"She was blind and insensible to many things, and dimly knew it; but to all that was light and air, perfume and colour, every drop of blood in her responded. She loved the roughness of the dry mountain grass under her palms, the smell of the thyme into which she crushed her face, the fingering of the wind in her hair and through her cotton blouse, and the creak of the larches as they swayed to it."
"She had learned what she was worth when Lucius Harney, looking at her for the first time, had lost the thread of his speech, and leaned reddening on the edge of her desk. But another kind of shyness had been born in her: a terror of exposing to vulgar perils the sacred treasure of her happiness."
These passages of Edith Wharton's Summer may have been the author's sense of irony at work; however, it may have also been an indirect attack on common thinking of the time. Women were often correlated with nature and men with science or engineering, such as "Mother" Nature and "Father" Time (which may say something for the reiteration of the lack of men in North Dormer during the day). A woman's value was also tied to her responsibilities which were inevitably tied to her husband or lover. The first passage may relate to Charity's origins and the latter is a juxtaposition of her feelings for Royall. Sadly, I'm disgusted and frustrated with Charity. She seeks to be independent and fails time and again, placing such great value such as Harney or a branch of flowers. Not that one can't enjoy nature! It's simply that I'm left to wonder if her enjoyment of it is pure and true rather than an adherence to the stereotype. In the end, Charity seems horribly selfish and childish and inevitably reemphasizes perpetuated stereotypes, such as those of Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Syfers' "Why I want a Wife".
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
In response to Lilly,
In Lilly's most recent blog, she posted the following paragraph:
After reading the entire book, I do not think that Charity is a very strong character because she is so easily shaped by her surroundings and more specifically the men in her life. I think that she learns that the romance narrative she grew up believing does not necessarily exist and that even though people are separated by class in the minds of others, just because you are of a certain social class does not mean you are morally superior. I liked this character and it was interesting to see how she changed and responded as the story progressed.
I agree with her in that she thinks that Charity is not a strong character but I think that way for a different reason that she does. I think that most of us, if not all, are shaped by our surroundings but that does not make us weak. I believe that we are products of our environment and products of nurture. So I don't feel that it's fair to single Charity out in that aspect. However, I do, in some aspect, agree with the fact that she can't be considered a strong charcter for the fact that she was substancially effected by the men in her life. I also feel that that was llittle change or progression in the character of Charity. She still acted close to the same way in the end as she did in the beginning. She was still willing to go with what was "expected" or what she was told to do. I don't think Charity is a character we want to model after but rather learn from.
After reading the entire book, I do not think that Charity is a very strong character because she is so easily shaped by her surroundings and more specifically the men in her life. I think that she learns that the romance narrative she grew up believing does not necessarily exist and that even though people are separated by class in the minds of others, just because you are of a certain social class does not mean you are morally superior. I liked this character and it was interesting to see how she changed and responded as the story progressed.
I agree with her in that she thinks that Charity is not a strong character but I think that way for a different reason that she does. I think that most of us, if not all, are shaped by our surroundings but that does not make us weak. I believe that we are products of our environment and products of nurture. So I don't feel that it's fair to single Charity out in that aspect. However, I do, in some aspect, agree with the fact that she can't be considered a strong charcter for the fact that she was substancially effected by the men in her life. I also feel that that was llittle change or progression in the character of Charity. She still acted close to the same way in the end as she did in the beginning. She was still willing to go with what was "expected" or what she was told to do. I don't think Charity is a character we want to model after but rather learn from.
summer part two
In Tonae's blog about the first half she was right about Mr. Royall having hating Lucious because of Charity liking him. His anger become more visible as the book goes on like when he sees her with him with out a hat on and calls her a bareheaded whore in front of everyone.
In Quinlin's blog she talks about all of the sexual refrences and I say thats very in line with how Wharton portrays Lucious to look at Charity. For example when she attempts to run away to the mountains and he finds her while riding bike, she mentions twice how he wasn't listening to her he grabbed her and asked her to kiss him like she did last night. Or how he was looking at her with passion, not with understanding. He didn't love her intelligance, and he wasn't there to understand her, he was just interested in the newness of her and foriegn small town ways.
In Quinlin's blog she talks about all of the sexual refrences and I say thats very in line with how Wharton portrays Lucious to look at Charity. For example when she attempts to run away to the mountains and he finds her while riding bike, she mentions twice how he wasn't listening to her he grabbed her and asked her to kiss him like she did last night. Or how he was looking at her with passion, not with understanding. He didn't love her intelligance, and he wasn't there to understand her, he was just interested in the newness of her and foriegn small town ways.
Summer #2
The first passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "Gentlemen, let us look at things as they are. Some of us have come back to our native town because we'd failed to get on elsewhere. One way or other, things had gone wrong with us... what we'd dreamed of hadn't come true. But the fact that we had failed elsewhere is no reason why we should fail here. Our very experiments in larger places, even if they were unsuccessful, ought to have helped us make North Dormer a larger place..." My reaction to this was that I was delighted that someone try to see the good in living in North Dormer. I was glad that someone wanted to make it better. This function as well with the rest of the book because everyone seems unhappy at North Dormer because there is basically nothing there, and it is always being criticized.
The second passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "Well, after all, was her mother so much to blame? Charity, since that day, had always thought of her as destitute of all human feeling; now she seemed merely pitiful. What mother would not want to save her child from such a life?" I had a reaction to this because it seems like how she is describing her mother as if she did not care about her. That makes me feel sad that she felt this way and that she was contemplating this. This function as apart of the text as a whole because she wanted to be away from this place so much and she blamed her mother for her unhappiness.
The second passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "Well, after all, was her mother so much to blame? Charity, since that day, had always thought of her as destitute of all human feeling; now she seemed merely pitiful. What mother would not want to save her child from such a life?" I had a reaction to this because it seems like how she is describing her mother as if she did not care about her. That makes me feel sad that she felt this way and that she was contemplating this. This function as apart of the text as a whole because she wanted to be away from this place so much and she blamed her mother for her unhappiness.
Summer Response
I am responding to Mary's comments about the first half of Summer. She chose to mention that Charity was always treated as a lower person, someone without education and who was brought down from the mountain. It seems in the entire first half that she is constantly reiterating how much she does not belong in North Dormer or around all of the powerful and glamorous people. Yet when she returns to the mountain for her mother's funeral, she realizes that she does not belong there either and she even compares herself with Julia and says that she too will make a living for herself and her baby. In the entire scene when she enters the room that her mother's body is in and the people ask the minister who she is, I get the impression that she comes across as one of the rich snobby girls that she compares herself to in the city. I thought that this was an interesting juxtaposition because it showed that she was where she belonged even though she was not able to recognize that herself.
The second paragraph mary chose to comment on was one describing Mr. Royalle in Charity's eyes as someone who was not exciting, but solid and always there. I think that the entire ending is more interesing after reading the paragraph from the first half because when they get married it is a sort of boring thing that happens very quickly and Charity really has no emotional rection to it. At the very end, Charity and Mr. Royalle seem to connect deeper than they have, although she says his look made her feel both ashamed and secure. I am not sure that the feeling of being ashamed is a good one to have going into a marriage, but it is good that she is finally secure. I think the reader can also tell that Mr. Royale loves her because he does sort of apologize for his rude behavior on the 4th of July and he says that he wants her to be more brilliant than the other girls, I think that his small gestures make up for his shortcommings.
After reading the entire book, I do not think that Charity is a very strong character because she is so easily shaped by her surroundings and more specifically the men in her life. I think that she learns that the romance narrative she grew up believing does not necessarily exist and that even though people are separated by class in the minds of others, just because you are of a certain social class does not mean you are morally superior. I liked this character and it was interesting to see how she changed and responded as the story progressed.
The second paragraph mary chose to comment on was one describing Mr. Royalle in Charity's eyes as someone who was not exciting, but solid and always there. I think that the entire ending is more interesing after reading the paragraph from the first half because when they get married it is a sort of boring thing that happens very quickly and Charity really has no emotional rection to it. At the very end, Charity and Mr. Royalle seem to connect deeper than they have, although she says his look made her feel both ashamed and secure. I am not sure that the feeling of being ashamed is a good one to have going into a marriage, but it is good that she is finally secure. I think the reader can also tell that Mr. Royale loves her because he does sort of apologize for his rude behavior on the 4th of July and he says that he wants her to be more brilliant than the other girls, I think that his small gestures make up for his shortcommings.
After reading the entire book, I do not think that Charity is a very strong character because she is so easily shaped by her surroundings and more specifically the men in her life. I think that she learns that the romance narrative she grew up believing does not necessarily exist and that even though people are separated by class in the minds of others, just because you are of a certain social class does not mean you are morally superior. I liked this character and it was interesting to see how she changed and responded as the story progressed.
In Response to Summer
I am responding to Tonae's post:
I had a similiar reaction when Royall came into Charity's room that night. As a reader, I feared for her. I had no idea that we was wanting to marry her. When he asked, I was shocked. I think he was wanting to marry her to make his life easier - guaranteed companionship and housekeeping. Now that I have read the whole story, this part seems pretty ironic. Charity is just as shocked as I was the proposal - and doesn't even consider it. Yet, when she finds herself in trouble (pregnant out of wedlock) and heartbroken (Harney leaves her, doesn't marry her as she once hoped), Royall becomes Plan B. Everything else falls through, and suddenly the thought of marrying her once father figure doesn't seem so bad. Instead of becoming an outcast, Charity choses the stability of being "Mrs. Royall."
I think a lot of women can relate to Charity. While times have changed, I still think there are some women that marry for stability. They marry because they know they will be taken care of. While we talked in class how Charity is not a good role model for young women, I think that Charity is a model of what not to do.
I had a similiar reaction when Royall came into Charity's room that night. As a reader, I feared for her. I had no idea that we was wanting to marry her. When he asked, I was shocked. I think he was wanting to marry her to make his life easier - guaranteed companionship and housekeeping. Now that I have read the whole story, this part seems pretty ironic. Charity is just as shocked as I was the proposal - and doesn't even consider it. Yet, when she finds herself in trouble (pregnant out of wedlock) and heartbroken (Harney leaves her, doesn't marry her as she once hoped), Royall becomes Plan B. Everything else falls through, and suddenly the thought of marrying her once father figure doesn't seem so bad. Instead of becoming an outcast, Charity choses the stability of being "Mrs. Royall."
I think a lot of women can relate to Charity. While times have changed, I still think there are some women that marry for stability. They marry because they know they will be taken care of. While we talked in class how Charity is not a good role model for young women, I think that Charity is a model of what not to do.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Summer, due 7/31
I’m choosing Quinlin’s blog from yesterday. I thought it was interesting how she picked out all the sexual imagery from the novel because I didn’t see it that way at all. In fact, I barely even noticed it. I focused more on how Charity was so romantic. Even at the end of the novel, the sad letter Charity wrote to Harney still had romance in it. “I’m married to Mr. Royall. I’ll always remember you.” Even though it was so short and she was saying goodbye to him for good, the way she worded it- I’ll always remember you- It was just really touching.
Summer part II
"Only - was there no alternative but Julia's? Her soul recoiled from the vision of the white-faced woman among the plush sofas and gilt frames. In the established order of things as she knew them she saw no place for her individual adventure..."
I chose this passage because I was curious as to what the image of the white-faced woman means. That image has come up on more than one occasion, and I'm assuming it has some symbolic value. I think this passage is significant because Charity seems to be giving up. She's decided there's no place for her to have her own adventure, and doesn't really consider that the established order of things can easily be changed. I think she knows the established order can be changed, but isn't willing to go through the emotional distress that changing the order involves. I guess in this way Charity could be seen as a rather weak character.
"She had given him all she had - but what was it compared to the other gifts life held for him? She understood now the case of girls like herself to whom this kind of thing happened. They gave all they had, but their all was not enough: it could not buy more than a few moments..."
I think this is the moment when Charity realizes that she has grossly misjudged her relationship with Harney. She realizes that social obligations will always prevail over the real love she perceived between the two of them. It's passages like these that make Wharton seem like a part of the naturalistic school of writers. Charity is at the mercy of societal obligations that she cannot control, much like Lilly Bart in House of Mirth.
I chose this passage because I was curious as to what the image of the white-faced woman means. That image has come up on more than one occasion, and I'm assuming it has some symbolic value. I think this passage is significant because Charity seems to be giving up. She's decided there's no place for her to have her own adventure, and doesn't really consider that the established order of things can easily be changed. I think she knows the established order can be changed, but isn't willing to go through the emotional distress that changing the order involves. I guess in this way Charity could be seen as a rather weak character.
"She had given him all she had - but what was it compared to the other gifts life held for him? She understood now the case of girls like herself to whom this kind of thing happened. They gave all they had, but their all was not enough: it could not buy more than a few moments..."
I think this is the moment when Charity realizes that she has grossly misjudged her relationship with Harney. She realizes that social obligations will always prevail over the real love she perceived between the two of them. It's passages like these that make Wharton seem like a part of the naturalistic school of writers. Charity is at the mercy of societal obligations that she cannot control, much like Lilly Bart in House of Mirth.
Summer Pt 1
"Hard as she found it to understand why he passed enchanted before certain neglected and paintless houses, while others, refurbished and "improved" by the local builder, did not arrest a glance." (49)
I liked this image a lot because for one I could definitely imagine these torn up houses next to new ones. The imagery was extremely strong and I loved it! But i also liked this section because I felt like in a roundabout way she was referring to herself. She couldn't understand how Harney could have feelings for her when she sees herself as plain and boring next to the other girls.
"Charity... imagined herself married to a man who had such a straight nose and such a beautiful way of speaking, and who lived in a brown-stone rectory covered with Virginia creeper." (60).
I chose this because it reminded me a lot of my narrative collage. We are brought up in a culture that basis happiness of a marriage on the wedding, the money, the way it all "looks" not on a strong relationship between the two who are involved. It also reminded me of the story we read, "Men in your Life." because she already knows what she wants before she finds it. It also seemed to me like Charity wanted to run away from what she came from and this section seems to portray that to me especially well.
I liked this image a lot because for one I could definitely imagine these torn up houses next to new ones. The imagery was extremely strong and I loved it! But i also liked this section because I felt like in a roundabout way she was referring to herself. She couldn't understand how Harney could have feelings for her when she sees herself as plain and boring next to the other girls.
"Charity... imagined herself married to a man who had such a straight nose and such a beautiful way of speaking, and who lived in a brown-stone rectory covered with Virginia creeper." (60).
