Challenge 378

Let Not the Left Hand...

1. In John W. Steele’s “Chickasaw Ridge,” what are the elements of comedy? Of tragedy?

2. In David S. Bernstein’s “Reigning Time”:

   1. What is the significance of the title?
   2. In what way is the “Map” a vampire?
   3. How might the Map’s curse be overcome?

3. In Arthur Mackeown’s “Rose,” the man will to go to Heaven not merely because he gave alms to the poor. What else is required?

4. In Oonah V. Joslin’s “Stain of Light,” what is the lesson of the stained glass window?

5. In Fehmida Zakeer’s “Canvas of Life”:

   1. Is the last sentence necessary?
   2. Why is the unnamed artist better off without her husband? Caution: “because she can see colors again” simply restates the question.

6. In Mary B. McArdle’s “A Date for the End of the World”:

   1. In what way is the deity depicted in the story syncretic rather than particular?
   2. The name “Jesus Christ” is translated into Hebrew. The figure never appears in the story and the references seem to be offhand, even casual. What might their function be?
   3. What does the narrator learn in Purgatory? Why might he need the experience?
   4. The story is quite irreverent toward various cultural concepts, rituals, and taboos. Is the story irreverent toward the Deity itself?

7. In Rachel Parson’s “A Man Too Many”:

   1. What is the connection between Rhiannon and Grizelda’s mission?
   2. The narrative present and past tenses are used interchangeably. What is the effect?

Responses welcome!

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