Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Journal #26
For the final seen my character is Othello. In this last seen he has become a completely different man than from the noble man we first met. He is set on killing his wife based on the words of another man ans has had this same man kill his friend Cassio. His personality has become deranged and he is often mad at people, especially Desdemona. The jealousy created falsely in him by Iago has totally corrupted him.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Journal #25
One literary technique Shakespeare uses is assonance. All the guys names end with a while all the girls names end with o. This creates a divide between the genders, but at the same time it creates a connection between each character within the certain gender. Another is diction. His choice of words is based upon a completely different time period and is therefore foreign to us. While it may be hard to understand sometimes it seems much more noble and much less vulgar than todays language. A third would be sentence structure. His indented format and run-ons and short sentences are an important part of his works. To me they leave a lot of room for how his speech can be interpreted.
Comment:I aslo wrote about the name endings but I thought that they were more for the separation/connections of characters. I didn't think about the foreign side.
Comment:I aslo wrote about the name endings but I thought that they were more for the separation/connections of characters. I didn't think about the foreign side.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Journal #24
"My lord, this would not be believed in venice,
Though I should swear I saw 't. 'Tis very much.
Make her amends. She weeps."(4.1.270-272.Lodovico)
Lodovico says this right after Othello strikes Desdemona for apparently no reason. He is saying that he would not have believed this could happen if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Lodovico then bades Othello to apologize to Desdemona because he still thinks he is that sort of person, but Othello has changed.
Comment:I agree with you that this is a major turning point in the play. I think that the fact Othello has completely changed as a person and is ready to kill his wife is also a sign that Iago's plan has basically succeeded.
Though I should swear I saw 't. 'Tis very much.
Make her amends. She weeps."(4.1.270-272.Lodovico)
Lodovico says this right after Othello strikes Desdemona for apparently no reason. He is saying that he would not have believed this could happen if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Lodovico then bades Othello to apologize to Desdemona because he still thinks he is that sort of person, but Othello has changed.
Comment:I agree with you that this is a major turning point in the play. I think that the fact Othello has completely changed as a person and is ready to kill his wife is also a sign that Iago's plan has basically succeeded.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Journal #23
For Othello i would cast I would cast Samuel L Jackson (maybe a few years younger) because of his commanding presence and nobility.
"It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!" (2.1.199-200)
"I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
Of my whole course of love..." (1.3.106-107)
For Desdemona I would cast Anne Hathaway for her tranquility and also partly for the fact Shakespeare married a woman with the same name.
"Why do you speak so faintly? Are you not well?" (3.3.325)
"I am very sorry that you are not well" (3.3.333)
For Emilia I would cast Anjelina Jolie for her strength and scheming abilities.
"This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it." (3.3.335-338)
For Iago I would cast christian Bale for his darkness (connected to Batman) and his strength.
"Myself the while to draw the Moor apart
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife." (2.3.407-409)
"I remember a mass of things, but nothing
distinctly" (2.2.307-308)
"It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!" (2.1.199-200)
"I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
Of my whole course of love..." (1.3.106-107)
For Desdemona I would cast Anne Hathaway for her tranquility and also partly for the fact Shakespeare married a woman with the same name.
"Why do you speak so faintly? Are you not well?" (3.3.325)
"I am very sorry that you are not well" (3.3.333)
For Emilia I would cast Anjelina Jolie for her strength and scheming abilities.
"This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it." (3.3.335-338)
For Iago I would cast christian Bale for his darkness (connected to Batman) and his strength.
"Myself the while to draw the Moor apart
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife." (2.3.407-409)
"I remember a mass of things, but nothing
distinctly" (2.2.307-308)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Journal #22
I've been focusing a lot on the character of Iago and I think I will continue with that. his intricate ways of behavior and his thought process is very interesting to me. He's using so many people at once and still finds a way to justify his actions to himself. Yet he is even willing to destroy his own marriage to do likewise to Othello's. I'm waiting for him to slip and make a rash decision under what appears to be over ruling jealousy, but the fact that this is atragedy discounts this theory. It would seem his plan is going to work.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Journal #21
Act Two Scene One really showed me what type of a character Iago is. He's a scheming liar who is constantly using people for his own gain. The thing is he is actually smart though playing on multiple sides at once. I wonder how long he can keep it up without slipping. At this rate though, he seems to have everything worked out so well that he will eventually get what he wants to happen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Journal #20
During the 16th century Venice became one of the most important musical centers of Europe. It was even called the "Republic of Music".In 1604 Othello was first performed in front of James I of England. the first edition of the Bible in Greek was also printed here. Sadly the sixteenth century was the beginning of a long decline for venice.
Comments:
Were the Greeks allies with the Venetians?
Is Moor a degrading term then?
I did not know that Julius Ceasar had epilepsy.
What do you mean by American?