I chose this because it reminded me a lot of my narrative collage. We are brought up in a culture that basis happiness of a marriage on the wedding, the money, the way it all "looks" not on a strong relationship between the two who are involved. It also reminded me of the story we read, "Men in your Life." because she already knows what she wants before she finds it. It also seemed to me like Charity wanted to run away from what she came from and this section seems to portray that to me especially well.
Summer 1st half
"Entering her prison house with a listless step she took off her hat, hung it on a plaster bust of Minerva, opened the shutters,..."
When I read this line I felt bad for her, that her job was so horrible to her that she compared it to a prison house. The more you read on you find out she only works 2 hours a day! I thought that was funny and really dramatic, but the more I think about it now I realize she was probably referring to the whole town as a prison house for her. She felt trapped in a small undesirable place.
"The girl walked along, swinging her key on a finger, and looking about her with the heighted attention produced by the presence of a stranger in a familiar place."
This line didn't strike me odd by any means, I just really liked it. I liked it because I know how she feels, I love when my bf goes home with me and I always point out "there's my highschool, theres where I used to work, etc." And as much as i'm sure he loves it (ha!) I really start to miss my old town even though until that time I don't miss it at all. Also with movies and music I do this too. Like I have movies that I have just watched to death and never want to watch anymore, but if someone I know hasn't seen them I always insist we watch it immediatly and when we do I"m that annoying girl who says stuff like "wasn't that funny! and Pay attention you'll miss the good part!" Then i'll remember why I loved that movie so much. I think maybe it could be forshadowing that it will take this guy to remind her of all the things she used to love about this town.
When I read this line I felt bad for her, that her job was so horrible to her that she compared it to a prison house. The more you read on you find out she only works 2 hours a day! I thought that was funny and really dramatic, but the more I think about it now I realize she was probably referring to the whole town as a prison house for her. She felt trapped in a small undesirable place.
"The girl walked along, swinging her key on a finger, and looking about her with the heighted attention produced by the presence of a stranger in a familiar place."
This line didn't strike me odd by any means, I just really liked it. I liked it because I know how she feels, I love when my bf goes home with me and I always point out "there's my highschool, theres where I used to work, etc." And as much as i'm sure he loves it (ha!) I really start to miss my old town even though until that time I don't miss it at all. Also with movies and music I do this too. Like I have movies that I have just watched to death and never want to watch anymore, but if someone I know hasn't seen them I always insist we watch it immediatly and when we do I"m that annoying girl who says stuff like "wasn't that funny! and Pay attention you'll miss the good part!" Then i'll remember why I loved that movie so much. I think maybe it could be forshadowing that it will take this guy to remind her of all the things she used to love about this town.
Summer
I think that it's important to look at all of the sexual imagery in the novel along with its symbolism. Like on page 101, "A long "Oh-h-h" burst from the spectators: the stand creaked and shook with their blissful trepidations. "Oh-h-h," Charity gasped: she had forgotten where she was, had at last forgotten even Harney's nearness. She seemed to have been caught up in the stars." This creates a phallic imagery which suggests a sexual bliss that will occur for Charity as a result of deeper physical intimacy with Harney. It's also very romantic in the way she forgets where she is and becomes caught up in the stars. This heightens the passion of their first kiss. As the scene continues, her rapture tightens and she describes him as having mysterious power which she is possessed by. It's an interesting scene that is steady with her character.
Summer #1
From the first half i had a strong reaction to: "Marry you? Me?" she burst out with a scornful laugh. "Was that what you came to ask me the other night? What's come over you, I wonder? How long is it since you've looked at yourself in the glass?" " I suppose you think it would be cheaper to marry me than to keep a hired girl. Everybody knows you're the closet man in Eagle County; but I guess you're not going to get your mending done for you that way twice." My reaction was that I was in disbelief that he would ask her to marry her. The night that he went to her room I thought he was coming to rape her. The passage function as apart of the context as a whole because this came after she told him she wanted to leave. Which was odd because she told him she wanted to stay. It talks about her not being afraid and being superior to him but she does not want to stay as if she is scared.
The second passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "The tone with which Mr. Royall had said "He's not coming" seemed to her full of an ominous satisfaction. She saw that he had suddenly begun to hate Lucius Harney, and guessed herself to be the cause of this change of feeling. My reaction to this is Mr. Royall clearly is jealous that that Charity had feelings for Lucius. This passage function with the context as a whole because Charity turned down Mr. Royall's marriage proposal, and that angered him. From the beginning Charity showed a liking for Mr. Harney.
The second passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "The tone with which Mr. Royall had said "He's not coming" seemed to her full of an ominous satisfaction. She saw that he had suddenly begun to hate Lucius Harney, and guessed herself to be the cause of this change of feeling. My reaction to this is Mr. Royall clearly is jealous that that Charity had feelings for Lucius. This passage function with the context as a whole because Charity turned down Mr. Royall's marriage proposal, and that angered him. From the beginning Charity showed a liking for Mr. Harney.
Summer- First Half
The first passage that struck me as interesting, given our recent discussion topic of cultural narratives is on page 24. It begins "Then she remembered his sudden pause when he had come...as if to have the impression of a kiss". The entire dream sequence is very much a description of a cultural narrative about love and romance affecting someone so much that she is dreaming about the romance without even knowing the man very well. I thought that it was out of character, or at least a dramatic change in the mellow, almost shy character we had seen so far. I think that it is also intersting to notice the amount of attention she pays to her own looks in the fantasy, she also says that it may be a mistake to wish her eyes were blue. This echos another cultural narrative we have talked a lot about, that women always want to change their features to look like models, or whatever is considered beautifu and exotic at the time.
The second passage I chose is on page 39 and fills the enire page save for the beginning of the second paragraph at the bottom. I liked this passage because it shows changes in the character and her reflection of her own life. She talks about how she is shy and had refrained from any 'town lovemaking', yet she watches lucius harney and responds to the fact that he is the brillaince she had been waiting for and that he values her. This plays into the cultural narrative that women have to be valued like an object in the eyes of men to be worthy. It also shows the romance narrative and the hidden desires Charity has for herself and a relationship with Harney.
The second passage I chose is on page 39 and fills the enire page save for the beginning of the second paragraph at the bottom. I liked this passage because it shows changes in the character and her reflection of her own life. She talks about how she is shy and had refrained from any 'town lovemaking', yet she watches lucius harney and responds to the fact that he is the brillaince she had been waiting for and that he values her. This plays into the cultural narrative that women have to be valued like an object in the eyes of men to be worthy. It also shows the romance narrative and the hidden desires Charity has for herself and a relationship with Harney.
Summer Part 1
Her bewilderment was complete: the more she wished to appear to understand him the more unintelligible his remarks became. He reminded her of the gentleman who had "explained" the pictures at Nettleton, and hte weight of her ignorance settled down on her again like a pall."
this passage takes place during Charity's and Harney's first encounter at the Library. I thought it was interesting becauase it not only shows the difference in their cultural or social status, but also in the difference between being a woman of a lower social status. He is educated and from the city, while she is uneducated and from a small town below the mountains where she was actually born. She was "brought down from the mountain" by Mr. Royale when she was young. The mountain people are considered to be scum or outlaws and they are all poor and ignorant people who must be evil in the eyes of the towns people. they do not understand them. charity seems to carry this feeling of inadequecy with her through out the story even though she seems to be a strong character she has moments of vulnerability and weakness concerning her heritage. Harney emphasizes this inadequey for her and she is drawn to him hoping to impress him but always doubting that she can because of her educational background as well as where she came from.
Except on the occasion of his one offense he had been to her merely the person who was always there, the unquestioned central fact of life, as inevitable but as uninteresting as North Dormer itself, or any of the other conditions fate had laid on her.
I thought this passage describing Mr. Royale in charity's eyes was interesting because it reveal a great deal about her. She is bored with her life. She is stuck with this man who saved her from the mountains and deep down i think besides not having money or a husband to help her leave his house she feels a sense of duty to him for keeping her from such a terrible fate. Even though she acts defiant to him, i feel that there is something there that makes her stay. This makes it all the more noticable by calling him the person always there. It seems to be a constant in her life that brings comfort from the unknown even though it is disinteresting to her. She is bored but complacent it seems because she hasn't done anything but get the job at the library to help in leaving this man and Dormer.
this passage takes place during Charity's and Harney's first encounter at the Library. I thought it was interesting becauase it not only shows the difference in their cultural or social status, but also in the difference between being a woman of a lower social status. He is educated and from the city, while she is uneducated and from a small town below the mountains where she was actually born. She was "brought down from the mountain" by Mr. Royale when she was young. The mountain people are considered to be scum or outlaws and they are all poor and ignorant people who must be evil in the eyes of the towns people. they do not understand them. charity seems to carry this feeling of inadequecy with her through out the story even though she seems to be a strong character she has moments of vulnerability and weakness concerning her heritage. Harney emphasizes this inadequey for her and she is drawn to him hoping to impress him but always doubting that she can because of her educational background as well as where she came from.
Except on the occasion of his one offense he had been to her merely the person who was always there, the unquestioned central fact of life, as inevitable but as uninteresting as North Dormer itself, or any of the other conditions fate had laid on her.
I thought this passage describing Mr. Royale in charity's eyes was interesting because it reveal a great deal about her. She is bored with her life. She is stuck with this man who saved her from the mountains and deep down i think besides not having money or a husband to help her leave his house she feels a sense of duty to him for keeping her from such a terrible fate. Even though she acts defiant to him, i feel that there is something there that makes her stay. This makes it all the more noticable by calling him the person always there. It seems to be a constant in her life that brings comfort from the unknown even though it is disinteresting to her. She is bored but complacent it seems because she hasn't done anything but get the job at the library to help in leaving this man and Dormer.
Summer
"In the course of that incredible day, Charity Royall had, for the first and only time, experienced railway travel, looked into shops with plate-glass fronts, tasted cocoanut pie, sat in a theatre, and listened to gentlemen saying unintelligible things before pictures that she would have enjoyed lokking at if his explanations had not prevented her from understanding them. This initiation had shown her that North Dormer was a small place . . . " pg. 5
Coming from a small town this passage really caught my attention. This is the first time that Charity realizes how small and limiting North Dormer is. She gets a taste of the city and for a moment, realizes that there is much more out there. I really relate with her at this point in the story. My hometown is very small, quaint, and resistant to change. At times, I feel it is limiting, and I was so excited to come to Columbia (which felt huge to me when I first moved here!)
["You go right back from here," she said, in a shrill voice that startled her, "you ain't going to have that key tonight"] pg.17
I picked this second passage because it shows Charity's assertiveness. She is being the adult in the situation. It shows her ability to stand up for herself. This surprised me at this point in the story, because up until this point I thought of her to be more timid, more of a pushover. My opinion of Charity really begins to change at this point.
Coming from a small town this passage really caught my attention. This is the first time that Charity realizes how small and limiting North Dormer is. She gets a taste of the city and for a moment, realizes that there is much more out there. I really relate with her at this point in the story. My hometown is very small, quaint, and resistant to change. At times, I feel it is limiting, and I was so excited to come to Columbia (which felt huge to me when I first moved here!)
["You go right back from here," she said, in a shrill voice that startled her, "you ain't going to have that key tonight"] pg.17
I picked this second passage because it shows Charity's assertiveness. She is being the adult in the situation. It shows her ability to stand up for herself. This surprised me at this point in the story, because up until this point I thought of her to be more timid, more of a pushover. My opinion of Charity really begins to change at this point.
Sula - 2(I don't know why it never showed up . . .)
Okay here is my Sula Pt 2 :
"I heard you were sick. Anything I can do for you?" (pg. 138)
I was really moved by Nel's kindness in this part of the story. Although Sula has committed the ultimate betrayal against her friend, Nel comes to check on Sula when she hears of her illness. I really think this part of the story shows Nel's character. She knows that everyone else in the town is rejoicing at Sula's illness. Nel is the bigger person, facing her former friend and going to check on the outcast that she has become. I was blown away by this act of kindness. I tried to put myself in Nel's shoes, and know that I couldn't do such a thing. It really made me respect her.
["All that time, all that time, I thought I was missing Jude." And the loss pressed down on her chest and came up into her throat. "We was girls together," she said as though explaining something. "O Lord, Sula,"she cried, "girl, girl, girlgirlgirl."] pg. 174
I thought this passage had a powerful message. Sula and Nel had grown up together, and gone through much together as friends. Although Sula betrayed her, Nel stil longed through her friendship during her adult years. I think this shows how powerful women's relationships can be. Both women were a stronghold for each other, and even though their relationship didn't end on good terms, Nel still longed for it.
"I heard you were sick. Anything I can do for you?" (pg. 138)
I was really moved by Nel's kindness in this part of the story. Although Sula has committed the ultimate betrayal against her friend, Nel comes to check on Sula when she hears of her illness. I really think this part of the story shows Nel's character. She knows that everyone else in the town is rejoicing at Sula's illness. Nel is the bigger person, facing her former friend and going to check on the outcast that she has become. I was blown away by this act of kindness. I tried to put myself in Nel's shoes, and know that I couldn't do such a thing. It really made me respect her.
["All that time, all that time, I thought I was missing Jude." And the loss pressed down on her chest and came up into her throat. "We was girls together," she said as though explaining something. "O Lord, Sula,"she cried, "girl, girl, girlgirlgirl."] pg. 174
I thought this passage had a powerful message. Sula and Nel had grown up together, and gone through much together as friends. Although Sula betrayed her, Nel stil longed through her friendship during her adult years. I think this shows how powerful women's relationships can be. Both women were a stronghold for each other, and even though their relationship didn't end on good terms, Nel still longed for it.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
SUMMER: PART ONE
The first passage I chose to write about actually takes place in Chapter One. “Entering her prison house with a listless step she took off her hat, hung it on a plaster bust of Minerva, opened the shutters, leaned out to see if there were any eggs in the swallow’s nest above one of the windows, and finally, seating herself behind the desk, drew out a roll of cotton lace and a steel crochet hook. She was not an expert work woman, and it had taken her many weeks to make the half-yard of narrow lace which she kept wound about the buckram back of a disintegrated copy of “The Lamplighter.” But there was no other way of getting any lace to trim her summer blouse, and since Ally Hawes, the poorest girl in the village, had shown herself in church with enviable transparencies about the shoulders, Charity’s hook traveled faster. She unrolled the lace, dug the hook into a loop, and bent to the task with furrowed brows.”
