Slaughterhouse-five has a very unique and interesting aspect to it that is not seen in many other books. The author of the book makes himself and his situation known, and then continues to write a story from another persons' point of view that actually sees himself. I like the way that Vonnegut included himself because it added an odd sort of reality check that somewhere in this book Vonnegut could actually switch back to himself and tell another part of his actual life. It's life a novel that includes some true facts. This helped keep me on edge for when he was going to come back in and include a small detail from his POV. This happens on page 211 immediately after a couple interesting lines.
"If what Billy Pilgrim learned from the Tralfamadorians is true, that we will all live forever, no matter how dead we may sometimes seem to be, I am not overjoyed. Still-if I am going to spend eternity visiting this moment and the, I'm grateful that so many of those moments are nice."(211)
I find these two lines so intriguing because it almost makes it seem that Vonnegut takes into great consideration this odd truth that Billy Pilgrim has taken from a fictitious book written by a very strange elder man. This leads to a switch where Vonnegut tells us of a recent happy memory for him in his real life where he imagines dropping bombs on villages that he passes over in a plane. What? This confused me very much, but I think it helps to begin the honing in on the point aspect of the book. War makes people crazy. It brings them to a psychological point that they can no longer think straight. They struggle and battle to maintain a normal persona, but they almost just cannot do it. Billy Pilgrim cannot, and I wouldn't be surprised if Vonnegut cannot either. Sadly, this brings my blogs to an end. Oh well, at least these were a bit more interesting ending with insanity and all.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Slaughterhouse-five #7
The book Slaughterhouse-five, written by Kurt Vonnegut, details the life of Billy Pilgrim. One key feature of the book is the relationships that Billy has with those that are most important in his life. The importance of his father was stressed in the original diagnosis that Billy was going crazy. It was at that point that his mother was able to come to him everyday and, to a certain degree, help him in his struggles of overcoming those relational issues. After this, it seemed that Billy's focus turned to his wife and that this relationship was what kept him intact and whole again as a person. He found meaning in that relationship and was able to hold everything together with his social life, etc. while maintaining this relationship.
I find this build up throughout the majority of the book to be of such importance because in a way, these relationships are not only non-existant in his alternate reality, but the opposite is much different. His relationship with the girl on his zoony planet appears to be purely physical and solely for show of the aliens present. But why does he tell us all of this? I believe that it's because the real relationship that he comes to love and care about it broken by the loss of his wife dying. I see this in the way that he thinks while he is losing his sanity. He chooses to recall his wedding night when he flees his home and goes to New York City. "There had been French doors on the Cape Ann love nest of his honeymoon, still were, always would be."(199). This sentence keys me in on the fact that as he is losing his mind, he focuses in on the past that was good to him. He decides to recall a wonderful time that he spent with his wife (and included in previous parts of the book) into the part where he loses his mind.
I find this build up throughout the majority of the book to be of such importance because in a way, these relationships are not only non-existant in his alternate reality, but the opposite is much different. His relationship with the girl on his zoony planet appears to be purely physical and solely for show of the aliens present. But why does he tell us all of this? I believe that it's because the real relationship that he comes to love and care about it broken by the loss of his wife dying. I see this in the way that he thinks while he is losing his sanity. He chooses to recall his wedding night when he flees his home and goes to New York City. "There had been French doors on the Cape Ann love nest of his honeymoon, still were, always would be."(199). This sentence keys me in on the fact that as he is losing his mind, he focuses in on the past that was good to him. He decides to recall a wonderful time that he spent with his wife (and included in previous parts of the book) into the part where he loses his mind.
Slaughterhouse-five #6
In the book Slaughterhouse-five written by Kurt Vonnegut, Billy Pilgrim loses his marbles. He completely loses touch with reality and begins to incorporate everything that he is witnessing in his real life into what is going on in his fake reality dream planet that he lives on with a pornstar. I see how Vonnegut developed this sense of insanity through his use of picking up on what Billy Pilgrim sees around him and how he interacts with the people in his life and then reflects that into his alternate reality where he is ruled by aliens. The author that he continually writes about is brought up at this point and gives a bit of comic relief by actually having some of his books displayed in a window front at a bookstore in New York City. I find this part to be of utter importance because for this one time Billy reads what he has been trying to convince the reader the entire time and clues us in to the fact that he is insane. He begins reading about a book that he has previously read that is exactly what he has been telling the reader to be truth for the majority of the book. From the phrase "So it goes" to the travel to the planet far away, Billy has kept up this scheme for too long and it has been shot down now. Another clue that I found to be of greater importance that Vonnegut included was that, "He had read it before-years ago, in the veterans' hospital,"(201). This kind of points to the idea that his craziness is a mesh of what happened to his wife that pushed him over the edge and how the war affected him in such a critical way. It put him at a mental state that not many could over come, and within that vulnerability he broke his psych and forever believed what non others would understand.
Slaughterhouse-Five #5
In Slaughterhouse-five, Vonnegut develops both an intricate storyline and a very analytical character. It seems that Billy reads into almost everything around him. Billy more than observes all that he is surrounded by, but instead utilizes every instance to either better his circumstances or somehow alter others around him. Thinks makes me think that the manipulative aspect of Billy is what drives him to insanity. He consumes himself in this idea that the variables around him are unimportant because he is only going to stay in that one moment for a short amount of time. This is because he believes that he is a time traveler. He is not a time traveler, he is crazy.
I have a hunch that his craziness developed as a result of the traumatic death of his wife. The way that she in a way sacrificed herself because of the danger and developing medical condition of her husband drove Billy to convincing himself that her death was a result of his lack of action with the foreknowledge of the crash. Billy chooses to state that he, "Lost his wife,"(182), instead of revealing that she had died. This makes it seem as though Billy had a problem with the action that had taken place and I don't think that that idea corresponds well with what Billy has gone along with so far. What he has gone along with is that death is unimportant because once we are dead we remain alive in various moments throughout time. But in this instance, Billy seems to have lost that control and easy state of mind and begins on a reckless path where those in his life must intervene. It's sad, but I really do feel as though Billy has lost his marbles.
