What It Signifies
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield signifies the class clashes that so often grip societies. The story speaks not only of the clashes, but of the almost inevitable inability to escape biases based on the class separations.
How It Signifies
The Sheridans live up on a large hill, while the story speaks of the lower classes living in cottages around the base of the hill. This suggests that the Sheridans, because of their class, are "above" all those around them on the social scale. Also, the family's position allows them to look down on everyone else, while others are forced to look up to them, the general mindset of the higher and lower classes, respectively.
Laura's hat seems quite an important aspect of the story to me. The author kept mentioning it time and again, so I can't help but feel that it carries significance. The hat is given to Laura as an appeasement, meant to distract her from the horrible accident and convince her to attend the party, stunning, as she usually would. She got numerous compliments on the hat, and it was said that she had "never [looked] so striking." It seems almost ironic to me that on the day she descends to the slums of lower society, that she would be more presentable than ever, that she would look her absolute best, in shimmering clothes and a brand new, stunning hat. It's almost as if she is unknowingly asserting her dominance over the lower class. As she views the body of the dead man, she decides that she has no real need to worry about having thrown a party, and she says nothing to the man but "forgive my hat." Is she apologizing for wearing such an extravagant hat so near such a grief-filled house? Or is it because she is wearing such a beautiful and expensive accessory near those who could never afford it? Is she saying she's sorry because she "knows" she's better than these people but she didn't mean to show it? I just wonder why these are the words she chooses to send the man off with, instead of just saying she is sorry about his accident, or that his family has to live alone.
Laura also seems a bit frightened by the cottages. They are described as "mean," and the house of the deceased as having a "dark knot of people" outside. The women who speak to Laura are described as "queer," "oily," and "sly." The words all seem pretty creepy to describe people and places with, and that can signify that Laura is wary of the place she is visiting.
Laura seems the most hopeful of the Sheridan family for escaping conventions. She feels something for the family of the poor carter, and feels that it would be most inappropriate to throw a party on the day of an accident of a man who lived so close to them. Her family, of course, disregards her instincts, almost to the point of taunting, and she compromises with herself to enjoy the party and remember the poor man later. This compromise, coupled with Laura's reasoning later as she visits the house of the deceased, show the difficulty of escaping from class expectations and regulations. She reasons with herself that neither the man's life nor death has anything to do with "garden-parties and baskets and lace frocks," and that she should no longer let his accident interfere with the life expected of her.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Top Ten Reads for 2012
1. Daisy Miller-Henry James
This very short novella by Henry James was written in the later 1800s. It was not directly recommended to me, but I took the suggestion to read it by Foster in his book How to Read Literature like a Professor. He referenced the book very many times as a case study, and each time he mentioned it I thought it sounded interesting. It sounds a little like your typical “flirty American girl goes to Europe and gets herself into mischief because of a man” book, just not as 21st century, seeing as how it was written in the 19th. I must admit, though, that I am a bit apprehensive since I’m sure the language and style will be pretty complicated. But hey, I’m convinced that if I can read Wuthering Heights without getting lost that I can make it through anything.
2. Anna Karenina-Leo Tolstoy
Many years ago I read a book, Overdue. In this book, a crazy, criminal librarian recreated scenes from books, or created a scene based off of a book title, but left the book out as a clue. One of the books she used was Anna Karenina. Ever since I read that title, and later found out a little of what it’s about, I have wanted to read it. I’ll have to pick a good time for it though, because sitting at around 860 pages and being written in the 1800s… Well I imagine it may take me a little while to get through it. I have never read any Tolstoy, but I have heard good things. The book sounds very cool though, because Tolstoy, even though the work is fiction, uses many real events in the story, so it will be a good historical read too.
3. Song of Solomon-Toni Morrison
My cousin Alden recommended this, as well as Beloved to me, because he dearly loves Toni Morrison. I look forward greatly to reading this, and Beloved, because I have heard so many wonderful things about the two books. Neither are too incredibly long, though Alex Mishark would beg to differ, as they are both over 100 pages and don’t have pictures (hehe:)). Anyway, the writing style, I believe, will be a lot easier for me to understand, because the novels are quite modern. Beloved, I already know, will touch me greatly, because of the plot. A woman and her child escape from slavery, and to avoid the child being enslaved once more, Sethe, the mother, drowns her own offspring. I can tell already that there will be a lot of conflict within me when I read this.
4. Beloved-Toni Morrison
See number three
5. Shadow of the Wind-Carlos Ruiz Zafon
It is times like these that people realize how much of a creeper I actually am. I was also led to this book by Alden, though he did not actually recommend it to me. He was reading it and posted something on Facebook about it, and like the stalker that I really am, I creeped all over the place on his profile and learned about the book. I did a little research on it to find out more of what it’s about: the novel takes place after the Spanish Civil War, and concerns a young boy named Daniel. Daniel is taken by his father to a secret “Cemetery of Forgotten Books,” and holding true to tradition, Daniel takes a book from it to protect for life. The book he chooses is none other than Shadow of the Wind. I’m quite looking forward to this book, and expect is to be an easy enough read because it was written in 2001. It is a little long though, sitting at over 500 pages.
6. Bone: A Novel-Fae M. Ng
If asked, I don’t think I could actually say how I decided I wanted to read this novel. I’m not sure how I discovered it; I just know that it’s been on my to-read list for a while now. It’s about a family of Chinese immigrants living in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and is apparently considered “a classic of contemporary American life.” The book was written in the 90s and is only about 200 pages, so I don’t think it will be too incredibly challenging.