I chose this very simple passage because it tells you a little bit about the main character of the book, Charity. Although we don’t know why she feels her house is a “prison house”, I find it very interesting that the book has just starting and there are already negative feelings. On the other hand, looking to see if there were eggs in the bird’s nest made me thing that she might like nature. One thing I thought that was very interesting was how she felt she had to knit/lace her blouse faster because Ally Hawes wore hers to church. The fact that there is already competing feelings taking place makes me wonder where this book will go. Even though the author doesn’t really elaborate, I was thinking (as I was reading) about any possible outcomes that may take place. It the competition attitude somewhat reminded me of Nel and Sula in the book Sula. I’m very excited to see where this book goes because if it is anything like that, it will be a very good read.
Second passage: “She had liked the young man’s looks, and his short-sighted eyes, and his odd way of speaking, that was abrupt yet soft, just as his hands were sunburnt and sinewy, yet with smooth nails like a woman’s. His hair was sunburnt looking too, or rather the colour of bracken after frost; his smile shy yet confident, as if he knew lots of things she had never dreamed of, and yet wouldn’t for the world have had her feel his superiority. But she did feel it, and she liked the feeling; for it was new to her.”
I like this passage because it is such a strong description and it puts such a vivid picture in my head- just reading it made me smile. It’s every woman’s dream to find a man like this. It really doesn’t resemble anything we’ve read in this class so far. This passage is so happy and colorful! It does, however, remind me of some of the “chick flick” movies that we watched in class. I’m having a difficult time explaining in words what struck me so hard about this passage but I absolutely love it. It just gives me this warm feeling. I feel that the author did a wonderful job of wording this passage; of giving Charity this beautiful, romantic side and it just made me want to keep reading and never stop!
I chose this very simple passage because it tells you a little bit about the main character of the book, Charity. Although we don’t know why she feels her house is a “prison house”, I find it very interesting that the book has just starting and there are already negative feelings. On the other hand, looking to see if there were eggs in the bird’s nest made me thing that she might like nature. One thing I thought that was very interesting was how she felt she had to knit/lace her blouse faster because Ally Hawes wore hers to church. The fact that there is already competing feelings taking place makes me wonder where this book will go. Even though the author doesn’t really elaborate, I was thinking (as I was reading) about any possible outcomes that may take place. It the competition attitude somewhat reminded me of Nel and Sula in the book Sula. I’m very excited to see where this book goes because if it is anything like that, it will be a very good read.
Second passage: “She had liked the young man’s looks, and his short-sighted eyes, and his odd way of speaking, that was abrupt yet soft, just as his hands were sunburnt and sinewy, yet with smooth nails like a woman’s. His hair was sunburnt looking too, or rather the colour of bracken after frost; his smile shy yet confident, as if he knew lots of things she had never dreamed of, and yet wouldn’t for the world have had her feel his superiority. But she did feel it, and she liked the feeling; for it was new to her.”
I like this passage because it is such a strong description and it puts such a vivid picture in my head- just reading it made me smile. It’s every woman’s dream to find a man like this. It really doesn’t resemble anything we’ve read in this class so far. This passage is so happy and colorful! It does, however, remind me of some of the “chick flick” movies that we watched in class. I’m having a difficult time explaining in words what struck me so hard about this passage but I absolutely love it. It just gives me this warm feeling. I feel that the author did a wonderful job of wording this passage; of giving Charity this beautiful, romantic side and it just made me want to keep reading and never stop!
Summer part I
"It did not, of course, always end so sensationally; nor, perhaps, on the whole, so untragically. Charity had always suspected that the shunned Julia's fate might have its compensations. There were others, worse endings that the village knew of, mean, miserable, unconfessed; other lives that went on drearily, without visible change, in the same cramped setting of hypocrisy. But these were not the same reasons that held her back. Since the day before, she had known exactly what she would feel if Harney should take her in his arms: the melting of palm into palm and mouth on mouth, and the long flame burning her from head to foot. But mixed with this feeling was another: the wondering pride in his liking for her, the startled softness that his sympathy had put into her heart. Sometimes, when her youth flushed up in her, she had imagined yielding like other girls to furtive caresses in the twilight; but she could not so cheapen herself to Harney. She did not know why he was going; but since he was going she felt she must do nothing to deface the image of her that he carried away. If he wanted her he must seek her: he must not be surprised into taking her as girls like Julia Hawes were taken..."
I chose this passage because it summed up Charity's dilemma, which is pretty much the age old dilemma women have struggled with. Should she resist her lust for Harney in order to preserve her integrity? She admits that Julia Hawes, even though she's been shunned by North Dormer, has enjoyed a more exciting life than most North Dormer residents. At the same time, she has a desire to been seen as the quintessential lady, and the epitome of classy behavior. Charity also seems to possess competing views of what romance really is - is it more desirable to have a passionate but illicit romance, or a more traditional and decidedly less passionate romance?
I also picked this passage because it's a good example of Wharton's foreshadowing. She's one of my favorite authors, because even though you know pretty much all of her characters meet a tragic end, she sucks you into rooting for her protagonists, and though you hold out a hope that things will eventually be alright, even though they never turn out to be.
"She walked on, wondering whether Mr. Royall was still on the porch. In her exalted mood she did not greatly care whether he was waiting for her or not; she seemed to be floating high over life, on a great cloud of misery beneath whih everyday realities had dwindled to mere specks in space."
I chose this passage because it's a confirmation of what the reader has already begun to suspect. Charity is not only in love with the person Harney, but also the vision of him taking her away from her own dull life in North Dormer. She may be in love with the person, but the ideal of the person has also blinded her to the realities of their relationship. She consistenly misinterprets his actions, and ignores how the name "Annabel Balch" seems to keep popping up in relation to Harney.
I chose this passage because it summed up Charity's dilemma, which is pretty much the age old dilemma women have struggled with. Should she resist her lust for Harney in order to preserve her integrity? She admits that Julia Hawes, even though she's been shunned by North Dormer, has enjoyed a more exciting life than most North Dormer residents. At the same time, she has a desire to been seen as the quintessential lady, and the epitome of classy behavior. Charity also seems to possess competing views of what romance really is - is it more desirable to have a passionate but illicit romance, or a more traditional and decidedly less passionate romance?
I also picked this passage because it's a good example of Wharton's foreshadowing. She's one of my favorite authors, because even though you know pretty much all of her characters meet a tragic end, she sucks you into rooting for her protagonists, and though you hold out a hope that things will eventually be alright, even though they never turn out to be.
"She walked on, wondering whether Mr. Royall was still on the porch. In her exalted mood she did not greatly care whether he was waiting for her or not; she seemed to be floating high over life, on a great cloud of misery beneath whih everyday realities had dwindled to mere specks in space."
I chose this passage because it's a confirmation of what the reader has already begun to suspect. Charity is not only in love with the person Harney, but also the vision of him taking her away from her own dull life in North Dormer. She may be in love with the person, but the ideal of the person has also blinded her to the realities of their relationship. She consistenly misinterprets his actions, and ignores how the name "Annabel Balch" seems to keep popping up in relation to Harney.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
I guess it makes it easier to go to class if the alarm is set...
I love these sort of readings; they prompt one to think about their own perceptions and how they feel about this subject matter. There were both simularities as well as differences in the two readings. Obviously, both main characters faced struggles for their cultural background. It was so hard for me to read about their hardships they faced only because of their heritage, something obviously out of their control. It made it even more difficult because I know that still happens today. However, there were differences; things that were people were more in control of. They were treated much differently as a result of their outbursts by their mother. Also, the way others treated them was a bit different and I think that also determined how they delt with the situation. These sort of readings are a perfect opportunity for us to take a personal look at how we view others and concider any prejudices we might have.
Assimilation Narratives
The most basic similarity I found between the two narratives was that each girl was ostracized for not fitting the mold of a typical American - that is, being of European descent. It's especially ironic in the case of Zitkala-Sa, considering Native Americans were here before the European settlers. The most fundamental difference I found in the narratives, was that Sui Sin Far had at least one parent that passed as American, whereas Zitkala-Sa did not. However, Sui Sin Far was in the catch-22 of not being American enough to satisfy her American peers, but not Chinese enough to be fully accepted by that group either. Another difference was the extent of acceptance they received from their mothers. Zitkala-Sa's mother seemed to pretty much disown her, but Sui Sin Far's mother was more tolerant of her daughter's rebellion. Although I think both suffered dramatically because of the inability or unwillingness of their parents to realize how awful their situations were. You can account for some of the differences simply by looking at the American attitude toward a particular ethnicity at the time. You could argue that if they had been raised at a different time, neither would have received the amount of unacceptance that they did.
July 26
I found both of these stories extremely moving. As a white, middle class American I have not had to deal with many of the things that these girls had to deal with. There struggles were very similar to each other because they were often seen as outcasts. However, I felt like the one tried to fit in more because she wanted to be liked and not different, where as the other embraced her culture and her differences. I think they are both very interesting accounts of what it is like to assimilate to the culture of the United States and it really made me realize some of my own prejudices toward people of other nationalities that come to this country and how I want to change my thoughts about them.
assimilation narratives
I thougth both of these stories seemed to truly help depict what it is like for someone who is not from the standard white background in the United States. Although both were from the past, many prejudices still exist. I found both of these stories to protray each young girls struggle with being part of mainstream america. However the first story about the indian girl in the school seems much different. She is being forced to take on the culture of the mainstream white world around her. She seems very passive at fighting this and eventually goes on the collegel where she continues to deal with prejudice and lonliness. the second story about the girl who is part Chinese, but grows up in England is different because when she is insulted she seems to fight back and demand recognition for the heritage as a chinese girl. She is angry at the predudices around her. She in turn begins to learn about her chinese heritage and traditions almost as a form of protest against the mainstream who want her to be conformed. The reality is, looking different makes it hard for anyone to be accepted in a white dominated society.
In "The Schooldays of an Indian Girl," and in "Leaves from the Mental Portfolio of an Eurasian" these stories of race or similar because both characters had to deal with being different. Both girls encounter racism and discrimination because of their differences. The girls had to deal with being nonwhite. The girls had to deal with trying to assimilate into mainstream culture and forget about their own. Both girls wanted to know more and recognize their different heritages. The differences that I see is that in "the Schooldays of an Indian Girl" she was taken away from her family to learn different ways. In "Leaves from the Mental Portfolio of an Eurasian" she is more eager to learn about her Chinese culture because she does not know much about it. The difference is that one is Indian and one is Chinese. The difference is that one is growing to learn more about her culture and I presumed to not look like she is Chinese. I think the differences are there because one grew up in her culture and the other one did not.
the schooldays and mental portfolio of an eurasian
These two excerpts from longer memoirs are similar in the way that the little girls, at first, don't realize why everyone looks at them differently. The Indian girl has "pale faces" look oddly at her shoes at blanket, and the little chinese girl doesn't even know when her mother is called chinese what that means. However they are both very smart girls and catch on quickly to the things that make them different from other girls and boys and they really embrace it.
The main difference that struck me was how one was aware of their culture and what it meant at a young age and the other didn't even know what a china man looked like and got slapped for story telling. In Schooldays she always longed for home and for her mother where as i felt like the other story was more her just trying to figure this whole other race thing out!.
The main difference that struck me was how one was aware of their culture and what it meant at a young age and the other didn't even know what a china man looked like and got slapped for story telling. In Schooldays she always longed for home and for her mother where as i felt like the other story was more her just trying to figure this whole other race thing out!.
July 26
Both of these readings really made me think. The characters are struggling to come into their own, feeling categorized by their cultural background. Although I have never been characterized for my race, I really felt for the girls and tried to imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. Every girl idolizes and wishes to be like another at some point while growing up and the struggle to fit in is never an easy one.
"Resistance is Futile"
Sui Sin's "Leaves from the Mental Portfolio of an Eurasian" and Zitkala-Sa's "The School Days of an Indian Girl" discuss assimilation into a culture close, yet emotionally distant, to one's own. In "Leaves", it should be noted that the protagonist is not solely of Chinese descent. Similarly, the heroine of "School Days" is Native American. Such simple distinctions estrange them from those who share a culture not far removed from their own. The differences lie in the approach, but probably correspond with maturity. The woman of "Leaves" seems to be recollecting from adulthood while the girl of "School Days" relives the horror of her transition. Between woman and girl, experience and inexperience, it is no surprise that one adapts and dismisses more easily than the other. Conclusively, what is horror, what is extreme and unspeakable as committed by imperialism, seems to be defined by age, experience, and relation.
July 26, 2007
These two stories are very similar in the way they are written. I really enjoyed the child’s perspective of prejudice because it was not completely understood by either one of the girls but both were intuitive about how they were different, even though they had no idea about the social acceptance (or not) of their culture in white society. The stories were also obviously similar since both small children experienced the same feelings of being different even though they were in different places and from different backgrounds. I thought it was interesting that the main character in the first story, The Schooldays of an Indian Girl, knew her ancestry because her mother and relatives were still immersed in their culture. However, in Leaves from the Mental Portfolio of an Eurasian, the girl was never able to know real Chinese people and visit china, she too had impressions that Chinese were dirty and vile creatures. I think that this is a very important distinction to make, for although the girl ultimately stands up for herself and decides to embrace who she is, I think that she is still very different from a Chinese American and cannot really understand any struggle other than her own. The first story is also unique because the school girl ultimately becomes to look and go through the schedule of white people and ends up diaobeying her mother to go to college. I think in the same way as the woman in the second story, she gains her own independance from any race or culture and she must be appreciated for that and not for her background.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Blog due 7/26
THE SCHOOLDAYS OF AN INDIAN GIRL
This writing was very difficult for me to analyze. I think it might have a lot to do with the fact that I don’t know the history or the culture what so ever. I feel the author is focusing a lot on the cultural criticism of her time. For example, in part four she describes her dream with the “white man’s devil” and how he came into their house while her mother and her mother’s friend were in the kitchen and chased after her. I imagine this somehow had something to do with her insecurities of being an Indian.
LEAVES FROM THE MENTAL PORTFOLIO OF AN EURASIAN
The main difference between this story and Schooldays is that the writing is a lot more straight forward- a lot more literal. This story is telling actual stories whereas Schooldays talked a lot more about dreams and how she interpreted things. The main similarity is obviously that neither of these girls is Caucasian. I got the feeling that they both felt a little left out and maybe a little awkward. I can completely understand why they would feel that way, especially in the time that they grew up, where different races were looked down upon- the whiter your skin the better.
I feel bad for people who had to go through that. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to go through that- thinking I was bad or different or wrong. I couldn’t imagine having to think of myself as different. We are all human beings and in that sense, we are all the same and all equal.
