In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Conrad demonstrates the desire the Europeans have to overtake Africa. This desire to take over a colony continues to be shown in the Waiting for the Barbarians. But unlike Heart of Darkness, J.M. Coetzee seems to realize and shows through the magistrate that it wrong to destroy the “enemy” for the “enemy” may be what is helping to keep the empire thriving. Cortez also shows the beginning of compassion toward the “barbarians.”
Through the characters I see a connection between Kurtz and Colonel Joll. Both are authority figures who choose to abuse the Africans and the “barbarians.” And both seem to fail in their desire for power and expansion of the empire. Kurtz leaves his fallen empire and says “The horror!” It is as though he may now realize how awful he treated the African natives. In this respect, he shares similar characteristics to the magistrate. Both feel a sense of guilt and terror to what they have caused and witnessed in the empires they were apart of destroying. After Kurtz has lost his power over the natives and is no longer in control of the empire he dies. Colonel Joll also ends up with a distressed empire. In the end of the novel Coetzee expresses a fear in the people. People begin to gossip about the harm the barbarians will cause such as rape and destruction. The people of the empire become frightened of what lies ahead. Colonel Joll definitely lost power and seems to have put it in the hands over the barbarians. The people under his empire make decisions on what they think the barbarians will do. They both also have someone who is challenging their authority; the magistrate and Marlow. The magistrate and Kurtz do not agree with their leaders decisions and are haunted by the brutality they have witnessed.
The magistrate seems to think that sometimes he is similar to Colonel Joll. They both are working to defeat the enemy and although the magistrate is not physically beating the barbarians he is apart of the cause and does not try to stop this abuse. Even though the magistrate does help the blind barbarian girl, he is unsuccessful because he in turn is punished. Despite the fact that the magistrate does not seem to agree with the treatment of the barbarians he still would chose to keep the job he holds because he thinks it would be better for the barbarians if he was in his position rather than someone else. This is similar to Marlow in Heart of Darkness. He is independent and becomes skeptical of the how the white men treat the Africans, making him skeptical of imperialism. (450)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Complexities of the Magistrate
J.M. Coetzee’s, Waiting for the Barbarians, is written strictly in the present tense. Since the story is actively developing the reader is captured in time with the Magistrate. (The reader is learning the story at the same time as the Magistrate.)
The Magistrate is a complex character. He does not seem to agree with the torture that is afflicted upon the barbarians, but works for people who do. He seems to be siding with the barbarians. When talking to a colleague about possibly pushing the barbarians into the mountains he fights for them by saying that barbarians are nomads who will not allow themselves to be pushed into the mountains. Furthermore, he says all the barbarians want is their land back, so they can roam free in their pastures. He ends his discussion by saying, “I wish that these barbarians would rise up and teach us a lesson,”(2:50). He seems to believe that the barbarians will outlive the English in this land which suggests that he does not have the strongest confidence in his men’s defeat over the barbarians.
Magistrate becomes close to a barbarian woman. After meeting a blind barbarian woman, and spending multiple nights with her, he takes her back to her own people. Risking his life, he travels through the harsh winter, so she can be safe at home. He truly cares for her on this journey. Before the journey he bought he boots, fur, gloves and a rabbit skin cap. Magistrate is gentle toward the blind woman. When the blind woman is menstruating and no other man will go near her, the Magistrate brings her food and comforts her. He even sleeps in the tent beside her. When the blind woman is united with other barbarians the Magistrate confirms that she does not have to go with them if she does not want to, she can stay with him if she would like. I find his compassion toward her to be very honorable.
Although some characteristics of the Magistrate are honorable others are not. He suggests he is quite the womanizer when he wants to be, but he is very mixed up with his feelings toward women. Sometimes he desires them and other times they mean nothing to him. He questions himself often, wondering whether the girl he is with is pretty or not, or if their sexual encounters really mean anything to him. He seems very confused when it comes to women and his morals toward women, but when it comes to his morals toward how he treats the barbarians he stays true. He is kind and generous. Characteristics I would like to see him carry over in other aspects of his life.
448 words
The Magistrate is a complex character. He does not seem to agree with the torture that is afflicted upon the barbarians, but works for people who do. He seems to be siding with the barbarians. When talking to a colleague about possibly pushing the barbarians into the mountains he fights for them by saying that barbarians are nomads who will not allow themselves to be pushed into the mountains. Furthermore, he says all the barbarians want is their land back, so they can roam free in their pastures. He ends his discussion by saying, “I wish that these barbarians would rise up and teach us a lesson,”(2:50). He seems to believe that the barbarians will outlive the English in this land which suggests that he does not have the strongest confidence in his men’s defeat over the barbarians.
