Bartleby the Scrivener
Herman Melville
In this story, characterization played a key role. By acquainting the reader with the characters in the story, Melville allows the reader to look further into the actions of the story. Melville begins the story by having the speaker briefly describe himself as a someone who doesn't let his work "invade his peace" (Melville). The reader keeps this piece of information in mind while reading the characterizations of the other characters. In describing Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut, the speaker briefly describes each character and provides anecdotes for each to explain further their characteristics. For example, the speaker described Turkey as an overly energetic man. The speaker explains his statement by providing an anecdote about Turkey's ink blots and an instance that he attempted to send Turkey home after lunch. The speaker goes on in the story to describe Bartleby. Bartleby refused to do anything, which upset Turkey, Nippers, and even the "peaceful" speaker. Melville revealed that Bartleby was actually more stubborn than he was passive. Although Bartleby refused to argue, he was stubborn because he refused to comply with others requests. Instead of doing as he was told, he replied "I would prefer not to" (Melville). In a sense, the entire story could be considered a characterization of Bartleby. The speaker described the other characters through anecdotes, and the speaker described Bartleby's character through a prolonged anecdote.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Miss Brill
Miss Brill
Katherine Mansfield
As this short story begins, Miss Brill enjoys her walk to the garden and her time listening to the band. She observes the other people out that Sunday and makes judgements on them. She finds others peculiar and even describes old people as "odd...as though they'd just come from dark little rooms or even -- even cupboards" (Mansfield). As the story progresses and nears an end, the mood of the story changes. Miss Brill tried to listen to a conversation between a young boy and girl; however, the girl refused to speak to the boy until Miss Brill left. This young couple passed judgements on Miss Brill saying that she was a "stupid old thing" and asked "why does she come her at all-- who wants her" (Mansfield). Upon hearing these judgements, Miss Brill realizes that she is not as young as she thought. She has more similarities with the older people, upon whom she previously deemed odd, than she has with younger people. The story ends with Miss Brill returning to her home "the little dark room- her room like a cupboard"(Mansfield). The mood at the end of the story is sad,and Miss Brill appears to be crying. The story started out with a cheery feel, but it ends in with a sad feeling. A couple interesting points in the story that suggest the sad outcome. At one point, Miss brill felt "something light and sad- no, not sad, exactly-something gentle seemed to move in her bosom" and later described the music as having "just a faint chill- a something, what was it? - not sadness- no, not sadness"(Mansfield). These quotes seem curious because the story ends in sadness, but in two different places in the story Miss Brill denies feelings of sadness. Perhaps Miss Brill was denying sadness which she felt more than other emotions.
Katherine Mansfield
As this short story begins, Miss Brill enjoys her walk to the garden and her time listening to the band. She observes the other people out that Sunday and makes judgements on them. She finds others peculiar and even describes old people as "odd...as though they'd just come from dark little rooms or even -- even cupboards" (Mansfield). As the story progresses and nears an end, the mood of the story changes. Miss Brill tried to listen to a conversation between a young boy and girl; however, the girl refused to speak to the boy until Miss Brill left. This young couple passed judgements on Miss Brill saying that she was a "stupid old thing" and asked "why does she come her at all-- who wants her" (Mansfield). Upon hearing these judgements, Miss Brill realizes that she is not as young as she thought. She has more similarities with the older people, upon whom she previously deemed odd, than she has with younger people. The story ends with Miss Brill returning to her home "the little dark room- her room like a cupboard"(Mansfield). The mood at the end of the story is sad,and Miss Brill appears to be crying. The story started out with a cheery feel, but it ends in with a sad feeling. A couple interesting points in the story that suggest the sad outcome. At one point, Miss brill felt "something light and sad- no, not sad, exactly-something gentle seemed to move in her bosom" and later described the music as having "just a faint chill- a something, what was it? - not sadness- no, not sadness"(Mansfield). These quotes seem curious because the story ends in sadness, but in two different places in the story Miss Brill denies feelings of sadness. Perhaps Miss Brill was denying sadness which she felt more than other emotions.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"
Dylan Thomas
In this poem, the speaker urges his father to stay alive. The phrase "Do not go gentle into that good night"(Thomas) reminds me of the phrase 'don't go towards the light'. The speaker is urging his father to fight to stay alive by telling him to rage against the light and to not go gentle into that good night. The speaker tells his father of other men who have stayed alive for various reasons. Wise men refused death because they had yet made a discovery. Good men though that their good deeds could have come undone. Wild men thought death came too soon, and Grave men realize that their lives could have been more. The speaker hopes that his father will fight death so that they could spend more time together. Often, people believe that before death they will see a light which will lead them to death. The speaker must have believed this because he urged his father to rage against the light. The speaker seemed to truly love his father because of the passion with which he urged his father to fight death.
