"That fellow had it coming to him. He threw dust into your eyes just like he did in Daisy's but he was a tough one. He ran over Myrtle like you'd run over a dog and never even stopped his car. " (page 187)
I'm pretty sure that this is the last blog that I will ever do. Before I begin discussing theme, I just want to say that how excited I am about this! I can almost hear the Hallelujiah chorus. (Sigh) Wow! Words cannot express how happy I am! Okay, back to blogging. My understanding of The Great Gatsby is that many people have a dream for their lives. Many people want to live the American dream, and many books are written with people celebrating their own happily ever afters. Honestly, those are the books that I love the most because I enjoy living in an idealistic world filled with happiness, sunshine, and Disney princesses. However, as much as I hate to say this, life is not that way. The Great Gatsby gives us more of a realistic view as to how life really is. Infidelity is common in the American society and marriages fall apart. People are consumed in their egotism and only want to be the best. They want what is best for themselves, but they seldomly care about others. Look at the quote above. This is all about how Myrtle was killed tragically by a car and no one seemed to care. No one showed sympathy; they just all shoved the blame on someone else. I hate that Tom says that Gatsby deserved to die. Honestly, no one deserves to die. Dying should be in God's hands. However, in this novel, everyone has to take fate into their own hands. Even Gatsby just wanted to make a life for himself. Was he living to be charismatic and help the benefit of others, though? No. He brought on this new lifestyle to win over Daisy's affection. He knew that Daisy did not approve of his low status, so he made a name for himself. It is so sad that Daisy only loves him when he is wealthy. What is this world coming to? Money does not win happiness! Love and happiness are so much more than social status. Deceit, betrayal, and greed all lead up to everyone's downfall in this novel, and they all destroy the happily ever after that each character could have.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Great Gatsby: Betrayal
"He was astounded. His mouth opened a little and he looked at Gatsby and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as someone he knew a long time ago." (page 125)
The irony of this quote simply makes me laugh. Tom is so upset that Daisy would cheat on him. Who is he? Jesus? I don't think so! Why would he be upset when he is doing the same thing to his wife with Myrtle?! This just makes me angry, and honestly, it makes me annoyed. He, a man, is allowed to cheat on his woman whenever he feels it necessary. But his wife is not allowed to cheat on him because she must remain faithful to him. This is ridiculous! Tom is so egotistical it makes me sick. I mean, don't get me wrong, Daisy is not justified in her act at all. She is not exempt from the act of cheating in any way, but Tom needs to wake up and smell the coffee here. He needs to look in the mirror. I guess that he did not realize how hurtful it was to cheat on his wife until she did it to him. No one would have been in this mess at all, though, if Daisy would have remained faithful to Gatsby in the firstplace. If she would have remained faithful to her promise to him, then she would have married Gatsby and Tom would not have cheated on her. However, since she did not remain faithful to Gatsby, it almost gives her a taste of her own medicine when her husband does not remain faithful to her. Obviously, I feel bad for her because waiting for someone can seem hopeless, but still.
The irony of this quote simply makes me laugh. Tom is so upset that Daisy would cheat on him. Who is he? Jesus? I don't think so! Why would he be upset when he is doing the same thing to his wife with Myrtle?! This just makes me angry, and honestly, it makes me annoyed. He, a man, is allowed to cheat on his woman whenever he feels it necessary. But his wife is not allowed to cheat on him because she must remain faithful to him. This is ridiculous! Tom is so egotistical it makes me sick. I mean, don't get me wrong, Daisy is not justified in her act at all. She is not exempt from the act of cheating in any way, but Tom needs to wake up and smell the coffee here. He needs to look in the mirror. I guess that he did not realize how hurtful it was to cheat on his wife until she did it to him. No one would have been in this mess at all, though, if Daisy would have remained faithful to Gatsby in the firstplace. If she would have remained faithful to her promise to him, then she would have married Gatsby and Tom would not have cheated on her. However, since she did not remain faithful to Gatsby, it almost gives her a taste of her own medicine when her husband does not remain faithful to her. Obviously, I feel bad for her because waiting for someone can seem hopeless, but still.
The Great Gatsby: Death
"Myrtle Wilson's body wrapped in a blanket and then in another blanket as though she suffered from a chill in the hot night lay on a work table by the wall and Tom, with his back to us, was bending over it, motionless." (page 146)
I feel like I'm reading Shakespeare here. Everyone is dying. The saying, "Everything happens for a reason" really does relate to this book. Although I was sad about the deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby, it at least allowed the characters to look at themselves and realize that something is not right. Their entire system of being self-absorbed was not making them happy and they needed a slap in the face to get out of their false reality. I also enjoyed the symbolism of death in this book. Not only do the characters die, but some of their hopes and dreams die as well. Tom and Daisy's marriage died due to their infidelity toward each other. Gatsby's past died. Gatsby used to be a man who lived off of nothing and now he is a new man. He made a name for himself. He thought that prosperity would win him happiness. However, I think that this dream died as well. His dream of having Daisy died when she ran off with Tom when Gatsby went to war. Tom's love, Myrtle, tragically died by being hit by a car, and this burst his hopes and dreams of being with her. I almost wonder what would have happened if Tom and Daisy would have gotten a divorce. I know that divorces were not common in this era, but if Tom and Daisy would have broken up, would they have been happy? Would Daisy have been happy with Gatsby or would they just lose love like everyone else? What about Tom and Myrtle? If Myrtle would have lived, and Tom got a divorce, would they be happy together? I almost think not. Because they are all so consumed in materialism, their ability to communicate and show each other affection dwindled away. Love cannot live in this environment. Also, I think that Daisy's name is symbolic and ironic at the same time. The word "daisy" is all about spring and new beginnings. However, Daisy was a cynical character who hurt Gatsby and ruined her new beginning with him by choosing Tom. Tisk tisk.
I feel like I'm reading Shakespeare here. Everyone is dying. The saying, "Everything happens for a reason" really does relate to this book. Although I was sad about the deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby, it at least allowed the characters to look at themselves and realize that something is not right. Their entire system of being self-absorbed was not making them happy and they needed a slap in the face to get out of their false reality. I also enjoyed the symbolism of death in this book. Not only do the characters die, but some of their hopes and dreams die as well. Tom and Daisy's marriage died due to their infidelity toward each other. Gatsby's past died. Gatsby used to be a man who lived off of nothing and now he is a new man. He made a name for himself. He thought that prosperity would win him happiness. However, I think that this dream died as well. His dream of having Daisy died when she ran off with Tom when Gatsby went to war. Tom's love, Myrtle, tragically died by being hit by a car, and this burst his hopes and dreams of being with her. I almost wonder what would have happened if Tom and Daisy would have gotten a divorce. I know that divorces were not common in this era, but if Tom and Daisy would have broken up, would they have been happy? Would Daisy have been happy with Gatsby or would they just lose love like everyone else? What about Tom and Myrtle? If Myrtle would have lived, and Tom got a divorce, would they be happy together? I almost think not. Because they are all so consumed in materialism, their ability to communicate and show each other affection dwindled away. Love cannot live in this environment. Also, I think that Daisy's name is symbolic and ironic at the same time. The word "daisy" is all about spring and new beginnings. However, Daisy was a cynical character who hurt Gatsby and ruined her new beginning with him by choosing Tom. Tisk tisk.
The Great Gatsby: Secrecy
"James Gatz- that was really, or at least legally, his name. He had changed it at the age of seventeen and at the beginning of his career- when he saw Dan Cody's yacht drop anchor over the most insiduous flat on Lake Superior." (page 104)
Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone. Ain't that the truth for this novel. Sheesh. I seriously wanted to make that my quote to start off this blog, but I knew that I had to stick to the novel. This entire book is centered around secrecy, which leads up to the deceit and the betrayal of all the characters. Let me get this straight: Gatsby's secret is that he used to be poor and that his real name is James Gatz. He goes by a different name in order to live as a different person. To me, it almost seems as if he is living a double life, like Hannah Montana or something. His separate identity allows him to be who he wants to be. Actually, this reminds me of The Devil in the White City. The main character in The Devil in the White City creates a separate identity for himself so that others will never know who he really is. I will post a trailer at the bottom of this blog to showcase more similarities between Gatsby and Holmes. Furthermore, secrecy might tear the characters apart in this book, but secrecy ties their storylines together. Daisy's secret is that she is in love with Gatsby. She also held a secret from Gatsby that she was engaged to Tom when Gatsby was off at war. That's confusing. Tom's secret is that he is having an affair with Myrtle. Holy cow! Everyone has secrets here! I guess, in real life, this holds true as well. I just love the irony of it all, though. On the outside, everyone is put-together, nice, young, and wealthy people. On the inside, they all feel desperate for love and want to be happy. Their material things don't make them happy, so they turn to other things. Every character in this book just keeps wanting more and more, and this greed leads them to selfish lives submersed in secrecy.
The Great Gatsby: Violence
"She never loved you, do you hear? She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. it was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone but me." (page 137)
In the second half of The Great Gatsby we witnessed the violence that is incorporated into the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The author incorporates violence in many ways, but he does it mainly from the syntax and the dialect in which people speak. In the quote above, Gatsby is being violent toward Tom with his words. Sometimes, at least sometimes in this novel, words can be more deceiving than anything. For example, knowledge of deceit and betrayal were what tore the families apart the most. Tom was so offended that Daisy would cheat on him, but he did the same thing to her. The betrayal was violent toward their relationship. Obviously, violence is what leads up to the death of many people in this book, but I am going to go into that in my next blog. The way in which the characters speak to each other is incredibly violent. Most of this rude dialect has to do with jealousy and egotism. In the quote above, Gatsby states that "in her heart she never loved anyone but me." This is what Gatsby has convinced himself of, but he cannot be entirely certain that Daisy did not love Tom at all. Perhaps Daisy said this to Gatsby because she could not look at Tom the same way when he began cheating on her. However, maybe Daisy did love Tom before Tom betrayed her. The violence escalates to the murder of Gatsby and the death of Myrtle. People's anger causes them to not only destroy relationships, but physically destroy human beings as well and lead to their tragic end.
In the second half of The Great Gatsby we witnessed the violence that is incorporated into the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The author incorporates violence in many ways, but he does it mainly from the syntax and the dialect in which people speak. In the quote above, Gatsby is being violent toward Tom with his words. Sometimes, at least sometimes in this novel, words can be more deceiving than anything. For example, knowledge of deceit and betrayal were what tore the families apart the most. Tom was so offended that Daisy would cheat on him, but he did the same thing to her. The betrayal was violent toward their relationship. Obviously, violence is what leads up to the death of many people in this book, but I am going to go into that in my next blog. The way in which the characters speak to each other is incredibly violent. Most of this rude dialect has to do with jealousy and egotism. In the quote above, Gatsby states that "in her heart she never loved anyone but me." This is what Gatsby has convinced himself of, but he cannot be entirely certain that Daisy did not love Tom at all. Perhaps Daisy said this to Gatsby because she could not look at Tom the same way when he began cheating on her. However, maybe Daisy did love Tom before Tom betrayed her. The violence escalates to the murder of Gatsby and the death of Myrtle. People's anger causes them to not only destroy relationships, but physically destroy human beings as well and lead to their tragic end.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Great Gatsby: Theme (and movie clip from Something Borrowed)
" 'Doesn't her husband object?' 'Wilson? He thinks she goes to see her sister in New York. He's so dumb he doens't know he's alive.' " (page 30)
This book is centered around affairs and secrets. People are getting away with these affairs too. Tom is having an affair. Daisy is having an affair with Gatsby. It never ends. The novel is just one big cycle of forced love. It's kind of sad actually. However, I think that it all has something to do with one of the major themes of the book. In life itself, people have dreams. More importantly, many people want to live the American dream. They want to find the person they are meant to be with and have children and live happily ever after. However, the American dream is not always realistic. Infidelity is realistic though. Love fades and people change. This reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Something Borrowed. In this movie, infidelity is everywhere. The characters in the movie just want to be happy, but sometimes one's character can interfere with another person's relationship. Since human's a weak creatures, cheating occurs and people get hurt. If I had to predict how The Great Gatsby was going to end, I would predict it to go something like this movie. Here is a trailer from the movie to give someone a glimpse as to how the book is similar to this movie.
