Blood Wedding- Journal #3

Creative
Prompt: Letters the characters might have written.

Leonardo,

Why do you do this? Why do you tempt, always drawing me in?
I am prepared for life with another! Yet I cannot help but love you.
Leave, leave while you still can. If you stay, death will become us both. You will die literally, and my heart will die with you. If you stay what fated decisions will we make? Decisions that will ruin us both.
This is why you must leave.
I cannot be without you, but I must. I really do care for the bridegroom. He is my future, we will be happy together, with children and land.

But you! You are dark, you are dangerous. You will ruin both our lives. I cannot resist you, no matter how much I want to. No matter how much I care for the Bridegroom, you will always be my past and my future. Hopefully never my present. But how can that be if you stay? If you stay you will always be my present. I cannot resist.

I am to be wed to the bridegroom, yet you do not leave! You ride by my house and cause destruction!

Bride.

Blood Wedding- Journal #2

Literary Topics
Prompt: Themes and ideas

In Blood Wedding, Lorca uses the repetition, symbolism and imagery of the knife to carry one of his main ideas. The knife represents death, more than death it represents loss. As a general rule, Mother is the only person who refers to the knife. This is appropriate, and helps to convey the symbol because Mother has lost the most, and continues to do so throughout the play. She lost her husband and her son, and by the end of the play, she looses another son. The knife evolves to represent unfair loss, to represent something being taken from an individual. When Mother says, "I will sleep at last, no longer terrified of guns of knives." (Lorca 100), it is after Bridegroom dies. It shows that she no longer fears knives because she no longer has anything to lose. This suggests two themes. Firstly, that once an individual is alone, with no family, their existence is meaningless. The second idea portrayed is death is the only real way to lose an individual. This is because of the contrast of Mother's reactions when she simply thought that Bridegroom was getting married. He would be taken from her, but he would not be dead. She grieves him more when he is alive than when he is dead. That is what creates the second theme.

Blood Wedding- Journal #1

Comparison
Prompt: 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.

In Blood Wedding, the death of Bridegroom's father and brother is a mystery. The only information given is that they were murdered, and also it was done by a member of the Felix family. By doing so, Lorca creates the character Leonardo with mystery and suspicion. This makes the reader more suspicious of Leonardo and makes them have more pity for Bridegroom and Mother. It also makes the reader suspicious of Bride and Father for their previous attachment to Leonardo. By creating these feelings, Lorca is controlling the tragedy aspect of the play, he is making the reader emotionally tied to one or more of the characters, and at the end of the play he will let them down. This shows the skill Lorca has at writing plays and changes the way I will be reading his play.
In The Wild Duck, the Ekdal's situation is shrouded in mystery. It creates a sense of mistrust and curiosity. By not informing the reader of all that has occurred it makes them more likely to trust Gregers and Old Werle. The effect of doing so is incredibly similar to that of the effect in Blood Wedding. It makes the reader more tied to a particular character, effectively making that specific play a tragedy. The reader's emotional fall makes up for the lack of a character losing face that was traditionally found in Greek tragedies.

The Wild Duck- Journal #5

Comparison
Prompt: To what extent have you found it possible, in your consideration of literary works, to separate the individual from his or her public role?

In The Wild Duck, all of Ibsen's characters come with a distinct placement in their society and household. Due to this, it makes it extremely difficult to look beyond their given role in their society. The characters that make this most pronounced are Gregers and Relling. For Gregers, at first and throughout almost the entire book I like him. I like him because of his social class mainly, for everything he is portrayed to be. His wealth (which conotates other qualities such has manners and knowledge), his continued friendship with Hjalmer and so on. But by the end of the play, I think of Gregers has an idiot! The way he tries to interfere with Hjalmer and Gina, and the joy he finds in thinking that they will be closer than ever before is dead wrong. One of the last lines he says, in reference to Hedvig is, "Hedvig did not die in vain. Did you notice how grief freed the greatness in him" (Ibsen 216). Gregers is horrible, he is more than the surface level optimism, he sees the death has a good thing because it assists his friend's greatness! The other character something similar to this happens to is Relling. Relling's public life is portrayed poorly by Hjalmer, Relling is said to be a, "wild pair, those fellows[Relling and Molvik]. They go out on the town evenings," (Ibsen 154). Relling is described has a drunk party-goer. Throughout the majority of the play, I held a dislike for him because of the way Gina and Hjalmer describe and react to him. However, by the end of the play he is my favorite character, the one that is the most knowledgeable and respected. By doing this, Ibsen shows how a person's social standing in society defines the opinions others have of them.
Similarly, in Oedipus the King, Sophocles uses the townspeople's respect for Oedipus to briefly outshine his tragic flaws. "He [Oedipus] was the joy of Thebes! / Never will I convict my king, never in my heart" (Sophocles 187). The Oedipus the citizens of Thebes love and respect is not an accurate portrayal of who Oedipus is nor of his values and limitations. However, by the end of the play, the audience's opinion of the king changes from one of merit to almost anger. I found myself rather angry at Oedipus for appearing to be one thing while truly containing many many flaws that negatively affect all he is. Sophocles uses this to show how before making judgements on an individual, look at their actions currently, more than what people say or previous choices. Ibsen and Sophocles both show the opinion on the characters changing from public to private, but their warnings or main ideas are separate. Ibsen discusses the social level, while Sophocles deals more with pre-conceived notions. Sophocles is more critical while Ibsen remains speculative.

