Getting out by Cleopatra Mathis
This poem was just depressing, yet empowering. Although the couples parting was saddening and heartbreaking, I found it compelling that the couple was able to separate because they were unhappy, even though it was hard. Many couples stay together for fear of being apart, but only the strong can separate even though they may still care for one another. This may be seen as selfish, to leave for one's own happiness, but this act can also be seen as selfless. Although they both love each other, they cared about the others happiness enough to end what was causing them so much pain. The poem ends with, "We held on tight, and let go" (Mathis, line 24). This last line reveals that although the couple needed and loved one another, they felt that must let go. It seems almost unfathomable to leave someone one cares about so deeply. To have the strength to let go may even show more love than sticking around and loving halfheartedly.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Blog #3
February by Margaret Atwood
Although there is a lot going on in this poem, I feel the main argument is about the need to get out and do something with one's life. The speaker is alone with their cat in the middle of February, criticizing our sex crazed society and our need for love. The speaker states, " February, month of despair, with a skewered heart in the centre,"(Atwood). The speaker is incredibly pessimistic the whole poem, critiquing the innocent cat and society, when it seems that they are just unhappy with themselves. In the end of the poem, the speaker makes it seem as if it the cat that has been the pessimist the whole time, when in reality, it is the speaker. This helps to adds humor to the negative poem. Lastly, the speak decides it is time to get moving and embrace the coming spring.
blog #2
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
This short story is centered around Louise Mallard, a newly windowed, young woman. Mrs.Mallard must be told the news as lightly as possible due to a serious heart condition she has. Her family fears that the news may trigger the condition and cause her to die. When Mrs.Mallard is told of the upsetting news, she does not die, but begins to feel "something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully,"(Chopin). This remarks foreshadows Louise's death. This mysterious feelings tugs at a Louise, but nothing happens quite yet. Initially, I thought Louise would commit suicide, but in the end, it is her triggered heart condition that takes her life. In a split moment, Louise is stunned by the appearance of Brently Mallard, who I believe is Louise's husband. Seeing him, Louise's heart condition is spurred, causing her to die in the eyes of her alive husband. Irony is see at it's finest in this short story. After the pain and mourning experienced by Louise due to the death of her husband, she then dies when seeing that he is actually alive.
This short story is centered around Louise Mallard, a newly windowed, young woman. Mrs.Mallard must be told the news as lightly as possible due to a serious heart condition she has. Her family fears that the news may trigger the condition and cause her to die. When Mrs.Mallard is told of the upsetting news, she does not die, but begins to feel "something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully,"(Chopin). This remarks foreshadows Louise's death. This mysterious feelings tugs at a Louise, but nothing happens quite yet. Initially, I thought Louise would commit suicide, but in the end, it is her triggered heart condition that takes her life. In a split moment, Louise is stunned by the appearance of Brently Mallard, who I believe is Louise's husband. Seeing him, Louise's heart condition is spurred, causing her to die in the eyes of her alive husband. Irony is see at it's finest in this short story. After the pain and mourning experienced by Louise due to the death of her husband, she then dies when seeing that he is actually alive.
Love me not #1
Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver
This dark short story begins with the dirtying of white snow. After reading the entire story it is clear that this image is used to symbolize the disturbing scene that is about to unfold. The once white snow is becoming dark and grotesque, similar to this once happy family, who is now unfolding at the seams. As the man prepares to leave for good, he sets his eyes on one more possession, the baby. In the end, it is unclear as to what exactly happens to the child, but it can be assumed that whatever happened, it is not good. "In this manner, the issue was decided," (Carver). This vague line leaves readers to fabricate their own interpretation as to what happened to the baby. A once already suspenseful story becomes even more dramatic with this ending cliffhanger. Personally, I think they might have injured the child during the fight. In this case, the baby is left for no one, settling the matter for the two parents.
