How does her physical actions - her body language - contribute to the climax and resolution of the play?
"He goes, Andres Mother stands alone holding her white balloon. Her lip trembles. She looks on the verge of breaking down. She is about to let go of the balloon when she pulls it down to her. She looks at it a while before she gently kisses it. She lets go of the balloon. She follows it with her eyes as it rises and rises. The lights are beginning to fade. Andres Mothers eyes are still on the balloon. Blackout." Her body language in that context contributes to the climax and resolution because its showing that she knew she was wrong and now she is finally accepting Andre and Cal.
What significant spectacle is used in the play? What is symbolic of?
The significant spectacle that is used are the balloons. "They represent the soul. When you let go, it means youre letting his soul acend to heaven. That youre willing to let go. Breaking the last earthly ties." This is so symbolic because its saying exactly what they are doing. They are letting go of Andre and setting him free.
Define the theme. What do you believe is the meaning of this play?
The theme of this play is dont wait too late for something. You never know what you had till it was gone. I think the meaning of this play was dont wait too long for something to happen. Andres Mother waited too long to finally accept him and now that he is gone, she does. Now Andre will never know that his mother truly accepted him for who is was and now that he is gone he will never know.
Which character is the protagonist? Which character is the antagonist? How do you know?
The protagonist in this play is Cal and the antagonist was Andre's Mother. This is so because the whole time Cal was trying to explain to the mother that she should have accepted her son and that she would have accepted her son. Meanwhile the Mother was bitter the whole time not accepting her son for who is was til he was gone.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
CAPTURED BY FEMINISTAS and YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? - Rick Najera
1. What genre is each play?
Captured by Feministas - High Comedy
I realized this because there was a Pimp that tried to run things and be all macho but the women were so strong in what they stood for that it was funny to see the pimp still try to be in charge.
You know How to Whistle, Dont You? - Tragic comedy
It was almost as if she was going crazy and it was sad but funny at the same time. At one point she was like oh you can have me but then the next thing said would be like no you cant. She was going back and forth and thats where some humor came from.
2. How does his choice of diction effect your reading of the plays? I was shocked when I found out that the play was actually one person. The whole time when I was reading it I thought it was two people. "Oh my God, you're unmoved. You must be Ameri-can. You have a cold heart. I could warm it". For a second I had to think and be like is did someone else just talk besides the girl.
3. What is the theme for each play? Captured by Feministas is a feminism theme because its showing that women are standing up for what they believe is right. "All men started off as women until their Y chromo-some screwed up. you are mutants, return to your feminine good side. Women are able to communicate. Men are bad". This basically showed how women just need to be respected.
YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? I feel like this play is freedom because all she wants to be is free and Cuba makes her feel like shes stuck in a prison, therefore, she wants to belittle herself. "You can have me for free. I can set you free. You can fuck me for free. Cuba libre. Cuba libre". This basically explains how she just wants to be free from Cuba.
4. Define the antagonist and protagonist in each play.
Captured by Feministas. The antagonist is the guy because he is a pimp, this is because you wouldnt agree with the pimp. Pimps are demeaning to women so that would make him the antagonist. The Protagonist is the women because I totally agreed with everything that they said about what they did and stood for. I liked how they killed the man at the end because there was no change.
YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? The protagonist is the girl because I felt some type of guilt for her. The things she had said were sad and that made me feel sad for her. The antagonist is the government because she wouldnt be sad if Cuba knew how regulate correctly.
5. What is your opinion of each play?
My opinion of Captured by Feministas was that it was a strong and well done play. I liked everything it stood for and how women can stand up for me hence how they killed the pimp.
My opinion of YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? makes me angry because I know that Cuba really is like this. They dictate everything the people in Cuba do and the things they have. I wish that I could go over there and free everyone after reading this.
Captured by Feministas - High Comedy
I realized this because there was a Pimp that tried to run things and be all macho but the women were so strong in what they stood for that it was funny to see the pimp still try to be in charge.
You know How to Whistle, Dont You? - Tragic comedy
It was almost as if she was going crazy and it was sad but funny at the same time. At one point she was like oh you can have me but then the next thing said would be like no you cant. She was going back and forth and thats where some humor came from.
2. How does his choice of diction effect your reading of the plays? I was shocked when I found out that the play was actually one person. The whole time when I was reading it I thought it was two people. "Oh my God, you're unmoved. You must be Ameri-can. You have a cold heart. I could warm it". For a second I had to think and be like is did someone else just talk besides the girl.
