Death, be not proud by John Donne
Unlike many of the dismal, death poems prior to this one, John Donne's is a victory poem about death. However, he is not victorious in the sense that he cheats death. He mentions how death comes to all, even "our best men with thee do go" (Donne 971). There is personification in the text by how the narrator speaks to death, as if it were a some sort of being. He speaks of how death perceives itself as high and mighty, but negates this by saying that it is just not so. The main point that he is making of death is that it is not some sort of great evil presence that we must fear, however it is merely a vehicle that we use to pass from this world to the next. He belittles death to a "slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men", the desperate men referring to the those who commit suicide (Donne 971). Not only does he reference how death is not in actual control but he compares the actual death to one short sleep passed, understating it to a nap. He then quickly follows by saying, "we wake eternally" (Donne 972). The function of this line, is to compare death's small, and temperate role in our souls existence with the everlasting life that we live after death completes its purpose.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
This poem displays the ambiguous feelings must people have towards death and also the eventual unwillingness that all men experience upon their time. This unwillingness is highlighted by the repetition of "rage, rage against the dying of the light" or "Do not go gentle into that good night" (Thomas 968). The narrator speaks of how all men: wise men, good men, wild men, and grave men, no matter how their outlook may be on life or death previously, all resist death. The wise man knows that death is eventual and right, however, they fight death. The good man who looks back towards all his good deeds and impacts, when faced with death, he shall rage, rage against the dying light. This contradiction of how all men feel about death, is present with the narrator as he tells the story. He speaks of death as the good night and says that it is right, however, we witness the same process with him as he diminishes these thoughts on his father's deathbed. Although he has spoken of how death is expected and right, he tells his father to fight off death at the end of the poem.
Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Just as the rest of the literary works due in this unit, this poem by Lord Tennyson covers death. However, it more specifically highlights the actual process of dying through the metaphor of a sailor crossing the bar. In the first stanza, when he writes "may there be no moaning of the bar when i put out to sea", literally, that references how the wind moans against the sand bar out at sea, but metaphorically he refers to the actually moaning by his loved ones over his passing (Tennyson 886). The act of the narrator crossing the bar seems to reference the idea of going off into the great unknown, into the open expanse of death. I do question whether or not this poem has a religious aspect or not. I am confused when he writes of his hope to see his Pilot face to face. It seems inevitable for this Pilot to represent God for thats who one usually thinks of meeting upon their death. However, the rest of the poem does not reference religion nor any other notion of a higher power, just the metaphor of his own death.
Each stanza covers an aspect of the departing of the vessel. The first stanza gives the image of the end to a day and the author writing of when he is put out to sea. The second stanza describes the vessel that is to take him away heading towards the shore. The third is him entering the ship and setting off. The fourth and final paragraph is the final leaving of the author as he crosses the bar to enter the "boundless deep" (Tennyson 886)
Just as the rest of the literary works due in this unit, this poem by Lord Tennyson covers death. However, it more specifically highlights the actual process of dying through the metaphor of a sailor crossing the bar. In the first stanza, when he writes "may there be no moaning of the bar when i put out to sea", literally, that references how the wind moans against the sand bar out at sea, but metaphorically he refers to the actually moaning by his loved ones over his passing (Tennyson 886). The act of the narrator crossing the bar seems to reference the idea of going off into the great unknown, into the open expanse of death. I do question whether or not this poem has a religious aspect or not. I am confused when he writes of his hope to see his Pilot face to face. It seems inevitable for this Pilot to represent God for thats who one usually thinks of meeting upon their death. However, the rest of the poem does not reference religion nor any other notion of a higher power, just the metaphor of his own death.
Each stanza covers an aspect of the departing of the vessel. The first stanza gives the image of the end to a day and the author writing of when he is put out to sea. The second stanza describes the vessel that is to take him away heading towards the shore. The third is him entering the ship and setting off. The fourth and final paragraph is the final leaving of the author as he crosses the bar to enter the "boundless deep" (Tennyson 886)
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner
A Rose for Emily is a very ambiguous, unorganized, and incomplete story, and the author meant for this completely. Just as are most gossip stories, this short story by Faulkner has many different parts to it that may be out of place or do not agree. That is the main point of why Faulkner narrates his story the way he does. His story telling in the first person plural simulates a collection of rumored stories that passed back and forth between the town's people. This way of presenting the story not only is interesting by what it mimics but also by how it gives an aura of mystery to Miss Emily. Imagine if this story had told every detail of her secretive life in chronological order. There would be much less mystery or intrigue or genuine care. By giving off only bits of information from far displaced times, Faulkner keeps the story interesting, slowly feeding the reader more and more until the final revelation. If this story had taken place in correct chronology, the reader would have known of Homer's death halfway through the story. This strategy of the disjointed story gives a more human experience to the story, just as how the shoddy, home-video styled scary movies appear to be much more terrifying. When you finally read that last line, "we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair", the movie ends with a sudden shock of revelation the same as a ghost movie (Faulkner 289).
