The concept of the far and the near is one that has been explored by numerous writers, philosophers, and scholars throughout history. At its most basic level, the far and the near refers to the idea that there are certain things that are distant or remote from us, and other things that are close or proximate. This distinction can be applied to a wide range of subjects, from physical distance to emotional or psychological distance, and it has the power to shape our perceptions and understanding of the world around us.
One way in which the far and the near can be understood is in terms of physical distance. When something is far away from us, it may seem less real or tangible, as it is beyond the limits of our immediate experience. On the other hand, things that are near to us are more familiar and easier to understand, as they are within our direct field of perception. This idea can be seen in the way that people often feel more connected to their local community than to the larger world at large.
The far and the near can also be understood in terms of emotional or psychological distance. When we feel emotionally distant from someone or something, it can be harder to connect with them or understand their perspective. Conversely, when we feel emotionally close to someone or something, we may feel a greater sense of understanding and connection. This idea can be seen in the way that people often feel more connected to their close friends and family than to more distant acquaintances or strangers.
In terms of literary analysis, the concept of the far and the near can be used to explore the ways in which characters relate to one another and to the world around them. For example, a character who is struggling to connect with others may be described as feeling emotionally distant, while a character who has strong relationships may be described as feeling emotionally close. Similarly, a character who is physically distant from the action may be described as feeling detached or removed from the events of the story, while a character who is physically close may feel more engaged and involved.
Overall, the concept of the far and the near is a powerful tool for understanding the ways in which distance, both physical and emotional, can shape our perceptions and relationships with the world around us. Whether we are exploring the relationships between characters in a work of literature or examining our own connections to the people and places in our lives, the far and the near is a concept that can help us to better understand the complexities of human experience.
Short Story Analysis: The Far and the Near by Thomas Wolfe
Dislocated families set up makeshift shelters on vacant lots in cities and towns. From the train the engineer thought the mother and daughter gave him a sense of family, therefore, he could be completely wrong about how the house looks. While Wolfe's novels have often fallen under criticism for their excessive autobiographical sources, the influence of their editors, and Wolfe's wordy style, many critics in the last half of the twentieth century began to praise Wolfe for his short fiction. It is available from Books on Tape, Inc. For a writer known by his long, sprawling novels such as Look Homeward, Angel: A Story of the Buried Life and Of Time and the River, this ultrashort short story is a rare occurrence. In fact, the beauty of his vision of the women is so strong that he relies on it to get him through hard times—including the four fatal accidents he witnesses when people get stuck on the train tracks in front of him.
The Far and the Near Summary
When the Geodesic method is used, the angle is within the range of -180° to 180°, with 0° to the north, 90° to the east, 180° or -180° to the south, and -90° to the west. The second date is today's date — the date you are citing the material. He recognizes the oak trees, the flower beds, the vegetable garden, the grape arbor, and the train tracks behind the house, but the sense of unfamiliarity persists, and the engineer is seized by a sense of hopelessness and confusion. The author also talks about the deaths the author has seen: kids in a wagon, a deaf man, a homeless fellow, and a random man who the engineer could hear scream as the man flew past the train. This field is only added to the output table if multiple near features are specified. If no value is specified, all near features are considered.
"The Far and the Near" by Thomas Wolfe
He has decided to take a closer look at the beauty of the house, and to meet the women who not only have been waving to him for the duration of over twenty years, but to seek these women who he feels close to as if they were his own family. The author makes the engineer sound like a nice guy, which adds to the idea that there should be a happy ending for him. No matter how much a person has done in his life, for himself or others, we know a happy ending is not guaranteed. Following a revitalization that had taken place in the economic good times of the 1920s, the railroads were well equipped to handle the 1930s—or so they thought. There is a train that goes past this particular town and cottage every afternoon. The Far and the Near is a short story about an everyday event that occurs in the lives of three people over a span of many years.