Comments:
Were the Greeks allies with the Venetians?
Is Moor a degrading term then?
I did not know that Julius Ceasar had epilepsy.
What do you mean by American?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Journal #19
Today's reading of Othello was actually a lot easier than I would have expected. I read the brief summary at the beginning of the scene and after that only had to glance at a few definitions to understand the meaning iof the scene.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Paragraph for report
“She ain’t got to sell it! I’m gonna sell it! Berniece ain’t got no more rights to that piano than I do.”
Act Two, Scene 4
Page 42 (Blake is working on this one)
In Act Two, Scene 4 of The Piano Lesson, August Wilson uses the conflict between Boy Willie and Berniece to highlight how greed can cause someone to forget about their family history and relations for the sake of self benefit. When Boy Willie and Doaker are arguing about Berniece not wanting to sell the piano, Boy Willie says, “She ain’t got to sell it! I’m gonna sell it! Berniece ain’t got no more rights to that piano than I do” (Act Two, Scene 4, Page 42). Boy Willie’s vision of self profit is keeping him from realizing what that piano means to his family and to Berniece. The piano has been in their family for multiple generations and even has their history physically carved into it. Boy Willie does not care about this though. He believes he has the right to sell it for money to a white man so he can buy Sutter’s land.
Act Two, Scene 4
Page 42 (Blake is working on this one)
In Act Two, Scene 4 of The Piano Lesson, August Wilson uses the conflict between Boy Willie and Berniece to highlight how greed can cause someone to forget about their family history and relations for the sake of self benefit. When Boy Willie and Doaker are arguing about Berniece not wanting to sell the piano, Boy Willie says, “She ain’t got to sell it! I’m gonna sell it! Berniece ain’t got no more rights to that piano than I do” (Act Two, Scene 4, Page 42). Boy Willie’s vision of self profit is keeping him from realizing what that piano means to his family and to Berniece. The piano has been in their family for multiple generations and even has their history physically carved into it. Boy Willie does not care about this though. He believes he has the right to sell it for money to a white man so he can buy Sutter’s land.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Journal #18
I think that Act Two, Scene Three really showed how long ago this play is set. Boy Willie seems to believe that women are just objects put on Earth for his own amusement. While Lymon seems to have more respect for them he is still talking about them like objects to Berniece. It also seems like he doesn't think their opinions matter because he says Berniece should marry Avery just since he's nice. And after standing there and listen to Lymon talk about getting girls she kisses him which was kind of confusing.
Comment:Well she is definitely involved with Lymon now but i'm not sure she was really involved with Avery. It just seems like everyone expects her to marry him so she has someone to support her which she doesn't need.
Comment:Well she is definitely involved with Lymon now but i'm not sure she was really involved with Avery. It just seems like everyone expects her to marry him so she has someone to support her which she doesn't need.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Journal #18
In act 2 Scene 2 I was kind of wondering what Avery is doing. He wants to marry Berniece, but he's not being romantic or anything he's just telling her she needs him, to move on from her dead husband, and quoting the Bible. This just struck me as odd. I also thought that Berniece seems very persistent in keeping the Piano but not using it ever. I wonder if they will end up taking it and selling it?
Comment:Wasn't Crawley Berniece's husband? and I'm not so sure she will end up marrying him she doesn't seem to like him so much.
Comment:Wasn't Crawley Berniece's husband? and I'm not so sure she will end up marrying him she doesn't seem to like him so much.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Journal #17
Something that surprised me in today's reading was how fast the watermelons sold. Judging by the rascism that is evident so far I wouldn't have thought that the white people in the neighborhood wouldn't have wanted to buy from people of a different color. But apparently Boy Willie could even raise the price. I also realized how cheap Wining Boy was when he kept asking his brother for money and when he agreed to give him some he asked more more.
Comment: I agree that Wining Boy cheating Lymon is important. It enhanced my idea of both the characters as well.
Comment: I agree that Wining Boy cheating Lymon is important. It enhanced my idea of both the characters as well.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Journal #16
In this session of reading we finally found out what the ghosts of the yellow dog were which I found very interesting. The man and hobos being locked in a train car and burned to death would be a horrible way to die and I guess it makes sense that people would think their ghosts are exacting revenge on peope. We also found out where the piano came from which is a major part o the story.
Comment: I agree with how the pace is a lot faster than it was in Cry and that it makes it a more interesting read. Im not so sure how I like the play format though.
Comment: I agree with how the pace is a lot faster than it was in Cry and that it makes it a more interesting read. Im not so sure how I like the play format though.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Journal #15
Today's reading of The Piano Lesson was a little odd. There was lots of whiskey drinking and singing in this part. It always kind of annoys me when I see song lyrics in a book with no way to know what the melody is. It may not be realsitic, but it is just a pet peeve of mine. We met Wining Boy who was apparently a traveling piano man, but grew to hate it. It would seem that he understands that he has grown out of style which I find interesting though.
