20th and final posting
11.45 a.m. 4th September 2008
Well, all good things must come to an end. I had a real fun time exploring, finding out and explaining from what I went through while in the midst of completing my EDU 3234 assignments. I have successfully come up with my thesis statement and five points of argument for my position paper. I am happy with the thorough research I have done on Kate Chopin's 'The Storm' for my third assignment and also explaining about Dr. Edwin' module. It is most exciting when I actually have to blog and tell you guys all about it!
I hope any reader who reads my blog will find my postings wonderful. Readers out there! Don't skim and scan okay, just enjoy reading each and every posting at your own pace. I hope that all of you would gain information that would encourage you to read the two short stories by yourselves. I'm positive that you guys and gals out there will have a blast of a time reading. I hope Dr. Edwin would feel the same way too.
A rather hard work, I would say. Till then take care and bye.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Evaluation - (continuation part 2)
19th posting
7.15 a.m. 4th September 2008
Love letters by John Keats are very inspirational to those lovebirds out there who are busy courting each other. Love letters are so powerful even when those being courted who play hard to get, would melt away just by the powerful words used. These letters can simply inspire those who are in love to come up with their own ways to write love letters. I can almost feel what the writer feels for the lady he loves and I am able to imagine the era the letters were written. From here we can also learn the way they lived and what goes through in the writer's mind when he writes. Though this is not a suitable topic for our students of lower forms, I feel these letters are vital when it comes to case studies for the upper secondary.
Andy Warhol's diary entries are somewhat personal but made public. From here we can see what he saw and how he lived and the people he had met when he was in the movie industry. We in turn, learn how most people who have connection with him have lived in glitz and glamour during those times. I reckon that he was living in a world full of gossips and rivalry. We can somewhat see what he went through and at times we can relate how he feels with what we have felt at some point in our lives. We can even distinguish the good and the bad feelings he had when he met certain people whom he liked and disliked. This in turn lets us know and be aware that we are open to people's criticism on us on the way we live, the way we carry ourselves, the way we speak and our actions. Indirectly, Andy Warhol's entries stir us to be wise at all times when we are to be in public eye or view or to have any business with people at large. Though it is important to know what the undertakings that a writer takes are, I feel entries such as these are not suitable for secondary school students in Malaysia as the entries are a little vulgar.
Essays by E.M. Forster and George Orwell are truly educational when it comes to enhancing ones vocabulary, strengthen one's word power and gaining fruitful ideas and is most suitable for students as these essays not only give them clues on how to go about writing but also give them some insights into how a writer feels when he/she is confronted with dangerous situation. In George Orwell's 'Shooting an Elephant', the writer is held accountable for his own actions. This will not only enhance the student's vocabularies and word power but they also learn to make wise judgements and to be truthful to themselves if they are confronted with similar situations in their lives. I for one, am an avid reader of essays be it of essays written from real accounts or by imagination and I must say that I used some of the ideas from my readings to write my own powerful essays during and since my school days. Because of the useful info I get from ample reading, I have at times manage to settle many issues in my life successfully.
The Critical Analysis of Literary Works such as the Reader Response Criticism is very informative and important because as an English teacher, I must utilize reader response in my lessons when reading a literary text so that learners can give their personal responses. The best part is that meaning is created by the reader. In order to see all this, I have to change my classroom's environment from teacher centered to learner centered where students are given the central position. This way, students will feel very interested as this will give them the opportunity to give their opinions and express themselves on certain text they are reading and this will not only invoke their desire to actively involve in their lesson but also will boost their self esteem. This will make them feel important as their contribution will be recognized. I have also found out the wonderful part of deconstruction done in literary texts, as this allows students to be more critical where at this point they have to examine what is silent and unsaid in literary texts.
Students can also read texts of different theories and ideologies such as from the Marxist Criticism, Psychological Criticism and Archetypal Criticism. Marxist Criticism helps students to understand how economic forces determine the lives of people in a society or societies. We can analyze using this criticism by looking at the estate workers and also the lives of rubber tappers in Malaysia. Students can learn about Psychological Criticism and utilize them whenever they are doing their critical studies on plays.
Many of us love to dream and some of us do believe in myths. Students who are prone to this will do their critical work using the Archetypal Criticism as both the author and the reader share some unconscious collective memories. This will give them the opportunity to be more analytical and critical in their readings and studies in general. This will also broaden their mind because of the information they receive from their readings. However, students need to be careful as there have been criticisms regarding each one of them.
There are many women who are movers and shakers and Feminist Criticism is a suitable avenue for students to do some critical study. This criticism allows readers to voice their concerns related to women in literary texts. How women are portrayed, positioned and represented in societies since time immemorial will truly inspire students to appreciate women's struggle for equal rights and freedom of speech and also freedom as a whole. Women's issues can be raised and discussed in literature classroom when reading literary texts by employing this Feminist Criticism. I am sure students will find women's successful achievements in a male dominated world truly inspirational in their readings and have an impact in their lives. Women all over who read anything pertaining to the success of women in this world whether in the literary world or other matters should feel inspirational and liberated so that this feeling will help propel them to greater heights in whatever they do.
My final posting, next.
7.15 a.m. 4th September 2008
Love letters by John Keats are very inspirational to those lovebirds out there who are busy courting each other. Love letters are so powerful even when those being courted who play hard to get, would melt away just by the powerful words used. These letters can simply inspire those who are in love to come up with their own ways to write love letters. I can almost feel what the writer feels for the lady he loves and I am able to imagine the era the letters were written. From here we can also learn the way they lived and what goes through in the writer's mind when he writes. Though this is not a suitable topic for our students of lower forms, I feel these letters are vital when it comes to case studies for the upper secondary.
Andy Warhol's diary entries are somewhat personal but made public. From here we can see what he saw and how he lived and the people he had met when he was in the movie industry. We in turn, learn how most people who have connection with him have lived in glitz and glamour during those times. I reckon that he was living in a world full of gossips and rivalry. We can somewhat see what he went through and at times we can relate how he feels with what we have felt at some point in our lives. We can even distinguish the good and the bad feelings he had when he met certain people whom he liked and disliked. This in turn lets us know and be aware that we are open to people's criticism on us on the way we live, the way we carry ourselves, the way we speak and our actions. Indirectly, Andy Warhol's entries stir us to be wise at all times when we are to be in public eye or view or to have any business with people at large. Though it is important to know what the undertakings that a writer takes are, I feel entries such as these are not suitable for secondary school students in Malaysia as the entries are a little vulgar.
Essays by E.M. Forster and George Orwell are truly educational when it comes to enhancing ones vocabulary, strengthen one's word power and gaining fruitful ideas and is most suitable for students as these essays not only give them clues on how to go about writing but also give them some insights into how a writer feels when he/she is confronted with dangerous situation. In George Orwell's 'Shooting an Elephant', the writer is held accountable for his own actions. This will not only enhance the student's vocabularies and word power but they also learn to make wise judgements and to be truthful to themselves if they are confronted with similar situations in their lives. I for one, am an avid reader of essays be it of essays written from real accounts or by imagination and I must say that I used some of the ideas from my readings to write my own powerful essays during and since my school days. Because of the useful info I get from ample reading, I have at times manage to settle many issues in my life successfully.
