"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and [Edgar's] is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire? (80).
I think this quote about sums up all of Catherine's feeling toward Heathcliff. Since the two grew up together, they formed an inseparable bond and the two became one of the same, according to Catherine. This quote really shows the complexity of their relationship. It's almost like the two are so similar that they are destined to be together, yet that prevents them from being together at the same time. Catherine even goes on to say that she is Heathcliff. She uses a simile to compare her love for Heathcliff as opposed to her love for Edgar--"My love for Linton is like foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary" (82). Basically, her love for Heathcliff is true and everlasting whereas her love for Edgar is not rooted in anything stable like the eternal rocks.
My feelings for this book can be described as indifferent. It was slow to start off but it eventually somewhat picked up. The language was sometimes too descriptive and it was tiresome to read but overall, the book was decent. It was still really annoying how they called one character by about 5 different names: ie Catherine-aka Catherine Linton, Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff, Mrs. Linton, Mrs. Earnshaw. Super confusing. Definitely haven't read a book quite like this one.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wuthering Heights: Social Class
"Will you give up Heathcliff hereafter, or will you give up me? It is impossible for you to be my friend and his at the same time; and I absolutely require to know which you choose" (117).
A theme that is prevalent throughout the novel is social class and how it affects relationships. The Lintons are of higher social class than the Earnshaws. As a result, Catherine Earnshaw longed to be of superior ranking as opposed to her middle-class ordinary life. This motivated her to marry Edgar-because she wanted to be looked up to in higher regards. Heathcliff is obviously of lower social class and this is what causes him to be cast down upon and treated as an inferior. The difference of social class is what creates conflict between many of the characters. It creates conflict between Hindley and Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel, because Hindley doesn't favor having an orphan as his sibling. But mainly it causes conflict between Heathcliff/Isabella and Edgar/Catherine because they are marrying out of completely different social classes. Moral of the story: Don't marry for riches.
Also the setting of the two houses define the social class too. Wuthering Heights is characterized as gloomy, depressing, dark, and earthy which puts it under the category of lower to middle class. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as cleaner with more servants and a more pleasant atmosphere and it gives off a higher class feel.
A theme that is prevalent throughout the novel is social class and how it affects relationships. The Lintons are of higher social class than the Earnshaws. As a result, Catherine Earnshaw longed to be of superior ranking as opposed to her middle-class ordinary life. This motivated her to marry Edgar-because she wanted to be looked up to in higher regards. Heathcliff is obviously of lower social class and this is what causes him to be cast down upon and treated as an inferior. The difference of social class is what creates conflict between many of the characters. It creates conflict between Hindley and Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel, because Hindley doesn't favor having an orphan as his sibling. But mainly it causes conflict between Heathcliff/Isabella and Edgar/Catherine because they are marrying out of completely different social classes. Moral of the story: Don't marry for riches.
Also the setting of the two houses define the social class too. Wuthering Heights is characterized as gloomy, depressing, dark, and earthy which puts it under the category of lower to middle class. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as cleaner with more servants and a more pleasant atmosphere and it gives off a higher class feel.
Wuthering Heights: Downfalls
"He says he has married me on purpose to obtain power over him; said he sha'n't obtain it-I'll die first! I just hope, I pray, that he may forget his diabolical prudence and kill me! The single pleasure I can imagine is to die, or to see him dead!" (151).
An emerging theme seems to be madness. These people are all affected by the sudden relationships and Isabella is one of them. She marries Heathcliff, thinking he's a charming young man, (right..) but Heathcliff really only uses her as a tool of revenge. The above quote shows Heathcliff's effect on Isabella. Basically, Heathcliff has ruined Isabella's life and she admits that she would prefer death over life. However, Isabella is partly to blame because she was rather naive going into the marriage and she barely knew Heathcliff anyway. At this point, it is obvious that Heathcliff's hubris is his longing for revenge. He's one of those characters that will not rest until he has sought some means of vengeance. Just like Iago, he doesn't mind if he breaks a few hearts along the way. This characterizes Heathcliff is a rather negative way and it causes the reader to view him as cruel and unforgiving. However, we know that beneath all of that need for vengeance lies a good intention: to win back his love Catherine. Aww. If only he would show that side more often.
An emerging theme seems to be madness. These people are all affected by the sudden relationships and Isabella is one of them. She marries Heathcliff, thinking he's a charming young man, (right..) but Heathcliff really only uses her as a tool of revenge. The above quote shows Heathcliff's effect on Isabella. Basically, Heathcliff has ruined Isabella's life and she admits that she would prefer death over life. However, Isabella is partly to blame because she was rather naive going into the marriage and she barely knew Heathcliff anyway. At this point, it is obvious that Heathcliff's hubris is his longing for revenge. He's one of those characters that will not rest until he has sought some means of vengeance. Just like Iago, he doesn't mind if he breaks a few hearts along the way. This characterizes Heathcliff is a rather negative way and it causes the reader to view him as cruel and unforgiving. However, we know that beneath all of that need for vengeance lies a good intention: to win back his love Catherine. Aww. If only he would show that side more often.
Wuthering Heights: Heathcliff
"Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil?" (135).
So last blog I mentioned that Catherine was a little crazy. This blog I will talk about how Heathcliff is also crazy. This just proves that the two are meant for each other. Anyway, Isabella is writing this letter to Nelly talking about how horrified she is living with Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights. Isabella is wondering what she has gotten herself into with her marriage with Heathcliff, considering she suspects that he is a devil. Basically, most of the characters in the novel regard Heathcliff negatively. There are many reasons for this. Number one, Heathcliff's upbringing caused him to be an extremely bitter person. He was always cast aside as the unwanted adopted sibling and he never was appreciated except by Catherine. Secondly, Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine only to have his heart broken by her when she chose Edgar over him. This causes Heathcliff to basically go insane and seek vengeance in whatever way to somehow win Catherine back or at least make her jealous. All of the situations that Heathcliff have been placed in have only further aggravated his temper and he acts rather irrationally most of the time, therefore not many people seem to be on his side.
Sometimes I feel sympathetic for Heathcliff because he says things like "Existence, after losing her, would be hell" (148). That is the nicest thing Heathcliff has said about Catherine in awhile. But then again Heathcliff reminds me of Iago in Othello and then I don't feel so sorry for him. This novel is a good example of how jealousy can be a source of motivation and something that drives the action. The saying, "love makes you do crazy things" applies pretty well to this novel.
So last blog I mentioned that Catherine was a little crazy. This blog I will talk about how Heathcliff is also crazy. This just proves that the two are meant for each other. Anyway, Isabella is writing this letter to Nelly talking about how horrified she is living with Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights. Isabella is wondering what she has gotten herself into with her marriage with Heathcliff, considering she suspects that he is a devil. Basically, most of the characters in the novel regard Heathcliff negatively. There are many reasons for this. Number one, Heathcliff's upbringing caused him to be an extremely bitter person. He was always cast aside as the unwanted adopted sibling and he never was appreciated except by Catherine. Secondly, Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine only to have his heart broken by her when she chose Edgar over him. This causes Heathcliff to basically go insane and seek vengeance in whatever way to somehow win Catherine back or at least make her jealous. All of the situations that Heathcliff have been placed in have only further aggravated his temper and he acts rather irrationally most of the time, therefore not many people seem to be on his side.
Sometimes I feel sympathetic for Heathcliff because he says things like "Existence, after losing her, would be hell" (148). That is the nicest thing Heathcliff has said about Catherine in awhile. But then again Heathcliff reminds me of Iago in Othello and then I don't feel so sorry for him. This novel is a good example of how jealousy can be a source of motivation and something that drives the action. The saying, "love makes you do crazy things" applies pretty well to this novel.
Wuthering Heights: Crazy Characters
"I'll inform you Catherine Linton is different now from your old friend Catherine Earnshaw, as that young lady is different from me. Her appearance is changed greatly, her character much more so; and the person who is compelled of necessity, to be her companion will only sustain his affection hereafter by the remembrance of what she once was, by common humanity, and a sense of duty!" pg. 147
At this point in the book, I've deemed Catherine as a dynamic character because of the way she changes throughout the novel. As a child she is curious, loving, and imaginative. As time wears on and she marries Edgar, she becomes mad and her character is more self-pitying and she complains about everything. The reason for Catherine's extreme shift if character is due to her being pulled in different directions. She marries Edgar even though she doesn't truly love him but she always seems to love Heathcliff even though she spends much of her time yelling at him. Heathcliff and Catherine are one of those people that have a love-hate relationship. It's kinda annoying how they love each other yet their relationship centers around making the other one jealous. Catherine marries Edgar--Heathcliff gets jealous--Heathcliff marries Isabella as payback. It's all a vicious cycle really. All of the characters in this book are crazy though, really. It's a bit ironic that it's a love story when half of the time the couples are fighting amongst themselves.
At this point in the book, I've deemed Catherine as a dynamic character because of the way she changes throughout the novel. As a child she is curious, loving, and imaginative. As time wears on and she marries Edgar, she becomes mad and her character is more self-pitying and she complains about everything. The reason for Catherine's extreme shift if character is due to her being pulled in different directions. She marries Edgar even though she doesn't truly love him but she always seems to love Heathcliff even though she spends much of her time yelling at him. Heathcliff and Catherine are one of those people that have a love-hate relationship. It's kinda annoying how they love each other yet their relationship centers around making the other one jealous. Catherine marries Edgar--Heathcliff gets jealous--Heathcliff marries Isabella as payback. It's all a vicious cycle really. All of the characters in this book are crazy though, really. It's a bit ironic that it's a love story when half of the time the couples are fighting amongst themselves.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wuthering Heights: Heathcliff's Bad Luck
"Proud people breed sorrow for themselves" (56).
I feel like this quote is significant. Mrs. Dean says this in response to Heathcliff's sad state of depression that Catherine has developed an interest for Edgar. I think that Mrs. Dean is trying to tell Heathcliff that he should not pity himself and instead talk to Catherine again. She even says "A good heart will help you to a bonny face, my lad" (57). Mrs. Dean does give Heathcliff a lot of advice concerning their relationship. I do feel some sympathy toward Heathcliff because it wasn't his fault that he slipped away from Catherine. The two were going over to the Linton's to eavesdrop and have fun yet it ended up in Catherine being attacked by a dog. It was a little odd that she was at the Linton household so long for the injury and that caused her to start to like Edgar. So really Heathcliff just got landed in a bunch of bad luck. I mean at this point, he's hated by Hindley, his relationship with Catherine isn't the same, and Mrs. Dean is the only person he has that seems to tolerate him.
Also, it appears that Mrs. Dean has dominated practically all of the narration. Mr. Lockwood doesn't really have much comment throughout but he does urge her to continue the story because he is so interested. I can't quite understand why Mr. Lockwood would be so enthralled by the love story of two young people though, considering the story is rather slow and really descriptive without a lot of actual action.
Wuthering Heights: Characterization
"I only wish I knew the best way! Let me alone, and I'll plan it out: while I'm thinking of that I don't feel pain" (61).
Since Hindley had Heathcliff locked up and away from all the fun, Heathcliff wants to seek vengeance on Hindley. I feel like the novel is going to be a lot of Heathcliff and Hindley wanting revenge on one another. Hindley wants revenge because Heathcliff has invaded his life and Heathcliff wants revenge because of the way that Hindley shuns him from the rest of the family like he does not belong. This is one of those families where no one is ever actually happy and there's always some argument over something it seems like.
Anyway, Mrs. Dean seems to be the one that Heathcliff confides in much of the time. He initially told her about his jealousy of Edgar and now he is telling her about how he plans to seek vengeance on Hindley. Mrs. Dean serves as a person of advice but I can't help but feel like she contradicts herself. When Heathcliff tells her that he just wants to "pay Hindley back" Mrs. Dean immediately is appalled and tells him "It is for God to punish wicked people; we should learn to forgive" (60-61).
When Mrs. Dean was describing the first meeting of Heathcliff she even claimed that she hated him the same as Hindley did. Yet in this moment she is looking out for him and warning him against what he plans to do. If she hates him why does she care? These characters are all complicated to me at this point.
