Consider the literary device foreshadowing. How does Jackson use foreshadowing to set up the climax and resolution in “The Lottery”?
Throughout the short story “The Lottery” foreshadowing is used to slowly engage the reader in the information that the lottery is not something that one wants to win. At the beginning of the story, all seems well and the people of the town seem excited and happy about the clear and sunny June day. But as the story continues subtle hints are dropped as to the horrid event that will be taking place. As the drawing took place, the people were nervous as they drew their slips of paper, and there is even talk of other places that have stopped doing the lottery. The suspense when the slips of paper were opened was with a hush and when the results were told – the “winners” were frightened and were saying that the drawing was unfair. At the end of the story, the people of the town encircle Mrs. Hutchinson with stones in their hands ready to throw them at her. Even her small little boy is given stones to throw at his mother. At this point the reader is shocked and stunned by what winning the lottery entails.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Amanda - Week 5; Question 9
What is the effect of using a fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066”? In terms of impact, how does this differ than in might with her father as the narrative voice?
Using the fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066” gave this period in history that is being discussed a quality of innocence. From the tone of the girl’s voice, the reader can hear her confusions as to why her “best friend” of many years has now turned on her for no other reason than that of her heritage. If an adult would have been the narrator the tone would most likely not have been as confused but more of anger at the treatment that they had received.
Using the fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066” gave this period in history that is being discussed a quality of innocence. From the tone of the girl’s voice, the reader can hear her confusions as to why her “best friend” of many years has now turned on her for no other reason than that of her heritage. If an adult would have been the narrator the tone would most likely not have been as confused but more of anger at the treatment that they had received.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Week 5 question 1
In Shirley Wilson’s The Lottery, the man with all the power in the story would be Mr. Smith. He has all the power because he is the one who keeps the black box which stores all the slips of paper for the lottery which determines who will be stoned. In the story Mr. Summers is described “as the official of the lottery” (839). He was a local coal miner and had time to collaborate the activity. He was the one who marked the slips of paper for the lottery and declares when the lottery begins. He is in charge of the entire process; therefore, the one with al the power in the story. It is articulated by how he could be resembled as judge in court; holding all the power by making all the important calls throughout the process.
Week 5 question 3
After reading Amy Wilson's under the Guise of Tradition: "The Lottery" and female circumcision, I was able to better understand Shirly Jackson's The Lottery. Wilson explains how in American tradition we celebrate things like fireworks on the Fourth of July and we hunt for easter eggs on Easter. Why? Because it's just what we have done for so many years it's an American tradition. Just like in her story she exlains how in Egypt years back they would circumcise young woman between the ages of seven and thirteen because it was a ritual they practiced. When I first read Jackson's The Lottery, I thought it was obsured and morally wrong to stone someone simply because after drawing a lottery they just happened to pick the slip of paper with an ex marked on it. This was done because just like in Wilson's story it was a ritual they practiced every year just how we celebrate the Fourth of July and Easter although our ritual so to say isn't morally wrong. theirs were just what their culture practiced and Jackson's point was that some people practice certain rituals whether it's considered wrong or right to others.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
WEEK QUESTION 10
The poem titled as "In Response To Executive Order 9066" by Dwight Okita talks about a young girl who is very much Americanized but at the same time contains the Japanese decent in her. Throughout the poem she reminds the readers that she characterizes herself as an American. The girl goes on by saying "I will tell you I have always felt funny using chopsticks, and my favorite food is hot dogs." She very much likes America because everything she says and describes would represent a typical American teenager in her. Also, the girl does not seem to know anything about American/Japanese conflict. When her best friend, who is white tells the girl "You're trying to strart a war, giving secrets away to the Enemy." The girs does not know what is really happening and did not know what the response should be, so she just disregarded it without saying much in regards to that.
Week 5 Question 9
9. What is the effect of using a fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066”? In terms of impact, how does this differ than it might with her father as the narrative voice?
I think that using a young girl to narrate the story has a lasting impression on the readers. I think that a girl can captivate an audience with her story, one of which is told with an innocence that a child brings. You want to hear the tale that is to be told, because you are unable to truly believe that one so young has experienced these events. If the father were to have told the story, I think that the audience may have been less inclined to really engage in the story, because it is a more likely scenario for him to have undergone.
I think that using a young girl to narrate the story has a lasting impression on the readers. I think that a girl can captivate an audience with her story, one of which is told with an innocence that a child brings. You want to hear the tale that is to be told, because you are unable to truly believe that one so young has experienced these events. If the father were to have told the story, I think that the audience may have been less inclined to really engage in the story, because it is a more likely scenario for him to have undergone.
WEEK 5 QUESTION 1
The short story "The Lottery, " by Shirley Jackson portrays Mr. Summers as the man that has power. The actual discription of Mr. Summers articulates on behalf of why he had power in this story. For instance, Jackson states, " Mr. Summers was very good at all this; in his clean white shirt and blue jeans, with one hand resting carelessly on the black box, he seemed very proper and importants as he talked interminably to Mr. Graves and the Martins." Even in today's society, if you see a gentleman that is dressesed professionally, acts proper, right a way he gives an articulation of himself as a smart, good career and well off individual. Another reason why Mr. Summers seems to have the power in "Lottery" is because Jackson describes him as the "Official of the lottery...declared the lottery open, " then the author goes on by saying "Mr. Summer's coal company and locked up until Mr. summers was read to take it to the square next morning." Mr. Summers is obviously a smart man do to the fact that he is in charge of many things in this story. Having a company definetly makes you a powerful individual and Mr. Summers is the summation of all the intelligence you need to have a company in the first place.
Week 5, Discussion Question # 10
Jazmine Navarro
It does not seem that she really thinks of herself as Japanese. Yes, she is of Japanese decent but she is Americanized. She feels awkward using chosticks and her favorite food is an American delicacy. The American/Japanese conflict is something that she does not really understand. Her best friend is white and she does not really see what the problem is. Since she is Americanized she cannot fully grasp the concept of what is going on and what it is happening. She does get a glimpse of the situation when her best friend tells her that she is "trying to start a war" and she is "giving away secrets to the enemy." She beings to see how drastic the situation is and that it will make people believe things and disregard what they actually know.
It does not seem that she really thinks of herself as Japanese. Yes, she is of Japanese decent but she is Americanized. She feels awkward using chosticks and her favorite food is an American delicacy. The American/Japanese conflict is something that she does not really understand. Her best friend is white and she does not really see what the problem is. Since she is Americanized she cannot fully grasp the concept of what is going on and what it is happening. She does get a glimpse of the situation when her best friend tells her that she is "trying to start a war" and she is "giving away secrets to the enemy." She beings to see how drastic the situation is and that it will make people believe things and disregard what they actually know.
Week 5, Discussion Question # 9
Jazmine Navarro
It is more effective to use a child than an adult when wanting to elict an emotional response. Yes, it is heartbreaking when something terrible happens to an adult, but it is soul taking when it happens to a child. In most pepoles eyes an adult can take care of themselves and handle what is thrown at them, but children are innocent and helpless. When we hear about a child being hurt we want to run and help them - take the hurt away and bring it about ourselves and when we hear about an adult being hurt we sympathize - we feel for them. If the father had been the narrator we would feel heartbroken for him, but it would not affect us like an innocent child would. It qould have changed the mood of the story. It would have been a story of a man going through tragic times instead of a child going through things they should never go through.
It is more effective to use a child than an adult when wanting to elict an emotional response. Yes, it is heartbreaking when something terrible happens to an adult, but it is soul taking when it happens to a child. In most pepoles eyes an adult can take care of themselves and handle what is thrown at them, but children are innocent and helpless. When we hear about a child being hurt we want to run and help them - take the hurt away and bring it about ourselves and when we hear about an adult being hurt we sympathize - we feel for them. If the father had been the narrator we would feel heartbroken for him, but it would not affect us like an innocent child would. It qould have changed the mood of the story. It would have been a story of a man going through tragic times instead of a child going through things they should never go through.
Nick Klempan Week5 Question 11
Week 5 Question 11:
Explain what the title “Legal Alien” has to do with the poem’s content; this term appears to be an oxymoron on the surface. Explain also the different connotations of the word “alien” as implied in the poem.
Basically the poem describes the type-casting which Mexican-American people endure and argues that this type-casting places them in a class of there own. Perhaps line 14 and 15 put it best: “an American to Mexicans – a Mexican to Americans.” The term Legal Alien is arguably the best title for this poem. Legal refers to the idea that Mexican-Americans are here legally; naturally born, visa, green-card, etc. The term Alien is in reference to the fact that they are different from stereotypical ‘white’ Americans and also different from stereotypical ‘brown’ Mexicans.
Explain what the title “Legal Alien” has to do with the poem’s content; this term appears to be an oxymoron on the surface. Explain also the different connotations of the word “alien” as implied in the poem.
Basically the poem describes the type-casting which Mexican-American people endure and argues that this type-casting places them in a class of there own. Perhaps line 14 and 15 put it best: “an American to Mexicans – a Mexican to Americans.” The term Legal Alien is arguably the best title for this poem. Legal refers to the idea that Mexican-Americans are here legally; naturally born, visa, green-card, etc. The term Alien is in reference to the fact that they are different from stereotypical ‘white’ Americans and also different from stereotypical ‘brown’ Mexicans.
Nick Klempan Week5 Question 3
Week 5 Question 3:
Discuss one of the critical entries that deals with “The Lottery”, explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story.
To be completely honest, the first time I read through “The lottery” I was taken by surprise with the ending and had no idea why people would voluntarily subject themselves to this lottery. When I reviewed the story for a second time, I had to get my wife to read it – just so she could see it for her self. The only conclusion I could make about it was that it was not meant to be taken literally. Upon reading Nick Crawford’s piece, my suspicions were confirmed. Simply because something has always been done a certain way (tradition) does not mean that it has been done correctly, logically, or rationally. The point of the short story, in my opinion, is to get the reader to question the validity of tradition and to reexamine what is sociably acceptable and if it even should be. There was a time when racism was the norm, women couldn’t vote, and people could own other people as slaves. If tradition was never questioned, then, arguably, we would have never progressed – technology, or socially – as a civilization.
Discuss one of the critical entries that deals with “The Lottery”, explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story.
To be completely honest, the first time I read through “The lottery” I was taken by surprise with the ending and had no idea why people would voluntarily subject themselves to this lottery. When I reviewed the story for a second time, I had to get my wife to read it – just so she could see it for her self. The only conclusion I could make about it was that it was not meant to be taken literally. Upon reading Nick Crawford’s piece, my suspicions were confirmed. Simply because something has always been done a certain way (tradition) does not mean that it has been done correctly, logically, or rationally. The point of the short story, in my opinion, is to get the reader to question the validity of tradition and to reexamine what is sociably acceptable and if it even should be. There was a time when racism was the norm, women couldn’t vote, and people could own other people as slaves. If tradition was never questioned, then, arguably, we would have never progressed – technology, or socially – as a civilization.
