"Popular Mechanics"
1. Plot: So, there is not much plot to this short story. I would use the scene that the story has as the climax of my film. If I did not add to it, it would last maybe ten minutes! Therefore, I would add a lot. The climax would be consistent to the story, with pretty much no changes at all. The only changes that would occur would be how the story starts and ends. I want to start the story with the initiation of the fight. Instead of it being all about the worst part, I want to build up the suspense to make the scene in the short story even stronger. The two begin the day bickering over every little thing. The day would be seen as just another day by having nothing big happen. It might have to drag out a little by adding in something interesting, but not too big just so the audience doesn't get bored before the climax. Also, I want to make sure all of the foreshadowing that was in the story is used in the film. The organization or sequence would just be the everyday routine. The mother would nag and just do things that obviously make the father angry and annoyed. Then, something little, like a switch of the TV channel, sets the father off. The father then go off on the mother. The arguement starts out like the others, but it soon escalates into hateful words. The man heads to the room to pack just like in the story. The woman says out of anger how she is so glad he is leaving. After the climax, the film would end with the baby being with the father and the woman sitting there in shock.
2.Point of View: The point of view of the narrator would be third person omniscent. He would have not emotion and just state things how they are at the end. This would add to the story's detachment of the two. By having a detached feeling, the relationship will immediately feel like its falling apart. This point of view will also stay in line with the story. By not having it be first person, the ending will not have as much emotion. It would be very unexpected, just like it was in the book. I think that this point of view would do the similar effects that the third person omnisscient did for the short story "The Lottery". I want the focus of the story to be on the theme of the mechanical aspect of the entire story rather than the emotional aspect.
3. Characterization: I would like the characterization to stay consistent with the story. The story would reveal the characters the same as the story as well. Indirect characterization would take place, so the little actions that each of the characters do reveals what they feel. The two would not really be characterized as individuals. Rather, their attitudes towards each other and the relationship would be revealed. This would add to the mechanical aspect since this would make their relationship not have an individual or special touch. Although this is true, I want the father's strength to be shown, which would foreshadow him having more power which leads to him having the baby. Also, I want the mother to be given a nagging and annoying vibe from her actions,so the audience can understand why the father wants to leave her. It could be applied to various relationships in the audience's own life maybe. Rolling of eyes, talking under their breath, awkward silences, or avoidance might be some actions to relay the point to the audience.
4. Setting: The setting would be slightly different. Instead of it being at one time, it will be throughout the day. The movie would start with morning, and then progressivly get darker. I would want it to maybe be raining throughout the day. This would make the emotion towards the setting be that it is drowsy and sad. Rain always makes things seem gloom. The climax would occur at night when it is very dark. This would be the darkest scene;therefore, the setting should be the darkest. Also, the scene would take place during a storm. The storm would symbolize the anger from the scene and the tension between the two.
5. Theme: I want the theme to be the exact same as the book. All of these the elements would convey the relationship. In return, the relationship and other aspects from the elements would reveal the main theme of the mechanical way they do things. I want the relationship to not be anything special or different. It should be relatable. The universality of the theme would cause the audience to find a common thread in their own life. They should be able to think about one couple or relationship in their life that they can see similarities they have with the relationship portrayed. The theme of motivation and revenge would take place as well. This would be more effective by showing the previous actions that lead to the overall fight. The ending will show how the father is getting back at the mother for all of the things he has to put up with.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
IRP-Film Blog
"Stand by Me" v. "The Body"
1.Plot: The plot of the movie was almost the exact as the plot of the book. The movie did a very good job as making the story come to life. For example, it very effectively brought out the sense of fear and anticipation when Gordie is faced with the train on the bridge. Actually, I felt more adrenaline and suspense when actually seeing it in the movie. A major difference that arose was the relationship between Denny and Gordie. In the book, Denny was "hardly more than an aquaintance"(page 298). In contrast, the movie showed the flashback of Gordie with Denny at the table and the giving of his hat. This showed that the two had a close bond and gave a sense of saddness for Gordie. This is because he is shown missing and reminiscing these times with his brother. As a result of this difference, the audience seemed to feel more sympathy towards Gordie because he was a lot more somber and sad about his brother's death. The book has scenes that the movie does not, such as Gordie's story called Stud City. Also, the movie has some scenes that the book does not, such as the mailbox baseball and Vern bringing the comb. These scenes make the movie have some comic relief almost. Lastly, the ending is not the same as the ending in the book. In the book, all of the friends die, but in the movie only Chris does. Also, it omits the part about Ace and his gang beating up all of the friends. These do not really impact the meaning of the story, but they do shift the feelings at the end of the movie. Personally, I felt that I was more sad at the end of the book than the end of the movie because of these facts and events in the end.
2. Point of View: I think that the movie was right on track with the story in this aspect. The movie was in first person according to Gordie. A difference I saw was Gordie as a narrator, though. In the movie, he really talked about himself the most. In the book, there is more about everyone else. Gordie is the main focus because he tells the story, but at the same time he is not because the spotlight is shared with Chris. For example, in the book Chris is the one who pulls the gun on Ace and his friends(page 414), and Chris is the one who is then beat up a lot worse than the other boys by Ace's gang(page 431). I think that this shows that in the book Gordie is more of an observer and giving all of the facts. In the book, he is in with everything, and he is giving the account from which he experienced. The director wanted the focus to be on Gordie, so he made Gordie have the gun at the end. The fight was more involving Gordie than Chris. I looked up why the director, Rob Reiner, did this, and it said he identified more with Gordie; therfore, he focused in on Gordie. In an interview with CBS, he said that "a lot of the feelings that Gordie was having were things that I had when I was young, growing up...It was also very reflective of my sensibility". Lastly, the adult Gordie seen in the beginning and end of the movie are not in the book.
3. Characterization: The charecterization between the movie and book were almost the exact same. I think that the movie did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life. For example, Teddy is effectively portrayed as "crazy" (page 296), especially during the scene of wanting to 'train dodge'. Also, Chris is continually shown "making peace" (page 435) in the movie just as he had been described in the book. In addition, characters such as Ace, Milo, and Gordie's parents were portrayed exactly how the book described them as. However, there were some differences that were seen though. In the movie, Chris pulls Teddy from the train tracks, but the book shows Gordie as the one who does this (page 333). I think that this shows that the movie showed Chris as more of the leader, but the book shows both Gordie and Chris as leaders. It is not just Chris who looks out after his friends. Also, the character of Mr. Dusset (page 343-344) is completely different in the movie. In the movie, he is more sympathetic towards Gordie, but in the book he tries to rip Gordie off. By doing this in the book, Mr. Dusset causes Gordie to react and go off on Mr. Dusset. The omission of this scene as a result of the change in character of Mr. Dusset causes the character of Gordie to be sympathized more. He does not seem like a rebel child. Instead, I think it emphasizes his saddness for the loss of his brother. Lastly, the character of Denny is seen as different through the flashbacks in the movie. In the book, Gordie sees Denny in "cynical awe"(page 312)and was not as sad about his death. Rather, he was haunted by Denny' death, shown through the dream of Denny saying "it should have been you, Gordon"(page 313). In the movie, Gordie sees Denny as a role model and had a very close bond with him. He is very sad by the death of him, which is shown through a few scenes of crying over his death.
4. Setting: The setting of the movie and book is not exactly the same. The movie was set in 1959, but the book was set in 1960. This did not seem very important, so I looked it up and a website said that it was probably to emphasize the "nostagia value". This would be because of the adult Gordie being present in the movie. Although this is true, I think that the life of the kids during this time period was seen in the same way in both the movie and the book. The one year did not seem to make that much of a difference. Lastly, the movie was set in Oregon while the book was set in "Maine" (page 300). I read on one website that "most of Stephen King's books" were set in Maine, so I am not sure why this was changed for the movie. Even though the state was changed, the city, Castle Rock, remains the same.
5. Theme: The theme of "The Body" is definitely seen in the "Stand by Me". Friendship is the major part of both works. The book shows the importance of Gordie's friendships when he says "I've never had any friends like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, did you?" (page 341). The movie adds to this theme by showing how close the friends really were. In the movie, Gordie and Chris each share a time when they cry with each other. I was almost shocked because people never really think about boys crying like this to each other. The support and love that each of them share for each other really proved that their friendship was more than just playing and hanging out. There was emotional trust and the ability to open up and share thier true feelings with each other. Other events in the movie that support the overall value of friendship are the boys singing the theme song for "Have Gun-Will Travel", pinky swearing, and doing 'two for flinching'. Lastly, the added scene in the end of the movie involving adult Gordie, his son, and his son's friend shows the timelessness of friendship. Gordie had great friends, and he seems to connect with his son and reminisce when he sees his son with his friend. I think that this connection strengthens the theme of growing up as well because it shows how Gordie sees friendship now that he is older. I think the ending of the movie shows that the older Gordie values and finds happiness in both his past friendship and in the friendship his son has.
1.Plot: The plot of the movie was almost the exact as the plot of the book. The movie did a very good job as making the story come to life. For example, it very effectively brought out the sense of fear and anticipation when Gordie is faced with the train on the bridge. Actually, I felt more adrenaline and suspense when actually seeing it in the movie. A major difference that arose was the relationship between Denny and Gordie. In the book, Denny was "hardly more than an aquaintance"(page 298). In contrast, the movie showed the flashback of Gordie with Denny at the table and the giving of his hat. This showed that the two had a close bond and gave a sense of saddness for Gordie. This is because he is shown missing and reminiscing these times with his brother. As a result of this difference, the audience seemed to feel more sympathy towards Gordie because he was a lot more somber and sad about his brother's death. The book has scenes that the movie does not, such as Gordie's story called Stud City. Also, the movie has some scenes that the book does not, such as the mailbox baseball and Vern bringing the comb. These scenes make the movie have some comic relief almost. Lastly, the ending is not the same as the ending in the book. In the book, all of the friends die, but in the movie only Chris does. Also, it omits the part about Ace and his gang beating up all of the friends. These do not really impact the meaning of the story, but they do shift the feelings at the end of the movie. Personally, I felt that I was more sad at the end of the book than the end of the movie because of these facts and events in the end.
2. Point of View: I think that the movie was right on track with the story in this aspect. The movie was in first person according to Gordie. A difference I saw was Gordie as a narrator, though. In the movie, he really talked about himself the most. In the book, there is more about everyone else. Gordie is the main focus because he tells the story, but at the same time he is not because the spotlight is shared with Chris. For example, in the book Chris is the one who pulls the gun on Ace and his friends(page 414), and Chris is the one who is then beat up a lot worse than the other boys by Ace's gang(page 431). I think that this shows that in the book Gordie is more of an observer and giving all of the facts. In the book, he is in with everything, and he is giving the account from which he experienced. The director wanted the focus to be on Gordie, so he made Gordie have the gun at the end. The fight was more involving Gordie than Chris. I looked up why the director, Rob Reiner, did this, and it said he identified more with Gordie; therfore, he focused in on Gordie. In an interview with CBS, he said that "a lot of the feelings that Gordie was having were things that I had when I was young, growing up...It was also very reflective of my sensibility". Lastly, the adult Gordie seen in the beginning and end of the movie are not in the book.
3. Characterization: The charecterization between the movie and book were almost the exact same. I think that the movie did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life. For example, Teddy is effectively portrayed as "crazy" (page 296), especially during the scene of wanting to 'train dodge'. Also, Chris is continually shown "making peace" (page 435) in the movie just as he had been described in the book. In addition, characters such as Ace, Milo, and Gordie's parents were portrayed exactly how the book described them as. However, there were some differences that were seen though. In the movie, Chris pulls Teddy from the train tracks, but the book shows Gordie as the one who does this (page 333). I think that this shows that the movie showed Chris as more of the leader, but the book shows both Gordie and Chris as leaders. It is not just Chris who looks out after his friends. Also, the character of Mr. Dusset (page 343-344) is completely different in the movie. In the movie, he is more sympathetic towards Gordie, but in the book he tries to rip Gordie off. By doing this in the book, Mr. Dusset causes Gordie to react and go off on Mr. Dusset. The omission of this scene as a result of the change in character of Mr. Dusset causes the character of Gordie to be sympathized more. He does not seem like a rebel child. Instead, I think it emphasizes his saddness for the loss of his brother. Lastly, the character of Denny is seen as different through the flashbacks in the movie. In the book, Gordie sees Denny in "cynical awe"(page 312)and was not as sad about his death. Rather, he was haunted by Denny' death, shown through the dream of Denny saying "it should have been you, Gordon"(page 313). In the movie, Gordie sees Denny as a role model and had a very close bond with him. He is very sad by the death of him, which is shown through a few scenes of crying over his death.
4. Setting: The setting of the movie and book is not exactly the same. The movie was set in 1959, but the book was set in 1960. This did not seem very important, so I looked it up and a website said that it was probably to emphasize the "nostagia value". This would be because of the adult Gordie being present in the movie. Although this is true, I think that the life of the kids during this time period was seen in the same way in both the movie and the book. The one year did not seem to make that much of a difference. Lastly, the movie was set in Oregon while the book was set in "Maine" (page 300). I read on one website that "most of Stephen King's books" were set in Maine, so I am not sure why this was changed for the movie. Even though the state was changed, the city, Castle Rock, remains the same.
5. Theme: The theme of "The Body" is definitely seen in the "Stand by Me". Friendship is the major part of both works. The book shows the importance of Gordie's friendships when he says "I've never had any friends like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, did you?" (page 341). The movie adds to this theme by showing how close the friends really were. In the movie, Gordie and Chris each share a time when they cry with each other. I was almost shocked because people never really think about boys crying like this to each other. The support and love that each of them share for each other really proved that their friendship was more than just playing and hanging out. There was emotional trust and the ability to open up and share thier true feelings with each other. Other events in the movie that support the overall value of friendship are the boys singing the theme song for "Have Gun-Will Travel", pinky swearing, and doing 'two for flinching'. Lastly, the added scene in the end of the movie involving adult Gordie, his son, and his son's friend shows the timelessness of friendship. Gordie had great friends, and he seems to connect with his son and reminisce when he sees his son with his friend. I think that this connection strengthens the theme of growing up as well because it shows how Gordie sees friendship now that he is older. I think the ending of the movie shows that the older Gordie values and finds happiness in both his past friendship and in the friendship his son has.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Potpourri Blog #4
"You're Ugly,Too"
At first, I felt really bad for Zoe. She was making her life a joke, but it seemed like deep down it made her sad. She made a joke about her not getting married when she said "I'm not married? Oh , my God..I forgot to get married"(30). I thought this was funny, but at the same time I felt bad. I thought of those people who joke about themselves to cope with sadness. Then, when Evan tells her she is getting married she is just blank. I think that showed that she really wished she could get married. Also, on page 363 when it says "This was what she'd become:a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie". This allows shows that she isn't content with what she is. By the end of the story though, I really didn't like Zoe. She was so rude to Earl. He seemed genuine, and she didn't even give him a chance. She then pretty much called him a "fag" on page 369, and she pretend to push him off the balcony. None of this is funny. It is just plain rude.
