• Blog – Why is this a story we should end the semester on?
We ended this semester with a happy book. I think that we ended on this book because it a lot of the material we have covered in class in it, including the heroes journey. Haroun went through every step in the Heroes journey. Haroun’s hero cycle started with his unusual birth as an only child. Haroun’s call to action is to go and help his dad to (save Bacheet and the ocean and the princess). Haroun’s spiritual guides are Mali and Butt. His mystic weapon is the wish water. As with all heroes, Haroun has trials that he must face and most of those trials for Haroun occur in Kahani. Haroun must drink the wish water, but it doesn’t work because he is unable to because he cannot concentrate. This book also brings back the archetypal hero. Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a book about the real world and a fantasy world, just like Alice in Wonderland, which we saw earlier in the semester. The book had real world and fantasy world connections just like in Alice in Wonderland. There was a question posed in the story, why do we listen to stories that aren’t real? This is a good question to ask because throughout the semester we have read several stories that aren’t “real”. Another question could be that why do we listen to stories that don’t even relate to our lives?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sea of Stories Blog 1
• Blog – On p. 107, Blabbermouth gives Haroun a piece of feminist advice. She basically says that girls aren’t able to be strong (or heroic) characters because of the ways people stereotype them. Think about contemporary female heroes. Do we have any? Do we value the fact that they are female?
We do have female superheroes today but they are not as popular as male superheroes. Society doesn’t value them as much. The heroes we value today are the one’s that entertain us, and normally not the ones that are in the real world making a difference. The heroes that entertain us are the ones that are aggressive and tough and females just don’t seem to have those traits. Also having a female hero in a movie makes the movie lose the "getting the girl" part of the movie which happens in male hero movies. The female heroes that we valued the most are Superwoman or the superhero from X-Man. For me I don’t really “notice” that they are female because they are doing the same things that male superheroes do. Female heroes in movies tend to be young and pretty. There are females who have attempted to change the world, but to society their actions are viewed as jokes. However, Oprah is a female hero that everyone knows about and loves. Society sees Oprah as a nice woman instead of just a nice person. Oprah is an example of a female hero is real life, and those seem to be more prevalent than female superheroes in movies. Another female superhero is Hermione Granger in Harry Potter. This is an example of a hero portrayed in a movie, and Granger in Harry Potter is an example of female superheroes progressing forward. The majority of society still values male superheroes over the idea of a female superhero. Male superheroes have the traits of being aggressive and warfare. If a female were to be placed in this situation it would seem very unrealistic.
We do have female superheroes today but they are not as popular as male superheroes. Society doesn’t value them as much. The heroes we value today are the one’s that entertain us, and normally not the ones that are in the real world making a difference. The heroes that entertain us are the ones that are aggressive and tough and females just don’t seem to have those traits. Also having a female hero in a movie makes the movie lose the "getting the girl" part of the movie which happens in male hero movies. The female heroes that we valued the most are Superwoman or the superhero from X-Man. For me I don’t really “notice” that they are female because they are doing the same things that male superheroes do. Female heroes in movies tend to be young and pretty. There are females who have attempted to change the world, but to society their actions are viewed as jokes. However, Oprah is a female hero that everyone knows about and loves. Society sees Oprah as a nice woman instead of just a nice person. Oprah is an example of a female hero is real life, and those seem to be more prevalent than female superheroes in movies. Another female superhero is Hermione Granger in Harry Potter. This is an example of a hero portrayed in a movie, and Granger in Harry Potter is an example of female superheroes progressing forward. The majority of society still values male superheroes over the idea of a female superhero. Male superheroes have the traits of being aggressive and warfare. If a female were to be placed in this situation it would seem very unrealistic.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Underground Man Blog 2
• Blog – Comment on the underground man’s actions. How is acting here in relationship to the claims he made in Part 1?
In the latest chapters the Underground Man has gone against what he had said in the opening chapters. He goes against from what he says in the first chapter because he now completely agrees with what he had said. The Underground Man is a strange man, he wants to get revenge on anyone who has wronged him and ends up stalking a police officer. He starting stalking the police officer because the officer had initially bumped into the Underground Man, which he found very disrespectful because he felt as though the officer didn’t even, notice him. For revenge he decided he would bump into the officer, but he wanted to make sure the officer wouldn’t notice him so he changes clothes constantly. The Underground Man ultimately fails at this strange attempt at what he calls “revenge.” The Underground Man is very self-conscious by making is so that other people see him as he wants to be seen as. The story then goes on to tell of a dinner party that the Underground Man goes to with some friends. Of course, he doesn’t like any of these people but he decided to attend anyway. The time was moved forward an hour but the Underground Man never got the memo. He shows up, waits, and once the party started yells at the people, telling them how unjust their actions were. As we knew from earlier in the book the Underground Man likes to see other peoples pain.