7. Heart of Darkness-Joseph Conrad
This is one of those books that I have constantly heard the title of these past few years. Most everyone over the age of 16 seems to have at least heard of it, so I don’t think it’s too surprising that I’d like to read it. I don’t really know an incredible amount of information about this book, just that it involves a trip up the Congo River. This book is also pretty modern, so I’m not as worried about the style confusing the living daylights out of me.
8. Lord of the Flies-William Golding
Lord of the Flies, like Heart of Darkness, is a book that I have heard the title of a million times. This book appeals to me not only because of that, but because of the basic plot and occurrences as well. I mean, what teenager’s dream isn't, at least sometimes, to be all alone and in control of their own life? I mean, it would probably go horribly wrong if my friends and I tried to live completely alone and govern ourselves, but I think we’d have some fun along the way! Also, I definitely would NOT want to be thrown into that situation like the boys in this novel are. Anyway, the book was written in the 50s, so it will probably be a little more challenging that more modern reads, but it is not too long, so it shouldn’t take an incredibly long time for me to read it.
9. The Memory Keeper’s Daughter-Kim Edwards
In tenth grade, my English teacher had all of her students create an account on goodreads.com. I was browsing through books on the website one day, and this novel popped up on the list. The book is about a couple who have twins, Paul and Phoebe. When the husband realizes that his daughter has Down Syndrome, he tells his wife that the baby died during child birth, and sends Phoebe away with his nurse Caroline, intending for Phoebe to grow up in an institution. Caroline cannot submit Phoebe to the staff at the institution though, and ends up taking the infant home with her to care for as her own. I can relate to this story at least a little because, while not having anyone in my family with Down Syndrome, I know several people that do, and I could not imagine their families without those members. This book already seems as though it will carry a message of “everyone is equally amazing and worth loving.” The book is 400 pages and was written in 2005.
10. The Things They Carried-Tim O’Brien
I saw this book sitting in Mrs. Huff/Ms. Weygandt’s room last year and I really wanted to read it, but just never had the time to check it out before the school year ended. The Things They Carried is a collection of related stories about a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War. Many of the stories are based on the author’s own experiences in the war, but the book is actually fiction. I think this book will be a very interesting read, because it will not only give insight into history, but will do it in a very cool way since a lot of the stories are based off of actual events. Many believe that a lot of the characters are based off of people O’Brien actually knew in the war. Written in 1990, and being a collection of stories, rather than a long novel, I don’t think the book will be too challenging.
This very short novella by Henry James was written in the later 1800s. It was not directly recommended to me, but I took the suggestion to read it by Foster in his book How to Read Literature like a Professor. He referenced the book very many times as a case study, and each time he mentioned it I thought it sounded interesting. It sounds a little like your typical “flirty American girl goes to Europe and gets herself into mischief because of a man” book, just not as 21st century, seeing as how it was written in the 19th. I must admit, though, that I am a bit apprehensive since I’m sure the language and style will be pretty complicated. But hey, I’m convinced that if I can read Wuthering Heights without getting lost that I can make it through anything.
2. Anna Karenina-Leo Tolstoy
Many years ago I read a book, Overdue. In this book, a crazy, criminal librarian recreated scenes from books, or created a scene based off of a book title, but left the book out as a clue. One of the books she used was Anna Karenina. Ever since I read that title, and later found out a little of what it’s about, I have wanted to read it. I’ll have to pick a good time for it though, because sitting at around 860 pages and being written in the 1800s… Well I imagine it may take me a little while to get through it. I have never read any Tolstoy, but I have heard good things. The book sounds very cool though, because Tolstoy, even though the work is fiction, uses many real events in the story, so it will be a good historical read too.
3. Song of Solomon-Toni Morrison
My cousin Alden recommended this, as well as Beloved to me, because he dearly loves Toni Morrison. I look forward greatly to reading this, and Beloved, because I have heard so many wonderful things about the two books. Neither are too incredibly long, though Alex Mishark would beg to differ, as they are both over 100 pages and don’t have pictures (hehe:)). Anyway, the writing style, I believe, will be a lot easier for me to understand, because the novels are quite modern. Beloved, I already know, will touch me greatly, because of the plot. A woman and her child escape from slavery, and to avoid the child being enslaved once more, Sethe, the mother, drowns her own offspring. I can tell already that there will be a lot of conflict within me when I read this.
4. Beloved-Toni Morrison
See number three
5. Shadow of the Wind-Carlos Ruiz Zafon
It is times like these that people realize how much of a creeper I actually am. I was also led to this book by Alden, though he did not actually recommend it to me. He was reading it and posted something on Facebook about it, and like the stalker that I really am, I creeped all over the place on his profile and learned about the book. I did a little research on it to find out more of what it’s about: the novel takes place after the Spanish Civil War, and concerns a young boy named Daniel. Daniel is taken by his father to a secret “Cemetery of Forgotten Books,” and holding true to tradition, Daniel takes a book from it to protect for life. The book he chooses is none other than Shadow of the Wind. I’m quite looking forward to this book, and expect is to be an easy enough read because it was written in 2001. It is a little long though, sitting at over 500 pages.
6. Bone: A Novel-Fae M. Ng
If asked, I don’t think I could actually say how I decided I wanted to read this novel. I’m not sure how I discovered it; I just know that it’s been on my to-read list for a while now. It’s about a family of Chinese immigrants living in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and is apparently considered “a classic of contemporary American life.” The book was written in the 90s and is only about 200 pages, so I don’t think it will be too incredibly challenging.
7. Heart of Darkness-Joseph Conrad
This is one of those books that I have constantly heard the title of these past few years. Most everyone over the age of 16 seems to have at least heard of it, so I don’t think it’s too surprising that I’d like to read it. I don’t really know an incredible amount of information about this book, just that it involves a trip up the Congo River. This book is also pretty modern, so I’m not as worried about the style confusing the living daylights out of me.
