"Fences"
By: August Wilson
The setting takes place in the front yard of Troy Maxson's house. The family is a blended family with Troy's wife Rose, son Cory, who is still in the house, Lyons, Troy's oldest son from a previous marriage, Bono who is Troy's friend and Gabriel, Troy's brother. Troy has lived a hard life and never seemed like her was truly happy. He feels like being black held him back from succeeding in life.
Troy as a child life home at the age of fourteen and ended up in prison trying to support his first wife and son. He spend fifteen years in prison where he meet his friend Bono. After he got out he meet Rose and they got married and had a son. Troy would not let his son Cory play football when he found out a recruiter wanted to come and look at him. He thought it would be a waste of time for Cory because he was black. Troy always thought he would be a great baseball player, but didn't try because he thought white people wouldn't give him a chance because he was black. Troy was building his wife a fence around his yard and wondered why she wanted the fence. Bono suggested that so people built fences to keep people out and others built them to keep people in. With Troy being the looker he was I wonder wish one it was.
Troy ended up having an affair on his wife of eighteen years and fathered a daughter, Raynell, with another women. The woman died during childbirth and Rose raised the girl as her own, but never really forgave Troy for what he did. Not long after Raynell was born Troy and Cory got into a fight and Troy kicked him out. At this time Cory was only seventeen. Cory didn't return home until seven years later for his father's funeral. During the years he was gone Cory became a officer in the Marines and made something of his life.
To me Troy thought that he could do whatever he wanted and people was suppose to except his decision and I thought he was very selfish. He thought his wife was suppose to be okay with him having a child with another woman. He didn't want his son to play ball because he thought he should have been able to play but he didn't even try. After all that I couldn't believe his wife stayed with him till he died.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Week 14
"A Raisin in the Sun"
This drama's setting was during the 1950's. It is about a poor black extended family that all live in this very small apartment. The Younger family consist of the mama (Lena), her son Walter, her daughter Beneatha, Walter's wife Ruth, and their son Travis. Each one of these family members have their own personal dream they are trying to achieve. They have just come into ten thousand dollars because Lena's husband just died and everyone wants the money.
Walter is a man who works as a chauffeur for a white man and hates his job. He is always coming up with these get rich quick plans. He wants his mother to give him all the money to invest into a liquor store with two of his friends. Mama doesn't agree with this and doesn't want to give him the money. She and her husband had always dreamed of owning their own house and that is what she wants to do. Her daughter is going to college to become a doctor and she plans on putting some money towards her education. Walter's wife finds out that she is pregnant and thinks about aborting the baby because they don't have the money to take care of another baby, plus the apartment is already too small for everyone. Mama does not agree with this.
When the money comes Mama takes some of the money and puts a deposit on a house in a white neighborhood. When she tells the family Ruth is extremely happy, but this crushes Walter. Mama finally agrees to give Walter the rest of the money after he puts three thousand in the bank for his sister's education. The climax is when Walter doesn't listen and gives the money to his friend Willy for the investment, but come to find out Willy takes off with the money. During this time a man from the white neighborhood's committee comes and tries to buy them out of their house because they don't want black people in their neighborhood. Walter decides to talk to the man about excepting the money, but this upsets the rest of the family because this family has always been a proud family until now. Mama and her husband has always worked so hard to raise their children to be strong, proud people even though they didn't have much. They survived just like Mama's plant she has that doesn't get enough sunlight. When the man gets to the house Walter decides to not except the money and let someone run them out of their home. His mama and wife are very happy of the choice he made. Mama says "He finally come into his manhood today".
I couldn't get the movie but I finally found the written version and I have to say I really enjoyed reading this. Lena is like most mother's who give up their dreams to fulfill their children's. She spent her life teaching her children how to always love people even when they make mistakes because that's when they need you the most. Also we as parents have to let our children try at life even when we think they are making the wrong decision, because this is how they learn and grow.
This drama's setting was during the 1950's. It is about a poor black extended family that all live in this very small apartment. The Younger family consist of the mama (Lena), her son Walter, her daughter Beneatha, Walter's wife Ruth, and their son Travis. Each one of these family members have their own personal dream they are trying to achieve. They have just come into ten thousand dollars because Lena's husband just died and everyone wants the money.
Walter is a man who works as a chauffeur for a white man and hates his job. He is always coming up with these get rich quick plans. He wants his mother to give him all the money to invest into a liquor store with two of his friends. Mama doesn't agree with this and doesn't want to give him the money. She and her husband had always dreamed of owning their own house and that is what she wants to do. Her daughter is going to college to become a doctor and she plans on putting some money towards her education. Walter's wife finds out that she is pregnant and thinks about aborting the baby because they don't have the money to take care of another baby, plus the apartment is already too small for everyone. Mama does not agree with this.
When the money comes Mama takes some of the money and puts a deposit on a house in a white neighborhood. When she tells the family Ruth is extremely happy, but this crushes Walter. Mama finally agrees to give Walter the rest of the money after he puts three thousand in the bank for his sister's education. The climax is when Walter doesn't listen and gives the money to his friend Willy for the investment, but come to find out Willy takes off with the money. During this time a man from the white neighborhood's committee comes and tries to buy them out of their house because they don't want black people in their neighborhood. Walter decides to talk to the man about excepting the money, but this upsets the rest of the family because this family has always been a proud family until now. Mama and her husband has always worked so hard to raise their children to be strong, proud people even though they didn't have much. They survived just like Mama's plant she has that doesn't get enough sunlight. When the man gets to the house Walter decides to not except the money and let someone run them out of their home. His mama and wife are very happy of the choice he made. Mama says "He finally come into his manhood today".
I couldn't get the movie but I finally found the written version and I have to say I really enjoyed reading this. Lena is like most mother's who give up their dreams to fulfill their children's. She spent her life teaching her children how to always love people even when they make mistakes because that's when they need you the most. Also we as parents have to let our children try at life even when we think they are making the wrong decision, because this is how they learn and grow.
Friday, November 12, 2010
"Trifles"
"Trifles"
By: Susan Glaspell
The story starts out with the county attorney, the sheriff, the neighbor, and the wives walking in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Wright. The scene of the kitchen is very gloomy and depressing. As I read more I realized that this was a symbolism of what Mrs. Wright's life has become. The neighbor begins to describe the murder of Mr. Wright but then is stopped by the county attorney. This is when we learn more about Mrs. Wright and that she is being held for her husbands murder. I think this is so we will sympathise with Mrs. Wright instead of her husband, who was murdered.
Mrs. Hale has known Mrs. Wright since before she was married. She was a happy woman who sang in the choir and now that she is married she is quiet and stays to herself. She is a lonely woman who has never had any children and according to Mrs. Hale her husband was a very quiet man.
The men were more worried about how the woman kept her house than getting evidence for the case. The women begin to get some things for Mrs. Wright and find a broken birdcage. Then they find her sewing kit and wonder if she was quilting or knotting the quilt and the men just thought this was funny. Apparently during this time the things that women did was not important according to the men. I think this is why they over looked the evidence of the murder because the women noticed that the last few stitches was done nervously. Mrs. Hale began to fix this for her. While looking in the basket they found a box that held the dead bird. It looked like its neck had been wrung. These women knew then why Mrs. Wright put a rope around her husband's neck. He has sucked the life out of her and she had had it so she just chocked the life out of him.
As the men finished up there investigation finding nothing the women decided to get rid of the bird and tell them nothing. At the end the attorney says well we found out that she was not quilting the quilt but what was it you call it he asked the women. Mrs. Hale says "We call it- knot it, Mr Henderson" as she held her pocket with the bird in it. I believe "the knot" is a not guilty verdict because they are a jury of her peers.
By: Susan Glaspell
The story starts out with the county attorney, the sheriff, the neighbor, and the wives walking in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Wright. The scene of the kitchen is very gloomy and depressing. As I read more I realized that this was a symbolism of what Mrs. Wright's life has become. The neighbor begins to describe the murder of Mr. Wright but then is stopped by the county attorney. This is when we learn more about Mrs. Wright and that she is being held for her husbands murder. I think this is so we will sympathise with Mrs. Wright instead of her husband, who was murdered.
Mrs. Hale has known Mrs. Wright since before she was married. She was a happy woman who sang in the choir and now that she is married she is quiet and stays to herself. She is a lonely woman who has never had any children and according to Mrs. Hale her husband was a very quiet man.
The men were more worried about how the woman kept her house than getting evidence for the case. The women begin to get some things for Mrs. Wright and find a broken birdcage. Then they find her sewing kit and wonder if she was quilting or knotting the quilt and the men just thought this was funny. Apparently during this time the things that women did was not important according to the men. I think this is why they over looked the evidence of the murder because the women noticed that the last few stitches was done nervously. Mrs. Hale began to fix this for her. While looking in the basket they found a box that held the dead bird. It looked like its neck had been wrung. These women knew then why Mrs. Wright put a rope around her husband's neck. He has sucked the life out of her and she had had it so she just chocked the life out of him.
As the men finished up there investigation finding nothing the women decided to get rid of the bird and tell them nothing. At the end the attorney says well we found out that she was not quilting the quilt but what was it you call it he asked the women. Mrs. Hale says "We call it- knot it, Mr Henderson" as she held her pocket with the bird in it. I believe "the knot" is a not guilty verdict because they are a jury of her peers.