Week 5 Question 5
In The Glass Menagerie gender roles are prominent. The play was written in 1944 and appears to take place in the thirties as the play mentions only The World War rather than World War One. Gender played a major role in households of the time, requiring men to provide for the families while women took care of the home and children. This play in particular exacerbated the roles of two of the main characters. Amanda, the mother and antagonist of the story, is attempting to manipulate her children into better supporting her. Jim, the son of Amanda and the protagonist of the play, is tasked with supporting his mother and his crippled sister. Amanda makes every effort to keep her son from becoming his father and abandoning the family, while Jim wants nothing more than an opportunity to live his own life. The play goes even further into the gender roles when Amanda repeatedly makes references to when she was younger and how woman and men behaved then, which was far more strictly gender controlled, in an effort to influence the behaviors of her children. The conflict of family loyalty and societal expectation versus the protagonists desire for personal freedom is the primary theme of The Glass Menagerie and speaks directly to the gender expectations of the times.
Jessica Silva - Week 5, Question 9
What is the effect of using a fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066”? In terms of impact, how does this differ than it might with her father as the narrative voice?
By using the perspective of a young girl, Okita is able to convey the ways in which the internment camps and subsequent migration from the West affected their community, especially their most innocent members, the children. While the adults may be able to understand what is happening, like the narrator, all a child would know is that they are being forced away from their home, school, and friends, and being blamed for "giving secrets away to the Enemy." Okita employs the method of narration in order to envoke a greater sense of sympathy in his readers; while it is easy to feel sympathy for the common man, conveying his story from the perspective of a child often has a greater appeal to the emotions of others because of their innocence.
Week 5 Question 9
In the poem In Response to Executive Order 9066 by Dwight Okita the speaker is a fourteen year old Japanese girl. Okita chose to use a young girl, rather than an adult, to add an air of innocence to the girls story. If the speaker had been the girl’s father the story would be told from a more jaded understanding. The poem in its current form evokes a sense of sympathy from the readers who have an understanding of the relocation centers and concentration camps that the child would have been headed to. A reading from the perspective of the father may have evoked sympathy from the reader, but most likely not the same degree.
Jessica Silva - Week 5, Question 8
Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” is perhaps her best known and most “referred to” poem, in some respects because of the depth with which she is able to characterize the animal. Discuss what you find special, unique, successful in her narrative verse.
I found it unique that Bishop portrayed the fish in a manner in which you almost forget that she is describing a fish, and begin to feel as though she is giving this fish human characteristics and emotions. Her description makes it obvious that she feels a great empathy for, especially after seeing that he had freed himself from at least five other fisherman's lines, which he wore "like medals with their ribbons / frayed and wavering, / a five-haired beard of wisdom / trailing from his aching jaw". Many would think nothing of catching a fish: all they know is that they're going to catch a sizable fish and likely eat it later, whereas Bishop takes note of the texture and coloring of the fish's skin, the patterns in his scales, the barnacles and sea-lice that he carries, and goes as far as to imagine what is going on within him - the size of his bones, his entrails, his flesh. I found it interesting that Bishop was able to portray the fish in this manner, as most people regard fish as dull and brainless creatures.
Week 5 Question #9
9. What is the effect of using a fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066”? In terms of impact, how does this differ than it might with her father as the narrative voice?
If the father would have been chosen as the narrative voice in the poem “In Response to Executive Order 9066” by Dwight Okita, I think the poem would have had a significantly greater emotional impact. The daughter is a teenager and the reason for the move the family is about to make is not something she can, at her age, fully understand the significance of. The daughter’s perspective is matter of fact. Her heritage is Japanese and she was raised to conform to her elder’s wishes. She was raised in America and she is an American in her mind. This fact is portrayed to us by the author who he tells us through a metaphor in the daughter’s letter to the authorities when she writes “I have always felt funny using chopsticks and my favorite food is hot dogs.” (Lines 8-9). Her attitude is one of what must be, will be. Through the father’s perspective we would have felt his pain as an observer watching the pain that the daughter’s heritage was causing her. His daughter was being shunned “She was sitting on the other side of the room.” (Line 17). In his voice we would hear him mourn for his daughter the loss of her friend, her home, and the only life she had ever known. He would share his pains of guilt with us as he shared memories of times spent with his daughter growing up and his wondering if they would ever be able to make new memories worth keeping again. The father’s voice would have evoked sympathy.
If the father would have been chosen as the narrative voice in the poem “In Response to Executive Order 9066” by Dwight Okita, I think the poem would have had a significantly greater emotional impact. The daughter is a teenager and the reason for the move the family is about to make is not something she can, at her age, fully understand the significance of. The daughter’s perspective is matter of fact. Her heritage is Japanese and she was raised to conform to her elder’s wishes. She was raised in America and she is an American in her mind. This fact is portrayed to us by the author who he tells us through a metaphor in the daughter’s letter to the authorities when she writes “I have always felt funny using chopsticks and my favorite food is hot dogs.” (Lines 8-9). Her attitude is one of what must be, will be. Through the father’s perspective we would have felt his pain as an observer watching the pain that the daughter’s heritage was causing her. His daughter was being shunned “She was sitting on the other side of the room.” (Line 17). In his voice we would hear him mourn for his daughter the loss of her friend, her home, and the only life she had ever known. He would share his pains of guilt with us as he shared memories of times spent with his daughter growing up and his wondering if they would ever be able to make new memories worth keeping again. The father’s voice would have evoked sympathy.
Week 5 Question #8
8. Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” is perhaps her best known and most “referred to” poem, in some respects because of the depth with which she is able to characterize the animal. Discuss what you find special, unique, and successful in her narrative verse.
In Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “The Fish” I found the story line to be one of imagery in a special way. Not only was Bishop able to characterize what the fish looked like on the outside “his brown skin hung in strips,…and it’s pattern of darker brown” (Lines 10 and 12) she characterized what he looked like on the inside “I thought of the course white flesh packed in like feathers” (Lines 27-28). The characterization of the inside of the fish was so much more vivid and delightful; it was as though I could taste how delicious it would be to eat. Bishop was also able to characterize the fact that this was an older fish “He was speckled with barnacles,…and infested with tiny white sea lice.” (Lines 16 and Lines18-19). What I found extremely unique in the poem was that through her characterization of the hooks in the fish’s mouth, the author was able to make me feel the emotion of the fish, pride. Pride for having escaped so many times “five big hooks grown firmly in his mouth.” (Lines 54-55) and having them there “Like medals with their ribbons frayed and wavering.” (Lines 61-62). The flow and gaiety in Bishop’s style were amplified by the happy ending.
In Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “The Fish” I found the story line to be one of imagery in a special way. Not only was Bishop able to characterize what the fish looked like on the outside “his brown skin hung in strips,…and it’s pattern of darker brown” (Lines 10 and 12) she characterized what he looked like on the inside “I thought of the course white flesh packed in like feathers” (Lines 27-28). The characterization of the inside of the fish was so much more vivid and delightful; it was as though I could taste how delicious it would be to eat. Bishop was also able to characterize the fact that this was an older fish “He was speckled with barnacles,…and infested with tiny white sea lice.” (Lines 16 and Lines18-19). What I found extremely unique in the poem was that through her characterization of the hooks in the fish’s mouth, the author was able to make me feel the emotion of the fish, pride. Pride for having escaped so many times “five big hooks grown firmly in his mouth.” (Lines 54-55) and having them there “Like medals with their ribbons frayed and wavering.” (Lines 61-62). The flow and gaiety in Bishop’s style were amplified by the happy ending.
Week5Q11
Legal Alien
Week 5 Question 11
I enjoyed this poem it has a strait forward approach on a generally controversial subject, but it also is expressed in a non- offensive way. This poem includes stereotypes that are easily relatable to anyone who has been in similar situations. The title Legal Alien initially caught me off guard; I was expecting the writing to have a different approach. In this poem the narrator whom seems to be the author Pat Mora is alienated by both sides of here culture (Anglos and Mexicans). In lines nine and ten the reader is able to identify directly to the narrator, the narrator introduces personal moments that she has experienced from Anglos. The character says, “viewed by Anglos as perhaps exotic, perhaps inferior, definitely different”. These to me seem like personal incidents that at one time she personally experience. Ironically, not only is the character an alien to the culture she is currently around (American Culture) she is also an alien within her own culture (Mexican Culture). What I interpret after reading lines eleven through thirteen is that perhaps the Mexican’s whom were not as fortunate as her feel she is a sellout. “Viewed by Mexicans as alien (their eyes say, “You may speak Spanish but you are not like me”). The title of this poem is Legal Alien, and in this particular writing it has more than one meaning and is directed to more than one group of people.
Week 5 Question 11
I enjoyed this poem it has a strait forward approach on a generally controversial subject, but it also is expressed in a non- offensive way. This poem includes stereotypes that are easily relatable to anyone who has been in similar situations. The title Legal Alien initially caught me off guard; I was expecting the writing to have a different approach. In this poem the narrator whom seems to be the author Pat Mora is alienated by both sides of here culture (Anglos and Mexicans). In lines nine and ten the reader is able to identify directly to the narrator, the narrator introduces personal moments that she has experienced from Anglos. The character says, “viewed by Anglos as perhaps exotic, perhaps inferior, definitely different”. These to me seem like personal incidents that at one time she personally experience. Ironically, not only is the character an alien to the culture she is currently around (American Culture) she is also an alien within her own culture (Mexican Culture). What I interpret after reading lines eleven through thirteen is that perhaps the Mexican’s whom were not as fortunate as her feel she is a sellout. “Viewed by Mexicans as alien (their eyes say, “You may speak Spanish but you are not like me”). The title of this poem is Legal Alien, and in this particular writing it has more than one meaning and is directed to more than one group of people.
wk5Quest9
Week5 Question 9
In Response to Executives
The teenage Japanese-AMERICAN girl speaks freely, with the innocents of a child. I capitalized American because she speaks and comes off no different than any other adolescent here in America. Her favorite food is hotdogs and she does not prefer shop sticks. Ironically, her father whom probably grew up in his native country perhaps did not hear of hot dogs until coming to America. Also, when she talks about her issue her with chop sticks she seems talk about them like they are not large part of her native culture. She is very ignorant about her culture but it is obvious she is not to blame. Every ounce of her is American not literally as she may feel but in the figurative sense. She seems to know nothing more about her culture than any other American student might know about any other culture. Personally, I do not look at the young character in this poem any different then I would any other American teen. She speaks of what she is accustomed to and in this case it is not her native culture.
In Response to Executives
The teenage Japanese-AMERICAN girl speaks freely, with the innocents of a child. I capitalized American because she speaks and comes off no different than any other adolescent here in America. Her favorite food is hotdogs and she does not prefer shop sticks. Ironically, her father whom probably grew up in his native country perhaps did not hear of hot dogs until coming to America. Also, when she talks about her issue her with chop sticks she seems talk about them like they are not large part of her native culture. She is very ignorant about her culture but it is obvious she is not to blame. Every ounce of her is American not literally as she may feel but in the figurative sense. She seems to know nothing more about her culture than any other American student might know about any other culture. Personally, I do not look at the young character in this poem any different then I would any other American teen. She speaks of what she is accustomed to and in this case it is not her native culture.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Week 5, Question 2
Week 5, Question 2
Consider the literary device foreshadowing. How does Jackson use foreshadowing to set up the climax and resolution in “The Lottery”?
