A Christmas Carol:
by Charles Dickens
General:
1. A Christmas Carol is a story about the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man riddled with hate for anything material and does not look to bring pleasure upon anyone else but himself with his money. We start the story by watching Scrooge's horrible attitude to even "friends". The inciting incident is when Marley, one of Scrooge's old business friends who was so consumed by material wealth that when he passed away his afterlife was to be spent prowling the world in heavy chains. Marley decides to save Scrooge from this fate by sending scrooge to three different spirits, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. Each of the ghosts lead on to a important parts in Scrooge's life, showing him the things he's done, and the things he is doing. When Scrooge see's his future, he realizes that his life was not worth living if he just let his own riches run his life. He was sent back to his home, and accepted the morals and virtues of Christmas, sharing his wealth and spending time with those who mattered.
2. The them of the story is to not get so caught up in your life to forget what matters the most. Sometimes we pay to much attention to school and sports that we lose track of what is really important, and that is the love of those around you, and to love those people who love you. Showing gratitude is just a simple step, though significant, to showing Scrooge's change in his life.
3. The whole story is contained by dark images and somber people. The fact that poverty has struck London and that all of the characters seem to live on the line, Scrooge's outlook on those people seem condescending throughout the entire story. This doesn't not stop until Scrooge is pitiful in the end, but the author still notes that London is still racked with poverty and that people are still getting sick and live with nothing.
4. In the story, the author uses similes to describe things that have no significance, so similes were used, but rare in the important parts of the story. The other used his speech as an aphorism, explaining his ideas on life through the ghosts in the story. He uses a kind of rhetoric speech to say that those who are wealthy, but do not share, are selfish, and those who do, are more happy and well off. The other was very good at drawing out pathos. The reader felt pity for Scrooge as the story went on, not really hatred anymore, just a realization of a lost man, in need of love and help.
Characterization:
1. Two examples of direct characterization are when Scrooge meets the second ghost and the author describes him as "clear minded and kind". Another example is when the third ghost comes near to Scrooge and the author writes that Scrooge was "filled with dread". Two examples of indirect characterization are: Describing Scrooge, "Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, ``My dear Scrooge, how are you. When will you come to see me.'' and another example is, "His hands were busy with his garments all this time: turning them inside out, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislaying them, making them parties to every kind of extravagance." showing the excitement and nervousness.
2. When describing Scrooge's dreams with the spirits, Dickens wrote in long descriptive sentences, with little dialogue, to give it a quiet, yet extravagant scenery. During the wake of Scrooge's real life, the syntax is with short sentences full of dialogue. The story switches in between the two for when he is witnessing the ghosts and talking to those in real life.
3. As A Christmas Story is well known, Scrooge's tale is that of an extremely dynamic character. The story is simply about how Scrooge came to notice the importance of life and caring during Christmas, and how he changed his ways to a kind-hearted and generous man.
4. I felt like it was someone that I was witnessing something with, not so much that i was meeting him or talking to him, but a fly on the wall, watching as Scrooge realizes things that pass by. Many of his surprises and heartfelt fears were very close to anything that would have scared anyone else outside of the story. We never want our flaws pointed out, and Scrooge acted, as I think, anyone else would.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Literature Analysis #4
The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
General:
1. Hester Prynn, an unfortunate lover, was sent to America with her daughter, without the father ever meeting them in the new world. Hester's lonely travels in America led her to have an affair. The story begins explaining the meaning of the red A that Hester wears upon her chest to show that she has been marked as an adulteress. Though Hester is heckled and ridiculed, she is charitable and kind to the community, and therefore the community develops a bond with Hester and her daughter. As things seem to go smoothly, Chillingworth, the father disguised as a medicinal man, becomes close with Hester and the authorities of the village. Dimmesdale is then watched over by Chillingworth, who is secretly planning to kill the man, but first to expose him as the man that Hester had loved. Dimmesdale's distress and urgency, because he is a preacher, leads him to an unbearable discovery at the end of the story in front of the town, where he dies upon the scaffold that introduced at the very beginning.
2. The theme is to develop relationships that can not so easily be taken from you. Hester's relationship with Dimmesdale was strong, but could have led to the downfall of both of them, as it was revealed in the end. The relationships that are developed for your own personal gain or lust are most of the time those relationships that are not meant to be made.
3. Hawthorne uses a tone that is unlike any other story I've read. His ability to write in a dreamy tone is entertaining. The characters are often thinking in their own minds of possibilities to come, while the others are trying to discover the present. When Hester and Pearl are in the forest, the reader is able to discern real from unreal, but can understand the emotions of love and lust, confusion and uneasiness. These are elements that make Hawthorne a good writer.
