Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I hated the ending of this book. Absolutely hated it. Nothing happened! The book just ended and we never really find anything out. Did the cloning continue? What happened with Madame and Miss Emily? Did Kathy ever become a donor?? I just wish Ishiguro would have put a little more in to the ending. He just sort of killed off Kathy's only real family and then left "waiting a little bit, then turned back to the car, to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be" (Ishiguro 288). I know he left it unresolved on purpose though. It is up to the reader to decide what they think should happen. I was sort of hoping for a happy ending where Tommy and Kathy finally have a lightbulb in their brain that they could live so much longer and happier together. I wanted them to run off together to Norfolk and "find their love" (because everything lost is found in Norfolk). This wasn't a romantic novel though, so that didn't seem plausible in the least bit. For me though, it was definitely an unsatisfactory ending and I was not pleased with Mr. Ishiguro. I liked the novel, just not the ending of it.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #7
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The moral questions this story raises are insane. Whether or not clones should be used for medical purposes? Whether or not these clones would then have souls? Whether or not it is ethical for these students to not have a decision and be kept in the dark? This book really makes you think about what you would do in a situation like this. It seems like a practical use, but if the students did have souls then it would seem weird. Personally, I don't think the students would have souls because they are clones. Miss Emily has a good point when she says, "How can you ask a world that has come to regard cancer as curable, how can you ask such a world to put away that cure, to go back to the dark days?" (Ishiguro 263). It really does make sense. Like, the people feel weird about it, but as long as they keep them just pushed off to the side and don't think about them, they know their loved ones can live longer and be cured of usually incurable diseases because of these clones. I don't know, it makes me think about what I would do. I think I would be against this. It seems too unnatural for me.
The moral questions this story raises are insane. Whether or not clones should be used for medical purposes? Whether or not these clones would then have souls? Whether or not it is ethical for these students to not have a decision and be kept in the dark? This book really makes you think about what you would do in a situation like this. It seems like a practical use, but if the students did have souls then it would seem weird. Personally, I don't think the students would have souls because they are clones. Miss Emily has a good point when she says, "How can you ask a world that has come to regard cancer as curable, how can you ask such a world to put away that cure, to go back to the dark days?" (Ishiguro 263). It really does make sense. Like, the people feel weird about it, but as long as they keep them just pushed off to the side and don't think about them, they know their loved ones can live longer and be cured of usually incurable diseases because of these clones. I don't know, it makes me think about what I would do. I think I would be against this. It seems too unnatural for me.
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #6
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Hailsham is a separate society built upon many, many secrets and strange rules that the students there grow up with. Some of the students refer to this aspect as "told and not told". The students were always given hints of what they were destined to do, but they were told at such an age that they couldn't fully comprehend the severity of their situation. Finally, in section 4, the students find out many answers to the secrets such as the Gallery and the deferrals. First and foremost, there are no deferrals. The deferrals were made up by students and Miss Emily says she tried to stop any rumor at the source, but it always kept coming back. I think this is because the students wanted to have some hope for a normal life that they came up with the deferrals to make themselves feel better about having somewhat of a normal life. The Gallery did seem to have purpose, though. And Tommy's theory wasn't that far off from what Miss Emily says. She tells Tommy and Kathy that they took their artwork to "prove you had souls at all" (Ishiguro 260). This is because people didn't approve of what they were doing at Hailsham and they were treating the students like they were less than human. So, Miss Emily and Madame came up with the Gallery to prove to others that they needed to be treated humanely because they actually had souls. I find this idea chilling and it makes me feel weird that there could actually be people with these sorts of ideas.
Hailsham is a separate society built upon many, many secrets and strange rules that the students there grow up with. Some of the students refer to this aspect as "told and not told". The students were always given hints of what they were destined to do, but they were told at such an age that they couldn't fully comprehend the severity of their situation. Finally, in section 4, the students find out many answers to the secrets such as the Gallery and the deferrals. First and foremost, there are no deferrals. The deferrals were made up by students and Miss Emily says she tried to stop any rumor at the source, but it always kept coming back. I think this is because the students wanted to have some hope for a normal life that they came up with the deferrals to make themselves feel better about having somewhat of a normal life. The Gallery did seem to have purpose, though. And Tommy's theory wasn't that far off from what Miss Emily says. She tells Tommy and Kathy that they took their artwork to "prove you had souls at all" (Ishiguro 260). This is because people didn't approve of what they were doing at Hailsham and they were treating the students like they were less than human. So, Miss Emily and Madame came up with the Gallery to prove to others that they needed to be treated humanely because they actually had souls. I find this idea chilling and it makes me feel weird that there could actually be people with these sorts of ideas.
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #5
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
DYNAMIC CHARACTER: is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story's action
Ruth is a dynamic character in this story, meaning that she changes in some important way throughout the story. From the time when Ruth was young to the time when she is a donor, Ruth undergoes some sort of change. The first evidence of this is in the beginning of chapter nineteen. Ruth is essentially being ganged up by Tommy and Kathy during the car ride to see the boat. Kathy makes a rude comment and Tommy laughs about it and Ruth just sort of stops talking and turns to the front and stays quiet. Usually, she would have fought back and hurt them even worse than they hurt her. Ruth also changed because she used to be so courageous and seemed to have a lot of things together. When they are journeying to the boat, Ruth sees an obstacle and says, "You didn't say anything about this. You didn't say we had to get past barbed wire!" (Ishiguro 222). This now shows that Ruth is now in need of Tommy and Kathy when she used to be able to only need them when she saw fit. Now she actually depends on them. I think some of this change occurred as a result of her becoming a donor. She shows bitterness towards Kathy because she hasn't become a donor yet and I think Ruth believes that Kathy should become one.
DYNAMIC CHARACTER: is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story's action
Ruth is a dynamic character in this story, meaning that she changes in some important way throughout the story. From the time when Ruth was young to the time when she is a donor, Ruth undergoes some sort of change. The first evidence of this is in the beginning of chapter nineteen. Ruth is essentially being ganged up by Tommy and Kathy during the car ride to see the boat. Kathy makes a rude comment and Tommy laughs about it and Ruth just sort of stops talking and turns to the front and stays quiet. Usually, she would have fought back and hurt them even worse than they hurt her. Ruth also changed because she used to be so courageous and seemed to have a lot of things together. When they are journeying to the boat, Ruth sees an obstacle and says, "You didn't say anything about this. You didn't say we had to get past barbed wire!" (Ishiguro 222). This now shows that Ruth is now in need of Tommy and Kathy when she used to be able to only need them when she saw fit. Now she actually depends on them. I think some of this change occurred as a result of her becoming a donor. She shows bitterness towards Kathy because she hasn't become a donor yet and I think Ruth believes that Kathy should become one.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #4
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
In the final chapter of this section, Kathy H. gives a little more insight into the future situations and the donations situations. She hints at the idea of "possibles". Basically, each of them was a copy of a normal person and were copied at some unknown time, so I don't even know if they were ever babies. This means that somewhere in the world, there should be the model they were copied from going on about their own lives. This whole concept is just creepy to me. It is also very sad. These kids know that their futures are never possible for them. They've been told from an early age that their lives are already planned out and they'll become carers and then donors and then, eventually, die. Ruth has these vivid ideas about working in an extravagant office one day and all her dreams about her future are sad because they won't happen. Kathy does give a little hint, though. She says, "...I even started wondering if maybe it was all feasible: if one day we might all of us move into a place like that and carry on our lives together" (Ishiguro 144). So I don't know what this means, but maybe it's a little bit of a foreshadowing to their futures possibly. Maybe some of them will get to do what they want. We do already know, though, that Ruth is in donations and Kathy is caring for her, so if they were able to do something, it would have to be before they fulfilled their destinies in donations and caring.