8. Lord of the Flies-William Golding
Lord of the Flies, like Heart of Darkness, is a book that I have heard the title of a million times. This book appeals to me not only because of that, but because of the basic plot and occurrences as well. I mean, what teenager’s dream isn't, at least sometimes, to be all alone and in control of their own life? I mean, it would probably go horribly wrong if my friends and I tried to live completely alone and govern ourselves, but I think we’d have some fun along the way! Also, I definitely would NOT want to be thrown into that situation like the boys in this novel are. Anyway, the book was written in the 50s, so it will probably be a little more challenging that more modern reads, but it is not too long, so it shouldn’t take an incredibly long time for me to read it.
9. The Memory Keeper’s Daughter-Kim Edwards
In tenth grade, my English teacher had all of her students create an account on goodreads.com. I was browsing through books on the website one day, and this novel popped up on the list. The book is about a couple who have twins, Paul and Phoebe. When the husband realizes that his daughter has Down Syndrome, he tells his wife that the baby died during child birth, and sends Phoebe away with his nurse Caroline, intending for Phoebe to grow up in an institution. Caroline cannot submit Phoebe to the staff at the institution though, and ends up taking the infant home with her to care for as her own. I can relate to this story at least a little because, while not having anyone in my family with Down Syndrome, I know several people that do, and I could not imagine their families without those members. This book already seems as though it will carry a message of “everyone is equally amazing and worth loving.” The book is 400 pages and was written in 2005.
10. The Things They Carried-Tim O’Brien
I saw this book sitting in Mrs. Huff/Ms. Weygandt’s room last year and I really wanted to read it, but just never had the time to check it out before the school year ended. The Things They Carried is a collection of related stories about a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War. Many of the stories are based on the author’s own experiences in the war, but the book is actually fiction. I think this book will be a very interesting read, because it will not only give insight into history, but will do it in a very cool way since a lot of the stories are based off of actual events. Many believe that a lot of the characters are based off of people O’Brien actually knew in the war. Written in 1990, and being a collection of stories, rather than a long novel, I don’t think the book will be too challenging.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Chapter 24:...And Rarely Just Illness
According to Foster, one of the most "picturesque" and proper deaths-by-illness to be employed in literature is death-by-tuberculosis. One of the many TB-filled stories out there is Moulin Rouge. I feel a little typical writing about this, because I'm probably not the only one, but oh well.
Principles of Disease in Literature
1.In Foster's opinion, TB is quite picturesque, giving the ailing an almost ethereal beauty as they travel farther into the arms of Death.
2.The mysteriousness of TB is not quite as present today, but when it first reached epidemic proportions, no one knew where it came from, how to stop it, or how to avoid it.
3.Symbolism and metaphors are extremely possible, as TB is a "wasting disease."
A major theme of Moulin Rouge is "love conquers all." By one of the lovers, Satine, dying, and by Christian (the other lover) narrating the story, telling of his irrevocable and unconditional love for Satine, the story truly reflects this theme. The two battle innumerable obstacles standing in their way, and triumph over them, only to have Satine dead at the hands of disease. Hmmm, that's a bit ironic. Dying may not seem like conquering love, but Christian's devotion to Satine, even in her death, writing down their story of love so that it is never forgotten, is truly a reminder that love can battle even the most permanent of separations.
Tuberculosis is a proper death for Satine. Throughout the course of the story, she's already proved that she's too strong for a simple death. She fought the Duke and his devotion, she fought against her background as a courtesan, and she fought to escape her life and aspire to her real passion: acting. Foster claims that TB is "picturesque," giving the ill a "bizarre beauty." Pale, "almost translucent skin," "dark eye sockets," the "appearance of a martyr." How fitting this is for Satine, a beautiful woman, who is known as the "Sparkling Diamond" of the brothel in which she works. For her to take on beauty even in her death is only proper. This also sets well with the theme of the story. Several of the themes of the story are based on the bohemian values of "freedom, beauty, truth, and love." Satine's "beautiful" and "picturesque" death bolsters the theme of beauty. In her death, she is also freed from the underworld of the brothel in which she worked for so long, and from running from the fates she does not want to have to succumb to.
Interlude: One Story- Archetypes
An archetype is a basic story that occurs time and again in literature. It is the original outline on which many subsequent novels, plays, movies, are based.
Take one of your common archetypes: two people enter into a forbidden love, and end up doomed because of their damned passion. Countless stories with this basic plot exist, probably most notably Romeo and Juliet. My favorite example, though, and one of my favorite stories/plays of all time, is Aida.
The title character is princess of a small African country, Nubia. When Egyptian soldiers raid her country, they unknowingly capture the princess as a slave. Knowing that she will be killed if she reveals her royal identity, Aida bravely enters into slavery with many of her people, and acts a source of faith and courage for all her fellow slaves. Through a series of events, she falls in love with the soldier who originally captured her, Radames. Naturally, as the story goes, he loves her in return. But there's one problem: Radames is arranged to be married to the daughter of the Pharaoh. So of course, Radames and Aida hide their passion from everyone around them, Radames avoids his betrothed, Amneris, and eventually they are both sentenced to death when their love is revealed by an attempt to run from Egypt together. And as the archetype would have it, they get to die together. Amneris, still in love with Radames, takes pity on the two lovers and appeals to her father to let the two be buried alive, their execution sentence, together.
With many twists, differing details, jokes, and foreign circumstances, Aida manages to retell an age-old story in a completely new and fresh way.