At first, I felt really bad for Zoe. She was making her life a joke, but it seemed like deep down it made her sad. She made a joke about her not getting married when she said "I'm not married? Oh , my God..I forgot to get married"(30). I thought this was funny, but at the same time I felt bad. I thought of those people who joke about themselves to cope with sadness. Then, when Evan tells her she is getting married she is just blank. I think that showed that she really wished she could get married. Also, on page 363 when it says "This was what she'd become:a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie". This allows shows that she isn't content with what she is. By the end of the story though, I really didn't like Zoe. She was so rude to Earl. He seemed genuine, and she didn't even give him a chance. She then pretty much called him a "fag" on page 369, and she pretend to push him off the balcony. None of this is funny. It is just plain rude.
Potpourri Blog #3
"Popular Mechanics"#3
Carver uses events before the climax and main, central conflict of the story occur. One of the events would be the woman picking up the baby's picture. The man immediately demands for the picture back. This fight symbolizes the later fight over the actual baby. They seem to treat the picture better than the actual baby. The actual baby is pretty much dehumanized by the parents actions towards it. The way they fight over the baby is the way they should have been fighting for the picture. The way they fight for the picture is the way they should fight for the baby. Instead, they physically fight over the baby rather than verbally. Lastly, when "they knocked down a flowerpot"(26-27), this symbolized both their relationship and the actualy baby. In regards to their relationship, it is now broken, just as the flowerpot. When it comes to the baby, we do not know for sure if the baby is hurt physically when it was "slipping out of his handand he pulled back very hard"(35). The baby may have been broken physically. Either way, he will have a broken family life as a result of this fight. Also, the baby will most likely suffer from emotional damage.
Carver uses events before the climax and main, central conflict of the story occur. One of the events would be the woman picking up the baby's picture. The man immediately demands for the picture back. This fight symbolizes the later fight over the actual baby. They seem to treat the picture better than the actual baby. The actual baby is pretty much dehumanized by the parents actions towards it. The way they fight over the baby is the way they should have been fighting for the picture. The way they fight for the picture is the way they should fight for the baby. Instead, they physically fight over the baby rather than verbally. Lastly, when "they knocked down a flowerpot"(26-27), this symbolized both their relationship and the actualy baby. In regards to their relationship, it is now broken, just as the flowerpot. When it comes to the baby, we do not know for sure if the baby is hurt physically when it was "slipping out of his handand he pulled back very hard"(35). The baby may have been broken physically. Either way, he will have a broken family life as a result of this fight. Also, the baby will most likely suffer from emotional damage.
Potpourri Blog #2
"The Drunkard" #4
The title is not seriously meant. It is a form of irony, which adds to the humor of the story. The story's humor is caused by the irony in the story. The irony that the title refers to is the most important ironic event in the story. This is the boy getting drunk. The boy drinks his father's beer, and the father is the alcoholic. The father is the one who is expected to get drunk in the story. In the beginnning it refers to his drinking patterns(page 344), which occur at funerals usually. Since the boy and father are at a funeral, the reader would expect the father to get drunk. Ironically, it is his son. The reversal of roles between the son and father causes other ironies in the story. It also reveals the source of humor, irony. The title refers to the son since he is the one who gets drunk. The father is expected to be the one, but he is not.
The title is not seriously meant. It is a form of irony, which adds to the humor of the story. The story's humor is caused by the irony in the story. The irony that the title refers to is the most important ironic event in the story. This is the boy getting drunk. The boy drinks his father's beer, and the father is the alcoholic. The father is the one who is expected to get drunk in the story. In the beginnning it refers to his drinking patterns(page 344), which occur at funerals usually. Since the boy and father are at a funeral, the reader would expect the father to get drunk. Ironically, it is his son. The reversal of roles between the son and father causes other ironies in the story. It also reveals the source of humor, irony. The title refers to the son since he is the one who gets drunk. The father is expected to be the one, but he is not.
Potpourri Blog #1
"The Lottery" #5
There are many points of view regarding the lottery in the story, which causes the attitude of the story to be portrayed. Mr Summers' attitude is that he is in full support of the lottery. In fact, he wants to get a new box since the old one is obviously breaking(page 265). This shows he wants to continue the lottery. He has no intents of letting it end any time soon. Old Man Warner's attitude towards the lottery is that it is necessary, and he takes it very seriously. This is seen on page 270, when he is saying things are not the way they used to. He doesn't like change. Rather, he wants all of the lottery traditions to be upheld. He wants things to continue like they have been. Change could ultimately lead to the demise of their lottery tradition. Mr. and Mrs. Adams attitudes are that they are following blindly what others do. They are the ones who say that other communities are "talking of giving up the lottery"(page268). They have no opinion of this, except that if it is what others are doing they take interest. It seems that they are the ones who might be looking for change, but change in the sense of giving up the lottery. They want to do what everyone else does. They don't care about the lottery as much as others because the reaction of Old Man Warner to this information shows that he took it to heart while the Adams didn't. Mrs. Hutchinson's attitude is somewhat unclear. At first she agrees, but then she doesn't when her family is choosen. Lastly, the entire communities attitude is somewhat nervous, entertained, and mostly unclear. They are nervous from the fact that Mr. Adams and Mr. Summers "grinned at each other..nervously"(page 267). They are enteratained in the fact that they all go. Lastly, it is unclear because they all follow the tradition for no apparent reason.
There are many points of view regarding the lottery in the story, which causes the attitude of the story to be portrayed. Mr Summers' attitude is that he is in full support of the lottery. In fact, he wants to get a new box since the old one is obviously breaking(page 265). This shows he wants to continue the lottery. He has no intents of letting it end any time soon. Old Man Warner's attitude towards the lottery is that it is necessary, and he takes it very seriously. This is seen on page 270, when he is saying things are not the way they used to. He doesn't like change. Rather, he wants all of the lottery traditions to be upheld. He wants things to continue like they have been. Change could ultimately lead to the demise of their lottery tradition. Mr. and Mrs. Adams attitudes are that they are following blindly what others do. They are the ones who say that other communities are "talking of giving up the lottery"(page268). They have no opinion of this, except that if it is what others are doing they take interest. It seems that they are the ones who might be looking for change, but change in the sense of giving up the lottery. They want to do what everyone else does. They don't care about the lottery as much as others because the reaction of Old Man Warner to this information shows that he took it to heart while the Adams didn't. Mrs. Hutchinson's attitude is somewhat unclear. At first she agrees, but then she doesn't when her family is choosen. Lastly, the entire communities attitude is somewhat nervous, entertained, and mostly unclear. They are nervous from the fact that Mr. Adams and Mr. Summers "grinned at each other..nervously"(page 267). They are enteratained in the fact that they all go. Lastly, it is unclear because they all follow the tradition for no apparent reason.
Monday, November 29, 2010
IRP- Short Story Blog
"The Body" by Stephen King
Plot: The plot of this story is a group of four boys who go looking in search of the corpse of a boy named Ray Brower. The structure of this plot is Gordie telling a story about an event that happened right before he began junior high. It is a story that is told in past tense. Throughout the story, there are mentionings about the present. This gives the reader a better understanding of the characters in the story, and see the effect certain events in the past had on Gordie in the future. For example, when Gordie sees the deer, he says right after about how he would think of that moment "when there was trouble in [his] life". Another important part of the plot is the stories that Gordie writes. The one called Stud City relates to Gordies feelings towards his family. Both he and the character lost their brother, and there is conflict with the parents. The stories he tell sometimes give the reader insight on the character of Gordie. In addition to structure, the narrative pace has an effect of the overall story. The next year after the 'adventure' is told in a very quick pace. It says how the friends drifted apart and then how Chris ended up getting into the honors courses. The speeding up of the pace of this shows how the eventual ending of the friendship didn't matter. What mattered was the time they spent together and how good of friends they were. I was reminded of when Gordie says he "never had friends like he did when he was twelve. Jesus who does?"(page 341). This proves that he really meant this because he seems to not care about what happened. Rather, he cares about what a great friendship they group of them had.
Point of View: This story is told in first person by Gordon Lachance. He is telling about something he experienced when he was twelve. He recounts the story, but throughout the story he will have sidenotes or entire chapters that are from the present. The present would be when he is writing this story down years later. An example of when he does this would be when he says things like "the story never did get out" (page 427), "I've thought of going back and looking for it"(Pg 421), or "my wife and children far off in another world"(page 421). These all show that he is looking back or providing the reader with thoughts that he has now, after the event. This also shows that he has been impacted greatly in various ways by this event. If it was just some unimportant childish adventure, he may have remembered it, but it would have been told in a more childish upbeat story. While there are some funny parts, there are a lot of serious events that take place which he reflects on to the reader, such as the event with the deer or the almost speech that Chris gave him about friends. The things he learned stuck with him, so he tells this story. Also, the first paragraph is very important in regards to the point of view. He tells why he wants to tell the story. He says he tells it for the "want of an understanding ear"(page 293). We saw how the family life of Gordie was not so great, but this event was very important to him. He tells this story to recount its importance. By having that first chapter, Gordie relays to the reader that this is a difficult story to tell, but it must be done. Through this point of view, the story is given a deeper meaning and shown to not be just some childhood experience. Rather, it was a life-chaning experience.
Characterization: There is both indirect and direct characterization that takes place in this story. Mostly, there is indirect characterization. In the second, third, and fourth chapter, there is a lot of description about each of the characters. Sometimes it is directly said about the character. For example, it says that"Teddy couldn't see very well"(page 295). While Gordie tells the reader explicitly about the character, he uses a lot of stories to give the background information. This happens when he tells of how Chris was suspended for school because the "milk-money disappeared"(page 307). A lot of the past stories are used to tell about the characters. At first, they may seem shallow or obvious, but throughout the rest of the story actions that each character does reveals a much deeper characterization. At the beginning, Teddy seems macho through the story of how he does "truck-dodging"(page 297). Later, though, Milo calls his dad a "loony" (page 348). After this, Teddy "burst into tears" (page 351). This shows that Teddy has a deep love for his father, and he is not so tough and isn't just a daredevil. He has feelings. Lastly, the character of Gordie has a direct relation to Stephen King. I was looking up information about the story and came across this. Gordie wrote short stories in college, which many were published in "small literary journals and men's journals". "His first novel and story were hugely successful". "He goes on to write several supernatural novels, and he has a wife and three kids". All of this is paralled with Stephen King. This relationship between the two shows that he had a connection to this person, and that the person has realistic qualities. It is a deep, almost real character.
Setting: The setting of this story overall is Castle Rock. The importance places in the town where things occur would be mostly the railroad, and Castle River. A very important phrase made by Gordie(when he is older) about the setting would be when he says something about Castle river and how it "is still around" (page 436). After he says this, he says "so am i"(page 436). This shows that he relates the river to himself. The river holds his memories of that journey and reminds him of it. As long as the river is still there, so will his memories of his friendships and that journey. This provides a major theme of the fact that memories last a lifetime. Also, even though his friends have died, he still remembers and will never forget. Time may have passed, but he still remembers. He is still there to remember. Also, Gordie says that "desire to get away from Castle Rock and out of the mill's shadow seemed to me to be my best part"(page 435). This refers to Chris and how he was labeled by his family. Everyone knew him, yet no one knew him. This shows the theme of moving on and going onto a new life. The setting is important because Gordie holds on to it in order to keep the memories of his friendship alive. Also, in the past, it is shown as an obstacle that keeps Chris from reaching goals, such as the honors classes and how old lady Simons used this against him(page 383). The little town where everyone knows everything is seen as both bad and good. This is because of Chris' situation with his status in society as a result of their opinions of his family, and how it held him back. It was good because of how great of friendships the boys had when they were younger.
Theme: The major themes of this story are friendship, becoming older, and the way society and its perceptions can hold you back. The theme of friendship is that no matter what, friendships last forever. Whether they talk or not, the memories are what keep people friends. People hold onto these memories. This is shown when Gordie says that the river and him are both still there(page 436). Also, the theme of friendship is that you are a part of your friends. This is seen when Gordie says "if he had drowned, that part of my would have drowned with him"(page 435). People grow attached to each other, and sometimes they almost become one. This is not something that just goes away. Instead, the friendship will last even if they are not together. At the same time, certain friendships are not right because they can "drag you down"(page 381). Friendship is a major importance, but friendships change as people grow up, which is another important theme. The drifting away of the friendship with Teddy and Vern show this because they were best friends, but then as they got to junior high they began to hangout with different people and change. This shows that growing up causes some losses, but the strong friendship between Chris and Gordie show that not everything has to change. Lastly, society and the setting reveal the theme of the negative effects of the perceptions of others. Chris' brothers cause others to assume he'd "turn out bad"(page 307). Also, the continuous comparison of Gordie to Denny causes him to feel like he is the "Invisible Boy"(page 298) and inferior or not good enough. His dad shows this through his disapproval of what he is, such as his choice of friends when he says "Those are the only people you want to be with, aren't they, Gordon?"(page 309). It is also seen through the scene with Mr. Dusset(page 343-344). These themes are supported through the various elements of the story, as shown before.
Plot: The plot of this story is a group of four boys who go looking in search of the corpse of a boy named Ray Brower. The structure of this plot is Gordie telling a story about an event that happened right before he began junior high. It is a story that is told in past tense. Throughout the story, there are mentionings about the present. This gives the reader a better understanding of the characters in the story, and see the effect certain events in the past had on Gordie in the future. For example, when Gordie sees the deer, he says right after about how he would think of that moment "when there was trouble in [his] life". Another important part of the plot is the stories that Gordie writes. The one called Stud City relates to Gordies feelings towards his family. Both he and the character lost their brother, and there is conflict with the parents. The stories he tell sometimes give the reader insight on the character of Gordie. In addition to structure, the narrative pace has an effect of the overall story. The next year after the 'adventure' is told in a very quick pace. It says how the friends drifted apart and then how Chris ended up getting into the honors courses. The speeding up of the pace of this shows how the eventual ending of the friendship didn't matter. What mattered was the time they spent together and how good of friends they were. I was reminded of when Gordie says he "never had friends like he did when he was twelve. Jesus who does?"(page 341). This proves that he really meant this because he seems to not care about what happened. Rather, he cares about what a great friendship they group of them had.