4. The author uses implication very often when Hester reacts with other characters. Her scarlet A is seen and the characters reactions to that imply that Hester is a sinful person. Foreshadowing is used many times in the story. It is used to reveal her lover, used to reveal her husband, and used to eventually reveal the babies true father. Hyperbole is used when describing Pearl as a nymph, little devil, or an angel, her actions and looks are all exaggerated by the author. Hawthorne also uses surrealism, which can be seen in the forest scenes and when viewing Pearl.
Characterization:
1. Direct characterization would most likely be connected with Hester. Other's in the story describe Hester as a sinner. But I think that this is put in the story to show the indirect characterizations of the person so that the reader can see the obvious discernment between the people and Hester.
2. When describing the important characters in the story, I notice that you can divide them from the normal cast by noticing the change in syntax. The descriptions of the characters also seem to change in diction, for the characters become more animated by the writing and the sentences are long and descriptive so that you may judge the character, similar to how the people in the story judge her. Simply by face value.
3. Hester could be described as static, or dynamic, it all depends on the point of view. Hester doesn't change the way her actions show to people, in order to deceive them, and keep the writing of the story more engaging. On the inside, Hester becomes more in love with the man she had an affair with as she tries to first avoid him. The contact with him is the point where she decides to be more assertive with her ideals.
4. I could feel for the characters in the story. We have all experienced secrecy, but may not to these extremes. Hester's feelings of sorrow and regret fuel the reader with feelings that are of empathy, because the reader understands mistakes. Though Hester has done a terrible thing, the audience feels that she is just acting out of emotion and that her side is pure in intent. It is hard to break your ideas away from a character that you are exposed to for the entire story.
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
General:
1. Hester Prynn, an unfortunate lover, was sent to America with her daughter, without the father ever meeting them in the new world. Hester's lonely travels in America led her to have an affair. The story begins explaining the meaning of the red A that Hester wears upon her chest to show that she has been marked as an adulteress. Though Hester is heckled and ridiculed, she is charitable and kind to the community, and therefore the community develops a bond with Hester and her daughter. As things seem to go smoothly, Chillingworth, the father disguised as a medicinal man, becomes close with Hester and the authorities of the village. Dimmesdale is then watched over by Chillingworth, who is secretly planning to kill the man, but first to expose him as the man that Hester had loved. Dimmesdale's distress and urgency, because he is a preacher, leads him to an unbearable discovery at the end of the story in front of the town, where he dies upon the scaffold that introduced at the very beginning.
2. The theme is to develop relationships that can not so easily be taken from you. Hester's relationship with Dimmesdale was strong, but could have led to the downfall of both of them, as it was revealed in the end. The relationships that are developed for your own personal gain or lust are most of the time those relationships that are not meant to be made.
3. Hawthorne uses a tone that is unlike any other story I've read. His ability to write in a dreamy tone is entertaining. The characters are often thinking in their own minds of possibilities to come, while the others are trying to discover the present. When Hester and Pearl are in the forest, the reader is able to discern real from unreal, but can understand the emotions of love and lust, confusion and uneasiness. These are elements that make Hawthorne a good writer.
4. The author uses implication very often when Hester reacts with other characters. Her scarlet A is seen and the characters reactions to that imply that Hester is a sinful person. Foreshadowing is used many times in the story. It is used to reveal her lover, used to reveal her husband, and used to eventually reveal the babies true father. Hyperbole is used when describing Pearl as a nymph, little devil, or an angel, her actions and looks are all exaggerated by the author. Hawthorne also uses surrealism, which can be seen in the forest scenes and when viewing Pearl.
Characterization:
1. Direct characterization would most likely be connected with Hester. Other's in the story describe Hester as a sinner. But I think that this is put in the story to show the indirect characterizations of the person so that the reader can see the obvious discernment between the people and Hester.
2. When describing the important characters in the story, I notice that you can divide them from the normal cast by noticing the change in syntax. The descriptions of the characters also seem to change in diction, for the characters become more animated by the writing and the sentences are long and descriptive so that you may judge the character, similar to how the people in the story judge her. Simply by face value.
3. Hester could be described as static, or dynamic, it all depends on the point of view. Hester doesn't change the way her actions show to people, in order to deceive them, and keep the writing of the story more engaging. On the inside, Hester becomes more in love with the man she had an affair with as she tries to first avoid him. The contact with him is the point where she decides to be more assertive with her ideals.
4. I could feel for the characters in the story. We have all experienced secrecy, but may not to these extremes. Hester's feelings of sorrow and regret fuel the reader with feelings that are of empathy, because the reader understands mistakes. Though Hester has done a terrible thing, the audience feels that she is just acting out of emotion and that her side is pure in intent. It is hard to break your ideas away from a character that you are exposed to for the entire story.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Allegory of the Cave Sonnet
In the cave for the prisoners 'twas dark,
but not altogether alone were their thoughts.
