Today's Assignment

From "The Yellow Wallpaper," the quote that I had a strong reaction to was; "The outside pattern is a florid arabesque, reminding one of a fungus." My reaction to this is that this wall paper is so terrible that it reminds her of bacteria. I feel that why does she stay in a room that she can barely stand to look at? My reaction is that she should have changed it immediately. The closet image that I can think to relate to is if someone lived in a house that was never cleaned and the viruses and bacteria just over grown in this place from being so dirty. Again why would someone want to live in that place where obviously there could be several problems health wise?

From "Ain't I a Woman?," The quote that I had a strong reaction to was; " If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half-measure full?" My reaction to this is that it is a good question to ask. She is showing that she is very intellectual and she knows if you are sharing are not. From that I feel like she is say ing that even though she is an African American she has a lot of knowledge. Another image I can perceive from a text is to see a cup as a skillet that many women have used to share many meals with. What comes to mind is that if someone does not have any food wouldn't it be selfish not to share some of the food you have if you have enough to feed an army?

From "Lady Lazarus," The quote that stood out to me was; "And I a smiling woman. I am only thirty. And like the cat I have nine times to die." My reaction was that I was surprised that she thought she has nine lives like a cat. I also realized that that saying is a myth because just like any other living thing it will die the first time. When I compare this to another text it brings up Maya Angelou's poem "Mourning Grace," where she states that going down the path of death is going down it's trackless wastes. That conveys to me that what we do on earth does not matter that it is all a waste of time. That when we die we can not take all of our accomplishments with us.

From "When I was Growing up," The quote that got an reaction from me is; when I was growing up and a white man wanted to take me out, I thought I was special, an exotic gardenia, anxious to fit the stereotype of an oriental chick." My reaction to this what that she felt maybe that she was exotic because she is not white. What I mean is that because she is a foreigner the white guy is stepping out of the norm which makes this exotic. More like they are both trying something new. This is familiar to the "Queen Anne's Lace" because they are being compared to a flower.

From "The Thirty Eighth Year," the passage that stood out for me is; "i have taken the bones you hardened and built daughters and they blossom and promise fruit like Afrikan trees." My reaction is that she is describing having very beautiful girls that have a lot to offer in life. The image that really comes to mind is the fruit tree in the bible. Why I use this is because the tree gives nourishment but the tree is forbidden. I feel that in a way that symbolizes women, we are here to be nurturers but sometimes society put up laws. rules, and obligations that women and men must follow.