This writing was very difficult for me to analyze. I think it might have a lot to do with the fact that I don’t know the history or the culture what so ever. I feel the author is focusing a lot on the cultural criticism of her time. For example, in part four she describes her dream with the “white man’s devil” and how he came into their house while her mother and her mother’s friend were in the kitchen and chased after her. I imagine this somehow had something to do with her insecurities of being an Indian.
LEAVES FROM THE MENTAL PORTFOLIO OF AN EURASIAN
The main difference between this story and Schooldays is that the writing is a lot more straight forward- a lot more literal. This story is telling actual stories whereas Schooldays talked a lot more about dreams and how she interpreted things. The main similarity is obviously that neither of these girls is Caucasian. I got the feeling that they both felt a little left out and maybe a little awkward. I can completely understand why they would feel that way, especially in the time that they grew up, where different races were looked down upon- the whiter your skin the better.
I feel bad for people who had to go through that. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to go through that- thinking I was bad or different or wrong. I couldn’t imagine having to think of myself as different. We are all human beings and in that sense, we are all the same and all equal.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
July 24
Seventeen Syllables did not strike me as the usual romance narrative when I read through it the first time. However, the more I began to look at it I did see some of the typical narratives in place. For example, the story is about an arranged marriage between a man and woman. Rosie is unsure how she feels about this marriage and I believe it is because the marriage she has seen through her parents is not a good example at all for her. Also, I realized her mothers strong love for her poetry. This was interesting to me because I had not thought about the love that occurs for inanimate objects, as well as people.
Men in Your Life was also not the typical romance story that one would expect. I found it very funny how these two women were so judgmental and sure of what they wanted from the men before they even really began to date them. However, once they loved a man they seemed to look past all the flaws that they pointed out in other men before. It went along with what we talked about in class regarding women forgetting and forgiving men for things that they maybe should not have. It went along with the whole narrative of "love conquers all" or in the end all one really needs is love, which to me really doesn't ring true.
Men in Your Life was also not the typical romance story that one would expect. I found it very funny how these two women were so judgmental and sure of what they wanted from the men before they even really began to date them. However, once they loved a man they seemed to look past all the flaws that they pointed out in other men before. It went along with what we talked about in class regarding women forgetting and forgiving men for things that they maybe should not have. It went along with the whole narrative of "love conquers all" or in the end all one really needs is love, which to me really doesn't ring true.
Romance
Seventeen Syllables:
This story has a romance narrative because it talks about how two people from different cultural backgrounds feel about one another. What makes it a romance narrative is the way that Rosie reacted to being kissed and the things she did afterwards. Rosie seemed to care about Jesus because she seemed to me to be always thinking about him. I think she knows it is inappropriate for her to see him but she does it. This is different from other romance narratives because Rosie has to deal with her unhappy parents and at the end she promises her mother that she would not marry. So that would kill her happiness.
Men In Your Life:
This story does not seem like a romance narrative to me because the main character seems to be dissing the man that she talks to. At the end I guess it could have a romantic theme because she is reminiscing about a man that treated her right, but the beginning makes you feel that she is downing men. This is different because she is talking about the ways that men act and why she does not have one. She does find that she there is one man in particular that she wouldn't mind being with. I did not see it being a romance narrative.
This story has a romance narrative because it talks about how two people from different cultural backgrounds feel about one another. What makes it a romance narrative is the way that Rosie reacted to being kissed and the things she did afterwards. Rosie seemed to care about Jesus because she seemed to me to be always thinking about him. I think she knows it is inappropriate for her to see him but she does it. This is different from other romance narratives because Rosie has to deal with her unhappy parents and at the end she promises her mother that she would not marry. So that would kill her happiness.
Men In Your Life:
This story does not seem like a romance narrative to me because the main character seems to be dissing the man that she talks to. At the end I guess it could have a romantic theme because she is reminiscing about a man that treated her right, but the beginning makes you feel that she is downing men. This is different because she is talking about the ways that men act and why she does not have one. She does find that she there is one man in particular that she wouldn't mind being with. I did not see it being a romance narrative.
romance narratives
I thought these two stories were interesting. The first one, "Seventeen Syllables" was different to me. it did not strike me as a romance at all except for Rosie and Jesus and that was only a small part of the story. It seemed very strange to be a romance and the mother did not even love her husband. She married him because she had to. it seemed sad.
The second story, "Men in your life" was really interesting. i liked it alot and really do feel like it was a romance because of how she describes Eddie. You can tell their relationship is the stereotypical romance in the fact that they "play" togehter and enjoy being together even when they have no money. They seem to have built a sense of trust and you can tell they understand an respect eachother. i love the last line, "...but if a man gives you all the very best that he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want...?" She is talking about the best of them. NOt money or things. Seh is talking about a man that respects her and loves her and shows it all the time. i thought that in itself was romantic.
The second story, "Men in your life" was really interesting. i liked it alot and really do feel like it was a romance because of how she describes Eddie. You can tell their relationship is the stereotypical romance in the fact that they "play" togehter and enjoy being together even when they have no money. They seem to have built a sense of trust and you can tell they understand an respect eachother. i love the last line, "...but if a man gives you all the very best that he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want...?" She is talking about the best of them. NOt money or things. Seh is talking about a man that respects her and loves her and shows it all the time. i thought that in itself was romantic.
Romance
SEVENTEEN SYLLABLES
"When he took hold of her empty hand, she could find no words to protest; her vocabulary became had become distressingly constricted and she thought desperately that all that remained intact now was yes and no and oh, even those few sounds would not easily out" (pg. 89)
I really like this passage because it is definitely one of Rosie's first experiences with romance. She is really not sure how to respond to Jesus, and goes weak in his presence. Soon after they kiss, she runs, not knowing what to do. I think this passage is proof that this is a story of romance, or lack there of. It seems that Rosie's parents are in a loveless marriage and Rosie's mother loves receiving attention from other men. This can be seen in the scene where Rosie's father is ready to leave the Hayano residence while her mother hardly notices as she is engrossed with conversation with Mr. Hayano. Everything makes since at the ending when Rosie's mother tells her daughter of the arranged marriage that became the alternative to suicide.
I think that Rosie's relationship with Jesus is affected by the way Rosie has watched her parents interact. When Rosie goes to meet Jesus, she doesn't know how to act because she is unfamiliar with romance.
MEN IN YOUR LIFE
"but if a man gives you all of the very best that he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want?"
I thought this was a great way to end this piece. It is a familiar conversation between woman of all ages. Women always gather to talk to about men. I felt like this work was so real. The women were quick to judge other men and their relationships with woman, but when it came to their own, everything was perfect. I think the woman who wants to marry Eddie may be in denial. Although he may be a great man, I think she is exaggerating his perfection due to her affection for him. This is not rare. I have had friends talk up their relationships (how great he is, how happy they are), only to hear how miserable they really were after the relationship has ended. It makes me wonder how the woman really is, and if Eddie is all that she describes him to be.
I think this is a romance narrative because it is two woman describing what they WANT for a romantic relationship and their standards.
"When he took hold of her empty hand, she could find no words to protest; her vocabulary became had become distressingly constricted and she thought desperately that all that remained intact now was yes and no and oh, even those few sounds would not easily out" (pg. 89)
I really like this passage because it is definitely one of Rosie's first experiences with romance. She is really not sure how to respond to Jesus, and goes weak in his presence. Soon after they kiss, she runs, not knowing what to do. I think this passage is proof that this is a story of romance, or lack there of. It seems that Rosie's parents are in a loveless marriage and Rosie's mother loves receiving attention from other men. This can be seen in the scene where Rosie's father is ready to leave the Hayano residence while her mother hardly notices as she is engrossed with conversation with Mr. Hayano. Everything makes since at the ending when Rosie's mother tells her daughter of the arranged marriage that became the alternative to suicide.
I think that Rosie's relationship with Jesus is affected by the way Rosie has watched her parents interact. When Rosie goes to meet Jesus, she doesn't know how to act because she is unfamiliar with romance.
MEN IN YOUR LIFE
"but if a man gives you all of the very best that he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want?"
I thought this was a great way to end this piece. It is a familiar conversation between woman of all ages. Women always gather to talk to about men. I felt like this work was so real. The women were quick to judge other men and their relationships with woman, but when it came to their own, everything was perfect. I think the woman who wants to marry Eddie may be in denial. Although he may be a great man, I think she is exaggerating his perfection due to her affection for him. This is not rare. I have had friends talk up their relationships (how great he is, how happy they are), only to hear how miserable they really were after the relationship has ended. It makes me wonder how the woman really is, and if Eddie is all that she describes him to be.
I think this is a romance narrative because it is two woman describing what they WANT for a romantic relationship and their standards.
Stupid Cupid and the Arrows (Eros) of Ouch
In "Seventeen Syllables" and "Men in Your Life", it may be difficult to discern the romance. While reading classical literature, it is easy to forget that the author is narrating from a perspective of her ethnicity and culture; therefore, when we encounter works from cultures that are not similar to our own or have less literary exposure, it may be difficult to understand the parallels or interpret specific conventions.
Yamamoto and Childress may seem unusual in terms of romance; but, I interpreted several traditional ideas at work. For instance, Rosie experiences the uncertainty of young love while her father experiences what seems to be a possessive jealousy. And though the narrator of Childress' work may seem angered and embittered, is not her loyalty, her continuous presence in the relationship, a popular ideal of love? She reminded me of so many that I've met- Clarance and his wife are possibly a foreshadowing of the moral: Innumerable women of this world love men they have no reason to love, and surely, at one time or another, they all ask themselves why.
As I understand, it is not unusual for a man to be possessive of his wife to a point of violence in Asian culture. I vaguely recall the idea that, in China, a man had the right to kill any man who dared to look at his wife's bare feet. If that doesn't scream "possesive", I don't know what does. In African American culture, I know far too many women who rant and rave about the evils of "their man" and yet throw funny looks at those who ask the obvious question, "Why don't you leave?" A lot of them are afraid to be alone. A lot of them cling to the ideal that a woman needs a man to have a complete family. A lot of them probably need to take this course.
Yamamoto and Childress may seem unusual in terms of romance; but, I interpreted several traditional ideas at work. For instance, Rosie experiences the uncertainty of young love while her father experiences what seems to be a possessive jealousy. And though the narrator of Childress' work may seem angered and embittered, is not her loyalty, her continuous presence in the relationship, a popular ideal of love? She reminded me of so many that I've met- Clarance and his wife are possibly a foreshadowing of the moral: Innumerable women of this world love men they have no reason to love, and surely, at one time or another, they all ask themselves why.
As I understand, it is not unusual for a man to be possessive of his wife to a point of violence in Asian culture. I vaguely recall the idea that, in China, a man had the right to kill any man who dared to look at his wife's bare feet. If that doesn't scream "possesive", I don't know what does. In African American culture, I know far too many women who rant and rave about the evils of "their man" and yet throw funny looks at those who ask the obvious question, "Why don't you leave?" A lot of them are afraid to be alone. A lot of them cling to the ideal that a woman needs a man to have a complete family. A lot of them probably need to take this course.
I think that both stories for today do follow a romantic narrative, though not necessarily the one where the woman falls in love with the prince and lives happily ever after. In Seventeen Syllables Rosie is observing her parent's relationship and they are not connecting because the father feels that the mother is in essence cheating on him when she spends all her time and energy on the poetry. Rosie experiences her own taste of the romantic narrative when she is kissed by a boy and completely taken by surprise. She has to take her time to think about the implications of the kiss and how she feels about the boy, Jesus. The readers get a glimpse that she may like him, after running away, when she is peeking out of the privy to see if he is looking for her near the house. In a sense, Rosie may be playing 'hard to get' which is a variation of an american romantic narrative. The other romance in the story is that of her mother when she was young. The mother seemed to have quite a romance when she was in Japan, but due to the status of the boy and the traditions of the town, she was unable to have a relationship. This echos many narratives we have already looked at, but instead of ending with happiness, her mother must choose between a new life in America or ending her life. It is sad that this is the basis of her marriage.
The second story, Men in Your Life shows many relationships through the eyes of two women gossiping. The first discussion is about how women shape thier sons, this sets the story up for the three men we hear described. The first is Clarance, and he is married and treats his wife very poorly, though the narrator does not mention it, it is obviously that he is emotionally and probably physically abusive. The escaping of women from abusive relationships is often part of the romantic narrative when they are able to move on and find someone else. The second man in the story is Wallace, the bad date. This is another fairly common scene in films and stories of the romantic narrative 'gone wrong'. Instead of the date sweeping this girl off her feet, he does the opposite and she decides very quickly that it will not work out. Finally she mentions Eddy and the things they do together and his faults but also the attributes she really enjoys about him and the reader comes to find that she likes him more than she knows. This is a common narrative becasue the relationship is humble and not deliberately romantic yet with the closeness between the couple, we realize they care a lot about eachother,
I think by looking at the romance in these texts we are able to tell a little more about the lives of the characters because we already know how these narratives go, since we see them all the time in our culture. Seventeen syllables looks at romantic love as something that is negative and unattainable. Men in your Life also does not put an emphasis on romanitc love because the none of the characters in the story are romantically involved, however, it gives the hope that the narrator's realtionship with Eddy will turn into something romantic and successful.
The second story, Men in Your Life shows many relationships through the eyes of two women gossiping. The first discussion is about how women shape thier sons, this sets the story up for the three men we hear described. The first is Clarance, and he is married and treats his wife very poorly, though the narrator does not mention it, it is obviously that he is emotionally and probably physically abusive. The escaping of women from abusive relationships is often part of the romantic narrative when they are able to move on and find someone else. The second man in the story is Wallace, the bad date. This is another fairly common scene in films and stories of the romantic narrative 'gone wrong'. Instead of the date sweeping this girl off her feet, he does the opposite and she decides very quickly that it will not work out. Finally she mentions Eddy and the things they do together and his faults but also the attributes she really enjoys about him and the reader comes to find that she likes him more than she knows. This is a common narrative becasue the relationship is humble and not deliberately romantic yet with the closeness between the couple, we realize they care a lot about eachother,
I think by looking at the romance in these texts we are able to tell a little more about the lives of the characters because we already know how these narratives go, since we see them all the time in our culture. Seventeen syllables looks at romantic love as something that is negative and unattainable. Men in your Life also does not put an emphasis on romanitc love because the none of the characters in the story are romantically involved, however, it gives the hope that the narrator's realtionship with Eddy will turn into something romantic and successful.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Romantic Love, Due 7/24/07
SEVENTEEN SYLLABLES
I don’t think that this text really has a romantic love them. I think it is more about the love between a mother and her daughter and the differences the two of them have. For example, Rosie was born and raised in the United States, whereas her mother was born and raised in Japan. Learning to be bicultural is something that neither one of them wants to do, but they do it because they love each other. It is obvious that this was written for many different cultures and not only focuses on topics such as gender and race, but also the frustrating issues that families might have to go though as well.
