Blood Wedding - Journal #1

Journal Prompt #7:
A dramatist often creates a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. With reference to at least two plays, discuss how and to what effect dramatists have used this technique.

Response:
A great deal of dramatic irony can by found in Lorca's Blood Wedding as well as in Ibsen's Wild Duck. In both plays there are gaps between what the audience knows and what the characters know. Although both plays focus on single plot lines, there are parts that break away for characters speaking with one another, but not informing everyone of the same information. When this happens conflict often occurs due to being misinformed and not knowing how to deal with it, or mistake one's words for something completely different.

Blood Wedding focuses on the preparation for the Bride's wedding day. Although all of the characters are preparing for the wedding, they discuss different information with one another. Taking the first scene of the first act, the Bridegroom's Mother is telling her son that she finds the Bride to be a bit "off". In front of the Bride she appears kind to her and says she is of the best, but the audience knows that she sees the Bride as a bad influence. This foreshadows the Bride's later action of running away, though the Bride does not know anyone suspects that of her. Another "side conversation" in the story is among Leonardo's family, discussing his past with the Bride. The Bride's family is unaware of what happened in the past, creating tension for the audience when Leonardo arrives, but the Bride's family thinks nothing of it. For the audience to have over-compassing knowledge of everyone in the play allows for shifts in tone to be visible, while if the audience only knew part of the story, it would not be as prominent.

As stated in an earlier journal, there is also dramatic irony in The Wild Duck as the play splits in perspectives of Hjalmar and Hedvig. Hedvig is unaware of why her father does not want to be around her and sees it as her fault and something she can solve, while the audience knows something bad will become of her not knowing. As expected, the dramatic irony comes into play and leads to the climax of the story when Hjalmar and Gina find Hedvig dead. The dramatic irony is an essential role in the play, creating tragedy.

The Wild Duck - Journal #4

Comments:

Isabel H.: I would agree with saying that the character traits are important to Oedipus, though disagree and say the the plot is essential. The plot of Oedipus gives an overall feeling of the story with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. When performed, it can be expected that everyone already understands the story, and therefore the meaning. The way the characters are presented just add to the performance.

Isabella L.: The formality issue dealing with Hjalmar and Gina is quite insightful and something I hadn't thought of. I can see how that affects the reputation of the family, as well as the closeness between Hedvig and her father. The symbolism you mentioned earlier is interesting. I am wondering why a dog would be the cause of pain and suffering, though. Anyway, your unique ideas are awesome as usual!

Maddie B.: Wow, what an interesting comparison! I like how you were able to contrast a play from the past and a book that focuses on the future. Both of them have conflicting ideas, but still relate to the human experience. The difference in views also shows how different people can be because I am sure Sophocles did not represent the same views as everyone else. Contrasting the two completely different themes really shows how different people are.

The Wild Duck - Journal #3

Journal Prompt #6:
 Narrative structure: How has the plot (not the story) been constructed? Are there parts? Is the plot circular? Subplots? How important/effective is the ending? Has everything been revealed by the end or are there unanswered questions? Does this matter? What period of time has been covered? Is time important?

Response:
The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen has been constructed in an interesting manner. The plot seems to focus directly on the Ekdal family, but it breaks off into separate parts, such as Hedvig's perspective as well as Hjalmar's point of view. By doing this Ibsen creates dramatic irony, such as in the scene where Hjalmar finds out Gina's past relations and Hedvig is not around. Hedvig is confused to why her father does not want to speak with her and only knows what has been shared when he is around her, which is the wild duck. The dramatic irony caused by the division of plots leads to conflict, and ultimately the tragedy of the story.

The only subplots explored in the story deals with Gregers and Old Werle, and Old Ekdal and Old Werle. The significance of the conflicts involved with these are that they eventually tie together and cause conflict for the rest of the play. The smaller conflicts actually snowball into a larger one later on.

The ending of the play is essential to tying everything together, but at the same time I feel it did not effectively close the story. The denouement as they find Hedvig dead shows the tragedy that has occurred by the breaking apart of families, but at the same time nothing is resolved. The story leaves the families still in conflict, which might be to show the importance of the tragic aspects of the play. Questions are still unanswered, such as: Whose child is Hedvig? Will Gregers make up with his father? Do Mrs. Sorby and Gina have the same future lay ahead of them from that point? All of the questions are left unanswered, though they do not have great significance to the themes of the story. The main aspect of the story if the relationship between the Ekdals, which means that questions can not be answered and still have a semi-fulfilling ending.

The time covered seems to only be a few days, and I feel it does not have a strong effect on the story. The only thing it shows is that chaos was able to release itself in a very short amount of time.

The Wild Duck - Journal #2

Journal Prompt # 5:
"What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out?" To what extent do you find this statement applicable in at least two plays you have studied?

Response:
In The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen and in Blood Wedding by Federico Garcia Lorca the quote "What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out?" fit them perfectly. Both plays focus on a highlight of a group of people's lives, which happens to be a dramatic happening. Although they discuss life as a whole, the plays would not be what they are unless the focus point was on a tragic aspect of their lives. The Wild Duck takes the lowest point in the Ekdals' lives, while the Bride's family in Blood Wedding faces a similar situation.

The Ekdals' story revolves around the drama created by society as well as their own family. Lingering resentment is first mentioned in the story through Old Ekdal's troubles with Old Werle. The drama of the past is carried through to show how the Werles' once betrayed the Ekdals' and foreshadows it happening again. Drama also occurs among the families in Ibsen's play. Greggers disagrees with his father, which leads him to causing drama rekindle as he moves in with the Ekdals. That drama then carries over to the Ekdal family when Gina reveals her past relation with Old Werle. It upsets the balance of the Ekdal family as Hjalmar overreacts, upsetting not only himself, but his daughter and wife as well. The rising action eventually leads to the climax of the drama as Hedvig accidentally kills herself. The Ekdal family may not have always had drama in their life, but these dramatic moments become the center of the play.

Similarly, the drama found in Blood Wedding is created through the families. While life seems to go about as normal, the Bride's reactions to the wedding foreshadow the drama that lie ahead. The gossip that the Bridegroom's Mother speaks of begins the rising action of the drama. Leonardo's appearance in causes the Bride to act out from her daily life and ruin the wedding by running away. This high point of drama, just as in The Wild Duck, becomes the most notable part of the book. It is the part that the audience realizes drama is the key aspect, rather than just following the Bride's life. In both plays Ibsen and Lorca are able to create scenes of drama that overtake the lives of the characters.

The Wild Duck - Journal #1

Journal Prompt #4:
Diary entries from any of the characters

Response:

January 10th, 1882

The bitter cold gets to me a little more, night by night. The dead of winter is never a pleasant time, especially when I have a household to keep warm and fed. At least the rent from Rellings and Molvik allow us to have a little extra money for winter clothing. It sure would be nice to live in the comfort that the Werles do. Tonight I went to a dinner party and, my, the food was delicious. I can not remember the last time I had pheasant so moist; then again, I can not recall the last time I had any pheasant.

The wealthy have it so nice. Even with my best clothes, I felt out of place. I suppose my career as a photographer does not bring in as much money as a banker would, but I certainly feel it keeps my family closer together.  As I was speaking with Greggers tonight I could not help but notice the strong tension between him and his father. Although I have never been keen on Old Werle after what he did to my father, Greggers is a bright young soul. They seem to have quite different opinions on how one another should act. Could it be that wealth does that to people? I have heard my father say that again and again, but I find it rubbish.

