Much Madness is divinest Sense
Emily Dickinson
For some bizarre reason, the author believes that insanity truly lies in those who think they are sane. She states how the crazy people are actually normal, yet the people with "much sense--the starkest madness" (Dickinson 830). Anyone that seems to make sense, according to Dickinson, is a total lunatic and spouting out gibberish as though it were fact. Now she poses a paradox, which is generally an accepted and useful tool for pointing out flaws in societal thinking. her paradoxical line of thinking turns her message into one of anger and demand. Her stance comes off as a total wackjob herself when she starts to play the crazy detective. She states that all who agree with her opinions are the sane people, and all who oppose will be burned alive!!! Well actually she wants her opposition to be called maniacs and locked up, but it's still a extreme, power-hungry approach coming from a nineteenth century poet. So her views somewhat match the theme of her poet. She sets the law for those to follow, insinuating she is right, therefore sane, therefore insane. The title applies to herself, for her insanity is the most correct mentality.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Death, be not proud
Death, be not proud
John Donne
The author has personified death as someone he his talking to. This is evident in the title, for one (since it's not all capitalized), and he addresses Death as a person or being. He proclaims that death kills people, but that is his job and he shouldn't be ashamed of it. However, Death shouldn't feel as though he is invincible; he shouldn't feel as though he himself can never die. The author recounts all the ways people die in the world. He says how war and sickness harm people, and then luck and medicine heal people, yet Death still comes inevitably. But then the author says how after "One short sleep passed, we wake eternally" (Donne 972). The short sleep is Death finally coming to take a person from life. However, because death comes, eternal life quickly follows the passing of an individual. It is because of this that Death dies himself. Eternal life goes against the pain and misery that dying brings, and therefore kills the idea of Death. The author does not fear Death and his 100% success rate, because in the end Death always fails.
John Donne
The author has personified death as someone he his talking to. This is evident in the title, for one (since it's not all capitalized), and he addresses Death as a person or being. He proclaims that death kills people, but that is his job and he shouldn't be ashamed of it. However, Death shouldn't feel as though he is invincible; he shouldn't feel as though he himself can never die. The author recounts all the ways people die in the world. He says how war and sickness harm people, and then luck and medicine heal people, yet Death still comes inevitably. But then the author says how after "One short sleep passed, we wake eternally" (Donne 972). The short sleep is Death finally coming to take a person from life. However, because death comes, eternal life quickly follows the passing of an individual. It is because of this that Death dies himself. Eternal life goes against the pain and misery that dying brings, and therefore kills the idea of Death. The author does not fear Death and his 100% success rate, because in the end Death always fails.
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
Dylan Thomas
Imagery powers the message the author tries to get across in this poem. He talks about how people refuse to openly accept death, but he uses examples of light to relay this message. "Wise men at their end know dark is right" (Thomas 968) realize death isimminent, yet they still fight it to live another day. Other men are "crying how bright their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay" (Thomas 968). These people start to see how their life is passing by, and how their experiences haven't lived up to their expectations. Even men who partied night and day, quickly saw how death would take away all of their experiences.Men who were moments away from death were the only ones "who see the blinding sight...and [can] be gay" (Thomas 968). Those were are dying are the only people that can be happy for death, but everyone else is doomed to fear the reaper.
Dylan Thomas
Imagery powers the message the author tries to get across in this poem. He talks about how people refuse to openly accept death, but he uses examples of light to relay this message. "Wise men at their end know dark is right" (Thomas 968) realize death isimminent, yet they still fight it to live another day. Other men are "crying how bright their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay" (Thomas 968). These people start to see how their life is passing by, and how their experiences haven't lived up to their expectations. Even men who partied night and day, quickly saw how death would take away all of their experiences.Men who were moments away from death were the only ones "who see the blinding sight...and [can] be gay" (Thomas 968). Those were are dying are the only people that can be happy for death, but everyone else is doomed to fear the reaper.
