While reading Gabriel García Máquez’s novel, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, I was very interested with the culture presented in the story, especially that between the roles of men and women. As we discussed these ideas in class, the cult of machismo, and the cult of virginity came up in our conversations. My interest level spiked. I had heard of “Latin macho” but I never fully understood it until I read this book. Pedro and Pablo are the prime examples of the Latin culture. They must stand up for their family honor, and kill Santiago Nasar. What is interesting about this story is to look at all of the different types of expectations of the culture on all of its people.
Women as a whole are not taken seriously in this culture, but class plays a large role in the expectations for women. Upper class women in a small town in 1950s Columbia, were expected to be mothers and wives when they grew up. They were taught important skills from their mothers, such as embroidery, cooking, childcare, and any other skill that might be necessary to take care of a family after they left their homes. They are expected to be pure on their wedding nights. Working class women are viewed as men’s play things, but they are also not taken seriously at all. Clotide Armenta tries multiple times to help Santiago Nasar. She even attempts to enlist the mayors help but he does nothing as well. She is powerless to help Santiago, because no one will take her seriously. Santiago Nasar is also guilty of treating women with no respect. He assumes that Divina Flor will very soon be an extension on his desires. He treats her with no respect, but also feels no guilt for his actions. Angela Vicario, on the other hand, can not be treated like that. When Bayardo San Roman was courting Angela, he did not ever touch her. She was a lady of prominence, and he would wait until the wedding night to take her. When she is not pure, it not only disgraces her family, but also disgraces Bayardo. He had spent thousands of pesos on the wedding, and he was humiliated to have to return his bride. He even did it in the middle of the night, and did not start up his car so that no one in the town would know for at least a couple of hours.
Men of this time are another story completely. They are expected to uphold their family honor, and be well versed in the bedroom. Young men often lose their virginity to the local prostitutes. The narrator, in fact, was in the arms of Maria Alejandra Cervantes when Santiago Nasar was murdered. I believe that the Vicario twins show the most obvious example of the Latin expectation for men. After Angela is disgraced and returned to her family, they must redeem the family honor. To do so, they either must kill Santiago Nasar, or threaten to do so, and be stopped in an honorable way. This would restore the honor, but keep their hands clean of blood. Pedro and Pablo do their best to be stopped by someone. They tell everyone they know that they are going to murder Santiago Nasar. Unfortunately, no one takes them seriously except for Clotide Armenta, and she is powerless to stop their actions.
The differences between men and women in this culture are absolutely fascinating. Women take a very primitive role, having no voice, and no rights. Men are expected to hold up the family. Honor is incredibly important to this society, and it is for this reason that Santiago Nasar was killed. The ideas that Gabriel García Márquez presents in this novel is an inside view to a culture he loves. (635)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Okonkwo Study Guide
1. What are the distinguishing features of Ibo culture as presented in the novel? How do these features compare with what you learned from your search?
The distinguishing features of the Ibo culture seem to be the importance of farming and the yams, religion, respecting the elders, hospitality, and family structure. The yam is one of the major themes throughout the novel. Ibo life revolves around farming, and that is their major crop. Many of the proverbs that the people say include something about yams. The religion is polytheistic, and the worship of multiple gods really interests me. When the white men and their “iron horses” (bicycles) began to flood into Umuofia, I knew that their religion and culture was going to be pushed to the limits. As the missionaries told the people that what they believed was wrong, and that there was only one thing to believe, I felt a pang of grief for the Ibo culture as it would never be the same again.
2. Which elements of that culture are most comfortable to us? Which most resemble elements of our (your) culture? Which seem more foreign, more difficult to accept?
The elements of the Ibo culture that are most comfortable to me are most of it. I highly respect their hard working mentality. I love the fact that the people have such high respect for the people around them. Their system of justice seems extremely fair to me, and I love the fact that the punishment for killing another clansman is being banished. This eliminates a lot of cases of murder, even if the clan in Umuofia is a warring tribe.
3. In what ways does Okonkwo embody the values and principles of Ibo culture? What are the strengths of his character?
He is a man who makes his own way in the world. Though he grew up in poverty, he still was able to make his way to being one of the leaders of the tribe. He is one of the hardest workers in the tribe; he constantly is tending to his farm, having two barns full of yams each year. He is able to support multiple wives, making him a man of power, and has many children. He is accepted into the spiritual world and the justice system as he is one of the egwugwu spirits. Okonkwo is an excellent wrestler, and he is also a very good warrior. All of these traits are what the Ibo culture would consider excellent.
4. In what ways does Okonkwo deviate from traditional Ibo values? What are his weaknesses as a character?
Okonkwo is so afraid of being weak that he steps over the line in many places. He kills Ikmenefuna, who calls him father. He beats his wife and children during the week of peace. Okonkwo does not control his temper, and often beats his family members more than what normal people in the Ibo culture do. He is rash, and he makes decisions too quickly, and this leads to his suicide. (505)
The distinguishing features of the Ibo culture seem to be the importance of farming and the yams, religion, respecting the elders, hospitality, and family structure. The yam is one of the major themes throughout the novel. Ibo life revolves around farming, and that is their major crop. Many of the proverbs that the people say include something about yams. The religion is polytheistic, and the worship of multiple gods really interests me. When the white men and their “iron horses” (bicycles) began to flood into Umuofia, I knew that their religion and culture was going to be pushed to the limits. As the missionaries told the people that what they believed was wrong, and that there was only one thing to believe, I felt a pang of grief for the Ibo culture as it would never be the same again.