The foreshadowing in “The Lottery” begins with the author, Shirley Jackson, initially describing June 27th as “...clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day: ...”(Jackson 837). She foreshadows the senseless events of the day by going into great detail about the box used in the lottery and the need for replacement, but the refusal of the town’s people due to not wanting to accept change. The weather which is initially seamless begins to change as the lottery gets underway which is evident by the statement, “Mr. Graves had selected the five slips and put them in the box, and he dropped all the papers but those onto the ground, where the breeze caught them and lifted them off” (Jackson 242). This is an example of foreshadowing of the dark events of the day that are about to take place. The resolution of the story is foreshadowed using the paragraph “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones. The pile of stones the boys had made earlier was ready: there were stones on the ground with the blowing scraps of paper that had come out of the box. Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. “Come on.” She said. “Hurry up” (Jackson 843). At this point in the story the reader is given this paragraph to foreshadow the fact that the violence that is to come will not be prevented. Tessie Hutchinson had represented a voice of questioning in that society and the powers that be wanted her eliminated.
Consider the literary device foreshadowing. How does Jackson use foreshadowing to set up the climax and resolution in “The Lottery”?
The foreshadowing in “The Lottery” begins with the author, Shirley Jackson, initially describing June 27th as “...clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day: ...”(Jackson 837). She foreshadows the senseless events of the day by going into great detail about the box used in the lottery and the need for replacement, but the refusal of the town’s people due to not wanting to accept change. The weather which is initially seamless begins to change as the lottery gets underway which is evident by the statement, “Mr. Graves had selected the five slips and put them in the box, and he dropped all the papers but those onto the ground, where the breeze caught them and lifted them off” (Jackson 242). This is an example of foreshadowing of the dark events of the day that are about to take place. The resolution of the story is foreshadowed using the paragraph “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones. The pile of stones the boys had made earlier was ready: there were stones on the ground with the blowing scraps of paper that had come out of the box. Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. “Come on.” She said. “Hurry up” (Jackson 843). At this point in the story the reader is given this paragraph to foreshadow the fact that the violence that is to come will not be prevented. Tessie Hutchinson had represented a voice of questioning in that society and the powers that be wanted her eliminated.
Week 5, Question 1
1. Who do you think has power in “The Lottery”? WHY does this person(s) have power, and how is it articulated?
The person with the power in “The Lottery”, is quite obviously shared between two groups of people. The first person who has a lot of power is Mr. Summers. This is articulated in the story as the author, Shirley Jackson, first by her description of Summers as a “...round-faced, jovial man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him, because he had no children and his wife was a scold.”(Jackson 839) Jackson foreshadows the event with the insight of how Summers is treaed by his wife because it gives the reader answers as to why Mrs. Hutchinson was selected as the recipient of “the lottery” by letting the reader know why he had some anger issues toward women. The author makes several comments in the story about the traditions that were a part of the upstart of such an event, and yet, the lottery is no longer really regulated. People do what they do but do not really ask why. Later in the story Tessie Hutchinson challenges Mr. Summers reasoning and authority when she says “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair” (Jackson 842). This questioning and non-abandonment to the social custom of “The Lottery”, is ultimately what caused her death. The second aspect of the shared power of “The Lottery” was the group of women that were a part of the community. They were the instigators and the first to begin the stoning. This act leads the reader to believe they enjoyed the act and rather than the act being solely tradition perhaps their enjoyment was more about malice, envy, and the other negative aspects of human nature, especially among women. You never know perhaps one of those women wanted Tessie’s husband as their own, or had some other motivation the story does not articulate but the social custom of “The Lottery” helped make that agenda come to pass.
The person with the power in “The Lottery”, is quite obviously shared between two groups of people. The first person who has a lot of power is Mr. Summers. This is articulated in the story as the author, Shirley Jackson, first by her description of Summers as a “...round-faced, jovial man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him, because he had no children and his wife was a scold.”(Jackson 839) Jackson foreshadows the event with the insight of how Summers is treaed by his wife because it gives the reader answers as to why Mrs. Hutchinson was selected as the recipient of “the lottery” by letting the reader know why he had some anger issues toward women. The author makes several comments in the story about the traditions that were a part of the upstart of such an event, and yet, the lottery is no longer really regulated. People do what they do but do not really ask why. Later in the story Tessie Hutchinson challenges Mr. Summers reasoning and authority when she says “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair” (Jackson 842). This questioning and non-abandonment to the social custom of “The Lottery”, is ultimately what caused her death. The second aspect of the shared power of “The Lottery” was the group of women that were a part of the community. They were the instigators and the first to begin the stoning. This act leads the reader to believe they enjoyed the act and rather than the act being solely tradition perhaps their enjoyment was more about malice, envy, and the other negative aspects of human nature, especially among women. You never know perhaps one of those women wanted Tessie’s husband as their own, or had some other motivation the story does not articulate but the social custom of “The Lottery” helped make that agenda come to pass.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Week 5, question 11
"Legal Alien" is a very appropriate title for Pat Mora's poem. Mora points out in her poem that she is "An American to Mexicans [and] a Mexican to Americans"(976). This explains the title. She is an illegal to Americans because she speaks Spanish and she is of Mexican descent, and she an alien to Mexicans because she speaks English and is from America. She is bi-cultural because she speaks both Spanish and English. She is judged as an "alien" by both Americans and Mexicans. She feels like she is between both cultures because she is not accepted by either of them.
Week 5, question 3
The critical analysis "Learning from 'The Lottery': How Jackson's Story Might Help Us Rethink Tradition" by Nick Crawford is an excellent interpretation of "The Lottery." Crawford sees the central point of the story as "Once people are used to a way of doing things, it's hard for them to break with tradition, no matter how pointless and destructive it might be" (845). The tradition of killing a member of the town in "The Lottery" was never questioned, the townspeople were so used to doing it that it was hard for them to quit. Even though it was killing people for no reason.
This is exactly how I saw the story. People keep doing traditions that are past on by their family or someone else and as time goes on and needs are changed the traditions is being practiced until
someone finally questions it. Crawford's interpretations helped me to see that tradition can become very destructive if it is not questioned and reevaluated from time to time. "The Lottery" helps one to see the effects of an unquestioned tradition.
This is exactly how I saw the story. People keep doing traditions that are past on by their family or someone else and as time goes on and needs are changed the traditions is being practiced until
someone finally questions it. Crawford's interpretations helped me to see that tradition can become very destructive if it is not questioned and reevaluated from time to time. "The Lottery" helps one to see the effects of an unquestioned tradition.
Week 5 Question 11
In Pat Mora's "Legal Alien," she mentions about her nationality and how she is treated. She is very discrete and hides her pain in her words. Her parents must have been Mexican, and she was either born in America or Mexico, but is an American Citizen. She doesn't feel like she fits in to neither worlds as she mentions in her poem, "..American but hyphenated, viewed by Anglos as perhaps exotic, perhaps inferior, definitely different, viewed by Mexicans as alien." I that quote she knows that by either culture she will always be viewed differently, and she doesn't feel like she belongs. I do thing she used a correct term in titling her work. the word "alien" means, a resident born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization, a foreigner, a person who has been estranged or excluded. She feels like a foreigner and they see her a one too.
week 5 discussion question 8
In Elizabeth Bishop's "The Fish", she paints a very descriptive picture of the fish to her audience. I find her poem very special because there are few poems or stories that I can paint or imagine in my head. She uses remarkable phrases such as, "Here and there his brown skin hing in strips like ancient wall-paper: shapes like full blown roses stained and lost through age. He was speckled with barnacles, fine rosettes of lime, and infested with tine sea-lice." That is beautiful poetry, and the reader is given this description and can do with it what they please. The reader knows what the fish's main features are, but is given enough twist the image for their own imagination. This is a powerful tool that the writer can use through words.
Week 5 Question 8
The descriptiveness of the writing of Elizabeth Bishop and the tremendous force of the circumstances give unquestionable consistency dramatic development in Elizabeth Bishop's poems. In “The Fish”, Bishop moves masterfully detailing the details after he went fishing. When she removed the fish from the water her purpose is to kill the fish nothing else. As victimizer, Bishop was gloating to the relative status of the fish. Does so slowly, describing the various shocks of his victim, who can only move epileptic finding subject to the will of a top predator. The incredible precision in time management and the circumstances of the object presented shows an Elizabeth Bishop busy at work. This make us see the amount of constraints that can be shot down when it moves in the use of written language.
Week 5 Question 4
The “Yellow Wallpaper” is one of the great fantasies of American literature. A direct reading of The “Yellow Wallpaper” confronts us with a tale of terror, but below its hallucinatory plot against the mistreatment of women, certainly exaggerated, but absolutely wonderful. The protagonist of The “Yellow Wallpaper” is a woman of a large emotional stress, presumably a postpartum depression, which is taken to a house, where she ends confined between the walls of a disturbing room covered with a strange yellow wallpaper. It has been said that The “Yellow Wallpaper” is based on painful personal experience of Charlotte Perkins, which does not mention so as not to ruin the story, but the truth is that, intentionally or not, Charlotte Perkins in this tale conjures the best of Gothic literature, to describe with precision and macabre hallucinatory mental disorders. Personally, I find the “Yellow Wallpaper” as the best horror story wrote by a lady leaving aside the feminist message and focusing the whole story in the dramatic evolution of the obsession of its protagonist.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Week 5 Question#4
Discussion of the critical entries that deals with "The Yellow Wallpaper", explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story. Keep in mind that the contextual articles are largely historical (especially if you’re considering historicism as your methodology for your research paper).
As I read "The Yellow Wallaper" by Gilman, it came across in my realization the narrator's flaws to matters of the world such as depression and femininity. I interpret the story as the author is trying to represent the hardships of power between men and women. The narrator grumbles about her husband because he underestimates both her illness and her thoughts and concerns in general. In the story, the narrator becomes good at hiding her journal, and thus hiding her true thoughts from her husband as the few weeks of summer pass. As time goes by, the narrator accounts that her family leaving her more tired than ever. Near the end of the story, the wallpaper controlled the narrator's imagination and because of this, she became possessive and secretive. Finally, the narrator become hopelessly insane, convinced that there are many creeping women around and that she herself has come out of the wallpaper—that she herself is the trapped woman.
It is a bit crucial to understand the nature of the narrator's suffering. However, the main interpretation of the story is that the narrator is faced with relationships, objects, and situations that seem innocent and natural but that are actually quite bizarre and even oppressive.