The phrase "Don't go towards the light" reminds me of a scene from A Bug's Life where two mosquitoes were flying around a bug zapper! Enjoy
Dylan Thomas
In this poem, the speaker urges his father to stay alive. The phrase "Do not go gentle into that good night"(Thomas) reminds me of the phrase 'don't go towards the light'. The speaker is urging his father to fight to stay alive by telling him to rage against the light and to not go gentle into that good night. The speaker tells his father of other men who have stayed alive for various reasons. Wise men refused death because they had yet made a discovery. Good men though that their good deeds could have come undone. Wild men thought death came too soon, and Grave men realize that their lives could have been more. The speaker hopes that his father will fight death so that they could spend more time together. Often, people believe that before death they will see a light which will lead them to death. The speaker must have believed this because he urged his father to rage against the light. The speaker seemed to truly love his father because of the passion with which he urged his father to fight death.
The phrase "Don't go towards the light" reminds me of a scene from A Bug's Life where two mosquitoes were flying around a bug zapper! Enjoy
Death Be Not Proud
"Death Be Not Proud"
John Donne
This poem relies on the use of anthropomorphism. Death normally is an inanimate and abstract object. In this poem, Death is given different characteristics. Donne uses adjectives like proud, mighty, and dreadful to describe death. In addition, Donne states that "Thou (death) art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men"(Donne). This image vividly describes death in a manner such as one would describe a human. Normally people view death as an intimidating, wild, and very powerful force. By describing death as a type of human slave, the author makes death less frightening by describing it as an inferior person. This seems like Death does not decide when one's life is over, but fate, chance, kings and desperate men do. Donne further lessens the fear of death by showing that death could die too. This would occur when people reach eternal life. "One short sleep passed, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die" (Donne).
John Donne
This poem relies on the use of anthropomorphism. Death normally is an inanimate and abstract object. In this poem, Death is given different characteristics. Donne uses adjectives like proud, mighty, and dreadful to describe death. In addition, Donne states that "Thou (death) art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men"(Donne). This image vividly describes death in a manner such as one would describe a human. Normally people view death as an intimidating, wild, and very powerful force. By describing death as a type of human slave, the author makes death less frightening by describing it as an inferior person. This seems like Death does not decide when one's life is over, but fate, chance, kings and desperate men do. Donne further lessens the fear of death by showing that death could die too. This would occur when people reach eternal life. "One short sleep passed, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die" (Donne).
Crossing the Bar
"Crossing the Bar"
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This poem seems to explore death through a metaphor comparing death to sailing. In this poem, the act of crossing the bar is the act of dying. The speaker wants people not to mourn his death. This desire is suggested in two places. "And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea," and "And may there be no sadness of farewell When I embark" ( Tennyson). The moaning of the bar could represent mourning over the speaker who died by going out to sea.
