Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
MOTIF: a recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation used throughout a work (or in several works by one author), unifying the current situation to previous ones, or new ideas to a theme
One of the recurring motifs in this book is the idea of the slave and master and the reversal of roles that connect with that. I think the main reversal of roles that occurred in the book happened when Victor destroyed the other monster he was working on and the creature confronts him about it. The monster refers to Victor as a "slave" and says, "I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master;-- obey!" (Shelley 122). All throughout the book the terms "master" and "slave" are used. I link this relationship of changing roles and master vs. slave to any sort of minority group that is persecuted for a certain reason. They are put down so they eventually rise up and take over their master. The creature was tired of everyone else being happy so he rose up and reversed the situation he was in and demanded that Victor obey him. Victor never did obey him. Both Victor and the creature were slaves to their obsessions. Victor was obsessed with being the creator and making this monster. At the very end of the book, the creature admits that he was the slave, not the master, of an impulse, which he detested yet could not disobey (Shelley 164). He admits that he didn't want to kill all those people, but was merely a slave to his own hatred and misery.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Frankenstein Blog Post #9
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
The foreshadowing in this story is insane. The way the author set it up is so suspenseful. At the end of every chapter you cant help but continue to read on and see what happened. The fact that the whole book is a frame story adds to the foreshadowing too. There are about three different stories inside of the one whole story. Walton tells a story to his sister which involves the story of Victor Frankenstein and in his story is yet another story of the creature. It is literally the longest letter I think I have ever read. I don't know how Walton's sister continued to read the whole thing. Right when you would get to a good part, the plot would change and you would get the whole life story of some other character that helps form the main story. A specific time when foreshadowing occurred that I liked was when the creature said, "I shall be with you on your wedding-night" (Shelley 123). This sentence is so creepy and you can just tell something terrible is going to happen on his wedding night. Victor thinks that it will be his death that the creature is causing, but little does he know, he is in for a much bigger treat. His wife is murdered which in turn causes his father to slowly die off and Victor is left with virtually no family or friends. What a delightful little story.
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
The foreshadowing in this story is insane. The way the author set it up is so suspenseful. At the end of every chapter you cant help but continue to read on and see what happened. The fact that the whole book is a frame story adds to the foreshadowing too. There are about three different stories inside of the one whole story. Walton tells a story to his sister which involves the story of Victor Frankenstein and in his story is yet another story of the creature. It is literally the longest letter I think I have ever read. I don't know how Walton's sister continued to read the whole thing. Right when you would get to a good part, the plot would change and you would get the whole life story of some other character that helps form the main story. A specific time when foreshadowing occurred that I liked was when the creature said, "I shall be with you on your wedding-night" (Shelley 123). This sentence is so creepy and you can just tell something terrible is going to happen on his wedding night. Victor thinks that it will be his death that the creature is causing, but little does he know, he is in for a much bigger treat. His wife is murdered which in turn causes his father to slowly die off and Victor is left with virtually no family or friends. What a delightful little story.
Frankenstein Blog Post #8
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The creature's request, to me, came out of no where. Never would I have thought for him to demand of such a thing from Victor. At first he just wanted Victor to listen to him and care about his problems, but when Victor said no, the creature showed his inability to control his anger and demanded that Victor make another monster as his companion so he would no longer be alone. His reasoning seemed plausible, especially to Victor who agreed, but I didn't believe the creature one bit. He said that the deprivation of love that he felt led him to do all the terrible things he did, but I believe it was simply because he was out of control and a truly evil thing. He said to Victor, "If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again" (Shelley 105). I felt no sympathy for the monster. He murdered out of hatred and vengeance. He should have been able to control himself. He certainly was smart enough and if he wanted to be treated like everyone else, he can't go around strangling little children and people's friends and family.
The creature's request, to me, came out of no where. Never would I have thought for him to demand of such a thing from Victor. At first he just wanted Victor to listen to him and care about his problems, but when Victor said no, the creature showed his inability to control his anger and demanded that Victor make another monster as his companion so he would no longer be alone. His reasoning seemed plausible, especially to Victor who agreed, but I didn't believe the creature one bit. He said that the deprivation of love that he felt led him to do all the terrible things he did, but I believe it was simply because he was out of control and a truly evil thing. He said to Victor, "If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again" (Shelley 105). I felt no sympathy for the monster. He murdered out of hatred and vengeance. He should have been able to control himself. He certainly was smart enough and if he wanted to be treated like everyone else, he can't go around strangling little children and people's friends and family.
Frankenstein Blog Post #7
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The correlation between the thirst for knowledge and what the creature learns is interesting to me. When he is still very young, the creature begins to read and learn about the world he was brought into. He first reads Volney's Ruins of Empires which was all about language, history, religion and manners. In this book he learns about the Native Americans rejection and sympathizes with them because he himself is rejected based on his appearance. He actually shows emotion and cries for the Native Americans. Next he reads Paradise Lost which evokes deep emotions and relates to his personal journey. Then he looks into a volume of Pultarch's Lives which is the history of the first founders of the world. Where he gets his first concept of death and suicide is in Sorrows of Werter. In this book he felt sympathy towards Werter dying and does not really understand the concept of suicide. Finally, he finds Victor's journal where he learns all about how he was created. I do not know why the creature doesn't just use these writings to make his own companion. He is certainly smart enough. The more that the creature learns, the more he wonders why he is nothing like these people. He continually is trying to figure out who he is. He says, "I had never yet seen a being resembling me, or who claimed any intercourse with me. What was I? The question again recurred, to be answered only with groans" (Shelley 86). The creature wants to learn but feels agony and pain at the realization that he is completely alone.
Frankenstein Blog Post #6
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
PARALLELISM: the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
Safie's character is very multi-dimensional. She came into the picture during the time when the creature was observing the DeLacey's. Much like the creature, she was a complete foreigner and knew nothing about the culture or the language of the family. The creature used what the family was teaching Safie as a tool that he could learn the same things. He even learned quicker than Safie did. They both had a deep love for the family and are similar in many different ways. I believe that Safie was a manifestation of what he wanted to be. Safie's presence "diffused gladness through the cottage" (Shelley 82). I believe the creature had an extreme need to want to be like her and spread as much happiness as possible, but because of his appearance, he could not do so. Safie was beautiful and exotic--the creature was ugly and made everyone scream and run in the opposite direction upon seeing him. She was the creature's only hope of finding out whether or not the family might be accepting of him. The DeLacey's accepted every poor person and when they were open to Safie, the creature thought he had a chance. His hopes were shattered though, when he entered the home and was run out and beaten. This is where his downward spiral into madness and terror began.
PARALLELISM: the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
Safie's character is very multi-dimensional. She came into the picture during the time when the creature was observing the DeLacey's. Much like the creature, she was a complete foreigner and knew nothing about the culture or the language of the family. The creature used what the family was teaching Safie as a tool that he could learn the same things. He even learned quicker than Safie did. They both had a deep love for the family and are similar in many different ways. I believe that Safie was a manifestation of what he wanted to be. Safie's presence "diffused gladness through the cottage" (Shelley 82). I believe the creature had an extreme need to want to be like her and spread as much happiness as possible, but because of his appearance, he could not do so. Safie was beautiful and exotic--the creature was ugly and made everyone scream and run in the opposite direction upon seeing him. She was the creature's only hope of finding out whether or not the family might be accepting of him. The DeLacey's accepted every poor person and when they were open to Safie, the creature thought he had a chance. His hopes were shattered though, when he entered the home and was run out and beaten. This is where his downward spiral into madness and terror began.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Frankenstein Blog Post #5
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I found it very interesting how the creature would learn. His learning process was fascinating to me and it was like he started out as a baby in adult form, but had to develop through his own experiences. It had to learn by trial and error. He begins his story by saying he "...saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time; and it was, indeed, a long time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my various senses" (Shelley 70-71). I can't imagine having all my senses at one time and having to learn how to do everything all at the same time. The first thing he figures out is sight and the different saturations of light that he encounters in different times of the day. He learns by doing. The creature figures out what he needs by what brings him pleasure. It is all very interesting to me. I believe that this is very important and also connects him in a way to Victor and Walton. All three of them wish to be able to do certain things, the creature maybe not something as fantastic as Walton and Victor, but he still has the urge to learn and do better. He pushes himself to learn and do better so he can impress the family that have now become what he thinks are "friends".
I found it very interesting how the creature would learn. His learning process was fascinating to me and it was like he started out as a baby in adult form, but had to develop through his own experiences. It had to learn by trial and error. He begins his story by saying he "...saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time; and it was, indeed, a long time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my various senses" (Shelley 70-71). I can't imagine having all my senses at one time and having to learn how to do everything all at the same time. The first thing he figures out is sight and the different saturations of light that he encounters in different times of the day. He learns by doing. The creature figures out what he needs by what brings him pleasure. It is all very interesting to me. I believe that this is very important and also connects him in a way to Victor and Walton. All three of them wish to be able to do certain things, the creature maybe not something as fantastic as Walton and Victor, but he still has the urge to learn and do better. He pushes himself to learn and do better so he can impress the family that have now become what he thinks are "friends".
Frankenstein Blog Post #4
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
After Victor wakes up from being ill after he gave life to the creature, William finds out that his little brother was murdered. Later he finds out that a family friend who lived with him for a while that was convicted, confessed and was killed for the crime. Victor thinks it is the monster he created who did it, but I believe it wasn't the creature. He seems too kind and compassionate to have murdered a little boy. Victor, though, is dead set on it being him who murdered William. He says, "Nothing in human shape could have destroyed that fair child. He was the murderer" (Shelley 50). Victor goes in to a downward spiral when Justine is killed for the murder of William. He then goes on a long journey full of agony and pain through the wintery woods. I found it strange though that he would go up and down with emotions. He would be happy at one point with the scenery and everything that was beautiful, but then the next morning he would wake up and would be depressed again. To me, Victor has had some very traumatic experiences and should spend a little time alone to recover before he continues on any more adventures.
After Victor wakes up from being ill after he gave life to the creature, William finds out that his little brother was murdered. Later he finds out that a family friend who lived with him for a while that was convicted, confessed and was killed for the crime. Victor thinks it is the monster he created who did it, but I believe it wasn't the creature. He seems too kind and compassionate to have murdered a little boy. Victor, though, is dead set on it being him who murdered William. He says, "Nothing in human shape could have destroyed that fair child. He was the murderer" (Shelley 50). Victor goes in to a downward spiral when Justine is killed for the murder of William. He then goes on a long journey full of agony and pain through the wintery woods. I found it strange though that he would go up and down with emotions. He would be happy at one point with the scenery and everything that was beautiful, but then the next morning he would wake up and would be depressed again. To me, Victor has had some very traumatic experiences and should spend a little time alone to recover before he continues on any more adventures.
Frankenstein Blog Post #3
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
FOIL CHARACTER: acts as a contrast to another character; often through their personality, actions, or values
Krempe and Waldman are good examples of foil characters. They are the two professors that Victor has when he is at the university of Ingolstadt. Krempe is the professor of natural philosophy. He is a little, squat and uncouth man. Krempe speaks with a gruff voice and has a repulsive countenance. This professor criticizes Victor for having read Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Magnus. Krempe says that Victor has burdened his memory with "exploded systems and useless names" (Shelley 26). He definitely does not hold back any of his criticisms toward Victor. On the exact opposite hand is Waldman. He is the chemistry professor who is short but erect and about fifty years old. He speaks with a sweet voice and Victor found a true friend in him. These two professors serve as motivators for Victor. While Krempe ridiculed him for his ancient studies, Waldman put interest and time into Victor's studies. Waldman is the reason Victor wanted to learn chemistry and gave him the advice that it is better to have knowledge in both philosophy and chemistry. These two men encouraged Victor to succeed in very different ways, but still encouraged him nonetheless.
FOIL CHARACTER: acts as a contrast to another character; often through their personality, actions, or values
Krempe and Waldman are good examples of foil characters. They are the two professors that Victor has when he is at the university of Ingolstadt. Krempe is the professor of natural philosophy. He is a little, squat and uncouth man. Krempe speaks with a gruff voice and has a repulsive countenance. This professor criticizes Victor for having read Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Magnus. Krempe says that Victor has burdened his memory with "exploded systems and useless names" (Shelley 26). He definitely does not hold back any of his criticisms toward Victor. On the exact opposite hand is Waldman. He is the chemistry professor who is short but erect and about fifty years old. He speaks with a sweet voice and Victor found a true friend in him. These two professors serve as motivators for Victor. While Krempe ridiculed him for his ancient studies, Waldman put interest and time into Victor's studies. Waldman is the reason Victor wanted to learn chemistry and gave him the advice that it is better to have knowledge in both philosophy and chemistry. These two men encouraged Victor to succeed in very different ways, but still encouraged him nonetheless.
Frankenstein Blog Post #2
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I have a hunch about why Walton and the stranger, who we know is named Victor, bonded so quickly. I believe they might be related, maybe even brothers. First off, Walton saved him so that is reason to believe they would be nice to each other. That can't be all though. I believe Walton may have empathy towards Victor because both of their spirits had been broken before by misery. Walton was just writing his sister about how he was in need of a friend. It is almost like she sent Victor on an ice sheet up to the North Pole to be with him. Also, they both have this strange love for their sisters that is almost creepy. There are just too many similarities between the two for them to not be related. Both Walton and Victor have this vision that they are going to do something great for humanity and go somewhere that no other person had gone. Walton says, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man" (Shelley 1). He wants to go somewhere like the North Pole and try to figure out magnets and the needle that always points north on a compass. When telling Walton his story, Victor says, "So much has been done...more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation" (Shelley 28). I believe that Walton may have been put up for adoption or something because both of these men are just too similar to me to not be related in some way.
I have a hunch about why Walton and the stranger, who we know is named Victor, bonded so quickly. I believe they might be related, maybe even brothers. First off, Walton saved him so that is reason to believe they would be nice to each other. That can't be all though. I believe Walton may have empathy towards Victor because both of their spirits had been broken before by misery. Walton was just writing his sister about how he was in need of a friend. It is almost like she sent Victor on an ice sheet up to the North Pole to be with him. Also, they both have this strange love for their sisters that is almost creepy. There are just too many similarities between the two for them to not be related. Both Walton and Victor have this vision that they are going to do something great for humanity and go somewhere that no other person had gone. Walton says, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man" (Shelley 1). He wants to go somewhere like the North Pole and try to figure out magnets and the needle that always points north on a compass. When telling Walton his story, Victor says, "So much has been done...more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation" (Shelley 28). I believe that Walton may have been put up for adoption or something because both of these men are just too similar to me to not be related in some way.