"Naked Lunch"
"Naked Lunch"
By: Michael Hollinger
The scene of this story is of Lucy and Vernon who are sitting down to a dinner. As the scene was described I realized that Vernon had set the table and cooked the dinner. The flowers being in an awkward vase made me first think of a man doing something that he doesn't normally do because he has done something wrong and is trying to apologize. As I read more I learned they had broken up, but not sure why. When I read the story again I thought that maybe the awkward vase was a symbolism of there relationship.
As they were eating Vernon the antagonist saw that Lucy wasn't eating her steak and asked why. Lucy told him that after their break up she did some soul searching and decided to become a vegetarian. She doesn't want to eat anything with a face. Vernon being the controlling type of man did not like this. He then begins to talk about the other choices Lucy has made. Vernon does not respect Lucy or any of her choices. Lucy asked Vernon if they could just start over trying to get him back on his conversation, but he is not letting up on this.
Vernon gets up and holds Lucy's plate in front of her face asking do you see a face over and over again. He is just tormenting her. Then he cuts a piece off and makes her eat it. He then tells her how juicy it is and she just shakes her head in agreement. The rest of there dinner is in silence. I think at this moment Lucy realizes that the meat was not the poison in her life it was Vernon.
He then
By: Michael Hollinger
The scene of this story is of Lucy and Vernon who are sitting down to a dinner. As the scene was described I realized that Vernon had set the table and cooked the dinner. The flowers being in an awkward vase made me first think of a man doing something that he doesn't normally do because he has done something wrong and is trying to apologize. As I read more I learned they had broken up, but not sure why. When I read the story again I thought that maybe the awkward vase was a symbolism of there relationship.
As they were eating Vernon the antagonist saw that Lucy wasn't eating her steak and asked why. Lucy told him that after their break up she did some soul searching and decided to become a vegetarian. She doesn't want to eat anything with a face. Vernon being the controlling type of man did not like this. He then begins to talk about the other choices Lucy has made. Vernon does not respect Lucy or any of her choices. Lucy asked Vernon if they could just start over trying to get him back on his conversation, but he is not letting up on this.
Vernon gets up and holds Lucy's plate in front of her face asking do you see a face over and over again. He is just tormenting her. Then he cuts a piece off and makes her eat it. He then tells her how juicy it is and she just shakes her head in agreement. The rest of there dinner is in silence. I think at this moment Lucy realizes that the meat was not the poison in her life it was Vernon.
He then
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Week 12 Poems
"To My Dear and Loving Husband" By: Bradstreet
This poem was written by a woman who loved her husband more than anything. "More than whole mines of gold" which is stated in line 5. Even though her husband probably knows how much he is loved I think she wrote this poem to put in into words for him. She wants him to know that even after they die she thinks that their love for one another will continue through eternity. She believes they are soul mates.
"Memorandum" By: Bolton
When I first read this I wasn't sure it was a poem. It was more of a woman complaining of all the things that her boyfriend does wrong and that she is fed up with him and his actions. He seems to be a person that is all about himself and doesn't care about anyone else or their feelings. I think that she has had it with him not caring anything about her and is tired of being run over and taken advantage of.
"Before the Birth of One of Her Children" By: Bradstreet
When I started reading this I thought that it was a letter to her child but the more I read it I think it is also to her spouse. She seems to think that she is going to die and wants to leave a note to her child to let him/her know how much she loved them and didn't want to leave but all she could do was write this letter. She says "look at my babes, my dear remains" also " protect from stepdame's injury" which made me believe this was to her spouse as well. She is telling him to protect the child and when the loss is to hard look at the good (child) she left behind.
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" By: Howe
I think that this poem is about soldiers that are fighting for freedom and are praying to God to keep them safe. The soldiers are still worshiping the Lord even though they are in a battle zone and they know that even though they have the training they still need the Lord to keep them safe. In line 13 it talks about the end of time and facing God on judgement day and their soul being saved. The soldiers are not only in a battle for freedom they are also in a battle with themselves and need God to save them.
"Thinking About Bill, Dead of AIDS" By: Williams
This poem is about someone who had a friend die with AIDS. They are not sure how to act towards him because they don't know much about AIDS. They didn't realize how it damages a persons body and are scared they are going to catch it also. They stay by his bedside, kiss him to easy some tension, but I think the more they try to hide their fear the more the tension grows. Its hard for everyone because they don't know how that person is going to respond to their friends actions.
This poem was written by a woman who loved her husband more than anything. "More than whole mines of gold" which is stated in line 5. Even though her husband probably knows how much he is loved I think she wrote this poem to put in into words for him. She wants him to know that even after they die she thinks that their love for one another will continue through eternity. She believes they are soul mates.
"Memorandum" By: Bolton
When I first read this I wasn't sure it was a poem. It was more of a woman complaining of all the things that her boyfriend does wrong and that she is fed up with him and his actions. He seems to be a person that is all about himself and doesn't care about anyone else or their feelings. I think that she has had it with him not caring anything about her and is tired of being run over and taken advantage of.
"Before the Birth of One of Her Children" By: Bradstreet
When I started reading this I thought that it was a letter to her child but the more I read it I think it is also to her spouse. She seems to think that she is going to die and wants to leave a note to her child to let him/her know how much she loved them and didn't want to leave but all she could do was write this letter. She says "look at my babes, my dear remains" also " protect from stepdame's injury" which made me believe this was to her spouse as well. She is telling him to protect the child and when the loss is to hard look at the good (child) she left behind.
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" By: Howe
I think that this poem is about soldiers that are fighting for freedom and are praying to God to keep them safe. The soldiers are still worshiping the Lord even though they are in a battle zone and they know that even though they have the training they still need the Lord to keep them safe. In line 13 it talks about the end of time and facing God on judgement day and their soul being saved. The soldiers are not only in a battle for freedom they are also in a battle with themselves and need God to save them.
"Thinking About Bill, Dead of AIDS" By: Williams
This poem is about someone who had a friend die with AIDS. They are not sure how to act towards him because they don't know much about AIDS. They didn't realize how it damages a persons body and are scared they are going to catch it also. They stay by his bedside, kiss him to easy some tension, but I think the more they try to hide their fear the more the tension grows. Its hard for everyone because they don't know how that person is going to respond to their friends actions.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Week 11 poems
I enjoyed most of the poems this week. They were a little easier for me to understand than some of the others from the past weeks.
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" By Langston Hughes
The poem talks about "rivers" , but I think that the rivers really stand for African men and women that he knew or learned about and tried to relate with. These people are from all over the world and lived differently from each other depending on the time and location they lived. As he learns more about his ancestors over time he grows bigger and stronger like the rivers have that he mentions in the poem.
"I, Too" By Langston Hughes
This poem talks about how black people "the darker brother", use to be sent to the kitchen to eat when company "white people" came over. When he says "I laugh, eat well, and grow strong" he means that he hopes for a change and knows that being healthy mentally and physically will help. He knows African Americans have to fight for a change and equal rights or nothing will ever change. He believes that when that change comes white people will be ashamed of how they treated African Americans differently. The first and last line means that even though we have different colored skin doesn't mean we are different. We are all Americans and deserve to be treated equally.
"Mother to Son" By Langston Hughes
I really liked this poem. It is about a mother fighting for a better life for her and her child. She is telling her son that her life has been very hard, but she has never given up and no matter how hard he thinks life is he should never give up. Nothing is easy and if you want something out of life you have to fight for it. Giving up is not and option. The only thing I didn't understand was what the word "crystal" stood for.
"Dream Variation" By Langston Hughes
What I got out of the title was that this person is dreaming for change. He wants to be able to walk around and dance when everyone is treated equally and not discriminated against "the white day is done". He wants white people not to be afraid of black people because of the color of their skin, "while night comes on gently Dark like me". I think the first two lines means that he wants to be about to stand in front of someone white with power and be able to have that same kind of power.
"Dusting" By Julia Alvarez
Julia Alverez was born during a time when women stayed at home and took care of the household chores and raised the children. The men were the bread winners, money makers. She watched her mother clean house and cook everyday and knew that, that was not what she wanted to do. To her, her mother had no life of her own, she was a nobody, invisible, "anonymous". So to have the life she wanted she educated herself, "I refused with every mark to be like her".
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" By Langston Hughes
The poem talks about "rivers" , but I think that the rivers really stand for African men and women that he knew or learned about and tried to relate with. These people are from all over the world and lived differently from each other depending on the time and location they lived. As he learns more about his ancestors over time he grows bigger and stronger like the rivers have that he mentions in the poem.
"I, Too" By Langston Hughes
This poem talks about how black people "the darker brother", use to be sent to the kitchen to eat when company "white people" came over. When he says "I laugh, eat well, and grow strong" he means that he hopes for a change and knows that being healthy mentally and physically will help. He knows African Americans have to fight for a change and equal rights or nothing will ever change. He believes that when that change comes white people will be ashamed of how they treated African Americans differently. The first and last line means that even though we have different colored skin doesn't mean we are different. We are all Americans and deserve to be treated equally.
"Mother to Son" By Langston Hughes
I really liked this poem. It is about a mother fighting for a better life for her and her child. She is telling her son that her life has been very hard, but she has never given up and no matter how hard he thinks life is he should never give up. Nothing is easy and if you want something out of life you have to fight for it. Giving up is not and option. The only thing I didn't understand was what the word "crystal" stood for.