Lost without an intellectual mark,
left to hang in fear of confused hearts.
They were missing from the world,
families and friends unknown,
Until a prisoner had twisted and curled
to discover an unbelievable zone.
For him it was scary but new,
a moment that none believed true.
His mind would expand in the love of life,
for his heart would be discovering of strife.
Experiences like this are uncomfortable,
but not for the opportunity to be knowledgeable.
Plato Study Questions
Questions:
1. According to Socrates, what does the Allegory of the Cave represent?
2. What are the key elements in the imagery used in the allegory?3. What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education?
4. What do the imagery of "shackles" and the "cave" suggest about the perspective of the cave dwellers or prisoners?
5. In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind?
6. Compare the perspective of the freed prisoner with the cave prisoners?
7. According to the allegory, lack of clarity or intellectual confusion can occur in two distinct ways or contexts. What are they?
8. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom?
9. The allegory presupposes that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not?
10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions?
Answers:
- The allegory represents the development and differences between showing the ambiguity and dull sense of knowledge through staying in the norm and the enlightening light of the outside knowledge. This representation shows the value of knowledge and faults of ignorance.
- The shadows that are seen reflecting off the torch are images that depict the fake reality of the prisoners in the cave. The prisoners had only ever known the images of darkness and the comfortable feel of the cold stone, that is why the light poses to be a ping of irritation for the prisoner's and the idea of uncomfortable realization.
- That in order to advance yourself in all aspects, first you must learn to discover the uncomfortable, and find things that are new and creative. Learning and enlightenment are two of the same process. That is why it is important for the prisoners to delve into things they don't know, instead of things they do.
- The shackles represent the bond of the prisoners to the cave. The mind set that they will not get free from the place they are. The cave encompasses the prisoners, leaving everything outside it unknown to them, and the potential of their knowledge of anything else remaining confined to the cave.
- As talking about earlier in this class, the media can shackle your mind and make you think one sided on any topic if you do not pay enough attention to the other sources. I've been told that there is little truth in each article, but if you look enough you will be able to pick out your own version of the truth.
- The freed prisoner understands what is to earned, while the cave prisoners know nothing about what is outside of the cave, they don't think it is an opportunity for enlightenment.
- You can be given the chance to experience the light and shy away or you can never be exposed at all.
- The prisoners are freed by themselves, and there must be realization of the prisoners to spark curiosity. Intellectual freedom should be sought out by the individual, and if the individual desires for intellectual freedom are not sprung, then that person would find no need to be different or an intelligent individual from all of the people surrounding him/her.
- I partly agree. Appearances can be decieving, but they aren't always so. Sometimes appearances give a perfect portrayal of the truth and there is no distinction. Other times, with more complex matters, reality is much deeper than its outward appearance and one much dig deeper to find true meaning.
- That someone could say one thing and do another, or that you can do one thing and say another.
1. According to Socrates, what does the Allegory of the Cave represent?
2. What are the key elements in the imagery used in the allegory?3. What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education?
4. What do the imagery of "shackles" and the "cave" suggest about the perspective of the cave dwellers or prisoners?
5. In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind?
6. Compare the perspective of the freed prisoner with the cave prisoners?
7. According to the allegory, lack of clarity or intellectual confusion can occur in two distinct ways or contexts. What are they?
8. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom?
9. The allegory presupposes that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not?
10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions?
Answers:
- The allegory represents the development and differences between showing the ambiguity and dull sense of knowledge through staying in the norm and the enlightening light of the outside knowledge. This representation shows the value of knowledge and faults of ignorance.
- The shadows that are seen reflecting off the torch are images that depict the fake reality of the prisoners in the cave. The prisoners had only ever known the images of darkness and the comfortable feel of the cold stone, that is why the light poses to be a ping of irritation for the prisoner's and the idea of uncomfortable realization.
- That in order to advance yourself in all aspects, first you must learn to discover the uncomfortable, and find things that are new and creative. Learning and enlightenment are two of the same process. That is why it is important for the prisoners to delve into things they don't know, instead of things they do.
- The shackles represent the bond of the prisoners to the cave. The mind set that they will not get free from the place they are. The cave encompasses the prisoners, leaving everything outside it unknown to them, and the potential of their knowledge of anything else remaining confined to the cave.
- As talking about earlier in this class, the media can shackle your mind and make you think one sided on any topic if you do not pay enough attention to the other sources. I've been told that there is little truth in each article, but if you look enough you will be able to pick out your own version of the truth.
- The freed prisoner understands what is to earned, while the cave prisoners know nothing about what is outside of the cave, they don't think it is an opportunity for enlightenment.
- You can be given the chance to experience the light and shy away or you can never be exposed at all.