The Wild Duck- Journal #4

Creative
Prompt: Write an unheard conversation between characters.

(On a park path, two men are walking. It is winter time, and their appears to be a small layer of the first snowfall. The men are both wearing heavy, outdoor coats. Gregers' clothing is obviously of higher quality. Gregers has an apprehensive look on his face.)
(After a brief silence).
GREGERS: There was a reason I asked you to go on a walk...
HJALMER: I gathered has much.
GREGERS: During my brief return to this city, I've uncovered something about the truth of your marriage.
HJALMER: And? I have a disturbed feeling about this.
GREGERS: You must be warned- I mean no harm by unveiling this piece of information.... I would just like to see a true, ideal marriage.
HJALMER: Out with it! Whatever information you seem determined to share, do it now.
GREGERS: I have become aware that your wife, Gina, she had an affair with my father before you two married. This has become clear to me through the absence of detail regarding you, and the way he looks after her.
HJALMER: No! That cannot be true, not my Gina, not the person who always does all sorts of things for me.
GREGERS: But think about the facts, think about how you met, about the fact that she does look after you. It shows a remorseful attitude.
HJALMER(thoughtfully): Perhaps you are right Gregers, perhaps she has kept this most horrid secret.
GREGERS: More than perhaps! Think about the opportunity this gives you! You have the chance to be joyful with the truth, and the ability to forgive her for previous sins! A true marriage, one never seen before....
HJALMER: Well, I do trust you, and you know your father better than most... It has dawned on me that you are right! But how to confront her on this crime? Ahh, I will give her the chance to own to it, or deny it...
You are giving me an opportunity, Gregers! The chance to free myself from this doubtful woman. Although, how am I to work on my invention when all my joy is gone from me?
GREGERS: Hardly! You will be able to grow and fall more in love with all this in the air, it will all be good, ideal, when you are done!
(The two men walk off stage and 'return' to Hjalmer's apartment)

The Wild Duck- Journal #3

Literary Topics
Prompt: Stylistic Techniques (imagery, figurative language, sensory detail, symbolism).

The biggest and most obvious symbol found in The Wild Duck, is the wild duck herself. The symbolism of the duck covers more than one idea, but the one that is more interesting personally is the idea of separation created by the duck. All of the characters are amazed by her, yet she is the only one of her kind and out of her natural habitat. Ibsen talks excessively of social classes, and the wild duck is symbolized has the top of her class, the biggest and the best. "The wild duck rules supreme" (Ibsen, 164). It is very clear who the duck represents in real life- the upper class. People like the Werle's or any one in attendance at the party in Act One. After it is established that the duck is superior, the loneliness of the bird is displayed. "And then it's so sad for her; the poor thing has no one to turn to" (Ibsen, 164). The bird is away from her habitat and her fellow wild ducks, because of that, the bird must feel alone and out of place. This shows what Ibsen is trying to portray about the upper class- that once you make it to the top, you are alone. The individual that is the best is always admired, but only admired. No person can be their equal sense they are the best. It also shows what happens to people who are removed from their accepted place in the world. If somebody is taken away from all they ever knew, that person will have a lonely existence indeed. They will only survive if they are able to adapt, just like how the wild duck adapted.

The Wild Duck- Journal #2

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

In The Wild Duck, Ibsen places the characters in two main specific locations. In Act 1, the story occurs in an ornate, wealthy man's house. The entire atmosphere is just luxurious and sophisticated- upper class basically. In Act 2, the setting changes from Werle's house to Hjalmer's home. The atmosphere is a little shabby, and the reader gets the effect that they are upon hard times financialy. This is mostly because of the fact that where they live is also where they work, has well has Gina's unhappiness with what they spent on food. By placing these two conflicting places right next to each other, it shows something about the importance of social position, and how silly the wealthy are. At Werle's house, all of the people were decadent and rather silly with the things that concerned them. However, at Hjalmer's the conversation was more serious and the reader witnessed the struggles that family carried. Ibsen is trying to show how ignorant and silly the upper class can be, and more often than not, is. It highlights the difference a social class can make and Ibsen shows how people change based on their income level.