The Critical Analysis of Literary Works such as the Reader Response Criticism is very informative and important because as an English teacher, I must utilize reader response in my lessons when reading a literary text so that learners can give their personal responses. The best part is that meaning is created by the reader. In order to see all this, I have to change my classroom's environment from teacher centered to learner centered where students are given the central position. This way, students will feel very interested as this will give them the opportunity to give their opinions and express themselves on certain text they are reading and this will not only invoke their desire to actively involve in their lesson but also will boost their self esteem. This will make them feel important as their contribution will be recognized. I have also found out the wonderful part of deconstruction done in literary texts, as this allows students to be more critical where at this point they have to examine what is silent and unsaid in literary texts.
Students can also read texts of different theories and ideologies such as from the Marxist Criticism, Psychological Criticism and Archetypal Criticism. Marxist Criticism helps students to understand how economic forces determine the lives of people in a society or societies. We can analyze using this criticism by looking at the estate workers and also the lives of rubber tappers in Malaysia. Students can learn about Psychological Criticism and utilize them whenever they are doing their critical studies on plays.
Many of us love to dream and some of us do believe in myths. Students who are prone to this will do their critical work using the Archetypal Criticism as both the author and the reader share some unconscious collective memories. This will give them the opportunity to be more analytical and critical in their readings and studies in general. This will also broaden their mind because of the information they receive from their readings. However, students need to be careful as there have been criticisms regarding each one of them.
There are many women who are movers and shakers and Feminist Criticism is a suitable avenue for students to do some critical study. This criticism allows readers to voice their concerns related to women in literary texts. How women are portrayed, positioned and represented in societies since time immemorial will truly inspire students to appreciate women's struggle for equal rights and freedom of speech and also freedom as a whole. Women's issues can be raised and discussed in literature classroom when reading literary texts by employing this Feminist Criticism. I am sure students will find women's successful achievements in a male dominated world truly inspirational in their readings and have an impact in their lives. Women all over who read anything pertaining to the success of women in this world whether in the literary world or other matters should feel inspirational and liberated so that this feeling will help propel them to greater heights in whatever they do.
My final posting, next.
Evaluation (continuation-part 1)
18th posting
11.07 p.m. 3rd September 2008
'The Storm' has given us another chance to weigh the pros and cons when it came to life's funny ways of 'disturbing peoples feelings'. Indirectly, we are also getting educated in terms of morals and how to uplift them.
Let's concentrate on the module now. Dr. Edwin's module has been a delightful read. Autobiographies of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela were truly inspirational, stories from fables, folktales etc have taught us good morale values and the teachings on the do's and don'ts plus the punishments meted on as a result of one's wrongdoings. They never fail to fascinate us again and again.
Poems like Erica Jong's 'The Rose' and Hillary Tham's 'Becoming a woman' is very much universal. Though I feel they are not suitable for young children but these poems of sort are very true in invoking our attention on issues that normally have been overlooked by the adults. Women of all generation (minus the young ones) can relate to what is being depicted in the poem to their lives. These poems can also be taken as educational to women all over. Stories from the minority groups are also an eye opener as they make us realize on how fortunate we are and that we should appreciate what life has given and still giving us.
Marginalized groups' works are somewhat patriotic as they remind people of the struggle one have to endure to gain freedom. This in turn, teaches us to be more appreciative and giving as we are a fortunate lot in anything that we wish to undertake unlike those who have to struggle for respect apart from freedom. Marginalized writers are more prone to writing works that make us see what an ugly thing it is to look at people base on their race, colour, creed, religion etc. instead of looking at people for their contribution towards societies and nations.
Next, love letters!
11.07 p.m. 3rd September 2008
'The Storm' has given us another chance to weigh the pros and cons when it came to life's funny ways of 'disturbing peoples feelings'. Indirectly, we are also getting educated in terms of morals and how to uplift them.
Let's concentrate on the module now. Dr. Edwin's module has been a delightful read. Autobiographies of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela were truly inspirational, stories from fables, folktales etc have taught us good morale values and the teachings on the do's and don'ts plus the punishments meted on as a result of one's wrongdoings. They never fail to fascinate us again and again.
Poems like Erica Jong's 'The Rose' and Hillary Tham's 'Becoming a woman' is very much universal. Though I feel they are not suitable for young children but these poems of sort are very true in invoking our attention on issues that normally have been overlooked by the adults. Women of all generation (minus the young ones) can relate to what is being depicted in the poem to their lives. These poems can also be taken as educational to women all over. Stories from the minority groups are also an eye opener as they make us realize on how fortunate we are and that we should appreciate what life has given and still giving us.
Marginalized groups' works are somewhat patriotic as they remind people of the struggle one have to endure to gain freedom. This in turn, teaches us to be more appreciative and giving as we are a fortunate lot in anything that we wish to undertake unlike those who have to struggle for respect apart from freedom. Marginalized writers are more prone to writing works that make us see what an ugly thing it is to look at people base on their race, colour, creed, religion etc. instead of looking at people for their contribution towards societies and nations.
Next, love letters!
Evaluation on my position paper, research paper and the module
17th posting
6.45 p.m. 3rd September 2008
From the evaluation that I have done, I have found that despite Miss. Emily's wrong doings, we are carried throughout the story without hate or resentfulness towards the character. Faulkner carefully gets our sympathy as if it was sort of fate that befall Miss. Emily, which carried on till her death. She is portrayed as a woman of substance, with strong will power and grit. She finally poisons her boyfriend, Homer Barron and lives and sleeps beside his corpse, holding on to the past as in the death of her father. Miss. Emily's character stands out as status symbol in her community.
On the other hand, in 'The Storm', we are given the chance to identify human feelings that head towards terrible outcomes in terrible circumstances. The way the story goes is pretty clear. Holy matrimony between couples is a sanctified agreement but then sex, lust and love don't seem to synergies at times. This is one of the major weaknesses of human beings when it comes to feelings which have been clearly shown to the readers by the author's choice of words and their strong word power. All of us have come across storms of many sorts at some point of time in our lives but the only thing that is obvious or shall I say is shocking, is the laid back attitudes of the adulterous couples in taking their sins committed very lightly. Even generally when we readers know this is wrong, we are forced to accept whether we like it or not that these circumstances are uncontrollable and sometimes bound to happen in a society and it is very much here to stay as this is part and parcel of life that we sometimes have to face. Offences committed in circumstantial situations whether they are done by consenting adults or otherwise, always deemed to question our opinion and challenge our judgement. So it is up to us to weigh the pros and cons of certain things considered offensive in order to navigate our lives more meaningfully.
There are more to my evaluation. So, keep on reading..
6.45 p.m. 3rd September 2008
From the evaluation that I have done, I have found that despite Miss. Emily's wrong doings, we are carried throughout the story without hate or resentfulness towards the character. Faulkner carefully gets our sympathy as if it was sort of fate that befall Miss. Emily, which carried on till her death. She is portrayed as a woman of substance, with strong will power and grit. She finally poisons her boyfriend, Homer Barron and lives and sleeps beside his corpse, holding on to the past as in the death of her father. Miss. Emily's character stands out as status symbol in her community.
