Nathaniel Hawthorne has created an interesting, egotistical character with Aylmer. Aylmer is married to a beautiful woman with one single physical flaw, a birthmark on her left cheek. Aylmer does not see her beauty, he sees her birthmark. Most men think she is beautiful, that the birthmark is a gift.
“The Birthmark” has several similarities to modern day’s views on beauty. Society has a set standard for what is beautiful: fit, flawless skin, perfect hair, straight white teeth, etc. Georgiana seems to fit the standard for what was deemed beautiful for that era, all except for the birthmark on her cheek. She is still seen as beautiful by most men even with the flaw. In modern day times, she would have been able to put on some makeup and fit in. The women of her day did not care for her looks. Perhaps, they were jealous of her beauty.
Aylmer could be seen as evil; however, I think he is just vain. He has a beautiful wife but all he can see is the birthmark. He eventually makes her feel so terrible about it that she wishes it gone as well. Georgiana would rather die than have the birthmark. The thought of her changing her opinion, she originally was okay with it, to hating the birthmark, bothers me. Aylmer has made a beautiful woman feel self-conscious about a totally natural “problem”. I find it hard to believe that Aylmer actually loves Georgiana. Love sees past flaws. If everyone was as vain as Aylmer, then there would be no marriages, no relationships, which ultimately would lead to the end of our creation.
When Aylmer is demonstrating some of his creations, it begins to worry me about what will happen to Georgiana. Aylmer’s experiments seem to have a high failure rate; the flower dies and does not leave it’s seeds behind, the photo is blurry but only displays the birthmark. If I were in Georgiana’s situation, I would have to stand up for myself. No matter how much I love and trust my husband, there is no way I’m going to drink any concoction he has created in a science lab.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Review of "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" by Stephen Crane
This story did not hold my interest. No one character was significant in this story. In addition, there was not a scene that was significant either. Jack Potter has gone to San Anton and is bringing his bride home with him to Yellow Sky. The couple appears to be low-class. They take a train ride back home with a bunch of snobs. When they arrive, the town drunk, Scratchy Wilson, is ready for a fight and is yelling at Potter’s house. Potter informs Wilson that he is now married. This totally catches Wilson off-guard. It actually seems to turn him into a normal decent human being, for a moment. Wilson seems to be extremely disappointed that Potter is no longer a candidate for a fight. What will Wilson do now when he’s drunk?
Wilson appears to be a stereotypical westerner drunk. He gets completely sloshed and plays with his gun. This is definitely not a good combination and the townspeople know it. On that particular day, it turns out okay for everyone. I imagine he goes home, sleeps the alcohol off, and is perfectly sane the next day; perhaps he goes into town and acts as if nothing ever happened.
The conflict during the first part of the story should have been within Potter since he was in a new, possibly awkward situation. Potter eventually develops an internal conflict with himself when he begins questioning his own actions. He feels as if he should have given the townspeople some notice that he was bringing his bride home. Potter’s bride was having an internal conflict at times. She didn’t seem to feel comfortable on the train. She felt inferior. The passenger’s of the train and Potter and his new bride present another conflict; however, it is not known to all parties involved. The passenger’s seem to think they are much higher society than the Potter’s. In their minds, they were making the Potter’s feel inferior.
Wilson appears to be a stereotypical westerner drunk. He gets completely sloshed and plays with his gun. This is definitely not a good combination and the townspeople know it. On that particular day, it turns out okay for everyone. I imagine he goes home, sleeps the alcohol off, and is perfectly sane the next day; perhaps he goes into town and acts as if nothing ever happened.
The conflict during the first part of the story should have been within Potter since he was in a new, possibly awkward situation. Potter eventually develops an internal conflict with himself when he begins questioning his own actions. He feels as if he should have given the townspeople some notice that he was bringing his bride home. Potter’s bride was having an internal conflict at times. She didn’t seem to feel comfortable on the train. She felt inferior. The passenger’s of the train and Potter and his new bride present another conflict; however, it is not known to all parties involved. The passenger’s seem to think they are much higher society than the Potter’s. In their minds, they were making the Potter’s feel inferior.
Review of "Killings" by Andre Dubus
This story really kept my interest. Richard Strout murders Frank Fowler. In turn, Frank’s father, Matt Fowler, murders Strout for revenge. In the beginning of the story, I believed that Steve, Frank’s brother would be the one to murder Strout for revenge on his brother’s death; however, this is only for a brief moment. Steve is not mentioned again in the story after Frank’s funeral.