In the final chapter of this section, Kathy H. gives a little more insight into the future situations and the donations situations. She hints at the idea of "possibles". Basically, each of them was a copy of a normal person and were copied at some unknown time, so I don't even know if they were ever babies. This means that somewhere in the world, there should be the model they were copied from going on about their own lives. This whole concept is just creepy to me. It is also very sad. These kids know that their futures are never possible for them. They've been told from an early age that their lives are already planned out and they'll become carers and then donors and then, eventually, die. Ruth has these vivid ideas about working in an extravagant office one day and all her dreams about her future are sad because they won't happen. Kathy does give a little hint, though. She says, "...I even started wondering if maybe it was all feasible: if one day we might all of us move into a place like that and carry on our lives together" (Ishiguro 144). So I don't know what this means, but maybe it's a little bit of a foreshadowing to their futures possibly. Maybe some of them will get to do what they want. We do already know, though, that Ruth is in donations and Kathy is caring for her, so if they were able to do something, it would have to be before they fulfilled their destinies in donations and caring.
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #3
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
THEME: the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work
I think one of the main themes in this book is a theme about sex in societies. Sex plays a major role in the society of Hailsham and on. It's really weird in this book, like, the students are 15 and 16 years old and are concerned about sex with others. They are told at an even earlier age that they can't have babies, which I have yet to discover why. Some of the kids are even excited because then they cant have children. We find out in section two that they are almost clones of another person and I know from Biology that most clones can be infertile due to chromosomal issues and what not. These kids seem perfectly normal, though, so I'm still trying to figure out why exactly they can't have children. The guardians send mixed signals about sex. Kathy remembers them talking about "'respecting their physical needs,' and how sex was 'a very beautiful gift'" (Ishiguro 95). The guardians would also talk about rules dealing with not visiting boys' rooms after nine o'clock and how classrooms, sheds, and pavilions were off limits after dark. So these kids are definitely growing up with a very confused sense of sexuality. It's almost like a game to them and there seems to be a lot less sex going on than what is being inferred. Except when they move to the cottages, there is actually a lot of sex occurring there. They severely frowned upon any sort of gay relations too. These kids are very confused about their sexuality, and don't have sex for the right reasons. I think that we will find out the consequences of this lack of teaching in the area of sex later on in the book.
THEME: the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work
I think one of the main themes in this book is a theme about sex in societies. Sex plays a major role in the society of Hailsham and on. It's really weird in this book, like, the students are 15 and 16 years old and are concerned about sex with others. They are told at an even earlier age that they can't have babies, which I have yet to discover why. Some of the kids are even excited because then they cant have children. We find out in section two that they are almost clones of another person and I know from Biology that most clones can be infertile due to chromosomal issues and what not. These kids seem perfectly normal, though, so I'm still trying to figure out why exactly they can't have children. The guardians send mixed signals about sex. Kathy remembers them talking about "'respecting their physical needs,' and how sex was 'a very beautiful gift'" (Ishiguro 95). The guardians would also talk about rules dealing with not visiting boys' rooms after nine o'clock and how classrooms, sheds, and pavilions were off limits after dark. So these kids are definitely growing up with a very confused sense of sexuality. It's almost like a game to them and there seems to be a lot less sex going on than what is being inferred. Except when they move to the cottages, there is actually a lot of sex occurring there. They severely frowned upon any sort of gay relations too. These kids are very confused about their sexuality, and don't have sex for the right reasons. I think that we will find out the consequences of this lack of teaching in the area of sex later on in the book.
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #2
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Miss Lucy is an odd character to me. She seems to know so much and she seems to want to tell all the kids what she knows so badly, but she just can't seem to find the right words. In section two, I think she has a sort of outburst because she can't hold it in any longer. She over hears some boys talking about their futures and the reader finds out very important details about the students and their futures. Miss Lucy says, "Your lives are set out for you. You'll become adults, then before you're old, before you're even middle-aged, you'll start to donate your vital organs. That's what each of you was created to do" (Ishiguro 81). If I was told this as a thirteen-year-old, I don't know what my reaction would be. The messed up part, though, is that none of the kids react like a normal person would. They already have this idea about it and they just accept it like it's nothing. It's sick and I don't understand how people just go along with it. I have to learn more about the purpose and the people behind the operation first. Miss Lucy has this sort of empathy towards the kids I think, too. I feel like she was in their shoes at one point because she has so much trouble with not telling the kids about their futures. Maybe she went to Hailsham too.
Miss Lucy is an odd character to me. She seems to know so much and she seems to want to tell all the kids what she knows so badly, but she just can't seem to find the right words. In section two, I think she has a sort of outburst because she can't hold it in any longer. She over hears some boys talking about their futures and the reader finds out very important details about the students and their futures. Miss Lucy says, "Your lives are set out for you. You'll become adults, then before you're old, before you're even middle-aged, you'll start to donate your vital organs. That's what each of you was created to do" (Ishiguro 81). If I was told this as a thirteen-year-old, I don't know what my reaction would be. The messed up part, though, is that none of the kids react like a normal person would. They already have this idea about it and they just accept it like it's nothing. It's sick and I don't understand how people just go along with it. I have to learn more about the purpose and the people behind the operation first. Miss Lucy has this sort of empathy towards the kids I think, too. I feel like she was in their shoes at one point because she has so much trouble with not telling the kids about their futures. Maybe she went to Hailsham too.
Never Let Me Go Blog Post #1
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW: one of the characters tells the story
The structure of the story is interesting to me. It is divided into three parts and in between chapters, there are separate sections that deal with different aspects of the story. In the first section, the speaker used the sections to separate sporadic thoughts that popped up in her memory. I like the second section a lot more because it is all in chronological order. I can follow what Kathy is talking about. This separate section also deals with the last three years at Hailsham and the first couple years at the Cottages. This time is a time of transition for the characters. The story is told in first person point of view and it is all told from the perspective of Kathy H., a former student at Hailsham. She is telling the whole story as a sort of memory. This is interesting because everything said has a sense of foreshadowing and a sense of prior knowledge. The individual sections within the chapter that separate the memories leave me on edge every time because they always end with a sentence like "Well, anyway, this era of putting Harry off lasted maybe a couple of weeks, and then came Ruth's request" (Ishiguro 102). This drives me insane and makes me want to keep reading, knowing that Kathy knows what is coming next, but not me.
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW: one of the characters tells the story
The structure of the story is interesting to me. It is divided into three parts and in between chapters, there are separate sections that deal with different aspects of the story. In the first section, the speaker used the sections to separate sporadic thoughts that popped up in her memory. I like the second section a lot more because it is all in chronological order. I can follow what Kathy is talking about. This separate section also deals with the last three years at Hailsham and the first couple years at the Cottages. This time is a time of transition for the characters. The story is told in first person point of view and it is all told from the perspective of Kathy H., a former student at Hailsham. She is telling the whole story as a sort of memory. This is interesting because everything said has a sense of foreshadowing and a sense of prior knowledge. The individual sections within the chapter that separate the memories leave me on edge every time because they always end with a sentence like "Well, anyway, this era of putting Harry off lasted maybe a couple of weeks, and then came Ruth's request" (Ishiguro 102). This drives me insane and makes me want to keep reading, knowing that Kathy knows what is coming next, but not me.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Potpourri Blog Post #4
Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
There are three basic seas in this poem. The significance of each one is important to the meaning of the work. The first place is the English Channel. When the speaker is standing at Dover Beach and looking out, he is able to see the English Channel. He sees a beautiful sight at first, but then listens and can hear only depressing and almost scary sounds. The "eternal note of sadness" (Arnold) is not only heard by him though, he says that Sophocles heard it long ago. This means that the sound is timeless and has gone on for a long time now. The Sea of Faith is dwindling and it is actually very depressing. It is not only his faith though, it's the faith of the entire world. People are losing faith and the speaker's call to action is not to go back and return to faith and try to strengthen it. He looks to his love and says "ah, love, let us be true to one another!" (Arnold). The world is not what it seems and there really is nothing good for people to have faith in. His call to action is to rely on one another to get through the tough times because people are losing faith and they need to struggle and fight through life together.
There are three basic seas in this poem. The significance of each one is important to the meaning of the work. The first place is the English Channel. When the speaker is standing at Dover Beach and looking out, he is able to see the English Channel. He sees a beautiful sight at first, but then listens and can hear only depressing and almost scary sounds. The "eternal note of sadness" (Arnold) is not only heard by him though, he says that Sophocles heard it long ago. This means that the sound is timeless and has gone on for a long time now. The Sea of Faith is dwindling and it is actually very depressing. It is not only his faith though, it's the faith of the entire world. People are losing faith and the speaker's call to action is not to go back and return to faith and try to strengthen it. He looks to his love and says "ah, love, let us be true to one another!" (Arnold). The world is not what it seems and there really is nothing good for people to have faith in. His call to action is to rely on one another to get through the tough times because people are losing faith and they need to struggle and fight through life together.