Magistrate becomes close to a barbarian woman. After meeting a blind barbarian woman, and spending multiple nights with her, he takes her back to her own people. Risking his life, he travels through the harsh winter, so she can be safe at home. He truly cares for her on this journey. Before the journey he bought he boots, fur, gloves and a rabbit skin cap. Magistrate is gentle toward the blind woman. When the blind woman is menstruating and no other man will go near her, the Magistrate brings her food and comforts her. He even sleeps in the tent beside her. When the blind woman is united with other barbarians the Magistrate confirms that she does not have to go with them if she does not want to, she can stay with him if she would like. I find his compassion toward her to be very honorable.
Although some characteristics of the Magistrate are honorable others are not. He suggests he is quite the womanizer when he wants to be, but he is very mixed up with his feelings toward women. Sometimes he desires them and other times they mean nothing to him. He questions himself often, wondering whether the girl he is with is pretty or not, or if their sexual encounters really mean anything to him. He seems very confused when it comes to women and his morals toward women, but when it comes to his morals toward how he treats the barbarians he stays true. He is kind and generous. Characteristics I would like to see him carry over in other aspects of his life.
448 words
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Are Human One Race of Many?
External differences due to climate, food, habits, ect.
Argued that many races remain altogether unchanged.
“Natural Selection” with animals depends on “self-dependence and individual isolation”
-keeps animals uniform standard
Humans are more sympathetic, keeping the sick alive. This increases mental and moral qualities .
-Help learn to use nature for survival. (live in harmony with environment helps keep numbers)
“Great modifications of structure and of external form, which resulted in the development of man out of some lower type of animal, must of occurred before his intellect had raised him above the condition of the brutes”
-helps resist natural selection
"kept in harmony with the slowly changing universe around him by an advance in mind rather than body”
“common origin of all mankind”
Argued that many races remain altogether unchanged.
“Natural Selection” with animals depends on “self-dependence and individual isolation”
-keeps animals uniform standard
Humans are more sympathetic, keeping the sick alive. This increases mental and moral qualities .
-Help learn to use nature for survival. (live in harmony with environment helps keep numbers)
“Great modifications of structure and of external form, which resulted in the development of man out of some lower type of animal, must of occurred before his intellect had raised him above the condition of the brutes”
-helps resist natural selection
"kept in harmony with the slowly changing universe around him by an advance in mind rather than body”
“common origin of all mankind”
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Positive Conclusion for the Remainder of the Compson's
The Sound and the Fury ends the way it began; with Benji. Benji, Luster, Dilsey and Jason are driving their carriage and they reach an intersection. Luster turns onto an unfamiliar route and Benji becomes very upset and moans in concern. Once Luster steers the carriage into the right direction Benji becomes at ease. When Benji recognizes the familiar he calms down because he is comforted with the familiar. Through this scene the reader can interpret that Benji needs order to remain stable. Benji’s life has finally reached a stage of composure. The members in his family who caused chaos and destruction have left and now Benji is at peace with the woman who has always been a mother figure toward him, Dilsey. It also seems that Benji will now have the opportunity to create a bond with his brother Jason, that they had not had before. Dilsey will be the support and strength of the family without interference. The dramatics that were once caused by the Compson’s will no longer occur and the remainder of the family, who have not yet been shambled, will move on successfully.
188 words
188 words
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Sound and the Fury Article
I read the article "Meaningful Images in The Sound and the Fury" written by Eben Bass. It explains exactly what readers recognize; Faulkner's works are difficult reads because they are fragmented. The article focuses a lot on time which grabbed my interest because we have discussed this issue in class. Bass says, "The reader gets scarcely any sense of order from the idiot because "Benji's" time stopped at his three year mental age." He says in the second section Quentin "arrests time by committing suicide." Bass declares that the end of the story is understood more clearly because of the three different approaches that were presented. The aim of The Sound and the Fury Bass states, "is to show how the growth of certain images helps restore order, or time, to the novel."
Bass, Eden. Meaningful Images in The Sound and the Fury. Modern Language Notes. Dec. 1961. http://www.jstor.org/pss/3039942. 10-20-08
Eben Bass
Modern Language Notes, Vol. 76, No. 8 (Dec., 1961), pp. 728-731 (article consists of 4 pages)
Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press
Bass, Eden. Meaningful Images in The Sound and the Fury. Modern Language Notes. Dec. 1961. http://www.jstor.org/pss/3039942. 10-20-08
Eben Bass
Modern Language Notes, Vol. 76, No. 8 (Dec., 1961), pp. 728-731 (article consists of 4 pages)
Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Jim Cross's Severe Self- Punishment
I found Tim O’Brien’s short story “The Things They Carried” to be very sad. In the first two sentences readers learn that Lieutenant Jim Cross carries letters sent to him by a woman named Martha protected in plastic at the bottom of his rucksack. Right away it is obvious that Cross cares foe this woman. He wishes that they were love letters. After long days of battle he would unwrap the letters and read them for hours and imagine being with her. Cross is at war and in love. Because of his love for Martha he becomes distracted from his obligations as a leader. In the midst of battle Cross loses a soldier named Ted Lavender. Before and after Lavender’s death Cross consumed by thoughts of Martha. He feels no grief and because of this he becomes disgusted with himself. He decides that from now on he will not lose another man. He chooses to burn all photos of Martha for he is convinced that she does not love him back. I think that Cross feels defeated. He feels that he has failed his men and did not fulfill his duty. He is convinced that not thinking of Martha will help him straighten up and become a stronger Lieutenant. In my opinion I do not think that he should give up Martha entirely. Martha gave him hope and a drive to live. Martha was able to distract him from the evils of war and although he does lose focus from his obligations from time to time his daydreams are uplifting as opposed to thoughts of death and despair.
