Plot
I chose this short story to be adapted into a feature-length film because when I was reading it, I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind. Alice Munro did a fantastic job with her descriptions and details because I could literally see all that was happening just by reading the story. I thought the plot was very creative with the surprise ending and all, but there are still two things that I would change. First, I would change the beginning of the story in the movie. I would start out showing Edie with her family at home. Older Edie, who tells the story, references to how and why she ended up at the Peebles' house, but I would want to start the movie off with her in her actual home and then show what all happened for her to end up with the Peebles. This would give the viewer a better understanding of where Edie is from. I know that when I was reading the short story, I was very curious about the type of environment that Edie was from. The short story mentioned it briefly, but I would like to expand on it. Also, the other change I would make would be to the end of the story. I love the ending, but again I would just like to expand Edie's life with the mailman. There was about a paragraph about Edie and her actual husband, but I would like there to be just a little bit more about the two of them. This would assure the viewer that Edie actually ended up "happily ever after."
Point of View
I really liked the point of view in the short story because it was Edie telling this story when she was much older. Sometimes the reader will become biased from this point of view because they only see things from Edie's point of view, but I do not think this was the case in this short story. In a movie made from this short story, I think that I would keep the same point of view. I like when a movie is a character's vivid flashback. I saw this done in the movie I saw, Stand by Me, which was adapted from the short story, "The Body." I really liked how it was done. I would have Edie shown as an older woman with her husband and family at their home, then have something trigger her to think and go into a flashback, which would be the story. If the moive was like this, then the ending could be her snapping back into her life at the moment where it would show what had become of Edie and the mailman. Edie's voice could help explain things throughtout the flashback, but I do not think that having this point of view in a movie would hurt the viewer's perception of the whole story.
Characterization
In the short story, I really liked the characters and their personalities. If it was adapted into a movie, I wouldn't really want to change the personalities of the characters, I would just want the viewer to see the characters more. If the viewer would see some of the characters more often in more scenes, I believe they would get a better feel for who they truly are. First, I know Mr. and Mrs. Peebles are never home to show how they are always busy and away from their children, but I would like themn to make a little bit more of an appearance in the movie. This was the viewer could understand them more. Also, I understand that Alice Munro wanted the story to be focused on Edie and Chris for the most part, but the reader didn't get to see Edie with the children much at all. I think that seeing Edie with the Peebles' children would characterize Edie better and show the reader what kind of family Edie was truly dealing with. Lastly, I would want to see Loretta Bird more often. She does appear in the short story a lot, but if this was adapted into a movie, I would want to see Loretta Bird at her house maybe once or twice to actually get a feel for the life she lives. If all of these characters were shown more, then the viewer would be able to characterize them all a little bit more easily.
Setting
I would definitely keep the setting the same if this story were made into a film. Like I said before, I would include the setting of Edie's actual home first, then move to the setting of the open country and the Peebles' home. This movement would help the viewer understand how durastically Edie's life was changing. She now had luxuries like washing machines that she didn't have before at her own home. Also, by showing places such as Loretta Bird's house, the viewer can compare and contrast these environments. I would definitely keep the time period the same in the short story as in the flash back, but when the movie starts and ends, the time period would be more modern to show the change in time.
Theme
The theme of the short story would coincide with that of the film. The film would also include the themes of everything happens for a reason, when one door closes, another opens, and the journey is more important than the destination. All of these themes are important to the whole meaning of the story. This is a story of suspense and situational irony. This irony is why the everything happens for a reason theme is presented. If Edie would have never met Chris then she would never have waited for the mail. Then, if she would've never waited for the mail, she would have never MET her husband. These themes are timeless and universal, and I would find no reason to change them because they need to be taught to everyone.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Film Blog - "Stand By Me"
Plot
The plot in the movie is almost exactly the same with a couple of minor exceptions. The movies still starts with talk of a dead body that they are going to see which intrigues the viewer to keep watching. The movies does follow the story very closely though. There were a couple differences between “The Body” and “Stand by Me” too. In “The Body”, I felt like Gordie and Denny (his deceased brother) did not have a close relationship, but their relationship in “Stand by Me” was completely different. Their close relationship was emphasized by a few scenes that did not appear in the short story. The movie showed Denny sticking up for his brother and caring about him when their parents did not. Denny was interested in Gordie's life by saying at the dinner table, "So Gordie, how are your writings going?" Their parents would have never been this interested in Gordie's life. Also, Denny gave Gordie his New York Yankees hat which he wears throughout the movie. For me, this relationship completely took a 180 degree turn from the short story to the movie. Also, the store clerk in the movie did not try to rip off Gordie like he did in the movie. Lastly, in the book, Gordie is the one who pushes Teddy off of the railroad tracks and Chris is the character who pulls out the gun to scare off their older brothers’ gang. In the movie this is flipped around. I think this was done to show that Gordie is the one with the intellectual ability to act when it really counts.
Point of View
The movie is still in the format of one of Gordie LaChance’s flashbacks. Also, Gordie still narrates throughout the movie, but not quite as much. This way the viewer sees the story as a whole and they don’t get into Gordie’s head as much. This also means that not as much background information is given about the boys and their families, especially Gordie’s family. The viewer can’t connect as well with the characters and Gordie in the movie because there are not as many descriptions of the boys’ feelings as there were in the book. The movie also cuts out the whole story of Stud City. I am guessing that if they were to have put this in the movie it would have been rated R for other things rather than language. I think it was a good idea to not put this story in the movie, but the viewer does not get to understand the writing abilities and imagination of this twelve year-old. The viewer will not understand this passion nearly as much as the reader of “The Body” would.
Characterization
Since Gordie does not narrate nearly as much in the movie, indirect narration is the most common way to characterize the characters in “Stand by Me.” Gordie still tells of Teddy and his father’s relationship, but besides that Gordie does not give a lot of direct characterization as he does in the short story. The boy’s characters are revealed throughout their journey. When the boys are walking along the railroad, they split up into two groups, Gordie/Chris and Teddy/Vern. Here we see the mature vs. the immature. Chris and Gordie have an intellectual conversation of moving onto junior high and Chris lectures Gordie on pursuing his love for writing and actually making something of himself and not being “dragged down by his friends.” It is clear that Chris thinks his destiny is already written and he is going to end up like his unaccomplished brother and family. Then, we see the group of boys acting their age (Vern and Teddy). They are having an important conversation about if “Mighty Mouse could beat up Superman.” Also, when the boys camp out, they have one boy stay up on look out after they hear noises. The way the boys act all alone in the woods says a lot about them. Vern is scared and just at the slightest cricket. Teddy talks to himself to break the silence. I believe that this speaks to his loneliness. Chris is not really scared at all. Lastly, the scene of teddy standing up for his dad happens the same was in the movie as it does the short story. After this incident, Teddy cries. Chris and Gordie both cry at other points in the story too. I believe this speaks of their true age no matter how old they are trying to be. These tears also represent the struggles these boys are faced with at such a young age. All in all, the actions and situations these characters are put in bring out their characters fully.
Setting
The setting in the short story and the book is different. “The Body” takes place in 1960 in a town called Castle Rock in Maine. The movie, “Stand by Me,” takes place in 1959 in the same named city (Castle Rock) but in Oregon. This city of Castle Rock is very small in both the short story and the movie. Also, the lack of parental supervision is seen in both versions of this story. The parents of these children are not very involved in their lives and don’t really mind that their children are camping and missing for two days. I understand that the boys told lies to make it work, but if this is such a small, old town, one would think that the parents would see each other often and communicate. The boys are not really cared much about by their parents and everyone assumes they will just turn out like their “looney” parents and older siblings so the boys just fall into this trap. Maybe if the society would give these boys a chance, things would be different.
Theme
Like the short story, “The Body,” the movie is also based on the growing up of a group of boys. It is a “coming of age” movie that is all about the friendship of a gang of young twelve year-old boys. Although they are not perfect and engage in dangerous pursuits, at heart the boys are good kids and loyal friends. The story focuses on the struggles of the adolescent years. The boys grow up over the course of two days. They stick together through leaches, trains, intimidating dogs, and the older gang of boys (who they are expected to turn into). Just like in the short story, they take responsibility for themselves, get through their differences, fight their problems and develop into young men.
The plot in the movie is almost exactly the same with a couple of minor exceptions. The movies still starts with talk of a dead body that they are going to see which intrigues the viewer to keep watching. The movies does follow the story very closely though. There were a couple differences between “The Body” and “Stand by Me” too. In “The Body”, I felt like Gordie and Denny (his deceased brother) did not have a close relationship, but their relationship in “Stand by Me” was completely different. Their close relationship was emphasized by a few scenes that did not appear in the short story. The movie showed Denny sticking up for his brother and caring about him when their parents did not. Denny was interested in Gordie's life by saying at the dinner table, "So Gordie, how are your writings going?" Their parents would have never been this interested in Gordie's life. Also, Denny gave Gordie his New York Yankees hat which he wears throughout the movie. For me, this relationship completely took a 180 degree turn from the short story to the movie. Also, the store clerk in the movie did not try to rip off Gordie like he did in the movie. Lastly, in the book, Gordie is the one who pushes Teddy off of the railroad tracks and Chris is the character who pulls out the gun to scare off their older brothers’ gang. In the movie this is flipped around. I think this was done to show that Gordie is the one with the intellectual ability to act when it really counts.
Point of View
The movie is still in the format of one of Gordie LaChance’s flashbacks. Also, Gordie still narrates throughout the movie, but not quite as much. This way the viewer sees the story as a whole and they don’t get into Gordie’s head as much. This also means that not as much background information is given about the boys and their families, especially Gordie’s family. The viewer can’t connect as well with the characters and Gordie in the movie because there are not as many descriptions of the boys’ feelings as there were in the book. The movie also cuts out the whole story of Stud City. I am guessing that if they were to have put this in the movie it would have been rated R for other things rather than language. I think it was a good idea to not put this story in the movie, but the viewer does not get to understand the writing abilities and imagination of this twelve year-old. The viewer will not understand this passion nearly as much as the reader of “The Body” would.
