"Early that day the weather turned and the snow was melting into dirty water. Streaks of it ran down from the little shoulder-high window that faced the backyard. Cars slushed by on the street outside"
This excerpt from the short story "Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver is an example of imagery. This paints the picture of a stereotypical late February day in Indiana for me. The temperature is starting to rise, and the snow begins to melt. Because of daylight savings time, it is getting dark early outside. This also sets up the story very well because the story is very dark itself. It is also ironic because the thing that the parents want most, the baby, ends up dying because they are fighting over it. Also, the story's title does not make sense to me. A baby's murder resulting from a divorce does not seem like a popular mechanic to me.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Situational Irony
"Zoe came up, slow, from behind and gave him a shove. His arms slipped forward, off the railing, out over the street."
This excerpt from the short story "You're Ugly Too" by Lorrie Moore is an example of situational irony. It is because Zoe is at a party with her boyfriend. She starts to push him off a balcony as a joke to flirt with him. However, he does not take this as a joke. Instead, he becomes upset and somewhat scared of her. When she sees this, all she thinks of is how she looks. It does not register to her that her boyfriend is weirded out by her because he believes that she tried to kill him. This also adds to the indirect characterization that Zoe is a very weird, awkward person.
This excerpt from the short story "You're Ugly Too" by Lorrie Moore is an example of situational irony. It is because Zoe is at a party with her boyfriend. She starts to push him off a balcony as a joke to flirt with him. However, he does not take this as a joke. Instead, he becomes upset and somewhat scared of her. When she sees this, all she thinks of is how she looks. It does not register to her that her boyfriend is weirded out by her because he believes that she tried to kill him. This also adds to the indirect characterization that Zoe is a very weird, awkward person.
Dramatic Irony
"Next think you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves"
This excerpt from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is an example of dramatic irony. It is because when the society is described, it appears that it is a pretty modernized society. There are schools and a town where people gather. However, these people are having a lottery to put someone to death. The method of death is stoning, a 1st century death penalty. The man here is upset that some places do not have lotteries anymore and that they're moving backwards in time. The reader can see that these people are already moving back in time by having the lottery. I also came to the conclusion that they had the lottery to offer up a sacrafice for a good harvest.
This excerpt from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is an example of dramatic irony. It is because when the society is described, it appears that it is a pretty modernized society. There are schools and a town where people gather. However, these people are having a lottery to put someone to death. The method of death is stoning, a 1st century death penalty. The man here is upset that some places do not have lotteries anymore and that they're moving backwards in time. The reader can see that these people are already moving back in time by having the lottery. I also came to the conclusion that they had the lottery to offer up a sacrafice for a good harvest.
Dialect
"Do you know what Mr. Dooley is after telling me?"
This excerpt from the short story "The Drunkard" by Frank O'Connor is an example of a dialect. This helps the reader to identify that the speaker is Irish. The speaker of this quote is Mick Delaney, the father of the speaker. His best friend is Mr. Dooley; however, when the story starts, Mr. Dooley has died. Mick is deeply saddened by this and so much so that his wife believes he will turn to alcoholism to deal with his loss. Mrs. Delaney sends Larry, the speaker, with his father to ensure he doesn't drink. It works and Larry gets very drunk; he begins to get sick and cuts his head. At the end of the story, the reader is surprised to see that his mother is happy that he drank his father's alcohol because it prevented his father from getting drunk.
This excerpt from the short story "The Drunkard" by Frank O'Connor is an example of a dialect. This helps the reader to identify that the speaker is Irish. The speaker of this quote is Mick Delaney, the father of the speaker. His best friend is Mr. Dooley; however, when the story starts, Mr. Dooley has died. Mick is deeply saddened by this and so much so that his wife believes he will turn to alcoholism to deal with his loss. Mrs. Delaney sends Larry, the speaker, with his father to ensure he doesn't drink. It works and Larry gets very drunk; he begins to get sick and cuts his head. At the end of the story, the reader is surprised to see that his mother is happy that he drank his father's alcohol because it prevented his father from getting drunk.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Irony
"With the first fixing of its razor-teeth in his knees and hands and head he screamed and struggled deeper into its tangle."
This excerpt from the end of "Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer is apart of an example of irony. In the story, the parents built a large wall with barbed wire on it in order to keep evil away from their family. However, the end of the story is ironic because the son dies trying to climb the wall. The story seems to be a children's story. The author sets it up by saying she is telling it to herself before she goes to bed, like a parent tells a child to put them to sleep. However, the ending is probably too graphic for a child to hear and then go to bed easier. The parents' plan to protect their child from crime backfired bigtime. The ending was also very sudden and unexpected. The author was very quick to describe the boy's death.
This excerpt from the end of "Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer is apart of an example of irony. In the story, the parents built a large wall with barbed wire on it in order to keep evil away from their family. However, the end of the story is ironic because the son dies trying to climb the wall. The story seems to be a children's story. The author sets it up by saying she is telling it to herself before she goes to bed, like a parent tells a child to put them to sleep. However, the ending is probably too graphic for a child to hear and then go to bed easier. The parents' plan to protect their child from crime backfired bigtime. The ending was also very sudden and unexpected. The author was very quick to describe the boy's death.
Dialect
"It was my memory fail me."
This excerpt from "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty is an example of dialect. This dialect is unique because it shows that Phoenix is uneducated. Another instance that shows she is old and somewhat senile is when the nurse asks her about her grandson. She responds by simply staring into space with a blank look on her face. She snaps back into it and answers, but this is how she answers. Also, her craziness shows when she is walking in the woods. She has mirages and begins to talk to herself. However, she is a kind woman who makes a treacherous journey out of love for her grandson.
This excerpt from "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty is an example of dialect. This dialect is unique because it shows that Phoenix is uneducated. Another instance that shows she is old and somewhat senile is when the nurse asks her about her grandson. She responds by simply staring into space with a blank look on her face. She snaps back into it and answers, but this is how she answers. Also, her craziness shows when she is walking in the woods. She has mirages and begins to talk to herself. However, she is a kind woman who makes a treacherous journey out of love for her grandson.
Personification
"She sat at the window watching evening invade the avenue."
This excerpt from "Eveline" by James Joyce is an example of personification. It is a description of the sun setting and the street getting dimmer. Eveline is reflecting on her life with her family at their house. She is about to leave it for good, and she is nostalgic. Athough she had a hard life, she states that she didn't find her life totally "undesireable." I think this is because she loves her family and is a big part of it. She is the one who is basically raising her siblings after her mother's death. Also, her father is not to keen of her boyfriend. I also believe this is because Eveline is the main part of the family and does so much for them.
This excerpt from "Eveline" by James Joyce is an example of personification. It is a description of the sun setting and the street getting dimmer. Eveline is reflecting on her life with her family at their house. She is about to leave it for good, and she is nostalgic. Athough she had a hard life, she states that she didn't find her life totally "undesireable." I think this is because she loves her family and is a big part of it. She is the one who is basically raising her siblings after her mother's death. Also, her father is not to keen of her boyfriend. I also believe this is because Eveline is the main part of the family and does so much for them.
Simile
"It was like some one playing with only the family to listen; it didn't care how it played if there weren't any strangers present."
This excerpt from "Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield is an example of a simile. It is talking about the band that comes to play in the park every Sunday. A comparison is made between the band playing in and out of season. It is way more popular during the season; a lot more people come out to watch and the band plays better. Miss Brill is happy to go outside and show off her fur coat. She knows she is out of place in society and tries to show off. Her career realates to her being out of place. She teaches English in a french school. However, though she is wearing her coat, people still look at her and point out that she is out of place.
This excerpt from "Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield is an example of a simile. It is talking about the band that comes to play in the park every Sunday. A comparison is made between the band playing in and out of season. It is way more popular during the season; a lot more people come out to watch and the band plays better. Miss Brill is happy to go outside and show off her fur coat. She knows she is out of place in society and tries to show off. Her career realates to her being out of place. She teaches English in a french school. However, though she is wearing her coat, people still look at her and point out that she is out of place.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Bartleby reflection
The story "Bartleby the Scrivener" is a very peculiar one. The character Bartleby in particular is a very frustrating one as well. Whenever asked to perform a task, his reply is simply "I would prefer not to" and that is that. I discussed with one of my friends how it reminded us of a character in the show "Family Guy." The maid they hire will not leave when they try to fire her. Her response is simply "No, no, I clean now." Like the narrator in the story, the employers do not force her to leave. The narrator had an odd appreciation for Bartleby. He was good at what he did, he just did not do as he was told.
Direct Characterization
"It was afternoon, be it remembered. Turkey sat glowing like a brass boiler, his bald head steaming, his hands reeling among his blotted papers."
In the story "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville, the character Turkey is directly characterized. The narrator says that it is afternoon and then says that Turkey is steaming. In the afternoon, Turkey is grouchy and Nippers is rational, but in the morning it is vice versa. Turkey is also very violent and really wants to hit Bartleby in the face. However, the narrator will not let him. Also, the narrator will not fire Bartleby either. This gives off the notion that the narrator secretly likes him for some odd reason. He doesn't punish Bartleby for not doing what he asks.