"Dream Variation" By Langston Hughes
What I got out of the title was that this person is dreaming for change. He wants to be able to walk around and dance when everyone is treated equally and not discriminated against "the white day is done". He wants white people not to be afraid of black people because of the color of their skin, "while night comes on gently Dark like me". I think the first two lines means that he wants to be about to stand in front of someone white with power and be able to have that same kind of power.
"Dusting" By Julia Alvarez
Julia Alverez was born during a time when women stayed at home and took care of the household chores and raised the children. The men were the bread winners, money makers. She watched her mother clean house and cook everyday and knew that, that was not what she wanted to do. To her, her mother had no life of her own, she was a nobody, invisible, "anonymous". So to have the life she wanted she educated herself, "I refused with every mark to be like her".
Friday, October 22, 2010
Week 10 Posts
"Hope" is the thing with feathers By: Emily Dickinson
Hope is referred to as a bird. It is free like a bird. Hope perches in our soul like a bird perches on something. The hope sings songs with no words and is what makes people move forward striving for new things and trying new things. Sometimes a "storm", something bad that is happened to us, can make us give up on hope. In the last two lines it talks about no matter what hope will never ask anything in return from you.
"I like a look of Agony" By Emily Dickinson
This poem talks about how Agony is something that you can not fake. It is a feeling that people feel and can't hide it. A lot of people show fake feeling to people for many reasons, but this is one feeling that will take over you and you have no other choice but to show it. It talks about people coming close to death and the agony that come over them because they know they cant fight death forever, death will eventually win.
"Much Madness is divinest Sense" By Emily Dickinson
I really enjoyed this poem because a lot of people think this way. This poem is about someone who is boldly honest and always tells the brutal truth. The discerning eye is talking about everyone that looks at that person like they are crazy. People can't believe that he or she just told the truth, it wasn't sugar coated to protect someones feelings. The majority thinks "much sense" common sense or someone who is really smart is "madness" or crazy. It's telling us that people who say they are crazy are not and the people who say they are not crazy are. The last line talks about the crazy people are handle chains which I think means they kept them on a short leash and punish them.
"After a great pain, a formal feeling comes" By Emily Dickinson
This poem is about the emotional state that someone goes through while dealing with death. The second line is talking about your body just becoming numb to any emotion. You are in a state of shock. Then you begin questioning yourself and the events that happened. Your body begins you move all by itself you don't realize what your doing but you function on a daily basis. Your body is so stiff like a rock. Then after a while you begin to get back to life and realize you got through it even though you didn't think it was possible. The last line of the poem is a list of the grieving process.
"Fire and Ice" By Robert Frost
This poem is about how people think the world will end. Some say it will end in fire. I think fire means wars, Hell, and burning. People are so angry these days about everything. Nobody is just happy living life. Others think it will end in Ice. Ice to me means cold, no feelings or involvement with people, isolating ourselves from everyone and dying alone. He states he knows enough hate that ice would work too. Which I think means if burning in hatred wasn't going to happen then being isolated from everybody would be ok.
Hope is referred to as a bird. It is free like a bird. Hope perches in our soul like a bird perches on something. The hope sings songs with no words and is what makes people move forward striving for new things and trying new things. Sometimes a "storm", something bad that is happened to us, can make us give up on hope. In the last two lines it talks about no matter what hope will never ask anything in return from you.
"I like a look of Agony" By Emily Dickinson
This poem talks about how Agony is something that you can not fake. It is a feeling that people feel and can't hide it. A lot of people show fake feeling to people for many reasons, but this is one feeling that will take over you and you have no other choice but to show it. It talks about people coming close to death and the agony that come over them because they know they cant fight death forever, death will eventually win.
"Much Madness is divinest Sense" By Emily Dickinson
I really enjoyed this poem because a lot of people think this way. This poem is about someone who is boldly honest and always tells the brutal truth. The discerning eye is talking about everyone that looks at that person like they are crazy. People can't believe that he or she just told the truth, it wasn't sugar coated to protect someones feelings. The majority thinks "much sense" common sense or someone who is really smart is "madness" or crazy. It's telling us that people who say they are crazy are not and the people who say they are not crazy are. The last line talks about the crazy people are handle chains which I think means they kept them on a short leash and punish them.
"After a great pain, a formal feeling comes" By Emily Dickinson
This poem is about the emotional state that someone goes through while dealing with death. The second line is talking about your body just becoming numb to any emotion. You are in a state of shock. Then you begin questioning yourself and the events that happened. Your body begins you move all by itself you don't realize what your doing but you function on a daily basis. Your body is so stiff like a rock. Then after a while you begin to get back to life and realize you got through it even though you didn't think it was possible. The last line of the poem is a list of the grieving process.
"Fire and Ice" By Robert Frost
This poem is about how people think the world will end. Some say it will end in fire. I think fire means wars, Hell, and burning. People are so angry these days about everything. Nobody is just happy living life. Others think it will end in Ice. Ice to me means cold, no feelings or involvement with people, isolating ourselves from everyone and dying alone. He states he knows enough hate that ice would work too. Which I think means if burning in hatred wasn't going to happen then being isolated from everybody would be ok.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Week 9 Poems
My Last Duchess" By: Robert Browning
This poem was a harder poem for me to analyze. If I understand correctly the Duke of this city had a painting of his late young wife. In the second line it states "Looking as if she were alive" which told me that she had pasted but in the painting she looked real. The painting was behind a curtain and only certain people could only see it. The young woman always smiled at everyone and her husband didn't like this because he thought that she looked at him the way she looked at everybody else. He felt that she didn't show him enough affection. This makes me think that he was a jealous and insecure man. Near the end of the poem it talks about him giving commands and all smiles stopped completely. I think he had her killed. Then he is trying to negotiate for a new bride and says he can train her. He is a very demanding man.
"The Chimney Sweeper" By: William Blake
This poem started out sad and by the time I got to the end I felt a little happier for the little boy. The little boys mom died when he was very young and not long after that the boys father gives him away. The boy begins working as a chimney sweeper and one day he has to get his head shaved and he cries. He is told not to cry over it but to think positively about not getting soot in his hair anymore. That night he has a dream about all the boys being locked in coffins. This angel comes and sets them free and tells Tom that not to worry about not having any parents. As long as he is good and believes in God that he will always be taken care of because God is his father. That morning it was still dark when they woke up for work. Even though it was cold Tom was still happy because of his dream and believed what the angel said.
"My Papa's Waltz" By: Theodore Roethke
I read this poem a couple of times. I think that this poem is about a little girl who is dancing with her dad. Her father has had to much to drink and is bumping into everything which makes her mother upset. The little girl talks about holding on like death which makes me think that she is afraid to let go. Whether it is because she is afraid of losing her step and falling or because if she does her father will get mad I don't know. I hope some other people wrote about this poem so I can get there opinion.
"My Mistress' eyes are nothing like the Sun" By: William Shakespeare
In this poem he is comparing his mistress to different things and these things are always better. Her skin is not white like snow but her breast are gray. Her hair is like wire rough and stiff. He talks about how some perfume smells better than her breath. I assume this perfume doesn't smell good but her breath smells worse. Even though he talks about her imperfections he still loves her more than anything.
"Do not go gentle into that good night" By: Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas wrote this poem around the time his father was dying and I believe he was asking his father to fight for life not to give up. The wise men he talks about know that they are going to die but still fight against it. The good men are people who have done good deeds and have not seen them finished so they fight to live. The wild men are people who have lived a hard life. Wild to me means drank, stayed out late, done things that was hard on their body and knew it at the time but didn't care. Now that they are dying they regret it and fight for more time. The grave men are older men who have lived life and know that its their time but still want more time with their family or for their self so they fight. In the end people always want more time and this just reminds us not to ever give up.
This poem was a harder poem for me to analyze. If I understand correctly the Duke of this city had a painting of his late young wife. In the second line it states "Looking as if she were alive" which told me that she had pasted but in the painting she looked real. The painting was behind a curtain and only certain people could only see it. The young woman always smiled at everyone and her husband didn't like this because he thought that she looked at him the way she looked at everybody else. He felt that she didn't show him enough affection. This makes me think that he was a jealous and insecure man. Near the end of the poem it talks about him giving commands and all smiles stopped completely. I think he had her killed. Then he is trying to negotiate for a new bride and says he can train her. He is a very demanding man.
"The Chimney Sweeper" By: William Blake
This poem started out sad and by the time I got to the end I felt a little happier for the little boy. The little boys mom died when he was very young and not long after that the boys father gives him away. The boy begins working as a chimney sweeper and one day he has to get his head shaved and he cries. He is told not to cry over it but to think positively about not getting soot in his hair anymore. That night he has a dream about all the boys being locked in coffins. This angel comes and sets them free and tells Tom that not to worry about not having any parents. As long as he is good and believes in God that he will always be taken care of because God is his father. That morning it was still dark when they woke up for work. Even though it was cold Tom was still happy because of his dream and believed what the angel said.