Side note: This is one of my favorite plays EVER! It's an amazing story, has a great soundtrack, and touches my heart every time I see/listen to it. So basically, this is just a little side note telling you to see it if you ever have the chance!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Chapter 17: ...Except Sex
Nearly everyone has seen the 2007 movie Juno. In this movie, teenager Juno McGuff becomes pregnant, and we all know how that happens. But interestingly enough, the movie isn't about the boy and the circumstances leading up to the taboo subject of sex. The movie starts after the sex has happened, and only briefly goes back to it. There is a flashback where Juno is telling the viewers who she had sex with, but nothing is shown: The movie jumps from right before the act back to Juno telling her story. So what does it mean when a movie revolves all around sex, but there's not really any in it?
The movie is all about what results from sex: pregnancy. More specifically, Juno's pregnancy. A teenage girl, still struggling through high school, trying to figure out what she wants, who she likes, has learned that she is with child. If that's not the epitome of stress, I don't know what is. Juno deals with her situation beautifully. She finds a couple to adopt her baby, and throughout her pregnancy she grows up. She learns how hard it is to part with a part of herself, not only her baby, but the girl she left behind when she stumbled upon womanhood.
The suggested sex, which is of course verified by the fact that Juno is pregnant, makes the movie way less about the actual sex, and way more about the struggle that Juno is going through. It shows that Juno is not, in fact, a "tart" who really "gets around," but is a girl who just wasn't careful enough one night, and now must pay the consequences. In my opinion, the movie isn't just about the problem of teenage pregnancy: it is about dealing with what life throws at us, learning to live with the results of the actions we make, and doing so in such a graceful way that we grow and learn from what we've been through. And who said sex couldn't mean more than just sex?
The movie is all about what results from sex: pregnancy. More specifically, Juno's pregnancy. A teenage girl, still struggling through high school, trying to figure out what she wants, who she likes, has learned that she is with child. If that's not the epitome of stress, I don't know what is. Juno deals with her situation beautifully. She finds a couple to adopt her baby, and throughout her pregnancy she grows up. She learns how hard it is to part with a part of herself, not only her baby, but the girl she left behind when she stumbled upon womanhood.
The suggested sex, which is of course verified by the fact that Juno is pregnant, makes the movie way less about the actual sex, and way more about the struggle that Juno is going through. It shows that Juno is not, in fact, a "tart" who really "gets around," but is a girl who just wasn't careful enough one night, and now must pay the consequences. In my opinion, the movie isn't just about the problem of teenage pregnancy: it is about dealing with what life throws at us, learning to live with the results of the actions we make, and doing so in such a graceful way that we grow and learn from what we've been through. And who said sex couldn't mean more than just sex?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Chapter 15: Flights of Fancy
When most people relate flight to effects on a story, it is human flight, or flight by some actual character. In the novel The Kite Runner though, I find the flight of the kites to mean something more than just a simple kite flying contest.
1. The first contest we see: Amir and Hassan working together. Amir flies the kite, cutting the strings of other fliers' prized weapons, and Hassan assists while waiting for the final competitor to be cut down. He is the kite runner, the one who chases the trophy down. But back to the point. Amir and his father differ greatly. They often do not get along, and hardly ever see eye to eye. But one thing they can relate over is the annual kite flying competition. Amir's "Baba" supports him in the contest and Amir knows that if he can only win and bring home the kite of the final opponent that his father will be pleased with him. So the flight scene that we see with Amir, with glimpses of a pleased Baba in the crowd, signifies an escape from the usual world of disagreement and disappointment, to a world where father and son can be united and love one another with no tension.
2. The second: Amir has traveled back to Afghanistan to see a dying friend, and promptly rescues Hassan's son Sohrab from the house of his long-time enemy Assef. Sohrab has endured losing his parents, living with a cruel master who forces him to entertain and rapes him, and later attempting to commit suicide when he believes that he may have to live in an orphanage. Amir eventually takes the boy back to California and adopts him, where Sohrab, reclusive after his experiences, refuses to talk or interact with anyone. That is until, at a picnic, Amir flies a kite with the young boy. Sohrab's interest is sparked as Amir reminisces about his flying days with Hassan, and the boy comes out of his shell, if even just a little, to participate and even speak to Amir. This flight symbolizes exactly what flight so often means: freedom. With the release of the kite into the air, Sohrab releases some of his anger, depression, resentment, and embraces a little bit more love and acceptance. He begins his journey to becoming whole again, to becoming completely free from the harsh feelings he harbors. Amir, guilty because he blames himself for part of Sohrab's mentality, begins to free himself from his guilt as he sees his adopted son open. He releases his blame and welcomes the inviting thought of a healing Sohrab. Like the kite soars through the bright blue sky, Sohrab, and even Amir, let their souls fly free on a lovely summer day.
1. The first contest we see: Amir and Hassan working together. Amir flies the kite, cutting the strings of other fliers' prized weapons, and Hassan assists while waiting for the final competitor to be cut down. He is the kite runner, the one who chases the trophy down. But back to the point. Amir and his father differ greatly. They often do not get along, and hardly ever see eye to eye. But one thing they can relate over is the annual kite flying competition. Amir's "Baba" supports him in the contest and Amir knows that if he can only win and bring home the kite of the final opponent that his father will be pleased with him. So the flight scene that we see with Amir, with glimpses of a pleased Baba in the crowd, signifies an escape from the usual world of disagreement and disappointment, to a world where father and son can be united and love one another with no tension.