In the story "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville, the character Turkey is directly characterized. The narrator says that it is afternoon and then says that Turkey is steaming. In the afternoon, Turkey is grouchy and Nippers is rational, but in the morning it is vice versa. Turkey is also very violent and really wants to hit Bartleby in the face. However, the narrator will not let him. Also, the narrator will not fire Bartleby either. This gives off the notion that the narrator secretly likes him for some odd reason. He doesn't punish Bartleby for not doing what he asks.
Indirect Characterization
"'You just will not understand. The point is these quilts, these quilts!'"
In the story "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, the character Dee is indirectly characterized at the end of the story. She is upset that she cannot get what she wants, and she simply will not stand for it. She starts to put her mother below her. This shows that Dee, or Wangero, is selfish and only cares about herself. Even when Moma tells her that the quilts are for Maggie, Dee rejects the idea. She goes on to make fun of Maggie. Maggie tells Moma that Dee can have them, and that she can remember her grandma without them. However, Moma won't stand for that and stands up for Maggie, leading Dee to leave.
In the story "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, the character Dee is indirectly characterized at the end of the story. She is upset that she cannot get what she wants, and she simply will not stand for it. She starts to put her mother below her. This shows that Dee, or Wangero, is selfish and only cares about herself. Even when Moma tells her that the quilts are for Maggie, Dee rejects the idea. She goes on to make fun of Maggie. Maggie tells Moma that Dee can have them, and that she can remember her grandma without them. However, Moma won't stand for that and stands up for Maggie, leading Dee to leave.
Situational Irony
"But he was wrong. They had taken a different turn a long way back."
In the short story "Hunters in the Snow" by Tobias Wolff, the end of the story is an example of situational irony. At the end of the story, Kenny belives that he is going to the hospital with Tub and Frank. However, they left the directions behind and took a wrong turn a while back. The reader knows that Kenny is going to die, but the characters do not. Tub and Frank are better friends with each other because they both have problems in their lives. They are both unhappy with their lifestyles. This shows when they choose to talk about it in a restaurant and leave Kenny bleeding alone. They are not trying to kill Kenny, they are just too caught up in their own lives.
In the short story "Hunters in the Snow" by Tobias Wolff, the end of the story is an example of situational irony. At the end of the story, Kenny belives that he is going to the hospital with Tub and Frank. However, they left the directions behind and took a wrong turn a while back. The reader knows that Kenny is going to die, but the characters do not. Tub and Frank are better friends with each other because they both have problems in their lives. They are both unhappy with their lifestyles. This shows when they choose to talk about it in a restaurant and leave Kenny bleeding alone. They are not trying to kill Kenny, they are just too caught up in their own lives.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Imagery
"...a faint dust rose sluggishly about their thighs, spinning with slow motes in the single sun-ray."
This excerpt provides excellent imagery about Miss Emily's home. It is very old and dusty. It seems to be a large home, and Miss Emily does not use all of it. She is very mysterious and secretive about what she does and rarely leaves her home, which smells terrible. Again, the ending to this story was also surprising and very weird. The smell of the house is coming from the terrible smell of Homer's rotten, lifeless body, which is discovered after Miss Emily's death. Homer is the only one who would spend time with Miss Emily. She connected with him so much, but he was homosexual and this was the only way that they could be together forever.
This excerpt provides excellent imagery about Miss Emily's home. It is very old and dusty. It seems to be a large home, and Miss Emily does not use all of it. She is very mysterious and secretive about what she does and rarely leaves her home, which smells terrible. Again, the ending to this story was also surprising and very weird. The smell of the house is coming from the terrible smell of Homer's rotten, lifeless body, which is discovered after Miss Emily's death. Homer is the only one who would spend time with Miss Emily. She connected with him so much, but he was homosexual and this was the only way that they could be together forever.
Irony
"...the whirring noise of the advancing film excited the monkeys, and the one with the stick began to beat Bobby more intently."
This excerpt is an example of irony because throughout the story, the Das' hardly paid any attention to their children. However, the parents are the main cause of the monkey attack. The monkeys were drawn in by the food that Mrs. Das was eating. Next, the camera flash by Mr. Das set them off. The ending to this story also was quite surprising to me. I expected Mrs. Das to flirt with Mr. Kapasi when they were alone. However, to his disappointment, the romance was created by Mr. Kapasi's imagination. Mrs. Das was offended by Mr. Kapasi and she broke his heart.
This excerpt is an example of irony because throughout the story, the Das' hardly paid any attention to their children. However, the parents are the main cause of the monkey attack. The monkeys were drawn in by the food that Mrs. Das was eating. Next, the camera flash by Mr. Das set them off. The ending to this story also was quite surprising to me. I expected Mrs. Das to flirt with Mr. Kapasi when they were alone. However, to his disappointment, the romance was created by Mr. Kapasi's imagination. Mrs. Das was offended by Mr. Kapasi and she broke his heart.
Stream of Consciousness
"Mrs. Peebles was not very friendly to me aftereward, but she was fair. Not very friendly is the wrong way of describing what she was."
This excerpt shows Edie's respect for Mrs. Peebles. Edie likes her, and is glad that she didn't overreact to the Chris incident like Alice Kelling. Afterward, Edie waits hopefully for Chris' letter, but soon realizes it will never come. This ending was a shock to me, and it also seemed undramatic. The ending seemed very quick, and I had to reread it to be sure of what I just read. The mailman is hardly talked about until the last page. I did not expect that at all. The title was a clever one too, as it through me off as I expected Chris and Edie to get married.
This excerpt shows Edie's respect for Mrs. Peebles. Edie likes her, and is glad that she didn't overreact to the Chris incident like Alice Kelling. Afterward, Edie waits hopefully for Chris' letter, but soon realizes it will never come. This ending was a shock to me, and it also seemed undramatic. The ending seemed very quick, and I had to reread it to be sure of what I just read. The mailman is hardly talked about until the last page. I did not expect that at all. The title was a clever one too, as it through me off as I expected Chris and Edie to get married.
Indirect Characterization
"She was swollen up with peasure at being in on this scene."
This excerpt is describing Loretta Bird, the neighbor to the Peebles. Through this statement, the reader can confirm that she is a gossip queen. Here, she is ecstatic that she is witnessing Alice Kelling go off on Edie. She finds pleasure in gossip and chaos. Loretta is present throughout the story, and the speaker drops hints that her presence is not always welcome at the Peebles' home. She contributes to the story as sort of an antagonist to Edie. Edie thinks of her as a vile woman who she would be happy to never see again. It is also obvious that Loretta looks down on Edie, and she does not like the feeling of inferiority that Loretta brings to her.
This excerpt is describing Loretta Bird, the neighbor to the Peebles. Through this statement, the reader can confirm that she is a gossip queen. Here, she is ecstatic that she is witnessing Alice Kelling go off on Edie. She finds pleasure in gossip and chaos. Loretta is present throughout the story, and the speaker drops hints that her presence is not always welcome at the Peebles' home. She contributes to the story as sort of an antagonist to Edie. Edie thinks of her as a vile woman who she would be happy to never see again. It is also obvious that Loretta looks down on Edie, and she does not like the feeling of inferiority that Loretta brings to her.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Edward
The poem "Edward" is exremely wierd. I do not really know what to think of it, and the fact that the writer is anonymous makes it even creepier. Edward seems to have killed his father and is now contemplating suicide. He uses himself as an apostrophe throughout the poem. He directly addresses himself after making confessions of killing things. I also believe the poem gains something from what is not told. It never says how he kills his father or how he will kill himself. The lack of a weapon allows the reader to interpret what Edward may have used as an instrument of death.
Apostrophe
"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee"
In the poem "Death, be not proud" by John Donne, death is directly addressed multiple times throughout the work. Death should not be proud because it takes good men from earth. It takes away people who are loved and cared for. The tone of this poem is very confident. The speaker seems to be a man of assured faith with a firm conviction that death is not to be feared. The speaker directly says at the beggining of the poem that death should not be proud. At the end of the poem, he says that death should die. He wants death to feel the pain that it causes others.
In the poem "Death, be not proud" by John Donne, death is directly addressed multiple times throughout the work. Death should not be proud because it takes good men from earth. It takes away people who are loved and cared for. The tone of this poem is very confident. The speaker seems to be a man of assured faith with a firm conviction that death is not to be feared. The speaker directly says at the beggining of the poem that death should not be proud. At the end of the poem, he says that death should die. He wants death to feel the pain that it causes others.
Paradox
"Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight"
In the poem, "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, several paradoxes are used to form a pattern the poem. One of the paradoxes is the one stated above. I believe that this means that people are ignoring the fact that they are about to die. They know they are near death, but they try to find the best in it. This contributes to the meaning of the poem because the poem is about the speaker's father. His father is about to die. The author is telling his father to not let death overshadow the remaining time he has on earth. He should live life to the fullest until he exits this world.
In the poem, "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, several paradoxes are used to form a pattern the poem. One of the paradoxes is the one stated above. I believe that this means that people are ignoring the fact that they are about to die. They know they are near death, but they try to find the best in it. This contributes to the meaning of the poem because the poem is about the speaker's father. His father is about to die. The author is telling his father to not let death overshadow the remaining time he has on earth. He should live life to the fullest until he exits this world.