3. What is the theme for each play? Captured by Feministas is a feminism theme because its showing that women are standing up for what they believe is right. "All men started off as women until their Y chromo-some screwed up. you are mutants, return to your feminine good side. Women are able to communicate. Men are bad". This basically showed how women just need to be respected.
YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? I feel like this play is freedom because all she wants to be is free and Cuba makes her feel like shes stuck in a prison, therefore, she wants to belittle herself. "You can have me for free. I can set you free. You can fuck me for free. Cuba libre. Cuba libre". This basically explains how she just wants to be free from Cuba.
4. Define the antagonist and protagonist in each play.
Captured by Feministas. The antagonist is the guy because he is a pimp, this is because you wouldnt agree with the pimp. Pimps are demeaning to women so that would make him the antagonist. The Protagonist is the women because I totally agreed with everything that they said about what they did and stood for. I liked how they killed the man at the end because there was no change.
YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? The protagonist is the girl because I felt some type of guilt for her. The things she had said were sad and that made me feel sad for her. The antagonist is the government because she wouldnt be sad if Cuba knew how regulate correctly.
5. What is your opinion of each play?
My opinion of Captured by Feministas was that it was a strong and well done play. I liked everything it stood for and how women can stand up for me hence how they killed the pimp.
My opinion of YOU KNOW HOW TO WHISTLE, DONT YOU? makes me angry because I know that Cuba really is like this. They dictate everything the people in Cuba do and the things they have. I wish that I could go over there and free everyone after reading this.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Hamlet-Act III, Scene 1: Hamlet's famous Soliloquy
1. What do you think Hamlet is saying?
I think that Hamlet is speaking about life and death. Hes basically saying that if people knew what was ahead of them, life after dealth, then a lot of people would be killing themselves.
2. Why is this soliloquy so famous? Can you identify with it?
I feel that this soliloquy is so famous because so many people can relate to it. If we all knew what were in store for us, I can almost be sure that many more people would be trying to kill themselves. I feel this certain way because if people knew they would be happier in their afterlife then a lot of people would be on there way. I personally can identify with the soliloquy but to a certain extent. I believe that even if I knew what were ahead of me and so be it if I were to be happier I still would not kill myself because I love life as it is now. But I do think that if I knew what were ahead of me I wouldnt be as afraid of death!
I think that Hamlet is speaking about life and death. Hes basically saying that if people knew what was ahead of them, life after dealth, then a lot of people would be killing themselves.
2. Why is this soliloquy so famous? Can you identify with it?
I feel that this soliloquy is so famous because so many people can relate to it. If we all knew what were in store for us, I can almost be sure that many more people would be trying to kill themselves. I feel this certain way because if people knew they would be happier in their afterlife then a lot of people would be on there way. I personally can identify with the soliloquy but to a certain extent. I believe that even if I knew what were ahead of me and so be it if I were to be happier I still would not kill myself because I love life as it is now. But I do think that if I knew what were ahead of me I wouldnt be as afraid of death!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
1. What does the term "everyday use" mean in this story? Why did Walker choose this as the title?
Everyday use in this particular story is about Mama and Maggie living a normal life, they didnt have much going to themselves. While the other daughter, Dee was at school trying to do bigger things with her personal life. I would say Walker chose this title because what the main characters did was basically live the same life everyday, basically they lived inside the box although Mama did have dreams for her and her family.
2. How do Dee, Maggie, and Mama define heritage? Whose views does Walker want us to agree with?
I think Mama and Maggie define their heritage the same. This is why they live the way they do, they express their heritage in the way of how they live. What I mean by the way they live is they live in the box, this to me is because thats all they really know and thats how there family has always lived. In which they've learned this through their heritage. As for Dee I feel as if she knows her heritage the same way as her mother and sister do but she wants to move on from the same old and branch off and start something new for herself to live by, and she very well does so. Walker wants us to Agree with Mama and you can see this by the way the story is narrated, through mamas perspective. She wanted us to feel how mama felt and understand why she feels the way she does about everything.