Another aspect of death represented in this poem is the afterlife. Although not described, the speaker mentions the idea of an afterlife by expressing his desire to meet his Pilot face to face. The Pilot symbolizes God or the Creator. For this divine reason, the word Pilot is capitalized. By expressing his desire to see his Pilot, the speaker alters the mood of the poem from the sadness of death to hope for an afterlife.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Another aspect of death represented in this poem is the afterlife. Although not described, the speaker mentions the idea of an afterlife by expressing his desire to meet his Pilot face to face. The Pilot symbolizes God or the Creator. For this divine reason, the word Pilot is capitalized. By expressing his desire to see his Pilot, the speaker alters the mood of the poem from the sadness of death to hope for an afterlife.
Monday, October 22, 2012
A Rose for Emily
A Rose for Emily
William Faulkner
This short story explores the connection between life and death and their effects on the living. Emily was burdened by death. Her fathers death caused a great amount of grief for Emily. Emily even refused to give up his body for a few days saying that he was not dead. "She did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body" (Faulkner). Later, Emily faced the death of Homer. This suspicious death suggests that Emily killed Homer, but if so, why would she do this? Perhaps Emily felt like her father was taken away from her, so in order to stay forever close to Homer, she killed him and secretly kept his body in her house. Emily again denied his death by keeping his body in her house. An even more disturbing denial of death was that Emily layed next to Homer's body. "Then we noticed that in the second pillow was the indentation of a head. One of us lifted something from it, and leaning forward, that faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostrils, we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair" (Faulkner). Emily wanted to keep Homer close, but she killed him to do so. Emily refused to accept death. In a way, this is slightly ironic because ultimately death accepted her even when she would not accept the death of others.
William Faulkner
This short story explores the connection between life and death and their effects on the living. Emily was burdened by death. Her fathers death caused a great amount of grief for Emily. Emily even refused to give up his body for a few days saying that he was not dead. "She did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body" (Faulkner). Later, Emily faced the death of Homer. This suspicious death suggests that Emily killed Homer, but if so, why would she do this? Perhaps Emily felt like her father was taken away from her, so in order to stay forever close to Homer, she killed him and secretly kept his body in her house. Emily again denied his death by keeping his body in her house. An even more disturbing denial of death was that Emily layed next to Homer's body. "Then we noticed that in the second pillow was the indentation of a head. One of us lifted something from it, and leaning forward, that faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostrils, we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair" (Faulkner). Emily wanted to keep Homer close, but she killed him to do so. Emily refused to accept death. In a way, this is slightly ironic because ultimately death accepted her even when she would not accept the death of others.
The Lottery
The Lottery
Shirley Jackson
This short story contained multiple pieces of foreshadowing. One example of this is the little boys collecting stones. This example could be easily overlooked because the reader could simply see the collection of stones as child's play, but as the end of the story approaches, the reader realizes the significance of gathering the stones. The little boys protected the pile of stones until after the lottery when the townspeople then took the stones to use against Mrs. Hutchinson. Another use of foreshadowing was in Mrs. Hutchinson's late arrival at the lottery. One quote that suggests her demise is "Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Tessie''(Jackson). This may seem insignificant, but this suggests that her family will have to live without her in the future. After being stoned, presumably to death, Mrs. Hutchinson's family will have to carry on with their lives without her.
Shirley Jackson
This short story contained multiple pieces of foreshadowing. One example of this is the little boys collecting stones. This example could be easily overlooked because the reader could simply see the collection of stones as child's play, but as the end of the story approaches, the reader realizes the significance of gathering the stones. The little boys protected the pile of stones until after the lottery when the townspeople then took the stones to use against Mrs. Hutchinson. Another use of foreshadowing was in Mrs. Hutchinson's late arrival at the lottery. One quote that suggests her demise is "Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Tessie''(Jackson). This may seem insignificant, but this suggests that her family will have to live without her in the future. After being stoned, presumably to death, Mrs. Hutchinson's family will have to carry on with their lives without her.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Glass Menagerie: Post 5
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Tom's last monologue of the play confuses me. I understand that he left his family in search of adventure. However, I do not understand why he is so upset about leaving Laura specifically. He almost has a creepy love for his sister. "I am more faithful than I intended to be" (Williams, 1289). The word faithful makes me think more of a spouse than a sibling.Tom is evidently more upset about leaving Laura than he is about leaving his mom.
