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Brunner

Isabelle Brunner

Ms. Somerville

ENG4UN

24 July 2023

1. Who is Fernando Sorrentino? Where and when was he writing?

Fernando Sorrentino the author of “The Visitor”, is an Argentine writer and

essayist born on November 8, 1942, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is known for his
short stories and essays. Sorrentino writing career spans several decades, and he gained
recognition for his unique storytelling style and exploration of the absurd and mysterious
in his works (Sorrentino). As of September 2021, Fernando Sorrentino was still alive and
active as a writer, but the exact date and location of his most recent writing activities
(Short-stories.co).

2. What were some of the things that were happening in that place at that time?

Many events occur in that place at a time. The narrator was training to become a
Spanish teacher. his affection for Adriana Bernasconi is a central event in the story. He
mentions being in love with her, and she eventually marries someone else, causing
emotional turmoil for the narrator. The accidental killing of beggar by Don Cesáreo. The
birth of Gustavo, Adriana’s son, is another important event in the story. Gustavo’s
presence and actions on the roof terrace becomes a focal point of the later part in the
story, leading to Don Cesáreo accidental death.

3. What are the real-life parallels between the author’s world and the story?

The real-life parallels between the author’s world and the story remain ambiguous and
open to interpretation, but some themes that can be identified are the complexities of
human emotions, the unpredictable nature of life, and potential for mysterious and
supernatural elements to intersect with ordinary events.

4. Does knowledge of the writer’s time and place illuminate the story in any way?
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o Does it change your understanding of the plot? Of the setting? Of the

characters? Of the conflict? Of the theme?
o Does the possibility of a relationship among these elements and the writer’s
context exist?
o Does this knowledge cause you to shift your interpretation of the story?

Knowledge of the writer’s time and place can provide some context to the story buy
may not be drastically change its fundamental elements. Understanding the historical and
cultural background of the author’s era may shed light on certain aspects of the plot,
setting, characters, and themes, as it can offer insights into prevailing social attitudes,
beliefs, and norms. The possibility of a relationship between the story and the writer’s
context exists, as authors often draw inspiration from their surroundings and experiences.
However, the story’s central themes of human emotions, tragedy, and the mysterious
remain universal and can be appreciated without extensive knowledge of the writer’s
specific time and place.

5. Consider the conflict in the story.

o Who won the conflict and what did they gain?
o Who lost and what did they lose?
o What is the writer saying about the conflict?
o Is the conflict a metaphor or analogy for something else?

In the story, the main conflict revolves around the accidental death of the beggar by
Don Cesáreo won the immediate conflict as he unintentionally causes the beggar’s death,
and he managed to keep it a secret from the world. He gained the preservation of his
reputation and the avoidance of legal consequences. On the other hand, the beggar lost
his life, a Gustavo, Adriana’s son, lost his father in the tragic incident. The writer seems
to explore themes of guilt, fate, and the consequences of one action. The conflict might
serve as a metaphor for the unpredictability of life, the interconnectedness of events, and
the cyclical of human existence. Additionally, I could represent the burden of secrets and
the way they shape the lives of those involved.

6. Write a one-sentence thematic statement about Fernando Sorrentino's "The

Visitation".

“The Visitation” by Fernando Sorrentino explores the haunting consequences of a hidden

tragedy, delving into themes of guilt, fate, and the interconnectedness of human actions.
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7. To what extent is the theme universal, and to what extent is it specific to time and
place?

The theme of “The Visitation”, focusing on the consequences of the hidden

tragedy, guilt, and interconnectedness of human actions, is predominantly universal. The
exploration of human emotions, the burden of secrets, and the unpredictability of the life
are timeless and resonate with readers across various cultures and historical periods.
However, certain elements of the story, such as the specific setting and cultural nuances,
may be more specific to the time and place in which the author wrote the story, but they
do not diminish the universal significance of its underlying themes, making it accessible
and relatable to a broader audience.

8. How does the context of the writer influence the meaning of the text?
How does the context of the reader influence the interpretation of the text?

The context of the writer can significantly influence the meaning of the text by
shaping the author’s perspectives, experiences, and cultural background, which often find
expression in the story’s theme, characters, and setting. The writer’s context may
influence the choice of themes, the portrayal of societal norms, and the incorporation of
cultural elements. On the other hand, the context of the reader also plays a crucial role in
interpreting the text. Readers bring their own experiences, beliefs, and cultural
backgrounds to the reading process, which can affect their understanding and emotional
response to the story. Different readers may interpret the same text differently based on
their unique contexts, making the experiences of reading a dynamic and subjective
engagement between the writer’s intentions and the reader’s individual perspective.
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Works Cited
Short-stories.co. Fernando Sorrentino. n.d. 23 July 2023.
Sorrentino, Fernando. A Lifestyle by Fernando Sorrentino. n.d. 23 July 2023.