Cross the bar
Crossing the Bar
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
First of all, the title is confusing; it makes me think of a bar in which adult beverages are served. On to the analysis! The poem discusses, through a metaphor, how a man wants to be seen after his death. He uses the analogy of going on a voyage and not returning to resemble dying. He doesn't want people to feel saddened by his passing, because his death will give him eternal life. He says this by saying "I hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have crossed the bar" (Tennyson 886). His pilot is his creator, God (most likely), and through his death by "crossing the bar," he hopes to go to heaven and experience his blessings with God. Even if his death is painful and a struggle, he still remains hopeful for the joys of heaven when he dies. He uses key language such as "embark" and "put out to sea" to symbolize a beginning. His death will be the start of his new life, and he wants people to recognize this so that they praise his death rather than mourn it. Death is merely the beginning of eternal celebration.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
First of all, the title is confusing; it makes me think of a bar in which adult beverages are served. On to the analysis! The poem discusses, through a metaphor, how a man wants to be seen after his death. He uses the analogy of going on a voyage and not returning to resemble dying. He doesn't want people to feel saddened by his passing, because his death will give him eternal life. He says this by saying "I hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have crossed the bar" (Tennyson 886). His pilot is his creator, God (most likely), and through his death by "crossing the bar," he hopes to go to heaven and experience his blessings with God. Even if his death is painful and a struggle, he still remains hopeful for the joys of heaven when he dies. He uses key language such as "embark" and "put out to sea" to symbolize a beginning. His death will be the start of his new life, and he wants people to recognize this so that they praise his death rather than mourn it. Death is merely the beginning of eternal celebration.
Emily seems....nice
A Rose for Emily
William Faulkner
Emily Grierson was never really messed with throughout her life. People refused to confront her on most issues, they feared her and thought she had dealt with enough in her life. The reader is only expected to picture her as a stuck up hermit of sorts throughout the story. However, the big reveal of the skeleton in her closet (Do you get it? It's because she's into necrophilia...) makes the reader have a drastic change in opinion of her. At first the feeling is that of terror and disgust. After all, who could live with a corpse for 40 years?! But, upon review of the story, the reader feels pity. Emily had been alone most of her (normal) life, and when Homer came around she knew that she needed his company so that she didn't die alone. Now her methods of being with Homer were...out of the ordinary, but the intent remains the same. She even got the townspeople talking saying, "'They are married.' We were really glad" (Faulkner 287). She wanted to love him for the rest of her life, but he was having none of it. Personally, it's one of the saddest things I have ever heard of, but nevertheless Emily's unrequited love dilemma didn't stop her. So I now have mixed feelings of fright and sympathy towards her, possibly the oddest combination of emotions I have ever experienced.
William Faulkner
Emily Grierson was never really messed with throughout her life. People refused to confront her on most issues, they feared her and thought she had dealt with enough in her life. The reader is only expected to picture her as a stuck up hermit of sorts throughout the story. However, the big reveal of the skeleton in her closet (Do you get it? It's because she's into necrophilia...) makes the reader have a drastic change in opinion of her. At first the feeling is that of terror and disgust. After all, who could live with a corpse for 40 years?! But, upon review of the story, the reader feels pity. Emily had been alone most of her (normal) life, and when Homer came around she knew that she needed his company so that she didn't die alone. Now her methods of being with Homer were...out of the ordinary, but the intent remains the same. She even got the townspeople talking saying, "'They are married.' We were really glad" (Faulkner 287). She wanted to love him for the rest of her life, but he was having none of it. Personally, it's one of the saddest things I have ever heard of, but nevertheless Emily's unrequited love dilemma didn't stop her. So I now have mixed feelings of fright and sympathy towards her, possibly the oddest combination of emotions I have ever experienced.
I wonder if powerball sponsors their lottery?
The Lottery
Shirley Jackson
The story tricks the reader with its title, making the reader assume the story will be one of great luck or fortune. However, it turns out that the one chosen by the lottery ends up being sacrificed. The sacrifice was done because it had been done for generations, but that reason isn't good enough for me. The society is advanced enough to have tractors and a schooling system, so why would they still believe that this sacrifice would help them in any way? No one enforced the stoning, people just followed it; the ritual brought no one joy, it was rather viewed as insignificant. The attitude of the town during the lottery is summarized when Mrs Dunbar says, "'Come on,' she said. 'Hurry up'" (Jackson 271). If an advanced farming society understood their crop and machines, then they couldn't possibly believe the sacrifice would really help the harvest. The tradition that everyone can only make sense in the case that everyone is too spineless to ask questions or find alternatives. The main force behind these thoughts is most likely Old Man Warner. He stubbornly states how "There's always been a lottery" (Jackson 268), and the citizens blindly listen to his "sage wisdom". Maybe the village will change once Old Man Warner finally croaks.