This book is centered around affairs and secrets. People are getting away with these affairs too. Tom is having an affair. Daisy is having an affair with Gatsby. It never ends. The novel is just one big cycle of forced love. It's kind of sad actually. However, I think that it all has something to do with one of the major themes of the book. In life itself, people have dreams. More importantly, many people want to live the American dream. They want to find the person they are meant to be with and have children and live happily ever after. However, the American dream is not always realistic. Infidelity is realistic though. Love fades and people change. This reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Something Borrowed. In this movie, infidelity is everywhere. The characters in the movie just want to be happy, but sometimes one's character can interfere with another person's relationship. Since human's a weak creatures, cheating occurs and people get hurt. If I had to predict how The Great Gatsby was going to end, I would predict it to go something like this movie. Here is a trailer from the movie to give someone a glimpse as to how the book is similar to this movie.
The Great Gatsby: It's Ranting Time
"He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it that you may come across four or five times in life" (page 52).
I honestly look forward to this blog every week. I already finished my required three literary analysis blogs, so now I can just rant about my own personal thoughts about the book and speak my mind. I thoroughly enjoy stating my own opinion on things, so I don't object. Okay, thoughts so far.... Where to begin? Where to begin? Let's start with this new set-up of blogster. Um, I don't like it. I logged on to do my blogs and was very confused. It's nice, I guess. But it's all contemporary and makes me feel like I'm typing a blog for NASA or something. It's too futuresque for my taste. Not a fan.
Okay, okay. I should probably get to my ranting about the task at hand. But you have to admit: this new setup is weird. Back to writing my blog. I honestly kind of like this book. I really enjoy books that have been set in the 1920's. It really is interesting and even though it is set in this era, I believe that this book is timeless. Many people throughout time are caught up in material possessions. Honestly, I thought the era that I live in has been the most materialistic. We are constantly tuning out the world with our cell phones, facebooking, tweeting, and the like. We are living in the mindset where we truly care what others think of us. We dress a certain way, we speak a certain way, we act a certain way, etc. Why? Generally, to win the affections of others. Now, I'm being somewhat stereotypical of society because not everyone is like this, but for the most part, society is EXTREMELY materialistic. And it's only getting worse. Why is the world in so much debt? People want more. Houses are getting bigger, cars are getting nicer, and everything is getting more expensive. But nothing is stopping us. Absolutely nothing. This is so similar to the book. Tom and Daisy have an enormous home. Nick feels inadequate because his house is small, but Nick has what he needs. When Nick enters into the lives of Tom and Daisy, he loses sight of who he was. He used to care about what he needed. Now he cares about what he wants. Bleh. These people need to get over themselves and start looking at what truly matters in life. They might have nice things, but they're completely boring underneath their beautiful masks, their lifeless facades.
I honestly look forward to this blog every week. I already finished my required three literary analysis blogs, so now I can just rant about my own personal thoughts about the book and speak my mind. I thoroughly enjoy stating my own opinion on things, so I don't object. Okay, thoughts so far.... Where to begin? Where to begin? Let's start with this new set-up of blogster. Um, I don't like it. I logged on to do my blogs and was very confused. It's nice, I guess. But it's all contemporary and makes me feel like I'm typing a blog for NASA or something. It's too futuresque for my taste. Not a fan.
Okay, okay. I should probably get to my ranting about the task at hand. But you have to admit: this new setup is weird. Back to writing my blog. I honestly kind of like this book. I really enjoy books that have been set in the 1920's. It really is interesting and even though it is set in this era, I believe that this book is timeless. Many people throughout time are caught up in material possessions. Honestly, I thought the era that I live in has been the most materialistic. We are constantly tuning out the world with our cell phones, facebooking, tweeting, and the like. We are living in the mindset where we truly care what others think of us. We dress a certain way, we speak a certain way, we act a certain way, etc. Why? Generally, to win the affections of others. Now, I'm being somewhat stereotypical of society because not everyone is like this, but for the most part, society is EXTREMELY materialistic. And it's only getting worse. Why is the world in so much debt? People want more. Houses are getting bigger, cars are getting nicer, and everything is getting more expensive. But nothing is stopping us. Absolutely nothing. This is so similar to the book. Tom and Daisy have an enormous home. Nick feels inadequate because his house is small, but Nick has what he needs. When Nick enters into the lives of Tom and Daisy, he loses sight of who he was. He used to care about what he needed. Now he cares about what he wants. Bleh. These people need to get over themselves and start looking at what truly matters in life. They might have nice things, but they're completely boring underneath their beautiful masks, their lifeless facades.
The Great Gatsby: Technique
"I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool- taht's the best thing a girl can be is a beautiful little fool" (page 21).
Technique is everywhere in this novel. For example, Fitzgerald has Nick speak with many sidenotes. This is to add more personality to Nick and to have him speak in a more personable level. Also, imagery is infused throughout. On page 9, Gatsby's mansion is described with imagery. "it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, witha tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble smimming pool... " Fitzgerald uses imagery throughout the novel to explain the state of life the characters live in. Irony is also a technique that Fitzgerald uses. For example, on page 21, Fitzgerald scribes, "I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool- that's the best thing a girl can be i s a beautiful little fool." This is ironic because Daisy is upset that her daughter was born and Tom is no where to be found. The reader can tell that Daisy is upset, but she sarcastically says, "I'm glad it's a girl." Finally, Fitzgerald uses foreshadowing in this novel. On page 26 Nick says, "When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I once again was alone in the unquiet darkness." This is foreshadowing that Gatsby will not always be with Nick and Nick will be left alone in a world of darkness and emptiness. I can honestly figure out where this story is going...... Mwahaha
Technique is everywhere in this novel. For example, Fitzgerald has Nick speak with many sidenotes. This is to add more personality to Nick and to have him speak in a more personable level. Also, imagery is infused throughout. On page 9, Gatsby's mansion is described with imagery. "it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, witha tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble smimming pool... " Fitzgerald uses imagery throughout the novel to explain the state of life the characters live in. Irony is also a technique that Fitzgerald uses. For example, on page 21, Fitzgerald scribes, "I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool- that's the best thing a girl can be i s a beautiful little fool." This is ironic because Daisy is upset that her daughter was born and Tom is no where to be found. The reader can tell that Daisy is upset, but she sarcastically says, "I'm glad it's a girl." Finally, Fitzgerald uses foreshadowing in this novel. On page 26 Nick says, "When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I once again was alone in the unquiet darkness." This is foreshadowing that Gatsby will not always be with Nick and Nick will be left alone in a world of darkness and emptiness. I can honestly figure out where this story is going...... Mwahaha
The Great Gatsby: Setting
"Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay." (page 11)
In this quote, the author is describing the setting of the story. However, the quote goes deeper than this. Yes, throughout the first chapters of the novel, Fitzgerald describes the setting of Nick's new town in great detail. However, the detail has much significance. For example, Nick describes his own house as "an eye-sore, but it was a small eye-sore and it had been overlooked..." (page 10). Nick later goes on to describe the Buchanon's home. I guess that it's not really a home; it's more like a mansion. These things are not just coincidental. There is reason behind it. Fitzgerald does this so the reader can be entranced by the status of the Buchanons. However, status is not everything. I'm getting the vibe that status is an important theme of the book. Everyone is so fascinated with their social status and how others view them. They care only about how much they spend to win others' affections. However, love does not come from money. Love comes from care. Themes in the book are paralleled by the settings in this story.
In this quote, the author is describing the setting of the story. However, the quote goes deeper than this. Yes, throughout the first chapters of the novel, Fitzgerald describes the setting of Nick's new town in great detail. However, the detail has much significance. For example, Nick describes his own house as "an eye-sore, but it was a small eye-sore and it had been overlooked..." (page 10). Nick later goes on to describe the Buchanon's home. I guess that it's not really a home; it's more like a mansion. These things are not just coincidental. There is reason behind it. Fitzgerald does this so the reader can be entranced by the status of the Buchanons. However, status is not everything. I'm getting the vibe that status is an important theme of the book. Everyone is so fascinated with their social status and how others view them. They care only about how much they spend to win others' affections. However, love does not come from money. Love comes from care. Themes in the book are paralleled by the settings in this story.
The Great Gatsby: Characterization
"Now he was a sturdy, straw haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner." (page 11)
The above quote is a description of Tom Buchanon. It is direct characterization because Fitzgerald is stating exactly how Tom Buchanon is instead of allowing the reader to imply it. Characterization is all in this book. It's seriously everywhere. Perhaps this is because I am only supposed to read the first half of the book so far. In the beginnings of books, this is where characters are introduced. This allows the reader to figure out what is going on. However, I still feel incredibly immersed in the characterization of this novel. I also find it ironic how most of the characters are simply described explicitly. Characters such as Tom and Daisy are described to a T when it comes to who they are and their appearances. When it comes to Gatsby, the characterization is more implied. Yes, some of the characterization is described explicitly, but not all. I think that this is due to the characters and the stories themselves. For example, everyone in the story is kind of placed into the stereotype as to caring so much as to how they look. Yes, they are all easily distinguishable due to how they look, but their personalities don't really matter to each other. Everyone is so excessive with materialism that they have lost sight as to what truly matters. Gatsby, on the other hand, cares about material possessions, but he also shows sign as to caring about others' personalities. I realized this on page six when Nick said, "Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction- Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn." Gatsby is different, and this is evident through the way Fitzgerald characterizes him.
The above quote is a description of Tom Buchanon. It is direct characterization because Fitzgerald is stating exactly how Tom Buchanon is instead of allowing the reader to imply it. Characterization is all in this book. It's seriously everywhere. Perhaps this is because I am only supposed to read the first half of the book so far. In the beginnings of books, this is where characters are introduced. This allows the reader to figure out what is going on. However, I still feel incredibly immersed in the characterization of this novel. I also find it ironic how most of the characters are simply described explicitly. Characters such as Tom and Daisy are described to a T when it comes to who they are and their appearances. When it comes to Gatsby, the characterization is more implied. Yes, some of the characterization is described explicitly, but not all. I think that this is due to the characters and the stories themselves. For example, everyone in the story is kind of placed into the stereotype as to caring so much as to how they look. Yes, they are all easily distinguishable due to how they look, but their personalities don't really matter to each other. Everyone is so excessive with materialism that they have lost sight as to what truly matters. Gatsby, on the other hand, cares about material possessions, but he also shows sign as to caring about others' personalities. I realized this on page six when Nick said, "Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction- Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn." Gatsby is different, and this is evident through the way Fitzgerald characterizes him.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein: Parallelism
"I left the room, and locking the door, made a solemn vow in my own heart neer to resume my labours; and then, with trembling steps, I sought my own apartment, I was alone...." (page 121).