MEN IN YOUR LIFE
“…if a man gives you all of the very best he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want?”
That was a very strong way to end this narrative. I do feel that it was more of a romance narrative than Seventeen Syllables because it focused more upon women and men. My initial reaction when reading this was that the author was doing a lot of complaining. But then I looked at it again and thought that this was her telling Marge that she likes Eddie. Then looking at it from one more prospective was she just settling for Eddie because all other guys are bad? Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I do not think this story followed a typical romance narrative because they are more lovey dovey and usually have an ending where the man and woman life happily ever after and this, obviously, was not the case. That’s why I more or less came to the conclusion that the author was just settling for happiness with Eddie because they would have a story book marriage. But is that more important than finding/being with someone who truly makes you happy?
I don’t think that this text really has a romantic love them. I think it is more about the love between a mother and her daughter and the differences the two of them have. For example, Rosie was born and raised in the United States, whereas her mother was born and raised in Japan. Learning to be bicultural is something that neither one of them wants to do, but they do it because they love each other. It is obvious that this was written for many different cultures and not only focuses on topics such as gender and race, but also the frustrating issues that families might have to go though as well.
MEN IN YOUR LIFE
“…if a man gives you all of the very best he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want?”
That was a very strong way to end this narrative. I do feel that it was more of a romance narrative than Seventeen Syllables because it focused more upon women and men. My initial reaction when reading this was that the author was doing a lot of complaining. But then I looked at it again and thought that this was her telling Marge that she likes Eddie. Then looking at it from one more prospective was she just settling for Eddie because all other guys are bad? Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I do not think this story followed a typical romance narrative because they are more lovey dovey and usually have an ending where the man and woman life happily ever after and this, obviously, was not the case. That’s why I more or less came to the conclusion that the author was just settling for happiness with Eddie because they would have a story book marriage. But is that more important than finding/being with someone who truly makes you happy?
Romantic narratives for Tuesday
Seventeen Syllables--Hisaye Yamamoto
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I think it's easy to find the parts of this story that make it a romantic narrative. It even shows the sweet, light-hearted, all-is-wonderful sort of love along with its opposer. Rosie, the main girl, is obviously the portrayer of romantic love. She has a rather serious crush on Jesus. The story does a good job of creating that familure feeling when a new crush has been discovered. She sneaks away to see him, only to press her face to his for a moment, she has excellerated heart palvitations, she thinks about him all the time, even when working; these are all general ingrediets that together make a romance narrative. However, there's also the other side of love as seen in her mother's situation. The story ends with her mother forcing Rosie to promise to never marry. She does this because of her bad experience with marriage, something she used to keep her from killing herself. Obviously Rosie doesn't want to make that promise because she has found someone who, at the current moment, she could say forever with. That is another aspect of romance narraratives-battling external factors that are trying to keep one from loving or loving a specific person. It's the whole thing with 'love conquers all'. There can be no victory if there is no battle.
Men in Your Life--Alice Childress
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Well that was interesting. Not really what I was expecting and certainly atypical romance narrative. In my opinion, I wouldn't call that a romance narrative. This woman is just complaining about random things men do wrong in relationships and pretty much getting a load off her chest by ranting about men. It sounds to me like she's fed up with the men she's dated and has a lack of romance in her life. I guess that's all there is to say about that one. I laughed, though.
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I think it's easy to find the parts of this story that make it a romantic narrative. It even shows the sweet, light-hearted, all-is-wonderful sort of love along with its opposer. Rosie, the main girl, is obviously the portrayer of romantic love. She has a rather serious crush on Jesus. The story does a good job of creating that familure feeling when a new crush has been discovered. She sneaks away to see him, only to press her face to his for a moment, she has excellerated heart palvitations, she thinks about him all the time, even when working; these are all general ingrediets that together make a romance narrative. However, there's also the other side of love as seen in her mother's situation. The story ends with her mother forcing Rosie to promise to never marry. She does this because of her bad experience with marriage, something she used to keep her from killing herself. Obviously Rosie doesn't want to make that promise because she has found someone who, at the current moment, she could say forever with. That is another aspect of romance narraratives-battling external factors that are trying to keep one from loving or loving a specific person. It's the whole thing with 'love conquers all'. There can be no victory if there is no battle.
Men in Your Life--Alice Childress
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Well that was interesting. Not really what I was expecting and certainly atypical romance narrative. In my opinion, I wouldn't call that a romance narrative. This woman is just complaining about random things men do wrong in relationships and pretty much getting a load off her chest by ranting about men. It sounds to me like she's fed up with the men she's dated and has a lack of romance in her life. I guess that's all there is to say about that one. I laughed, though.
romantic love
Men in Your Life.
I don't think this story really followed a romatic narrative as much as the author possibly intended. After reading it I focused on the negatives aspects of thier realtionships with men instead of the one positive with Eddie. It makes a difference in what the reader takes away from this story. It remined me of As Children Together because so many people took it differently, and I feel the same with happen with this story. In the text though, you do see other ways of being romantic without the stereotypical gestures such as flowers and an expensive dinner. The narrarator just enjoyed Eddies company.
Seventeen Syllables.
I think this story had a much stronger romantic narrative than Men in Your Life. It had a romance budding between Rosie and Jesus, as well as her mom and many other poets. Not to mention her love for poetry and between parent and daughter. I think love was the theme of the movie and so it was very important that that is what you take away from it. It shows love in all of its different stages. In the beginning with Rosie and Jesus and the parents. I really liked this story and related to a lot of the situations and relationships. The story was very relatable.
I don't think this story really followed a romatic narrative as much as the author possibly intended. After reading it I focused on the negatives aspects of thier realtionships with men instead of the one positive with Eddie. It makes a difference in what the reader takes away from this story. It remined me of As Children Together because so many people took it differently, and I feel the same with happen with this story. In the text though, you do see other ways of being romantic without the stereotypical gestures such as flowers and an expensive dinner. The narrarator just enjoyed Eddies company.
Seventeen Syllables.
I think this story had a much stronger romantic narrative than Men in Your Life. It had a romance budding between Rosie and Jesus, as well as her mom and many other poets. Not to mention her love for poetry and between parent and daughter. I think love was the theme of the movie and so it was very important that that is what you take away from it. It shows love in all of its different stages. In the beginning with Rosie and Jesus and the parents. I really liked this story and related to a lot of the situations and relationships. The story was very relatable.
Romance Narratives?
Seventeen Syllables is approaches the romantic narrative in several ways. The notion of the artist in love with their work is embodied in Rosie's mother. The relationship between Rosie and Jesus embodies young, or puppy, love. Rosie's mother and father's relationship shows a side of the romance narrative that is often forgotten or neglected - the result of the end of infatuation, and the frustration of complacency.
Men in Your Life isn't exactly a romance narrative in the traditional sense, but it takes up the question of what love means to a particular individual. I guess you could call it a variation on the romance narrative, but I don't think you could call it a romance narrative in a strict sense of the word.
I don't suppose it really makes a difference how a text approaches the idea of romance, because the idea of a romance narrative is pretty subjective. You can't really prefer include one definition of romance and exclude another, so the genre is acutally quite malleable.
Seventeen Syllables challenges one's perceptions that romantic love cannot occur between a person and an inanimate object or intangible idea. Men in Your Life offers a deductive method of determining your own definition of romantic love. Both of these observations could be considered alternate theories about romantic love.
Men in Your Life isn't exactly a romance narrative in the traditional sense, but it takes up the question of what love means to a particular individual. I guess you could call it a variation on the romance narrative, but I don't think you could call it a romance narrative in a strict sense of the word.
I don't suppose it really makes a difference how a text approaches the idea of romance, because the idea of a romance narrative is pretty subjective. You can't really prefer include one definition of romance and exclude another, so the genre is acutally quite malleable.
Seventeen Syllables challenges one's perceptions that romantic love cannot occur between a person and an inanimate object or intangible idea. Men in Your Life offers a deductive method of determining your own definition of romantic love. Both of these observations could be considered alternate theories about romantic love.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Deciding on a romantic movie was so easy for me, because romantic comedies are easily my favorite. In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Andie Anderson (played by Kate Hudson) is a writer for a popular women's magazine. For her current article she is researching the don'ts of dating in her "how to in reverse" experiment. To research her story, she begans to date a Ben Berry (played by Mathew McConaughey). As planned, she begans to create every common mistake made by women in relationships. Little does she know, but Ben is trying to win a bet devised at work over whether or not he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. His prize if he does so is the control of a lucrative diamond account at his advertising agency.
My favorite scene is towards the end of the film when Ben takes Andie home to visit his family. They spend the day out on the pier riding Ben's motorcycle. In the background, Keith Urban's song, "Somebody like you" plays as they flirt playfully and Ben teaches Andie how to drive his bike. As corny as it sounds, I get chills everytime I watch this part of the movie. I love the chemistry between the characters and the playful way they interact. Although it is so stereotypical, I think that Ben teaching Andie on the bike is so romantic.
While watching the movie, it is very obvious that this is a turning point in the story. You began to feel that there is a genuine connection between the two characters and that Andie is falling in love with him.
My favorite scene is towards the end of the film when Ben takes Andie home to visit his family. They spend the day out on the pier riding Ben's motorcycle. In the background, Keith Urban's song, "Somebody like you" plays as they flirt playfully and Ben teaches Andie how to drive his bike. As corny as it sounds, I get chills everytime I watch this part of the movie. I love the chemistry between the characters and the playful way they interact. Although it is so stereotypical, I think that Ben teaching Andie on the bike is so romantic.
While watching the movie, it is very obvious that this is a turning point in the story. You began to feel that there is a genuine connection between the two characters and that Andie is falling in love with him.
Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind
In this movie Joel (Jim Carey) finds out that his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memory erased of their relationship from her mind. He decided to contact the doctor who invented this and do it too, but as they are erasing his memory he learns how to control the memories of her and trys to hold on to them. He realizes how much he still loves her and it deals a lot with relationships after they have been together for a long time, after the beginning bliss stages. He thought he hated where they were but her realizes he misses her.
On of my favorite scenes in when they are playing on the frozen lake in Montag and they lay down to look at the stars and Joel says (something like this, I obviously dont remember exactly) "I could just die, i'm so happy." I really like that part because you really get that feeling that they're in that moment that we all have, when you think about how that moment is perfect and you dont want it to end because you know when it does there are so many other things you need to worry and think about. I also think it's romantic because it's not sexual at all. He is just happy holding her hand bundled up on the ice under the stars. This movie all around is full of scenes I love and I definitely recommend it!
On of my favorite scenes in when they are playing on the frozen lake in Montag and they lay down to look at the stars and Joel says (something like this, I obviously dont remember exactly) "I could just die, i'm so happy." I really like that part because you really get that feeling that they're in that moment that we all have, when you think about how that moment is perfect and you dont want it to end because you know when it does there are so many other things you need to worry and think about. I also think it's romantic because it's not sexual at all. He is just happy holding her hand bundled up on the ice under the stars. This movie all around is full of scenes I love and I definitely recommend it!
Daddy's Lil' Girls
The romance movie that I am using is called "Daddy's Little Girls" by Tyler Perry. It is about a man who is fighting for custody for his three daughters from their estranged mother. In the process he finds a stuck up woman who becomes his family lawyer and they ignite a flame between each other. This woman has the worst time finding a mate because her standards are too high and she think she is too good for anybody. There are two scenes that I feel show that this has a romantic plot to it. My favorite part is when he takes the lawyer "Julia" out for her birthday which she truly does not acknowledge. He loosens her up to have a good time and she does but while she is drunk she tells him how she feels. Another part that ties into this is when Julia comes over his house to meet his daughters and after their meal they talk about how they are feeling one another. I think those parts in the movie makes it a romantic movie. This is different from other movies because the romantic plot is not the main part of the movie. It shows a positive African American man who is trying to do all of the right things.
Sweet Home Alabama
I love this movie because it does have a romantic plotline but it isn't that sappy. Reese Witherspoone plays Melanie Smooter who actually goes by the name Melanie Carmichael. She was born and raised in Alabama in a small town and she was known as a wild trouble maker. She left Alabama and moved to New York where she became a designer and a successful one at that. WE are introduce to her in the beginning getting engaged to the mayor of New York's son. however, she can not get married until her divorce goes through with her ex. An ex that know one, except her alabama friends and family whom she hasn't seen in 7 years, knows about. She changed her identity and she pretended to be a completey different person than a Southern tomboy.
She is forced to go back to her home town and see her parents, friends and ex-husband Jake, that she is still married too. She goes to get him to sign the divorce papers, but he continues to refuse or avoid it until they are in an all out war with eachother. We then find out that she left jake after having a miscarriage. She had gotten pregnant in highschool and they got married. After she lost the baby she left jake and her past behind. The problem is, Jake never stopped loving her and in the beginning of the movie we are shown two little kids on the beach in the rain and it is Jake and Melanie. Jake is telling Melanie that he is going to marry her some day. It is a very cute seen that is repeated again at the end of the movie when Jake and Melanie are all grown up. S
She finally finds herself again by going back to her roots. She also discovers she still loves Jake and she was running away from not only her identity but her true love as well.
I feel that this movie shows what true love really is. It is not about getting along all the time and everything being perfect. It is about pushing eachother to be better people and not letting eachother get by with anything that they shouldn't. Jake and melanie do this and it is their butting of heads that actuallly makes them good for eachother. This movie is different than most romantic movies because it shows the finding of love again and examines the meaning of what it is like to lose yourself in a world you created. I love this movie. i love how Reese witherspoone plays a spunky women who does not take anything from anybody. She portrays a strong woman.
She is forced to go back to her home town and see her parents, friends and ex-husband Jake, that she is still married too. She goes to get him to sign the divorce papers, but he continues to refuse or avoid it until they are in an all out war with eachother. We then find out that she left jake after having a miscarriage. She had gotten pregnant in highschool and they got married. After she lost the baby she left jake and her past behind. The problem is, Jake never stopped loving her and in the beginning of the movie we are shown two little kids on the beach in the rain and it is Jake and Melanie. Jake is telling Melanie that he is going to marry her some day. It is a very cute seen that is repeated again at the end of the movie when Jake and Melanie are all grown up. S
She finally finds herself again by going back to her roots. She also discovers she still loves Jake and she was running away from not only her identity but her true love as well.