Frankenstein Blog Post #1
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The "strange accident" that occurs in Letter IV is the first glimpse of the monster. Only eight pages in! If I wasn't reading carefully and if Mr. Costello hadn't pointed it out too, I would have never noticed. The boat is enclosed in ice pretty much all the way around to the point where the boat cannot go anywhere. Also, there is a thick fog and nothing can be seen outside of the boat. When the fog clears, the men see what is described as, "...a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs...a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature..." (Shelley 8). Upon further reading, another sledge similar to the first one is sighted only this one seems to be a lot worse off than the first. This one is on a floating piece of ice with only one dog left and a man who is nearly frozen and severely emaciated. The monster seems intelligent because he is moving much faster and isn't in as bad of shape as the stranger. I also believe this could be the monster because the author says it appeared like a man, not that it was a man. It appeared gigantic and to be fleeing from something or someone.
The "strange accident" that occurs in Letter IV is the first glimpse of the monster. Only eight pages in! If I wasn't reading carefully and if Mr. Costello hadn't pointed it out too, I would have never noticed. The boat is enclosed in ice pretty much all the way around to the point where the boat cannot go anywhere. Also, there is a thick fog and nothing can be seen outside of the boat. When the fog clears, the men see what is described as, "...a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs...a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature..." (Shelley 8). Upon further reading, another sledge similar to the first one is sighted only this one seems to be a lot worse off than the first. This one is on a floating piece of ice with only one dog left and a man who is nearly frozen and severely emaciated. The monster seems intelligent because he is moving much faster and isn't in as bad of shape as the stranger. I also believe this could be the monster because the author says it appeared like a man, not that it was a man. It appeared gigantic and to be fleeing from something or someone.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Alienation Blog Post #5
APO 96225 by Larry Rottmann
SITUATIONAL IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen
Wow, blunt much? I believe that the poem has situational irony because it is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what really does happen. The mother kept thinking that there was something wrong and wanted her son to tell her everything. He would continue to put it off because he wanted to keep his mother from knowing the pain of what he was actually doing. Finally he is like, "Today I killed a man. Yesterday, I helped drop napalm on women and children" (Rottmann 846). I can only imagine the mother's expression when she read that: priceless. It is no joking matter though. War is not easy for anyone and I think this story ties in with the American people's feelings about Vietnam because I think they only wanted to know everything that was going on until it made them feel uncomfortable. Deep down they wanted to know, but on the surface level, I believe it was better off to keep some things a little more secret.
SITUATIONAL IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen
Wow, blunt much? I believe that the poem has situational irony because it is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what really does happen. The mother kept thinking that there was something wrong and wanted her son to tell her everything. He would continue to put it off because he wanted to keep his mother from knowing the pain of what he was actually doing. Finally he is like, "Today I killed a man. Yesterday, I helped drop napalm on women and children" (Rottmann 846). I can only imagine the mother's expression when she read that: priceless. It is no joking matter though. War is not easy for anyone and I think this story ties in with the American people's feelings about Vietnam because I think they only wanted to know everything that was going on until it made them feel uncomfortable. Deep down they wanted to know, but on the surface level, I believe it was better off to keep some things a little more secret.
Alienation Blog Post #4
Much Madness is divinest Sense by Emily Dickinson
PARADOX: a statement that appears self-contradictory, but that in fact reveals some truth.
Okay, this poem is difficult. Emily Dickinson is a deep, deep person. The critical reading questions definitely helped me out on this one. They say that this poem is telling about a paradox--that insanity is good sense, but having good sense is insane. I suppose this makes sense. "To a discerning Eye--" (Dickinson 830), or someone who thinks a lot about things, they may say that insanity is good because insane people seem so realistic to me. They see things for what they are. Most of our greatest mathematicians, astronomers, historians, writers, thinkers, scientists, etc. were thought of as insane at the time. This insanity is what brought about the light bulb, gravity, and some of the best works ever written. These people were insane but it was good sense that came out of it. On the other hand, there are people who say that having good sense is insane. I guess this means that people who think too much are seen as insane...but they would only be seen as insane to those of us who don't think as much as they do. The speaker says this is the majority, but I don't think that they think it is actually true. The speaker says that agreeing with something make someone sane, but it is when they disagree that makes things difficult for them. I think this is true because, for example, Galileo was thrown in jail and ostracized because of his beliefs. Turns out he was right. So, he disagreed with the thinking of that time, which made his path difficult, but his insanity is what brought about good sense.
PARADOX: a statement that appears self-contradictory, but that in fact reveals some truth.
Okay, this poem is difficult. Emily Dickinson is a deep, deep person. The critical reading questions definitely helped me out on this one. They say that this poem is telling about a paradox--that insanity is good sense, but having good sense is insane. I suppose this makes sense. "To a discerning Eye--" (Dickinson 830), or someone who thinks a lot about things, they may say that insanity is good because insane people seem so realistic to me. They see things for what they are. Most of our greatest mathematicians, astronomers, historians, writers, thinkers, scientists, etc. were thought of as insane at the time. This insanity is what brought about the light bulb, gravity, and some of the best works ever written. These people were insane but it was good sense that came out of it. On the other hand, there are people who say that having good sense is insane. I guess this means that people who think too much are seen as insane...but they would only be seen as insane to those of us who don't think as much as they do. The speaker says this is the majority, but I don't think that they think it is actually true. The speaker says that agreeing with something make someone sane, but it is when they disagree that makes things difficult for them. I think this is true because, for example, Galileo was thrown in jail and ostracized because of his beliefs. Turns out he was right. So, he disagreed with the thinking of that time, which made his path difficult, but his insanity is what brought about good sense.
Alienation Blog Post #3
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain by Emily Dickinson
IMAGERY: the use of sensory language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience
There are many senses that are evoked through the imagery in this poem. I think the most noticeable ones are feeling of the feet on the floor treading back and forth and the hearing of the drums beating during the service. It was difficult to find taste or smell. The lack of sight could be seen (no pun intended) through the fact that I believe the speaker is imaginatively located inside the coffin. First, there is the showing and then the actual service and procession and finally the coffin is placed in the ground. I think the speaker is slowly being separated from people he or she knows and loves. Going along with the theme of alienation, it seems that this person could not be further from these people than at the very end of the poem when he or she is "dropped down, and down..." (Dickinson 776).
IMAGERY: the use of sensory language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience
There are many senses that are evoked through the imagery in this poem. I think the most noticeable ones are feeling of the feet on the floor treading back and forth and the hearing of the drums beating during the service. It was difficult to find taste or smell. The lack of sight could be seen (no pun intended) through the fact that I believe the speaker is imaginatively located inside the coffin. First, there is the showing and then the actual service and procession and finally the coffin is placed in the ground. I think the speaker is slowly being separated from people he or she knows and loves. Going along with the theme of alienation, it seems that this person could not be further from these people than at the very end of the poem when he or she is "dropped down, and down..." (Dickinson 776).
Alienation Blog Post #2
Miss Brill by Katherine Mansfield
I do not understand this short story at all. I think it is kind of depressing though and since we are studying an alienation unit I am leaning towards the idea that Miss Brill is a very lonely old woman. I think she listens in on other people's conversations because she has no one else to talk to. I think she lives alone and reads the newspaper to a dead guy four days a week. She looks forward to Sundays as the day when she can get out and pretend that she is in a performance and is important to others. I got the feeling that she was looking down at the woman in the ermine toque (which I also had to look up) because she says, "...her hair, her face, even her eyes, was the same color as the shabby ermine..." (Mansfield 184). Come to find out that the younger couple finds Miss Brill's fur just as ugly and compare it to a fried whiting. Miss Brill seemed to cherish her fur though and think very highly of it. In the beginning of the story she seemed so happy and excited and at the end, she didn't even go to the bakery she just went home by herself. She could have seem excited at the beginning because she was trying so hard to pretend and suppress something that was bothering her. The last line is very depressing and makes me think that she was the one crying because I don't know what else could be crying--it couldn't possibly be the fur. I think she comes to the realization that she is old and alone and no one likes her. This is very sad to me and I hope I never become like this ever.
I do not understand this short story at all. I think it is kind of depressing though and since we are studying an alienation unit I am leaning towards the idea that Miss Brill is a very lonely old woman. I think she listens in on other people's conversations because she has no one else to talk to. I think she lives alone and reads the newspaper to a dead guy four days a week. She looks forward to Sundays as the day when she can get out and pretend that she is in a performance and is important to others. I got the feeling that she was looking down at the woman in the ermine toque (which I also had to look up) because she says, "...her hair, her face, even her eyes, was the same color as the shabby ermine..." (Mansfield 184). Come to find out that the younger couple finds Miss Brill's fur just as ugly and compare it to a fried whiting. Miss Brill seemed to cherish her fur though and think very highly of it. In the beginning of the story she seemed so happy and excited and at the end, she didn't even go to the bakery she just went home by herself. She could have seem excited at the beginning because she was trying so hard to pretend and suppress something that was bothering her. The last line is very depressing and makes me think that she was the one crying because I don't know what else could be crying--it couldn't possibly be the fur. I think she comes to the realization that she is old and alone and no one likes her. This is very sad to me and I hope I never become like this ever.
Alienation Blog Post #1
Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville
4. How does Bartleby's "I would prefer not to" affect the routine of the lawyer and his employees?
This short story was long and took time to get through. I liked it though. I felt like it was easier than others and was kept interesting without a complicated plot line. Bartleby is an odd character to say the least. His "I would prefer not to" statements affected everyone around him. If it was before noon, Nipper would want to kill him and Turkey would say it was strange, but let the lawyer deal with him. If it was after noon, the roles would switch and Turkey would want to "...step behind his screen and black his eyes for him" (Melville 653). It made the other two scriveners do extra work and drove the lawyer almost crazy. I know it would drive me crazy. His constant passiveness and unwillingness to do anything that his boss asked of him would make me go insane if I were the lawyer. It all kind of made sense at the end though. It was also all very depressing. The man used to deal with all the letters at the Dead Letter's Office in Washington. I had to look up what this meant and it has to do with the letters that the destination of them cannot be determined. It would depress me knowing that those letters never made it to the rightful owners. This made me think that his constant "preferring not to" was a way of him sort of saying that he would prefer not to burn these letters even though he knows he has to. I think it was a way of stating his wanting to find the owners of the letters.
4. How does Bartleby's "I would prefer not to" affect the routine of the lawyer and his employees?
This short story was long and took time to get through. I liked it though. I felt like it was easier than others and was kept interesting without a complicated plot line. Bartleby is an odd character to say the least. His "I would prefer not to" statements affected everyone around him. If it was before noon, Nipper would want to kill him and Turkey would say it was strange, but let the lawyer deal with him. If it was after noon, the roles would switch and Turkey would want to "...step behind his screen and black his eyes for him" (Melville 653). It made the other two scriveners do extra work and drove the lawyer almost crazy. I know it would drive me crazy. His constant passiveness and unwillingness to do anything that his boss asked of him would make me go insane if I were the lawyer. It all kind of made sense at the end though. It was also all very depressing. The man used to deal with all the letters at the Dead Letter's Office in Washington. I had to look up what this meant and it has to do with the letters that the destination of them cannot be determined. It would depress me knowing that those letters never made it to the rightful owners. This made me think that his constant "preferring not to" was a way of him sort of saying that he would prefer not to burn these letters even though he knows he has to. I think it was a way of stating his wanting to find the owners of the letters.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Death Blog Post #5
"Death, be not Proud" by John Donne
PERSONIFICATION: attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object
#3 Discuss the tone of the poem. Is the speaker (a) a man of assured faith with a firm conviction that death is not to be feared or (b) a man desperately trying to convince himself that there is nothing to fear in death.
First off, the poem constantly refers to death as "thou" and talking about death as if it were a person and had human qualities. It says, "Die not, poor death, nor yet cans though kill me" (Donne 971). The author is talking to death directly saying that it cannot die, nor can it kill him. He also refers to death as being poor. I think the author has assured faith and a firm conviction that death is not to be feared. He seems almost kind of mean to death saying that people say that he is mighty and dreadful, but in reality he is not because only those who think that are those who he can defeat. The author calls death a "slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men" (Donne 971). He is saying that death has no control over what happens, it all depends on the men and chance which means that death really has no power at all. Death may come, but we will always wake eternally, so the author has faith that death is not to be feared. He says that when we awake eternally, death is no longer and will die itself.
PERSONIFICATION: attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object
#3 Discuss the tone of the poem. Is the speaker (a) a man of assured faith with a firm conviction that death is not to be feared or (b) a man desperately trying to convince himself that there is nothing to fear in death.
First off, the poem constantly refers to death as "thou" and talking about death as if it were a person and had human qualities. It says, "Die not, poor death, nor yet cans though kill me" (Donne 971). The author is talking to death directly saying that it cannot die, nor can it kill him. He also refers to death as being poor. I think the author has assured faith and a firm conviction that death is not to be feared. He seems almost kind of mean to death saying that people say that he is mighty and dreadful, but in reality he is not because only those who think that are those who he can defeat. The author calls death a "slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men" (Donne 971). He is saying that death has no control over what happens, it all depends on the men and chance which means that death really has no power at all. Death may come, but we will always wake eternally, so the author has faith that death is not to be feared. He says that when we awake eternally, death is no longer and will die itself.
Death Blog Post #4
"That Time of Year" by William Shakespeare
#1 What are the three major images introduced by the three quatrains? What do they have in common? Can you see and reason for presenting them in this particular order, or might they be arranged without loss?
There are three major images in this poem. The first one has to do with the seasons, I believe. It refers to yellow leaves and how none could be on a tree which makes me think of fall. The trees shake against the cold which also alludes to the fact that the weather is changing to cold. The next image I see is that of a sunset. It is twilight and then the sun fades away and everything is black and taken away to the night. Finally, there is the image of a fire and ashes where someone must expire. It says that the person in the ashes must expire and be "consumed with that which it was nourished by" (Shakespeare 967). This, to me, means that when we die, we may actually end up where we started, but no one really knows for sure or not. I don't see any way they could have been arranged in an order. Fall, a sunset, and a fire don't seem to have and order about them, but they do all begin and eventually end, so I think they are all about a person's life cycle.
Death Blog Post #3
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
#2 Apart from the fixed form, the poem creates another structural principle in stanzas two through six by describing in turn "wise me", "Good men", "Wild men", and "Grave men". How does the speaker view these various types of men in their differing stances toward both life and death?
PARADOX: a statement that appears self-contradictory, but that in fact reveals a kind of truth.