MWA-HAHA! My last Frankenstein blog! I'm actually kind of sad about that. I really enjoyed this book. Nevertheless, I saved my last Frankenstein blog to be about my favorite topic of this book: parallelism. This is seriously the most epic thing ever if one thinks about the connections between Frankenstein to the creature. I blows my mind! Where to start? Where to start? Okay, I'll start with the quote above. When Frankenstein is making another creature, he is all alone in his laboratory. I find this parallel to the creature because the creature is constantly left all alone. I also find parallelism in the fact that the creature and Frankenstein both yearn to be loved. Frankenstein wants to marry Elizabeth and the creature wants someone of his own kind to be happy with. They both just want that one mate to be with forever. Both would not want anything more. When Victor sees the state that his father is in when his father is dying, Victor says, "Cursed, cursed be the fiend that brought misery on grey hairs, and doomed him to waste in wretchedness.... What then became of me? I know not; I lost sensation and chains and darkness were the only objects that pressed upon me" (page 147) Here, Victor is showing similar traits to the creature. Both want revenge on those who cause them misery. Both lose their own feelings in states of rage and are overcome by darkness when their lives don't go their way. On page 150, Victor says, "I pursued him; and for many months this has been my task." This links back to when the creature was angry with Victor. The creature pursued Victor and wanted revenge. Now, it has come full circle and Victor is pursuing the creature. Victor and the creature are very similar beings. I talked about more in a previous blog last week, but I know that there are more similarities than this. I am just trying to make a point.
Here's where thing become even more mind-blowing. Not only are the creature and Victor similar creatures, but Victor and Walton are as well. This just blows. My. Mind. Okay, get this: on page 158, Walton is writing to his "beloved sister." He writes to his sister often because they are incredibly close. This is similar to Victor and Elizabeth. On page 160, Walton is in deep mourning because he "lost his friend." Victor lost many people in his life, especially those he held closest to him. Victor and the creature are similar beings, but Walton is the same character as Victor. That is why Victor even tells his tale to Walton in the first place. Epic. It all comes full circle in one parallel universe.
MWA-HAHA! My last Frankenstein blog! I'm actually kind of sad about that. I really enjoyed this book. Nevertheless, I saved my last Frankenstein blog to be about my favorite topic of this book: parallelism. This is seriously the most epic thing ever if one thinks about the connections between Frankenstein to the creature. I blows my mind! Where to start? Where to start? Okay, I'll start with the quote above. When Frankenstein is making another creature, he is all alone in his laboratory. I find this parallel to the creature because the creature is constantly left all alone. I also find parallelism in the fact that the creature and Frankenstein both yearn to be loved. Frankenstein wants to marry Elizabeth and the creature wants someone of his own kind to be happy with. They both just want that one mate to be with forever. Both would not want anything more. When Victor sees the state that his father is in when his father is dying, Victor says, "Cursed, cursed be the fiend that brought misery on grey hairs, and doomed him to waste in wretchedness.... What then became of me? I know not; I lost sensation and chains and darkness were the only objects that pressed upon me" (page 147) Here, Victor is showing similar traits to the creature. Both want revenge on those who cause them misery. Both lose their own feelings in states of rage and are overcome by darkness when their lives don't go their way. On page 150, Victor says, "I pursued him; and for many months this has been my task." This links back to when the creature was angry with Victor. The creature pursued Victor and wanted revenge. Now, it has come full circle and Victor is pursuing the creature. Victor and the creature are very similar beings. I talked about more in a previous blog last week, but I know that there are more similarities than this. I am just trying to make a point.
Here's where thing become even more mind-blowing. Not only are the creature and Victor similar creatures, but Victor and Walton are as well. This just blows. My. Mind. Okay, get this: on page 158, Walton is writing to his "beloved sister." He writes to his sister often because they are incredibly close. This is similar to Victor and Elizabeth. On page 160, Walton is in deep mourning because he "lost his friend." Victor lost many people in his life, especially those he held closest to him. Victor and the creature are similar beings, but Walton is the same character as Victor. That is why Victor even tells his tale to Walton in the first place. Epic. It all comes full circle in one parallel universe.
Frankenstein: Theme
" 'Are you mad, my friend' said he; 'or whither does your senseless curiosity lead you? Would you also create for yourself and the world a demoniacal enemy? Peace, peace! learn my miseries, and do not eseek to increase your own." (page 156)
I'm starting to notice a trend here. Ever since the beginning of the story, Victor has been warning Walton about the dangers of knowledge. It can be a very harmful thing. Ever since the beginning of time, mankind has gotten smarter and smarter. The search for knowledge in the story (on Victor's behalf) was innocent. He wanted to find cures for illnesses. As the story went on, he became immersed in getting to know how to recreate human beings. This led to him creating a monster. The monster became immersed in learning as well, and found out the meanings of life. It cried when it read certain novels. It found numerous things about how humans work and how many things came to be. It learned about hatred and violence from others, and all these things added to the intensity of the monster. So: what is the meaning behind all of this information? What is Mary Shelley trying to say?
Personally, I believe that Mary Shelley sees knowledge as the monster. Her message is this: humans are figuring out how to do things that should not be known to man. Recreating humans is in God's hands, and this is what led to Victor's downfall. Knowing too much information is not always a good thing. That's why Victor did not even tell Walton of the hidden secrets because he didn't want to ruin Walton's life as well. We should just leave things alone and stop using knowledge to destroy mankind instead of improving our own lifestyles. Society is going downhill and we need to stop our minds before it's too late. But is this possible? How can we stop our minds? Our minds control our thoughts; this might be impossible.....
I'm starting to notice a trend here. Ever since the beginning of the story, Victor has been warning Walton about the dangers of knowledge. It can be a very harmful thing. Ever since the beginning of time, mankind has gotten smarter and smarter. The search for knowledge in the story (on Victor's behalf) was innocent. He wanted to find cures for illnesses. As the story went on, he became immersed in getting to know how to recreate human beings. This led to him creating a monster. The monster became immersed in learning as well, and found out the meanings of life. It cried when it read certain novels. It found numerous things about how humans work and how many things came to be. It learned about hatred and violence from others, and all these things added to the intensity of the monster. So: what is the meaning behind all of this information? What is Mary Shelley trying to say?
Personally, I believe that Mary Shelley sees knowledge as the monster. Her message is this: humans are figuring out how to do things that should not be known to man. Recreating humans is in God's hands, and this is what led to Victor's downfall. Knowing too much information is not always a good thing. That's why Victor did not even tell Walton of the hidden secrets because he didn't want to ruin Walton's life as well. We should just leave things alone and stop using knowledge to destroy mankind instead of improving our own lifestyles. Society is going downhill and we need to stop our minds before it's too late. But is this possible? How can we stop our minds? Our minds control our thoughts; this might be impossible.....
Frankenstein: Is Frankenstein innocent?
"I feel myself justified in desiring the death of my adversary... nor do I find it blameable. I created a being to assure in my power his happiness and well-being." (page 161).
I find it funny the way that one will tell a story. Whoever is telling the story will put his own spin on things to make the listener (or the reader) side with him. When the creature was telling the story, I almost felt as if i could hear an orchestra playing really sad music in the background. No one was there for him, no one loved him, he was all alone, etc. I heard it all. And all of this was true. But from Frankenstein's perspective, the creature was the devil. The creature was ruining his life. Frankenstein felt innocent, but so did the creature. Both of them felt justified in their actions for how they were wronged by the other. So, who is right here? Who is really innocent in this case? In Frankenstein's defense, he made the creature because he was curious about how to animate a human frame. The creature was of enormous stature and scared the bajeebies out of him, so he naturally ran away from the unknown. He loved his family and Elizabeth, and the creature destroyed everything. Aw, poor Frankenstein.
However, in the creature's defense, no one took care of it. It was left ALL alone. It had to celebrate its birthdays by itself. It was ugly and scary-looking and everyone hated it because they got to know it. Victor destroyed its only potential mate. How sad! However, the creature was also not justified in its actions. As bad as I felt for the creature, it should have never killed off Frankenstein's family or Elizabeth. I guess that's just my perspective though. I wish that everyone could just get along and "do unto others as they would like to be treated." However, I just don't think that the characters in this book would ever understand that concept.
I find it funny the way that one will tell a story. Whoever is telling the story will put his own spin on things to make the listener (or the reader) side with him. When the creature was telling the story, I almost felt as if i could hear an orchestra playing really sad music in the background. No one was there for him, no one loved him, he was all alone, etc. I heard it all. And all of this was true. But from Frankenstein's perspective, the creature was the devil. The creature was ruining his life. Frankenstein felt innocent, but so did the creature. Both of them felt justified in their actions for how they were wronged by the other. So, who is right here? Who is really innocent in this case? In Frankenstein's defense, he made the creature because he was curious about how to animate a human frame. The creature was of enormous stature and scared the bajeebies out of him, so he naturally ran away from the unknown. He loved his family and Elizabeth, and the creature destroyed everything. Aw, poor Frankenstein.
However, in the creature's defense, no one took care of it. It was left ALL alone. It had to celebrate its birthdays by itself. It was ugly and scary-looking and everyone hated it because they got to know it. Victor destroyed its only potential mate. How sad! However, the creature was also not justified in its actions. As bad as I felt for the creature, it should have never killed off Frankenstein's family or Elizabeth. I guess that's just my perspective though. I wish that everyone could just get along and "do unto others as they would like to be treated." However, I just don't think that the characters in this book would ever understand that concept.
Frankenstein: prejudice
"He struggled violently. 'Let me go.' he cried; 'monster! ugly wretch! you wish to eat me and tear me to pieces- You are an ogre!" (page 102).
Prejudice is a very important theme of this novel. It seems to be everywhere in this book. For instance, in the first half, Victor was prejudice towards the creature after it was created. He was afraid of it, even though it was simply reaching out to Victor to be loved. Many elements in this novel are misconstrued because people simply do not take the time to get to know the creature. Felix is prejudice towards the creature because Felix thinks that the creature is a threat. However, the creature would never have harmed anyone ins the DeLacey home if they would have just listened to him. In the second half of the book, I noticed more and more forms of prejudice. When the creature finds out that William is in relation to Frankenstein, the creature says, "Frankenstein! you belong then to my enemy- to him towards who I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim." (page 102). Here though, the creature is prejudice against William. The creature was incredibly offended when William called him ugly and that he was an ogre. This is because the creature thought that surely a child would not be judgmental towards him. Sure enough, though, the child was. I find it incredibly ironic with how the creature handles this, though. The creature is upset that William is prejudice against him for being a strange creature. However, the creature is prejudice as well. The creature is prejudice against William, thinking that he will be exactly like Victor. The creature did not even get the chance to get to really know William and kills him instantly. How sad! I feel sorry for the creature, but the creature also takes things just as far. It's kind of like little kids. If a little kid hits another child, I feel sorry for the one who was hit. However, if that child hits the other child back, then I don't feel sorry for either child because they are both doing things wrong. In the creature's defense, he cannot help it because no one has ever told him otherwise if things are right or wrong. He just learns from others, and the ways of prejudice are what he has learned.
I also noticed prejudice on page 165. The creature says, "Why do you not hate Felix, who drove his friend from the door with contumely? Why do you not execrate the rustic who sought to destroy the saviour of his child? Nay, these are virturous and immaculate beings! I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on. Even now my blood boils at the recollection of this injustice." This is SO true! Everyone here is wrong in the way they are treating the creature, and yet, the only one being hated is the creature. He has a horrible life and people simply make it worse. It reminds me of the Native Americans. People hated them and they did nothing wrong. They were simply living their own lives, trying to live in peace, and people made their lives miserable. Why did people hate the Native Americans? Why didn't they look at themselves and hate the people from Europe, killing them off? We need to open our eyes to realize what we are doing to people. The creature is miserable because of the way he is being treated. This just makes me so sad!