As I read "The Yellow Wallaper" by Gilman, it came across in my realization the narrator's flaws to matters of the world such as depression and femininity. I interpret the story as the author is trying to represent the hardships of power between men and women. The narrator grumbles about her husband because he underestimates both her illness and her thoughts and concerns in general. In the story, the narrator becomes good at hiding her journal, and thus hiding her true thoughts from her husband as the few weeks of summer pass. As time goes by, the narrator accounts that her family leaving her more tired than ever. Near the end of the story, the wallpaper controlled the narrator's imagination and because of this, she became possessive and secretive. Finally, the narrator become hopelessly insane, convinced that there are many creeping women around and that she herself has come out of the wallpaper—that she herself is the trapped woman.
It is a bit crucial to understand the nature of the narrator's suffering. However, the main interpretation of the story is that the narrator is faced with relationships, objects, and situations that seem innocent and natural but that are actually quite bizarre and even oppressive.
Week 5, Question#1 --"The Lottery"
Question: Who do you think has power in “The Lottery”? WHY does this person(s) have power, and how is it articulated?
As I read the story of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery", I came to conclude that men are powerful in the story like Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Martin. Although Mr. Graves and Mr. Martin had economic control, the lottery actually made them involved to have political control in the town. Other men in the town, although not directly in charge of the lottery, had more power than women. Men in the story seems like have the power of corruptive forces of capitalism to continue the town’s annual lottery, carrying out the selection of an unassertive individual.
As I read the story of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery", I came to conclude that men are powerful in the story like Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Martin. Although Mr. Graves and Mr. Martin had economic control, the lottery actually made them involved to have political control in the town. Other men in the town, although not directly in charge of the lottery, had more power than women. Men in the story seems like have the power of corruptive forces of capitalism to continue the town’s annual lottery, carrying out the selection of an unassertive individual.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Week 5, Question 10
Throughout Dwight Okita's "Executive Order" a feeling of misunderstood social identity is presented. Okita uses a young Japanese/American girl who states, I have always felt funny using chopsticks...and my favorite food is hot dogs" (971), which shows how Americanized she is and how her customs are no longer of her native land, but of the region in which she has become accustomed to. Her life has has changed and with it, her way of thinking has as well. So much to the degree that she is hostile towards her country, "'Your trying to start a war...giving secrets away to the enemy...Why can't you keep you big mouth shut?'" (971). The girl has obviously lost her relation to the Japanese country and in turn has become linked to America and its ways.
Week 5, Question 8
In "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop I find her ability to infer the fish as having humanistic characteristics. Specifically when she says, "He didn't fight. He hadn't fought at all" (830), portrays a fish with a hook in its mouth lying dead wait. It makes the reader think what is wrong with the fish? Usually the flop and fight their predator, but this one just dangles, motionless. As if it is competent enough to accept its fate and give up the fight. Bishop furthers the fish's competence when she announces, "with all their five big hooks grown firmly in his mouth...a five-haired beard of wisdom" (832), giving the fish the human characteristic of wisdom. The fish has obviously fought his way out of numerous, similar and possibly worse situations, yet this time it simply gave in. I guess six times the charm, and the fish finally realized that there was no hope for eternal freedom and gave up. This is much like humans who fight and fight for something until they are worn down so much that they give in and succumb to what is thought inevitable. The fish has worked to survive, but adversity had gotten the best of it. Maybe Bishop tossing it back in will give it the desire to keep going, much like a helping hand...
Week 5 Discussion Choices
Discussion Questions, Week 5 (I posted an attachment of these in "Course Handouts".
1. Who do you think has power in “The Lottery”? WHY does this person(s) have power, and how is it articulated?
2. Consider the literary device foreshadowing. How does Jackson use foreshadowing to set up the climax and resolution in “The Lottery”?
3. Discuss one of the critical entries that deals with “The Lottery”, explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story.
4. Discussion of the critical entries that deals with “The Yellow Wallpaper”, explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story. Keep in mind that the contextual articles are largely historical (especially if you’re considering historicism as your methodology for your research paper).
5. The Glass Menagerie speaks to concepts of familial duty and loyalty. Consider how gendered roles affect each of the main character’s behaviors in light of such duty and loyalty.
6. “Critics are divided over Williams’s motivation in this play. Is he trying to get rid of Laura’s memory (based on his sister Rose, who went mad and whom he deserted), or is he replaying the traumatic leaving? Which makes the most sense to you? How do you read the last line, “Blow out your candles, Laura – and so good-bye . . .”? (392)
7. What does the play ultimately say about the duality freedom/confinement? While the play is located in the “Families” section, it seems to offer some interesting points on our concepts of freedom and confinement . . . and who is entitled to which.
8. Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” is perhaps her best known and most “referred to” poem, in some respects because of the depth with which she is able to characterize the animal. Discuss what you find special, unique, successful in her narrative verse.
9. What is the effect of using a fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066”? In terms of impact, how does this differ than it might with her father as the narrative voice?
10. Diction is quite important in “Executive Order”. Consider word choice throughout – what does the girl characterize herself as, and, as such, in relationship to American/Japanese conflict, as evidenced through diction?
11. Explain what the title “Legal Alien” has to do with the poem’s content; this term appears to be an oxymoron on the surface. Explain also the different connotations of the word “alien” as implied in the poem.
12. The poem “Legal Alien” deals with postcolonial concepts of otherness. Explain this term and how it relates to the poem.
1. Who do you think has power in “The Lottery”? WHY does this person(s) have power, and how is it articulated?
2. Consider the literary device foreshadowing. How does Jackson use foreshadowing to set up the climax and resolution in “The Lottery”?
3. Discuss one of the critical entries that deals with “The Lottery”, explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story.
4. Discussion of the critical entries that deals with “The Yellow Wallpaper”, explaining how/why it informed your understanding of the interpretation of the story. Keep in mind that the contextual articles are largely historical (especially if you’re considering historicism as your methodology for your research paper).
5. The Glass Menagerie speaks to concepts of familial duty and loyalty. Consider how gendered roles affect each of the main character’s behaviors in light of such duty and loyalty.
6. “Critics are divided over Williams’s motivation in this play. Is he trying to get rid of Laura’s memory (based on his sister Rose, who went mad and whom he deserted), or is he replaying the traumatic leaving? Which makes the most sense to you? How do you read the last line, “Blow out your candles, Laura – and so good-bye . . .”? (392)
7. What does the play ultimately say about the duality freedom/confinement? While the play is located in the “Families” section, it seems to offer some interesting points on our concepts of freedom and confinement . . . and who is entitled to which.
8. Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” is perhaps her best known and most “referred to” poem, in some respects because of the depth with which she is able to characterize the animal. Discuss what you find special, unique, successful in her narrative verse.
9. What is the effect of using a fourteen-year-old girl as the narrator in “In Response to Executive Order 9066”? In terms of impact, how does this differ than it might with her father as the narrative voice?
10. Diction is quite important in “Executive Order”. Consider word choice throughout – what does the girl characterize herself as, and, as such, in relationship to American/Japanese conflict, as evidenced through diction?
11. Explain what the title “Legal Alien” has to do with the poem’s content; this term appears to be an oxymoron on the surface. Explain also the different connotations of the word “alien” as implied in the poem.
12. The poem “Legal Alien” deals with postcolonial concepts of otherness. Explain this term and how it relates to the poem.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Week4 Quest 3
The Swimmer
The author used a witty technique which kept me engaged throughout the entire story. Broken down this story is nothing less than dry piece of writing that is seemed to go on forever. However, somehow, the author John Cheever kept me interested as I was excited find out the exact force behind Ned’s determination. Not only did I want to understand his determination I also wanted to understand the moral of Ned’s journey. Often times the author went back and forth which made it somewhat hard for me to follow. The narrator explains the character Ned and his lifestyle well it is not explained all at once instead it is explained to the reader throughout the story. This allowed the reader to better follow along and understand certain points of Ned’s journey. For example, the reader is informed about Ned’s wife Lucinda when it is explained that the stream he was to swim through was to be named by him after his wife. The reader is later informed about an old mistress (Shirley Adams) as she was one of the last neighbor’s he would visit on his journey. In this specific narrative writing the reader knows more about Ned and his journey then he does. I feel that the author wrote this narrative in this way so the reader would stay connected to the story until the end.
The author used a witty technique which kept me engaged throughout the entire story. Broken down this story is nothing less than dry piece of writing that is seemed to go on forever. However, somehow, the author John Cheever kept me interested as I was excited find out the exact force behind Ned’s determination. Not only did I want to understand his determination I also wanted to understand the moral of Ned’s journey. Often times the author went back and forth which made it somewhat hard for me to follow. The narrator explains the character Ned and his lifestyle well it is not explained all at once instead it is explained to the reader throughout the story. This allowed the reader to better follow along and understand certain points of Ned’s journey. For example, the reader is informed about Ned’s wife Lucinda when it is explained that the stream he was to swim through was to be named by him after his wife. The reader is later informed about an old mistress (Shirley Adams) as she was one of the last neighbor’s he would visit on his journey. In this specific narrative writing the reader knows more about Ned and his journey then he does. I feel that the author wrote this narrative in this way so the reader would stay connected to the story until the end.
Amanda - Week 4, Question 10
Jig has more power over the American because ultimately the decision to have the abortion is hers. In this sense she is able to manipulate the American with what her decision is by the end.
Amanda - Week 3, Question 3
I think the author chose this narrative structure to slowly bring the reader into the mindset of the character. At the beginning of the story the reader is led to believe that all is good in the life of Neddy Merrill, but as the story progresses there is a slow realization that something is off with his life. By the end of the story the expected ending confirms what has slowly been revealed throughout the story. With this structure the reader is slowly brought into the reality of the unfortunate life of Merrill.
Week 4 Question #2
“Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back?” ( “The Swimmer" 1463) Interpret this narrative statement in terms of the protagonist’s beliefs: what is the narrator saying Neddy believes in, and how does this belief exhibit itself during his journey?
The question in the mind of Neddy Merrill, "The Swimmer" as he says "Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back?" is his thought in the middle of his journey swimming across the country. The pools he has swam in previously had been warm, clear water and the people that he came across had all been warm and welcoming. This is symbolic of his life when he too had a beautiful home and pool and great friends who invited he and his wife over often. When all was well in his life he made a series of mistakes, had "misfortunes" (1465) including financial blunderings "They went broke overnight" (1466), abused alcohol "showed up drunk" (1466) and had an affair "They had had an affair" (1466). Now there was no turning back to that life. The life of a man wealthy both financially and emotionally was gone and would never be again. His life was now empty told to us symbolically as the author ends the story by telling us that when he finished swimming across the country to his former home he "saw that the place was empty." (1467).
The question in the mind of Neddy Merrill, "The Swimmer" as he says "Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back?" is his thought in the middle of his journey swimming across the country. The pools he has swam in previously had been warm, clear water and the people that he came across had all been warm and welcoming. This is symbolic of his life when he too had a beautiful home and pool and great friends who invited he and his wife over often. When all was well in his life he made a series of mistakes, had "misfortunes" (1465) including financial blunderings "They went broke overnight" (1466), abused alcohol "showed up drunk" (1466) and had an affair "They had had an affair" (1466). Now there was no turning back to that life. The life of a man wealthy both financially and emotionally was gone and would never be again. His life was now empty told to us symbolically as the author ends the story by telling us that when he finished swimming across the country to his former home he "saw that the place was empty." (1467).
