Letter to the editor

Olivia Coolidge Arachne
http://morganparkcps.enschool.org/ourpages/auto/2012/4/29/44663231/Arachne%20guided%20reading.pdf

Myths and legends in literature are excellent ways to catch reader’s attention, the harmony of the words developed by authors and writers, most of time make readers want to have more of the piece of literature they are reading. Arachne is a legend which we personally loved from the very beginning to the end. The way the story is said and how the characters are described, it gave us a clear picture on our minds of how the girl and the other characters involved looked like. Most time we felt identified with the strong personality of the girl and her attitudes toward her amazing, incomparable skills as sometimes we humans are.

We think that the way the story was developed was simple but clear and gave us fair enough details to understand some elements of literature as the presentation, setting, foreshadowing and the most important, the conflict and the climax. It was extremely interesting how a simple maiden challenged the skill of a Greek goddess. However, we think that the story has a lot of difficult vocabulary, if it has to be read by children. The vocabulary seems somewhat antique and complex even for adults.  

On the other hand, we feel that the story brings a great message to the reader at the end, because it sets some qualities that a person, even a good skilled one should have, like humility, but in our opinion, Arachne should return back to her normal way, demonstrating that for goddess Athene is ok giving second chances to others. For example we consider that Arachne could give Athene an apologize for her words and attitude and become a girl again.

Thus, Arachne has a complex vocabulary and a sad end; we cannot deny the great set of the story from the beginning to the end. The elements of literature and the stunning message that provides and the imaginative development of their deeds grabbed our attention and enthusiasm through the whole story.

Sincerely yours.

Fanny Hernandez, Mayely lopez, Nasly Moran