- The prisoners are freed by themselves, and there must be realization of the prisoners to spark curiosity. Intellectual freedom should be sought out by the individual, and if the individual desires for intellectual freedom are not sprung, then that person would find no need to be different or an intelligent individual from all of the people surrounding him/her.
- I partly agree. Appearances can be decieving, but they aren't always so. Sometimes appearances give a perfect portrayal of the truth and there is no distinction. Other times, with more complex matters, reality is much deeper than its outward appearance and one much dig deeper to find true meaning.
- That someone could say one thing and do another, or that you can do one thing and say another.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Literature Analysis #3
1)The Kite Runner is a novel about the journey of boy named Amir. With the story being told by Amir, the novel begins with a flashback about twenty-six years back in time, to when Amir was a little boy growing up in Kabul. This point of the story told us about Amir's life as a child, with his father, who was a businessman, and two servants to his family. One of the servants was Amir's best friend, named Hassan. When hassled by the town bully, Hassan hit him with a rock shot from his slingshot. From there, the story jumps to winter time, and a kite fighting contest takes place. There is this tradition that the kids have called 'kite running' and they try to get the losing kite that fell from the sky. When Amir is fighting in the contest, Hassan goes to look for the fallen kite, who is then followed by Amir some time after. Amir finds Hassan in an alley way with the town bully and some of his buddies, watching as they take advantage of Hassan. Drifting apart, and overcome with guilt, Hassan and Amir leave each others' lives after Amir planted items in Hassan's bed, accusing him of thievery. Time goes on, and things start to get bad with the invasion of the Soviets in Kabul. Amir and his father flee the country, and after a long period, they soon go to Fremont, California where Amir attends school, and his father working at a gas station. In time, Amir finds a lovely girl, and soon marries her. After his marriage, Amir's father dies. Further into his life, Amir receives a call from his father's friend, and it was about Hassan. Amir, still holding the guilt of what had happened when he was a kid, goes to Kabul. Hassan's child is missing, and Amir goes to look for him. Nearly getting himself killed, he manages to save the kid and redeems himself of his wrong doings done to his best friend.
2) One of the themes for The Kite Runner is the search of redemption. Best shown by Amir and his guilt that was carried thoughout his entire life ever since the incident with Hassan. This is probably the main theme that drives the novel.
3)The tone o the author is also related to the theme itself, which is being the confessional tone. Throughout the novel, it is portrayed all through Amir's actions, feelings and decisions. One example would be the pomegranates being throw at Hassan, just so he would throw them back at Amir. Amir wanted to be punished for his actions-- or lack of. Not only did he wanted to be punished, but he also pushed away his best friend. Amir built up too much guilt all to the point of framing Hassan for a thievery he didn't commit just so that he can get away. Lastly, when Amir encounters Assef again near the end of the novel, he starts laughing only because he is getting punished for it, getting beaten to near death by Assef.
4) The literary elements of The Kite Runner all have a slot within the machine that is this book. The foreshadowing in the story raises question about the surrounding events with the Islamic fundamentalists, and even when Baba questions Amir's ability to stand up for what is right. The overall feel of the book happens to be like that of a spring. It is felt all throughout the novel, even at times where it didn't appear to be as such.
2) One of the themes for The Kite Runner is the search of redemption. Best shown by Amir and his guilt that was carried thoughout his entire life ever since the incident with Hassan. This is probably the main theme that drives the novel.
3)The tone o the author is also related to the theme itself, which is being the confessional tone. Throughout the novel, it is portrayed all through Amir's actions, feelings and decisions. One example would be the pomegranates being throw at Hassan, just so he would throw them back at Amir. Amir wanted to be punished for his actions-- or lack of. Not only did he wanted to be punished, but he also pushed away his best friend. Amir built up too much guilt all to the point of framing Hassan for a thievery he didn't commit just so that he can get away. Lastly, when Amir encounters Assef again near the end of the novel, he starts laughing only because he is getting punished for it, getting beaten to near death by Assef.
4) The literary elements of The Kite Runner all have a slot within the machine that is this book. The foreshadowing in the story raises question about the surrounding events with the Islamic fundamentalists, and even when Baba questions Amir's ability to stand up for what is right. The overall feel of the book happens to be like that of a spring. It is felt all throughout the novel, even at times where it didn't appear to be as such.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Big Question
If the information that is gathered could be measured in something other than words, what would it be measured in, or how would it be measured?
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sonnet
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me."