2. Which elements of that culture are most comfortable to us? Which most resemble elements of our (your) culture? Which seem more foreign, more difficult to accept?
The elements of the Ibo culture that are most comfortable to me are most of it. I highly respect their hard working mentality. I love the fact that the people have such high respect for the people around them. Their system of justice seems extremely fair to me, and I love the fact that the punishment for killing another clansman is being banished. This eliminates a lot of cases of murder, even if the clan in Umuofia is a warring tribe.
3. In what ways does Okonkwo embody the values and principles of Ibo culture? What are the strengths of his character?
He is a man who makes his own way in the world. Though he grew up in poverty, he still was able to make his way to being one of the leaders of the tribe. He is one of the hardest workers in the tribe; he constantly is tending to his farm, having two barns full of yams each year. He is able to support multiple wives, making him a man of power, and has many children. He is accepted into the spiritual world and the justice system as he is one of the egwugwu spirits. Okonkwo is an excellent wrestler, and he is also a very good warrior. All of these traits are what the Ibo culture would consider excellent.
4. In what ways does Okonkwo deviate from traditional Ibo values? What are his weaknesses as a character?
Okonkwo is so afraid of being weak that he steps over the line in many places. He kills Ikmenefuna, who calls him father. He beats his wife and children during the week of peace. Okonkwo does not control his temper, and often beats his family members more than what normal people in the Ibo culture do. He is rash, and he makes decisions too quickly, and this leads to his suicide. (505)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Cultural Similarities
As I began to read Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, I was completely entranced by the Ibo (or better known today Igbo) culture. To me, this almost pastoral lifestyle is very picturesque, and extremely attractive. As I began to research different aspects of the Igbo culture online, something kept popping up that caught my attention every time. The most common search result on Google always had something to do with Achebe’s novel. It seems to me that the culture of the Igbo people was captured almost perfectly in his writing – especially if you consider that he was a member of an Igbo tribe himself. No matter what my search, whether it be on the people, food, religion, whatever, Things Fall Apart was constantly being sited.
The religion of the Igbo people is polycentric. There are many different gods, but the highest of them all would be Chukwu. There are three different levels of gods in the Igbo religion. For the most part, the gods in the lowest group are the trouble makers. This was really the only thing in my research that I found to be different from the novel. In Things Fall Apart, the most important gods include those of the earth, and the sky. I have a feeling that it was after the colonization that many things have also changed for the Igbos, and it is difficult to obtain proper information pre-colonization state.
Food was one of the closest related issues to Things Fall Apart, which is completely centered on the farming community of yams, and other tubers. I was very surprised to find out that fufu in fact has a more dough-like consistency than like that of a mashed potato. To eat fufu, the Igbos roll the fufu into a ball, then make an indentation in the fufu to scoop whatever stew or soup they are eating into the fufu. It serves as a utensil and a starch for the Igbos.
For me, the majority of customs in Things Fall Apart were not difficult to accept. I understood the difference between men and women because mostly of the time period. The people were farming to keep on surviving, there was no other point to life than to become a good farmer, and that was what made a man. The issue of polygamy does not really bother me in this situation either, because again it was in an effort to continue life, and for the most part, these large family groups did very well as they were. The only thing that really bothered me in the entire story was how the Igbo people discard twins. In my mind that is the single thing that I can not except. Though I understand it is the Igbo culture, I can not bring myself to be alright with abandoning babies in the woods to die, completely alone, cold, and most likely starving.
Things Fall Apart is an incredible story that opens the Western eye to a different point of view. It is interesting to see the variety in cultures that occur, and especially to see that even with as many differences between us, there is still one major goal. That is to raise a family, be prosperous, and above all to leave a legacy for yourself. (545)
The religion of the Igbo people is polycentric. There are many different gods, but the highest of them all would be Chukwu. There are three different levels of gods in the Igbo religion. For the most part, the gods in the lowest group are the trouble makers. This was really the only thing in my research that I found to be different from the novel. In Things Fall Apart, the most important gods include those of the earth, and the sky. I have a feeling that it was after the colonization that many things have also changed for the Igbos, and it is difficult to obtain proper information pre-colonization state.
Food was one of the closest related issues to Things Fall Apart, which is completely centered on the farming community of yams, and other tubers. I was very surprised to find out that fufu in fact has a more dough-like consistency than like that of a mashed potato. To eat fufu, the Igbos roll the fufu into a ball, then make an indentation in the fufu to scoop whatever stew or soup they are eating into the fufu. It serves as a utensil and a starch for the Igbos.
For me, the majority of customs in Things Fall Apart were not difficult to accept. I understood the difference between men and women because mostly of the time period. The people were farming to keep on surviving, there was no other point to life than to become a good farmer, and that was what made a man. The issue of polygamy does not really bother me in this situation either, because again it was in an effort to continue life, and for the most part, these large family groups did very well as they were. The only thing that really bothered me in the entire story was how the Igbo people discard twins. In my mind that is the single thing that I can not except. Though I understand it is the Igbo culture, I can not bring myself to be alright with abandoning babies in the woods to die, completely alone, cold, and most likely starving.