Since Hindley had Heathcliff locked up and away from all the fun, Heathcliff wants to seek vengeance on Hindley. I feel like the novel is going to be a lot of Heathcliff and Hindley wanting revenge on one another. Hindley wants revenge because Heathcliff has invaded his life and Heathcliff wants revenge because of the way that Hindley shuns him from the rest of the family like he does not belong. This is one of those families where no one is ever actually happy and there's always some argument over something it seems like.
Anyway, Mrs. Dean seems to be the one that Heathcliff confides in much of the time. He initially told her about his jealousy of Edgar and now he is telling her about how he plans to seek vengeance on Hindley. Mrs. Dean serves as a person of advice but I can't help but feel like she contradicts herself. When Heathcliff tells her that he just wants to "pay Hindley back" Mrs. Dean immediately is appalled and tells him "It is for God to punish wicked people; we should learn to forgive" (60-61).
When Mrs. Dean was describing the first meeting of Heathcliff she even claimed that she hated him the same as Hindley did. Yet in this moment she is looking out for him and warning him against what he plans to do. If she hates him why does she care? These characters are all complicated to me at this point.
Wuthering Heights: Love Story
"She was much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him: yet she got chided more than any of us on his account" (42).
I'm starting to see why this book is classified as a love story. So while Hindley hates his new sibling Heathcliff, Catherine ends up falling in love with him. I find this creepy because technically Heathcliff is her adopted sibling and she's obsessed with him so it's a little bit weird. Nonetheless, Heathcliff also seems to feel the same way toward Catherine. However, once Catherine is held at Thrushcross Grange, she meets Edgar Linton, and she starts to like him as well. Heathcliff finds out about Edgar and he is jealous. He says to Mrs. Dean, "If I knocked him down twenty times, that wouldn't make him less handsome or me more so. I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed and behaved as well and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!" (56) Edgar is rich and good-looking so naturally Heathcliff feels like he could never compare. And now that Catherine seems to like both Edgar and Heathcliff there will be conflict between these people as well. There seems to be a love triangle going on.
I'm starting to see why this book is classified as a love story. So while Hindley hates his new sibling Heathcliff, Catherine ends up falling in love with him. I find this creepy because technically Heathcliff is her adopted sibling and she's obsessed with him so it's a little bit weird. Nonetheless, Heathcliff also seems to feel the same way toward Catherine. However, once Catherine is held at Thrushcross Grange, she meets Edgar Linton, and she starts to like him as well. Heathcliff finds out about Edgar and he is jealous. He says to Mrs. Dean, "If I knocked him down twenty times, that wouldn't make him less handsome or me more so. I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed and behaved as well and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!" (56) Edgar is rich and good-looking so naturally Heathcliff feels like he could never compare. And now that Catherine seems to like both Edgar and Heathcliff there will be conflict between these people as well. There seems to be a love triangle going on.
Wuthering Heights: Conflict
"Miss Cathy and he were now very thick; but Hindley hated him: and to say the truth I did the same; and we plauged and went on with him shamefully: for I wasn't reasonable enough to feel my unjustice, and the mistress never put in a word on his behalf when she saw him wronged" (38).
From the moment that Hindley meets his new adopted brother Heathcliff, he hates him. I think it's partially due to the fact that everyone turns their attention toward Heathcliff and forgets about Hindley. No one seems to take Hindley's side except for his mother and when she dies he is left to fend for himself. However, after the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Hindley seems to sort of regain power. When he returns from school with his wife, he still condemns Heathcliff and acts like he is an animal with no heart. At this point all I can think about is the Lion King because I'm pretty sure the relationship is similar to Scar and Mufasa. Basically, Hindley is like Scar because he is jealous of Heathcliff (Musfasa) and he wants to be the king/owner of the estate. I predict that Hindley will seek revenge on Heathcliff at some point in the novel. As for now, I think the two are foils of one another just like Mufasa and Scar. Except for at this point, I can't decide if I consider Heathcliff to be "the good guy."
From the moment that Hindley meets his new adopted brother Heathcliff, he hates him. I think it's partially due to the fact that everyone turns their attention toward Heathcliff and forgets about Hindley. No one seems to take Hindley's side except for his mother and when she dies he is left to fend for himself. However, after the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Hindley seems to sort of regain power. When he returns from school with his wife, he still condemns Heathcliff and acts like he is an animal with no heart. At this point all I can think about is the Lion King because I'm pretty sure the relationship is similar to Scar and Mufasa. Basically, Hindley is like Scar because he is jealous of Heathcliff (Musfasa) and he wants to be the king/owner of the estate. I predict that Hindley will seek revenge on Heathcliff at some point in the novel. As for now, I think the two are foils of one another just like Mufasa and Scar. Except for at this point, I can't decide if I consider Heathcliff to be "the good guy."
Wuthering Heights: Frame Story
"I desired Mrs. Dean, when she brought in supper, to sit down while I ate it; hoping sincerely she would prove a regular gossip, and either rouse me to animation or lull me to sleep by her talk" (33).
Just like Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights is a story within a story or a frame story. The story introduces Mr. Lockwood as the first narrator. He describes his first visit to Wuthering Heights and he develops an interest in the estate's past and asks Mrs. Dean of how the place has changed over the years. The narration then switches to Mrs. Dean's perspective and she begins to describe the history of the estate and all of the main characters are introduced. The switch in narration is helpful because it connects the past and the present. Mr. Lockwood is in the present trying to figure out what may have occurred in the past to make the current dwellers of Wuthering Heights to be so stubborn and depressed, so Mrs. Dean provides the past information that has caused the characters to be shaped in such a way. She goes into detail about all of the children and parents and there is a lot of names and it was hard to follow at some points, but the book mainly centers around Heathcliff and Catherine.
Just like Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights is a story within a story or a frame story. The story introduces Mr. Lockwood as the first narrator. He describes his first visit to Wuthering Heights and he develops an interest in the estate's past and asks Mrs. Dean of how the place has changed over the years. The narration then switches to Mrs. Dean's perspective and she begins to describe the history of the estate and all of the main characters are introduced. The switch in narration is helpful because it connects the past and the present. Mr. Lockwood is in the present trying to figure out what may have occurred in the past to make the current dwellers of Wuthering Heights to be so stubborn and depressed, so Mrs. Dean provides the past information that has caused the characters to be shaped in such a way. She goes into detail about all of the children and parents and there is a lot of names and it was hard to follow at some points, but the book mainly centers around Heathcliff and Catherine.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Foreshadowing
"but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night" (123).
The above quote provides some foreshadowing as to who the creature's next target is. Somehow the creature has discovered Victor's intentions of marrying Elizabeth and he therefore plans to kill Elizabeth. I felt sympathetic toward the creature earlier in the novel, but at this point I find it unnecessary for him to keep killing off all of Victor's friends. I feel like both Victor and the creature are at fault. Victor is responsible for the way that the creature acts because he simply failed to care for the creature and satisfy its needs-This led the creature to betray him and seek vengeance upon him. However, the creature is also at fault. He destroyed Victor's life basically. All that Victor once had- a loving father, wife, little brother, happiness, and sane thoughts, were ruined by the existence of the creature. The creature knows what it's like to feel rejected and sad, yet he feels the need to inflict such feelings on his own creator. It's a vicious cycle. Since the creature destroyed Victor's life he felt it necessary to warn Walton against the dangers of pursuing knowledge. He doesn't want any other human to go through what happened to him. The creature was unstoppable and this novel serves as a cautionary tale: Don't create life out of inanimate matter because it will do more harm than good.
The above quote provides some foreshadowing as to who the creature's next target is. Somehow the creature has discovered Victor's intentions of marrying Elizabeth and he therefore plans to kill Elizabeth. I felt sympathetic toward the creature earlier in the novel, but at this point I find it unnecessary for him to keep killing off all of Victor's friends. I feel like both Victor and the creature are at fault. Victor is responsible for the way that the creature acts because he simply failed to care for the creature and satisfy its needs-This led the creature to betray him and seek vengeance upon him. However, the creature is also at fault. He destroyed Victor's life basically. All that Victor once had- a loving father, wife, little brother, happiness, and sane thoughts, were ruined by the existence of the creature. The creature knows what it's like to feel rejected and sad, yet he feels the need to inflict such feelings on his own creator. It's a vicious cycle. Since the creature destroyed Victor's life he felt it necessary to warn Walton against the dangers of pursuing knowledge. He doesn't want any other human to go through what happened to him. The creature was unstoppable and this novel serves as a cautionary tale: Don't create life out of inanimate matter because it will do more harm than good.
Deja Vu
"I left the room, and, locking the door, made a solemn vow in my own heart never to resume my labours; and then, with trembling steps, I sought my own apartment. I was alone; none were near me to dissipate the gloom, and relieve me from the sickening oppression of the most terrible reveries" (121).
There are many times in Frankenstein where current events parallel past events. When Victor works to create another creature as a mate for the monster, he experiences deja vu. Upon realizing that creating yet another creature would only result in further destruction rather than it being beneficial, he destroys it. His reaction to the destruction mirrors the creation of the first creature. When he created the first creature, he had a horrified reaction and he ran away from it. Similarly, the second time around, he sought solitude and an overwhelming feeling of despair and regret came upon him.
Another example of the way past events seem to reoccur is when the creature reappears throughout the novel. Whenever the creature appears, there always seems to be a comment about his "gigantic stature" (163). The purpose of this is to emphasize the creature's horrific appearance, lest the audience forget. It also shows that his appearance is the cause of people's initial reaction. Whenever Victor sees the creature, he is angry and bitter. Whenever other humans view the creature, they feel threatened and they either run away or try to protect themselves.
The death scenes seem to parallel one another too because it always involves Victor examining the spot where the creature strangled the victim-"the murderous mark of the fiend's grasp was on her neck" (145). After each death, Victor becomes more enraged at the creature and he is moved to end his existence.
There are many times in Frankenstein where current events parallel past events. When Victor works to create another creature as a mate for the monster, he experiences deja vu. Upon realizing that creating yet another creature would only result in further destruction rather than it being beneficial, he destroys it. His reaction to the destruction mirrors the creation of the first creature. When he created the first creature, he had a horrified reaction and he ran away from it. Similarly, the second time around, he sought solitude and an overwhelming feeling of despair and regret came upon him.
Another example of the way past events seem to reoccur is when the creature reappears throughout the novel. Whenever the creature appears, there always seems to be a comment about his "gigantic stature" (163). The purpose of this is to emphasize the creature's horrific appearance, lest the audience forget. It also shows that his appearance is the cause of people's initial reaction. Whenever Victor sees the creature, he is angry and bitter. Whenever other humans view the creature, they feel threatened and they either run away or try to protect themselves.
The death scenes seem to parallel one another too because it always involves Victor examining the spot where the creature strangled the victim-"the murderous mark of the fiend's grasp was on her neck" (145). After each death, Victor becomes more enraged at the creature and he is moved to end his existence.
Creature's Actions
"The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had entertained but a few moments before, gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind" (101).
As I stated two blogs back, there is much evidence that the creature has real emotions (positive ones) regarding the human race. However, his view of humans is drastically altered due to a number of events. In the beginning, humans fascinated him and he longed to belong with them and have some kind of companion. He often felt whatever emotions the De Lacey family felt because he sensed a connection with them. Unfortunately, after being shunned and beat with a stick by humans, he regarded them differently. He lost hope for one day befriending them. Many situations contribute to his changed outlook toward humans. First example: The villagers run away at the sight of the creature. Next, the De Lacey family also judges him by his looks--Agatha faints, Safie runs away, and Felix beats the creature out of self defense. Finally, after being the outcast in all these situations, he is shot by a human for saving the life of the girl that fell into the stream. The creature, with intentions to save the girl's life, was mistaken as a threat to the girl. The creature's trust in humans quickly declined and therefore he decided to vow eternal hatred and vengeance to mankind. The prejudices against him explain why he murdered Victor's companions. (Also due to the fact that Victor refused to take time to nurture him properly) For example, his first murder, William, he even seemed to give mankind one last chance. William was a child and he thought he would be pure, innocent, and clean of prejudice. However, even the small child was afraid of the creature's appearance and he struggled and screamed at his grasp. Upon discovering he was Frankenstein's son, he made his first move of vengeance on mankind and killed the child. And as if his hatred for humans could not get worse, Victor destroys his only possible companion. His hatred grows and the creature kills of the rest of Victor's friends. No one gave the poor creature a chance.