The Wild Duck- Journal #1

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

This statement is only applicable to certain plays, it is not universal. In Oedipus the King, the story line is not constantly full and exciting nor is it easily applicable to life. The story line is completley irrational and far fetched. While the ideas are somewhat able to be relevant to life, at the same time they seem to only apply to certain people. The ideas are not universal, and most of them do not choralate to the certain personalities. In order for the play's ideas to be applicable to life, they must be plausible for an individual's life. Some people do not have the same characterstics of Oedipus, and therefore the faults and lessons on those faults do not apply. However in The Wild Duck, the events are, so far, plausible and very applicable to life. It is about a family that is flawed, and that appears to be what it is not. That is something that fits in with many people's real situation. Especially the facades people put on for those around them. The family in the play are completley at odds, yet they still maintain a facade of family ties. Additionaly, the plot and characters have been thus far extremely scandalous. The phrase "What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out" is very assuming and not accurate of applicable to all plays for all people. It is not specific enough to what it's goal audience is and therefore is proved to be false many times over.

Oedipus the King- Journal #4

Comparison
Prompt: Compare how writers in your study have explored the themes of judgment and punishment, or disguise and deciet, or love and friendship, and with what effect.

Jugment and punisment is brought to the reader's attention almost immediatly from the beginning of the book. Oedipus is very quick to publicly condemn and judge the killer of Lauis, without knowing him or any of the particulars. He also judges and attempts to punish Creon for supposedly trying to take over the power. By judging these people quickly and harshly, it brings about Oedipus' own demise at the end of the play. When Oedipus realizes his errors, he forces upon himself the same punishment he promised at the start of the play. Through this, Sophocles shows the idea of judgment, and how judging somebody too quickly can bring trouble upon the individual. Similarly, in The Stranger, Camus portrays the idea of judgment and punishment through the actions and reactions created by Meursault. During the trial, Meursault is judged based on his actions in regard to his mother. It is safe to assume, based on the opinion of Meursault's lawyer, that if Meursault had been a little more compassionent and respectful to his mother, that he would not of been judged so harshly and therefore punished harshly. Camus is portraying that people judge and punish those who do not fit in with their accepted view of what is right. Both authors show judgement and punishment has inevitable, but Sophocles shows it in an internal way while Camus uses external judgement to show his idea.

Oedipus the King- Journal #3

Creative
Prompt: Letters the characters might have written.

Shepherd,
There was an oracle that told Laius that his son would kill him. This baby is my son, and therefore is Laius' son has well. Because of this prophecy, I cannot live with this baby. I cannot stand to live in the fear of this child. For he will not always be a baby and one day he will be a man- a man capable of killing Laius and I. In order to protect my husband and king, please take this boy far away and kill him. Do this not only because I have asked you to, but also because of the duty you have to protect your king has a citizen of Thebes. I do not care how you take care of this situation, I only ask three things. Firstly, do not tell anyone of this letter, or of the child. Secondly, do not try to contact me about this situation, and do not tell me any particulars. Thirdly, make haste and do exactly has this letter says, do not take compassion on this child, he will be the death of Thebes if you take pity on him.
Jocasta

Oedipus the King- Journal #2

Comparison

Prompt: Personal convictions and shared beliefs, the private and the public life, somethings seem at odds in the modern world. How did you find your chosen works touched on this conflict, and with what effect?

In Oedipus, the general belief is in the gods, and their prophets/oracles. The prophets and oracles are accepted to portray the true word of the gods, and all people considered them to be accurate. This conflicts to the beliefs of Jocasta and Oedipus when discussing the words of the prophet Tiresias. Oedipus does not believe that they are accurate, and so he makes a judgement based on them. Jocasta does the same, and tells Oedipus to disregared what Tiresais said, because she believes it cannot be true. This leads to more problems, because Oedipus accuses Creon of creating rumors and they fight, destroying their relationship and making problems for Thebes' government. But more than that, it causes Oedipus to not accept what the prophet is saying has truth, when his words are shown to be truthful, it only causes Oedipus more pain and sorrow. If he had heeded the words of Tiresais when he had the chance, a lot of the personal trauma could have been avoided has well has public pride. This is similar to Meursault in The Stranger, because of the values Meursault has in contrast to the values of the society. In the society, it is important to pay respect to mothers, to value human life, and to be emotionaly attached to their lives. However, Meursault does things that show the opposite, when to Meursault, they are fine. In the end of the book, it causes Meursault to be convicted for murder, and for him to lose the respect of those around him. Both books show that when personal opinions go against the accepted beliefs of society, it causes internal has well has external conflitct.

Oedipus the King- Journal #1

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


In Oedipus the King, the reader is introduced to the city of Thebes. When Sophocles wrote this play, he was living in Athens. At that time period, Thebes and Athens were major rivals. This has a profound effect on the location for the play. This play is tragedy, and the events that occur ed before Oedipus' reign were gruesome indeed. The Thebans' king was killed, the city was overcome by an evil Sphinx, and currently, the city was subject to a deadly plague. The reason Sophocles chose to place so many evil, horrible things in the city of Thebes is because of the rivalry between his city, Athens, and the setting of the play, Thebes. It also makes the story bleaker, because if he was determined to put the play in Thebes before he had a plot, and if he had no animosity towards Thebes, than the play would most likely had a different tone and ending. Because of the tone and story line created, the theme created is much harsher, and more dismal. By choosing to place the events of Oedipus the King in Thebes, it created a much more tragic tale.