Personification
"As after sunset fadeth in the west, which by and by black night doth take away"
In the poem "That time of year" by William Shakespeare, night is personified. It takes away the light when the sun fades in the west in the evening. Also, there are three main images presented in the poem through quatrains. The first image is day, and it is presented by descriptions of bright leaves. The second image is evening, and it is presented by the sunset. The third image is night, and it is presented by the personification above. In this poem, a lover is being addressed. The speaker is saying that no matter what happens, he will always love his soulmate.
In the poem "That time of year" by William Shakespeare, night is personified. It takes away the light when the sun fades in the west in the evening. Also, there are three main images presented in the poem through quatrains. The first image is day, and it is presented by descriptions of bright leaves. The second image is evening, and it is presented by the sunset. The third image is night, and it is presented by the personification above. In this poem, a lover is being addressed. The speaker is saying that no matter what happens, he will always love his soulmate.
Simile
"In the sureness of his faith, he talks about the world beyond this world as though his reservations have been made."
In the poem "Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead" by Andrew Hudgins, the simile used above plays a key role in the meaning of the poem. This simile means that the speaker's father has faith that he will have a happy afterlife. His father has accepted the fact that he is going to die, and he is trying to make the best of it. The poem is about the speaker's father's beliefs about what will happen when he dies. The father believes that he is ready to die and he is sure that he will see his son again. Although the speaker is not so sure, the father is positive that they will meet again. His father will be waiting patiently for him. His father is a loving and caring person and his son loves him.
In the poem "Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead" by Andrew Hudgins, the simile used above plays a key role in the meaning of the poem. This simile means that the speaker's father has faith that he will have a happy afterlife. His father has accepted the fact that he is going to die, and he is trying to make the best of it. The poem is about the speaker's father's beliefs about what will happen when he dies. The father believes that he is ready to die and he is sure that he will see his son again. Although the speaker is not so sure, the father is positive that they will meet again. His father will be waiting patiently for him. His father is a loving and caring person and his son loves him.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Simile
"I'm startled by men who look like you."
The poem "Getting Out" by Cleopatra Mathis contains a simile that really helps to interpret the poem. The excerpt above means that the speaker still hasn't gotten over her love for the man who she used to be with. "Heaving words like furniture" told me that is was an ugly break up. However, the woman has not totally let go of her memories of the man. It says that she still has pictures of good times that the couple shared together. "We held on tight, and let go," the last sentence, also helped me to interpret this poem. This means that they were in a very strong and serious relationship. However, at the end of it, they just gave up instead of trying to fix it and now they are split up.
The poem "Getting Out" by Cleopatra Mathis contains a simile that really helps to interpret the poem. The excerpt above means that the speaker still hasn't gotten over her love for the man who she used to be with. "Heaving words like furniture" told me that is was an ugly break up. However, the woman has not totally let go of her memories of the man. It says that she still has pictures of good times that the couple shared together. "We held on tight, and let go," the last sentence, also helped me to interpret this poem. This means that they were in a very strong and serious relationship. However, at the end of it, they just gave up instead of trying to fix it and now they are split up.
Tone
"The sea is calm tonight, the tide is full, the moon lies fair"
The poem "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold has a tone that is, to me, relaxed, peaceful, and somewhat observant. The excerpt above is the opening lines of the poem. These set the tone immediately and it continues throughout the work. Even the clash of the armies at the end seems relaxed to me. There are not any words or phrases that stand out to me that would make the tone suspenseful or intense. Also, I don't believe that these armies are literal. I believe they are figurative and stand for love and hate. I believe this because the poem says "hath neither joy" and "love, let us be true." These two phrases contribute to the armies of love and hate.
The poem "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold has a tone that is, to me, relaxed, peaceful, and somewhat observant. The excerpt above is the opening lines of the poem. These set the tone immediately and it continues throughout the work. Even the clash of the armies at the end seems relaxed to me. There are not any words or phrases that stand out to me that would make the tone suspenseful or intense. Also, I don't believe that these armies are literal. I believe they are figurative and stand for love and hate. I believe this because the poem says "hath neither joy" and "love, let us be true." These two phrases contribute to the armies of love and hate.
Imagery
"Then thy sick taper will begin to wink"
In the poem "The Apparition" by John Donne, imagery is used to help visualize what is happening in the poem. The excerpt above helps me to picture a dim candle flickering in the dark. This also helps me to understand the time period because the man in the poem most likely does not have lights if he has a candle. Also, the phrase "Bathed in a cold quicksilver sweat" helps me to visualize a person who is pale and sweating bullets. I believe that this poem is about a man imagining himself as a ghost visiting a woman. In the poem, he accuses her of having lost her virginity. I believe he is visiting her to get her to admit to cheating on him. He wants her to admit something, and he belives that she has sinned and demands repentence.
In the poem "The Apparition" by John Donne, imagery is used to help visualize what is happening in the poem. The excerpt above helps me to picture a dim candle flickering in the dark. This also helps me to understand the time period because the man in the poem most likely does not have lights if he has a candle. Also, the phrase "Bathed in a cold quicksilver sweat" helps me to visualize a person who is pale and sweating bullets. I believe that this poem is about a man imagining himself as a ghost visiting a woman. In the poem, he accuses her of having lost her virginity. I believe he is visiting her to get her to admit to cheating on him. He wants her to admit something, and he belives that she has sinned and demands repentence.
Personification
"But such a tide as moving seems asleep"
In the poem "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, personification is employed to assist the speaker in progressing through the poem. The tide is personified to help show that it is deceptively strong. It seemed to have jumped up on the speaker all of a sudden. "When that which drew from out the boundless deep" illustrates that the tide blended in with the rest of the ocean. "Turns again home" seems to give the impression that it comes and goes swiftly because "home," to me, meant the bottom of the ocean. I thought that this poem meant that a sailor was embarking on a dangerous journey in which he wasn't sure if he would live. He "(hopes) to see (his) Pilot face to face" when it is all over. This also told me that his Pilot was someone who meant a lot to the sailor.
In the poem "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, personification is employed to assist the speaker in progressing through the poem. The tide is personified to help show that it is deceptively strong. It seemed to have jumped up on the speaker all of a sudden. "When that which drew from out the boundless deep" illustrates that the tide blended in with the rest of the ocean. "Turns again home" seems to give the impression that it comes and goes swiftly because "home," to me, meant the bottom of the ocean. I thought that this poem meant that a sailor was embarking on a dangerous journey in which he wasn't sure if he would live. He "(hopes) to see (his) Pilot face to face" when it is all over. This also told me that his Pilot was someone who meant a lot to the sailor.
Dialect
"i hitsm with my mop an has ta flush the toilet down"
In the poem "Hazel Tells LaVerne" by Katharyn Howd Machan, the dialect that the speaker uses is very peculiar. It is clear that the speaker is either a child or a very uneducated adult. Words like "musta," "ta," and "hitsm" make this claim clear to me. Also, I noticed that this story sounded very familiar, and after reading the questions after the poem, I realized why it did. This poem is a revision of the fairy tale "The Frog Prince." Hazel's language and dialect in the poem reveals her childish personality. She screams when the fish asks to kiss and and then kills it. Her dialect also adds humor to the childish nature of the poem.
In the poem "Hazel Tells LaVerne" by Katharyn Howd Machan, the dialect that the speaker uses is very peculiar. It is clear that the speaker is either a child or a very uneducated adult. Words like "musta," "ta," and "hitsm" make this claim clear to me. Also, I noticed that this story sounded very familiar, and after reading the questions after the poem, I realized why it did. This poem is a revision of the fairy tale "The Frog Prince." Hazel's language and dialect in the poem reveals her childish personality. She screams when the fish asks to kiss and and then kills it. Her dialect also adds humor to the childish nature of the poem.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
next to of course god america i
The poem "next to of course god america i" by e.e. cummings makes absolutely no sense to me. However, there are some things I noticed about this poem that could help me to deconstruct it. First of all, the majority of the poem is in quotation marks. This sort of gives off the idea that this is a quote of some sort. Next, I noticed that two patriotic songs are partially quoted, the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. I believe that these help the author to add a unique "American" effect to the poem. Finally, this poem gave off the idea that the speaker could be a preacher. The quotation marks and the drink of water at the end tell me that the speaker was most likely speaking to a certain group of people about America.
Personification
In the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the hand and the heart are personified to help add an effect to the poem. The hand "mocks" and the heart "feeds." The effect gained from this is that the hand of the sculptor helped to mock Ozymandias. The heart of the sculptor is where all of the hate for the tyrant came from. This also helps to show that Ozymandias was a tyrant and a bad leader. I believe that he is a symbol of corruption. He is an example of what can happen if a leader lets power get to his head. It has happened many times and history, and Ozymandias portrays a perfect example of how people think about these leaders.
Paradox
In "Batter my heart, three-personed God" by John Donne, a paradox is used in the first quatrain that is used to describe God. In the paradox, the speaker asks God to batter his heart, but then says that He "seeks to mend." How can one "batter" a heart and be called a mendor at the same time? I believe that this adds to the speakers attitude towards God. The speaker seems to get frustrated but then turns to God for help. The speaker also says that he is "betrothed unto your enemy." I took this to mean the devil. The speaker is a sinner, but he goes to God for repentence.