I have a hunch that his craziness developed as a result of the traumatic death of his wife. The way that she in a way sacrificed herself because of the danger and developing medical condition of her husband drove Billy to convincing himself that her death was a result of his lack of action with the foreknowledge of the crash. Billy chooses to state that he, "Lost his wife,"(182), instead of revealing that she had died. This makes it seem as though Billy had a problem with the action that had taken place and I don't think that that idea corresponds well with what Billy has gone along with so far. What he has gone along with is that death is unimportant because once we are dead we remain alive in various moments throughout time. But in this instance, Billy seems to have lost that control and easy state of mind and begins on a reckless path where those in his life must intervene. It's sad, but I really do feel as though Billy has lost his marbles.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Slaughterhouse-five #4
In Slaughterhouse-five written by Kurt Vonnegut, many times the book seems to reference back to itself in a way. Ill explain two instances that played some sort of importance to me. The first was when he referenced that he wasn't going crazy and the second was when he was talking about a German talking to them about war real time.
The first instance was after, "He was going crazy,"(100) and then wrote that it had to do with his relationship with his father and the things they did together. It lists two specific instances the YMCA and the Grand Canyon both of which Vonnegut previously mentioned. Why do they lead to his craziness? Truly I'd like to understand that more. What does this signify about his relationship with those around him?
The second instance was when the German said, "We had forgotten that wars were fought by babies,"(106) which gave a reference back to his old war times friends wife. I found this significant because I wonder how much Vonnegut is including in order to build up what he said he would do for that woman. Does this clarify in a way that this book in no way will promote war? Again, I guess I will come to find out!
Slaughterhouse-Five #3
In Slaughterhouse-five written by Kurt Vonnegut, Billy continues to journey through time and space to a different planet where his life is controlled and run by aliens. These aliens have him do strange things and I'm beginning to wonder whether any of that story line is too. I'm not sure what the literary term for intertwining two stories at one is called, but Mr. Vonnegut accomplishes this wonderfully. He has two stories of Billy going at once via time travel and within these many insertions of random stories and facts that contribute or apply in some way to the development of Billy over time. These continually cause me to go back and read and look for connections to the rest of the book.
Near the end if section two in our reading, I think that I found a place where my Vonnegut may have led the readers to believe that Billy was actually only dreaming about the time travel. He writes that Billy time travels and then writes that, "He had had a wet dream about Montana Wildhack,"(134), which indicates that during his "time travel" he managed to have a dream about what happened to him during his time travel. I find that to be very unlikely and seriously wonder if Mr. Vonnegut is cuing us in on something bigger. Maybe Billy is just a crazy dude, I guess I'll just have to read more to find out.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Slaughterhouse-five #2
In my second blog for Slaughterhouse-five written by Mr. Vonnegut, I would like to discuss some topics that I briefly tipped off on in the first blog. First off, I'd like to point towards some repetition that I found and continually find more and more interesting as I read on in the book. One phrase that I continually see repeated is the phrase "So it goes" repeated over and over. I'll come back to the origin of the phrase in a later blog but as for now I'd like to discuss it's meaning and significance. I see it most commonly used after the death of a person, or thing really, that has perished in the eyes of a human. This must play some sort of significance for the stance that Vonnegut is portraying to the reader.
As of now, I'm not entirely clear on what Mr. Vonnegut's stance is towards war, but this continual use of the phrase makes me truly wonder what it is that fuels Mr. Vonnegut's use of "So it goes." I wonder if it has to do with this concept that I have come up with after reading some ways into the book that death/perishing is unavoidable. Maybe because Billy has seen so much death and destruction he has become desensitized to the reality that at some point or another. I find that this makes so much sense to me because of the hallucinating and out of this world experiences that Billy Pilgrim is enduring. I started thinking along these lines when I read on page 43 that, "His attention began to swing grandly through the full arc of his life, passing into death, which was violent light,"(43) which gives me the idea that time and lifespan don't mean much to one that is continually moving from place to place within his own past, present, and future.
As of now, I'm not entirely clear on what Mr. Vonnegut's stance is towards war, but this continual use of the phrase makes me truly wonder what it is that fuels Mr. Vonnegut's use of "So it goes." I wonder if it has to do with this concept that I have come up with after reading some ways into the book that death/perishing is unavoidable. Maybe because Billy has seen so much death and destruction he has become desensitized to the reality that at some point or another. I find that this makes so much sense to me because of the hallucinating and out of this world experiences that Billy Pilgrim is enduring. I started thinking along these lines when I read on page 43 that, "His attention began to swing grandly through the full arc of his life, passing into death, which was violent light,"(43) which gives me the idea that time and lifespan don't mean much to one that is continually moving from place to place within his own past, present, and future.
SlaughterHouse-Five #1
In SlaughterHouse-Five written by Kurt Vonnegut, the reader is taken through a journey that involves a man named Billy Pilgrim. But before Billy is properly introduced, a chapter is written from actual Kurt Vonnegut's point of view that makes me wonder who Billy Pilgrim is representing. Vonnegut writes the intro chapter of this book from his own personal point of view describing some things about himself and the war that are semi-hard to understand and relate to the next chapter. I found myself confused because I had trouble understanding what carried in seriousness from the first chapter to the next. It seems that some key phrases and concepts are repeated frequently by the author, but interestingly enough they are even repeated from the first chapter into the second that has a very different storyline.