Prejudice is a very important theme of this novel. It seems to be everywhere in this book. For instance, in the first half, Victor was prejudice towards the creature after it was created. He was afraid of it, even though it was simply reaching out to Victor to be loved. Many elements in this novel are misconstrued because people simply do not take the time to get to know the creature. Felix is prejudice towards the creature because Felix thinks that the creature is a threat. However, the creature would never have harmed anyone ins the DeLacey home if they would have just listened to him. In the second half of the book, I noticed more and more forms of prejudice. When the creature finds out that William is in relation to Frankenstein, the creature says, "Frankenstein! you belong then to my enemy- to him towards who I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim." (page 102). Here though, the creature is prejudice against William. The creature was incredibly offended when William called him ugly and that he was an ogre. This is because the creature thought that surely a child would not be judgmental towards him. Sure enough, though, the child was. I find it incredibly ironic with how the creature handles this, though. The creature is upset that William is prejudice against him for being a strange creature. However, the creature is prejudice as well. The creature is prejudice against William, thinking that he will be exactly like Victor. The creature did not even get the chance to get to really know William and kills him instantly. How sad! I feel sorry for the creature, but the creature also takes things just as far. It's kind of like little kids. If a little kid hits another child, I feel sorry for the one who was hit. However, if that child hits the other child back, then I don't feel sorry for either child because they are both doing things wrong. In the creature's defense, he cannot help it because no one has ever told him otherwise if things are right or wrong. He just learns from others, and the ways of prejudice are what he has learned.
I also noticed prejudice on page 165. The creature says, "Why do you not hate Felix, who drove his friend from the door with contumely? Why do you not execrate the rustic who sought to destroy the saviour of his child? Nay, these are virturous and immaculate beings! I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on. Even now my blood boils at the recollection of this injustice." This is SO true! Everyone here is wrong in the way they are treating the creature, and yet, the only one being hated is the creature. He has a horrible life and people simply make it worse. It reminds me of the Native Americans. People hated them and they did nothing wrong. They were simply living their own lives, trying to live in peace, and people made their lives miserable. Why did people hate the Native Americans? Why didn't they look at themselves and hate the people from Europe, killing them off? We need to open our eyes to realize what we are doing to people. The creature is miserable because of the way he is being treated. This just makes me so sad!
Frankenstein: sympathy
"There was none among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared ever-lasting war against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery." (page 97).
After finishing this novel, I tried to figure out where I stood with each of the characters. Throughout the story, I have felt sorry for the creature. He was born deformed and so many people hated him. He was born good, so therefore, I believe that the creature has a heart. He cared for so many people, but they would turn against him. Sympathy is an integral part of the book and is located in many areas of the second half of the book. The creature seeks sympathy a lot, though, so I'm starting to think that this is an important part of the creature. The creature yearns for sympathy because the creature yearns to be loved in some way. On page 164, the creature says, "My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy; and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change, without torture such as you cannot even imagine." Here, the creature is hoping to have someone feel sorry for him. However, Walton calls him out on it. Walton says, "If he whom you mourn still lived, still would he be the object, again would he become the prey of your accursed vengeance." (page 164). In short, I am recognizing that the creature is a very complex character. He wants sympathy from others, but he also did not give Frankenstein any sympathy at all. He is solely evil towards Frankenstein because Frankenstein failed to raise him. It's a lot to ponder that the creature can be someone I love and hate at the same time.
After finishing this novel, I tried to figure out where I stood with each of the characters. Throughout the story, I have felt sorry for the creature. He was born deformed and so many people hated him. He was born good, so therefore, I believe that the creature has a heart. He cared for so many people, but they would turn against him. Sympathy is an integral part of the book and is located in many areas of the second half of the book. The creature seeks sympathy a lot, though, so I'm starting to think that this is an important part of the creature. The creature yearns for sympathy because the creature yearns to be loved in some way. On page 164, the creature says, "My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy; and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change, without torture such as you cannot even imagine." Here, the creature is hoping to have someone feel sorry for him. However, Walton calls him out on it. Walton says, "If he whom you mourn still lived, still would he be the object, again would he become the prey of your accursed vengeance." (page 164). In short, I am recognizing that the creature is a very complex character. He wants sympathy from others, but he also did not give Frankenstein any sympathy at all. He is solely evil towards Frankenstein because Frankenstein failed to raise him. It's a lot to ponder that the creature can be someone I love and hate at the same time.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Frankenstein: Nature vs. Nurture
"I was their plaything and their idol, and something better- their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by Heaven, whom to bring up to good, and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me." (page 16).
I have saved this blog for last because I have more to say about this topic than any of the other four blogs I created previous to this one. I simply want to parallel the lives of Frankenstein and his creature. Frankenstein created the creature, hoping to make the creature like himself. I love this quote because it ties everything together. Frankenstein was raised by parents who idolized him when he was born. They showered him with love and his childhood was like one from the gods. He was raised with hopes and dreams and just wanted to make his parents proud because they did so much for him. The creature, however, wasn't raised at all. It was incredibly neglected and had to learn how to figure out its senses on its own. It is just sad. Also, I found the quote on page 69 to be very powerful as well. The creature says, "If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm themselves for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me? I will keep no terms with my enemies. I am miserable, and they shall share my wretchedness." The only the creature has been shown is hatred. It only makes sense that the creature would respond with hatred as well. It's similar to the issue of child soldiers. Children in many countries are being forced to fight. They are killing others with weapons. This is simply absurd. Why are we instilling the act of fighting into these kids' minds? The kids don't know any better. This is just like the creature. He doesn't know any better than to treat others with kindness. Everyone is afraid of him, so of course he would be like this. I found another parallel between Frankenstein and the creature. Frankenstein said, "My temper was sometimes violent and my passions vehement; but by some law in my temeperament they were turned not towards childish pursuits but to an eager desire to learn." (page 19) The creature is like this too. Even though the creature was raised in a different environment, their personality qualities are very similar. They way they act around humans is different, though, due to how they were raised. Both Frankenstein and the creature have issues with anger. However, both crave to learn more. The creature wants to learn how to communicate with others to allow others to love him. Frankenstein craves to learn how to find cures for illnesses. The parallels are everywhere, and honestly, even though I find Frankenstein and the creature to essentially be the same being, I love the creature more. The creature may be a savage, but he has a heart. Frankenstein is just a guy who is afraid of life itself and whines the whole time about how horrible his life is. His miseries are nothing in comparison to the creatures, in my opinion. Frankenstein kind of brought his miseries upon himself. If he would have cared for the creature like he should have, the complications in Frankenstein's life would be few. William would still be alive. Justine would still be alive. Frankenstein's life would be different if he just would have taken care of the innocent creature.
I have saved this blog for last because I have more to say about this topic than any of the other four blogs I created previous to this one. I simply want to parallel the lives of Frankenstein and his creature. Frankenstein created the creature, hoping to make the creature like himself. I love this quote because it ties everything together. Frankenstein was raised by parents who idolized him when he was born. They showered him with love and his childhood was like one from the gods. He was raised with hopes and dreams and just wanted to make his parents proud because they did so much for him. The creature, however, wasn't raised at all. It was incredibly neglected and had to learn how to figure out its senses on its own. It is just sad. Also, I found the quote on page 69 to be very powerful as well. The creature says, "If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm themselves for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me? I will keep no terms with my enemies. I am miserable, and they shall share my wretchedness." The only the creature has been shown is hatred. It only makes sense that the creature would respond with hatred as well. It's similar to the issue of child soldiers. Children in many countries are being forced to fight. They are killing others with weapons. This is simply absurd. Why are we instilling the act of fighting into these kids' minds? The kids don't know any better. This is just like the creature. He doesn't know any better than to treat others with kindness. Everyone is afraid of him, so of course he would be like this. I found another parallel between Frankenstein and the creature. Frankenstein said, "My temper was sometimes violent and my passions vehement; but by some law in my temeperament they were turned not towards childish pursuits but to an eager desire to learn." (page 19) The creature is like this too. Even though the creature was raised in a different environment, their personality qualities are very similar. They way they act around humans is different, though, due to how they were raised. Both Frankenstein and the creature have issues with anger. However, both crave to learn more. The creature wants to learn how to communicate with others to allow others to love him. Frankenstein craves to learn how to find cures for illnesses. The parallels are everywhere, and honestly, even though I find Frankenstein and the creature to essentially be the same being, I love the creature more. The creature may be a savage, but he has a heart. Frankenstein is just a guy who is afraid of life itself and whines the whole time about how horrible his life is. His miseries are nothing in comparison to the creatures, in my opinion. Frankenstein kind of brought his miseries upon himself. If he would have cared for the creature like he should have, the complications in Frankenstein's life would be few. William would still be alive. Justine would still be alive. Frankenstein's life would be different if he just would have taken care of the innocent creature.
Frankenstein: sympathy
"At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the moster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity." (page 80).
When many of us think of monsters or evil beings, the only thing that we want to do is hate them. However, I simply cannot hate this creature. I actually love the creature and everything about it. It is kind and gentle and has an amazing heart. Isn't the creature just like any one of us? The creature just wants one thing: to be loved. We all want that. The creature reaches out to Victor, its creator, the minute the creature is born. And what does Victor do? Victor runs away. The creature is rejected and wanders off on its own. The creature spent years by itself and no one cares for it at all. This is sad. I also find it heartbreaking that the creature cannot even live among the people. He finds and shed to hide in and lives in that. Are you kidding me?! This is just devastating. And does the creature complain? No. The creature shovels people's snow and brings them fire wood. The creature is an amazing being, and people only show it hatred. I honestly feel incredibly sorry for the creature and want it to change the town with its kindness and love. People need to look past people's differences and see people for who they are by their actions and by the motives of their hearts, not their appearances.
When many of us think of monsters or evil beings, the only thing that we want to do is hate them. However, I simply cannot hate this creature. I actually love the creature and everything about it. It is kind and gentle and has an amazing heart. Isn't the creature just like any one of us? The creature just wants one thing: to be loved. We all want that. The creature reaches out to Victor, its creator, the minute the creature is born. And what does Victor do? Victor runs away. The creature is rejected and wanders off on its own. The creature spent years by itself and no one cares for it at all. This is sad. I also find it heartbreaking that the creature cannot even live among the people. He finds and shed to hide in and lives in that. Are you kidding me?! This is just devastating. And does the creature complain? No. The creature shovels people's snow and brings them fire wood. The creature is an amazing being, and people only show it hatred. I honestly feel incredibly sorry for the creature and want it to change the town with its kindness and love. People need to look past people's differences and see people for who they are by their actions and by the motives of their hearts, not their appearances.
Frankenstein: characterization / detail
"His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! -Great God! his yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips..." (page 35)
In the quote above, Victor describes the features of the creature in full detail. I could literally visualize exactly how this creature looked. I also find the way he describes the creature to be very ironic. Before the creature is created, Victor talks about how the creature would "bless him (Victor) as the creator and source." (page 32). I discussed this in the previous blog about how this all changed. When the creature is created, Victor selected his features as "beautiful," as stated in the quote above. However, when the creature comes to life, Frankenstein is horrified by what he had created, and he sees no beauty in the creature at all. Victor described the entire process of creating the creature in full detail. Actually, he describes his journeys, his encounters with others, his family, and basically everything in full detail. Everything is illustrated beautifully. I don't really see the point as to why Frankenstein went into so much detail. However, everything is so evenly interconnected. When Frankenstein began his story when the chapters begin in this novel, he starts with his family background. Again, Frankenstein goes back to his father and how his mother married. This leads to Victor being born and Victor's siblings becoming part of the family. This leads to Victor being excited about learning, which leads to his experiments, which leads to the creature being born. Yes, it all makes sense. However, Victor's background is that simple. The creature is not even born until Chapter V, though. There is so much fluff before the meat of the story really begins. As a reader, this is kind of aggravating, but that's okay. The detail is amazingly expressive and beautiful. I just would prefer that we would cut to the chase already.