Matt and his wife Ruth are struggling with their day-to-day lives once their son is killed. Especially when his murderer posts bail and Ruth keeps running into Strout on the streets. I feel sorry for Matt and Ruth. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to lose a child in such a tragic way. Perhaps, I would have the same feelings and thoughts as the Fowler’s; however, most people allow the justice system to take over.
The details the author gives about each man makes them fit their part well. Strout is made out to be the dumb jock that couldn’t make it through college. He is now a bartender. So basically, he gets people drunk. This is typically seen as an immoral and irresponsible act. Frank has already graduated from college with his bachelor’s degree and is pursuing his masters in economics. He is working as a lifeguard. Based on his job alone, Frank is made to look like a brave, great man. He saves lives. I love the contrast the author gives between the two men. It makes the reader unknowingly choose sides.
The murder of Frank is so horrific, it also contributes to the feelings the reader may have. It really bothers me that Frank is shot in front of Mary Ann’s children. I’m sure the author intended this. Strout has the audacity to walk into his soon-to-be ex-wife’s home, in front of their children, and shoot someone three times. Strout not only caused Frank harm, but he also caused his children and his former wife a great deal of emotional harm. Later on Strout tells Matt that he wanted to work things out with Mary Ann. Did Strout really think that removing Frank from the picture would help, especially in this gruesome way? Strout impulsively acted based on his emotions. There was no planning to his murder of Frank.
When Matt decides to murder Strout, there are several weeks, possibly months of careful planning between Matt and his friend Willis. The men come up with a well thought out plan. Just before the plan is carried out, I sensed hesitation in Matt. He seemed like he really didn’t want to go through with it when Strout comes out of the bar alone. Matt attempts to keep an emotional distance from Strout. Matt won’t look into his eyes. This is mentioned on several occasions.
It seems that Matt’s life “ends” at the moment he pulls the trigger the first time and wounds Strout. The gun shot removes him from his life. It’s as if his body is going through the actions of living but his spirit is watching and observing. Matt now has guilt to live with. Instead of just his son being dead, there are now two dead young men. At least if Strout had gone to prison and served his sentence, the Fowler’s would have had some time to recover from Frank’s death. The pain would never totally go away but it would get easier. Possibly, Strout may have never returned to their town. Matt would not have to live with the guilt of killing Strout if he would have allowed the justice system to carry out Strout’s sentence. Matt is always going to live with the guilt. He is no better than Strout. Perhaps Matt didn’t think of Strout’s family. How do Strout’s mother and father feel now?
It is ironic how in Matt killing Strout, Ruth finds peace. She sensed the murder wasn’t easy for Matt but she is relieved that she can liver her life and go about her daily business without being reminded of Strout. Ruth does seem oblivious to the guilt that Matt is experiencing. As soon as Matt pulled the trigger, the isolation began. Ruth has yet to see that.
Matt and his wife Ruth are struggling with their day-to-day lives once their son is killed. Especially when his murderer posts bail and Ruth keeps running into Strout on the streets. I feel sorry for Matt and Ruth. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to lose a child in such a tragic way. Perhaps, I would have the same feelings and thoughts as the Fowler’s; however, most people allow the justice system to take over.
The details the author gives about each man makes them fit their part well. Strout is made out to be the dumb jock that couldn’t make it through college. He is now a bartender. So basically, he gets people drunk. This is typically seen as an immoral and irresponsible act. Frank has already graduated from college with his bachelor’s degree and is pursuing his masters in economics. He is working as a lifeguard. Based on his job alone, Frank is made to look like a brave, great man. He saves lives. I love the contrast the author gives between the two men. It makes the reader unknowingly choose sides.
The murder of Frank is so horrific, it also contributes to the feelings the reader may have. It really bothers me that Frank is shot in front of Mary Ann’s children. I’m sure the author intended this. Strout has the audacity to walk into his soon-to-be ex-wife’s home, in front of their children, and shoot someone three times. Strout not only caused Frank harm, but he also caused his children and his former wife a great deal of emotional harm. Later on Strout tells Matt that he wanted to work things out with Mary Ann. Did Strout really think that removing Frank from the picture would help, especially in this gruesome way? Strout impulsively acted based on his emotions. There was no planning to his murder of Frank.
When Matt decides to murder Strout, there are several weeks, possibly months of careful planning between Matt and his friend Willis. The men come up with a well thought out plan. Just before the plan is carried out, I sensed hesitation in Matt. He seemed like he really didn’t want to go through with it when Strout comes out of the bar alone. Matt attempts to keep an emotional distance from Strout. Matt won’t look into his eyes. This is mentioned on several occasions.
