Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Yellow wallpaper
“What is the matter? He cried.”For God’s sake, what are you doing!”
I kept on creeping just the same, but I looked at him over my shoulder.
“I’ve got out at last,” said I, “in spite of you and Jane. And I’ve pulled off most of the paper, so you can’t put me back!”
Now why should that man have fainted? But he did, and right across my path by the wall, so that I had to creep over him every time! (Gilman, 497)
I chose this quote to represent Jane’s freedom against her husband and society. First I will explain the oppressive life style she lived through. John secluded her in a room away from the world, with no way to communicate with anyone other than the people who are assisting her. She couldn’t read or write, she couldn’t cook or clean or do anything she loved to do. He locked her up against her will, and controlled her every move. You tell me, that wouldn’t make you angry? She was imprisoned in her own home, forced to abide by the rules of a man who knew nothing of her, forced to do whatever he said, forced to look at yellow wallpaper for weeks, forced away from the rest of society. You tell me if that’s not oppression?
“I believe there will ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those doing the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the system of exploitation. “(Malcolm X). I believe that the oppression that existed in the Yellow Wallpaper between Jane and her husband John eventually led to her maturation, freedom, and emancipation. The conditions that she lived through led not to her insanity, but to her liberation. We know that through painful experiences that the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Jane eventually wanted her freedom, and she took it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
William Faulkner-A Rose for Emily
William Faulkner
A Rose for Emily
That night the Board of Aldermen met-three graybeards and one younger man, a member of the rising generation.
“It’s simple enough, “he said. Send her word to have her place cleaned up. Give her a certain time to do it in, and if she don’t…”
“Dammit, sir, ‘Judge Stevens said, “will you accuse a lady to her face of something bad?” (Faulkner, 406)
Throughout the short story, I noticed that there was a struggle between two generations. The struggle was clear throughout the book starting from when they claimed she owed taxes. She was not paying based on past agreements her father had with past men that were in power. She held on to things, while others wanted her to let go and move on. In a way it is good to hold on tradition without it we would not be where we are today. There was numerous amounts of time where I believe her beliefs clashed with the newer generation, from the time when the men wanted to go into her house and let her know about the smell in her house but they wanted to do it I a not so respectful way but Judge Stevens wouldn’t let them, he wanted them to show some respect to the lady. Another time is the fact that she when to the druggist and bought rat poison. I believe that this in fact is one clear fact of how she held on to tradition, or let just say “old times”. I have come to believe that she used this rat poison to kill Homer, but my argument is the fact that now a day you wanted see too many killings do to somebody poisoning you. In this generation you would probably see somebody shooting you, or stabbing you, or anything put poison. She lived an odd lifestyle different from the generation that ruled over the town, I was similar to the conservative versus the liberal, who comes out the winner.
A Rose for Emily
That night the Board of Aldermen met-three graybeards and one younger man, a member of the rising generation.
“It’s simple enough, “he said. Send her word to have her place cleaned up. Give her a certain time to do it in, and if she don’t…”
“Dammit, sir, ‘Judge Stevens said, “will you accuse a lady to her face of something bad?” (Faulkner, 406)
Throughout the short story, I noticed that there was a struggle between two generations. The struggle was clear throughout the book starting from when they claimed she owed taxes. She was not paying based on past agreements her father had with past men that were in power. She held on to things, while others wanted her to let go and move on. In a way it is good to hold on tradition without it we would not be where we are today. There was numerous amounts of time where I believe her beliefs clashed with the newer generation, from the time when the men wanted to go into her house and let her know about the smell in her house but they wanted to do it I a not so respectful way but Judge Stevens wouldn’t let them, he wanted them to show some respect to the lady. Another time is the fact that she when to the druggist and bought rat poison. I believe that this in fact is one clear fact of how she held on to tradition, or let just say “old times”. I have come to believe that she used this rat poison to kill Homer, but my argument is the fact that now a day you wanted see too many killings do to somebody poisoning you. In this generation you would probably see somebody shooting you, or stabbing you, or anything put poison. She lived an odd lifestyle different from the generation that ruled over the town, I was similar to the conservative versus the liberal, who comes out the winner.