O’Brien tells the readers of all the different items that the soldiers’ carry throughout the story. Most everyone under Cross’s command has something of sentimental value with them; most distract them from the war. In Cross’s wallet he carried two pictures of Martha and would daydream and reminisce about the pictures he had. He also carried a pebble that she had sent him for good luck. “He loved her so much. On the march, through the hot days of early April, he carried the pebble in his mouth…He had difficulty keeping attention on the war” (13). After yelling out commands he would catch himself daydreaming of Martha. Before Lavender’s death Cross was thinking about what he should’ve done with Martha before he left for war instead of the battle situation at hand; the battle in which Ted Lavender had died. Cross blamed himself for Lavender’s death. “He loved Martha more than anything, more than his men, and now Ted Lavender was dead because he loved her so much and could not stop thinking about her”(11).
After Lavender’s death and many more daydreams about Martha, Cross burned all the letters Martha hade sent him and her two pictures. He was convinced that she did not love him. “He hated her”(89). He told himself, “no more fantasies” (92). Once all memorabilia of Martha was burned, Cross decided he would not tolerate laxity. He would now keep his men under strict order.
I think it was wrong that Cross burned the letters. Without the letters he would let mind run off and wonder about things such as, “Will the flashlight go dead? Do rats carry rabies? If you screamed, how far would the sound carry? Would your buddies hear it? Would they have the courage to drag you out?”(18). Like O’Brien said, in war, imagination is a killer. Cross no longer has joyful memories to look forward to but instead he will think about punishments of war. He blamed himself too heavily for Lavender’s death and because of this he felt too guilty to think of anything but his men. In the long run, I think Cross will lose all of his depth and become mentally, a prisoner of war.
(635 words)
O’Brien tells the readers of all the different items that the soldiers’ carry throughout the story. Most everyone under Cross’s command has something of sentimental value with them; most distract them from the war. In Cross’s wallet he carried two pictures of Martha and would daydream and reminisce about the pictures he had. He also carried a pebble that she had sent him for good luck. “He loved her so much. On the march, through the hot days of early April, he carried the pebble in his mouth…He had difficulty keeping attention on the war” (13). After yelling out commands he would catch himself daydreaming of Martha. Before Lavender’s death Cross was thinking about what he should’ve done with Martha before he left for war instead of the battle situation at hand; the battle in which Ted Lavender had died. Cross blamed himself for Lavender’s death. “He loved Martha more than anything, more than his men, and now Ted Lavender was dead because he loved her so much and could not stop thinking about her”(11).
After Lavender’s death and many more daydreams about Martha, Cross burned all the letters Martha hade sent him and her two pictures. He was convinced that she did not love him. “He hated her”(89). He told himself, “no more fantasies” (92). Once all memorabilia of Martha was burned, Cross decided he would not tolerate laxity. He would now keep his men under strict order.
I think it was wrong that Cross burned the letters. Without the letters he would let mind run off and wonder about things such as, “Will the flashlight go dead? Do rats carry rabies? If you screamed, how far would the sound carry? Would your buddies hear it? Would they have the courage to drag you out?”(18). Like O’Brien said, in war, imagination is a killer. Cross no longer has joyful memories to look forward to but instead he will think about punishments of war. He blamed himself too heavily for Lavender’s death and because of this he felt too guilty to think of anything but his men. In the long run, I think Cross will lose all of his depth and become mentally, a prisoner of war.
(635 words)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Night Blake Lost All Power
The Night Blake Lost His Power
In the beginning of “The-Five-Forty-Eight” John Cheever leaves readers pondering about the mysterious woman Blake sights in the lobby. Does Blake know her? Are or were they in love? Why does Blake not want to confront the mystery woman? After the first three paragraphs are questions are answered. It is revealed that Blake does know the woman he spotted in the lobby. They had worked together and ended up having a short affair six months ago. After the affair ended Blake had her fired and cut off all communication. The woman was out for revenge and was able to bring Blake to his knees helpless to save his life.
It was obvious from the start Blake wanted to avoid the woman he had spotted. Soon after noticing her, Blake dashed out of the lobby and walked expeditiously towards Madison Avenue where he thought he would be able to lose her in his trail. It was raining and Blake tried to listen for the woman’s footsteps so he could tell whether she was following him or not. Momentarily, Blake spotted a reflection of her standing only a foot or two behind him. Instead of confronting his ex-lover he continued to flee. He wondered if she was meaning to kill him. He became panicked. He felt if he reached Madison Avenue he would be able to escape her and he would be safe for no one would harm someone in a crowd. Blake was mistaken. The pain he had made her feel was too strong for her to give up. She was determined to demean him as he did her.