On the other hand, in 'The Storm', we are given the chance to identify human feelings that head towards terrible outcomes in terrible circumstances. The way the story goes is pretty clear. Holy matrimony between couples is a sanctified agreement but then sex, lust and love don't seem to synergies at times. This is one of the major weaknesses of human beings when it comes to feelings which have been clearly shown to the readers by the author's choice of words and their strong word power. All of us have come across storms of many sorts at some point of time in our lives but the only thing that is obvious or shall I say is shocking, is the laid back attitudes of the adulterous couples in taking their sins committed very lightly. Even generally when we readers know this is wrong, we are forced to accept whether we like it or not that these circumstances are uncontrollable and sometimes bound to happen in a society and it is very much here to stay as this is part and parcel of life that we sometimes have to face. Offences committed in circumstantial situations whether they are done by consenting adults or otherwise, always deemed to question our opinion and challenge our judgement. So it is up to us to weigh the pros and cons of certain things considered offensive in order to navigate our lives more meaningfully.
There are more to my evaluation. So, keep on reading..
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Close to a wrap- summary of events in 'A Rose for Emily'
16th posting
11.25 a.m. 3rd September 2008
Since it is coming close to an end, let me summarize the events in William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' in a list instead of the normal convention of a summary.
1. Miss Emily's father dies and she does not admit and clings onto his body for three days. After much persuasion from the authorities and some of the towns people, only then did she agreed.
2. Miss Emily is left penniless except for the old rickety house her father has left her.
3. She meets Homer Barron and falls head over heels in love with him. He, on the other hand, jilts her which made her furious.
4. She in turn buys an arsenic poison from the drugstore and murders him, which is not explicit but comes to light in the end.
5. The alderman comes to collect tax from Miss. Emily, but she refuses to pay and did not acknowledge the tax and refers to Colonel Sartoris who has been dead long ago.
6. Miss. Emily dies and the town folks come for the funeral.
7. The town folks break open a room in the old mansion. To their horror they, found the skeleton of Homer Barron plus his belongings.
8. They have also found that there is a strand of hair which belonged to Miss. Emily on the indented pillow.
This is not the end of my posting yet. I have to let you know on the evaluation I have done based on Kate Chopin's 'The Storm', William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' and also Dr. Edwin's module. This is only the 16th posting. I have 4 more postings for you to read so, get ready for post number 17, next.
Cheers.
11.25 a.m. 3rd September 2008
Since it is coming close to an end, let me summarize the events in William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' in a list instead of the normal convention of a summary.
1. Miss Emily's father dies and she does not admit and clings onto his body for three days. After much persuasion from the authorities and some of the towns people, only then did she agreed.
2. Miss Emily is left penniless except for the old rickety house her father has left her.
3. She meets Homer Barron and falls head over heels in love with him. He, on the other hand, jilts her which made her furious.
4. She in turn buys an arsenic poison from the drugstore and murders him, which is not explicit but comes to light in the end.
5. The alderman comes to collect tax from Miss. Emily, but she refuses to pay and did not acknowledge the tax and refers to Colonel Sartoris who has been dead long ago.
6. Miss. Emily dies and the town folks come for the funeral.
7. The town folks break open a room in the old mansion. To their horror they, found the skeleton of Homer Barron plus his belongings.
8. They have also found that there is a strand of hair which belonged to Miss. Emily on the indented pillow.
This is not the end of my posting yet. I have to let you know on the evaluation I have done based on Kate Chopin's 'The Storm', William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' and also Dr. Edwin's module. This is only the 16th posting. I have 4 more postings for you to read so, get ready for post number 17, next.
Cheers.
Style and irony that is clear in 'A Rose for Emily'
15th posting
5.10 p.m. 2nd September 2008
The story is told from a non participant narrator's point of view. The writer gives us a vivid imagination of the house by using words to deepen the readers understanding by conveying the situation and also on exact details like: eyesore among eyesore, dust, dark, shadow, rats, disuse and dank smell. All these describes about decay and bad omens. There is clearly no cheerfulness about the story. Here again, the diction is used in such a way that the writer depicts in a real manner that can make any reader bring themselves into the story.
The words are cleverly chosen to give an impact on the readers about dreadful things like death itself. The irony would be that even though the character of Miss. Emily rejects the town people and the community folks, yet the folks feel it is their duty to know what happens to her. They even wrote to her relatives: "the next Sunday the minister's wife wrote to her relatives in Alabama".
Will come up with more information in my 16th posting later. Cheers.
5.10 p.m. 2nd September 2008
The story is told from a non participant narrator's point of view. The writer gives us a vivid imagination of the house by using words to deepen the readers understanding by conveying the situation and also on exact details like: eyesore among eyesore, dust, dark, shadow, rats, disuse and dank smell. All these describes about decay and bad omens. There is clearly no cheerfulness about the story. Here again, the diction is used in such a way that the writer depicts in a real manner that can make any reader bring themselves into the story.
The words are cleverly chosen to give an impact on the readers about dreadful things like death itself. The irony would be that even though the character of Miss. Emily rejects the town people and the community folks, yet the folks feel it is their duty to know what happens to her. They even wrote to her relatives: "the next Sunday the minister's wife wrote to her relatives in Alabama".
Will come up with more information in my 16th posting later. Cheers.
Monday, September 1, 2008
The atmosphere, theme and symbol created by William Faulkner in 'A Rose for Emily'
14 th posting
1.15 p.m. 2nd September 2008
William Faulkner has created the setting for this story in such a way that I actually feel that I am there seeing it for myself. I can imagine how the place looks like and the people plus their outfits, including Miss. Emily too. It could be due to my watching a lot of western movies that depicts all kinds of era, from 18th century up till now.
The setting of time in 'A Rose for Emily' is set somewhere in the year 1894 when there was black slavery in English towns. Slavery is very evident as Emily herself has a black servant who is very loyal to her. The setting of place is obviously got to be Miss. Emily's house which is all grey, dusty and old. This is evident and I quote "they were admitted by an old Negro into a dim hall from which a stairway mounted into still more shadow. It smelled of dust and misuse- a close dank smell. When they sat down, a faint dust rose sluggishly about their thighs, spinning with slow motes in the single sun-ray".
This short story's theme is not clearly implied by the narrator but could be considered as the pride of the Southerners in the past; the grandeur of their past meaning and the status of their people of that time, just as the Griersons.
As far as symbols are concerned, the rose gathered sympathy for the character, an Ebony cane with a tarnished gold head. The tarnished gold head can even symbolize the past grandeur which is just a note on paper of an archaic shape in a thin flowing calligraphy in faded ink. The invisible watch ticking at the end of the gold chain shows that the eerie silence that prevailed in Emily's house. The strand of hair which was found on her pillow which had indentation is a strong symbol to this story. It shows how Miss. Emily held on to the past.