I think this poem was mainly about how death can be a good thing, but those who are near it should not go very easily in to it. They should put up a fight. The different men that the author addresses are different kinds of people in the world. The wise man is someone who is smart and has a lot of knowledge. They would be the logical thinkers who know it is time for death and are ready to embrace what would come next. They do not go into death easily because "their words had forked no lightning" (Thomas 968). They only spoke and thought about things, they never did anything good with their actions. The good men are those of us who do good in our world. They do good things and provide good deeds. These men fight against death because there is so much more good to be done from them. Then, the wild men are those people who are crazy and do harmful things to themselves and others. These people don't go into their death very well because they have learned too late that they should have been doing good with their lives instead of wasting it away. Finally, the grave men are the serious people in the world. They fight against death because they know it is a serious thing and see what needs to happen and take it seriously.
#2 Apart from the fixed form, the poem creates another structural principle in stanzas two through six by describing in turn "wise me", "Good men", "Wild men", and "Grave men". How does the speaker view these various types of men in their differing stances toward both life and death?
PARADOX: a statement that appears self-contradictory, but that in fact reveals a kind of truth.
I think this poem was mainly about how death can be a good thing, but those who are near it should not go very easily in to it. They should put up a fight. The different men that the author addresses are different kinds of people in the world. The wise man is someone who is smart and has a lot of knowledge. They would be the logical thinkers who know it is time for death and are ready to embrace what would come next. They do not go into death easily because "their words had forked no lightning" (Thomas 968). They only spoke and thought about things, they never did anything good with their actions. The good men are those of us who do good in our world. They do good things and provide good deeds. These men fight against death because there is so much more good to be done from them. Then, the wild men are those people who are crazy and do harmful things to themselves and others. These people don't go into their death very well because they have learned too late that they should have been doing good with their lives instead of wasting it away. Finally, the grave men are the serious people in the world. They fight against death because they know it is a serious thing and see what needs to happen and take it seriously.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Death Blog Post #2
"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner
#5 What are the advantages of the first person plural point of view in this story? What would be lost if it were told in first-person singular, by one of the townspeople, or in third-person limited point of view?
This was a more confusing story than the first one I read. I found it very hard to follow because there didn't seem to be any plot line I could actually follow. It was really messed up, though. She slept with a dead guy up until she died? That is really messed up. The story is told in first person plural point of view which gives a sense that everyone else is sort of looking in at Emily's life. If it were narrated in any other way, the story would lose the sense that everyone in the town was fascinated by her. She seemed nice in the beginning, but towards the end other people seemed to be talking about her and saying rumors. It says, "We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will" (Faulkner 285). This shows that the third person plural of all the people collectively thought she was going crazy and that she was being a huge werido.
#5 What are the advantages of the first person plural point of view in this story? What would be lost if it were told in first-person singular, by one of the townspeople, or in third-person limited point of view?
This was a more confusing story than the first one I read. I found it very hard to follow because there didn't seem to be any plot line I could actually follow. It was really messed up, though. She slept with a dead guy up until she died? That is really messed up. The story is told in first person plural point of view which gives a sense that everyone else is sort of looking in at Emily's life. If it were narrated in any other way, the story would lose the sense that everyone in the town was fascinated by her. She seemed nice in the beginning, but towards the end other people seemed to be talking about her and saying rumors. It says, "We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will" (Faulkner 285). This shows that the third person plural of all the people collectively thought she was going crazy and that she was being a huge werido.
Death Blog Post #1
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
DIDACTIC LITERATURE: form of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking
#6. By transporting a primitivistic ritual into a modern setting, the story reveals something about human nature and human society. What?
Wow this short story was weird. I had a feeling something weird was going on and I knew someone was going to die because of the cheery name of our unit this week. Also, the stones were quite the twist from the seemingly nonchalant mention of them in the beginning to the very important need towards the end of the story. This story teaches a lot about human nature. I found it strange at first that every one knew everyone and each other's husbands and wives. Everyone could call on one another by first name. It was especially weird because Mr. Summers was asking if every one in the village was there and a lot of people could just be like, "Clyde Dunbar...That's right. He broke his leg, hasn't he?" (Jackson 266). Everyone knows everything about everyone in this weird little village. It was freakish to begin with and then come to find out they're going to end up stoning someones mother, wife, and daughter. It surprised me a lot and I thought it was trying to allude to the fact that humans are vicious. They will kill their next door neighbor for seemingly no reason at all. That is just what these people did--they brutally murdered their friend and neighbor because they were taught that it was their tradition to do so.
DIDACTIC LITERATURE: form of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking
#6. By transporting a primitivistic ritual into a modern setting, the story reveals something about human nature and human society. What?
Wow this short story was weird. I had a feeling something weird was going on and I knew someone was going to die because of the cheery name of our unit this week. Also, the stones were quite the twist from the seemingly nonchalant mention of them in the beginning to the very important need towards the end of the story. This story teaches a lot about human nature. I found it strange at first that every one knew everyone and each other's husbands and wives. Everyone could call on one another by first name. It was especially weird because Mr. Summers was asking if every one in the village was there and a lot of people could just be like, "Clyde Dunbar...That's right. He broke his leg, hasn't he?" (Jackson 266). Everyone knows everything about everyone in this weird little village. It was freakish to begin with and then come to find out they're going to end up stoning someones mother, wife, and daughter. It surprised me a lot and I thought it was trying to allude to the fact that humans are vicious. They will kill their next door neighbor for seemingly no reason at all. That is just what these people did--they brutally murdered their friend and neighbor because they were taught that it was their tradition to do so.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Glass Menagerie Blog Post 5
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
7. The author tells us that "Amanda, having failed to establish contact with reality, continues to live vitally in her illusions." What part of this statement could be applied to Laura as well? What part could not? What are the chief instances in the play of Amanda's having lost "contact with reality"? What are her chief illusions? What are her strengths? How is she both cruel and tender with her children? What qualities has she in common with Jim, the gentleman caller? Why do you suppose her husband left her?
Amanda lives in the past, and Laura is completely unmoving. Tom, on the other hand, wishes to be moving more. Laura could be living in her illusions because she just wants to completely stop her life and be a homebody. Reality is not staying at home and refusing to go to school because it makes you nervous. That is just not something that is realistic in everyday life. Amanda loses contact with reality a lot. She mainly goes back to the past a lot to when she was still in high school. She goes back to talk about how she was and how many gentlemen callers she would receive. How popular and pretty she was in high school comes up a lot. Her strengths are that she wants what is best for her children. She is constantly nagging them about their appearances and what they want to do with their futures. This is also a negative quality because she doesn't go about it in the right way at all. She is cruel to them by putting them down and always criticizing. She is critical of Laura when she tells her not to refer to herself as crippled. She says, "When people have some slight disadvantage like that, they cultivate other things to make up for it--develop charm--and vivacity--and--charm!" (Williams 1244). A young woman who is insecure about herself does not want to have a "charming" quality. They want to be known as beautiful and personable. She is also very tender though like when she comforts Laura after Laura finds out that Jim is actually engaged. She is a good mother, just has trouble relating to her children. I believe her husband left her for the same reasons Tom always wanted to leave and eventually did leave. She is overbearing and kind of annoying at some points. You just want her to stop nagging and shut up and let you do what you want. I can completely relate to this because I see a lot of my own mother in Amanda, but I also believe that, as teenagers, a lot of us would see our own nagging parents in Amanda.
7. The author tells us that "Amanda, having failed to establish contact with reality, continues to live vitally in her illusions." What part of this statement could be applied to Laura as well? What part could not? What are the chief instances in the play of Amanda's having lost "contact with reality"? What are her chief illusions? What are her strengths? How is she both cruel and tender with her children? What qualities has she in common with Jim, the gentleman caller? Why do you suppose her husband left her?
Amanda lives in the past, and Laura is completely unmoving. Tom, on the other hand, wishes to be moving more. Laura could be living in her illusions because she just wants to completely stop her life and be a homebody. Reality is not staying at home and refusing to go to school because it makes you nervous. That is just not something that is realistic in everyday life. Amanda loses contact with reality a lot. She mainly goes back to the past a lot to when she was still in high school. She goes back to talk about how she was and how many gentlemen callers she would receive. How popular and pretty she was in high school comes up a lot. Her strengths are that she wants what is best for her children. She is constantly nagging them about their appearances and what they want to do with their futures. This is also a negative quality because she doesn't go about it in the right way at all. She is cruel to them by putting them down and always criticizing. She is critical of Laura when she tells her not to refer to herself as crippled. She says, "When people have some slight disadvantage like that, they cultivate other things to make up for it--develop charm--and vivacity--and--charm!" (Williams 1244). A young woman who is insecure about herself does not want to have a "charming" quality. They want to be known as beautiful and personable. She is also very tender though like when she comforts Laura after Laura finds out that Jim is actually engaged. She is a good mother, just has trouble relating to her children. I believe her husband left her for the same reasons Tom always wanted to leave and eventually did leave. She is overbearing and kind of annoying at some points. You just want her to stop nagging and shut up and let you do what you want. I can completely relate to this because I see a lot of my own mother in Amanda, but I also believe that, as teenagers, a lot of us would see our own nagging parents in Amanda.
Glass Menagerie Blog Post 4
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
3. What is Tom's dilemma? Why is he always quarreling with his mother? What is his attitude toward Laura? Why does he finally leave? Does he ever resolve his dilemma?
Tom's dilemma is that he is stuck. Basically, he is unmoving and wishes to be moving on to better things for himself. His father wanted the same thing and did it. His life with the family is compared to a coffin nailed shut. His father was able to get out, and he wants out too. He believes that his life should have more adventure in it. He needs something more than just taking care of his sister and mother. He is always quarreling with his mother because he goes out "to the movies" and gets drunk and comes home. He is also always talking about wanting to get away and Amanda is scared he will become like his father and completely leave the family's life. His attitude toward Laura is, I think, a little bit of resentment. He thinks she should be able to go out and find a man who will support her so he doesn't have to and can move on with his own life. He finally leaves because in scene 7, he is pushed to his boiling point. Amanda keeps going on and on about how he is selfish and he finally says, "All right, I will! The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!" (Williams 1288). I don't think he ever really dissolves his dilemma though because at the end of the play he runs into Laura again. He never really can get away from his family.
3. What is Tom's dilemma? Why is he always quarreling with his mother? What is his attitude toward Laura? Why does he finally leave? Does he ever resolve his dilemma?
Tom's dilemma is that he is stuck. Basically, he is unmoving and wishes to be moving on to better things for himself. His father wanted the same thing and did it. His life with the family is compared to a coffin nailed shut. His father was able to get out, and he wants out too. He believes that his life should have more adventure in it. He needs something more than just taking care of his sister and mother. He is always quarreling with his mother because he goes out "to the movies" and gets drunk and comes home. He is also always talking about wanting to get away and Amanda is scared he will become like his father and completely leave the family's life. His attitude toward Laura is, I think, a little bit of resentment. He thinks she should be able to go out and find a man who will support her so he doesn't have to and can move on with his own life. He finally leaves because in scene 7, he is pushed to his boiling point. Amanda keeps going on and on about how he is selfish and he finally says, "All right, I will! The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!" (Williams 1288). I don't think he ever really dissolves his dilemma though because at the end of the play he runs into Laura again. He never really can get away from his family.
Glass Menagerie Blog Post 3
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
SYMBOL: a person, place, thing, or event that stands for something more than itself
SIMILE: a figure of speech that makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, using words such as like, as, than or resembles
The menagerie itself is symbolic of Laura. She also seems rather attached to them. They are symbolic of how the arguments between Tom and his mother, Amanda, affect Laura. While arguing, Tom puts on his coat to storm out and knocks some of the little figures over. Neither Tom nor Amanda really notice, but Laura seems heartbroken. In the beginning, Tom explicitly says what the glass menagerie is supposed to represent about Laura. He says, "...Laura's separation increases till she is like a piece of her own glass collection, too exquisitely fragile to move from the shelf" (Williams 1234). The glass menagerie is very delicate and Laura is so shy and so much of an introvert that she runs the risk of becoming like one of the little figurines that just sits on a shelf and never really does anything.
There is a simile that compares Laura to the glass menagerie. It is in scene 6 when she is being prepared by Amanda for the gentleman caller. The stage directions describe her appearance: (The arrangement of Laura's hair is changed; it is softer and more becoming. A fragile, unearthly prettiness has come out in Laura: she is like a piece of translucent glass touched by light, given a momentary radiance, not actual, not lasting) (Williams 1263). Her appearance and fragility increases with the amount of crippling shyness that comes over her.
SYMBOL: a person, place, thing, or event that stands for something more than itself
SIMILE: a figure of speech that makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, using words such as like, as, than or resembles
The menagerie itself is symbolic of Laura. She also seems rather attached to them. They are symbolic of how the arguments between Tom and his mother, Amanda, affect Laura. While arguing, Tom puts on his coat to storm out and knocks some of the little figures over. Neither Tom nor Amanda really notice, but Laura seems heartbroken. In the beginning, Tom explicitly says what the glass menagerie is supposed to represent about Laura. He says, "...Laura's separation increases till she is like a piece of her own glass collection, too exquisitely fragile to move from the shelf" (Williams 1234). The glass menagerie is very delicate and Laura is so shy and so much of an introvert that she runs the risk of becoming like one of the little figurines that just sits on a shelf and never really does anything.
There is a simile that compares Laura to the glass menagerie. It is in scene 6 when she is being prepared by Amanda for the gentleman caller. The stage directions describe her appearance: (The arrangement of Laura's hair is changed; it is softer and more becoming. A fragile, unearthly prettiness has come out in Laura: she is like a piece of translucent glass touched by light, given a momentary radiance, not actual, not lasting) (Williams 1263). Her appearance and fragility increases with the amount of crippling shyness that comes over her.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Glass Menagerie Blog Post 2
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
SYMBOL: a person, place, thing, or event that stands for something more than itself
fire-escape/smoke break/time portal...?
I could be completely off in my thinking right now and realize that it is allowed, but I get the impression that whenever Tom Wingfield goes to the fire-escape for a smoke break he recalls a memory to tell during the play. Every scene seems to begin with something to do with the fire-escape and Tom either already at it, or on his way over to it. I already know that the memories are his too. He is the narrator so it makes sense that he has a smoking problem and needs to have a reason to go over there. It's a sort of time portal back in time to the memories he has had. He brings them into the play when he goes out for a smoke break. Towards the beginning of scene 5, Amanda is going on and on about how Tom smokes too much and how he could use the money for schooling. Tom's response is this: "I'd rather smoke. (He steps out on the landing, letting the screen door slam.)" (Williams 1255). Then comes music which also leads me to believe there is another memory coming up. And then he begins to recall the dance studio and a conversation with Amanda about his sister, Laura.