As I stated two blogs back, there is much evidence that the creature has real emotions (positive ones) regarding the human race. However, his view of humans is drastically altered due to a number of events. In the beginning, humans fascinated him and he longed to belong with them and have some kind of companion. He often felt whatever emotions the De Lacey family felt because he sensed a connection with them. Unfortunately, after being shunned and beat with a stick by humans, he regarded them differently. He lost hope for one day befriending them. Many situations contribute to his changed outlook toward humans. First example: The villagers run away at the sight of the creature. Next, the De Lacey family also judges him by his looks--Agatha faints, Safie runs away, and Felix beats the creature out of self defense. Finally, after being the outcast in all these situations, he is shot by a human for saving the life of the girl that fell into the stream. The creature, with intentions to save the girl's life, was mistaken as a threat to the girl. The creature's trust in humans quickly declined and therefore he decided to vow eternal hatred and vengeance to mankind. The prejudices against him explain why he murdered Victor's companions. (Also due to the fact that Victor refused to take time to nurture him properly) For example, his first murder, William, he even seemed to give mankind one last chance. William was a child and he thought he would be pure, innocent, and clean of prejudice. However, even the small child was afraid of the creature's appearance and he struggled and screamed at his grasp. Upon discovering he was Frankenstein's son, he made his first move of vengeance on mankind and killed the child. And as if his hatred for humans could not get worse, Victor destroys his only possible companion. His hatred grows and the creature kills of the rest of Victor's friends. No one gave the poor creature a chance.
Motivations
"Revenge kept me alive; I dared not die, and leave my adversary in being" (149).
Victor's motivations regarding the creature shift throughout the course of the novel. At first, the creation of the creature was meant to find a means to cure sickness and disease. He was prompted to pursue the creation of the monster due to his mother's death. He was also motivated by one of his professors and he had a natural thirst for knowledge. Next, after Victor realized he had made a irreversible mistake by creating the monster, he was motivated by fear. He ran away and retreated and became rather depressed. Later, while visiting the site of William's murder, he ran into the creature. At this point, Victor knew that the monster was responsible for the murder. After hearing the monster's story and his proposal for a monster mate, Victor became motivated by a different means. He agreed to create another creature for the monster because it would mean that he would flee and be eradicated from Victor's life if he did so. Wanting to end the horrible ideal, Victor worked on the creature's mate. However, Victor could not bring himself to bring to life yet another monster. The creature had already brought so much misery and destruction to his life that he could not bear to endure anymore.
The creature was angry at Victor's destruction of his female mate. He threatened to kill off the rest of Victor's friends and he did just so. After the death of Elizabeth, all of Victor's close friends had been killed by his wretched creation. He was finally motivated to seek revenge on the creature. Although he was weary and it was difficult to follow the creature's path, he was motivated by revenge--Revenge for all of the ruin the creature wreaked on Victor's life. He would kill the creature once and for all--or die trying.
Victor's motivations regarding the creature shift throughout the course of the novel. At first, the creation of the creature was meant to find a means to cure sickness and disease. He was prompted to pursue the creation of the monster due to his mother's death. He was also motivated by one of his professors and he had a natural thirst for knowledge. Next, after Victor realized he had made a irreversible mistake by creating the monster, he was motivated by fear. He ran away and retreated and became rather depressed. Later, while visiting the site of William's murder, he ran into the creature. At this point, Victor knew that the monster was responsible for the murder. After hearing the monster's story and his proposal for a monster mate, Victor became motivated by a different means. He agreed to create another creature for the monster because it would mean that he would flee and be eradicated from Victor's life if he did so. Wanting to end the horrible ideal, Victor worked on the creature's mate. However, Victor could not bring himself to bring to life yet another monster. The creature had already brought so much misery and destruction to his life that he could not bear to endure anymore.
The creature was angry at Victor's destruction of his female mate. He threatened to kill off the rest of Victor's friends and he did just so. After the death of Elizabeth, all of Victor's close friends had been killed by his wretched creation. He was finally motivated to seek revenge on the creature. Although he was weary and it was difficult to follow the creature's path, he was motivated by revenge--Revenge for all of the ruin the creature wreaked on Victor's life. He would kill the creature once and for all--or die trying.
Monsters Have Feelings Too
"I tenderly love these friends; I have, unknown to them, been for many months in the habits of daily kindness towards them; but they believe that I wish to injure them, and it is that prejudice which I wish to overcome" (96).
Contrary to his gigantic stature and horrifying appearance, the creature has a gentle and thoughtful demeanor about him. There are many occasions that portray the creature as having deep emotions for humans, even though they usually end up running from him at the sight of his stature. One example of the creature's emotion is when he sympathizes with the Native Americans while reading Ruins of Empires. The creature "wept with Safie over the hapless fate of its original inhabitants" (84). In this situation, the creature related with the Native Americans were driven out of their native land though they had done nothing wrong. The creature knew how the natives must have felt, since he himself was constantly shunned by other people. The creature also feels envy at one point towards humans, especially Justine. Upon seeing her peacefully resting, he reflected on the fact that she would smile at others, yet if she saw him she would run away and scream. The creature is envious that he cannot be normal and he longs for companionship, so he takes out his anger on Justine and makes it appear as she is guilty of William's murder.
One of the most prominent scenes in which the monster displays emotion and feelings towards humans is in the case of the family that he watches over. He knows their names, he cares for them and protects them from afar, and he even learns much from them. He feels a deep connection with them and he wants to know them personally. The creature has good intentions to develop some kind of relationship with the family, so it is obvious that he is not completely evil. He had faith that he could connect with these people and he planned the meeting so that they might not react frightfully. Unfortunately for the creature, chaos ensued at his presence. As this occurred, the creature felt "bitter sickness" and he escaped from the cottage (97). Victor views his creation as purely evil because of the way in which it destroys his family. However, beneath the surface, the creature does possess real emotions.
Contrary to his gigantic stature and horrifying appearance, the creature has a gentle and thoughtful demeanor about him. There are many occasions that portray the creature as having deep emotions for humans, even though they usually end up running from him at the sight of his stature. One example of the creature's emotion is when he sympathizes with the Native Americans while reading Ruins of Empires. The creature "wept with Safie over the hapless fate of its original inhabitants" (84). In this situation, the creature related with the Native Americans were driven out of their native land though they had done nothing wrong. The creature knew how the natives must have felt, since he himself was constantly shunned by other people. The creature also feels envy at one point towards humans, especially Justine. Upon seeing her peacefully resting, he reflected on the fact that she would smile at others, yet if she saw him she would run away and scream. The creature is envious that he cannot be normal and he longs for companionship, so he takes out his anger on Justine and makes it appear as she is guilty of William's murder.
One of the most prominent scenes in which the monster displays emotion and feelings towards humans is in the case of the family that he watches over. He knows their names, he cares for them and protects them from afar, and he even learns much from them. He feels a deep connection with them and he wants to know them personally. The creature has good intentions to develop some kind of relationship with the family, so it is obvious that he is not completely evil. He had faith that he could connect with these people and he planned the meeting so that they might not react frightfully. Unfortunately for the creature, chaos ensued at his presence. As this occurred, the creature felt "bitter sickness" and he escaped from the cottage (97). Victor views his creation as purely evil because of the way in which it destroys his family. However, beneath the surface, the creature does possess real emotions.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Frankenstein vs Preconceived Ideas
"Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it" (68).
I have to say that now that we have reached the halfway point in the novel, the way that Frankenstein is portrayed in movies and such is way different from the novel. Having seen Young Frankenstein, I can see how deeply misleading this movie is now that I've read most of the novel. Though Young Frankenstein was mainly made to satirize the story of Frankenstein, it gave me many preconceived notions regarding the novel. First--I thought the creature's name was Frankenstein. Is that just me? I just always assumed that. Secondly--The creature itself is portrayed in a completely different manner. In the movie, the creature is rather unintelligent and it just grunts rather than actually speaking. The novel's creature is extremely intelligent with a wide vocabulary. I never expected the creature to be able to actually speak with Victor so easily with such ease. The only similarity between the two creatures in the book and movie is that they are both gigantic and horrifying to look at. Overall, the movie portrays the story much different from the book. I never expected that Frankenstein would be a frame story or that it would include background on Victor's family life. However, the most disappointing difference between the two is that Igor is not in the book. He would provide for some much needed comic relief if he was in the novel.
I have to say that now that we have reached the halfway point in the novel, the way that Frankenstein is portrayed in movies and such is way different from the novel. Having seen Young Frankenstein, I can see how deeply misleading this movie is now that I've read most of the novel. Though Young Frankenstein was mainly made to satirize the story of Frankenstein, it gave me many preconceived notions regarding the novel. First--I thought the creature's name was Frankenstein. Is that just me? I just always assumed that. Secondly--The creature itself is portrayed in a completely different manner. In the movie, the creature is rather unintelligent and it just grunts rather than actually speaking. The novel's creature is extremely intelligent with a wide vocabulary. I never expected the creature to be able to actually speak with Victor so easily with such ease. The only similarity between the two creatures in the book and movie is that they are both gigantic and horrifying to look at. Overall, the movie portrays the story much different from the book. I never expected that Frankenstein would be a frame story or that it would include background on Victor's family life. However, the most disappointing difference between the two is that Igor is not in the book. He would provide for some much needed comic relief if he was in the novel.
Destiny and Solitude
"What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?" (7)
I wanted to use this quote because I think it's significant in many ways. It can be used to describe both Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. Victor is destined to create the creature because of his determined heart and resolved will. Once the idea that creation of human life is possible was implanted within him, he pursued that idea until it became reality. Victor's destiny was reached due to the help of his professor Waldman. He told him to "apply to every branch of natural philosophy, including mathematics" (29). With Victor's combined knowledge of science, math, and philosophy, he was able to create the monster. Waldman ultimately led him to this destiny. However, though destiny is usually regarded more positively and as something that we seek, Victor's destiny is rather terrible for him. He spends years learning about human life only to have it come back to haunt him. Victor's destiny leads him to seek solitude so that he can be away from the disaster he created. At one point, he claims "solitude was my only consolation" (61). The creature wreaked havoc in Victor's life; the death of Justine and William seemed to occur due to the creature's existence. For this reason, Victor sought solitude to avoid confronting the truth about the unfortunate result of his destiny.
I wanted to use this quote because I think it's significant in many ways. It can be used to describe both Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. Victor is destined to create the creature because of his determined heart and resolved will. Once the idea that creation of human life is possible was implanted within him, he pursued that idea until it became reality. Victor's destiny was reached due to the help of his professor Waldman. He told him to "apply to every branch of natural philosophy, including mathematics" (29). With Victor's combined knowledge of science, math, and philosophy, he was able to create the monster. Waldman ultimately led him to this destiny. However, though destiny is usually regarded more positively and as something that we seek, Victor's destiny is rather terrible for him. He spends years learning about human life only to have it come back to haunt him. Victor's destiny leads him to seek solitude so that he can be away from the disaster he created. At one point, he claims "solitude was my only consolation" (61). The creature wreaked havoc in Victor's life; the death of Justine and William seemed to occur due to the creature's existence. For this reason, Victor sought solitude to avoid confronting the truth about the unfortunate result of his destiny.