In the latest chapters the Underground Man has gone against what he had said in the opening chapters. He goes against from what he says in the first chapter because he now completely agrees with what he had said. The Underground Man is a strange man, he wants to get revenge on anyone who has wronged him and ends up stalking a police officer. He starting stalking the police officer because the officer had initially bumped into the Underground Man, which he found very disrespectful because he felt as though the officer didn’t even, notice him. For revenge he decided he would bump into the officer, but he wanted to make sure the officer wouldn’t notice him so he changes clothes constantly. The Underground Man ultimately fails at this strange attempt at what he calls “revenge.” The Underground Man is very self-conscious by making is so that other people see him as he wants to be seen as. The story then goes on to tell of a dinner party that the Underground Man goes to with some friends. Of course, he doesn’t like any of these people but he decided to attend anyway. The time was moved forward an hour but the Underground Man never got the memo. He shows up, waits, and once the party started yells at the people, telling them how unjust their actions were. As we knew from earlier in the book the Underground Man likes to see other peoples pain.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Notes from Underground Blog 2
• Blog – Who is Rooster? What are your first impressions of him?
An anti-hero is someone who had the potential to be a hero but had something interfere with them causing them to change. Rooster is an anti-hero. Rooster is infamous for being a killer. Rooster is unafraid to use his power and title. Killing people normally isn’t a trait you would find in a hero and that is why Rooster is an anti-hero. While he has the heroic trait of protecting the town, the way in which he treats his prisoners isn’t. Instead of being known for saving people lives by capturing people Rooster is known for his killing ways. Another non-heroic trait Rooster has is that he has a bad temper. For instance, Rooster is rude to Mattie when she first asks him to help her find her dads killer. When she initially tries to meet him he slams the door, thus ignoring her. Later on she meets up with Rooster and asks him to help her find her dads killer. He ignores her at first, but then becomes interested when she starts talking about money. This shows that he is more interested about money then he is protecting people and helping them out. She also tells him that he might be able to catch someone he is after while hunting her dad’s killer, which is another reason that entices him to go. However he makes fun of her for carrying around her dad’s gun because he feels she is incapable of using it. From what we watched in the movie I would have to say that Rooster is defiantly a good example of an anti-hero.
An anti-hero is someone who had the potential to be a hero but had something interfere with them causing them to change. Rooster is an anti-hero. Rooster is infamous for being a killer. Rooster is unafraid to use his power and title. Killing people normally isn’t a trait you would find in a hero and that is why Rooster is an anti-hero. While he has the heroic trait of protecting the town, the way in which he treats his prisoners isn’t. Instead of being known for saving people lives by capturing people Rooster is known for his killing ways. Another non-heroic trait Rooster has is that he has a bad temper. For instance, Rooster is rude to Mattie when she first asks him to help her find her dads killer. When she initially tries to meet him he slams the door, thus ignoring her. Later on she meets up with Rooster and asks him to help her find her dads killer. He ignores her at first, but then becomes interested when she starts talking about money. This shows that he is more interested about money then he is protecting people and helping them out. She also tells him that he might be able to catch someone he is after while hunting her dad’s killer, which is another reason that entices him to go. However he makes fun of her for carrying around her dad’s gun because he feels she is incapable of using it. From what we watched in the movie I would have to say that Rooster is defiantly a good example of an anti-hero.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Chapters One and Two (Underground Man)
• Blog - Who is the ‘underground man’? What are your first impressions of him?
After reading the first two chapters of Note From Underground I got a sense that the underground man is a very depressing person. The underground man doesn’t put a whole lot of faith into his life because he doubts himself all the time. For example in chapter two he says he is not even good enough to become an insect. “Whether you can hear it or not, why I could not even become an insect.” (Pg. 6) He feels that his life will stay just the same as it is now and will never get any better. He talks about all of the diseases he has including all of the liver problems he has had. I really don’t feel all that sorry for the underground man because all I have gotten from reading this book is that he complains about everything, yet he does absolutely nothing to try and improve it. He talks about seeing a doctor for his liver problems but he is superstitious about seeing doctors, so he won’t go visit one. The strange thing is though that the underground man said that he likes and supports the medicine. “And never have, though I have respect for medicine and doctors.” (Pg. 3) He lives in poverty and enjoys making people miserable. The underground man is a very complex, strange man and it is very hard to make since of what he thinks is right.
After reading the first two chapters of Note From Underground I got a sense that the underground man is a very depressing person. The underground man doesn’t put a whole lot of faith into his life because he doubts himself all the time. For example in chapter two he says he is not even good enough to become an insect. “Whether you can hear it or not, why I could not even become an insect.” (Pg. 6) He feels that his life will stay just the same as it is now and will never get any better. He talks about all of the diseases he has including all of the liver problems he has had. I really don’t feel all that sorry for the underground man because all I have gotten from reading this book is that he complains about everything, yet he does absolutely nothing to try and improve it. He talks about seeing a doctor for his liver problems but he is superstitious about seeing doctors, so he won’t go visit one. The strange thing is though that the underground man said that he likes and supports the medicine. “And never have, though I have respect for medicine and doctors.” (Pg. 3) He lives in poverty and enjoys making people miserable. The underground man is a very complex, strange man and it is very hard to make since of what he thinks is right.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Othello Blog 2
• Blog – Aristotle teaches us that all tragedy should lead to catharsis. Now that you have finished the play, how do you feel toward the characters? Are you sorry for Othello? Enraged at Iago? Do you pity Desdemona or Cassio? What emotions of your own – if any – has the text helped you process? Can you imagine anything in your life that is similar to what has transpired here?