Characterization
Since Gordie does not narrate nearly as much in the movie, indirect narration is the most common way to characterize the characters in “Stand by Me.” Gordie still tells of Teddy and his father’s relationship, but besides that Gordie does not give a lot of direct characterization as he does in the short story. The boy’s characters are revealed throughout their journey. When the boys are walking along the railroad, they split up into two groups, Gordie/Chris and Teddy/Vern. Here we see the mature vs. the immature. Chris and Gordie have an intellectual conversation of moving onto junior high and Chris lectures Gordie on pursuing his love for writing and actually making something of himself and not being “dragged down by his friends.” It is clear that Chris thinks his destiny is already written and he is going to end up like his unaccomplished brother and family. Then, we see the group of boys acting their age (Vern and Teddy). They are having an important conversation about if “Mighty Mouse could beat up Superman.” Also, when the boys camp out, they have one boy stay up on look out after they hear noises. The way the boys act all alone in the woods says a lot about them. Vern is scared and just at the slightest cricket. Teddy talks to himself to break the silence. I believe that this speaks to his loneliness. Chris is not really scared at all. Lastly, the scene of teddy standing up for his dad happens the same was in the movie as it does the short story. After this incident, Teddy cries. Chris and Gordie both cry at other points in the story too. I believe this speaks of their true age no matter how old they are trying to be. These tears also represent the struggles these boys are faced with at such a young age. All in all, the actions and situations these characters are put in bring out their characters fully.
Setting
The setting in the short story and the book is different. “The Body” takes place in 1960 in a town called Castle Rock in Maine. The movie, “Stand by Me,” takes place in 1959 in the same named city (Castle Rock) but in Oregon. This city of Castle Rock is very small in both the short story and the movie. Also, the lack of parental supervision is seen in both versions of this story. The parents of these children are not very involved in their lives and don’t really mind that their children are camping and missing for two days. I understand that the boys told lies to make it work, but if this is such a small, old town, one would think that the parents would see each other often and communicate. The boys are not really cared much about by their parents and everyone assumes they will just turn out like their “looney” parents and older siblings so the boys just fall into this trap. Maybe if the society would give these boys a chance, things would be different.
Theme
Like the short story, “The Body,” the movie is also based on the growing up of a group of boys. It is a “coming of age” movie that is all about the friendship of a gang of young twelve year-old boys. Although they are not perfect and engage in dangerous pursuits, at heart the boys are good kids and loyal friends. The story focuses on the struggles of the adolescent years. The boys grow up over the course of two days. They stick together through leaches, trains, intimidating dogs, and the older gang of boys (who they are expected to turn into). Just like in the short story, they take responsibility for themselves, get through their differences, fight their problems and develop into young men.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
"The Drunkard"
The ending of this story was completely unexpected for me. I think that is what made it so funny. I'm not sure what how old the narrator (Larry) is, but just the image of some young boy being intoxicated was completely absurd in my mind. One of the questions after the story is, "Did Larry's father forswear liquor?" I do believe he did. On page 350. the father says, "Never again, never again, not if I live to be a thousand." The only other thing he could be referring to is his son and his son's drunkenness and I don't think that that would even make sense. This story also shows that some habits in this world are so hard to be broken. Here the only way that this father's habit is broken is by seeing his son do as he does. The father then realizes what an example he is setting for his child. Even on the walk home, the ladies were commenting on how the drunkards son was taking after him.
You're Ugly, Too
I have to agree with Mr. Costello that this story is just one big characterization of Zoe. This story is much more of a character-driven story than a plot- driven story. There is a line on page 363 that I believe sums up her character, "This was what she'd become: a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie." I found this quite humorous and I just believe that it completely represents Zoe's character. She is one of those woman who has to have everything perfect. I believe she is one who would live by the saying, "There is a place for everything and everything has it's place." Personally, I am a very organized person, so I can relate, but Zoe takes this organization to an obsessive compulsive level. She just seems like she focuses on making everything in her life perfect.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Lottery
I think that this story definitely ends in a way that no reader truly expects. From this odd story, one can pull out many themes, but there is one theme that I found the most interesting. I found that people sometimes do things even when they don't see value in it and sometimes just do them to do them because it is familiar and comfortable. This story is an extreme case of this theme. I'm not extremely positive why they carry on with this lottery, but I think it is just because of tradition. Also, I believe that the story alludes to a reason why this lottery started. They used to do it because they believed it would help avoid a bad harvest. The lottery has been going on for at least 77 years because of Old Man Warner. Chances are that this community has evolved from dependence on agriculture. This means that the lottery just survives because it is all that the people know. It is so custom to them that the people are brainwashed and believe that this process is alright. Seriously? They give Mrs. Hutchinson's youngest son stones to throw at his mother to kill her. This is crossing the line of insanity.
This theme still applies to situations in the world today though. Wives stay with their abusing husbands because it is all they know and they become comfortable with it. I know that we talked about this when we studied "Eveline." Change is something in the world that is usually a difficult thing for everyone. I think this trend is universal and timeless. We shouldn't expect that to change anytime soon.
This theme still applies to situations in the world today though. Wives stay with their abusing husbands because it is all they know and they become comfortable with it. I know that we talked about this when we studied "Eveline." Change is something in the world that is usually a difficult thing for everyone. I think this trend is universal and timeless. We shouldn't expect that to change anytime soon.
Popular Mechanics
4. Why is this couple splitting up? Do we know? Does it matter?
The reader never gets to find out why this couple is splitting up, but I believe that this is a detail that doesn't really matter. The reader only needs to realize that the couple is splitting up and ripping apart the life of the child. One would think that the reason for the split or divorce would need to be known, but it doesn't. This detail is just about as important as if Phoenix Jackson's grandson is dead or not in "A Worn Path." The reader isn't supposed to focus on why the parents are getting divorced, they are supposed to see the affects of the splitting of parents. In this story, the parents figuratively or literally tear their child apart because they are selfish and worry about their wants more than the child's wants. Carver wants the to convey this theme that is "popular" in today's custody battles.
The reader never gets to find out why this couple is splitting up, but I believe that this is a detail that doesn't really matter. The reader only needs to realize that the couple is splitting up and ripping apart the life of the child. One would think that the reason for the split or divorce would need to be known, but it doesn't. This detail is just about as important as if Phoenix Jackson's grandson is dead or not in "A Worn Path." The reader isn't supposed to focus on why the parents are getting divorced, they are supposed to see the affects of the splitting of parents. In this story, the parents figuratively or literally tear their child apart because they are selfish and worry about their wants more than the child's wants. Carver wants the to convey this theme that is "popular" in today's custody battles.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Short Story Blog - "The Body"
Plot
Stephan King did a fine job on the sequence of this story's plot. The interest of the reader is sparked by Vern's line, "You guys want to go see a dead body?" (pg. 299) By doing this, King is sure to have the reader's attention throughout the story because now the reader wants to see what a could of young boys will do to see a dead body up close and personal. King has the whole story in chronological order of Gordie's memories because it is essentially a memoir, but throughout the story, Gordie speaks about the present day sometimes too. "Nothing like that could happen in southwestern Maine today; most of the area has become suburbanizied, and the bedroom communities surrounding Portland and Lewistown have spread out like the tentacles of a giant squid." By expressing the plot like this, the reader truly does get the feel of an older man looking back on memories in his life. Lastly, I think it is important how the story ends. Present Gordie tells of how the young boys lived out the rest of their lives. This adds a special closing to this memory.
Point of View
"The Body" is written in the first person point of view of the character Gordon Lachance. Gordon is now older and tells this story that happened in his past. There are some advantages and disadvantages to this point of view. The reader knows that this information is reliable because the person who was actually present at the time is telling the story. Also, the reader gets to see what Gordie is thinking and feeling. These descriptions give the reader a better idea of what the moment was like. "I became acutely aware of all the noises inside me and outside me, like some crazy orchestra tuning up to play. The steady thump of my heart, the blood beat in my ears like a drum being played with brushes, the creak of sinews like the strings of a violin that has been tuned radically upward, the steady hiss of the river..." (pg.358) This point of view also has its disadvantages, because it can make the reader side with Gordie because the reader never gets to understand what the others think and feel, but I think this story did a good job of being fair to all of the characters. Lastly, I feel that the two stories that Gordie tells are an important aspect of the story. It shows Gordie's passion for writing and also shows how the other boys look up to him.
Characterization
I feel that King used both direct and indirect characterization to help the reader get a feel for the characters and their lives. King starts off the story by directly telling the reader of how Teddy got to be the way he was. "Teddy's dad took Teddy over to the big woodstove at the back of the kitchen and shoved the side of Teddy's head down against one of the cast-iron burner plates." (pg. 296) There are also direct lines such as, "He was the dumbest guy we hung around with, I guess, and he was crazy." King has to use direct characterization in the beginning of this story because it is a short story and he has to establish who these kids are and why they act the way they do early in the story for the reader to understand the rest of it. King also uses indirect characterization through the boys' language. From the way they talk, the reader can see how they have been raised and what kinds of things they value. Teddy stands up for his Father by bad-mouthing a man who is calling his father a "looney." This shows that even though his father abused him a countless amount of times, the values of a strong, close family in a small town are still present. (pg. 348)
Setting
This story takes place in 1960 in Castle Rock, Maine. This time period is very important because 1960 was in the middle of things like the Vietnam war. Technology wasn't a key to the world that they were living in. They still relied on radios for getting news. Gordie speaks of how they "all heard about it on the radio." ( Ray Brower's death ) (pg. 299) Also, this story is in the small town of Castle Rock. These were the times when children still played outside instead of playing Xbox. This combination of small town and 1960's gave the boys the ability to camp out without much worry from their parents.
Theme
I think the theme of this story could be represented by the lines on the top of some of the pages of this story, "Fall From Innocence." It is definitely a "coming of age" story. The most important part of the story is not the finding of Brower's body, it is the journey the young boy's take to get to "The Body." It shows how the young boys grow up throughout the story. They take responsibility for themselves and develop into young men by standing up for themselves in two instances. They stood up to Milo Pressman at the Dump and didn't let him get away with sticking his dog on Gordie or bad-mouthing Teddy's father. Then, when they met the older boys' "gang" (including Chris' and Vern's brother), they stood up to them too and scared them off. (It probably helped that Chris had a gun.) "Now you guys get into your cars and bomb on back to Castle Rock. After that I don't care. But you ain't getting him." (pg. 415)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Miss. Brill = Fur
7. What function does Miss Brill's fur serve in the story? What is the meaning of the final sentence?
Miss Brill's and her fur share many characteristics. They both are alone and shoved away from the world. Whether this be in a box or just confined in a room. Then, there is a time when Miss Brill and the fur get enough courage to come of of hiding, brush themselves off, and prepare to present themselves in public. When this happens they find a meaning to their life. The fur "feels wanted" and looks good on the older woman. At the same time, Miss Brill finds a purpose in her life. She feels that she is a part of life's big drama and without her, everyone would notice. Once she hits this climax in the drama she is in, she lets two other characters bring her and her fur down. Miss Brill looked upon this young boy and girl as the wonderful hero and heroine in the story, until she overhears them. They speak of her as a "stupid old thing" and they wonder " Why doesn't she keep her silly old mug at home?" Not only do they criticize her, they speak of her fun in a poor manner too. "It's her fur which is so funny, it's exactly like a fried whiting (fish)." This completely kills Miss Brill's mood. She returns to her home and her dark room as her fur is also returned to its dark box.