Still, I find my family to be the most worth of my possession. I have a lovely wife who is willing to put up with my job, and a beautiful daughter who is my pride and joy. If it were not for these two I do not know how I would make it through. They put up with all of my nonsense when I am tired, and are always willing to make my day better. Just hearing Hedvig laugh takes the pain out of a bad day. I see her with her books, and sometimes I am envious. Although I have never found books worth my while, she tells me of the lands she explores through the stories. Ah, to be young again. Her spirit is something she certainly does not get from me, though I am positive our love is genetic.

The darn wind keeps blowing through the cracks in the window... I must go to sleep before I fall asleep from the cold.

With all respect,

Hjalmar Ekdal

Oedpius - Journal #3

Journal Prompt #3:
 Compare how writers in your study have explored the themes of judgement and punishment, or disguise and deceit, or love and friendship.

Response:
In Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Federico Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding the themes of judgement and punishment are explored. In both plays the judging of others is quite prominent, and the punishment which follows is a large aspect of the plays. Whether it be blatant judgement and punishment such as in Oedipus or the more subtle judgement and punishment of Blood Wedding, but Sophocles and Lorca have it as a clear theme.

Sophocles takes a direct approach in exploring judgement and punishment in Oedipus the King. Through the use of gods and oracles, including Apollo, judgement of Oedipus is key to the story. The power that Oedipus holds at the beginning is materialistic since he is in charge of the kingdom. Oedipus does not yet have the power of wisdom. For Oedipus being full of himself, he must experience punishment. The prophecy states that he will kill his father, which he does. By doing this and fulfilling the prophecy he is then judged by the gods and loses his material power and is punished by having his daughters sent away and gouging out his own eyes. By doing this Oedipus might have lost his material power, but he gains the power of wisdom as he has gone through and experienced a lot. The judgement and punishment end up benefiting Oedipus in the end, in a way.

Lorca, on the other hand, approaches judgement and punishment in a more subtle manner. Some of the characters judge the Bride from the beginning, even though they do not know her, one of which includes the Bridegroom's Mother. Later on they continue to judge her as she runs off with Leonardo and can objectively judge her. The punishment later not only comes to the Bride, but to all of the families as the Bridegroom dies. This is essential to the play as the punishment the Bride faces is not physical, but instead emotional stress. The Bridegroom's Mother also faces punishment due to being quick to judge earlier, even though she is right.

Oedipus - Journal #2

Journal Prompt #2:
To what extent would you agree that plot should be valued more highly than style in the work. In your answer you should refer to two or three works you have studied.


Response:

In each of the literary works we are studying style often seems to be the focus of the reading. The way the story is written is essential to understanding a theme behind the story/play itself. Although noticing and exploring style is important, it is first most important to understand the plot itself. Sometimes the plot may not give as great of insight to the story as the style does, but other times looking at the over all picture is just as important.

The play Oedipus the King is one of the cases in which the plot should be valued more highly than the stylistic aspects of the work. In ancient Greece the story was performed as a play, which allowed the way it was acted out to be style. The most essential aspect of the play itself, though, is the story. Without a solid storyline the message of the play would not as easily be conveyed. To someone who is told the tale of Oedipus they can comprehend that the tragedy is the main focus of the play, where as picking apart diction and tone “beat around the bush”, so to speak, as to getting to a theme. So much like that of the time when the story was presented and told orally, the plot tends to be the focus of the message.

Comparatively, Lorca’s Blood Wedding can also be considered important to be looked at as a whole, rather than piece by piece. The story has a very clear beginning, middle, and ending, as the wedding begins, a conflict arises, and the tragedy occurs. The images used in Blood Wedding can be analyzed, but the tone of mysterious and despair can be found just by looking at the events that happen in the story. Each of the characters blatantly explains what is occurring in the play, which allows the audience to have a better understanding of the meaning of the play.

Oedipus - Journal #1

Journal Prompt #1:

Setting: This included cultural as well as geographical and historical setting. What effect does the setting have on story, character, and theme?

Response:

The setting of Oedipus the King has great effect on much of the play. The geographical setting of Greece is quite barren and rugged, surrounded by high rocky hills. The towns in Greece were often carved out of the mountains, causing people to have to go far to get water. The landscape relates to the story of Oedipus as it talks about how Lauis has gone away from the city, out in the wilderness. From the knowledge of the landscape given, one can concur that wherever Lauis has gone it is not pleasant, and quite possibly dangerous. This gives Lauis a characteristic of bravery for facing the obstacles out in ancient Greece.

Not only does the geographical setting play a role in the play, but the historical setting does as well. In ancient Greece mythology played a large role in the lives of the people. The story of Oedipus references many of the Greek gods, due to the fact that tragedy originally came from the Greeks as “one that falls from a higher power”, such as Oedipus does. The Greek gods are what make up a large part of ancient Greece, as the people believed. Taking a look at it from today’s viewpoint, one can see how since the gods were emphasized of being important that that is why they are used.

The setting is also a key element in the play as it differs from books written in that time period. The fact that as a play the audience is able to relate to the setting by seeing it performed. The play takes place in Thebes, so those who may have watched it in a Greek city were able to understand the setting much more than someone who is reading the play today. A visual representation, including backdrops and props, allows the audience to experience a familiar setting.

We - Journal, Topic C

    In Yevgeny Zamyatin’s novel, We, the ideas behind individualism and communism are enhanced to see the social attributes which could occur in the future.  The novel was written after the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in which a communist government (leading towards a totalitarian society) was then in place. Zamyatin uses We to show when the focus on this type of society is taken to the extreme, humans lose their individualism and conform to the community, rather than showing their own characteristics and strengths. Throughout the novel the citizens of the One State focus on their schedules and the way of life which best suits the community. Each person is to follow the same demands as everyone else, to precise detail (ie, time for the Personal Hour and work). This leads to citizens to becoming so entrenched in their society that they do not believe they have more of a purpose than to support the community.
    Zamyatin’s vision behind this idea is somewhat plausible if it were to occur over the course of hundreds, even thousands of years. In present day it is unlikely to happen due to the extreme variety of human beliefs and rights among a spectrum. To include everyone in the world to come together and agree to benefit one another is highly unlikely at this point in time. It would only succeed in a small group of people that were secluded from the outside world; though, as it can be seen through other historical “utopias” (such as New Harmony, the Oneidas, Brook Farm, etc.) this goal can not be reached due to the necessity of the outside world for supplies and communication. In conclusion, one can see that individualism will continue into the future, and there is no need for worry, at least currently, for such an area as the One State.