Hills Like White Elephants
Week4 Quest 12
When Jig makes the statement, "That's all we do, isn't it - look at things and try new drinks? To me, it seems like she is basically telling him that there is no substance to their relationship. The only thing that they do is try new drinks and look at things meaning, there is nothing important about their relationship there are no exciting great moments everyday is the same. It is possible there is no chemistry between them or perhaps the one time spark is no longer there. This is probably why her attitude on such an important decision comes off as carefree. Rather than telling him bluntly that she feels no passion between them she holds back and expresses her feelings in a clever manner possibly hoping he will understand her feelings.
When Jig makes the statement, "That's all we do, isn't it - look at things and try new drinks? To me, it seems like she is basically telling him that there is no substance to their relationship. The only thing that they do is try new drinks and look at things meaning, there is nothing important about their relationship there are no exciting great moments everyday is the same. It is possible there is no chemistry between them or perhaps the one time spark is no longer there. This is probably why her attitude on such an important decision comes off as carefree. Rather than telling him bluntly that she feels no passion between them she holds back and expresses her feelings in a clever manner possibly hoping he will understand her feelings.
Week 4 Question #11
Obviously, the entire story (“Hills”) is highly symbolic, and, as is typical of Hemingway, offers little to no commentary – only words and a few actions. As such, it’s entirely up to the reader to flesh out themes and meaning. Interpret the following statement with this in mind. “He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks” (527). Does this statement offer a clear resolution?
In the short story “Hills Like White Elephants” the author, Ernest Hemingway, uses imagery at the beginning of the story when he describes the view as gloomy writing "...the country was brown and dry" in reference to the hills in the distance. The story is presented in real time and is told to us in the form of a conversation between two people, a man and a woman named Jig, who are waiting for a train to arrive at the train station where they are having drinks and talking. In reference to the hills in the distance Jig comments "They look like white elephants." to which the man replies "I've never seen one." and Jig answers "No, you wouldn't have." (524). This response by Jig is a use of symbolism by the author. It symbolizes that Jig believes that the man really does not understand at all what she is going through emotionally. As the story continues to unfold the reader is able to decipher that what the couple is discussing is the fact the reason they are at the train station is to board the train that will take them to the place where she will have an abortion. Jig is seeking reassurance that he will still love her and that they are doing the right thing. In the middle of their conversation Jig walks over to the other side of the tracks and looks out at the view. What she sees is "...fields of grain...(and) Far away, beyond the river, were mountains. The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees." (526). This is symbolic for the other side, the outcome, and her life after the abortion going to be beautiful. She then returns to sit with the man again. They begin to talk about it again but now she asks him to stop talking about it, symbolizing that she has resolved to have the procedure and she believes that there is a brighter side ahead for her like the view on the other side of the tracks. So "He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks." (527). This symbolizes that he too knew they were ready to take the heavy burdens they were feeling and board the train when it came on the other side of the tracks which is clearly a resolution to the question of whether or not they would have the procedure and move forward together in their lives.
In the short story “Hills Like White Elephants” the author, Ernest Hemingway, uses imagery at the beginning of the story when he describes the view as gloomy writing "...the country was brown and dry" in reference to the hills in the distance. The story is presented in real time and is told to us in the form of a conversation between two people, a man and a woman named Jig, who are waiting for a train to arrive at the train station where they are having drinks and talking. In reference to the hills in the distance Jig comments "They look like white elephants." to which the man replies "I've never seen one." and Jig answers "No, you wouldn't have." (524). This response by Jig is a use of symbolism by the author. It symbolizes that Jig believes that the man really does not understand at all what she is going through emotionally. As the story continues to unfold the reader is able to decipher that what the couple is discussing is the fact the reason they are at the train station is to board the train that will take them to the place where she will have an abortion. Jig is seeking reassurance that he will still love her and that they are doing the right thing. In the middle of their conversation Jig walks over to the other side of the tracks and looks out at the view. What she sees is "...fields of grain...(and) Far away, beyond the river, were mountains. The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees." (526). This is symbolic for the other side, the outcome, and her life after the abortion going to be beautiful. She then returns to sit with the man again. They begin to talk about it again but now she asks him to stop talking about it, symbolizing that she has resolved to have the procedure and she believes that there is a brighter side ahead for her like the view on the other side of the tracks. So "He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks." (527). This symbolizes that he too knew they were ready to take the heavy burdens they were feeling and board the train when it came on the other side of the tracks which is clearly a resolution to the question of whether or not they would have the procedure and move forward together in their lives.
WEEK 4 QUESTION 12
In the poem titled "Hills Like White Elephant" by Ernest Hemingway reflects upon a life of a couple who are in love but the only thing that's making their relationship uhappy is the girl being pregnant. The short story does not specify the actual work "abortion," but it is pretty self explanatory that that is exactly what they are planning on doing in order to have things back to normal in their relationship.
To my knowledge what the girl really means by staing, "That's all we do, isn't it-look at things and try new drinks?" is that " all we do is enjoy ourselves and drink all the time, and we do not have to worry about anyone else except ourselves." It seems like that they are living their life as though they are in some game and whatever they do will only benefit them in every way. They are both talking aborting their baby like it is a piece of cake and that it is very simple. By doing so they will be very happy, like it is not a big deal. They both think that after the procedure, they will be both happy again, not realizing that it might change both of their lives.
I would phrase this quote by stating, "Aren't there better things to do intead of always trying new things in life?"
To my knowledge what the girl really means by staing, "That's all we do, isn't it-look at things and try new drinks?" is that " all we do is enjoy ourselves and drink all the time, and we do not have to worry about anyone else except ourselves." It seems like that they are living their life as though they are in some game and whatever they do will only benefit them in every way. They are both talking aborting their baby like it is a piece of cake and that it is very simple. By doing so they will be very happy, like it is not a big deal. They both think that after the procedure, they will be both happy again, not realizing that it might change both of their lives.
I would phrase this quote by stating, "Aren't there better things to do intead of always trying new things in life?"
Wee 4 question 12In Ernest Hemmingway’s story “Hills Like White Elephants” The girl Jig in the story says to her man “that’s all we do, isn’t it- loo
In Ernest Hemmingway's story "Hills Like White Elephants" The woman Jig in the story says to her man "that's all we do, isn't it- look at things and try new drinks?" When she makes this statement, she is referring to what they do together now to pass the time before her abortion operation. They do this to try and take their mind off the whole thing. If I were trying to be more honest and clear about my feelings, I would say something more along the lines; "all we do is try and hide our feelings about this whole thing by drinking to pass the time instead of talking about our situation and making the right choice."
Week 4 question 3
The author made the story seem more interesting because he allowed the reader to get a better perspective of the story by allowing us to view things more differently. The characters perspective was more focused on one thing and we were able to see his views, others around him, and the narrators. An advantage is given when a author give views from different individuals and it allows us to put the peices together.
WEEK 4 QUESTION 5
In the short story titled as "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann Mason, I do not agree with the fact that there is feminism involved. The reason is because the wife Norma Jean is just trying to do everything in her power to help her husband Leroy Moffitt and keep up with everything she can. Here her husband was injured, and Norma is left with having to take care of the household and in addition, working. Leroy's life changed in the midst of being a truck driver for 15 years and now staying home. His long dream was to build Norma a real home that they can live in and yet Norma makes a comment "Like heck you are...You have to find a job first. Nobody can afford to build now anyways." She is feeling like there is no way it will happen, becuase look what situation we are in. You are unemployed and cannot do much. In this story Leroy has all these dreams, but without a job he is unable to pursue them. Norma and Leroy are having a different marriage compare to what they had before, just like any marriage I suppose would be. Norma is enjoying her life by doing things that make her happy whereas Leroy just sits around at home and smokes his pipe.
In the story "Shilo" by Bobbie Ann Mason, critics think of Norma Jeans changes as a feminism's influence. I would agree with this because I believe Norma Jean begins to portray mans duties around the house since her husband isn't working anymore. Her husband is more like a woman in a sense that he is home all day while Norma has to go to work. Her husband has a dream of building a cabin for him and Norma, but will never really achieve that nor get a job again. While Norma decides to take night classes to get a better job. She is pulling all the weight around the house. He stays at home and picks up womanly activities such as needle pointing while Norma begins to pick up manly activities such as weight lifting, playing the orchestra, and being the bread winner. In the end Norma deciedes to leave her husband because she no longer needs him since she is capable of holding her own without a mans paycheck.
Week Four, Discussion Question # 8
Jazmine Navarro
I think this reading of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is very problematic. It is essentially saying that girls should not express their sexuality, but instead keep it all locked up. There is nothing wrong with expressing one's sexuality and there should not be repercussions for doing so. Regardless of how forward anyone is it does not give someone else the right to scare, hurt, or intimidate people. Sure, Connie may not make the wisest choices but she is allowed, without fear, to experiment and come into her own – sexually and non-sexually.
I think this reading of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is very problematic. It is essentially saying that girls should not express their sexuality, but instead keep it all locked up. There is nothing wrong with expressing one's sexuality and there should not be repercussions for doing so. Regardless of how forward anyone is it does not give someone else the right to scare, hurt, or intimidate people. Sure, Connie may not make the wisest choices but she is allowed, without fear, to experiment and come into her own – sexually and non-sexually.
Week Four, Discussion Question # 1
Jazmine Navarro
The statement that “The Swimmer” is not necessarily a bad one. I do not believe that the author was trying to attach a negative connotation to upper class. Most of Neddy’s friends were very friendly to him – offering him a drink, striking up conversation, immersing him in the parties, and offering their condolences. The only time when there really seems to be a lower – upper class division is when he goes to the Biswangers. She is snooty and rude to him because he is no longer apart of the high society she is. “The Swimmer” seems to be more about the people we are and less about upper-class life. It’s about the people we want to be and not letting social standings define us.
The statement that “The Swimmer” is not necessarily a bad one. I do not believe that the author was trying to attach a negative connotation to upper class. Most of Neddy’s friends were very friendly to him – offering him a drink, striking up conversation, immersing him in the parties, and offering their condolences. The only time when there really seems to be a lower – upper class division is when he goes to the Biswangers. She is snooty and rude to him because he is no longer apart of the high society she is. “The Swimmer” seems to be more about the people we are and less about upper-class life. It’s about the people we want to be and not letting social standings define us.
Friday, July 17, 2009
week 4 question1
In my opinion "The Swimmer", does not make statements about upperclass life too much. I beleive that it is referencing more to how people in a different social network helps one another. It seems that he has lost his memory or is in denial about what has happened in his life, and he doesnt want to admit that he is alone. Most of who he thought were his friends either dont want him around or give him the cold shoulder. He made certain choices in his life, and he knew that they would offend his ring of friends. Ultimately if you have a problem with one person in your network you have a problem with alll of them.