The last line says, "But when she put the lid on she thought she heard something crying." Since Miss Brill and the fur are parallels, I believe that this last line indirectly shows how Miss Brill wept after her Sunday encounter.
Miss Brill's and her fur share many characteristics. They both are alone and shoved away from the world. Whether this be in a box or just confined in a room. Then, there is a time when Miss Brill and the fur get enough courage to come of of hiding, brush themselves off, and prepare to present themselves in public. When this happens they find a meaning to their life. The fur "feels wanted" and looks good on the older woman. At the same time, Miss Brill finds a purpose in her life. She feels that she is a part of life's big drama and without her, everyone would notice. Once she hits this climax in the drama she is in, she lets two other characters bring her and her fur down. Miss Brill looked upon this young boy and girl as the wonderful hero and heroine in the story, until she overhears them. They speak of her as a "stupid old thing" and they wonder " Why doesn't she keep her silly old mug at home?" Not only do they criticize her, they speak of her fun in a poor manner too. "It's her fur which is so funny, it's exactly like a fried whiting (fish)." This completely kills Miss Brill's mood. She returns to her home and her dark room as her fur is also returned to its dark box.
The last line says, "But when she put the lid on she thought she heard something crying." Since Miss Brill and the fur are parallels, I believe that this last line indirectly shows how Miss Brill wept after her Sunday encounter.
Once Upon a Time
This frame story was created because of Nadine's combined thoughts of someone in her house and her hatred of writing a children's story that she didn't want to. It is apparent that she thinks that children's "once upon a time" and "happily ever after" stories aren't even worth writing because real life doesn't happen that way. She tells herself a story to go to bed. This story is what would really happen if a realistic family truly tried to live "happily ever after." I think the theme of this story is that if one tried to live a perfect life with no wrong in it, ironically, much wrong would come from it. To live "happily ever after is to have no worries. This family tries to accomplish this by pretty much incarcerating themselves from the world. The family even resorted to "concentration-camp style" barbed wire to put around their house. I think that is pushing it. This story if full of irony. Just when the family feels secure from all people with no worries, the mother reads a "once upon a time" story with a prince in it to their child. When the child tries to imitate this courageous prince and climb their security wall, he is mauled by the barbed-wire that was supposed to protect their family so well.
Phoenix
I found an article about this story that I thought was quite interesting. Just as the name Tub represented his glutenous character, the name phoenix represents her persevering character. A phoenix is a mythological bird that is said to live 500 or more years, die in flames and rise again from the ashes. Just as the phoenix bird has a cycle of life, death, and rebirth, phoenix takes a dangerous journey through the woods. She falls, gets back up and keeps on toward the goal of getting her grandson's medicine. The phoenix bird and Phoenix Jackson are also alike for other reasons. When both arrive at an obstacle, they persevere through it.
The myth also states that the phoenix bird can heal a person with just a tear from its eyes, and make them temporarily immune to death When Phoenix notices the sun above her, she talks to it: "'Sun so high!' she cried, leaning back and looking, while the thick tears went over her eyes." This passage relates her tears to the phoenix bird's tears, and shows her effort to make her grandson temporarily immune from death. This whole story is an extended metaphor between the mythical Phoenix bird and Phoenix Jackson.
Personally I found learning about this bird to be interesting because a friend of mine just had a phoenix tattooed on her back. I am not a fan of tattoos in the first place and found a tattoo of a random bird to be quite pointless, but now that I have a background of this myth, it is kind of neat to think about now.
The myth also states that the phoenix bird can heal a person with just a tear from its eyes, and make them temporarily immune to death When Phoenix notices the sun above her, she talks to it: "'Sun so high!' she cried, leaning back and looking, while the thick tears went over her eyes." This passage relates her tears to the phoenix bird's tears, and shows her effort to make her grandson temporarily immune from death. This whole story is an extended metaphor between the mythical Phoenix bird and Phoenix Jackson.
Personally I found learning about this bird to be interesting because a friend of mine just had a phoenix tattooed on her back. I am not a fan of tattoos in the first place and found a tattoo of a random bird to be quite pointless, but now that I have a background of this myth, it is kind of neat to think about now.
Escape
I believe the theme of "Eveline" is that of escape and the values of family in Ireland. The majority of the story is Eveline's contemplation on whether or not to escape the burden of her life in Ireland. I believe that any selfish person would take this route in Eveline's situation. It is clear that she works as hard as she can to keep her family as normal as possible even with an old, cruel father. Anyone with a brain would tell her to leave this situation because she deserves so much more. Personally, I think she would've taken Frank's hand and ran to to boat if it weren't for the importance of family in a small traditional country like hers.
Eveline knew that she could live without her crazy father and her nomad of a brother, but I think it was the younger children and the promise to her mother that held her back. This is a situation where staying home was the hardest and the best decision at the same time for her. This ending shows so much character of Eveline. She took a great sacrifice. Instead of cruising on a boat to a land of promise and paradise, she chose to support her family instead of abandoning them and chose the life of her mother.
Eveline knew that she could live without her crazy father and her nomad of a brother, but I think it was the younger children and the promise to her mother that held her back. This is a situation where staying home was the hardest and the best decision at the same time for her. This ending shows so much character of Eveline. She took a great sacrifice. Instead of cruising on a boat to a land of promise and paradise, she chose to support her family instead of abandoning them and chose the life of her mother.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!
In the story Everyday Use by Alice Walker, quilts are a prominent symbol. I feel that people don't see the value in handmade quilts anymore. An example of this is Dee in this story. She doesn't understand the quality of these quilts and the time it makes to create them. In this story, the two quilts wanted by Dee are made of the clothes of their grandmother. She wanted them because she liked their appearance and wanted to hang them in her house. I feel that this is the outlook of people in this generation. 30 years from now, we will not have any precious antiques that have great meaning behind them, like these quilts. In today's world, it is very rare to find teens who know how to quilt or even use a sewing machine. In earlier generations, all women knew how to quilt and sew. With new technology and women getting jobs outside of the home, I feel that these meaningful kinds of things will be lost.
Hunters in the Snow
I found this story to be actually very interesting. I want to focus on the character Tub. First of all, I found it very humorous to foreshadow the appearance of Tub with his name. I feel that Tub is definitely the most sensitive of the group. He is self conscious of his weight and in complete denial of his gluttony. He is terrified by the fact that Kenny shot a poor innocent dog. He is the most emotional character of the story. I believe he represents the feelings and emotions of humans in general. He shows his caring side when it comes to the dog, but also shows how emotions can take over humans. This occurs when he shoots Kenny! It is important that Wolff shows how both types of emotions can occur in people.
Bartleby the Scrivener
Question 2.
I think that Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are introduced to the reader before Bartleby because they show the reader what normal, every day scriveners are like. The lawyer tells of how much they work and what kind of workers they are. Since Turkey and Nippers can only focus on their work for one portion of the day, this makes Bartleby's ability to work all day a rare one. By introducing these less productive (regular) workers first, it makes Bartleby look like an extreme over-achiever. If the lawyer were to introduce Bartleby first, it would make him look like the normal, average, every day worker and the others would look like under-achievers. Also, I like that the lawyer introduces them first because it gave time to develop picture of the lawyer's office in my head. This way I pictured the office early in the story and could actually mentally see the changes made by Bartleby's arrival.
I think that Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are introduced to the reader before Bartleby because they show the reader what normal, every day scriveners are like. The lawyer tells of how much they work and what kind of workers they are. Since Turkey and Nippers can only focus on their work for one portion of the day, this makes Bartleby's ability to work all day a rare one. By introducing these less productive (regular) workers first, it makes Bartleby look like an extreme over-achiever. If the lawyer were to introduce Bartleby first, it would make him look like the normal, average, every day worker and the others would look like under-achievers. Also, I like that the lawyer introduces them first because it gave time to develop picture of the lawyer's office in my head. This way I pictured the office early in the story and could actually mentally see the changes made by Bartleby's arrival.
Every Day Use
Question 4.
I believe that the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicated a permanent change in her. The mother had always been so giving to her daughters. Personally, I think that she was one of those mothers who will do anything for their children. Well, until this moment. It isn't that the mother changed in her giving ways, she was just standing up for herself and Maggie. Dee (Wangaro) moved away from her family and was practically embarrasses by their existence. She even tells her mother that she will come back for holidays, but she won't even think of bringing friends. I am glad that the mother finally stood up for herself because Dee was ashamed of her family, but wanted the best of everything from them. This is completely wrong.
I believe that the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicated a permanent change in her. The mother had always been so giving to her daughters. Personally, I think that she was one of those mothers who will do anything for their children. Well, until this moment. It isn't that the mother changed in her giving ways, she was just standing up for herself and Maggie. Dee (Wangaro) moved away from her family and was practically embarrasses by their existence. She even tells her mother that she will come back for holidays, but she won't even think of bringing friends. I am glad that the mother finally stood up for herself because Dee was ashamed of her family, but wanted the best of everything from them. This is completely wrong.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Interpreter of Maladies
" When he finished writing his address Mr. Kapasi handed her the paper, but as soon as he did so he worried that he had with either misspelled his name, or accidentally reversed the numbers of his postal code."(pg.157)
Personally, I think that this piece of paper that Mr. Kapasi wrote his address on is a main symbol in this story. It gives Mr. Kapasi so much hope and joy. He was so concerned that he wrote the wrong address down and that he might not ever talk to Mrs. Das again. He even goes as far to say that just the thought of her going back to the United States and being so far away from him made him want to embrace her in an instent. To me, this paper represented infatuation and the worthlessness of it. Mrs. Das just shoves the paper in her purse with not much care. Then, after she tells Mr. Kapasi her secret she realizes how her life must change and the true love that she must have for her children. At the end of the story, she is so concerned with her child that she passed by like a stranger a few hours before that she doesn't even notice "the slip of paper with Mr. Kapasi's address on it flutter away in the wind." I think by finally letting her secret out, she also let go of the infatuations in her life and finally realized the importance of her family.
Personally, I think that this piece of paper that Mr. Kapasi wrote his address on is a main symbol in this story. It gives Mr. Kapasi so much hope and joy. He was so concerned that he wrote the wrong address down and that he might not ever talk to Mrs. Das again. He even goes as far to say that just the thought of her going back to the United States and being so far away from him made him want to embrace her in an instent. To me, this paper represented infatuation and the worthlessness of it. Mrs. Das just shoves the paper in her purse with not much care. Then, after she tells Mr. Kapasi her secret she realizes how her life must change and the true love that she must have for her children. At the end of the story, she is so concerned with her child that she passed by like a stranger a few hours before that she doesn't even notice "the slip of paper with Mr. Kapasi's address on it flutter away in the wind." I think by finally letting her secret out, she also let go of the infatuations in her life and finally realized the importance of her family.