This dark short story begins with the dirtying of white snow. After reading the entire story it is clear that this image is used to symbolize the disturbing scene that is about to unfold. The once white snow is becoming dark and grotesque, similar to this once happy family, who is now unfolding at the seams. As the man prepares to leave for good, he sets his eyes on one more possession, the baby. In the end, it is unclear as to what exactly happens to the child, but it can be assumed that whatever happened, it is not good. "In this manner, the issue was decided," (Carver). This vague line leaves readers to fabricate their own interpretation as to what happened to the baby. A once already suspenseful story becomes even more dramatic with this ending cliffhanger. Personally, I think they might have injured the child during the fight. In this case, the baby is left for no one, settling the matter for the two parents.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Blog #4
Lonely Hearts by Wendy Cope
In Lonely Hearts by Wendy Cope, the speaker is creating ads in an attempt to find someone who will love them. At this point, it can be assumed that the speaker is rather desperate and lonely, for they do not have any specific standards or type, but is ready to settle for anyone who will love them. The speaker does not care if this person is, "Successful, straight and solvent," or a "Gay vegetarian whose friends are few," (Cope, 973). The speak just wants someone to relieve them of their lonely heart. The desperation and longing can be seen through the repetition of the phrase, "Do you live in North London? Is it you?," (Cope, 973-974). This refrain found throughout the poem reflects upon the speakers search for love. The speak is constantly asking who will love them, longing for the person who will "make my simple wish come true,"(Cope, 974). I feel that this poem is making the notion that the more desperate a person is for love, the more likely they will settle for just about anyone. The speaker is so fixated on the idea of love, but is completely forgetting the concept of falling in love. Love is not suppose to be about sending out desperate ads to everyone and anyone, but finding the one special person that will come into your life at the right time.
In Lonely Hearts by Wendy Cope, the speaker is creating ads in an attempt to find someone who will love them. At this point, it can be assumed that the speaker is rather desperate and lonely, for they do not have any specific standards or type, but is ready to settle for anyone who will love them. The speaker does not care if this person is, "Successful, straight and solvent," or a "Gay vegetarian whose friends are few," (Cope, 973). The speak just wants someone to relieve them of their lonely heart. The desperation and longing can be seen through the repetition of the phrase, "Do you live in North London? Is it you?," (Cope, 973-974). This refrain found throughout the poem reflects upon the speakers search for love. The speak is constantly asking who will love them, longing for the person who will "make my simple wish come true,"(Cope, 974). I feel that this poem is making the notion that the more desperate a person is for love, the more likely they will settle for just about anyone. The speaker is so fixated on the idea of love, but is completely forgetting the concept of falling in love. Love is not suppose to be about sending out desperate ads to everyone and anyone, but finding the one special person that will come into your life at the right time.
Blog #3
Eveline by James Joyce
This short story depicts the troubling choice Eveline has to make between staying with what she is accustom to or choosing a life of adventure and new opportunities. Eveline has lived in the same place her entire life, taking over her mother's position after she passed away. Eveline initially feels that she deserves to be happy; therefore, she plans to run away with her lover, Frank. After reexamining her surrounding though, Eveline begins to second guess her decision. I think Eveline is making the mistakes that so many people do when looking at the past. Instead of recalling previous events as they actually occurred, people tend to think of the past as a much happier time, whether this is actually accurate or not. In Eveline's case, I believe the she is simply fooling herself into believing that her life really hasn't been that bad and that there is no real reason why she should abandon her family. The speaker states, "It was hard work- a hard life- but now that she was about to leave it she did no find it a wholly undesirable life," (Joyce, 220). Here, readers can see the clear doubt Eveline is facing. She is tricking herself into believing that her life really hasn't been that bad, or at least is doable. Regardless, Eveline plans to leave anyway, but freezes up at the last minute, leaving Frank to board the ship while she remains motionless. In that moment, readers can assume that Eveline is giving up her chance to live an out of the ordinary life, and instead is settling to live the typical lifestyle of a woman at the time.
This short story depicts the troubling choice Eveline has to make between staying with what she is accustom to or choosing a life of adventure and new opportunities. Eveline has lived in the same place her entire life, taking over her mother's position after she passed away. Eveline initially feels that she deserves to be happy; therefore, she plans to run away with her lover, Frank. After reexamining her surrounding though, Eveline begins to second guess her decision. I think Eveline is making the mistakes that so many people do when looking at the past. Instead of recalling previous events as they actually occurred, people tend to think of the past as a much happier time, whether this is actually accurate or not. In Eveline's case, I believe the she is simply fooling herself into believing that her life really hasn't been that bad and that there is no real reason why she should abandon her family. The speaker states, "It was hard work- a hard life- but now that she was about to leave it she did no find it a wholly undesirable life," (Joyce, 220). Here, readers can see the clear doubt Eveline is facing. She is tricking herself into believing that her life really hasn't been that bad, or at least is doable. Regardless, Eveline plans to leave anyway, but freezes up at the last minute, leaving Frank to board the ship while she remains motionless. In that moment, readers can assume that Eveline is giving up her chance to live an out of the ordinary life, and instead is settling to live the typical lifestyle of a woman at the time.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Blog #2
Bright Star by John Keats
This short poem is all about the speaker comparing himself to the North Star. In many ways, the speaker wishes to be like this bright star, "steadfast as thou art" (Keats, line 1). This meaning that the speaker longs to be as unwavering and constant as the North Star is. At the same time though, Keats states that he does not wish to be "in lone splendour hung aloft the night,"(Keats, line 2), such as the North Star. I believe this means that the speaker does not wish to be alone like the North Star is, but wishes to be forever in the company of his lover. Readers continue to encounter depths descriptions of the star, especially seen in the simile, "Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,"(Keats, line 4). This simile is describing the calmness and peacefulness of the star to hermit characteristic of nature. Throughout the poem, the speaker chooses bits and pieces of the star in which he does and does not wish to be like. It is clear that there are many aspects of the North Star in which the speaks wishes to inhabit, but at the same, the speaker also sees the flaws and downsides to the star. The speaker wishes to be steadfast like the star, but not all alone in sky. Instead, he wishes to remain steadily with his lover. In the end, the speaker says the if he cannot live forever in the manner as which he has described, then he wishes to be taken from this earth.