See the end of the first draws me to the conclusion that we are moving on from the first to start something new and different. His introduction of Billy is what really makes me think. Why not tell the story from his own point of view if this is a story he has been working on for years? I would like to know if really Billy is Mr. Vonnegut and he is telling the story from this interesting point of view because of the impossible actions taken via time-travel. I hope that in time I will come to have a greater understanding of who this Billy Pilgrim really is and know wether or not Vonnegut knew him. The way that Mr. Vonnegut writes, "People aren't supposed to look back. I'm certainly not going to do it anymore,"(22) makes me really wonder this book is a sort of reminiscing of a different sort.
See the end of the first draws me to the conclusion that we are moving on from the first to start something new and different. His introduction of Billy is what really makes me think. Why not tell the story from his own point of view if this is a story he has been working on for years? I would like to know if really Billy is Mr. Vonnegut and he is telling the story from this interesting point of view because of the impossible actions taken via time-travel. I hope that in time I will come to have a greater understanding of who this Billy Pilgrim really is and know wether or not Vonnegut knew him. The way that Mr. Vonnegut writes, "People aren't supposed to look back. I'm certainly not going to do it anymore,"(22) makes me really wonder this book is a sort of reminiscing of a different sort.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Acquainted with the Night
Acquainted with the Night written by Robert Frost starts very intriguingly with the repetition of "I have" to start several lines in a row. This occurrence helps to string the details of a very vague poem together to help create an interesting aura around the speaker. It comes off this way because of how almost embarrassed, shamed that the speaker puts off. He does this through writing, "Dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain,"(6) when describing passing a watchman. This makes it appear as though the speaker has done something that others wouldn't approve of and cause him to walk with the night when others would not understand or see this as acceptable.
Upon first reading this poem, I understood the speaker to be having relationship issues and feel inclined to walk out again and again. This makes the speaker "acquainted" with the night because of the frequent walks. I also though this because of the inclusion of the luminary clock. I thought this to be the moon and had a notion that the moon was keeping track not by moving throughout the night, but by changing day by day. The moon never judged him on being right or wrong for what he had done this time or that because at this point they had become acquaintances.
Upon first reading this poem, I understood the speaker to be having relationship issues and feel inclined to walk out again and again. This makes the speaker "acquainted" with the night because of the frequent walks. I also though this because of the inclusion of the luminary clock. I thought this to be the moon and had a notion that the moon was keeping track not by moving throughout the night, but by changing day by day. The moon never judged him on being right or wrong for what he had done this time or that because at this point they had become acquaintances.
The Convergence of Twain
The Convergence of Twain by Thomas Hardy is a poem that I personally find very interesting. The time and detail put into this poem to create the shape and style of writing is very impressive. First off, to make sure that all stanzas will look the shape of an iceberg of a ship is very impressive. It seems that sometimes those small details can distinguish a poem from all others. These kinds of details make them memorable and very intricate the majority of the time. In particular for this poem, I found it effective because along with the gradual build of the grandeur and meeting of the two objects, the whole while we look upon stanzas that look similar to them.
Another aspect that I find interesting is the development of the way that the author describes the things made by man in comparison to the iceberg created by God. This author believes that God has destined the two to meet. This is seem in the end by line 31-32, "Till the Spinner of the Years Said 'Now!'" inferring that someone in control caused the collision. The author makes them seemed destined almost similar lovers through choice diction that would be used to describe the way a couple would eventually come together.
Another aspect that I find interesting is the development of the way that the author describes the things made by man in comparison to the iceberg created by God. This author believes that God has destined the two to meet. This is seem in the end by line 31-32, "Till the Spinner of the Years Said 'Now!'" inferring that someone in control caused the collision. The author makes them seemed destined almost similar lovers through choice diction that would be used to describe the way a couple would eventually come together.
Sorting Laundry
This poem really develops in the most interesting time. Sorting Laundry by Elisavietta Ritche does this through some methods of varying lines, size development, and stress at the end of the poem. The varying lines was nice how throughout the beginning the consistency that allowed the reader to keep up well with the progression of the speakers laundry in relation to the relationship that she is in. The way that the articles slowly went from big to small also helped display the bigger, less important aspects of the relationship compared to the smaller, but increasingly important aspects.The way that this is how the speaker wrote to start the poem helped build for the switch up at the end when something changes. The author changes by starting to write about the idea of ending the relationship and how this would affect both her and the way she did her laundry.
Another part that seemed intriguing was how in the beginning, the lines really might have developed an issue only to reveal that it was not a big deal in this relationship and the people were able to get through it anyway. They also, in a sense, reveal characteristics that show aspects of their relationship to show how they work together as people. When the author writes about how they are laxative about how the laundry is sometimes, "All those wrinkles, to be smoothed, or else ignored,"(19-21) says something about how they deal with the problems in their relationship.
Another part that seemed intriguing was how in the beginning, the lines really might have developed an issue only to reveal that it was not a big deal in this relationship and the people were able to get through it anyway. They also, in a sense, reveal characteristics that show aspects of their relationship to show how they work together as people. When the author writes about how they are laxative about how the laundry is sometimes, "All those wrinkles, to be smoothed, or else ignored,"(19-21) says something about how they deal with the problems in their relationship.
Dover Beach
I think that the poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold wrote was very effective for me because I have been to so many bodies of water before. The way that he described the water with so many various descriptions of both the sight and sound of it made me think back on times when I have witnessed bodies of water performing as written. This makes the sights and sounds of the water come to life for me and realize the deeper meanings of the bodies of water reflecting on life as we know it. TheIn the fifth line when it is written, "Glimmering and vast,"(Ln5) help to really display the characteristics of the oceans. The drastic descriptions help reflect back on the actual meaning that life holds. The hard way that we have to deal and cope with all that happens in both the large, intense sounds and the calm, everlasting years that life holds.
This all comes together perfectly through the weaving of the three bodies of water described. The first develops the solemn sense that life is harsh. The second shows how others before us have come to the realization that this is show. The last seems to be a fictional stanza that shows how possibly at one point things could have been perfect for all, but they are not. The last stanza really reveals how at one point or another we can make life bearable. This is only through a partner that we can really endure and get through all the hard times.
