The narrator of the story “Excerpt from 100 Days and 99 Nights” and the speaker in the poem “Rain Check” have different points of view about her family situations. What is the narrator’s point of view about her family situation in “Excerpt from 100 Days and 99 Nights”? What is the speaker’s point of view about her family situation in “Rain Check”? How are these points of view different? Use details from both the story and the poem to support your response.
In the story "Excerpt from 100 Days and 99 Nights," the narrator's point of view about her family situation is that it is a difficult, challenging, and transient situation that she must endure until her father comes back from deployment. The narrator expresses her feelings of vulnerability, fear, and loneliness during her father's absence. She further acknowledges the need to stay strong and resilient for her family, herself, and her father.
In contrast, the speaker's point of view about her family situation in the poem "Rain Check" is that it's a fleeting moment, an opportunity to pause, and temporarily escape the challenges and problems they usually face. The speaker focuses on the idea of having a break from their problems, with an emphasis on the carefree and unrestrained feeling of dancing in the rain, and sharing this joyful experience with a loved one. The poem paints a picture of the two characters being able to forget their problems, if only for a moment, before they resume facing their challenges.
The difference between these two points of view lies in how the characters perceive their family situations. In the story, the narrator sees her situation as something that must be endured, with a focus on her emotions and state of mind while dealing with her father's absence. On the other hand, in the poem, the speaker sees her situation as an opportunity for temporary respite, a chance to recharge and share a moment of joy and connection before tackling their problems. The story's narrator may find solace in staying strong and stable, while the poem's speaker finds solace in embracing the rain and engaging in a playful, carefree moment with a family member. Hence, the points of view in these two texts differ in their approach to dealing with challenging family situations, and the emphasis each character places on their emotions and experiences.