1.15 p.m. 2nd September 2008
William Faulkner has created the setting for this story in such a way that I actually feel that I am there seeing it for myself. I can imagine how the place looks like and the people plus their outfits, including Miss. Emily too. It could be due to my watching a lot of western movies that depicts all kinds of era, from 18th century up till now.
The setting of time in 'A Rose for Emily' is set somewhere in the year 1894 when there was black slavery in English towns. Slavery is very evident as Emily herself has a black servant who is very loyal to her. The setting of place is obviously got to be Miss. Emily's house which is all grey, dusty and old. This is evident and I quote "they were admitted by an old Negro into a dim hall from which a stairway mounted into still more shadow. It smelled of dust and misuse- a close dank smell. When they sat down, a faint dust rose sluggishly about their thighs, spinning with slow motes in the single sun-ray".
This short story's theme is not clearly implied by the narrator but could be considered as the pride of the Southerners in the past; the grandeur of their past meaning and the status of their people of that time, just as the Griersons.
As far as symbols are concerned, the rose gathered sympathy for the character, an Ebony cane with a tarnished gold head. The tarnished gold head can even symbolize the past grandeur which is just a note on paper of an archaic shape in a thin flowing calligraphy in faded ink. The invisible watch ticking at the end of the gold chain shows that the eerie silence that prevailed in Emily's house. The strand of hair which was found on her pillow which had indentation is a strong symbol to this story. It shows how Miss. Emily held on to the past.
The tone in William Faulkner's ' A Rose for Emily'
13th posting
9.05 p.m. 1st of September 2008
Even though we know that Miss. Emily is a proud woman, the tone of the narrator is very sympathetic towards her. She is pitied upon even though there is a touch of madness in her. The narrator cleverly takes the readers back and forth so that they will understand and see the character from a point of view and this is a skill that is normally very difficult to put into effect in a story that makes it a page turner.
Miss. Emily's unchangeable ways due to her aristocratic lineage made things very difficult for her without her realizing it. The tax collection part simply showed that she is very aloof and never takes the initiative to wake up and smell the coffee regarding the time change. She still sticks to what Colonel Sartoris had said during her father's time and is very adamant with the 'promise' that Colonel Sartoris made even if the 'promise' has been outdated, obsolete and with Colonel Sartoris being long dead. She is so stubborn when the drug store clerk told her that she needed to tell him what the poison she wanted is needed for, she simply stared at him as if she knows best and need not be questioned as she is one of the most important figure in the society. Her unwillingness to change was further understood from the way she keeps her house, so worn down and rickety. Not only that, due to her attitude and stubbornness, loneliness has caused her, her mental peace as she always feels insecure about her life entirely, whether when she was with her father or after her father's death.
Because of her insecurity and her aloofness and scores of other negative attitudes in her, she has chased away the very few visitors that often visited her. Here, her morality declined as she was turning into a very bitter woman.
The narrator's tone throughout the story is remarkable because he keeps us guessing on what is going to happen next. I had a tough time guessing on the outcome. I had many possibilities running through my mind but nothing seem prepared me for what I was about to find out. The narrator keeps his distance but is never precisely identified. There is an internal conflict which the narrator wants to convey. What a fantastic way to keep the readers glued to the story!
Stay tuned because there is more to be found out.
9.05 p.m. 1st of September 2008
Even though we know that Miss. Emily is a proud woman, the tone of the narrator is very sympathetic towards her. She is pitied upon even though there is a touch of madness in her. The narrator cleverly takes the readers back and forth so that they will understand and see the character from a point of view and this is a skill that is normally very difficult to put into effect in a story that makes it a page turner.
Miss. Emily's unchangeable ways due to her aristocratic lineage made things very difficult for her without her realizing it. The tax collection part simply showed that she is very aloof and never takes the initiative to wake up and smell the coffee regarding the time change. She still sticks to what Colonel Sartoris had said during her father's time and is very adamant with the 'promise' that Colonel Sartoris made even if the 'promise' has been outdated, obsolete and with Colonel Sartoris being long dead. She is so stubborn when the drug store clerk told her that she needed to tell him what the poison she wanted is needed for, she simply stared at him as if she knows best and need not be questioned as she is one of the most important figure in the society. Her unwillingness to change was further understood from the way she keeps her house, so worn down and rickety. Not only that, due to her attitude and stubbornness, loneliness has caused her, her mental peace as she always feels insecure about her life entirely, whether when she was with her father or after her father's death.
Because of her insecurity and her aloofness and scores of other negative attitudes in her, she has chased away the very few visitors that often visited her. Here, her morality declined as she was turning into a very bitter woman.
The narrator's tone throughout the story is remarkable because he keeps us guessing on what is going to happen next. I had a tough time guessing on the outcome. I had many possibilities running through my mind but nothing seem prepared me for what I was about to find out. The narrator keeps his distance but is never precisely identified. There is an internal conflict which the narrator wants to convey. What a fantastic way to keep the readers glued to the story!
Stay tuned because there is more to be found out.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Position Paper on William Faulkner's ' A Rose for Emily'
12th posting
11.15 a.m. 1st Sept 2008
Lets see what William Faulkner has to offer. I chose one of his short stories ' A Rose For Emily' for my position paper. This story has become one of my most loved stories after I was introduced to it by Assoc. Professor Dr. Rosli Talif. This was how my interest in Literature deepened. The narrator of this story is a non participant narrator and I am again fascinated with the diction used by the author to write this story. It is easy to understand and makes one's reading a pleasure. Now I am given the opportunity by Assoc. Professor Dr. Edwin M. Vethamani to find what is the thesis statement and 5 points of argument and what's more fantastic is that I am given a choice to select a story at my own pleasure. So obviously, I selected one of my favourites, the above title and these are the outcomes:
Thesis Statement: 'Unwilling to change with times due to her stubbornness and pride that led to the acceleration of her moral decadence and Mental Decline'
The five points of arguments why I said so to support my position paper are 1)Point 1- Tax Collection (2)Point 2 – The Visit To The Drug Store That Shows Her Stubbornness (3)Point 3- Emily’s House (4)Point 4- Emily’s Mental Decline and (5)Point 5- Emily’s Decadence in Morality. I have mentioned about this in my 3rd blog.
In the horror story ‘Rose for Emily’, William Faulkner portrayed Emily’s character as a woman who is full of pride and always defying and denying about anything and everything due to her aloofness and her aristocratic lineage. She is a lady of some social standing in that Southern community. She has deemed herself to adhere certain stringent rules that her father and forefathers have instilled in the upbringing of her family as how aristocratic Southerners would have practiced. She is described as a grand lady who never gives away her pride. She does not let go of her past and she can’t seem to come to terms about many things and stays aloof throughout the story. Some might consider her to be abnormal or mad such as when her father passed away, it was a devastating loss for her.