Things Fall Apart is an incredible story that opens the Western eye to a different point of view. It is interesting to see the variety in cultures that occur, and especially to see that even with as many differences between us, there is still one major goal. That is to raise a family, be prosperous, and above all to leave a legacy for yourself. (545)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Cockroach, Dust, and Death.. Oh My!
It was a dark, Friday night. I found myself on the family room couch beginning to devour Kafka’s short story, The Metamorphosis, page after page turning before my eyes. As soon as I had finished rushing through the pages, I drifted into a light sleep. All of a sudden, something on my face began to twitch. The image of Gregor’s disgusting legs flailing in the air flashed through my mind. Twitch, twitch, twitch… I felt like something was crawling across my face. I jumped, trying to rid myself of the revolting, crawling cockroach that had invaded my personal bubble. I squirmed, I fidgeted, I jumped, and then I realized… it wasn’t a bug. It had been my dog, Princess, trying to wake me up, barely tickling my face with her whiskers. My mother was almost in hysterics, laughing at my reaction, my brother was embarrassed. Kafka had made an impression on me like no other author. He scared the bejeeters out of me!
In general, I stay away from horror, whether it be in films or novels or even short stories. I do not normally like to be scared from fiction. So to say that Kafka gave me the heebie jeebies is to say the least. The first few pages of description were what really did me in. Especially the legs that had a mind of their own. After I had come to terms with the whole “one morning I turned into a giant cockroach” thing, I thoroughly enjoyed the short story. The creepy crawlies began to die down after Gregor had rolled out of bed, and made himself known to his family. It fascinated me that his family could still understand him in the morning, making me wonder if he had not completely finished his transformation, or if his family simply wandered through their daily lives, expecting Gregor’s hard work to continue to support them. In this way, I am in complete agreement with the fourth expert in Mr. Coon’s blog.
As the fourth expert says, Gregor’s family hates him, but is also using Gregor as their single source of income, making him still an important wheel in their family life. My favorite character throughout the short story other than Gregor had to be his sister. She is the only one who shows the slightest bit of compassion throughout the story for Gregor. Unfortunately, this attention to her brother is only short lived. When she loses hope that he will not return to his normal form, she loses interest, and leaves him completely on his own to starve to death.
In all, though I did enjoy the story, I do not feel that I can really shed any light on a closer in depth analysis, for in truth I am still completely confused. Yes, I understand the predicament, but I can not really grasp what the Kafka is trying to tell us with this story. Maybe he just had a nightmare and this is what he came up with. I don’t really believe that, but I cannot really think of any other good reason for writing about turning into a giant bug over night! (525)
In general, I stay away from horror, whether it be in films or novels or even short stories. I do not normally like to be scared from fiction. So to say that Kafka gave me the heebie jeebies is to say the least. The first few pages of description were what really did me in. Especially the legs that had a mind of their own. After I had come to terms with the whole “one morning I turned into a giant cockroach” thing, I thoroughly enjoyed the short story. The creepy crawlies began to die down after Gregor had rolled out of bed, and made himself known to his family. It fascinated me that his family could still understand him in the morning, making me wonder if he had not completely finished his transformation, or if his family simply wandered through their daily lives, expecting Gregor’s hard work to continue to support them. In this way, I am in complete agreement with the fourth expert in Mr. Coon’s blog.
As the fourth expert says, Gregor’s family hates him, but is also using Gregor as their single source of income, making him still an important wheel in their family life. My favorite character throughout the short story other than Gregor had to be his sister. She is the only one who shows the slightest bit of compassion throughout the story for Gregor. Unfortunately, this attention to her brother is only short lived. When she loses hope that he will not return to his normal form, she loses interest, and leaves him completely on his own to starve to death.
In all, though I did enjoy the story, I do not feel that I can really shed any light on a closer in depth analysis, for in truth I am still completely confused. Yes, I understand the predicament, but I can not really grasp what the Kafka is trying to tell us with this story. Maybe he just had a nightmare and this is what he came up with. I don’t really believe that, but I cannot really think of any other good reason for writing about turning into a giant bug over night! (525)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Family Ties
The Death of Ivan Illyich, written by Leo Tolstoy, reminds me very much of my maternal grandfather. Grandpa English was a very successful otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat surgeon). Ever since he was young, he decided that he was going to be successful. While he was in college, Dr. English met a young woman named Carol Baker over a Bunsen burner. They got married and had three children together. Grandma always wanted to travel, but never had the opportunity to before she died a year and a half ago. Grandpa defines himself as a doctor. When he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor six years ago, he was no longer allowed to practice medicine. He constantly complains about how the doctors who helped him were not empathetic to his problems. Grandpa is also always talking about how he will soon return to his practice, which is simply impossible. He has severe dementia, and is unable to walk around the house without falling at least once a day. Grandpa never considered himself a family man, and constantly defined himself as a doctor. This led to issues within his family. I see incredible comparisons between Ivan Illyich and my grandfather.
Ivan Illyich was also extremely self-centered. He simply thought that a family was important because of a social position. Ivan Illyich did not really have any love between he and his wife either. At the end of his life, no one really mourned his death other than his own son. I think that this is important because this novel shows the importance of family. It proves that if you are loved by those around you, you will be remembered for generations. If you do not work to make good memories with those around you, younger generations will not tell stories about you. I believe that it is human nature to want to make a legacy for oneself; this can be achieved by creating a family and being loved.