Point of View: This story is told in first person by Gordon Lachance. He is telling about something he experienced when he was twelve. He recounts the story, but throughout the story he will have sidenotes or entire chapters that are from the present. The present would be when he is writing this story down years later. An example of when he does this would be when he says things like "the story never did get out" (page 427), "I've thought of going back and looking for it"(Pg 421), or "my wife and children far off in another world"(page 421). These all show that he is looking back or providing the reader with thoughts that he has now, after the event. This also shows that he has been impacted greatly in various ways by this event. If it was just some unimportant childish adventure, he may have remembered it, but it would have been told in a more childish upbeat story. While there are some funny parts, there are a lot of serious events that take place which he reflects on to the reader, such as the event with the deer or the almost speech that Chris gave him about friends. The things he learned stuck with him, so he tells this story. Also, the first paragraph is very important in regards to the point of view. He tells why he wants to tell the story. He says he tells it for the "want of an understanding ear"(page 293). We saw how the family life of Gordie was not so great, but this event was very important to him. He tells this story to recount its importance. By having that first chapter, Gordie relays to the reader that this is a difficult story to tell, but it must be done. Through this point of view, the story is given a deeper meaning and shown to not be just some childhood experience. Rather, it was a life-chaning experience.
Characterization: There is both indirect and direct characterization that takes place in this story. Mostly, there is indirect characterization. In the second, third, and fourth chapter, there is a lot of description about each of the characters. Sometimes it is directly said about the character. For example, it says that"Teddy couldn't see very well"(page 295). While Gordie tells the reader explicitly about the character, he uses a lot of stories to give the background information. This happens when he tells of how Chris was suspended for school because the "milk-money disappeared"(page 307). A lot of the past stories are used to tell about the characters. At first, they may seem shallow or obvious, but throughout the rest of the story actions that each character does reveals a much deeper characterization. At the beginning, Teddy seems macho through the story of how he does "truck-dodging"(page 297). Later, though, Milo calls his dad a "loony" (page 348). After this, Teddy "burst into tears" (page 351). This shows that Teddy has a deep love for his father, and he is not so tough and isn't just a daredevil. He has feelings. Lastly, the character of Gordie has a direct relation to Stephen King. I was looking up information about the story and came across this. Gordie wrote short stories in college, which many were published in "small literary journals and men's journals". "His first novel and story were hugely successful". "He goes on to write several supernatural novels, and he has a wife and three kids". All of this is paralled with Stephen King. This relationship between the two shows that he had a connection to this person, and that the person has realistic qualities. It is a deep, almost real character.
Setting: The setting of this story overall is Castle Rock. The importance places in the town where things occur would be mostly the railroad, and Castle River. A very important phrase made by Gordie(when he is older) about the setting would be when he says something about Castle river and how it "is still around" (page 436). After he says this, he says "so am i"(page 436). This shows that he relates the river to himself. The river holds his memories of that journey and reminds him of it. As long as the river is still there, so will his memories of his friendships and that journey. This provides a major theme of the fact that memories last a lifetime. Also, even though his friends have died, he still remembers and will never forget. Time may have passed, but he still remembers. He is still there to remember. Also, Gordie says that "desire to get away from Castle Rock and out of the mill's shadow seemed to me to be my best part"(page 435). This refers to Chris and how he was labeled by his family. Everyone knew him, yet no one knew him. This shows the theme of moving on and going onto a new life. The setting is important because Gordie holds on to it in order to keep the memories of his friendship alive. Also, in the past, it is shown as an obstacle that keeps Chris from reaching goals, such as the honors classes and how old lady Simons used this against him(page 383). The little town where everyone knows everything is seen as both bad and good. This is because of Chris' situation with his status in society as a result of their opinions of his family, and how it held him back. It was good because of how great of friendships the boys had when they were younger.
Theme: The major themes of this story are friendship, becoming older, and the way society and its perceptions can hold you back. The theme of friendship is that no matter what, friendships last forever. Whether they talk or not, the memories are what keep people friends. People hold onto these memories. This is shown when Gordie says that the river and him are both still there(page 436). Also, the theme of friendship is that you are a part of your friends. This is seen when Gordie says "if he had drowned, that part of my would have drowned with him"(page 435). People grow attached to each other, and sometimes they almost become one. This is not something that just goes away. Instead, the friendship will last even if they are not together. At the same time, certain friendships are not right because they can "drag you down"(page 381). Friendship is a major importance, but friendships change as people grow up, which is another important theme. The drifting away of the friendship with Teddy and Vern show this because they were best friends, but then as they got to junior high they began to hangout with different people and change. This shows that growing up causes some losses, but the strong friendship between Chris and Gordie show that not everything has to change. Lastly, society and the setting reveal the theme of the negative effects of the perceptions of others. Chris' brothers cause others to assume he'd "turn out bad"(page 307). Also, the continuous comparison of Gordie to Denny causes him to feel like he is the "Invisible Boy"(page 298) and inferior or not good enough. His dad shows this through his disapproval of what he is, such as his choice of friends when he says "Those are the only people you want to be with, aren't they, Gordon?"(page 309). It is also seen through the scene with Mr. Dusset(page 343-344). These themes are supported through the various elements of the story, as shown before.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Theme Blog #4
"Miss Brill"
I am very confused about this story. I have pretty much no idea where it takes place. I thought it may be a church because she said something about her "special seat" and recalls "Last Sunday" (p 183). This made me think that she would go there on Sundays, and since she is older, they usually have a seat they always sit in. I think this is wrong since the setting was outside, so maybe it is at a park? I don't know! Also, even though I did not really understand this, I did find some irony in the story. Throughout the whole story, Miss Brill sits there and judges others/people watches. She says "there was something funny about nearly all of them", so she obviously thinks about them and makes fun of them. It is like her form of entertainment. Then, at the end she hearst the kids talk about her. She gets so upset. I feel bad because I saw some little old lady being made fun of. At the same time, it was ironic because they were just like her. The only difference is that they said their thoughts outloud.
I am very confused about this story. I have pretty much no idea where it takes place. I thought it may be a church because she said something about her "special seat" and recalls "Last Sunday" (p 183). This made me think that she would go there on Sundays, and since she is older, they usually have a seat they always sit in. I think this is wrong since the setting was outside, so maybe it is at a park? I don't know! Also, even though I did not really understand this, I did find some irony in the story. Throughout the whole story, Miss Brill sits there and judges others/people watches. She says "there was something funny about nearly all of them", so she obviously thinks about them and makes fun of them. It is like her form of entertainment. Then, at the end she hearst the kids talk about her. She gets so upset. I feel bad because I saw some little old lady being made fun of. At the same time, it was ironic because they were just like her. The only difference is that they said their thoughts outloud.
Theme Blog #3
"Once upon a Time" #1
The two causes for the sound are "a voice in the echo-chamber of the subconscious"(p 231) or an intruder, someone who could murder or harm her. She syas she felt like a "victim already"(p 232) , so she is afraid someone else is there maybe. Her fear is evident, and she was reading everything going on as a "possible threat"(p232). An intruder would be a threat, and she had just told the story of a murderer. She is being very paranoid and fearful. These feelings are what cause her the fear. Since she goes into more detail about her inner feelings, although it is caused by thinking there is an intruder, I think that the ultimate fear is in her paranoia and subconcious fear. The inner feelings reveal why she couldn't "release [herself] to sleep again"(p232). She keeps thinking about all the possiblities and convincing herself it could be something bad, which is a voice inside her head. Her own worries are what cause her the fear. This prompts the feelings of the children story because she is trying to convince herself that worrying about intruders and the outside world is not always the biggest concern. Your own worries and fear can harm you instead.
The two causes for the sound are "a voice in the echo-chamber of the subconscious"(p 231) or an intruder, someone who could murder or harm her. She syas she felt like a "victim already"(p 232) , so she is afraid someone else is there maybe. Her fear is evident, and she was reading everything going on as a "possible threat"(p232). An intruder would be a threat, and she had just told the story of a murderer. She is being very paranoid and fearful. These feelings are what cause her the fear. Since she goes into more detail about her inner feelings, although it is caused by thinking there is an intruder, I think that the ultimate fear is in her paranoia and subconcious fear. The inner feelings reveal why she couldn't "release [herself] to sleep again"(p232). She keeps thinking about all the possiblities and convincing herself it could be something bad, which is a voice inside her head. Her own worries are what cause her the fear. This prompts the feelings of the children story because she is trying to convince herself that worrying about intruders and the outside world is not always the biggest concern. Your own worries and fear can harm you instead.
Theme Blog #2
"A Worn Path" #5
The plot/structure of this story starts out with her getting through struggles of her own,like old age, to get there. At one point she says "I wasn't as old as I thought" (p 224). She then encounters various animals or thorn bushes, which give her difficulty. Then, the man tries to persuade her to turn around. Lastly, when she is at the doctor's office, the people there keep questioning her. She is unable to answer because she forgets what she was there to do. Her internal struggle is at the end because she either cannot say why she is there on her own, or she cannot come to grips that her grandson is dead. I am not sure if he is dead or not, but she struggles at the doctors office because of some internal conflict, maybe a memory or forgetting. I am not sure though. The obstacles are her old age, which she fights through. Another obstacle is the nature, like the thorn bush. Another is the distance of the town, but she is determined. Also, the man tries to tell her to turn around and really tries to make her go back, but she refuses. He even says "wouldn't misss going to town to see Santa Claus", so her determination to get there is evident. Lastly, at the doctors office she struggles to say why she is there. She overcomes this by having the nurse help her.
The plot/structure of this story starts out with her getting through struggles of her own,like old age, to get there. At one point she says "I wasn't as old as I thought" (p 224). She then encounters various animals or thorn bushes, which give her difficulty. Then, the man tries to persuade her to turn around. Lastly, when she is at the doctor's office, the people there keep questioning her. She is unable to answer because she forgets what she was there to do. Her internal struggle is at the end because she either cannot say why she is there on her own, or she cannot come to grips that her grandson is dead. I am not sure if he is dead or not, but she struggles at the doctors office because of some internal conflict, maybe a memory or forgetting. I am not sure though. The obstacles are her old age, which she fights through. Another obstacle is the nature, like the thorn bush. Another is the distance of the town, but she is determined. Also, the man tries to tell her to turn around and really tries to make her go back, but she refuses. He even says "wouldn't misss going to town to see Santa Claus", so her determination to get there is evident. Lastly, at the doctors office she struggles to say why she is there. She overcomes this by having the nurse help her.
Theme Blog #1
"Eveline" #2
Eveline feels trapped in her present life, and I do not think her father respects her as he should. On page 219, she says that "she would not be treated as her mohter had been". She would have "respect". Her father must not have respect for women. I think he may have physically hurt her mother and controlled what she did. Eveline says that she is afraid of "the danger of her father's violence". He was controlling and probably has anger issues. She wants to live a life of her own. He "had forbidden her to have anything to do with [Frank]"(p 220), which is what made her happy. She also said that she had a "right to happiness" (221). She must not have happiness in her current situation since she says this. Miss Gavan is very critical of Eveline, by correcting everything she did. Eveline says she "would be glad" if Eveline left, which also shows that Miss Gavan gave her more incentive to leave. Lastly, I think her father forbidding her from things made her want that life even more. Also, her memory of her mother contributed to her decision to leave. She saw how her mother was treated and did not want to be trapped. Since she remembered how life for her mother was, she knew what she did not want. Eveline wanted to escape into a life of her own, not dictated by her father.
Eveline feels trapped in her present life, and I do not think her father respects her as he should. On page 219, she says that "she would not be treated as her mohter had been". She would have "respect". Her father must not have respect for women. I think he may have physically hurt her mother and controlled what she did. Eveline says that she is afraid of "the danger of her father's violence". He was controlling and probably has anger issues. She wants to live a life of her own. He "had forbidden her to have anything to do with [Frank]"(p 220), which is what made her happy. She also said that she had a "right to happiness" (221). She must not have happiness in her current situation since she says this. Miss Gavan is very critical of Eveline, by correcting everything she did. Eveline says she "would be glad" if Eveline left, which also shows that Miss Gavan gave her more incentive to leave. Lastly, I think her father forbidding her from things made her want that life even more. Also, her memory of her mother contributed to her decision to leave. She saw how her mother was treated and did not want to be trapped. Since she remembered how life for her mother was, she knew what she did not want. Eveline wanted to escape into a life of her own, not dictated by her father.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Characterization Blog #4
"Bartleby the Scrivener"
I honestly still am trying to finish this story. I have tried so many times but it keeps confusing me! Its a lot of details and a slow start, so hopefully it gets better. I found this kind of humerous with the descriptions of the three scrieveners who were already employed. On page 646, I thought it was funny when the narrator gave the contrasting descriptions of Nippers and Turkey. And For real, how can you not find their nicknames funny? Its a comic relief to the story because most of the content of the story is kind of serious, but the author does throw in some humor. I think, but I am really bad at picking up on if things are supposed to be funny or not so I am sure that is wrong. Lastly, I think it is weird that Bartleby always says "I prefer not to". He does not want to work for some reason. Also, it is very strange on page 659 when he won't even say something about himself. I still have to finish, but I am just not sure why he always is saying this and what the meaning is behind it if there is one.
I honestly still am trying to finish this story. I have tried so many times but it keeps confusing me! Its a lot of details and a slow start, so hopefully it gets better. I found this kind of humerous with the descriptions of the three scrieveners who were already employed. On page 646, I thought it was funny when the narrator gave the contrasting descriptions of Nippers and Turkey. And For real, how can you not find their nicknames funny? Its a comic relief to the story because most of the content of the story is kind of serious, but the author does throw in some humor. I think, but I am really bad at picking up on if things are supposed to be funny or not so I am sure that is wrong. Lastly, I think it is weird that Bartleby always says "I prefer not to". He does not want to work for some reason. Also, it is very strange on page 659 when he won't even say something about himself. I still have to finish, but I am just not sure why he always is saying this and what the meaning is behind it if there is one.