Potpourri Blog Post #3
Sorting Laundry by Elisavietta Ritchie
THEME: the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work
The theme of this poem is that the more one thinks about a situation and picks away at every single little detail, the more the situation is blown out of proportion. The theme is revealed through the structure of the poem. I noticed a sort of progression with the poem as I read it. The first stanza showed me that I was reading about someone folding laundry, but it was what that person wast thinking about as she folded that was what the poem was about. The articles of laundry that she is pulling out and folding all have significance to the kind of relationship that the speaker has with her significant other. They have had a healthy, long relationship with light, color, and fun involved. They aren't perfect, but they still stay strong and get by. Most importantly, the articles get smaller and smaller as each one is pulled out and folded. The speaker is getting smaller and smaller into the details of what she is thinking about as she is folding. This helps lead to the shift in lines 39 to 42. The speaker is thinking and pulls out a "broken necklace of good gold you brought from Kuwait, the strangely tailored shirt left by a former lover...." (Ritchie). The tone shift goes to a sort of panic in the speaker. She starts to think about what would happen if her significant other were to leave her and how she wouldn't be able to deal or cope emotionally with the loss. This progression shows what happens when (I'm sure everyone has done this because I know I have) we freak out about something that is going perfectly fine and we are happy with things. We look at the small things and pick away until it is literally the worse possible situation and, in reality, we are just over-reacting.
THEME: the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work
The theme of this poem is that the more one thinks about a situation and picks away at every single little detail, the more the situation is blown out of proportion. The theme is revealed through the structure of the poem. I noticed a sort of progression with the poem as I read it. The first stanza showed me that I was reading about someone folding laundry, but it was what that person wast thinking about as she folded that was what the poem was about. The articles of laundry that she is pulling out and folding all have significance to the kind of relationship that the speaker has with her significant other. They have had a healthy, long relationship with light, color, and fun involved. They aren't perfect, but they still stay strong and get by. Most importantly, the articles get smaller and smaller as each one is pulled out and folded. The speaker is getting smaller and smaller into the details of what she is thinking about as she is folding. This helps lead to the shift in lines 39 to 42. The speaker is thinking and pulls out a "broken necklace of good gold you brought from Kuwait, the strangely tailored shirt left by a former lover...." (Ritchie). The tone shift goes to a sort of panic in the speaker. She starts to think about what would happen if her significant other were to leave her and how she wouldn't be able to deal or cope emotionally with the loss. This progression shows what happens when (I'm sure everyone has done this because I know I have) we freak out about something that is going perfectly fine and we are happy with things. We look at the small things and pick away until it is literally the worse possible situation and, in reality, we are just over-reacting.
Potpourri Blog Post #2
I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed by Emily Dickinson
EXTENDED METAPHOR: is a metaphor that is developed over the course of multiple lines, details, paragraphs, etc.
I enjoyed this poem a lot and actually understood it. The whole poem is an extended metaphor. I saw the main message as the speaker getting drunk on nature. They simply cannot get enough of it and want to drink in all the good beauty that God has put on this planet for us to enjoy. There are many images in the poem that help to describe this sense of intoxication the speaker feels when outside. Right of the bat, the reader can tell that this is not a literal poem and the speaker is not actually getting drunk. It starts out, "I taste a liquor never brewed--" (Dickinson). This shows that the whole poem is about something that is not actually a liquor because it has not actually physically been brewed. Then the speaker goes on to describe the fact that their glass is full of clouds (Pearl) and that not any vat anywhere could brew such an alcohol. Another image is the foxglove turning away the bees and the butterflies renouncing their drams. So, even when the actual nature is done drinking everything in, the speaker "shall but drink the more!" (Dickinson).
EXTENDED METAPHOR: is a metaphor that is developed over the course of multiple lines, details, paragraphs, etc.
I enjoyed this poem a lot and actually understood it. The whole poem is an extended metaphor. I saw the main message as the speaker getting drunk on nature. They simply cannot get enough of it and want to drink in all the good beauty that God has put on this planet for us to enjoy. There are many images in the poem that help to describe this sense of intoxication the speaker feels when outside. Right of the bat, the reader can tell that this is not a literal poem and the speaker is not actually getting drunk. It starts out, "I taste a liquor never brewed--" (Dickinson). This shows that the whole poem is about something that is not actually a liquor because it has not actually physically been brewed. Then the speaker goes on to describe the fact that their glass is full of clouds (Pearl) and that not any vat anywhere could brew such an alcohol. Another image is the foxglove turning away the bees and the butterflies renouncing their drams. So, even when the actual nature is done drinking everything in, the speaker "shall but drink the more!" (Dickinson).
Potpourri Blog Post #1
The Convergence of the Twain by Thomas Hardy
At first, I did not understand this poem very much, but after discussion and further analysis, I liked the poem a lot because there was more meaning in it than I had first thought. I believe that the overall message of the poem was that God, or fate, or some other supernatural power was punishing the human vanity that The Titanic embodied. The structure of the poem emphasizes this because the first two lines of every stanza have to do with the lavishness of the ship while it is above the ground. In lines 10 and 11, the "Jewels in joy designed To ravish the sensuous mind" (Hardy) the glamorous side of the ship is described. But in the third line, those jewels and glory now "Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind" (Hardy). The third line is the longest and has to do with the life of the ship below the sea. This was the maiden voyage of The Titanic. It had not been around for very long before it was destroyed, so it's life above the sea was much shorter than it's eternal life under the sea. The poem is about the convergence of the two things--the iceberg and the titanic. The iceberg was put in place because of the human vanity that was exemplified in the ship. They came together because of fate and because that kind of vanity is not supposed to be present in our world today.
At first, I did not understand this poem very much, but after discussion and further analysis, I liked the poem a lot because there was more meaning in it than I had first thought. I believe that the overall message of the poem was that God, or fate, or some other supernatural power was punishing the human vanity that The Titanic embodied. The structure of the poem emphasizes this because the first two lines of every stanza have to do with the lavishness of the ship while it is above the ground. In lines 10 and 11, the "Jewels in joy designed To ravish the sensuous mind" (Hardy) the glamorous side of the ship is described. But in the third line, those jewels and glory now "Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind" (Hardy). The third line is the longest and has to do with the life of the ship below the sea. This was the maiden voyage of The Titanic. It had not been around for very long before it was destroyed, so it's life above the sea was much shorter than it's eternal life under the sea. The poem is about the convergence of the two things--the iceberg and the titanic. The iceberg was put in place because of the human vanity that was exemplified in the ship. They came together because of fate and because that kind of vanity is not supposed to be present in our world today.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Gender Blog Post #4
My Mistresss' Eyes by William Shakespeare
1. The speaker draws a contrast between the qualities often praised in exaggerated love poetry and the reality of his mistress' physical attributes. Construct the series of "false compare[isons]" that this poem implies other poets have used (for example, eyes as bright as the sun, hair like spun gold, etc).
2. What is the speaker's tone in lines 1-12? Is there anything about those lines that his mistress might find pleasing? (In Shakespeare's time the words "reeks" did not have its modern denotation of "stinks.")
I enjoyed this poem. It didn't seem like many of Shakespeare's other poems where I had no idea what the heck he was talking about at all. This one made sense to me. I find the speaker to be a realist in the sense that he isn't painting his mistress to be completely perfect and like completely void of any flaws. He lets her come of as a real person. She doesn't have eyes that shine like the sun or the reddest lips in the world. She also doesn't have the perfect snow-white skin that is exaggerated in many love poems. The speaker says his mistress' hair is like black wire and that he doesn't see rosy red cheeks. Finally, her breath smells sometimes, her voice isn't like the chirping of birds to him, and the way she walks is not like an angel floating on air. I think this poem is bringing to light the unrealistic love poems that paint the woman in them as being completely perfect. There are somethings that could be found pleasing in this poem though. It is not all just saying how imperfect she is. He doesn't say her breath smells all the time, and he still loves to hear her speak. So there are some positives in the poem. I would rather have this love poem said to me than any other one because I know the other unrealistic and exaggerated love poems would be complete lies. I would smack the man I love if he told me I had perfect skin and golden hair and walked like a goddess. He would probably be making fun of me and try to make it a joke. I'd hope I wouldn't love someone who was being completely serious about that nonsense. The speaker says, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare" (Shakespeare 885). The speaker is being real with the woman he loves. He has a rare love because he can be real and recognize that she has flaws, but she is not all flawed. He still loves her regardless of the imperfect things and doesn't try to cover it up and lie about it to his mistress.
