"Death, be not proud"
by John Donne
This poem personifies death and makes it seem less powerful and frightening. Death does not kill everyone it thinks it does and is a "slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men," and dwells "with poison, war, and sickness" (Donne, 971). The speaker puts death down a belittles it. He puts himself above death by saying that death cannot kill him. The speaker may go to sleep, but he will always wake up. The speaker directly addresses death and reprimands it- telling death to not be too proud or self-confident because it hasn't accomplished much. The speaker has strong faith and therefore is not afraid of death.
My favorite line is the last one where it says, "and death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die" (Donne, 972). The speaker's faith is so strong that he believes that Christ will completely destroy death and everyone will have eternal life. Though God is not directly mentioned in the poem, it is a good assumption that it is God that the speaker is referring too because He is the only one in which a person can place complete faith that death will be destroyed.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"
by Dylan Thomas
The poem's title, which is also the refrain, urges the the reader to "not go gentle into that good night" (Thomas, 968). This is a fancy way of saying not to accept death calmly. Another refrain, "rage, rage against the dying of the light" (Thomas, 968), reinforces the plea. The speaker repeats the advice to fight against death, do not go out peacefully. But in telling the reader to fight, the speaker also acknowledges that everyone does face death at some point, wise me, good men, wild men, grave men, even his own father. These different types of men may perceive the approach of death in different ways, but they all must fight it in their own way.
This resistance toward impending death is a theme shown in the poem "That time of year" by Shakespeare as well. The lover mentioned at the end of the poem loves the dying man with even more strength and passion the closer he gets to death, knowing that their time will soon be cut short.
by Dylan Thomas
The poem's title, which is also the refrain, urges the the reader to "not go gentle into that good night" (Thomas, 968). This is a fancy way of saying not to accept death calmly. Another refrain, "rage, rage against the dying of the light" (Thomas, 968), reinforces the plea. The speaker repeats the advice to fight against death, do not go out peacefully. But in telling the reader to fight, the speaker also acknowledges that everyone does face death at some point, wise me, good men, wild men, grave men, even his own father. These different types of men may perceive the approach of death in different ways, but they all must fight it in their own way.
This resistance toward impending death is a theme shown in the poem "That time of year" by Shakespeare as well. The lover mentioned at the end of the poem loves the dying man with even more strength and passion the closer he gets to death, knowing that their time will soon be cut short.
"Crossing the Bar"
"Crossing the Bar"
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This poem is an allegory in which the imagery of the sea serves as a way for the author to describe death and the journey to it. Going out to sea stands for the beginning of the journey towards death. The speaker knows and expects death, and does not desire grief over his death. "And may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark" (Tennyson, 886). The speaker mention "moaning of the bar" and how he doesn't want it when he goes out to sea. This can be interpreted as the speaker asking for a calm and painless death. He wants the tide to be smooth, comparable to dying in his sleep. Though I was confused on the meaning of the boundless deep, I know that it has a negative connotation. Lastly, when the speaker says that he hopes "to see my Pilot face to face" (Tennyson, 886), it implies that the speaker wishes to meet his maker, the Creator. Pilot is capitalized because it refers to a higher being, the one who watches over us all.
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This poem is an allegory in which the imagery of the sea serves as a way for the author to describe death and the journey to it. Going out to sea stands for the beginning of the journey towards death. The speaker knows and expects death, and does not desire grief over his death. "And may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark" (Tennyson, 886). The speaker mention "moaning of the bar" and how he doesn't want it when he goes out to sea. This can be interpreted as the speaker asking for a calm and painless death. He wants the tide to be smooth, comparable to dying in his sleep. Though I was confused on the meaning of the boundless deep, I know that it has a negative connotation. Lastly, when the speaker says that he hopes "to see my Pilot face to face" (Tennyson, 886), it implies that the speaker wishes to meet his maker, the Creator. Pilot is capitalized because it refers to a higher being, the one who watches over us all.