Aristotle’s theory is true; all tragedy should lead to catharsis. After reading Othello I have mixed emotions. Starting with Othello, he is the character I am most sympathetic for. This is because he was completely oblivious to Iago’s plan and the fact that it worked on him. However, I also have sympathy for Othello, but I do feel that if Othello would have trusted Desdemona then he wouldn’t have killed her. Another one of the characters I have sympathy for is Desdemona. Desdemona was the only honest character in Othello, she was accused of cheating on Othello, and she tried her best to live through it. Othello does not listen to Desdemona when she tries to tell him that she has not committed the crime. The last of the characters I have sympathy for it Cassio. While he is an appealing man to women, he never slept with Desdemona. Cassio’s character was a nice, peaceful man and that is what him the perfect target for Iago’s devious plan. While Iago’s plan ended up working, Rodriego had a note explaining Iago’s plan. Once I figured out Iago’s plan his character made me angry. He ruined people’s lives and caused unneeded chaos. So, after reading this book, sympathy and anger were the two most common emotions while reading this book. The story shows how some people are ruthless, and how those ruthless people can easily manipulate other peoples lives. Judging from that, there is nothing really that has happened in my life that I can relate to this.
Aristotle’s theory is true; all tragedy should lead to catharsis. After reading Othello I have mixed emotions. Starting with Othello, he is the character I am most sympathetic for. This is because he was completely oblivious to Iago’s plan and the fact that it worked on him. However, I also have sympathy for Othello, but I do feel that if Othello would have trusted Desdemona then he wouldn’t have killed her. Another one of the characters I have sympathy for is Desdemona. Desdemona was the only honest character in Othello, she was accused of cheating on Othello, and she tried her best to live through it. Othello does not listen to Desdemona when she tries to tell him that she has not committed the crime. The last of the characters I have sympathy for it Cassio. While he is an appealing man to women, he never slept with Desdemona. Cassio’s character was a nice, peaceful man and that is what him the perfect target for Iago’s devious plan. While Iago’s plan ended up working, Rodriego had a note explaining Iago’s plan. Once I figured out Iago’s plan his character made me angry. He ruined people’s lives and caused unneeded chaos. So, after reading this book, sympathy and anger were the two most common emotions while reading this book. The story shows how some people are ruthless, and how those ruthless people can easily manipulate other peoples lives. Judging from that, there is nothing really that has happened in my life that I can relate to this.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Othello Blog 1
• Blog – Explain Iago’s plan as it stands at the end of Act I. After reading the beginning of Act II, do you believe he will be successful? What is leading you to your conclusion?
Iago’s plan is an interesting one. Iago despises Othello. While he and Roderigo are talking, Iago tells Roderigo to go to Cyprus and wait for Desdemona to come to him, because he believes that she will become bored with Othello. Since Iago hates Othello he said that he would help Roderigo have Desdemona and reminds Roderigo to bring lots of money. Iago is also trying to get Cassio’s position of lieutenant, which he thinks should have come to him. The beginning of act II takes place in Cyprus. At the end of act II scene II it is clear to me that Iago plans to drive Othello mad. After reading the short II scene I have somewhat of an idea if Iago’s plan will be successful or not. At the end of act II scene II I think that Iago’s plan will be successful. Iago is shaping his plan out of the confusion of his emotionally changed thoughts. He realizes that he controls the tool that he can use against Othello. His own jealousy that torments him is that weapon. This is because the Moor has proclaimed a holiday to be held at night during which the people can dance, make bonfires, along with other things. This chaos gives Iago sufficient time and opportunity to set his traps for the unsuspecting Othello. This feasting and dancing is also taking place at night, an even better chance for Iago to be successful. Also because Iago’s jealousy is so great is another reason I would bet that his plan works.
Iago’s plan is an interesting one. Iago despises Othello. While he and Roderigo are talking, Iago tells Roderigo to go to Cyprus and wait for Desdemona to come to him, because he believes that she will become bored with Othello. Since Iago hates Othello he said that he would help Roderigo have Desdemona and reminds Roderigo to bring lots of money. Iago is also trying to get Cassio’s position of lieutenant, which he thinks should have come to him. The beginning of act II takes place in Cyprus. At the end of act II scene II it is clear to me that Iago plans to drive Othello mad. After reading the short II scene I have somewhat of an idea if Iago’s plan will be successful or not. At the end of act II scene II I think that Iago’s plan will be successful. Iago is shaping his plan out of the confusion of his emotionally changed thoughts. He realizes that he controls the tool that he can use against Othello. His own jealousy that torments him is that weapon. This is because the Moor has proclaimed a holiday to be held at night during which the people can dance, make bonfires, along with other things. This chaos gives Iago sufficient time and opportunity to set his traps for the unsuspecting Othello. This feasting and dancing is also taking place at night, an even better chance for Iago to be successful. Also because Iago’s jealousy is so great is another reason I would bet that his plan works.
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