Another similarity between Ivan Illyich and my grandfather was how they discovered their illnesses: by accident. I think that this represents blindness in their lives. They are both so determined to further their career that they do not wish to see the truth in their lives. Jay Fielder was correct in saying during our discussion yesterday that it was ironic that Ivan Illyich was hanging drapes when he fell and discovered his illness because it is like he is closing out everyone around him.
Ivan Illyich and my grandfather share frighteningly similar characteristics. They both are too self-involved to realize what is going on around them. Both of them will not be long remembered because they do not take the time to share in the happiness’s with their families. (454)
Ivan Illyich was also extremely self-centered. He simply thought that a family was important because of a social position. Ivan Illyich did not really have any love between he and his wife either. At the end of his life, no one really mourned his death other than his own son. I think that this is important because this novel shows the importance of family. It proves that if you are loved by those around you, you will be remembered for generations. If you do not work to make good memories with those around you, younger generations will not tell stories about you. I believe that it is human nature to want to make a legacy for oneself; this can be achieved by creating a family and being loved.
Another similarity between Ivan Illyich and my grandfather was how they discovered their illnesses: by accident. I think that this represents blindness in their lives. They are both so determined to further their career that they do not wish to see the truth in their lives. Jay Fielder was correct in saying during our discussion yesterday that it was ironic that Ivan Illyich was hanging drapes when he fell and discovered his illness because it is like he is closing out everyone around him.
Ivan Illyich and my grandfather share frighteningly similar characteristics. They both are too self-involved to realize what is going on around them. Both of them will not be long remembered because they do not take the time to share in the happiness’s with their families. (454)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Ismene and Antigone: Women Beyond Their Time
Heroes in novels are often strong-willed, and show some sort of characteristic that is quick thinking, and use their feelings and gut instincts to guide them from action to action. People who worry are often not in the spot light because they rarely act in a manner that is extremely interesting to an audience. In Sophocles’ play Antigone, I relate to both sisters. Antigone is hot-headed, self-confident, and stands up for what she believes. Yet, throughout the play, she acts almost detached from her family to prove her point. When Antigone and her sister, Ismene, are arguing at the beginning of the play about burying their brother, Polynices, Antigone has already made up her mind that her sister will not help her in the act, and she becomes cruel while Ismene still reaches out for her love. When Ismene tells Antigone that she will keep the fact that Antigone has buried Polynices quiet as long as she can, Antigone replies, “Dear god, shout it from the rooftops. I’ll hate you / all the more for silence—tell the world!” (100-01). Antigone is so caught up in her martyrdom that she will not even listen to Ismene’s pleas for Antigone’s safety. Antigone’s actions are noble, but they are done with no regard for those who love her. Ismene is still trying to reach out to her sister at the end of their argument saying, “go if you must, but rest assured, / wild, irrational as your are my sister, / you are truly dear to the ones who love you,” (114-16). Antigone goes on to fight the king, her uncle, Creon. She tells him flat out that the law forbidding people to bury or even mourn her brother is, as she believes, against what the gods want for any man. Creon believes that he clears himself of guilt by barricading Antigone in a cave, this way he has not killed her, but it is still guaranteed that she will die unmarried, but he can never strip her of her honor. I admire Antigone for her actions, but though I can relate to her self-confidence, I can not understand how easily her decisions come to her. I am always worrying about the little things, and though I can make decisions, I try to think them over before taking the plunge.
A character that does not get enough attention in the play Antigone is Antigone’s sister, Ismene. Ismene seems to me to embody a loving and caring figure, very similar to that of a mother. Yes, at this time Ismene’s character would probably be considered “acceptable” for that of a woman. Creon does not agree with the free thoughts of women, as he tells his son Haemon, “a worthless woman / in your house, a misery in your bed,” (725-26). Ismene understands this mentality, and she only wants to keep her family safe. She tells Antigone in the beginning of the play, “Remember, we are women, / we’re not born to contend with men. Then too, / we’re underlings, ruled by much stronger hands, / so we must submit in this, and things still worse,” (74-7). Ismene understands the way that the world was ruled at that time. I completely understand where Ismene is coming from in not wanting Antigone to break the law. She has lost all of her family, she only wants to see Antigone safe and happy. She believes that if she stands up to Antigone that maybe this time when it is important, Antigone will listen to her. She knows when she is apposing Antigone that she is going to be met with angry words because she has grown up with Antigone. Ismene is also the first one to apologize. She tries to make it up to Antigone by taking the blame with her.