3. What is ironic about Dee's name change to Wangero?
Whats so ironic about the name change from Dee to Wangero is that its almost as if Dee erased her name in order to feel like she was really doing something with her life. But Dee some how realizes that she wants to move on and do better things but she still wants things in the state they were when she left even though she prants around saying how education is important. Thats when the quilts come into play, she wants to keep it in its original state so she has something to remind her of what she came from.
4. How would the story have changed if Mama was not the narrator?
If the story were to be narrated by another character I feel like the story would be more focused on that one person rather then how everything really was and how people really were. The story would be less meaningful and probably wouldnt have much irony to it.
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
What do you think the purpose of "The Lottery" is? Why did Jackson write this fiction piece? What is the theme or message of the story?
I guess you could say the purpose of "The Lottery" is to bring the realistic setting of the story on paper. The story is so realistic but then at the end it throws a cureball will the stoning of Tessie Hutchinson. The reason that Jackson wrote this fiction piece is because it was told in a way to bring people out of their element and thats just what it did. It was proven because people were angered by the story ending. Jackson did exactly what she wanted to do and thats what makes the story that much better. The theme of the story is that reality is a real thing but sometimes reality changes all the time and thats what reality is all about.
1. What does the term "everyday use" mean in this story? Why did Walker choose this as the title?
Everyday use in this particular story is about Mama and Maggie living a normal life, they didnt have much going to themselves. While the other daughter, Dee was at school trying to do bigger things with her personal life. I would say Walker chose this title because what the main characters did was basically live the same life everyday, basically they lived inside the box although Mama did have dreams for her and her family.
2. How do Dee, Maggie, and Mama define heritage? Whose views does Walker want us to agree with?
I think Mama and Maggie define their heritage the same. This is why they live the way they do, they express their heritage in the way of how they live. What I mean by the way they live is they live in the box, this to me is because thats all they really know and thats how there family has always lived. In which they've learned this through their heritage. As for Dee I feel as if she knows her heritage the same way as her mother and sister do but she wants to move on from the same old and branch off and start something new for herself to live by, and she very well does so. Walker wants us to Agree with Mama and you can see this by the way the story is narrated, through mamas perspective. She wanted us to feel how mama felt and understand why she feels the way she does about everything.
3. What is ironic about Dee's name change to Wangero?
Whats so ironic about the name change from Dee to Wangero is that its almost as if Dee erased her name in order to feel like she was really doing something with her life. But Dee some how realizes that she wants to move on and do better things but she still wants things in the state they were when she left even though she prants around saying how education is important. Thats when the quilts come into play, she wants to keep it in its original state so she has something to remind her of what she came from.
4. How would the story have changed if Mama was not the narrator?
If the story were to be narrated by another character I feel like the story would be more focused on that one person rather then how everything really was and how people really were. The story would be less meaningful and probably wouldnt have much irony to it.
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
What do you think the purpose of "The Lottery" is? Why did Jackson write this fiction piece? What is the theme or message of the story?
I guess you could say the purpose of "The Lottery" is to bring the realistic setting of the story on paper. The story is so realistic but then at the end it throws a cureball will the stoning of Tessie Hutchinson. The reason that Jackson wrote this fiction piece is because it was told in a way to bring people out of their element and thats just what it did. It was proven because people were angered by the story ending. Jackson did exactly what she wanted to do and thats what makes the story that much better. The theme of the story is that reality is a real thing but sometimes reality changes all the time and thats what reality is all about.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"The Tell-Tale Heart" and "Araby"
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe (1843)
1. Who are the protagonist and antagonist? How do you know?
The protagonist of "The Tell-Tale Heart" is the narrator of the story. This is shown through the way the story is told, the narrator wants to take the life of the old man and he tells everything he does from his very own perspective. This makes him the leading role of this story, the protagonist. The antagonist of the story is the old man. He is the opponent to the narrator.
2. What is the conflict or struggle that must be resolved?
The conflict that must be resolved is that the narrator wants to end the old mans life. This wasnt because he didnt like the old man, he loved the old man but because of his eye. He had a very pale blue eye with a film like layer over it. Every time the old mans eye laid eyes on the narrator, his blood ran cold and for that he wanted to take his life.
3. Identify the climax. And how, in the climax, is the conflict ultimately resolved?
The climax of the story is when the narrator could not handle it anymore and told the officers what he had done by tearing up the planks to only show what he had done with the old man. Do I think the conflict was ultimately resolved?, No. I feel this way because not only did he take the life of the old man but he could not handle what he had done in his own mind and that was eating him away. Although he thought he was getting rid of the problem he only made it worse by killing the old man and now having to cope with the fact of what he had done.