After having the women fired, whose name we learn to be Miss Dent, it seemed as though Blake felt no compassion for her. He could not even remember her name just that he had spent a night with her and then had her fired by his secretary. It was as if he felt he never would see her again so why should he be bothered with her issues. And as it turned out she did have issues that needed to be dealt with. The woman had said she had been “terribly sick” and the hospital was never able to find a cure for her. Through the short story I wondered if her sickness was a mental illness. The way she spoke of Blake and referred to him as her husband in a letter she wrote to him made me question if she was truly disturbed. Soon I felt my assumption to be true.
When Miss Dent first was able to get contact with Blake it did not seem as though she was out to hurt him. She was crying and did not make threatening comments. But shortly she became demoniac. She forced Blake into the subway and threatened, “Don’t move or I’ll kill you.” (33) In a state of fear Blake did not dare to utter a word for help and followed her commands. He understood the woman he had betrayed meant business and would not leave him alone until it was finished. While on the train Miss Dent told Blake, “Even if I did have to kill you, they wouldn’t be able to do anything to me except put me back in the hospital, so you see I’m not afraid.” (43)
Miss Dent revealed that she had been scheming revenge on Blake for weeks and Blake would not be able to escape what she has in store for him. She had brought a pistol with her to ensure that. Once they reached her desired stop she brought Blake to a poor lighted site and had him put his face in the dirt while she yelled at him in a forceful manner while still holding the pistol. Blake was crying. His life could end at any moment. There was no telling what Miss Dent could do. She was in full control of his destiny and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Once Miss Dent realized this, she knew she had accomplished want she wanted to do. She made Blake feel the same oppression that he had left her feeling. As she walked away from Blake with a sense of power and new found freedom, Blake rose from the dirt and without even trying to clean himself off, he walked home.
In class many people thought that Blake would not change his ways. That he would continue to take advantage of vulnerable women and would feel no remorse for his actions. I feel that Miss Dent scared the daylights out of Blake. She stalked him in a way so sly he did not know whether to confront her or run. Once she had him under her power he was too scared and unable to escape. In the dirt Blake lay weeping, vulnerable and helpless. In triumph Miss Dent walked away. Blake arose in shock and walked away emotionless. This left me feeling that he was so frightened by this experience that he would never want to treat another woman with such disrespect again, let alone have an another affair. I feel that Blake will never put himself in any compromising situation whether it involved men or women or business or pleasure. Blake was shaken to the core the night Miss Dent took away any means of power he had and nothing will erase the fear he felt.
(897 Words)
In the beginning of “The-Five-Forty-Eight” John Cheever leaves readers pondering about the mysterious woman Blake sights in the lobby. Does Blake know her? Are or were they in love? Why does Blake not want to confront the mystery woman? After the first three paragraphs are questions are answered. It is revealed that Blake does know the woman he spotted in the lobby. They had worked together and ended up having a short affair six months ago. After the affair ended Blake had her fired and cut off all communication. The woman was out for revenge and was able to bring Blake to his knees helpless to save his life.
It was obvious from the start Blake wanted to avoid the woman he had spotted. Soon after noticing her, Blake dashed out of the lobby and walked expeditiously towards Madison Avenue where he thought he would be able to lose her in his trail. It was raining and Blake tried to listen for the woman’s footsteps so he could tell whether she was following him or not. Momentarily, Blake spotted a reflection of her standing only a foot or two behind him. Instead of confronting his ex-lover he continued to flee. He wondered if she was meaning to kill him. He became panicked. He felt if he reached Madison Avenue he would be able to escape her and he would be safe for no one would harm someone in a crowd. Blake was mistaken. The pain he had made her feel was too strong for her to give up. She was determined to demean him as he did her.
After having the women fired, whose name we learn to be Miss Dent, it seemed as though Blake felt no compassion for her. He could not even remember her name just that he had spent a night with her and then had her fired by his secretary. It was as if he felt he never would see her again so why should he be bothered with her issues. And as it turned out she did have issues that needed to be dealt with. The woman had said she had been “terribly sick” and the hospital was never able to find a cure for her. Through the short story I wondered if her sickness was a mental illness. The way she spoke of Blake and referred to him as her husband in a letter she wrote to him made me question if she was truly disturbed. Soon I felt my assumption to be true.