Antigone never really forgives Ismene for not acting with her. Antigone is a very closed-minded person in a way. She does not take a moment to look and see where Ismene might be coming from with not helping her. Even when Ismene tries to reach out to Antigone, Antigone has made up her mind. It is very hard to reach out to someone who does not want to hear your opinion. Antigone had completely made up her mind that Ismene was wrong in her actions as soon as she would not help her. Ismene, though not as daring, in her own way still made a difference, she embodied a girl who simply wanted the best for her family. She is more of a traditional woman from the time, and I believe that she best shows the gender of women of the time. (777)
A character that does not get enough attention in the play Antigone is Antigone’s sister, Ismene. Ismene seems to me to embody a loving and caring figure, very similar to that of a mother. Yes, at this time Ismene’s character would probably be considered “acceptable” for that of a woman. Creon does not agree with the free thoughts of women, as he tells his son Haemon, “a worthless woman / in your house, a misery in your bed,” (725-26). Ismene understands this mentality, and she only wants to keep her family safe. She tells Antigone in the beginning of the play, “Remember, we are women, / we’re not born to contend with men. Then too, / we’re underlings, ruled by much stronger hands, / so we must submit in this, and things still worse,” (74-7). Ismene understands the way that the world was ruled at that time. I completely understand where Ismene is coming from in not wanting Antigone to break the law. She has lost all of her family, she only wants to see Antigone safe and happy. She believes that if she stands up to Antigone that maybe this time when it is important, Antigone will listen to her. She knows when she is apposing Antigone that she is going to be met with angry words because she has grown up with Antigone. Ismene is also the first one to apologize. She tries to make it up to Antigone by taking the blame with her.
Antigone never really forgives Ismene for not acting with her. Antigone is a very closed-minded person in a way. She does not take a moment to look and see where Ismene might be coming from with not helping her. Even when Ismene tries to reach out to Antigone, Antigone has made up her mind. It is very hard to reach out to someone who does not want to hear your opinion. Antigone had completely made up her mind that Ismene was wrong in her actions as soon as she would not help her. Ismene, though not as daring, in her own way still made a difference, she embodied a girl who simply wanted the best for her family. She is more of a traditional woman from the time, and I believe that she best shows the gender of women of the time. (777)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Oedipus the King
During class today, I asked the question: “Is Oedipus’ rage driven by his quest to help the people and the greater good, or is it simply his temper that drives him to act with such fury towards Tiresias?” As I read the first reading from Oedipus the King, I was shocked when Oedipus lost his temper with Tiresias. It seemed to me that not only was he trying to help his people and that his frustration had finally peaked, but also that part of him simply snapped. He was completely unwilling to accept that he could have killed the king, Laius. Still curious whether Oedipus had, as it seemed to me, simply become angry because he did not want to hear the truth that Tiresius spoke, I looked to the next reading for my answers. As I read the next twenty pages of reading, fury and confusion, and finally revelation jumped from the pages. Oedipus first accused his brother-in-law, Creon, of plotting against him. He cruelly yells at his brother in law, and the climax of the scene happens on page 194 when Creon asks Oedipus, “What do you want? / You want me banished?” Oedipus cruelly replies, “No, I want you dead.” Oedipus has passed his point of helping the people to acting on sheer anger alone. When Creon asks Oedipus on page 195 what will happen if he is completely wrong, Oedipus comes back saying, “No matter–I must rule.” Oedipus’ rage no longer stems from his vow to help his people, but it now shifts to a need for power and control. Oedipus is brought back into check by his wife, Jocasta, who helps him to control his anger and brings him to a realization of his true birth.
At the beginning of the play, I was completely drawn into the story because of the fact that, as we can assume, everyone knows the story of Oedipus. Sophocles uses this fact to set up the play. The audience and reader are watching the story unfold knowing that Oedipus killed his father and slept with his mother. While we listen to Oedipus declare that he is not the killer to Tiresius as he is screaming insults at his back, we are all cringing because we know that the blind man speaks the truth. This dramatic irony leaves for a sickening feeling as we can see the tragic hero heading for his demise blinding, and we have no way of stopping him. It is interesting to me to be the second party, looking in. It is almost like when I have an out-of-body experience, and can somehow step outside myself and watch myself walking through my life. I felt an attachment to Oedipus, and though throughout the play, I had a strange span of emotions that lead me to think of him differently, I still sympathized with Oedipus up until the end. Yes, his actions in part of the play were uncalled for, and had no evidence to back him up, but I can see where he is coming from in his assumptions. Being a hot-tempered person myself, I can see how Oedipus could not look outside the box and outside of his emotions to understand the truth until the end of the play.
As I finished the play, I finally fully understood the true horror of the story of Oedipus. Before, I had considered the story revolting, not understanding how a man could even stand to sleep with his mother, and kill his father. I thought of him as cold-hearted, but I believe that Sophocles did a beautiful job of depicting this story. When Jocasta went running from the scene, screaming, I had no idea that she was about to kill herself. The agony that the prophecy caused was too great for me to bear. I felt the sorrow that Jocasta felt as she understood the truth of the story at last. As Oedipus to the pins from her hair, I was again unsure of what he would do. I figured that he would beg to be killed. When he gouged out his own eyes, I let out a sharp breath. I believe that Oedipus should not have punished himself in this way. Yes, what he did was wrong, but his did not know of his wrong doings. Why should he have to suffer so by his own hand because of something that he did not realize? The story of Oedipus is cruel and sickening, but looking at it from the point of view that it was presented in made me really think about the pain that it really caused for the people. (776)
At the beginning of the play, I was completely drawn into the story because of the fact that, as we can assume, everyone knows the story of Oedipus. Sophocles uses this fact to set up the play. The audience and reader are watching the story unfold knowing that Oedipus killed his father and slept with his mother. While we listen to Oedipus declare that he is not the killer to Tiresius as he is screaming insults at his back, we are all cringing because we know that the blind man speaks the truth. This dramatic irony leaves for a sickening feeling as we can see the tragic hero heading for his demise blinding, and we have no way of stopping him. It is interesting to me to be the second party, looking in. It is almost like when I have an out-of-body experience, and can somehow step outside myself and watch myself walking through my life. I felt an attachment to Oedipus, and though throughout the play, I had a strange span of emotions that lead me to think of him differently, I still sympathized with Oedipus up until the end. Yes, his actions in part of the play were uncalled for, and had no evidence to back him up, but I can see where he is coming from in his assumptions. Being a hot-tempered person myself, I can see how Oedipus could not look outside the box and outside of his emotions to understand the truth until the end of the play.