We - Journal, Topic B

D-503

    D-503 is the protagonist in We who struggles with deciding what is morally right: the way the One State functions or the ways of the Ancients. In the beginning of the novel, D-503 believes strongly in the core values of the One State in which entails him to become entrenched within his society. D-503 is the Builder of the Integral and is the record-writer (meaning the book is written in first person point of view), thus showing how he has close ties to his community. As the story progresses he begins to question the world around him due to the inquiry and “outsider” ideas of I-330. This confusion causes D-503 to rethink what he knows about society and attempts to have an “outside” view on the One State.
    D-503 jumps back and forth with his thoughts about morality, which is made apparent in, “I am like a machine being driven to excessive rotations: the bearings are incandescing and, in a minute, melted metal will begin to drip and everything will turn to nothing. Quick, get cold water, logic. I am pouring it over myself by the bucketload but the logic sizzles on the hot bearings and dissipates elusive white steam into the air” (Zamyatin, 119). Through this passage one can see how this conflict deeply disturbs D-503 as he wants to go back to the way he believes before, but can not due to the new thoughts instilled upon him. The passage also shows the strong link of the machinery and technology of the One State and the individuals.  D-503 is so set in his ways and mindset that he compares himself to technology, rather than that of nature, which is not apparent the One State side of the Green Wall.  As D-503 continues to struggle with the idea that there might be more to life than the society he was born into, he continues to revert back to examples in which he can rely on from his own knowledge.

We - Journal, Topic A

    "At dawn, I awoke with a pink, strong firmament right in my eyes. All was good, round. This evening O is coming here. I am undoubtedly already healthy. I smiled and fell back asleep.
    The morning bell. I get up and everything is totally different; through the glass of the ceilings and walls, all around, everywhere, it is foggy. Crazy clouds, some heavy, some lighter, are getting closer, and there is already no distinction between the earth and the sky, everything is flying, melting, falling with nothing to catch on to. There are no more buildings: the glass walls have dispersed in the fog, like crystal salts in water. If you look up from the sidewalk, the dark figures of people in buildings are like suspended particles in a delirious, milky solution - some low-hanging and some higher up, and others, higher still, on the tenth floor. And everything is billowing - as though some kind of inaudible fire was raging somewhere." (Zamyatin, 62)

    In this section of the novel D-503 describes the his society, the One State, through the change that he is beginning to go through. Originally, D-503 states that the society is organized with every individual having their own job, but communally working together for the good of the One State. The primary goals of the governing body are to work together through the use of math and science as the main emphasis on the community. D-503 is the Builder of the Integral, which illustrates the importance of his job, due to it being capitalized; although, this contradicts itself with the idea that everyone should conform to the One State.
    This passage indicates the shift of society through the eyes of D-503. Starting off D-503 believes that everything he knows is safe, therefore comforting (ie, his schedule). When D-503 gets up, he sees that the sound structure of the city has changed from how he saw it before. This shift that D-503 sees is far different from the straight, solid buildings of the One State. The One State is supposed to be logical, structural, and schedule-based, due to the strong emphasis on mathematics. As D-503 can not differentiate the sky from the buildings, the haze represents an overbearing of emotions in which D-503 has begun to experience, as well as foreshadowing the new/outside events to come. The society that D-503 has been accustomed to completely changes in his mind as he opens up to thoughts and ideas that the society has kept repressed for thousands of years.

The Stranger - Journal #9: Revised Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement:

Albert Camus uses repetition of specific phrases to parallel Mersault's emotions which illustrate how one's daily routine keep them from engaging in novel activities out of habit. The repetition of phrases are used through Mersault's lack of response towards people, Mersault's belief that words do not have meaning, and Mersault's contentment with his daily life.

The Stranger - Journal #8: Personal Response

Journal Prompt #8: Personal response to The Stranger + what literary value do you ascribe to the novel (what makes a book a great work of literature and does this book achieve that)

Response:
When I read The Stranger for the first time over the summer it easily became my favorite out of the three; something told me that it would be an exciting challenge to analyze and, well, I was right. Mersault did not seem like an ordinary fellow, which, I'm sure, bugged many people. I, on the other hand, found him fascinating from the very beginning. The way he processes his thoughts are similar to mine in someways; not his "values", but his thoughts. By having this connection to him it made the book an adventure to follow, I wanted to see what he would do next. Aside from personally enjoying The Stranger, I was also able to catch most of the "obvious" ideas in which we, as a class, discussed when we first began rereading the book. I also could see that there was far more potential once I read it again. As I went through the book for the second time I kept an open mind, but a sharp look-out for deeper meanings. I feared I would not be able to find the "hidden secrets" what I had looked forward to discovering. Now, after finishing The Stranger for a second time, there is not one page without stickies, highlighting, and notes and questions written in the margins. Although I certainly feel I have a better understanding of the ideas portrayed in the book than the first read through, I know that if I pick it up in another couple months I will be sure to find even more meaning.

The novel certainly holds great literary value. I believe a great work of literature entails a few things. First, it must relate to the human experience; without having a story that has meaning, what is the point in writing it? The Stranger allows the readers to see the world from someone who sees it slightly different than the "majority". This is a unique experience since many authors attempt to pull in the reader with something they can relate to, other than something they have to ponder on before they realize another's view is just as valuable. A great work of literature must also include a distinct style. Although writers each have their own style of writing, they are in control of how they create and carry out the story. Albert Camus does a fantastic job of this by gradually changing parts of Mersault's character throughout the book, while keeping a hold on his essentials as a character. Camus explores a style different than his other writings which shows how powerful an author is with words. The final ingredient to a great work of literature is an engaging story. That sounds ambiguous and it is, but for a reason: with every reader there is a plethora of individual experiences. To one person Their Eyes Were Watching God may appeal to them more than The Stranger, while another person feels just the opposite. Personally, I found The Stranger to be the one book out of my high school English career to have drawn me in the most. The novel was written in a unique style, unlike any other book I have read which intrigued me. A story may be engaging through the characters, or the plot, or even the figurative language used; however one finds a story to be engaging, it will always carry an interpretation of a meaning in which one can carry with them through life.

The Stranger - Journal #7: Thesis Statement and Quotes

Thesis: Camus repeatedly uses the same phrases throughout the book to illustrate how people's daily routines keep them from trying activities in which they normally would normally not engage in.

Quotes:

• "Almost as if it [...] I didn't say anything." (116)
• "I probably did love Maman, but it didn't mean anything." (65)
• "I said yes, but it was really all the same to me." (41)
• "I did it [...] because I didn't have any reason not to please him." (32)
• "The sky was green; I felt good." (26)
• "I felt like [...] a little guilty." (20)
• "The sky was already filled with light." (15)
• "Then I dozed off again." (11)
• "I recognized next [...] right at me." (86)
• ""Do you really [...] I didn't answer." (119)

Edit: Eight more! :)

• "For the first time in a long time I thought about Maman." (122)
• "I didn't feel anything except he was beginning to annoy me." (117-118)
• "He wanted to [...] it seemed unimportant." (116)
• "For the third [...] as it is." (108)
• "But the presiding [...] took me away." (107)
• "Fumbling a little [...] of the sun." (103)
• "Being the accused [...] anything to say." (98)
• "They weren't fanning [...] saying a word." (89)
• "One again he [...] the wrong man." (87)

The Stranger - Journal #6: Literary Questions

Journal Prompt #6:

Part one: Post 5 significant literary questions on The Stranger. The more authentic these are (i.e. questions you really have been pondering) the more insightful the answers will have to be. These questions should not be directed toward a right or wrong answer; rather, it should lead to personal interpretation of the text. You can revise a few of the questions you wrote for chapter six to include concepts from the entire book.

Part two: Comment on at least five of your peers' blogs with an answer to one or two of their questions. Make your answers genuine and relevant. These answers should sound like a thesis statement. Remember the goal is to help you write a strong and insightful paper, so treat this assignment as preparation to do so.