SYMBOL: a person, place, thing, or event that stands for something more than itself
fire-escape/smoke break/time portal...?
I could be completely off in my thinking right now and realize that it is allowed, but I get the impression that whenever Tom Wingfield goes to the fire-escape for a smoke break he recalls a memory to tell during the play. Every scene seems to begin with something to do with the fire-escape and Tom either already at it, or on his way over to it. I already know that the memories are his too. He is the narrator so it makes sense that he has a smoking problem and needs to have a reason to go over there. It's a sort of time portal back in time to the memories he has had. He brings them into the play when he goes out for a smoke break. Towards the beginning of scene 5, Amanda is going on and on about how Tom smokes too much and how he could use the money for schooling. Tom's response is this: "I'd rather smoke. (He steps out on the landing, letting the screen door slam.)" (Williams 1255). Then comes music which also leads me to believe there is another memory coming up. And then he begins to recall the dance studio and a conversation with Amanda about his sister, Laura.
Glass Menagerie Blog Post 1
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
1. In presenting scene 1, the author says: "The scene is memory and is therefore nonrealistic." To whose memory does he refer? Why should memory be nonrealistic? List the different ways in which the play is nonrealistic. What, according to Tom in his opening speech, is the ultimate aim of this nonrealistic method of presentation?
I believe that all the memories are from Tom Wingfield who is also the narrator. Tom is in all the scenes because he was either there in the memories or is telling the memories as a narrator in the play. This is why I can logically think that he is the one who's memories are telling the story. Memory should be nonrealistic because, "memory takes a lot of poetic license. It omits some details; others are exaggerated, according to the emotional value of the articles it touches, for memory is seated predominantly in the heart." (Williams 1235). So, I think memory should be nonrealistic because something realistic would be the event actually happening. It is unrealistic for an event to reoccur in real life and happen again in a play. The play itself is nonrealistic because of the fact that it is a memory play. Also, the narrator is also a character and tells about all the stage directions, music, and lighting that happens in the play while still being a character in the play. His ultimate aim of this nonrealistic method is to give the truth "...in the pleasant disguise of illusion" (Williams 1236).
1. In presenting scene 1, the author says: "The scene is memory and is therefore nonrealistic." To whose memory does he refer? Why should memory be nonrealistic? List the different ways in which the play is nonrealistic. What, according to Tom in his opening speech, is the ultimate aim of this nonrealistic method of presentation?
I believe that all the memories are from Tom Wingfield who is also the narrator. Tom is in all the scenes because he was either there in the memories or is telling the memories as a narrator in the play. This is why I can logically think that he is the one who's memories are telling the story. Memory should be nonrealistic because, "memory takes a lot of poetic license. It omits some details; others are exaggerated, according to the emotional value of the articles it touches, for memory is seated predominantly in the heart." (Williams 1235). So, I think memory should be nonrealistic because something realistic would be the event actually happening. It is unrealistic for an event to reoccur in real life and happen again in a play. The play itself is nonrealistic because of the fact that it is a memory play. Also, the narrator is also a character and tells about all the stage directions, music, and lighting that happens in the play while still being a character in the play. His ultimate aim of this nonrealistic method is to give the truth "...in the pleasant disguise of illusion" (Williams 1236).
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Family Blog Post 5
Edward by Anonymous
1. What has Edward done and why? Where do the two climaxes of the poem occur?
Edward has killed his own father. He is questioned about why his sword is so bloody by his mother. Edward lies two time saying that he killed his hawk, but his mother says that his hawk's blood "...was never so red" (Anonymous). Then he tries to say that it was his old steed. Again, his mother says that that can't be it because his steed was very old and he had more. I think the mother knows the answer all along. She seems to be asking questions that she already knows the answers to because she keeps being able to easily negate every excuse. The two climaxes of the story are when I find out that Edward killed his father and that his mother told him to. They are talking about what Edward is going to do because he killed his father and he says he will leave and leave his work and his family to beg of themselves. Then, his mother asks what he will leave for her and he says, "The curse of hell from me shall ye bear, Such counsels you gave to me, O" (Anonymous). She gave him the advice to kill her husband, so now she will be cursed with a curse of hell.
1. What has Edward done and why? Where do the two climaxes of the poem occur?
Edward has killed his own father. He is questioned about why his sword is so bloody by his mother. Edward lies two time saying that he killed his hawk, but his mother says that his hawk's blood "...was never so red" (Anonymous). Then he tries to say that it was his old steed. Again, his mother says that that can't be it because his steed was very old and he had more. I think the mother knows the answer all along. She seems to be asking questions that she already knows the answers to because she keeps being able to easily negate every excuse. The two climaxes of the story are when I find out that Edward killed his father and that his mother told him to. They are talking about what Edward is going to do because he killed his father and he says he will leave and leave his work and his family to beg of themselves. Then, his mother asks what he will leave for her and he says, "The curse of hell from me shall ye bear, Such counsels you gave to me, O" (Anonymous). She gave him the advice to kill her husband, so now she will be cursed with a curse of hell.
Family Unit Blog 4
The Joy of Cooking by Elaine Magarrell
IRONY: a discrepancy between appearances and reality
The irony is in the name of the poem. Upon reading the title of the poem, The Joy of Cooking, I was under the impression that this story would be about actual joys of cooking. Then, you informed us that it was about siblings; ergo, I believed it to be about a bunch of brothers and sisters playfully baking in a kitchen somewhere. I was wrong, of course. The poem is a little confusing. I cannot discern whether or not there actually is cooking of tongues and hearts going on or whether it is all just a long drawn out analogy of sorts. I have a stronger attraction to the thought that it is all an analogy, being that this is a poem and can't be that straight-forward. The first stanza is about the sister, who's tongue is being cut out and cooked. I believe this may have something to do with a sister who says a lot of things that she shouldn't say. I think the sister will not learn her lesson though, when the poem says, "...it probably will grow back" (Magarrell). The second stanza, however, is about the brother. I get the feeling that he has a bad heart that is cold and unloving. He is in need of a little more somethin' somethin' to make his heart a full functioning and loving heart. A few more spices, to stick with the theme of cooking. "My brothers heart barely feeds two" (Magarrell) implies that he can hardly sustain a relationship maybe.
IRONY: a discrepancy between appearances and reality
The irony is in the name of the poem. Upon reading the title of the poem, The Joy of Cooking, I was under the impression that this story would be about actual joys of cooking. Then, you informed us that it was about siblings; ergo, I believed it to be about a bunch of brothers and sisters playfully baking in a kitchen somewhere. I was wrong, of course. The poem is a little confusing. I cannot discern whether or not there actually is cooking of tongues and hearts going on or whether it is all just a long drawn out analogy of sorts. I have a stronger attraction to the thought that it is all an analogy, being that this is a poem and can't be that straight-forward. The first stanza is about the sister, who's tongue is being cut out and cooked. I believe this may have something to do with a sister who says a lot of things that she shouldn't say. I think the sister will not learn her lesson though, when the poem says, "...it probably will grow back" (Magarrell). The second stanza, however, is about the brother. I get the feeling that he has a bad heart that is cold and unloving. He is in need of a little more somethin' somethin' to make his heart a full functioning and loving heart. A few more spices, to stick with the theme of cooking. "My brothers heart barely feeds two" (Magarrell) implies that he can hardly sustain a relationship maybe.
Family Unit Blog 3
"The Drunkard" by Frank O'Connor
5. The boy's drunkenness is seen from different perspectives. What are they, and how do they differ?
The boy's drunkenness is seen from four different point of view: from his own point of view, his father's, the women on the street, and his mother's. The way he sees his drunkenness is the way he feels. He says, "...the wonderful thing about porter was the way it made you stand aside, or rather float aloft like a cherub rolling on a cloud, and watch yourself with your legs crossed, leaning against a bar counter, not worrying about trifles but thinking deep, serious, grown-up thoughts about life and death" (O'Connor 347). This passage also invokes a little bit of humor. I imagine a little boy sitting at the bar trying to look and act as adult as he can. He feels grown up when he drinks, which is also kind of sad. Another point of view is from the father. His point of view is sort of "Oh my god, what have I done?" I think he is thinking to himself that he is the reason his son is this way and he feels terrible about it. The women on the street just kind of laugh and think it is so funny watching a little boy with two completely sober grown men carrying him down the street because he can't even walk. This also evokes a little sense of humor. The last perspective is of the mother. She too is saying, "Oh my god" but it is in a good way. She is thankful that this is going to turn her husband's behavior around and make him not such an alcoholic. It is ironic that it took his little son to become extremely sick and drunk in order to teach his father that he shouldn't drink so much and so often.
5. The boy's drunkenness is seen from different perspectives. What are they, and how do they differ?
The boy's drunkenness is seen from four different point of view: from his own point of view, his father's, the women on the street, and his mother's. The way he sees his drunkenness is the way he feels. He says, "...the wonderful thing about porter was the way it made you stand aside, or rather float aloft like a cherub rolling on a cloud, and watch yourself with your legs crossed, leaning against a bar counter, not worrying about trifles but thinking deep, serious, grown-up thoughts about life and death" (O'Connor 347). This passage also invokes a little bit of humor. I imagine a little boy sitting at the bar trying to look and act as adult as he can. He feels grown up when he drinks, which is also kind of sad. Another point of view is from the father. His point of view is sort of "Oh my god, what have I done?" I think he is thinking to himself that he is the reason his son is this way and he feels terrible about it. The women on the street just kind of laugh and think it is so funny watching a little boy with two completely sober grown men carrying him down the street because he can't even walk. This also evokes a little sense of humor. The last perspective is of the mother. She too is saying, "Oh my god" but it is in a good way. She is thankful that this is going to turn her husband's behavior around and make him not such an alcoholic. It is ironic that it took his little son to become extremely sick and drunk in order to teach his father that he shouldn't drink so much and so often.
Family Unit Blog 2
Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer
SITUATIONAL IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen
This story is an anti-fairytale. The situational irony is that I am pretty sure everyone in the class thought it was going to be the cat that got killed because when the story says, "I hope the cat will take heed...The husband said, Don't worry, my dear, cats always look before they leap" (Gordimer 236). It totally should have been the cat! I love cats and even wish it was him. That little boy read one of the creepy grandma's books (she also had nothing to do with the death unlike I thought she would) and wanted to be like a prince and scale the walls of the castle and kiss Sleeping Beauty back to life. The grandma was foreshadowing the downfall I think. This family's hubris or, tragic flaw, was that they were way too paranoid. In trying to save their family and son, they actually pave the way of the death of their little son.
SITUATIONAL IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen
This story is an anti-fairytale. The situational irony is that I am pretty sure everyone in the class thought it was going to be the cat that got killed because when the story says, "I hope the cat will take heed...The husband said, Don't worry, my dear, cats always look before they leap" (Gordimer 236). It totally should have been the cat! I love cats and even wish it was him. That little boy read one of the creepy grandma's books (she also had nothing to do with the death unlike I thought she would) and wanted to be like a prince and scale the walls of the castle and kiss Sleeping Beauty back to life. The grandma was foreshadowing the downfall I think. This family's hubris or, tragic flaw, was that they were way too paranoid. In trying to save their family and son, they actually pave the way of the death of their little son.
Family Unit Blog 1
A Worn Path by Eudora Welty
6. In answer to a student who wrote to ask her "Is the grandson really dead?" Welty responded, "My best answer would be: Phoenix is alive." What might have led the student to ask that question? How can the author's remark be seen as an answer?
The main question of this short story, to me, is whether or not the grandson is really dead. I believe he is actually dead. A student might have been led to ask this question because of the characterization of Phoenix Jackson. She seems to be a little off. She's never really always there in the head. I think her mental state is out of whack because she lives all alone in the middle of no where and has to walk all day to get to where any kind of civilization is. Her mental state is called in to question many times during the story. One of which is when she is a little ways into her journey and she sits down to rest. She hallucinates and when a "little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him. 'That would be acceptable,' she said. But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air" (Welty 224). She is imagining her grandson being with her. This was the first time I wondered about him being dead. Then there was the time in the doctor's office when she forgot why she was there and told the nurse that her grandson had been sick for 2 or 3 years and hasn't gotten any better. It seems to me that he almost has to be dead if he hasn't gotten any better.
The other part of the question is that the author answers without actually answering. She says that Phoenix is alive. I think that this is one of the only thing that keeps Phoenix going. She has something to look forward to. It doesn't matter whether the grandson is alive or not. The love that Phoenix has for her grandson is so great and will never end regardless of whether or not he died.
6. In answer to a student who wrote to ask her "Is the grandson really dead?" Welty responded, "My best answer would be: Phoenix is alive." What might have led the student to ask that question? How can the author's remark be seen as an answer?
The main question of this short story, to me, is whether or not the grandson is really dead. I believe he is actually dead. A student might have been led to ask this question because of the characterization of Phoenix Jackson. She seems to be a little off. She's never really always there in the head. I think her mental state is out of whack because she lives all alone in the middle of no where and has to walk all day to get to where any kind of civilization is. Her mental state is called in to question many times during the story. One of which is when she is a little ways into her journey and she sits down to rest. She hallucinates and when a "little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him. 'That would be acceptable,' she said. But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air" (Welty 224). She is imagining her grandson being with her. This was the first time I wondered about him being dead. Then there was the time in the doctor's office when she forgot why she was there and told the nurse that her grandson had been sick for 2 or 3 years and hasn't gotten any better. It seems to me that he almost has to be dead if he hasn't gotten any better.
The other part of the question is that the author answers without actually answering. She says that Phoenix is alive. I think that this is one of the only thing that keeps Phoenix going. She has something to look forward to. It doesn't matter whether the grandson is alive or not. The love that Phoenix has for her grandson is so great and will never end regardless of whether or not he died.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Raisin Blog Post 5
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
12. Often, in life, a situation may reach a "point of no return"--the point after which the life of a person can never be the same. Describe such a turning point for a character in Raisin.
I think the biggest event that happened in A Raisin in the Sun is when we find out that Willy ran off with all of Bobo's and Walter's money. This is definitely a point of no return. Bobo tells Walter, "...I waited in that train station six hours...(Breaking into tears) That was all the extra money I had in the world... (Looking up at Walter with the tears running down his face) Man, Willy is gone" (Hansberry 127). I did not see that coming at all. I knew something was wrong, though, when Bobo seemed so weird about coming to talk to Walter. This is a point of no return because now the family has absolutely no money at all. They just put a down payment on the house and Mama gave the rest to Walter to put some in the bank for Beneatha and to save the rest. We find out he did not do this, though. Turns out he didn't put any of the money in the bank. And now they have nothing. It was foolish of him to try and invest it all in a sketchy guy and not save any of it. Everyone is super angry at Walter and Mama starts hitting him in the face over and over again. I think this was really a breaking point as well as a point of no return for the family. All the stress had built up and this just tipped it over the edge to the point where everyone breaks down down and doesn't know where to go from there.