Foreshadowing
"Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity" (80). Victor
"If you comply with my conditions, I will leave them and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends" (68). Creature
These two quotes provide some foreshadowing as to what may happen later in the story. The creature demanded that Victor listen to his story; if Victor refused he threatened to kill his remaining friends. Creepy. To me, this line from page 68 is implying that the creature has already killed one of his friends. I think that this qualifies as evidence for his murder of William's brother. We talked about this in class and it does raise the question, 'How does the creature know who Victor's friends are?' The creature must have somehow been stalking Victor's life at some point to know this kind of information, unless it's just an empty threat. Victor also provides a look into what may occur later in the plot by saying there is more to come that the monster has done. Though we found reasons as to why the creature can be seen as good-natured and caring, this quote by Victor steers the audience to believe the creature is not innately good-natured. This means that more murdering and evil acts from the creature may soon occur.
"If you comply with my conditions, I will leave them and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends" (68). Creature
These two quotes provide some foreshadowing as to what may happen later in the story. The creature demanded that Victor listen to his story; if Victor refused he threatened to kill his remaining friends. Creepy. To me, this line from page 68 is implying that the creature has already killed one of his friends. I think that this qualifies as evidence for his murder of William's brother. We talked about this in class and it does raise the question, 'How does the creature know who Victor's friends are?' The creature must have somehow been stalking Victor's life at some point to know this kind of information, unless it's just an empty threat. Victor also provides a look into what may occur later in the plot by saying there is more to come that the monster has done. Though we found reasons as to why the creature can be seen as good-natured and caring, this quote by Victor steers the audience to believe the creature is not innately good-natured. This means that more murdering and evil acts from the creature may soon occur.
Victor's Emotions
"These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving" (66).
Victor's emotions are largely centered around the creature's whereabouts and appearances in his life. At the beginning, during the creation process, Victor "seemed to have lost all soul or sensations but for this one pursuit" (33). All of Victor's time was spent working on figuring out how to create life from a nonliving body. During this time, Victor was determined and driven to finish his creation. He was fascinated with the idea of creating human life, until the creature actually comes to life. When the creature lives, Victor is horrified and he says, "Disgust filled my heart" (35). His dream had become a living hell and he was utterly terrified of what he had created. He runs away from home with Clerval and eventually recovers from his shock and horror at what he had done. Almost two years had passed since Victor had seen the creature he created. When he visited the site of William's murder, Victor's misery was deepened by the sight of the creature in that area. Victor was already saddened by the death of his younger brother and upon seeing the creature he could only conclude one thing: The creature was the murderer of his brother. This thought alone wrecked Victor's emotions and he became once again drowned by despair and hopelessness. It seems that whenever the creature makes an appearance in Victor's life it causes Victor's recovery to be thrown out the window. The existence of the creature itself prevents Victor from being truly happy, because the thought always creeps into his mind. Mixed with the fact that the creature is a murderer, Victor carries a heavy burden knowing that he has created such an evil being.
Victor's emotions are largely centered around the creature's whereabouts and appearances in his life. At the beginning, during the creation process, Victor "seemed to have lost all soul or sensations but for this one pursuit" (33). All of Victor's time was spent working on figuring out how to create life from a nonliving body. During this time, Victor was determined and driven to finish his creation. He was fascinated with the idea of creating human life, until the creature actually comes to life. When the creature lives, Victor is horrified and he says, "Disgust filled my heart" (35). His dream had become a living hell and he was utterly terrified of what he had created. He runs away from home with Clerval and eventually recovers from his shock and horror at what he had done. Almost two years had passed since Victor had seen the creature he created. When he visited the site of William's murder, Victor's misery was deepened by the sight of the creature in that area. Victor was already saddened by the death of his younger brother and upon seeing the creature he could only conclude one thing: The creature was the murderer of his brother. This thought alone wrecked Victor's emotions and he became once again drowned by despair and hopelessness. It seems that whenever the creature makes an appearance in Victor's life it causes Victor's recovery to be thrown out the window. The existence of the creature itself prevents Victor from being truly happy, because the thought always creeps into his mind. Mixed with the fact that the creature is a murderer, Victor carries a heavy burden knowing that he has created such an evil being.
Frame Story
"but you are mistaken, my friend, if thus you will allow me to name you; nothing can alter my destiny; listen to my history, and you will perceive how irrevocably it is determined" (13).
Frankenstein is unique because it is set up as a frame story, so there are stories within the initial story. Shelley's purpose in this frame story is to highlight the similarities between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. The fact that Victor is telling his story as a warning to Robert may display Victor's story as a warning to all of those who are obsessed with seeking knowledge concerning the unknown. Victor aims to show the horrors of taking new advances in scientific discoveries. (Brave New World?) Upon discovering that Robert was planning to journey to the North Pole, Victor felt compelled to tell him his tale so that he could possibly change his mind. The story then shifts into Victor's tale about his creation of the monster.
It also comes to a point where the narration shift once again- this time to the monster's point of view. The monster tells his story to Victor almost like how Victor is telling his story to Robert. The monster is telling Victor that he should not make so many assumptions about what he doesn't actually know. Victor is warning Robert against a thirst for knowledge; similarly the monster is attempting to give his creator another chance to do the right thing and alter his view toward his creation.
Frankenstein is unique because it is set up as a frame story, so there are stories within the initial story. Shelley's purpose in this frame story is to highlight the similarities between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. The fact that Victor is telling his story as a warning to Robert may display Victor's story as a warning to all of those who are obsessed with seeking knowledge concerning the unknown. Victor aims to show the horrors of taking new advances in scientific discoveries. (Brave New World?) Upon discovering that Robert was planning to journey to the North Pole, Victor felt compelled to tell him his tale so that he could possibly change his mind. The story then shifts into Victor's tale about his creation of the monster.
It also comes to a point where the narration shift once again- this time to the monster's point of view. The monster tells his story to Victor almost like how Victor is telling his story to Robert. The monster is telling Victor that he should not make so many assumptions about what he doesn't actually know. Victor is warning Robert against a thirst for knowledge; similarly the monster is attempting to give his creator another chance to do the right thing and alter his view toward his creation.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Minor Characters
Charley: "You been jealous of me all your life, you damned fool! Here, pay your insurance."
Death of a Salesman Act 2 pg. 1603
Many of the minor characters play large roles in the plot of the play. The neighbors, Charley and Bernard, serve as a contrast to the life of the Loman's. Though the Loman's regard them as boring and lifeless, they end up being the successful rich ones. Bernard didn't possess the popularity and glory that Biff did when he was in high school, yet in the end, Bernard was the one that was successful and married with children. They are the realistic ones amidst the dreamy delusional lives of the Loman's. For some reason, the neighbors remind me of the Flanders from The Simpson's. The neighbors are like the goody two shoes that are there to support you yet everyone seems to regard them as somewhat dull. Meanwhile the Loman's are like the Simpsons cause they are a little whacky and they have no real set plans. I can definitely see Homer Simpson (aka Willy) asking Ned Flanders (aka Charley) for money too.
Anyway, the minor characters help to highlight the severity of Loman family's situation. The Loman's try so hard to achieve some sort of impact on the sales world and be well-known and this causes them to fail in the end. The neighbors are more laid back and they follow the rules-- thus they are the ones that end successful. I think Arthur Miller is trying to teach a lesson to its audience: Don't waste your time talking about how great you want to be. Go out and do it!
Death of a Salesman Act 2 pg. 1603
Many of the minor characters play large roles in the plot of the play. The neighbors, Charley and Bernard, serve as a contrast to the life of the Loman's. Though the Loman's regard them as boring and lifeless, they end up being the successful rich ones. Bernard didn't possess the popularity and glory that Biff did when he was in high school, yet in the end, Bernard was the one that was successful and married with children. They are the realistic ones amidst the dreamy delusional lives of the Loman's. For some reason, the neighbors remind me of the Flanders from The Simpson's. The neighbors are like the goody two shoes that are there to support you yet everyone seems to regard them as somewhat dull. Meanwhile the Loman's are like the Simpsons cause they are a little whacky and they have no real set plans. I can definitely see Homer Simpson (aka Willy) asking Ned Flanders (aka Charley) for money too.
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| Charley/Ned Flanders |
Tragic Flaw
Willy: "I always felt that if a man was impressive, and well liked, that nothing-"
Death of a Salesman Act 2 pg. 1602
2. There can be little doubt that Willy Loman is the victim of a "tragic flaw." Is it Willy's own tragic flaw that causes his downfall? Is it society's? Is it a combination of both?
Willy in this story is just like Amanda from The Glass Menagerie. They both have really similar characteristics--both live in the past, are obsessed with their children's success, and are a little crazy. Willy is a victim of a tragic flaw that drives the action in the story. His flaw, similar to Amanda's, is that he longs for perfection, to be well-liked, and to be the man on top of everything. He has this perfect vision of Biff and himself achieving the American Dream. His tragic flaw causes him to be very hard on Biff. Though he has good intentions for Biff to be successful, they actually end up making Biff less motivated to go out and please his father. Willy's constant nagging just causes Biff to feel pressured to be the best and succeed and he feels like he'll never live up to what his father wants him to be.
Willy's own tragic flaw and society cause his downfall. His own tragic flaw causes it because he is so obsessed with his self-image that he never takes the time to realize that Biff has loved him all along. When he makes this surprising discovery, he commits suicide. Also, Willy's brother Ben influenced Willy to feel that he should work towards success. Ben was the perfect brother with the riches, happiness, big house, and great job in Alaska. Meanwhile Willy led a life of dull sales and did lots of driving around for his job. Willy compared his life to Ben's often times and regretted not leaving to go to Alaska where he could have been rich.
Society causes Willy's downfall as well because society is the one that provides the notion that people should aim to be a part of the American Dream, with a perfect job, family, salary, reputation, etc. Society leads Willy to accept the notion that perfection is something which is possible, which only ends Willy into a deep hole that he cannot dig himself out of in the end.
Death of a Salesman Act 2 pg. 1602
2. There can be little doubt that Willy Loman is the victim of a "tragic flaw." Is it Willy's own tragic flaw that causes his downfall? Is it society's? Is it a combination of both?
Willy in this story is just like Amanda from The Glass Menagerie. They both have really similar characteristics--both live in the past, are obsessed with their children's success, and are a little crazy. Willy is a victim of a tragic flaw that drives the action in the story. His flaw, similar to Amanda's, is that he longs for perfection, to be well-liked, and to be the man on top of everything. He has this perfect vision of Biff and himself achieving the American Dream. His tragic flaw causes him to be very hard on Biff. Though he has good intentions for Biff to be successful, they actually end up making Biff less motivated to go out and please his father. Willy's constant nagging just causes Biff to feel pressured to be the best and succeed and he feels like he'll never live up to what his father wants him to be.
Willy's own tragic flaw and society cause his downfall. His own tragic flaw causes it because he is so obsessed with his self-image that he never takes the time to realize that Biff has loved him all along. When he makes this surprising discovery, he commits suicide. Also, Willy's brother Ben influenced Willy to feel that he should work towards success. Ben was the perfect brother with the riches, happiness, big house, and great job in Alaska. Meanwhile Willy led a life of dull sales and did lots of driving around for his job. Willy compared his life to Ben's often times and regretted not leaving to go to Alaska where he could have been rich.
Society causes Willy's downfall as well because society is the one that provides the notion that people should aim to be a part of the American Dream, with a perfect job, family, salary, reputation, etc. Society leads Willy to accept the notion that perfection is something which is possible, which only ends Willy into a deep hole that he cannot dig himself out of in the end.
Biff
Linda: "He put his whole life into you and you've turned your backs on him. Biff, I swear to God! Biff, his life is in your hands!"
Death of a Salesman Act I pg. 1578
4. Which characters change during the course of the play?
One of the dynamic characters in this play was Biff. At the beginning of the play, he has many hopes and dreams that he will one day live up to Willy's expectations for him. He is especially excited by the thought that he could start a business with his brother and finally go somewhere with his life. However, he never actually meets with the man Oliver, who is supposed to help him map out the plan to start a business. Because of this, Biff realizes that his life is not supposed to be centered around business and being a salesman. Everything he did with sales seemed to encounter problems, even when he worked with it in the past. Biff knows that being a salesman is not his destiny and therefore he finally accepts that it is not the way in which he wants to follow in life. His dreams of pleasing his father are diminished and he decides that he will no longer pretend that he will someday be the perfect salesman.