The lines from the story “She told them her father was not dead. She did that for three days,” (Scene II, 11th paragraph ,p.32) conveys the message that she tried to hold on to him, even after his death. Even though, this was a sad moment for Emily, but she was liberated from the control of her father. Despite her newfound freedom, her whole life came to a halt after the death of her father. Nevertheless, she remained much as a person who earns the peoples’ respect. This can be noted from the opening statement by the author describing Emily as “a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument” (Scene 1, 1st paragraph, p. 29)
The other character is Homer Baron who is described as a foreman and a Northerner. He was a day labourer and was courting Miss. Emily which the town's people were not happy at all because he had this weird attachment to men and boys.
I am so excited and I can't wait to tell you more about my findings in my 13th posting.
11.15 a.m. 1st Sept 2008
Lets see what William Faulkner has to offer. I chose one of his short stories ' A Rose For Emily' for my position paper. This story has become one of my most loved stories after I was introduced to it by Assoc. Professor Dr. Rosli Talif. This was how my interest in Literature deepened. The narrator of this story is a non participant narrator and I am again fascinated with the diction used by the author to write this story. It is easy to understand and makes one's reading a pleasure. Now I am given the opportunity by Assoc. Professor Dr. Edwin M. Vethamani to find what is the thesis statement and 5 points of argument and what's more fantastic is that I am given a choice to select a story at my own pleasure. So obviously, I selected one of my favourites, the above title and these are the outcomes:
Thesis Statement: 'Unwilling to change with times due to her stubbornness and pride that led to the acceleration of her moral decadence and Mental Decline'
The five points of arguments why I said so to support my position paper are 1)Point 1- Tax Collection (2)Point 2 – The Visit To The Drug Store That Shows Her Stubbornness (3)Point 3- Emily’s House (4)Point 4- Emily’s Mental Decline and (5)Point 5- Emily’s Decadence in Morality. I have mentioned about this in my 3rd blog.
In the horror story ‘Rose for Emily’, William Faulkner portrayed Emily’s character as a woman who is full of pride and always defying and denying about anything and everything due to her aloofness and her aristocratic lineage. She is a lady of some social standing in that Southern community. She has deemed herself to adhere certain stringent rules that her father and forefathers have instilled in the upbringing of her family as how aristocratic Southerners would have practiced. She is described as a grand lady who never gives away her pride. She does not let go of her past and she can’t seem to come to terms about many things and stays aloof throughout the story. Some might consider her to be abnormal or mad such as when her father passed away, it was a devastating loss for her.
The lines from the story “She told them her father was not dead. She did that for three days,” (Scene II, 11th paragraph ,p.32) conveys the message that she tried to hold on to him, even after his death. Even though, this was a sad moment for Emily, but she was liberated from the control of her father. Despite her newfound freedom, her whole life came to a halt after the death of her father. Nevertheless, she remained much as a person who earns the peoples’ respect. This can be noted from the opening statement by the author describing Emily as “a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument” (Scene 1, 1st paragraph, p. 29)
The other character is Homer Baron who is described as a foreman and a Northerner. He was a day labourer and was courting Miss. Emily which the town's people were not happy at all because he had this weird attachment to men and boys.
I am so excited and I can't wait to tell you more about my findings in my 13th posting.
Kate Chopin's 'The Storm' - That's a Wrap
11th posting
1.15 a.m. 1st Sept 2008
Gosh! Look at the time! But I am not sleepy yet, you know.
Before I wrap up my research on Kate Chopin's ' The Storm' and move on to William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' which I have done for my position paper, let me summarize the main events for easy understanding.
In the story ' The Storm', we are first made aware of the impending bad weather. Due to that, Calixta's husband, Bobinot and their son, Bibi were not able to go home as planned but forced to stay back at the store. In the meantime, at home, Calixta becomes aware of the storm and gets ready while, Mr. Alcee Laballiere rides in for shelter. Calixta is unaware of another kind of 'storm' which is about to hit her.
Even though in the beginning, Mr.Alcee and Calixta are very civil to each other but as the storm progresses, one touch leads to another and they become intimate. They recall a short fling in Assumption five years ago when Calixta was unmarried and later due to mutual attraction, had a passionate affair. Calixta and M'siur Alcee parted as the storm ends. Calixta's husband, Bobinot together with their son, Bibi came home expecting Calixta to be over scrupulous as usual, but on the other hand, she seemed concerned and only happy that they are back safely. They had a small celebration with the shrimps Bobinot had bought for her. In the mean time, Mr. Alcee writes a loving letter to his wife Clarisse to stay longer at the bay and that he is getting along well and misses her and their children. Kate Chopin leaves us to infer the underlying meaning of that 'loving letter'.
Well that's about it for the research paper that I did on Kate Chopin's ' The Storm'. I must say I had a wonderful time reading this short story over and over again, all for the sake of my fascination on Chopin's diction. I am always at awe as to how Chopin put her words depicting all the details very clearly and in a very real and spontaneous tone. As I am reading page by page, I just didn't have any idea as to what's going to happen in the next line because of the suspense and thrill that she puts into her story in the way she did.
Sleepy or not, I have to retire anyhow. Will start telling you about my position paper after some hours okay.
1.15 a.m. 1st Sept 2008
Gosh! Look at the time! But I am not sleepy yet, you know.
Before I wrap up my research on Kate Chopin's ' The Storm' and move on to William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' which I have done for my position paper, let me summarize the main events for easy understanding.
In the story ' The Storm', we are first made aware of the impending bad weather. Due to that, Calixta's husband, Bobinot and their son, Bibi were not able to go home as planned but forced to stay back at the store. In the meantime, at home, Calixta becomes aware of the storm and gets ready while, Mr. Alcee Laballiere rides in for shelter. Calixta is unaware of another kind of 'storm' which is about to hit her.
Even though in the beginning, Mr.Alcee and Calixta are very civil to each other but as the storm progresses, one touch leads to another and they become intimate. They recall a short fling in Assumption five years ago when Calixta was unmarried and later due to mutual attraction, had a passionate affair. Calixta and M'siur Alcee parted as the storm ends. Calixta's husband, Bobinot together with their son, Bibi came home expecting Calixta to be over scrupulous as usual, but on the other hand, she seemed concerned and only happy that they are back safely. They had a small celebration with the shrimps Bobinot had bought for her. In the mean time, Mr. Alcee writes a loving letter to his wife Clarisse to stay longer at the bay and that he is getting along well and misses her and their children. Kate Chopin leaves us to infer the underlying meaning of that 'loving letter'.
Well that's about it for the research paper that I did on Kate Chopin's ' The Storm'. I must say I had a wonderful time reading this short story over and over again, all for the sake of my fascination on Chopin's diction. I am always at awe as to how Chopin put her words depicting all the details very clearly and in a very real and spontaneous tone. As I am reading page by page, I just didn't have any idea as to what's going to happen in the next line because of the suspense and thrill that she puts into her story in the way she did.
Sleepy or not, I have to retire anyhow. Will start telling you about my position paper after some hours okay.
The other significant characters in Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'
10th posting
4.50 p.m. 31st August 2008
Hello again.