Characterization Blog #3
"Hunters in the Snow" #7
This scene is important into revealing one of the messages of the story. I mentioned this in my previous blog, but this is the scene that best shows the type of friendship these three have. The three have a shallow friendship and do not truly care about the friendship. They are friends who make fun of each other and just say their problems. They don't help each other and this proves that. They go into eat while Kenny is laying in the freezing cold on the back of the truck. He was shot! He needed to go to the hospital but the other two were too selfish to take him straight there. They figure it won't make any difference, but at the end when the narrator says "but he was wrong" when Kenny says he is going to the hospital it shows that they never make it and Kenny is most likely going to die. This is terrible! Also, they do not help each other because Tub reveals that he has no gland problem. Instead of giving advice, Frank makes him eat a ton of pancakes. Why would a friend want to encourage a problem like that? A real friend would try to help them get over something like this.
This scene is important into revealing one of the messages of the story. I mentioned this in my previous blog, but this is the scene that best shows the type of friendship these three have. The three have a shallow friendship and do not truly care about the friendship. They are friends who make fun of each other and just say their problems. They don't help each other and this proves that. They go into eat while Kenny is laying in the freezing cold on the back of the truck. He was shot! He needed to go to the hospital but the other two were too selfish to take him straight there. They figure it won't make any difference, but at the end when the narrator says "but he was wrong" when Kenny says he is going to the hospital it shows that they never make it and Kenny is most likely going to die. This is terrible! Also, they do not help each other because Tub reveals that he has no gland problem. Instead of giving advice, Frank makes him eat a ton of pancakes. Why would a friend want to encourage a problem like that? A real friend would try to help them get over something like this.
Characterization Blog #2
"Hunters in the Snow" #1
I find all of the characters mostly insensitive. Each of the friendships between the three is very shallow. They do not seem to care about each other. If I had to pickt he one I find most sensitive, I would say Kenny. Although he is very rude and obnoxious in the beginning, Kenny seems to change and show the real him after he is shot. He puts on a front. He tries to be all manly and macho, but really he cares for people. He acts like he wanted to kill the dog, but we find out on 194 that he had been asked to do that. He was actually helping out this old man who could not bear to put his dog out of misery. Also, after getting shot he says that he was not really going to shoot Tub. I think that he is most sensitive also because he stops being rude right after he is shot. He relies on his 'friends' and feels pain. Even though it is something anyone can experience, his pain causes him to end his insensitivity towards his friends. In contrast, Frank would be the least sensitive. He cares about no one but himself and his own problems. He "left the directions on the table", and instead of easily going back to get them he just says he will pretty much wing it. That is so insensitive since his friend's life is on the line. He has them stop to eat and has Tub take even more time to eat the pancakes. In addition, making Tub eat those pancakes shows insensitivity. A real friend would have helped Tub overcome his weakness, but instead he is sitting there making it worse. Lastly, he cheats on his wife emotionally. We do not know for sure if it was physical but he knows when the girl was born, like exact time, so obviously they talked. He does not care about how his kids will feel when he leaves his wife. He only cares about himself. Tub's name makes me want to feel bad for him, but at the same time I don't because obviously it is his own fault.
I find all of the characters mostly insensitive. Each of the friendships between the three is very shallow. They do not seem to care about each other. If I had to pickt he one I find most sensitive, I would say Kenny. Although he is very rude and obnoxious in the beginning, Kenny seems to change and show the real him after he is shot. He puts on a front. He tries to be all manly and macho, but really he cares for people. He acts like he wanted to kill the dog, but we find out on 194 that he had been asked to do that. He was actually helping out this old man who could not bear to put his dog out of misery. Also, after getting shot he says that he was not really going to shoot Tub. I think that he is most sensitive also because he stops being rude right after he is shot. He relies on his 'friends' and feels pain. Even though it is something anyone can experience, his pain causes him to end his insensitivity towards his friends. In contrast, Frank would be the least sensitive. He cares about no one but himself and his own problems. He "left the directions on the table", and instead of easily going back to get them he just says he will pretty much wing it. That is so insensitive since his friend's life is on the line. He has them stop to eat and has Tub take even more time to eat the pancakes. In addition, making Tub eat those pancakes shows insensitivity. A real friend would have helped Tub overcome his weakness, but instead he is sitting there making it worse. Lastly, he cheats on his wife emotionally. We do not know for sure if it was physical but he knows when the girl was born, like exact time, so obviously they talked. He does not care about how his kids will feel when he leaves his wife. He only cares about himself. Tub's name makes me want to feel bad for him, but at the same time I don't because obviously it is his own fault.
Characterization Blog #1
"Everyday Use" #3
Each of these events provide evidence of Dee trying to reject her African American heritage and in turn embrace her African heritage. She changes her name from Dee to Wangero. She is abandoning her mother's side of the family heritage by doing this. She wants to get rid of her connection to that side of her. Hakim's behavior shows that he is also trying to escape his heritage. He embraces a Muslim heritage instead. They both are running from what made them. Also, the "beef-cattle peoples down the road" present a similar resentment to the African American heritage of Dee. The mother criticizes these people by saying that they are "too busy". From how she explains them, it seems as if she find the way they live foreign because she said something about going "a mile and a half just to see the sight"(p178). She explains them as something she is not familiar with and doesn't exactly approve of. Hakim accepts"some of their doctrines" but not the "farming and raising cattle". This shows that the mother was trying to mock or make a rude comment. Dee is definitely straying from her mother's way of life and acceptance. Lastly, Dee has no real concern for the family heritage of the quilts. She cares about the rarity and antique heritage of it. She does not care about it being from her family.
Each of these events provide evidence of Dee trying to reject her African American heritage and in turn embrace her African heritage. She changes her name from Dee to Wangero. She is abandoning her mother's side of the family heritage by doing this. She wants to get rid of her connection to that side of her. Hakim's behavior shows that he is also trying to escape his heritage. He embraces a Muslim heritage instead. They both are running from what made them. Also, the "beef-cattle peoples down the road" present a similar resentment to the African American heritage of Dee. The mother criticizes these people by saying that they are "too busy". From how she explains them, it seems as if she find the way they live foreign because she said something about going "a mile and a half just to see the sight"(p178). She explains them as something she is not familiar with and doesn't exactly approve of. Hakim accepts"some of their doctrines" but not the "farming and raising cattle". This shows that the mother was trying to mock or make a rude comment. Dee is definitely straying from her mother's way of life and acceptance. Lastly, Dee has no real concern for the family heritage of the quilts. She cares about the rarity and antique heritage of it. She does not care about it being from her family.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Plot and Structure Blog #4
"A Rose for Emily"
I was very confused by this story. I understood it mostly until the very end, which is the most important part. One of the questions says that Emily murder Homer. I know that this is probably correct, but I did not see where it said this in the story. I thought that Homer Barron left, but I guess on page 287 he went in to the house and it was the last they saw of him. I just assumed he went to the house, left, and it was the last time they ever saw him in town. On page 286, she buys arsenic, but I had a feeling she wanted to use this to kill herself. I honestly had no idea what to think this entire story. She seemed crazy starting from the point of when she yelled at all of the people that she has "no taxes in Jefferson" (page 283). Anyways, the last three or so paragraphs caused me to be really confused because it was when they say the man laying in the bed. I guess it just was surprising and I still do not see where it was forshadowed or stated in the story that she killed him.
I was very confused by this story. I understood it mostly until the very end, which is the most important part. One of the questions says that Emily murder Homer. I know that this is probably correct, but I did not see where it said this in the story. I thought that Homer Barron left, but I guess on page 287 he went in to the house and it was the last they saw of him. I just assumed he went to the house, left, and it was the last time they ever saw him in town. On page 286, she buys arsenic, but I had a feeling she wanted to use this to kill herself. I honestly had no idea what to think this entire story. She seemed crazy starting from the point of when she yelled at all of the people that she has "no taxes in Jefferson" (page 283). Anyways, the last three or so paragraphs caused me to be really confused because it was when they say the man laying in the bed. I guess it just was surprising and I still do not see where it was forshadowed or stated in the story that she killed him.
Plot and Structure Blog #3
"Interpreter of Maladies" #1
The central conflict of this story is that Mr. Kapasi grows fond of Mrs. Das and wants to have a relationship with her in the end. He wants time alone with her, but her husband and children being there causes him to have difficulty doing this. When Mr. Kapasi does have time with just Mrs. Das, it seems to solve the conflict. She reveals something she has kept "a secret for eight whole years" (pg 161). This deep moment reveals to Mr.Kapasi the true Mrs. Das. She is not the perfect woman he imagined. She also does not make this an intimate moment, especially when she says "I'm twenty-eight. You probably have children my age"(page 163). He comes to the realization that all of his fantasies and thoughts were not going to be a reality. He gives her an response from his heart and truth, but she does not like it. If he wanted to make her happy, he would have candy-coated the way he said it. He sees that it was not meant to be and that he does not need her ike he thought. Also, he seems change sides and feels for Mr.Das by wanting to tell him about the lie Mrs.Das has kept. The conflict is even more resolved when his address falls out of her purse. He is content with this happening which proves that the conflict is resolved. If he was concerned with having contact with her or any type of relationship, he would have told her or given her the address again. The "picture of the Das family he would perserve forever in his mind"(page 166) is one that shows he is not meant to be a part of this.
The central conflict of this story is that Mr. Kapasi grows fond of Mrs. Das and wants to have a relationship with her in the end. He wants time alone with her, but her husband and children being there causes him to have difficulty doing this. When Mr. Kapasi does have time with just Mrs. Das, it seems to solve the conflict. She reveals something she has kept "a secret for eight whole years" (pg 161). This deep moment reveals to Mr.Kapasi the true Mrs. Das. She is not the perfect woman he imagined. She also does not make this an intimate moment, especially when she says "I'm twenty-eight. You probably have children my age"(page 163). He comes to the realization that all of his fantasies and thoughts were not going to be a reality. He gives her an response from his heart and truth, but she does not like it. If he wanted to make her happy, he would have candy-coated the way he said it. He sees that it was not meant to be and that he does not need her ike he thought. Also, he seems change sides and feels for Mr.Das by wanting to tell him about the lie Mrs.Das has kept. The conflict is even more resolved when his address falls out of her purse. He is content with this happening which proves that the conflict is resolved. If he was concerned with having contact with her or any type of relationship, he would have told her or given her the address again. The "picture of the Das family he would perserve forever in his mind"(page 166) is one that shows he is not meant to be a part of this.
Plot and Structure Blog #2
"How I Met My Husband" #7
The rols of Alice Kelling is important to the story because her arrival initiates the obastacle and struggle for Edie. It causes Edie to reevaluate her feelings towards Chris Watters somewhat, and it makes her want him even more. Alic also adavances the plot by being the one to initiate the entire climax of the story by questioning Edie about Chris' whereabouts on page 143. Then, her accusation of Edie being the type of girl "men despise" (page 144). Her anger and reel of derogatory statements directed toward Edie inevitably cause Edie to crack and have a breakdown. The presence of Alice is what makes this all happen. She seems to be an antagonist because she is engaged to Chris, which is what Edie wants. Edie feels threatened by Alice. We see this when she says that that Alice is "nothing in the least bit pretty"(page 138). In addition, Alice is an antagonist because she has a much more mature mindset than the innocent Edie. On page 144, Edie's misunderstanding of the phrase "intimate with him"(page 144) proves that Alice has much more 'street smarts' than Edie. It emphasizes the sheltered life of Edie and the innocence of her.
The rols of Alice Kelling is important to the story because her arrival initiates the obastacle and struggle for Edie. It causes Edie to reevaluate her feelings towards Chris Watters somewhat, and it makes her want him even more. Alic also adavances the plot by being the one to initiate the entire climax of the story by questioning Edie about Chris' whereabouts on page 143. Then, her accusation of Edie being the type of girl "men despise" (page 144). Her anger and reel of derogatory statements directed toward Edie inevitably cause Edie to crack and have a breakdown. The presence of Alice is what makes this all happen. She seems to be an antagonist because she is engaged to Chris, which is what Edie wants. Edie feels threatened by Alice. We see this when she says that that Alice is "nothing in the least bit pretty"(page 138). In addition, Alice is an antagonist because she has a much more mature mindset than the innocent Edie. On page 144, Edie's misunderstanding of the phrase "intimate with him"(page 144) proves that Alice has much more 'street smarts' than Edie. It emphasizes the sheltered life of Edie and the innocence of her.
Plot and Structure Blog #1
"How I Met My Husband" #6
Throughout this story, the tone of reminisence and a sense of a now mature Edie come about. I recognized a older,wiser Edie when I read this story. She is a dynamic character who changes from the beginning as a "hired girl" to the end as a mature, happily married woman. I see Edie speaking as a much more mature person when she talks about Mrs.Peebles ascing her from Alice Kelling and Loretta Bird. She says that "I didn't fighre out till years later the extent of what I had been saved from"(page 145). This depicts Edie as an innocent girl who did not recognize the consequences of her actions. Also, the contrast of Edie's mindset to the older women show she was very innocent. For example, on page 144 she thinks that she was "being intimate" with Mr. Watters, but she did not understand what was the true meaning behind this. She thought that intimate was sharing a romantic moment pretty much. In addtion, she talks about how she waited for the letter. Her commentary reveals a foolish and embarassed feeling towards her younger self. At first she thought that a lettter not coming was an "impossible idea", but then she has the wise insight about what her future could be like if she does not come to terms with this (page 146). Also, her not wanting to tell her current husband about why she had waited for the mail shows that she is reminising about her past but she is not sad about how she turned out. She does not want things she cannot have like she did when she was a young girl. Instead, she is happy with her life. Lastly, her saying "I like for people to think what please them and makes them happy"(pg 146) shows a wiser Edie because if she had done this with telling Alice Kelling she would have saved a lot of problems.