As I finished the play, I finally fully understood the true horror of the story of Oedipus. Before, I had considered the story revolting, not understanding how a man could even stand to sleep with his mother, and kill his father. I thought of him as cold-hearted, but I believe that Sophocles did a beautiful job of depicting this story. When Jocasta went running from the scene, screaming, I had no idea that she was about to kill herself. The agony that the prophecy caused was too great for me to bear. I felt the sorrow that Jocasta felt as she understood the truth of the story at last. As Oedipus to the pins from her hair, I was again unsure of what he would do. I figured that he would beg to be killed. When he gouged out his own eyes, I let out a sharp breath. I believe that Oedipus should not have punished himself in this way. Yes, what he did was wrong, but his did not know of his wrong doings. Why should he have to suffer so by his own hand because of something that he did not realize? The story of Oedipus is cruel and sickening, but looking at it from the point of view that it was presented in made me really think about the pain that it really caused for the people. (776)
Friday, September 7, 2007
Essence of Humanity
Reader can be completely drawn into a story. They leave their surrounding and throw themselves into the people and places in a novel. Readers can feel an entire spectrum of emotions from paper with ink dabbed on the pages. How is it possible that for hundreds of years books have enthralled people? How can characters in seem so real? People relate to characters in a book. They wan to find a way to compare a character’s life with their own. It is a characters essential human quality that allows a reader to relate to them: their flaws. Most people do not want to read a story where the characters are perfect. Those who do can read a story about a little girl who finds a pony and they go frolicking off into the rainbow together in happiness for the rest of their lives. Characters flaws can be especially seen in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.
Perhaps it is the title of the novel, but before even opening the book, I had the feeling that the novel would include a clashing of emotions. Elizabeth is constantly too sure of herself, making judgments on people before she has had the chance to know them. She is sharp with most people, especially those who have fallen out of her favor. She has a deep loving compassion for her family, but is still harsh to point out their faults. The only person who is exempt of any biting remark is her sister Jane. Though Elizabeth is the protagonist of the book, I find her mother to be one of the most interesting, and most human characters.
Mrs. Bennet is a woman who plays up her martyr role as much as possible. Her one objective in life is to marry off her five daughters as quickly as possible to very rich men. Though she means well for the most part, Mrs. Bennet can generally see only herself. She is constantly screeching at her husband, Mr. Bennet, even in the very first pages of the novel. On the second page, Mrs. Bennet is trying to persuade Mr. Bennet to go and talk with Mr. Bingley so that one of her daughters may fall in love with them. By the end of the conversation, she grows tired saying, “Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You delight in vexing me. Have you no compassion of my poor nerves?” Mrs. Bennet’s ways of getting what she wants is to whine, complain, and use other people’s emotions to her advantage. She is manipulative. This flaw is what makes her so incredibly realistic throughout the novel.
Human qualities are complex and difficult to capture. It amazes me that authors are able to observe the world around them enough to view the serious character flaws that create such interesting problems throughout a story. Without character flaws, literature would not be something of interest. As humans, we look for something wrong in people. Without a flaw, it is impossible for us to connect to a character of any sort. (514)
Perhaps it is the title of the novel, but before even opening the book, I had the feeling that the novel would include a clashing of emotions. Elizabeth is constantly too sure of herself, making judgments on people before she has had the chance to know them. She is sharp with most people, especially those who have fallen out of her favor. She has a deep loving compassion for her family, but is still harsh to point out their faults. The only person who is exempt of any biting remark is her sister Jane. Though Elizabeth is the protagonist of the book, I find her mother to be one of the most interesting, and most human characters.
Mrs. Bennet is a woman who plays up her martyr role as much as possible. Her one objective in life is to marry off her five daughters as quickly as possible to very rich men. Though she means well for the most part, Mrs. Bennet can generally see only herself. She is constantly screeching at her husband, Mr. Bennet, even in the very first pages of the novel. On the second page, Mrs. Bennet is trying to persuade Mr. Bennet to go and talk with Mr. Bingley so that one of her daughters may fall in love with them. By the end of the conversation, she grows tired saying, “Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You delight in vexing me. Have you no compassion of my poor nerves?” Mrs. Bennet’s ways of getting what she wants is to whine, complain, and use other people’s emotions to her advantage. She is manipulative. This flaw is what makes her so incredibly realistic throughout the novel.