~Emily Dickinson
Definition of a Sonnet:
Sonnet- A poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in
English typically having ten syllables per line
Fall List #11
1. Affinity- relationship by marriage
2. Bilious- of or indicative of a peevish ill nature disposition3. Cognate- of the same nature4. Corollary- A proposition inferred Immediately from a proved proposition with little or no additional proof 5. Cul-de-sac - a pouch6. Derring-do- a daring action7. Divination- The art or practice that seeks to foretell future events or discover hidden
knowledge due to the interpretation of omens 8. Elixir- A substance capable of prolonging life indefinitely 9. Folderol- a useless accessory 10. Gamut- an entire range or series11. Hoi polloi- the General populace12. Ineffable- incapable of being expressed in words 13. Lucubration- to study by night 14. Mnemonic- intended to assist memory15. Obloquy- abusive language16. Parameter- an independent variable used to express the coordinates of variable point and functions of them17. Pundit- a learned man 18. Risible- provoking laughter19. Symptomatic- having the characteristics of a certain disease but arising of a different cause 20. Volte-face- a reversal in policy
2. Bilious- of or indicative of a peevish ill nature disposition3. Cognate- of the same nature4. Corollary- A proposition inferred Immediately from a proved proposition with little or no additional proof 5. Cul-de-sac - a pouch6. Derring-do- a daring action7. Divination- The art or practice that seeks to foretell future events or discover hidden
knowledge due to the interpretation of omens 8. Elixir- A substance capable of prolonging life indefinitely 9. Folderol- a useless accessory 10. Gamut- an entire range or series11. Hoi polloi- the General populace12. Ineffable- incapable of being expressed in words 13. Lucubration- to study by night 14. Mnemonic- intended to assist memory15. Obloquy- abusive language16. Parameter- an independent variable used to express the coordinates of variable point and functions of them17. Pundit- a learned man 18. Risible- provoking laughter19. Symptomatic- having the characteristics of a certain disease but arising of a different cause 20. Volte-face- a reversal in policy
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Vocab. List
aficionado- a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer
browbeat- to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
commensurate- able to be measured by a common standard
diaphanous- Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent
emolument- Payment for an office or employment
foray- A sudden raid or military advance
genre- A realistic style of painting that depicts scenes from everyday life
homily- An inspirational saying or platitude
immure- To confine within or as if within walls; imprison
insouciant- carefree or unconcerned; light-hearted
matrix- a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed
obsequies- A funeral rite or ceremony
panache- A bunch of feathers or a plume, especially on a helmet.
persona- The role that one assumes or displays in public or society; one's public image or personality, as distinguished from the inner self
philippic- a bitter or impassioned speech of denunciation; invective
prurient- unusually or morbidly interested in sexual thoughts or practices
sacrosanct- Regarded as sacred and inviolable
systemic- Of or relating to systems or a system
tendentious- Marked by a strong implicit point of view; partisan
vicissitude- A change or variation
browbeat- to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
commensurate- able to be measured by a common standard
diaphanous- Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent
emolument- Payment for an office or employment
foray- A sudden raid or military advance
genre- A realistic style of painting that depicts scenes from everyday life
homily- An inspirational saying or platitude
immure- To confine within or as if within walls; imprison
insouciant- carefree or unconcerned; light-hearted
matrix- a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed
obsequies- A funeral rite or ceremony
panache- A bunch of feathers or a plume, especially on a helmet.
persona- The role that one assumes or displays in public or society; one's public image or personality, as distinguished from the inner self
philippic- a bitter or impassioned speech of denunciation; invective
prurient- unusually or morbidly interested in sexual thoughts or practices
sacrosanct- Regarded as sacred and inviolable
systemic- Of or relating to systems or a system
tendentious- Marked by a strong implicit point of view; partisan
vicissitude- A change or variation
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Literature Analysis on The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Literature Analysis: The Namesake
1) Jhumpa Lahiri's novel The Namesake, is about a immigrant from India who deals with the hardships of being an Indian migrant growing up and living in the United States. Ashoke and Ashima the parents of Gogol have to raise their son in Cambridge and fight against all the controversy and problems they face for being a immigrant in the United States.
2) The main theme of this novel is family control. Gogol is constantly confronted by his parents about the new American customs he is getting used to. His parents want him to have a more traditional lifestyle following their Indian culture and ways, but Gogol is pressured by his other friends and made fun of for not fitting in. So Gogol often has confrontations with his parents on how to live his life.
3) Lahiri's tone in the novel is very serious. Gogol describes both of the cultures he grew up in (Indian and American). Often stating the culture his parents want for him, and then the more familiar American culture.
4) Lahiri uses flashbacks a lot when Gogol is comparing the American culture with his Indian culture. Also Gogol voice is compared to a Husky's bark, which is uses of Personification. Foreshadowing is used, all the ways Gogol reacts to how his parents are towards the American culture shows us what his actions will be. Last Lahiri uses irony, it is ironic how Gogol is just a nickname, but then ends up being his official name on his birth certificate.
2) The main theme of this novel is family control. Gogol is constantly confronted by his parents about the new American customs he is getting used to. His parents want him to have a more traditional lifestyle following their Indian culture and ways, but Gogol is pressured by his other friends and made fun of for not fitting in. So Gogol often has confrontations with his parents on how to live his life.