1. The speaker draws a contrast between the qualities often praised in exaggerated love poetry and the reality of his mistress' physical attributes. Construct the series of "false compare[isons]" that this poem implies other poets have used (for example, eyes as bright as the sun, hair like spun gold, etc).
2. What is the speaker's tone in lines 1-12? Is there anything about those lines that his mistress might find pleasing? (In Shakespeare's time the words "reeks" did not have its modern denotation of "stinks.")
I enjoyed this poem. It didn't seem like many of Shakespeare's other poems where I had no idea what the heck he was talking about at all. This one made sense to me. I find the speaker to be a realist in the sense that he isn't painting his mistress to be completely perfect and like completely void of any flaws. He lets her come of as a real person. She doesn't have eyes that shine like the sun or the reddest lips in the world. She also doesn't have the perfect snow-white skin that is exaggerated in many love poems. The speaker says his mistress' hair is like black wire and that he doesn't see rosy red cheeks. Finally, her breath smells sometimes, her voice isn't like the chirping of birds to him, and the way she walks is not like an angel floating on air. I think this poem is bringing to light the unrealistic love poems that paint the woman in them as being completely perfect. There are somethings that could be found pleasing in this poem though. It is not all just saying how imperfect she is. He doesn't say her breath smells all the time, and he still loves to hear her speak. So there are some positives in the poem. I would rather have this love poem said to me than any other one because I know the other unrealistic and exaggerated love poems would be complete lies. I would smack the man I love if he told me I had perfect skin and golden hair and walked like a goddess. He would probably be making fun of me and try to make it a joke. I'd hope I wouldn't love someone who was being completely serious about that nonsense. The speaker says, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare" (Shakespeare 885). The speaker is being real with the woman he loves. He has a rare love because he can be real and recognize that she has flaws, but she is not all flawed. He still loves her regardless of the imperfect things and doesn't try to cover it up and lie about it to his mistress.
Gender Blog Post #3
Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy
1. In what ways is the girl described in this poem different from a Barbie doll? Discuss the poem's contrast of the living girl, a human being with intelligence and healthy appetites, and the doll, an inanimate object.
This poem sort of depressed me because it is a very real situation. The stuff that girls our age and younger go through is horrible. We are pressured to start wearing makeup and try to have the best body. In reality though, this isn't possible for some girls, and some girls are even prettier when they are just their natural self. The bullying is also very real too. The girl in the poem is obviously not perfect, but what is the definition of the perfect girl? Certainly, some would say a Barbie doll, but others would disagree. There is no real perfect girl that every other little girl should try and live up to being like. The girl in the poem had "strong arms and back" (Piercy 835). This is the first difference from Barbie. Barbie has no muscle tone whatsoever. Barbie also doesn't have "a great big nose and fat legs" (Piercy 835). This girl is a real girl. She isn't some inanimate plastic doll that everyone sees as perfect. She has a real body and real feelings. She is healthy and was happy, that should be all that mattered. The girl killed herself, though. The final line of the poem speaks volumes, I think. When it says "Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said. Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending" (Piercy 836). I believe that everyone woman wants to be remembered as being beautiful in someone's eyes. Their happy ending would be to have someone to think they are pretty and remember them as pretty. Any girl who says she doesn't want someone to find them beautiful is lying to you. Every girl wants that, what they don't want is to be constantly told they are imperfect and need to "fix" themselves.
Gender Blog Post #2
A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell
3. What common assumptions about women are shared by the men in the story? How do they try to show that they do not think women to be their inferiors? How are their assumptions ironic?
One common assumption the men have about women is that they are supposed to be good housewives and keep the place looking nice. They believe that women are supposed to be good in the kitchen. When the county attorney is looking around the kitchen and kicking pans, he says, "Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" (Glaspell 412). He's making a jab at the fact that women really have one job and she can't do that job. I find it funny when they are talking about the preserves and how the women in the room are thinking about Mrs. Wright's feelings about the ruined fruits because the men just kind of laugh and are like "oh she's on trial for murder, I'm sure she's going to worry about her fruit". This short story is very stereotypical of men and women. The irony in the situation is that the men don't think of them as inferior, yet they brought them along to investigate. The women are the one's who do the real investigating though. They actually figure out motive and can rationalize why Minnie murdered her husband. The men don't realize that the quilt, the box, the birdcage, they were all evidence that pointed to Minnie's motive. They just brushed them off as jokes because they're men and don't take anything seriously.
3. What common assumptions about women are shared by the men in the story? How do they try to show that they do not think women to be their inferiors? How are their assumptions ironic?
One common assumption the men have about women is that they are supposed to be good housewives and keep the place looking nice. They believe that women are supposed to be good in the kitchen. When the county attorney is looking around the kitchen and kicking pans, he says, "Dirty towels! Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?" (Glaspell 412). He's making a jab at the fact that women really have one job and she can't do that job. I find it funny when they are talking about the preserves and how the women in the room are thinking about Mrs. Wright's feelings about the ruined fruits because the men just kind of laugh and are like "oh she's on trial for murder, I'm sure she's going to worry about her fruit". This short story is very stereotypical of men and women. The irony in the situation is that the men don't think of them as inferior, yet they brought them along to investigate. The women are the one's who do the real investigating though. They actually figure out motive and can rationalize why Minnie murdered her husband. The men don't realize that the quilt, the box, the birdcage, they were all evidence that pointed to Minnie's motive. They just brushed them off as jokes because they're men and don't take anything seriously.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Gender Blog Post #1
Hunters in the Snow by Tobias Wolff
1. Which of the three principal characters do you find most sympathetic? The least sympathetic? Discuss your answers. Do the characters' names help us to form our impressions of them?
CHARACTERIZATION: the process by which the writer reveals the personality, values, and quality of a character
The character I felt most sympathetic towards was Tub. I felt so bad for him because he was so tubby and fat and slow. I just felt like Frank and Kenny were jerks to him to for no reason. They bullied him and it made me feel sad for him. I felt least sympathetic for Kenny's character. I was glad he got shot because he was annoying. Tub was the butt of all his jokes and he did seem like he was going to shoot Tub next. I didn't know he was supposed to kill the dog, though. When he shot the dog I was like "oh no!" and then didn't feel sad anymore because Tub had shot him. The characters' names do help form an impression of them, especially Tub's. Frank seems older and Frank is sort of an older name. Kenny just sounds annoying and rude. It doesn't help that the only Kenny I know is someone who is very obnoxious. The characterization of the characters also comes through when they are resting and eating after two hours of hunting. The author says, "Kenny had several slices of pizza and a couple of candy bars; Frank had a sandwich, an apple, two carrots, and a square of chocolate; Tub had one hard-boiled egg and a stick of celery" (Wolff 189). This shows that Kenny is a jerk for eating all that food in front of Tub, who obviously loves food, and Frank is sort of in the middle eating healthier, but still a lot. Then there is Tub who is eating close to nothing in front of his friends. Kenny goes on to say that he thinks this is the only diet Tub's been on where he gained weight. This again, characterizes Kenny as a jerk and Tub as trying to hide the fact that he's fat and isn't doing anything about it because he's embarrassed. But in reality, we know that he eats a lot because cookies and two sandwiches fall out of his pockets, and he eats four plates of pancakes later on.
1. Which of the three principal characters do you find most sympathetic? The least sympathetic? Discuss your answers. Do the characters' names help us to form our impressions of them?