A Rose for Emily
4. Contrast the order of events as they happen in the story with the order in which they are told. How does this plotting create interest and suspense?
- This story starts out by putting the scene of Emily's funeral at the beginning of the story. It also starts with the description of the house that Emily lived in. The details from these two scenes urge the reader to find out how everything led up to this. The author creates suspense by putting the ending scenes at the beginning of the short story. After these ending scenes, the story goes back into time about 10 or so years to when Miss Emily lost her father. From here on out, the story is in chronological order until the reasoning for her death is explained.
If Faulkner were to have started the story with the death of Emily's father, I think it would have been less interesting to read and harder to follow. It would have just seemed like another boring story about an old woman's death. Also, by writing the story this way, Faulkner kind of made it into a mystery story with all of the nasty smells and by the way that nobody ever saw anyone really enter or leave the house.
- This story starts out by putting the scene of Emily's funeral at the beginning of the story. It also starts with the description of the house that Emily lived in. The details from these two scenes urge the reader to find out how everything led up to this. The author creates suspense by putting the ending scenes at the beginning of the short story. After these ending scenes, the story goes back into time about 10 or so years to when Miss Emily lost her father. From here on out, the story is in chronological order until the reasoning for her death is explained.
If Faulkner were to have started the story with the death of Emily's father, I think it would have been less interesting to read and harder to follow. It would have just seemed like another boring story about an old woman's death. Also, by writing the story this way, Faulkner kind of made it into a mystery story with all of the nasty smells and by the way that nobody ever saw anyone really enter or leave the house.
How I Met My Husband
I was very entertained by this short story. It kept me interested and found it to be very cute (probably because I am a teenage girl). Anyways, I believe it is my favorite because of the themes it carries in the closing pages. The themes presented are when one door closes, another opens, everything happens for a reason and what it meant to be will always find a way. Even though these are trite sayings, I find truth in them especially in this story. If Edie wasn't so obsessed over receiving the letter from Chris, she would have never met the mailman. This shows how in the end, no matter what obstacles are placed in ones way, everything is placed in one's life for a reason. Alice had to experience people like Alice Kelling calling her a "filthy little rag," but in the end it all happened for a reason. What was meant to be, happened in the end. It took all of the time, pain, and events for Edie to find her true husband and finally be happy.
How I Met My Husband
I feel that How I Met My Husband is a very well-written story. It is my personal favorite out of the three stories in the Plot and Structure unit. My favorite quality in this story is the use of situational irony. I had a feeling in the beginning of the story that the pilot was going to be a main character and probably the "husband" mentioned in the title. I believe that everyone initially believes this. The author cleverly comes up with a way to twist the story so that outcome is very different from what the reader assumes. In this story, the "husband" referred to in the title does not appear until the last couple of paragraphs.
Also, I believe that Munro incorporates the aspect of suspense into this story perfectly. This story is so suspenseful that as I was reading it, I was tempted to skip paragraphs just to get to the dialogue. I found that I was doing this most during the encounters of Edie and Chris. This author definitely sparked my curiosity throughout the story. I believe that suspense and the craving to read more are very important qualities for authors to use because they keep the reader interested and focused.
Also, I believe that Munro incorporates the aspect of suspense into this story perfectly. This story is so suspenseful that as I was reading it, I was tempted to skip paragraphs just to get to the dialogue. I found that I was doing this most during the encounters of Edie and Chris. This author definitely sparked my curiosity throughout the story. I believe that suspense and the craving to read more are very important qualities for authors to use because they keep the reader interested and focused.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
That Time of Year
Old English has always been a challenge for me along with things written by Shakespeare. I looked up some analysis on this poem because it was hard for me to understand. I could see that it was about winter and death, but the analysis let me know that it was about a man's youth dying. I re-read the poem, and it makes more sense because I think I read over the line, "That on the ashes of his youth doth lie." This poem is about how time ages the body. Youth is something that is cherished but it doesn't last forever. I think that colors also help get this point across. The yellow leaves represent the man's bright and happy youth while the black night is ominous and is going to take the man's youth away from him.
Delight in Disorder
Imperfection is the perfect state for the speaker. He/She sees disorder as a good thing. The speaker expresses his/her love for imperfection through the description of clothing. This poem also contains a pattern as one moves throughout it. The clothing that is spoke about starts at the head/neck by speaking of a scarf and the moves down the body and ends by talking about the shoestrings. Also, this theme of disorder is expressed through the rhyme scheme too. Lines 1 & 2 , 9&10, 13& 14, and 7& 11 rhyme with each other. There isn't a perfect organized rhyming scheme. Lastly, I think the writer used some confusing oxymorons because oxymorons could be considered disorderly by them self. "Wild Civility" is one used when talking about the shoe string.
Edward
Wow! The first thing I would have to say is that if I wrote this poem, I wouldn't want to claim its insanity either. The whole plot of this poem is completely twisted. I didn't realize what had happened till my small group talked about the poem and somebody joked about the mother being the psycho one. Then, I realized that when the boy told his mother of his father's death, she wasn't sad in the least bit. The mother only cares about where the material items and property will go to since they are not legally her son's. She is so concerned with what everyone will possess since the death of her husband. The son explains to her that she will only get "the curse of hell from me [Edward] shall ye [mother] bear." Edward blames her for raising him the way that she did. She is the reason why his dear father is dead.
The pattern in this poem goes from what least matters to the mother to what is cherished by the mother. The poem starts off talking about animals. Then, it goes from the father to penance to possessions and land to Edward's children and wife to the most important, herself. Also, the same lines are repeated throughout the poem and the structure of every stanza is the same.
The pattern in this poem goes from what least matters to the mother to what is cherished by the mother. The poem starts off talking about animals. Then, it goes from the father to penance to possessions and land to Edward's children and wife to the most important, herself. Also, the same lines are repeated throughout the poem and the structure of every stanza is the same.
Lonely Hearts
This poem is comes across as a very odd poem to me. I feel like the speaker is searching for a new love on eHarmony in each stanza. What is ironic about the whole poem is that the speaker isn't searching for a gorgeous blonde-haired beauty who is skinny with tanned skin or a muscular manly man with a perfect smile. The speaker is explaining people who would almost be considered outcasts in our society. If there is such thing as "normal", these people explained would not be a part of it. This could mean two different things. Either the speaker is picky with their choice of "lover" or they are desperate. I think that the speaker is desperate because of the title "Lonely Hearts." When people have a lonely heart, they will do anything to make it feel whole again.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
"Getting Out"
The whole process of divorce is devastating in general. Personally, I would call it one of my worst fears. So much goes along with it and there just doesn't seem to be an easy way out. One of my friends has parents who are going through a divorce right now and it is definitely not easy on the family.
In the beginning of the poem, the speaker uses the word we. Then, in the middle stanza, the speaker uses I and you. This change of word just shows how they slowly separate. The worst part about this poem is the tone. I can hear the speaker actually saying there words in my mind. Their nostalgic, reminiscent, and sorrowful tone is clearly shown through these words. I actually felt sympathy for the speaker after reading this poem. It is obvious that breaking apart was a hard route. The speaker shows this by two paradoxes at the end of the poem, "taking hands we walked apart" and "we held on tight, and let go."
In the beginning of the poem, the speaker uses the word we. Then, in the middle stanza, the speaker uses I and you. This change of word just shows how they slowly separate. The worst part about this poem is the tone. I can hear the speaker actually saying there words in my mind. Their nostalgic, reminiscent, and sorrowful tone is clearly shown through these words. I actually felt sympathy for the speaker after reading this poem. It is obvious that breaking apart was a hard route. The speaker shows this by two paradoxes at the end of the poem, "taking hands we walked apart" and "we held on tight, and let go."
The Apparition
The biggest thing to get from this poem was definitely the tone. I felt as if I could actually hear this man's threat to his lover. This man is saying that if his lover goes off with this imaginary man and thinks she is free, she won't be because he is going to come and haunt her. The speaker gives off this foreboding and creepy tone which makes him almost seem like a stalker or something. He goes far enough to say that this new and imaginary man will not even be able to protect her.
Donne also has some imagery that contributes to this eerie theme. "Then thy sick candle will begin to wink." This text gives this creepy mental image of a candle flickering in the silent darkness, but the use of personification here just adds to the creepiness. Winking is just an uncomfortable action in general. It can freak people out and it is just awkward.
Donne also has some imagery that contributes to this eerie theme. "Then thy sick candle will begin to wink." This text gives this creepy mental image of a candle flickering in the silent darkness, but the use of personification here just adds to the creepiness. Winking is just an uncomfortable action in general. It can freak people out and it is just awkward.
Crossing the Bar
I really enjoyed this poem , but it was probably because I found it the easiest to interpret. The most prominent literary device in this poem would have to be the extended metaphor of crossing over to death throughout the piece. In the poem, I believe the "Bar" is actually a sand bar, but it serves as the point where one crosses into the afterlife. The "boundless deep" is referred to as home, so this has to be the unknown life of heaven where everyone is welcomed and feels comfortable. Lastly, the Pilot is Jesus or God, whom the narrator wants to meet.
Death in this poem is not looked upon as a terrible thing. It is quite the opposite actually. When speaking of life after man passes, the speaker has an optimistic and hopeful tone. There must be "no moaning of the bar" which means that people should not be sad. The speaker also says that "there be no sadness of farewell." The speaker is ready for that after life and I think it is fair to say that the speaker might even be looking forward to it.
Death in this poem is not looked upon as a terrible thing. It is quite the opposite actually. When speaking of life after man passes, the speaker has an optimistic and hopeful tone. There must be "no moaning of the bar" which means that people should not be sad. The speaker also says that "there be no sadness of farewell." The speaker is ready for that after life and I think it is fair to say that the speaker might even be looking forward to it.
My Mistress' Eyes
"Your eyes sparkle like the stars above at night."
Seriously? Do these kinds of statements really impress the ladies? I find saying like these to be trite and cheesy because there is no possible way that they could be true. After realizing that Shakespeare wasn't being rude in this poem, I started to see the truth in his words. If some body's eyes were really like the sun, they would be hard to look into. Also, would a man really like a woman with skin as white as the snow? These are unrealistic things that probably wouldn't be attractive even if they were true. This poem satirizes people who write things like this in literature. This use of satire is helps the sarcastic tone of the poem stick out. When I first read the poem, I read it with a kind of harsh tone, but at the end when I realized what Shakespeare was doing, I re-read the poem in a sarcastic tone and it made much more sense.
