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I need a tutor who can help improve my essay below.  Also, below…

I need a tutor who can help improve my essay below.  Also, below is feedback what needs improvement. Can you not use any outside sources please.  Just my essay, please.

 

Feedback:  your account of the story is accurate and clear, and you do a nice job highlighting key aspects that relate to your overall claims.  Still there’s room to strengthen the topic sentences and transitions so that you’re always mindful of the thesis and the purpose of each paragraph is clear. Make sense?

 

“Stay” by David Schuman

 

 

    In the short tale titled “Stay,” written by David Schuman, the author investigates the link that exists between people and animals. He argues that this connection goes beyond the conventional conceptions of superiority or inferiority, with an emphasis placed on the emotional connection and mutual support that exists between the two species. 

    The protagonist of “Stay” and his dog, Deli, have an interesting relationship that the author explores in “Stay.” The fact that the main character initially wanted a dog that would take up the most space in his home is an indication that he is eager to build a deep rapport with an animal. This demonstrates a divergence from the conventional view of humans as being superior to other creatures. In addition, the guy who had performed a horrible deed by setting his wife on fire was the one who brought the dog to the shelter. This exemplifies the callous disdain that some people have for the lives of animals as well as their well-being. This highlights the reality that animals are often mistreated at the hands of humans. 

    The protagonist’s connection with Deli evolves during the narrative into a profound and significant bond between the two of them. The exchanges between the protagonist and Deli demonstrate a feeling of camaraderie and emotional support for the protagonist. They communicate their appreciation of one another and their comprehension of one another via the medium of play by engaging in activities such as tossing bologna slices. The author portrays the connection between them as being one of love and faithfulness, which hints that the significance and purpose of animals in the lives of people extends beyond only practical or utilitarian needs.

 For example, in the story “I named the dog Deli, from Fidelity and because I learned that bologna really perked this animal up. We’d go out in the backyard, and I’d throw discs of bologna—slices doubled up so they flew straight—and Deli would jump up and gobble them out of thin air. We did that every day, until the dog started getting fatty lumps the size of marbles under his coat and the vet told me to lay off.  Anyway, it probably wasn’t right to be throwing meat around like a toy” (107).

    In addition, the efforts made by the protagonist to include women into their life demonstrate a need for companionship and a feeling of belonging within a family unit. On the other hand, it turns out that these relationships are just temporary, and in the end, the protagonist and Deli go back to their regular friendship. This shows that the tie between people and animals may in some situations be more long-lasting and gratifying than human-to-human interactions, which challenges the common notion that humans are better in their ability to emotionally connect with one another.

    The narrative also touches with the concept of wildness as well as the idea that people have a notion of humans “acting like animals.” The meeting between Deli and an inebriated kid who had just gotten off a freight train highlights the difference between the dog’s steadfastness and the boy’s carelessness. The author makes the inference that animals, like Deli, can display values of loyalty, compassion, and responsibility that are superior to those shown by certain people. The idea that humans are fundamentally more civilized or morally superior to animals is called into question by this evidence.  For example, “finally, Deli got old and stiff. It had been eight years since I had brought him home. His arthritis got so bad that a couple of times I had to lift his leg for him.  The hair on the muzzle turned white. His nose was always dry and crusty, and his nostrils whistled.  His eyes looked like they were filled with milk, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking anymore” (108). 

    As the novel draws to a heartbreaking close, the protagonist faces the agonizing choice of whether to assist Deli in ending her life as her condition worsens. However, once the veterinarian checks Deli, she concludes that he is in good health, which highlights the persistent devotion and commitment of the protagonist. This scene highlights the connection between the protagonist and Deli, demonstrating that the emotional tie surpasses the physical restrictions of age and disease. Specifically, this moment focuses on how the protagonist can help Deli. When Deli dies away, the protagonist has tremendous sadness and a feeling of loss, and the plot of the novel vividly depicts these emotions. This serves to further emphasize the significance of their connection. For example, “When I got to the vet’s, Deli was barely breathing. The assistance took him out of my arms and into the back. The receptionist told me that the doctor would call me in when it was going to happen and then I could say good-bye. I sat down on a bench covered with vinyl padding. I had never sat so straight in my life. There were magazines scattered on the table in front of me, and I wanted to banish them, with their catchy headlines and celebrity photos.  I wanted the place to be a church” (108).

    In conclusion, “Stay” by David Schuman questions the commonly held beliefs on the hierarchy of humans and animals in terms of superiority and inferiority. The narrative shows the emotional tie and mutual support that may exist between people and animals. This lends credence to the notion that the worth and purpose of animals extend beyond the roles that they play in providing us with practical benefits. The short article investigates the breadth and relevance of the human-animal connection by focusing on the relationship that the protagonist has with Deli. This approach presents an alternative viewpoint that subverts the conventional order of things and acknowledges the emotional depth and mutuality that exist within these kinds of connections.

Work Cited:

     Schuman, David. “Stay.” The Missouri Review, vol. 28, no. 2, 2005, pp. 106-109, https://doi.org/10.1353/mis.2006.0024. pp. 107, 108. Professor: O’Malley Daniel, Unit 2 Stories:  English 200-301 Blackboard, Marshall University 1 John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755.  Accessed 15 May 2023. pp. 107, 108.