Metaphor
In "Sorting Laundry" by Elisavietta Ritchie, the first stanza contains a metaphor that largely impacts the rest of the poem. The speaker compares folding clothes to "folding (her lover) into (her) life." I took this to mean that she wanted her lover with her at all times. She cannot stand to be away from him. This metaphor comes up again later in the poem when she speaks of folding her own clothes. She says that she could not do it. She could not be without her man. She says that nothing could fill that empty gap in her life. This poem is all about how she needs her man in order to function in her life. She would be lost without him.
Situational Irony
In the poem "APO 96225" by Larry Rottman, situational irony is used to add a certain effect to the poem. The situational irony occurs when the soldier decides to give in to his mother's request and tell her what he is really doing in Vietnam. The soldier wasn't giving in, and he had been describing the physical conditions of Vietnam, such as the weather. Finally, the soldier informs his mother that he killed a man and many women and children. He then recieves a letter from his father that discourages his graphic description, so the poem ends by him sending the weather report back to his mother. This adds the effect of portraying how the American public viewed the Vietnam War. They knew something bad was happening, but they didn't want to know. The mother knew something bad was going on, but she really didn't want to know.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Metaphor
In the poem "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes, there are numerous similes and one metaphor. The similes directly compare the deferred dream to something. However, the metaphor stands out. The metaphor brings a comparison of a bomb into the poem. This is effective because when a dream is postponed, it becomes a bigger deal to fulfill it. The explosion is saying that it occurs in a grand fashion. It is a happy and joyous time when one fulfills a dream. The speaker may have fulfilled a dream that he had been waiting to fulfill all of his life.
Extended Metaphor
The poem "I taste a liquor never brewed" by Emily Dickinson is one large metaphor. The alcoholic intoxication is being compared to being intoxicated by a fresh summer morning. Some "liquors" named are "Air " and "Dew." She also speaks of people flocking to the sun. I can relate to this because I love summer mornings. I love the feeling of the air and the unique feeling of the dew on my feet. She says the summer mornings make her want to drink more. This means that she wants more summer mornings because she can't get enough of them.
Apostrophe
In "Bright Star" by John Keats, an apostrophe is present throughout the poem. The speaker is addressing the personified star. This is more effective than just describing the star because it makes it easier to visualize the star. I can put myself in that situation. I could go outside and speak to a star if I wanted, and I would have more insight than just staring at it. It allows you to picture yourself as the star. I can see myself looking down at the world and seeing the sun in space. This provides a softer tone for the poem.
Paradox
In "February" by Margaret Atwood, a paradox adds an effect to the poem. The paradox is "it's love that does us in." This paradox means that we are overpopulating because we are "loving" to much. The phrase adds to the effect that we can control our destinies, but we are headed for trouble. The speaker is so passionate that she requests castration. I do not understand how this paradox relates to February though. It may be that it is in February when she sees the cat reproduce. This reminds her of the growing population which she has a very strong opinion on.
Tone
In "The Joy of Cooking" by Elaine Magarrell, the tone is very odd. It is both amusing and bitter. The speaker seems to amuse herself by speaking bitterly of her brother and her sister. She gets joy out of preparing her sister's tongue and cooking her brother's heart. However, this tone leads you to believe that this poem is not literal. If it was, I believe that the tone would be dark and sinister. The brightness that this tone gives off says that the speaker is probably just venting about her brother and sister. She has held it in for a long time, and she is letting loose in an odd way.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Panther
I also found the poem "The Panther" by Rainer Maria Rilke to be very interesting. The panther seems majestic because it is calm and observant, unlike a lion would be. The panther also brings a sense of darkness to the tone of the poem. Panthers are dark, and this one is confined against its will. The images of confinement are achieved by the phrases "constantly passing bars" and "cramped circles." Rilke keeps the tone in darkness by the way he ends the poem. The poem is ended without a final picture of what happens. The reader is left to interpret how the scenario ends. I believe that the image of the home of the panther enters its heart and leaves as it is taken away to an unknown place.
Funeral
I found the poem "I Felt a Funeral, in my Head" by Emily Dickinson very interesting. In this poem, Dicksinson metaphorically describes a mental breakdown in which her logic collapses. The poem is a metaphor of a funeral procession. An example of a detail that represents a funeral is when she says "I heard them lift a box." This phrase means a casket is being lifted by pallbearers. Dickinson's logic is being put to rest in her mind. Her imagery is also very vivid to hearing. She speaks of hearing a "creak" and bells beginning to toll. There is a funeral procession being played out in her mind.
Tone
The tone of the poem "The Convergence of the Twain" by Thomas Hardy is something along the lines of "I told you so." It is a condemning tone that almost gives the impression that the author knew before the ship sailed that the Titanic was not invincible. There are parts in the poem where the author sets a dark mood. An example is when the author describes the extravagant jewels but then ends the stanza describing them as "lightless" and "blind." However the author becomes sarcastic when he talks about the fish asking why it's so "vainglorious down there." The author also uses visual imagery to portray the ship sinking and people dying. He also uses visual imagery to refer to the ship at the bottom of the ocean. An example is when he talks about the sea worms "grotesquely" crawling on the sunken ship.
Personification
In the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats, personification is used to describe the season of autumn. Autumn is personified as a young child. This describes the season as a child. The child seems calm, like the middle of the season. There is a soft wind and "twined flowes" as well. The soft wind ruffles the child's hair while he sits carelessly on the floor. I can relate to the carelessness of fall because I am careless while watching football on the weekends. That is all that is important to me, and I am also calm during that time too.
Oxymoron
In the poem "London" by William Blake, an oxymoron is used to help the author make a point. The author is showing sympathy to a prostitute rather than placing blame on her. The author shows that the setting is miserable, and there may be nothing else to do for money. The oxymoron is "Marraige hearse." This phrase is adding to the effect that people are in pain and dying. Royalty is not paying attention to these people, and the soldiers are turning their backs. All the social classes in society are being affected by these hardships. People are miserable and everyone seems to be crying.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Perrine Reflection
Prior to reading Perrine's essay, I had the idea that I would be in disagreement with the author throughout the work. However, after reading it, I changed my mind and now agree with Perrine. His criteria of accounting for detail and reliance on the poem itself make perfectly good sense to me. His interpretation of the poems make sense and contain explanation on why he interprets them the way he does. I now see how I am wrong in my interpretations of the poems. I did not dig deep enough and pay attention to detail closely enough. I also agree with one of his final conclusions. He says that a symbol cannot mean just anything, and I see how that is true. Using this idea, I found the differences between my interpretation of "The Sick Rose" and the author's interpretation, and I saw where his ideas were more logical than mine.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Never Let Me Go - The End
Page 279 - "What I'm saying is that all in all I was under the impression we were dealing with the fourth donation pretty well together, and that's why I was so knocked off balance by what he came out with that day we walked around the field."
Finally finished! I chose this quote because it is about the last positive event that takes place in the book. Tommy undergoes a successful fourth and they are together. I think that they truly loved each other. Unfortunately the book ends in a dark manner. Tommy dies and Kathy is distraught. She is upset that she will now die alone after she was there for both Ruth and Tommy. She doesn't know what to do and her future is not clear, but I believe that she is strong enough and she will get through the next part of her life.
Finally finished! I chose this quote because it is about the last positive event that takes place in the book. Tommy undergoes a successful fourth and they are together. I think that they truly loved each other. Unfortunately the book ends in a dark manner. Tommy dies and Kathy is distraught. She is upset that she will now die alone after she was there for both Ruth and Tommy. She doesn't know what to do and her future is not clear, but I believe that she is strong enough and she will get through the next part of her life.
Never Let Me Go - Souls
Page 260 - "Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all."
I knew the concept of sould would pop up again. Miss Emily even refers back to Tommy's statement about art reveals a person's soul. What's interesting about this is that Hailsham no longer exists. Miss Emily says that the art measured how well they were doing their jobs. Now that Hailsham is gone, I believe that means that the teachers could not prove the existence of the childrens' souls. The students were all clones. Since they were not legitimate human beings to society, there souls had to be proven. The gallery was for showing off the art that could prove the souls' existence.
I knew the concept of sould would pop up again. Miss Emily even refers back to Tommy's statement about art reveals a person's soul. What's interesting about this is that Hailsham no longer exists. Miss Emily says that the art measured how well they were doing their jobs. Now that Hailsham is gone, I believe that means that the teachers could not prove the existence of the childrens' souls. The students were all clones. Since they were not legitimate human beings to society, there souls had to be proven. The gallery was for showing off the art that could prove the souls' existence.
Never Let Me Go - Why Hailsham?
Page 259 - "Why Hailsham at all?"
This is one of the most important rhetorical questions in the entire book. It is most likely the most important question in the book. Why Hailsham? Why childhood at all? Kathy is surprised she is not crushed right now; she doesn't want to even look at Tommy. Deferrals don't exist. Why? What was the point of going to Hailsham and listening to the teachers? That was not the answer that Kathy and Tommy wanted to hear. They are now confused and must listen to more explanation.