3) Lahiri's tone in the novel is very serious. Gogol describes both of the cultures he grew up in (Indian and American). Often stating the culture his parents want for him, and then the more familiar American culture.
4) Lahiri uses flashbacks a lot when Gogol is comparing the American culture with his Indian culture. Also Gogol voice is compared to a Husky's bark, which is uses of Personification. Foreshadowing is used, all the ways Gogol reacts to how his parents are towards the American culture shows us what his actions will be. Last Lahiri uses irony, it is ironic how Gogol is just a nickname, but then ends up being his official name on his birth certificate.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Who Was Shakespeare?
Shakespeare always has struck a string of curosity in me. I find Shakespeare's work enteraining, to say the least, but his ability for his writing to take forms and images to many different people astounds me even more. I find it hard to believe that someone in the 1500s could find time to write plays, much less then become a proffesional. This changes the way I thought about Shakespeare. His life was full of writing plays and enteraining others, which he enjoyed above all, but I had previously thought that his writings were created completely out of love of the arts (which of course does have something to do with it). As a student, I see Shakespeare as I do authors today, lonely and sitting at a desk constantly thinking of ideas for another story. Shakespeare, it seems had a extremely difficult life, being a proffesional writer, actor, director, and more, but Shakespeare never at once, while reading, seemed to give up on himself or his writing, which is a sad story for most authors that are successful. It never became a chore, as it seemed, for him to write another story. This truly shows Shakespeare as a lover of the arts, a man with determination, and a clever humor.
Searhes:
http://www.gprc.ab.ca/employees/homepages/ghanna/life.html);(http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/timeline/timeline.htm)
Searhes:
http://www.gprc.ab.ca/employees/homepages/ghanna/life.html);(http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/timeline/timeline.htm)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
To Facebook or Not to Facebook
Facebook was created for the sole purpose of staying in touch with friends and possibly getting to know other people. So the fact that personal information is given is already going forward with the first step in a relationship, making those you talk to feel like they "know" a bit about you. This is a failed effort to make people come together. People who you don't know in reality could be of use to you, in a professional way, or in a relationship, but getting to know them first hand is part of gathering the relationship that will make two people friends.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Vocab List and Remix
Vocab. List:
1. abortive: (adj) failing to succeed; unsuccessful
2. bruit: (verb) to voice abroad; rumor
3. contumelious: (noun) a humiliating insult
4. dictum: (noun) an authoritative pronouncement
5. ensconce: (verb) to settle securely or snugly
6. iconoclastic: (adj) attacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-heldtraditions
7. in medias res: starting the story in the middle of something instead of at the beginning
8. internecine: (adj) of or pertaining to conflict or struggle within a group
9. maladroit: (adj) lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless
10. maudlin: (adj) tearfully or weakly emotional
11. modulate: (verb) to regulate by or adjust to a certain measure or proportion
12. portentous: (adj) ominously significant or indicative
13. prescience: (noun) knowledge of things before they exist or happen
14. quid pro quo: (noun) one thing in return for another
15. salubrious: (adj) favorable to or promoting health
16. saturnalian: (noun) unrestrained revelry; orgy
17. touchstone: (noun) a test or criterion for the qualities of a thing
18. traumatic: (adj) of, pertaining to, or produced by a trauma or wound
19. vitiate: (verb) to impair the quality of
20. waggish: (adj) like a wag; roguish in merriment and good humor
Abortive- abort is to quit, or to quit because of failure. Abortive is causing an abort.
bruit- "My coffee perk makes a noise when you brew-it."
contumelious- -melious reminds me of malicious, which is spiteful, so insulting to with (con) mischief intent (?)
dictum- "I must DIC-tate Um'!"
ensconce- " ensconce sounds something like iskon (lord krishna's temple which is a peaceful place..hence can settle comfortably ... (feel like staying their only and settle down in such peaceful place..)"
iconoclastic- icono- as in a holy "icon" for a religion; sarcastic: to ridicule through mimicry; -clastic is similar so, as to ridicule an icon; religion
in medias res: media is spanish for "middle", so "in the middle res"; just replace res with of then it sounds more grammatically correct in english
These are some of the ones i could make up.