This all comes together perfectly through the weaving of the three bodies of water described. The first develops the solemn sense that life is harsh. The second shows how others before us have come to the realization that this is show. The last seems to be a fictional stanza that shows how possibly at one point things could have been perfect for all, but they are not. The last stanza really reveals how at one point or another we can make life bearable. This is only through a partner that we can really endure and get through all the hard times.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Barbie Doll
Barbie Doll written by Margie Piercy really cuts to the point in the blatant use of sarcasm. I think that this use of sarcasm really brings on the real definition of sarcasm by making it so biting and harsh to read. The sarcasm displayed in the beginning and the end are really what bothered me upon the first reading.
The use of sarcasm to say the, "Magic of puberty,"(5) in a tone that implies it is simply what is going on in the mind that caused her to say such a horrible thing to another girl bothers me. I do not like it when what I think might be the result of others inflicting pain onto one is then turned and blamed as "puberty". There is no evidence behind that and it hurts to read. I would hope that it isn't purely nature that drives us to be so cruel and unruly in our words and actions.
The second use of sarcasm that I found so hurtful was reading the last two lines.
"Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending."(24-25)
These lines prove to be so hurtful when the reader realizes the implication that they have. They are point to this idea that all that this lady wanted and failed to receive was the approval of others. She isn't even blessed enough for someone in her everyday life that is filled with "to and fro apologizing" and "abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity" to be complimented by her peers.
I think that I don't like this poem and truly hope to change this kind of outlook in our world through simple compliments and helping those in need of belongingness find it.
The use of sarcasm to say the, "Magic of puberty,"(5) in a tone that implies it is simply what is going on in the mind that caused her to say such a horrible thing to another girl bothers me. I do not like it when what I think might be the result of others inflicting pain onto one is then turned and blamed as "puberty". There is no evidence behind that and it hurts to read. I would hope that it isn't purely nature that drives us to be so cruel and unruly in our words and actions.
The second use of sarcasm that I found so hurtful was reading the last two lines.
"Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending."(24-25)
These lines prove to be so hurtful when the reader realizes the implication that they have. They are point to this idea that all that this lady wanted and failed to receive was the approval of others. She isn't even blessed enough for someone in her everyday life that is filled with "to and fro apologizing" and "abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity" to be complimented by her peers.
I think that I don't like this poem and truly hope to change this kind of outlook in our world through simple compliments and helping those in need of belongingness find it.
Mr Mistress' Eyes
In the poem My Mistress' Eyes, I am dumbfounded by the blunt attitude and truth that William Shakespeare is able to convey in a poem. I think that this concept was so amazing to me because this is usually exactly what is done in poetry.
Shakespeare is able to build up the image of his mistress as an average lady. He does this by tearing down the conventional ways that women are portrayed and simply implying that she is average. He says that she isn't like the other women in the way that she doesn't believe the lies that are fed to her about her personality. He refuses to say these unnaturally characteristic things about the physical aspects of his love and finds his own personal awe in that fact.
I think that I like it the most when he says, "If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head,"(4) because he just blatantly says an idea that the majority of humanity would find offense but somehow finds a way to turn it into an odd compliment. It seems that in his revealing that he doesn't love all that he knows about her, he finds her to be entirely her own. His description of her as, "My love as rare,"(13) seriously brings in the brownie points. He saves probably the greatest compliment possible until the very end. His ability to find the unique aspects of his love draw him to believe that she herself is rare and he loves her for it.
Shakespeare is able to build up the image of his mistress as an average lady. He does this by tearing down the conventional ways that women are portrayed and simply implying that she is average. He says that she isn't like the other women in the way that she doesn't believe the lies that are fed to her about her personality. He refuses to say these unnaturally characteristic things about the physical aspects of his love and finds his own personal awe in that fact.
I think that I like it the most when he says, "If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head,"(4) because he just blatantly says an idea that the majority of humanity would find offense but somehow finds a way to turn it into an odd compliment. It seems that in his revealing that he doesn't love all that he knows about her, he finds her to be entirely her own. His description of her as, "My love as rare,"(13) seriously brings in the brownie points. He saves probably the greatest compliment possible until the very end. His ability to find the unique aspects of his love draw him to believe that she herself is rare and he loves her for it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Hunters in the Snow
Hunters in the Snow by Tobias Wolff was definitely a bit of an odd story that had some very interesting plot twists. The author builds each of the characters on their "flaws" only to later reveal a sort of innocence within each of these flaws. The characterization of the three friends portrays them as close but distant, and let's the reader assume that they always behave the way that they currently are behaving. I think that the problem with this assumption is that there was then no account on the readers behalf for the emotional stability, or lack thereof, in the current status of the characters. This was what led to the almost ridiculous reaction to the common use of language abuse and revelation from friend to friend on what each had been ultimately lying about for a length of time. These might seem normal to us, but in reality their ability to hide these failures from their friends reveals a deeper meaning in the way that each in response to these revelations fails to respond in a truly caring way but instead feeds the behavior and poor decision making by fueling the issues at hand. This was evident in the way that Tub dealt with the open speaking about divorce and encouragement of his friend. I think that Tub might have only been doing this with the selfish intention of softening up his friend to tell him the news of his fake sickness. This then allows Frank to compensate his friend accordingly and feeding his personal struggle through the food and encouragement to, "Weigh in, Tub,"(232).
A Jury of Her Peers
In this short story written by Susan Glaspell, the characters within A Jury of Her Peers come into a situation in which they must make tough decisions regarding life or death circumstances. Throughout the story there is the use or repetition. This repetition is important because of placement and the meaning behind the words and phrases repeated. The first I find to be important is the repetition of the descriptive word "Queer" and the second is the repeated phrase "Knot it".