Seriously? Do these kinds of statements really impress the ladies? I find saying like these to be trite and cheesy because there is no possible way that they could be true. After realizing that Shakespeare wasn't being rude in this poem, I started to see the truth in his words. If some body's eyes were really like the sun, they would be hard to look into. Also, would a man really like a woman with skin as white as the snow? These are unrealistic things that probably wouldn't be attractive even if they were true. This poem satirizes people who write things like this in literature. This use of satire is helps the sarcastic tone of the poem stick out. When I first read the poem, I read it with a kind of harsh tone, but at the end when I realized what Shakespeare was doing, I re-read the poem in a sarcastic tone and it made much more sense.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Ozymandias
I thought this poem was very interesting and had a good moral to it. This king, Ozymandias, seemed to have greatly oppressed his people. He thought that he would become the greatest king with all of the power if he did this. In the poem, all that is left of him are the legs and the head of a statue of him. He really left his mark, didn't he? I think this poem represents the idea that people get nothing accomplished by bossing others around and thinking that they are better than everyone else. When it comes down to it, these kinds of actions will only lead to defeat and damage to everyone. All people were created equal, so when people try to rule others, problems will always arise. It is just quite ironic that this "king of kings" has left nothing behind on this earth but rubble and remains of a statue.
Barbie Doll
Personally, I liked this poem because it portrays today's society very well. Girls have so much pressure that is put on them when it comes to looks and actions. Younger girls who are going through their "awkward" stage always feel as if everybody's eyes are upon them. Our society today is very sad. Girls get terrible examples of how to look or act through magazines, television, the Internet, and music. Public sources say what is "cool" and what isn't. Teenage girls really take these examples to heart.I am just glad that Marge Piercy wasn't afraid to just tell it like it is when it comes to these societal problems. Nobody is perfect, but every girl strives to be in their teenage years.
next to of course god america i
#11
This piece of poetry was definitely my favorite our of this section. I have always believed that if people don't truly think about what they are saying when they say it, they don't really mean it. The words we all utter in songs about our country or even the pledge to our country are some of the most beautiful and meaningful words we will ever utter. Even though they are extremely important and people die for these words, I would have to say that most Americans just recite these words like "The Night Before Christmas" poem. I would venture to say that most people don't think about it, they just say it. This is a satirical poem because it is trying to change the way people view these forms of honor to our country, the land of the free. There is no capitalization in the quote from the man speaking. I believe this represents the lack of respect that we give our country when saying the pledge. Also, there is almost no punctuation which represents the speed that we utter these songs and the pledge. We go so fast sometimes that we are saying words just to say them.
This piece of poetry was definitely my favorite our of this section. I have always believed that if people don't truly think about what they are saying when they say it, they don't really mean it. The words we all utter in songs about our country or even the pledge to our country are some of the most beautiful and meaningful words we will ever utter. Even though they are extremely important and people die for these words, I would have to say that most Americans just recite these words like "The Night Before Christmas" poem. I would venture to say that most people don't think about it, they just say it. This is a satirical poem because it is trying to change the way people view these forms of honor to our country, the land of the free. There is no capitalization in the quote from the man speaking. I believe this represents the lack of respect that we give our country when saying the pledge. Also, there is almost no punctuation which represents the speed that we utter these songs and the pledge. We go so fast sometimes that we are saying words just to say them.
Batter my heart, three-personed God
#13
In general, this is a very strong and touching poem, but I think that the author wanted to get one of his main points across by using paradoxes. Donne wanted to let the reader know that most of the time, situations have to get worse before they truly get better. For example, the text says "If you don't imprison me, I will never be free." This makes no sense when read literally, but the speaker will never be free from sin if they aren't punished and repremanded. This whole poem can be summed up by the theme "Break me down to Build me up." The human race will never know how to do things the right way if they don't get punished for the wrong. Also, once we have done wrong, we can't just sprint back to where we were before we fell behind. We have to learn to crawl, then stand, then walk, then jog, and finally reach where we were. It's a hard thing to do, but sometimes our hearts have to be battered before they are renewed.
In general, this is a very strong and touching poem, but I think that the author wanted to get one of his main points across by using paradoxes. Donne wanted to let the reader know that most of the time, situations have to get worse before they truly get better. For example, the text says "If you don't imprison me, I will never be free." This makes no sense when read literally, but the speaker will never be free from sin if they aren't punished and repremanded. This whole poem can be summed up by the theme "Break me down to Build me up." The human race will never know how to do things the right way if they don't get punished for the wrong. Also, once we have done wrong, we can't just sprint back to where we were before we fell behind. We have to learn to crawl, then stand, then walk, then jog, and finally reach where we were. It's a hard thing to do, but sometimes our hearts have to be battered before they are renewed.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
February ... Cat = Human
February was easily my favorite poem out of the collection we read this week. My favorite part was the truth she spoke about the Winter months. I would also have to say that I liked her extended comparison of cats and humans through out the poem. I believe that the poem is based around this metaphor. In the beginning of the poem, the cat expresses his indifference towards the human. I also think that humans can have this indifference too. To me, indifference is not a very good thing. I feel that we should all care about decisions and what is happening in out lives and in the lives of others, but unfortunately, this mind set is a reality in the human race. Atwood expresses that if humans were treated the same way other animals were treated (snip humans, or humans eat their young), life would be much easier. "But it's love that does us in. Over and over again." This might be my favorite part of the poem because it shows how humans have true and honest feelings that make us who we are and no matter what, love is what dictates our life.
February
In my opinion, the only thing Winter is good for is Christmas. I love the Holiday Season and everything that leads up to it, but once it hits December 26th, there isn't much to look forward to until Spring Break. The days are long and dark and one drives to school in the dark and returns home in the dark. If it werent for windows, nobody would even know that the sun actually comes up. This poem expresses my feelings of winter and the "month of despair" but maybe expresses them to a greater extreme. I found Atwood to be hilarious. Once I understood the just of the poem, I couldn't agree more with her. During winter, some days the toughest thing to to is to just get up out of one's warm and comfortable bed.
Dream Deferred
# 10/11
This poem has some very interesting imagery. Five of the six images are similes. The last image, "Or does it explode?" is a metaphor. Langston wants to give the reader a mental image of what will happen when a dream is put off and pushed aside. I think it is very important that the first four images are posed as rhetorical questions to the reader. Hughes is trying to make his audience see this image and visually imagine what will happen if people do not act upon their dreams. One will keep thinking about their dream and it will start to bug them. Also, once the prime time for the dream to be put in action passes, the chance for change and new experience is lost. Maybe it will even start to become sugarcoated and bring the dreamer down. Maybe, just maybe, it will explode and affect everyone around it and associated with it.
This poem has some very interesting imagery. Five of the six images are similes. The last image, "Or does it explode?" is a metaphor. Langston wants to give the reader a mental image of what will happen when a dream is put off and pushed aside. I think it is very important that the first four images are posed as rhetorical questions to the reader. Hughes is trying to make his audience see this image and visually imagine what will happen if people do not act upon their dreams. One will keep thinking about their dream and it will start to bug them. Also, once the prime time for the dream to be put in action passes, the chance for change and new experience is lost. Maybe it will even start to become sugarcoated and bring the dreamer down. Maybe, just maybe, it will explode and affect everyone around it and associated with it.
I taste a liquor never brewed
# 7
Look around, Nature is intoxicating.
Through out this entire poem, Dickinson speaks of the world around her and how one can get drunk of off experiencing nature. She gets drunk off of the air and dew. Then, she talks about how she gets drunk by the summer days with the blue skies. The third stanza talks about how she will drink and get drunk off of nature forever. This drunkenness is a good thing. I actually liked this poem because I am someone who thinks that the world today passes by nature and doesn't really "take it all in" as much as we should. We definitely take it for granted. Also, this poems give me hope that Dickinson also had some good thoughts in her head.
Look around, Nature is intoxicating.
Through out this entire poem, Dickinson speaks of the world around her and how one can get drunk of off experiencing nature. She gets drunk off of the air and dew. Then, she talks about how she gets drunk by the summer days with the blue skies. The third stanza talks about how she will drink and get drunk off of nature forever. This drunkenness is a good thing. I actually liked this poem because I am someone who thinks that the world today passes by nature and doesn't really "take it all in" as much as we should. We definitely take it for granted. Also, this poems give me hope that Dickinson also had some good thoughts in her head.
P.S. Picture is from SFS. Twilight Peak/Crater Lake
Bright Star
#11
This whole new section of poems that we are studying is centered around figurative language. I found it very fitting that the first poem to study was a huge apostrophe. The speaker it directly addressing a star throughout the poem. He speaks of all the qualities he likes about being a star and how great it would be to be steadfast, but he doesn't want to be alone like the bright star. He wants to be steadfast only if he can have his lover forever or die at the peak of their love. I found his worry of being alone kind of ironic though. Everyone always says that stars are countless and there are millions of them. Why was this one star thought to be alone?
This whole new section of poems that we are studying is centered around figurative language. I found it very fitting that the first poem to study was a huge apostrophe. The speaker it directly addressing a star throughout the poem. He speaks of all the qualities he likes about being a star and how great it would be to be steadfast, but he doesn't want to be alone like the bright star. He wants to be steadfast only if he can have his lover forever or die at the peak of their love. I found his worry of being alone kind of ironic though. Everyone always says that stars are countless and there are millions of them. Why was this one star thought to be alone?
Thursday, September 9, 2010
To Autumn
To Autumn is a great example of imagery. Autumn is my favorite season, so I may be biased, but I believe the picture drawn with these words is a beautiful one. I believe that Keats set this poem up to be in the format of a fall day. First, there are three stanzas which I believe represent morning, afternoon, and evening. The first stanza begins with talk of the beginning of fall when everything is "plump" and "ripe." He refers to a lot of fruit here in stanza one. Stanza two contains my favorite part of autumn, cider. I believe here he is explaining the middle days of fall where everything is being reaped because the end of fall is near. The last stanza represents the end of fall. Keats give the image of the sun setting. ("While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, and tough the stubble-plains with rosy hue") The day and the season are "soft[ly] dying." He says that "gnats mourn", "full-grown lambs bleat", and "the red-breast whistles softly." The last image he gives the reader is the image of swallows twittering and gathering food for the winter.
Those Winter Sundays
This was one of my favorite poems out of the eight. For me, it really hit home. I know that I do not thank my parents enough for all they do for me. I do not even realize half of the sacrifices they make to give me a life that they could only dream of. The line, "No one ever thanked him" really made me think. Do I always thank people for the things they go out of their way to do for me? Do I thank people for the little things in life? I know that I am very blessed to have the family and community that I have, but I do think that I take it for granted too much. Lastly, I want to make reference to the last couple lines of the poem. "What did I know, what did I know of love's austere and lonely offices?" This is where the idea of tough love is presented. Sometimes when someone is strict, they aren't trying to punish you, they are actually looking out for you. This kind of care represents a hidden love.