CHARACTERIZATION: the process by which the writer reveals the personality, values, and quality of a character
The character I felt most sympathetic towards was Tub. I felt so bad for him because he was so tubby and fat and slow. I just felt like Frank and Kenny were jerks to him to for no reason. They bullied him and it made me feel sad for him. I felt least sympathetic for Kenny's character. I was glad he got shot because he was annoying. Tub was the butt of all his jokes and he did seem like he was going to shoot Tub next. I didn't know he was supposed to kill the dog, though. When he shot the dog I was like "oh no!" and then didn't feel sad anymore because Tub had shot him. The characters' names do help form an impression of them, especially Tub's. Frank seems older and Frank is sort of an older name. Kenny just sounds annoying and rude. It doesn't help that the only Kenny I know is someone who is very obnoxious. The characterization of the characters also comes through when they are resting and eating after two hours of hunting. The author says, "Kenny had several slices of pizza and a couple of candy bars; Frank had a sandwich, an apple, two carrots, and a square of chocolate; Tub had one hard-boiled egg and a stick of celery" (Wolff 189). This shows that Kenny is a jerk for eating all that food in front of Tub, who obviously loves food, and Frank is sort of in the middle eating healthier, but still a lot. Then there is Tub who is eating close to nothing in front of his friends. Kenny goes on to say that he thinks this is the only diet Tub's been on where he gained weight. This again, characterizes Kenny as a jerk and Tub as trying to hide the fact that he's fat and isn't doing anything about it because he's embarrassed. But in reality, we know that he eats a lot because cookies and two sandwiches fall out of his pockets, and he eats four plates of pancakes later on.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Othello Blog Post #8
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
16. How would the effect of the play have been different if Othello had died before discovering Desdemona's innocence?
Alas, the tragedy comes to a close. A tragedy it was, indeed. If Othello wouldn't have found out about his wife's innocence before he died, the tragedy wouldn't have been as tragic. It is as simple as that. He feels more foolish for being tricked and murdering the woman that he loved. It makes the reader so angry because Iago's plan played out exactly how he wanted it. I wanted some turn of events to happen where Desdemona comes back alive or was only pretending to be dead the whole time and then her and Othello murder Iago together and live happily ever after together. This is Shakespeare, though. It is also a tragedy, not a fairytale. So I knew deep down it would have never happened, but it would have been so cool if it did. The play wouldn't have been as effective if Othello had died before knowing Desdemona was innocent. There would be less heartache and less satisfaction for Iago. With Othello knowing of his victim's innocence, the greatest villain ever gets the satisfaction and had successfully carried out the best revenge.
16. How would the effect of the play have been different if Othello had died before discovering Desdemona's innocence?
Alas, the tragedy comes to a close. A tragedy it was, indeed. If Othello wouldn't have found out about his wife's innocence before he died, the tragedy wouldn't have been as tragic. It is as simple as that. He feels more foolish for being tricked and murdering the woman that he loved. It makes the reader so angry because Iago's plan played out exactly how he wanted it. I wanted some turn of events to happen where Desdemona comes back alive or was only pretending to be dead the whole time and then her and Othello murder Iago together and live happily ever after together. This is Shakespeare, though. It is also a tragedy, not a fairytale. So I knew deep down it would have never happened, but it would have been so cool if it did. The play wouldn't have been as effective if Othello had died before knowing Desdemona was innocent. There would be less heartache and less satisfaction for Iago. With Othello knowing of his victim's innocence, the greatest villain ever gets the satisfaction and had successfully carried out the best revenge.
Othello Blog Post #7
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
7. How does Emilia prove to be a dynamic character?
DYNAMIC CHARACTER: is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story's action.
Emilia FINALLY stands up for herself. She has such a turnaround that I found myself cheering her on towards the end of Act V. She comest to the realization that her husband was the guy who planted all of the seeds and caused the death of Desdemona (He will soon cause the death of herself and Othello indirectly). You can sort of see her putting everything together and putting the puzzle pieces in place with the different pieces of information coming forth. She pretty much calls out Iago. One thing Emilia says, "That handkerchief thou speak'st of I found by fortune and did give my husband, For often with a solemn earnestness, More than indeed belonged to such a trifle, He begged of me to steal it" (V.ii.224-228). She is calling him out and you can kind of hear Iago being like "shutup shutup shut up!". You know thats what is going on in his head when she won't be quiet. She finally stands up for herself though and I was proud. You go girl. She changes from a passive and submissive wife, to a free and disobedient woman who won't take any more crap from her jerk husband.
7. How does Emilia prove to be a dynamic character?
DYNAMIC CHARACTER: is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story's action.
Emilia FINALLY stands up for herself. She has such a turnaround that I found myself cheering her on towards the end of Act V. She comest to the realization that her husband was the guy who planted all of the seeds and caused the death of Desdemona (He will soon cause the death of herself and Othello indirectly). You can sort of see her putting everything together and putting the puzzle pieces in place with the different pieces of information coming forth. She pretty much calls out Iago. One thing Emilia says, "That handkerchief thou speak'st of I found by fortune and did give my husband, For often with a solemn earnestness, More than indeed belonged to such a trifle, He begged of me to steal it" (V.ii.224-228). She is calling him out and you can kind of hear Iago being like "shutup shutup shut up!". You know thats what is going on in his head when she won't be quiet. She finally stands up for herself though and I was proud. You go girl. She changes from a passive and submissive wife, to a free and disobedient woman who won't take any more crap from her jerk husband.
Othello Blog Post #6
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
This play doesn't have much comedy in it, but I believe I was able to find a little bit of humor in one situation in Act IV. I don't know about anyone else, but I found myself giggling a little bit to myself when Emilia, Desdemona, and Iago are talking about the rumors that Othello is asking Desdemona about. Emilia is just going on and on about how someone could start rumors like that between two people who love each other so much. The whole time you know Iago is thinking, "yep that's me. I did it. I'm the devil." Emilia says she'll be hanged "if some eternal villain,...to get some office, Have not devised this slander. I'll be hanged else" (IV.ii.130-133). Then Iago's just like "oh there's no such man, it is impossible" (IV.ii.134). I think it is so funny. And then she continues to go on and on and Iago just agrees and I don't know why I find it so funny. It is probably the immense irony in the situation that I find funny. Like, he is right in front of you. Your husband is the eternal villain! Also, there is foreshadowing when Emilia says she will be hanged if there is such a person who would do this. Well, looks like you're dying Emilia. There is such villain. His name is Iago and he's your husband.
This play doesn't have much comedy in it, but I believe I was able to find a little bit of humor in one situation in Act IV. I don't know about anyone else, but I found myself giggling a little bit to myself when Emilia, Desdemona, and Iago are talking about the rumors that Othello is asking Desdemona about. Emilia is just going on and on about how someone could start rumors like that between two people who love each other so much. The whole time you know Iago is thinking, "yep that's me. I did it. I'm the devil." Emilia says she'll be hanged "if some eternal villain,...to get some office, Have not devised this slander. I'll be hanged else" (IV.ii.130-133). Then Iago's just like "oh there's no such man, it is impossible" (IV.ii.134). I think it is so funny. And then she continues to go on and on and Iago just agrees and I don't know why I find it so funny. It is probably the immense irony in the situation that I find funny. Like, he is right in front of you. Your husband is the eternal villain! Also, there is foreshadowing when Emilia says she will be hanged if there is such a person who would do this. Well, looks like you're dying Emilia. There is such villain. His name is Iago and he's your husband.
Othello Blog Post #5
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
One thing I have noticed from the beginning of the play to towards the end is the shift in Othello's character. In the first act, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Iago are questioning Othello and accusing him of drugging and stealing Desdemona. Most men would freak out and be mad and react to these accusations, but Othello is a calm and cool leader. He says simply ask Desdemona and she will tell you what is going on. He trusts her and is confident in their love that she would tell the truth. This parallels the end of the play where Othello is asking pretty much everyone else other than Desdemona about what is going on. He asks even Emilia before he goes to Desdemona. Emilia defends Desdemona saying, "...to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, Remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom" (IV.ii.12-14). He still doesn't believe even the woman closest to Desdemona. This shows that Iago's tactics have definitely been getting to Othello. He has managed to completely change Othello's way of dealing with rumors and stress. Iago truly is turning out to be a master of deception and one of the greatest villains of all time.
