"The Waltz of the Fat Man"

  Throughout all the short stories we have recently read, the one that sticks out most to me was "The Waltz of the Fat Man" by Alberto Alvaro Rios. I think the reason it sticks out most is because the story is so sad. The guy is so alone that he gets excited over going to wakes so he can kiss the widow's check. I think one literary element that works its way into the story would have to be setting.
  In this short story, the physical aspects are shown when he talks about his good blue painted house and the walnut trees and wild oleander. I don't think there is a specific time period this is told in for the temporal aspect, but the main part of the story seems to be told over about a month or so. The social aspects in this town are focused around looks and actions and are very judgmental. Like whenever Noe puts up the clocks in his butcher shop, people ask to see if there is a law against it. The atmosphere in this place doesn't sound too friendly for the psychological aspect. The people make small talk to everyone, but don't really talk to anyone they don't like.

Reading Times:
Monday: 39 minutes (short story)
Tuesday: 44 minutes (Uglies)
Wednesday: 53 minutes (short story)
Thursday: 39 minutes (short story)
Saturday: 31 minutes (Uglies)
Sunday: 29 minutes (short story)

Total: 160 minutes on short stories, 81 minutes and 87 pages in Uglies