1. abortive: (adj) failing to succeed; unsuccessful
2. bruit: (verb) to voice abroad; rumor
3. contumelious: (noun) a humiliating insult
4. dictum: (noun) an authoritative pronouncement
5. ensconce: (verb) to settle securely or snugly
6. iconoclastic: (adj) attacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-heldtraditions
7. in medias res: starting the story in the middle of something instead of at the beginning
8. internecine: (adj) of or pertaining to conflict or struggle within a group
9. maladroit: (adj) lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless
10. maudlin: (adj) tearfully or weakly emotional
11. modulate: (verb) to regulate by or adjust to a certain measure or proportion
12. portentous: (adj) ominously significant or indicative
13. prescience: (noun) knowledge of things before they exist or happen
14. quid pro quo: (noun) one thing in return for another
15. salubrious: (adj) favorable to or promoting health
16. saturnalian: (noun) unrestrained revelry; orgy
17. touchstone: (noun) a test or criterion for the qualities of a thing
18. traumatic: (adj) of, pertaining to, or produced by a trauma or wound
19. vitiate: (verb) to impair the quality of
20. waggish: (adj) like a wag; roguish in merriment and good humor
Abortive- abort is to quit, or to quit because of failure. Abortive is causing an abort.
bruit- "My coffee perk makes a noise when you brew-it."
contumelious- -melious reminds me of malicious, which is spiteful, so insulting to with (con) mischief intent (?)
dictum- "I must DIC-tate Um'!"
ensconce- " ensconce sounds something like iskon (lord krishna's temple which is a peaceful place..hence can settle comfortably ... (feel like staying their only and settle down in such peaceful place..)"
iconoclastic- icono- as in a holy "icon" for a religion; sarcastic: to ridicule through mimicry; -clastic is similar so, as to ridicule an icon; religion
in medias res: media is spanish for "middle", so "in the middle res"; just replace res with of then it sounds more grammatically correct in english
These are some of the ones i could make up.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Hamlet Act III, Scene IV Remix:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
HAMLET
O, throw away the worser part of it,
And live the purer with the other half.
Good night: but go not to mine uncle's bed;
Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,
Of habits devil, is angel yet in this,
That to the use of actions fair and good
He likewise gives a frock or livery,
That aptly is put on. Refrain to-night,
And that shall lend a kind of easiness
To the next abstinence: the next more easy;
For use almost can change the stamp of nature,
And either [ ] the devil, or throw him out
With wondrous potency. Once more, good night:
And when you are desirous to be bless'd,
I'll blessing beg of you. For this same lord,
Pointing to POLONIUS
I do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so,
To punish me with this and this with me,
That I must be their scourge and minister.
I will bestow him, and will answer well
The death I gave him. So, again, good night.
I must be cruel, only to be kind:
Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.
One word more, good lady.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
What shall I do?
HAMLET
Not this, by no means, that I bid you do:
Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed;
Pinch wanton on your cheek; call you his mouse;
And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses,
Or paddling in your neck with his damn'd fingers,
Make you to ravel all this matter out,
That I essentially am not in madness,
But mad in craft. 'Twere good you let him know;
For who, that's but a queen, fair, sober, wise,
Would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib,
Such dear concernings hide? who would do so?
No, in despite of sense and secrecy,
Unpeg the basket on the house's top.
Let the birds fly, and, like the famous ape,
To try conclusions, in the basket creep,
And break your own neck down.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Be thou assured, if words be made of breath,
And breath of life, I have no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me.
HAMLET
I must to England; you know that?
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Alack,
I had forgot: 'tis so concluded on.
HAMLET
There's letters seal'd: and my two schoolfellows,
Whom I will trust as I will adders fang'd,
They bear the mandate; they must sweep my way,
And marshal me to knavery. Let it work;
For 'tis the sport to have the engineer
Hoist with his own petard: and 't shall go hard
But I will delve one yard below their mines,
And blow them at the moon: O, 'tis most sweet,
When in one line two crafts directly meet.
This man shall set me packing:
I'll lug the guts into the neighbour room.
Mother, good night. Indeed this counsellor
Is now most still, most secret and most grave,
Who was in life a foolish prating knave.
Come, sir, to draw toward an end with you.
Good night, mother.
Exeunt severally; HAMLET dragging in POLONIUS
Hamlet's Feelings at this Point:
Let's look at how Queen Gertrude is feeling so that we can understand both situations better. First, we start with line 1, where the Queen says, "O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain." This shows the Queens distraught and surprised point of view from Hamlet's knowledge of the king and queen's misdeeds.
Next, we see Hamlet's reaction. To the readers understanding, Hamlet is reacting with determination, saying that all that he does is in the justice of Heaven, "I do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so, To punish me with this and this with me, That I must be their scourge and minister." At this point the audience realizes that Hamlet's scheme has turned for the worse, his mind and thoughts being greatly skewed by his determination to kill the king. He even goes so far as to make death threats to his mother. But in the middle of this scene Hamlet still shows his love for his mother. Hamlet wishes her to be more "pure", avoiding the sins that she previously showed in her kingdom.
Again, the reader is surprised to see that the Queen is still listening to her son, taking his words to heart. This scene indicates the point where Hamlet's insanity act crosses paths with his true feelings for the situation that he is in.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
To Be or Not To Be...
