The Night Nurse :: essays research papers

An Unforgettable Night After reading Joyce Carol Oates story, â€Å" The Night Nurse,† revenge is what is found. This story starts off by a woman by the name of Grace Burkhardt, collapsing at a shopping mall because of a reason that was unknown at the time. She is taken in an ambulance to a hospital where she undergoes an emergency surgery for a blood clot that is in her leg that could have traveled to her heart. Grace’s stay in the hospital that night was not how she expected. The worst pain a person can indure, is the one who is left out.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the story Grace explains herself as being laid back. â€Å"I am behaving well, look how calm and civilized† (654). Grace never screamed out at the shopping mall. She tried to act as calm as possible. Even though Grace was in so much pain, she never sobbed to God or never did she ask, â€Å"Am I dying? Will I die† (654)? Shortly after the doctors took care of Grace, she went into surgery. After this is wh en her attitude begins to change.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After surgery Grace just lied in bed in so much pain. She cried out â€Å"help me†¦. I’m so cold, I’m so frightened† (654)! This is when the reader notices the shift in Graces attitude. Her attitude shifts into a tone that can practically be heard by the reader. As many times as Grace cried out for help the reader could tell she was desperate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once the day was over, Grace was about to go through a night that she would never forget. She began to beg God, unlike in the beginning of the story, â€Å"Help me through the night† (655). The pain from Grace’s surgery was so severe, that she called for a nurse repeatedly. Finally a nurse came in to give her a bedpan so she could urinate. After Grace used the bedpan she waited for the nurse to come back and retrieve it, but she never came back. She needed a nurse also to bring her a blanket because she was freezing cold. Once again there was no nurse to be found.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As Grace laid there waiting, she began to drift into her years at college. She thought about her several administrative positions she held during her years at Wells College. During these years people had always praised her. Grace always seemed to be favored by others.