Poetry- XX Journal

"'I would do more than for my own. But to appear happy when I am so miserable--Oh! who can require it?"
Again they were both silent. Elinor was employed in walking thoughtfully from the fire to the window, from the window to the fire, without knowing that she received warmth from one, or discerning objects through the other; and Marianne, seated at the foot of the bed, with her
head leaning against one of its posts, again took up Willoughby's letter, and,
after shuddering over every sentence, exclaimed--
"It is too much! Oh, Willoughby, Willoughby, could this be yours! Cruel, cruel--nothing can acquit you. Elinor, nothing can. Whatever he might have heard against me-- ought he not
to have suspended his belief? ought he not to have told me of it, to have given
me the power of clearing myself? 'The lock of hair, (repeating it from the
letter,) which you so obligingly bestowed on me'--That is unpardonable.
Willoughby, where was your heart when you wrote those words? Oh, barbarously
insolent!--Elinor, can he be justified?'"
--Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen

In both the passage above, and in the poem XX, the story portrayed is one of the end of a romance. In Sense and Sensibility, Marianne is deeply in love with Willoughby but then is heartbroken when he chooses Ms. Gray over her. In XX, the speaker is lamenting over his lost love, and trying to overcome his despair. Austen uses Marianne's conversations with Elinor, and her exaggerated emotions to show the unhappiness. Marianne is completley confused, she has to ask Elinor if there is any way that Willoughby is correct, similar to how the speaker of XX is confused about his love. He says, "I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her.", this shows that the speaker is confused and muddled about what he is feeling, and what is correct. In XX, the heartbreak and repair is shown through the references to nature and the repetition of the words heart, and love. In both pieces of literature, the misfortune is shown through the imagery created. The imagery in Austen's piece creates juxtaposition between Marianne's emotions, and the peaceful glow of the room. In XX, the imagery compares the speaker's emotions with the beauty of nature. Both of these comparisons are used to show how wretched the character feels, and the misfortune associated with love.

Poetry - XIII Journal

This poem is about a romance. It begins with a passionate and loving relationship. However, towards the middle of the poem, the lovers have a conflict to deal with, and they become much more separated, figuratively and literally. This distance causes the man, who is also the speaker, to become extremely unable to express himself, ultimately resulting in his despair.
This poem occurs between a man and a woman. The man is the speaker. I know it is between a man and a woman because of the repeated letter of 's'. The way that this letter is used is in rather feminine, soft, caring way, while it is definitely a man from the way he calls her a doll. I have never seen a male doll, and never heard a woman calling another woman their "toy doll,". The speaker is the man because of the lack of 's' sounds after the consequence of his inability to express himself. He is still there, but the woman, and all the femininity, is gone.
This poem was written to show the effects of expression. It was written to show the reader how being unaware of yourself, and unaware of your own abilities can cause your life to crumble. The poet is conveying the negative effects of being closed off from the world because of a lack of expression. Through this, he shows how the world, and humans, need to see expression in others, even when all they desire to do is express themselves. People need a person to be able to appreciate their life, and their ways of expression.
The poet does this through the references to water, and liquids. In the beginning of the poem, there are many references to thirst, water, and so on. However, towards the end of the poem, when he is becoming more and more closed off, the liquid references dwindle, and eventually stop. Water is used to represent life, and water gives life. When the man becomes closed up, and unable to express himself, the water references go away. This shows that when a person expresses themselves, they are able to live.

Brave New World- Journal #3

TOPIC C

This novel is speaking about happiness, and at what cost that happiness is worth. It appears idyllic, before the person can even speak to be made to love every heinous thing any individual will have to do. What could ever be wrong with being happy constantly, basically being forced to be happy. This novel warns the world of striving for accepted happiness everywhere, for the goal to never feel sad or angry. Through the novel, Huxley says that it is a humans right to feel poorly. Not just their right, though. It is their responsibility and what makes a human a human. I could see it happening, but only in a certain setting. It only seems plausible in imagination. I think that people are too attached to the exhilarating feeling of being free to be to give it up. Huxley shows that through individual thought and through the arguing of ideas that this future will not happen. Through people like Marx, you do not quite fit in. And the characters like John the Savage show that has long has people retain individuality in thought, expression, routine, and pleasures all will remain safe. For instance, if Marx's point of view had not been so different, so negative, from all the other characters' the idea that this society is not pleasurable to all would never have been revealed. It is preventable through individuality.