Human qualities are complex and difficult to capture. It amazes me that authors are able to observe the world around them enough to view the serious character flaws that create such interesting problems throughout a story. Without character flaws, literature would not be something of interest. As humans, we look for something wrong in people. Without a flaw, it is impossible for us to connect to a character of any sort. (514)
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Nicolas et les Petits Copains
I just changed my blog title from “Deby’s Dancing Days” to “Deby et les Petits Histoires.” I created the title from a summer reading French book Nicolas et les Petits Copains. I loved this book. It is about a little boy who tells about the sort of mischief that he and his friends find while they are about elementary school age. As Madame says, Nicolas is like the French “Dennis the Menace.”
The book is a bunch of small stories clumped together into a children’s chapter book. One of my favorite chapters was Marie-Edwige. Nicolas invites all of his friends from school to come over to his house and have a snack with him. He also invites Marie-Edwige. When he tells his friends, they are outraged – as young boys are – because they don’t play with girls! I kept thinking about coodies as they chattered among themselves about the fact that they won’t play with girls. When Marie-Edwige arrives, all of the boys go silent. Nicolas’ mother then sets them all at the table, and serves them their chocolate cake. The boys begin to compete to see who can eat their cake the fastest. Marie-Edwige, of course the most proper of little girls, takes little bites. By the end of the chapter, the boys are climbing trees, doing summersaults, and fighting amongst themselves.
This book is similar to the Children’s Book of Virtues in that it teaches a lesson with each chapter. Marie-Edwige teaches children to include everyone, even if it is more fun to play with just your friends, because in the end it may come back to bite you in the bud, just like it did for Nicolas. He was invited to Marie-Edwige’s birthday party, and he was the only boy there. He sat in a corner by himself the entire time. This charming book of stories seemed like it teaches such good lessons for all people.
My hope is that my blog will have the same amount of humor and curiosity that Nicolas and his friends possess. I also thought it was particularly appropriate as French is one of my favorite subjects to create a title that was in French. No offense Mr. Coon, I am thoroughly enjoying your English class, but French is one of my passions, and it has been for over five years. Hopefully this title will suit my blog. Till next time, à bientôt! (404)
The book is a bunch of small stories clumped together into a children’s chapter book. One of my favorite chapters was Marie-Edwige. Nicolas invites all of his friends from school to come over to his house and have a snack with him. He also invites Marie-Edwige. When he tells his friends, they are outraged – as young boys are – because they don’t play with girls! I kept thinking about coodies as they chattered among themselves about the fact that they won’t play with girls. When Marie-Edwige arrives, all of the boys go silent. Nicolas’ mother then sets them all at the table, and serves them their chocolate cake. The boys begin to compete to see who can eat their cake the fastest. Marie-Edwige, of course the most proper of little girls, takes little bites. By the end of the chapter, the boys are climbing trees, doing summersaults, and fighting amongst themselves.
This book is similar to the Children’s Book of Virtues in that it teaches a lesson with each chapter. Marie-Edwige teaches children to include everyone, even if it is more fun to play with just your friends, because in the end it may come back to bite you in the bud, just like it did for Nicolas. He was invited to Marie-Edwige’s birthday party, and he was the only boy there. He sat in a corner by himself the entire time. This charming book of stories seemed like it teaches such good lessons for all people.
My hope is that my blog will have the same amount of humor and curiosity that Nicolas and his friends possess. I also thought it was particularly appropriate as French is one of my favorite subjects to create a title that was in French. No offense Mr. Coon, I am thoroughly enjoying your English class, but French is one of my passions, and it has been for over five years. Hopefully this title will suit my blog. Till next time, à bientôt! (404)
Friday, August 31, 2007
The Twists of Pride and Prejudice
““I might as well inquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you choose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I have. Had not my own feeling decided against you–had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?”” – Elizabeth Bennet
The passage above seems to me to embody the strength of Elizabeth Bennet, in Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth stands out as a strong-willed girl, way beyond her time. The dialogue above is a heated argument between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy has asked for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, and she has refused him, not only because of her dislike for him, but also because he separated her sister from a possible fiancé. In this time period, many women simply went along with whatever they were told. They wished to become ‘accomplished’ by learning to draw, embroider, read the modern languages, keep a household, etc. Often times whenever a young woman was proposed to, she married, even if the man was much older than she. Elizabeth was determined not be like all of the other women. She often times gave her opinion bluntly and with a biting remark.
In my opinion, Elizabeth’s ability to completely stand her ground and to express herself, even when she was caught completely off guard by Mr. Darcy, proves that she is a woman who will always tell her opinion on any situation. Her stubbornness throughout the novel is what makes her an enjoyable character to follow. I personally find Elizabeth to be one of my idols. She stands up for her family and friends at all times. Elizabeth loves her sister Jane like no other person ever could. She is constantly pushing Jane to expose her true feelings, and loves her gentle nature above all.
The quote above is also an important turning point in the novel. After the argument between Darcy and Elizabeth, Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter. This reveals a different side of Mr. Darcy that begins to sway Elizabeth in her feelings for him. I also had been along Elizabeth’s side throughout the novel in detesting Mr. Darcy with a passion. When I began to understand the information given to me, my heart warmed to the man of nothing but pride. As the truth spilled from the pages about Mr. Wickham and his plots to steal money, I instantly felt Darcy’s pain from the whole ordeal.