I have been explaining about many issues in Kate Chopin's 'The Storm' but I guess I have overlooked on the other vital characters which have not been given due importance but only given the 'touch and go'. The characters that I am talking about are that of Calixta's husband Bobinot, their son Bibi and the person, where least attention has been given to, Clarisse who is Alcee's wife. All readers will agree that Bobinot is a dutiful and a loving husband. The moment an unexpected storm sets in, he re-enters the store and buys a tin of shrimps which is his wife's favourite. That shows his deep love for his wife. It is as though he wants to make up for not being there with her during the turbulent weather. Poor fellow, he's so naive when it comes to his wife's adulterous ways. Well, it's not his fault anyway. He has never seen the other part of her character before. She has portrayed herself as a dutiful wife at all times. That little son of hers, Bibi, he too always thinks about his mother when he questions his father about how she would be coping during the storm. The little one also never fails to think about his mother especially her safety when some kind of uncertainty befalls and separates them temporarily on that day. Such are the humble traits of the two. We must not forget about Alcee's wife who has just given birth to Alcee's babies. She is a victim too. She never came to know about her husband's adulterous ways. These are the very people who became the innocent victims of this story. Alcee is also an important character even if he only comes briefly in the story. But one must not forget as he is the biggest storm that has hit the whole family by seducing Calixta that led her into being an adulterous. Why I say so is because during this storm, Calixta betrayed Bobinot for the first time or probably for the last time too. Well, this is really up to the readers to infer whether this is the last time she would betray her husband. Alcee actually comes for shelter but he had other agenda as to fulfill his lust. He cleverly seduces Calixta by invoking the burning passion in her for him that had been dormant after her marriage to Bobinot, knowing very well that both of them are committed to their respective spouses by the sacred vows they have taken.
4.50 p.m. 31st August 2008
Hello again.
I have been explaining about many issues in Kate Chopin's 'The Storm' but I guess I have overlooked on the other vital characters which have not been given due importance but only given the 'touch and go'. The characters that I am talking about are that of Calixta's husband Bobinot, their son Bibi and the person, where least attention has been given to, Clarisse who is Alcee's wife. All readers will agree that Bobinot is a dutiful and a loving husband. The moment an unexpected storm sets in, he re-enters the store and buys a tin of shrimps which is his wife's favourite. That shows his deep love for his wife. It is as though he wants to make up for not being there with her during the turbulent weather. Poor fellow, he's so naive when it comes to his wife's adulterous ways. Well, it's not his fault anyway. He has never seen the other part of her character before. She has portrayed herself as a dutiful wife at all times. That little son of hers, Bibi, he too always thinks about his mother when he questions his father about how she would be coping during the storm. The little one also never fails to think about his mother especially her safety when some kind of uncertainty befalls and separates them temporarily on that day. Such are the humble traits of the two. We must not forget about Alcee's wife who has just given birth to Alcee's babies. She is a victim too. She never came to know about her husband's adulterous ways. These are the very people who became the innocent victims of this story. Alcee is also an important character even if he only comes briefly in the story. But one must not forget as he is the biggest storm that has hit the whole family by seducing Calixta that led her into being an adulterous. Why I say so is because during this storm, Calixta betrayed Bobinot for the first time or probably for the last time too. Well, this is really up to the readers to infer whether this is the last time she would betray her husband. Alcee actually comes for shelter but he had other agenda as to fulfill his lust. He cleverly seduces Calixta by invoking the burning passion in her for him that had been dormant after her marriage to Bobinot, knowing very well that both of them are committed to their respective spouses by the sacred vows they have taken.
Signing off for now.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The setting in Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'
9th posting, 9.20 a.m. 31st August 2008
Happy Merdeka!
The setting plays a major part of ' The Storm'. In fact, it plays the most integral part that brought to the climax of the story. It is not clearly defined though where exactly the story took place but the setting obviously is on a farm land, in a small southern town. This can be noted in several lines in the story. In line (10), Part I 'great furrows in the distant field.
Again in line (8), Part II 'were plows and a harrow piled up in the corner'. In line (5), Part III 'signs of their tramp over heavy and wet fields'. Kate Chopin has lived in a plantation for many years and could have based her story on her own experiences. She is also known as a regional writer based on the other stories she has written. Furthermore, the climate plays a vital role. The storm creates an excellent setting for the short story. I find that the setting provides a background for the exposition. Kate Chopin cleverly uses the storm and in turn creates a storm in Calixta's life in the form of Alcee. The climax of the story is also during the peak of the storm. This is revealed from line (20), "The playing of lightning was incessant. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seems to invade the very boards they stood upon.
Calixta put her hands to her eyes and with a cry, staggered backward. Alcee's arm encircled her, and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him". Chopin wanted us to see and feel the setting reinforce the events. The setting seems conducive to the rising action and the plot. Finally, as the storm subsides so does the story. We are made aware of the calmness which has come over the characters and Calixta start playing her original role as a wife very well.
We can actually feel the climate as we are reading the story. We can even picture the characters in our mind just by reading 'The Storm'. This simply shows Kate Chopin's capability of captivating her readers through her flawless diction. She has the knack for it!
Kate Chopin is an omniscient narrator in 'The Storm'. She is able to tell the story from the view of each character. She delves the minds of the characters to complete the story for us. She expresses each character's feelings and gives a flow to the story. She is able to bring her readers into the characters world. That's a real difficult thing to do, to actually involve the readers like you and I in the readings of her work!!
Will catch up later ya.
Happy Merdeka!
The setting plays a major part of ' The Storm'. In fact, it plays the most integral part that brought to the climax of the story. It is not clearly defined though where exactly the story took place but the setting obviously is on a farm land, in a small southern town. This can be noted in several lines in the story. In line (10), Part I 'great furrows in the distant field.
Again in line (8), Part II 'were plows and a harrow piled up in the corner'. In line (5), Part III 'signs of their tramp over heavy and wet fields'. Kate Chopin has lived in a plantation for many years and could have based her story on her own experiences. She is also known as a regional writer based on the other stories she has written. Furthermore, the climate plays a vital role. The storm creates an excellent setting for the short story. I find that the setting provides a background for the exposition. Kate Chopin cleverly uses the storm and in turn creates a storm in Calixta's life in the form of Alcee. The climax of the story is also during the peak of the storm. This is revealed from line (20), "The playing of lightning was incessant. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seems to invade the very boards they stood upon.
Calixta put her hands to her eyes and with a cry, staggered backward. Alcee's arm encircled her, and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him". Chopin wanted us to see and feel the setting reinforce the events. The setting seems conducive to the rising action and the plot. Finally, as the storm subsides so does the story. We are made aware of the calmness which has come over the characters and Calixta start playing her original role as a wife very well.
We can actually feel the climate as we are reading the story. We can even picture the characters in our mind just by reading 'The Storm'. This simply shows Kate Chopin's capability of captivating her readers through her flawless diction. She has the knack for it!
Kate Chopin is an omniscient narrator in 'The Storm'. She is able to tell the story from the view of each character. She delves the minds of the characters to complete the story for us. She expresses each character's feelings and gives a flow to the story. She is able to bring her readers into the characters world. That's a real difficult thing to do, to actually involve the readers like you and I in the readings of her work!!
Will catch up later ya.
