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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.