It seems that Matt’s life “ends” at the moment he pulls the trigger the first time and wounds Strout. The gun shot removes him from his life. It’s as if his body is going through the actions of living but his spirit is watching and observing. Matt now has guilt to live with. Instead of just his son being dead, there are now two dead young men. At least if Strout had gone to prison and served his sentence, the Fowler’s would have had some time to recover from Frank’s death. The pain would never totally go away but it would get easier. Possibly, Strout may have never returned to their town. Matt would not have to live with the guilt of killing Strout if he would have allowed the justice system to carry out Strout’s sentence. Matt is always going to live with the guilt. He is no better than Strout. Perhaps Matt didn’t think of Strout’s family. How do Strout’s mother and father feel now?
It is ironic how in Matt killing Strout, Ruth finds peace. She sensed the murder wasn’t easy for Matt but she is relieved that she can liver her life and go about her daily business without being reminded of Strout. Ruth does seem oblivious to the guilt that Matt is experiencing. As soon as Matt pulled the trigger, the isolation began. Ruth has yet to see that.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Review: " A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner is a thrilling story with some unexpected surprises. William Faulkner keeps the reader intrigued as to Miss Emily’s life and circumstances. Faulkner leaves the audience with some major questions, part of what makes the story so interesting. It leaves lots of room for interpretation.
I believe Miss Emily could not find a suitable suitor because she rarely left her home. She was also from what sounds like a well-to-do family. Perhaps the narrator did not feel that anyone was of that scale. Maybe the townspeople thought that no one could live up to her father’s expectations.
Miss Emily appears to love Homer. I filled in the questions about his death with my own view on the story. I believe Homer had to leave Miss Emily, not because of her sisters being there, but because he had a sick family member he needed to tend to. Perhaps he had a sick parent or sibling. Homer leaving while Miss Emily’s sisters were there was purely coincidental. While Homer was away, he himself got sick, probably with what his sick relative had. It has just occurred to me that Miss Emily probably would have caught his sickness as well if this were the case; however, the story is more appealing to me if she did not murder him. Why would she kill him if she loved him? Apparently she had to have loved him. She slept with his dead corpse for what appeared to be years. Miss Emily had a much skewed view of life and death. There is nothing normal about her behavior. She seems to have a hard time adjusting to change. She stays in a moment and cannot move on, for example, when she did not want the townspeople to bury her father. That was a big change for her that she could not deal with.
The fear Miss Emily felt when the men of the town were spreading lime on her lawn was probably from the fear of being discovered. Not because she may get in trouble but fear that they would force her to bury Homer. She would no longer have him. He was the only man she had ever loved and did not want to lose that. The situation was similar with her father. I believe she was scared of totally losing him as well.
Tobe is another odd character in this story. There are many questions surrounding him; however since he is not a main character, there isn’t a lot of information to even guess why he stays with Miss Emily. Perhaps she did in fact murder Homer, for that matter, her father as well. Tobe would be afraid she would do the same to him. It is also possible that she treats him so much better than many other African American people were treated back then that he doesn’t mind staying with her. He may have felt like he had no other option, and it’s highly possible that for that era, he didn’t.
I really enjoyed this story, especially the ending. When the narrator describes seeing the “long strand of iron-gray hair” it gave me chills. What a dramatic, thought provoking ending.
I believe Miss Emily could not find a suitable suitor because she rarely left her home. She was also from what sounds like a well-to-do family. Perhaps the narrator did not feel that anyone was of that scale. Maybe the townspeople thought that no one could live up to her father’s expectations.
Miss Emily appears to love Homer. I filled in the questions about his death with my own view on the story. I believe Homer had to leave Miss Emily, not because of her sisters being there, but because he had a sick family member he needed to tend to. Perhaps he had a sick parent or sibling. Homer leaving while Miss Emily’s sisters were there was purely coincidental. While Homer was away, he himself got sick, probably with what his sick relative had. It has just occurred to me that Miss Emily probably would have caught his sickness as well if this were the case; however, the story is more appealing to me if she did not murder him. Why would she kill him if she loved him? Apparently she had to have loved him. She slept with his dead corpse for what appeared to be years. Miss Emily had a much skewed view of life and death. There is nothing normal about her behavior. She seems to have a hard time adjusting to change. She stays in a moment and cannot move on, for example, when she did not want the townspeople to bury her father. That was a big change for her that she could not deal with.
The fear Miss Emily felt when the men of the town were spreading lime on her lawn was probably from the fear of being discovered. Not because she may get in trouble but fear that they would force her to bury Homer. She would no longer have him. He was the only man she had ever loved and did not want to lose that. The situation was similar with her father. I believe she was scared of totally losing him as well.