Chopin's style of writing
8th posting
Dr. Edwin clearly meant well when he asked the students to post weekly because most of the students are working. Like me, I have to submit at least 2 postings a day or else I will not be able to complete the whole 2o postings within the stipulated time due to my computer breakdown. Let's come back to the real intention of writing my 8th posting.
I would like to talk about Kate Chopin's style of diction. The story is written in simple prose and it is easy to understand. Chopin has divided the story into 5 parts where each part is chronologically written. Chopin's choice of words can be said to be close to speech. The direct speech makes the story more realistic. Here is an example:
"Mama'll be afraid, yes," he suggested with blinking eyes. "She'll shut the house. Maybe she got sylvie helpin' her this evenin," Bobinot responded reassuringly.
Poor husband and son! They didn't have inkling as the beloved wife and mother was having a blast with Alcee, her ex-boyfriend.
Chopin also gives the readers a detailed narrative to make us see and also feel the atmosphere. For example:
The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems.
I am positive that a lot of compassion with nature brings readers like you and I, close to the storyline, because we too have experienced a storm. Oops! Don't get me wrong now. I actually meant the mental state that we had gone through in the process of reading this story, Ha! Ha!
The only difference here is that the aftermath of no great a 'storm' is weathered so calmly by the adulterous couple, though this 'storm' has left an indelible mark upon the lives of the characters, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in it's wake.
I guess I stop here for today. I'LL BE BACK! Of course, tomorrow, with more interesting explanation and findings. Have a nice day and goodnight.
P/S: I notice that the time posted after publishing this post is at 3.35 a.m. 30th August 2008
I actually typed this posting at 6.45 p.m. 30th August 2008. Gees! Something is wrong with the timing.
Dr. Edwin clearly meant well when he asked the students to post weekly because most of the students are working. Like me, I have to submit at least 2 postings a day or else I will not be able to complete the whole 2o postings within the stipulated time due to my computer breakdown. Let's come back to the real intention of writing my 8th posting.
I would like to talk about Kate Chopin's style of diction. The story is written in simple prose and it is easy to understand. Chopin has divided the story into 5 parts where each part is chronologically written. Chopin's choice of words can be said to be close to speech. The direct speech makes the story more realistic. Here is an example:
"Mama'll be afraid, yes," he suggested with blinking eyes. "She'll shut the house. Maybe she got sylvie helpin' her this evenin," Bobinot responded reassuringly.
Poor husband and son! They didn't have inkling as the beloved wife and mother was having a blast with Alcee, her ex-boyfriend.
Chopin also gives the readers a detailed narrative to make us see and also feel the atmosphere. For example:
The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems.
I am positive that a lot of compassion with nature brings readers like you and I, close to the storyline, because we too have experienced a storm. Oops! Don't get me wrong now. I actually meant the mental state that we had gone through in the process of reading this story, Ha! Ha!
The only difference here is that the aftermath of no great a 'storm' is weathered so calmly by the adulterous couple, though this 'storm' has left an indelible mark upon the lives of the characters, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in it's wake.
I guess I stop here for today. I'LL BE BACK! Of course, tomorrow, with more interesting explanation and findings. Have a nice day and goodnight.
P/S: I notice that the time posted after publishing this post is at 3.35 a.m. 30th August 2008
I actually typed this posting at 6.45 p.m. 30th August 2008. Gees! Something is wrong with the timing.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Storm as a symbol
7th posting
Can't seem to stop blogging. Once again, it's about Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. This time, it's all about the storm itself as a symbol. In fact, I find the storm is the only clear symbol in this story.
The storm is displayed in many facets. It itself can be considered a symbol to the story. It is symbolic because it gives us a clue to the actual situation in the story. The incident in Calixta's life is just like the disastrous weather. The storm comes suddenly and upsets the tranquility of nature. Calixta and Bobinot are peacefully married. Then comes Alcee just like the storm and stirs everything.
Let me show you what points to the symbol and why I said so.
a. Bobinot is left out of the 'storm' from discovering an unfaithful wife.
b. Calixta on the other hand was caught with Alcee in a 'storm' of momentary, burning passion.
c. Adultery in marriage is a wild 'storm' for any marriage.
d. Alcee and Calixta's behaviour, calm after a 'storm' which is considered strange after such a terrible sin. This serious calmness simply shows something has happened and they are not accountable for it even when both of them are married to different people.
The storm is a major element that brought to the very climax of the story. It is unbelievable that Chopin made use of one of nature's elements into the picture to stir a family's peace and tranquility that has put an impact to the stories flow which has made it an absolute page turner. It's a wonderful feeling to know that this story was recognized as one of the most acclaimed work of Chopin's and I am glad that I had the opportunity to actually read, analyze and do a research on it.
There's more to come. See ya!
Can't seem to stop blogging. Once again, it's about Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. This time, it's all about the storm itself as a symbol. In fact, I find the storm is the only clear symbol in this story.
The storm is displayed in many facets. It itself can be considered a symbol to the story. It is symbolic because it gives us a clue to the actual situation in the story. The incident in Calixta's life is just like the disastrous weather. The storm comes suddenly and upsets the tranquility of nature. Calixta and Bobinot are peacefully married. Then comes Alcee just like the storm and stirs everything.
Let me show you what points to the symbol and why I said so.
a. Bobinot is left out of the 'storm' from discovering an unfaithful wife.
b. Calixta on the other hand was caught with Alcee in a 'storm' of momentary, burning passion.
c. Adultery in marriage is a wild 'storm' for any marriage.
d. Alcee and Calixta's behaviour, calm after a 'storm' which is considered strange after such a terrible sin. This serious calmness simply shows something has happened and they are not accountable for it even when both of them are married to different people.
The storm is a major element that brought to the very climax of the story. It is unbelievable that Chopin made use of one of nature's elements into the picture to stir a family's peace and tranquility that has put an impact to the stories flow which has made it an absolute page turner. It's a wonderful feeling to know that this story was recognized as one of the most acclaimed work of Chopin's and I am glad that I had the opportunity to actually read, analyze and do a research on it.
There's more to come. See ya!
My findings about the theme in ' The Storm'
6th posting
Hi! What a wonderful day. I am as excited as I have something to say about the theme in Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'.
The theme of this story is about the general attitude towards sex, love and marriage. The main character portrays naturalism in human life. Kate Chopin is exposing this element in 'The Storm'. We might not like the situation but reality prevails in society all the time. This is a fact that everyone has to face as it happens all the time in someone's life at some point. It could even happen or could have happened to somebody whom we love or close to us or who is important to us. In 'The Storm', Calixta and Alcee are a man and a woman who not only commit adultery but who also got away without a trace of guilt or a sense of remorse. When we read with awe, we must not forget that these things do happen and even if it sounds despicable we ought to accept this sought of act as a fact in human life as it is a natural action no matter how unacceptable it is or it may sound.
I will catch up with you later with more information about Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. Till then, take care and bye.
Hi! What a wonderful day. I am as excited as I have something to say about the theme in Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'.