Shirley Jackson
The story tricks the reader with its title, making the reader assume the story will be one of great luck or fortune. However, it turns out that the one chosen by the lottery ends up being sacrificed. The sacrifice was done because it had been done for generations, but that reason isn't good enough for me. The society is advanced enough to have tractors and a schooling system, so why would they still believe that this sacrifice would help them in any way? No one enforced the stoning, people just followed it; the ritual brought no one joy, it was rather viewed as insignificant. The attitude of the town during the lottery is summarized when Mrs Dunbar says, "'Come on,' she said. 'Hurry up'" (Jackson 271). If an advanced farming society understood their crop and machines, then they couldn't possibly believe the sacrifice would really help the harvest. The tradition that everyone can only make sense in the case that everyone is too spineless to ask questions or find alternatives. The main force behind these thoughts is most likely Old Man Warner. He stubbornly states how "There's always been a lottery" (Jackson 268), and the citizens blindly listen to his "sage wisdom". Maybe the village will change once Old Man Warner finally croaks.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The End.
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Tom takes center stage adressing the audience for the final time at the end of the play. He left the family much like his father to chase adventure, but one part of his story is different from his father's. Tom never seems to be able to escape Laura. As he lives his new life, he is constantly reminded her in one way or another. He especially thinks of her when seeing glass, which serves as an excellent example of motif. When he walks alone, he sees "the window is filled with pieces of colored glass...then all at once my sister touches my shoulder." (Williams 1289). Not only was the glass a symbol for Laura's confidence during the play, but the glass conjures up the thought of Laura within Tom whenever he sees her. It causes him to think of the past, possibly prompting this very memory play! He left his family because he wanted to leave the routine he was trapped in, but he could never escape his sister. His sister was the only one who ever wanted to look out for him, but didn't want to prevent him from making his own decisions. Because of her and her menagerie, Tom will always have Laura by his side.
Family problems
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
As discussed previously, the family has had some major fights. Beyond that, the family is purely dysfunctional. For example, Amanda is doomed to live in the past. She can never shake how she had crashed and burned when she pick the absentee father from all her other gentleman callers. This crippling mistake led her to a life of constant worrying for her children, so that they don't make similar mistakes that she did. Tom only wants to rebel against his father BECAUSE she's such a nag, which causes him to walk out on the family just as the father did. Who knows if it turned out to make Tom successful in life, but it definitely didn't help the remaining family members. Lastly there's Laura, who by herself was fairly content with life. Though she didn't stray far from the house, she liked her life the way it was despite her low self esteem. On the other hand, her mother and brother were always concerned with her well-being. They loved her, but even Tom concedes that "we don't even notice she's crippled anymore" (Williams 1260). Their worry transforms into anger which then morphs into desperation for Laura to become "normal" even though she is fine with the way she is. A family that can't even have similar mindsets is doomed, and that's exactly what the Wigfields turned out to be.
Tennessee Williams
As discussed previously, the family has had some major fights. Beyond that, the family is purely dysfunctional. For example, Amanda is doomed to live in the past. She can never shake how she had crashed and burned when she pick the absentee father from all her other gentleman callers. This crippling mistake led her to a life of constant worrying for her children, so that they don't make similar mistakes that she did. Tom only wants to rebel against his father BECAUSE she's such a nag, which causes him to walk out on the family just as the father did. Who knows if it turned out to make Tom successful in life, but it definitely didn't help the remaining family members. Lastly there's Laura, who by herself was fairly content with life. Though she didn't stray far from the house, she liked her life the way it was despite her low self esteem. On the other hand, her mother and brother were always concerned with her well-being. They loved her, but even Tom concedes that "we don't even notice she's crippled anymore" (Williams 1260). Their worry transforms into anger which then morphs into desperation for Laura to become "normal" even though she is fine with the way she is. A family that can't even have similar mindsets is doomed, and that's exactly what the Wigfields turned out to be.
A wild GENTLEMAN CALLER appeared!
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Jim O'Connor was an assumed gentleman caller for Laura, a date that was just supposed to be a pleasant change of pace. However, he turned out to have much more potential. In fact, I believe that Jim was the most proactive character of the entire play. Even though he only was involved with the play for one evening, he had significant influence on every character. Amanda was a happier (or at least she pretended to be) person when he arrived, and Tom entrusted his true intentions with him. Most importantly, he shaped Laura's personality with his simple visit. She was always a timid, frail individual, and it was evident during the beginning of their conversation. But as things progressed, he eased her discomfort and made her more open to communication. Even though he wasn't planning on falling in love with her, he wanted to make sure she was happy. He wanted her to "think of yourself as superior in someway!" (Williams 1280) which was something Laura never even thought was possible. However, a plain old gentleman caller turned her world upside-down, and undoubtedly changed the whole way the family lived from that day forth. Laura would probably become more self-confident, Tom would be more adventurous, and Amanda may not have to nag all the time.