I feel that this movie shows what true love really is. It is not about getting along all the time and everything being perfect. It is about pushing eachother to be better people and not letting eachother get by with anything that they shouldn't. Jake and melanie do this and it is their butting of heads that actuallly makes them good for eachother. This movie is different than most romantic movies because it shows the finding of love again and examines the meaning of what it is like to lose yourself in a world you created. I love this movie. i love how Reese witherspoone plays a spunky women who does not take anything from anybody. She portrays a strong woman.
"A Patch of Blue"
"A Patch of Blue," starring Sidney Poitier and Elizabeth Hartman, depicts the budding relationship of Selina D'Arcey and Gordon Ralfe. As the story progresses, Gordon broadens Selina's view of the world and she begins to understand that there could be more for her than just the shambling apartment she shares with her lush of a grandfather and abusive mother. Gordon also realizes that many small freedoms he has taken for granted are denied others for reasons beyond skin. My favorite scene is when Gordon and Selina visit the supermarket together. Ignoring conventions, they eagerly pursue their errand and it becomes an amusing excursion for the both of them
The Notebook
One of my favorite romance stories is the movie The Notebook. In this movie, set in the 1950's, two high schoolers from two very different backgrounds find summer love in each other. Once summer ends, Allie's parents make her move away because they disapprove of the romance. Noah writes her letters everyday, but her mother makes sure she never gets them. Allie finally moves on and becomes engaged but knows she still has feelings for Noah. She decides to go visit him so she can move on and be happy with her soon-to-be husband. Once there, Noah and Allie fall back into love and realize that they cannot live without each other. She ends up leaving her fiance for Noah.
One of my favorite parts in the movie is when Allie wakes up and looks next to her, expecting to find Noah. Instead she finds a note that says he went for breakfast and to follow the rose petals. These petals lead all the way to a special room he made for her. It is a room for her to paint in that over looks the river, something she had said she wanted when they were 17. I love this scene because it really shows his love for her. After all this time he still has not moved on and he remembers everything she had wanted. Most guys cannot even remember your birthday, let alone something you asked for in passing five years ago. I think this plotline is very similar to many romantic movies except for the fact that it begins and ends with Noah and Allie as adults, and then looks back on the relationship through a story they wrote about it. I find that very interesting.
One of my favorite parts in the movie is when Allie wakes up and looks next to her, expecting to find Noah. Instead she finds a note that says he went for breakfast and to follow the rose petals. These petals lead all the way to a special room he made for her. It is a room for her to paint in that over looks the river, something she had said she wanted when they were 17. I love this scene because it really shows his love for her. After all this time he still has not moved on and he remembers everything she had wanted. Most guys cannot even remember your birthday, let alone something you asked for in passing five years ago. I think this plotline is very similar to many romantic movies except for the fact that it begins and ends with Noah and Allie as adults, and then looks back on the relationship through a story they wrote about it. I find that very interesting.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
movie blog: Almost Famous
*WARNING: SPOILERS IN FIRST PARAGRAPH, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE*
Almost Famous is so well-written, that each time I watch it, I hate to see the movie end. A high school kid named William, by leaving out a few important details, gets an opportunity to write an article for Rolling Stone. His assignment is to interview Black Sabbath, but he ends up interviewing Stillwater, and up and coming band opening for Sabbath. The band takes a liking to him, and invites him to go on tour with them. He meets a groupie named Penny Lane, and is immediately captivated by her. However, her current love is Russell Hammond, the group's lead singer. William and Penny Lane grow closer as the tour progresses, even though she is still sleeping with Russell and various other musicians. When Russell's girlfriend joins the tour, Penny Lane becomes severely depressed. She tries to overdose on sleeping pills in a hotel room, but William chases after her and saves her life. They never really end up being together, but they both realize that after the music stops playing, you still need someone to love. Meanwhile, an angry Rusell learns that William is planning to include everything that went on during the tour, in his article to Rolling Stone. He contacts Rolling Stone, and tells them that William's article is filled with lies. He tries to contact Penny Lane, and she agrees to see him. After giving him William's address, he arrives unsuspectingly at his front door. After reconsidering his behavior, he lets Rolling Stone print William's article.
I picked this movie because of the multiple definitions of romance at work in the plotline. Both William and Penny Lane have a love affair with music, and perhaps love music more than people. Penny Lane never really loved Russell; she was in love with the rock and roll lifestyle he represented. The only true romantic relationship in the flim was between William and Penny Lane. The members of the band, William, and Penny are all experiencing a romantic attachment to the rock and roll lifestyle, and by extension, each other.
Boiled down to the nuts and bolts of the plotline, Almost Famous is a somewhat traditional romance. There is the heroine, the knight in shining armor, and the villain that gets in the way. Yet it also represents a very non-traditional idea of romance, because music itself is the center of romantic focus. All relationships are secondary to the love of the music. This film explores how music can essentially create relationships, and how people can simultaneously destroy each other.
Love Actually
This is one of those movies that I can watch over and over again and never get tired of it. I'm typically not one for sappy movies but do love a good love story which is probably why I've watched this movie several times and surely watch it again. The movie tells multiple love stories from the good beautiful aspects of love to the heart-renching, painful parts of it. Along with the love stories, the movie is set around Christmas time, which is, of course, romantic in itself. It brings tears, smiles, laughs, and sighs. I wouldn't say this is my FAVORITE but definitly sets in the top 5 list. It has an amazing cast, is genuine, personal, and captivating. I think this one is a bit different because it covers multiple aspects of different love stories instead of just focusing on one. It's theme is really about love, how we all need love regardless of location, gender, occupation, sexual orientation, age, etc. It really focuses on the beauty of love and how it's all around us and can be found in different people in different ways. WATCH IT! Then watch it again! It's amazing!!!! It's not one that makes you want to go find your significant other specifically but one that makes you want to tell everyone close to you how much you love them. It's great.
King Kong
The remake of King Kong shows a romantic relationship between a woman and a giant ape. It is not necesarily a traditionaly romantic film becasue a sexual relationship and marriage etc., the goal of most human relationships. The film begins with a native tribe on a mysterious island saccrificing the young Anne Darrow to the beast Kong. He snatches her and falls immediately in love with her. Thoughout their relationship on the island, Kong saves her from the dinosaurs and the men. Ann realizes the beasts compassion, though she is scared of her situation. She is glad to see the 'hero' of the story (Adrian Brody) when he comes to save her, he has also falled in love with Ann. However, when she realizes the plot of the men is to attack Kong and render him unconscious in order to take him back to america, she looks into his evey and crys out for him. The scene that is most telling of the romance between the woman and the ape it at the end when Kong goes looking for Ann. He sees many women who look like her, but he knows it isnt her. Ann runs through New York city to find Kong and when he goes to defend her and himself from the troops, she cannot let him leave her in a safe place and climbs the Empire State building to be with Kong. This film is different from others becasue of the impossible and terrifying nature of the romance, however it follows a romantic plot line similar to other movies.
Romantic Movie: Hitch, Due 7/23/07
The movie I chose for this assignment was Hitch. It's a romantic comedy that has the ability to make you laugh or cry. I chose this movie because it seemed like it dealt with relationships in a different way than most. The tagline of the movie is "Hitch: The cure for the common man." The premise of the movie is that there is a man named Hitch who is a dating doctor. He can help any man obtain any woman that he chooses but ironically can't help himself. One of my favorite scenes of the movie was where Sara, who is played by Eva Mendes, invites Hitch to a fish eating event. Because Hitch is trying to impress Sara, he continues to eat the fish even though he is allergic to it. As the night progresses, Hitch's face swells to the size of a balloon. Sara takes him to a pharmacy to get allergy medication. The night ends as Hitch (drunkenly) and Sara take a romantic walk through the park. Back at Sara's place, they share a little bit of conversation before they separately go off to bed.
I think this plotline is different from others because of the way things disasterously work out for Hitch. Usually, the man in movie, always tried to impress the lady, and in my opinion, most of the time it works. For most of Hitch and Sara's relationship, it was just disaster after disaster, untill when it really mattered the most. Hitch told Sara that even though he might mess up all the time, he couldn't bear to lose her.
I think this plotline is different from others because of the way things disasterously work out for Hitch. Usually, the man in movie, always tried to impress the lady, and in my opinion, most of the time it works. For most of Hitch and Sara's relationship, it was just disaster after disaster, untill when it really mattered the most. Hitch told Sara that even though he might mess up all the time, he couldn't bear to lose her.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Sula part duex
After finishing the book, I was able to reflect on it and find a few different themes and even sub themes. There was obviously a theme of death throughout the book and even ended with the main character, Sula dying. I think this has a meaning that's deeper than surface level. I think it says a lot about the lives they led and the struggles they all faced. Moreso, there are subthemes such as a connectedness. The book opens with Shadrack then we don't see him again until the last chapter which brings the story full cirlce. On that topic, my first passage I've chosen is the last line of the book which reads, "It was a fine cry--loud and long--but it had not bottom and it had not top just circles and circles of sorrow." (174) The quote, circles and circles, I feel is very symbolic of the book. Each person in this town had such a strong impact on each other and what one did affected the others dramatically. It reminds me of a pond when something small is dropped in and the ripples span out from the center, each getting bigger and each being created by the previous one. Even with characters that came across to us as being independent were strongle affected by those around them.
Secondly, I've also chosen the passage from page 131. I'm not going to type it because it's a half of a page long. It's the scene where Sula is looking the the mirror, tracing lines on her face. She puts a ribbon in her hair which is out of Sula's character. This scene shows a moment of weakness from a woman that has previously shown to be shamless and disreguarding of other's judgements and thoughts. She shows a very vulerable, soft side of herself and I, as a reader, felt like I was seeing something I wasn't supposed to. It's a moment, that I feel like, she is almost realizing that she may not be the person she WANTS to be or has put her self up to be in the preceeding time. We have seen her softer side before like when she over hears her mom saying that she loves Sula but doesn't like her, but not like this. What upsets me the most is that it wasn't family or friends that makes her reach this moment of weakness and complete honesty but a man. I think that says something and opens up discussion on women's issues.
Secondly, I've also chosen the passage from page 131. I'm not going to type it because it's a half of a page long. It's the scene where Sula is looking the the mirror, tracing lines on her face. She puts a ribbon in her hair which is out of Sula's character. This scene shows a moment of weakness from a woman that has previously shown to be shamless and disreguarding of other's judgements and thoughts. She shows a very vulerable, soft side of herself and I, as a reader, felt like I was seeing something I wasn't supposed to. It's a moment, that I feel like, she is almost realizing that she may not be the person she WANTS to be or has put her self up to be in the preceeding time. We have seen her softer side before like when she over hears her mom saying that she loves Sula but doesn't like her, but not like this. What upsets me the most is that it wasn't family or friends that makes her reach this moment of weakness and complete honesty but a man. I think that says something and opens up discussion on women's issues.
Sula #2
The first passage from Sula that I would like to comment on is: "Here she is in the midst of it, hating it, scared of it, and again she thought of Sula as though they are still friends and talked things over. That was too much. To lose Jude and not have Sula to talk to about it because it was Sula that he had left her for. My reaction is that I feel that Nel is hurt and the only friend that she could count on in times of need caused her pain. When Nel gave the thought of going to her ex-friend to be consoled she had forgot that it was this friend that caused it. This relates to the other passages in this book because it shows the girls true relationship. That even though they grew apart for awhile Sula was the first person that Nel needed for comfort. Some themes are about the women in Sula's life and the way they were with men, and the fact that Sula grew to be just like her mother who she despised.
The second passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "Although you could never tell. She wondered for an instant what Nellie wanted; why she had come. Did she want to gloat? Make up?" My reaction to this is that Sula is acting very ungrateful because Nel is being a good person to come help even though Sula had betrayed her. I am surprised that Nel would actually started talking to her again, but I feel that this is significant for toward the rest of the book. This relates to other passages because again it shows the true nature of their bond. Nel had become like all those other women and shut Sula out but when Sula needed help Nel came to her rescue. Thats how their relationship is to me throughout the whole book.
The second passage that I had a strong reaction to was: "Although you could never tell. She wondered for an instant what Nellie wanted; why she had come. Did she want to gloat? Make up?" My reaction to this is that Sula is acting very ungrateful because Nel is being a good person to come help even though Sula had betrayed her. I am surprised that Nel would actually started talking to her again, but I feel that this is significant for toward the rest of the book. This relates to other passages because again it shows the true nature of their bond. Nel had become like all those other women and shut Sula out but when Sula needed help Nel came to her rescue. Thats how their relationship is to me throughout the whole book.
Roses to rattlesnakes
"And the other one, the one with the scary black thing over her eye, laughing softly and egging their mother on.... this slight woman, not exactly plain, but not fine either, with a copperhead over her eye.... that her wide smile took some of the sting from that rattlesnake over her eye."
Earlier in the story, Sula's birthmark was referred to as a budding rose or a rose and stem, all suitable analogies in view of her age and physical growth. As a young girl, she was like a blossoming flower, which adheres to the common stereotype likening women to flowers; however, it should be noted that she was likened to a rose with its stem that bore thorns. It could be thought that whatever viciousness that was within Sula to give her thorns as a child flourished wholly once she left since the mark is scary and serpentine upon her return to Medallion. As the imagery changed, I noted the shift and my apathy toward Sula's character changed to fearful apprehension. She was no longer a child victim of the oddities around her, but a woman instigating unrest. With the rose above her eye, she is mere witness to her mother's death. With a snake, a scary black thing, above her eye, she is the render of kin, destroying Nel's marriage and unconsciously prompting Jude to abandon his children. The birthmark is definitely a symbol of Sula's identity. In fact, it is one of the first things mentioned about her in the book and one is given the sense of its impending darkness. If only I had recognized that as a foreshadowing of her character, I would have anticipated her wicked ways.
"Of the few who were not afraid to witness the burial of a witch and who had gone to the cemetery, some had come just to verify her being put away but stayed to sing "Shall We Gather at the River" for politeness' sake, quite unaware of the bleak promise of their song."
"You reap what you sow." I feel nothing of surprise, only justice. It causes me to wonder if that means I am already a bitter woman. Not truly a witch, the anger and evil ways of Sula mark her a witch. All her bold declarations of hell and awaiting it reiterate the idea, a witch being one allied with the Devil. The song seems to reflect her first dark act, the death of Chicken Little, whose funeral was attended by mourners that truly seemed to care for him in contrast to the anxious spectators of Sula's funeral. It seems death is also the reflection of identity and the way others reflect upon oneself as seen in these two funerals.