On Berit's post: I agree that they are rather rude to eachother. It seems like none of them really like eachother or at least that Dokaer doesn't. And I like the connection to the other books we have read about how some characters are less important.
On Berit's post: I agree that they are rather rude to eachother. It seems like none of them really like eachother or at least that Dokaer doesn't. And I like the connection to the other books we have read about how some characters are less important.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Journal #14
The Piano Lesson is definitely a more entertaining read so far. There are more characters that do more things, already accusations of theft and murder and things like that. There was a little mention of music, but not really that much. The role of the piano is coming into play now though even though it is just for it's monetary value.
I commented on Tylor Knutson's blog: I had not though about the railroad as being a parallel to Dokaer's life, but now that I have read this it makes sense. And I also agree with how he seems to be the most reasonalbe level headed character so far.
I commented on Tylor Knutson's blog: I had not though about the railroad as being a parallel to Dokaer's life, but now that I have read this it makes sense. And I also agree with how he seems to be the most reasonalbe level headed character so far.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Journal #13
The Piano Lesson aty first seemed like it would be more compelling because of the musical attribute the title implies. Although there isn't any so far I am hoping for some later on. I have to say that some of the language is a turn off since it is so innapropriate for our times although I understand it was in theirs. Of the story that we have read so far I am most intrigued by the woman who husband has apparently died. I want to know more about what happend.
I posted on James Dolan's Blog:
I posted on James Dolan's Blog:
I also thought this book would be interesting because of the musical aspect. The language is innapropriate in current times though and is somewhat of a turnoff.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Journal #12
One of the things I tabbed was the reference to the red blood of the earth. I think that this is like the end of one thing and a new beginning for others. The storm seems to have connected to the hanging of Kumalo's son. He will be killed and his blood spilled and the skies finally open up and the blood of the earth runs red.
I aslo tabbed, "They say he's going quuer. From what I've heard, he soon won't have any money left"(277). From what I have read jarvis has taken up the work of his son. The other white men don't seem to understand this but i think it's a good idea. It will help him connect to who his son was and help him learn how he lived.
I aslo tabbed, "They say he's going quuer. From what I've heard, he soon won't have any money left"(277). From what I have read jarvis has taken up the work of his son. The other white men don't seem to understand this but i think it's a good idea. It will help him connect to who his son was and help him learn how he lived.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Journal #11
In Cry, The Beloved Country the land parallels the Jumalo family. It is breaking as their family breaks down along side it. One example of how they parallel is when Umfundisi goes to Johannesburg to find his sister he enters a completely strange land. When he finds his sister he also finds a woman completely strange and different to him. As the family gets worse so does the land. When Kumalo returns home after his son is sentenced to death he finds the land has dried up. The stream runs empty and the crops are dying so soon their will be nothing to eat or drink.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Journal #10
One person is Molly Barker. She founded a group called Girls on the Run (GOTR) with a mission to show young girls how to live a life full of healthy living and self respect. It engages about 45,000 girls a year.
Robert P. Moses played a pivotal role in the civil rights movemtn and is now fighting for equal education for all students. He launched the Algebra Project to spread math literacy to minority students.
David Anderson created Safe Families for Children as a voluntary alternative to the child welfare sytem. It temporarily places children with loving families while parents can deal with unemploymetn, violence, rahabilitation, or incarceration.
Robert P. Moses played a pivotal role in the civil rights movemtn and is now fighting for equal education for all students. He launched the Algebra Project to spread math literacy to minority students.
David Anderson created Safe Families for Children as a voluntary alternative to the child welfare sytem. It temporarily places children with loving families while parents can deal with unemploymetn, violence, rahabilitation, or incarceration.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Journal #9
For this entry I chose to focus on Kumalo's nephew who has no name, but was mentioned seven times in chapter thirty as the little boy. The boy is almost used as a physical sense of the trouble in Johannesburg, especially with Kumalo's sister. She had him as a prostitute and a liquor lady and when Kumalo found them they were living in squalor. I think not giving him a name has the effect of making the boy a blank slate. He doesn't know the sins of his parents and now has a fresh start out in the country with his uncle. Now that his mom is gone he has nothing left to tie him back to that life, not even a name. This is a good idea because it shows that their is hope for the future.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Journal #8
I think putting a "book" within a book is an interesting literary element. It gives the effect of a new story while continuing the original one. In Alan Paton's case he even begins the two stories the same. What i like about it is that instead of a completely new story , the main character is entwined with Kumalo from the original story. For me this makes the book more interesting because it gives you something to think about and connect what you're reading to.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Journal #6
An image that has been repeated throughout the book so far is prostitution. I think the author chose this to show the sexism and status of women in the current culture of the black community. A phrase that's constantly repeated is that no one comes back from Johannesburg. This just shows how dangerous and forlorn the outlook is for these people. Something else that seems to repeat a lot is the fact that young black boys are killing old white women. Im not sure if this a one sided comment or if it actually happens all the time, but either way this is not good. It means a generation is growing up murderers and thugs.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Journal #5
In Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton characterizes the females and males very differently. The men are the ones who make decisions and hold positions of at least some importance and can run their own businesses. The women, on the other hand are the gentle ones in the background serving tea and it seems the only jobs they can really hold are prostitute and liquor maker. This to me seems very important because it shows the order in their society and the sexism involved.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Journal #4
I think an important part of the characterization is when the narrator says, "But though Stephen Kumalo has been there a full hour before he need, he does not listen to these things"(42). This shows that he takes things very serious especially with his time since he arrived so early.