"My Papa's Waltz" By: Theodore Roethke
I read this poem a couple of times. I think that this poem is about a little girl who is dancing with her dad. Her father has had to much to drink and is bumping into everything which makes her mother upset. The little girl talks about holding on like death which makes me think that she is afraid to let go. Whether it is because she is afraid of losing her step and falling or because if she does her father will get mad I don't know. I hope some other people wrote about this poem so I can get there opinion.
"My Mistress' eyes are nothing like the Sun" By: William Shakespeare
In this poem he is comparing his mistress to different things and these things are always better. Her skin is not white like snow but her breast are gray. Her hair is like wire rough and stiff. He talks about how some perfume smells better than her breath. I assume this perfume doesn't smell good but her breath smells worse. Even though he talks about her imperfections he still loves her more than anything.
"Do not go gentle into that good night" By: Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas wrote this poem around the time his father was dying and I believe he was asking his father to fight for life not to give up. The wise men he talks about know that they are going to die but still fight against it. The good men are people who have done good deeds and have not seen them finished so they fight to live. The wild men are people who have lived a hard life. Wild to me means drank, stayed out late, done things that was hard on their body and knew it at the time but didn't care. Now that they are dying they regret it and fight for more time. The grave men are older men who have lived life and know that its their time but still want more time with their family or for their self so they fight. In the end people always want more time and this just reminds us not to ever give up.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Week 8 Poems
"We Real Cool"
This poem made me think of kids who dropped out of school and are just hanging out and getting into trouble. It talks about "we sing sin" so I picture these kids playing in a head banging rock band staying out late and sleeping all day. Living life like this is might lead them to an early grave. It talks about them thinning gin so that tells me that they are poor and can't afford to buy a lot of alcohol so to stretch it they add water to it. I really didn't understand why "We" is placed at the end of the line. If there is anyone who can explain it please do.
"We Old Dudes"
After reading this poem I had a picture in my head of these rich old men playing golf. These men have retired and are spending the rest of their life on the golf course talking about politics. When the poem states "We vote red" I assume that this means they are republicans. I still don't understand the word "We" at the end of the line.
"Root Cellar"
I think that this is a negative view of a root cellar. Reading this I could imagine the smell of musk and manure. I could also feel the cold, wet air that lingers in a cellar. I could see the dark shadows that cover the whole area of the cellar. And even though this is a place no one would want to live nothing can die.
"You Fit Into Me"
As I was reading this poem the simile made me think of a couple that was very compatible with each other. A relationship that everyone dreams of having. Visually I seen how a fish hook with an eye on the end of it is smooth and it both flows together into one piece, without one the other wouldn't work. Then after I read the following lines, the literal meanings, I cringed because I could feel the pain of a hook going into a human eye, my eye.
"A Man Said to the Universe"
I read this poem over and over. I know I'm missing something from it and would like some help if anyone can. I took it as a man who feels that no one sees him or understands him. I think that he has felt this way for a long time and now feels that people owe him something, but people are trying to get him to understand nobody is obligated to make him feel better about himself except him.
This poem made me think of kids who dropped out of school and are just hanging out and getting into trouble. It talks about "we sing sin" so I picture these kids playing in a head banging rock band staying out late and sleeping all day. Living life like this is might lead them to an early grave. It talks about them thinning gin so that tells me that they are poor and can't afford to buy a lot of alcohol so to stretch it they add water to it. I really didn't understand why "We" is placed at the end of the line. If there is anyone who can explain it please do.
"We Old Dudes"
After reading this poem I had a picture in my head of these rich old men playing golf. These men have retired and are spending the rest of their life on the golf course talking about politics. When the poem states "We vote red" I assume that this means they are republicans. I still don't understand the word "We" at the end of the line.
"Root Cellar"
I think that this is a negative view of a root cellar. Reading this I could imagine the smell of musk and manure. I could also feel the cold, wet air that lingers in a cellar. I could see the dark shadows that cover the whole area of the cellar. And even though this is a place no one would want to live nothing can die.
"You Fit Into Me"
As I was reading this poem the simile made me think of a couple that was very compatible with each other. A relationship that everyone dreams of having. Visually I seen how a fish hook with an eye on the end of it is smooth and it both flows together into one piece, without one the other wouldn't work. Then after I read the following lines, the literal meanings, I cringed because I could feel the pain of a hook going into a human eye, my eye.
"A Man Said to the Universe"
I read this poem over and over. I know I'm missing something from it and would like some help if anyone can. I took it as a man who feels that no one sees him or understands him. I think that he has felt this way for a long time and now feels that people owe him something, but people are trying to get him to understand nobody is obligated to make him feel better about himself except him.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Poems
I am not to excited about the next few weeks. It is very difficult for me to understand the meaning of most poems. I am going to try to give my understanding of the next five poems and if anybody can help please fill free to do so. After reading the list of poems that was given I chose the following to write about.
The first was "The Secretary Chant" by Marge Piercy. This poem describes a woman that has been a secretary for a long time. Over the years she was no longer see a herself, but as different office equipment. I assume her boss never gives her praise for a job well done other wise she wouldn't feel like this. It's sad to say but people don't think about other people just what they can do for them. In the end the equipment seems to be getting old and tired. After a while if not taken care of it will break down and quit.
The next is "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden. As I was reading this poem I remember my childhood and what our Sundays were like. It was a day that the swhole family spent together and we would eat family dinners. Now that I'm an adult and have children of my own I try to have the same traditions for them. In this poem it talks about the father always taking care of everything and working very hard. As a child you don't always remember to say Thank You for all the things your parents do, but when you become an adult you look back and realize all the hard work they did.
"Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins talks about how a reader should go about reading a poem. Start with taking you time and looking over it, getting the feel of it, letting it sink into your mind. It states about a mouse in a maze finding it was out. That is how a poem should be looked at. Just move your was through it and if you hit a dead end turn around and take a different approach. Easier said than done. But like a lot of us we beat it to death until we are so frustrated we couldn't understand it if it hit us in the head.
"Common Ground" by Judith Ortiz Cofer tells about life as you are growing up. When you are young you don't always feel like you understand your family. Like they are strangers to you. I think the blood is the journey you take throughout life to find yourself. As your body gets older changes start to occur and as you look in the mirror you see different things that remind you of your family. Then you see the Common Ground between you and your family that you thought you never had.
The last poem is "The Convergence of the Twain" by Thomas Hardy which is about the Titanic. In the beginning it talks about the Titanic sinking even though everybody said it wasn't possible. It was so beautiful and powerful that nothing could bring it down. Now after all these people died everybody else is quiet. The salamandrine fires still burn even after it sank and plays a sad funeral song in the process. The sea creaters see the mirrors that are suppose to show beauty, but now only show ugly creatures and darkness. I think the poem states that this was the Titanic's fate, God's will, to show that it wasn't unstoppable. The more the ship grew so did the iceburg waiting for their meeting. It says "alien they seemed to be" meaning they don't belong together and the "Spinner of Years" (God) said "Now" and everyone was reminded that there is a high power than humans.
The first was "The Secretary Chant" by Marge Piercy. This poem describes a woman that has been a secretary for a long time. Over the years she was no longer see a herself, but as different office equipment. I assume her boss never gives her praise for a job well done other wise she wouldn't feel like this. It's sad to say but people don't think about other people just what they can do for them. In the end the equipment seems to be getting old and tired. After a while if not taken care of it will break down and quit.
The next is "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden. As I was reading this poem I remember my childhood and what our Sundays were like. It was a day that the swhole family spent together and we would eat family dinners. Now that I'm an adult and have children of my own I try to have the same traditions for them. In this poem it talks about the father always taking care of everything and working very hard. As a child you don't always remember to say Thank You for all the things your parents do, but when you become an adult you look back and realize all the hard work they did.
"Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins talks about how a reader should go about reading a poem. Start with taking you time and looking over it, getting the feel of it, letting it sink into your mind. It states about a mouse in a maze finding it was out. That is how a poem should be looked at. Just move your was through it and if you hit a dead end turn around and take a different approach. Easier said than done. But like a lot of us we beat it to death until we are so frustrated we couldn't understand it if it hit us in the head.
"Common Ground" by Judith Ortiz Cofer tells about life as you are growing up. When you are young you don't always feel like you understand your family. Like they are strangers to you. I think the blood is the journey you take throughout life to find yourself. As your body gets older changes start to occur and as you look in the mirror you see different things that remind you of your family. Then you see the Common Ground between you and your family that you thought you never had.
The last poem is "The Convergence of the Twain" by Thomas Hardy which is about the Titanic. In the beginning it talks about the Titanic sinking even though everybody said it wasn't possible. It was so beautiful and powerful that nothing could bring it down. Now after all these people died everybody else is quiet. The salamandrine fires still burn even after it sank and plays a sad funeral song in the process. The sea creaters see the mirrors that are suppose to show beauty, but now only show ugly creatures and darkness. I think the poem states that this was the Titanic's fate, God's will, to show that it wasn't unstoppable. The more the ship grew so did the iceburg waiting for their meeting. It says "alien they seemed to be" meaning they don't belong together and the "Spinner of Years" (God) said "Now" and everyone was reminded that there is a high power than humans.