Biff's view toward his father changes many times throughout the play. As a child, Biff idolized his father and he looked up to him very much. As time wore on, Biff admired his father less, especially due to the time in Boston when he saw Willy with another woman. After he saw his dad cheating on his mother, Biff's entire life seemed to change. A man that he had trusted so much had betrayed him and been unfaithful to the family. This caused Biff to neglect to make up the summer course for mathematics and his life was never the same after that incident. Biff and Willy's relationship was not as open and trusting as it had been before; a rift grew between the two of them and Biff preferred to avoid his father. However, between his conversations with Linda and realization that he wouldn't be the perfect son his father pictured him to be, Biff changed his attitude toward his father. Linda tells Biff that his life is in his hands. Literally. When Biff finally reveals to his father that he loves him and he cries in front of him, Willy then almost takes it as a signal that he can die happily. It's pretty ironic that Biff's conversion led to his father's death.
Death of a Salesman Act I pg. 1578
4. Which characters change during the course of the play?
One of the dynamic characters in this play was Biff. At the beginning of the play, he has many hopes and dreams that he will one day live up to Willy's expectations for him. He is especially excited by the thought that he could start a business with his brother and finally go somewhere with his life. However, he never actually meets with the man Oliver, who is supposed to help him map out the plan to start a business. Because of this, Biff realizes that his life is not supposed to be centered around business and being a salesman. Everything he did with sales seemed to encounter problems, even when he worked with it in the past. Biff knows that being a salesman is not his destiny and therefore he finally accepts that it is not the way in which he wants to follow in life. His dreams of pleasing his father are diminished and he decides that he will no longer pretend that he will someday be the perfect salesman.
Biff's view toward his father changes many times throughout the play. As a child, Biff idolized his father and he looked up to him very much. As time wore on, Biff admired his father less, especially due to the time in Boston when he saw Willy with another woman. After he saw his dad cheating on his mother, Biff's entire life seemed to change. A man that he had trusted so much had betrayed him and been unfaithful to the family. This caused Biff to neglect to make up the summer course for mathematics and his life was never the same after that incident. Biff and Willy's relationship was not as open and trusting as it had been before; a rift grew between the two of them and Biff preferred to avoid his father. However, between his conversations with Linda and realization that he wouldn't be the perfect son his father pictured him to be, Biff changed his attitude toward his father. Linda tells Biff that his life is in his hands. Literally. When Biff finally reveals to his father that he loves him and he cries in front of him, Willy then almost takes it as a signal that he can die happily. It's pretty ironic that Biff's conversion led to his father's death.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Jim
Jim: "And everybody has problems, not just you, but practically everybody has got some problems. You think of yourself as having the only problems, as being the only one who is disappointed. But just look around you and you will see lots of people as disappointed as you are."
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 7, pg. 1277
"In what ways and in what sense is Jim more "realistic" than the Wingfields? Does that mean that he is without delusions? Of what is he symbolic?
I think that Jim was more realistic that the Wingfields because his words and thoughts were actually rational. Jim had ambitions that were attainable, whereas Tom had ambitions that didn't have an actual goal. Jim also showed genuine feelings toward others. He was the only one to tell Laura that she was beautiful, that she had worth, and that she should not be so shy because she has many redeeming qualities. He is the only character that was able to plant an ounce of confidence within her. I don't think that Jim was delusional. He was realistic and he knew what he was talking about. At the beginning of the play he was considered to be a symbol of that long-delayed but always expected something we live for. This describes Jim perfectly. Without Jim's appearance in the play, the reality of the Wingfield's lives would not have been recognized by the Wingfield's. Jim was able to demonstrate to them that they were indeed living in a world of illusions. It seems that Jim's visit prompted Amanda to believe that maybe Laura would be single her entire life-but that would be okay; it seemed to have prompted Tom to take the initiative to finally leave home and pursue something larger than his current life; lastly Jim showed Laura that she should think more highly of herself. Although he left the dinner abruptly after announcing that he was engaged, I think that this revelation was still good for the family. Not everything is going to turn out like it's supposed to. Jim is able to portray this to the family. They can only hope for the best. Jim is the realistic character that altered the Wingfield's views on their life; he is the change that they had all been waiting for, even though they didn't realize it.
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 7, pg. 1277
"In what ways and in what sense is Jim more "realistic" than the Wingfields? Does that mean that he is without delusions? Of what is he symbolic?
I think that Jim was more realistic that the Wingfields because his words and thoughts were actually rational. Jim had ambitions that were attainable, whereas Tom had ambitions that didn't have an actual goal. Jim also showed genuine feelings toward others. He was the only one to tell Laura that she was beautiful, that she had worth, and that she should not be so shy because she has many redeeming qualities. He is the only character that was able to plant an ounce of confidence within her. I don't think that Jim was delusional. He was realistic and he knew what he was talking about. At the beginning of the play he was considered to be a symbol of that long-delayed but always expected something we live for. This describes Jim perfectly. Without Jim's appearance in the play, the reality of the Wingfield's lives would not have been recognized by the Wingfield's. Jim was able to demonstrate to them that they were indeed living in a world of illusions. It seems that Jim's visit prompted Amanda to believe that maybe Laura would be single her entire life-but that would be okay; it seemed to have prompted Tom to take the initiative to finally leave home and pursue something larger than his current life; lastly Jim showed Laura that she should think more highly of herself. Although he left the dinner abruptly after announcing that he was engaged, I think that this revelation was still good for the family. Not everything is going to turn out like it's supposed to. Jim is able to portray this to the family. They can only hope for the best. Jim is the realistic character that altered the Wingfield's views on their life; he is the change that they had all been waiting for, even though they didn't realize it.
Tom and Laura
Tom: "Her not speaking-is that such a tragedy?"
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 4, pg. 1249
Tom is a rather complicated character. On one hand, he is harsh, blunt, blatant, and often annoyed by his family. On the other hand, he can sometimes be sincere, sympathetic, and caring towards his family. These contradicting characteristics can classify him as a round character. Sometimes I feel sorry for Tom because he is forced to stay at home until Laura finds a husband that can take care of her. He claims that he wants adventure and that he would like to move away from his home and expand his horizons outside of the warehouse, but he cannot for he is trapped at home watching over his mother and sister. It's not until the end of the play that Tom takes the incentive to leave home and leave behind the familiarity of his life. I find Tom's leaving home to be ironic. Earlier in the play in Scene 3 Tom said: "If self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is-GONE" (iii.1247). Tom alludes to the fact that his father's selfishness led him to desert his family, yet Tom himself seems to have done the exact same thing to his family. Tom's reasonings may have been different from his father's-Tom wanting to explore new things while his father's motives are unknown-but the two still had one thing in common: their selfishness overcame their desire to care for their own family.
Laura is rather different than Tom in that she would never desire to leave the familiarity of her life. She is perfectly content sitting at home with all of her glass figurines. She seems to have no desire to even pursue a life with deeper meaning, happiness, and success than her current life. Laura's conditions cause her to feel this way. She is mentally trapped in a made up world of glass figurines where everything is predictable. She also feels physically trapped by her leg ailment. These two situations combined lead Laura to feel as though her life has no reason to be grand and wonderful; she is a poor girl that simply cannot do anything for herself. She's rather helpless. I hope that Jim's kind advice to her that she should have some confidence in herself sticks with her into her later life. The girl needs a little confidence boost.
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 4, pg. 1249
Tom is a rather complicated character. On one hand, he is harsh, blunt, blatant, and often annoyed by his family. On the other hand, he can sometimes be sincere, sympathetic, and caring towards his family. These contradicting characteristics can classify him as a round character. Sometimes I feel sorry for Tom because he is forced to stay at home until Laura finds a husband that can take care of her. He claims that he wants adventure and that he would like to move away from his home and expand his horizons outside of the warehouse, but he cannot for he is trapped at home watching over his mother and sister. It's not until the end of the play that Tom takes the incentive to leave home and leave behind the familiarity of his life. I find Tom's leaving home to be ironic. Earlier in the play in Scene 3 Tom said: "If self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is-GONE" (iii.1247). Tom alludes to the fact that his father's selfishness led him to desert his family, yet Tom himself seems to have done the exact same thing to his family. Tom's reasonings may have been different from his father's-Tom wanting to explore new things while his father's motives are unknown-but the two still had one thing in common: their selfishness overcame their desire to care for their own family.
Laura is rather different than Tom in that she would never desire to leave the familiarity of her life. She is perfectly content sitting at home with all of her glass figurines. She seems to have no desire to even pursue a life with deeper meaning, happiness, and success than her current life. Laura's conditions cause her to feel this way. She is mentally trapped in a made up world of glass figurines where everything is predictable. She also feels physically trapped by her leg ailment. These two situations combined lead Laura to feel as though her life has no reason to be grand and wonderful; she is a poor girl that simply cannot do anything for herself. She's rather helpless. I hope that Jim's kind advice to her that she should have some confidence in herself sticks with her into her later life. The girl needs a little confidence boost.
Amanda the Worrier
Amanda: "I'll tell you what I wished for on the moon. Success and happiness for my precious children! I wish for that whenever there's a moon, and when there isn't a moon, I wish for it, too."
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 5, pg. 1256
Amanda Wingfield, the mother of Laura and Tom, is immediately classified as a nervous woman with a life of paranoia. This characteristic is portrayed throughout the play through many of the different statements that she makes toward her children. First off, Amanda seems to have a chronic worry about her children's success and future lives. In the quote above she says that she frequently wishes for success and happiness for her children. It seems to be all she really wants in her life. At this point in her life, Amanda feels the need to keep the family together since her husband has run away. Too many things have gone wrong in her life and she doesn't want it to get in the way of her children's future lives as well. She is rather preoccupied with Laura and Tom's futures because they seem to lack ambition. Laura stays at home tending to her glass sculptures, while Tom slips out of the house during the night to supposedly go to the movies. Upon discovering that Laura is skipping classes at the business college and due to her argument with Tom over his whereabouts, Amanda's worries concerning her two children grow deeper. Amanda has a fear that Tom may end up like his father and become drunk, selfish, and then leave the family. She worries over his smoking habits and instincts of being a man that is "a lover, a hunter, and a fighter" (iv.1253). She desperately wishes her children were normal and that they were married, polite, sociable, outgoing, and, overall well-liked.
Amanda's worries concerning her children seem to be caused by a few different past events. First off, the fact that her husband left has impacted her constant paranoia. His running off has caused the family to be a little less stable and independent. But also, her worries may be rooted in her past. She had a lovely childhood and young life. She constantly reminisces about her time with all of her gentleman callers. When Jim O'Connor comes over, Amanda pulls out one of her old dresses and relives her own gentleman caller days. Amanda's past experiences have given her high expectations of her daughter Laura. She expects that Laura should have men lining outside their door to come and meet her. Because this is not the case, Amanda worries about Laura and tries to ignore the fact that she is crippled. By reverting back to her past memories, Amanda is able to cling to what was once happy and attempts to make Laura feel the same way toward gentleman callers, in hopes that she is happy one day too.
The Glass Menagerie, Scene 5, pg. 1256
Amanda Wingfield, the mother of Laura and Tom, is immediately classified as a nervous woman with a life of paranoia. This characteristic is portrayed throughout the play through many of the different statements that she makes toward her children. First off, Amanda seems to have a chronic worry about her children's success and future lives. In the quote above she says that she frequently wishes for success and happiness for her children. It seems to be all she really wants in her life. At this point in her life, Amanda feels the need to keep the family together since her husband has run away. Too many things have gone wrong in her life and she doesn't want it to get in the way of her children's future lives as well. She is rather preoccupied with Laura and Tom's futures because they seem to lack ambition. Laura stays at home tending to her glass sculptures, while Tom slips out of the house during the night to supposedly go to the movies. Upon discovering that Laura is skipping classes at the business college and due to her argument with Tom over his whereabouts, Amanda's worries concerning her two children grow deeper. Amanda has a fear that Tom may end up like his father and become drunk, selfish, and then leave the family. She worries over his smoking habits and instincts of being a man that is "a lover, a hunter, and a fighter" (iv.1253). She desperately wishes her children were normal and that they were married, polite, sociable, outgoing, and, overall well-liked.