Queer is important because it is vastly used by the author as a choice selection in diction in order to both hint the reader on to the tone and feeling that the characters are implying and feeling within. From describing the scene of the murder, the words of the characters, and the current situation, the diversity of the placement was purposefully done by the author to help the reader connect the dots within the plot and get a feel for what is going on in the characters understand of the plot.
The phrase knot it was important and mostly used near the end of the story. This repetition was vital because it added a bit of irony and humor to those reading. It was important because it showed what had happened to both the bird and Mr. Wright. Irony was displayed when the county attorney asked them about the quilt, and they replied with, "We call it-knot it, Mr. Henderson,"(295) meaning both the method for quilting and how the evidence for the motive were being withheld by Mrs. Hale.
Queer is important because it is vastly used by the author as a choice selection in diction in order to both hint the reader on to the tone and feeling that the characters are implying and feeling within. From describing the scene of the murder, the words of the characters, and the current situation, the diversity of the placement was purposefully done by the author to help the reader connect the dots within the plot and get a feel for what is going on in the characters understand of the plot.
The phrase knot it was important and mostly used near the end of the story. This repetition was vital because it added a bit of irony and humor to those reading. It was important because it showed what had happened to both the bird and Mr. Wright. Irony was displayed when the county attorney asked them about the quilt, and they replied with, "We call it-knot it, Mr. Henderson,"(295) meaning both the method for quilting and how the evidence for the motive were being withheld by Mrs. Hale.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Othello 8
I the final Act of Othello, death prevails and reveals the tragic aspect of this play. It is pretty sad to have to see Othello go as he does, but it is not as surprising to see Roderigo die because he wasn't that cunning or wise. I found that seeing both Emilia and Desdemona die was a bit mor of a tragic aspect. I liked both of these women because of their honesty and faithfulness portrayed in words and actions. I blogged on how Emilia is both of these qualities, but they are both evident in Desdemona too. She displays these in her dialogue with Othello and her ability to do exactly as her husband asks of her. She goes to bed when she is supposed to, she tells the truth when she is supposed to, and all around does not do anything wrong that would qualify her as a candidate that is deserving of death. Yet she receives it. Upon aching her death, I founding tragic that she had to endure seeing her husband broken as a man. He loses himself in a string of lies and doesn't have the opportunity to make up for it before he kills himself. Even worse is the death that Othello himself must endure. He commits suicide and really, in my opinion, lets Iago win. Because Iago is pure evil, he will not care that he goes down as long as the Moor doesn't prevail. Othello must end his life in a manner that allows him to rest with his wife for the last time. Upon stabbing himself, Othello says, "Killing myself,to die upon a kiss,"(V,iii,357), letting himself fall onto the bed that Desdemona, Emilia, and now Othello lie.
Othello 7
In Act V of Othello, I found it interesting how now Emilia proves her worth once again in both her actions and her words. She proves her worth in her actions by interrupting Othello murdering Desdemona. She again proves her merit in the discussion she has with both Othello and the various men that come to. In her talking with Othello, Emilia clues in to Iago's poor chapter when she says, "He lies to the heart,"(V,ii,155). Othello then begins to weigh the morality and honesty that he believes Iago to have in his words and actions. Emilia has no fear to speak up and even against the crowd when the reality of the words and actions that her husband has done reveal themselves. She has no problem in speaking about the handkerchief that actually was of great importance to portraying Cassio as a cheater and Desdemona a whore in the eyes of Othello. This dialogue revealed a little but more about the situation if Iago being the real villain too. When Emilia says, "He begged of me to steal it,"(V,iii,228). It's is actually of great importance because it shows to the men with Iago that he is a fake and has caused much of what has and is happening.
Othello 6
In Act IV of Othello, the character Emilia begins to show both promise and importance in her words and deeds. I saw this side of her begin to emerge in her words firstly. She speaks to Othello with confidence and evidence that a reader can understand is the truth and only wish that Othello would take heed and listen. Othello finally comes around to asking someone near to Desdemona if Desdemona has been cheating with Cassio, and he chooses Emilia to trust. But what is sad is the disbelief that Othello shows even when someone is confiding the truth with him. At this point in the play, it seems that the manipulation by Iago is near completion on Othello. This becomes evident in the lack of confidence and trust that Othello is willing to give out. He refuses to believe Emilia even though she gives supple evidence that Cassio and Desdemona have been faithful and true. I found that Emilia showed her true support and chapter when she said to Othello, "Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect,"(IV, ii, 3).
Othello 5
Othello really gives new light to the concept to trickery in Act IV. I was dumbfounded by how easily Iago was able to manipulate both Roderick and Othello into doing and thinking just as he pleased. I also found his interaction with Cassio to be pure genius and show true signs of a excellent villain. He warped, not only Cassio into "talking" about sleeping with Desdemona, but also Othello into really truly thinking just that. By having Othello hide around the way so that Cassio thinks that he is only speaking with Iago, it pushes the notion that Cassio is speaking privately and freely about his relationship with Desdemona. Thee trance of Bianca only fuels the rage and disgust felt by Othello at the idea that the man cheating with his wife isn't even only getting with his wife. He's also getting with a trumpets too. This only adds to the case against Cassio in Othello's books. Iago showed his brilliant side in line 160 when he egged on Othello's belief with, "Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?"(IV,i,160).
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Othello 4
Day 3
The battle rages on in my head as I am so torn as to actually beginning to like, and be intrigued, with this Othello by Shakespeare that I am presented with. It seems that more than the literary techniques applied through this piece, I am drawn in by the constant eb and flow of the attitudes expressed and words exchanged. Those qualities that build the drama almost to a climactic element within many conversations are the very reason that I can continue to read in. They bring on a curiosity that makes me wonder what the true motives are behind the characters going through their personal troubles at this current time. I cannot quite tell why Desdemona would be so obsessed so easily with the concept of getting Cassio back in the good graces and ranks of Orhello. Is Cassio really that charming? What's in it for her? I'm not sure if I understand that reasoning entirely. More than her motives, I see all of the actions building up portrayed from Othello's point if view and I cannot help but agree with him. I'd be outraged at the notion of my wife being so slutty without my knowledge too! I think I caught on to some foreshadowing hen Emilia said, "No conception nor no jealous toy."(I.iiii.150) implying that she was hoping that Othello wasn't suspicious of Desdemona. An then, suddenly he is suspicious of her. How odd.