Go back and edit your last post by copying and pasting the comments you left on other blogs onto your post. 

Response:

Part one: Questions

1. Why does Camus use a cigarette to symbolize Mersault's attachment to the physical world, rather than a car or something else in day to day life?
2. Why is color the main source of describing people and scenery?
3. Why is light portrayed as harmful and annoying to Mersault in part one and then as something he is searching for and wanting in part two? I can understand how Mersault would desire light and tie that into freedom in part two, but I do not understand why he does not like it in part one.
4. What role do the minor characters play in the naturalistic view of the story? Or more importantly, how does the lack of the minor characters from part one in part two affect the way Mersault sees the world?
5. Why does Camus use conjunctions at the beginning of sentences rather than connecting two linking ideas?

Part two: Comments

1.  Andy Luu - "4.) As we discussed in class, it could be that Camus is writing in a style much like human thoughts- choppy and jumps around. Camus writes like this to understand what is going through Mersault's mind, allowing the reader to understand Mersault on a psychological level."
2. Anthony Quach - "5.) Camus has the Arab prisoner refer to his mother as "Maman" to show the closeness between the two. Mersault was also close to his mother, and the Arab prisoner's interaction symbolizes how a simple change in one's life can have a different effect. If Maman had not died the wordless, yet meaningful, time would be spent with his mother, rather than the meaningless chatter between him and Marie."
3. Isabella Lewis - "5.) Mersault does not fit into society because he focuses on his own needs, rather than a greater picture for society. It is not that he is selfish as much as it is he has a different set of values. For example, when Marie asks him if he loves her he does not see the value in knowing that."
4. Kellsie Knolin - "4.) Camus uses the motif of heat throughout the story to note a change of events. Whether it be as simple as Mersault not wanting to swim anymore, to as complex as Mersault shooting the man, the heat always plays a factor in the cause which leads to the effect. In the courtroom Mersault becomes irritated not only because of the constant questioning, but because of the heat, which leads him to answering abruptly rather than thought-out (to some extent)."
5. Shannon Graham - "3.) The cigarettes represent Mersault's tie to the physical world. Although he describes the physical aspects around him, the one thing that shows how dependent he is on material items is the cigarette.
   
   Or...
   
   As a symbol for his routine, losing the cigarettes show how Mersault desires his life prior to prison; when he accepts that he can no longer have the cigarettes it shows how he has been able to change/adapt to his way of life."

 The answer key to literary life?

The Stranger - Journal #5: Part 1 vs. Part 2

Parallel Concepts

I believe Camus divided the book into two parts to demonstrate the (somewhat obvious) theme of how a simple event in one's life can affect their life dramatically.

In the first part of the book, the narrator focuses on Mersault's thoughts and the daily routine that he is used to. This part introduces the characters and allows the reader to get a sense of their motivations which, at the beginning, seem somewhat hidden. Marie's blatant motivation of love and marriage can be seen from the beginning; whereas Salamano's motivation of not being alone is woven in through the story, and is not known until he tells the story of his wife and dog to Mersault. The only character's motivation that is not clear in part one is Mersault's. In part two it becomes obvious that Mersault's need for a routine and something he can rely on is what truly motivates him, "In fact, during the last few months I've been sleeping sixteen to eighteen hours a day. That would leave me six hours to kill with meals, nature's call, my memories, and the story about the Czechoslovakian" (Camus, 79). The desire to have a schedule, and to focus on the physical world around him shows Mersault's motivation. Without Mersault killing a man, the second part would not have happened, thus making his motivation difficult to decipher.

Although part on and two differ, there are parallels in both parts. Mersault describes the world around him quite accurately in both parts, all except for Marie. He refers to her as looking beautiful when they swim, as well as when she comes to visit him in jail, but he never goes into further detail, "I thought she looked very beautiful, but I didn't know how to tell her" (Camus, 74). Mersault's loss of words to describe Marie repeats throughout the first part and shows up again to show how little he feels or wants to feel about people. He attempts to be "just like everybody else", but through his descriptions, or lack of, one can see how he tends to focus on different aspects than people would normally do (Camus, 66). The precise detail of scenery and events caries throughout the book, in both parts, to show how Mersault's character and that a part of him does not change.

The Stranger - Journal #4: Six Insightful Questions

Questions: Prior to "Part Two"

1. Why does Mersault note every time Marie laughs? Is there something about her character that needs to be supported by her laughter?
2. Why is Mersault's age never mentioned? Mersault refers to Salamano as an old man, but Raymond calls Mersault an old man, as well.
3. Why is color used most often to describe places and people rather than the actions that take place?
4. Why does Mersault put emphasis on what he wants to do rather than what he needs to do?
5. Why does Mersault always describe a situation with the direct reasoning? He uses "because", "told", and "explained" frequently when describing what a person did.
6. Why does Raymond seem like he is the "know-it-all" and "toughest" person? He attempts to fight the Arabs for his own benefit; he also makes a comment to Salamano about dogs, making it seem like he knows/wants to know more about the topic than Salamano.
7. Why does Mersault rethink his opinions, then forget about the first impressions? (ex. "I had the impression that Raymond knew where he was going, but I was probably wrong." (55)
8. Why does Camus change his syntax when the atmosphere changes? The usual short sentences with little imagery become complex and have vivid visual imagery, usually describing Mersault's views. Semicolons are used in the last paragraph of chapter six, instead of periods as Camus usually uses.

The Stranger - Journal #3: Personal Philosophy

Journal Prompt #3:

You will demonstrate your understanding of the importance of one's world view by scrutinizing your thoughts on how the world works and indentifying guiding principles for your own philosophy.

establishes and introduces your philosophy.

 

Response:

"Equalism"/Equality

(Egalitarianism is the closest to an actual belief.)

Throughout my life I have seen the world in various ways. As a child I was raised in a Catholic family, so Theism was a big part of my life up until my teenage years. After my mother's passing, my world was flipped upside down and I began to question what I once knew. There was much more to the world than the safety of Tigard I had only known. I then saw not only the problems that faced my community, but the entire world. I determined the largest issue is the lack of equality. As an United States' citizen, I value individual rights over most everything else. I strongly believe that every individual has the right to live their life the way they please, regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation, education, social/financial statuses, physical/mental disabilities, etc. Every person is human and should not be treated as a lesser just because they are different. Equality is the driving belief in my everyday life.

Guiding principles:

• Talk to anyone and everyone; include those who seem to be left out of a group.
• Get to know a person through similar interests. There is always at least one thing people can relate to, it just takes a genuine attempt to find it.
• Do not make assumptions or judge people without getting to know them. Stay optimistic when meeting new people.
• Work together on issues/projects to improve the community. Most people would enjoy a better world, but it does not happen by oneself.
• Spread the word on equality. Take part in in diversity days, celebratory months, and times of awareness. How many people knew that March 8th was International Women's Day?
• Be a positive person and make something of oneself. I admit that I am not always positive, but I can accomplish more and express my individuality when I am. :]
• Somewhat cliche, but be responsible for ones actions. Every individual is in charge of themselves, meaning that if they make a hurtful comment about another it often hurts the individual as well.
• Have an open mind. Creative thinking can only happen when someone is willing to open up and think differently. It is the same with people. If prejudices overwhelm someone, they are more likely to stick with their own way of thinking instead of exploring the opportunities of others out there.
• Take pride in oneself. If one does not feel like an important individual, they will not want to be one. To help out others, one must be confident in their own abilities and feel comfortable knowing that they are just as important as everyone else.
• A cliche, but it is the most important: respect one another. It has been touched on in the other principles, but it needs to be made clear. Everyday I go through life thinking about not only what will benefit me, but what I can do for others through my individual actions. A courtesy word someone whom one does not normally talk to can open up a path for a worldly connection. Every action, every word matters.