When Miss Dent first was able to get contact with Blake it did not seem as though she was out to hurt him. She was crying and did not make threatening comments. But shortly she became demoniac. She forced Blake into the subway and threatened, “Don’t move or I’ll kill you.” (33) In a state of fear Blake did not dare to utter a word for help and followed her commands. He understood the woman he had betrayed meant business and would not leave him alone until it was finished. While on the train Miss Dent told Blake, “Even if I did have to kill you, they wouldn’t be able to do anything to me except put me back in the hospital, so you see I’m not afraid.” (43)
Miss Dent revealed that she had been scheming revenge on Blake for weeks and Blake would not be able to escape what she has in store for him. She had brought a pistol with her to ensure that. Once they reached her desired stop she brought Blake to a poor lighted site and had him put his face in the dirt while she yelled at him in a forceful manner while still holding the pistol. Blake was crying. His life could end at any moment. There was no telling what Miss Dent could do. She was in full control of his destiny and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Once Miss Dent realized this, she knew she had accomplished want she wanted to do. She made Blake feel the same oppression that he had left her feeling. As she walked away from Blake with a sense of power and new found freedom, Blake rose from the dirt and without even trying to clean himself off, he walked home.
In class many people thought that Blake would not change his ways. That he would continue to take advantage of vulnerable women and would feel no remorse for his actions. I feel that Miss Dent scared the daylights out of Blake. She stalked him in a way so sly he did not know whether to confront her or run. Once she had him under her power he was too scared and unable to escape. In the dirt Blake lay weeping, vulnerable and helpless. In triumph Miss Dent walked away. Blake arose in shock and walked away emotionless. This left me feeling that he was so frightened by this experience that he would never want to treat another woman with such disrespect again, let alone have an another affair. I feel that Blake will never put himself in any compromising situation whether it involved men or women or business or pleasure. Blake was shaken to the core the night Miss Dent took away any means of power he had and nothing will erase the fear he felt.
(897 Words)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Unfairly Accused Grandmother
825 Words
In A Good Man is Hard to Find the grandmother is treated with disrespect by her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. The grandmother’s daughter-in-law is an inadequate mother without an ounce of a clue on how to discipline children and the grandmother’s son does not seem to care. The grandmother’s reckless grandchildren are named John and June. The grandmother’s family acts as if she is an annoyance and do not even try to be civil to her. Despite the family’s mistreatment towards the grandmother she still tries to create order and stability in the children’s life. I found it very interesting that some of my classmates thought that the grandmother did not deserve respect because they believed she was constantly nagging the family. I feel like the grandmother is trying to help the family unite and truly cares for them. There are many instances when she is involved with the children whether that be playing a game or telling a story. I feel she deliberately tries to get their attention to help them mature and behave properly. Although the grandmother leads the family to a tragic ending, I sense her intentions were good. I think the main reason she wanted to go to the old house is because she feels she deserves something that will make her feel happy since she is mistreated by her family.
At the beginning of the story the grandmother is working hard to get the attention and acceptance of her grandchildren. The grandmother desperately wants to go Tennessee to see an old home while the rest of the family wants to go once again to Florida. In order to convince her family that Tennessee is the better choice she warns her family about a killer on the loose called, “The Misfit.” She tries to persuade her family that he is on his way to Florida. The family paid not attention to her inquiries and they head off to Florida. On the car ride to Florida the grandmother tells the kids stories and plays games with them which shows that she wants to be accepted and cares for her grandchildren. On their journey they stop at a restaurant for lunch. Jane is obnoxiously rude to the waiter and declares that she would never “live in a broken-down place like this for a million bucks!” The grandmother is flabbergasted and felt the granddaughter should be ashamed of what she had said. Then she stated that “People are certainly not nice like they used to be.” There is not response by the children’s parents.
The grandmother is able to convince her grandchildren that Tennessee is the better destination through a story she told them about the house she wants to visit. The children decide that they want to see the house with the secret panels that their grandmother had told them about. John begins to whine and complain in order to make his parents stop at the house. The father screams at the children to “Shut up!” and gives in to their commands. On the way to the home, the family gets into a car accident and the car flipped over. Three men come over to the scene. The grandmother recognized “The Misfit” almost immediately. The families lives were taken after the grandmother struggled to convince the “The Misfit” not to harm anyone.
In class many people thought that the grandmother should be held responsible for the deaths. I feel that it is not entirely her fault. Before the story begins I feel there was tension within the family and the grandmother felt as if she was not included or wanted. Because of this she decided she wanted to go to Tennessee and she was going to try her hardest to get there for she felt it was finally time for her to have things her way instead of putting up with brat children and insignificant parents. If the family had not been so dismissive towards the grandmother I feel she would have been eager to go to Florida with them because it would be enjoyable if everyone got along. Unfortunately, the family never seemed to find a happy medium. The family ran in to some very bad luck when “The Misfit” and his crew spotted their accident. And though some believe that it was the grandmothers fault because of her requests and schemes to get the children excited to see the house she loved so much I feel that the rest of the family is more to blame. If the parents would have paid more attention to the children and set rules and discipline in the family, the structure of their household could have been entirely different. I do not deny that because of the grandmothers wish the family ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but if the family would have communicated with one another and worked out their differences the situation could have ended up entirely different.