"A Rose for Emily"
"A Rose for Emily"
by William Faulkner
Many of the details in the course of this story help to characterize Emily; specifically, anecdotes are used illustrate Emily's prominent traits and how other people perceive her. A common theme in multiple anecdotes is Emily's inability to change or move on. For example, when Emily's father died, she refused to even recognize his death. "She told them that her father was not dead. She did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body" (Faulkner, 285). And when neighbors complained about a smell from her house, a young men said, "Send her word to have her place cleaned up. Give her a certain time to do it in, and if she don't..." (Faulkner, 284) But people were afraid to confront her, so four men simply spread lime in and around her house to dispel the odor. Another instance of Emily's stubbornness is when the town authorities come to inform her that she needs to pay taxes and she tells them to "see Colonel Sartoris" because he excused her father from paying taxes. But the Colonel has been dead 10 years and Emily simply refuses to accept that things are changing. She won't even allow a number to be put on her house in order to receive mail.
These repeated displays of Emily's stubbornness and resistance to change help the reader unravel and understand the final events of the story. Emily wanted Homer to stay with her forever, she didn't want things to change. Therefore, she kept his dead body on a bed in a room that was in a state of preparedness for a wedding. Also, the reader discovers that Emily would repeatedly lay next to the dead and decomposing body of the man. Though there is no concrete proof, the reader can assume or deduce with confidence that Emily poisoned Homer so that he would stay with her forever, so that she would never have to let go.
by William Faulkner
Many of the details in the course of this story help to characterize Emily; specifically, anecdotes are used illustrate Emily's prominent traits and how other people perceive her. A common theme in multiple anecdotes is Emily's inability to change or move on. For example, when Emily's father died, she refused to even recognize his death. "She told them that her father was not dead. She did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body" (Faulkner, 285). And when neighbors complained about a smell from her house, a young men said, "Send her word to have her place cleaned up. Give her a certain time to do it in, and if she don't..." (Faulkner, 284) But people were afraid to confront her, so four men simply spread lime in and around her house to dispel the odor. Another instance of Emily's stubbornness is when the town authorities come to inform her that she needs to pay taxes and she tells them to "see Colonel Sartoris" because he excused her father from paying taxes. But the Colonel has been dead 10 years and Emily simply refuses to accept that things are changing. She won't even allow a number to be put on her house in order to receive mail.
These repeated displays of Emily's stubbornness and resistance to change help the reader unravel and understand the final events of the story. Emily wanted Homer to stay with her forever, she didn't want things to change. Therefore, she kept his dead body on a bed in a room that was in a state of preparedness for a wedding. Also, the reader discovers that Emily would repeatedly lay next to the dead and decomposing body of the man. Though there is no concrete proof, the reader can assume or deduce with confidence that Emily poisoned Homer so that he would stay with her forever, so that she would never have to let go.
“The Lottery”
“The Lottery”
By Shirley Jackson
The objective point of view contributes a lot to the meaning
of the story. It also plays a role in
the situational irony. The objective
stance of the narrator means that there is no emotional tone, sense of morality,
or judgment in the telling of the events.
This forces the reader to pay close attention to the attitudes and
emotions of the characters to determine the tone of the event.
In the case of “The Lottery,” the reader is led to believe
that the story will have a positive tone, because the word “lottery” has a
positive connotation and implies the receiving of money or a prize. The fact that the narrator does not refute
this positive assumption with a negative tone or judgment leads to the
situational irony. The reader expects a positive
response to the winning of the lottery, but that is not what happens. When Mrs. Hutchinson realized that her
husband had drawn the marked paper for their family, she immediately
protested. “Suddenly, Tessie Hutchinson
shouted to MR. Summers. ‘You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he
wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair’” (Jackson, 269). At this point the reader still may not
realize what is so awful about the lottery because the narrator has yet to
suggest a problem with it or display any moral objection through tone or other
characters besides Tessie. At the end,
the result of the lottery is spelled out: “A stone hit her on the side of the
head” (Jackson, 271).
This matter-of-fact statement elicits shock from the reader
but also displays how little the townspeople care about the horrible
violence. It is a tradition, the feel no
moral wrong, and so they continue on.