2. The second: Amir has traveled back to Afghanistan to see a dying friend, and promptly rescues Hassan's son Sohrab from the house of his long-time enemy Assef. Sohrab has endured losing his parents, living with a cruel master who forces him to entertain and rapes him, and later attempting to commit suicide when he believes that he may have to live in an orphanage. Amir eventually takes the boy back to California and adopts him, where Sohrab, reclusive after his experiences, refuses to talk or interact with anyone. That is until, at a picnic, Amir flies a kite with the young boy. Sohrab's interest is sparked as Amir reminisces about his flying days with Hassan, and the boy comes out of his shell, if even just a little, to participate and even speak to Amir. This flight symbolizes exactly what flight so often means: freedom. With the release of the kite into the air, Sohrab releases some of his anger, depression, resentment, and embraces a little bit more love and acceptance. He begins his journey to becoming whole again, to becoming completely free from the harsh feelings he harbors. Amir, guilty because he blames himself for part of Sohrab's mentality, begins to free himself from his guilt as he sees his adopted son open. He releases his blame and welcomes the inviting thought of a healing Sohrab. Like the kite soars through the bright blue sky, Sohrab, and even Amir, let their souls fly free on a lovely summer day.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Chapter 10: It's More Than Just Rain or Snow
In Jodi Picoult's The Tenth Circle, weather, or more specifically, snow and ice, plays a very important role. There is nothing but cold and wet in the entire story, as the novel takes place in a wintry Maine, and later, Alaska. The weather helps set the tone of the novel: cold, cruel, harsh, unforgiving. With themes such as rape, murder, suicide, and adultery, it's no wonder that freezing, chilling weather was chosen to be in the background.
Trixie Stone, all within the first few chapters, has to weather (nice pun, right?) the hardships of being raped, resorting to self-mutilation, and learning of her mother's unfaithfulness to her father, Daniel. The snow, just like the awful crime of rape, is forceful and relentless and can be extremely cruel. Trixie's cutting on the other hand, to her, is a refreshing method of cleansing her mind and subtracting from her pain. It's fresh and new, and makes her feel better, while in reality it is only harming her. The snow, likewise, is a beautiful, cleansing blanket, fresh and clean with a tendency to please people and make them feel a little bit of magic, but people forget that snow can ruthlessly kill when it's power is forgotten. Snow's ability to turn from beauty to cruelty, a betrayal of sorts, parallels the implications of Laura Stone's affair: a betrayal to her husband and daughter.
Later, suicide and murder enter the scene, as Trixie's rapist is found dead, splayed across the ice coating the river, which ultimately caused his death. At first, suicide seems to be the answer. But after new evidence is uncovered, it is apparent that Jason was, in fact, murdered. The two methods of death are, of course, cold and bleak, enhanced by the presence of snow, and the role that the ice played in the death of Jason.
When Trixie can longer handle living in the small town where everyone knows her past and where she is surrounded by horrible memories, she heads to the most remote place she can think of: the tiny Alaskan village in which her father grew up. Being during the dead of winter, the whole of Alaska is blanketed in snow and plagued by blizzard. The blizzard fits in perfectly with the story, as it characterizes exactly what Trixie feels inside: turmoil, ice, hatred, fear. An endless stream of harsh, cold feelings.
Trixie Stone, all within the first few chapters, has to weather (nice pun, right?) the hardships of being raped, resorting to self-mutilation, and learning of her mother's unfaithfulness to her father, Daniel. The snow, just like the awful crime of rape, is forceful and relentless and can be extremely cruel. Trixie's cutting on the other hand, to her, is a refreshing method of cleansing her mind and subtracting from her pain. It's fresh and new, and makes her feel better, while in reality it is only harming her. The snow, likewise, is a beautiful, cleansing blanket, fresh and clean with a tendency to please people and make them feel a little bit of magic, but people forget that snow can ruthlessly kill when it's power is forgotten. Snow's ability to turn from beauty to cruelty, a betrayal of sorts, parallels the implications of Laura Stone's affair: a betrayal to her husband and daughter.
Later, suicide and murder enter the scene, as Trixie's rapist is found dead, splayed across the ice coating the river, which ultimately caused his death. At first, suicide seems to be the answer. But after new evidence is uncovered, it is apparent that Jason was, in fact, murdered. The two methods of death are, of course, cold and bleak, enhanced by the presence of snow, and the role that the ice played in the death of Jason.
When Trixie can longer handle living in the small town where everyone knows her past and where she is surrounded by horrible memories, she heads to the most remote place she can think of: the tiny Alaskan village in which her father grew up. Being during the dead of winter, the whole of Alaska is blanketed in snow and plagued by blizzard. The blizzard fits in perfectly with the story, as it characterizes exactly what Trixie feels inside: turmoil, ice, hatred, fear. An endless stream of harsh, cold feelings.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Chapter 7: ...Or the Bible
Biblical allusions and parallels are extremely common in the world of literature. The Bible is perhaps the most often used text referenced to create deeper meaning or to provide a similar situation to consult when reading. For example, while reading Les Misêrables I could not help but notice certain qualities in Jean Valjean that were reminiscent of your average redeemed sinner and even Jesus himself.
Jean Valjean is the classic redeemed sinner: he has a history of theft, deceit, violence. But Valjean, after an encounter with a person of faith, he vows to honor that man and follow the path of righteousness. He becomes merciful and loving, and tries to live a life of goodness to glorify his God. Valjean is the bad boy gone good.
Jesus is, to the world of Christianity at least, the savior of the world, of sinners everywhere. He bore the sins of all to allow everyone a shot at Heaven. While not so grandiose an action, Valjean also is a savior. Not to the world, but to a little girl, Cosette, whose mother is dead and who has no family to care for her. Jean Valjean rescues her from a horrible life and shows her love, and is indeed a savior in her dim world.