This short poem is all about the speaker comparing himself to the North Star. In many ways, the speaker wishes to be like this bright star, "steadfast as thou art" (Keats, line 1). This meaning that the speaker longs to be as unwavering and constant as the North Star is. At the same time though, Keats states that he does not wish to be "in lone splendour hung aloft the night,"(Keats, line 2), such as the North Star. I believe this means that the speaker does not wish to be alone like the North Star is, but wishes to be forever in the company of his lover. Readers continue to encounter depths descriptions of the star, especially seen in the simile, "Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,"(Keats, line 4). This simile is describing the calmness and peacefulness of the star to hermit characteristic of nature. Throughout the poem, the speaker chooses bits and pieces of the star in which he does and does not wish to be like. It is clear that there are many aspects of the North Star in which the speaks wishes to inhabit, but at the same, the speaker also sees the flaws and downsides to the star. The speaker wishes to be steadfast like the star, but not all alone in sky. Instead, he wishes to remain steadily with his lover. In the end, the speaker says the if he cannot live forever in the manner as which he has described, then he wishes to be taken from this earth.
Love Unit Blog #1
How I Met My Husband by Alice Munro
Alice Munro's How I Met My Husband, surprised more than I originally expected. Initially, I believed that Edie would win over Chris, stealing him away from his unwanted fiance. Later, I came to realize that Edie is no different to Chris than any other girl he has fooled around with. The fact that he was planning on abandoning his fiance should have been a clear sign to Edie that this man was by no means committed or moral. Regardless, Edie found herself believing that Chris would write to her and one day come back to see her, but of course this never occurred. I was also very surprised by Edie's brutal honesty about what happened between her and Chris. I never expected her to admit to her relationship with Chris, let alone confess the affair to his fiance! As the story came to a close, I found that the tone shifted from exciting and romantic to dull and uninteresting. The whole story is based around Chris, and then at then end does Munro sneak in a quick page and half about how she met her husband. It's almost as if Munro settled to be with the man she married, while her true love and passion resided with Chris. Munro states, referring to her husband, "He always tells the children the story of how I went after him by sitting by the mailbox everyday, and naturally I laugh and let him, because I like for people to think what pleases them and makes them happy" (Munro, 146). It is ironic, because her husband believes Edie was waiting for him everyday at the mailbox, but in reality, she was waiting for a letter from another man.
Alice Munro's How I Met My Husband, surprised more than I originally expected. Initially, I believed that Edie would win over Chris, stealing him away from his unwanted fiance. Later, I came to realize that Edie is no different to Chris than any other girl he has fooled around with. The fact that he was planning on abandoning his fiance should have been a clear sign to Edie that this man was by no means committed or moral. Regardless, Edie found herself believing that Chris would write to her and one day come back to see her, but of course this never occurred. I was also very surprised by Edie's brutal honesty about what happened between her and Chris. I never expected her to admit to her relationship with Chris, let alone confess the affair to his fiance! As the story came to a close, I found that the tone shifted from exciting and romantic to dull and uninteresting. The whole story is based around Chris, and then at then end does Munro sneak in a quick page and half about how she met her husband. It's almost as if Munro settled to be with the man she married, while her true love and passion resided with Chris. Munro states, referring to her husband, "He always tells the children the story of how I went after him by sitting by the mailbox everyday, and naturally I laugh and let him, because I like for people to think what pleases them and makes them happy" (Munro, 146). It is ironic, because her husband believes Edie was waiting for him everyday at the mailbox, but in reality, she was waiting for a letter from another man.
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