The objective point of view helps show the townspeople’s complete lack
of moral and common sense.
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| This seemingly innocent pile of stones soon turns deadly |
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The End of Jim
The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams
I would definitely categorize Laura as an antihero, as she does not possess courage, grace, or intelligence. The lack of these traditional qualities serves to elicit pity for Laura throughout the play, especially in her bad fortune with suitors. That is why the end of the play upset me so greatly- I truly desired Laura's happiness. Laura obviously was getting along quite well with the charming caller, Jim, and towards the end of their conversation, Laura surely assumes that he will call her or ask her on a date sometime in the future, especially since they had just kissed and Laura had previously established that he was no longer seeing his high school girlfriend. Unfortunately for Laura, just went she thought she had a chance at happiness and companionship, Jim reveals that he can not see her again. "I can't call up next week and- ask for a date. I though I had better explain the situation in case you- misunderstood it and- hurt your feelings...I've got strings on me. Laura, I've- been going steady ! I go out all the time with a girl named Betty" (Williams, 1284).
Seriously!? Jim just spent a long time talking to Laura and pretty much flirting, then it was odd when he said he wanted Laura as a sister...then he kisses her! Then we found out he's engaged! Laura's hopes are shattered and my likability for Jim just plummeted. How dare he? And then he just tells Amanda that his fiance is waiting and he leaves. Poor sweet Laura is still on the floor, and her mother comes to comfort her. This is partly Tom's fault because he was the one who unknowingly brought home an engaged man. The play ends with Tom leaving for good, Amanda comforting Laura, and the narrator saying that he has tried to forget Laura, though his faithfulness sometimes prevails. Tom the narrator asks Laura to blow her candles out and say goodbye.
The lights go out and the play is over.
by Tennessee Williams
I would definitely categorize Laura as an antihero, as she does not possess courage, grace, or intelligence. The lack of these traditional qualities serves to elicit pity for Laura throughout the play, especially in her bad fortune with suitors. That is why the end of the play upset me so greatly- I truly desired Laura's happiness. Laura obviously was getting along quite well with the charming caller, Jim, and towards the end of their conversation, Laura surely assumes that he will call her or ask her on a date sometime in the future, especially since they had just kissed and Laura had previously established that he was no longer seeing his high school girlfriend. Unfortunately for Laura, just went she thought she had a chance at happiness and companionship, Jim reveals that he can not see her again. "I can't call up next week and- ask for a date. I though I had better explain the situation in case you- misunderstood it and- hurt your feelings...I've got strings on me. Laura, I've- been going steady ! I go out all the time with a girl named Betty" (Williams, 1284).
Seriously!? Jim just spent a long time talking to Laura and pretty much flirting, then it was odd when he said he wanted Laura as a sister...then he kisses her! Then we found out he's engaged! Laura's hopes are shattered and my likability for Jim just plummeted. How dare he? And then he just tells Amanda that his fiance is waiting and he leaves. Poor sweet Laura is still on the floor, and her mother comes to comfort her. This is partly Tom's fault because he was the one who unknowingly brought home an engaged man. The play ends with Tom leaving for good, Amanda comforting Laura, and the narrator saying that he has tried to forget Laura, though his faithfulness sometimes prevails. Tom the narrator asks Laura to blow her candles out and say goodbye.
The lights go out and the play is over.
| This is totally what I would have done to Jim if I was Laura |
Different Diction
Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams
At first I thought I would be confused by Tom being both the narrator and a character, but what helped with the distinction was diction the author used for the narrator and the character of Tom. The word choice and style of speaking for the two parts was quite different. Tom as a narrator uses much more sophisticated and calm diction, as opposed to the character's choppy, fiery, simple diction. Tom as a character exits the story in a storm- "The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!" (Williams, 1288). In contrast, the narrator's ending in the play is much more soothing and wise- "TOM: I didn't go to the moon, I went much further- for time is the longest distance between to places...For nowadays the world is lit by lightening! Blow out your candles, Laura, and so goodbye..." (Williams, 1288-9) This difference in diction not only helps distinguish the two parts but also helps character feel more relatable while at the same time portraying the narrator as a wise man who has grown since the time of his memory. Tom the narrator is looking back at the particular time of his life and comments on it not with the bias of hindsight, but more with the knowledge and clearer view of experience.