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain
#15
I have to say that my impression of Emily Dickinson has not changed after reading this poem. I would definitely have to describe her as a very unique writer. In this poem, Emily truly emphasized the sense of sound. The speaker is in the casket and can not see or say anything, so they rely on their ears. The speaker hears the people "treading- treading" and there was a drum "beating- beating." He/She hears the people lift the box and then "all the Heavens were a Bell." The function of these sounds is to make the reader realize what it would be like in the "box." This poem can be interpreted in many ways, but I feel that the speaker is going through a mental breakdown. This poem makes me see an image of a person with this blank look on there face, but their brain is going crazy with noise.
I have to say that my impression of Emily Dickinson has not changed after reading this poem. I would definitely have to describe her as a very unique writer. In this poem, Emily truly emphasized the sense of sound. The speaker is in the casket and can not see or say anything, so they rely on their ears. The speaker hears the people "treading- treading" and there was a drum "beating- beating." He/She hears the people lift the box and then "all the Heavens were a Bell." The function of these sounds is to make the reader realize what it would be like in the "box." This poem can be interpreted in many ways, but I feel that the speaker is going through a mental breakdown. This poem makes me see an image of a person with this blank look on there face, but their brain is going crazy with noise.
The Widow's Lament in Springtime
#12
In this poem, the season of Spring is portrayed again, but not really in the same way. This widow used to love Springtime, but ever since her husband has passed, it could almost be considered a haunting season for the widow. Even though this is a rather depressing poem, there are many symbols in it. The woman is in her yard in the poem. Her yard is a confined area which represents her familiar sorrow. The widow's son tells her about a meadow with beautiful white flowers, but there was a woods in between the meadow and her yard. The meadow represents a peaceful and unfamiliar place with no boundaries. This is a place for her to move on and get away from her sorrows, but first she must go through the woods. This forest is symbolic of the rough times she will have to go through to reach the peaceful meadow. Lastly, I believe the white flowers are a symbol of her husband in her life. These white flowers are found on a plum tree in her yard where all of her memories are with her husband. Also, her son speaks of white flowers in the meadow in the distance. This means that even if she moves on away from her sorrows, her husband will always be with her.
In this poem, the season of Spring is portrayed again, but not really in the same way. This widow used to love Springtime, but ever since her husband has passed, it could almost be considered a haunting season for the widow. Even though this is a rather depressing poem, there are many symbols in it. The woman is in her yard in the poem. Her yard is a confined area which represents her familiar sorrow. The widow's son tells her about a meadow with beautiful white flowers, but there was a woods in between the meadow and her yard. The meadow represents a peaceful and unfamiliar place with no boundaries. This is a place for her to move on and get away from her sorrows, but first she must go through the woods. This forest is symbolic of the rough times she will have to go through to reach the peaceful meadow. Lastly, I believe the white flowers are a symbol of her husband in her life. These white flowers are found on a plum tree in her yard where all of her memories are with her husband. Also, her son speaks of white flowers in the meadow in the distance. This means that even if she moves on away from her sorrows, her husband will always be with her.
Spring
#11
I particularly like this poem. Spring is a season that I believe everyone should enjoy because who doesn't like to start over fresh and new after a dark cold winter? In this poem, I believe Hopkins' use of alliteration is very clever and wise. When I began reading this poem, the emphasized syllables beginning with the same letter gave a nice sound to the poem. It was almost a pure and precious sound. This is how the season of Spring should be portrayed. Spring is a time for new beginnings and nature is one of the best examples of this fresh start. His imagery is so clear here that I could actually create a vivid picture of an open field with flowers, trees, leaves, weeds and racing lambs.
I particularly like this poem. Spring is a season that I believe everyone should enjoy because who doesn't like to start over fresh and new after a dark cold winter? In this poem, I believe Hopkins' use of alliteration is very clever and wise. When I began reading this poem, the emphasized syllables beginning with the same letter gave a nice sound to the poem. It was almost a pure and precious sound. This is how the season of Spring should be portrayed. Spring is a time for new beginnings and nature is one of the best examples of this fresh start. His imagery is so clear here that I could actually create a vivid picture of an open field with flowers, trees, leaves, weeds and racing lambs.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Perrine Poetry Blog
Poetry has always been one of my favorite styles of writing. I think it is a beautiful, short, to the point way of getting the writers ideas or thoughts across. When I first began to read the Perrine's thoughts on poetry, I became a little perturbed. I believe that poems can be interpreted in more than one way. In the beginning of his writing, Perrine contradicts himself. He says that there is only one correct interpretation of a poem, but then proceeds to tell the reader that when he passed out the Emily Dickinson poem to other students and colleagues, "not one of them interpreted the poem as I did." This obviously shows that every mind cannot think the exact same thing, but he still says there is only one "correct" answer? This threw me off. Poetry inspires the reader and most of the time, the reader receives a message that they absorb and carry with them. Is is right to tell them that the personal message they received s incorrect?
I began to understand Perrine a little more when he started speaking about symbols and meanings. Symbols do not have infinite meanings. When people begin to assume details, their interpretations of a work can become quite off, but I like Perrine's thoughts about the "cone of light" that he brings up. I believe that poetry can strike people differently, but in reason. Readers can't just make the poem whatever they want it to be. Details do need to match up and there must be a good reasoning for their thoughts. As long as their thoughts are somewhere in the cone of light, I believe they are acceptable. Even though Perrine was not on my favorite list when I began reading this article, I do believe the last sentence holds the true meaning of this work. " Any correct interpretation must satisfactorily explain the details of the poem without being contradicted by any detail; the best interpretations will reply on the fewest assumptions not grounded in the poem itself. "
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hemingway = Cohn?
" settled in Paris, where he became part of the expatriate circle..."
" Hemingway became not only the voice of the "lost generation" but the preeminent writer of his time."
" Hemingway returned to the United States..."
(About the Author)
After reading the book and About the Author I realized a similarity. I think that Hemingway put himself in this book as the character Robert Cohn. Both people were Americans, moved to Paris, began writing, moved back to the United States for a book, and wanted to travel. They have to be the same person. So does this mean not many people accepted Hemingway? He wrote a bunch of books and was even awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. He must have known what he was doing then. He died by suicide in 1961. If he took his own life, he must have not been living his life all the way up. I could also see Cohn taking his life after he beat up Romero. The reader doesn't know what happens after Cohn leaves, but I think that it would be a quite accurate inference.
" Hemingway became not only the voice of the "lost generation" but the preeminent writer of his time."
" Hemingway returned to the United States..."
(About the Author)
After reading the book and About the Author I realized a similarity. I think that Hemingway put himself in this book as the character Robert Cohn. Both people were Americans, moved to Paris, began writing, moved back to the United States for a book, and wanted to travel. They have to be the same person. So does this mean not many people accepted Hemingway? He wrote a bunch of books and was even awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. He must have known what he was doing then. He died by suicide in 1961. If he took his own life, he must have not been living his life all the way up. I could also see Cohn taking his life after he beat up Romero. The reader doesn't know what happens after Cohn leaves, but I think that it would be a quite accurate inference.
The End
"Oh, Jake," Brett said, "we could have had such a damned god time together." Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me. "Yes" I said. "Isn't it pretty to think so?" (pg. 251)
The end of the book was very confusing to me. Jake cares about Brett so much that she could me 1,000 miles away and I am sure a telegram with ten words on it asking him to come to her, and he leaves right away. She won't give Jake the time of day because he can't have sex with he, but whenever she needs him, he is there. I think Jake likes being needed. He likes to dream about what they could have.
This last quotation of the book didn't make much sense to me, so I went to sparknotes to see if that would help. It said there was a meaning behind the policeman stopping the cab. Brett needs to stop dreaming of what could've been because it will never happen. Why focus on the past when it can't be changed?
I think the one thing I actually understood about the ending was that Jake is torn and internally sad because he really did love her once, but for reasons he had no control over, she wouldn't be with him.
The end of the book was very confusing to me. Jake cares about Brett so much that she could me 1,000 miles away and I am sure a telegram with ten words on it asking him to come to her, and he leaves right away. She won't give Jake the time of day because he can't have sex with he, but whenever she needs him, he is there. I think Jake likes being needed. He likes to dream about what they could have.
This last quotation of the book didn't make much sense to me, so I went to sparknotes to see if that would help. It said there was a meaning behind the policeman stopping the cab. Brett needs to stop dreaming of what could've been because it will never happen. Why focus on the past when it can't be changed?
I think the one thing I actually understood about the ending was that Jake is torn and internally sad because he really did love her once, but for reasons he had no control over, she wouldn't be with him.
Through Jake's Eyes
" At noon we were all at the cafe. It was crowded. We were eating shrimps and drinking beer. The town was crowded." (pg.209)
This whole book is from a first person point of view, just like "The Things They Carried." Jake is the one who is telling this story. The reader sees everything the way Jake does. I was thinking what the book would be like if Brett was telling the story. What does she truly think about life, herself, and all the men she had relationships with? I would love to read a book from her point of view, even though I am not very fond of her. Maybe even a book from Cohn's point of view. Did he realize that the people didn't want him around and almost everyone shunned him quietly if not publicly.
One reason why I really enjoyed the Twilight series is because of the change of point of views throughout the book. I liked being able to get inside of each characters head at some point and be able to see what they are truly thinking and feeling.
This whole book is from a first person point of view, just like "The Things They Carried." Jake is the one who is telling this story. The reader sees everything the way Jake does. I was thinking what the book would be like if Brett was telling the story. What does she truly think about life, herself, and all the men she had relationships with? I would love to read a book from her point of view, even though I am not very fond of her. Maybe even a book from Cohn's point of view. Did he realize that the people didn't want him around and almost everyone shunned him quietly if not publicly.
One reason why I really enjoyed the Twilight series is because of the change of point of views throughout the book. I liked being able to get inside of each characters head at some point and be able to see what they are truly thinking and feeling.
Twisted
"Why he went in and found Brett and the bull-fighter chap in the bull-fighter's room, and then he massacred the poor, bloody bull-fighter."
-Mike (pg.205)
This whole situation is very twisted. If Mike is the one who is supposed to be marrying Brett, why is Cohn the one who is getting so upset over Brett having another relationship with a teenage boy. Mike doesn't seem like he is going to be a good husband. Is Mike just used to it now? Why would he settle for her if this is what their relationship is going to be like? I don't understand why it doesn't bother him.
Plus, going back to one of my earlier blogs, is Romero truly living his life to the fullest? I don't know how his life is any different than anyone else's. I don't know about anyone else, but to live my life to the fullest, I don't want to have to get beaten up.
-Mike (pg.205)
This whole situation is very twisted. If Mike is the one who is supposed to be marrying Brett, why is Cohn the one who is getting so upset over Brett having another relationship with a teenage boy. Mike doesn't seem like he is going to be a good husband. Is Mike just used to it now? Why would he settle for her if this is what their relationship is going to be like? I don't understand why it doesn't bother him.