Friday, September 24, 2010
"The Help"
"The Help"
By: Kathryn Stockett
I have to say that this was one of the best novels I have ever read. When we were assigned to read it I wondered how I was going to get through this book, but once I got started I couldn't put it down. I think I went through every emotion that these characters with through right along with them. The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's. It is mainly about a white woman named Miss Skeeter, who graduated from college with a degree and wants to become a writer, and three black maids. Aibileen, she takes care of Miss Leefolt's house and children, and is known for her kindness. Minny is a women that speaks her mind and doesn't take anything off of her boss. Her being as strong of a woman as she was she stayed with her abusive, drunk husband. Then we have Constantine who took care of Miss Skeeter as a child. When she returned from college Constantine was gone and nobody would tell her why.
While I was reading this novel I wondered if this was really fiction or if the names were just changed like in the novel Miss Skeeter wrote. There were mention of the Martin Luther King march and Rosa Parks. Also they talked about the Vietnam War, beer in a can that didn't need a can opener to open it, a birth control pill was invented and a man flew around the earth in a rocketship. The author of this book had a family maid named Demetrie that was known for her great cooking like Minny was and would tell her kind things like Aibileen did to Mae Mobley. Also Demetrie died when Kathryn was young and she didn't get to ask her questions or tell her thank you like Miss Skeeter wished she could do with Contantine. So I really wonder fiction or nonfiction?
The maids took a real chance with Miss Skeeter to tell these true stories for the book. During the time of civil rights when if anybody found out about this these women could have been beat, put in jail, or even killed, but together they took a stand to help one another and try to make a change. As these women told their stories I felt awful that black people were really treated this way because of the color of their skin. Then I would think how ignorant white people were and some still are when it comes to race.
Aibileen took care of Mae Moble and her bother while Miss Leefolt attended the social events of the town. She taught Mae Moble how to talk, walk, and use the toilet among other things. The thing I thought was really stupid of these white women were they were ok to let these black women raise their children but wouldn't use the same bathroom. The white women were more afraid of what the maids were going to steal than how their children were being raised.
Minny was fired in the being by Miss Hilly a woman who thought she could get anything she wanted and hurt anybody and everybody in the process. After that Minny was hired by a lady named Miss Celia. Minny tried to teach her how to cook and clean, but I think that Miss Celia taught Minny a few things a well. She never treated Minny like the other white women treated their maids which I think helped Minny tell her story.
When the book was published Aibileen and the other maids were afraid that people would find out and some thought but couldn't prove it. I was glad to see that Minny finally stood up to her husband and left him. When Aibileen was fired because Miss Hilly accused her of stealing I was furious because Miss Leefolt's still couldn't stand up for the woman that has raised her children. Miss Skeeter gets Aibileen her writing job at the white paper and moves to New York City. She finally gets to have her own life. She is free. Just like Aibileen is free to start a new life of writing even though just a few days earlier she thought she was at the end of her life.
By: Kathryn Stockett
I have to say that this was one of the best novels I have ever read. When we were assigned to read it I wondered how I was going to get through this book, but once I got started I couldn't put it down. I think I went through every emotion that these characters with through right along with them. The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's. It is mainly about a white woman named Miss Skeeter, who graduated from college with a degree and wants to become a writer, and three black maids. Aibileen, she takes care of Miss Leefolt's house and children, and is known for her kindness. Minny is a women that speaks her mind and doesn't take anything off of her boss. Her being as strong of a woman as she was she stayed with her abusive, drunk husband. Then we have Constantine who took care of Miss Skeeter as a child. When she returned from college Constantine was gone and nobody would tell her why.
While I was reading this novel I wondered if this was really fiction or if the names were just changed like in the novel Miss Skeeter wrote. There were mention of the Martin Luther King march and Rosa Parks. Also they talked about the Vietnam War, beer in a can that didn't need a can opener to open it, a birth control pill was invented and a man flew around the earth in a rocketship. The author of this book had a family maid named Demetrie that was known for her great cooking like Minny was and would tell her kind things like Aibileen did to Mae Mobley. Also Demetrie died when Kathryn was young and she didn't get to ask her questions or tell her thank you like Miss Skeeter wished she could do with Contantine. So I really wonder fiction or nonfiction?
The maids took a real chance with Miss Skeeter to tell these true stories for the book. During the time of civil rights when if anybody found out about this these women could have been beat, put in jail, or even killed, but together they took a stand to help one another and try to make a change. As these women told their stories I felt awful that black people were really treated this way because of the color of their skin. Then I would think how ignorant white people were and some still are when it comes to race.
Aibileen took care of Mae Moble and her bother while Miss Leefolt attended the social events of the town. She taught Mae Moble how to talk, walk, and use the toilet among other things. The thing I thought was really stupid of these white women were they were ok to let these black women raise their children but wouldn't use the same bathroom. The white women were more afraid of what the maids were going to steal than how their children were being raised.
Minny was fired in the being by Miss Hilly a woman who thought she could get anything she wanted and hurt anybody and everybody in the process. After that Minny was hired by a lady named Miss Celia. Minny tried to teach her how to cook and clean, but I think that Miss Celia taught Minny a few things a well. She never treated Minny like the other white women treated their maids which I think helped Minny tell her story.
When the book was published Aibileen and the other maids were afraid that people would find out and some thought but couldn't prove it. I was glad to see that Minny finally stood up to her husband and left him. When Aibileen was fired because Miss Hilly accused her of stealing I was furious because Miss Leefolt's still couldn't stand up for the woman that has raised her children. Miss Skeeter gets Aibileen her writing job at the white paper and moves to New York City. She finally gets to have her own life. She is free. Just like Aibileen is free to start a new life of writing even though just a few days earlier she thought she was at the end of her life.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
"The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber"
"The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber"
By: Ernest Hemingway
This story was interesting to me. As I was reading I really thought that Mr. Macomber would be eaten by a lion or some other kind of animal, but I was very surprised in the end. Mr. and Mrs. Macomber was on a safari trip because Francis liked to hunt. I think that he only hunted because he was always afraid and wanted to look like a "real" man to everybody by all the animals he killed. His wife knew better.
While on their hunting trip Mr. Macomber shoots a lion and doesn't kill it. Him and Robert had to wait before going into the high grass to get the lion. As they go in to the grass the lion starts to charge them and Mr. Macomber starts running away and screaming. His wife sees this and also sees how Robert reacted and finished the lion off. This attracted Margaret. Later that night she leaves her husband and goes to stay with Robert. Mr Macomber wakes up and sees his wife returning to their tent. He told her he was going to leave and she said that he wasn't going to leave her because basically he was to scared, and she was never going to leave him because of the money.
When they went out looking for buffalo that morning Mr. Macomber realized he wasn't scared, he was to angry to be scared. He shoots three buffalo without hesitation. I think this is when his wife realizes that he was telling her the truth about leaving. She had made him mad enough to not worry about his fear. At this point Mr. Macomber was finally happy, but this was very short lived which is why the title of this story is appropriate. The first buffalo that he shot wasn't completely dead and began to run at them. All of the men began shooting even his wife from the car. She ends up shooting him in the back of the head. Was she aiming for the animal or for the man that was going to leave her? I think that she thought this was the only chance she was going to get and took it.
By: Ernest Hemingway
This story was interesting to me. As I was reading I really thought that Mr. Macomber would be eaten by a lion or some other kind of animal, but I was very surprised in the end. Mr. and Mrs. Macomber was on a safari trip because Francis liked to hunt. I think that he only hunted because he was always afraid and wanted to look like a "real" man to everybody by all the animals he killed. His wife knew better.
While on their hunting trip Mr. Macomber shoots a lion and doesn't kill it. Him and Robert had to wait before going into the high grass to get the lion. As they go in to the grass the lion starts to charge them and Mr. Macomber starts running away and screaming. His wife sees this and also sees how Robert reacted and finished the lion off. This attracted Margaret. Later that night she leaves her husband and goes to stay with Robert. Mr Macomber wakes up and sees his wife returning to their tent. He told her he was going to leave and she said that he wasn't going to leave her because basically he was to scared, and she was never going to leave him because of the money.
When they went out looking for buffalo that morning Mr. Macomber realized he wasn't scared, he was to angry to be scared. He shoots three buffalo without hesitation. I think this is when his wife realizes that he was telling her the truth about leaving. She had made him mad enough to not worry about his fear. At this point Mr. Macomber was finally happy, but this was very short lived which is why the title of this story is appropriate. The first buffalo that he shot wasn't completely dead and began to run at them. All of the men began shooting even his wife from the car. She ends up shooting him in the back of the head. Was she aiming for the animal or for the man that was going to leave her? I think that she thought this was the only chance she was going to get and took it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
"The Cast of Amontillado"
"The Cast of Amontillado"
By: Edgar Allen Poe
This story was told in first person which allowed me to understand the emotions that the narrator was feeling, but I never got to understand the other persons side of it. The narrator's name, Montresor, wasn't mentioned until the end so this kept me curious. Even though I didn't like the story I kept reading just to find out what it was, and to do my blog! In the beginning Montresor tells us about Fortunato insulting him and how he is going to get revenge, but he never tells us what the insult was. Montresor describes Fortunato as a man who was respected by many and knew a lot about wine so to get his revenge Montresor played on Fortunato's weakness for wine.