In an effort to cram in the last stages of the poem, I understand those who feel that they can't memorize that monster. It is extremely intimidating. But if you can look past the size, you should see the meaning, when you understand the poem part by part, it makes so much more sense. The poem can be split into three sections, that makes it seem smaller, and much easier for the brain to visualize. Secondly, I plan to use this technique to study Act III. By splitting it into events and characters involved, as well as the tone of each character, your perspective is greatly enriched by what your are able to analyze.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Vocabulary Definitions and Paragraph
Words and Definitions:
1. abeyance: (noun) temporary inactivity, cessation
2. ambivalent: (adjective) having ”mixed feelings about someone or something; beingunable to choose between two (usually opposing) courses of action
3. beleaguer: (verb) to surround with military forces
4. carte blanche: (noun) unconditional authority; full discretionary power
5. cataclysm: (noun) any violent upheaval
6. debauch: (verb) to corrupt by sensuality, intemperance, etc.; seduce
7. eclat: (noun) brilliance of success, reputation, etc.
8. fastidious: (adjective) excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
9. gambol: (verb) to skip about, as in dancing or playing
10. imbue: (verb) to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings
11. inchoate: (adjective) not yet completed or fully developed
12. lampoon: (noun) a sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution; a work of literature, art, or the like, ridiculing severely the character or behavior of a person, society, etc
13. malleable: (adjective) capable of being extended or shaped by hammering or by pressure from rollers
14. nemesis: (noun) something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc
15. opt: (verb) to make a choice; choose
16. philistine: (noun) a person who is lacking in or hostile or smugly indifferent to cultural values, intellectual pursuits, aesthetic refinement
17. picaresque: (adjective) of, pertaining to, or resembling rogues
18. queasy: (adjective) tending to cause nausea; nauseating
19. refractory: (adjective) hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient
20. savoir-faire: (noun) knowledge of just what to do in any situation
Paragraph:
I found that Hamlet's attitude changes and efforts seem to be in a determined manner, but are completely out of anger. Hamlet's abeyance earlier in the story is no longer apparent for now he wants his revenge. Hamlet is mainly upset that Claudius is taking the throne of his father and is being a lampoon, insulting Hamlet's family. Hamlet is really not ambivalent on the inside, but shows his family his sadness and rage so that they can see him as picaresque as possible, throwing aside their thoughts of Hamlets revenge against his nemesis. Hamlet's plan, instead of a cataclysm for the king, but to stop his carte blanche, by using his eclat, Hamlet will decide, with his thought being completely under control will make a play with and imbue the death of King Hamlet within it. Hamlet's skill to opt is not that of a mad man, but that of one who is determined by anger and grief.
1. abeyance: (noun) temporary inactivity, cessation
2. ambivalent: (adjective) having ”mixed feelings about someone or something; beingunable to choose between two (usually opposing) courses of action
3. beleaguer: (verb) to surround with military forces
4. carte blanche: (noun) unconditional authority; full discretionary power
5. cataclysm: (noun) any violent upheaval
6. debauch: (verb) to corrupt by sensuality, intemperance, etc.; seduce
7. eclat: (noun) brilliance of success, reputation, etc.
8. fastidious: (adjective) excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
9. gambol: (verb) to skip about, as in dancing or playing
10. imbue: (verb) to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings
11. inchoate: (adjective) not yet completed or fully developed
12. lampoon: (noun) a sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution; a work of literature, art, or the like, ridiculing severely the character or behavior of a person, society, etc
13. malleable: (adjective) capable of being extended or shaped by hammering or by pressure from rollers
14. nemesis: (noun) something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc
15. opt: (verb) to make a choice; choose
16. philistine: (noun) a person who is lacking in or hostile or smugly indifferent to cultural values, intellectual pursuits, aesthetic refinement
17. picaresque: (adjective) of, pertaining to, or resembling rogues
18. queasy: (adjective) tending to cause nausea; nauseating
19. refractory: (adjective) hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient
20. savoir-faire: (noun) knowledge of just what to do in any situation
Paragraph:
I found that Hamlet's attitude changes and efforts seem to be in a determined manner, but are completely out of anger. Hamlet's abeyance earlier in the story is no longer apparent for now he wants his revenge. Hamlet is mainly upset that Claudius is taking the throne of his father and is being a lampoon, insulting Hamlet's family. Hamlet is really not ambivalent on the inside, but shows his family his sadness and rage so that they can see him as picaresque as possible, throwing aside their thoughts of Hamlets revenge against his nemesis. Hamlet's plan, instead of a cataclysm for the king, but to stop his carte blanche, by using his eclat, Hamlet will decide, with his thought being completely under control will make a play with and imbue the death of King Hamlet within it. Hamlet's skill to opt is not that of a mad man, but that of one who is determined by anger and grief.
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