In A Good Man is Hard to Find the grandmother is treated with disrespect by her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. The grandmother’s daughter-in-law is an inadequate mother without an ounce of a clue on how to discipline children and the grandmother’s son does not seem to care. The grandmother’s reckless grandchildren are named John and June. The grandmother’s family acts as if she is an annoyance and do not even try to be civil to her. Despite the family’s mistreatment towards the grandmother she still tries to create order and stability in the children’s life. I found it very interesting that some of my classmates thought that the grandmother did not deserve respect because they believed she was constantly nagging the family. I feel like the grandmother is trying to help the family unite and truly cares for them. There are many instances when she is involved with the children whether that be playing a game or telling a story. I feel she deliberately tries to get their attention to help them mature and behave properly. Although the grandmother leads the family to a tragic ending, I sense her intentions were good. I think the main reason she wanted to go to the old house is because she feels she deserves something that will make her feel happy since she is mistreated by her family.
At the beginning of the story the grandmother is working hard to get the attention and acceptance of her grandchildren. The grandmother desperately wants to go Tennessee to see an old home while the rest of the family wants to go once again to Florida. In order to convince her family that Tennessee is the better choice she warns her family about a killer on the loose called, “The Misfit.” She tries to persuade her family that he is on his way to Florida. The family paid not attention to her inquiries and they head off to Florida. On the car ride to Florida the grandmother tells the kids stories and plays games with them which shows that she wants to be accepted and cares for her grandchildren. On their journey they stop at a restaurant for lunch. Jane is obnoxiously rude to the waiter and declares that she would never “live in a broken-down place like this for a million bucks!” The grandmother is flabbergasted and felt the granddaughter should be ashamed of what she had said. Then she stated that “People are certainly not nice like they used to be.” There is not response by the children’s parents.
The grandmother is able to convince her grandchildren that Tennessee is the better destination through a story she told them about the house she wants to visit. The children decide that they want to see the house with the secret panels that their grandmother had told them about. John begins to whine and complain in order to make his parents stop at the house. The father screams at the children to “Shut up!” and gives in to their commands. On the way to the home, the family gets into a car accident and the car flipped over. Three men come over to the scene. The grandmother recognized “The Misfit” almost immediately. The families lives were taken after the grandmother struggled to convince the “The Misfit” not to harm anyone.
In class many people thought that the grandmother should be held responsible for the deaths. I feel that it is not entirely her fault. Before the story begins I feel there was tension within the family and the grandmother felt as if she was not included or wanted. Because of this she decided she wanted to go to Tennessee and she was going to try her hardest to get there for she felt it was finally time for her to have things her way instead of putting up with brat children and insignificant parents. If the family had not been so dismissive towards the grandmother I feel she would have been eager to go to Florida with them because it would be enjoyable if everyone got along. Unfortunately, the family never seemed to find a happy medium. The family ran in to some very bad luck when “The Misfit” and his crew spotted their accident. And though some believe that it was the grandmothers fault because of her requests and schemes to get the children excited to see the house she loved so much I feel that the rest of the family is more to blame. If the parents would have paid more attention to the children and set rules and discipline in the family, the structure of their household could have been entirely different. I do not deny that because of the grandmothers wish the family ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but if the family would have communicated with one another and worked out their differences the situation could have ended up entirely different.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Everyday Use #1
Karen Johnson
AP English Class 3
9-10-08
994 Words
One Heritage; Accepted and Rejected
“Everyday Use” tells a story depicting the contrast between two sisters, Dee and Maggie. The girls come from a poor, rural, black, family. Their heritage is described through the eyes of their mother, Mrs. Johnson. She describes her small shack-like home to be “more comfortable than most people know.” (1) She is able to look at her life in a positive manner, making readers envy her oasis before they find out the truth about her stark poverty. Despite Mrs. Johnson’s lack of wealth and education, she is still able to be optimistic about her home life. Through the mother’s eyes the qualities of her daughters is revealed. Dee is described as a selfish child who rejects her upbringing as if their poverty and heritage is associated with worthlessness.
When reading the short story, “Everyday Use,” I was overwhelmed with Dee’s selfishness and insecurity. It floored me that a person from a family of such little circumstance could be so selfish and belittling towards her mother and sister. Alice Walker included subtle hints of Dee’s insecurity and lack of concern for her family throughout the beginning of the story. Dee intrudes upon Mrs. Johnson and Maggie at their home, after claiming to her mother ,“no matter where [they] “choose” to live, she will manage to come see [them]. But she will never bring her friends.” She brings Hakim-a-Barber with her. (13) Mrs. Johnson and Maggie do not know whether or not he is her husband. Dee’s behavior comes across as if she is refusing to engage with her family unless she needs something from them. In this case she wants their family heirlooms for their monetary value. When Dee’s mother refuses to give her the hand-stitched quilts, Dee quickly throws a childish fit.