Philip K. Dick-We Can Remember It for You Wholesale
Philip K. Dick
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale
“The trip is very vivid in his mind—at least under sedation. But apparently he doesn’t recall it otherwise. Someone, probably at a government military science lab, erased his conscious memories; all he knew was that going to Mars meant something special to him, and so did being a being secret agent. They couldn’t erase that; it’s not a memory but a desire, undoubtedly the same one that motivated him to volunteer for the assignment in the first place.”(Dick, p359)
I believe that this quote is important because during the process of them placing false memory in to his head the workers at the Rekal incorporations found out that Mr. Quail really did take a trip to Mars but at this point wasn’t sure about why, and who sent him there. I believe that the story became interesting to me at this point because I was unsure about where it was leading. At this point we learn that he actually wasn’t trying to take a trip to Mars but that his memories wasn’t completely erased that sort of placed images in his head, to make him have a desire to go to Mars. But during this process he knew so much in so little time that he had to have been there before. I just thought the author brought this short story to life by putting in so much information; it kept me thinking and wondering about what’s going to happen next.
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale
“The trip is very vivid in his mind—at least under sedation. But apparently he doesn’t recall it otherwise. Someone, probably at a government military science lab, erased his conscious memories; all he knew was that going to Mars meant something special to him, and so did being a being secret agent. They couldn’t erase that; it’s not a memory but a desire, undoubtedly the same one that motivated him to volunteer for the assignment in the first place.”(Dick, p359)
I believe that this quote is important because during the process of them placing false memory in to his head the workers at the Rekal incorporations found out that Mr. Quail really did take a trip to Mars but at this point wasn’t sure about why, and who sent him there. I believe that the story became interesting to me at this point because I was unsure about where it was leading. At this point we learn that he actually wasn’t trying to take a trip to Mars but that his memories wasn’t completely erased that sort of placed images in his head, to make him have a desire to go to Mars. But during this process he knew so much in so little time that he had to have been there before. I just thought the author brought this short story to life by putting in so much information; it kept me thinking and wondering about what’s going to happen next.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Open Boat-Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane
The Open Boat
“Look! There’s a man on the shore!”
“Where?”
“There! See ‘im? See ‘im!”
“Yes, sure! He’s walking along.”
“Now he’s stopped. Look! He’s facing us!”
“He’s waving at us!”
“So he is! By thunder!” (Crane, 346)
When reading this dialogue in the story, I found it very interesting to me; one reason being is because I didn’t understand it at first. I didn’t understand why the men didn’t help them and why they were waving instead of trying to help them. They didn’t just see one person they see many people, and they also seen a life boat but no one helped them. They were stuck at sea and no one bothered to see if they were alright, the light house, and house of refuge was useless to them. It was insane how no one actually noticed their situation. I also found it kind of strange how the light house stayed lit and there wasnt anyone in there. I really dont understand the significance of that part of the story. For instance why the author chose to use the light house, and why these people seen them but didnt bother to help them. Other than this dialogue, I wasn’t too fond with the story. It really didn’t grab my attention.
The Open Boat
“Look! There’s a man on the shore!”
“Where?”
“There! See ‘im? See ‘im!”
“Yes, sure! He’s walking along.”
“Now he’s stopped. Look! He’s facing us!”
“He’s waving at us!”
“So he is! By thunder!” (Crane, 346)
When reading this dialogue in the story, I found it very interesting to me; one reason being is because I didn’t understand it at first. I didn’t understand why the men didn’t help them and why they were waving instead of trying to help them. They didn’t just see one person they see many people, and they also seen a life boat but no one helped them. They were stuck at sea and no one bothered to see if they were alright, the light house, and house of refuge was useless to them. It was insane how no one actually noticed their situation. I also found it kind of strange how the light house stayed lit and there wasnt anyone in there. I really dont understand the significance of that part of the story. For instance why the author chose to use the light house, and why these people seen them but didnt bother to help them. Other than this dialogue, I wasn’t too fond with the story. It really didn’t grab my attention.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Kate Chopin-The Story of an Hour
Shawn Bartee
Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour
“And yet she had loved him—sometimes. Often she had not. What did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being! “Free! Body and soul free!” she kept whispering.” (Chopin 268)
When reading this passage the first words that came to my head were freedom, liberty, and oppression. I really felt that something was driving these women to feel so passionate about being free. Someone in her life, someone who she cared for and loved at times, and that person was her husband. I noticed from the passage she said she loved her husband sometimes, and more often that usual. I understand that when you’re in a marriage you go through things that will have you arguing and fighting with your partner. To say that you often had not loved him to me is very interesting, especially the word choice and the order in which she had said it. Than she goes on and say what does it mattered, really it didn’t matter because he was perceived to be dead now. All her fears, her hurt, her pain, her oppressed life style, even her pride to stay with a man who treated her in such away, was all now over. He was gone and wasn’t coming back. This story reminded me very much of the yellow wallpaper and both stories were excellently written. The fact that both women lived with men who controlled their lives was astonishing to me, because these men were the ultimate power and force in the lives of these women. When I read this, I believed that her freedom from the oppressive society is the hour that she is talking about. The hour that she so desperately needed and in that hour she conquered all, she was now free in mind, body, and spirit. The freedom that the woman from the yellow wallpaper was seeking is the same freedom that Louise was long in search for. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that freedom in never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Louise didn’t actually demand it, she just wanted it so bad, and some supernatural force gave her that freedom, before her death. It is remarkable, the hour of freedom.
Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour
“And yet she had loved him—sometimes. Often she had not. What did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being! “Free! Body and soul free!” she kept whispering.” (Chopin 268)
When reading this passage the first words that came to my head were freedom, liberty, and oppression. I really felt that something was driving these women to feel so passionate about being free. Someone in her life, someone who she cared for and loved at times, and that person was her husband. I noticed from the passage she said she loved her husband sometimes, and more often that usual. I understand that when you’re in a marriage you go through things that will have you arguing and fighting with your partner. To say that you often had not loved him to me is very interesting, especially the word choice and the order in which she had said it. Than she goes on and say what does it mattered, really it didn’t matter because he was perceived to be dead now. All her fears, her hurt, her pain, her oppressed life style, even her pride to stay with a man who treated her in such away, was all now over. He was gone and wasn’t coming back. This story reminded me very much of the yellow wallpaper and both stories were excellently written. The fact that both women lived with men who controlled their lives was astonishing to me, because these men were the ultimate power and force in the lives of these women. When I read this, I believed that her freedom from the oppressive society is the hour that she is talking about. The hour that she so desperately needed and in that hour she conquered all, she was now free in mind, body, and spirit. The freedom that the woman from the yellow wallpaper was seeking is the same freedom that Louise was long in search for. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that freedom in never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Louise didn’t actually demand it, she just wanted it so bad, and some supernatural force gave her that freedom, before her death. It is remarkable, the hour of freedom.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Willa Cather- Paul's Case
Shawn Bartee
Will Cather
Paul’s Case
“When the sympathy began, Paul sank into one of the rare seats with a long sigh of relief, and lost himself as he had done a Rico. It was not that symphonies, as such, meant anything in particular to Paul, but the first sight of the instruments seemed to free some hilarious spirit within him; something that struggled there like the Genius in the bottle found by the Arab fisherman. He felt a sudden zest of life; the lights danced before his eyes and the concert hall blazed into unimaginable splendor. When the soprano soloist came on, Paul forgot even the nastiness of his teacher’s being there, and gave himself up to the peculiar intoxication such personages always had to him.” (Cather, 204)
When I read this passage, I felt connected to this boy Paul. At times there are so many things going on in my life that I just want to get away maybe to another world, or to a second life. Sometimes I just listen to music and zone out, or play basketball, or even daydream. There are times in your life when you just feel like you need freedom, like you want to just fly away, and for some people music is there way of satisfaction, for others its reading or writing, or poetry, maybe even a sport. While reading the passage, I felt like I was one with Paul. The description the author used really captured how he was feeling at that time. I really like that passage just because of the way the authored had drawn me into it, how I connected to how, and because I can relate to it. I Paul was passionate about his music and I loved that about this passage. In order to love something, you have to feel some passion about it. I make you feel like nothing else can, you are relaxed and poised, free from all evil, and it just fills you heart with joy. That is how I feel when I play basketball, or write, and that’s what Paul exemplifies in this passage.