Pride and Prejudice is a novel full of gossip and romance. The argument between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was a key factor in a very significant twist in the novel. (500)
The passage above seems to me to embody the strength of Elizabeth Bennet, in Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth stands out as a strong-willed girl, way beyond her time. The dialogue above is a heated argument between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy has asked for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, and she has refused him, not only because of her dislike for him, but also because he separated her sister from a possible fiancé. In this time period, many women simply went along with whatever they were told. They wished to become ‘accomplished’ by learning to draw, embroider, read the modern languages, keep a household, etc. Often times whenever a young woman was proposed to, she married, even if the man was much older than she. Elizabeth was determined not be like all of the other women. She often times gave her opinion bluntly and with a biting remark.
In my opinion, Elizabeth’s ability to completely stand her ground and to express herself, even when she was caught completely off guard by Mr. Darcy, proves that she is a woman who will always tell her opinion on any situation. Her stubbornness throughout the novel is what makes her an enjoyable character to follow. I personally find Elizabeth to be one of my idols. She stands up for her family and friends at all times. Elizabeth loves her sister Jane like no other person ever could. She is constantly pushing Jane to expose her true feelings, and loves her gentle nature above all.
The quote above is also an important turning point in the novel. After the argument between Darcy and Elizabeth, Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter. This reveals a different side of Mr. Darcy that begins to sway Elizabeth in her feelings for him. I also had been along Elizabeth’s side throughout the novel in detesting Mr. Darcy with a passion. When I began to understand the information given to me, my heart warmed to the man of nothing but pride. As the truth spilled from the pages about Mr. Wickham and his plots to steal money, I instantly felt Darcy’s pain from the whole ordeal.
Pride and Prejudice is a novel full of gossip and romance. The argument between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was a key factor in a very significant twist in the novel. (500)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Dearest Mr. Coon
Throughout my life, I have changed schools over five times, I have moved away from my hometown and loving family, and my schedule has never been constant. One thing that has always stayed the same has been my joy of jumping into a book, and losing myself in the adventures, romances, and mysteries that each story holds. Ever since I learned to read I was hooked. My mother had to make the strangest of threats by telling me that if I did not go to bed, she would remove every book from my room. Of course, I still found excuses to go on reading late into the night. I would sit in the bathroom for hours, and if I heard my parent’s footsteps approaching, I would immediately perch myself on the toilet, feigning an emergency. I even went so far as to tell my mother that I was afraid of the dark and needed a certain night light that was bright enough to read by.
I was introduced to the magical world of reading at an early age. My mom began reading to me before I could even speak. She had a way of bringing the story to life through different voices and facial expressions. She had the ability to have my brother and I giggling so much that instead of calming us down to put us to sleep, we would be bouncing off the ceiling. One of my favorite books that she read to us was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. She made both my brother and me jump completely off a bed.
When I moved from Denver to Phoenix, I spent the entire last night in my house reading the first three Harry Potter books. Though I have often gone through stages of reading exceptionally easy books – such as the Harry Potter series, a Series of Unfortunate Events, and an array of teen girl books – I also enjoy challenging myself. Over the last few years, I have taken it upon myself to take a bite of the classics. I began buying many classic novels that I am interested in reading, but have only managed to read three thus far. I thoroughly enjoyed Jane Ere, Pride and Prejudice, and The Three Musketeers. The first summer that I moved to Phoenix, I spent most of my time reading until almost three in the morning, sleeping, then waking up and beginning again. Over the last four years, I have spent my summers working and skating, and unfortunately have not had the same amount of time to read as I would like.
Unlike my reading habits, which I consider to be one of my passions, I feel completely the opposite about writing. Though I can find enjoyment in a particular topic that I like, I have always felt as if writing was an obligation, not a hobby. Normally, I only write when required to do so, often procrastinating until the last possible moment, and not even keeping a journal. Many times I have heard that reading and writing go hand in hand, but strangely, I only really enjoy one, and often times not the other. (524)
I was introduced to the magical world of reading at an early age. My mom began reading to me before I could even speak. She had a way of bringing the story to life through different voices and facial expressions. She had the ability to have my brother and I giggling so much that instead of calming us down to put us to sleep, we would be bouncing off the ceiling. One of my favorite books that she read to us was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. She made both my brother and me jump completely off a bed.
When I moved from Denver to Phoenix, I spent the entire last night in my house reading the first three Harry Potter books. Though I have often gone through stages of reading exceptionally easy books – such as the Harry Potter series, a Series of Unfortunate Events, and an array of teen girl books – I also enjoy challenging myself. Over the last few years, I have taken it upon myself to take a bite of the classics. I began buying many classic novels that I am interested in reading, but have only managed to read three thus far. I thoroughly enjoyed Jane Ere, Pride and Prejudice, and The Three Musketeers. The first summer that I moved to Phoenix, I spent most of my time reading until almost three in the morning, sleeping, then waking up and beginning again. Over the last four years, I have spent my summers working and skating, and unfortunately have not had the same amount of time to read as I would like.
Unlike my reading habits, which I consider to be one of my passions, I feel completely the opposite about writing. Though I can find enjoyment in a particular topic that I like, I have always felt as if writing was an obligation, not a hobby. Normally, I only write when required to do so, often procrastinating until the last possible moment, and not even keeping a journal. Many times I have heard that reading and writing go hand in hand, but strangely, I only really enjoy one, and often times not the other. (524)
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