Raisin Blog Post 4
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
EXTERNAL CONFLICT: conflicts existing between two people, between a person and nature or machine, or between a person and a whole society.
I believe one of the external conflicts in this play is racism. It is shown a lot through out whether it be through what someone said or they way one of the characters acted. The main time it comes out, though, is when Mama is looking to buy a house for the family. She puts a down payment on one that is in the center of Clybourne Park, which is an area where mainly white people live. They are confronted with the decision of whether to stay or be persecuted for the color of their skin in their own neighborhood. Mr. Lindner, from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, pays the family a little visit. Mr. Lindner says, "It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities" (Hansberry 118). He is basically saying that, because the family is black, they should stay in their own communities because the people of Clybourne Park do not want them there. Later we find out that the Youngers do in fact move despite the racial prejudices against them.
Raisin Blog Post 3
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
1. In literature, as in life, a character may search for a better way of life. Show how two characters from A Raisin in the Sunare searching for a better way of life. Explain what each character is hoping to gain through this search and discuss the ways in which each character attempts to bring about a change in his or her life.
--and--
MOTIVATION: the reasons for a character's behavior
There are two main characters that stand out to me as searching for a better way of life in A Raisin in the Sun--Walter and Beneatha. The brother and sister that could not be more different in any way, but still have similar aspirations and character traits. Walter is hoping to gain more financial stability for his family through his search and Beneatha is hoping to find financial independence and also some of her heritage through her search. Walter wishes to open a liquor store with two of his sketchy friends. He wants to use the money from his father's passing. I think there could be better ways for him to achieve this. Walter believes that, "don't nothing happen for you in this world 'less you pay somebody off!" (Hansberry 33) He cannot think of any other way to make a secure financial future other than this liquor store and he has his mind set on it. Beneatha, on the other hand, has the motivation to be completely independent. She is going to school and trying to do something with her life and not just spend all her time trying to find a husband. She wants something to fall back on, which I find very admirable. Not very many women at this time had the drive to do anything other than being a mother and a wife. She is very stubborn and has, according to many (Mama and Ruth), views that do not fall into the norm. Both characters have plenty of motivation and spunk about their search for a better way of life and seem to not want to stop at anything until they attain these goals.
Raisin Blog Post 2
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorrain Hansberry
9. In literature, as in life, a character might feel trapped. Discuss a character from Raisin who feels trapped and give examples of the ways in which this character chooses to deal with those feelings.
I feel like a character who seems to be trapped a lot already in the play is Walter. The guy seems to have a lot of issues. He seems to be lacking support from his wife and entire family. No one wants to help him live out this dream of financial stability. He needs to begin his own business and wants to use some of the money from his father's passing away to begin a liquor store. He is straining for just a little piece of some support from his wife. Walter says, "Man say: I got to change my life, I'm choking to death, baby! And his woman say--(In utter anguish as he brings his fists down on his thighs)--Your eggs is getting cold!" (Hansberry 33) Walter does not understand, however, that everyone else thinks their lives are okay. They are content with the way they are living and do not feel trapped.
Another place where I feel Walter could be trapped is in his alcohol abuse. He gets frustrated with his family and immediately says he has to go out. Mama confronts him about this and says, "It's dangerous...When a man goes outside his home to look for peace" (Hansberry 73). She is right. This is dangerous. When someone goes outside of their home to find peace in alcohol there is something seriously going wrong in their lives. To top it all off, Walter finds out that Mama took the money from her husband's insurance and put it into a house for the family. Now he is really trapped. Now he absolutely has no way out of the life he is currently living.
Raisin Blog Post 1
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
5. Show how Raisin deals with the gender gap--the problems that the older generations has in dealing with the younger generation and vice versa.
Right off the bat I am able to notice a gender divide among the characters in Raisin. The youngest Younger, Travis, comes off as having a sort of attitude, but still shows respect to his elders. He is about 10 or 11 and he seems to me to be a typical little boy who resists his mother's rules and love, but still is understanding and always comes around to accept. Beneatha, or Bennie, is the seconds youngest. She is about 20 years old and is about the most stubborn person ever. She is the most formally educated in the house and has this idea that she needs to regain her heritage, much like Dee in Everyday Use. Ruth, Walter's wife, is about thirty and believes that her life is somewhat of a disappointment. She is stern and stubborn and, for a woman of her age, expected to already be a "settled woman" (Hansberry 24). Then there is Walter, Beneatha's brother. He is in his mid-thirties and is a tall, lean dreamer. He too is very stubborn. And finally, we have Mama. She is about 60 years old and just recently lost her husband. She is a strong and graceful beauty who has had to overcome a lot in her life. She is very understanding and knowledgeable.
Mama comes to a realization when she is talking to Ruth about her kids. She says, "No--there's something come down between me and them that don't let us understand each other and I don't know what it is" (Hansberry 52). Mama is concerned because she cannot seem to reach her children or understand them. She is concerned because the times are becoming so different. Her son is only thinking about money and her daughter is only thinking about "protecting her heritage" and becoming an independent doctor. These are things that Mama never had to deal with when she was 20 and 30 years old. She just is not used to the fact that times are different now.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Unit One Blog Post 5
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
I chose to blog about a certain question after the reading on this short story also.
3. How does Mr. Kapasi's job as an "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?
The central theme to this short story could be communication and the role it plays in the relationships between the family and also with Mr. Kapasi. An interpreter of maladies is someone who determines what is wrong with a person when they come in to a hospital with a list of symptoms, but still not being sure of what actually is wrong with them. This is Mr. Kapasi's job along with being a tour guide. People talk to him about personal situations all the time and I think this gives Mrs. Das a feeling of comfort that she can confide in him about her secret. I feel like when she told Mr. Kapasi that Bobby was not actually Mr. Das' son, Mrs. Das had a little bit of relief. She had told no one for eight whole years and it felt better that someone actually did know now. She says that she told him "...because of your talents" (Lahiri 163). He cannot help, however, because he deals with physical ailments, not lies and deceit. He thinks about saying something to her, but goes against the idea. He sees the Das family as objectively as possible. He has no prior knowledge about them and the only prejudice he does have is that he is attracted to Mrs. Das and thinks she would be a better partner to him than his current wife is. He has plenty of opportunity to use his diagnostic abilities in his interactions with the Das family. I believe he uses them a little bit, but just by force of habit. I don't think, however that he outright expresses his thoughts about the family though.
I chose to blog about a certain question after the reading on this short story also.
3. How does Mr. Kapasi's job as an "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?
The central theme to this short story could be communication and the role it plays in the relationships between the family and also with Mr. Kapasi. An interpreter of maladies is someone who determines what is wrong with a person when they come in to a hospital with a list of symptoms, but still not being sure of what actually is wrong with them. This is Mr. Kapasi's job along with being a tour guide. People talk to him about personal situations all the time and I think this gives Mrs. Das a feeling of comfort that she can confide in him about her secret. I feel like when she told Mr. Kapasi that Bobby was not actually Mr. Das' son, Mrs. Das had a little bit of relief. She had told no one for eight whole years and it felt better that someone actually did know now. She says that she told him "...because of your talents" (Lahiri 163). He cannot help, however, because he deals with physical ailments, not lies and deceit. He thinks about saying something to her, but goes against the idea. He sees the Das family as objectively as possible. He has no prior knowledge about them and the only prejudice he does have is that he is attracted to Mrs. Das and thinks she would be a better partner to him than his current wife is. He has plenty of opportunity to use his diagnostic abilities in his interactions with the Das family. I believe he uses them a little bit, but just by force of habit. I don't think, however that he outright expresses his thoughts about the family though.
Unit One Blog Post 4
Everyday Use by Alice Walker
For this short story, I chose to focus on one of the questions from the included after the reading.
3. As evidence of current social movements and as innovations that the mother responds to, what do the following have in common: (a) Dee's new name and costume; (b)Hakim's behavior and attitudes; (c) the "beef-cattle peoples down the road"; (d) Dee's concern for her "heritage"?
I think the overall theme in this short story is the idea of someone's natural heritage. Dee chooses a new name, Wangeroo. I believe it is an interesting choice and actually preferred Dee. Upon being asked what happened to her old name by Mama, Wangaroo says, "She's dead...I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (Walker 177). Dee believes that because she is black she must change her name to something more stereotypical in order to save her heritage. She chooses a more "African" costume also because I believe she is trying to outright display her heritage. Hakim seems awkward to me. The way he greets Maggie is awkward and pushes her away and makes her shy. He seems like he feels more educated and he is better than them because he can display his heritage and where he came from better. I don't quite understand the "beef-cattle people from down the road". Although I think Mama compares Hakim to them. He just seems weird. He says, "I accept some of their doctrines, but farming and raising cattle is not my style" (Walker 178). I don't know if he knows that Mama is kind of making fun of him. She also obviously does not approve of their being together and I think she hopes they aren't married. I think that, although the theme of this short story is heritage, Wangaroo does not really understand her own heritage. She seems to think she does, but she really doesn't. In trying to stand out and display where she is from, she has actually lost her own roots in where she came from.
For this short story, I chose to focus on one of the questions from the included after the reading.
3. As evidence of current social movements and as innovations that the mother responds to, what do the following have in common: (a) Dee's new name and costume; (b)Hakim's behavior and attitudes; (c) the "beef-cattle peoples down the road"; (d) Dee's concern for her "heritage"?
I think the overall theme in this short story is the idea of someone's natural heritage. Dee chooses a new name, Wangeroo. I believe it is an interesting choice and actually preferred Dee. Upon being asked what happened to her old name by Mama, Wangaroo says, "She's dead...I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (Walker 177). Dee believes that because she is black she must change her name to something more stereotypical in order to save her heritage. She chooses a more "African" costume also because I believe she is trying to outright display her heritage. Hakim seems awkward to me. The way he greets Maggie is awkward and pushes her away and makes her shy. He seems like he feels more educated and he is better than them because he can display his heritage and where he came from better. I don't quite understand the "beef-cattle people from down the road". Although I think Mama compares Hakim to them. He just seems weird. He says, "I accept some of their doctrines, but farming and raising cattle is not my style" (Walker 178). I don't know if he knows that Mama is kind of making fun of him. She also obviously does not approve of their being together and I think she hopes they aren't married. I think that, although the theme of this short story is heritage, Wangaroo does not really understand her own heritage. She seems to think she does, but she really doesn't. In trying to stand out and display where she is from, she has actually lost her own roots in where she came from.
Unit One Blog Post 3
Toads by Phillip Larkin
external conflict: conflicts existing between two people, between a person and nature or machine, or between a person and a whole society
internal conflict: conflicts existing within a person's mind or heart
This was one of the more difficult poems to understand, but when we talked about it in class it really helped me out. I learned there are two types of conflict in this poem. The first one is directly stated and even italicized in the work. It is actually the first line of the poem. The first conflict is an external conflict of work. The author is talking about work and why he should let it "squat on my life" (Larkin). Everyone has to work in some way in order to get what they want. Not very many people, if given the choice, would choose to work their whole lives instead of not do anything and get everything they wish to have. So the first conflict, or toad, is that one must work.
The second toad is a little less blunt in stating what he actually is. The cone of meaning, as Mr. Costello would say, is a lot wider when it comest to the second conflict. This conflict is internal too. It says that this toad "Will never allow me to blarney my way to getting the fame and the girl and the money all at one sitting" (Larkin). This toad is something that someone has (morals, pride) that keeps them from flattering or lying to get what they ultimately want. Also, it says, "I don't say, one bodies the other One's spiritual truth; But I do say its hard to lose either, When you have both" (Larkin), meaning, you can't get rid of one (work) with the other toad (the thing granting you the easy way) still in you.
external conflict: conflicts existing between two people, between a person and nature or machine, or between a person and a whole society
internal conflict: conflicts existing within a person's mind or heart
This was one of the more difficult poems to understand, but when we talked about it in class it really helped me out. I learned there are two types of conflict in this poem. The first one is directly stated and even italicized in the work. It is actually the first line of the poem. The first conflict is an external conflict of work. The author is talking about work and why he should let it "squat on my life" (Larkin). Everyone has to work in some way in order to get what they want. Not very many people, if given the choice, would choose to work their whole lives instead of not do anything and get everything they wish to have. So the first conflict, or toad, is that one must work.
The second toad is a little less blunt in stating what he actually is. The cone of meaning, as Mr. Costello would say, is a lot wider when it comest to the second conflict. This conflict is internal too. It says that this toad "Will never allow me to blarney my way to getting the fame and the girl and the money all at one sitting" (Larkin). This toad is something that someone has (morals, pride) that keeps them from flattering or lying to get what they ultimately want. Also, it says, "I don't say, one bodies the other One's spiritual truth; But I do say its hard to lose either, When you have both" (Larkin), meaning, you can't get rid of one (work) with the other toad (the thing granting you the easy way) still in you.
Unit One Blog Post 2
Hazel Tells LaVerne by Katharynn Howd Machan
farce: a type of comedy in which ridiculous and often-stereotyped characters are involved in silly farfetched situations.
This was probably my favorite work out of all the works in unit one. I could find the humor in it and really understand it. One of the aspects I found that related to farce was definitely the use of humor to ridicule the traditional fairytale of the frog princess. I found humor in the dialect and the whole situation itself. Hazel tells LaVerne, "well i screams ya little pervert an i hitsm with my mop" (Machan). I can imagine this "Hazel" reenacting the story and telling all about this situation that happened. Another farce aspect is the stereotypical part. Although the dialect is funny, I still get a sense that she is a stereotypical uneducated black woman. It's totally how I perceive a person like that to react though. She's also poor because she is "cleaning out my howard john sons ladies rooms" (Machan). It is stereotypical that she would freak out and call the frog a pervert and hit it with a broom and then go and tell her girlfriend all about what happened. It is also farfetched. The original fairytale is a little out there, but this "fairytale" definitely brings a little modern day twist. I think it gives a little more of a realistic feel to the original.
farce: a type of comedy in which ridiculous and often-stereotyped characters are involved in silly farfetched situations.