In the quote above, Victor describes the features of the creature in full detail. I could literally visualize exactly how this creature looked. I also find the way he describes the creature to be very ironic. Before the creature is created, Victor talks about how the creature would "bless him (Victor) as the creator and source." (page 32). I discussed this in the previous blog about how this all changed. When the creature is created, Victor selected his features as "beautiful," as stated in the quote above. However, when the creature comes to life, Frankenstein is horrified by what he had created, and he sees no beauty in the creature at all. Victor described the entire process of creating the creature in full detail. Actually, he describes his journeys, his encounters with others, his family, and basically everything in full detail. Everything is illustrated beautifully. I don't really see the point as to why Frankenstein went into so much detail. However, everything is so evenly interconnected. When Frankenstein began his story when the chapters begin in this novel, he starts with his family background. Again, Frankenstein goes back to his father and how his mother married. This leads to Victor being born and Victor's siblings becoming part of the family. This leads to Victor being excited about learning, which leads to his experiments, which leads to the creature being born. Yes, it all makes sense. However, Victor's background is that simple. The creature is not even born until Chapter V, though. There is so much fluff before the meat of the story really begins. As a reader, this is kind of aggravating, but that's okay. The detail is amazingly expressive and beautiful. I just would prefer that we would cut to the chase already.
Frankenstein: irony
"No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their beign to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs. Pursuing these reflections, I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption." (page 32).
This quote simply made me laugh. I guess I missed the irony in this phrase when I read these chapters the first time. When I came back and reread the first half of the book, I noticed this and was astonished. I find it incredibly ironic that Frankenstein talks about how he would "be blessed as its creator source" if he made a body structure come to life. When Frankenstein really does create the creature, he is blind to the fact that he was blessed as its creator. However, without getting to know the creature, Frankenstein ran away from his creation and neglected it. I also found the line after that ironic. Mary Shelley scribes "many happy and excellent natures would owe their beign to me" (page 32). Later in the chapters, the creature brought upon destruction and made Frankenstein's life miserable. Frankenstein created the creature thinking that he would be happy and could save others' lives. However, the creature did anything but this. Continuing on with the quote above, Victor felt that the creature would "renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption." I find this ironic as well. Victor created the creature, hoping that the creature would bring about cures to illnesses to save people from dying. Victor did this because he was miserable when his mother died. However, the creature did not renew life. If the creature really is the murderer of William (and many others, I presume), then the creature is annihilating life and destroying it. In the creature's defense, he doesn't know any better. All in all, Victor created the creature in hope for happiness and cures, but things didn't exactly go the way he planned. Although the whole plot of recreating a human being is unrealistic, this theme is very realistic. Things don't always go the way we plan.............
This quote simply made me laugh. I guess I missed the irony in this phrase when I read these chapters the first time. When I came back and reread the first half of the book, I noticed this and was astonished. I find it incredibly ironic that Frankenstein talks about how he would "be blessed as its creator source" if he made a body structure come to life. When Frankenstein really does create the creature, he is blind to the fact that he was blessed as its creator. However, without getting to know the creature, Frankenstein ran away from his creation and neglected it. I also found the line after that ironic. Mary Shelley scribes "many happy and excellent natures would owe their beign to me" (page 32). Later in the chapters, the creature brought upon destruction and made Frankenstein's life miserable. Frankenstein created the creature thinking that he would be happy and could save others' lives. However, the creature did anything but this. Continuing on with the quote above, Victor felt that the creature would "renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption." I find this ironic as well. Victor created the creature, hoping that the creature would bring about cures to illnesses to save people from dying. Victor did this because he was miserable when his mother died. However, the creature did not renew life. If the creature really is the murderer of William (and many others, I presume), then the creature is annihilating life and destroying it. In the creature's defense, he doesn't know any better. All in all, Victor created the creature in hope for happiness and cures, but things didn't exactly go the way he planned. Although the whole plot of recreating a human being is unrealistic, this theme is very realistic. Things don't always go the way we plan.............
Frankenstein: foreshadowing
"My departure was therefore fixed at an early date; but, before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred- an omen, as it were, of my future misery." (page 23)
The novel Frankenstein contains many elements of foreshadowing upcoming events. Part of this could be due to the fact that the story is told as a frame story. Victor is telling the story, so it is only logical that Victor would know what is coming next. He has lived through these events. All of the elements of foreshadowing in this story have to deal with a negative connotation. In the quote above, the words "misfortune" "omen" and "misery" are used to describe Frankenstein's future. As a reader, I am afraid as to what is coming. Victor often uses this vocabulary when describing his future. This is probably why he is in such a horrible state when Robert Walton meets him. Frankenstein has lived a hard life; I just don't know what the creature is going to do to him. Victor has lost so much already. He has lost his mother and his brother and his sanity. If he lost anything more, I am worried that he is going to go insane. Maybe it's not the creature that is going to make Frankenstein miserable. Maybe it is Frankenstein himself who will bring on his own misery... But isn't the creature Victor in another form? Aren't they parallels of each other? So if the creature is going to make Victor miserable, isn't this essentially Victor making himself miserable since they are similar beings? It's something I have been thinking about, and I guess that only time will tell.
The novel Frankenstein contains many elements of foreshadowing upcoming events. Part of this could be due to the fact that the story is told as a frame story. Victor is telling the story, so it is only logical that Victor would know what is coming next. He has lived through these events. All of the elements of foreshadowing in this story have to deal with a negative connotation. In the quote above, the words "misfortune" "omen" and "misery" are used to describe Frankenstein's future. As a reader, I am afraid as to what is coming. Victor often uses this vocabulary when describing his future. This is probably why he is in such a horrible state when Robert Walton meets him. Frankenstein has lived a hard life; I just don't know what the creature is going to do to him. Victor has lost so much already. He has lost his mother and his brother and his sanity. If he lost anything more, I am worried that he is going to go insane. Maybe it's not the creature that is going to make Frankenstein miserable. Maybe it is Frankenstein himself who will bring on his own misery... But isn't the creature Victor in another form? Aren't they parallels of each other? So if the creature is going to make Victor miserable, isn't this essentially Victor making himself miserable since they are similar beings? It's something I have been thinking about, and I guess that only time will tell.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Other thoughts of Death of a Salesman.....
"Nobody dast blame this man. You don't understand: Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don't put a bolt to a nut, he don't tell you the law or give you medicine. He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine." (Requiem, 1629).
I find it incredibly ironic that Willy said that everyone would come to his funeral. In reality, only Charley and Willy's family came. Charley truly did not like Willy, but he still came. Willy's family basically only attended because they felt obligated to do so. How sad. How very, very sad. I feel as if Willy has some very admirable traits, as much as everyone hates him. For instance, Willy cares deeply for his sons and establishes dreams into their minds as to how they can attain success. Although Willy is a poor example for his kids, he lives and breathes off of the success of his sons. They make him proud. I feel as if Willy is the protagonist of this story because it is told by his own point of view and talks about his own flashbacks. Characters change throughout the course of the play. They do this in many ways. Happy doesn't really change because he stays in his same egotistical ways. However, Biff does change. He talks to his father in the end and stands up for himself. He admits his failure. Willy changes in the sense that he tries to see life from other people's eyes. He tries to reach out to his kids in the end. He doesn't show them resentment. Also, he tells Charley that Charley is his only friend. Willy is too caught up in his own pride to admit failure to accept money from Charley. Still, Willy tries to be his own person and make money on his own.
I find it incredibly ironic that Willy said that everyone would come to his funeral. In reality, only Charley and Willy's family came. Charley truly did not like Willy, but he still came. Willy's family basically only attended because they felt obligated to do so. How sad. How very, very sad. I feel as if Willy has some very admirable traits, as much as everyone hates him. For instance, Willy cares deeply for his sons and establishes dreams into their minds as to how they can attain success. Although Willy is a poor example for his kids, he lives and breathes off of the success of his sons. They make him proud. I feel as if Willy is the protagonist of this story because it is told by his own point of view and talks about his own flashbacks. Characters change throughout the course of the play. They do this in many ways. Happy doesn't really change because he stays in his same egotistical ways. However, Biff does change. He talks to his father in the end and stands up for himself. He admits his failure. Willy changes in the sense that he tries to see life from other people's eyes. He tries to reach out to his kids in the end. He doesn't show them resentment. Also, he tells Charley that Charley is his only friend. Willy is too caught up in his own pride to admit failure to accept money from Charley. Still, Willy tries to be his own person and make money on his own.
Foil Characters in Death of a Salesman
"Oh Ben, I always knew one awy or another we were gonna make it, Biff and I!.... Now when you kick off, boy, I want a seventy-yard boot, and get right down the field under the ball, and when you hit, hit low and hit hard, because it's important, boy. There's all kinds of important people in the stands, and the first thing you know.... Ben! Ben, where do I... ? Ben how do I... ?" (II, page 1628).
Ben and Willy are most definitely foil characters in this play. Arthur Miller constantly juxtaposes the characters. For instance, Willy is a character that thinks that his success comes from luck. He believes that the reason he is unsuccessful is based on other people's problems. Willy never takes responsibility for his actions. On the other hand, Ben is a very successful character. His luck has apparently been thrust upon him. Ben appears to be a character who looks at hard work as success, but earned success merely by luck. Willy is a character who refuses to work hard for success, and does not earn success by his luck. On top of this, Willy drowns in his misery instead of doing anthing about becoming successful on his own. Ben has more of a positive outlook on life. I'm not really sure if Ben is real or not, but I feel as if Ben is a figment of Willy's imagination as to how success should be......
Ben and Willy are most definitely foil characters in this play. Arthur Miller constantly juxtaposes the characters. For instance, Willy is a character that thinks that his success comes from luck. He believes that the reason he is unsuccessful is based on other people's problems. Willy never takes responsibility for his actions. On the other hand, Ben is a very successful character. His luck has apparently been thrust upon him. Ben appears to be a character who looks at hard work as success, but earned success merely by luck. Willy is a character who refuses to work hard for success, and does not earn success by his luck. On top of this, Willy drowns in his misery instead of doing anthing about becoming successful on his own. Ben has more of a positive outlook on life. I'm not really sure if Ben is real or not, but I feel as if Ben is a figment of Willy's imagination as to how success should be......
Dramatic Irony in Death of a Salesman
"Willy I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And there'll be nobody home.. We're free and clear... We're free. We're free... We're free....." (II, p.1630).
In this blog, I am going to speak of the constant reminders of dramatic irony in this play. First off, this play is filled with dramatic irony. The quote above definitely displays this as well. For example, Willy spent his entire life trying to be successful, but he always viewed himself as a failure. However, at the end of the play, they had all of their house payments paid off. He actually WAS successful and did not know it. If he would have just opened his eyes up to the actual wonders of his life instead of blaming everyone else for his failures, he would have witnessed the good things in his life. He wuld have realized how much he had going for him. Also, Happy is the most ungrateful person out of all the characters. This is ironic because his name is Happy. Another example is the fact that if the woman that Willy was having an affair with would not have laughed, Biff would not have heard her. If Biff would not have heard her, he would have been successful. Finally, Willy says that everytime he pays something off, he can no longer use it. He pays off his house at the end and can no longer use it because he dies. Woah! Irony.
In this blog, I am going to speak of the constant reminders of dramatic irony in this play. First off, this play is filled with dramatic irony. The quote above definitely displays this as well. For example, Willy spent his entire life trying to be successful, but he always viewed himself as a failure. However, at the end of the play, they had all of their house payments paid off. He actually WAS successful and did not know it. If he would have just opened his eyes up to the actual wonders of his life instead of blaming everyone else for his failures, he would have witnessed the good things in his life. He wuld have realized how much he had going for him. Also, Happy is the most ungrateful person out of all the characters. This is ironic because his name is Happy. Another example is the fact that if the woman that Willy was having an affair with would not have laughed, Biff would not have heard her. If Biff would not have heard her, he would have been successful. Finally, Willy says that everytime he pays something off, he can no longer use it. He pays off his house at the end and can no longer use it because he dies. Woah! Irony.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Scene 3: The Glass Menagerie
Ïda Scott? This is Amanda Wingfield! We missed you at the D.A.R. last Monday! I said to myself: She's probably suffering with that sinus condition! How is the sinus condition?" (iii, 1245).