A Rose for Emily is a very ambiguous, unorganized, and incomplete story, and the author meant for this completely. Just as are most gossip stories, this short story by Faulkner has many different parts to it that may be out of place or do not agree. That is the main point of why Faulkner narrates his story the way he does. His story telling in the first person plural simulates a collection of rumored stories that passed back and forth between the town's people. This way of presenting the story not only is interesting by what it mimics but also by how it gives an aura of mystery to Miss Emily. Imagine if this story had told every detail of her secretive life in chronological order. There would be much less mystery or intrigue or genuine care. By giving off only bits of information from far displaced times, Faulkner keeps the story interesting, slowly feeding the reader more and more until the final revelation. If this story had taken place in correct chronology, the reader would have known of Homer's death halfway through the story. This strategy of the disjointed story gives a more human experience to the story, just as how the shoddy, home-video styled scary movies appear to be much more terrifying. When you finally read that last line, "we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair", the movie ends with a sudden shock of revelation the same as a ghost movie (Faulkner 289).
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
If one were to know the title of this piece of literature and then immediately learn of the ending, they would say that it was quite ironic. Irony dominates the scope of this short story. Just the irony of the title is enough; The Lottery, has a positive connotation. However there is nothing positive about the eventual stoning of one of the towns few residents. As well, must of the irony of this story resides in the nonchalant attitudes of all of the town's residents. They talk and joke around before preceding to stone someone to death. Mrs. Hutchinson, the woman who is eventually stoned, arrives late and is welcomed with much good-humored teasing. The passage reads, "The people separated good-humoredly to let her through; two or three people said in voices just loud enough to be heard across the crowd, 'here comes your Missus, Hutchinson," and "Bill, she made it after all"" (Jackson 266). The sickest and possibly most far-fetched part of the story is when her own children casually participate in the stoning. If these little, odd ironies were omitted throughout the book, this story would have been much darker and perverse. It is the over-the-top casualness of the townspeople that makes this story unrealistic and satirical. What is all of this satire meant to criticize anyways? The story is giving warnings of the serious problem of not questioning age old traditions. It explicitly states in the book that most townspeople had forgotten the reasons for the lottery other than that it was just what takes place.
If one were to know the title of this piece of literature and then immediately learn of the ending, they would say that it was quite ironic. Irony dominates the scope of this short story. Just the irony of the title is enough; The Lottery, has a positive connotation. However there is nothing positive about the eventual stoning of one of the towns few residents. As well, must of the irony of this story resides in the nonchalant attitudes of all of the town's residents. They talk and joke around before preceding to stone someone to death. Mrs. Hutchinson, the woman who is eventually stoned, arrives late and is welcomed with much good-humored teasing. The passage reads, "The people separated good-humoredly to let her through; two or three people said in voices just loud enough to be heard across the crowd, 'here comes your Missus, Hutchinson," and "Bill, she made it after all"" (Jackson 266). The sickest and possibly most far-fetched part of the story is when her own children casually participate in the stoning. If these little, odd ironies were omitted throughout the book, this story would have been much darker and perverse. It is the over-the-top casualness of the townspeople that makes this story unrealistic and satirical. What is all of this satire meant to criticize anyways? The story is giving warnings of the serious problem of not questioning age old traditions. It explicitly states in the book that most townspeople had forgotten the reasons for the lottery other than that it was just what takes place.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Missing Man
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Just like in Raisin, The Glass menagerie also has a character whom makes a large impact without ever being actually present. However, instead of the honorable and hardworking Big Walter Younger who died for his family and gave them an opportunity, this character has a more negative impact. This character is Mr. Wingfield, Amanda's abandoning husband, who walked out on the family previously. His presence is very foreboding through the play and is quite present especially by the immense portrait of his gleaming face. His absence puts an uneasy, depressing mood throughout the house, however it most influences Tom. For some reason or other, the absence of Tom's father has not made him condemning of such behavior but instead motivated him to do the same. Tom wishes to emulate the man and follow in his footsteps by also walking out on the prison he calls home. Tom states explicitly, "Why listen, if self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is- GONE!" (Williams 1247). Now, in that respect, Tom is more admirable than his father. Despite his longing to pack up and leave, he does contain some care for people outside himself. It was the abandonment of the family by this selfish man that gives the family their hopeless outlook. If even the one man who was supposed to be the head of the household, has fled them, then who else do they have.