Throughout this story, the tone of reminisence and a sense of a now mature Edie come about. I recognized a older,wiser Edie when I read this story. She is a dynamic character who changes from the beginning as a "hired girl" to the end as a mature, happily married woman. I see Edie speaking as a much more mature person when she talks about Mrs.Peebles ascing her from Alice Kelling and Loretta Bird. She says that "I didn't fighre out till years later the extent of what I had been saved from"(page 145). This depicts Edie as an innocent girl who did not recognize the consequences of her actions. Also, the contrast of Edie's mindset to the older women show she was very innocent. For example, on page 144 she thinks that she was "being intimate" with Mr. Watters, but she did not understand what was the true meaning behind this. She thought that intimate was sharing a romantic moment pretty much. In addtion, she talks about how she waited for the letter. Her commentary reveals a foolish and embarassed feeling towards her younger self. At first she thought that a lettter not coming was an "impossible idea", but then she has the wise insight about what her future could be like if she does not come to terms with this (page 146). Also, her not wanting to tell her current husband about why she had waited for the mail shows that she is reminising about her past but she is not sad about how she turned out. She does not want things she cannot have like she did when she was a young girl. Instead, she is happy with her life. Lastly, her saying "I like for people to think what please them and makes them happy"(pg 146) shows a wiser Edie because if she had done this with telling Alice Kelling she would have saved a lot of problems.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Pattern #4
The poem "Edward" was very strange to me. It was very dark considering the killing of his father. In our small group, I was really surprised when we came to the realization that the mother was the one who wanted Edward to kill his father. He reveals this at the end of the poem when he says "such counsels you gave to me". This really shocked me! He hates her for making him do this and he is blaming her. When she asks what he will do for her, he says "the curse of hell from me shall ye bear". This is a very strong feeling. He is bitter I think after the act since he says his family can beg in the streets. He is rejecting everying since he wants to leave, but his feelings towards his mom are most negative. I think that this shows he blames her. Also, in this poem I think that he shows some remorse by saying "woe is me". He does not have enough remorse to help make his family's lives better. Instead, I think he is saying they are better off without him so he is leaving.
Pattern Poem #3
8.
I read on of the questions concerning "Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead" which asked if I thought the poem had a tone of optimistic or pessimistic. Instead, I think that this poem has a tone of confusion, fear, and the lack of acceptance. This tone relates to the son because he seems afraid of death. By saying "I can't just say good-bye as cheerfully", the son expresses his sadness and unknowingness towards death. He does not yet accept death. He is not bashing on death. Rather, he is saying how he feels about his father accepting death and compares this to himself. He recognizes the fact that he is not ready at all. He still does not see it as a great thing. The juxtaposition of his father being happy to die and him being happy to live show that the tone of this poem displays the son's lack of acceptance towards death. The father has acceptance which strengthens the son's true feelings toward death. He is not negative towards death itself, but is negative towards how his father feels. He is making death somewhat depressing, but his father makes it seem like a good thing by saying "cheerefully" and "sureness of his faith".
I read on of the questions concerning "Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead" which asked if I thought the poem had a tone of optimistic or pessimistic. Instead, I think that this poem has a tone of confusion, fear, and the lack of acceptance. This tone relates to the son because he seems afraid of death. By saying "I can't just say good-bye as cheerfully", the son expresses his sadness and unknowingness towards death. He does not yet accept death. He is not bashing on death. Rather, he is saying how he feels about his father accepting death and compares this to himself. He recognizes the fact that he is not ready at all. He still does not see it as a great thing. The juxtaposition of his father being happy to die and him being happy to live show that the tone of this poem displays the son's lack of acceptance towards death. The father has acceptance which strengthens the son's true feelings toward death. He is not negative towards death itself, but is negative towards how his father feels. He is making death somewhat depressing, but his father makes it seem like a good thing by saying "cheerefully" and "sureness of his faith".
Pattern Poems #2
7.
The central theme of this poem is that all these different people wants different things, but the same simple wish is love. This is supported through various things in the poem. One of these is the pattern. By splitting each of these up, we see each person's specific wants. The structure supports a personal ad since they are all separate and many people are involved. In addition to structure, the repetition of the lines at the end of each stanza supports the theme. Each person asks the similar question of "Do you live in North London? Is it you?" and "Can someone make my simple wish come true?". The repetition of these questions show that each person is desperate to find the same thing. The want of love is shared by all of theme. Also, I found some of their descriptions to support this other theme of desperation. They ask this straightforward question in a personal ad showing that they are purely looking for love. I found the fact of them putting out a personal ad simply supported desperation as well.
The central theme of this poem is that all these different people wants different things, but the same simple wish is love. This is supported through various things in the poem. One of these is the pattern. By splitting each of these up, we see each person's specific wants. The structure supports a personal ad since they are all separate and many people are involved. In addition to structure, the repetition of the lines at the end of each stanza supports the theme. Each person asks the similar question of "Do you live in North London? Is it you?" and "Can someone make my simple wish come true?". The repetition of these questions show that each person is desperate to find the same thing. The want of love is shared by all of theme. Also, I found some of their descriptions to support this other theme of desperation. They ask this straightforward question in a personal ad showing that they are purely looking for love. I found the fact of them putting out a personal ad simply supported desperation as well.
Pattern Poems #1
17.
The form and pattern of "Delight in Disorder" helps to support the overall theme of this poem. The poem has a pattern that is varied in lengths. It does not really have a uniform or pattern to the length of each line. This supports disorder because it is almost like this poem is jumbled together and just written without any pattern at all. If this poem had organization, then it would be the complete opposite of the theme of disorder. In addition to the structure, the poem's rhyme scheme also supports the theme of disorder. If you look at the end of the lines, the rhymes are not perfect rhymes. Examples of this are "thrown" with "distraction" and "note" with "petticoat". The somewhat misfit rhymes support a disorderly theme.
The form and pattern of "Delight in Disorder" helps to support the overall theme of this poem. The poem has a pattern that is varied in lengths. It does not really have a uniform or pattern to the length of each line. This supports disorder because it is almost like this poem is jumbled together and just written without any pattern at all. If this poem had organization, then it would be the complete opposite of the theme of disorder. In addition to the structure, the poem's rhyme scheme also supports the theme of disorder. If you look at the end of the lines, the rhymes are not perfect rhymes. Examples of this are "thrown" with "distraction" and "note" with "petticoat". The somewhat misfit rhymes support a disorderly theme.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Chapter 10 Tone #4
I found the poem "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell to be a little weird. I think that this guy sounds like a little bit obsessive. His talking to a woman who does not want to give into his sexual passion, but he is saying all of this after she does so. It is like he said he will never give up. I think it is weird he is saying how "my vegetable love should grow" because from what I took, they aren't together! She denied him, so I do not see why he is trying to convince her to give in or trying to say he is going to still try. If a guy said this to me, I would be creeped out. Also, he says pretty much that they can make the best of their love with the short time of life they have. I am not for sure if this is what the poem means, but I thought that this was weird because, again, I do not think that they are together. This was how I took the poem, so I am sure it is wrong but it is just what I thought. I will see when we discuss this in class if my thoughts were close to the actual meaning.
Chapter 10 Tone #3
8.
After reading "The Apparation", I found that the tone of the poem was one of vengence. This is due to both the imagery and the diction. The diction used in this poem adds a dark, angry scene. His anger transfers to the desire to haunt and make his once love's life. Some of these words are "sick, "wretch", "painfully", and "ghost". All of these words have a negative connotation. From this, I think that the poem is meant to reveal the speakers anger. It is almost like he is venting. In addtion to the diction, the imagery of the poem reveals the theme of vengence. When the speaker says "shall my ghost come to thy bed"(line4), the speaker is showing how he is following and haunting her. Also, he says that she will be "bathed in a cold quicksilver sweat"(line12). This image shows how afraid and frightened she will be of him. The way he words this stanza makes me think that he will enjoy her feeling this way because he is saying it in a biting way, like he doesn't care he would do this. Also, when he talks about her new guy, he is talking bad like no guy will ever be as good as him. He wants her to realize that her new guy cannot help her and if she had stayed with the speaker it would have all been fine.
After reading "The Apparation", I found that the tone of the poem was one of vengence. This is due to both the imagery and the diction. The diction used in this poem adds a dark, angry scene. His anger transfers to the desire to haunt and make his once love's life. Some of these words are "sick, "wretch", "painfully", and "ghost". All of these words have a negative connotation. From this, I think that the poem is meant to reveal the speakers anger. It is almost like he is venting. In addtion to the diction, the imagery of the poem reveals the theme of vengence. When the speaker says "shall my ghost come to thy bed"(line4), the speaker is showing how he is following and haunting her. Also, he says that she will be "bathed in a cold quicksilver sweat"(line12). This image shows how afraid and frightened she will be of him. The way he words this stanza makes me think that he will enjoy her feeling this way because he is saying it in a biting way, like he doesn't care he would do this. Also, when he talks about her new guy, he is talking bad like no guy will ever be as good as him. He wants her to realize that her new guy cannot help her and if she had stayed with the speaker it would have all been fine.
Chapter 10 Tone #2
12.
There are a few symbols in the poem "Crossing the bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson. When reading, I figured out that this poem was talking about dying. The speaker says how they are accepting that they will die. One symbol in the poem is the word "home"(line 8). The home represents heaven with God because it is where we began and were created. We started with God, and he hopes to return with God. This would mean going in heaven. Also, Rather than being upset, they talk of how they hope to see thier "Pilot" (line 15). The Pilot stands for God. He hopes to see him once he dies. Since he talks about going home, it is pretty obvious that this is what he meant.
There are a few symbols in the poem "Crossing the bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson. When reading, I figured out that this poem was talking about dying. The speaker says how they are accepting that they will die. One symbol in the poem is the word "home"(line 8). The home represents heaven with God because it is where we began and were created. We started with God, and he hopes to return with God. This would mean going in heaven. Also, Rather than being upset, they talk of how they hope to see thier "Pilot" (line 15). The Pilot stands for God. He hopes to see him once he dies. Since he talks about going home, it is pretty obvious that this is what he meant.
Chapter 10 Tone #1
7.
The central theme of this poem is that his lover is as beautiful as any of those women who have been compared falsely. The first eight lines are a descriptions of appearance. The descriptions all are satirical. This is because the speaker is mocking all those who shower their love with these ridiculous comparasions. An example would be "If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun" (line 3). This comparison says that her skin is not white. He uses the word gray to describe her instead. I am sure she is not really that color, but he is not going to tell her she is snow white when it is not true. He is not being mean, just realistic. The entire point of this poem is to show how he loves her without using such false statements. He is being truthful and honest because he says he has "never saw a goddess go"(line 11). Furthermore, he says that she is not any less than the woman who hear that. Rather, the women who hear these false comparisons are being lied to. He is being honest with her. Although it may seem he is saying she is inadequate, the satirical false comparisons are used only to make fun of those other people. It is his way of saying how he is honest.
The central theme of this poem is that his lover is as beautiful as any of those women who have been compared falsely. The first eight lines are a descriptions of appearance. The descriptions all are satirical. This is because the speaker is mocking all those who shower their love with these ridiculous comparasions. An example would be "If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun" (line 3). This comparison says that her skin is not white. He uses the word gray to describe her instead. I am sure she is not really that color, but he is not going to tell her she is snow white when it is not true. He is not being mean, just realistic. The entire point of this poem is to show how he loves her without using such false statements. He is being truthful and honest because he says he has "never saw a goddess go"(line 11). Furthermore, he says that she is not any less than the woman who hear that. Rather, the women who hear these false comparisons are being lied to. He is being honest with her. Although it may seem he is saying she is inadequate, the satirical false comparisons are used only to make fun of those other people. It is his way of saying how he is honest.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
POUI Blog #4
"APO 96225" was my favorite poem that I read this week. I easily understood this poem when I read it. I think that by reading The Things They Carried it made it easier to understand this. Instantly, I was reminded of this book when I read it. The poem shows how little they want to know. The father says "Please do not write such depressing letters." (line 16). The people cannot handle the truth of what is going on. This is sad that the soldier cannot even talk to his parents about what he is experiencing. The public is not able to understand, and they just have to support and act like they care. In reality, the parents could not handle what is truly going on because they cannot face the truth. The situational irony really supportst this poem because although the mom begs to know the truth, when she hears it she is upset and does not know why her son would say that to her. This proves how little the public would know as a result of the inablity to handle the truth of the war.
POUI Blog #3
6.
The central purpose of this poem is to be satirical towards the people in America. E.e. cummings uses this poem to make a stab at society and how they act. The focus he has is one patriotism. He jumbles many patriotic cliches and songs, which shows him mocking these which are usually songs of praise by people. In addition, he says that the soldiers do not know why they go to war. By saying this, cummings undercuts the soldiers. Most people thank soldiers for the service they do for us to be free, but cummings says that they do not care pretty much. At the end of the poem, he asks the question "then shall the voice of liberty be mute?" (line 14). This question is essentially saying to the people that no we should not be mute, we need tot do what I do and speak up. This is a mockery because he has truely butchered the patriotic songs and made a joke of everything anyone says concerning our country. How can anyone understand what he is saying anyways??? It is a mess what he says. It is just him rambling. His point of this poem is that people do not know why they tell people to say all of this patriotic stuff. He is pointing the finger at society.
The central purpose of this poem is to be satirical towards the people in America. E.e. cummings uses this poem to make a stab at society and how they act. The focus he has is one patriotism. He jumbles many patriotic cliches and songs, which shows him mocking these which are usually songs of praise by people. In addition, he says that the soldiers do not know why they go to war. By saying this, cummings undercuts the soldiers. Most people thank soldiers for the service they do for us to be free, but cummings says that they do not care pretty much. At the end of the poem, he asks the question "then shall the voice of liberty be mute?" (line 14). This question is essentially saying to the people that no we should not be mute, we need tot do what I do and speak up. This is a mockery because he has truely butchered the patriotic songs and made a joke of everything anyone says concerning our country. How can anyone understand what he is saying anyways??? It is a mess what he says. It is just him rambling. His point of this poem is that people do not know why they tell people to say all of this patriotic stuff. He is pointing the finger at society.
POUI Blog #2
7.
The central theme of the poem "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy is that society cannot accept natural beauty of women, who grow up thinking that they need to be perfect like Barbie. The girl in the poem held qualities mostly associated with men in society, which causes her to feel the pressure of society. As a result of feeling inadequate, she "went to and fro apologizing" (line 10). This is sad because she was not what women were 'supposed' to be. Although she had great skill in manual labor, society only pointed out her appearance as being flawed. By saying that she was "wore out like a fan belt" (line14-15), it is implied that she is not what everyone else looks like, but it is not a bad thing, just society wants everyone the same. The irony of this poem is seeing when people say she is most beautiful when she was dead. This is so sad to see that society is that concerned with the outside rather than what is inside. Overall, this poem shows how distorted the perception of people is today in society.