Holy cow, Amanda is getting annoying. The irony is dripping all over the pages of this scene. Amanda is trying SO hard to get a man for her daughter. She is simply going to extremes. Honestly, it is kind of insulting from Laura's perspective. Amanda is basically saying that Laura cannot find a man on her own that Amanda has to find a gentleman FOR her daughter. Why does Amanda obsess over this? If Laura is meant to find the guy she is meant to be with, God will make it happen. Also, Amanda did not even hold onto the husband that she had. He left her. Why, then, must she work so hard to find someone for her daughter? Shouldn't she be against the men in her life or something? That's not how I would be, but I'm just saying. Why does Amanda care so much? It's just getting ridiculous. Obviously, Laura is not going to find a guy when it is forced upon her. She is going to find a guy naturally and out of the blue. This is who Laura is. This is a reflection of her personality. I can only hope that all works well for her. Also, Scene 3 contains a phrase that alludes back to the title. Tom breaks Laura's "glass menagerie." I feel sympathy towards Laura. Her mom is being over-the-top with this whole gentleman caller business, she's crippled, and her brother just broke her glass menagerie. Poor Laura.....
Holy cow, Amanda is getting annoying. The irony is dripping all over the pages of this scene. Amanda is trying SO hard to get a man for her daughter. She is simply going to extremes. Honestly, it is kind of insulting from Laura's perspective. Amanda is basically saying that Laura cannot find a man on her own that Amanda has to find a gentleman FOR her daughter. Why does Amanda obsess over this? If Laura is meant to find the guy she is meant to be with, God will make it happen. Also, Amanda did not even hold onto the husband that she had. He left her. Why, then, must she work so hard to find someone for her daughter? Shouldn't she be against the men in her life or something? That's not how I would be, but I'm just saying. Why does Amanda care so much? It's just getting ridiculous. Obviously, Laura is not going to find a guy when it is forced upon her. She is going to find a guy naturally and out of the blue. This is who Laura is. This is a reflection of her personality. I can only hope that all works well for her. Also, Scene 3 contains a phrase that alludes back to the title. Tom breaks Laura's "glass menagerie." I feel sympathy towards Laura. Her mom is being over-the-top with this whole gentleman caller business, she's crippled, and her brother just broke her glass menagerie. Poor Laura.....
Scene 2: The Glass Menagerie
"Her hands shook so that she couldn't hit the right keys." (ii, 1241).
This scene gives a little more into the characterization of Laura. For instance, the quote above emphasizes Laura's physical disabilities and anxiety about life. We also find out that Laura once had pleurosis. Also, I found Laura's situation very ironic. For example, on page 1244, Laura does not believe in herself. She does not believe that she can score a man. Laura says, Ï'm- crippled!" Amanda responds to Laura saying, "Nonsense! Laura, I've told you never, never to use that word. Why you're not crippled, you just have a little defect- hardly noticeable, even! When people have some slight disadvantage like that, they cultivate other things to make up for it - develop charm - and vivacity- and - charm! That's all you have to do!" (ii, 1244). Laura's mother is using euphemisms to minimize Laura's defect. She calms down her daughter and makes Laura feel as if her defect makes her special. I also found the final line of Scene 2 ironic. For instance, Amanda says, One thing your father had plenty of: was charm!" (ii, 1244). If Laura's father had charm, then why did he leave? Maybe Amanda was mesmerized by his charm and was mistaken for the person he really was.... Hopefully, Laura will do the same thing to win a man, but in a different way. Maybe Laura will win a man over with her charm and have others look past her disabilities.
This scene gives a little more into the characterization of Laura. For instance, the quote above emphasizes Laura's physical disabilities and anxiety about life. We also find out that Laura once had pleurosis. Also, I found Laura's situation very ironic. For example, on page 1244, Laura does not believe in herself. She does not believe that she can score a man. Laura says, Ï'm- crippled!" Amanda responds to Laura saying, "Nonsense! Laura, I've told you never, never to use that word. Why you're not crippled, you just have a little defect- hardly noticeable, even! When people have some slight disadvantage like that, they cultivate other things to make up for it - develop charm - and vivacity- and - charm! That's all you have to do!" (ii, 1244). Laura's mother is using euphemisms to minimize Laura's defect. She calms down her daughter and makes Laura feel as if her defect makes her special. I also found the final line of Scene 2 ironic. For instance, Amanda says, One thing your father had plenty of: was charm!" (ii, 1244). If Laura's father had charm, then why did he leave? Maybe Amanda was mesmerized by his charm and was mistaken for the person he really was.... Hopefully, Laura will do the same thing to win a man, but in a different way. Maybe Laura will win a man over with her charm and have others look past her disabilities.
Scene 1: The Glass Menagerie
"He is the long delayed but always expected something that we live for." (i., 1235)
This quote represents a foreshadowing of some sort. Tom is foreshadowing a gentleman. Perhaps the gentleman is going to start courting Tom's sister, Laura. This scene is kind of setting the tone and setting for the rest of the play. The first page is all about how to interpret the feelings of the characters. For instance, Tennessee Williams scribes, "Memory (for this play) is seated predominantly in the heart." Obviously, this play is told in the form of a flashback. The narrator is informing the reader what is to come. Also, there was an allusion in this scene. On page 1239, Williams was scribing about how a man had a "Midas touch." Here, Williams is scribing another part of literature from another place that the reader can relate to. Finally, this scene incorporated expectations of women. For instance, in this time period, "It wasn't enough for a girl to be possessed of a pretty face and a graceful figure... She also needed to have nimble wit and a tongue to meet all occasions." I do not know if Laura will be able to get a man due to the fact that she is handicapped. However, perhaps her wit and personality will help her find a man to marry.
This quote represents a foreshadowing of some sort. Tom is foreshadowing a gentleman. Perhaps the gentleman is going to start courting Tom's sister, Laura. This scene is kind of setting the tone and setting for the rest of the play. The first page is all about how to interpret the feelings of the characters. For instance, Tennessee Williams scribes, "Memory (for this play) is seated predominantly in the heart." Obviously, this play is told in the form of a flashback. The narrator is informing the reader what is to come. Also, there was an allusion in this scene. On page 1239, Williams was scribing about how a man had a "Midas touch." Here, Williams is scribing another part of literature from another place that the reader can relate to. Finally, this scene incorporated expectations of women. For instance, in this time period, "It wasn't enough for a girl to be possessed of a pretty face and a graceful figure... She also needed to have nimble wit and a tongue to meet all occasions." I do not know if Laura will be able to get a man due to the fact that she is handicapped. However, perhaps her wit and personality will help her find a man to marry.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Dramatic Irony: As You Like It
Rosalind: "Then there is no true lover in the forest; else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of Time as well as a clock." (III. ii. 43).
I find this entire part of the play ironic. In Shakespeare's time, female parts were portrayed by men. So, when As You Like it was performed, Rosalind's part is kind of confusing. A man would play Rosalind in the play. However, during the period of Rosalind's disguise in this play, a man would be portraying a woman who was portraying a man. This is just so comical to me! Part of the dramatic irony is that Rosalind does not just come out and profess her love for Orlando. She kind of whips him into shape to find out if he really is the one for her. As a hopeless romantic, I found this part adorable. It also reminded me of She's the Man. I know this play is based off of The Twelfth Night, but there are so many similarities between Amanda Bynes' movie and this play. For instance, Rosalind is in love with Orlando, but she is afraid to tell him. So, she disguises herself as a man to see if his love is true. Phebe falls in love with Rosalind, but Rosalind is actually in love with Orlando. It's simply a complicated love triangle, but I like this play. Why? I like it because it's a happy ending. Yes, I was a bit surprised by this. The only Shakespeare plays that I have read have been about tragedy. I hate reading things where everyone dies in the end. It makes me sad. However, it was nice to know that Shakespeare is capable of writing romantic comedies. I know that a lot of my peers did not like this play, but I was touched by the cheesiness of it. I'm so glad that everyone ended up happy! =)
I find this entire part of the play ironic. In Shakespeare's time, female parts were portrayed by men. So, when As You Like it was performed, Rosalind's part is kind of confusing. A man would play Rosalind in the play. However, during the period of Rosalind's disguise in this play, a man would be portraying a woman who was portraying a man. This is just so comical to me! Part of the dramatic irony is that Rosalind does not just come out and profess her love for Orlando. She kind of whips him into shape to find out if he really is the one for her. As a hopeless romantic, I found this part adorable. It also reminded me of She's the Man. I know this play is based off of The Twelfth Night, but there are so many similarities between Amanda Bynes' movie and this play. For instance, Rosalind is in love with Orlando, but she is afraid to tell him. So, she disguises herself as a man to see if his love is true. Phebe falls in love with Rosalind, but Rosalind is actually in love with Orlando. It's simply a complicated love triangle, but I like this play. Why? I like it because it's a happy ending. Yes, I was a bit surprised by this. The only Shakespeare plays that I have read have been about tragedy. I hate reading things where everyone dies in the end. It makes me sad. However, it was nice to know that Shakespeare is capable of writing romantic comedies. I know that a lot of my peers did not like this play, but I was touched by the cheesiness of it. I'm so glad that everyone ended up happy! =)
Theme of the Forest in As You Like It
"Duke Frederick, hearing how that every day men of great worth resorted to this forest, address'd a mighty power; which were on foot, in his own conduct, purposely to take his brother here and put him to the sword: and to the skirt of thie wild wood he came." (V. iv. 77).
The forest plays an important part into this play. For most people, the forest gave a sense of excitement. The forest is where Orlando professes his love for Rosalind. The forest is where Rosalind learns of Orlando's great love for her when she is in her disguise. The forest was also the place where Duke Senior was exiled. However, I love the irony with it. Duke Frederick exiled Duke Senior to the forest. The forest, on the other hand, is also the place where Duke Frederick found his conversion. The forest does wonders for pretty much everyone in this play, except for Touchstone. He is a character who did not really change much throughout the course of the play. The forest did not really phase him either. The forest was also not an enlightening place for Jaques either. I was hoping that Jaques would have open eyes to love at the end of the novel, but alas. Even the forest could not work its magic on Jaques. Maybe it is just Jaques, though. He was kind of bitter throughout the entire course of the play. Jaques even has a negative encounter in the forest when he sees the dead deer. The forest was truly a place of conversion for most characters but not for all.
The forest plays an important part into this play. For most people, the forest gave a sense of excitement. The forest is where Orlando professes his love for Rosalind. The forest is where Rosalind learns of Orlando's great love for her when she is in her disguise. The forest was also the place where Duke Senior was exiled. However, I love the irony with it. Duke Frederick exiled Duke Senior to the forest. The forest, on the other hand, is also the place where Duke Frederick found his conversion. The forest does wonders for pretty much everyone in this play, except for Touchstone. He is a character who did not really change much throughout the course of the play. The forest did not really phase him either. The forest was also not an enlightening place for Jaques either. I was hoping that Jaques would have open eyes to love at the end of the novel, but alas. Even the forest could not work its magic on Jaques. Maybe it is just Jaques, though. He was kind of bitter throughout the entire course of the play. Jaques even has a negative encounter in the forest when he sees the dead deer. The forest was truly a place of conversion for most characters but not for all.
Foil Characters: As You Like It
"My father charged you in his will to give me good education: you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities."(I. i. 3).
This act is filled with contrasting characters. I think that we talked about this at the beginning of the year, where characters incorporated in a story are foil characters. Here, basically all of the characters have an opposite character. For instance, Oliver and Orlando are brothers, but they are complete opposites. Oliver is older, but he is simply evil. He does not share any of his wisdom with Orlando because Oliver is selfish. The Dukes are also opposites; however, their story is a little different. Oliver was the older brother in the Oliver / Orlando foil character pair. Here, Duke Senior is older, but he has been overthrown by his YOUNGER brother. I just find this situation worse. It's one thing if an older sibling is harsh to a younger sibling, but come on. I don't even know what I would do if my younger siblings treated me the way Duke Frederick treats Duke Senior.... Anyways, other foil characters include Jaques (truly pronounced Jay-Queez. I finally believe you now, Mr. Costello! hahaha) and Touchstone. Jaques kind of takes things a little too seriously, for he was crying over the dead deer in the forest (II. i. 19). Touchstone is always being a jokester. Jaques doesn't believe in falling in love. He makes fun of Orlando for writing on the trees to express his love for Rosalind. However, Touchstone ends up getting married in the end. All of these foil characters contributed to the plot of As You Like It to add more dimension to the play.