Amanda's worries concerning her children seem to be caused by a few different past events. First off, the fact that her husband left has impacted her constant paranoia. His running off has caused the family to be a little less stable and independent. But also, her worries may be rooted in her past. She had a lovely childhood and young life. She constantly reminisces about her time with all of her gentleman callers. When Jim O'Connor comes over, Amanda pulls out one of her old dresses and relives her own gentleman caller days. Amanda's past experiences have given her high expectations of her daughter Laura. She expects that Laura should have men lining outside their door to come and meet her. Because this is not the case, Amanda worries about Laura and tries to ignore the fact that she is crippled. By reverting back to her past memories, Amanda is able to cling to what was once happy and attempts to make Laura feel the same way toward gentleman callers, in hopes that she is happy one day too.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
As You Like It: Comedy
Rosalind: "Alas, what danger will it be to us,
Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!
Beauty proveketh thieves sooner than gold" (I.iii.15).
Though this play was considered a comedy, I found few parts of it to be comedic. It was amusing that Rosalind and Celia dressed as men to disguise their beauty, which in turn caused a woman to fall in love with Rosalind, but other than that nothing else stood out too much. The way that the characters so suddenly fell in love with one another could be considered comedic I guess. Compared to Othello, this play was much different. First off, Othello was a tragedy while this play was a comedy. In Othello, pretty much most of the characters died. Meanwhile, these characters all seemed to just fall in love with someone else. Also, in Othello, I felt like there was a more central, defined theme--that jealousy is a destructive force. In As You Like It, the only theme I can describe this story is that love is complicated. We discussed in class that Shakespeare created this romantic comedy play to please his audience and provide them with something other than a tragedy-something they wanted (hence the title? As you like it?). Yet now that I have finished both of these plays, I have to say that Othello was more entertaining to me. There was a lot more drama and suspense in that play and in As You Like It, the action was less suspenseful and there was not really any defined antagonist or protagonist. Many of the characters underwent some type of conversion (ie Duke Frederick & Oliver) so that no antagonist existed. In conclusion, tragedy > comedy
Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!
Beauty proveketh thieves sooner than gold" (I.iii.15).
Though this play was considered a comedy, I found few parts of it to be comedic. It was amusing that Rosalind and Celia dressed as men to disguise their beauty, which in turn caused a woman to fall in love with Rosalind, but other than that nothing else stood out too much. The way that the characters so suddenly fell in love with one another could be considered comedic I guess. Compared to Othello, this play was much different. First off, Othello was a tragedy while this play was a comedy. In Othello, pretty much most of the characters died. Meanwhile, these characters all seemed to just fall in love with someone else. Also, in Othello, I felt like there was a more central, defined theme--that jealousy is a destructive force. In As You Like It, the only theme I can describe this story is that love is complicated. We discussed in class that Shakespeare created this romantic comedy play to please his audience and provide them with something other than a tragedy-something they wanted (hence the title? As you like it?). Yet now that I have finished both of these plays, I have to say that Othello was more entertaining to me. There was a lot more drama and suspense in that play and in As You Like It, the action was less suspenseful and there was not really any defined antagonist or protagonist. Many of the characters underwent some type of conversion (ie Duke Frederick & Oliver) so that no antagonist existed. In conclusion, tragedy > comedy
Dynamic Characters
Oliver: "O that your Highness knew my heart in this!
I never loved my brother in my life" (III.i.34).
Oliver is one of the dynamic characters that changes as a result of the story's action. At the beginning of the play, he wanted to sabotage his brother Orlando. He wants his brother to lose in the wrestling match against the mighty Charles and he wishes pain upon his brother. When Orlando beat Charles in the wrestling match, Oliver is furious. According to Adam, Oliver planned, "To burn the lodging where [Orlando] used to lie, And [him] within it: if [Oliver] fail of that, He will have other means to cut [Orlando] off." (II.iii.21). Yet in Act III, Duke Frederick tells Oliver that he will be the one that dies if he doesn't find Orlando. Oliver starts to feel remorseful for how he treated his own brother and how he threatened to kill him, once he realized how it felt to be threatened. As a result, in Act IV, Oliver seeks out his brother and and delivers the bloody napkin to Rosalind for Orlando. His attitude toward his younger brother is changes due to his realization of what it feels like to be threatened.
Another dynamic character in As You Like It was Jaques. He seems to have two different sides to him. On one hand, "The melancholy Jaques" grieves at the sight of a dead deer (II.i.18). He is rather emotional and yet he is carefree when he is with Amiens, encouraging him to continue singing songs. To me, Jaques seems easily inclined toward different emotions--He is excited upon telling Duke Senior about how he met a fool in the forest and he gives a huge explanation about his encounter with the fool. Yet, the other side to Jaques is a more serious side, which contrasts what the audience is previously exposed to. His "All the world's a stage" speech is one of the most famous Shakespeare speeches, and it's somewhat surprising that it is given the character Jaques, because it is not the type of speech one would expect from him. Nonetheless, Shakespeare shows that Jaques is a dynamic character through Jaque's ability to discuss the seven stages of human life in a rather profound fashion.
I never loved my brother in my life" (III.i.34).
Oliver is one of the dynamic characters that changes as a result of the story's action. At the beginning of the play, he wanted to sabotage his brother Orlando. He wants his brother to lose in the wrestling match against the mighty Charles and he wishes pain upon his brother. When Orlando beat Charles in the wrestling match, Oliver is furious. According to Adam, Oliver planned, "To burn the lodging where [Orlando] used to lie, And [him] within it: if [Oliver] fail of that, He will have other means to cut [Orlando] off." (II.iii.21). Yet in Act III, Duke Frederick tells Oliver that he will be the one that dies if he doesn't find Orlando. Oliver starts to feel remorseful for how he treated his own brother and how he threatened to kill him, once he realized how it felt to be threatened. As a result, in Act IV, Oliver seeks out his brother and and delivers the bloody napkin to Rosalind for Orlando. His attitude toward his younger brother is changes due to his realization of what it feels like to be threatened.
Another dynamic character in As You Like It was Jaques. He seems to have two different sides to him. On one hand, "The melancholy Jaques" grieves at the sight of a dead deer (II.i.18). He is rather emotional and yet he is carefree when he is with Amiens, encouraging him to continue singing songs. To me, Jaques seems easily inclined toward different emotions--He is excited upon telling Duke Senior about how he met a fool in the forest and he gives a huge explanation about his encounter with the fool. Yet, the other side to Jaques is a more serious side, which contrasts what the audience is previously exposed to. His "All the world's a stage" speech is one of the most famous Shakespeare speeches, and it's somewhat surprising that it is given the character Jaques, because it is not the type of speech one would expect from him. Nonetheless, Shakespeare shows that Jaques is a dynamic character through Jaque's ability to discuss the seven stages of human life in a rather profound fashion.
It's Complicated
Phebe: "Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might
Who ever loved that not at first sight?" (III.v.53)
Today in class the theme that we explored was that love is complicated and it messes with people's minds. Throughout As You Like It this theme was scene in all the relationships that ending up forming rather quickly. Phebe fell in love with Ganymede/Rosalind upon first meeting 'him,' and though Phebe tries to convince herself that she doesn't love Ganymede, it is evident that she is in love with him by her above words and also when she states, "For no ill will I bear you" (III.v.52). Phebe isn't the only character that fell in love at first sight though. Orlando and Rosalind also love each other upon their first encounter. When Rosalind gives Orlando a chain from her neck, the two are even more drawn to one another. Oliver and Celia are another pair that quickly fall in love. Their relationship or interest in one another was never mentioned before Act V but suddenly in scene II, Oliver says "I love Aliena" (V.ii.69). Many of the relationships in As You Like It are rather sudden and seem to be more based off of infatuation feelings rather than true love. Another example of how love is complicated is when Touchstone wants to marry Audrey, yet he talks about how he plans to separate with her after the marriage. Touchstone wants Sir Oliver Martext to marry Audrey and he "for he is not likely to marry well; and not being well married, it will be a good excuse hereafter to leave [his] wife" (III.iii.48). The only reason Touchstone wants to marry Audrey is for selfish reasons...and because he desires her "sluttishness" (III.iii.47). The only person that seems to be genuinely in love with anyone is Silvius and his love for Phebe: "So holy and so perfect is my love" (III.v.53). He seems to actually love Phebe, but Phebe is too preoccupied with her sudden interest in Ganymede, which is a woman...Overall, the concept of love in this play is unrealistic. The marriages all occur rather suddenly and the couples don't seem to know the meaning of true love.
Who ever loved that not at first sight?" (III.v.53)
Today in class the theme that we explored was that love is complicated and it messes with people's minds. Throughout As You Like It this theme was scene in all the relationships that ending up forming rather quickly. Phebe fell in love with Ganymede/Rosalind upon first meeting 'him,' and though Phebe tries to convince herself that she doesn't love Ganymede, it is evident that she is in love with him by her above words and also when she states, "For no ill will I bear you" (III.v.52). Phebe isn't the only character that fell in love at first sight though. Orlando and Rosalind also love each other upon their first encounter. When Rosalind gives Orlando a chain from her neck, the two are even more drawn to one another. Oliver and Celia are another pair that quickly fall in love. Their relationship or interest in one another was never mentioned before Act V but suddenly in scene II, Oliver says "I love Aliena" (V.ii.69). Many of the relationships in As You Like It are rather sudden and seem to be more based off of infatuation feelings rather than true love. Another example of how love is complicated is when Touchstone wants to marry Audrey, yet he talks about how he plans to separate with her after the marriage. Touchstone wants Sir Oliver Martext to marry Audrey and he "for he is not likely to marry well; and not being well married, it will be a good excuse hereafter to leave [his] wife" (III.iii.48). The only reason Touchstone wants to marry Audrey is for selfish reasons...and because he desires her "sluttishness" (III.iii.47). The only person that seems to be genuinely in love with anyone is Silvius and his love for Phebe: "So holy and so perfect is my love" (III.v.53). He seems to actually love Phebe, but Phebe is too preoccupied with her sudden interest in Ganymede, which is a woman...Overall, the concept of love in this play is unrealistic. The marriages all occur rather suddenly and the couples don't seem to know the meaning of true love.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Hatred: A Universal Theme
In the drama Othello, the Moor of Venice, written by Shakespeare, many themes
are prevalent throughout the storyline. One of the most timeless themes that is used
in this play is that hatred is often based on preconceived notions. Though this is true of
Othello, the theme that humans may easily be prone to hatred towards others is
also shown in other works. In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the classic
Disney movie Snow White, this theme of hatred is also portrayed. In Othello, the main
character Iago defines his hatred of Othello the Moor as “hearted” (I.iii.350). The
antagonists in each of these works develop a heartfelt hatred toward someone based
on pre-judgments and other notions of some character. The hatred that these antagonists
in these different works experience causes them to act irrationally so they themselves
may stand out. Hatred motivates characters to seek revenge against others and it leads
to sabotage and conflict in the plot.
In Othello, the antagonist Iago has hatred based on preconceived
notions towards many of the other characters, such as Cassio
and Othello. Iago hates Cassio because he received the position as Lieutenant,
the position to which Iago had hoped he would be promoted. On the other hand,
Iago’s hatred of Othello is rooted in several different reasons., Iago hates Othello based on the fact that he is a Moor; Iago calls Othello a “Barbary horse” to dehumanize him and show that he posseses no more dignity than that of an animal (I.i.110). Furthermore Iago despises Othello because of the rumor that he has “twixt sheets” with his wife Emilia. ( I.ii.367). Lastly, Iago abhors Othello for he is the one that favored Cassio for the position of Lieutenant rather than he. Iago’s hatred of Othello and Cassio caused him to hatch a plan to betray the two of them. By convincing Othello that his wife Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio, Iago successfullywreaked havoc among the characters. Othello was angry with Desdemona for her rumored infidelity to him while Cassio, Othello’s beloved Lieutenant, was scorned by Othello for being a cheating,
deceiving liar. In the final act of the play, Othello was driven mad by all the
rumors and events that occurred because of Iago. Othello became so overcome with
all of the rumors, infidelity, and lies that he ended up killing himself. Iago’s initial
hatred towards Cassio and Othello motivated him to unleash his emotions in a
plot of revenge. Due to Iago’s hatred of these characters, much conflict arose and
Iago’s feelings had the power to influence the lives of the other characters in the play.
deceiving liar. In the final act of the play, Othello was driven mad by all the
rumors and events that occurred because of Iago. Othello became so overcome with
all of the rumors, infidelity, and lies that he ended up killing himself. Iago’s initial
hatred towards Cassio and Othello motivated him to unleash his emotions in a
plot of revenge. Due to Iago’s hatred of these characters, much conflict arose and
Iago’s feelings had the power to influence the lives of the other characters in the play.
