We have read or heard many stories throughout our lives. We know that stories can vary in purpose: They can either teach a moral lesson or entertain. Some stories interest us; others do not. In order for a story to be interesting, it must be told in a way that does not bore or confuse the reader. This story must have elements that attenuate to a central purpose. These elements (setting, character, plot, point of …showed first 75 words of 941 total…

…showed last 75 words of 941 total…anchor our attention to the main character’s problem: Gretchen stalks the “Invisible Adversary” and we want to know why. And Oates places us in a setting that is directly related to Gretchen’s problems: The American culture leads to Gretchen’s parents’ neglect of her; Gretchen’s parent’s neglect leads to the manifestation of “The Invisible Adversary”. Oates effectively uses these three elements to allow us understand the underlining point of this story.