Week 4 Question 11
The side of the tracks they are sitting on initially is barren and dry while the other side of the tracks is lush and green against a river. The American moves the two heavy bags from the barren side to the fertile side. The physical act of moving the bags to the right side of the track shows that the couple is proceeding with the plan to have the abortion, but the scenery change and the indecisive dialogue in the story leads the reader to conclude that in the end Jig will decide that there will be no abortion.
Week 4 Question 4
At the end of Shiloh Norma Jean is remembering the death of her child. Mabel and Leroy are constant reminders of her loss. Norma Jean tells Leroy that they have already started over once before and “this is how it turned out”, meaning that after their child had died she had wanted to leave Leroy and now she feels again like she did when she was 18 and wants to leave again. The setting of a civil war memorial helps to define the characters of the story. In the battle of Shiloh General Grant made a daring attack on the Union soldiers and had a very successful first day, However, the Union rallied on the second day and routed the Confederate Army. Norma Jean feels like this is her chance to Rally and win the battle for her freedom.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Week 3 question 3
In "commitments" he quotes, "I will always be there" and by that I feel that he is always at family junctions and doesn't miss a gathering or is there for an emergency. Later in the text he mentions, " I am the invisible son," by that he means that he blends in with all his family. His family probably sees him around often, and just don't see him for being different. I feel that his family does approve of his sexuality, because otherwise he wouldn't be around them. This story is really sad and confusing because for many of us we cant feel the actual pain he went through.
week 3 question 2
In "commitments" Hemphill uses a lot of imagery to paint the picture of his life. He talks about the void in his life. He sees family grow and begin families, and then looks at himself and feels bad because he knows he will never have that. He can have a lover, but never share the happiness of a family with them. He feels a deep void and he knows he can never fill it.
Week 4, Question 5
Some critics think of Norma Jean’s changes as connected to feminism’s influence. Do you agree?” (“Shiloh” ) 1459.
I do not agree with “Shiloh”, being an interpretation of feminism. Norma Jean probably had a predictable life prior to her husband, Leroy Moffitt, staying home from work. Being the daughter of a truck driver myself I know the independent life my mother had when my father was trucking down the road. She would be alone with us children for weeks at a time. When my father came home and attempted to interject any type of discipline or say in our day to day life it built resentment. Sometimes it was as though he was on the outside looking in. Circumstances and financial necessity created a family climate of disengagement. I believe this may be the case in Norma Jean and Leroy’s marriage. The working out and study sessions were Norma Jean adapting to life with Shiloh when for so long she had been used to only having him in pieces. Having him home forces her to evaluate the life she has chosen with this person. Before he was forced home Norma Jean could romanticize the idea of him. Now that he is home she sees her life consists of watching him smoke weed on the couch and build tinker toy homes. Seeing these things has motivated her to ask for more in her life. Whether she is a woman or not has nothing to do with it. Independent of her sex she is a person raising her standards.
I do not agree with “Shiloh”, being an interpretation of feminism. Norma Jean probably had a predictable life prior to her husband, Leroy Moffitt, staying home from work. Being the daughter of a truck driver myself I know the independent life my mother had when my father was trucking down the road. She would be alone with us children for weeks at a time. When my father came home and attempted to interject any type of discipline or say in our day to day life it built resentment. Sometimes it was as though he was on the outside looking in. Circumstances and financial necessity created a family climate of disengagement. I believe this may be the case in Norma Jean and Leroy’s marriage. The working out and study sessions were Norma Jean adapting to life with Shiloh when for so long she had been used to only having him in pieces. Having him home forces her to evaluate the life she has chosen with this person. Before he was forced home Norma Jean could romanticize the idea of him. Now that he is home she sees her life consists of watching him smoke weed on the couch and build tinker toy homes. Seeing these things has motivated her to ask for more in her life. Whether she is a woman or not has nothing to do with it. Independent of her sex she is a person raising her standards.
Week 4, Question 3
The narrative structure in “The Swimmer” is both interesting and seldom used: the readers know as much as the narrator and, significantly, know more than the character(s) does. Given this fact, explain why you think the author chose it-for what purpose or effect-and how it affects your reading and understanding of the story.
Knowing as much as the narrator and, significantly knowing more than the character(s)does enables the reader to take a look into how the upper-class adjust to people who have fallen into hard times either by circumstances or choices they themselves have made. The format of the story is written giving insight to the blindness or delusions years of alcohol abuse has inflicted upon “The Swimmer”, also known as Neddy Merrill. There is little compassion from the upper social society. Some people react to Neddy’s intrusion into their pool with politeness, never acknowledging his slide from grace. Others not only acknowledge his fall from grace, but take the opportunity to point out the numerous times he has borrowed or squandered money. The part of the story that gives the most insight as to what had happened to “The Swimmer” is when Grace Biswanger says, “They went for broke overnight-nothing but income-and he showed up drunk one Sunday and asked us to loan him five thousand dollars….” (P. 1466) The Swimmer lives a life of delusions. He sees life as it used to be and not as what he has created it. He does not live in the moment. During his journey he hears parties. Parties that perhaps at one time he would have been invited to but he is no longer part of the same circle.
Knowing as much as the narrator and, significantly knowing more than the character(s)does enables the reader to take a look into how the upper-class adjust to people who have fallen into hard times either by circumstances or choices they themselves have made. The format of the story is written giving insight to the blindness or delusions years of alcohol abuse has inflicted upon “The Swimmer”, also known as Neddy Merrill. There is little compassion from the upper social society. Some people react to Neddy’s intrusion into their pool with politeness, never acknowledging his slide from grace. Others not only acknowledge his fall from grace, but take the opportunity to point out the numerous times he has borrowed or squandered money. The part of the story that gives the most insight as to what had happened to “The Swimmer” is when Grace Biswanger says, “They went for broke overnight-nothing but income-and he showed up drunk one Sunday and asked us to loan him five thousand dollars….” (P. 1466) The Swimmer lives a life of delusions. He sees life as it used to be and not as what he has created it. He does not live in the moment. During his journey he hears parties. Parties that perhaps at one time he would have been invited to but he is no longer part of the same circle.
Week 4 Question 12
12. “Jig says, “That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” (para. 33). What do you think she really means? How would you phrase this thought if you were trying to be clear and honest about your feelings?” (“Hills” 528).
The short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” by Ernest Hemmingway, is about a young couple and the polemic issue of abortion. The word abortion is never mentioned in the story, but the author’s powerful use of setting and symbolism help readers to identify the concept. When Jig says, "That's all we do, isn't it- look at things and try new drinks?" she means that as a couple they have other priorities in life such as drinking and doing new stuff. This couple apparently wants this abortion because he wants to keep his current lifestyle and if the woman goes ahead with the pregnancy, he would have to settle down and raise a family, which would mean forget his desires of seeing the world. So, the statement reflects clear and honest feelings about the couple and how they see the pregnancy.
Week 4 Question 5
5. “Some critics think of Norma Jean’s changes as connected to feminism’s influence. Do you agree?” (“Shiloh” 1459)
Jessica Silva – Week 4, Question 6
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is Joyce Carol Oates’s most anthologized story – published in a high percentage of college literature texts. As she’s a prolific author, having producing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, explain why you think this particular story grabs the reader so – what do we relate to or feel that makes it such a hit with critics and readers alike?
For me, “Where Are You Going…” proved to be a grabbing partially through her constant use of imagery and description, which allows the reader to picture the scenario in their minds almost exactly, as well as an anticipatory tone. The descriptions allow us to follow the story, but it is Connie’s growing fear and confusion after the arrival of Arnold Friend that keeps the reader hooked, wanting to know what is going to happen next. Connie’s story in itself may also be appealing to readers and critics alike because many of us go through a phase of wanting to be older than we truly are; yet when faced with “grown-up” decisions, we wish we could revert back to our childhood, much like the way Connie reacts when faced with the prospect of leaving her “plain and chunky sister,” abrasive mother, and passive father.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Jessica Silva – Week 4, Question 11
Obviously, the entire story (“Hills”) is highly symbolic, and, as is typical of Hemingway, offers little to no commentary – only words and a few actions. As such, it’s entirely up to the reader to flesh out themes and meaning. Interpret the following statement with this in mind. “He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks” (527). Does this statement offer a clear resolution?
I believe that the excerpt alludes not only to the burden of their decision of whether or not to go through with the operation, and how that will effect their lives and relationship, but it also serves as a reference to Jig and the American themselves. Phrases such as “That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” lead the reader to believe that they lead relatively unproductive and indulgent lives and are really as useless as “two heavy bags.” However, the fact that they’re ending up on the other side of the tracks is perhaps symbolic of the idea that the two are ready to experience another aspect of life and will change their ways in order to become responsible for their actions.
Week 4, question 12
When Jig says, "That's all we do, isn't it- look at things and try new drinks?" I think she means that their life has no meaning or importance. They just exist. All they do is party and drink with no responsibilities or cares. They do not take her pregnancy seriously, it is just another problem that can be solved easily. The baby is seen as an obstacle in the way of their care-free lives. Once the baby is aborted they can get on with their lives as usual.
I would rephrase this thought like this "We are just existing. Is there is no meaning to our lives?"
Week 4, question 5
I do not agree that Norma Jean attitude toward her husband is influenced by feminism. Norma Jean is just used to living on her own and being independent. She enjoys the freedom of living like she is single, while her husband is gone.
Then when her husband, Leroy, comes home it is hard for her to adjust with him being around. She is loosing her freedom of living alone and she wishes that he is would leave. She tries to escape her husband by taking classes in college, but that doesn't work. In the end she leaves him because he "won't leave [her] alone" ( 1458). She feels bothered by her husband. Their marriage has dramatically changed over the years.
I do not believe this story has anything to do with feminism, Norma Jean is just going through a hard time and a big change getting to know her husband again, and letting go of the way she lived before he came home. Leroy doesn't have very much control over her, she still does what she wants. It is not like she is treated unequally by Leroy for being a women.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Week 4, Question 3
I find that the narration that is presented in "The Swimmer" allows for an otherwise boring and drawn out journey to better capture the reader's attention. By giving more information to the audience and making the main character oblivious creates a sort of mystery that forces you to keep reading in order to reach a climax. With the main portion of the story being centered around a peculiar swimming journey across the county, I found myself itching for some drama around the time Ned comes along the Levys' house (1462). Yet with the conclusion of the time there I was not sure there was more to the story than a simple mission of determination. However when issues of money problems and such arose, I was given a bafflement that hooked my attention once again. The fact that the author gives implications to the audience that the character, Ned, in the story has not a clue about makes you feel sorry for the ignorant man, while at the same time makes you urge to get to the end to find out if Ned has lost his mind or what exactly was going on. I actually quite enjoyed this unfamiliar narrative style.
Week 4, Question 6
6. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is Joyce Carol Oates’s most anthologized story – published in a high percentage of college literature texts. As she’s a prolific author, having producing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, explain why you think this particular story grabs the reader so – what do we relate to or feel that makes it such a hit with critics and readers alike?