Plus, going back to one of my earlier blogs, is Romero truly living his life to the fullest? I don't know how his life is any different than anyone else's. I don't know about anyone else, but to live my life to the fullest, I don't want to have to get beaten up.
Seriously Brett?
"I'm a goner. I'm mad about the Romero boy. I'm in love with him. I think." - Brett (pg. 187)
Here we go again. I just don't think Brett is ever satisfied with any man she is with. Now she is turning to a 19 year old boy. Seriously? I just don't think she could be "in love" with so many guys in her lifetime. I wonder if Brett would've been like this if he first love in war didn't die of dysentery. Who knows?
Anyways, I think that in this book Brett could be described as a static character. Her personality and morals definitely do not change as one moves through the book. She is such a lost woman. Also on page 187 she says to Jake, "I've got to do something. I've got to do something I really want to do. I've lost my self-respect." This made me realize that her situation is actually very sad. One could say she is almost addicted and once she sees something she wants, she has to have it.
Here we go again. I just don't think Brett is ever satisfied with any man she is with. Now she is turning to a 19 year old boy. Seriously? I just don't think she could be "in love" with so many guys in her lifetime. I wonder if Brett would've been like this if he first love in war didn't die of dysentery. Who knows?
Anyways, I think that in this book Brett could be described as a static character. Her personality and morals definitely do not change as one moves through the book. She is such a lost woman. Also on page 187 she says to Jake, "I've got to do something. I've got to do something I really want to do. I've lost my self-respect." This made me realize that her situation is actually very sad. One could say she is almost addicted and once she sees something she wants, she has to have it.
America gets the Cold Shoulder
" Do you know the American ambassador?" - Montoya
" Everybody knows the American ambassador." - Jake
"I've just had a message from them at the Grand Hotel that they want Pedro Romero and Marcial Lalanda to come over for coffee to-night after dinner." - Montoya
"Don't give Romero the message," I said. - Jake
"You think so?" - Montoya
"Absolutely." - Jake (pg. 175)
Here Jake, who is an American himself, tells Montoya to keep this message given to him by the American ambassador. Jake just thinks that foreigners will get in the way of Romero's career. If Hemingway just wanted to emphasize that any "foreigners" would corrupt Romero, he could've picked any country. He chose America. Ernest was raised in America, so I am not sure why he used this example. Hemingway just practically threw his home country under a bus.
Hemingway must have not really enjoyed his days in America or maybe he was just trying to make a point. I think that even today America is looked down upon. It's the land of the free where people can do whatever they want whenever they want. This all sounds wonderful, but I truly think that our country is going downhill. People have begun to put more emphasis on material items and money than what is really important in life. The whole "family aspect" is being lost. When people acquire more money, families seem to get spread apart. Even though this part of the book makes America look bad, I probably would have told Montoya the same thing.
" Everybody knows the American ambassador." - Jake
"I've just had a message from them at the Grand Hotel that they want Pedro Romero and Marcial Lalanda to come over for coffee to-night after dinner." - Montoya
"Don't give Romero the message," I said. - Jake
"You think so?" - Montoya
"Absolutely." - Jake (pg. 175)
Here Jake, who is an American himself, tells Montoya to keep this message given to him by the American ambassador. Jake just thinks that foreigners will get in the way of Romero's career. If Hemingway just wanted to emphasize that any "foreigners" would corrupt Romero, he could've picked any country. He chose America. Ernest was raised in America, so I am not sure why he used this example. Hemingway just practically threw his home country under a bus.
Hemingway must have not really enjoyed his days in America or maybe he was just trying to make a point. I think that even today America is looked down upon. It's the land of the free where people can do whatever they want whenever they want. This all sounds wonderful, but I truly think that our country is going downhill. People have begun to put more emphasis on material items and money than what is really important in life. The whole "family aspect" is being lost. When people acquire more money, families seem to get spread apart. Even though this part of the book makes America look bad, I probably would have told Montoya the same thing.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
"Hurray for Wine!"
" I want a leather wine-bottle," Bill said.
"There's a place down the street," I said. "I'll go get a couple." (pg.159)
Usually I find it hard to find motifs in literary works, but I believe this alcohol aspect of the book jumps out at everyone. I feel like alomst everything has to do with drinking or being "tight." I was convinced for awhile that I shouldn't even believe half of the stuff in the book because Jake was probably drunk while narrating it. I am not sure why Ernest put such an emphasis on alcohol. I am guessing that he wanted to make this lost generation look even more arrogant or maybe Hemingway liked drinking all the time too. One thing I did notice is that I feel like the characters drank all the time to erase their problems. If they were drunk, they wouldn't remember how they were practically bankrupt.
Life
" Enjoying living was learning to get your money's worth and knowing when you had it." (pg. 152)
In this book, my favorite chapters are the short ones where it is just Jake thinking quietly to himself. He comes up with some great philosophies. Maybe it is just because I love quotes, but I think he makes some very valid points in these chapters. I think here he is saying that one can fully enjoy life when they learn not to settle for less but also not to keep pursuing something when they are as far as they need to be. I have always been a believer in the theory of "a happy medium." Here, I believe Jake is trying to drive that point home.
Finding something's happy medium is all about balance. I think most people would agree that balance is something that everyone strives to find in their life. It is apparent that Hemingway didn't think these people had balance whatsoever.
Anyways, I do believe that this quote from Jake can be considered timeless and universal. People all over the world from every century have been trying to master a way to reach a happy medium in life but not push past it. After all, aren't we all just trying to enjoy life?
Following Like a Steer
" Tell me, Robert. Why do you follow Brett around like a poor bloody steer? Don't you know you're not wanted?" - Mike (pg. 146)
Here we see the trite saying, "a drunk man speaks a sober mind" being lived out. Like almost every other moment in the book, everyone is drinking and it becomes obvious that Mike has had a little too much. Brett is being fought over once more. Here, Mike uses a simile and compares Cohn's life to that of a steer.
The steers are the animals that are supposed to be in the area to distract the bulls and keep them from going at eachother. I'm not exactly sure what kind of animal it is. I thinkit is either a small cow or a horse, but I don't really know. Usually the steer gets gored by the bull's horn. The fact that Mike compares Cohn to a steer tells the reader that Cohn's "friends" don't really see him as a very important person. The see him as more of someone who is there because he has to be. Also, while Mike is spitting out dirt on Cohn left and right, nobody stands up for Robert. There was actually a point in the book during this argument that said "Bill laughed." This evidence also adds onto my earlier blog and further shows how Cohn is the most shunned man in the book.
Here we see the trite saying, "a drunk man speaks a sober mind" being lived out. Like almost every other moment in the book, everyone is drinking and it becomes obvious that Mike has had a little too much. Brett is being fought over once more. Here, Mike uses a simile and compares Cohn's life to that of a steer.
The steers are the animals that are supposed to be in the area to distract the bulls and keep them from going at eachother. I'm not exactly sure what kind of animal it is. I thinkit is either a small cow or a horse, but I don't really know. Usually the steer gets gored by the bull's horn. The fact that Mike compares Cohn to a steer tells the reader that Cohn's "friends" don't really see him as a very important person. The see him as more of someone who is there because he has to be. Also, while Mike is spitting out dirt on Cohn left and right, nobody stands up for Robert. There was actually a point in the book during this argument that said "Bill laughed." This evidence also adds onto my earlier blog and further shows how Cohn is the most shunned man in the book.
Getting Hooked
"I'm going to fish a fly. You got any McGintys?" -Bill
"There's some in there." - Jake
You going to fish bait?" - Bill
"Yeah, I'm going to fish the dam here." - Jake
(fishing)
"Let's see them." - Bill
"They're packed." - Jake
"How big are they really?" - Bill
"They're all about the size of our smallest." - Jake (pg. 123/125)
This fishing excursion isn't really one of the main events that happens in this book, but I think there is an underlining meaning to it. Jake works hard to find his own worms to use as bait, while Bill just chooses to go fly fishing and use artificial bait. After fishing for awhile Bill is the one who catches the biggest trout. I think Hemingway is trying to prove a point here. The people of this lost generation are getting hooked on fake ideals, values, and thoughts. The majority of them are stupid enough to visually see a hook (bad ideal) but grab onto it anyways. They are hungering for a way to live their life to the fullest, but they are getting distracted by the fake and drunk way of life.
I find this same trend occurring in society today. People who are given their bait (Bill) without any effort whatsoever somehow always seem to prosper and get the good end of the deal. Then, the people like Jake who work for their bait always seem to catch the smaller fish. This idea is twisted. It should be the other way around, but that is just how the world we live in today works I guess.
"There's some in there." - Jake
You going to fish bait?" - Bill
"Yeah, I'm going to fish the dam here." - Jake
(fishing)
"Let's see them." - Bill
"They're packed." - Jake
"How big are they really?" - Bill
"They're all about the size of our smallest." - Jake (pg. 123/125)
This fishing excursion isn't really one of the main events that happens in this book, but I think there is an underlining meaning to it. Jake works hard to find his own worms to use as bait, while Bill just chooses to go fly fishing and use artificial bait. After fishing for awhile Bill is the one who catches the biggest trout. I think Hemingway is trying to prove a point here. The people of this lost generation are getting hooked on fake ideals, values, and thoughts. The majority of them are stupid enough to visually see a hook (bad ideal) but grab onto it anyways. They are hungering for a way to live their life to the fullest, but they are getting distracted by the fake and drunk way of life.
I find this same trend occurring in society today. People who are given their bait (Bill) without any effort whatsoever somehow always seem to prosper and get the good end of the deal. Then, the people like Jake who work for their bait always seem to catch the smaller fish. This idea is twisted. It should be the other way around, but that is just how the world we live in today works I guess.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Mr. Cohn
"Cohn had a wonderful quality of bringing out the worst in anybody." (pg. 104)
I feel like Robert Cohn is the most shunned character in the book. If it weren't for her looks and deeds she did for men, Lady Brett would be. She technically should be. Frances loves Robert, but she has learned to hate him more and more as he strays away from her. Mike Campbell and Bill Gorton never have anything good to say about him. Jake also has a hatred for him and deliberately tries to harass him. On page 103 Jake even says, "I was enjoying Cohn's nervousness." This paradox makes people wonder how bringing out the worst in people could be a wonderful quality.
This also did make me wonder if this quotation was more of a sarcastic remark. Jake is the one who says it after he torments Cohn, so I do believe it could seen as sarcastic or maybe even antithetic.
I feel like Robert Cohn is the most shunned character in the book. If it weren't for her looks and deeds she did for men, Lady Brett would be. She technically should be. Frances loves Robert, but she has learned to hate him more and more as he strays away from her. Mike Campbell and Bill Gorton never have anything good to say about him. Jake also has a hatred for him and deliberately tries to harass him. On page 103 Jake even says, "I was enjoying Cohn's nervousness." This paradox makes people wonder how bringing out the worst in people could be a wonderful quality.