Like Jesus, Valjean has his self-proclaimed enemies. While Jesus dealt with countless persecutors who mocked him, did not believe in his divine origin, and eventually crucified him, Valjean had an inspector constantly on his tail, trying desperately to convict him once more. Javert shows no mercy to Valjean, chasing him for years and attempting to thwart his retrieval of young Cosette. In Javert's eyes, there is nothing more important than the recapture of ex-convict Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601. He does not understand mercy or grace, does not care of the fate of Cosette if she has no life with Valjean, and does not attempt to understand the possible consequences of his manhunt.
But despite the awful tension between Javert and Valjean, Valjean still manages to extend forgiveness to his pursuer. In a truly "forgive they know not what they do" situation, Valjean forgives Javert for all the grief he has caused in Valjean's life, and then Valjean actually passes on the opportunity to kill Javert and instead sets him free. Furthermore, just as Jesus willingly gave himself to die, waited in the garden of Gethsemane for his captors and betrayer, Valjean informed Javert as to where he would be after the battle at the barricades. Javert received all the information from the willing ex-convict to finally capture Valjean and throw him back into prison.
But the similarities between the two texts do not stop at Valjean and Jesus. Judas, Jesus's betrayer, feels horrific guilt after he realizes the monstrosity of his action. Unable to cope with the guilt and ask for forgiveness, he resorts to a desperate measure: suicide. Javert, similarly, feels guilty about arresting Valjean after being spared from death by the same man. He knows that he cannot capture the ex-convict and not feel awful, so he leaves Valjean at his house with the intention to never chase after him again. However, Javert's highest duty is to the law. He cannot cope with arresting Valjean, yet he cannot cope with not arresting Valjean either, for if he neglects to do so, he will be compromising his vow to obey and enforce all law. Javert, like Judas, sees no escape from his dilemma, and throws himself from a bridge into the Seine.
After seeing the similarities between the Bible and Les Misêrables, I was able to see that the novel is not only a story of an ex-prisoner gone good, a miserable man turned happy by his new devotion to God. The story, as it turns out, is a modern redemption story, the tale of a man who is forgiven and takes on the qualities of Jesus, acting as savior, friend, and even redeemer himself. Valjean indeed attempts to "be perfect as [his] heavenly father is perfect."
Jean Valjean is the classic redeemed sinner: he has a history of theft, deceit, violence. But Valjean, after an encounter with a person of faith, he vows to honor that man and follow the path of righteousness. He becomes merciful and loving, and tries to live a life of goodness to glorify his God. Valjean is the bad boy gone good.
Jesus is, to the world of Christianity at least, the savior of the world, of sinners everywhere. He bore the sins of all to allow everyone a shot at Heaven. While not so grandiose an action, Valjean also is a savior. Not to the world, but to a little girl, Cosette, whose mother is dead and who has no family to care for her. Jean Valjean rescues her from a horrible life and shows her love, and is indeed a savior in her dim world.
Like Jesus, Valjean has his self-proclaimed enemies. While Jesus dealt with countless persecutors who mocked him, did not believe in his divine origin, and eventually crucified him, Valjean had an inspector constantly on his tail, trying desperately to convict him once more. Javert shows no mercy to Valjean, chasing him for years and attempting to thwart his retrieval of young Cosette. In Javert's eyes, there is nothing more important than the recapture of ex-convict Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601. He does not understand mercy or grace, does not care of the fate of Cosette if she has no life with Valjean, and does not attempt to understand the possible consequences of his manhunt.
But despite the awful tension between Javert and Valjean, Valjean still manages to extend forgiveness to his pursuer. In a truly "forgive they know not what they do" situation, Valjean forgives Javert for all the grief he has caused in Valjean's life, and then Valjean actually passes on the opportunity to kill Javert and instead sets him free. Furthermore, just as Jesus willingly gave himself to die, waited in the garden of Gethsemane for his captors and betrayer, Valjean informed Javert as to where he would be after the battle at the barricades. Javert received all the information from the willing ex-convict to finally capture Valjean and throw him back into prison.
But the similarities between the two texts do not stop at Valjean and Jesus. Judas, Jesus's betrayer, feels horrific guilt after he realizes the monstrosity of his action. Unable to cope with the guilt and ask for forgiveness, he resorts to a desperate measure: suicide. Javert, similarly, feels guilty about arresting Valjean after being spared from death by the same man. He knows that he cannot capture the ex-convict and not feel awful, so he leaves Valjean at his house with the intention to never chase after him again. However, Javert's highest duty is to the law. He cannot cope with arresting Valjean, yet he cannot cope with not arresting Valjean either, for if he neglects to do so, he will be compromising his vow to obey and enforce all law. Javert, like Judas, sees no escape from his dilemma, and throws himself from a bridge into the Seine.
After seeing the similarities between the Bible and Les Misêrables, I was able to see that the novel is not only a story of an ex-prisoner gone good, a miserable man turned happy by his new devotion to God. The story, as it turns out, is a modern redemption story, the tale of a man who is forgiven and takes on the qualities of Jesus, acting as savior, friend, and even redeemer himself. Valjean indeed attempts to "be perfect as [his] heavenly father is perfect."
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Chapter 5: Intertextuality
Intertextuality is the "ongoing interaction between poems or stories." Intertextuality most often deepens one's reading, and adds more meaning to a specific text. Intertextuality can include a reference to another text, an allusion, a similiarity that gives more meaning, or a parallel to another work.
In Sarah Dessen's book The Truth About Forever, the narrator Macy briefly discusses a book she is studying in her English class, a play by William Shakespeare. Since a huge theme of the book is death, and the effects that it has on people, it is no surprise that the play is one of Shakespeare's tragedies, Macbeth, in which death and murder is a central idea.