Brave New World- Journal #2

TOPIC B

Bernard Marx is rather different from his peers in Brave New World. Even after he returns to London with the savage and 'fits in' a little bit more, he is only accepted because he has to be. The only interest the people have of Marx, is that he can introduce him to John. Bernard is marked has an outcast because he is considered socially awkward, and does not enjoy the same things has the rest of the world. He prefers to do things in private, to talk in private, to sit in private, to have private dates. Bernard values deep thought and good conversation over being at the coolest location and in the middle of the crowd. These opinions are not shared by anyone really, and when Bernard and Lenina go on their dates she actually gets angry with him about his desire to spend their time talking in a secluded park rather than being at a wrestling match. Due to his difference, Bernard has to deal with being teased and always being out of the loop. People say that alcohol had spilled onto him before he was 'born'. He tries to overcome this trauma by gaining respect through his relationship with an icon. This icon is John the Savage, and he is bound to loose popularity soon, and when he does, Bernard's fifteen minutes of fame will be up and he will be sent to work on the remote isle of Iceland.

Brave New World- Journal #1

TOPIC A

"'And if you were an Epsilon,' said Henry, 'your conditioning would have made you no less thankful that you weren't a Beta or an Alpha.' [...] Everybody's happy now.' 'Yes, everybody's happy now,' echoed Lenina. They had heard the words repeated a hundred and fifty times every night for twelve years." (Huxley, 75).

This passage displays the main aspects of the society found in Brave New World. The social classes including Epsilon, Beta and Alpha define what activities that person enjoys, their favorite pastimes, their favorite jobs, their favorite color, their relationships and everything else they do. All of the people have been conditioned for their specific place in the world, their job and their social class. It is imperative to the society that everyone is perfectly made to enjoy whatever they are predestined to become. The basis of society is fitting in a certain social class, and being conditioned to love that position and be extremely happy. All that is done in the society is done to be happy, from the conditioning, to the drug soma, to the entertainment. It is all of that culture's goal to be perfectly content and pleased with what their life is and what it will become. Many of the people could not even imagine being placed in a different social class or group, showing how ingrained their place in society is to them. This happens due to the extensive conditioning that occurs has embryos and children.

The Stranger- Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement:

Through the reocurring images of nature in comparison to man-made things, Camus shows the harshness of the modern world and how far it has diviated from the origins of nature.

The Stranger- Journal #6

At the end of The Stranger, Meursault comes to a conclusion about death, and the nature of life and death. He concludes that death is inevitable, and that life is about death. That death is not relevant to anything he or those around him should think about when making choices. That life is meant to live, and to die. From that, it means that people should live the way they want to live and not worry about the sadness around them, or their own deaths. Camus does not want the reader to come to the same conclusion has Meursault. This is shown by Meursault's anti-hero qualities. Meursault's beliefs and actions lead him to death, which helps to show what Camus thinks will become of those who think has Meursault thinks. Not even that they will die, because death is inevitable, but the circumstances of their death. Meursault's death is not one anybody would be envious of. Camus uses the unpopular things about Meursault to make the reader disagree with what he says and thinks, or is some cases, the lack there of.

The Stranger- Journal #5

Camus creates a part one and a part two in order to highlight the difference in Meursault. In part one, Meursault is very internal. He does not express his ideas or opinions and simply sits, watches and comes to conclusions. He does not try to intervene in the course of his life or others' lives. This is perfectly portrayed when early in the book, Meursault sits and watches all that is going on around him. This passive side to Meursault is contrasted when Camus places the involved and spirited Meursault in part two. In the second part of the book, Meursault's actions and thoughts show a more caring and active person. This is shown through Meursault's reaction to the Chaplain's efforts to convert Meursault. This contrast is put in place in order to show how decisions effect a person's personality. When Meursault kills the Arab at the very end of part one, it changes Meursault's character because it shows him taking an active role in his life and the lives of those around him. This is what causes the change of personality in Meursault between part one and part two. Camus uses the juxtaposition to show how someones involvement in their own life changes who they are has a person and their personality.

The Stranger- Journal #4

The change from Part One to Part Two affected not only Meursault's actions and responses, but also the syntax and structure of the book. When Meursault and the magistrate first meet, you get a glimpse of this change of syntax. "I was led into a curtained room; there was a single lamp on his desk which was shining on a chair where he had me sit while he remained standing in the shadows."(Camus, 61). This passage shows how Camus has changed the structure of the sentences, from ones that are very short and precise, to sentences that are long and flow nicely with many commas and semicolons. This change highlights the change in Meursault's thought process. He goes from being full of excuses and very limited to someone who is accepting of their actions and takes full responsibility for them. When Meursault gets arrested he changes from someone who looks for somewhere to put the blame and accepts who he is and what he has done.

Meursault changes from a person who does not utilize his space to someone who spends their entire day memorizing it. A few months after being in prison, Meursault finds a routine that helps him to waste time. "Sometimes I would get to thinking about my room, and in my imagination I would start at one corner and circle the room,"(Camus, 75). This quote shows the change in how Meursault values his freedoms and rights. At the beginning of the book, Meursault talks about how his apartment is to big for him and that he only uses one room. When Part Two starts, Meursault spends ample time memorizing all the details of his room, which shows him missing the luxuries of having a personal house. Meursault does not value his rights and freedoms before being sent to prison and this is being shown through the way Meursault treats his living space.