This was probably my favorite work out of all the works in unit one. I could find the humor in it and really understand it. One of the aspects I found that related to farce was definitely the use of humor to ridicule the traditional fairytale of the frog princess. I found humor in the dialect and the whole situation itself. Hazel tells LaVerne, "well i screams ya little pervert an i hitsm with my mop" (Machan). I can imagine this "Hazel" reenacting the story and telling all about this situation that happened. Another farce aspect is the stereotypical part. Although the dialect is funny, I still get a sense that she is a stereotypical uneducated black woman. It's totally how I perceive a person like that to react though. She's also poor because she is "cleaning out my howard john sons ladies rooms" (Machan). It is stereotypical that she would freak out and call the frog a pervert and hit it with a broom and then go and tell her girlfriend all about what happened. It is also farfetched. The original fairytale is a little out there, but this "fairytale" definitely brings a little modern day twist. I think it gives a little more of a realistic feel to the original.
Unit One Blog Post 1
Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes
rhetorical question: a question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring/expecting and answer.
All of the similes and metaphors in this poem are rhetorical questions. They don't need a direct answer, they just simply are asked to get our minds to think more. And boy did my mind think. I think this poem is trying to get one to think about the success of a dream. What happens when you defer a dream? and then it goes on and on about what could possibly happen. What struck me though was the very last line, "or does it explode?" (Hughes). I almost wish there was an ellipsis. I feel like that is how I said it in my head when I was reading it. The fact that it is all by itself, has no other negating second line, and is italicized tells me that this rhetorical question is different from all the rest. The rhetorical questions allow the reader to add their own interpretations into the actually question, I think, of what happens when a dream is deferred.
rhetorical question: a question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring/expecting and answer.
All of the similes and metaphors in this poem are rhetorical questions. They don't need a direct answer, they just simply are asked to get our minds to think more. And boy did my mind think. I think this poem is trying to get one to think about the success of a dream. What happens when you defer a dream? and then it goes on and on about what could possibly happen. What struck me though was the very last line, "or does it explode?" (Hughes). I almost wish there was an ellipsis. I feel like that is how I said it in my head when I was reading it. The fact that it is all by itself, has no other negating second line, and is italicized tells me that this rhetorical question is different from all the rest. The rhetorical questions allow the reader to add their own interpretations into the actually question, I think, of what happens when a dream is deferred.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Perrine Poetry Blog Entry
This article gave me a headache. I had a difficult time reading it and understanding what Perrine was saying. From the first read I got that you asked us to interpret the meaning of a poem where almost all of us were incorrect because the "garden" theme didn't account for all of the details in the poem (the Wharf). Also, no one was even close to understanding the war poems where one was actually about the stars. And finally, where we were asked to interpret the meaning of a rose and a worm that were actually meant to really be a rose and a worm. It seems we were incorrect in all aspects of our poem interpreting, according to Perrine. I understand where he is coming from in showing proof of his interpretations. They had good evidence behind them and I just had no idea that those poems could mean anything else than what we had, as a class, written on the board.
I do agree with Perrine in the fact that there should be a right and wrong meaning to poems. I mean, they can't absolutely mean anything someone wants it to me. The poem would be useless if this were the case. There would basically be no meaning for poems if the author of them never even had an idea in mind as he was writing. If the author was just putting words on a paper then they did a pretty good job, but I doubt that's what any poem writer does. I believe there is some real meaning behind what they're writing and there is some interpretation or message they wish for the reader to get out of reading it. He did provide ample proof for his two criteria of the interpretation accounting for every detail in the poem (Wharf) and the interpretation which relies on the fewest assumptions not grounded in the poem itself (Melville's stars). And, after reading this article I can definitely see where he is coming from and when re-reading the poems completely understand these interpretations.
I do agree with Perrine in the fact that there should be a right and wrong meaning to poems. I mean, they can't absolutely mean anything someone wants it to me. The poem would be useless if this were the case. There would basically be no meaning for poems if the author of them never even had an idea in mind as he was writing. If the author was just putting words on a paper then they did a pretty good job, but I doubt that's what any poem writer does. I believe there is some real meaning behind what they're writing and there is some interpretation or message they wish for the reader to get out of reading it. He did provide ample proof for his two criteria of the interpretation accounting for every detail in the poem (Wharf) and the interpretation which relies on the fewest assumptions not grounded in the poem itself (Melville's stars). And, after reading this article I can definitely see where he is coming from and when re-reading the poems completely understand these interpretations.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Great Gatsby 15
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
It is now all over. The Great Gatsby is no more. No more extravagant parties or anything. I was right when I predicted that Tom and Daisy would leave together. As Jay was dying, he said to Nick, "Look here, old sport, you've got to get somebody for me. You've got to try hard. I can't go through this alone" (Fitzgerald 165). I think that Nick was that person for him. He was the one who stayed at his house and kept everything in order and talked to the newspapers. Nick made all the funeral arrangements when no one else was around to help.
I feel bad for Gatsby. He threw all these parties and welcomed everyone into his home and still no one even came to his funeral except his father and the drunk guy from the library. People thought that he got what he deserved and someone even wanted a pair of shoes back from his house. It makes me depressed and I'm kind of glad he was already dead so he didn't know that everyone was so mean after he did die.
Jordan's engaged to someone else and I found out that Tom is the one who told Wilson that it was Jay Gatsby who killed his wife. He did it to get rid of Gatsby without getting his hands dirty. He knew that Wilson was crazy enough to kill another man without even thinking about it. I feel like Gatsby is a great inspiration for bettering oneself. He had little and made himself go out and become a better person. He made money and friends, but also enemies. Everyone, including himself felt like he had a great future ahead of him and went out and made it happen. I think there are a lot of people at Roncalli with these same ambitions who I know for a fact can make them come true.
It is now all over. The Great Gatsby is no more. No more extravagant parties or anything. I was right when I predicted that Tom and Daisy would leave together. As Jay was dying, he said to Nick, "Look here, old sport, you've got to get somebody for me. You've got to try hard. I can't go through this alone" (Fitzgerald 165). I think that Nick was that person for him. He was the one who stayed at his house and kept everything in order and talked to the newspapers. Nick made all the funeral arrangements when no one else was around to help.
I feel bad for Gatsby. He threw all these parties and welcomed everyone into his home and still no one even came to his funeral except his father and the drunk guy from the library. People thought that he got what he deserved and someone even wanted a pair of shoes back from his house. It makes me depressed and I'm kind of glad he was already dead so he didn't know that everyone was so mean after he did die.
Jordan's engaged to someone else and I found out that Tom is the one who told Wilson that it was Jay Gatsby who killed his wife. He did it to get rid of Gatsby without getting his hands dirty. He knew that Wilson was crazy enough to kill another man without even thinking about it. I feel like Gatsby is a great inspiration for bettering oneself. He had little and made himself go out and become a better person. He made money and friends, but also enemies. Everyone, including himself felt like he had a great future ahead of him and went out and made it happen. I think there are a lot of people at Roncalli with these same ambitions who I know for a fact can make them come true.
Great Gatsby 14
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I had a feeling this would happen. Wilson was too mad and too crazy to not want to get revenge. There is just too much suspense leading up to it that it couldn't not happen. My prediction is way off though. Now that everyone is dead, there's no one to be in love anymore.
Also, we get the background on Daisy and Jay. How he didn't think he could fall in love with her and when he did he was so surprised but the war kept them apart. Finally, she wanted her life to start and couldn't wait any longer, so she married Tom Buchanan. Jay found out about it in a letter. I can only imagine how sad he was. It's the classic tale, though, of a love story torn apart by war and distance.
I am not sure what is going on between Jordan and Nick, but I hope they get happier and stop hanging up on each other. I want everyone to be happy, but there's no way now considering half of them are dead. I thought that maybe it was just Gatsby who was shot, but then I read that "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete" (Fitzgerald 162). I don't know for sure though if Gatsby really is dead. It's confusing to me. I am hoping he is not though. Also, I sort of saw it coming that Wilson would take his own life too.
I had a feeling this would happen. Wilson was too mad and too crazy to not want to get revenge. There is just too much suspense leading up to it that it couldn't not happen. My prediction is way off though. Now that everyone is dead, there's no one to be in love anymore.
Also, we get the background on Daisy and Jay. How he didn't think he could fall in love with her and when he did he was so surprised but the war kept them apart. Finally, she wanted her life to start and couldn't wait any longer, so she married Tom Buchanan. Jay found out about it in a letter. I can only imagine how sad he was. It's the classic tale, though, of a love story torn apart by war and distance.
I am not sure what is going on between Jordan and Nick, but I hope they get happier and stop hanging up on each other. I want everyone to be happy, but there's no way now considering half of them are dead. I thought that maybe it was just Gatsby who was shot, but then I read that "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete" (Fitzgerald 162). I don't know for sure though if Gatsby really is dead. It's confusing to me. I am hoping he is not though. Also, I sort of saw it coming that Wilson would take his own life too.
Great Gatsby 13
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Oh my goodness! something happened alright! A mysterious car wreck has happened at Wilson's shop. His wife is now murdered. George Wilson and Myrtle get into a fight and she runs from the garage yelling and screaming and then it was all over. The "death car" had taken her life and then sped off and left her mangled body lying there. It sounds disgusting.
I think it is so ironic that, as Tom, Jordan and Nick are driving by the garage, Tom says, "Wreck!..That's good. Wilson'll have a little business at last" (Fitzgerald 137). And when they stop he says excitedly that "There's some bad trouble here" (Fitzgerald 138). Little does he know that the girl he had been cheating on his wife with was brutally murdered in a hit and run accident. And then there is quite the twist that occurs. Turns out a witness says that the car that hit her was a big yellow car. My first thought was "uhoh Gatsby has a yellow car. Did he do it?" Turns out I was right. Like always. BUT Daisy was the one driving, not Gatsby. It was only his car. He says he will take the blame for it though. Which I don't know how someone can take all the blame for a murder. It takes a lot of love to do that.
My prediction is that Tom and Daisy will stay together so that Daisy doesn't get the blame for the death and Gatsby will take the blame out of love for Daisy. And then Gatsby will become and outcast and his fabulous life will be over.
Oh my goodness! something happened alright! A mysterious car wreck has happened at Wilson's shop. His wife is now murdered. George Wilson and Myrtle get into a fight and she runs from the garage yelling and screaming and then it was all over. The "death car" had taken her life and then sped off and left her mangled body lying there. It sounds disgusting.
I think it is so ironic that, as Tom, Jordan and Nick are driving by the garage, Tom says, "Wreck!..That's good. Wilson'll have a little business at last" (Fitzgerald 137). And when they stop he says excitedly that "There's some bad trouble here" (Fitzgerald 138). Little does he know that the girl he had been cheating on his wife with was brutally murdered in a hit and run accident. And then there is quite the twist that occurs. Turns out a witness says that the car that hit her was a big yellow car. My first thought was "uhoh Gatsby has a yellow car. Did he do it?" Turns out I was right. Like always. BUT Daisy was the one driving, not Gatsby. It was only his car. He says he will take the blame for it though. Which I don't know how someone can take all the blame for a murder. It takes a lot of love to do that.
My prediction is that Tom and Daisy will stay together so that Daisy doesn't get the blame for the death and Gatsby will take the blame out of love for Daisy. And then Gatsby will become and outcast and his fabulous life will be over.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Great Gatsby 12
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I feel like Tom is the first wheel here. It's like Jay and Daisy and Nick and Jordan. Tom's just tagging along almost and I think it's really funny. And I get the feeling that no one likes and all he does is make incredulous and insulting remarks.
And then finally, it all comes out. Tom snaps and says, "Self-control!...I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife" (Fitzgerald130). And then, Gatsby comes out completely blunt and says that she never loved him and she has always loved Gatsby. Everything just comes out. Jay and Tom go back in forth for a while and I felt like at some point Daisy should have stepped in and said something. It's also pretty ironic that Tom is getting mad considering he had a whole other life with another woman. He thinks it's okay to make these decisions as long as it's only him doing the wrong. It's not okay. For a second I felt like no one was going to stay together. But I get the feeling Tom is only mad because his other girl is being forced to leave so he will have no one else to be with. But everyone leaves and Daisy and Jay go home together. I have a feeling this can't be the end of the story though. Something else has to happen.
And then finally, it all comes out. Tom snaps and says, "Self-control!...I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife" (Fitzgerald130). And then, Gatsby comes out completely blunt and says that she never loved him and she has always loved Gatsby. Everything just comes out. Jay and Tom go back in forth for a while and I felt like at some point Daisy should have stepped in and said something. It's also pretty ironic that Tom is getting mad considering he had a whole other life with another woman. He thinks it's okay to make these decisions as long as it's only him doing the wrong. It's not okay. For a second I felt like no one was going to stay together. But I get the feeling Tom is only mad because his other girl is being forced to leave so he will have no one else to be with. But everyone leaves and Daisy and Jay go home together. I have a feeling this can't be the end of the story though. Something else has to happen.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Great Gatsby 11
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now Wilson knows about his wife and Tom! He found out about her and now he is making her move West. He says, "I just wised up to something funny the last two days" (Fitzgerald 124). Now he knows. I don't know if he knows that its Tom who she cheats with. Also, she thinks that Jordan is Daisy and I think something bad is going to happen to Daisy because Myrtle thinks she is Daisy and doesn't like Daisy because she is Tom's wife. Wilson is physically sick now.
I like how Fitzgerald said that Tom had made a parallel discovery about his wife use a few hours before Wilson made one about his wife. I think it's a good way of saying they both found out their wives were cheating on them. All these people do is bicker. It's annoying. But I like how Daisy sticks up for Jay and he does the same for her. I can't wait to find out who is going to explode!
Now Wilson knows about his wife and Tom! He found out about her and now he is making her move West. He says, "I just wised up to something funny the last two days" (Fitzgerald 124). Now he knows. I don't know if he knows that its Tom who she cheats with. Also, she thinks that Jordan is Daisy and I think something bad is going to happen to Daisy because Myrtle thinks she is Daisy and doesn't like Daisy because she is Tom's wife. Wilson is physically sick now.
I like how Fitzgerald said that Tom had made a parallel discovery about his wife use a few hours before Wilson made one about his wife. I think it's a good way of saying they both found out their wives were cheating on them. All these people do is bicker. It's annoying. But I like how Daisy sticks up for Jay and he does the same for her. I can't wait to find out who is going to explode!
Great Gatsby 10
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now Gatsby is acting pretty weird. He fired his staff because he has Daisy over all the time and didn't want anyone to gossip. Also, he never comes out of his house. I could tell something was going to happen with the way Nick said, "Something was up. And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose this occasion for a scene--especially the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden" (Fitzgerald 114). It's a bit of foreshadowing that I kind of hope comes true. I want there to be a scene where everything comes out at once.