This is one of the most important rhetorical questions in the entire book. It is most likely the most important question in the book. Why Hailsham? Why childhood at all? Kathy is surprised she is not crushed right now; she doesn't want to even look at Tommy. Deferrals don't exist. Why? What was the point of going to Hailsham and listening to the teachers? That was not the answer that Kathy and Tommy wanted to hear. They are now confused and must listen to more explanation.
Never Let Me Go - Miss Emily
Page 256 - "'Miss Emily,' I said, 'it's very nice to see you again.'"
Miss Emily has returned. The teacher that the friends had most adored has returned towards the end of the story. This is important because I believe Kathy will want to talk to her more than Madame. She is looking for answers. She hopes that her and Tommy can talk to her about the gallery. Tommy wants another shot at getting his art in it. Also, there is a growing emphasis on souls. For example, Tommy believes that art speaks for the soul and should be cherished.
Miss Emily has returned. The teacher that the friends had most adored has returned towards the end of the story. This is important because I believe Kathy will want to talk to her more than Madame. She is looking for answers. She hopes that her and Tommy can talk to her about the gallery. Tommy wants another shot at getting his art in it. Also, there is a growing emphasis on souls. For example, Tommy believes that art speaks for the soul and should be cherished.
Never Let Me Go - Rhetorical Questions
Page 252 - "How can you know it? You think love is so simple?"
Madame begins to question Kathy and Tommy here. They believe that they are in love. Madame's reaction surprised me. She was more than shocked. These questions are hard to answer. I don't think that I could even answer these. Questions like these are ones for people with wisdom to share advice on. Tommy and Kathy certainly cannot answer these.
Madame begins to question Kathy and Tommy here. They believe that they are in love. Madame's reaction surprised me. She was more than shocked. These questions are hard to answer. I don't think that I could even answer these. Questions like these are ones for people with wisdom to share advice on. Tommy and Kathy certainly cannot answer these.
Never Let Me Go - A New Start
Page 238 - "For a start, Tommy and I finally started having sex."
I've decided to take a break from the literary terms for this blog. Some major events have just occured. Ruth has died! Ishiguro didn't even directly inform the reader of that. I interpreted it from a few things. The first was how the last chapter ended: in a dark setting. The next is that she is beginning to show feelings for Tommy. Kathy may have finally found her love. She is also caring for him now too. What will happen when Tommy dies though? Her friends will be gone.
I've decided to take a break from the literary terms for this blog. Some major events have just occured. Ruth has died! Ishiguro didn't even directly inform the reader of that. I interpreted it from a few things. The first was how the last chapter ended: in a dark setting. The next is that she is beginning to show feelings for Tommy. Kathy may have finally found her love. She is also caring for him now too. What will happen when Tommy dies though? Her friends will be gone.
Never Let Me Go - Stream of Consciousness
Page 234 - "I put the car on the road again, and my memory of it is that we didn't talk mch more on the way back to the Kingsfield."
So far, the story has been filled with Kathy's stream of consciousness. She opens the doors to her mind to allow the reader to see what she is thinking. She also allows the reader to she what her opinions are on past events. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the actions that Kathy takes. It also allows to interpret her character easier. The author allows us to charaterize her using her thoughts and reactions. In my opinion, she is caring, humble, and honest. She is very friendly and loves her best friends.
So far, the story has been filled with Kathy's stream of consciousness. She opens the doors to her mind to allow the reader to see what she is thinking. She also allows the reader to she what her opinions are on past events. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the actions that Kathy takes. It also allows to interpret her character easier. The author allows us to charaterize her using her thoughts and reactions. In my opinion, she is caring, humble, and honest. She is very friendly and loves her best friends.
Never Let Me Go - Mood
Page 219 - "That afternoon Ruth and I went to the Kingsfield, it was overcast and a bit chilly, and as we drove into the Square it was deserted except for a group of six or seven shadowy figures underneath that roof."
The authors mood shifts here to a mysterious setting. It is one that I would expect to be in a horror film. It seems to set up a dark event in the story. However, one does not immediately occur after this setup. Tommy exits the building and joins them. He is only a "stone" heavier than the last time Kathy saw him. He is not on his deathbead. He is ok and well enough to travel with them. Why would the setting be set like this then?
The authors mood shifts here to a mysterious setting. It is one that I would expect to be in a horror film. It seems to set up a dark event in the story. However, one does not immediately occur after this setup. Tommy exits the building and joins them. He is only a "stone" heavier than the last time Kathy saw him. He is not on his deathbead. He is ok and well enough to travel with them. Why would the setting be set like this then?
Never Let Me Go - Personification
Page 207 - "Then there's solitude."
At the beginning of chapter eighteen, the beginning of part three, Ishiguro uses this sentence. To me it gives off an ultimatum feeling. I know it's not meant to do that but that's my opinion. Here solitude is personified. Ishiguro goes on to describe the solitude by using a hypothetical situation to describe it. This situation is particularly similar to Kathy's life. I say this because it speaks of growing up knowing the same people. Then it goes on to speak of traveling to different hospitals. I get a sense of Kathy reminiscing a general recollection of her life.
At the beginning of chapter eighteen, the beginning of part three, Ishiguro uses this sentence. To me it gives off an ultimatum feeling. I know it's not meant to do that but that's my opinion. Here solitude is personified. Ishiguro goes on to describe the solitude by using a hypothetical situation to describe it. This situation is particularly similar to Kathy's life. I say this because it speaks of growing up knowing the same people. Then it goes on to speak of traveling to different hospitals. I get a sense of Kathy reminiscing a general recollection of her life.
Never Let Me Go - Simile
Page 188 - "He didn't say anything in response, but a kind of smirk appeared over his face, like he was enjoying a joke with himself, and I knew how happy I'd made him."
Kathy is talking about Tommy's reaction when she compliments his animals. These animals mean a lot to Tommy. We as readers now discover he is artistic, and Kathy encourages him to keep working on it. Ishiguro uses this simile in order to describe the type of smirk Tommy had. He makes it relatable by sharing the comparison of a joke to oneself. Everyone has had a moment like that. However, Tommy was not joking. He was legitimately happy that someone enjoys something that he is doing on his own.
Kathy is talking about Tommy's reaction when she compliments his animals. These animals mean a lot to Tommy. We as readers now discover he is artistic, and Kathy encourages him to keep working on it. Ishiguro uses this simile in order to describe the type of smirk Tommy had. He makes it relatable by sharing the comparison of a joke to oneself. Everyone has had a moment like that. However, Tommy was not joking. He was legitimately happy that someone enjoys something that he is doing on his own.
Never Let Me Go - Flashback
Page 178 - "In fact, I have to admit, I was reminded of the original elephant-in-the-grass picture that had started off all Tommy's problems at Hailsham."
Wow, another flashback. This flashback is again about the gang's old days at Hailsham. As the friends' years together begin come to come to an end, they begin to discuss their old art. While doing this, Kathy recalls Tommy's imaginary animals. I don't believe Tommy was a weird child, we all had imaginary friends. Tommy however had inspiration for these creatures. For one of the first times, I am seeing Tommy's imaginations. He was not just a hot-head, he had a creative mind too.
Wow, another flashback. This flashback is again about the gang's old days at Hailsham. As the friends' years together begin come to come to an end, they begin to discuss their old art. While doing this, Kathy recalls Tommy's imaginary animals. I don't believe Tommy was a weird child, we all had imaginary friends. Tommy however had inspiration for these creatures. For one of the first times, I am seeing Tommy's imaginations. He was not just a hot-head, he had a creative mind too.
Never Let Me Go - Dialect
Page 157 - "You know, personalise them."
I have decided to point out that the author is writing with his English dialect. Instead of a "z" like we Americans would use, Ishiguro uses an "s." This just adds to the fact that the story takes place in England. This also speaks to me. It kind of draws me into the story more. I think it is because it makes me think that this is an authentic story about Britsh people and their lives. Although I am not British, it kind of gives me the sense that I am. I kind of like it; I think that I could get used to it.
I have decided to point out that the author is writing with his English dialect. Instead of a "z" like we Americans would use, Ishiguro uses an "s." This just adds to the fact that the story takes place in England. This also speaks to me. It kind of draws me into the story more. I think it is because it makes me think that this is an authentic story about Britsh people and their lives. Although I am not British, it kind of gives me the sense that I am. I kind of like it; I think that I could get used to it.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Never Let Me Go - Implied Metaphor
Page 146 - "He'd regularly got cars this way in the past, but this particular time, the arrangement broke down the day before we were due to set off."
I did a double take upon reading this passage of the book. I knew I spotted some literary term, but this implied metaphor didn't jump out at me like the others terms have so far. I give props to Ishiguro for this sentence. Since they were talking about getting a car the phrase "broke down" was used instead of "fell through." As I said in the earlier blog, Hailsham would come up again, and now it has. The five accomplices are taking a trip to Norfolk to rediscover Hailsham and "find all their lost things." But I have one question: why was Ruth sour at first about Kathy going with them? I think it is because she still has sour feelings about her from earlier in their lives.