The central theme of the poem "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy is that society cannot accept natural beauty of women, who grow up thinking that they need to be perfect like Barbie. The girl in the poem held qualities mostly associated with men in society, which causes her to feel the pressure of society. As a result of feeling inadequate, she "went to and fro apologizing" (line 10). This is sad because she was not what women were 'supposed' to be. Although she had great skill in manual labor, society only pointed out her appearance as being flawed. By saying that she was "wore out like a fan belt" (line14-15), it is implied that she is not what everyone else looks like, but it is not a bad thing, just society wants everyone the same. The irony of this poem is seeing when people say she is most beautiful when she was dead. This is so sad to see that society is that concerned with the outside rather than what is inside. Overall, this poem shows how distorted the perception of people is today in society.
POUI Blog #1
#13
In the poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense", Dickinson uses two phrases which cause a paradox when used together. The phrases go hand in hand to understand the meaning and reason for the use of them. The paradoxal phrases are "Much Madness is divinest sense"(line 1) and "Much Sense-the starkest Madness"(line 3). This paradox causes the reader to look closer at what they are reading. Therefore, they find what the true meaning of this poem is. Although it seems to be contradicting phrases used together seem wrong, they in fact are correct once realizing the point Dickinson is trying to get across. The phrases ultimately are addressing people who conform to society. By not conforming, a person may seem insane to society, but they see they are staying true to themselves. A person who conforms is mad because although society accepts them, they cannot accept themselves because they are being something they are not. This is the truth revealed through this paradox. Without the paradox, the poem would not have been as effective.
In the poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense", Dickinson uses two phrases which cause a paradox when used together. The phrases go hand in hand to understand the meaning and reason for the use of them. The paradoxal phrases are "Much Madness is divinest sense"(line 1) and "Much Sense-the starkest Madness"(line 3). This paradox causes the reader to look closer at what they are reading. Therefore, they find what the true meaning of this poem is. Although it seems to be contradicting phrases used together seem wrong, they in fact are correct once realizing the point Dickinson is trying to get across. The phrases ultimately are addressing people who conform to society. By not conforming, a person may seem insane to society, but they see they are staying true to themselves. A person who conforms is mad because although society accepts them, they cannot accept themselves because they are being something they are not. This is the truth revealed through this paradox. Without the paradox, the poem would not have been as effective.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Figurative Language Poetry #5
When I read "Toads", I was really confused. I somewhat understood it, but the questions at the end posed my questions. One of the questions said that there was two toads being described. I easily recognized the first one because it is stated right there in italics. The first toad is work. I assumed that this toad had a somewhat negative implication of work. The diction that is used along with this toad are "squat", "sickening poison", and "soils". All of these words have a bad feel to them! From this, I think that Larkin is insinuating that letting work lead your life is not a good thing. After this, I kind of saw the other toad as letting work not take over your life. Rather, work is just the way to making the personal and desired way of life possible. It should not be a burden. Work is what will give them "fame the girl and the money" (line 30). This is my thoughts on what the two toads were. I am not sure if this is right though, which is why I was confused.
Figurative Language Poetry #4
8.
After reading "Pink Dog", I found that the tone of this poem is satirical and humorous. The poem's tone is achieved through the diction and imagery of the poem. The diction in this poem, such as "idiots", "ebbing", "drugged, drunk, or sober", and "naked and pink", support the humor and satire. All of these words are not formal, and some of the phrases are just absurd and funny. The poet is obviously not trying to make a point by saying everything wrong. Rather, he is saying how they will deal with the problem in a satirical way. The phrases throughout the poem that explain this are actually really funny. When he says that " the beggars who can afford them now wear life preservers", I for real laughed. I mean this is obviously not happening, but the poor are being treated that bad! I did not fully understand this poem, but the humerous diction and imagery of the actions taking place gave me a better understanding.
After reading "Pink Dog", I found that the tone of this poem is satirical and humorous. The poem's tone is achieved through the diction and imagery of the poem. The diction in this poem, such as "idiots", "ebbing", "drugged, drunk, or sober", and "naked and pink", support the humor and satire. All of these words are not formal, and some of the phrases are just absurd and funny. The poet is obviously not trying to make a point by saying everything wrong. Rather, he is saying how they will deal with the problem in a satirical way. The phrases throughout the poem that explain this are actually really funny. When he says that " the beggars who can afford them now wear life preservers", I for real laughed. I mean this is obviously not happening, but the poor are being treated that bad! I did not fully understand this poem, but the humerous diction and imagery of the actions taking place gave me a better understanding.
Figurative Language Poetry #3
13.
In the poem "February", the speaker is very grumpy, depressed, and in a bad mood. Also, I find her very cynical. She refers to love and procreation as the root of all of the problems. The month of February is supposed to be a time of joy of love and joy. Afterall, Valentines day occurs during this month. Most spend time with and cherish the one they love. This is a time to celebrate the love they have. The irony of this comes from when she says that February is the "month of despair" (line 25). Since this phrase is used, Atwood effectively supports the overall tone and message of the poem. If she had said how great love is and that February is great, then she would totally contradict everything she said. The irony she creates adds to her point. This entire poem seems ironic since love is not usually viewed as terrible by the normal, average person.
In the poem "February", the speaker is very grumpy, depressed, and in a bad mood. Also, I find her very cynical. She refers to love and procreation as the root of all of the problems. The month of February is supposed to be a time of joy of love and joy. Afterall, Valentines day occurs during this month. Most spend time with and cherish the one they love. This is a time to celebrate the love they have. The irony of this comes from when she says that February is the "month of despair" (line 25). Since this phrase is used, Atwood effectively supports the overall tone and message of the poem. If she had said how great love is and that February is great, then she would totally contradict everything she said. The irony she creates adds to her point. This entire poem seems ironic since love is not usually viewed as terrible by the normal, average person.
Figurative Language Poetry #2
6.
The purpose of the poem "Dream Deffered" is to never give up on one's dreams. The best thing to do is if a person has a dream, then they should pursue this without hesitation. Giving up on dreams leaves for the forever thoughts of "what if". Also, there can be many possible consequences that can happen if dreams are put off. The poem expands on this particular component of the theme. Through the similies and metaphor, the poet effectively conveys these consequences. Since Langston Hughes was a poet during the Harlem Renaissance, it is safe to assume this dream he refers to is that of Civil Rights and racial freedoms. The similie "Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"(Line1-2) says that putting off a dream can cause the overall lose and inablity to achieve the goal. The dream could dry up, or lose fruitfulness. The Harlem Renaissance was the perfect time to go for their dream of equality. By missing the perfect opportunity, one could ultimately lose the entire chance since it could never be a major concern or big issue to people again. They were in the light and everyone was behind as a full force. They had not been brought down, so the best time to go for their dream was at that moment. Another example of how this theme was effectively explained and supported in the poem was through the similie "Does it stink like rotten meat?" (line 6). This similie serves to say that if you do not do it now (work to achieve the dream), then it will haunt you forever. The smell of meat lingers even after being thrown out. They may try to push it in the back of their mind, but everyone would know of the lost opportunity and regert for not taking it when they could. There are more examples, but these are two I found really strong.
The purpose of the poem "Dream Deffered" is to never give up on one's dreams. The best thing to do is if a person has a dream, then they should pursue this without hesitation. Giving up on dreams leaves for the forever thoughts of "what if". Also, there can be many possible consequences that can happen if dreams are put off. The poem expands on this particular component of the theme. Through the similies and metaphor, the poet effectively conveys these consequences. Since Langston Hughes was a poet during the Harlem Renaissance, it is safe to assume this dream he refers to is that of Civil Rights and racial freedoms. The similie "Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"(Line1-2) says that putting off a dream can cause the overall lose and inablity to achieve the goal. The dream could dry up, or lose fruitfulness. The Harlem Renaissance was the perfect time to go for their dream of equality. By missing the perfect opportunity, one could ultimately lose the entire chance since it could never be a major concern or big issue to people again. They were in the light and everyone was behind as a full force. They had not been brought down, so the best time to go for their dream was at that moment. Another example of how this theme was effectively explained and supported in the poem was through the similie "Does it stink like rotten meat?" (line 6). This similie serves to say that if you do not do it now (work to achieve the dream), then it will haunt you forever. The smell of meat lingers even after being thrown out. They may try to push it in the back of their mind, but everyone would know of the lost opportunity and regert for not taking it when they could. There are more examples, but these are two I found really strong.
Figurative Language Poetry #1
11.
The figurative language in this poem contributes to the overall theme and form of this poem. The use of personification is most used and influencing of these. The star is giving characteristics of a human person. Keats gives the description of the star as more of a human rather than a star. These characteristics are how the speaker relates to the star. He says he likes that the star is"awake forever in a sweet unrest"(line 12). The speaker wants to be awake and by his love forever. Also, he likes that the star is "steadfast" and "unchangeable" (line9). He wants to live forever with a permanent, unchanging setting with his lover. Furthermore, the speaker longs and desires the characteristics of the star because if he had these, then he would always have his love. He would never leave it or be without the picture and closeness with his love. By personifying the star, the poem's overall message is clearly and strongly conveyed. The speaker wants to be with the one he loves forever and would give up all the views of the world just to see his lover. Lastly, the speaker says he does not want to be lonely like the star. If he was lonely, it would mean he is not with his love. He would rather die than be without his love. The use of this personification allows for the reader to fully understand the feelings of the speaker portrayed by the poet.
The figurative language in this poem contributes to the overall theme and form of this poem. The use of personification is most used and influencing of these. The star is giving characteristics of a human person. Keats gives the description of the star as more of a human rather than a star. These characteristics are how the speaker relates to the star. He says he likes that the star is"awake forever in a sweet unrest"(line 12). The speaker wants to be awake and by his love forever. Also, he likes that the star is "steadfast" and "unchangeable" (line9). He wants to live forever with a permanent, unchanging setting with his lover. Furthermore, the speaker longs and desires the characteristics of the star because if he had these, then he would always have his love. He would never leave it or be without the picture and closeness with his love. By personifying the star, the poem's overall message is clearly and strongly conveyed. The speaker wants to be with the one he loves forever and would give up all the views of the world just to see his lover. Lastly, the speaker says he does not want to be lonely like the star. If he was lonely, it would mean he is not with his love. He would rather die than be without his love. The use of this personification allows for the reader to fully understand the feelings of the speaker portrayed by the poet.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Perrine Poetry Blog
After reading "The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry" by Perrine, I was initially confused by a few phrases/opinions he shared. When he said "The essential difference between a metaphor and a literary symbol is that a metaphor means something else than
what it is, a literary symbol means something more than what it is.", I was probably the most confused. It took me a while to even begin to understand what Perrine was saying. I still do not fully understand the meaning of this, but I have a guess. I think that a metaphor tells the reader in a more literal or straightforward way what is being compared. Although there are no comparison phrases, what is being compared is literally right next to it. It is merely common sense to realize that these two things are obviously not the same, but the writer connects the two things by explaining. In a literary symbol, something is standing for something else. The thing it stands for has a much deeper meaning and is not as straightforward. The reader must interpret. Instead of seeing the comparison right next to it, the symbol is something that the reader must recognize or find on their own. The writer is not just pointing it out. This is what I think Perrine meant by this concept he stated.
Even though I was a little bit confused, I think that most of what Perrine said can be applied to my own study of poetry in this class. When I read poetry, I honestly have no idea what I am reading. I do not see the deeper meanings. I get confused and pretty much give up on trying to understand what is being said. Usually, I do this because I tell myself that I do not have the ability to understand. I used to think that only certain people could comprehend the poems. Also, I was always embarassed that what I said or interpreted was completely wrong and stupid. Perrine said "There are no correct or incorrect readings: there are only readings which differ more or less widely from a statistical norm". After reading this, I realize that in poetry there are no answers that are totally wrong. It is really an opinion. Also, people are allowed to interpret differently. I am so used to saying it is right or wrong, but now I know that what I think is not wrong. It may be different than what most people think, but it is not wrong. Poetry is open to different interpretations and wants them. From now on, I will make sure to say what I think and will not be afraid to share my thoughts in class.
what it is, a literary symbol means something more than what it is.", I was probably the most confused. It took me a while to even begin to understand what Perrine was saying. I still do not fully understand the meaning of this, but I have a guess. I think that a metaphor tells the reader in a more literal or straightforward way what is being compared. Although there are no comparison phrases, what is being compared is literally right next to it. It is merely common sense to realize that these two things are obviously not the same, but the writer connects the two things by explaining. In a literary symbol, something is standing for something else. The thing it stands for has a much deeper meaning and is not as straightforward. The reader must interpret. Instead of seeing the comparison right next to it, the symbol is something that the reader must recognize or find on their own. The writer is not just pointing it out. This is what I think Perrine meant by this concept he stated.
Even though I was a little bit confused, I think that most of what Perrine said can be applied to my own study of poetry in this class. When I read poetry, I honestly have no idea what I am reading. I do not see the deeper meanings. I get confused and pretty much give up on trying to understand what is being said. Usually, I do this because I tell myself that I do not have the ability to understand. I used to think that only certain people could comprehend the poems. Also, I was always embarassed that what I said or interpreted was completely wrong and stupid. Perrine said "There are no correct or incorrect readings: there are only readings which differ more or less widely from a statistical norm". After reading this, I realize that in poetry there are no answers that are totally wrong. It is really an opinion. Also, people are allowed to interpret differently. I am so used to saying it is right or wrong, but now I know that what I think is not wrong. It may be different than what most people think, but it is not wrong. Poetry is open to different interpretations and wants them. From now on, I will make sure to say what I think and will not be afraid to share my thoughts in class.
Friday, August 13, 2010
MY LAST SUMMER BLOG:)
For the last blog, I want to talk about the ending. I mean how can you blog about a book and not talk about that? You can't! So this book ends with O'Brien saying "I realize it as Tim trying to save Timmy's life with a story" (page 233). After reading this line, I was really confused. I was not sure what he wanted us to take from this at first, but after thinking I somewhat understand it. Linda's death was hard for Tim at a fairly young age. He had to deal with it, and I think he dealed with it by telling stories. In his dream, Linda compares herself to a book and says she "jsut hope[s] somebody'll pick it up and start reading" (page 232). When she says this, I think it compells Tim to start writing and telling stories. By telling stories, you do not forget. Since the dead cannot come back and tell people about themselves, Tim feels like he should tell their story for them. He starts to tell stories as a way to coop with his greif. By telling stories, Tim remembers the people not as just dead people, but as the people he knew and loved. His stories bring them to life.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book. It had some good and interesting stories. I did like it better than the other book, so I am glad I saved it for last!