The Stranger - Journal #2: Translation and Title

Journal Prompt #2:

Part one: According to your work today in class, which translator would you argue has the most literary value and why? What elements of the text are you valuing by the decision you made?

Part two: According to the above meanings for the work "e'tranger", what title would you assign the English translation of the text and why. Go as far as to cite specific examples from the book that support your decision.

Response:

Part one: The comparison between Ward's and Gilbert's translations is quite shocking due to the distinct styles they each have. Although both translators hold literary value, I find Ward's translation to be the most effective. Ward's short sentences and bland description matches my view of the emotions in the book. The lack of adjectives allow a direct meaning to stand out, rather than cover it with description. It seems to me that Ward distances the reader through a linear style of writing and making concise statements. Gilbert, on the other hand, uses fuller description, but it is in a harsh tone; such as when he used the word "struck" it illustrates a violent picture in the readers head, which is his way of distancing the reader from the characters. By using concise wording, it is unlike human emotions since there is no notice of description which makes the reader feel distant, thus why Ward's lack of description makes an effective translation. I also find Ward's use of syntax to be powerful. The choppy, semicolon ways of Gilbert add pauses and even might confuse a reader, but Ward's use of periods makes it clear that a thought has ended. Through Ward's translation it is clear that Mersault jumps back to a thought later on, rather than lingering on it. One last reason I see Ward's work has the most literary value is the diction. Ward keeps the French word "Maman", giving an intimate feeling and showing that there might be more emotion to Mersault than he is given credit for. Ward also keeps kilometers, sticking to the authenticity of the French novel.

Part two: Out of the titles given, I feel that The Stranger still fits the book the best. The word "outsider" seems as if someone, in this case Mersault, is not being accepted into society, rather than how I see that he does not try to understand his community. A "foreigner" paints an image of not only someone different, but from a different place. Although the book never states where Mersault was born, it would seem as though he has grown up in the same area or has at least been there long enough to get to know the people in his neighborhood. Using the word "stranger" implies an uncertainty, even a sense of danger. Mersault often states how he has little opinion on things, which shows how little other characters know about him. When Raymond asks Mersault's opinion on the scandal, Merault replies with: "[...] I didn't think anything, but I said that it was interesting" (Camus 32). This lack of information on Mersault distances a person, as if they do not know him well, much like someone would question a stranger's character. Later on when Mersault shoots the Arab, Mersault becomes seen as a dangerous person. Since the people who assume Mersault is dangerous do not know him personally, he has somewhat of a "stranger" persona. Many aspects of being a "stranger" are seen through Mersault's character, allowing the title The Stranger to work well.

The Stranger - Journal #1: Tabbing Methods

Sticky Notes:

I will be using... 

• yellow for thematic elements, possibly relating to how Mersault reacts to the world around him and/or how he is affected by the world itself.

• blue for symbols (ie, sky), motifs (ie, time intervals, body language vs. lack of word use), and repetition among words/phrases and ideas (ie, laughter, comfort, likes vs. dislikes).

• green for setting (ie, beach, Mersault's house), atmosphere (ie, dark vs. light), and tone (ie, understanding of facts and detail, rather than emotional effects).

• orange for characterization, specifically Mersault's thought process and how he interacts with his surroundings.

• purple for syntax (ie, listing format, variety of sentences) and foreshadow (ie, ambiguous phrases which later tie into the story).

• pink for language, specifically diction (ie, use of simple/complex words) and dialogue (ie, importance of interaction between characters).

• magenta for figurative language (ie, metaphors, usually a comparison between two nonhuman entities), imagery (ie, lack of the senses/images), and description (ie, deep descriptions of humans and his surroundings).

(The large yellow sticky notes were used for the summer for any inspiration that came to me. I will keep those in there to work off of while tabbing this time through.)

 Highlighting:

I will be using...

• orange for the lack of verbal communication between Mersault and others, focusing on what effects those contribute to in the scenes.

• magenta for emotions (ie, reactions Mersault has to socially accepted emotional situations) and daily routine (ie, Mersault's normal destinations/actions).

(I highlighted using these colors during the summer, so I will highlight more as I begin to see and understand the book better.)

TEWWG - Journal #10: Theme (w/ quotes)

Theme: One's character is not defined by the people they surround themselves with, but instead how they choose to react to their community.
(As of now, the wording still feels a bit off in my opinion. I need to find a way to better define character and community, but for now the general idea is there. My goal is to find evidence to support the idea that Janie grows through the different ways she reacts to the people she encounters, rather then letting the people impact her.)

Quotations:

1. "She went through many silent rebellions over things like that. Such a waste of life and time. But Joe kept saying that she could do it if she wanted to and he wanted her to use her privileges. That was the rock she was battered against." (pg. 54)

2. "She had no more blossomy openings dusting pollen over her man, neither any glistening young fruit where the petals used to be. She found that she had a host of thoughts she had never expressed o him, and numerous emotions she had never let Jody know about. Things packed up and put away in parts of her heart where he could never find them. She was saving up feelings for some man she had never seen. She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew how not to mix them. " (pg. 72)

3. "The years took all the flight out of Janie's face. For a while she thought it was gone from her soul. No matter what Jody did, she said nothing. She had learned how to talk some and leave some. She was a rut in the road." (pg. 76)

4. "The young girl was gone, but a handsome woman had taken her place. She tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair. The weight, the length, the glory was there. She took careful stock of herself, then combed her hair and tied it back up again. Then she starched and ironed her face, forming it into just what people wanted to see, and opened up the window and cried, "Come heah people! Jody is dead. Mah husband is gone from me."" (pg. 87)

5. "Janie laughed at all these well-wishers because she knew that they knew plenty of women alone; that she was not the first one they had ever seen. But most of the others were poor. Besides she liked being lonesome for a change." (pg. 90)

6. "It was so crazy digging worms by lamp light and setting out for Lake Sabelia after midnight that she felt like a child breaking rules. That's what made Janie like it. They caught two or three and got home just before day. Then she had to smuggle Tea Cake out by the back gate and that made it seem like some great secret she was keeping from the town." (pg. 102)

7. ""'Tain't so big uh chance as it seem lak, Phoeby. Ah'm older than Tea Cake, yes. But he done showed me where it's de thought dat makes de difference in ages. If people thinks de same they can make it all right."" (pg. 115)

8. "Janie never thought at all. She just acted on feelings" ... "She cut him short with a blow and they fought from one room to the other, Janie trying to beat him, and Tea Cake kept holding her wrists and wherever he could to keep her from going too far." (pg. 137)

9. "Janie turned from the door without answering, and stood still in the middle of the floor without knowing it. She turned wrongside out just standing there and feeling. When the throbbing calmed a little she gave Logan's speech a hard thought and placed it beside other things she had seen and heard. When she had finished with that she dumped the dough on the skillet and smoothed it over with her hand. She wasn't even angry." (pg. 32)

10. "Of course he wasn't dead. He could never be dead until she herself had finished feeling and thinking. The kiss of his memory made pictures of love and light against the wall. Here was peace. [She pulled in her horizon like a great fish-net. Pulled it from around the waist of the world and draped it over her shoulder. So much of life in its meshes! She called in her soul to come and see.]" (pg. 193)

TEWWG - Journal #9: Mini Pastiche (2)

Journal Prompt #9: Write a pastiche of Hurston by duplicating a theme that she uses and three stylistic elements. Use these elements with your own characters, setting, and conflict. After you finish your pastiche clarify what theme and techniques you used and how they were used in a way that mirrors Hurston's own use of them.