If the narrator had the same loose diction as the character, the reader might not give his insight much merit and might assume that Tom has not changed at all. If the character had the same diction as the narrator, the character would not be as easy to relate to and might come of as pretentious.
The varied diction helps in not only telling the difference between the two parts, but also the difference between the two roles both the narrator and the character play in contributing to the theme. The play is a memory play and the sophisticated diction of the narrator helps to display that and also show how Tom has grown.
by Tennessee Williams
At first I thought I would be confused by Tom being both the narrator and a character, but what helped with the distinction was diction the author used for the narrator and the character of Tom. The word choice and style of speaking for the two parts was quite different. Tom as a narrator uses much more sophisticated and calm diction, as opposed to the character's choppy, fiery, simple diction. Tom as a character exits the story in a storm- "The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!" (Williams, 1288). In contrast, the narrator's ending in the play is much more soothing and wise- "TOM: I didn't go to the moon, I went much further- for time is the longest distance between to places...For nowadays the world is lit by lightening! Blow out your candles, Laura, and so goodbye..." (Williams, 1288-9) This difference in diction not only helps distinguish the two parts but also helps character feel more relatable while at the same time portraying the narrator as a wise man who has grown since the time of his memory. Tom the narrator is looking back at the particular time of his life and comments on it not with the bias of hindsight, but more with the knowledge and clearer view of experience.
If the narrator had the same loose diction as the character, the reader might not give his insight much merit and might assume that Tom has not changed at all. If the character had the same diction as the narrator, the character would not be as easy to relate to and might come of as pretentious.
The varied diction helps in not only telling the difference between the two parts, but also the difference between the two roles both the narrator and the character play in contributing to the theme. The play is a memory play and the sophisticated diction of the narrator helps to display that and also show how Tom has grown.
Symbolism
The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams
As stated in the title, Laura's glass menagerie play a key role in the theme of the story. The glass is small and frail. Laura cares for the glass very much because it is like herself. Laura is quiet and frail, but can have a subtle beauty, just like glass when it hits the right light.
The first time some glass is broken is when Tom and Amanda are having an argument and Tom shatters some glass pieces in his clumsy attempt to storm out. "[The coat] strikes against the shelf of Laura's glass collection, there is a tinkling of shattered glass. Laura cries out as if wounded" (Williams, 1248). The glass is almost a part of her. The shattered glass symbolizes how the innocent Laura is caught in between and harmed by the fights between her mother and brother.
Another example of the glass's symbolism is when Laura and Jim are talking about the little unicorn. When Jim accidentally breaks the horn off the unicorn, Laura says, "Maybe it's a blessing in disguise...The horn was removed to make him feel less- freakish!" (Williams, 1282-3) I see this as a symbol for how Jim made Laura feel less freakish. That's why she let him keep it as a souvenir; she wanted him to remember how he helped her and that she cared for him as well. Jim helped Laura come out of her shell a bit and develop an attachment toward a person over an attachment to glass.
by Tennessee Williams
As stated in the title, Laura's glass menagerie play a key role in the theme of the story. The glass is small and frail. Laura cares for the glass very much because it is like herself. Laura is quiet and frail, but can have a subtle beauty, just like glass when it hits the right light.
The first time some glass is broken is when Tom and Amanda are having an argument and Tom shatters some glass pieces in his clumsy attempt to storm out. "[The coat] strikes against the shelf of Laura's glass collection, there is a tinkling of shattered glass. Laura cries out as if wounded" (Williams, 1248). The glass is almost a part of her. The shattered glass symbolizes how the innocent Laura is caught in between and harmed by the fights between her mother and brother.
Conflicts
The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams
Many of the conflicts in this story are intertwined. The family lives in close quarters and the three family members have distinctly different personalities which occasionally clash. In addition, internal conflicts can manifest themselves as or lead into external conflicts.