When they met at the carnival Montresor told him that he had got a keg of Amontillado and wanted him to make sure that was what it was. Montresor knew that Fortunato could not walk away from this opportunity. They went to the catacombs where it Montresor said it was. Fortunato was drunk and didn't think anything about following Montresor down these dark tunnels. Fortunato was only interested in tasting this wine and didn't pay any attention to his surroundings. Even when Montresor chained him up and started building the wall up he didn't say anything. It wasn't until he was about finished that Fortunato told him that his wife and other people would be waiting for them. I think that for a second Montresor seen him as a person and not the enemy, but being this far into the process he couldn't make himself stop. I really didn't get much from this story except that Montresor was a vengeful person.
By: Edgar Allen Poe
This story was told in first person which allowed me to understand the emotions that the narrator was feeling, but I never got to understand the other persons side of it. The narrator's name, Montresor, wasn't mentioned until the end so this kept me curious. Even though I didn't like the story I kept reading just to find out what it was, and to do my blog! In the beginning Montresor tells us about Fortunato insulting him and how he is going to get revenge, but he never tells us what the insult was. Montresor describes Fortunato as a man who was respected by many and knew a lot about wine so to get his revenge Montresor played on Fortunato's weakness for wine.
When they met at the carnival Montresor told him that he had got a keg of Amontillado and wanted him to make sure that was what it was. Montresor knew that Fortunato could not walk away from this opportunity. They went to the catacombs where it Montresor said it was. Fortunato was drunk and didn't think anything about following Montresor down these dark tunnels. Fortunato was only interested in tasting this wine and didn't pay any attention to his surroundings. Even when Montresor chained him up and started building the wall up he didn't say anything. It wasn't until he was about finished that Fortunato told him that his wife and other people would be waiting for them. I think that for a second Montresor seen him as a person and not the enemy, but being this far into the process he couldn't make himself stop. I really didn't get much from this story except that Montresor was a vengeful person.
Friday, September 10, 2010
"The Horse Dealer's Daughter"
"The Horse Dealer's Daughter"
By: D.H. Lawernce
The story "the Horse Dealer's Daughter" by D.H. Lawerence was a very good love story. I enjoyed reading this more than any other story we have read. As I was reading the story I didn't imagine that the young doctor would fall in love with Mabel or vice versa. Mabel is a woman that has lost both of her parents and her father left a lot of debt behind for his children. Mabel was very close to her mother and has had a hard time dealing with her death. Also the fact that they use to be a wealthy family, which made Mabel very proud, and now in debt is hard for her.
The young doctor is not at all interested in Mabel in the beginning. He is dealing with his own problems with the fact that life has left him and all he does is work. He notices Mabel one day as she is cleaning the grave site and begins to look at her differently. This overwhelming power comes over him as he thinks about her. It is if she gives him his life back. This passion she brings out of him grabs hold and he doesn't know how to deal with it.
One day Mabel decides to end her life and walks into a pond and never comes up for air. The young doctor sees Mabel doing this and runs to help her. Even though he doesn't know how to swim all he can do is try to save her. His doctor instincts take over even though his mind is telling him you can't swim. At this time nothing matters but saving her life. He gets her out of the water and breaths air back into her and then takes her inside to remove her wet clothing. Although his feeling for her are very strong all he can think about is taking care of her medically. When she comes to she realizes that he saved her not only because that is what he does for a living but also because he loves her. Mabel's feelings for him are the same.
This was a wonderful story of two people who think life is over for them and end up helping each other. Their feelings for each other brought back a reason for living for both of them. Even though the young doctor saved her from drowning in the water she also saved him from drowning in misery.
By: D.H. Lawernce
The story "the Horse Dealer's Daughter" by D.H. Lawerence was a very good love story. I enjoyed reading this more than any other story we have read. As I was reading the story I didn't imagine that the young doctor would fall in love with Mabel or vice versa. Mabel is a woman that has lost both of her parents and her father left a lot of debt behind for his children. Mabel was very close to her mother and has had a hard time dealing with her death. Also the fact that they use to be a wealthy family, which made Mabel very proud, and now in debt is hard for her.
The young doctor is not at all interested in Mabel in the beginning. He is dealing with his own problems with the fact that life has left him and all he does is work. He notices Mabel one day as she is cleaning the grave site and begins to look at her differently. This overwhelming power comes over him as he thinks about her. It is if she gives him his life back. This passion she brings out of him grabs hold and he doesn't know how to deal with it.
One day Mabel decides to end her life and walks into a pond and never comes up for air. The young doctor sees Mabel doing this and runs to help her. Even though he doesn't know how to swim all he can do is try to save her. His doctor instincts take over even though his mind is telling him you can't swim. At this time nothing matters but saving her life. He gets her out of the water and breaths air back into her and then takes her inside to remove her wet clothing. Although his feeling for her are very strong all he can think about is taking care of her medically. When she comes to she realizes that he saved her not only because that is what he does for a living but also because he loves her. Mabel's feelings for him are the same.
This was a wonderful story of two people who think life is over for them and end up helping each other. Their feelings for each other brought back a reason for living for both of them. Even though the young doctor saved her from drowning in the water she also saved him from drowning in misery.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
"Barn Burning" By: William Faulkner
"Barn Burning"
By: William Faulkner
In this short story Faulkner tells of a young boy by the name of Colonel Sartoris Snopes. Sarty is the main character that battles within himself between what is right and wrong. Sarty's father Abner is the type of man that thinks people owe him something. Throughout the story Abner seeks revenge on people he works for when he thinks that they have miss treated him. He does this by burning these people's barns.
When the story begins Sarty is in this small store because his father is being accused of burning Mr. Harris's barn. Faulkner begins to tell the readers what type of family the Snopes are. The boy is in clothes that are to small and we learn he can't read because he recognizes the pictures on the cans but the words mean nothing to his mind. Also when the justice tells his father to get out of the country Sarty begins to remember all the other times he has had to move. This tells me that this isn't the first time his father has been in trouble and is a very unstable man.
When the justice asked Sarty to come up front his father gives him a look like he wants him to lie. Sarty knows what is right and wrong, but he doesn't want to get his father into any trouble. When they arrive at their new house Sarty sees the grand house and all Major de Spain's accomplishments and thinks that his father can't hurt someone that has this much. Sarty wants to become a great man like these people. When Abner gets the rug dirt because he didn't think that he needed to wipe his feet he makes his daughters clean it instead of him doing it. He returns the rug that he has ruined and Major de Spain tells him that he is going to pay for it with his crops. Abner becomes angry and decides he is going to burn his barn. Sarty is tired of his father's actions and warns Major de Spain. Sarty takes off and in the distance he hears the shot and knows his father is dead. All he wanted was for his father to face justice but not with his life.
As Sarty is walking he knows that the sun will rise soon and with the new day he can begin his new life. He would no longer have to fight with doing the right thing or protect his father. He could live his life the right way.
By: William Faulkner
In this short story Faulkner tells of a young boy by the name of Colonel Sartoris Snopes. Sarty is the main character that battles within himself between what is right and wrong. Sarty's father Abner is the type of man that thinks people owe him something. Throughout the story Abner seeks revenge on people he works for when he thinks that they have miss treated him. He does this by burning these people's barns.
When the story begins Sarty is in this small store because his father is being accused of burning Mr. Harris's barn. Faulkner begins to tell the readers what type of family the Snopes are. The boy is in clothes that are to small and we learn he can't read because he recognizes the pictures on the cans but the words mean nothing to his mind. Also when the justice tells his father to get out of the country Sarty begins to remember all the other times he has had to move. This tells me that this isn't the first time his father has been in trouble and is a very unstable man.
When the justice asked Sarty to come up front his father gives him a look like he wants him to lie. Sarty knows what is right and wrong, but he doesn't want to get his father into any trouble. When they arrive at their new house Sarty sees the grand house and all Major de Spain's accomplishments and thinks that his father can't hurt someone that has this much. Sarty wants to become a great man like these people. When Abner gets the rug dirt because he didn't think that he needed to wipe his feet he makes his daughters clean it instead of him doing it. He returns the rug that he has ruined and Major de Spain tells him that he is going to pay for it with his crops. Abner becomes angry and decides he is going to burn his barn. Sarty is tired of his father's actions and warns Major de Spain. Sarty takes off and in the distance he hears the shot and knows his father is dead. All he wanted was for his father to face justice but not with his life.
As Sarty is walking he knows that the sun will rise soon and with the new day he can begin his new life. He would no longer have to fight with doing the right thing or protect his father. He could live his life the right way.
"Girl" By: Jamaica Kincaid
"Girl"
By: Jamaica Kincaid
I ended up reading this story a couple of times to get a little understanding of it. The author Jamaica Kincaid doesn't introduce any characters in this short story. It was more of a list of instructions that a mother would tell her child over and over. As I read this story I could see myself telling my children what to do and not what to do, except for the "slut" part.
The mother is trying to teach a young girl on how to become a respectable woman. As I read I wondered if this was more a story about the author as a young girl or the women she knew growing up. As the mother is teaching the young girl all these life lessons she adds in several times a statement about "not like the slut you are so bent on becoming" which made me think the girl has been in trouble with this kind of situation before. Also when the mother tells here how to make medicine to get rid of a child before it becomes a child. Has the young girl become pregnant because of her actions, or is the mother trying to prepare her for something that might happen in the future if she doesn't change her ways?