In this play, there is much conspiracy, from plots of regicide to plans of flouting heirs their right to the throne. While on a much milder level, there is also conspiracy, though maybe not immediately recognized, in Dessen's book: a mother's forceful plan to guide her daughter in the way she sees fit, co-workers plots to make Macy's life miserable, even friends' plans to improve her way of living and find her an "extraordinary boy."
Macbeth's wife Lady Macbeth is very influential to her husband. She has enough persuasion prowess to convince him to kill his king. Acting on Macbeth's ambition to become king himself, the Lady's skills give her the power to convince him to how to live, to often control his actions. Like Macbeth, Macy is in a relationship in which her partner has the power to influence, and even often control, her lifestyle. Jason, while maybe not knowing what he is doing, constantly uses Macy's struggle for perfection to get her to do what he wants: join Student Council, do yoga, take over his job at the library for the summer, anything that will help her, in his eyes, reach, or at least glimpse, "perfection."
The struggle in Macbeth culminates in battle, and while no physical confrontation is initiated in Dessen's work, Macy and her mother Deborah do eventually "battle out" their different ideas for Macy's future and the way she should live. So while they don't actually fight to the death, Macy confronts her mother to gain control of her own life and to bring forth issues the two have had with each other since the death of Macy's father.
Though probably not often seen, there are parallels between these two texts that scream intertextuality. After seeing them myself, I was awed at the discreet, and possibly unintentional, parallels between them. This book just goes to show that a novel is never completely original, that there will always be parallels, plot steals, allusions, or theme similarities to another work in nearly every text, whether intended or just by happenstance.
In Sarah Dessen's book The Truth About Forever, the narrator Macy briefly discusses a book she is studying in her English class, a play by William Shakespeare. Since a huge theme of the book is death, and the effects that it has on people, it is no surprise that the play is one of Shakespeare's tragedies, Macbeth, in which death and murder is a central idea.
In this play, there is much conspiracy, from plots of regicide to plans of flouting heirs their right to the throne. While on a much milder level, there is also conspiracy, though maybe not immediately recognized, in Dessen's book: a mother's forceful plan to guide her daughter in the way she sees fit, co-workers plots to make Macy's life miserable, even friends' plans to improve her way of living and find her an "extraordinary boy."
Macbeth's wife Lady Macbeth is very influential to her husband. She has enough persuasion prowess to convince him to kill his king. Acting on Macbeth's ambition to become king himself, the Lady's skills give her the power to convince him to how to live, to often control his actions. Like Macbeth, Macy is in a relationship in which her partner has the power to influence, and even often control, her lifestyle. Jason, while maybe not knowing what he is doing, constantly uses Macy's struggle for perfection to get her to do what he wants: join Student Council, do yoga, take over his job at the library for the summer, anything that will help her, in his eyes, reach, or at least glimpse, "perfection."
The struggle in Macbeth culminates in battle, and while no physical confrontation is initiated in Dessen's work, Macy and her mother Deborah do eventually "battle out" their different ideas for Macy's future and the way she should live. So while they don't actually fight to the death, Macy confronts her mother to gain control of her own life and to bring forth issues the two have had with each other since the death of Macy's father.
Though probably not often seen, there are parallels between these two texts that scream intertextuality. After seeing them myself, I was awed at the discreet, and possibly unintentional, parallels between them. This book just goes to show that a novel is never completely original, that there will always be parallels, plot steals, allusions, or theme similarities to another work in nearly every text, whether intended or just by happenstance.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Chapter 1: 5 Aspects of a Quest
In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster recognizes that nearly every trip in literature is, in fact, a quest. There are five aspects to a quest: "(1) a quester, (b) a place to go, (3) a stated reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials en route, and (e) a real reason to go there." These five things can be applied to most journeys in literature and film. For example, the novel and movie The Wizard of Oz is the perfect example of a quest.
Quester: Dorothy
Place to go: Emerald City
Reason to go: To find a way home
Challenges: The Wicked of the West, the flying monkeys, the enchanted trees, etc.
Real reason to go: To learn what she really wants with her life and that she will always be able to return to her home with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry
Quester: Dorothy
Place to go: Emerald City
Reason to go: To find a way home
Challenges: The Wicked of the West, the flying monkeys, the enchanted trees, etc.
Real reason to go: To learn what she really wants with her life and that she will always be able to return to her home with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry
Monday, April 11, 2011
Toulmin Teacher Argument
In today's society, teachers have become severely mistreated, grossly disrespected. Many debate over how to raise the status of teaching and how to promote the emergence of fresh, young teachers. As primary contributers to the cultivation of the youth of America, the teachers not only should be respected, but need to be respected in order to completely fulfill their duty to instill in the American youth a sufficient education. I agree with Vern William's statement in this article that teachers should be allowed more control over what and how they teach. Government workers, who may have never even spent time around typical high school students of the day, create a curriculum, decide what sources to use, and how the teacher should present the material. Why not leave at least some of those decisions to the ones who actually spend their time in the classroom with the students? Teachers get to know their students, the way they think, the way they learn. Teachers know what their students can and cannot do, and how best to present the subject material to each individual. By allowing them to take over part of the curriculum, and especially the way the curriculum is taught, teachers will gain respect in the classroom, and eventually in the country. The teachers that students remember and respect when they are grown are not the ones who sat reading from a text book, or who presented a powerpoint lecture every day. They are the ones who made learning a unique experience, who had real conversations with their students, who taught the kids more than just how to solve a logarithmic equation or what the Populist Party was. They are the ones who broke away from convention and grabbed the steering wheel of the classroom away from those who are used to making the decisions and used their influence to create not only an education for the students, but a life as well.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Great Gatsby Analysis
Fitzgerald's hopeless and reminiscent tones reflect his character's realization that time has slipped from the beautiful and magical past to a future in which all hope is lost. As time wears on, the magnificence of the land is destroyed and the country falls into a grim future which offers no chance of achieving dreams. The land itself no longer possesses its past wonder, Gatsby's dreams managed to escape him, and the people must beat on to a grim future even when they long to return to the more admirable past.