Once Meursault goes to prison, his habit of smoking ends. He discusses this after being sent to prison. "But by then I had gotten used to not smoking and it wasn't a punishment anymore."(Camus, 75). The smoking in the first half of the book represents a time filler and what Meursault does to appear purposeful and fit in with those around him. When Meursault goes to prison and is forced to quit smoking it shows him giving up being accepted and normal, and just begins to try and live his life. He no longer cares about being a normal human and following the patterns of normal human life to make himself appear purposeful.

The Stranger- Journal #3

The Sun:
"The glare from the sky was unbearable."(Camus, 16)
Camus may be using the sun to show people's reaction to constant effects of nature. That people and nature don't fit together has they might of at one point. This also ties in with the motif about technology and machinery.

Need for Control/Leadership:
The relationship between old Salamano and his dog. "The dog cowers and trails behind. then it's the old man who pulls the dog."(Camus, 26)
A possible meaning for this relationship is that people are dependent on being stronger. Even though Salamano only has more power than his dog, he needs that power. When the dog dies, Salamano is lost.

Smoking/Eating:
"Then I smoked a few cigarettes,"(Camus, 20)
The motif of smoking and eating could represent the human need to fill time with something. The need to not be empty, that even though it doesn't really benefit you, looking busy and purposeful is something all people want.

The Stranger- Journal #2

AMY-ISM

• Positive thinking is the key to any success, it can change your performance. This is important because it works, it is a way an individual can guide their life. It came from personal experience with sports, tests, speeches, etc.
• People need positive relationships with others to be fulfilled. This is important because it is necessary to be loved and accepted. This is from the idea that people need other people.
• A relationship with God is possible, and it adds meaning to life. This is important because it effects every aspect of our lives. This is from my experience.
• Once a relationship with God is in place, it is important to serve others and show them the love of Christ. This is from The Bible.
• The most important thing to do is to love God, and love others. This is important because it helps others grow and become better people. This is from The Bible.
• People need to be loving, serving, caring, kind, forgiving, and full of prayer for those around them. This is important because it allows people to love others and serve them.
• Every person has the freedom to make their own decisions. About their belief in God, or any other topic. This is from The Bible.
• Life is about living, about taking every moment and making something out of it to serve God and add meaning to your personal life.
• There are things in the world that humans are not able to understand, they are supreme and only God can fully understand them. This is where faith comes in.

The Stranger- Journal #1

SUMMARY: Meursault starts off by going to eat, and then proceeds to get on a train for Marengo. At his mother's funeral, he goes to the vigil and then walks to the church. When he returns from Marengo, Meursault sleeps, goes swimming and goes on a date. He then sits and watches people in the street.

REACTION: Meursault bothers me. He is so passive in all he does. He is not trying to live his life and experience things, all he does is sit, and watch rather than become involved with his life. It bothers me because he is wasting his time, and it makes it so that our time has a reader is wasted. I'm interested to see how this plays out, and if the author is trying to say something about how people waste their lives.

ANALYSIS: Through the character of Meursault, Camus is trying to portray how people waste their lives. People lose portions of their lives to laziness, and it does not seem has though Camus thinks that is a bad thing. Meurault is the epitome of an anti-hero, while he has annoying qualities, most of them are normal and cause the reader to become involved. This involvement occurs because Meursault's personality has qualities that can be found in many, many people.

RESEARCH: In 1942, Algiers becomes the capitol for the Allied forces in North Africa. Most of the events surrounding Algiers in 1942 have to do with WWII. The raid on Algiers occurred on December 11 1942, it was a raid by the Italians. Several other raids/battles occurred there before the end of the war.

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #9

A strong theme displayed in the book, and especially the last two chapters is that ultimately people will put their own benefit about all else.

The reader gets a glimpse of this theme when Tea Cake and Janie decide to leave Palm Springs because it is not in their best interest. "Janie, us got tuh git outa dis house and outa dis man's town." (Hurston 171). Janie and Tea Cake realize that staying in Palm Springs will cause them more pain and suffering, even though it would be best for the community to stay and clean up the bodies. Hurston uses this to show people doing what is best for themselves rather than what is best for a community. On an individual level, Tea Cake and Janie benefit much more by leaving town and going to the 'Glades, they can see their friends, make money, and live more comfortably. However, has a community they would be much more valuable to Palm Springs if they were to stay and help to clean up the mess. The couple does not listen to what they should do for the community, but the act on what they should do for their best interest.

Another time this theme is shown occurs when Tea Cake is extremely sick with mad dog disease. "She threw up the barrel of the rifle in frenzied hope and fear." (Hurston, 184). This passage clearly shows Janie sacrificing Tea Cake for her own good. When Janie realizes that Tea Cake is no longer himself, but someone who is intent on killing her, she acts. Even though Janie is still hoping that the serum from Dr. Simmons will cure Tea Cake, but when it is a life or death situation, Janie chooses her life over Tea Cake's. Hurston uses the close relationship between Janie and Tea Cake, and the rabies to show that it is ingrained in people to choose life above all other feelings and commitments.