On Olivia's seventeenth birthday, she sat in reminiscence in front of her sister's grave. The crisp autumn wind danced around her, causing her to pull her teal scarf tighter around her face. It had yet to begin to rain, but the flowing clouds overhead signaled its arrival. Still, the weather did not disturb Olivia's presence. She gazed upon the white rose in which she had laid at her arrival. An arrival which was now lost in time's daze, among many thoughts and emotions. Olivia was locked in remembrance as she recalled that fateful day.
Every time Olivia closed her eyes the picture swam through her head as though she was being held under rapids. Cecilia was so young, a brilliant fifteen-year-old. She was unlike any other. The way her long cocoa brown braids would fly high in the air as we laughed taking turns on the swing, the way she would chuckle and her freckled cheeks flush a light pink as she teased me about the boys I like, the way she was always there at night when I needed someone to hold me through the storm. I was her, she was me; intertwined at the heart. So. Why did it have to happen to her? Why was she taken away by the hatred of others? Why, could it not have been me?
Awakening from her trance, Olivia looked up at the sky just in time for a droplet to splash on her glasses. The rain had come, and yet she did not budge from her spot. She had always been tied to her sister in an unimaginable way. Olivia came to visit the grave often, but she never once came during a storm. A steady drizzle poured around her as she stopped to notice her surroundings. It had become a habit. Every time Olivia came to the cemetery she would go directly to where the burial had taken place. She would never forget that sorrow-filled path which lead from the walkway to the place where Cecilia lay at rest. Only this time did Olivia notice how many graves lay in the same cemetery as her sister. Ten, twenty, fifty, eighty. Those were as many as she could count with the stream of water fogging her vision. Slowly, she rose from her spot and step by step she made her way around the outer edge of the field.
Overlooking the ledge, another field lay before Olivia towards the left, and yet another on her right. As a bolt of lightning struck and a gust of wind passed through her hair, for the first time in her life Olivia did not cringe. She stood motionless and took in the awe which lay before her. She was not the only one who had lost someone dear to her. Just in this very cemetery at least one thousand others had left family and friends behind. Mothers, fathers, children. Sisters. Olivia was not alone in the world as she had believed. No, she still had her mother and her father, her aunts and uncles, her cousins and her friends. Although none of them could ever fill the permanent burn in her heart, she could not give up on her hopes and dreams. Cecilia would want me to be happy. She wouldn't want me to choose to end my life when she didn't have a say.
As the rain continued to soak her hair, she made her way back to he sister's grave. With a soft smile, Olivia took a card out of her pocket and rested it gently next to the flower. Standing upright and readjusting her scarf, Olivia set off with high spirits. May both our dreams live on through me. Happy birthday, Cecilia.

Theme: The death of someone who plays an important role in an one's life reveals a new perspective in which they better understand themselves and the world around them.

Techniques:

To portray Hurston's theme, I initiated a motif of the rain and storm which held strong meaning to Olivia. In the beginning the rain demonstrates her fear of storms which she had always turned to her Cecilia for help. As Olivia comes to the realization that there is more to life than her twin, she sees the rain as something not to fear, but as a new challenge in life in which she must take on. The atmosphere also ties into Hurston's theme as the heaviness of reminiscence sets up this pastiche. Much like Janie, Olivia is forced to face the reality in which she could have never imagined. Third person omniscient gives the reader a deeper understanding of Olivia's character. If there was no omniscience to this piece, one might view Olivia as a solemn character instead of one who is truly hurting on the inside, and has the potential to change. Even in the short passage, one is able to see Olivia grow and learn about herself and her life. Rhetorical questions also give emphasis to the confusion in Olivia's life. She feels as though it is her fault that Cecilia died, and by questioning herself she takes the next step further to answering those questions. Although Hurston would probably not use it as a major technique to tie directly to the theme, the use of the simile where Olivia is "underneath the rapids", it allows for a deeper understanding of the traumatic situation Olivia has gone through. The simile gives life to the idea that it is not easy to escape the torturous nightmare Olivia has to live through day after day. Even in Their Eyes Were Watching God, some similes and figurative language strongly emphasize a character or scene which can relate back to Hurston's themes.

TEWWG - Journal #8: Stylistic Attributes

Journal Prompt #8: Find quotations for three different stylistic attributes of Hurston's writing. Explain the context of the passage (where does it occur in the book, what is happening, who is involved). Identify and describe the literary technique used in the the passage, and explain how you think it affects the text and how you read it.

"It was so crazy digging worms by lamp light and setting out for Lake Sabelia after midnight that she felt like a child breaking rules. That's what made Janie like it. They caught two or three and got home just before day. Then she had to smuggle Tea Cake out by the back gate and that made it seem like some great secret she was keeping from the town." (Hurston, pg. 102)

* In this passage Tea Cake takes Janie to go out in the middle of the night to go fishing. Janie begins to feel youthful through Tea Cake's young and care-free nature.
* Hurston once again brings in the motif of youth and age. In this passage Janie is overcome with the feeling or excitement as she recalls how it is to feel young. The need to not worry about responsibility gives Janie a sense of freedom from the life she has been restricted to. Although her community continues to judge her based on her age, she does not let it get in the way of the ecstatic feeling she encounters. This reoccurring youth in which Janie finds when embracing Tea Cake's lifestyle helps her escape the idea that her character is defined by her age.


"Then Tea Cake went to the piano without so much as asking and began playing blues and singing, and throwing grins over his shoulder. The sounds lulled Janie to soft slumber and she woke up with Tea Cake combing her hair and scratching the dandruff from her scalp. It made her more comfortable and drowsy." (Hurston, pg. 103)

* This passage includes an exhausted Janie and Tea Cake as they conclude their adventures for the day. Tea Cake finds a way to relax Janie and she finally finds an exit for the stress of the town which she has been dealing with.
* Hurston accentuates a shift in the story by manipulating the atmosphere in this passage. After the spirited day Janie has, Hurston shifts an upbeat atmosphere to a calmer one. Tea Cake begins to play music which relaxes Janie, as seen through her the phrases "soft slumber" and "comfortable". This atmosphere makes the reader slow down from the more recent fast-paced scenes.