I did a double take upon reading this passage of the book. I knew I spotted some literary term, but this implied metaphor didn't jump out at me like the others terms have so far. I give props to Ishiguro for this sentence. Since they were talking about getting a car the phrase "broke down" was used instead of "fell through." As I said in the earlier blog, Hailsham would come up again, and now it has. The five accomplices are taking a trip to Norfolk to rediscover Hailsham and "find all their lost things." But I have one question: why was Ruth sour at first about Kathy going with them? I think it is because she still has sour feelings about her from earlier in their lives.
Never Let Me Go - Hyperbole
Page 128 - "Somtimes it won't be there for ages. Then it suddenly it comes on."
Ok, now we're starting to get to the really weird parts. Here we go again, just like Brave New World. The girls begin to talk about sex, and Kathy begins to speak about her "one-nighters." She yearns for a boyfriend, someone to love. I think that she is jealous of the relationship that Ruth and Tommy have developed. She feels a little left out. In addition to my thoughts, I spotted a hyperbole. In the quote, ages doesn't really mean ages. She is still young when she is at the Cottages; it is just a figure of speech used to describe her yearning for relations.
Ok, now we're starting to get to the really weird parts. Here we go again, just like Brave New World. The girls begin to talk about sex, and Kathy begins to speak about her "one-nighters." She yearns for a boyfriend, someone to love. I think that she is jealous of the relationship that Ruth and Tommy have developed. She feels a little left out. In addition to my thoughts, I spotted a hyperbole. In the quote, ages doesn't really mean ages. She is still young when she is at the Cottages; it is just a figure of speech used to describe her yearning for relations.
Never Let Me Go - Direct Characterization
Page 100 - "But Cynthia was a perceptive person, and the fact that she wasn't part of our group just gave her remark more weight."
The author changes things up here by using dirent characterization to characterize a girl named Cynthia as perceptive. This is very relatable to the culture that I am surrounded by because I know that gossip goes on everyday. Especially this type of gossip. The type where people say things based on just what they hear, not what they know for sure. When Kathy hears this, she begins to think. What if this opinion is one that everyone believes? This is exactly how I feel if I hear a false rumor. Also, hints are beggining to pop up of possible romance between Kathy and Tommy. Kathy keeps thinking to herself that she is just too good of friends with him. Or is it that she is too good of friends with Ruth to ruin their friendship?
The author changes things up here by using dirent characterization to characterize a girl named Cynthia as perceptive. This is very relatable to the culture that I am surrounded by because I know that gossip goes on everyday. Especially this type of gossip. The type where people say things based on just what they hear, not what they know for sure. When Kathy hears this, she begins to think. What if this opinion is one that everyone believes? This is exactly how I feel if I hear a false rumor. Also, hints are beggining to pop up of possible romance between Kathy and Tommy. Kathy keeps thinking to herself that she is just too good of friends with him. Or is it that she is too good of friends with Ruth to ruin their friendship?
Never Let Me Go - Local Color
Page 79 - "We were fifteen by then, already into our last year at Hailsham."
While reading over the literary terms, I stumbled upon one I wasn't very familiar with: local color. When I read the definition, Hailsham immediately jumped into my mind. Hailsham has been by far the most important setting in this story. Also, its landscape and customs have been touched upon too. My opinion is that Hailsham is important because it is the place where Kathy befriended Ruth and Tommy. Their relationships were structured at Hailsham. It will always have a special place in their hearts. I also wouldn't be surprised to see it pop up again later in the story as well.
While reading over the literary terms, I stumbled upon one I wasn't very familiar with: local color. When I read the definition, Hailsham immediately jumped into my mind. Hailsham has been by far the most important setting in this story. Also, its landscape and customs have been touched upon too. My opinion is that Hailsham is important because it is the place where Kathy befriended Ruth and Tommy. Their relationships were structured at Hailsham. It will always have a special place in their hearts. I also wouldn't be surprised to see it pop up again later in the story as well.
Never Let Me Go - Tone
Page 51 - "'Mr. Rodger,' Ruth sighed on that occasion, shaking her head. 'Who'd have guessed he was in it too?'"
So far in the story, I would describe the author's tone as nostalgic. Like I said before the book has mostly been anecdotes from Kathy's days at Hailsham. However, I have seen a specific change in the author's tone. At first, I would describe Kathy as mature based on the ways she recounted her days of youth. Recently, though, she has described them in a more childish way. I say this because she seems more excited about the outcomes of the story. I would describe this quote as immature. The girls are being arrogant as they believe that there is a plot to kidnap their favorite instructor. The immaturity is not a bad thing though. I believe that it draws the reader in more to the flashbacks. In addition, I can relate to this because I would describe myself as a little immature (not in a bad way though!).
So far in the story, I would describe the author's tone as nostalgic. Like I said before the book has mostly been anecdotes from Kathy's days at Hailsham. However, I have seen a specific change in the author's tone. At first, I would describe Kathy as mature based on the ways she recounted her days of youth. Recently, though, she has described them in a more childish way. I say this because she seems more excited about the outcomes of the story. I would describe this quote as immature. The girls are being arrogant as they believe that there is a plot to kidnap their favorite instructor. The immaturity is not a bad thing though. I believe that it draws the reader in more to the flashbacks. In addition, I can relate to this because I would describe myself as a little immature (not in a bad way though!).
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Never Let Me Go - So Many Anecdotes!
Page 35 - "I'll never forget the strange change that came over us the next instant. Until that point, this whole thing about Madame, had been, if not a joke exactly, very much a private thing we'd wanted to settle among ourselves."
Holy anecdotes! The first part of the story has been chalked full of them. I almost forgot that the current setting is in the future. However, I believe that these are setting up a big part of the plot for later in the story. This has also helped me to a lot about the characters just from background stories. Another thing I wanted to touch on is why does the Madame fear the children? I believe that it is because the children were made to be donors in life, and that she thinks of them as less than her. A good analogy made is that the children are thought of as a spider, which is very relatable. I am alarmed to see a spider and all I want to do is stay away from it.
Holy anecdotes! The first part of the story has been chalked full of them. I almost forgot that the current setting is in the future. However, I believe that these are setting up a big part of the plot for later in the story. This has also helped me to a lot about the characters just from background stories. Another thing I wanted to touch on is why does the Madame fear the children? I believe that it is because the children were made to be donors in life, and that she thinks of them as less than her. A good analogy made is that the children are thought of as a spider, which is very relatable. I am alarmed to see a spider and all I want to do is stay away from it.
Never Let Me Go -Protagonist
Page 25 - "Maybe because I was keen to keep up this impression - though I'd no idea if anyone was actually watching - I didn't try and sit down when I eventually found him seated on a large flat rock not far from the water's edge."
Ok, after two chapters of reading I think it's a safe bet to say that Kathy is the protagonist in the story. There have been numerous clues throughout the reading. I do not know who the antagonist is or if there is one. I also find it extremely odd that the author is a man yet he is telling the story in first person. I do not know of any other books that do this. I do not know if I could do this. It seems as though I would get confused. However, Kathy reminds me a little of myself. For example, she seems sympathetic like me. She doesn't like to see other people being picked on.
Ok, after two chapters of reading I think it's a safe bet to say that Kathy is the protagonist in the story. There have been numerous clues throughout the reading. I do not know who the antagonist is or if there is one. I also find it extremely odd that the author is a man yet he is telling the story in first person. I do not know of any other books that do this. I do not know if I could do this. It seems as though I would get confused. However, Kathy reminds me a little of myself. For example, she seems sympathetic like me. She doesn't like to see other people being picked on.
Never Let Me Go - Imagery
Page 7 - "There was bright sunshine, but it must have been raining earlier that day because I can remember how the sun was glinting on the muddy surface of the grass.
Early in this book a literary term has already jumped off the page at me. The imagery that Ishiguro uses here is fantastic. Before this sentence he speaks of boys playing "football", which just excites me even more for the start of soccer season. When I read this, I can close my eyes and picture the exact setting described in this excerpt. I can put myself in this situation with my friends on a Saturday afternoon in my backyard. Ishiguro has also used other imagery already to describe Hailsham. He's described it in a way that I can relate to. When I imagine this school, I imagine a college-like environment filled with energetic youth roaming the campus.
Early in this book a literary term has already jumped off the page at me. The imagery that Ishiguro uses here is fantastic. Before this sentence he speaks of boys playing "football", which just excites me even more for the start of soccer season. When I read this, I can close my eyes and picture the exact setting described in this excerpt. I can put myself in this situation with my friends on a Saturday afternoon in my backyard. Ishiguro has also used other imagery already to describe Hailsham. He's described it in a way that I can relate to. When I imagine this school, I imagine a college-like environment filled with energetic youth roaming the campus.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Brave New World - 20
Page 259: "South-south-wet, south, south-east, east..."
Thank the good Lord! I'm done! And very confused. What happened at the end? Is John dead? How did the people discover his location? What I got from this book was that in this Society, an average person would go crazy. John just couldn't take it and he snapped. This was a good book, and I enjoyed it fr the most part. I hope that through class discussions, I can get my questions answered.
Thank the good Lord! I'm done! And very confused. What happened at the end? Is John dead? How did the people discover his location? What I got from this book was that in this Society, an average person would go crazy. John just couldn't take it and he snapped. This was a good book, and I enjoyed it fr the most part. I hope that through class discussions, I can get my questions answered.