Earlier in the story, Sula's birthmark was referred to as a budding rose or a rose and stem, all suitable analogies in view of her age and physical growth. As a young girl, she was like a blossoming flower, which adheres to the common stereotype likening women to flowers; however, it should be noted that she was likened to a rose with its stem that bore thorns. It could be thought that whatever viciousness that was within Sula to give her thorns as a child flourished wholly once she left since the mark is scary and serpentine upon her return to Medallion. As the imagery changed, I noted the shift and my apathy toward Sula's character changed to fearful apprehension. She was no longer a child victim of the oddities around her, but a woman instigating unrest. With the rose above her eye, she is mere witness to her mother's death. With a snake, a scary black thing, above her eye, she is the render of kin, destroying Nel's marriage and unconsciously prompting Jude to abandon his children. The birthmark is definitely a symbol of Sula's identity. In fact, it is one of the first things mentioned about her in the book and one is given the sense of its impending darkness. If only I had recognized that as a foreshadowing of her character, I would have anticipated her wicked ways.
"Of the few who were not afraid to witness the burial of a witch and who had gone to the cemetery, some had come just to verify her being put away but stayed to sing "Shall We Gather at the River" for politeness' sake, quite unaware of the bleak promise of their song."
"You reap what you sow." I feel nothing of surprise, only justice. It causes me to wonder if that means I am already a bitter woman. Not truly a witch, the anger and evil ways of Sula mark her a witch. All her bold declarations of hell and awaiting it reiterate the idea, a witch being one allied with the Devil. The song seems to reflect her first dark act, the death of Chicken Little, whose funeral was attended by mourners that truly seemed to care for him in contrast to the anxious spectators of Sula's funeral. It seems death is also the reflection of identity and the way others reflect upon oneself as seen in these two funerals.
Sula the second half
"In spite of their fear, they reacted to an oppressive oddity, or what they called evil days, with an acceptance that bordered on welcome. Such evil must be avoided, they felt, and precautions must naturally be taken to protect themselves from it. but they let it run its course, fullfill itself, and never invented ways either to alter it, to annihilate it or to prevent its happening again. So also were they with people."
This passage in the first part of the second half of the book is talking about the arrival of the birds and Sula. It seems to connect the "plague" of the birds with evil which then suggest that Sula herself brought the birds with her return after being gone for ten years. She seems to be the "people" that this passage refers to. Evil seems to be a big issue; especially in the second part of the book and Sula is the one who is deemed evil by the towns people. In many ways she acts according to her whim and her actions could be considered evil. Such as sleeping with Nell's husband. But their are many places throughout the book where evil takes place but is less emphasized. For instance, Eva burns her own son. She thinks she is doing it out of love but to most normal people that could be seen as evil. Sula's mother Hannah sleeps with all types of men even if they are married and that could be seen as evil to most people, but isn't given as much attention. However, sula is deemed evil because she watched her mother burn, watched when chicken drowned, put her grandmother in a nursing home and slept with her friends husband. All of those things are bad, but she never actually lit someone on fire and her mother slept wiht more married men then she did. So it is interesting to me how evil seems to be defined in the story.
"So he had said "always", so she would not have to be afraid fo the change-teh falling away of skin, the drip and slide of blood, andthe exposure of bone underneath. He had said 'always' to convince her, assure her, of permanancy."
I found this passage interesting because it is answering the question most of us had when reading the first part of the book which is "what did Shadrack mean when he told Sula always"? I feel like Shadrack was trying to sooth Sula becaue she had seen death for the first time. She seemed to be afraid not for being caught not doing anything to save chicken, but afraid of death herself. Shadrack seems to mean "permanancy" as a way of saying immortality. However antoher way to interpret it would be that we are always afraid of death. It is a permanent fear in the minds of all humans. Maybe this is a wrong way to read it but later on down the page he speaks of seein Sula dead and says "so he had been wrong. Terribly wrong. No 'always' at all. Another dying away of someone whose face we knew." it seems to mean that he was wrong about always fearing death. he sees Sula dead and realizes you can't fear death when you're dead and maybe death isn't always such a fearful thing. Maybe that is why he felt national suicide day was no longer important.
This passage in the first part of the second half of the book is talking about the arrival of the birds and Sula. It seems to connect the "plague" of the birds with evil which then suggest that Sula herself brought the birds with her return after being gone for ten years. She seems to be the "people" that this passage refers to. Evil seems to be a big issue; especially in the second part of the book and Sula is the one who is deemed evil by the towns people. In many ways she acts according to her whim and her actions could be considered evil. Such as sleeping with Nell's husband. But their are many places throughout the book where evil takes place but is less emphasized. For instance, Eva burns her own son. She thinks she is doing it out of love but to most normal people that could be seen as evil. Sula's mother Hannah sleeps with all types of men even if they are married and that could be seen as evil to most people, but isn't given as much attention. However, sula is deemed evil because she watched her mother burn, watched when chicken drowned, put her grandmother in a nursing home and slept with her friends husband. All of those things are bad, but she never actually lit someone on fire and her mother slept wiht more married men then she did. So it is interesting to me how evil seems to be defined in the story.
"So he had said "always", so she would not have to be afraid fo the change-teh falling away of skin, the drip and slide of blood, andthe exposure of bone underneath. He had said 'always' to convince her, assure her, of permanancy."
I found this passage interesting because it is answering the question most of us had when reading the first part of the book which is "what did Shadrack mean when he told Sula always"? I feel like Shadrack was trying to sooth Sula becaue she had seen death for the first time. She seemed to be afraid not for being caught not doing anything to save chicken, but afraid of death herself. Shadrack seems to mean "permanancy" as a way of saying immortality. However antoher way to interpret it would be that we are always afraid of death. It is a permanent fear in the minds of all humans. Maybe this is a wrong way to read it but later on down the page he speaks of seein Sula dead and says "so he had been wrong. Terribly wrong. No 'always' at all. Another dying away of someone whose face we knew." it seems to mean that he was wrong about always fearing death. he sees Sula dead and realizes you can't fear death when you're dead and maybe death isn't always such a fearful thing. Maybe that is why he felt national suicide day was no longer important.
Sula part 2
There were so many powerful passages in this second half that it was hard to choose two to write about. However, The paragraph on page 105 beginning, "But they had been..." and ending "when my mother turned to custard". I really thought this passage stood out becasue it is a climax in the story when Sula sleeps with Jude and Nel finds out. This is really the end of their friendship in Nel's eyes, but she doesn't express anger really, just reverst back to negative experiences from her childhood. I think it is safe to say that Nel is not fully realizing the extent of the situation and she is dissociating to keep herself from going crazy. I liked the way the passage was addressed to Jude and then at the very end we come to understand that the pain that came at this moment was not about Jude, but about Sula.
I also liked the entire section on page 135 when Sula discovers that she never really knew Ajax's name. This is provoking becasue it is a connection that Sula had put so much energy to and she really alomost loved Ajax, when she discovered this and felt betrayed. I think this ties back to the part in the first half when she overhears that her mother doesn't like her. It reminds her that she doesn't want to trust or rely on enyone except herself and I thik it sadly changes her character again in a negative way.
Both of these passages contain images and events that affect the two women in powerful ways and since they echo the past so closely, I think that the readers can really understand how the events in their past caused them to separate abd become who they are when they finally meet again at the end.
I also liked the entire section on page 135 when Sula discovers that she never really knew Ajax's name. This is provoking becasue it is a connection that Sula had put so much energy to and she really alomost loved Ajax, when she discovered this and felt betrayed. I think this ties back to the part in the first half when she overhears that her mother doesn't like her. It reminds her that she doesn't want to trust or rely on enyone except herself and I thik it sadly changes her character again in a negative way.
Both of these passages contain images and events that affect the two women in powerful ways and since they echo the past so closely, I think that the readers can really understand how the events in their past caused them to separate abd become who they are when they finally meet again at the end.
Sula Pt 2
"Nibbling at each other, not even touching, not even looking at each other, just their lips, and when I opened the door they didn't even look for a minute" (105). This image really stuck out to me because of how sexual it was. They were not in love, yet they broke a marriage and a happy home because of a lust they felt for each other. This is obvious because it states that they were not even looking at each other. This just shows the unattachment to the other yet there was something there that was enough to break up a happy home. That is devastating to me.
"A crease of fear touched her breast, for any second there was sure to be a violent explosion in her brain, a gasping for breath."
"Sula felt her face smiling. "Well, I'll be damned... it didn't even hurt. Wait'll I tell Nel.""
This image really stuck out to me because of how beautifully I thought it described death. Most people fear death and think of it as a very scary situation. however, this was not the image Morrison portrayed, and for that reason it really stood out to me. Also, Sula's last words really stuck with me. After all they had been through, she still wanted to tell her best friend what she now knew. This is important because it really shows the strength of women's relationships.
"A crease of fear touched her breast, for any second there was sure to be a violent explosion in her brain, a gasping for breath."
"Sula felt her face smiling. "Well, I'll be damned... it didn't even hurt. Wait'll I tell Nel.""
This image really stuck out to me because of how beautifully I thought it described death. Most people fear death and think of it as a very scary situation. however, this was not the image Morrison portrayed, and for that reason it really stood out to me. Also, Sula's last words really stuck with me. After all they had been through, she still wanted to tell her best friend what she now knew. This is important because it really shows the strength of women's relationships.
Sula: Part 2, Due 7/19/07
“Hunched down in the small bright room Nel waited. Waited for the oldest cry. A scream not for others, not in sympathy for a burnt child, or a dead father, but a deeply personal cry for one’s own pain. A loud, strident: “Why me?” – Page 108
This quote really stuck with me because I think it is something everyone can relate to. Everyone has had a friend stab you in the back or a boyfriend break up with you. It really hurts. You just want to cry and scream “Why me”? So many things run through your head and you don’t understand what you did to deserve such emotional pain. I think this passage had amazing imagery and really showed how Nel was feeling. I think the author did a wonderful job expressing the feelings of the character and actually showing her readers how she was feeling. What made things even worse for her is that Sula was the cause of this pain, her best friend, the person she care about more than anyone, caused her to feel this terrible way. This would make the pain twice as bad.
“What do you mean take him away? I didn’t kill him, I just fucked him. If we were such good friends, how come you couldn’t get over it?” -Page 145
“You lay there in that bed without a dime or a friend to your name having done all the dirt you did in this town and you still expect folks to love you?” -Page 145
“Goodbye, Sula. I don’t reckon I’ll be back” – 146
These quotes are very monumental to the book because Nel is finally sticking up for herself. She’s trying to explain to Sula how she feels and Sula is being completely heartless. She truly doesn’t feel that she did anything wrong and that it is Nel’s fault for not caring enough to stay friends with her. This is when you truly see the person that Sula really is.
This is the complete opposite of how I thought the book would end. I honestly thought that Sula would apologize to Nel and tell her how much she regrets not being a good friend, etc. However, this truly was the turning point of the book. This is when Nel finally realized that it was time to let go of Sula, to be done with her. She finally realized that she was better off without her.
This quote really stuck with me because I think it is something everyone can relate to. Everyone has had a friend stab you in the back or a boyfriend break up with you. It really hurts. You just want to cry and scream “Why me”? So many things run through your head and you don’t understand what you did to deserve such emotional pain. I think this passage had amazing imagery and really showed how Nel was feeling. I think the author did a wonderful job expressing the feelings of the character and actually showing her readers how she was feeling. What made things even worse for her is that Sula was the cause of this pain, her best friend, the person she care about more than anyone, caused her to feel this terrible way. This would make the pain twice as bad.
“What do you mean take him away? I didn’t kill him, I just fucked him. If we were such good friends, how come you couldn’t get over it?” -Page 145
“You lay there in that bed without a dime or a friend to your name having done all the dirt you did in this town and you still expect folks to love you?” -Page 145
“Goodbye, Sula. I don’t reckon I’ll be back” – 146
These quotes are very monumental to the book because Nel is finally sticking up for herself. She’s trying to explain to Sula how she feels and Sula is being completely heartless. She truly doesn’t feel that she did anything wrong and that it is Nel’s fault for not caring enough to stay friends with her. This is when you truly see the person that Sula really is.
This is the complete opposite of how I thought the book would end. I honestly thought that Sula would apologize to Nel and tell her how much she regrets not being a good friend, etc. However, this truly was the turning point of the book. This is when Nel finally realized that it was time to let go of Sula, to be done with her. She finally realized that she was better off without her.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Sula (second half)
"I am just standing here. They are not doing that. I am just standing here and seeing it, but they are not really doing it."
This line reminded me of an earlier scene when Nel saw Sula throw Chicken Little in the water and didn't do anything about it. She thinks this scene is such a horrific sight that it can't actually be taking place before her eyes. I just really like the way she describes seeing something that hurts so badely to see. It definitly reenforces how passive she it, how passive most women are at the time actually, except for Sula.
"You laying there in that bed without a dime or a friend to your name having done all the dirt you did in this town and you still expect folks to love you?"
I liked this line because it's the first time Nel has spoken back to Sula. Before this she looked up to Sula so much and even after Jude left thought it was Sula who she missed. I'm glad she finally spoke up. I feel like this what a sort of turning point for her, she really became her own woman and let go of Sula.
This line reminded me of an earlier scene when Nel saw Sula throw Chicken Little in the water and didn't do anything about it. She thinks this scene is such a horrific sight that it can't actually be taking place before her eyes. I just really like the way she describes seeing something that hurts so badely to see. It definitly reenforces how passive she it, how passive most women are at the time actually, except for Sula.
"You laying there in that bed without a dime or a friend to your name having done all the dirt you did in this town and you still expect folks to love you?"
I liked this line because it's the first time Nel has spoken back to Sula. Before this she looked up to Sula so much and even after Jude left thought it was Sula who she missed. I'm glad she finally spoke up. I feel like this what a sort of turning point for her, she really became her own woman and let go of Sula.
Sula Pt 1
The first passage that stood out to me was "he opened his eyes and saw what he imagined was the great wing of an eagle pouring a wet lightness over him." (47). This was so powerful to me because his mother was pouring kerosene on him to kill him, yet he felt so tranquil because he did not know this. I know it is odd to say, but that is always how I hoped to die. At peace and not in pain. Because of this I was drawn to this description. Also, I cannot imagine what his mother was going through when she made the decision to kill her own son. My own brother was a drug addict and it was so painful for my mother to watch him sink lower and lower. I believe this is exactly how Eva felt.