"At the newel post Janie whirled around and for the space of a thought she was lit up like a transfiguration. Her next thought brought her crashing down. He's just saying anything for the time being, feeling he's got me so I'll b'lieve him. The next thought buried her under tons of cold futility. He's trading on being younger than me. Getting ready to laugh at me for an old fool. But oh, what wouldn't I give to be twelve years younger so I could b'lieve him!" (Hurston, pg. 105)

* In the passage above Janie begins to ponder on the age difference between her and Tea Cake. She second guesses his feelings for her as she forgets the youthfulness she encounters early, and instead sees herself as an older woman.
* Hurston uses third person omniscient view to emphasize the internal conflict Janie faces about who she is and how she views herself. By looking into the thoughts of Janie, one can see how she is torn between her love for Tea Cake and the realization of her age. Janie's dialect comes out through the text as if she is speaking to herself. The comparison between the ages shows how strongly Janie is impacted by the community. Janie is torn between her independence and who she wants to be, alongside the definition of her person in which she is given.

TEWWG - Journal #7: Mini Pastiche

Journal Prompt #7: Create a pastiche, matching Hurston' style and themes as closely as possible. After you complete your pastiche, write a statement explaining some of the decisions you made in order to match Hurston's writing and objectives.

 Soon after Violet contemplated Satisfaction. Satisfaction, that unreachable apple with the utmost importance unlike anything else who lived at the zenith of the heart. The powerful one who withholds the key to what humans strive for like a child who yearned for the sun to return on a rainy day. What need has Satisfaction for a lock, and who would dare attempt to break the seal with force? She awaits on her mountain top for those worthy of reaching her. Motions hopefulness and determination with her swaying pendulum, wondering if her challenge will ever be met. Only someone with perseverance and dreams could ever pass the test. She saw the light in the distance in which she knew her eminence was signaling her arrival. She was dedicated and strong-willed as well. Mundane Micah! He should not have to stay frozen like the others. She made a compelling argument, but Micah did not budge. These chillun' wuz right in deciding their own destiny, and he should listen to. He'd had no zeal burning at him as long as he stuck to what he knew. He did not care to change the way he was. His opinion stood. But by the constant denial, she knew he wanted to reach his goals. And if he did not voice the words to her, his positive attitude shined through the morning mist. Unspoken dreams which had never been shared before slid in through the shadows and lingered around him. Stood strong and were poised and ready to face the new day. Confidence, the glimmering sun, took root upon the horizon.

In addition to the use of sentence structure, I mimicked Hurston's reoccurring topic of dreams. The way to reach dreams are hinted at throughout the novel, which I strongly emphasized in the mini pastiche. I picked satisfaction and confidence because they come hand in hand. Satisfaction is an aspect of life in which can not be reached without understanding oneself as well as the desire to change. This can be seen through the novel as Janie becomes slightly more satisfied with her life as she learns more about herself as an individual. Hurston's use of nature and tying it into human life is also incorporated into this passage.

TEWWG - Journal #6: Death

Journal Prompt #6: Read closely Janie's description of Death in chapter 8. Make a list of the stylistic choices Hurston makes in the passage that begins "Death, that strange bird with the huge square toes..." and ends with "Rumor, that wingless bird..." Along with listing the decisions Hurston makes in this passage, identify the effect of each of each of these decisions. You can do this in list form: technique/stylistic choice, effect, technique, effect, etc.

"So Janie began to think of Death. Death, that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then. She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now. She was sad and afraid too. Poor Jody! He out not to have to wrassle in there by himself. She sent Sam in to suggest a visit, but Jody said No. These medical doctors wuz all right with the Godly sick, but they didn't know a thing about a case like his. He'd be all right just as soon as the two-headed man found what had been buried against him. He wasn't going to die at all. That was what he thought. But Sam told her different, so she knew. And then if he hadn't, the next morning she was bound to know, for people began to gather in the big yard under the palm and china-berry trees. People who would not have dared to foot the place before crept in and did not come to the house. Just squatted under the trees and waited. Rumor, that wingless bird, had shadowed over the town." (Hurston, pg. 84)

Technique #1: Death is personified.
Effect: Death becomes an entity with power and authority, capable of judging other humans.

Technique #2: The motif of judgment occurs as Death "overlooks the world".
Effect: It becomes apparent that people are not the only ones who can be judgmental, but nonhuman entities as well.

Technique #3: A simile is used to describe Death's house.
Effect: The image of Death watching over day and night because there are no walls gives greater power to Death.

Technique #4: The word choice of "watchful" and "motionless" shifts the mood of the passage.
Effect: The passage becomes solemn and focused on the idea of death, rather than its personification.

Technique #5: The metaphor of death looking over the "world".
Effect: The "world" is not Earth itself, but instead an individual life. Janie's life can be seen as a world of its own, and have greater importance than before.

Technique # 6: Describing the setting previous to the world ambiguously.
Effect: Death is present in any time, whether it be the past, present, or future, and is inevitable. Janie understands this, knowing she will have to let Joe go.

Technique #7: The motif of the tree is used and this time there are more people underneath the trees than Janie.
Effect: Another link to nature illustrates how everyone is tied to nature, as a gathering spot. The tree also marks an important change in someone's life.

Technique#8: Foreshadowing the death of Joe as the "wingless birds shadow over the town".
Effect: Death has been mentioned as in his "high house", which could be in the sky, such as birds do. Since death is not a bird itself, it can still cast a wingless shadow of despair over the people who know are awaiting Joe's death.

Technique #9: Janie's dialect is used in the narration of the passage.
Effect: Janie's character stands out, emphasizing her feelings momentarily. Her fear and sadness can be seen through her worries of the doctors.

Technique #10: Repetition of "knowing" (understanding the situation).
Effect: Janie's insecurities stand out as she is not sure what to make of Joe's illness. On one hand, she believes the doctors do not know what they are doing, and on the other hand she is quick to believe Joe is okay based on her observations.

TEWWG - Journal #5 (Part 2): Blog Commenting

I commented on the following blogs: Nikki Yoke, Travis Eurick, and Ben Webster

TEWWG - Journal #5: Thesis Rough Draft

Hurston begins at the end of the story then proceeds in a chronological order, which allows the reader to see the drastic changes Janie has gone through during life. Hurston uses this technique to show how personal growth can be achieved when independent decisions are made in life.

TEWWG - Journal #4: 3 Patterns

1. Janie loses her independence and power as a woman as Joe restricts her to what he wants her to be. In chapters six and seven, Joe is the main anchor holding Janie down.
 ex. ""Ah never married her for nothin' lak dat. She's uh woman and her place is in de home." Janie made her face laugh after a short pause, but it wasn't easy." (pg. 43)
""You oughtta be glad, 'cause dat makes uh big woman outa you." A feeling of coldness and fear took hold of her. She felt far away from things and lonely." (pg. 46)
"There was one of those big blow-out laughs and Janie was wallowing in it. Then Jody ruined it all for her." (pg. 69)

2. The community perceives death as inevitable; they pay respect, but move on quickly. During chapters six and seven, the death of the mule is made a big deal, but not dragged out. Later in the novel Janie shows little reaction to Joe's death.
ex. "He had seen Death coming and had stood his ground and fought it like a natural man... Death had to take him like it found him." (pg. 59)
"Out in the swamp they made great ceremony over the mule. They mocked everything human in death." (pg. 60)
"The yaller mule was gone from the town except for the porch talk, and for the children visiting his bleaching bones now and then in the spirit of adventure." (pg. 62)

3. Although the men act as if they have power over the women, the men give in when they want to please the women. Chapter seven refers to the men of Eatonville struggling to get Daisy's attention. Throughout the novel men attempt to sway Janie, giving her the power of decision.
ex. "They all beg the girls to just buy anything they can think of. Please let them pay for it." (pg. 67)
"The boys had to act out their rivalry, too. Only this time, everybody knew they meant some of it." (pg. 68)
""And you know if Ah wuz ridin' up in uh earoplane way up in de sky and Ah looked down and seen you walkin' and knowed you'd have tuh walk ten miles tuh git home, Ah'd step backward offa dat earoplane just to walk home wid you."" (pg. 69)

TEWWG - Journal #3: Harlem Renaissance/Dialect

Harlem Renaissance figure: W.E.B. Du Bois
Du Bois was an African-American civil rights activist of the early 1900s. He attempted many different strategies, such as propaganda, national self-determination, and human rights, to put an end to racism in the United States. Also, he was the first African-American to earn a PhD in history at Harvard, which shows how far he went to achieve his goal of making the country more educated and accepting of others. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1910 by Du Bois; he carried through as the editor of the NAACP's journal The Crisis, giving him the chance to interview famous Harlem Renaissance writers and publish their work.