At the beginning of the story Maggie thinks that Dee holds life in the palm of her hand and is granted whatever she desires, but she discovers that Dee is not as secure as she pretends to be. In the first two pages the reader already recognizes Dee’s superficiality and selfishness. When the mother describes the reuniting family on the talk show she mentions, “I am the way my daughter would want me to be: a hundred pounds lighter, my skin like an uncooked barley pancake. My hair glistens in the hot bright lights.” (5) This illustrates that Dee wants her mother to have the characteristics of a white woman for she is ashamed of her ethnicity and culture. The mother imagines her daughter “embracing her with tears,” but in real life this would never happen for she is a larger women who does manly deeds. Dee does not want to accept those characteristics in her mother. (5)
Dee pretends to be confident and knowledgeable though truly she is unable to find out who she truly is. She leads people on to believe that she is more significant than they are and in that process she demeans people and intimidates others who associate with her. Dee acts as if she is of a higher importance than the rest of her family and because she is literate she decries her mother and sister and acts as if they do not understand the words she reads. As Mrs. Johnson states, “She used to read to us without pity; forcing, words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice… Pressed us to her with the serious way she read, to shove us away at just the moment, like dimwits, we seemed about to understand.” (10)
Though Dee tries to portray a life of perfection there are many circumstances in which she sub conscientiously reveals her true colors. When the family’s home was on fire and Maggie was burning in the flames, Dee was outside of the home under the sweet gum tree that she used to pick gum off of, with no concern for her sister. The mother remembers thinking, “Why don’t you do a dance around the ashes?” (9) It was as if Dee had no concern for her family and the struggle they were now presented with. Dee also shows her insecurity when she arrives to her mother and Maggie’s home with Hakim-a-Barber. She changed her name from Dee to Wangero in order to gain his acceptance. (22)
Throughout the story, Maggie is described as weak, nervous and shy. Maggie was accustomed to being spoken to by Dee as if she were worthless and insignificant. Mrs. Johnson sees that Maggie has accepted, “This was the way she knew God to work.” (39) It suddenly dawned on Mrs. Johnson that Maggie was willing to accept that she was of little value when truly Maggie was of great value in the family. Maggie was in touch with her family’s heritage. She loves the family with sentimentality. She valued the talents Grandma Dee and Big Dee passed on to her by teaching her to quilt. Maggie knew it was Henry who whittled the dash on the butter churn. For this Dee belittled Maggie. Her only interest in the butter churn was for a centerpiece. (30)
Once Dee’s mother finally says no to her by refusing to give her the quilts, she had to leave Maggie with one last insult. “You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live you’d never know it.” (47) As if Dee has now grasped all the knowledge there is to make the most of one’s life. This is the point when Maggie realizes that her sister does not have the grand life Maggie once envisioned but instead is hiding behind a fake persona to hide her insecurities and conceal her true identity and heritage. Maggie only smiles at the thought of her revelation and is proud of who she is and where she came from and finely discovers her true self.
AP English Class 3
9-10-08
994 Words
One Heritage; Accepted and Rejected
“Everyday Use” tells a story depicting the contrast between two sisters, Dee and Maggie. The girls come from a poor, rural, black, family. Their heritage is described through the eyes of their mother, Mrs. Johnson. She describes her small shack-like home to be “more comfortable than most people know.” (1) She is able to look at her life in a positive manner, making readers envy her oasis before they find out the truth about her stark poverty. Despite Mrs. Johnson’s lack of wealth and education, she is still able to be optimistic about her home life. Through the mother’s eyes the qualities of her daughters is revealed. Dee is described as a selfish child who rejects her upbringing as if their poverty and heritage is associated with worthlessness.
When reading the short story, “Everyday Use,” I was overwhelmed with Dee’s selfishness and insecurity. It floored me that a person from a family of such little circumstance could be so selfish and belittling towards her mother and sister. Alice Walker included subtle hints of Dee’s insecurity and lack of concern for her family throughout the beginning of the story. Dee intrudes upon Mrs. Johnson and Maggie at their home, after claiming to her mother ,“no matter where [they] “choose” to live, she will manage to come see [them]. But she will never bring her friends.” She brings Hakim-a-Barber with her. (13) Mrs. Johnson and Maggie do not know whether or not he is her husband. Dee’s behavior comes across as if she is refusing to engage with her family unless she needs something from them. In this case she wants their family heirlooms for their monetary value. When Dee’s mother refuses to give her the hand-stitched quilts, Dee quickly throws a childish fit.