The heat seems to be getting to everyone, especially Tom and Jay. Tom keeps sending rude remarks Jay's way. They are just constantly bickering. I can tell that there are a lot of things just building up. Little digs here and there are adding up. Also, Tom saw Daisy tell Gatsby she loved him. Right in front of him at the table! And then they decide to go into town and Daisy suggests her and Gatsby ride together! I think it is all just so awesome because Tom is such a jerk I want him to be sad so badly. That sounds mean but I am getting into this book
Now Gatsby is acting pretty weird. He fired his staff because he has Daisy over all the time and didn't want anyone to gossip. Also, he never comes out of his house. I could tell something was going to happen with the way Nick said, "Something was up. And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose this occasion for a scene--especially the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden" (Fitzgerald 114). It's a bit of foreshadowing that I kind of hope comes true. I want there to be a scene where everything comes out at once.
The heat seems to be getting to everyone, especially Tom and Jay. Tom keeps sending rude remarks Jay's way. They are just constantly bickering. I can tell that there are a lot of things just building up. Little digs here and there are adding up. Also, Tom saw Daisy tell Gatsby she loved him. Right in front of him at the table! And then they decide to go into town and Daisy suggests her and Gatsby ride together! I think it is all just so awesome because Tom is such a jerk I want him to be sad so badly. That sounds mean but I am getting into this book
Monday, August 6, 2012
Great Gatsby 9
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tom came for drinks?! This is weird. Why? He is in love with Daisy and invited her husband to hangout with him. I do not understand people sometimes. And Nick is surprised it didn't happen earlier? I am not sure who Mr. Sloane and the lady he is talking to are. They appear to be bickering about Jay going to dinner with them. I'm assuming they're married.
Then Tom and Daisy go to Gatsby's party. I think something bad is going to happen. I just got the feeling when I read, "...unpleasantness in the air, a pervading harshness that hadn't been there before" (Fitzgerald 104). Also, nothing good could have come from these three people being in the same place at the same time. Nothing really crazy did happen though, which surprised me. Except for I learned that Daisy hated it all. She was appalled by West Egg and all the people in it. This is Gatsby's life, though. I am predicting that Gatsby will have to choose between her or this life and persona he has built up around himself. I also think he will choose Daisy because of his love for her. I am hoping he chooses Daisy. But this is only a prediction of what might happen.
Tom came for drinks?! This is weird. Why? He is in love with Daisy and invited her husband to hangout with him. I do not understand people sometimes. And Nick is surprised it didn't happen earlier? I am not sure who Mr. Sloane and the lady he is talking to are. They appear to be bickering about Jay going to dinner with them. I'm assuming they're married.
Then Tom and Daisy go to Gatsby's party. I think something bad is going to happen. I just got the feeling when I read, "...unpleasantness in the air, a pervading harshness that hadn't been there before" (Fitzgerald 104). Also, nothing good could have come from these three people being in the same place at the same time. Nothing really crazy did happen though, which surprised me. Except for I learned that Daisy hated it all. She was appalled by West Egg and all the people in it. This is Gatsby's life, though. I am predicting that Gatsby will have to choose between her or this life and persona he has built up around himself. I also think he will choose Daisy because of his love for her. I am hoping he chooses Daisy. But this is only a prediction of what might happen.
Great Gatsby 8
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Again I am thrown back in time to learn more on the background of Gatsby. I know for a fact the rumors of him could not be true, but I didn't know everything else about him. He is actually James Gatz from North Dakota. I didn't know the deciding event in his life would be "when he saw Dan Cody's yacht drop anchor over the moist insidious flat on Lake Superior" (Fitzgerald 98). It's such an odd event, but a life changing one I suppose. Also, the fact that he came up with this alternative persona at the age of seventeen seems weird to me. I know he didn't like the lives of his farmer parents, but seventeen seems young to make the decision to change who you completely are as a person. I guess its what he wanted though.
Dan Cody took Jay under his wing, sort of how Jay has done for Nick in a way. Dan became a sort of father figure to Jay. Even though he may not have been the best model to follow. He is also the reason that Jay doesn't drink that much now. Also, Gatsby inherited his money from Dan--$25,000. And this is where the life of the Great Gatsby officially began I suppose. This is why he is the way he is today.
Again I am thrown back in time to learn more on the background of Gatsby. I know for a fact the rumors of him could not be true, but I didn't know everything else about him. He is actually James Gatz from North Dakota. I didn't know the deciding event in his life would be "when he saw Dan Cody's yacht drop anchor over the moist insidious flat on Lake Superior" (Fitzgerald 98). It's such an odd event, but a life changing one I suppose. Also, the fact that he came up with this alternative persona at the age of seventeen seems weird to me. I know he didn't like the lives of his farmer parents, but seventeen seems young to make the decision to change who you completely are as a person. I guess its what he wanted though.
Dan Cody took Jay under his wing, sort of how Jay has done for Nick in a way. Dan became a sort of father figure to Jay. Even though he may not have been the best model to follow. He is also the reason that Jay doesn't drink that much now. Also, Gatsby inherited his money from Dan--$25,000. And this is where the life of the Great Gatsby officially began I suppose. This is why he is the way he is today.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Great Gatsby 7
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gatsby is so nervous around Daisy! The day finally came when he could see her again and he is just so nervous. Personally, I find it adorable. For them to have been so in love and then have waited five years to have even seen one another. It is true love I think. His apparently calm and cool demeanor is totally blown away when she is around. The word "trembling" is used often in reference to his hands. Also, he tries to leave and can't even wait around because he thinks she isn't going to come.
He comes back to the house as soon as she's in it. Nick answers the door with "Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes" (Fitzgerald 86). This reminds me of like a little lost puppy. He just seems so adorable and it all seems so adorable to me. Then, he gets to show off his house to her and she is in awe at it all. He totally loved that, I'm sure. Finally, they lose themselves in each other and Nick leaves them alone. I just love it.
Gatsby is so nervous around Daisy! The day finally came when he could see her again and he is just so nervous. Personally, I find it adorable. For them to have been so in love and then have waited five years to have even seen one another. It is true love I think. His apparently calm and cool demeanor is totally blown away when she is around. The word "trembling" is used often in reference to his hands. Also, he tries to leave and can't even wait around because he thinks she isn't going to come.
He comes back to the house as soon as she's in it. Nick answers the door with "Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes" (Fitzgerald 86). This reminds me of like a little lost puppy. He just seems so adorable and it all seems so adorable to me. Then, he gets to show off his house to her and she is in awe at it all. He totally loved that, I'm sure. Finally, they lose themselves in each other and Nick leaves them alone. I just love it.
Great Gatsby 6
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I get the sense of a softer side of Jay Gatsby now. He's showing his vulnerability in his love for Daisy, who is also now Tom Buchanan's wife. I was irritated for a while because Gatsby wouldn't just tell Nick what was going on. He kept mentioning a favor and that something very sad had happened to him and that Jordan Baker would tell him about it. I thought it had to do with Nick stealing his girl, Jordan, but it turns out it was quite the opposite. Jordan was to tell him what happened to Jay and what he was supposed to do to help him out. When out to lunch, Nick sees Tom and goes to talk to him, but Jay leaves because it's Daisy's husband. I could tell everything was leading up to this. I was suspended, but I could kind of see the twist coming. Otherwise, why would we learn about who Tom and Daisy are in the first place?
I see the soft side of Jay Gatsby because I read, "The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time..." (Fitzgerald 75). This is so adorable to me! and so true. I feel like every girl wants this to happen. They were in love, but war and family tore them apart. Daisy never even got to say goodbye and on her wedding day had a breakdown, but in the end went on with her life. Now, they have a chance and Nick is the way they will get back together. I predict that Daisy and Jay will get together and she'll leave her horrible husband and Jordan and Nick will stay in love also.
I get the sense of a softer side of Jay Gatsby now. He's showing his vulnerability in his love for Daisy, who is also now Tom Buchanan's wife. I was irritated for a while because Gatsby wouldn't just tell Nick what was going on. He kept mentioning a favor and that something very sad had happened to him and that Jordan Baker would tell him about it. I thought it had to do with Nick stealing his girl, Jordan, but it turns out it was quite the opposite. Jordan was to tell him what happened to Jay and what he was supposed to do to help him out. When out to lunch, Nick sees Tom and goes to talk to him, but Jay leaves because it's Daisy's husband. I could tell everything was leading up to this. I was suspended, but I could kind of see the twist coming. Otherwise, why would we learn about who Tom and Daisy are in the first place?
I see the soft side of Jay Gatsby because I read, "The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time..." (Fitzgerald 75). This is so adorable to me! and so true. I feel like every girl wants this to happen. They were in love, but war and family tore them apart. Daisy never even got to say goodbye and on her wedding day had a breakdown, but in the end went on with her life. Now, they have a chance and Nick is the way they will get back together. I predict that Daisy and Jay will get together and she'll leave her horrible husband and Jordan and Nick will stay in love also.
Great Gatsby 5
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now, I get to see a little bit into the life of Nick Carraway. There is a break in the story of Gatsby to tell a little about Carraway himself. He moved to New York and is all alone. He lives alone, walks alone, eats alone. I can infer this because I read, "I took dinner usually at the Yale Club--for some reason it was the gloomiest event of my day..." (Fitzgerald 56). This is so sad to me. I hope I am never alone when I'm older. Also, I hate seeing really old people eating all alone in restaurants. I always think they are so sad.
Nick finds love, though. He finds it in Jordan Baker, the tennis star. But, we all have flaws and Jordan's is that she lies and is "incurably dishonest". She is also a horrible driver and doesn't care. She thinks everyone else is good and they'll stay out of her way. I too am a horrible driver sometimes, but i still hope I don't hurt anyone and certainly do try my best. There is a catch though. I think Nick is still involved in something back home because when he starts to think he loves Jordan, he says he is "slow-thinking and full of interior rules that act as brakes on my desires, and I knew that first I had to get myself definitely out of that tangle back home" (Fitzgerald 58). He had been writing letters signed "Love, Nick" which makes me believe they may be love letters and he has a girl back home who he needs to let go before he can fully fall for Jordan. I admire this quality about him, this quality of honesty. I wish everyone were like Nick Carraway in this aspect.
Now, I get to see a little bit into the life of Nick Carraway. There is a break in the story of Gatsby to tell a little about Carraway himself. He moved to New York and is all alone. He lives alone, walks alone, eats alone. I can infer this because I read, "I took dinner usually at the Yale Club--for some reason it was the gloomiest event of my day..." (Fitzgerald 56). This is so sad to me. I hope I am never alone when I'm older. Also, I hate seeing really old people eating all alone in restaurants. I always think they are so sad.
Nick finds love, though. He finds it in Jordan Baker, the tennis star. But, we all have flaws and Jordan's is that she lies and is "incurably dishonest". She is also a horrible driver and doesn't care. She thinks everyone else is good and they'll stay out of her way. I too am a horrible driver sometimes, but i still hope I don't hurt anyone and certainly do try my best. There is a catch though. I think Nick is still involved in something back home because when he starts to think he loves Jordan, he says he is "slow-thinking and full of interior rules that act as brakes on my desires, and I knew that first I had to get myself definitely out of that tangle back home" (Fitzgerald 58). He had been writing letters signed "Love, Nick" which makes me believe they may be love letters and he has a girl back home who he needs to let go before he can fully fall for Jordan. I admire this quality about him, this quality of honesty. I wish everyone were like Nick Carraway in this aspect.
Great Gatsby 4
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now, I am learning more and more about this Gatsby character; I am growing more and more curious as I dive into the life of him. For some reason he juices oranges and lemons? So, he is a filthy rich juicer who throws fabulous parties for strangers every single night. He is so weird.
The first time Nick got invited to Gatsby's house he received a note, hand-delivered, which read, "The honor would be entirely Gatsby's...if I would attend his little party that night. He had seen me several times and had attempted to call on me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it" (Fitzgerald 41). It was signed in a "majestic hand" by Jay Gatsby. That name sounds made up if you ask me.
Something else that seems weird to me, is the fact that when Nick asked where Gatsby was at the party people just stared at him and vehemently denied where he was. why? It's strange. Also, there are whispers of him having killed someone, which I don't believe. I was reaffirmed when Nick finally met him and he seems so nice! I want them to become best friend neighbors. He wasn't mean or crazy or a murderer at all. They actually had served in the war together. It's crazy how they served in a war together and then ended up being neighbors. It just reminds me how small the world really is.
Now, I am learning more and more about this Gatsby character; I am growing more and more curious as I dive into the life of him. For some reason he juices oranges and lemons? So, he is a filthy rich juicer who throws fabulous parties for strangers every single night. He is so weird.
The first time Nick got invited to Gatsby's house he received a note, hand-delivered, which read, "The honor would be entirely Gatsby's...if I would attend his little party that night. He had seen me several times and had attempted to call on me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it" (Fitzgerald 41). It was signed in a "majestic hand" by Jay Gatsby. That name sounds made up if you ask me.
Something else that seems weird to me, is the fact that when Nick asked where Gatsby was at the party people just stared at him and vehemently denied where he was. why? It's strange. Also, there are whispers of him having killed someone, which I don't believe. I was reaffirmed when Nick finally met him and he seems so nice! I want them to become best friend neighbors. He wasn't mean or crazy or a murderer at all. They actually had served in the war together. It's crazy how they served in a war together and then ended up being neighbors. It just reminds me how small the world really is.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Great Gatsby 3
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
And now we have the pleasure of meeting Tom Buchanan's mistress...yippee. Sarcasm is one of my favorite things:) I find it very rude that Tom has the guts to take the woman, who is not his wife, out to dinner where other people see him and out places with his friends. It is a slap in the face to his real wife, Daisy. Come to find out Tom's mistress, Myrtle, is the wife of Mr. George B. Wilson who owns a car garage in a dusty place. So, they're both cheating! and they have their own place in the city together. There is too much going wrong right now.
Tom and Myrtle sure know how to throw a raging banger, though. I know this because Nick says, "I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon" (Fitzgerald 29). He went to the party where I think there was a bunch of weirdoes. Everyone just seemed so odd. The McKee's, a duo of an "artistic" photographer and his wife, who's "...shrill, languid, handsome, and horrible" (Fitzgerald 30). They fascinate me and I feel they live in some strange reality. Then there is Myrtle's sister, Catherine. Shocker! She too, knows Gatsby. Sister Catherine seems to know all about Myrtle's love life. She informs Nick that they both hate the person their married too and that Daisy is Catholic which keeps Tom from getting a divorce (lie). Then, we find out that Tom and Myrtle have a fight and Tom hits Myrtle in the nose. Craziness.