Another part of the end of the play that confuses me is the importance of the candles. Laura blowing out the candles ends the play, so it must have some significance. I am confused why Tom specifically tells Laura to blow out the candles. "Blow out your candles, Laura- and so goodbye..."(Williams, 1289). Perhaps blowing out the candles signifies the end to Tom's relationship with his family. However, I am still confused.
Tennessee Williams
Tom's last monologue of the play confuses me. I understand that he left his family in search of adventure. However, I do not understand why he is so upset about leaving Laura specifically. He almost has a creepy love for his sister. "I am more faithful than I intended to be" (Williams, 1289). The word faithful makes me think more of a spouse than a sibling.Tom is evidently more upset about leaving Laura than he is about leaving his mom.
Another part of the end of the play that confuses me is the importance of the candles. Laura blowing out the candles ends the play, so it must have some significance. I am confused why Tom specifically tells Laura to blow out the candles. "Blow out your candles, Laura- and so goodbye..."(Williams, 1289). Perhaps blowing out the candles signifies the end to Tom's relationship with his family. However, I am still confused.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 4
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Throughout the play, Tom desperately desired adventure. After returning from the movies one night, Tom described a magician's ability to escape from a coffin that was nailed shut. This description could reflect how Tom felt trapped. Tom held a responsibility to his mother and to his sister. He provided financial support for his family. This responsibility restrained him from the adventure he desired. In search of adventure, Tom often went to the movies. "I go to the movies because - I like adventure. Adventure is something I don't have much of at work, so I go to the movies" (Williams, 1252). At the end of the play, Tom stated that he left his family and "followed,from then on, in my father's footsteps" (Williams, 1288). Despite his mother's wishes to prevent him from following the actions of his father, Tom abandoned his family in pursuit of adventure just like his father. Perhaps Tom wished to escape his life so badly because his mother tried too hard to restrain him.
Tennessee Williams
Throughout the play, Tom desperately desired adventure. After returning from the movies one night, Tom described a magician's ability to escape from a coffin that was nailed shut. This description could reflect how Tom felt trapped. Tom held a responsibility to his mother and to his sister. He provided financial support for his family. This responsibility restrained him from the adventure he desired. In search of adventure, Tom often went to the movies. "I go to the movies because - I like adventure. Adventure is something I don't have much of at work, so I go to the movies" (Williams, 1252). At the end of the play, Tom stated that he left his family and "followed,from then on, in my father's footsteps" (Williams, 1288). Despite his mother's wishes to prevent him from following the actions of his father, Tom abandoned his family in pursuit of adventure just like his father. Perhaps Tom wished to escape his life so badly because his mother tried too hard to restrain him.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 3
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Laura's glass menagerie is symbolic of her character. Laura is portrayed as a type of delicate wall flower. Unlike her mother, she is not popular, and she does not have callers visiting her. She appears to be unwanted. Her glass menagerie is similar to her in this way. The glass pieces only hold value in Laura's eyes and are not of popular demand by others. In addition,the glass unicorn represents special part of Laura. The unicorn is unique just like Laura. It is different from the other figurines just as Laura is different from other women. "Poor little fellow (the unicorn) must feel sort of lonesome" (Williams 1281). When the unicorn's horn broke, this could have symbolized Laura's heart breaking from the disappointment of her missed opportunity with Jim.