In "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Joyce Carol Oates creates a very universal story line that many can relate to. It is not just a tribute to young women, but it poses a picture of confusion and a feeling of not belonging that people of various genders and ages face. This is most likely why it is so appealing to college students who, in a new and independent time of their lives, are trying to find themselves in a large and unfamiliar world that they have yet to truly fit in. Connie, in the story, talks about how her beauty and individuality is downplayed by her mother's possible resentment for her and need to make her sister stand out for her minor accomplishments. And i find this very comparable for many people's situations. Countless individuals feel like they live in the shadows of others, especially loved ones, and strive to feel the same acceptance that they see around them. Unfortunately, like Connie, this confusion does cloud the mind and sometimes steers people down the wrong path and into compromising situations. Hopefully these people find their way out before they are in to deep. This particular short story is a great story for families to read because it can very well open the eyes to sufferers of this situation and those inflicting the hardship.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Week 4 Question#6 "Where are.."
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is Joyce Carol Oates’s most anthologized story – published in a high percentage of college literature texts. As she’s a prolific author, having producing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, explain why you think this particular story grabs the reader so – what do we relate to or feel that makes it such a hit with critics and readers alike?
The story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" increase it's suspense by using gradual language. On the other hand, religion is also tackled in one of the part of the story. However, it does not bring Connie salvation or protection. In some circumstances, I think that critics and readers love to see the way Connie transforms from acting like a matured woman to child-like girl. In addition, Arnold adds a very interesting character in the story that seems to have a role of an antagonist sent by the devil while religion does not help Connie at all for safety because she seems like an atheist who does not believe. In this case, the whole subject in the story is a worth of the critiques time to read because of it's mixed issued from personal to religious issues. Readers can also gain an interest to the story because of the characters like Connie who plays a dual role in the story.
The story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" increase it's suspense by using gradual language. On the other hand, religion is also tackled in one of the part of the story. However, it does not bring Connie salvation or protection. In some circumstances, I think that critics and readers love to see the way Connie transforms from acting like a matured woman to child-like girl. In addition, Arnold adds a very interesting character in the story that seems to have a role of an antagonist sent by the devil while religion does not help Connie at all for safety because she seems like an atheist who does not believe. In this case, the whole subject in the story is a worth of the critiques time to read because of it's mixed issued from personal to religious issues. Readers can also gain an interest to the story because of the characters like Connie who plays a dual role in the story.
Week 4 Question#12 "Hills ..."
“Jig says, “That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” (para. 33). What do you think she really means? How would you phrase this thought if you were trying to be clear and honest about your feelings?” (“Hills” 528).
--In the story "Hills like White Elephants" obviously talks about how couple deals with the abortion issue. One of the parts of the story where Jig stated that "That's all we do, isn't it - look at things and try new drinks?" (para. 33) means that it seems that they like having fun and just ignore serious matters. If given a chance to rephrase Jig's statement to be clear and honest about how she feels is by also saying that, "Having fun is all we do, isn't it--like treating ourselves more of a tool than a person with feelings and values"
--In the story "Hills like White Elephants" obviously talks about how couple deals with the abortion issue. One of the parts of the story where Jig stated that "That's all we do, isn't it - look at things and try new drinks?" (para. 33) means that it seems that they like having fun and just ignore serious matters. If given a chance to rephrase Jig's statement to be clear and honest about how she feels is by also saying that, "Having fun is all we do, isn't it--like treating ourselves more of a tool than a person with feelings and values"
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Discussion Questions Week 4
Remember that you need to answer two, then comment on someone else's posting (on a question you didn't answer).
1. “The Swimmer” is “supposed” to make a statement about upper-class life and the choices we (they, you) make within that social sphere?
2. “Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back?” ( “The Swimmer" 1463) Interpret this narrative statement in terms of the protagonist’s beliefs: what is the narrator saying Neddy believes in, and how does this belief exhibit itself during his journey?
3. The narrative structure in “The Swimmer” is both interesting and seldom used: the readers know as much as the narrator and, significantly, know more than the character(s) does. Given this fact, explain why you think the author chose it – for what purpose or effect – and how it affects your reading and understanding of the story.
4. “Shiloh’s conclusion is the most oft-discussed element in the story. As the story is highly symbolic, interpret Norma Jean’s final action, defining what it “means” for her and for Leroy. Keep in mind that your interpretation must be something you can defend with text – that is, the action must be believable according to the character’s behavior thus far.
5. “Some critics think of Norma Jean’s changes as connected to feminism’s influence. Do you agree?” (“Shiloh” 1459)
6. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is Joyce Carol Oates’s most anthologized story – published in a high percentage of college literature texts. As she’s a prolific author, having producing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, explain why you think this particular story grabs the reader so – what do we relate to or feel that makes it such a hit with critics and readers alike?
7. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” shares a unique trait with “Shiloh” – both stories offer indefinable, open to interpretation acts in their resolutions, and both of these “acts” are choices on the part of the women. Consider Connie’s, especially with regard to the final statement – “My sweet little blue-eyed girl,” he said in a half-sung sigh that had nothing to do with her brown eyes but was taken up just the same by the vast sunlit reaches of the land behind him and on all sides of him – so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it” (1380, emphasis mine).
8. Some critics have read the story (“Where Are You Going”) not as one that offers a perpetrator and a victim but one that chronicles the sexual choices of a teenager – essentially, the argument behind that interpretation is this: Arnold Friend, while a bit unpalatable, isn’t a threat per se but rather Connie’s choice to go forward in her sexuality and explore with the prototype of the “bad boy”. Thus, she isn’t murdered, raped or hurt but rather choosing to venture into new territory. Is this kind of reading problematic? Useful? Explain.
9. “Could Connie have been better prepared for this encounter with evil? What evidence does the author give to show how prepared she is or isn’t? What is her relationship to her parents? Is her social awareness primarily her parent’s responsibility? If not, whose is it?” (“Where Are You Going” 1380, emphasis mine). This question, particularly the italicized portion asks you to take a position on a larger social and familial issue, as all good stories do (meaning they comment on, accept, or reject social mores, rules, and the like). Explain whether you think Connie’s parents are at fault, in the sense that they have not prepared their daughter to interact in the “real” world. To answer, you should also focus on Connie’s view of herself, her self-esteem and general self-awareness.
10. In “Hills Like White Elephants”, the white elephant in the title is most often linked to the alleged abortion about which the couple is talking. If you interpret the conversation in this manner, explain how Jig is manipulating the American. Most of the time, readers feel the American is manipulating Jig as he has more power over her. In what sense, however, does Jig have more power?
11. Obviously, the entire story (“Hills”) is highly symbolic, and, as is typical of Hemingway, offers little to no commentary – only words and a few actions. As such, it’s entirely up to the reader to flesh out themes and meaning. Interpret the following statement with this in mind. “He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks” (527). Does this statement offer a clear resolution?
12. “Jig says, “That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” (para. 33). What do you think she really means? How would you phrase this thought if you were trying to be clear and honest about your feelings?” (“Hills” 528).
*******************************************************************************************
Brief, helpful Shiloh lecture:
Trifles: film trailer
Trifles: film clip
Film: Hills Like White Elephants:
Robert Frost reading his poem
1. “The Swimmer” is “supposed” to make a statement about upper-class life and the choices we (they, you) make within that social sphere?
2. “Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back?” ( “The Swimmer" 1463) Interpret this narrative statement in terms of the protagonist’s beliefs: what is the narrator saying Neddy believes in, and how does this belief exhibit itself during his journey?
3. The narrative structure in “The Swimmer” is both interesting and seldom used: the readers know as much as the narrator and, significantly, know more than the character(s) does. Given this fact, explain why you think the author chose it – for what purpose or effect – and how it affects your reading and understanding of the story.
4. “Shiloh’s conclusion is the most oft-discussed element in the story. As the story is highly symbolic, interpret Norma Jean’s final action, defining what it “means” for her and for Leroy. Keep in mind that your interpretation must be something you can defend with text – that is, the action must be believable according to the character’s behavior thus far.
5. “Some critics think of Norma Jean’s changes as connected to feminism’s influence. Do you agree?” (“Shiloh” 1459)
6. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is Joyce Carol Oates’s most anthologized story – published in a high percentage of college literature texts. As she’s a prolific author, having producing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, explain why you think this particular story grabs the reader so – what do we relate to or feel that makes it such a hit with critics and readers alike?
7. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” shares a unique trait with “Shiloh” – both stories offer indefinable, open to interpretation acts in their resolutions, and both of these “acts” are choices on the part of the women. Consider Connie’s, especially with regard to the final statement – “My sweet little blue-eyed girl,” he said in a half-sung sigh that had nothing to do with her brown eyes but was taken up just the same by the vast sunlit reaches of the land behind him and on all sides of him – so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it” (1380, emphasis mine).
8. Some critics have read the story (“Where Are You Going”) not as one that offers a perpetrator and a victim but one that chronicles the sexual choices of a teenager – essentially, the argument behind that interpretation is this: Arnold Friend, while a bit unpalatable, isn’t a threat per se but rather Connie’s choice to go forward in her sexuality and explore with the prototype of the “bad boy”. Thus, she isn’t murdered, raped or hurt but rather choosing to venture into new territory. Is this kind of reading problematic? Useful? Explain.
9. “Could Connie have been better prepared for this encounter with evil? What evidence does the author give to show how prepared she is or isn’t? What is her relationship to her parents? Is her social awareness primarily her parent’s responsibility? If not, whose is it?” (“Where Are You Going” 1380, emphasis mine). This question, particularly the italicized portion asks you to take a position on a larger social and familial issue, as all good stories do (meaning they comment on, accept, or reject social mores, rules, and the like). Explain whether you think Connie’s parents are at fault, in the sense that they have not prepared their daughter to interact in the “real” world. To answer, you should also focus on Connie’s view of herself, her self-esteem and general self-awareness.
10. In “Hills Like White Elephants”, the white elephant in the title is most often linked to the alleged abortion about which the couple is talking. If you interpret the conversation in this manner, explain how Jig is manipulating the American. Most of the time, readers feel the American is manipulating Jig as he has more power over her. In what sense, however, does Jig have more power?
11. Obviously, the entire story (“Hills”) is highly symbolic, and, as is typical of Hemingway, offers little to no commentary – only words and a few actions. As such, it’s entirely up to the reader to flesh out themes and meaning. Interpret the following statement with this in mind. “He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks” (527). Does this statement offer a clear resolution?
12. “Jig says, “That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” (para. 33). What do you think she really means? How would you phrase this thought if you were trying to be clear and honest about your feelings?” (“Hills” 528).
*******************************************************************************************
Brief, helpful Shiloh lecture:
Trifles: film trailer
Trifles: film clip
Film: Hills Like White Elephants:
Robert Frost reading his poem
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Week 3 Question #4
Consider the details the author provides in "A Chinese Banquet". What do these (largely image-driven) details establish in the poem? For example, we are told that the grandson is a dentist and drives a particular kind of car, specific dishes, etc. Consider that these details are offered primarily in the first half of the poem but are largely absent from the second.
