The Skating Party Analysis

The Skating Party

Analysis

By: Darren, Yifan, and Indy

Climax Triangle- Main Plot

Atmosphere

Genre

Exposition: Maida introduced her family, notably uncle Nathan, who always told her everything.

Rising Action: Maida’s mother told her about what happened during a skating party that caused uncle Nathan to be single from then on. At the party, an accident occurred where Nathan and his friends could only rescue one of the two sisters involved, one of whom is Nathan’s fiance. (fiance: Eunice, sister: Delia)

Climax: Delia died in present day.

Falling Action: Uncle Nathan told Maida his side of the story, starting from when he met Delia until his engagement with Eunice and the skating party.

Resolution: Uncle Nathan revealed that he did know who he saved, and that he chose to save Delia instead of Eunice.

The setting adds to the atmosphere greatly. This story takes place in Alberta during Winter, on a frozen lake near Stone Man Hill (a historically interesting area). At the beginning, ice represents mystery and is described as “a long sickle of blue”. The story is neutral. At the end of story, it represents cold, death and sadness (like from the perspective of Nathan.) When Nathan is speaking to Maida, she comments that “the sound of old winters was in his voice, a sound of infinite sadness.” Additionally, we can see it also takes place in the early 1900s from the referenced use of horse-drawn buggies. This gives the story a vintage, authentic feel.

This story is not one with a very obvious genre, but the most profound one is likely romance. The skating party’s main plot revolves around the love triangle featuring Maida’s uncle Nathan and two sisters by the names of Eunice Lathem and Delia Skyes. However, this story is unlike most romance stories, and they do not all “live happily ever after”. Instead, this story features a dramatic plot twist at the end of the story, implying that Nathan had never truly loved Eunice but thought he did due to her relationship with Delia.

Setting

Themes

Foreshadowing

• Story of the stone man represent Uncle Nathan's conscience and foreshadows his decision
• Stone man = Delia
• Wheat = Eunice
• "Your grandfather had a family to feed. He knew wherehis duty lay."
• "...I felt as if the stone man had more claim on me than my own father did."
• "I know for years I felt guilty whenever I remembered that I had done just what was expected of me.”

Duty and Expectations VS Preference and Personal Conscience

• Delia represented preference
• Eunice represented duty and expectations

Regret and Realization

• Uncle Nathan realized he can't get rid of his feelings which leads him to save Delia
• Maida realized the truth of the skating party (whether she regrets asking about it is unknown though)

Suspense

One line plot summary

Climax Triangle- Subplot

At the beginning of the short story, Nathan is quoted saying “What you don’t know can’t hurt you”. Ironic, since the conflict was him not knowing who he loved. Situational irony created suspense throughout.

Nathan also notices the white fur on Eunice’s coat around the end of the story. This is a deciding factor in the outcome, and when the specific detail about Eunice’s coat is mentioned you know something will happen but the information given is too vague to draw conclusions. This adds suspense.

Exposition: Uncle Nathan met Delia and had feelings for her. However, he soon realized that she was married.

Rising Action: Delia introduced Nathan to her sister, Eunice, and soon after, Nathan and Eunice got engaged.

Climax: Eunice and Delia fell through the ice at the skating party.

Falling Action: Nathan and his friends went to save the girls. Sadly, only one could be rescued and he chose to save Delia.

Resolution: Delia quickly moved to Edmonton after the incident, away from Nathan. (It was later revealed that Delia actually had feelings for Nathan)

Characters

Plot

Maida Singleton narrates the story. Maida is mature, analytical, curious, trustworthy and understanding. Nathan is very honest and trusting towards her.

Nathan Singleton, Maida’s Uncle, is the protagonist. He’s kind but guilty and conflicted.

Delia Sykes is outgoing, carefree and outspoken.

Eunice Lathen is Delia’s sister and Nathan’s fiancee. She is mature, defensive and quiet. Notably, the name “Eunice Lathen” sounds mellow whereas “Delia Sykes” is bold. This represents their contrasting personalities.

Will and Winnie Singleton, Maida’s father and mother respectively.

Maida’s uncle Nathan had a love life once upon a time, but everything fell apart after a skating party.

This story takes place in a small town called Willow Bunch, located in the prairies. This story likely occurred in the late 19th or early 20th century.

Maida was a young girl who lived with her parents in a small town called Willow Bunch. She was a very curious girl who wanted to know everything. Her curiosity ranged from how a rock got its name to her uncle Nathan’s love life. She especially wanted to know why he never married.

Her mother and uncle Nathan both gave their stories about an incident at a skating party that caused uncle Nathan to remain single. At the skating party, Nathan tragically lost his wife to be, Eunice, when she and her sister fell through thin ice. From Maida’s mother’s perspective, Nathan and his friends only had time to save one of the girls, but because of the darkness, could not tell who they saved until later. However, when uncle Nathan told the story himself, it is revealed that he was actually able to differentiate the two girls but decided to let his fiance die...