PLOT DIAGRAM:

A man named Jeff is able to secure an amazing job with a great pay check, benefits and it is what he has always wanted to do. However, this job is located on the other side of the world. To Jeff, it does not matter, this job is worth leaving his town. On the other hand, Jeff is rather vital to his current town has the only reputable doctor around. If he leaves, the town will need to drive to the next city over for decent health care. Jeff decides to leave his town anyways, and leaves the rest of the citizens out of luck.

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #8

In chapter 18, Hurston uses the setting to display the idea of persevering for the ones you love. She chose to use the storm to show this because Janie and Tea Cake had to push themselves and each other to make it to safety. The use of a dynamic setting changes the overall effect of the reader by pulling in emotions. The reader wants Tea Cake and Janie to survive, to escape and make it to higher ground because that is what the narrator wants. It highlights the theme because of the way emotions are played with, if it was not such a empathetic chapter, then the theme would be overlooked. It seems as if Hurston is using the storm to personify the storms that occur in relationships, and how overcoming them is about persevering. Hurston is trying to convey the importance of strong relationships, and how even the best relationships can have struggles. It is important for people to keep on keeping on, and if its just not working to try something else with someone else. Basically, Hurston is showing the reader that all people need relationships that are good and healthy, but that it will not come easy, and it definitely will not come quickly. People need to invest effort, time, and they must know when that particular relationship is over.

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #7

This pastiche will be about Janie's choice to run off with Joe Starks rather than remaining with Logan Killicks. The result of that decision made her happy for a time, and allowed her to meet Tea Cake. It also taught Janie a lesson about Independence, and the importance of her own voice. The reason Janie chooses to leave Logan is because Logan fails in two areas. He fails at showing her how much he cares for her, and also Janie does not and will not love Logan. This shows that Janie is someone who not only needs love, but needs to know what it means and feels like to love someone.


Janie returned to the kitchen and continued making hot cakes. She called out to Logan, "Ah git yuh breekfest reedy!" Janie's thoughts wander to Joe waiting there at the end of the road, and she has half an idea to go after him. She thinks of Nanny and that keeps her body where it is, even though her heart is running far away from her husband. Logan enters the room, and with a apologetic expression says, " Dis look mighty fine, Janie, mighty fine indeed," he continues with, "Janie, sometimes yuh git me so rile' up. But Ah cares fur yuh. Yuh know dat, right? Ah'd be los' widout ya." After Logan says this, Janie is rather aghast. She had no idea that was how he really thought of her. She says,"Thank yuh, suh. Dat is very kind of yuh." While the couple sit down for a breakfast, Janie's heart remains down the lane with Mr. Joe Sparks, but her common sense keeps her where she is at. Janie now knows what it means to be a little heartbroken.

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #6

Janie and Tea Cake meet for the second time in Janie's store. "Ah'd git dat ship out from under him so slick till he'd be walkin' de water lak ole Peter befo' he knowed it."(Hurston 101). Hurston uses allusion in this passage to describe the culture in this time period. By mentioning The Bible it tells the reader about what was valued during the time period and it adds to the setting. It also adds a feeling of familiarity and security when considering the specific story mentioned. Tea Cake is using this allusion to make Janie feel secure, like he is protecting her when she takes a risk, just like Jesus and Peter.

When Tea Cake comes to relax inside Janie's house for the first time, Janie takes a small nap. "Ah been wishin' so bad tuh git mah hands in yo' hair."(Hurston 103). Hurston uses symbolism in this passage, Janie's hair symbolises her independence and freedom of choice. The importance of this symbol really relies on Janie's choice to let her hair down and live for herself. She has the right to decide who she is going to allow to touch her hair, and who she wants to be has a person. Most, if not all of the townspeople do not agree with or support Janie's choice with Tea Cake, but that is a decision Janie can make on her own. Hurston's use of Janie's hair allows an idea about a women being able to make her own decisions to shine through.


After Tea Cake and Janie go public with their relationship, all of the town is in a fit about it. "De men wuz talkin' 'bout it in de grove tuhday and givin' her and Tea Cake both de devil."(Hurston 111). Hurston uses conflict to display how great the perceived difference between Janie and Tea Cake is. Also to display how radical Janie's choice is, she could have anybody and she chooses a down on his luck man. Another thing that it shows is how much the town loves Janie, and how jealous most of the town is of her. Hurston uses the conflict to show how Janie is becoming her own person after being put inside a box by her peers.