The battle rages on in my head as I am so torn as to actually beginning to like, and be intrigued, with this Othello by Shakespeare that I am presented with. It seems that more than the literary techniques applied through this piece, I am drawn in by the constant eb and flow of the attitudes expressed and words exchanged. Those qualities that build the drama almost to a climactic element within many conversations are the very reason that I can continue to read in. They bring on a curiosity that makes me wonder what the true motives are behind the characters going through their personal troubles at this current time. I cannot quite tell why Desdemona would be so obsessed so easily with the concept of getting Cassio back in the good graces and ranks of Orhello. Is Cassio really that charming? What's in it for her? I'm not sure if I understand that reasoning entirely. More than her motives, I see all of the actions building up portrayed from Othello's point if view and I cannot help but agree with him. I'd be outraged at the notion of my wife being so slutty without my knowledge too! I think I caught on to some foreshadowing hen Emilia said, "No conception nor no jealous toy."(I.iiii.150) implying that she was hoping that Othello wasn't suspicious of Desdemona. An then, suddenly he is suspicious of her. How odd.
Othello 3
Day 3 continued...
I have found light amidst the darkness in Othello. It seems as thought Shakespeare finally realized that a man is going to be reading his works at some time or another and decided to include some action! The fight that came after the drinking party deems itself of some worth as one man walks away with a physical wound, and the other hurt in his pride. Iago is slowly proving himself to be a better villain than I thought through his words that are carefully placed within a grand context that results in effects that go along with exactly as he planned. This aspect of the tragedy might become very interesting if, as Iago tells us in asides, what his future plan is so that we know what will actually happen. It seems that he is able to accurately foretell not just what he desires to do, but also what will happen in accordance to the actions that he takes. Is this typical of a tragedy? I guess I will find out in the future. The manipulation that Iago is able to pull of directly and indirectly is very impressive to me. He manipulates those around him through commands, such as to Roderigo, and by his words, such as to Othello. He does this extremely well when he says to Othello, "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio,"(I.iii.119-120) so as to help the liability of his words be taken into account as the whole truth. It keeps him in the good thoughts of Othello and helps in strengthening his "allegiance" with Cassio as a friend.
I have found light amidst the darkness in Othello. It seems as thought Shakespeare finally realized that a man is going to be reading his works at some time or another and decided to include some action! The fight that came after the drinking party deems itself of some worth as one man walks away with a physical wound, and the other hurt in his pride. Iago is slowly proving himself to be a better villain than I thought through his words that are carefully placed within a grand context that results in effects that go along with exactly as he planned. This aspect of the tragedy might become very interesting if, as Iago tells us in asides, what his future plan is so that we know what will actually happen. It seems that he is able to accurately foretell not just what he desires to do, but also what will happen in accordance to the actions that he takes. Is this typical of a tragedy? I guess I will find out in the future. The manipulation that Iago is able to pull of directly and indirectly is very impressive to me. He manipulates those around him through commands, such as to Roderigo, and by his words, such as to Othello. He does this extremely well when he says to Othello, "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio,"(I.iii.119-120) so as to help the liability of his words be taken into account as the whole truth. It keeps him in the good thoughts of Othello and helps in strengthening his "allegiance" with Cassio as a friend.
Othello 2
Day 3
I took day two off because the weariness caused by Othello was too much for my brain to function to the degree that I could type. I was also held down by the literary in a dark corner. They wouldn't let enough light in to let me reach my computer. But besides that, I am delving into the second and third act, written by Shakespeare, today and have decided to blog about the second act first.
This act brought forth some very interesting dialogue that led me to make some generalizations and insights that I think may be correct about Iago. The first is that he is jealous of the ways that women get to men. Why do I think that? Because nobody puts a group of people on the spot unless they are upset or angry about what they have been and most likely are doing. Within his carefully crafted rhymes about the various types of women, he hints towards this idea that women really are constantly getting what they want through whatever means is required to get what they want. I found it very humorous and maybe a little hurtful to those present that he did this through his dialogue to a woman. Not just a woman, but one that many find extremely attractive and educated. Within the first half of the act, Iago speaks in terms that are direct and convey what the truth is as he sees it. Iago uses various word plays to get his message across including paradoxes and metaphors that deemed themselves very effective. I found it very interesting when he included the part, "To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail,"(I.i.154) because I had to read the footnote and try to understand what it actually meant. He is saying that they have the ability to find the good out of the bad. The difference in the diction used in this play and the words commonly used today are what really help me in trying to comprehend the various acts fully.
I took day two off because the weariness caused by Othello was too much for my brain to function to the degree that I could type. I was also held down by the literary in a dark corner. They wouldn't let enough light in to let me reach my computer. But besides that, I am delving into the second and third act, written by Shakespeare, today and have decided to blog about the second act first.