At the end of the story the mother tells her how to test for fresh bread. The girl asked what to do if the baker won't let her touch it. The mother seems like there is nothing more she can do for the girl because after all the things she has told her about becoming a woman the girl is not going to use any of them.
By: Jamaica Kincaid
I ended up reading this story a couple of times to get a little understanding of it. The author Jamaica Kincaid doesn't introduce any characters in this short story. It was more of a list of instructions that a mother would tell her child over and over. As I read this story I could see myself telling my children what to do and not what to do, except for the "slut" part.
The mother is trying to teach a young girl on how to become a respectable woman. As I read I wondered if this was more a story about the author as a young girl or the women she knew growing up. As the mother is teaching the young girl all these life lessons she adds in several times a statement about "not like the slut you are so bent on becoming" which made me think the girl has been in trouble with this kind of situation before. Also when the mother tells here how to make medicine to get rid of a child before it becomes a child. Has the young girl become pregnant because of her actions, or is the mother trying to prepare her for something that might happen in the future if she doesn't change her ways?
At the end of the story the mother tells her how to test for fresh bread. The girl asked what to do if the baker won't let her touch it. The mother seems like there is nothing more she can do for the girl because after all the things she has told her about becoming a woman the girl is not going to use any of them.
Friday, September 3, 2010
"Revelation" By: Flannery O'Conner
"Revelation"
By: Flannery O'Conner
The Main Character of "Revelation" is Mrs. Turpin and I was not to fond of her. Throughout the story she labeled people based on what they had and how they looked. She thought of herself and her husband Claud as hard working people, not as well off as the rich people but better than "white trash" or "niggers". Mrs. Turpin was always interested in people's shoes, and she judged them based on how their shoes looked. The symbolism is you never know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.
While in the waiting room of the doctor's office she had a conversation with a well dressed woman and a "white trash" woman. She talked about how she was always nice to the "niggers" because that was the only way you could get them to do anything. To be such the Christian she claimed to be she judged everyone. The young girl who was reading the book hit Mrs. Turpin in the head and began to choke her. The title of the book means something, but this is one thing I can't get the meaning of. The girl tells her to "Go back to Hell where you came from, you old wart hog" (478).
When they return home the husband comes back with the "niggers" she begins to explain what happened and one of the women said nothing "bad" happened "you just had a little fall". I think this is talking about her questioning herself. If she wouldn't had got hit these questions wouldn't have entered her mind. After everyone leaves she begins to question God and has a vision. In the vision the "white trash" was clean and the "niggers" were in white robes all happy, but the people of her kind was shocked and she could see their virtues was burning away.
The meaning of this story for me is don't judge people by how they look or even dress because nobody is superior to anybody. We are all God's children and he loves us all the same.
By: Flannery O'Conner
The Main Character of "Revelation" is Mrs. Turpin and I was not to fond of her. Throughout the story she labeled people based on what they had and how they looked. She thought of herself and her husband Claud as hard working people, not as well off as the rich people but better than "white trash" or "niggers". Mrs. Turpin was always interested in people's shoes, and she judged them based on how their shoes looked. The symbolism is you never know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.
While in the waiting room of the doctor's office she had a conversation with a well dressed woman and a "white trash" woman. She talked about how she was always nice to the "niggers" because that was the only way you could get them to do anything. To be such the Christian she claimed to be she judged everyone. The young girl who was reading the book hit Mrs. Turpin in the head and began to choke her. The title of the book means something, but this is one thing I can't get the meaning of. The girl tells her to "Go back to Hell where you came from, you old wart hog" (478).
When they return home the husband comes back with the "niggers" she begins to explain what happened and one of the women said nothing "bad" happened "you just had a little fall". I think this is talking about her questioning herself. If she wouldn't had got hit these questions wouldn't have entered her mind. After everyone leaves she begins to question God and has a vision. In the vision the "white trash" was clean and the "niggers" were in white robes all happy, but the people of her kind was shocked and she could see their virtues was burning away.
The meaning of this story for me is don't judge people by how they look or even dress because nobody is superior to anybody. We are all God's children and he loves us all the same.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
"Good Country People" By: Flannery O'Connor
"Good Country People"
By: Flannery O'Connor
This story was not one of my favorites. I ended up reading it a couple of times just trying to figure out some of the underlining meaning. After a while a few things came to mind about Joy or otherwise known as Hulga. I seen her as a girl who hard been through a lot in her life. More than most of us has ever dealt with. As a little girl she lost her leg in a hunting accident and because of this she missed out on a lot of normal things. She put herself into her education and earned a Ph.D. Joy had changed her name to Hulga because she seen it as an ugly name like she seen herself because of her leg. I think she pretended to be this hard person to keep herself safe. As the story goes on we learn that Hulga doesn't believe in God and I believe it is because of her leg and her heart condition. Maybe she has grown up wondering and questioning God "Why me?".
Hulga's mom Mrs. Hopewell is the complete opposite of what her daughter believes. She is always looking for the good in people and knows that everyone can't be the same because that is what makes us our own person. Mrs. Hopewell hired the Freeman's to help work in the fields. They had two daughters and was very proud of them. One was eighteen and had many admirers and the other was fifteen, married, and pregnant. I think Mrs. Hopewell wished the same for her daughter but really didn't see it happening. This is why I think her name is ironic. She hoped happiness and wellness for her daughter.
One day a bible salesman, named Manley Pointer, comes to the door and Mrs. Hopewell let him in. He ends up staying for dinner and goes on about how he is a Christian and wants to spend his life telling people about the word of God. He also tells them a story about losing his father at an early age and being the seventh child of twelve. Mrs. Hopewell being the person she is thinks he is just "Good Country People". As he begins to leave Hulga is outside they exchange words and agrees to go on a picnic the next day. I began to believe that Hulga's view on happiness was going to change.
As Hulga and Pointer walk to the barn he talks about how he is interested in her wooden leg and although it makes Hulga uneasy she goes along with it. They begin kissing and Manley asked her to show him how to put the leg on and off. Letting down her guard she lets him in and shows him but it was all a trick. He steals her leg and tells her he has lied about his name. People can portray themselves as one thing but are completely different when the truth comes out.
By: Flannery O'Connor
This story was not one of my favorites. I ended up reading it a couple of times just trying to figure out some of the underlining meaning. After a while a few things came to mind about Joy or otherwise known as Hulga. I seen her as a girl who hard been through a lot in her life. More than most of us has ever dealt with. As a little girl she lost her leg in a hunting accident and because of this she missed out on a lot of normal things. She put herself into her education and earned a Ph.D. Joy had changed her name to Hulga because she seen it as an ugly name like she seen herself because of her leg. I think she pretended to be this hard person to keep herself safe. As the story goes on we learn that Hulga doesn't believe in God and I believe it is because of her leg and her heart condition. Maybe she has grown up wondering and questioning God "Why me?".
Hulga's mom Mrs. Hopewell is the complete opposite of what her daughter believes. She is always looking for the good in people and knows that everyone can't be the same because that is what makes us our own person. Mrs. Hopewell hired the Freeman's to help work in the fields. They had two daughters and was very proud of them. One was eighteen and had many admirers and the other was fifteen, married, and pregnant. I think Mrs. Hopewell wished the same for her daughter but really didn't see it happening. This is why I think her name is ironic. She hoped happiness and wellness for her daughter.
One day a bible salesman, named Manley Pointer, comes to the door and Mrs. Hopewell let him in. He ends up staying for dinner and goes on about how he is a Christian and wants to spend his life telling people about the word of God. He also tells them a story about losing his father at an early age and being the seventh child of twelve. Mrs. Hopewell being the person she is thinks he is just "Good Country People". As he begins to leave Hulga is outside they exchange words and agrees to go on a picnic the next day. I began to believe that Hulga's view on happiness was going to change.
As Hulga and Pointer walk to the barn he talks about how he is interested in her wooden leg and although it makes Hulga uneasy she goes along with it. They begin kissing and Manley asked her to show him how to put the leg on and off. Letting down her guard she lets him in and shows him but it was all a trick. He steals her leg and tells her he has lied about his name. People can portray themselves as one thing but are completely different when the truth comes out.
"A Good Man Is Hard To Find" by Flannery O'Connor
"A Good Man Is Hard To Find"
By: Flannery O'Connor
When I began reading this story I noticed that this is an extended family that did things together. They were taking a vacation and the grandmother wanted to go to Tennessee instead of Florida. Bailey, her son, stated that they were going to Florida. There were a lot of comical parts in this like when the girl June Star was making fun of her grandmother saying "she wouldn't stay home for a million bucks" (445), or when the grandmother hide the cat as she put him in the car.
I think that the grandmother was the main character in the story because see was always talking mainly about this criminal called "The Misfit" and you knew more details about her then the others. I think she thought more of herself than anybody else. She acted like one of the kids when she want to go to Tennessee instead of Florida. She was always talking about what she thought as if that was all that mattered and what she said was always right.
She began to tell the kids of a house she recalled from her childhood that had a secret wooden panel, but as they begin to go down this road, to the house, she remembers that it wasn't in Georgia it was in Tennessee. Its ironic that when she realizes the location of the house with the secret panels she decides to keep it a secret. During this time is when the car wrecks. In the distance the see a car coming it's a hearse. This is when I realized death was coming.