In the background information of the author, Kitty Tsui, we learn that she is from Hong Kong. In the play, the family eats “sharks fin soup” (Line 12) and “suck on shrimp and squab” (Line 15) which gives us the image that the family is From Hong Kong also. The image given of the mother’s stubborn pride, typical of the nationality, comes to us in the poem when the author writes referring to the mother saying there are “emotions invading her face. Her eyes will not let tears fall.” This is a very traditional family which is strained by disparities their in values and the values of the daughter who is the narrator of the poem. To the family symbols of status and symbols of success are important. We are told “the grandson is a dentist who drives a mercedes benz.” (Lines 9-10) and “they talk about buying a house and taking a two week vacation to bejing.” (Lines 13-14). After having enlightened the reader of the pride bestowed upon for the family members who do not shame the family in the first four stanzas of the poem, the focus for the remainder of the poem is directed at the daughter and her shortcomings. To her they ask “what are you doing with your life” (Line 22) and “why don’t you study computer programming” (Line 24). If only the daughter could tell her mother, i’m gay and so happy with her” (Line 30). The daughter wishes she could just say it “i love a woman” (Line 39) but she knows “it is not what she wants to hear” (Line 40). The belittling continues “sold that old car of yours yet?” (Line 48). To the daughter, being accepted for who she is and the choices she has made in her life is something she has accepted and has learned to not let it bother her so much “my back is healing” (Line 49). What the daughter does to survive the torment is “dream of dragons and water” Line 51) Knowing that “my home is in her arms. our bedroom ceiling the wide open sky.” (Lines 52-52) is her escape from the torment, for in her daydreams and in her home she is accepted.
In the background information of the author, Kitty Tsui, we learn that she is from Hong Kong. In the play, the family eats “sharks fin soup” (Line 12) and “suck on shrimp and squab” (Line 15) which gives us the image that the family is From Hong Kong also. The image given of the mother’s stubborn pride, typical of the nationality, comes to us in the poem when the author writes referring to the mother saying there are “emotions invading her face. Her eyes will not let tears fall.” This is a very traditional family which is strained by disparities their in values and the values of the daughter who is the narrator of the poem. To the family symbols of status and symbols of success are important. We are told “the grandson is a dentist who drives a mercedes benz.” (Lines 9-10) and “they talk about buying a house and taking a two week vacation to bejing.” (Lines 13-14). After having enlightened the reader of the pride bestowed upon for the family members who do not shame the family in the first four stanzas of the poem, the focus for the remainder of the poem is directed at the daughter and her shortcomings. To her they ask “what are you doing with your life” (Line 22) and “why don’t you study computer programming” (Line 24). If only the daughter could tell her mother, i’m gay and so happy with her” (Line 30). The daughter wishes she could just say it “i love a woman” (Line 39) but she knows “it is not what she wants to hear” (Line 40). The belittling continues “sold that old car of yours yet?” (Line 48). To the daughter, being accepted for who she is and the choices she has made in her life is something she has accepted and has learned to not let it bother her so much “my back is healing” (Line 49). What the daughter does to survive the torment is “dream of dragons and water” Line 51) Knowing that “my home is in her arms. our bedroom ceiling the wide open sky.” (Lines 52-52) is her escape from the torment, for in her daydreams and in her home she is accepted.
Week 3 Question #3
The speaker begins with the announcement "I will always be there", and yet later he says "I am the invisible son" (line 32). How can these two statements be reconciled? (554)
Reading the autobiographical information about Essex Hemphill, the author of the poem “Commitments”, prior to reading the poem gives the reader an insight into the possibilities of what the poem text might mean since part of the meaning of any poem comes from the writer. In this case the author is a black gay man. Hemphills choices of writing styles for this poem include diction and imagery. Each stanza is written so that the reader must interpret the text non-literally. Additionally, each stanza gives the reader an image to “see” what the writer is depicting.
The poem is about the narrator’s life, in particular his life with his family. The first line of the poem “I will always be there.” Is his way of saying he will be there for all of the family gatherings, he will always be there for his family. But will they be there for him? In the first two stanzas we see that the narrator attends a family gathering and a family barbecue. In the next stanza he says “my arms are empty” after saying that “the smallest children are held by their parents” in order to tell the reader how he longs to have a baby of his own in his arms. Then “the unsuspecting aunts expecting to throw rice at me someday” is his way of letting the reader know that the relatives do not know that he is gay. Again the author tells us after the holiday family gatherings that the narrator is still childless when he writes “My arms are empty in these photos too.” In the sixth stanza sympathy of the reader for the narrator grows as he says “I am always there for critical emergencies, graduations, the middle of the night.” But, no one is there for him. No one knows he is gay, everyone thinks he is happy but as the last stanza begins “I am the invisible son.” He believes there is no one in his family who sees him for who he really is inside, they only see the one who will always be there but they do not see his pain. The family does not see how he longs to be married and have a child. The family does not see how he longs to be accepted. He, the person he really is, is invisible.
Reading the autobiographical information about Essex Hemphill, the author of the poem “Commitments”, prior to reading the poem gives the reader an insight into the possibilities of what the poem text might mean since part of the meaning of any poem comes from the writer. In this case the author is a black gay man. Hemphills choices of writing styles for this poem include diction and imagery. Each stanza is written so that the reader must interpret the text non-literally. Additionally, each stanza gives the reader an image to “see” what the writer is depicting.
The poem is about the narrator’s life, in particular his life with his family. The first line of the poem “I will always be there.” Is his way of saying he will be there for all of the family gatherings, he will always be there for his family. But will they be there for him? In the first two stanzas we see that the narrator attends a family gathering and a family barbecue. In the next stanza he says “my arms are empty” after saying that “the smallest children are held by their parents” in order to tell the reader how he longs to have a baby of his own in his arms. Then “the unsuspecting aunts expecting to throw rice at me someday” is his way of letting the reader know that the relatives do not know that he is gay. Again the author tells us after the holiday family gatherings that the narrator is still childless when he writes “My arms are empty in these photos too.” In the sixth stanza sympathy of the reader for the narrator grows as he says “I am always there for critical emergencies, graduations, the middle of the night.” But, no one is there for him. No one knows he is gay, everyone thinks he is happy but as the last stanza begins “I am the invisible son.” He believes there is no one in his family who sees him for who he really is inside, they only see the one who will always be there but they do not see his pain. The family does not see how he longs to be married and have a child. The family does not see how he longs to be accepted. He, the person he really is, is invisible.
Les Wall Week 3 Question 3
3. The speaker begins with the announcement "I will always be there", and yet later he says "I am the invisible son" (line 32). How can these two statements be reconciled? (554)
The statement the narrator makes "I will always be there" tells us that no matter what others in the family might think about him, that blood is thicker than water and that he will be there no matter what. The poem goes on to tell us about some of those instances he will be there. In the middle of those explanations he lets out some of his feelings, "My arms are empty" in reference to his love life, he cannot bring his lover to the family outing because they do not approve. Later his statement in line 32 "I am the invisible son." expresses how his family thinks of him because of his sexuality. They do not want to deal with it, therefore he is invisible to them.
The statement the narrator makes "I will always be there" tells us that no matter what others in the family might think about him, that blood is thicker than water and that he will be there no matter what. The poem goes on to tell us about some of those instances he will be there. In the middle of those explanations he lets out some of his feelings, "My arms are empty" in reference to his love life, he cannot bring his lover to the family outing because they do not approve. Later his statement in line 32 "I am the invisible son." expresses how his family thinks of him because of his sexuality. They do not want to deal with it, therefore he is invisible to them.
Week 3 Question 5
Kitty Tsui’s A Chinese Banquet, for the one who was not invited is a fascinating glimpse into the heavy social stigma that accompanies homosexuality still in many cultures. In the final stanza of the poem the speaker says “my back is healing”, this is a reference to the social whipping she took when she let her family know about her sexuality. She is saying that she is no longer hurt by the family and that she can handle the pressures placed on her. The next line in the stanza is “I dream of dragons in the water”. This line is the speaker’s assertion that she knows that her future is happy and she is knows that eventually the family will come to accept her partner.
Week 3 Question 1
The primary conflict within A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O’Connor, centers on the grandmother’s conflict with the Misfit. They are both attempting to maintain their freedom and represent different aspects of society. The grandmother represents the general population, afraid of the Misfit because of information obtained from the media. The grandmother has already passed judgment about what sort of person he is prior to their meeting. The Misfit represents the disadvantaged aspects of our society that choose to follow the path of least resistance, which frequently leads to incarceration without a complete understanding of the criminal justice process or a fair opportunity to defend themselves in it. Yet there are several other conflicts that better illustrate the point that O’Connor is attempting to make.
O’Connor uses several of the conflicts to illustrate problems that can arise from people of differing backgrounds and age groups. The first conflict that the reader encounters lies between Bailey and the grandmother. She attempts to change the families vacation planning not by open communication, but rather, by attempting to manipulate Bailey and his wife through scare tactics and the kids past experiences. We see yet another generation gap arise between the grandmother’s love of the “good ole days” and the children’s complete dislike of the country areas that she seams so fond of. O’Connor weaves together a story that on the surface seams relatively mundane, but conceals a story about the social issues plaguing society.
O’Connor uses several of the conflicts to illustrate problems that can arise from people of differing backgrounds and age groups. The first conflict that the reader encounters lies between Bailey and the grandmother. She attempts to change the families vacation planning not by open communication, but rather, by attempting to manipulate Bailey and his wife through scare tactics and the kids past experiences. We see yet another generation gap arise between the grandmother’s love of the “good ole days” and the children’s complete dislike of the country areas that she seams so fond of. O’Connor weaves together a story that on the surface seams relatively mundane, but conceals a story about the social issues plaguing society.
Week 3, Question #3
In "Commitments", Hemphill's starts the poem by saying "I will always be there." What he means by this is that he will always be with his family during gatherings, special occasions, and for anything else that they need. He mentions himself in family photographs and how he views himself with empty arms. Towards the end of the poem he says "I am the invisible son." to me this means that he feels that his family does not see him for who he really is. He feels that he cannot be himself around his family. What I don't understand is why he feels this way. I can tell his family is extremely important to him so I have to assume that he is equally important to them. If this is true, then why would he feel that he could not be himself around them? Family loves you no matter what. There are no conditions to that love.
Week 3, Question #2
In "Commitments", Hemphill talks about his family gatherings and how he feels while there. You can tell his family is extremely important to him but he feels like he does not belong. He talks about parents holding their small children in the photographs while his arms are empty. He mentions "....aunts expecting to throw rice at me someday." While we can tell from this that his family is expecting him to get married someday he does not believe that it will ever happen.
I read this poem several times, however, no where in the poem does it mention anything of his sexuality. If I hadn't read the short biography I would have no idea that it was about a gay man. The impression that I got from this poem was of a lonely man who is insecure about himself.
I read this poem several times, however, no where in the poem does it mention anything of his sexuality. If I hadn't read the short biography I would have no idea that it was about a gay man. The impression that I got from this poem was of a lonely man who is insecure about himself.
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