Good writing should entertain you, and good writing should stay with you and make you think. When I first read some of Miss Porter's work, I came away feeling depressed, empty, and wondering why she even wrote. His stories seemed unfinished, incomplete and useless. However, I find myself thinking about those works, discovering new things, and realizing deeper meaning in the stories. Katherine Anne Porter's stories are brilliant, vivid snapshots of lives and reveal the stupidity of man. Everyone sees life from their own perspective and bases their actions and thoughts on personal experiences. Some of his characters will never be able to see beyond their own noses, while others will not find the courage to change. In many stories reality clashes with dreams and can leave disillusionment or despair. In Miss Porter's story, Maria Concepción, the protagonist has her dreams shattered when she discovers that her husband is having an affair. The husband runs away with the other woman, but they return the following year. Maria Concepción loses her baby during the year, but her rival gives birth upon her return. Maria Concepción stabs her rival to death. Her husband (and the entire village) protect her and proclaim her innocence, even though they know she is guilty. In the end, she takes her rival's baby as her own and claims her husband. He is unhappy, but she is happy. He got what he wanted and restored his dream. (Porter, Maria Concepción 9-27)This should make us reflect on our actions. Does the end justify the means? Is our dream worth the cost? Many live only for themselves and never consider the wants and needs of others. I think Miss Porter wanted the reader to reflect on these things and, perhaps... middle of paper....... Vivien Leigh, Simone Signoret, José Ferrer, Lee Marvin, Oskar Werner, Michael Dunn, Elizabeth Ashley , George Segal, José Greco and Heinz Rühmann. RCA/Columbia Pictures, 1965. Film. This film is based on the novel of the same name by Katherine Anne Porter. Stout, Janis P. Katherine Anne Porter: a Sense of the Times. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, 1995. Print. This book represents an analytical biography of Katherine Anne Porter. Tanner, James T. F. The Texas Legacy of Katherine Anne Porter. Denton (Tex.): University of North Texas, 1991. Print. This book is a critical study of Katherine Anne Porter. West, Jr., Ray B. "Katherine Anne Porter." Seven American women writers of the twentieth century: an introduction. Ed. Maureen Howard. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1977. 122-65. Print.This book contains an essay on Katherine Anne Porter.