Tennessee Williams
Jim O'Connor was an assumed gentleman caller for Laura, a date that was just supposed to be a pleasant change of pace. However, he turned out to have much more potential. In fact, I believe that Jim was the most proactive character of the entire play. Even though he only was involved with the play for one evening, he had significant influence on every character. Amanda was a happier (or at least she pretended to be) person when he arrived, and Tom entrusted his true intentions with him. Most importantly, he shaped Laura's personality with his simple visit. She was always a timid, frail individual, and it was evident during the beginning of their conversation. But as things progressed, he eased her discomfort and made her more open to communication. Even though he wasn't planning on falling in love with her, he wanted to make sure she was happy. He wanted her to "think of yourself as superior in someway!" (Williams 1280) which was something Laura never even thought was possible. However, a plain old gentleman caller turned her world upside-down, and undoubtedly changed the whole way the family lived from that day forth. Laura would probably become more self-confident, Tom would be more adventurous, and Amanda may not have to nag all the time.
An unfortunate role model
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
The father of the story had left his family for travel and adventure before the play even begins. Upon hearing this, I thought the father was a coward and an unloving man who simply didn't want to spend time with his family. The other members even reference his picture multiple times, warning each other to not end up like him or to never go near a man like him. But the constant attention towards the photo, though it may be bad attention, makes me think the family actually highly respects him. Even though he deserted the family for meager reasons, they still hang up his photo and refer to him as a role model. Tom recognizes that his father was a bad man, but he still wants to follow his example to escape his current life. He gazes up at the photo saying "See how he grins? And he's been absent going on sixteen years!" (Williams 1269). Though everyone disagrees with hoe he abandoned them, they all fondly remember some part of him, which ends up influencing their actions. Through personification, the picture of the father manipulates the minds of the main characters simply by hanging on the wall. If the picture wasn't on display, I think the family would be reminded of him much less and he wouldn't serve such a significant role. Even in leaving his family so that he can see the world, the father is viewed as one of the most important characters in the entire play.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
War, what is it good for?!
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Tom and Amanda routinely argue throughout the play, but the epitome of their fights occurs at the end of scene 3. Tom calls her a witch, and proceeds to break part of Laura's glass menagerie, making him successful and angering the entire household. As the next scene begins, we learn that Laura desperately needs order. She tells Tom to "wake up with [mother], apologize, speak to her!" (Williams 1249). Even though Tom damaged one of Laura's most precious items, she still begs Tom to make things better with him and Amanda rather than healing herself. Laura thinks she can fight through her own problems, but she can only do it if the rest of the house is at peace too. Tom is reluctant, but eventually does it for, in my opinion, Laura's well-being. Tom knows Laura is fragile and needs her family to keep her safe, so he apologizes to Amanda so that they can forget about their differences and focus on Laura and her needs. This displays one of the few good qualities of Tom. Though he seemingly is ready to run away from his current life, he wants to make sure his beloved sister is happy with him and that she will be okay. Even when he does leave at the end of the play, his one regret is that he couldn't stay with Laura.
Tennessee Williams
Tom and Amanda routinely argue throughout the play, but the epitome of their fights occurs at the end of scene 3. Tom calls her a witch, and proceeds to break part of Laura's glass menagerie, making him successful and angering the entire household. As the next scene begins, we learn that Laura desperately needs order. She tells Tom to "wake up with [mother], apologize, speak to her!" (Williams 1249). Even though Tom damaged one of Laura's most precious items, she still begs Tom to make things better with him and Amanda rather than healing herself. Laura thinks she can fight through her own problems, but she can only do it if the rest of the house is at peace too. Tom is reluctant, but eventually does it for, in my opinion, Laura's well-being. Tom knows Laura is fragile and needs her family to keep her safe, so he apologizes to Amanda so that they can forget about their differences and focus on Laura and her needs. This displays one of the few good qualities of Tom. Though he seemingly is ready to run away from his current life, he wants to make sure his beloved sister is happy with him and that she will be okay. Even when he does leave at the end of the play, his one regret is that he couldn't stay with Laura.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)