Brave New World - 19
Page 206: "'Can't you behave?' she said in a low, angry voice."
This quote immediately caught my attention. This is very weird. Reading this quote now, I fully believe that this society is messed up. Even if you're around death a lot, it is sick to ask someone to behave after another has died. I hope to God that this never happens in the future. From reading this book, I now see the harm of genetic engineering. Once a normal human entered the Society, the cons about it began to show. John is angry and now revolting. I have a feeling that the end of this book will be very interesting.
This quote immediately caught my attention. This is very weird. Reading this quote now, I fully believe that this society is messed up. Even if you're around death a lot, it is sick to ask someone to behave after another has died. I hope to God that this never happens in the future. From reading this book, I now see the harm of genetic engineering. Once a normal human entered the Society, the cons about it began to show. John is angry and now revolting. I have a feeling that the end of this book will be very interesting.
Brave New World - 18
Page 185: "He laughed and laughed till the tears streamed down his face - quenchlessly laughed while, pale with a sense of outrage, the Savage looked at him over the top of his book and then, as the laughter still continued, closed it indignantly, got up and, with the gesture of one who removes his pearl from before swine, locked it away in its drawer."
Aha! Mrs. Sander would be so proud of me right now. In fact, I'm very proud of myself. I'm kind of amazed too. I've spotted an allusion that we covered in class last year. Pearl before swine is an alusion which means that one shouldn't share his riches with another who isn't grateful and worthy of them. Here, it is talking about John putting his book away. He did because Watson obviously didn't appreciate the story. He couldn't comprehend it. So as a result, he laughed at it which caused John to put it away in a drawer.
Aha! Mrs. Sander would be so proud of me right now. In fact, I'm very proud of myself. I'm kind of amazed too. I've spotted an allusion that we covered in class last year. Pearl before swine is an alusion which means that one shouldn't share his riches with another who isn't grateful and worthy of them. Here, it is talking about John putting his book away. He did because Watson obviously didn't appreciate the story. He couldn't comprehend it. So as a result, he laughed at it which caused John to put it away in a drawer.
Brave New World - 17
Page 160: "O brave new world that has such people in it."
In my last blog I said that John used the title of the book in his dialogue. He used it again, so I decided to use it as an example. This quote expresses John's amazement of the Society. He is gawked in this place rather than being shunned in the other. He enjoys this world. It is a new experience for him. I do have a question though. Who is Miranda? He has spoken about her, and Bernard doesn't know who she is either.
In my last blog I said that John used the title of the book in his dialogue. He used it again, so I decided to use it as an example. This quote expresses John's amazement of the Society. He is gawked in this place rather than being shunned in the other. He enjoys this world. It is a new experience for him. I do have a question though. Who is Miranda? He has spoken about her, and Bernard doesn't know who she is either.
Brave New World - 16
Page 144: "It hung there trembling, within an inch of those limp fingers, on the verge of contact."
This is getting weird. It is now obvious to me that these cultures are extremely different. John would not even lay a finger on Lenina. It seemed that she was almost sacred to him. Lenina had the sam, yet opposite attitude to her. She was almost afraid of him and she wouldn't touch them either. Also, my earlier prediction is looking good. Bernard does have a revolting mind and since the Director is sending him to Iceland, he wants to humiliate him by bringing his son back home. He also brings Linda with him because she is also revolting. In addition, John used the title of the book in his dialogue. I caught it!
This is getting weird. It is now obvious to me that these cultures are extremely different. John would not even lay a finger on Lenina. It seemed that she was almost sacred to him. Lenina had the sam, yet opposite attitude to her. She was almost afraid of him and she wouldn't touch them either. Also, my earlier prediction is looking good. Bernard does have a revolting mind and since the Director is sending him to Iceland, he wants to humiliate him by bringing his son back home. He also brings Linda with him because she is also revolting. In addition, John used the title of the book in his dialogue. I caught it!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Brave New World - 15
Page 136: "He had discovered Time and Death and God."
Again I have to ask what just happened? Was that a life story of John? And who were all those characters? Was it all just to confuse me? And how did he discover Time, Death, and God? And why are Time and Death capitalized? Hopefully there will be some significance to those anecdotes from John's life. For now I'm just happy that it has returned to the main plot and I see familiar characters again.
Again I have to ask what just happened? Was that a life story of John? And who were all those characters? Was it all just to confuse me? And how did he discover Time, Death, and God? And why are Time and Death capitalized? Hopefully there will be some significance to those anecdotes from John's life. For now I'm just happy that it has returned to the main plot and I see familiar characters again.
Brave New World - 14
Page 132: "A man can smile and smile and be a villain."
When I read this sentence I immediately thought of our society today. There are so many fake people who just use their smile and personality to get by people. Not everyone is fake though. Most people are genuine and real. However, there is that small populaton of people who might not be who you think they are. Here, John is talking about Pope (pretend the "e" has an accent). Just because a person looks and acts kind doesn't mean that is who they really are. There is a saying that says "you can't judge a book by it's cover." To me that is what this quote means.
When I read this sentence I immediately thought of our society today. There are so many fake people who just use their smile and personality to get by people. Not everyone is fake though. Most people are genuine and real. However, there is that small populaton of people who might not be who you think they are. Here, John is talking about Pope (pretend the "e" has an accent). Just because a person looks and acts kind doesn't mean that is who they really are. There is a saying that says "you can't judge a book by it's cover." To me that is what this quote means.
Brave New World - 13
Page 125: "He said the stuff in the gourd was called mescal; but Linda said it ought to be called soma; only it made you feel ill afterwards."
Finally, I think I have figured out what mescal and soma is. I believe that mescal is alcohol and soma is some drug. Through context clues I have figured it out. Mescal was described as a liquid that looked like water but smelled bad and burned. It was also said that mescal made you feel ill afterwards. Soma was described to do the same as mescal but not make you ill. The items are very similar. It makes sense now because whenever Lenina would take soma she would act different. She would also see things and take an approach to them differently.
Finally, I think I have figured out what mescal and soma is. I believe that mescal is alcohol and soma is some drug. Through context clues I have figured it out. Mescal was described as a liquid that looked like water but smelled bad and burned. It was also said that mescal made you feel ill afterwards. Soma was described to do the same as mescal but not make you ill. The items are very similar. It makes sense now because whenever Lenina would take soma she would act different. She would also see things and take an approach to them differently.
Brave New World - 12
Pages 113-116: "But a little later it was...into the nether world."
After reading this I have but one question: what in the world just happened? From drummers to wild snakes, I can't tell what that was. I believe it was a native ritual but I cannot be sure. At first I thought it was Christian because it mentioned the sign of the cross. It also mentioned a man nailed to a cross. In addition, why does Lenina seem sick whenever she sees viviparous living taking place around her. Was that taught to her in her sleep too or is it something else? She takes soma everytime something bothers her. And what the heck is soma?!
After reading this I have but one question: what in the world just happened? From drummers to wild snakes, I can't tell what that was. I believe it was a native ritual but I cannot be sure. At first I thought it was Christian because it mentioned the sign of the cross. It also mentioned a man nailed to a cross. In addition, why does Lenina seem sick whenever she sees viviparous living taking place around her. Was that taught to her in her sleep too or is it something else? She takes soma everytime something bothers her. And what the heck is soma?!
Brave New World - 11
Page 97: "...the social body persists although the component cells may change."
This quote grabbed my attention immediately after I read it. I have my own interpretation of what this quote means. To me this quote means that as your body may grow, your personality may not. I have friends that this quote applies to. However, I also know others who this quote does not apply to, and their personalities have changed as they have. I think this quote rings true throughout the story. People are bred to not socially change as they age. They repeat the same cycle everyday in the Community.
This quote grabbed my attention immediately after I read it. I have my own interpretation of what this quote means. To me this quote means that as your body may grow, your personality may not. I have friends that this quote applies to. However, I also know others who this quote does not apply to, and their personalities have changed as they have. I think this quote rings true throughout the story. People are bred to not socially change as they age. They repeat the same cycle everyday in the Community.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Brave New World - 10
Page 80: "The President made another sign of the T and sat down. The service had begun."
I could not pass this situation up. This is getting extremely weird. Sign of the T? Service? This is obviously symbolism of the Catholic mass. Also, instead of the Body and Blood, there are somas. This reinforces my thought earlier of thinking of Ford as a god. In the book, it is Ford Day. They sing to him and praise him. But one of my questions still remains fresh in my mind. Who exactly is Ford and why i he such a big deal in this strange society?
I could not pass this situation up. This is getting extremely weird. Sign of the T? Service? This is obviously symbolism of the Catholic mass. Also, instead of the Body and Blood, there are somas. This reinforces my thought earlier of thinking of Ford as a god. In the book, it is Ford Day. They sing to him and praise him. But one of my questions still remains fresh in my mind. Who exactly is Ford and why i he such a big deal in this strange society?
Brave New World - 9
Page 75: "'Yes, everybody's happy now,' echoed Lenina. They had heard the words repeated a hundred and fifty times every night for twelve years."