This act brought forth some very interesting dialogue that led me to make some generalizations and insights that I think may be correct about Iago. The first is that he is jealous of the ways that women get to men. Why do I think that? Because nobody puts a group of people on the spot unless they are upset or angry about what they have been and most likely are doing. Within his carefully crafted rhymes about the various types of women, he hints towards this idea that women really are constantly getting what they want through whatever means is required to get what they want. I found it very humorous and maybe a little hurtful to those present that he did this through his dialogue to a woman. Not just a woman, but one that many find extremely attractive and educated. Within the first half of the act, Iago speaks in terms that are direct and convey what the truth is as he sees it. Iago uses various word plays to get his message across including paradoxes and metaphors that deemed themselves very effective. I found it very interesting when he included the part, "To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail,"(I.i.154) because I had to read the footnote and try to understand what it actually meant. He is saying that they have the ability to find the good out of the bad. The difference in the diction used in this play and the words commonly used today are what really help me in trying to comprehend the various acts fully.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Othello 1
Day 1
Today I find myself in the third quarter of my senior year and once again I am being punished with Shakespeare. This is the third reading and today I found myself bogged down with the boredom and gloom that might overtake any second semester seniors mind. This is a torture of a different kind for me. Othello truly brings me to my knees at the mercy of the unfamiliar diction and perilous footnotes. You see, my first encounter with Shakespeare was with Mrs. Striby back in 09' and I really had no reason to take the class very seriously. I learned the plot and aced the test. But this Othello, it has much more to offer. The constant dialogue in this opening act had me constantly rereading in order to fully comprehend what was all happening at once. So far I find the most interesting aspect of the play the concept that Othello himself is a man of seemingly good character and honest words, while on the other hand, the remainder of the men appear extremely quick to judge and plot against Othello. Is this racism yet? I'm not entirely sure about all of them, but Iago comes of as extremely racist against Othello despite his constant comments about how that is really an unimportant detail in the grand scheme of things. Iago displays a large amount of arrogance in the last little speech that he gives to the crowd when he basically tries to think of ways to get Othello's girl to hook up with Cassio. I don't even know much about Cassio but I really hope he doesn't follow Iago's advice. I understand that this is a tragedy and that Iago is the, "Greatest villain of all time," and even, "Pure evil," but come on. Every Shakespeare play I read ends horribly. Really the last line, "Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light,"(I.i.384) just hints that Iago seriously just got the big spatula out to give the pot a good old mixing.
Today I find myself in the third quarter of my senior year and once again I am being punished with Shakespeare. This is the third reading and today I found myself bogged down with the boredom and gloom that might overtake any second semester seniors mind. This is a torture of a different kind for me. Othello truly brings me to my knees at the mercy of the unfamiliar diction and perilous footnotes. You see, my first encounter with Shakespeare was with Mrs. Striby back in 09' and I really had no reason to take the class very seriously. I learned the plot and aced the test. But this Othello, it has much more to offer. The constant dialogue in this opening act had me constantly rereading in order to fully comprehend what was all happening at once. So far I find the most interesting aspect of the play the concept that Othello himself is a man of seemingly good character and honest words, while on the other hand, the remainder of the men appear extremely quick to judge and plot against Othello. Is this racism yet? I'm not entirely sure about all of them, but Iago comes of as extremely racist against Othello despite his constant comments about how that is really an unimportant detail in the grand scheme of things. Iago displays a large amount of arrogance in the last little speech that he gives to the crowd when he basically tries to think of ways to get Othello's girl to hook up with Cassio. I don't even know much about Cassio but I really hope he doesn't follow Iago's advice. I understand that this is a tragedy and that Iago is the, "Greatest villain of all time," and even, "Pure evil," but come on. Every Shakespeare play I read ends horribly. Really the last line, "Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light,"(I.i.384) just hints that Iago seriously just got the big spatula out to give the pot a good old mixing.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
You're Ugly, Too
You're Ugly, Too written by Lorrie Moore describes a lot about the people of today and yesterday. It does this through a lot of different descriptions. The descriptions of the main character, Zoe, and the students that she is surrounded by says a lot about the growth and change in our culture from one generation to another. The time that the author spends describing the continual dismissive attitude and inability to make decisions and stick with them by Zoe says more about the generations before mine. But most interesting to myself was the time spent allowing the jokes to have meaning in the lives of the characters present at the party. The generation divide was obvious by the characters being both spread out and dressed so extremely differently. I wish that the jokes meant more to me and could help me understand more about what the characters were going through at the time, but I think that sometimes generation divides make our thought process and comprehension different on all levels. What I think that these jokes could have meant might be entirely different than what they really do. What made me really wonder was the reaction that Zoe had to the interruption or maybe the joke itself that Earl told. I couldn't really figure out which it was. "There was accusation in her voice," was what really made me contemplate the reaction that was being presented to the reader. What was her actual problem with the joke? I wish that I could understand if it was Earl, the scenario, the joke, or simply whatever was going on in the mind of Zoe.
What really impressed me in this story was the clutch use of vulgar vocabulary. That really made the jokes a lot funnier.
What really impressed me in this story was the clutch use of vulgar vocabulary. That really made the jokes a lot funnier.
Friday, January 25, 2013
February
February by Margaret Atwood is not a poem that I feel I can personally relate to well. Maybe I'm just a sappy romantic that likes to believe in wonderful times of joy and love when others really only relate well to depression and loneliness, but I think that this poem is off. I feel this way because in the February that I get to experience every year, I get to be involved in my birthday, my sisters birthday, and, of course, Valentines day. These days combine to help me get by what many people consider one of the more depressing months of the year. I can relate in a sense that I see how this month could be depressing, but I see so much potential for anyone to make it a good month for all. How would you do this? Really in a similar manner to the way that I myself look at February. Instead of focusing on what cannot be changed, like the weather, attempt to focus on what can really be enjoyed. Throughout this poem, the other relates times back to watching hockey. I'm not sure why that has to be a negative time. Watching sports can be a lot of fun, especially if you watch them with people that you enjoy being around. Instead of so much negative connotations like, "Time to eat fat," look at the times as those that can be spent well with others growing in relationships and companionship.