This also did make me wonder if this quotation was more of a sarcastic remark. Jake is the one who says it after he torments Cohn, so I do believe it could seen as sarcastic or maybe even antithetic.
Catholic Faith
" ... I was kneeling with my forehead on the wood in front of me, and was thinking of myself as praying, I was a little ashamed, and regretted that I was such a rotten Catholic, but realized there was nothing I could do about it, at least for a while, and maybe never, but that anyway it was a grand religion..." (pg. 103)
This excerpt interested me naturally because I am a part of the Catholic faith. I have had many times in my life when I have felt so far away from my faith and like Jake, I have been ashamed. Since I am part of the Catholic faith, I know that it is a very forgiving faith. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was created specifically for forgiving sins. This is why I am a little confused and troubled then it comes to this quotation by Jake. He says there is nothing he can do about being a rotten Catholic. Why? I don't understand this, because there is so much one can do to become stronger in their faith. I just want to know if I have missed something. Maybe something happened in his childhood. This is just one part of chapter ten I did not understand.
I know Hemingway wanted to emphasize this thought of Jake trying to pray because the paragraph where he is praying is almost all one sentence. I can't tell if he is trying to mock the Catholic faith or something, but I know something is up here.
Backtracking a Little =]
"I did not see Brett again until she came back from San Sebastian. ... Nor did I see Robert Cohn again. I heard Frances had left for England and I had a note from Cohn saying he was going out in the country for a couple of weeks, he did not know where ... " (pg. 75)
I wanted to go back a couple of pages and bring up another literary device that Hemingway used. In this situation, he used dramatic irony. I would think that Jake would've seen what was going on and not thought that Cohn and Lady Brett leaving around the same time was just a coincidence. I thought Jake knew Cohn liked Brett a lot? I just don't understand why he didn't figure it out. I guess Ernest just wanted the reader to be more aware of the situation. I definitely thought something was fishy at this point, but Jake doesn't find out about this relationship until page 89 when Brett tells him.
Since Jake didn't even figure this situation out, I think Hemingway put this inhere to show how sneeky and crazy things could be at this time. Two of a man's closest friends could be having a relationship without the man ever realizing it.
I wanted to go back a couple of pages and bring up another literary device that Hemingway used. In this situation, he used dramatic irony. I would think that Jake would've seen what was going on and not thought that Cohn and Lady Brett leaving around the same time was just a coincidence. I thought Jake knew Cohn liked Brett a lot? I just don't understand why he didn't figure it out. I guess Ernest just wanted the reader to be more aware of the situation. I definitely thought something was fishy at this point, but Jake doesn't find out about this relationship until page 89 when Brett tells him.
Since Jake didn't even figure this situation out, I think Hemingway put this inhere to show how sneeky and crazy things could be at this time. Two of a man's closest friends could be having a relationship without the man ever realizing it.
The City is Alive
" Down the river was Notre Dame squatting against the night sky." (pg. 83)
Growing up in a Catholic school system in Indianapolis, Indiana has made it almost impossible for my eyes and ears to ignore or skip over the words "Notre Dame." When I spotted the words on page 83, I also spotted an example of personification that went along with them. In France, the Notre Dame de Paris is a cathedral. Jake here describes this building as "squatting." Hemingway gave this human characteristic to the cathedral to try and show the reader that this city had a way of almost appearing alive. Ernest wanted to emphasize how graceful and beautiful this city was at night time. I believe he used the Notre Dame because it is a well known building. After he mentions Notre Dame, he further explains how the city is alive by bringing up couples walking and a river flowing.
Tromper? Tight? Chaps?
"Couldn't we just live together, Brett? Couldn't we just live together?" - Jake
" I don't think so, I'd just tromper you with everybody. You couldn't stand it" - Brett (pg. 62)
With small exchange between Jake and Lady Brett I want to bring up two points. First of all, Lady Brett's first impression held to be true. Let us just say that she is a woman with needs and she isn't afraid to show it. Jake truly loves her (like many other men) and I do believe she has feelings for him (like she also does for many other men), but she cannot be with him because he is incapable of meeting her needs. I guess Brett never understood the saying, "What is on the inside counts most." Actually, she probably just chose to let it go in one ear and out the other.
The other point I wanted to bring up is that in the book, Hemingway does a nice job of including dialect. The reader might not know what the word means, but after recognizing it through out the book and using comtext clues, one can infer what it means. By using this dialect, he completes the characters French qualities. It also created an accent almost for the charaters in my head.
Tight - being drunk
Chaps - gentlemen
Flat - house, where one lives
Tromper - french for "to commit adultery"
" I don't think so, I'd just tromper you with everybody. You couldn't stand it" - Brett (pg. 62)
With small exchange between Jake and Lady Brett I want to bring up two points. First of all, Lady Brett's first impression held to be true. Let us just say that she is a woman with needs and she isn't afraid to show it. Jake truly loves her (like many other men) and I do believe she has feelings for him (like she also does for many other men), but she cannot be with him because he is incapable of meeting her needs. I guess Brett never understood the saying, "What is on the inside counts most." Actually, she probably just chose to let it go in one ear and out the other.
The other point I wanted to bring up is that in the book, Hemingway does a nice job of including dialect. The reader might not know what the word means, but after recognizing it through out the book and using comtext clues, one can infer what it means. By using this dialect, he completes the characters French qualities. It also created an accent almost for the charaters in my head.
Tight - being drunk
Chaps - gentlemen
Flat - house, where one lives
Tromper - french for "to commit adultery"
Frances
" " Listen to him. I'm going to England. I'm going to visit friends. Ever visit friends that didn't want you? Oh, they'll have to take me, all right. How do you do, my dear? Such a long time since we've seen you. And how is your dear mother? ... " "- Frances (pg. 56)
This would be a prime example of a complete freak out from a woman. Personally, I can't believe she did this in public. I have no idea what I would've done it I was Cohn. It is obvious that she is fed up with this situation, but I would've been too. I have no idea why she was staying with Cohn when it was obvious that their relationship had seen its' day.
The quote above isn't even half of the rant she went on. When I was reading this part, I pictured her speaking as if she was in the show Gilmore Girls. On that show they speak so quick that one has to be paying complete attention to catch everything that is being said. Frances was spitting out facts, questions, and some harsh thoughts at 100 mph. It was obvious that she didn't want them to answer her questions, she wanted to make Cohn realize that she knew what was going on and she wanted him to feel just a portion of all the pain she felt.
The rant continues...
"Well, I suppose that we that live by the sword shall perish by the sword. Isn't that literary, though? You want to remember that for your next book, Robert. You know Robert is going to get material for a new book. Aren't you, Robert? That's why he's leaving me." - Frances (pg. 57)
This would be a prime example of a complete freak out from a woman. Personally, I can't believe she did this in public. I have no idea what I would've done it I was Cohn. It is obvious that she is fed up with this situation, but I would've been too. I have no idea why she was staying with Cohn when it was obvious that their relationship had seen its' day.
The quote above isn't even half of the rant she went on. When I was reading this part, I pictured her speaking as if she was in the show Gilmore Girls. On that show they speak so quick that one has to be paying complete attention to catch everything that is being said. Frances was spitting out facts, questions, and some harsh thoughts at 100 mph. It was obvious that she didn't want them to answer her questions, she wanted to make Cohn realize that she knew what was going on and she wanted him to feel just a portion of all the pain she felt.
The rant continues...
"Well, I suppose that we that live by the sword shall perish by the sword. Isn't that literary, though? You want to remember that for your next book, Robert. You know Robert is going to get material for a new book. Aren't you, Robert? That's why he's leaving me." - Frances (pg. 57)
Here we continue with Frances' rant to Cohn. I wanted to include this excerpt because here Frances completely disses Robert's writing by suggesting he use a trite expression or cliche in his next work. By saying this, she implies that he can't come up with anything good on his own, so he has to resort to ideas that have been around for ages.
Lady Brett ...
" " Hello, Brett," I said. " Why aren't you tight?" " (pg. 29)
This is the first time the reader has the pleasure of meeting such a lovely woman, Lady Brett Ashley. The name Brett kind of threw me off at first, because it isn't a very common name. The only Brett I know now is a guy, but when Lady Brett Ashley came into the story, all I could compare her to was the woman Brett Sommers of off the old game show match game. She is the only other Brett I know of that is a woman, so from this point on, through out the whole book I pictured Brett Sommers as Lady Brett Ashley. This is very weird, I know.
Anyways, I am someone who believes in the whole first impression theory. One can never make a first impression twice. The first impression Hemingway gives of Lady Brett is very accurate. Ernest prepares the reader quite well for what is to come. After an exchange of hellos, the first thing Jake says to Lady Brett is "Why aren't you drunk?" It wasn't the usual, " I haven't seen you in forever, how have you been?" This explains a lot about her character and what the reader is to expect from her in the coming chapters.
This is the first time the reader has the pleasure of meeting such a lovely woman, Lady Brett Ashley. The name Brett kind of threw me off at first, because it isn't a very common name. The only Brett I know now is a guy, but when Lady Brett Ashley came into the story, all I could compare her to was the woman Brett Sommers of off the old game show match game. She is the only other Brett I know of that is a woman, so from this point on, through out the whole book I pictured Brett Sommers as Lady Brett Ashley. This is very weird, I know.
Anyways, I am someone who believes in the whole first impression theory. One can never make a first impression twice. The first impression Hemingway gives of Lady Brett is very accurate. Ernest prepares the reader quite well for what is to come. After an exchange of hellos, the first thing Jake says to Lady Brett is "Why aren't you drunk?" It wasn't the usual, " I haven't seen you in forever, how have you been?" This explains a lot about her character and what the reader is to expect from her in the coming chapters.
The First of Many
" It was a warm spring night and I sat at a table on the terrace of the Napolitain after Robert had gone, watching it get dark and the electric signs come on, and the red and green stop-and-go traffic signal, and the crowd going by, and the horse-cabs clippety-clopping along the edge of the solid taxi traffic ... " (pg. 22)
At the beginning of the book, I thought this was a very relaxing and precious scene. A guy sitting at a table, relaxing, having a drink, and enjoying his time observing the night life. At this point I was jealous of this man's life. Who wouldn't want to be able to sit back and do this every night? Hemingway describes this scene quite well. Using great description and onomatopoeia he made me feel like I was right there on the terrace in the seat next to Jake.
I can't speak for people in other countries, but I think many people in America would love to do this every night. The country that we live in today has way too many stressful situations going on. I have witnessed the worries that my parents go through. If it isn't cars, it is money. I think that some people in the world today may think that this "lost generation" had it made.
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