Im sure Nick went to bed that night thinking "what in the world did I just go through?? Do people like this really exist?"...and the answer is, YES.
And now we have the pleasure of meeting Tom Buchanan's mistress...yippee. Sarcasm is one of my favorite things:) I find it very rude that Tom has the guts to take the woman, who is not his wife, out to dinner where other people see him and out places with his friends. It is a slap in the face to his real wife, Daisy. Come to find out Tom's mistress, Myrtle, is the wife of Mr. George B. Wilson who owns a car garage in a dusty place. So, they're both cheating! and they have their own place in the city together. There is too much going wrong right now.
Tom and Myrtle sure know how to throw a raging banger, though. I know this because Nick says, "I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon" (Fitzgerald 29). He went to the party where I think there was a bunch of weirdoes. Everyone just seemed so odd. The McKee's, a duo of an "artistic" photographer and his wife, who's "...shrill, languid, handsome, and horrible" (Fitzgerald 30). They fascinate me and I feel they live in some strange reality. Then there is Myrtle's sister, Catherine. Shocker! She too, knows Gatsby. Sister Catherine seems to know all about Myrtle's love life. She informs Nick that they both hate the person their married too and that Daisy is Catholic which keeps Tom from getting a divorce (lie). Then, we find out that Tom and Myrtle have a fight and Tom hits Myrtle in the nose. Craziness.
Im sure Nick went to bed that night thinking "what in the world did I just go through?? Do people like this really exist?"...and the answer is, YES.
Great Gatsby 2
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Nick is off to see "two old friends whom I(he) scarcely knew at all" (Fitzgerald 6). The Buchanans, Tom and Daisy, are a peculiar couple. I get the sense that they have a lot of issues. It is at their house that Nick first meets the pro golfer, Jordan Baker. I have a feeling they are going to like each other and what a surprise! she knows Gatsby. Who would have thought? Everyone seems to know him. I am beginning to feel out of the loop for not knowing who this character is...
The dinner at the Buchanans' reminds me of a dinner with my friends, no real thread of conversation, just a bunch of nonsense comments floating around. Also they don't really seem to have an agenda, dinner will happen when it happens. There is a different sort of tension, however, between these people--Specifically the Buchanans. Apparently, Tom is cheating on Daisy. He wasn't even there for the birth of his own child. I read this interesting quote that Daisy is saying about her little girl which says, "I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool--that's the best thing a girl can be In this world, a beautiful little fool" (Fitzgerald 17). I had no idea what this could mean. So, naturally, I looked it up. Apparently, she is being somewhat sardonic in the sense that she doesn't like her eras standards in that a girl will be better off being beautiful and somewhat stupid. Also, it could be referring to her being a fool and marrying Tom, who is now cheating on her.
Nick is off to see "two old friends whom I(he) scarcely knew at all" (Fitzgerald 6). The Buchanans, Tom and Daisy, are a peculiar couple. I get the sense that they have a lot of issues. It is at their house that Nick first meets the pro golfer, Jordan Baker. I have a feeling they are going to like each other and what a surprise! she knows Gatsby. Who would have thought? Everyone seems to know him. I am beginning to feel out of the loop for not knowing who this character is...
The dinner at the Buchanans' reminds me of a dinner with my friends, no real thread of conversation, just a bunch of nonsense comments floating around. Also they don't really seem to have an agenda, dinner will happen when it happens. There is a different sort of tension, however, between these people--Specifically the Buchanans. Apparently, Tom is cheating on Daisy. He wasn't even there for the birth of his own child. I read this interesting quote that Daisy is saying about her little girl which says, "I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool--that's the best thing a girl can be In this world, a beautiful little fool" (Fitzgerald 17). I had no idea what this could mean. So, naturally, I looked it up. Apparently, she is being somewhat sardonic in the sense that she doesn't like her eras standards in that a girl will be better off being beautiful and somewhat stupid. Also, it could be referring to her being a fool and marrying Tom, who is now cheating on her.
Great Gatsby 1
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The book begins with the narrator, Nick Caraway telling us about some advice his dad gave him. The advice was "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1). This sort of suggests that he had a good upbringing with money and love. This is some advice my father would give to me too. Nicks father seems like my dad because he always tells me to never judge anyone. Also, in the beginning, I feel this sort of suspense for what is to come. He is describing this person, Gatsby, who's life he has "unaffected scorn for" but still has some gorgeous aspect to it.
He just so happens to live next door to this great character who is both mysterious and fantastic all at the same time. I get the feeling of foreshadowing with the fact that "It was a matter of chance..." that he would have rented a house "...in one of the strangest communities in North America" (Fitzgerald 4). The book would not be interesting if he was in a boring neighborhood. This is why I have a feeling of suspense and want to see why the community is so interesting and who this Gatsby fellow is.
The book begins with the narrator, Nick Caraway telling us about some advice his dad gave him. The advice was "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1). This sort of suggests that he had a good upbringing with money and love. This is some advice my father would give to me too. Nicks father seems like my dad because he always tells me to never judge anyone. Also, in the beginning, I feel this sort of suspense for what is to come. He is describing this person, Gatsby, who's life he has "unaffected scorn for" but still has some gorgeous aspect to it.
He just so happens to live next door to this great character who is both mysterious and fantastic all at the same time. I get the feeling of foreshadowing with the fact that "It was a matter of chance..." that he would have rented a house "...in one of the strangest communities in North America" (Fitzgerald 4). The book would not be interesting if he was in a boring neighborhood. This is why I have a feeling of suspense and want to see why the community is so interesting and who this Gatsby fellow is.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton is now drawing to an end. A huge change has overcome Lily and she has adapted all throughout the story very well. I was most proud of her when I saw that she was wanting to take the money she gets from her Aunt's death and put it toward starting up her own business. She would then use the money made over a period of time to pay back her debts to Trenor. I thought it was very smart and clever of her to be thinking this way.
She is then surprised by Mr. Rosedale. All she has to do in order for him to marry her is "...the sole condition of a reconciliation with Mrs. Dorset" (Wharton 244). She was very slowly beginning to like Mr. Rosedale more and more. If it meant all her troubles were to go away and she would have plenty of future love and security, I don't know why Lily doesn't just marry Mr. Rosedale. I think she should just suck it up and apologize to Mrs. Dorset. She could use Mr. Rosedale and all his kindness. I hope to see Lily make better decisions toward the end of the book.
She is then surprised by Mr. Rosedale. All she has to do in order for him to marry her is "...the sole condition of a reconciliation with Mrs. Dorset" (Wharton 244). She was very slowly beginning to like Mr. Rosedale more and more. If it meant all her troubles were to go away and she would have plenty of future love and security, I don't know why Lily doesn't just marry Mr. Rosedale. I think she should just suck it up and apologize to Mrs. Dorset. She could use Mr. Rosedale and all his kindness. I hope to see Lily make better decisions toward the end of the book.
In The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Miss Lily Bart has shown a change in her life. She now is a secretary for Mrs. Hatch and lives with her. She is making her own money. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for Lily to go from never doing anything to having to work and make her own money.
Lily now has a completely different life with different schedules and friends. The details of Mrs. Hatch's life seemed very strange to Lily because "Mrs. Hatch and her friends seemed to float together outside the bounds of time and space. No definite hours were kept; no fixed obligations existed: night and day flowed into one another in a blur of confused and retarded engagements..." (Wharton 223). Lily and her former friends had packed schedules with numerous ordered activities. This life is completely different.
I can say that about a year ago, I started working at my first job. I am a hostess at Shallos Restaurant and it was pretty different going from having all the time in the world, to having to plan out everything around my work schedule. I made many sacrifices including missing all but two of our Friday night football games. It definitely was difficult, but the reward, the money, was completely worth it in the end.
Lily now has a completely different life with different schedules and friends. The details of Mrs. Hatch's life seemed very strange to Lily because "Mrs. Hatch and her friends seemed to float together outside the bounds of time and space. No definite hours were kept; no fixed obligations existed: night and day flowed into one another in a blur of confused and retarded engagements..." (Wharton 223). Lily and her former friends had packed schedules with numerous ordered activities. This life is completely different.
I can say that about a year ago, I started working at my first job. I am a hostess at Shallos Restaurant and it was pretty different going from having all the time in the world, to having to plan out everything around my work schedule. I made many sacrifices including missing all but two of our Friday night football games. It definitely was difficult, but the reward, the money, was completely worth it in the end.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Edith Wharton has done it again. In The House of Mirth, there is a metaphor that I absolutely love. It reads, "The light projected on the situation by Mrs. Fisher had the cheerless distinctness of a winter dawn. It outlined the facts with a cold precision unmodified by shade or color, and refracted, as it were, from the blank walls of the surrounding limitations: she had opened windows from which no sky was ever visible" (Wharton 204).
I love the imagery I get from this excerpt. It's so vivid and I feel as though I can actually see what is going on. I just love it so much. It is saying she "opened the window", so to speak, and shed light on the situation. Lily had never even thought about marrying anyone else to get Bertha off her back. And Mrs. Fisher gave Lily a sort of guided epiphany with this thought.
I love the imagery I get from this excerpt. It's so vivid and I feel as though I can actually see what is going on. I just love it so much. It is saying she "opened the window", so to speak, and shed light on the situation. Lily had never even thought about marrying anyone else to get Bertha off her back. And Mrs. Fisher gave Lily a sort of guided epiphany with this thought.
Now I am starting to feel very bad for Miss Lily Bart. In The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Lily finally tells Rosedale that she will marry him. Mrs. Fisher suggested Sim Rosedale to Lily as someone she could possibly marry. Of course, I want her to marry Selden, but that won't happen. She began to actually consider it and I don't like that.
Lily is starting to be brutally honest. Lily says to Mr. Rosedale, "I am desperate--I'm at the end of my tether. I want to be free, and you can free me. I know you can. You don't want to keep me bound fast in hell do you?" (Wharton 197). She's coming in a new way. I believe Lily is still changing from what I predicted earlier on in the book. I wanted her to become a better person, and she slowly is becoming one.
Mr. Rosedale, however, says that he won't marry her. He doesn't want to lose his social status by marrying a woman with such rumors about her. He wants to just be "friends" which, if someone ever said this to me, I would smack him right in the face. It's rude and something Lily certainly doesn't need at this point in her life right now.
Lily is starting to be brutally honest. Lily says to Mr. Rosedale, "I am desperate--I'm at the end of my tether. I want to be free, and you can free me. I know you can. You don't want to keep me bound fast in hell do you?" (Wharton 197). She's coming in a new way. I believe Lily is still changing from what I predicted earlier on in the book. I wanted her to become a better person, and she slowly is becoming one.
Mr. Rosedale, however, says that he won't marry her. He doesn't want to lose his social status by marrying a woman with such rumors about her. He wants to just be "friends" which, if someone ever said this to me, I would smack him right in the face. It's rude and something Lily certainly doesn't need at this point in her life right now.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Lily is disinherited?! I am now shocked, once again, reading The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. The death of her aunt came as a surprise to me, but what was more of a surprise was when the lawyer said, "'to my niece Lily Bart ten thousand dollars...and the residue of my estate to my dear cousin and name-sake, Grace Julia Stepney'" (Wharton 180). Lily should have gotten that money. Lily needed that money.
I know that everyone makes mistakes. Lily believes that the choices she has made, and the consequences that came from them, cannot be fixed. She is left with only one friend, one friend who hates her, and ten thousand dollars. She says to Gerty that, "...the truth about any girl is that once she's talked about she's done for; and the more she explains her case the worse it looks" (Wharton 183). I connect this with high school. I am now entering my senior year at beautiful Roncalli High School, and have got a pretty good feel for everyone in my class and other classes. It is a definite truth, though, that there are people who are talked about, some good and some bad. If a rumor is around about a girl, she is pretty much stuck with that rumor until proven innocent. It doesn't mean that she is completely done for, though because people can change. They can fix their past problems and move on.
Also, I love Lily's sarcastic answer to Gerty when asked to tell the whole truth exactly from the beginning. It lifted the situation a little bit and is something I would do and I just liked the sarcastic story.
I know that everyone makes mistakes. Lily believes that the choices she has made, and the consequences that came from them, cannot be fixed. She is left with only one friend, one friend who hates her, and ten thousand dollars. She says to Gerty that, "...the truth about any girl is that once she's talked about she's done for; and the more she explains her case the worse it looks" (Wharton 183). I connect this with high school. I am now entering my senior year at beautiful Roncalli High School, and have got a pretty good feel for everyone in my class and other classes. It is a definite truth, though, that there are people who are talked about, some good and some bad. If a rumor is around about a girl, she is pretty much stuck with that rumor until proven innocent. It doesn't mean that she is completely done for, though because people can change. They can fix their past problems and move on.
Also, I love Lily's sarcastic answer to Gerty when asked to tell the whole truth exactly from the beginning. It lifted the situation a little bit and is something I would do and I just liked the sarcastic story.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
The beginning
of Book Two of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton starts out with what Selden
has been doing since we last left off. I like how the books are separated. I
think the author meant to put it that way so it shows the time lapse of about
two months. Selden had been doing work and Lily was on a two-month cruise to
the Mediterranean.
Reading, I was
thinking to myself, “okay, they are going to have to say something about Lily
here sooner or later…” I kept reading and reading and didn’t see anything about
her. Finally, I figured out this was recapping Selden’s thoughts and it hadn’t
gotten to Lily yet. The first and second chapters of Book Two are the same
timeline but different sides… I think. That’s what I believe is going on here.
Something that
caught me off guard was when Seldon said, “’What the deuce am I running away
from?’’ (Wharton 153). I liked that it finally dawned on him that he was
running away from something that I want and I feel like everyone else is
rooting for.
The ending of
Book One of The House of Mirth by
Edith Wharton left me in shock! I don’t understand anyone’s decisions. Why can
Lily not marry Selden even though we all know she wants to? Why did he leave?
Why is Mr. Trenor so creepy? Why did Selden leave!? I have been left so confused,
but yet still wanting to read and find out. Will she accept Mr. Rosedale’s
marriage proposal? She certainly could use the money he could provide her with.
The suspense
was killing me. When Wharton wrote, “Lily tore it open with shaking hands, and
read Bertha Dorset’s name below the message: ‘Sailing unexpectedly tomorrow.
Will you join us on a cruise to the Mediterranean?” (Wharton 146) I was so
surprised and did not see it coming at all. The twists and turns toward the end
here are proving to me this book is not so bad after all. I am finding myself
rather enjoying it, and I am not the kind of person who enjoys reading at all.
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