At the beginning of the story Maggie thinks that Dee holds life in the palm of her hand and is granted whatever she desires, but she discovers that Dee is not as secure as she pretends to be. In the first two pages the reader already recognizes Dee’s superficiality and selfishness. When the mother describes the reuniting family on the talk show she mentions, “I am the way my daughter would want me to be: a hundred pounds lighter, my skin like an uncooked barley pancake. My hair glistens in the hot bright lights.” (5) This illustrates that Dee wants her mother to have the characteristics of a white woman for she is ashamed of her ethnicity and culture. The mother imagines her daughter “embracing her with tears,” but in real life this would never happen for she is a larger women who does manly deeds. Dee does not want to accept those characteristics in her mother. (5)
Dee pretends to be confident and knowledgeable though truly she is unable to find out who she truly is. She leads people on to believe that she is more significant than they are and in that process she demeans people and intimidates others who associate with her. Dee acts as if she is of a higher importance than the rest of her family and because she is literate she decries her mother and sister and acts as if they do not understand the words she reads. As Mrs. Johnson states, “She used to read to us without pity; forcing, words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice… Pressed us to her with the serious way she read, to shove us away at just the moment, like dimwits, we seemed about to understand.” (10)
Though Dee tries to portray a life of perfection there are many circumstances in which she sub conscientiously reveals her true colors. When the family’s home was on fire and Maggie was burning in the flames, Dee was outside of the home under the sweet gum tree that she used to pick gum off of, with no concern for her sister. The mother remembers thinking, “Why don’t you do a dance around the ashes?” (9) It was as if Dee had no concern for her family and the struggle they were now presented with. Dee also shows her insecurity when she arrives to her mother and Maggie’s home with Hakim-a-Barber. She changed her name from Dee to Wangero in order to gain his acceptance. (22)
Throughout the story, Maggie is described as weak, nervous and shy. Maggie was accustomed to being spoken to by Dee as if she were worthless and insignificant. Mrs. Johnson sees that Maggie has accepted, “This was the way she knew God to work.” (39) It suddenly dawned on Mrs. Johnson that Maggie was willing to accept that she was of little value when truly Maggie was of great value in the family. Maggie was in touch with her family’s heritage. She loves the family with sentimentality. She valued the talents Grandma Dee and Big Dee passed on to her by teaching her to quilt. Maggie knew it was Henry who whittled the dash on the butter churn. For this Dee belittled Maggie. Her only interest in the butter churn was for a centerpiece. (30)
Once Dee’s mother finally says no to her by refusing to give her the quilts, she had to leave Maggie with one last insult. “You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live you’d never know it.” (47) As if Dee has now grasped all the knowledge there is to make the most of one’s life. This is the point when Maggie realizes that her sister does not have the grand life Maggie once envisioned but instead is hiding behind a fake persona to hide her insecurities and conceal her true identity and heritage. Maggie only smiles at the thought of her revelation and is proud of who she is and where she came from and finely discovers her true self.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Karen Johnson's Summer Reading
This summer I attended Boston University’s Summer Challenge Program. Through this program I took two courses in which I may be interested in studying in college. The courses I chose were Mass Communication and Business from the Ground Up. Though I loved both of my classes, the Business course was much more thrilling for me. I found the process of coming up with a business idea and then creating a business plan to go along with it stimulating. In my Business class we were given a book called The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. The book teaches one how to research the business that one wishes to create and how to formulate a business plan to fit that business. Although most students did not read the book because they were not interested, I found it fascinating. At night after the counselors declared lights out, I would stay up and read so I could learn how to create a successful and understandable business plan. I also was intrigued to read it because I plan on studying business in college and I wish to know as much as I can about business before I proclaim it as my major.
The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies was very beneficial in expanding my knowledge of what I will study in a college business course. I learned key points of the operation, marketing, and finance techniques of a business. My favorite segment of the three was marketing. In the book I read about the four P's. This term is used for marketing strategy. The four P's include placement, price, promotion, and product. It is very important in marketing to find a target buyer for a product and from there it will be discovered how to market it. A good way of finding whom to market a product towards and how to do so is by making a perceptual map. Perceptual maps map out where other products in a similar market compare to yours and who the main consumers are.
The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies was very beneficial in expanding my knowledge of what I will study in a college business course. I learned key points of the operation, marketing, and finance techniques of a business. My favorite segment of the three was marketing. In the book I read about the four P's. This term is used for marketing strategy. The four P's include placement, price, promotion, and product. It is very important in marketing to find a target buyer for a product and from there it will be discovered how to market it. A good way of finding whom to market a product towards and how to do so is by making a perceptual map. Perceptual maps map out where other products in a similar market compare to yours and who the main consumers are.
After exploring marketing the book moves on to the operations of a business. There are four elements of operations; these include operations management, measures of performance, understanding the operation, and elements of operations management. Operation workers focus on how to manufacture a product and how to keep the business running smoothly. They also help with the shipment and delivery of the product. One example of a goal a business operations worker would have is to help find new ways to save money. These ways could include developing a product at a quicker pace, which would also help make larger amounts of the product.
By the second week of the program I reached the chapters that discussed how to shape the structure of a business and how to deal with finances in a business. This includes creating a management team, key employees, and the two common management structures. Through the finance section I learned how to define fixed and variable costs and how to create a cash budget.
This book taught me the complete process of how to create a sustainable idea and make a successful business plan. Overall, I truly enjoyed the book. I feel that there is a wealth of opportunities to create a successful business. By reading this book, I confirmed that business is the major I want to pursue and now I also know it is something that I thoroughly enjoy.
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