Just like in Raisin, The Glass menagerie also has a character whom makes a large impact without ever being actually present. However, instead of the honorable and hardworking Big Walter Younger who died for his family and gave them an opportunity, this character has a more negative impact. This character is Mr. Wingfield, Amanda's abandoning husband, who walked out on the family previously. His presence is very foreboding through the play and is quite present especially by the immense portrait of his gleaming face. His absence puts an uneasy, depressing mood throughout the house, however it most influences Tom. For some reason or other, the absence of Tom's father has not made him condemning of such behavior but instead motivated him to do the same. Tom wishes to emulate the man and follow in his footsteps by also walking out on the prison he calls home. Tom states explicitly, "Why listen, if self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where he is- GONE!" (Williams 1247). Now, in that respect, Tom is more admirable than his father. Despite his longing to pack up and leave, he does contain some care for people outside himself. It was the abandonment of the family by this selfish man that gives the family their hopeless outlook. If even the one man who was supposed to be the head of the household, has fled them, then who else do they have.
Jim: The Realistic Man
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
One aspect in particular of this play that I found eerily peculiar is how separated from society and the outside world, the three main character's appear. Now this may be because most of the plot takes place between the family members, however it still feels as though they are secluded from the rest of the world. Besides Tom's interactions with the factory workers, whom still found him peculiar, the members of the family seem neither to have many friends nor acquaintances. It feels almost as though they are alone in the world. They live in their own little world of meager importance and illusion. However, Jim ,the unsuspecting Gentlemen Caller, breaks that all by being the emissary of the real world. When referring to Jim, the story speaks of how very popular and talented he was, how well connected he was with the rest of the high school. He is just a normal, average outgoing man with the blessing of a big personality. He also appears much less quarrelsome and aggravating than Amanda and Tom, he acts around people just as normal people act, polite and pleasant. He also is much more attentive to what goes on around him than those of the apartment. He amazingly, in less than a day, is able to read completely into Laura's complex and give her the confidence she so desperately needs simply by flattering her. This, Tom and Amanda had never managed to do in the many years they spent with her. He is the only realistic person in the play, because he is the one least effected by illusions.
One aspect in particular of this play that I found eerily peculiar is how separated from society and the outside world, the three main character's appear. Now this may be because most of the plot takes place between the family members, however it still feels as though they are secluded from the rest of the world. Besides Tom's interactions with the factory workers, whom still found him peculiar, the members of the family seem neither to have many friends nor acquaintances. It feels almost as though they are alone in the world. They live in their own little world of meager importance and illusion. However, Jim ,the unsuspecting Gentlemen Caller, breaks that all by being the emissary of the real world. When referring to Jim, the story speaks of how very popular and talented he was, how well connected he was with the rest of the high school. He is just a normal, average outgoing man with the blessing of a big personality. He also appears much less quarrelsome and aggravating than Amanda and Tom, he acts around people just as normal people act, polite and pleasant. He also is much more attentive to what goes on around him than those of the apartment. He amazingly, in less than a day, is able to read completely into Laura's complex and give her the confidence she so desperately needs simply by flattering her. This, Tom and Amanda had never managed to do in the many years they spent with her. He is the only realistic person in the play, because he is the one least effected by illusions.
Amanda's Illusions
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
One character who deserves much analysis because of her very complex attitude is the mother, Amanda. First off, one interesting find is how peculiar it is that a story involving a family's relationships, would not refer to the mother as mother but rather as Amanda. Now although this is in the play directions and would not be referred as such during an actual play, it is still as though Williams is trying to portray that Amanda, in many ways, is still more like a child rather than a responsible parent. This is further explained by her very nostalgic personality. She is constantly referring to and dreaming of her glory days as a young single woman entertaining gentlemen callers. Its as if that is all she ever cares about through the entire play. Her whole never leaving the past is probably the main cause for her obliviousness to the present, mainly with how she acts with Laura. She must have some major delusions when she habitually expects for Laura, who does not converse with a single being outside the house, to have many gentlemen callers coming to woo her on a given night. She cluelessly says, "Not one gentleman caller? It can't be true! There must be a flood, there must have been a tornado!" (Williams 1239). She does not realize that the way she anticipates the imaginary callers, is even more discouraging to Laura. Not only her false expectations but her boastful, has-been speeches about her great past do as well. Whenever bewildered by Laura's lack of success, she conveniently begins bragging of how greatly she was desired in the past with her many courters. This does only to frustrate Laura even more.