Araby by James Joyce
1. Trace the text's use of light and dark imagery. Quote the text. When is the only time Joyce uses light imagery in the story? What do these images represent in the story?
The only time Joyce uses light imagery in the story is when he is speaking of his friends sister where he says, "The light from the lamp opposite our door caught the white curve of her neck, lit up her hair that rested there and, falling, lit up the hand upon the railing. It fell over one side of her dress and caught the white border of a petticoat, just visible as she stood at ease." These images represent the detail that he notices about the sister when he sees her. It shows how much he likes her and takes down every little detail about her.
2. Explore Symbolism - What various things might Araby (the Bazarr) represent to the narrator?
Everything that Araby speaks of is followed by detail so the narrator can imagine everything how he sees it. For example when he speaks of the sister as in the previous question. Also when he says for example "The high, cold, empty, gloomy rooms liberated me and I went from room to room singing." He allows the narrator to invision everything exactly how it is or at least how he feels it is.
3. Identify and explore the plot - climax and falling action of the story - why did the narrator's eyes burn "with anguish and anger" at the end? What happens to him? What does he realize? What lesson does he learn?
The narrator's eyes burned "with anguish and anger" at the end was because when he finally got to the Bazzar a lot of the stalls were closed ands dark and he wasnt able to see everything in details as he wished to do so. When he is there a women asks him if he is interested in buying anything and he was not and she acted as if she did not care and just walked away and continued to speak with the two young men as she were doing before. He realizes and learns that not everyone sees and appreciates the details in things as he does and maybe no one ever will.
1. Who are the protagonist and antagonist? How do you know?
The protagonist of "The Tell-Tale Heart" is the narrator of the story. This is shown through the way the story is told, the narrator wants to take the life of the old man and he tells everything he does from his very own perspective. This makes him the leading role of this story, the protagonist. The antagonist of the story is the old man. He is the opponent to the narrator.
2. What is the conflict or struggle that must be resolved?
The conflict that must be resolved is that the narrator wants to end the old mans life. This wasnt because he didnt like the old man, he loved the old man but because of his eye. He had a very pale blue eye with a film like layer over it. Every time the old mans eye laid eyes on the narrator, his blood ran cold and for that he wanted to take his life.
3. Identify the climax. And how, in the climax, is the conflict ultimately resolved?
The climax of the story is when the narrator could not handle it anymore and told the officers what he had done by tearing up the planks to only show what he had done with the old man. Do I think the conflict was ultimately resolved?, No. I feel this way because not only did he take the life of the old man but he could not handle what he had done in his own mind and that was eating him away. Although he thought he was getting rid of the problem he only made it worse by killing the old man and now having to cope with the fact of what he had done.
Araby by James Joyce
1. Trace the text's use of light and dark imagery. Quote the text. When is the only time Joyce uses light imagery in the story? What do these images represent in the story?
The only time Joyce uses light imagery in the story is when he is speaking of his friends sister where he says, "The light from the lamp opposite our door caught the white curve of her neck, lit up her hair that rested there and, falling, lit up the hand upon the railing. It fell over one side of her dress and caught the white border of a petticoat, just visible as she stood at ease." These images represent the detail that he notices about the sister when he sees her. It shows how much he likes her and takes down every little detail about her.
2. Explore Symbolism - What various things might Araby (the Bazarr) represent to the narrator?
Everything that Araby speaks of is followed by detail so the narrator can imagine everything how he sees it. For example when he speaks of the sister as in the previous question. Also when he says for example "The high, cold, empty, gloomy rooms liberated me and I went from room to room singing." He allows the narrator to invision everything exactly how it is or at least how he feels it is.
3. Identify and explore the plot - climax and falling action of the story - why did the narrator's eyes burn "with anguish and anger" at the end? What happens to him? What does he realize? What lesson does he learn?
The narrator's eyes burned "with anguish and anger" at the end was because when he finally got to the Bazzar a lot of the stalls were closed ands dark and he wasnt able to see everything in details as he wished to do so. When he is there a women asks him if he is interested in buying anything and he was not and she acted as if she did not care and just walked away and continued to speak with the two young men as she were doing before. He realizes and learns that not everyone sees and appreciates the details in things as he does and maybe no one ever will.
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