Another passage that caught my attention was "When a woman approached, the older men tipped their hats; the younger open and closed their thighs. But all of them, whatever their age, watched her retreating view with interest." (49). This was interesting to me because it made me think of the theme we talked about the first week of class that women are always being watched. This definitely is another example of that. I also found it interesting the different reactions of men. The older men only tipped their hats, but the younger almost seemed to be unable to hold their sexual attraction for women in by moving their legs back and forth. I found this very interesting.
Another passage that caught my attention was "When a woman approached, the older men tipped their hats; the younger open and closed their thighs. But all of them, whatever their age, watched her retreating view with interest." (49). This was interesting to me because it made me think of the theme we talked about the first week of class that women are always being watched. This definitely is another example of that. I also found it interesting the different reactions of men. The older men only tipped their hats, but the younger almost seemed to be unable to hold their sexual attraction for women in by moving their legs back and forth. I found this very interesting.
Sula - Part One
While I think the story was slow in its start, the more I read the more hooked I became on the story and ended up reading up reading well into the morning hours.
Here are two passages that caught my attention:
"Then, for no earthly reason, at least no reason that anybody could understand, certainly no reason that Nel understood then or later, she smiled. Like a street pup that wags its tail at the very doorjamb of the butcher shop he has been kicked away from only moments before, Helene smiled. Smiling dazzlingly and conquettishly at the salmon-colored face of the conductor." (pg. 21)
I thought this passage really created a good image in my mind. I imagined Helene as a woman of pride, refusing to be shamed by the "salmon-colored" conductor. I really liked this passage because I think Helene is setting a good example for Nel, keeping her head held high while everyone on the train was trying to belittle her.
"She [Eva] remembered something else too, and try as she might to deny it, she knew that as she lay on the ground trying to drag herself through the sweet peas and clover to get to Hannah, she had seen Sula standing on the back porch just looking. When Eva, who was never one to hide the faults of her children, mentioned what she'd thought she'd seen to a few friends, they said it was natural. Sula was probably struck dumb, as anybody would be who saw her own mamma burn up. Eva said yes, but inside disagreed and remained convinced that Sula had watched Hannah burn not because she was paralyzed, but because she was interested." (pg.78)
I was so riveted throughout this entire section (1923). I was glued to the story at this point. Although the story has already established Sula as curious by nature, this passage reveals that Sula's curiousity isn't as innocent as originally believed. I also think that this passage is a foreshadowing of a lack of trust between the granddaughter and grandmother. After this event, Eva relationship with Sula is forever changed. As I read this passage, I was in shock. It appalls me that a girl would let her curiosity take precedent over her mother's life. My opinion of Sula changes drastically at this point in the story, as now I start to recognize the cold side of her personality.
Here are two passages that caught my attention:
"Then, for no earthly reason, at least no reason that anybody could understand, certainly no reason that Nel understood then or later, she smiled. Like a street pup that wags its tail at the very doorjamb of the butcher shop he has been kicked away from only moments before, Helene smiled. Smiling dazzlingly and conquettishly at the salmon-colored face of the conductor." (pg. 21)
I thought this passage really created a good image in my mind. I imagined Helene as a woman of pride, refusing to be shamed by the "salmon-colored" conductor. I really liked this passage because I think Helene is setting a good example for Nel, keeping her head held high while everyone on the train was trying to belittle her.
"She [Eva] remembered something else too, and try as she might to deny it, she knew that as she lay on the ground trying to drag herself through the sweet peas and clover to get to Hannah, she had seen Sula standing on the back porch just looking. When Eva, who was never one to hide the faults of her children, mentioned what she'd thought she'd seen to a few friends, they said it was natural. Sula was probably struck dumb, as anybody would be who saw her own mamma burn up. Eva said yes, but inside disagreed and remained convinced that Sula had watched Hannah burn not because she was paralyzed, but because she was interested." (pg.78)
I was so riveted throughout this entire section (1923). I was glued to the story at this point. Although the story has already established Sula as curious by nature, this passage reveals that Sula's curiousity isn't as innocent as originally believed. I also think that this passage is a foreshadowing of a lack of trust between the granddaughter and grandmother. After this event, Eva relationship with Sula is forever changed. As I read this passage, I was in shock. It appalls me that a girl would let her curiosity take precedent over her mother's life. My opinion of Sula changes drastically at this point in the story, as now I start to recognize the cold side of her personality.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sula
The first passage I've chosen to write about can be found on page 40. It reads, "Hannah worried about him a little, but only a very little. For it soon became clear that he simply wanted a place to die privately but not quite alone. No one thought of suggesting to him that he pull himself together or see a doctor or anything. Even the women at prayer meeting who cried when he sang "In the Sweet By-and-By" never tired to get him to participate in the church activities. They just listened to him sing. wept and thought very graphically of their own imminent deaths."
This excerpt stood out to me because I think it's a universal feeling that we share when close ones are in need of help or attention. It's applicable to me as the reader as well as others around me. I think that when others are in such a state that he is others tend to loose hope or take on an "oh well" mentality. It's rare to find someone that cares more about that other person's well-being enough to loose interest in themself. However, in this case there was no one like that to pull him out of this state, not even to suggest that he see a doctor or to take on the sober battle themself. In fact, people around him showed such selfishness that they began imagining their own deaths due to his situation, they turned the attention back on themselves. So far I see a running theme of death and selfishness in the novel and I hope things become more positive in the second half. Now, the argument can be made that it says he wanted to die privately but not quite alone so the women were providing him with his wishes. I beg to differ; concidering the community he is in, which is small and tight-nit, I think it's fair to assume that regardless of his habits, he cares about the people around him and wants them near him but lacks the ability to show that or ask for it. I think this also displays another theme in the book which is a lack of personal responsiblity. I would argue that the people around him, that see him like that, need to take responsiblity to help him instead of waiting for him to ask.
The next excerpt I've chosen is from a scene that takes place on pages 68-69 where Hannah is talking to her mom, Eva.
"'I'm talkin' 'bout 18 and 95 when I set in that house five days iwth you and Pearl and Plum and three beets, you snake-eyed ungrateful hussy. What would I look like leapin' 'round that little old room playin' with youngins with three beets to my name?"'
This is Eva's response to Hannah's question, asking if Eva ever played with her children. Eva also makes the point that just because things are good now doesn't mean they've always been good. I think this is so true and something that many of us tend to forget. I know that I forget what my parents have done and gone through to get to where they are now and while things are good now and we are finincailly and emotionally stable, it's been a fight to get here. Even though Hannah says yes, she knows about the beets it's much different to hear stories and know them than it is to have lived it. We so often take things for grandit and don't realize how others had to struggle so that we can reep the benifits. This is a true moment of children's innosence. Also, this shows the difference between the two in what they value, Eva values hard work and apprication while Hannah values time together and love.
This excerpt stood out to me because I think it's a universal feeling that we share when close ones are in need of help or attention. It's applicable to me as the reader as well as others around me. I think that when others are in such a state that he is others tend to loose hope or take on an "oh well" mentality. It's rare to find someone that cares more about that other person's well-being enough to loose interest in themself. However, in this case there was no one like that to pull him out of this state, not even to suggest that he see a doctor or to take on the sober battle themself. In fact, people around him showed such selfishness that they began imagining their own deaths due to his situation, they turned the attention back on themselves. So far I see a running theme of death and selfishness in the novel and I hope things become more positive in the second half. Now, the argument can be made that it says he wanted to die privately but not quite alone so the women were providing him with his wishes. I beg to differ; concidering the community he is in, which is small and tight-nit, I think it's fair to assume that regardless of his habits, he cares about the people around him and wants them near him but lacks the ability to show that or ask for it. I think this also displays another theme in the book which is a lack of personal responsiblity. I would argue that the people around him, that see him like that, need to take responsiblity to help him instead of waiting for him to ask.
The next excerpt I've chosen is from a scene that takes place on pages 68-69 where Hannah is talking to her mom, Eva.
"'I'm talkin' 'bout 18 and 95 when I set in that house five days iwth you and Pearl and Plum and three beets, you snake-eyed ungrateful hussy. What would I look like leapin' 'round that little old room playin' with youngins with three beets to my name?"'
This is Eva's response to Hannah's question, asking if Eva ever played with her children. Eva also makes the point that just because things are good now doesn't mean they've always been good. I think this is so true and something that many of us tend to forget. I know that I forget what my parents have done and gone through to get to where they are now and while things are good now and we are finincailly and emotionally stable, it's been a fight to get here. Even though Hannah says yes, she knows about the beets it's much different to hear stories and know them than it is to have lived it. We so often take things for grandit and don't realize how others had to struggle so that we can reep the benifits. This is a true moment of children's innosence. Also, this shows the difference between the two in what they value, Eva values hard work and apprication while Hannah values time together and love.
Sula
The first passage that I had a reaction to was on pg. 46-47: "She sat down and gathered Plum into her arms. She rolled a bit of newspaper into a tight stick about six inches long, lit it and threw it into the bed where the kerosene-soaked Plum lay in a snug delight. My reaction to this was that I thought this woman was crazy. Thoughts were running through mind trying to figure out why she we set her own son on fire. I was astonished at the thought of someone doing this. This passage relates to another Toni Morrison novel "Beloved", when the main character tried to kill her children. The woman tried to kill her children because she wanted to protect and prevent them from being sold into slavery. "Beloved" relates to "Sula" because it seems that these women would kill their children to protect them. That why I came to the conclusion that Eva was setting Plum on fire because she felt that she had to save him from himself. I felt that she was hurt in doing this because she wanted to hold her son to let him know she loves him.
The second passage that I had a reaction to was: "Because each had discovered years before they were neither white nor male, and that all freedom and triumph was forbidden to them, they had set a bout creating something else to be. I feel that my reaction to this is that being oppressed is a good reason for people to come together to form bonds. As troubled little girls Nel and Sula needed to have that friendship to get through rough times and it makes me feel relieved. This passage reminds me of the movie "The Color Purple," because two sisters who were kept away from each other their bond never diminished. The relationship between Nettie and Cely kept Cely strong form the reality of being abused by her older husband. When the girls are together they ignore everything around them because it does not matter as long as they have each other. This relates to Sula, because The color Purple shows the bond between sisters even through oppression. These two stories are similar in the way the girls handle the situations they are in.
The second passage that I had a reaction to was: "Because each had discovered years before they were neither white nor male, and that all freedom and triumph was forbidden to them, they had set a bout creating something else to be. I feel that my reaction to this is that being oppressed is a good reason for people to come together to form bonds. As troubled little girls Nel and Sula needed to have that friendship to get through rough times and it makes me feel relieved. This passage reminds me of the movie "The Color Purple," because two sisters who were kept away from each other their bond never diminished. The relationship between Nettie and Cely kept Cely strong form the reality of being abused by her older husband. When the girls are together they ignore everything around them because it does not matter as long as they have each other. This relates to Sula, because The color Purple shows the bond between sisters even through oppression. These two stories are similar in the way the girls handle the situations they are in.
Sula (first half)
"As Reverend Deal moved into his sermon, the hands of the women unfolded like pairs of raven's wings and flew high above their hats in the air. They did not hear all of what he said; they heard the one word, or phrase, or inflection that was for them the connection between the event and themselves."
I really like this line because it reminded me of a negative and positive way i've always thought people have dealt with the idea of church. I've been going to church since before I can even remember and since i've grown i've been able to make the decision as to whether or not I want to go, as opposed to my dad making me, and I still choose to attend. However I've had many many conversations with people who either don't believe in the church and over again I hear the argument 'just take what you need from the sermon and learn from it.' or things along those lines in which you just choose the part of religion you want to follow and ignore the rest. Anyone who has been a Christian or even gone to church for an extended period of time knows that this is a common mistake amongst believers, they do what fits into their lives and ignore the parts that make it hard. This passage reminds me of that idea. On the positive side it reminds me of people who do get the whole picture and know once they decide to practice this it's all or nothing and how sometimes in a sermon there is one line, as in literature, that stands out to you and really touches you the most.
"Nel sat on the red-velvet sofa listening to her mother but remembering the smell and the tight, tight hug of the woman in the yellow who rubbed burned matches over her eyes"
I really related to this line because it reminds me so much of me. I remember growing up once a week changing my mind about the group I wanted to fit in with. Half my friends were in bands and one week i'd think 'yeah! I want to be in a band, I love music' and then the next week i'd hang out with my girlfriends and my girliest side would come out and i'd think I only ever want to wear dresses ever again and smell pretty too! It's funny when you're young the images create in your mind of types of people based on they way they dress and how they carry themselves. I thought I could only be one or the other, a hip band mate or a pretty little girl. It just really made me laugh thinking about that awkward time! It also reminded me of "When I was growing up" because of the good image she has in her head about blond white girls and the way this girl inspires to be as womanly as her grandmother not knowing the downfalls of it yet.
I really like this line because it reminded me of a negative and positive way i've always thought people have dealt with the idea of church. I've been going to church since before I can even remember and since i've grown i've been able to make the decision as to whether or not I want to go, as opposed to my dad making me, and I still choose to attend. However I've had many many conversations with people who either don't believe in the church and over again I hear the argument 'just take what you need from the sermon and learn from it.' or things along those lines in which you just choose the part of religion you want to follow and ignore the rest. Anyone who has been a Christian or even gone to church for an extended period of time knows that this is a common mistake amongst believers, they do what fits into their lives and ignore the parts that make it hard. This passage reminds me of that idea. On the positive side it reminds me of people who do get the whole picture and know once they decide to practice this it's all or nothing and how sometimes in a sermon there is one line, as in literature, that stands out to you and really touches you the most.
"Nel sat on the red-velvet sofa listening to her mother but remembering the smell and the tight, tight hug of the woman in the yellow who rubbed burned matches over her eyes"
I really related to this line because it reminds me so much of me. I remember growing up once a week changing my mind about the group I wanted to fit in with. Half my friends were in bands and one week i'd think 'yeah! I want to be in a band, I love music' and then the next week i'd hang out with my girlfriends and my girliest side would come out and i'd think I only ever want to wear dresses ever again and smell pretty too! It's funny when you're young the images create in your mind of types of people based on they way they dress and how they carry themselves. I thought I could only be one or the other, a hip band mate or a pretty little girl. It just really made me laugh thinking about that awkward time! It also reminded me of "When I was growing up" because of the good image she has in her head about blond white girls and the way this girl inspires to be as womanly as her grandmother not knowing the downfalls of it yet.
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