When they describe Johannesburg they say it, "is a great city, with so many streets they say that a man can spend his days going up and down another, and never the same one twice"(42). This explains what a big difference there is between the place stephen is traveling and the place he is leaving.
The language used sets a distinct tone for me. The author uses words like, cripple, cold, gloomy, mystery, fascination, and glimpse. It makes the book seem rather dark and mysterious so far.
and the narrative seems to follow Stephen Kumalo very closely. It is always describing what he is doing or feeling at the moment.
When they describe Johannesburg they say it, "is a great city, with so many streets they say that a man can spend his days going up and down another, and never the same one twice"(42). This explains what a big difference there is between the place stephen is traveling and the place he is leaving.
The language used sets a distinct tone for me. The author uses words like, cripple, cold, gloomy, mystery, fascination, and glimpse. It makes the book seem rather dark and mysterious so far.
and the narrative seems to follow Stephen Kumalo very closely. It is always describing what he is doing or feeling at the moment.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Journal #3
Theme is an important part of every story. For The Lord of the Flies I belive the theme has something to do with corruption. Corruption is internal among human beings and not an external force. When Jack tries to turn everyone to his tribe everyone still had their free will to choose. Ralph still had plenty of food and ample will to lead them. Even when Jack orders people to start killing others no one decides to leave they just go along with it. No one was forced to do anything they were all corrupted from within themselves. When Simon is talking to the Beast it tells him how stupid they were to think they could physically hunt and kill the beast, that it was inside of them. The Beast was the devil inside of them all, some were able to control themselves and suppress it. Others were not as was obvious in the example of Jack.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Journal #2
If William Golding had introduced girls onto the island as well as boys instead of just boys I think the book would have turned out differently. In the beginning they would have started as one tribe but I think that instead of the boys splitting they would have split off from the girls. Then I belive the boys would have split up as they did originally except that Ralp's side would side with the girls again. Because of this the girls would end up the dominant tribe on the island completely changing the ending.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Journal #1
"He was clambering heavily among the creepers and broken trunks when a bird, a vision of red and yellow, flashed upwards with a witch-like cry, and this cry was echoed by another. 'Hi!' it said. 'Wait a minute!'" (Golding 1).
When William Golding describes the bird as an upwards flash of red and yellow I believe this is an act of foreshadowing. Red and yellow flashing upwards give the image of a fire and fire plays a very important role in the book. They make it for the smoke in case of a boat and when the hunters let it go out it is the beginning of the conflict between Ralph and Jack. At the end of the book the conflict leads into Jack setting the island on fire to kill Ralph which attracts a boat and ultimately gets them rescued. This makes me think that the image of fire is very important in Lord of the Flies.
The author decides to describe the actions of Ralph without giving him a name and the appearance of Piggy without a name either. I think this is an important decision he made because for me it puts more emphasis and importance on what the characters do and who they really are other then just a predetermined name. Jacks's actions also show what his personality is like later on. He's more brash and does things quicker then Piggy who's thoughtfullness and logical thinking is shown by his slow careful actions of coming out of the forrest..
When William Golding describes the bird as an upwards flash of red and yellow I believe this is an act of foreshadowing. Red and yellow flashing upwards give the image of a fire and fire plays a very important role in the book. They make it for the smoke in case of a boat and when the hunters let it go out it is the beginning of the conflict between Ralph and Jack. At the end of the book the conflict leads into Jack setting the island on fire to kill Ralph which attracts a boat and ultimately gets them rescued. This makes me think that the image of fire is very important in Lord of the Flies.
The author decides to describe the actions of Ralph without giving him a name and the appearance of Piggy without a name either. I think this is an important decision he made because for me it puts more emphasis and importance on what the characters do and who they really are other then just a predetermined name. Jacks's actions also show what his personality is like later on. He's more brash and does things quicker then Piggy who's thoughtfullness and logical thinking is shown by his slow careful actions of coming out of the forrest..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)