Similar to Iago, the queen and antagonist in Snow White also
has intense feelings of hatred toward other characters. In this movie
she yearns to be the beautiful queen that is “the fairest of them all”
(Snow White). When the mirror on the wall says, “Roses are red: violets are
blue. The best-looking babe is someone else, not you,” she develops instant
hatred for the woman who is considered to be more beautiful than she
(Snow White). When the queen realizes that Snow White, her own step-daughter, is the one that is considered more attractive and appealing than herself, an intense feeling of hatred toward her step-daughter is engendered in her. The queen’s hatred for Snow White causes her to take action against her young beautiful step-daughter. The queen transforms herself as a witch and travels into the forest to find Snow White. She tracks down Snow White and then gives her a poisonous apple. The queen said that, “When she breaks the tender peel to taste the apple in my hand, her breath will still, her blood congeal. Then I'll be the fairest in the land” (Snow White). The queen
hated the fact that Snow White, with “perfect white skin, [and] no age spots”
was the most beautiful of all the land so she decided that killing her was the only
way to mend the situation (Snow White). The queen had been working on her image
so that she could claim the title “Fairest of them All,” and when it turned out that this
title was not bestowed upon her, she sought vengeance on innocent
Snow White (Snow White).
Here is a snippet of some of the script from Snow White: Click Here!
hated the fact that Snow White, with “perfect white skin, [and] no age spots”
was the most beautiful of all the land so she decided that killing her was the only
way to mend the situation (Snow White). The queen had been working on her image
so that she could claim the title “Fairest of them All,” and when it turned out that this
title was not bestowed upon her, she sought vengeance on innocent
Snow White (Snow White).
Here is a snippet of some of the script from Snow White: Click Here!
Lastly, in Harry Potter, one of the antagonists of the novels, Severus
Snape, has strong feelings of hatred toward Harry Potter. Throughout the Harry
Potter series, Snape regards Harry as incompetent, precisely like his own father.
Snape often gives Harry detention for anything from roaming the corridors to making
a mistake while concocting a potion in Snape’s class. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood
Prince, Snape goes on a rant about his hatred for the boy in which he says: "Of course,
it became apparent to me very quickly that he had no extraordinary talent at all. He has
fought his way out of a number of tight corners by a simple combination of sheer luck and
more talented friends. He is mediocre to the last degree, though as obnoxious and
self-satisfied as was his father before him. I have done my utmost to have him thrown
out of Hogwarts, where I believe he scarcely belongs.” (Rowling, J.K.). It is obvious that
Snape despises Harry’s presence, actions, and abilities. Snape’s hate for Harry is often
misunderstood and it does not become clear as to why he truly hates Harry until the
final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, reveals the true reasons for Snape’s hatred for Harry. In the seventh book of the series, Snape’s memories show that he hates Harry based on the fact that he is James Potter’s son. James Potter was severely hated by Snape because he stole Lily Potter from him, Harry’s mother, whom Snape fell in love with at a very young age. Knowing that Harry was the son of the selfish, pompous, conceited James Potter, Snape inflicted feelings of hatred on Harry all of his years at Hogwarts. Antagonists often will be led to exert their power over others by means of hatred, one of the strongest human emotions. Severus Snape allowed hatred to control
his actions and feelings toward Harry, and unfortunately hatred tends to cause humans
to destroy relationships with others. Hatred based on preconceived notions is a theme
that will remain present in humankind until the end of time.
his actions and feelings toward Harry, and unfortunately hatred tends to cause humans
to destroy relationships with others. Hatred based on preconceived notions is a theme
that will remain present in humankind until the end of time.
Snape's story
Works Cited:
Rowling, J. K., and Mary GrandPré. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine, 2005. Print.
Snow White. Dir. RKO Radio Pictures. Disney, 1937. Videocassette.
Perrine, Laurence. “Othello.” Perrine’s Literature: Structures, Sound, and Sense. Fort Worth.
Harcourt College. 2002. 1361-1462. Print.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Secrets secrets
Lyrics
The song that I have chosen that relates to a conflict in Othello is Our Lips Are Sealed. This song is by the Go-Go's. At first it may seem as though there is a not a huge connection between Shakespeare and the Go-Go's, but a look at the lyrics reveals otherwise. In this song, someone is "telling lies" and it is "no surprise." Iago can be compared to this person. He tells lies about others and knowing his character and inclination to jealousy, it is really no surprise that he creates rumors about Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, etc.
Next the chorus reveals Roderigo and Iago's secret pact:
"It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed"
This relates to Othello because Roderigo went along with the jealous games that Iago played. He obeyed Iago's requests so that he could get back together with Desdemona. Throughout all of Iago's plotting, Roderigo managed to keep his lips sealed. Iago and Roderigo can represent the "our" in our lips are sealed because they were the ones that kept their lips sealed from the truth of what was really going on.
Lastly, "Hush my darling, don't you cry, quiet angel, forget their lies" can be compared to Iago. As the play wraps up, the truth about Iago is revealed. Well kindof. Othello discovers that Iago is behind all of the mischief that occurred but Iago tells him not to worry about it and figure it out for the details for himself. I can imagine Iago, being that two faced person he is, telling Othello to "hush darling, don't cry, forget the lies," because he still wanted everyone to think he was honest. Okay maybe he wouldn't say darling but still. Keeping his motives and such a secret was his last attempt to save his reputation as that honest man. Somewhat ironic. Anyway, enjoy this awesome song :)
The song that I have chosen that relates to a conflict in Othello is Our Lips Are Sealed. This song is by the Go-Go's. At first it may seem as though there is a not a huge connection between Shakespeare and the Go-Go's, but a look at the lyrics reveals otherwise. In this song, someone is "telling lies" and it is "no surprise." Iago can be compared to this person. He tells lies about others and knowing his character and inclination to jealousy, it is really no surprise that he creates rumors about Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, etc.
 |
| Roderigo and Iago |
"It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed"
This relates to Othello because Roderigo went along with the jealous games that Iago played. He obeyed Iago's requests so that he could get back together with Desdemona. Throughout all of Iago's plotting, Roderigo managed to keep his lips sealed. Iago and Roderigo can represent the "our" in our lips are sealed because they were the ones that kept their lips sealed from the truth of what was really going on.
Lastly, "Hush my darling, don't you cry, quiet angel, forget their lies" can be compared to Iago. As the play wraps up, the truth about Iago is revealed. Well kindof. Othello discovers that Iago is behind all of the mischief that occurred but Iago tells him not to worry about it and figure it out for the details for himself. I can imagine Iago, being that two faced person he is, telling Othello to "hush darling, don't cry, forget the lies," because he still wanted everyone to think he was honest. Okay maybe he wouldn't say darling but still. Keeping his motives and such a secret was his last attempt to save his reputation as that honest man. Somewhat ironic. Anyway, enjoy this awesome song :)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Othello Overview
Iago: "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.
From this time forth I never will speak word."
Act V, Scene ii, 302-303
In order to preserve his reputation as that honest man, Iago didn't admit why to Othello he did what he did. It's ironic because it's obvious that he's not honest because he kept all these secrets from everyone. This part portrays Iago furthermore as someone who is deceiving. He still continues as though nothing really happened even though he's been caught red-handed. Iago never gives up on his plot even as it falls through.
Overall Othello seemed pretty far-fetched to me since Iago was able to convince everyone of basically anything. All of the characters were rather gullible in my opinion. Othello didn't second-guess any of Iago's rumors about Desdemona cheating on him. Emilia never seemed to discover what her husband was up to, until the very end of course. Iago had this insane control over all of the characters. Iago-one person- had the power to cause a ton of drama. I wonder if Shakespeare meant for the play to be somewhat far-fetched and entertaining or if it was to show how destructive jealousy can be to oneself and others. Probably both. But could one person really cause four people to go against one another thus resulting in four deaths?..
Anyway, I can't decide if I liked Iago or not. On one hand, he was determined to get what he wanted, which is great and all, but it was for selfish reasons and he did it out of hatred/jealousy. Yet he was really the only smart character. Everyone else went with the flow and allowed all the rumors to consume their lives. Honest Iago was able to deceive them all. To sum it up here is what I have learned from Othello:
1) Jealousy makes for messy situations
2) Don't believe everything you hear
3) People may go to extreme ends to seek revenge
4) It is ignorant to hate someone based on preconceived notions
From this time forth I never will speak word."
Act V, Scene ii, 302-303
In order to preserve his reputation as that honest man, Iago didn't admit why to Othello he did what he did. It's ironic because it's obvious that he's not honest because he kept all these secrets from everyone. This part portrays Iago furthermore as someone who is deceiving. He still continues as though nothing really happened even though he's been caught red-handed. Iago never gives up on his plot even as it falls through.
Overall Othello seemed pretty far-fetched to me since Iago was able to convince everyone of basically anything. All of the characters were rather gullible in my opinion. Othello didn't second-guess any of Iago's rumors about Desdemona cheating on him. Emilia never seemed to discover what her husband was up to, until the very end of course. Iago had this insane control over all of the characters. Iago-one person- had the power to cause a ton of drama. I wonder if Shakespeare meant for the play to be somewhat far-fetched and entertaining or if it was to show how destructive jealousy can be to oneself and others. Probably both. But could one person really cause four people to go against one another thus resulting in four deaths?..
Anyway, I can't decide if I liked Iago or not. On one hand, he was determined to get what he wanted, which is great and all, but it was for selfish reasons and he did it out of hatred/jealousy. Yet he was really the only smart character. Everyone else went with the flow and allowed all the rumors to consume their lives. Honest Iago was able to deceive them all. To sum it up here is what I have learned from Othello:
1) Jealousy makes for messy situations
2) Don't believe everything you hear
3) People may go to extreme ends to seek revenge
4) It is ignorant to hate someone based on preconceived notions
Othello Act V
pg 1119 Question 4 "How is dramatic suspense created?"
Iago: "Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him
As gifts to Desdemona.
It must not be. If Cassio de remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly"
Act V, Scene i, 14-20
Suspense is created in a number of ways in Othello. First off, suspense is created by Iago's soliloquies and conversations with Roderigo. His inner plans are revealed during these moments and they make us wonder what will happen next in the play, as Iago always seems to come up with a new plan to create conflict. Suspense is also created through the other character's actions. In Iago's manipulation of the kind Othello, we have to truly wonder if Othello is really going to kill Desdemona, a woman he claimed to be so in love with at the beginning of the play. Suspense is created through the character Emilia too. At the beginning of the story, she was passive and held back her thoughts; by act five she was defiant and when she learned that her husband, Iago was behind all of the drama occurring, she stood up for herself. When Emilia is angry with Iago and the audience begins to wonder if she will turn him in for what he's started. Lastly, suspense is evident through the character's deaths. Within the first few lines or so of act five, Roderigo and Cassio were both stabbed with potentially fatal wounds. At this point I could only wonder who else Iago might plan to kill. And it turned out that Desdemona was killed by Othello. Iago ended up killing his own wife, in an attempt to save his reputation as that honest guy. And then Othello killed himself. Apparently, for Iago, death/murder is the best revenge there is.
Iago: "Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him
As gifts to Desdemona.