"You got de keys to de kingdom." (Hurston 109). Alliteration

"Ah done lived Grandma's way, now Ah means tuh live mine."(Hurston 114). Epiphany

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #5

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston uses word choice and placement to manipulate the effect of the story. "When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the time and glittered and hummed. So they beat him down to nothing but sparks but each little spark had a shine and a song. So they covered each one over with mud. And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them hunt for one another, but the mud is deaf and dumb. Like all the other tumbling mud-balls, Janie had tried to show her shine."(Hurston 90). In this passage, Hurston uses syntax and word choice to push through her point. The simple words flow together seamlessly in a rather complex pattern, which causes an air of hidden meanings and messages. It makes the reader question what is hidden beneath, what Janie is really feeling and thinking of. The use of adjectives at the end of the sentences cause this passage to be extremely descriptive and create a scene. The specific adjectives that she uses create a tone of quiet despair and hopelessness.

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #4

Afterward Sue started to contemplate Faith. Faith, what a powerful entity with incredible hands who lives in the heart of every home. The extraordinary being who lived in the rocky building like a frame without a foundation to it, and without walls. What need does Faith have for protection, and what storm can knock against her. She stands in her lofty house that views the universe. Poised attentive and still the entire morning with her weapon at the ready, waiting for news to call her away. Been waiting there ahead of there being a what or a where or a how. She was bound to discover all of her flowers blooming. She was happy and courageous too. Poor Eric! He ought to not need to wrassle in there all by his lonesome. She ordered Ted in to recommend a walk, but Eric said Never. These blossoms wuz acceptable with the doubting, but they wouldn't do a thing about a situation like his. He'd be just fine has soon has the so called, two faced charlatan found a cure to all his grief. He wasn't going to stop believing, period. That was his opinion. But Ted had informed her otherwise, so she was aware. And even if he hadn't, the following day she was certain to know due to the way his gloom started to gather throughout the empty, drafty house. Thoughts that would not have begun to enter his mind showed up, and stayed. Just sitting in the house and waited to overtake him. Grief, that wilted blossom, had fell onto the house.

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #3

After Janie's wedding she goes to live with her husband in his house. "It was a lonesome place like a stump in the middle of the woods where nobody had ever been."(Hurston 21). This quote is emphasised because of the simile comparing the house to a wood. Hurston chose to use a simile to emphasise how drastic a change this seems like to Janie. In her life with Nanny, Janie was able to be bright, happy and her own person but with Logan she cannot be an individual. This quote also foreshadows what Janie's new life will be like, lonely dark and very altered form her old life.

A few months after moving to Eatonville, Joe and Janie's house is built in a very superior fashion. "And look at the way he painted it [the house]- a gloaty, sparkly white."(Hurston 47). The description of the couple's house is full of rich adjectives and imagery. The author uses this imagery to show the reader how luxurious the Starks' house is. It is the first thing that displays the superiority of the mayor's family to that of the rest of the town. Being able to visualize the vast amount of difference between the two groups really helps the reader to be able to understand what Janie is feeling and thinking about her husband.

3) "You know, honey, us colored folks is branches without roots and that makes things come round is queer ways."(Hurston 16).
Metaphor


4) "But nobody moved, nobody spoke, nobody even thought to swallow spit until after her gate slammed behind her."(Hurston 2).
Parallel Structure

5) "You can't welcome uh man and his wife 'thout you make comparison about Isaac and Rebecca at de well, else it don't show de love between 'em if you don't." (Hurston 42).
Allusion

Their Eyes Were Watching God - Journal #2

Ah do believe dat us colored 'omen deserve more! We need tuh stan' up fur more! Reach up tuh de Lawd fur yuhr stregnth and act! Ah been through tuh much tu let de worl' stay dis way. Us 'omen been pushed around tuh much. De menfolk dink dey can just order us tuh do dis and dat. Well us not gonna do it! Us need tuh tell all de menfolk, and all de chillen tuh respect us! Us be cookin' and cleanin' all day, we ain't no servant! Us 'omen of color. Us can never let our will be taken from us. It what we are. Us need tuh stand up! Stan' up fur all de 'omen in our lives. Fur our kissin' friends and fur us. When yuh stumble, always pray tuh de Lawd fur a secon' chance. Us are stronger! Us always need tuh grow. Praise the Lawd Almighty!

Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #1

I perceive Janie has a woman who is very comfortable with herself and who she is has a person. I think that it took her overcoming persecution to become the person that she is today. She has moved past living for other people's opinions and expectations. I think that has a child she was extremely different from the others and remains to march to the beat of her own drum. With the other ladies from the town, she is still looked at with jealousy and I think that is something that has happened her entire life. When she was a child the other girls in class did not like her because of the quality of her hand-me-downs.
I do not think I know the narrator that well yet. From what I did see I think that the narrator is rather relaxed. It seems has if the narrator is telling a story she (I think that the narrator is a woman) has heard many times, but continues to tell anyways. As if she is saying it but is in no hurry to get to the end. The narrator seems to be very mature and experienced. I think that she must be full of storys that are similar to this. Either that, or this is her family story, definetly something close to her heart.