One thing I have noticed from the beginning of the play to towards the end is the shift in Othello's character. In the first act, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Iago are questioning Othello and accusing him of drugging and stealing Desdemona. Most men would freak out and be mad and react to these accusations, but Othello is a calm and cool leader. He says simply ask Desdemona and she will tell you what is going on. He trusts her and is confident in their love that she would tell the truth. This parallels the end of the play where Othello is asking pretty much everyone else other than Desdemona about what is going on. He asks even Emilia before he goes to Desdemona. Emilia defends Desdemona saying, "...to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, Remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom" (IV.ii.12-14). He still doesn't believe even the woman closest to Desdemona. This shows that Iago's tactics have definitely been getting to Othello. He has managed to completely change Othello's way of dealing with rumors and stress. Iago truly is turning out to be a master of deception and one of the greatest villains of all time.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Othello Blog Post #4
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
DRAMATIC IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing (often rhetorically) and imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea
IMAGERY: the use of sensory language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience
The aside that Othello makes in Scene 3 of Act 3 is packed full of literary techniques. The first line of Othello's little speech starts out with "This fellow's of exceeding honesty..." (III.iii.259). We all know that Iago is the furthest thing from honest because he has told us. He has informed us of his evil plan, but all the character's know is all that they see and are told. They don't know about Iago's plan obviously. Othello uses hawk imagery throughout to compare Desdemona to a possible wild bird. He is saying that if she turns out to be "wild" then he will tell her to go and she will go because he doesn't believe she would be worth keeping. We start to see Iago's manipulation playing out in Othello's aside. This is where he first confesses wavering suspicions he has about Desdemona's faithfulness. He is playing perfectly into Iago's hand by listening to the seed Iago planted and then even continuing to be worried about it. He starts to think that maybe she is unfaithful because he doesn't think he is what she wants. He believes he would rather be a toad than to keep loving someone that is used and loved by someone else.
DRAMATIC IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing (often rhetorically) and imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea
IMAGERY: the use of sensory language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience
The aside that Othello makes in Scene 3 of Act 3 is packed full of literary techniques. The first line of Othello's little speech starts out with "This fellow's of exceeding honesty..." (III.iii.259). We all know that Iago is the furthest thing from honest because he has told us. He has informed us of his evil plan, but all the character's know is all that they see and are told. They don't know about Iago's plan obviously. Othello uses hawk imagery throughout to compare Desdemona to a possible wild bird. He is saying that if she turns out to be "wild" then he will tell her to go and she will go because he doesn't believe she would be worth keeping. We start to see Iago's manipulation playing out in Othello's aside. This is where he first confesses wavering suspicions he has about Desdemona's faithfulness. He is playing perfectly into Iago's hand by listening to the seed Iago planted and then even continuing to be worried about it. He starts to think that maybe she is unfaithful because he doesn't think he is what she wants. He believes he would rather be a toad than to keep loving someone that is used and loved by someone else.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Othello Blog Post #3
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
I have noticed repetition in the play so far up to Act II. The characters are constantly saying how honest and loyal and loving Iago is. More than any normal person should in real life. Othello asks for Iago's recount of the fight because he trusts him. Othello asks, "What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, speak, who began this? Oh thy love, I charge thee" (II.iii.155-157). Even after Iago tells what happened, Othello again calls him honest and his love. The dramatic irony in the situation is that we know that Iago is evil and actually hates Othello and is plotting against him. The constant repetition of Iago's honesty is meant to add to the irony in all of the situations. It also adds to the readers' frustration of the stupidity of the characters in the play.
I have noticed repetition in the play so far up to Act II. The characters are constantly saying how honest and loyal and loving Iago is. More than any normal person should in real life. Othello asks for Iago's recount of the fight because he trusts him. Othello asks, "What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, speak, who began this? Oh thy love, I charge thee" (II.iii.155-157). Even after Iago tells what happened, Othello again calls him honest and his love. The dramatic irony in the situation is that we know that Iago is evil and actually hates Othello and is plotting against him. The constant repetition of Iago's honesty is meant to add to the irony in all of the situations. It also adds to the readers' frustration of the stupidity of the characters in the play.
Othello Blog Post #2
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act II has a lot of scheming on Iago's part going on. I don't understand how every character is so gullible and dumb, though. Cassio knows that alcohol does not do well with him, yet he is still coaxed into getting drunk by Iago. Someone somewhere should be putting all of the parts of this puzzle together and figuring out that Iago is behind all the mishaps and schemes. The dramatic irony is insane because literally Iago will say one thing and then right in the next scene he will say another thing. And then even still will play a third side by telling the audience what his master plan is all about and what is actually going to happen. At the end of Act II, he sums everything up and gives foreshadowing into what is left to come by saying, "Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress...Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife" (II.iii.345-350). He is telling his evil plan to us and we are drawn in to continue reading and see how the gullible characters play into Iago's hands.
Act II has a lot of scheming on Iago's part going on. I don't understand how every character is so gullible and dumb, though. Cassio knows that alcohol does not do well with him, yet he is still coaxed into getting drunk by Iago. Someone somewhere should be putting all of the parts of this puzzle together and figuring out that Iago is behind all the mishaps and schemes. The dramatic irony is insane because literally Iago will say one thing and then right in the next scene he will say another thing. And then even still will play a third side by telling the audience what his master plan is all about and what is actually going to happen. At the end of Act II, he sums everything up and gives foreshadowing into what is left to come by saying, "Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress...Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife" (II.iii.345-350). He is telling his evil plan to us and we are drawn in to continue reading and see how the gullible characters play into Iago's hands.
Othello Blog Post #1
Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified idea
DRAMATIC IRONY:takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not.
10. Throughout Act I, there are times when Iago speaks in prose and others she when he speaks in poetry. Any theories as to why he switches back and forth?
The first theory I have on why Iago changes the way in which he speaks is because he is addressing different people or groups of people. I think that when he speaks in prose he is just talking to another character in the play. At the end of Act I, he is having a conversation with Roderigo about going out and making money. He speaks in prose during this section because he is in a normal conversation. After Roderigo leaves, however, Iago switches over to speaking in poetry. He is talking to no one on stage and is more providing information to the audience. In the very end of Act I, Iago is all alone and the audience gets to hear parts of his evil plan. He starts out, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse," (I.iii.363). This is saying that he's just convinced Roderigo to go make money but it will turn out to benefit Iago more than Roderigo. This adds to the effect of dramatic irony throughout the play. We will all know that Iago is evil, but the characters only know what he tells them and what they actually play through. Also, it gives us an idea of what is going to happen later on in the play through foreshadowing.
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
APOSTROPHE: directly addressing an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or a place or thing, or a personified idea
DRAMATIC IRONY:takes place when there is a discrepancy between the reader's understanding of a scene and a character's understanding of a scene, usually because the reader has knowledge the character does not.
10. Throughout Act I, there are times when Iago speaks in prose and others she when he speaks in poetry. Any theories as to why he switches back and forth?
The first theory I have on why Iago changes the way in which he speaks is because he is addressing different people or groups of people. I think that when he speaks in prose he is just talking to another character in the play. At the end of Act I, he is having a conversation with Roderigo about going out and making money. He speaks in prose during this section because he is in a normal conversation. After Roderigo leaves, however, Iago switches over to speaking in poetry. He is talking to no one on stage and is more providing information to the audience. In the very end of Act I, Iago is all alone and the audience gets to hear parts of his evil plan. He starts out, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse," (I.iii.363). This is saying that he's just convinced Roderigo to go make money but it will turn out to benefit Iago more than Roderigo. This adds to the effect of dramatic irony throughout the play. We will all know that Iago is evil, but the characters only know what he tells them and what they actually play through. Also, it gives us an idea of what is going to happen later on in the play through foreshadowing.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Love Me Not Blog Post #4
Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver
1. Discuss the story's final lines. What is the "issue" that is "decided"?
IRONY: a discrepancy between appearances and reality
This poem also had a big twist at the end. I could sort of see it coming as the story progressed, though. The couple is breaking up and the man is leaving but also wants the baby. The final lines that were shocking to me were, "In this manner, the issue was decided" (Carver). The basic story line of the story is one of breaking up and breaking hearts, but the author throws in another helpless character, the baby. The helplessness of the baby adds to the idea that fights don't only affect the two people involved. Divorce and arguments affect everyone around the two parties involved. This is universal though. It's ironic that the two people wish to keep the child safe and protect it from the other, but in doing this, they end up killing the baby is what I am thinking. The "issue" is who will get the baby and the "decision" is that they end up literally splitting the baby up between the two of them. Tragic, but usually what happens with split or divorced parents. Not literally though, but figuratively.