It must not be. If Cassio de remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly"
Act V, Scene i, 14-20
Suspense is created in a number of ways in Othello. First off, suspense is created by Iago's soliloquies and conversations with Roderigo. His inner plans are revealed during these moments and they make us wonder what will happen next in the play, as Iago always seems to come up with a new plan to create conflict. Suspense is also created through the other character's actions. In Iago's manipulation of the kind Othello, we have to truly wonder if Othello is really going to kill Desdemona, a woman he claimed to be so in love with at the beginning of the play. Suspense is created through the character Emilia too. At the beginning of the story, she was passive and held back her thoughts; by act five she was defiant and when she learned that her husband, Iago was behind all of the drama occurring, she stood up for herself. When Emilia is angry with Iago and the audience begins to wonder if she will turn him in for what he's started. Lastly, suspense is evident through the character's deaths. Within the first few lines or so of act five, Roderigo and Cassio were both stabbed with potentially fatal wounds. At this point I could only wonder who else Iago might plan to kill. And it turned out that Desdemona was killed by Othello. Iago ended up killing his own wife, in an attempt to save his reputation as that honest guy. And then Othello killed himself. Apparently, for Iago, death/murder is the best revenge there is.
Othello Act IV
Othello: "Get me some poison, Iago this night. I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago."
Iago: "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated."
Act 4, Scene i, 188-192
The characters of this story are all motivated by different means. Iago sets up everyone else's motivations though with his motive to get back at Othello for supposedly sleeping with his wife and to get back at Cassio for receiving position as lieutenant. With this in motion, Iago's plot concocts the other character's motives.
Iago: "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated."
Act 4, Scene i, 188-192
The characters of this story are all motivated by different means. Iago sets up everyone else's motivations though with his motive to get back at Othello for supposedly sleeping with his wife and to get back at Cassio for receiving position as lieutenant. With this in motion, Iago's plot concocts the other character's motives.
- Roderigo is motivated by Iago's promise. Roderigo pays Iago and in return, Iago promises that he will separate Desdemona and Othello, so that Roderigo may end up with Desdemona, his former lover.
- Othello is motivated by jealousy and the rumors which he believes to be true concerning Desdemona. Upon hearing that Desdemona cheated on him from Iago, Othello wants Desdemona out of his life. Othello wants to kill Cassio too for he mocked Desdemona (or so Othello thinks) for how Desdemona was deeply in love with him. Iago sneakily led Othello to believe that all of these situations about Desdemona were true, when they were in fact not. The above quote shows that Othello was motivated to then kill Desdemona because of her unfaithfulness to him. Othello basically wants to kill everyone at this point..
So the main motivations are driven by none other than jealousy. Jealousy makes people do unreasonable things is what the theme of this story should be. It causes Othello, who was once madly in love with Desdemona, to beat his wife and want her dead. It causes Roderigo to go out of his way to basically pay for love. And of course, jealousy causes Iago to ruin pretty much all of the character's lives. Jealousy is indeed a destructive force.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Othello Act III
"I greet thy love,
Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,
And will upon the instant put thee to 't.
Within these three days let me hear thee say
That Cassio's not alive."
Act III, Scene iii, lines 470-474
Iago's plot to separate Othello and Desdemona starts to unravel in Act III. Iago has successfully convinced Othello that Cassio is having an affair with his wife and Othello wants Cassio dead.
The themes that we talked about earlier this week are definitely emerging into the plotline. First off the theme that Jealousy is a powerful, often destructive force has been evident since the beginning of the play. Iago is jealous of Cassio for being picked to be lieutenant. This is the driving action for the plot. Because Iago is jealous, he plans to betray Othello and Cassio and at some points he uses Roderigo to help him accomplish his plans. We see jealousy being a destructive force too because it's causing Iago to do all of these terrible things to ruin relationships and character's viewpoints on the other characters.
Another theme is that Appearance and reality are not always the same. This theme has been seen through Iago. He appears to be looking out for the good of others, while the audience knows that he is really only doing such actions to benefit himself. He acts as though he wants Othello to be warned that Desdemona may be having an affair with Cassio, but in reality, Iago wants to separate the two from one another and create conflict. All because he didn't get a job.
The benefit that Iago gets from creating his false reality is that he is able to seek revenge for not having what he wanted. He gets back at others to show them he will get what he wants, no matter what.
Iago is creating loads of drama and conflict at this point and I predict that there will be a breaking point in one of the next two acts. All of Iago's little plots will collide, causing everyone to go mad, and someone will probably die too.
Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,
And will upon the instant put thee to 't.
Within these three days let me hear thee say
That Cassio's not alive."
Act III, Scene iii, lines 470-474
Iago's plot to separate Othello and Desdemona starts to unravel in Act III. Iago has successfully convinced Othello that Cassio is having an affair with his wife and Othello wants Cassio dead.
The themes that we talked about earlier this week are definitely emerging into the plotline. First off the theme that Jealousy is a powerful, often destructive force has been evident since the beginning of the play. Iago is jealous of Cassio for being picked to be lieutenant. This is the driving action for the plot. Because Iago is jealous, he plans to betray Othello and Cassio and at some points he uses Roderigo to help him accomplish his plans. We see jealousy being a destructive force too because it's causing Iago to do all of these terrible things to ruin relationships and character's viewpoints on the other characters.
Another theme is that Appearance and reality are not always the same. This theme has been seen through Iago. He appears to be looking out for the good of others, while the audience knows that he is really only doing such actions to benefit himself. He acts as though he wants Othello to be warned that Desdemona may be having an affair with Cassio, but in reality, Iago wants to separate the two from one another and create conflict. All because he didn't get a job.
The benefit that Iago gets from creating his false reality is that he is able to seek revenge for not having what he wanted. He gets back at others to show them he will get what he wants, no matter what.
Iago is creating loads of drama and conflict at this point and I predict that there will be a breaking point in one of the next two acts. All of Iago's little plots will collide, causing everyone to go mad, and someone will probably die too.
Othello Act II
pg 1119, Question 3 "Are there any foil characters? What dramatic functions are served by the various minor characters? Do they shed light on the actions or motives of the major characters?"
"Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors,
Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds."
Act II, Scene i, lines 109-112
There are obvious tensions between the women and men so far in this play. An instance of this occurred when Iago, Iago's wife, Emilia, and Desdemona all had a conversation about women. Iago regards women as objects that are, "To suckle fools and chronicle small beer" (II, i, 159). Emilia's reaction to how her husband treats her is very quiet and submissive. She does not argue with what he has to say and we see the opposite reaction in Desdemona, who challenges Iago's words. Emilia and Desdemona are foil characters because their personalities contrast one another. Emilia is reserved and passive while Desdemona is aggressive and opinionated. These characters shine a light upon Iago's character: they reveal that Iago has a controlling attitude, because his wife Emilia quietly agrees with what Iago says. On the other hand, those who do not know Iago very well, like Desdemona, are appalled that a man could say such things about women. This conversation about ideal women portrays Iago's true character to the audience, without any need for a soliloquy. Iago is blunt, set in his ways, and he is not affected by what others may think. These qualities of Iago are possibly reasons for his plotting against Othello and Cassio.
Iago is very clever too and this is seen throughout Act II. He knows how to convince people into doing things they probably wouldn't otherwise do; for example, Iago was able to get Cassio drunk and he also was able to comfort Roderigo's worries that his money was almost spent (II, iii, 328) by saying that time would allow for the 'fruits to blossom.'
Seeing how Iago has managed to create mischief through manipulation thus far in the play leads me to believe even more serious plotting is to come...
"Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors,
Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds."
Act II, Scene i, lines 109-112
There are obvious tensions between the women and men so far in this play. An instance of this occurred when Iago, Iago's wife, Emilia, and Desdemona all had a conversation about women. Iago regards women as objects that are, "To suckle fools and chronicle small beer" (II, i, 159). Emilia's reaction to how her husband treats her is very quiet and submissive. She does not argue with what he has to say and we see the opposite reaction in Desdemona, who challenges Iago's words. Emilia and Desdemona are foil characters because their personalities contrast one another. Emilia is reserved and passive while Desdemona is aggressive and opinionated. These characters shine a light upon Iago's character: they reveal that Iago has a controlling attitude, because his wife Emilia quietly agrees with what Iago says. On the other hand, those who do not know Iago very well, like Desdemona, are appalled that a man could say such things about women. This conversation about ideal women portrays Iago's true character to the audience, without any need for a soliloquy. Iago is blunt, set in his ways, and he is not affected by what others may think. These qualities of Iago are possibly reasons for his plotting against Othello and Cassio.
Iago is very clever too and this is seen throughout Act II. He knows how to convince people into doing things they probably wouldn't otherwise do; for example, Iago was able to get Cassio drunk and he also was able to comfort Roderigo's worries that his money was almost spent (II, iii, 328) by saying that time would allow for the 'fruits to blossom.'
Seeing how Iago has managed to create mischief through manipulation thus far in the play leads me to believe even more serious plotting is to come...
Othello Act I
pg 1119 Question 3 "Identify the protagonist and antagonist."
"It is engendered. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light."
Act I, Scene iii, lines 383-384
The protagonist so far in Othello appears to be Othello, the Moor. He is the hero for his services done for the signiory (I, i, 18) or the state of Venice. He also has the characteristics of a protagonist; he is a brave soldier, calm in times of trouble, and he is also loyal to his work. He is respected by those in Venice as well. On the other hand, the antagonist seems to be Iago. Iago is a conniving, sneaky, manipulative character. This is seen through his manipulation of Roderigo, to "put money in thy purse" (I, iii, 330) which means he wants Roderigo to pay him money because they have a promise to one another. Iago has promised Roderigo that he will separate Desdemona from Othello if Roderigo will pay him. Though beneath this promise, Iago's motives are shown through his soliloquies. As Act I draws to a close Iago reveals his hatred of Othello for promoting Cassio to a position which Iago believed he deserved. He made a deal with Roderigo because he realized that he could basically kill two birds with one stone: he would be able to get money from Roderigo while at the same time watch Othello go down for what he did to him, thus allowing Roderigo to have his end of the deal too.
It's evident that Iago is a sly character by his different ways of speaking. On one hand, he speaks poetry in front of authorities. Meanwhile in front of Roderigo and the audience, he speaks in prose. This difference in speaking reveals the two-faced Iago. The poetry manner of speaking hides his true thoughts, feelings, and motivations for his actions. When he speaks in prose we see that he is plotting against the noble moor and Cassio and that he plans to betray them. So far, Iago is an intelligent thinker and he knows how to deceive people so that he can get what he wants.
"It is engendered. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light."
Act I, Scene iii, lines 383-384
The protagonist so far in Othello appears to be Othello, the Moor. He is the hero for his services done for the signiory (I, i, 18) or the state of Venice. He also has the characteristics of a protagonist; he is a brave soldier, calm in times of trouble, and he is also loyal to his work. He is respected by those in Venice as well. On the other hand, the antagonist seems to be Iago. Iago is a conniving, sneaky, manipulative character. This is seen through his manipulation of Roderigo, to "put money in thy purse" (I, iii, 330) which means he wants Roderigo to pay him money because they have a promise to one another. Iago has promised Roderigo that he will separate Desdemona from Othello if Roderigo will pay him. Though beneath this promise, Iago's motives are shown through his soliloquies. As Act I draws to a close Iago reveals his hatred of Othello for promoting Cassio to a position which Iago believed he deserved. He made a deal with Roderigo because he realized that he could basically kill two birds with one stone: he would be able to get money from Roderigo while at the same time watch Othello go down for what he did to him, thus allowing Roderigo to have his end of the deal too.
It's evident that Iago is a sly character by his different ways of speaking. On one hand, he speaks poetry in front of authorities. Meanwhile in front of Roderigo and the audience, he speaks in prose. This difference in speaking reveals the two-faced Iago. The poetry manner of speaking hides his true thoughts, feelings, and motivations for his actions. When he speaks in prose we see that he is plotting against the noble moor and Cassio and that he plans to betray them. So far, Iago is an intelligent thinker and he knows how to deceive people so that he can get what he wants.
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