Tennessee Williams
Laura's glass menagerie is symbolic of her character. Laura is portrayed as a type of delicate wall flower. Unlike her mother, she is not popular, and she does not have callers visiting her. She appears to be unwanted. Her glass menagerie is similar to her in this way. The glass pieces only hold value in Laura's eyes and are not of popular demand by others. In addition,the glass unicorn represents special part of Laura. The unicorn is unique just like Laura. It is different from the other figurines just as Laura is different from other women. "Poor little fellow (the unicorn) must feel sort of lonesome" (Williams 1281). When the unicorn's horn broke, this could have symbolized Laura's heart breaking from the disappointment of her missed opportunity with Jim.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 2
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
This play is nonrealistic due to multiple reasons. One reason that this is nonrealistic is that the play has a narrator. In real life, narrators do not exist, so the presence of a narrator in this play contributes to its nonrealistic presentation. Another reason why the play is nonrealistic is that the narrator directly addresses the audience and states that he is a character in the play. In a realistic play, the characters do not know that they are characters. (They think they are real.) In this nonrealistic play, Tom knows that he is a character and he acknowledges the presence of the audience. In addition, Tom adds to the nonrealistic qualities by pointing out the fiddlers in the wings. Tom often cues the music and spotlights contributing to the nonrealistic qualities of the play. Another contributing factor is the set. As seen in the stage directions Tom "deliberately lays his imaginary fork down and pushes his chair back from the table" (Williams 1237). In nonrealistic plays, props are minimal or imaginary, whereas in realistic plays, the props are real and abundant.
Tennessee Williams
This play is nonrealistic due to multiple reasons. One reason that this is nonrealistic is that the play has a narrator. In real life, narrators do not exist, so the presence of a narrator in this play contributes to its nonrealistic presentation. Another reason why the play is nonrealistic is that the narrator directly addresses the audience and states that he is a character in the play. In a realistic play, the characters do not know that they are characters. (They think they are real.) In this nonrealistic play, Tom knows that he is a character and he acknowledges the presence of the audience. In addition, Tom adds to the nonrealistic qualities by pointing out the fiddlers in the wings. Tom often cues the music and spotlights contributing to the nonrealistic qualities of the play. Another contributing factor is the set. As seen in the stage directions Tom "deliberately lays his imaginary fork down and pushes his chair back from the table" (Williams 1237). In nonrealistic plays, props are minimal or imaginary, whereas in realistic plays, the props are real and abundant.
The Glass Menagerie: Post 1
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
This play is a memory play, but of whose memory? "This play is memory...I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it" (Williams, 1236). As the play begins, Tom directly addresses the audience and states that he is both the narrator and a character in the play. Because he narrates the play, this eludes to the idea that the play is filled with his memories. Many scenes contain some form of a direct address from Tom to the audience. In these speeches, Tom seems to explain his view of the happenings in the play in a more removed/objective fashion than watching his direct interactions with other characters. In addition, the actions of the play seem to develop from Tom's character in the play. For example, the main event of the play was introducing a caller to Laura. Tom's reluctant/coerced invitation made this event possible. Because the actions stem from Tom, this also contributes to the idea that the memories are Tom's. In addition, Tom's character in the play gives the audience a look at his thoughts in a more personal way than his speeches directly addressing the audience.
Tennessee Williams
This play is a memory play, but of whose memory? "This play is memory...I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it" (Williams, 1236). As the play begins, Tom directly addresses the audience and states that he is both the narrator and a character in the play. Because he narrates the play, this eludes to the idea that the play is filled with his memories. Many scenes contain some form of a direct address from Tom to the audience. In these speeches, Tom seems to explain his view of the happenings in the play in a more removed/objective fashion than watching his direct interactions with other characters. In addition, the actions of the play seem to develop from Tom's character in the play. For example, the main event of the play was introducing a caller to Laura. Tom's reluctant/coerced invitation made this event possible. Because the actions stem from Tom, this also contributes to the idea that the memories are Tom's. In addition, Tom's character in the play gives the audience a look at his thoughts in a more personal way than his speeches directly addressing the audience.
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