Love Me Not Blog Post #3
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
UNDERSTATEMENT: a type of verbal irony takes place when what is stated says less than what is meant
ANTHROPOMORPHISM: attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object
This short story had quite the twist at the end. I was unsure as to where it was headed at the beginning, but then realized that this lady is a huge jerk. At first I feel bad for her because her husband had just been killed in a horrific accident and she would be all alone, but then there is a shift at paragraph five. When the "storm of grief had spent itself" (Chopin), Josephine starts to recognize all the good things that are going on in the world around her. She notices the birds chirping and the blue skies and I start to get a sense of her not being so sad anymore. Finally, she has a revelation that she is finally free because her husband is dead. She does fight the feeling though. The emotion she didn't want to feel was joy and relief. She could feel it "creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air" (Chopin). I don't feel bad at the end of the story when her death is abrupt and understated because I think it was just karma. She was happy her husband was dead and she never really loved him anyways, and then she even prayed for a longer life apart from him. So, I am happy that she was immediately killed. I do feel bad for her husband though. Hopefully he doesn't have the same reaction to his wife's death as she did to his "death".
UNDERSTATEMENT: a type of verbal irony takes place when what is stated says less than what is meant
ANTHROPOMORPHISM: attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object
This short story had quite the twist at the end. I was unsure as to where it was headed at the beginning, but then realized that this lady is a huge jerk. At first I feel bad for her because her husband had just been killed in a horrific accident and she would be all alone, but then there is a shift at paragraph five. When the "storm of grief had spent itself" (Chopin), Josephine starts to recognize all the good things that are going on in the world around her. She notices the birds chirping and the blue skies and I start to get a sense of her not being so sad anymore. Finally, she has a revelation that she is finally free because her husband is dead. She does fight the feeling though. The emotion she didn't want to feel was joy and relief. She could feel it "creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air" (Chopin). I don't feel bad at the end of the story when her death is abrupt and understated because I think it was just karma. She was happy her husband was dead and she never really loved him anyways, and then she even prayed for a longer life apart from him. So, I am happy that she was immediately killed. I do feel bad for her husband though. Hopefully he doesn't have the same reaction to his wife's death as she did to his "death".
Love Me Not Blog Post #2
Getting Out by Cleopatra Mathis
SIMILE: a figure of speech that makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, using words such as like, as, than, or resembles
3. Should inmates be interpreted as imprisonment or confinement to a mental hospital? Explain your choice.
4. Explain the shift in tone from line 14 to line 15. What emotions do these people feel for each other now? How do you know?
This poem is basically about a man and a woman going through a divorce and finally separating. I know they are going through a divorce because in line 20, there is thought of "the lawyer's bewilderment when he cried, the last day" (Mathis 896). This poem about divorce is very sad and depressing to me. There is a simile in the very first line, "That year we hardly slept, walking like inmates who beat the walls" (Mathis 896). I take this as confinement in a mental hospital because the both of them are banging on the walls. Also, as cliche as it sounds, love does make you crazy. Neither one of them wants to give in to the other, so slowly they are turning into people they never thought they could be. The tone shift from line 14 to 15 is kind of like the both of them forgiving the other in a weird way. In line 14, they are "heaving words like furniture" (Mathis 896). This means that they are fighting and saying cruel things back and forth at each other. Then, in line 15, the "last unshredded picture" (Mathis 896) eludes to the fact that there is still that connection the both of them have with each other. Yes, they did split up and now live on different sides of the world, but they still will always have that time together and the memories and lessons they learned while being with each other.
SIMILE: a figure of speech that makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, using words such as like, as, than, or resembles
3. Should inmates be interpreted as imprisonment or confinement to a mental hospital? Explain your choice.
4. Explain the shift in tone from line 14 to line 15. What emotions do these people feel for each other now? How do you know?
This poem is basically about a man and a woman going through a divorce and finally separating. I know they are going through a divorce because in line 20, there is thought of "the lawyer's bewilderment when he cried, the last day" (Mathis 896). This poem about divorce is very sad and depressing to me. There is a simile in the very first line, "That year we hardly slept, walking like inmates who beat the walls" (Mathis 896). I take this as confinement in a mental hospital because the both of them are banging on the walls. Also, as cliche as it sounds, love does make you crazy. Neither one of them wants to give in to the other, so slowly they are turning into people they never thought they could be. The tone shift from line 14 to 15 is kind of like the both of them forgiving the other in a weird way. In line 14, they are "heaving words like furniture" (Mathis 896). This means that they are fighting and saying cruel things back and forth at each other. Then, in line 15, the "last unshredded picture" (Mathis 896) eludes to the fact that there is still that connection the both of them have with each other. Yes, they did split up and now live on different sides of the world, but they still will always have that time together and the memories and lessons they learned while being with each other.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Love Me Not Blog Post #1
You're Ugly, Too by Lorrie Moore
3. This story makes extensive use of jokes. Discuss the importance of jokes to the characterization of Zoë and to the story as a whole.
I absolutely loved this short story. Zoë is hilarious to me and I do want to spend time with her and like be her bff. She is little miss congeniality to me. Her sarcastic sense of humor makes the story and the situations she finds herself in, not less serious, but less of a bigger deal at the time. The author uses the jokes in the story as a defense mechanism for Zoë. When she finds herself in an awkward or uncomfortable situation, she makes a joke about it. In the very beginning of the story, a student asks her what her perfume is and she responds, "room freshener" (Moore 353). She knows that the student is trying to make a joke about her smell, but she responds sarcastically. The use of the student reviews throughout the story are funny too. They are applying the real life reviews of things that her students notice to circumstances that actually happen in her life in a witty and comical way.
3. This story makes extensive use of jokes. Discuss the importance of jokes to the characterization of Zoë and to the story as a whole.
I absolutely loved this short story. Zoë is hilarious to me and I do want to spend time with her and like be her bff. She is little miss congeniality to me. Her sarcastic sense of humor makes the story and the situations she finds herself in, not less serious, but less of a bigger deal at the time. The author uses the jokes in the story as a defense mechanism for Zoë. When she finds herself in an awkward or uncomfortable situation, she makes a joke about it. In the very beginning of the story, a student asks her what her perfume is and she responds, "room freshener" (Moore 353). She knows that the student is trying to make a joke about her smell, but she responds sarcastically. The use of the student reviews throughout the story are funny too. They are applying the real life reviews of things that her students notice to circumstances that actually happen in her life in a witty and comical way.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Love Blog Post #4
Delight in Disorder by Robert Herrick
OXYMORON: a figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase
2. The phrase "wild civility" (12) is an example of oxymoron, a compact paradox in which two successive words seemingly contradict each other. Discuss the effectiveness of this device in this phrase and examine the poem for other examples.
I also liked this poem because it was simple, but very complex at the same time. I think the main point the author was trying to get at was that he liked the disorder in a woman rather than for her to be completely put together and perfect. I believe that although it is very cheesy, there is perfection in imperfection. This poem made me think about the evolutionary idea of our planet. There were so many imperfect factors, like meteors coming together to form, but also destroy, the surface of the planet, that went into the creation of this perfect planet that is Earth. It is just the right amount of everything that makes it capable of sustaining life. This author applied the same thought, I believe, to his attraction to certain women. He uses contradictions and oxymorons such as wild civility to convey his point. The writer says, "A careless shoestring, in whose tie I see a wild civility; Do more bewitch me than when art Is too precise in every part." (Herrick 979). When he sees an untied shoestring, he doesn't see disorder, but he sees a wild civility. He loves that and sees in it the untamed graciousness of a woman. He realizes that nothing is perfect and instead of looking for perfection, he focuses on the imperfections and loves them.
OXYMORON: a figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase
2. The phrase "wild civility" (12) is an example of oxymoron, a compact paradox in which two successive words seemingly contradict each other. Discuss the effectiveness of this device in this phrase and examine the poem for other examples.