Overall, I really did enjoy this book. It had some good and interesting stories. I did like it better than the other book, so I am glad I saved it for last!
Euphemism!!!!
When I was reading, I found two instances where euphemisms were used. On page 209, it says "Too many body bags." On page 224, it says "she kicked the bucket". Both of these mean that people died. I found it weird how O'Brien could explain to the finest detail about a dead person, but at page 209 could not say a lot of people died. I think that death is such a touchy subject, and honestly, I think it should. Death is not an easy thing to deal with. When I saw euphemisms in a book about war and death, I thought about how much we hate to talk about it. I am not sure I just found these euphemisms somewhat ironic in the story since we heard all about Kiowa, Lavendar, and the young soldier's death. Euphemisms are used so much and sometimes they can be funny, but they really do lighten the situation or make it not so hard to say what happened. This is just something I thought of when I cam across these.
SAD:(
page 188:
"Sanders shrugged. 'People change. Situations change. I hate to say this, man, but you're out of touch. Jorgenson- he's with us now.'
' And I'm not?'
Sanders looked at me for a moment.
'No,' he said. ' I guess you're not.' "
After reading this, I felt sorry for Tim. He left because he was hurt. He didn't choose to leave, and when he talks to Sanders he finds out he isn't one of them anymore. Its like he was divorced from the group. Before they were his family, and now he is almost like an outcast since he was gone for so long. Also, I know that before they must have held it against Jorgenson, but now Tim is gone, so they side with Jorgenson. It really is sad because I know how it feels to lose friends. Even though Tim hasn't completely lost them as friends, he must feel some sort of betrayl because they are acting like they like the person who hurt him more than him. I think this is harsh of Sanders to say especially since Tim did not want to be relieved from duty. This part stuck out to me because I feel sorry easily.
"Sanders shrugged. 'People change. Situations change. I hate to say this, man, but you're out of touch. Jorgenson- he's with us now.'
' And I'm not?'
Sanders looked at me for a moment.
'No,' he said. ' I guess you're not.' "
After reading this, I felt sorry for Tim. He left because he was hurt. He didn't choose to leave, and when he talks to Sanders he finds out he isn't one of them anymore. Its like he was divorced from the group. Before they were his family, and now he is almost like an outcast since he was gone for so long. Also, I know that before they must have held it against Jorgenson, but now Tim is gone, so they side with Jorgenson. It really is sad because I know how it feels to lose friends. Even though Tim hasn't completely lost them as friends, he must feel some sort of betrayl because they are acting like they like the person who hurt him more than him. I think this is harsh of Sanders to say especially since Tim did not want to be relieved from duty. This part stuck out to me because I feel sorry easily.
Why We NEED these Stories
There are so many different stories in this book that O'Brien shares with us. He tells these stories so that people never forget. He wants people to understand the war and the things that the soldiers went through. On page 175, his daughter Kathleen says "Some dumb thing happens a long time ago and you can't even forget it". This supports every reason of why O'Brien should and does tell these stories. People die off and forget what happens, but those people who were there and witnessed firsthand what happened must tell the stories. If people forget or say that what happened was stupid, then I think there is more of a chance of it happening again. You know what they say, "History repeats itself". By telling the stories, O'Brien makes sure that we know of the terrible things that happened and how hard it was on him. We can better understand history by these stories. Also, this reminds me of the survivors of the Holocaust telling their stories because already people are saying it never happened. Through their stories, the survivors make sure everyone knows it happened and are making sure history does not repeat itself.
Twins! (not really but kind of)
Page 165: "She won't send another one. She's not even my girl anymore, she won't... Man I got to find it."
When I read page 165, I was instantly reminded of Cross at the very beginning of the story. The young soldier had lost this picture of the girl he was most likely still in love with. He was caring more about losing this picture than Kiowa, who had been killed. Cross was the same to me. In the beginning, he carried around letters, pictures, and gifts from Martha. She did not love him, but he loved her, just like the young soldier and his once girl. When Lavendar died, he had been thinking of Martha, just like the soldier had been thinking of the girl in his picture. Either way, the two of them were focusing on something that should have been in the back of their minds. When they were at war, I think they needed to think of their fellow men because they were the ones who had each others back.
When I read page 165, I was instantly reminded of Cross at the very beginning of the story. The young soldier had lost this picture of the girl he was most likely still in love with. He was caring more about losing this picture than Kiowa, who had been killed. Cross was the same to me. In the beginning, he carried around letters, pictures, and gifts from Martha. She did not love him, but he loved her, just like the young soldier and his once girl. When Lavendar died, he had been thinking of Martha, just like the soldier had been thinking of the girl in his picture. Either way, the two of them were focusing on something that should have been in the back of their minds. When they were at war, I think they needed to think of their fellow men because they were the ones who had each others back.
Why Is It Important??
When reading this book, I was wondering why what the soldiers carried was so important. It is interesting and all but I wasn't sure why it was such a focus of this book. I figured it out when I read about the young man that Tim killed. When I read about how they found "a pouch of rice, a comb, fingernail clipper, a few soiled piasters, a snapshot of a young woman standing in front of a parked motorcycle" (page 123), I felt almost sad. When you see what they carried, you learn about who that person was and a little about their life. If a soldier died, what they carried could identify them and make them human, not just a soldier or the enemy. I think that Tim feels worse when he begins to learn about the man because he realizes that this guy is in the same boat as him. I think that by reading this part I see why what they carried was so important to them. Also, I think what they carried for personal reasons would take their mind off the war. I know if I was in war I would want to escape even just a few minutes from it and put myself in a different place, like a picture of my friends or family.
Details, Details, Details
On page 118, there are so many great details. A few examples are: "his eyebrows were thin and arched like a woman's eyebrow" , "clean black hair was swept upward into the cowlick at the rear of the skull, his forehead was lightly freckled", and "the blood there was think and shiny".
All of these phrases I find as perfect examples of how detailed this story was. O'Brien did not leave much to the imagination. He pretty much wrote out every detail of the situation. The reader did not have to wonder what was going on or what they saw or smelt because he wrote everything that a reader would ever want to know. Sometimes this meant even some gruesome or graphic images, such as the ones above that deal with the man Tim shot. I really liked this about the book because details always make me feel like I am there in the story. Also, most people never have experienced the things that take place in the book, but O'Brien makes us feel like we have after reading his intricate writing. I think this mad the book very good. Details make the reader feel one with the characters.
All of these phrases I find as perfect examples of how detailed this story was. O'Brien did not leave much to the imagination. He pretty much wrote out every detail of the situation. The reader did not have to wonder what was going on or what they saw or smelt because he wrote everything that a reader would ever want to know. Sometimes this meant even some gruesome or graphic images, such as the ones above that deal with the man Tim shot. I really liked this about the book because details always make me feel like I am there in the story. Also, most people never have experienced the things that take place in the book, but O'Brien makes us feel like we have after reading his intricate writing. I think this mad the book very good. Details make the reader feel one with the characters.
Superstitions
A lot of the things the soldiers carried had a special purpose for certain situations they may face. While this is true, some of the things they carried were merely for moral support, luck, or superstitions. They felt like having a good luck charm they would be safe from danger. When Dobbins' girlfriend broke up with him, you would expect him to get rid of the stockings he used almost as a scarf. Wrong. He kept them and continued to use them even after they ended. He said "The magic doesn't go away"(page 112). He believed that the stockings are what kept him safe in dangerous situations. This is purely superstition because I doubt it was due to wearing some stockings around his neck that he was kept alive. This part really reminded me of my dad. He is very superstitious about things like Dobbins. He wore the same shirt for every Colts football game until they won the Superbowl. He thought that if he didn't wear it then it would affect how they played. I just found it funny how Dobbins did kind of the same thing.
Dead and Alive
This book has a lot of stories pertaining to death. One phrase that caught my atttention was on page 78 when O'Brien says "you're never more alive than when you're almost dead. You recognize what's valuable". This really was interesting to me because we always hear about how people see things in a life/death situation. In Dear John, John has a near death experience when he is shot. He tells his father that right before he blacked out, he saw coins and his dad. Coins was a memory he had with his father, so pretty much he just thought of his dad. He sees what was truly important to him throughout his entire life. The person that had been there for him no matter what. In addition, I read a book this summer called Secrets of a Shoe Addict. I honestly didn't like this book at all, but when reading The Things They Carried I was reminded of a scene in this book. One of the women in the book reveals that when she had a near death experience she did not see anything. She said it was then she realized she had nothing important or worth living for in her current life so she changed the way she lived. She became more holy and pretty much forgot her life before. I hope to never have this sort of experience, but if I did I hope that I see what I find most important to me.
BIG decision
On page 53, Tim must make a life changing decsion of whether to go to Canada and avoid the war, or leave home for the war. He must choose what he wants to do on his own. This decision reminds me of Julius Caesar and the Rubican River. He had to make a decsion where either outcome would change his life and cause a problem either way. Similarly, Tim is making a decision where he is about to change his life forever. Whatever he decides to do, he will not be the same person he once was. The reason I was reminded of Julius Caesar is when he says he crossed " that dotted line between two different worlds"(page 53). Caesar is the same way when he has to decide whether to cross the River or not. Both of these decisions are hugely important to the story. If Caesar hadn't crossed the river, the story would have been completely different. If Tim hadn't gone to war, there would be no stories about war, which means there would be not book called "The Things They Carried".
Literary Term #10
Hyperbole
- page 198: "I weighed less than nothing."
This hyperbole is obvious in this phrase. The reason I wanted to blog about this is the context it was in. It was used to show how Tim changed. He changed from hating Jorgenson and wanting revenge, to putting himself in his position. He begins to relate to the person he once hated with a passion. This hyperbole is effective because it provides a clear transition of Tim changing his feelings of the past to his newfound feelings and thoughts. He puts himself into a different point of view. In addition, this hyperbole reminds me of a Christmas Carol when Scrooge is like a ghost and goes to the past, present, and future seeing everything going on. I think of this part as the spirit, which is like a ghost, of Tim going and watching Jorgenson while his physical body is sitting there getting revenge. It is providing the reader with an understanding of why he changes his mind of the revenge.
Literary Term #9
Assonance
- page 151: " A guy who can't get his act together and just drives around town all day and can't think of any damn place to go and doesn't know how to get there anyway."
Literary Term #8
Anecdote
- page 82: "I want to tell you a quick Curt Lemon story." Page 84:"The dentist couldn't find any problem, but Lemon kept insisting, sot he man finally shrugged and shot in the Novocain and yanked out a perfectly good tooth."
This is an anecdote that comes about because Lemon is killed. The anecdote is a way to show the kind of person Lemon was since we did not hear much about him before. Also, this anecdote is used to show the effect of embarassment on a soldier. Earlier in the story we heard about how a "soldier's greatest fear..was the fear of blushing"(page 20). This emphasizes this point made. The only reason that Lemon had his tooth removed was because he needed to undo the embarassment he had from fainting in the dentist office. He could not live with such an unimportant occurance. Yeah it is embarassisng, but things can be forgotten or just not mentioned. Instead of this, he tried to get rid of the embarassment, not caring the pain it could cause. He had his tooth pulled merely to serve as an excuse for his fainting spell. This provides support for the theme of the story concerning fear, embarassment, and a soldier. A soldier could not deal with any sort of embarssment. They were to be seen as tough and having no faults, or so they thought this. This anecdote provides the reader with how strong of an impact embarassment had on them.
Literary Term #7
Flashback
- page 55: "Chunks of my own history flashed by. I saw a seven-year-old boy in a white cowboy hat and a Lone Ranger mask and a pair of bolstered six-shooters;I saw a twelve-year-old Little League shortstop pivoting t o turn a double play.....My whole life seemed to spill out into the river.."
This is a great example of flashbacks. During an important life changing decision, Tim's life flashes before him because he is about to completely change. No longer will he be the person he once was. After his choice, he will alter himself and become a new person. Either way he will not be who he was in his youth. Flashbacks allow for the reader to become a part of the character. They start to feel their feelings and become engaged by wanting the character to pick a certain way. This is also important to the story becasue it reveals Tim's past in a clever way. I think this flashback allows for the reader to understand where Tim is coming from. Lastly, the flashbacks are an effective way of showing that change is about to occur.
Literary Term #6
Motif
- page 19: "There's a moral here, said Mitchell Sanders."
This is a common phrase made when finishing a war story. This is an important motif since storytelling is one of the major themes of the book. The moral of the stories is either ridiculous or funny, or it is really a life lesson or new thing they have learned as a result of a certain situation. i think that it may also be a way to make a sad story humerous. An example would be on page 20 when the moral of the story of Lavendar's death is "Stay away from drugs..they'll ruin your day every time."(page 20). Yes, this is a true statement, but it is funny because really this is not a good moral to the story. We just heard a really depressing death story and the moral deals with drugs? I didn't think his death really had much to do with his use of drugs. (In addition, this phares presents irony because to Lavendar the drugs made his day better. Just wanted to point that out!)
Okay, so the motif really supports the theme of storytelling. On page 74, it says "In a true war story, if there's a moral at all, it's like the thread that makes the cloth". This shows that the motif of a moral is important because it makes the story. It makes the story worthwhile and able to be told over and over. This is just my thoughts on why the motif is important to this book.
Literary Term #5
Rhetorical Questions
- page 38: "Was it a civil war? A war of national liberation or simple aggression? Who started it and why? What really happened to the USS Maddox on that dark night in the Gulf of Tonkin? Was Ho Chi Minh a communist stooge, or a nationalist savior, or both, or neither? What about the Geneva Accords? What about SEATO and the Cold War? What about dominoes?"
These are a list of rhetorical questions going through O'Brien's mind when thinking about the war. It is obvious they are rhetorical because he is not looking for someone else to answer them. The purpose of these in the story is to show how every character must have had these type of questions running through their mind. Also, it may be used to show how everyone during this time did not truly understand the war. Even after the war, I am not sure if the soldiers do. So if soldiers there still have questions, think about the public who is pretty much out of the loop. This could also be an example of STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS. We are seeing what is going on in the mind of O'Brien. This allows for the reader to become a lot more connected to the story and the main character. This engages a reader by making them feel like they are a part of the story.