The Story of an Hour
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin delves into the emotional state that a woman finds herself upon hearing the news of her husbands death. This story has a very interesting start because of how torn up and distraught the woman appears at the news of her husbands death. This appears to be a common reaction in our minds, but the woman quickly changes her emotions and feelings. She realizes on a greater level that she is not fully in love as she would seem. But why? I think that she is a selfish human being and that flaw has brought her to the point that she is ultimately greatly relieved at the death of her husband. I read this not only in the middle when she saw, "Of years to come that would belong to her absolutely," but also near the end when she, "died of heart disease-of joy that kills." How could you be so absolutely overjoyed at the death of your husband just because of the time that you will now be able to spend however you want and with whomever you would like? I do not think that her death would be describe of joy that kills unless she truly did feel happy at the idea of finally being rid of her husband. This selfish desire is of course in all of us, but the idea of truly loving someone to the point of despair at their loss is what I would think a husband/wife would really feel.
Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics by Carver is a very intriguing short story because of the content that is more of a modern day. The conclusion of this story includes word that require an understanding in order to fully comprehend what is happening to the characters through their actions. The "issue" that is being decided is who receives their child upon divorce. This builds through the smaller actions of the husband packing his things with care, the arguing and yelling between the two, and the eventual fighting over who gets to take care of the child. This major issue for the story is decided by the fight. This fight is more than just a verbal attack, but actually becomes physical. The mother has the child in her arms to start the fight, but in the end they each take a part of the child to be their own. The problem is that the individuals feel that they each should take care of this child that they made together, and the idea of one of the other taking care and ownership makes them desire the child more. So, when the physicality begins, the child takes the real damage. They each grab a hold of the child and try to keep it as their own. This ends with the destruction of the child for good. "In this manner, the issue was decided," tells the reader that the child has been ripped in half and that they are done quarreling for good.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Lonely Hearts
In the poem Lonely Hearts, Wendy Cope creates the majority of her story through the repetition of a certain pattern and some key lines. She uses a pattern to create a sense that this person seeking another requires that desired one to have certain features and maybe not have other. She does this through the diction that describes the specific type of people that she is looking for in certain lines. The important lines that she repeats not only clue is on to what she is really looking for, but they also give us a sense of where she is both in the world and at a point of desperation. She writes, "Can someone make my simple wish come true?"(1, 6, 12, 18) in order to convey the depth to which she truly desires to find that certain someone for her life. She repeats it because it is so vastly important to her. She wants to find a love that can make all of her wishes come true. The second repeated line is, "Do you live in North London? Is it you?"(3, 9, 15, 19) and this line gives us direction to where she is. Along with that direction, she really wants those that are reading to contemplate their circumstances and how they would matchup to the specific circumstances that she has outlined for them. This is vital because after each description of various sorts, the reader then must decide wether they are a possible candidate. It also seems to cause an inquisitive nature to arise in the reader as to what they are looking for in their spouse.
Bright Star
In the poem Bright Star produced by John Keats, the author makes a lengthy comparison of his love to that of the consistency of a star and other aspects of a star. He very importantly states that he desires to be, "Steadfast as thou art,"(1) but then produces several qualities that he does not wish to be. He does not desire to be alone like a star is in the sky. He realizes that stars are ever looking down on the earth and does not want to be always watching like that. He is going to need his rest eventually. He wants to look at what he truly desires, and not that which does not apply to his life like the snow on mountain tops or the moors. He does want to be steadfast nevertheless. He desires to lay with the woman that he loves. He wants the steadfast spirit so that he will forever be watching his lover breath, alive, with him. He wants to, "So live ever,"(14) so that he can see this beauty for eternity.
Eveline
Eveline, by James Joyce, is a short story that gives an insight into the troubles and hardships of some commoners in the city of Dublin. The author blatantly says that the citizens of Dublin have a sort of "spiritual paralysis" and have trouble overcoming that. This story maintains that view of the that lack of spiritual progress and that is present not only in the situation that Eveline is in, but also in her decision to stay. At the end of the story, the text states, "Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition,"(222) which reveals just the extent to which Eveline is stuck in her continual ways. She cannot move on from the life that she is living and that becomes extremely evident when she justifies her leaving Dublin for a better place. She builds up her life, in short, as one without a mother that left her to try and maintain good house that her mother had brought her up in. This environment is not one that is ideal for anyone to live in. Her father is abusive and she has given him a fair share of chances to try to change his ways and make their lives better. This lack of improvement justifies Eveline as trying to better the place for as long as she can. She also creates a place where she will be headed as one that she will have an increasingly better life than the one that she is currently living. After all of her support for her own departure of leaving this city that is not meant for her, she stops short and holds back. She stays on despite all of the circumstances that scream that she should leave and find a place where she will have a sort of spiritual progress.
How I Met My Husband
In How I Met My Husband by Alice Munro, suspense was an important feature for the reader. This basis of small climaxes that created excitement helped produce a greater surprise when Eddie does not finally get a letter and instead marries the mailman. Some important events that did this also helped introduce characters and reveal tendencies in characters. The first one that I found to be so important was when Eddie gets all dressed up and then is caught by a stranger that seems to be kind towards Eddie. This revealed a sense of ignorance within Eddie for the actions that she takes. This event causes Eddie to risk yet another chance at getting fired by going over and speaking with the man so that he will not tell on her. This dangerous situation for a young girl starts the reader in thinking about what Eddie really cares about and how her approaches are to those things. The second event that Eddie so rashly jumps to doing is basically hooking up with Chris when he is an "engaged" man. She reveals more ignorance in her actions by taking him a cake and proceeding to let him kiss her while returning the favor. This rash action by Eddie creates yet another rush for the reader wondering if and when they will get caught. This also builds up the notion that Eddie might not just be a one time thing for Chris. When in actuality this leads to the revelation that Chris is not a great man. He makes promises and so easily breaks them. The reader feels as though Eddie will finally get her letter, but instead she does meet her husband (the mailman) in the process of waiting. The continual ignorance until the realization that the letter was not coming was expressed when Eddie thought, "I put it all out of my mind like a bad dream and concentrated on waiting for my letter,"(145).
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