This act is filled with contrasting characters. I think that we talked about this at the beginning of the year, where characters incorporated in a story are foil characters. Here, basically all of the characters have an opposite character. For instance, Oliver and Orlando are brothers, but they are complete opposites. Oliver is older, but he is simply evil. He does not share any of his wisdom with Orlando because Oliver is selfish. The Dukes are also opposites; however, their story is a little different. Oliver was the older brother in the Oliver / Orlando foil character pair. Here, Duke Senior is older, but he has been overthrown by his YOUNGER brother. I just find this situation worse. It's one thing if an older sibling is harsh to a younger sibling, but come on. I don't even know what I would do if my younger siblings treated me the way Duke Frederick treats Duke Senior.... Anyways, other foil characters include Jaques (truly pronounced Jay-Queez. I finally believe you now, Mr. Costello! hahaha) and Touchstone. Jaques kind of takes things a little too seriously, for he was crying over the dead deer in the forest (II. i. 19). Touchstone is always being a jokester. Jaques doesn't believe in falling in love. He makes fun of Orlando for writing on the trees to express his love for Rosalind. However, Touchstone ends up getting married in the end. All of these foil characters contributed to the plot of As You Like It to add more dimension to the play.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Othello: Prejudice Theme is Still Relevant Today
Many authors write novels, plays, and stories in the hopes of gaining the attention of one specific audience. Many pieces are dated and are only relevant in a specific time period. However, the works of William Shakespeare rise above this stereotype. Othello and other works by William Shakespeare are timeless and universal of their era. The play Othello incorporates many common themes expressed in society today. One common theme demonstrated in this play is prejudice. For instance, Othello begins the story as a kind-hearted man. He works diligently to be treated as an equal, but some people simply dislike him because he is a Moor. Many people deal with acts of prejudice every day. Arthur “Boo” Radley dealt with prejudice in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Martin Luther King Junior also struggled against this common hardship in society. Othello, Arthur, and Martin may all seem different from an outsider’s point of view, but the three men have more in common than one would think.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Arthur “Boo” Radley is bogged down by the prejudices of society. Many people think that he is a dangerous man simply because he looks frightening. Rumors around the town spread that “inside the house lived a malevolent phantom” (Lee, 8). Here, Radley is not even classified as a human; he is classified as a phantom. People automatically thought that Radley was evil because he stayed inside of his house all day. This is similar to Othello. Many people disliked Othello simply because he was a Moor. Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, was furious when he found out that his daughter married a Moor. Brabantio did not even take the time to get to know Othello, but he simply disliked him for his background. (Perrine, I.ii.62-81). This is why Othello and Radley are similar, for both men are disliked before people even get to know them. Iago does not like Othello either simply because of his race. At the end of the novel, Iago still does not even have a reason for explaining his motives. This prejudice is completely unjust. Both men are treated unfairly simply because they are different from others.
Martin Luther King, Jr. also dealt with issues of prejudice of his time. He referenced it in his famous speech, “I Have A Dream.” Dr. King was upset that he has previously been judged by the color of his skin, but his dream was to have the nation rise above this prejudice. He said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (King). Here is a link to his speech: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm Above is a video of Martin Luther King Junior giving his speech, "I Have a Dream." Othello is kind of the same way. He is aware that his race sets him apart, but this causes him to work harder. Even though Othello is a Moor, he still set aside what people said in order to gain a high position in the military. Othello was constantly tormented for his race, but he still was named “valiant Othello” (Perrine, I.iii.48) by the Duke. Throughout all of his torment, Othello chose to focus on his hard work and his wife Desdemona instead of focusing on prejudice. Similarly, Martin Luther disregards the prejudice and says, “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain” (Tames). Both Othello and Martin Luther King worked diligently to try allow others to view themselves as equals. Even though Othello was written during the time of William Shakespeare, the themes still apply today. Both Arthur “Boo” Radley and Martin Luther King, Jr were bogged down by a similar prejudice that Othello suffered. However, all three men were able to show others that there was more to each of them than meets the eye. All three were good and righteous men (Othello was in the beginning, at least). They broke the stereotypes of their societies to prove that looks do not determine a person’s character. They each did what was right and just for their communities in order to make the world a better place. Othello truly is a universal and timeless work, and the themes of this play will continue to be used until the end of time.
Works Cited
"American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King, Jr. - I Have a Dream." American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm>.
"In Search of Shakespeare . "Othello" | PBS." Image. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/works/work161.html>.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.
"Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement." The Seattle Times. Image. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .>.
"Martin Luther King - I Have A Dream Speech - August 28, 1963 - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs>.
Perrine, Laurence. “Othello.” Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. Fort Worth. Harcourt College. 2002. 1361-1462. Print.
Tames, George. "Martin Luther King Junior." Editorial. The New York Times [New York City]. Web.
"What's Wrong with To Kill a Mockingbird." Jezebel: Image. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://jezebel.com/5572047/re+evaluating-to-kill-a-mockingbird>.
Monday, February 6, 2012
"Jessie's Girl": Rick Springfield parallels with Roderigo
I was trying to think of a good comparison for Othello, and I almost did another song about Jesus and how he was betrayed by Judas. However, I just did a blog about that. I wanted to do something different. I also have only really hit on Desdemona, Emilia, Othello, and Iago. It was time to talk about someone different. Then, it hit me. The song "Jesse's Girl" by Rick Springfield ties into this story perfectly. Roderigo wants Desdemona. At the beginning of the story, the audience is informed that Roderigo previously asked Brabantio if he (Roderigo) could marry Desdemona. Roderigo is simply confused as to why Desdemona would marry a Moor when she could have him! These lyrics completely correspond with this:
Jessie is a friend,
yeah, I know he's been
a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed
that ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl
and I want to make her mine
This would basically be Roderigo speaking of Othello. "Jesse's girl" in this instance would be Desdemona. However, as the song went on, I started thinking that it was Othello speaking of Cassio and Desdemona. For example, the song goes:
And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body,
I just know it
Yeah 'n' he's holding her
in his arms late,
late at night.
This is basically Othello speaking of Desdemona and Cassio. He assumes that the two of them are having sexual relations, and it is driving him nuts. This song is all about jealousy about how one man wants someone else's girl. This, essentially, is one of the root causes of the tragedy of Othello. Iago knows what he wants, and the only way to get inside of Othello's head is convince him that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona. Jealousy drives the world nuts, but we always want what we do not have.
Here are the links to this song / lyrics. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed this story because of how relatable and applicable it is to life in general.
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/boogienightsvol2/jessiesgirl.htm
Jessie is a friend,
yeah, I know he's been
a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed
that ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl
and I want to make her mine
This would basically be Roderigo speaking of Othello. "Jesse's girl" in this instance would be Desdemona. However, as the song went on, I started thinking that it was Othello speaking of Cassio and Desdemona. For example, the song goes:
And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body,
I just know it
Yeah 'n' he's holding her
in his arms late,
late at night.
This is basically Othello speaking of Desdemona and Cassio. He assumes that the two of them are having sexual relations, and it is driving him nuts. This song is all about jealousy about how one man wants someone else's girl. This, essentially, is one of the root causes of the tragedy of Othello. Iago knows what he wants, and the only way to get inside of Othello's head is convince him that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona. Jealousy drives the world nuts, but we always want what we do not have.
Here are the links to this song / lyrics. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed this story because of how relatable and applicable it is to life in general.
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/boogienightsvol2/jessiesgirl.htm
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Act V Blog for Othello
"Nobody, I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. Oh, farewell!" (V.ii.122-123)
What an intriguing story! Wow. Shakespeare truly amazed me with this work. Like previous blogs I have created, I want to relate the similarities of this story to my faith. I found it very ironic that Othello kissed his wife before he killed her. Othello was corrupted by Iago, and then Othello killed his innocent wife. Similarly, Judas was corrupted by the devil, and then he killed the most innocent of all, Jesus. Othello proved to us he truly was a good man in the first half of the play. He was good and pure. As the story went on, Iago started to get inside of his head. Similarly, Judas was a good disciple of Jesus. As his story went on, he became more and more corrupted by the devil. The rest is history. Also, I was incredibly surprised that Emilia was a dynamic character in this story. At first, I thought that she would be the devil's advocate. I thought that she supported her husband's work and stood behind him because she was his wife. However, not only was Iago, Roderigo, and Cassio deceived by Iago, but Emilia was as well. She helped Iago with the master plan and did not even know it! Finally, I found it ironic that Roderigo's pockets got him into this mess. He had the handkerchief in his pocket. Later, the letter is in his pocket and he reveals the doom. I am thoroughly surprised with the ending of this story, but it all makes sense with the symbolism of jealousy and honesty. Iago is alive because he stood his ground and could be clever enough to work over people. However, he is imprisoned and rightfully so. His imprisonment represents how he did people wrong. Othello lost his sense of self, so this is symbolic of his tragic death. Othello's suicide is symbolic because he did himself wrong. Cassio remains alive because he is the only one who remained honest and never did wrong or harm to anyone. Overall, a wonderful story, and I feel more in touch with the inner mindworks of William Shakespeare. Bravo!
What an intriguing story! Wow. Shakespeare truly amazed me with this work. Like previous blogs I have created, I want to relate the similarities of this story to my faith. I found it very ironic that Othello kissed his wife before he killed her. Othello was corrupted by Iago, and then Othello killed his innocent wife. Similarly, Judas was corrupted by the devil, and then he killed the most innocent of all, Jesus. Othello proved to us he truly was a good man in the first half of the play. He was good and pure. As the story went on, Iago started to get inside of his head. Similarly, Judas was a good disciple of Jesus. As his story went on, he became more and more corrupted by the devil. The rest is history. Also, I was incredibly surprised that Emilia was a dynamic character in this story. At first, I thought that she would be the devil's advocate. I thought that she supported her husband's work and stood behind him because she was his wife. However, not only was Iago, Roderigo, and Cassio deceived by Iago, but Emilia was as well. She helped Iago with the master plan and did not even know it! Finally, I found it ironic that Roderigo's pockets got him into this mess. He had the handkerchief in his pocket. Later, the letter is in his pocket and he reveals the doom. I am thoroughly surprised with the ending of this story, but it all makes sense with the symbolism of jealousy and honesty. Iago is alive because he stood his ground and could be clever enough to work over people. However, he is imprisoned and rightfully so. His imprisonment represents how he did people wrong. Othello lost his sense of self, so this is symbolic of his tragic death. Othello's suicide is symbolic because he did himself wrong. Cassio remains alive because he is the only one who remained honest and never did wrong or harm to anyone. Overall, a wonderful story, and I feel more in touch with the inner mindworks of William Shakespeare. Bravo!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Act IV Othello (second blog)
"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" (IV. i. 188-190).