One character who deserves much analysis because of her very complex attitude is the mother, Amanda. First off, one interesting find is how peculiar it is that a story involving a family's relationships, would not refer to the mother as mother but rather as Amanda. Now although this is in the play directions and would not be referred as such during an actual play, it is still as though Williams is trying to portray that Amanda, in many ways, is still more like a child rather than a responsible parent. This is further explained by her very nostalgic personality. She is constantly referring to and dreaming of her glory days as a young single woman entertaining gentlemen callers. Its as if that is all she ever cares about through the entire play. Her whole never leaving the past is probably the main cause for her obliviousness to the present, mainly with how she acts with Laura. She must have some major delusions when she habitually expects for Laura, who does not converse with a single being outside the house, to have many gentlemen callers coming to woo her on a given night. She cluelessly says, "Not one gentleman caller? It can't be true! There must be a flood, there must have been a tornado!" (Williams 1239). She does not realize that the way she anticipates the imaginary callers, is even more discouraging to Laura. Not only her false expectations but her boastful, has-been speeches about her great past do as well. Whenever bewildered by Laura's lack of success, she conveniently begins bragging of how greatly she was desired in the past with her many courters. This does only to frustrate Laura even more.
Laura's Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Just like in the beginning, Tom announces to the audience that he is a poet and that there is much symbolism throughout the play. One of the symbols that possibly holds as the most important would be Laura's glass collection. In many ways, it reflects Laura herself. As described, Laura is a very delicate being, who is sheltered and protected by her mother and brother. These traits are very similar to the fragile glass collection that she takes care of so passionately. What connects the two the most is the scene when Amanda and Tom's argument eventually leads to the breaking of many of her figurines. This accident symbolizes how Tom and Amanda's quarrels are greatly hurting poor Laura. Another part of her glass collection that holds much symbolism to it, is the rare unicorn that Laura shows off to Jim. The unicorn represents her, and how she is set apart from everyone else because her one difference. As Jim puts it, "Poor little fellow,he must feel sort of lonesome" (Williams 1281). Later when the unicorn's horn breaks off, it represents Laura overcoming her self-consciousness and freeing herself from her inferior mentality.
Just like in the beginning, Tom announces to the audience that he is a poet and that there is much symbolism throughout the play. One of the symbols that possibly holds as the most important would be Laura's glass collection. In many ways, it reflects Laura herself. As described, Laura is a very delicate being, who is sheltered and protected by her mother and brother. These traits are very similar to the fragile glass collection that she takes care of so passionately. What connects the two the most is the scene when Amanda and Tom's argument eventually leads to the breaking of many of her figurines. This accident symbolizes how Tom and Amanda's quarrels are greatly hurting poor Laura. Another part of her glass collection that holds much symbolism to it, is the rare unicorn that Laura shows off to Jim. The unicorn represents her, and how she is set apart from everyone else because her one difference. As Jim puts it, "Poor little fellow,he must feel sort of lonesome" (Williams 1281). Later when the unicorn's horn breaks off, it represents Laura overcoming her self-consciousness and freeing herself from her inferior mentality.
Amanda vs Tom
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Throughout the play, probably the most obtrusive and violent conflicts that constantly takes center stage is the dissension between Amanda and Tom. There arguments spur from many different random scenarios. In some cases they just appear from Amanda's nagging of how Tom eats his breakfast or how Tom drinks his coffee. Although these are small instances, all these arguments gain much fervor and usually allude back to the underlying conflict of the two main characters. What Amanda truly wants from Tom is for him to become the man that their household is in need of, while Tom, on the other hand, wishes to just escape his mundane life and travel far away from the nagging. Some of this spurs from the bad relationship Amanda had with Tom's father. His careless exodus from the family has actually inspired Tom rather than made him feel ill will toward his father. He is restless to walk out just as his old man did as he says this, "I'm tired of the movies and I am about to move!". It is this neglect of the responsibility he now owes to the rest of the family that puts Amanda on edge around him. The only factor that keeps the family together is Laura, and their quarrels are damaging her greatly.
Throughout the play, probably the most obtrusive and violent conflicts that constantly takes center stage is the dissension between Amanda and Tom. There arguments spur from many different random scenarios. In some cases they just appear from Amanda's nagging of how Tom eats his breakfast or how Tom drinks his coffee. Although these are small instances, all these arguments gain much fervor and usually allude back to the underlying conflict of the two main characters. What Amanda truly wants from Tom is for him to become the man that their household is in need of, while Tom, on the other hand, wishes to just escape his mundane life and travel far away from the nagging. Some of this spurs from the bad relationship Amanda had with Tom's father. His careless exodus from the family has actually inspired Tom rather than made him feel ill will toward his father. He is restless to walk out just as his old man did as he says this, "I'm tired of the movies and I am about to move!". It is this neglect of the responsibility he now owes to the rest of the family that puts Amanda on edge around him. The only factor that keeps the family together is Laura, and their quarrels are damaging her greatly.
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