Will Cather
Paul’s Case
“When the sympathy began, Paul sank into one of the rare seats with a long sigh of relief, and lost himself as he had done a Rico. It was not that symphonies, as such, meant anything in particular to Paul, but the first sight of the instruments seemed to free some hilarious spirit within him; something that struggled there like the Genius in the bottle found by the Arab fisherman. He felt a sudden zest of life; the lights danced before his eyes and the concert hall blazed into unimaginable splendor. When the soprano soloist came on, Paul forgot even the nastiness of his teacher’s being there, and gave himself up to the peculiar intoxication such personages always had to him.” (Cather, 204)
When I read this passage, I felt connected to this boy Paul. At times there are so many things going on in my life that I just want to get away maybe to another world, or to a second life. Sometimes I just listen to music and zone out, or play basketball, or even daydream. There are times in your life when you just feel like you need freedom, like you want to just fly away, and for some people music is there way of satisfaction, for others its reading or writing, or poetry, maybe even a sport. While reading the passage, I felt like I was one with Paul. The description the author used really captured how he was feeling at that time. I really like that passage just because of the way the authored had drawn me into it, how I connected to how, and because I can relate to it. I Paul was passionate about his music and I loved that about this passage. In order to love something, you have to feel some passion about it. I make you feel like nothing else can, you are relaxed and poised, free from all evil, and it just fills you heart with joy. That is how I feel when I play basketball, or write, and that’s what Paul exemplifies in this passage.
Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)-The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Shawn Bartee
Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
“He was a the curiousest man about always betting on anything that turned up you ever see, if he could get anybody to bet on the other side; and if he couldn’t he’d change sides. Any way that suited that suited the other man would suit him—any way just so’s he got a bet, he was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out the winner. He was always ready and laying for a chance; there couldn’t be no solit’ry thing mentioned but that feller’d to bet on it, and take ary side please, as I was telling you. If there was a horse-race, he’d bet on it; you’d find him flush or you’d find him busted at the end of it; if there was a dog-fight, he’d bet on it;, if there was a cat-fight, he’d bet on it, if there was a chicken fight, he’d bet on it” (Clemens, 273)
This passage was probably one of the most important passages of the short story. It gave us an insight about the character, Jim Smiley. He was a person who loved to bet, he would bet his life away if he wanted. I believe that his betting gave him a sense of freedom, satisfaction, a rush and independence. He would bet whether he would win or lose, he was obsessed. In my eyes, I think betting would eventually cause his demise. His betting is similar to the way we as Americans bet, with the casinos in Las Vegas, and Atlantic City, and now on ESPN they have poker on television. We all have a drive, and determination to win. If we don’t we will just keep trying, never to give up, maybe one day we will get rich, it’s the American dream. “Get rich or die trying”. I also think that the character Jim Smiley can be compared to the characters in “The Other Duel”. They all lived for action, that rush, and free will, whether it is death, or betting, whether it is Nihilistic, or just a search for satisfaction. All the characters would risk all they had for glory. In essence, glory is what they all longed for.
Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
“He was a the curiousest man about always betting on anything that turned up you ever see, if he could get anybody to bet on the other side; and if he couldn’t he’d change sides. Any way that suited that suited the other man would suit him—any way just so’s he got a bet, he was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out the winner. He was always ready and laying for a chance; there couldn’t be no solit’ry thing mentioned but that feller’d to bet on it, and take ary side please, as I was telling you. If there was a horse-race, he’d bet on it; you’d find him flush or you’d find him busted at the end of it; if there was a dog-fight, he’d bet on it;, if there was a cat-fight, he’d bet on it, if there was a chicken fight, he’d bet on it” (Clemens, 273)
This passage was probably one of the most important passages of the short story. It gave us an insight about the character, Jim Smiley. He was a person who loved to bet, he would bet his life away if he wanted. I believe that his betting gave him a sense of freedom, satisfaction, a rush and independence. He would bet whether he would win or lose, he was obsessed. In my eyes, I think betting would eventually cause his demise. His betting is similar to the way we as Americans bet, with the casinos in Las Vegas, and Atlantic City, and now on ESPN they have poker on television. We all have a drive, and determination to win. If we don’t we will just keep trying, never to give up, maybe one day we will get rich, it’s the American dream. “Get rich or die trying”. I also think that the character Jim Smiley can be compared to the characters in “The Other Duel”. They all lived for action, that rush, and free will, whether it is death, or betting, whether it is Nihilistic, or just a search for satisfaction. All the characters would risk all they had for glory. In essence, glory is what they all longed for.
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