When the men got out the grandmother had to tell "The Misfit" that she recognized him, because of course she couldn't be quit. The mother and Bailey was concerned about the kids and as John Wesley and Bailey go to the woods, with the other men , the mother starts sobbing. The whole time the grandmother was just talking to "The Misfit" about how he should pray and that he was a good man. She never worried as he made the kids and mother go into the woods to get killed. Then he kills the grandmother with three shots to the chest.
I think he is called the Misfit because he didn't fit in with his family just like the grandmother didn't fit in with hers. He doesn't remember what he did bad because it was always about him. Just like the grandmother didn't realize she got on the nerves of her family because it was always about her. The one thing I didn't understand the meaning to was when the Misfit said "she would have been a good women if somebody would have been there to shoot her every minute of her life."
By: Flannery O'Connor
When I began reading this story I noticed that this is an extended family that did things together. They were taking a vacation and the grandmother wanted to go to Tennessee instead of Florida. Bailey, her son, stated that they were going to Florida. There were a lot of comical parts in this like when the girl June Star was making fun of her grandmother saying "she wouldn't stay home for a million bucks" (445), or when the grandmother hide the cat as she put him in the car.
I think that the grandmother was the main character in the story because see was always talking mainly about this criminal called "The Misfit" and you knew more details about her then the others. I think she thought more of herself than anybody else. She acted like one of the kids when she want to go to Tennessee instead of Florida. She was always talking about what she thought as if that was all that mattered and what she said was always right.
She began to tell the kids of a house she recalled from her childhood that had a secret wooden panel, but as they begin to go down this road, to the house, she remembers that it wasn't in Georgia it was in Tennessee. Its ironic that when she realizes the location of the house with the secret panels she decides to keep it a secret. During this time is when the car wrecks. In the distance the see a car coming it's a hearse. This is when I realized death was coming.
When the men got out the grandmother had to tell "The Misfit" that she recognized him, because of course she couldn't be quit. The mother and Bailey was concerned about the kids and as John Wesley and Bailey go to the woods, with the other men , the mother starts sobbing. The whole time the grandmother was just talking to "The Misfit" about how he should pray and that he was a good man. She never worried as he made the kids and mother go into the woods to get killed. Then he kills the grandmother with three shots to the chest.
I think he is called the Misfit because he didn't fit in with his family just like the grandmother didn't fit in with hers. He doesn't remember what he did bad because it was always about him. Just like the grandmother didn't realize she got on the nerves of her family because it was always about her. The one thing I didn't understand the meaning to was when the Misfit said "she would have been a good women if somebody would have been there to shoot her every minute of her life."
Friday, August 27, 2010
"The Birthmark"
"The Birthmark"
By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
The story of "The Birthmark" reminds me of a mad, crazy, scientist, like who created Frankenstein. When Aylmer married his wife Georgiana I think that he did love her, but his obsession with science took control over his mind. I don't believe that anybody should treat their spouse the way Aylmer treated Georgiana. He told her the birthmark, that was on her cheek, was an imperfection and because he was a man of science he could fix it. Being a scientist you deal with what you can test and prove so Aylmer couldn't understand how Nature could be so imperfect. Perfection is always different for everyone. What Aylmer didn't realize is that in reality nothing is perfect. I think that Aylmer tried to play God and lost. I know that Georgiana loved Aylmer and tried to support him in his work, but why did she let him kill her? Looking at the laboratory it just seemed scaring and i realized that Aylmer would do anything to justify how he thought things should look. When Georgiana took the concoction I knew that she was going to die. As the birthmark began to fade so did her life, but Aylmer did see it that way. All he could see was the birthmark fading which made him happy. The birthmark symbolized life for me and even though we love our family sometimes we can also suck the life out of them. We can get so consumed with what we think is right and over look reality. I'm not sure what the assistant has to do with the story. I read it a couple of times and still couldn't figure it out. I did like this story because it made me think about my own relationship and how I shouldn't try to control everything.
"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky"
"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky"
By: Stephen Crane
Westerns are stories that I'm not to familiar with, but I finally finished this one after a couple of attempts. In Cranes story Jack Potter is made out to be the hero of the town. Being the Marshal of Yellow Sky everybody looks to him for protection from all the gun shooters. When Potter and his wife are on their way back to town I understand that they are nervous because of Potter's status with the town. I compare it with people of today who are running for office. Everybody always wants to know that the spouse is creditable as well. So the fact that he thinks he committed a crime proves to me that the town's people think this way. The way Crane describes how the land and town looks puts you in this peaceful state. In the story when the young man comes into the saloon and tells everyone that Scratchy Wilson is on the lose, he states that the town won't be a health resort for a while, it makes me curious of what is coming next. When the drummer is introduced into the story I think his character is so the reader will understand how crazy Scratchy Wilson is when he is drunk. All the questions the drummer asked puts the reader in the atmosphere of the town. When Potter and his new wife make it to his house and comes face to face with Wilson this is the climax of the story. I really thought that Potter was going to get shot, but I guess the shock and confusion that Wilson felt when he found out that Potter didn't have a gun and was married made him think twice about shooting Potter. What I didn't understand was why Crane gave so much detail in how Potter's wife and Scratchy Wilson was dressed? What was the meaning in it?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
"Killings"
"Killings"
By: Andre Dubus
When I was reading the story "Killings" by Andre Dubus I could understand the feelings the parents of Frank was having. I have three children myself and would do anything to keep them safe from the crime of this world. Ruth and Matt, Franks parents, where having to deal with something they never dreamed of. Most parents don't even think about having to arrange a funeral for their child. Although most parents might think they would do the same thing Matt did by killing his son's killer, I would hope that I wouldn't let revenge get the best of me. I was always told two wrongs doesn't make a right.The sequence the story was told in helped me understand the strong bond that the family had with one another. Also near the end when Matt was in Roberts house, the way the house was so clean and the picture of the children and Mary Ann made me think that maybe Mary Ann was still seeing her soon to be ex-husband. Nobody ever seen Robert with another woman. Also, the way he just shot Frank in front of his children and Mary Ann. Either she was playing with his feelings or he was just a crazy and controlling man. Ruth tried to warn her son about seeing a woman that wasn't divorced, but he didn't listen. Mary Ann had told him that she wasn't with Robert anymore. I think the first time the two men got into a fight should have been a clue or sign for Frank. When Robert got out on bond it would have been hard to see him free but the courts are made for justice, we are not to take justice in our own hands. Like I said I would understand the feelings that Ruth and Matt were feeling, but I don't agree with what Matt did by killing Robert.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"A Rose for Emily"
"A Rose for Emily"
By: William Faulkner
"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner was confusing for me. It took me a couple of times of reading it to understand the story. I think my problem was the way the story jumped back and forth with the time. Once I read it a few times i think that Miss Emily's father didn't think that any man was good enough for her. I also think that he was selfish in the fact that he didn't want her to leave the house. He seemed to be a very controlling man. When he died she wasn't sure how to be without him, so she didn't want the town people to bury him. At this time keeping him in the house was the only way she could cope with the situation. All Miss Emily wanted was to find a man to love her and start a family, but her whole life her father had kept her from that. I think that being locked up in the house was what drove her crazy. When Homer came along she seen her chance to fulfill her dream. When she discovered he was going to leave her it triggered something in her mind and she wasn't going to let him take her dream away like her father did. Although she knew that murder was wrong, because being a southern woman she was raised in church, she couldn't let another man control her life. This is when she decide to kill him. Keeping him in the house was a punishment for her because she knew she had done wrong, but also a fulfillment because she couldn't be alone. One thing I couldn't understand was why did Tobe stay with her all those years? He could have told someone about Homer being dead in the house. Did he think she would kill him too? Did she treat him that good for him to keep her secret that long?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"The Story of an Hour"
"The Story of an Hour"
Kate Chopin
The first thing I noticed was the time the story took place. Kate Chopin tells us that Richards recieves the news about the railroad disaster and the lists of deaths by telegram. During this time marriage was not ended at the drop of a hat like it is today. Men and women both just lived with their decisions of getting married whether they were happy or not. Women in this time devoted all of themselves to their husbands and I think a lot of them lost their self along the way. When Mrs. Mallard's sister tells her about her husbands death "she wept at once, with sudden,wild abandonment," as Kate Chopin puts it. I think that her actions are true to her feelings because she did love her husband, but when she went to her room looking out the window she sees "new life". She realizes that she had lost herself and can now live the rest of her life being who she chooses. Her sister wants her to open the bedroom door because she thinks Louise is going crazy with grief, but the whole time she is taking in the new feelings of being "free". Louise opens the door for her sister to reassure her that her troubled heart is fine. The show people put on is what counts right? When they walked down the stairs and Mr. Mallard walks in the door everyone is stunned. I think the feelings that Mrs. Mallard had was to much. One minute being sad about the death of her husband, realizing she was finally free to live her life, and then in a blink of an eye her freedom was gone again. That would have killed me too! The funny thing is it wasn't the joy of his return home that killed her it was just the simple fact he returned at all.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Beginning
Hello everyone. My name is Ashley and I am excited and terrified about this English class. English is my worst subject so this is going to be a challenge for me. I don't do very much reading for fun. I did read the Twilight Sage books, because my daughter loves the movies and she isn't old enough to read them herself. Wish me luck!
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