Again I would've wished to have read more before I blogged next in order to spread them out a little more but I could not pass this up. When I read this, I began to think. Are these people really happy, or are they just taught to be? After all, I had been wondering who could be happy in this society. How could one be happy when they are taught to dislike other groups of people? So this society is filled with fake happiness. It makes sense now. How could one be happy in a society where everything is controlled? It did not make sense.
Again I would've wished to have read more before I blogged next in order to spread them out a little more but I could not pass this up. When I read this, I began to think. Are these people really happy, or are they just taught to be? After all, I had been wondering who could be happy in this society. How could one be happy when they are taught to dislike other groups of people? So this society is filled with fake happiness. It makes sense now. How could one be happy in a society where everything is controlled? It did not make sense.
Brave New World - 8
Page 70: "'Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly-they'll go through anything.'"
Helmholtz Watson's simile here made me think. It made me think because it is true. If you are a good speaker, and can put words in good sequence, you can change people. An example is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was such a good speaker. In the years that he vote for racial justice, he changed a lot of people's opinions on the subject and made it a hotly debated topic. Political candidates today are very good speakers. In order to be elected, you must be a thorough and persuasive speaker. Huxley's simile is very effective and thought-provoking.
Helmholtz Watson's simile here made me think. It made me think because it is true. If you are a good speaker, and can put words in good sequence, you can change people. An example is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was such a good speaker. In the years that he vote for racial justice, he changed a lot of people's opinions on the subject and made it a hotly debated topic. Political candidates today are very good speakers. In order to be elected, you must be a thorough and persuasive speaker. Huxley's simile is very effective and thought-provoking.
Brave New World - 7
Page 67: "A mental excess had produced in Hemholtz Watson effects very similar to those which, in Bernard Marx, were the result of a physical defect."
This quote stood out to me for some reason. After thinking about it, I realized why it had stood out so much. The thoughts that these men are having are normal thoughts. Everything about this book so far has been different and seeing something normal mentioned stood out to me. Even though it may not be a big part of the story now, it could turn out to have an impact later. These thoughts could get revolutionary and these men could turn against the system. I can also relate to these thoughts. I am above average height and I also sometimes wonder 'why me?' However I can use my religion to say that God made me the way I am. The people in the book must try to blame their different features on science.
This quote stood out to me for some reason. After thinking about it, I realized why it had stood out so much. The thoughts that these men are having are normal thoughts. Everything about this book so far has been different and seeing something normal mentioned stood out to me. Even though it may not be a big part of the story now, it could turn out to have an impact later. These thoughts could get revolutionary and these men could turn against the system. I can also relate to these thoughts. I am above average height and I also sometimes wonder 'why me?' However I can use my religion to say that God made me the way I am. The people in the book must try to blame their different features on science.
Brave New World - 6
Pages 47-55: "'Or the Caste System'...down the corridor to the lift."
Again I am a little confused. My main question is why did Huxley orchestrate 3 conversations at once? He also intertwined them a little. This made it hard to decipher who was talking and what they were talking about. One answer to my question may be to illustrate that these discussions were happening simultaneously. However, I believe that there is more than that. I do not know what it is but I believe there was a reason for Huxley to write the way he did. I had to reread this section of the book to clear up who was talking and what they were talking about.
Again I am a little confused. My main question is why did Huxley orchestrate 3 conversations at once? He also intertwined them a little. This made it hard to decipher who was talking and what they were talking about. One answer to my question may be to illustrate that these discussions were happening simultaneously. However, I believe that there is more than that. I do not know what it is but I believe there was a reason for Huxley to write the way he did. I had to reread this section of the book to clear up who was talking and what they were talking about.
Brave New World - 5
Page 42: "The machine turns, turns and must keep on turning - forever. It is death if it stands still."
Here I noticed a literary term being used. I noticed an example of symbolism. In this quote, the machine is life, and when the machine turns, people are living. However, when the machine stops, people die. Also, when the machine keeps turning and picking up momentum, people start to grow. They also start to multiply and population increases. There must be people to look after the wheels, and these people are high ranking officials that make sure the machine doesn't go off course. If it does then people stop growing and some begin to die. This process represents a community and how it can grow over time.
Here I noticed a literary term being used. I noticed an example of symbolism. In this quote, the machine is life, and when the machine turns, people are living. However, when the machine stops, people die. Also, when the machine keeps turning and picking up momentum, people start to grow. They also start to multiply and population increases. There must be people to look after the wheels, and these people are high ranking officials that make sure the machine doesn't go off course. If it does then people stop growing and some begin to die. This process represents a community and how it can grow over time.
Brave New World - 4
Page 34: "One of the ten . . . and he sat down on the bench with the D.H.C., he was going to stay, to stay, yes, and actually talk to them . . . straight from the horse's mouth. Straight from the mouth of Ford himself."
I was going to read more before my next blog but I could not help but notice repetition taking place in the story. The phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" has been stated on multiple occasions in the story. Usually, it is said when the boys are transcribing every word that comes out of the Director's mouth, but now it is used for the Controller here. Now I am confused. I got even more confused when the story said that something was coming "straight from the mouth of Ford himself." Is the controller a genetic clone of Ford?" Why is the Controller even there? What regions of the world do the other 9 Controllers oversee? Hopefully my questions will be answered in the novel soon.
I was going to read more before my next blog but I could not help but notice repetition taking place in the story. The phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" has been stated on multiple occasions in the story. Usually, it is said when the boys are transcribing every word that comes out of the Director's mouth, but now it is used for the Controller here. Now I am confused. I got even more confused when the story said that something was coming "straight from the mouth of Ford himself." Is the controller a genetic clone of Ford?" Why is the Controller even there? What regions of the world do the other 9 Controllers oversee? Hopefully my questions will be answered in the novel soon.
Brave New World - 3
Pages 30-31: "'Strange,' mused the Director, as they turned away, 'strange to think that even in Our Ford's day most games were played without more apparatus than a ball or two and a few sticks and perhaps a bit of netting.'"
I cannot help but stop here and try to figure something out. Who is "Our Ford?!" Finally, after I digressed in my reading, I think that I have an idea. In an earlier page, Ford was connected to the Model T, which was the first car ever invented. So I think that "Our Ford" is actually Henry Ford. But why Henry Ford? He seems really random right now. However, I believe that the community may for some reason idolize this man and think of him almost as a god. I'm not quite sure why though. It may be because he was a great engineer, or there may be another reason. I am interested to see the part that Ford plays in the rest of the novel.
I cannot help but stop here and try to figure something out. Who is "Our Ford?!" Finally, after I digressed in my reading, I think that I have an idea. In an earlier page, Ford was connected to the Model T, which was the first car ever invented. So I think that "Our Ford" is actually Henry Ford. But why Henry Ford? He seems really random right now. However, I believe that the community may for some reason idolize this man and think of him almost as a god. I'm not quite sure why though. It may be because he was a great engineer, or there may be another reason. I am interested to see the part that Ford plays in the rest of the novel.
Brave New World - 2
Pages 20-21: "The nurses stiffened to attention...howling suddenly increased."
This situation takes place in the "Neo-Pavlovian Conditioning Rooms." I noticed 'Pavlov' in the word 'Pavlovian' so I thought of Pavlov's dog. I then made the connection of Pavlov's dog to the experiment that takes place in this room. When the babies started to touch the roses and books, the Director had a din noise played while shocking the infants. I think he did this because the babies are apart of Delta. Now whenever these children see roses and books, they will turn away because they are frightened. I believe the Director did this because the plan that he has for thse babies' futures does not involve anything with books or roses. This is apart of his perfect society where he chooses where his genetically engineered babies will end up.
This situation takes place in the "Neo-Pavlovian Conditioning Rooms." I noticed 'Pavlov' in the word 'Pavlovian' so I thought of Pavlov's dog. I then made the connection of Pavlov's dog to the experiment that takes place in this room. When the babies started to touch the roses and books, the Director had a din noise played while shocking the infants. I think he did this because the babies are apart of Delta. Now whenever these children see roses and books, they will turn away because they are frightened. I believe the Director did this because the plan that he has for thse babies' futures does not involve anything with books or roses. This is apart of his perfect society where he chooses where his genetically engineered babies will end up.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Brave New World - 1
Page 4: "A troop of newly arrived students, very young, pink and callow, followed nervously, rather abjectly, at the Director's heels."
From this sentence, I made the assumption that the Director has authority over numerous people in this society. To me, the children seem very obediant, almost frightened of this man. They write down almost every word he says. Also, when Mr. Foster comes into the picture, he is also obediant. When the Director tells him to state a fact, he willingly does so. He is described as a tall, thin man who is most likely intimidating. It has not been said however how much authority he has in this strange community. I am interested to see the role the Director plays in this novel as the plot unfolds.
From this sentence, I made the assumption that the Director has authority over numerous people in this society. To me, the children seem very obediant, almost frightened of this man. They write down almost every word he says. Also, when Mr. Foster comes into the picture, he is also obediant. When the Director tells him to state a fact, he willingly does so. He is described as a tall, thin man who is most likely intimidating. It has not been said however how much authority he has in this strange community. I am interested to see the role the Director plays in this novel as the plot unfolds.
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