I also liked this poem because it was simple, but very complex at the same time. I think the main point the author was trying to get at was that he liked the disorder in a woman rather than for her to be completely put together and perfect. I believe that although it is very cheesy, there is perfection in imperfection. This poem made me think about the evolutionary idea of our planet. There were so many imperfect factors, like meteors coming together to form, but also destroy, the surface of the planet, that went into the creation of this perfect planet that is Earth. It is just the right amount of everything that makes it capable of sustaining life. This author applied the same thought, I believe, to his attraction to certain women. He uses contradictions and oxymorons such as wild civility to convey his point. The writer says, "A careless shoestring, in whose tie I see a wild civility; Do more bewitch me than when art Is too precise in every part." (Herrick 979). When he sees an untied shoestring, he doesn't see disorder, but he sees a wild civility. He loves that and sees in it the untamed graciousness of a woman. He realizes that nothing is perfect and instead of looking for perfection, he focuses on the imperfections and loves them.
Love Blog Post #3
Lonely Hearts by Wendy Cope
1. The title refers to the "Personals" advertising section in a newspaper or magazine in which people solicit companionship from others. Each of the five tercets represents a different ad. Explore the variety of needs that they display.
I really liked this poem. I think it was because of how it was written, though. It was simple and clever and I found it very interesting. All these people are lonely and looking for someone else that they can live happily with. In the first tercet, it is simply a biker looking for a girl that he can take exploring with him. The second one is about a gay person who likes music and Shakespeare and the sun, but has very few friends. The third tercet is about a possibly uptight person who wants something new so they are searching for a bisexual, artsy, and young woman. Certainly that person wants to shake things up a bit. In the fourth one, there is an attractive Jewish lady with a son and she seems to be looking for a normal and average person just like her. In the final tercet, a Libran who is inexperienced and blue, is looking for a skinny, non-smoking person under the age of twenty-one. I'm not sure if there is deeper meaning in all of these descriptions. Certainly there is deeper meaning, it is a poem and I am sure the poet wasn't just recounting what she saw in the newspaper that day. I think it shows a variety of wants and needs that a variety of people want and need. One of the deeper meanings I possibly thought about was when the "Executive was in search of something new--" (Cope 973). I thought it showed a great contrast between the uptight executive who needs to let loose a little bit.
1. The title refers to the "Personals" advertising section in a newspaper or magazine in which people solicit companionship from others. Each of the five tercets represents a different ad. Explore the variety of needs that they display.
I really liked this poem. I think it was because of how it was written, though. It was simple and clever and I found it very interesting. All these people are lonely and looking for someone else that they can live happily with. In the first tercet, it is simply a biker looking for a girl that he can take exploring with him. The second one is about a gay person who likes music and Shakespeare and the sun, but has very few friends. The third tercet is about a possibly uptight person who wants something new so they are searching for a bisexual, artsy, and young woman. Certainly that person wants to shake things up a bit. In the fourth one, there is an attractive Jewish lady with a son and she seems to be looking for a normal and average person just like her. In the final tercet, a Libran who is inexperienced and blue, is looking for a skinny, non-smoking person under the age of twenty-one. I'm not sure if there is deeper meaning in all of these descriptions. Certainly there is deeper meaning, it is a poem and I am sure the poet wasn't just recounting what she saw in the newspaper that day. I think it shows a variety of wants and needs that a variety of people want and need. One of the deeper meanings I possibly thought about was when the "Executive was in search of something new--" (Cope 973). I thought it showed a great contrast between the uptight executive who needs to let loose a little bit.
Love Blog Post #2
Eveline by James Joyce
2. What in Eveline's present circumstances makes it desirable for her to escape her home? Characterize her father and Miss Gavan, her supervisor. What does the memory of her mother contribute to her decision to leave?
Eveline lives with her father and helps him around the house. He is abusive and causes her to have palpitations. Also, Eveline's mother is dead. She has two brothers, Harry and Ernest. Ernest was dead and Harry was never around so Eveline has no one to protect her from her father's brutality. Her father seems to me to be sort of misunderstood and angry. He loves his daughter and doesn't want anything bad to happen to her, but he still takes all of his anger out on her. I believe he wants to protect her because he says, "I know these sailor chaps" (Joyce 220). To me, this seems like he knows something and he wants her to stay away from it so he forbids her to see him. The memory of her mother makes her quickly decide to leave with Frank. I think she remembers that her mother died unhappy and she suddenly thinks she needs to be happy and that she actually has the right to be happy. This sudden realization causes Eveline to get up and leave and try to go find a happier life with Frank. I don't get, however, why she doesn't go. The ending didn't make sense to me. I think that when it says that she felt no love and her expressions had no love in them, that maybe she realized she didn't love Frank and that he could give her a better life, but she wouldn't love him.
2. What in Eveline's present circumstances makes it desirable for her to escape her home? Characterize her father and Miss Gavan, her supervisor. What does the memory of her mother contribute to her decision to leave?
Eveline lives with her father and helps him around the house. He is abusive and causes her to have palpitations. Also, Eveline's mother is dead. She has two brothers, Harry and Ernest. Ernest was dead and Harry was never around so Eveline has no one to protect her from her father's brutality. Her father seems to me to be sort of misunderstood and angry. He loves his daughter and doesn't want anything bad to happen to her, but he still takes all of his anger out on her. I believe he wants to protect her because he says, "I know these sailor chaps" (Joyce 220). To me, this seems like he knows something and he wants her to stay away from it so he forbids her to see him. The memory of her mother makes her quickly decide to leave with Frank. I think she remembers that her mother died unhappy and she suddenly thinks she needs to be happy and that she actually has the right to be happy. This sudden realization causes Eveline to get up and leave and try to go find a happier life with Frank. I don't get, however, why she doesn't go. The ending didn't make sense to me. I think that when it says that she felt no love and her expressions had no love in them, that maybe she realized she didn't love Frank and that he could give her a better life, but she wouldn't love him.
Love Blog Post #1
How I Met My Husband by Alice Munro
4. Is Edie a sympathetic character? How does her status as "the hired girl" affect the way you respond to her as a reader?
I don't believe it was so much the fact that Edie was the hired help that made her a sympathetic character. It was more the fact that she was so young and naive that caused the reader to look upon her situation with sympathy. There are many instances in the story where I sort of found myself shaking my head at Edie and wondering how she could be so gullible and naive. She was ignorant to think that Chris was going to be committed to just her because he is literally running away from his own "fiancee". She sits by the mailbox waiting for this letter that is never going to come and I feel so bad for her. She is also ignorant of the definition of "intimate" when she is being interrogated by the ladies. She doesn't know that they don't mean just kissing. Finally, in the beginning of the story, Edie is reminiscing on the fact that Chris called her beautiful and, at the time, she had no idea that he was flirting with her when he calls her beautiful. Edie says, "For a man to say a word like beautiful. I wasn't old enough to realize or to say anything back, or in fact to do anything but wish he would go away" (Munro 135). This also adds to the reminiscent tone of the story where a much older and wiser Edie was looking back on her ignorance and retelling this naive "love" affair.
4. Is Edie a sympathetic character? How does her status as "the hired girl" affect the way you respond to her as a reader?
I don't believe it was so much the fact that Edie was the hired help that made her a sympathetic character. It was more the fact that she was so young and naive that caused the reader to look upon her situation with sympathy. There are many instances in the story where I sort of found myself shaking my head at Edie and wondering how she could be so gullible and naive. She was ignorant to think that Chris was going to be committed to just her because he is literally running away from his own "fiancee". She sits by the mailbox waiting for this letter that is never going to come and I feel so bad for her. She is also ignorant of the definition of "intimate" when she is being interrogated by the ladies. She doesn't know that they don't mean just kissing. Finally, in the beginning of the story, Edie is reminiscing on the fact that Chris called her beautiful and, at the time, she had no idea that he was flirting with her when he calls her beautiful. Edie says, "For a man to say a word like beautiful. I wasn't old enough to realize or to say anything back, or in fact to do anything but wish he would go away" (Munro 135). This also adds to the reminiscent tone of the story where a much older and wiser Edie was looking back on her ignorance and retelling this naive "love" affair.
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