Okay, this is becoming too much. Othello is becoming obsessed with the thought that Desdemona is having an affair and this is not even true! Gahhhhhhhhhh! I find it incredibly ironic that Desdemona is casted as an innocent beauty whenever she talks to Othello. However, Othello uses this as proof that she is being a whore. Um, excuse me! Innocence and purity do not equal prostitute! Desdemona even says, "I am a Christian. If to preserve this vessel for my lord from any other foul unlawful touch be not to be a strumpet, I am none" (IV.ii. 81-85). This just epitomizes her innocence and purity, but alas, Othello will have nothing of it. He repeatedly keeps calling her a "devil." He started out this play treating her like an angel and worshipping the ground that she walked on. Now, he says the most disrespectful things toward her. For instance, "I cry you mercy, then. I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello. You mistress, that have the office opposite to Saint Peter, and keep the gate of Hell!" (IV.ii. 88-92). Iago is not helping the situation because he keeps instilling the thoughts into Othello's head. However, this just shows how insecure Othello truly is. He does not trust his wife at all. Obviously the love between Othello and Desdemona is not as strong as they let off in the beginning. The trust is not strong enough to have a lasting relationship of love. I'm just preparing myself for the death of one of them. I don't want to get too attached to the characters because someone is not gonna make it. Who will it be????????
Okay, this is becoming too much. Othello is becoming obsessed with the thought that Desdemona is having an affair and this is not even true! Gahhhhhhhhhh! I find it incredibly ironic that Desdemona is casted as an innocent beauty whenever she talks to Othello. However, Othello uses this as proof that she is being a whore. Um, excuse me! Innocence and purity do not equal prostitute! Desdemona even says, "I am a Christian. If to preserve this vessel for my lord from any other foul unlawful touch be not to be a strumpet, I am none" (IV.ii. 81-85). This just epitomizes her innocence and purity, but alas, Othello will have nothing of it. He repeatedly keeps calling her a "devil." He started out this play treating her like an angel and worshipping the ground that she walked on. Now, he says the most disrespectful things toward her. For instance, "I cry you mercy, then. I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello. You mistress, that have the office opposite to Saint Peter, and keep the gate of Hell!" (IV.ii. 88-92). Iago is not helping the situation because he keeps instilling the thoughts into Othello's head. However, this just shows how insecure Othello truly is. He does not trust his wife at all. Obviously the love between Othello and Desdemona is not as strong as they let off in the beginning. The trust is not strong enough to have a lasting relationship of love. I'm just preparing myself for the death of one of them. I don't want to get too attached to the characters because someone is not gonna make it. Who will it be????????
Othello Act IV
"I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, lay down my soul at stake. If you think other, remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom." (IV.ii.12-14)
Wow! What an interesting act! How do I even put this into words? Maybe I should start with the grammatical side of things. William Shakespeare still has a few characters talking in prose, but this is mainly just to have characters prove a higher intelligence than others. Irony simply engulfs this act. It is making me aggravated. Honestly, Othello is gonna kill someone. He smacked Desdomona, for Pete's sake! I can just sense the foreshadowing. Complete chaos is going on, and again, it's unneeded. I thought that it would calm down in this act, but no. Things just got even more heated. And Iago is just soaking it all in? What is this?! Symbolism is also getting even more integrated into this act. For instance, the handkerchief (in my mind) symbolizes Othello's feelings for Desdomona. When the handkerchief was put in the possession of others, Othello's mind is all discombobulated. This leads to Othello questioning his relationship with Desdemona. Gah. Chaos, chaos, chaos. I can't handle it.
Wow! What an interesting act! How do I even put this into words? Maybe I should start with the grammatical side of things. William Shakespeare still has a few characters talking in prose, but this is mainly just to have characters prove a higher intelligence than others. Irony simply engulfs this act. It is making me aggravated. Honestly, Othello is gonna kill someone. He smacked Desdomona, for Pete's sake! I can just sense the foreshadowing. Complete chaos is going on, and again, it's unneeded. I thought that it would calm down in this act, but no. Things just got even more heated. And Iago is just soaking it all in? What is this?! Symbolism is also getting even more integrated into this act. For instance, the handkerchief (in my mind) symbolizes Othello's feelings for Desdomona. When the handkerchief was put in the possession of others, Othello's mind is all discombobulated. This leads to Othello questioning his relationship with Desdemona. Gah. Chaos, chaos, chaos. I can't handle it.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Act III; Othello, the Moor of Venice
"Why, why is this? Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon With fresh suspicions? No, to be once in doubt Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat When I shall turn the business of my soul To such exsufflicate and blown surmises, Matching thy inference" (III.iii.176-183).
The jealousy becomes even more evident in this act. In scene one, Cassio and a clown kind of play off of each other, but Cassio reveals information about himself. It makes me think that Cassio is the only true "honest" character of the play. Everyone else, especially Iago, kind of puts on a facade as to who they really are. Like we talked about in class, this just confirms for me that Iago and Cassio are foil characters. Iago just continues to make matters worse by making up lies about Cassio. This just bothered me. Cassio doesn't talk in his sleep! Cassio didn't take the handkerchief: Iago did. I hate that Iago keeps setting people up. What makes me even more upset is the fact that Iago made Othello believe that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. This is ridiculous because this is a drama over essentially nothing. Everyone just needs to calm down! However, I really should not be surprised. This is a Shakespeare play by the way. Many of the tragedies are simply misunderstandings. For instance, Julius Caesar had Brutus kill Caesar when Caesar had not even had the chance to anything wrong yet. He was killed for really no reason. People thought that he might become a tyrant, but he wasn't a tyrant at the point that they killed him. That's just ridiculous. What about Romeo and Juliet? Both of the lovers kill themselves because they thought that the other had died. If they had just woken up and smelled the coffee, they would have realized the misunderstanding. This is why this story is making me frustrated because Othello really should not be freaking out about Desdemona and Cassio because NOTHING is going on. All this drama is unnecessary. It makes the stories so good, yes. However, from a reader's perspective, it just makes me want to throw my hands up into the air and scream, "Ah! Why? No! Just talk to the people and figure out the truth!" However, I am not a character in these stories, so I just have to sit back, read it, and cry at the ending.
The jealousy becomes even more evident in this act. In scene one, Cassio and a clown kind of play off of each other, but Cassio reveals information about himself. It makes me think that Cassio is the only true "honest" character of the play. Everyone else, especially Iago, kind of puts on a facade as to who they really are. Like we talked about in class, this just confirms for me that Iago and Cassio are foil characters. Iago just continues to make matters worse by making up lies about Cassio. This just bothered me. Cassio doesn't talk in his sleep! Cassio didn't take the handkerchief: Iago did. I hate that Iago keeps setting people up. What makes me even more upset is the fact that Iago made Othello believe that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. This is ridiculous because this is a drama over essentially nothing. Everyone just needs to calm down! However, I really should not be surprised. This is a Shakespeare play by the way. Many of the tragedies are simply misunderstandings. For instance, Julius Caesar had Brutus kill Caesar when Caesar had not even had the chance to anything wrong yet. He was killed for really no reason. People thought that he might become a tyrant, but he wasn't a tyrant at the point that they killed him. That's just ridiculous. What about Romeo and Juliet? Both of the lovers kill themselves because they thought that the other had died. If they had just woken up and smelled the coffee, they would have realized the misunderstanding. This is why this story is making me frustrated because Othello really should not be freaking out about Desdemona and Cassio because NOTHING is going on. All this drama is unnecessary. It makes the stories so good, yes. However, from a reader's perspective, it just makes me want to throw my hands up into the air and scream, "Ah! Why? No! Just talk to the people and figure out the truth!" However, I am not a character in these stories, so I just have to sit back, read it, and cry at the ending.
Act II of Othello, the Moor of Venice
"As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound. There is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving" (II.iii.244-247).
I find this quote incredibly ironic. First off, it starts off with "...I am an honest man." Iago definitely is not an honest man. He twists around things just to get his way. I also find it ironic that he is telling Cassio that he should not care about his reputation. Iago was the one who ruined Cassio's reputation, so Cassio has every right to care about how others perceive him. And if anyone cares about how others perceive him, it is Iago. He wants others to love him. He wants others to sympathize with him. For example, he says "I cannot speak any beginning to this peevish odds, and would in action glorious I had lost those legs that brought me to a part of it!" (II.iii.161-165). When Othello wants to know what is going on, Iago basically says, "I want to show my loyalty to Cassio for not speaking, but I will tell you the matter if you wish." Iago manipulates the whole story to have both Cassio and Othello on his side. This is just disturbing because Iago is the person who secretly evoked the fighting and anger. None of this would have happened if Iago had not strategically placed everything. It is very disturbing that Iago is very two-faced. He is very kind to Othello, and Iago taked advantage of him. Othello thinks that Iago is innocent, and Iago enjoys adding fuel to the fire that he is a good guy in Othello's eyes. I can just sense some foreshadowing because I feel that Iago is buttering up Othello. Then, when Iago has Othello right where he wants him, Iago will probably kill Othello and take his position as a military officer.
I find this quote incredibly ironic. First off, it starts off with "...I am an honest man." Iago definitely is not an honest man. He twists around things just to get his way. I also find it ironic that he is telling Cassio that he should not care about his reputation. Iago was the one who ruined Cassio's reputation, so Cassio has every right to care about how others perceive him. And if anyone cares about how others perceive him, it is Iago. He wants others to love him. He wants others to sympathize with him. For example, he says "I cannot speak any beginning to this peevish odds, and would in action glorious I had lost those legs that brought me to a part of it!" (II.iii.161-165). When Othello wants to know what is going on, Iago basically says, "I want to show my loyalty to Cassio for not speaking, but I will tell you the matter if you wish." Iago manipulates the whole story to have both Cassio and Othello on his side. This is just disturbing because Iago is the person who secretly evoked the fighting and anger. None of this would have happened if Iago had not strategically placed everything. It is very disturbing that Iago is very two-faced. He is very kind to Othello, and Iago taked advantage of him. Othello thinks that Iago is innocent, and Iago enjoys adding fuel to the fire that he is a good guy in Othello's eyes. I can just sense some foreshadowing because I feel that Iago is buttering up Othello. Then, when Iago has Othello right where he wants him, Iago will probably kill Othello and take his position as a military officer.
Act I of Othello, the Moor of Venice
"Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her. / For I'll refer me to all things of sense / If she in chains of magic were not bound, / If she in chains of magic were not bound, / So opposite to marriage that she shunned / The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, / Would ever have, to incur a general mock, / Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom / Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight." (I.ii.62-71).
Like any other Shakespeare play, Othello, the Moor of Venice is filled with metaphors, symbolism, irony, and so much more. The story is mainly told from Iago's perspective, but there is no set narrator in this piece. I just find it ironic that Iago has everything thinking that he is a good and honest man. In reality, Iago is very deceiving and knows how to maneuver people's minds. I also found symbolism when he was telling Roderigo "We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed." In this instance, Iago is the secretly the master. He needs others to obey him. He does not even command other people to do things: he finds a way to have others' sympathy in order to get what he wants. For example, he casts Othello in a horrible light to Brabantio to get the support of Desdemona's father. He says, "you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews neigh to you, you'll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans" (I.i.110-112). It's almost to the point where I feel that Iago is so insecure that he has to make others look bad just to get what he wants. Iago obviously wants Othello's position in the army, and he is willing to go to extremes (or in this case, subtleties) to get what he wants.
Like any other Shakespeare play, Othello, the Moor of Venice is filled with metaphors, symbolism, irony, and so much more. The story is mainly told from Iago's perspective, but there is no set narrator in this piece. I just find it ironic that Iago has everything thinking that he is a good and honest man. In reality, Iago is very deceiving and knows how to maneuver people's minds. I also found symbolism when he was telling Roderigo "We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed." In this instance, Iago is the secretly the master. He needs others to obey him. He does not even command other people to do things: he finds a way to have others' sympathy in order to get what he wants. For example, he casts Othello in a horrible light to Brabantio to get the support of Desdemona's father. He says, "you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews neigh to you, you'll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans" (I.i.110-112). It's almost to the point where I feel that Iago is so insecure that he has to make others look bad just to get what he wants. Iago obviously wants Othello's position in the army, and he is willing to go to extremes (or in this case, subtleties) to get what he wants.
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