Literary Term #4
Epithet
- page 37: "Tim O'Brien: a secret hero. The Lone Ranger."
This epithet is used to describe the connection of O'Brien and his experience with courage. When he describes his perception about how courage works, he uses these phrases to describe himself before going into his story to support his theory and adjectives concerning his character. I think that these epithets gives us the readers a better understanding about O'Brien. We see how he percieves himself, and what he thinks about courage. Courage is a huge part about being a soldier. By using his courage at certain spurts or situations, O'Brien really is a "secret hero" because he doesn't use his courage all of the time, just in times he finds necessary or appropriate. He is the "Lone Ranger" in his story about how he used his courage. The epithets strengthen our view of O'Brien. It is a way to describe his character in a different, yet effective way.
Literary Term #3
Dialect
- Page 19: "They used a hard vocabulary to contain the terrible softness, Greased they'd say. Offed, lit up, zapped while zipping."
- Page 119: " 'You fuckin' trashed the fucker,' Azar said. 'You scrambled his sorry self, look at that, you did, you laid him out like Shredded fuckin' Wheat.' "
The dialect of the soldiers is a major part of the story. I think that the dialect throughout the story makes the reader feel like they are more connected to the soldiers since they are hearing the true way they speak. Also, I think the dialect is a way of how the soldiers deal with the terrible things occuring around them, such as death. They use harsh language as a way to coop with the sad and distressing situations they face. On page 19, they use these types of phrases to make the death of Lavendar not so tough on them. By making some humor, they are trying to keep their minds off how terrible it is that one of their men died. On page 119, Tim killed a man and Azar is trying to lighten the mood by making a somewhat humorous comment. He knows that Tim must be in shock and saddness of what he did, but Azar wants to make him treat this as just any other situation they've come across.
Literary Term #2
Dramatic Irony
In Chapter 1, there is an instance of dramatic irony. I do not want to summarize but after Ted Lavender died Kiowa said that "the man does care" (page 17) when talking about Jimmy Cross. This is irony because we the reader knows that the page before we find out that Cross thinks to himself that "he loved Martha more than his own men" (page 16). This shows that Cross did not fully have his mind or thoughts on his men. Rather, he was directing all of his care and affection towards Martha, a woman who did not even love him! This irony shows us how well Cross has hid from his men how he really is. They think he just is all for them, when in reality he does not want to lead them. He would rather have Martha loving him. The purpose of this irony for the story is to give the reader a better understanding of Cross and the perception of him to his soldiers. It also gives us knowledge of why Cross feels guilt for Lavender's death.
In Chapter 1, there is an instance of dramatic irony. I do not want to summarize but after Ted Lavender died Kiowa said that "the man does care" (page 17) when talking about Jimmy Cross. This is irony because we the reader knows that the page before we find out that Cross thinks to himself that "he loved Martha more than his own men" (page 16). This shows that Cross did not fully have his mind or thoughts on his men. Rather, he was directing all of his care and affection towards Martha, a woman who did not even love him! This irony shows us how well Cross has hid from his men how he really is. They think he just is all for them, when in reality he does not want to lead them. He would rather have Martha loving him. The purpose of this irony for the story is to give the reader a better understanding of Cross and the perception of him to his soldiers. It also gives us knowledge of why Cross feels guilt for Lavender's death.
The Start of Second Book Blogs
I finished reading "The Things They Carried" recently, and this is what my next twenty blogs will cover! I am going to again start with literary terms and then discuss certain scenes or phrases that caught my attention while reading. Sooo let's get started!
Literary Term #1
Paradox
Literary Term #1
Paradox
- page 7: "Where things came together but also separated."
This is clearly a paradox. In a letter to Jimmy Cross, Martha brings up this contradictory statement. An ocean's shoreline brings things together from the ocean to the land. It also takes things away, making them separate. In addition, it brings two very different things together that might usually not. I think that this is somewhat mean of Martha to say to Jimmy because this is just adding to his false thinking of her loving him. He might take this as that the two of them are together but separated by the ocean or war. He may also think that the pebble is a way of keeping them together since it was at the shoreline. This is just how I took this paradox. Lastly, this paradox may serve as a way to tell the situation that the soldiers are in. They are in an unknown place. They are together as one, but the war has separated them from family and loved ones. The ocean is the new unknown area they have been taken to. The land was what they knew. I am not sure if this is true, but it was another way I interpreted this.
Friday, July 2, 2010
My last blog for this book!!!!
I want to talk about the ending of this book. The ending can definitely be considered ambiguous. Jake says: "Isn't it pretty to think so?" as a response to Brett saying they "could have had such a damned good time together" (page 251). After reading this, I wonder what happens next. You are not sure what Jake means by saying this. He could be sincere and wishing they had been together. At the same time, he could be bitter because it was her fault for them not. Also, it may even be sarcastic because we don't know if Brett was saying this jokingly or in a serious manner. The ending was not bad, though. Sometimes I think these kind of endings just ruin the book, but this time it really didn't. I hope to think that Jake said this sincerely and Brett did, too. I even hope that they ended up being together because I really liked Jake the best!
Overall, I actually enjoyed reading this book. I could understand it for the most part, and I even enjoyed the details. There was not too many like some books. I am not sure if I would have read this on my own, but I am not upset about reading it which is surprising since it was for school! (sorry!) Anyways, I next time I blog it will be about The Things They Carried.
Overall, I actually enjoyed reading this book. I could understand it for the most part, and I even enjoyed the details. There was not too many like some books. I am not sure if I would have read this on my own, but I am not upset about reading it which is surprising since it was for school! (sorry!) Anyways, I next time I blog it will be about The Things They Carried.
Philosophy!
On page 152, Jake says "you had to be in love with a woman to have a basis of a friendship". I found this strange because I believe the complete opposite. I always think that a friendship is the basis to a relationship. In my Jesus and Relationships class, we learned that love grows from friendship, too. I do not agree with Jake at all because I think he is reallly wrong. Also, I think this 'philosophy' is what is making things worse for him and all of the other men in the story. By having a romantic relationship first with Brett, every single one of them besides Jake cannot be friends with her. I think this is saying something. In addtion, even Jake is having trouble being her friend because he still loves her. This way of thinking is just causing them a lot of problems. Without friendship, I believe a relationship can not last at all.
Last lit term..for real!
This will be my last literary term for good! I just keep finding them everywhere in this book. The last one will be a similie. Similies are literally everywhere in the story. Here's a few that I will list:
- page 49: "I'm like a cat."
- page 137: "...they were simply a little something shameful between us, like the spilling open of the horses in bullfighting."
- page 146: "Don't sit there looking like a bloody funeral."
- page 167: " 'You know English,' I said, feeling like an idiot."
- page 167: " 'He looks like a torero.' "
- pafe 186: " 'I feel like hell.' "
- page 226: " ' Low as hell.' "
All of these are different example of similies presented in the book. I think each of them provides more explaination to the reader. It is imagery because each of these things provides the reader with a picture in their mind. I know that this happened with me when reading. Also, it provides emphasis because it kind of exaggerates what is being said. For example on page 186, he doesn't just feel bad, he feels like hell. This makes a much stronger statement that just saying exactly what you feel. Similies are what authors use to describes things to a greater extent.
Cohn Climax
The climax of the book is when Robert Cohn hits Mike, Jake, and Romero. He loses control at this point of the book and goes on a rampage! He has so much jealously and sadness for losing Brett. I almost feel bad for him because it was all because of Brett he did this. He would have never had to leave his only friends if he had never been with her. Jake says Cohn will "pick up his old girl"(page 226) when he leaves all of them. That is sad because he will be so miserable then. Frances was terrible and very controlling of Cohn. He had no freedom and now because of Brett he is going to be back to that. Although I feel bad, at the same time I do not because it was just unnecessary to hit anyone. He should have controlled his actions. Mike has to go through the exact same thing, and he isn't out there hitting people. You can't control everything, and Cohn should have just moved on.
Mr. Mike
On page 234, Mike say "One never gets anywhere by discussing finances". I found this somewhat ironic because out of everyone Mike should be worrying about this. He has no money and on a few occasions he tells us that. I find it ironic also because if someone does not worry about this, then they will not get anywhere because soon enough they will be broke! Mike most likely has no money because he drinks so frequently and lives by this motto. I think in today's world no one follows this unless they have a ton of money or just don't care about the consequences. From this statement, I think they are not having as much financial problems as we are today. I think this just because its all that people worry about these days. It is rare to find someone who is not concerned about it. This statement kind of made me laugh a little because of the irony in who said it. I like how Hemingway did make the story somewhat humerous.
Ohhh Brett..
On page 212, Brett says: "Don't know why I get so nervy in church, Never does me any good". I just found this humerous when reading. She has every reason to be nervy in Church! She is not exactly a model person. She is not following the morals well at all. She is very casual with men and does not think twice about breaking things off. She is not what most women were at that time. She was much more masculine. I noticed that because she was in control in almost every relationship. She broke it off, and the men were left greiving and being upset. She did not think twice, except with Romero. For this reason, Brett is not what most woman were like in her time. She was very much the opposite. This caused her to not feel as welcome in places such as church where she was expected to be a certain way.
Passion
When reading, I was really interested when they explained what an aficionado was. Hemingway described it in the story as "One who is passionate about the bull-fights"(page 136). I found this interesting because it brought the Spanish culture into the story. It was almost like a teaching to those readers who are clueless like me! I have taken Spanish but never learned about the bullfighting like this book explained it. I actually understood it when Jake said the experiences he said. For Hemingway to write this, I am guessing he had to do a lot of research about it. He probably had to go to them and experience them firsthand to write about this. I have heard this word before but never in the contex of bull fighting,too. I just thought it was actually cool that there was a connection between the word and the culture. Just something I found interesting in the book.
I feel bad!
Okay, so I cannot help but feel bad for poor Jake. On Emma Schutte's' blog, she wrote about how she hated Brett. When she said that I had to comment because I thought I was the only one who felt this! I think I feel worse for Jake than anything though. He is clearly in love with Brett. He says he has loved her "a hell of a long time" on page 128, and I just feel so much sympathy for him. It is like he is having unrequited love. The worst part is that it is not even unrequited! She loves him but refuses to even feel anything since she cannot have a sexual relationship with him. She even told him this on page 33 saying "Don't touch me". She cannot stand to have him even touch her knowing that she will never be able to have anything sexual with him. I feel so bad for him! He has to sit there helping her with all of her man problems while he loves her! This has happened in similar situations in movies today such as "Maid of Honor", "10 things I Hate About You", "He's Just Not That Into YOu", and kind of in "She's the Man" . In each off these movies, either a guy or girl must help out the person they are in love with, but they must mask their true feelings. I think this compares with Jake!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I think my last lit term!!
Lierary Term #12
Details
Details
- page 93: "We ate the sandwiches and drank the Chablis and watched the country field out of the window. The grain was just beginning to ripen and the fields were full of poppies. The pastureland was green, and there were fine trees, and sometimes big rivers and chateaux off in the trees."
So, this story has a ton of details throughout the entire book. I am not sure why, but this short paragraph really stood out for some reason. It just really makes me feel like I am there. I can see the fields and feel like I am right there with them. This is what details should do, and that's why I wanted to discuss this part. Details are the reason I liked this book. I could vividly picture each scene while reading. I think that is what made this book more enjoyable! It was confusing at times, not gunna lie, but I could visualize things a lot easier while reading and could figure out where things were taking place and the mood. Speaking of mood, details make this noticable! When reading this paragraph, I felt just relaxed and calm. The details made me have the ablity to feel that. I have said this plenty of times, but this engages the reader.
Lit termmm
Literary Term #11
Personification
Personification
- page 69: "The music hit you as you went in."
This would be personification because music cannot literally hit anyone. If anything, the music would be a shock to them when they are walking in since it is loud. This phrase is just one of the types of ways Hemingway describes the atmosphere of the characters. I think it really just is an abstract way to describe, but here it really is effective. The reader is able to put themselves into the place of the characters since Hemingway does such a great job of describing and making the book so real. Personification's purpose is to describe everything in a new way and to make the reader become a part of the story. I really think that this pharse does just that. When reading, I highlighted this because it stood out. I think it was a really good description. Personification strengthened this.
Another one!
Literary Term #10
Anecdote
Anecdote
- page 13: "I first became aware of his lady's attitude toward him one night after the three of us had dined together....."
This is an anecdote of Jake's said to the reader. Jake is telling us how he observed Frances and Cohn's relationship. He tells when he came to the conclusion he has about it. By telling us this story, he gives us a better understanding of the two. Anecdotes are used like this in most stories. It gives insight to the readers about why characters are the way they are. The reader is able to grasp the full understanding of who a person is and how the narrator, especially in first person point of view, feels towards that person. Also, it gives us an emotional feeling towards the people in the story. You can feel sorry for Cohn or hate towards Frances. Either way, anecdotes draw us in as readers to the story. It is no longer just a book you are reading. Rather, it is a new life you have emerged in. I think that anecdotes give a book a special touch that we can start to relate to the characters in the story.
I bet you can guess
Literary Term #9
Motif- page 172: "she's falling in love with this bull-fighter chap"
- page 147: "Brett's had affairs with men before"
This motif would be that Brett continually falls in and out of love with men. She says that she wants to marry almost every single one of them. Brett meets them and almost immediately says she is going to marry the man. This seems a little absurd. I just don't see how someone can want to marry someone bases soley on looks. She doesn't know anything about them but wants to marry them. She pretty much is marrying as a result of her sexual desires. From this, the motif of sex comes about. She has sexual relations with, I assume, each of the men, or at least wants to and wants to marry them not for their knowledge or character, but for their looks. This is really showing that marriage is not thought of in high regards. It is not sacred to her or any of them for that matter. This is happening today! When I think of Brett, I can't help but think of celebrities such as Britney Spears. This may sound ridiculous, but it makes some sense. Britney Spears marries people and knows nothing about them and quickly divorces them She then moves on to the next guy she finds. This has happened a number of times, and I see this as similar to Brett. Both of them marry for the wrong reasons and obviously do not respect the holiness of marriage.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)