Tom, for example, has the internal desire for adventure that conflicts with the fact that he is stuck in his warehouse job and stuck with his dependent family. "TOM: Man is by instinct a lover, a hunter, a fighter, and none of those instincts are given much play at the warehouse!" (Williams, 1253) This conflict causes Tom to be unhappy and confrontational. He smokes, drinks, and argues with his mother.
In Laura's case, her external setback, the fact that she is cripples, lead to her internal conflict of being shy while trying still to fulfill her mother's expectations of having suitors. Laura doesn't want to be impolite or anti-social, she is just very self-conscious.
I noticed that Laura becomes less shy around Jim when they get into talking and she senses his warmth. Jim might just bring Laura out of her shell and be the resolution to the conflict.
by Tennessee Williams
Many of the conflicts in this story are intertwined. The family lives in close quarters and the three family members have distinctly different personalities which occasionally clash. In addition, internal conflicts can manifest themselves as or lead into external conflicts.
Tom, for example, has the internal desire for adventure that conflicts with the fact that he is stuck in his warehouse job and stuck with his dependent family. "TOM: Man is by instinct a lover, a hunter, a fighter, and none of those instincts are given much play at the warehouse!" (Williams, 1253) This conflict causes Tom to be unhappy and confrontational. He smokes, drinks, and argues with his mother.
In Laura's case, her external setback, the fact that she is cripples, lead to her internal conflict of being shy while trying still to fulfill her mother's expectations of having suitors. Laura doesn't want to be impolite or anti-social, she is just very self-conscious.
I noticed that Laura becomes less shy around Jim when they get into talking and she senses his warmth. Jim might just bring Laura out of her shell and be the resolution to the conflict.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Sarcasm Characterizes Tom
The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams
Tom is obviously a very outgoing and prominent character, especially since he is both the narrator and the brother, leading to a very interesting point of view. Tom is characterized through many facets: directly through stage directions and his own description as a narrator, and indirectly through Tom's words and actions. The author uses verbal irony as one way to give the reader some insight into Tom. For example, Tom's sarcastic and exaggerated response to his mother's accusations of his shady night antics gives the reader a glance at Tom's unique and not necessarily positive character traits. "TOM: I'm going to opium dens! Yes, opium dens, dens of vice and criminals' hang-out, Mother. I've joined the Hogan gang, I'm a hired assassin, I carry a tommy-gun in a violin case!...(Williams, 1247). Tom's words reveal his stubbornness and independence. Tom appears condescending and almost disrespectful to his mother- he even mentions that she can't tell him what to do or where not to go because he is the one that pays the rent.
In addition, Tom uses his sarcasm to avoid honesty with his mother Amanda. Tom has before avoided uncomfortable or interrogating questions, and using sarcasm to blow off his mother's concerned questioning might just be the start of Tom's tactics to avoid uncomfortable situations.
by Tennessee Williams
Tom is obviously a very outgoing and prominent character, especially since he is both the narrator and the brother, leading to a very interesting point of view. Tom is characterized through many facets: directly through stage directions and his own description as a narrator, and indirectly through Tom's words and actions. The author uses verbal irony as one way to give the reader some insight into Tom. For example, Tom's sarcastic and exaggerated response to his mother's accusations of his shady night antics gives the reader a glance at Tom's unique and not necessarily positive character traits. "TOM: I'm going to opium dens! Yes, opium dens, dens of vice and criminals' hang-out, Mother. I've joined the Hogan gang, I'm a hired assassin, I carry a tommy-gun in a violin case!...(Williams, 1247). Tom's words reveal his stubbornness and independence. Tom appears condescending and almost disrespectful to his mother- he even mentions that she can't tell him what to do or where not to go because he is the one that pays the rent.
In addition, Tom uses his sarcasm to avoid honesty with his mother Amanda. Tom has before avoided uncomfortable or interrogating questions, and using sarcasm to blow off his mother's concerned questioning might just be the start of Tom's tactics to avoid uncomfortable situations.
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| Tommy gun in a violin case |
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