Dialect: Boston (-ish)
List of rules:
Pronunciation-

• Cannot pronounce "r", instead use "aw" sound (ex. hard --> hawd)
• Emphasis on vowels, drawn out longer (ex. path --> paath)
• "o" changes to a "uh" sound when not the beginning syllable (ex. Oregon --> Oregun)

Grammar-

• Verbs ending in "ing" drop the "g", leaving "in'"
• Often ends a sentence using someone's name/title/nickname
• Contractions used frequently

Vocabulary-

• "gonzo" = crazy
• "spa" = convenience store
• "jimmies" = ice cream sprinkles

 Conversation:
"Excuse me," W.E.B. Du Bois questioned a young Boston woman, "would you happen to know where Boston University is? I have not been to this area in quite a while and cannot seem to find my way."
"The Univahsity, you say?" the young woman echoed. "Shaw thing. In fact, I was just headin' baack theaw; I wawk theaw."
"Thank you very much. You are far too kind," Du Bois thanked her as the two began walking down the streets of Boston.
"If you don't miind, we caan pick up a bite to eat befoaw reaching the campus, saw," she said. "Theaw's a nice little spa up alung the road."
Du Bois, confused, asked, "Now why in the world would we be going to a spa for a midday meal?"
"You really awn't frum this pawt of the Staates, aw you?" the young woman laughed.
"Lets just say that I come from a time when things were a bit different," commented Du Bois.
Upon entering the convenience store, the woman pointed to a machine in the corner and told Du Bois, "Fawst off, this is the spa," she stated. "Secundly, I come heaw evawy Friday faw my vanilla soft seawve and some colawful jimmies to puut on top."
Eying the ice cream machine, Du Bois and the woman walked over where Du Bois, wide-eyed, decided what he wanted. "Such a magnificent machine! I have never seen anything like this. Though, I do believe I will give chocolate a try since I am always open to trying new options."
"You'aw gonzo, saw!" cried the woman. "I might be a vanilla faan, but evawyone has had some chocolate in theaw life."
"Well, I suppose the world has finally opened their eyes and come to see there is more than one color in the world, " a delighted Du Bois commented as the two made their way out of the store.
The woman smiled and glanced down at her multi-colored sprinkles. "Colaw is loved by evawyone," she explained. "As lung as rainbows leave people in awe, a colawful wawld's shaw to keep us togethaw."

Comment:
I commented on Isabella L's blog - journal #3.

TEWWG - Journal #2: Analytical (Ch. 1, 2)

Prompt:
(Analytic): Pick a passage from your reading (between one paragraph and half a page). Copy the passage onto your blog and make a list of the decisions that Hurston made in writing that passage. What techniques, what patterns, what questions, what tone, what word choice, etc.

Response:
"It was a spring afternoon in West Florida. Janie had spent most of the day under a blossoming pear tree in the back-yard. She had been spending every minute that she could steal from her chores under that tree for the last three days. That was to say, ever since the first tiny bloom had opened. It had called her to come and gaze on a mystery. From barren brown stems to glistening lead-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom. It stirred her tremendously. How? Why? It was like a flute song forgotten in another existence and remembered again. What? How? Why? This singing she heard that had nothing to do with her ears. The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep. It connected itself with other vaguely felt matters that had struck her outside observation and buried themselves in her flesh. Now they emerged and quested about her consciousness." (pg. 10-11)

1. Motif of nature when referring to the "blossoming pear tree" presents itself.
2. Third omniscient point of view is used to illustrate Janie's thoughts and feelings of the time spent under the pear tree.
3. The tone of this passage indicates a gentle side to nature, which is like Janie as a child, care-free and light-hearted.
4. Descriptive imagery is used to reach three of the five senses.
5. The tree is personified to bring the passage to life and give it more dimension.
6. "Bloom" is repeated to show how new life can come about, which ties into Janie blossoming into a woman.
7. The simile comparing the tree to the flute illustrates the tree as something that will always remain beautiful.
8. " The rose of the world" symbolizes Janie's dream which is carried out through life.
9. A calm rhythm allows the gentle tone of this passage to stand out.
10. The phrase "snowy virginity" is a connotation for a fresh beginning, such as Janie's transformation into womanhood.
11. Ambiguity is demonstrated through "the rose of the world" as Hurston never clearly defines what she means, and how it ties into the following sentences with "it".
12. Setting is clearly shown by the descriptive language used.
13. Consonance can be seen through the repetition of the "b"-sound throughout the passage.
14. "Now they emerged and quested about her consciousness" foreshadows Janie's change from a child into a woman, as she begins to see life in a different light.
15. Theme: Transitioning from one stage in life to the next is the same experience for all living organisms.
16. Thesis: Zora Neale Hurston uses imagery and personification to demonstrate the similarities all living organisms share.

TEWWG - Journal #1: Life Reflection

Prompt:

"(Reflective): If you could tell your life story to one person, to whom would it be? Where would you begin (moment that changed your world view)?"

Response: 

If I could tell one person my life story I would share it with my twenty-five-year-old half-sister, Heather. Adopted at birth through an open adoption agency, I have only gotten to see her twice, at the young ages of two and seven. Heather is my only sibling, as I am an only child in my small family of my father and I. Although I talk with my biological grandparents on a regular basis, Heather never seems to be around. I feel that there is great potential for the two of us to get to know one another and understand the difficulties we each faced in our lives growing up. There is a bond between us as sisters and I believe she would be open to hearing what I have experienced in life so far; hopefully she would be able to relay her experiences and wisdom to me so I will know a little bit more before heading into my next step of life.

My life story would begin at the very start of the summer after my freshman year. This was a time of loss, hurt, and confusion for not only me, but my father as well. The last week of my freshman year my mother passed away after suffering from a severe case of dementia for a prolonged period of time. Although she was finally at rest, the impact it had on me was an immense shock. Those months leading up to that point had taken a toll on me and forced me to adapt to change very quickly, changing me as a whole.  This point in time was the turning point in my life; I experienced something that most of my friends and peers would not face until adulthood. I find this moment the most essential to making me who I am today. If I were to start telling my life story here, I could compare and contrast the care-free, outgoing Elizabeth of the past to the reserved, critical thinking Elizabeth of the present. By examining my life both pre-event and post-event, one can tell that everything up until this moment in life has made me who I am today.