Tobe is another odd character in this story. There are many questions surrounding him; however since he is not a main character, there isn’t a lot of information to even guess why he stays with Miss Emily. Perhaps she did in fact murder Homer, for that matter, her father as well. Tobe would be afraid she would do the same to him. It is also possible that she treats him so much better than many other African American people were treated back then that he doesn’t mind staying with her. He may have felt like he had no other option, and it’s highly possible that for that era, he didn’t.
I really enjoyed this story, especially the ending. When the narrator describes seeing the “long strand of iron-gray hair” it gave me chills. What a dramatic, thought provoking ending.
Review: "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
When Mrs. Mallard learns of her husband’s death, she first reacts like most spouses would, she is saddened and weeps. However, Mrs. Mallard then realizes she has feelings she doesn’t expect. She realizes she is a free woman, to choose how she wants to live the rest of her life without a husband controlling her. This is a major deal for a woman in the late 19th century. In present day, Mrs. Mallard could have divorced her husband with very few repercussions. That was not the case for the time period this story was written. Divorce was not an option then.
Mrs. Mallard is suddenly intrigued to the new world through her open window. When her sister is attempting to coerce her out of her bedroom, Mrs. Mallard is looking through the window to something she has never felt before, freedom. It doesn’t appear that she hated her husband but she had no outlet from her marriage. She was confined to that life style. Perhaps Mr. Mallard was a decent loving husband who provided well for her but maybe they had personality conflicts, possibly conflicts that didn’t arise until after they were married. Another possibility for Mrs. Mallard’s dislike for her marriage may have been the pressure placed upon married people to portray a happy, “normal” life.
Mrs. Mallard’s heart troubles appear to be more than physical. She apparently is aching to have a different life. Her heart is no longer in her marriage. It seems as though she doesn’t realize just how much she wants her freedom until she finds out she has it.
This story can still relate to present day marriages. Divorce is much easier this day and time but if one is in a bad marriage, they can feel smothered up until a separation, possibly like they’re trapped with no options. Divorce is still not an easy option; however, the freedom that is felt when one is out of a bad marriage could be described much as Mrs. Mallard’s feelings were described.
Her death was shocking but Mrs. Mallard gained and lost a lot in one hour. She lost her husband, gained her freedom, found out her husband was well, and finally lost her own life. Her experiences in one hour were more than most people experience in a year. She had much to deal with and ultimately death won her over.
Mrs. Mallard is suddenly intrigued to the new world through her open window. When her sister is attempting to coerce her out of her bedroom, Mrs. Mallard is looking through the window to something she has never felt before, freedom. It doesn’t appear that she hated her husband but she had no outlet from her marriage. She was confined to that life style. Perhaps Mr. Mallard was a decent loving husband who provided well for her but maybe they had personality conflicts, possibly conflicts that didn’t arise until after they were married. Another possibility for Mrs. Mallard’s dislike for her marriage may have been the pressure placed upon married people to portray a happy, “normal” life.
Mrs. Mallard’s heart troubles appear to be more than physical. She apparently is aching to have a different life. Her heart is no longer in her marriage. It seems as though she doesn’t realize just how much she wants her freedom until she finds out she has it.
This story can still relate to present day marriages. Divorce is much easier this day and time but if one is in a bad marriage, they can feel smothered up until a separation, possibly like they’re trapped with no options. Divorce is still not an easy option; however, the freedom that is felt when one is out of a bad marriage could be described much as Mrs. Mallard’s feelings were described.
Her death was shocking but Mrs. Mallard gained and lost a lot in one hour. She lost her husband, gained her freedom, found out her husband was well, and finally lost her own life. Her experiences in one hour were more than most people experience in a year. She had much to deal with and ultimately death won her over.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Introduction
Welcome to my English 113 blog! I look forward to a great semester with everyone.
Currently, I read a lot of Dr. Seuss and children's books to my son. When I get to read for myself, I enjoy Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts. On Sunday mornings, I enjoy reading the Winston-Salem Journal when I have time.
I am excited to read new stories and books for this class. Recently, I obtained my first library card in over 10 years but it's so overwhelming to pick out a book when there are thousands to choose from. So, I'm hoping this class will give me some guidance when at the library in the future. Maybe I will find a new author that I really enjoy.
Currently, I read a lot of Dr. Seuss and children's books to my son. When I get to read for myself, I enjoy Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts. On Sunday mornings, I enjoy reading the Winston-Salem Journal when I have time.
I am excited to read new stories and books for this class. Recently, I obtained my first library card in over 10 years but it's so overwhelming to pick out a book when there are thousands to choose from. So, I'm hoping this class will give me some guidance when at the library in the future. Maybe I will find a new author that I really enjoy.
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