On the last page of the novel, Fitzgerald's diction shows a marvelous land full of life and beauty. The old island once "flowered" for sailors as they stumbled upon a "fresh, green breast of the new world." The trees that once occupied the land had whisper[ed] and the entire scene filled man's "capacity for wonder." The words display an almost surreal land full of opportunity and hope, but it is made clear that the country has fallen from the peak of glory and lost its aesthetically pleasing structure. "For the last time in history" man saw in a "transitory moment" the wonder of a new world. The passing of the awesomeness of the land is compared by Fitzgerald to the passing of dreams. Gatsby was so close to his dream that he could "hardly fail to grasp it," but he did not know that it was "already behind him." Like the freshness of the land, Gatsby's dreams had diminished and past before he could realize what had happened and stop them from escaping him. His dreams melted into obscurity, leaving him with no hope of coming close to achieving them.
In the next to last paragraph, Gatsby's dreams are compared to a future that is constantly moving beyond reach. The future is almost touchable, just beyond the distance of an outstretched hand, yet no matter how he stretches he can never grasp it. His dreams present the same dilemma: they are unattainable. All hope has been almost destroyed at this point, but is slightly rekindled by the wording and syntax finishing the paragraph. Fitzgerald says that "to-morrow we will run faster," and continues the metaphor by saying that we will "stretch out our arms farther" so that maybe one day we will be able to cling onto that seemingly untouchable goal. When Fitzgerald talks about chasing the future and dreams, his writing becomes more broken and fast paced. His statements are hyphenated and he uses ellipses. The brokenness of the writing coupled with his words convey a mildly excited mindset, a slight hopefulness that one day people will be able to achieve their dreams.
Fitzgerald's diction, syntax, and comparisons blend beautifully to enforce his character's hopelessness, to show the grimness of the present and the future of aspirations and dreams. The ethereal past has progressed to mere memory, leaving a far from splendid present to haunt the world.
On the last page of the novel, Fitzgerald's diction shows a marvelous land full of life and beauty. The old island once "flowered" for sailors as they stumbled upon a "fresh, green breast of the new world." The trees that once occupied the land had whisper[ed] and the entire scene filled man's "capacity for wonder." The words display an almost surreal land full of opportunity and hope, but it is made clear that the country has fallen from the peak of glory and lost its aesthetically pleasing structure. "For the last time in history" man saw in a "transitory moment" the wonder of a new world. The passing of the awesomeness of the land is compared by Fitzgerald to the passing of dreams. Gatsby was so close to his dream that he could "hardly fail to grasp it," but he did not know that it was "already behind him." Like the freshness of the land, Gatsby's dreams had diminished and past before he could realize what had happened and stop them from escaping him. His dreams melted into obscurity, leaving him with no hope of coming close to achieving them.
In the next to last paragraph, Gatsby's dreams are compared to a future that is constantly moving beyond reach. The future is almost touchable, just beyond the distance of an outstretched hand, yet no matter how he stretches he can never grasp it. His dreams present the same dilemma: they are unattainable. All hope has been almost destroyed at this point, but is slightly rekindled by the wording and syntax finishing the paragraph. Fitzgerald says that "to-morrow we will run faster," and continues the metaphor by saying that we will "stretch out our arms farther" so that maybe one day we will be able to cling onto that seemingly untouchable goal. When Fitzgerald talks about chasing the future and dreams, his writing becomes more broken and fast paced. His statements are hyphenated and he uses ellipses. The brokenness of the writing coupled with his words convey a mildly excited mindset, a slight hopefulness that one day people will be able to achieve their dreams.
Fitzgerald's diction, syntax, and comparisons blend beautifully to enforce his character's hopelessness, to show the grimness of the present and the future of aspirations and dreams. The ethereal past has progressed to mere memory, leaving a far from splendid present to haunt the world.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Advertisment Techniques
In this commercial for Olive Garden, a family gathers in one place to share a meal and quality time together. Instead of advertising only the decadent foods that could be eaten, the restaurant tells potential customers that eating together can bind the family together and really give them an experience to remember. The restaurant is using an advertising technique that the article in the New York Times talked about: displaying the joy of an experience rather than just a purchase. In a time when pocketbooks are pinched, people are much less willing to go out and spend their money on a meal when they could cook one for less at home. But by presenting amazing potential experiences, restaurants draw in customers anyway.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Consumerism According to G.K. Chesterson
There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.
G.K. Chesterson (1874-1936)
In almost every text I've read about consumerism, the idea that having less brings happiness has been mentioned. Most people, these articles said, are actually happier when they own less material things. Tammy Strobel, for example, limited her possessions to a mere 100 items, and she's happier than ever.
In the opinion of Chesterson, Strobel was happy not because she owned less, but because she desired less. With the constant burning of desire gone, we can be happy with what we already have, because we know that we are truly blessed to have so much wealth in the first place.
Chesterson also says that to get enough we can accumulate more and more. The joy brought by owning more is temporary, but by constantly building an arsenal of possessions we can renew the happiness periodically. The cycle never ends, but it does keep us content.
Chesterson was trying to tell everyone that by wanting less we could happier than if we owned the world. Maybe we should listen and start to live a life void of lust.
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