Neglect and Decay in Joyce Carol Oates Haunted Essay -- Joyce Carol O

Neglect and Decay in Joyce Carol Oates HauntedThings in the population even those built by man are so placid left to themselves People futilely fight the decay of life and relationships in an attempt to find beauty and goodness in the world. Joyce Carol Oates masterfully illustrates this theme in her short story Haunted. Oates reveals the protagonist Melissas desperate struggle with looming forces like the physical environment, her twisted relationship with her ruff friend, and even the insanity in her own mind. Oates utilizes imagery, symbols, and metaphors to show the downtrodden state of the countryside in which Melissa and bloody shame Lou live. Mentioning it several times throughout the story, Oates uses provide as a major symbol signifying the once beautiful structures which become despicable and useless in neglect. In all of the houses Melissa and Mary Lou explore, on that point is broken glass underfoot and windows which have been smashed. Slippery like water, the glass foreshadows the danger of Melissas mind finally shattering. Oates also describes Mary Lous eyes as blue lik...