mouth
was big. Her eyes seemed as though they were buried way back ib her head, in a
mass of wrinkles."

Foreshadowing: The big oak tree being struck by lightning (the death of the
grandmother)

Irony: The fact that the grandmother’s plan was for Bennie to run to her friend’s house
when she dies but her friend died before her. The way his grandmother has a plan for
Bennie but he really doesn’t need a plan. His grandmother was trying to keep her
death a secret but Bennie knew from the beginning.

Simile: - “Her skin was like cream that had been kept too long”
- “Must have dropped off to sleep like a baby”

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Conclusion
In conclusion, "Before the End of Summer" is an inspiring and thought-provoking short
story that explores themes of coming of age, acceptance, and the inevitability of death. It
managed to surpass our high expectations AND be nothing at all like we expected.
Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional
journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road
trip.

Through the character of Bennie, we witness the emotional journey of a young boy
grappling with the imminent loss of his beloved grandmother. Set in a rural Southern
American village, the story beautifully captures the atmosphere and social dynamics of the
time.

Throughout the story, the author employs literary devices such as foreshadowing,
symbolism, imagery, irony, and simile to enhance the storytelling and evoke strong
emotions in the reader. The narrative structure follows a clear progression, with an
exposition that introduces the characters and the central problem, a rising action that
builds tension and suspense, a climax that challenges Bennie's beliefs, a falling action that
involves acceptance, and a resolution marked by the grandmother's death.

Overall, "Before the End of Summer" captivates readers with its engaging plot, well-
developed characters, and insightful exploration of the human experience. It serves as a
powerful reminder of the universal themes of loss, growth, and the inevitable passage of
time.

We would like to thank our teacher for giving us the opportunity to read and analyze this
story and learn important lessons about life and we hope you enjoy this assignment as we
enjoyed doing it.

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