The theme of this story is about the general attitude towards sex, love and marriage. The main character portrays naturalism in human life. Kate Chopin is exposing this element in 'The Storm'. We might not like the situation but reality prevails in society all the time. This is a fact that everyone has to face as it happens all the time in someone's life at some point. It could even happen or could have happened to somebody whom we love or close to us or who is important to us. In 'The Storm', Calixta and Alcee are a man and a woman who not only commit adultery but who also got away without a trace of guilt or a sense of remorse. When we read with awe, we must not forget that these things do happen and even if it sounds despicable we ought to accept this sought of act as a fact in human life as it is a natural action no matter how unacceptable it is or it may sound.
I will catch up with you later with more information about Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. Till then, take care and bye.
Chopin's ' The Storm' - The general tone
My 5th posting
Generally the tone in 'The Storm' is interesting as it gives us a glimpse of the truth as well as mankind's deceptive ways. The central character Calixta is earlier shown as a prim and proper wife yet, she becomes wildly passionate with Alcee and once again resumes her good wifely and motherly roles towards the end. For example, she sounded so concerned about her son Bibi during the storm but later she sends Alcee off- her lover, with a beaming face and even laughs aloud. We are made aware of how easily one is betrayed. Chopin is able to capture the human feelings truthfully and makes them transparent to readers like you and I. This particular story is a real page turner. Chopin uses irony to further emphasize the theme. After reading the story, I realized that the whole theme is pretty ironic indeed. Bobinot, Calixta's husband and their son, Bibi are out in the storm and she worries about them yet, she also enjoys her affair with Alcee. The moment Bobinot and Bibi are back home; she warmly welcomes them and says "Oh Bobinot! You back! My! but I was uneasy. We're been during the rain? he ain't wet? he ain't hurt?" (7) Part III. No where else is the irony clearly marked. Shrimps! Oh Bobinot! you too good fo anything!" She gave him a smacking kiss that resounded (8) Part III. That night, Alcee writes a loving letter full of tender words to his wife Clarisse and asks her to stay longer at the bay.(1) Part IV. After committing adultery, the two married people actually behaved so normally towards their respective spouses. Is human life as simple as Chopin's ' The Storm'? Shakespeare was right when he said, " The world is a stage and we are all actors and actresses".
You will notice that I am discussing about Chopin's work. Well, I would like to finish discussing about 'The Storm' first and then I will start discussing about William Faulkner's 'A Rose For Emily' and later, the whole module. I will tell you what I find about the theme in Chopin's 'The Storm' in my next blog. Have a good day.
Generally the tone in 'The Storm' is interesting as it gives us a glimpse of the truth as well as mankind's deceptive ways. The central character Calixta is earlier shown as a prim and proper wife yet, she becomes wildly passionate with Alcee and once again resumes her good wifely and motherly roles towards the end. For example, she sounded so concerned about her son Bibi during the storm but later she sends Alcee off- her lover, with a beaming face and even laughs aloud. We are made aware of how easily one is betrayed. Chopin is able to capture the human feelings truthfully and makes them transparent to readers like you and I. This particular story is a real page turner. Chopin uses irony to further emphasize the theme. After reading the story, I realized that the whole theme is pretty ironic indeed. Bobinot, Calixta's husband and their son, Bibi are out in the storm and she worries about them yet, she also enjoys her affair with Alcee. The moment Bobinot and Bibi are back home; she warmly welcomes them and says "Oh Bobinot! You back! My! but I was uneasy. We're been during the rain? he ain't wet? he ain't hurt?" (7) Part III. No where else is the irony clearly marked. Shrimps! Oh Bobinot! you too good fo anything!" She gave him a smacking kiss that resounded (8) Part III. That night, Alcee writes a loving letter full of tender words to his wife Clarisse and asks her to stay longer at the bay.(1) Part IV. After committing adultery, the two married people actually behaved so normally towards their respective spouses. Is human life as simple as Chopin's ' The Storm'? Shakespeare was right when he said, " The world is a stage and we are all actors and actresses".
You will notice that I am discussing about Chopin's work. Well, I would like to finish discussing about 'The Storm' first and then I will start discussing about William Faulkner's 'A Rose For Emily' and later, the whole module. I will tell you what I find about the theme in Chopin's 'The Storm' in my next blog. Have a good day.
Chopin transcends time
Greetings! This is my 4th posting.
I just couldn't get enough of reading Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. I am as captivated as to how this author is able to come up with such diction when she wrote her stories whether if her stories are based on real events or purely imagination. From her work, I can immediately sense that men often find women's emotions difficult to fathom. Chopin eases this difficulty by laying options to unexplored pastures, for example the joy of freedom when Calixta was having a fling with Alcee during her husband's absence. She speaks for all women through her stories. 'The Storm' highlights the dissatisfaction and insecurity, experienced by women worldwide. The female sexuality is always taken for granted. How often does a woman initiate the lovemaking process or ask for sex? A woman is to be docile and suppress all desires. That's so uncalled for! Chopin, in her story 'The Storm' uses Calixta as a symbol of woman the world over. She also shows that women have desires which need to be satisfied too. Women who are going through the same predicament all over the world will feel liberated whenever they were to come across stories such as Chopin's 'The Storm'. Women's issues have always been sidelined since time immemorial so, men in general need to be re- educated on how to respect women in each and every aspects.
Well, got to go now. Baby Alert! I will continue with my findings in my next posting. Till then, cheers.
I just couldn't get enough of reading Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. I am as captivated as to how this author is able to come up with such diction when she wrote her stories whether if her stories are based on real events or purely imagination. From her work, I can immediately sense that men often find women's emotions difficult to fathom. Chopin eases this difficulty by laying options to unexplored pastures, for example the joy of freedom when Calixta was having a fling with Alcee during her husband's absence. She speaks for all women through her stories. 'The Storm' highlights the dissatisfaction and insecurity, experienced by women worldwide. The female sexuality is always taken for granted. How often does a woman initiate the lovemaking process or ask for sex? A woman is to be docile and suppress all desires. That's so uncalled for! Chopin, in her story 'The Storm' uses Calixta as a symbol of woman the world over. She also shows that women have desires which need to be satisfied too. Women who are going through the same predicament all over the world will feel liberated whenever they were to come across stories such as Chopin's 'The Storm'. Women's issues have always been sidelined since time immemorial so, men in general need to be re- educated on how to respect women in each and every aspects.
Well, got to go now. Baby Alert! I will continue with my findings in my next posting. Till then, cheers.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Delayed due to internet service interruptions and computer glitch
3rd posting
Hi, it has been quite a while since I have posted. I was having problem posting. I couldn't manage to go into the blogspot to create new postings due to some sudden problem with my internet service. As if that is not enough, my computer malfunctioned. It took quite a while for it to get fixed and the internet service to resume. Due to this, my blog entries and other assignments of mine could not be managed on the expected time schedule. Guess my bad luck but I am glad it was over. I hope Dr. Edwin will sympathize with what I had to go through. Anyway, I will not be able to cope with the time frame given to complete 20 postings weekly. Due to the unforeseen circumstances, I have decided to finish my postings much earlier by entering maybe 2 postings everyday. If I am to publish 20 postings weekly from the day I got my computer from the repair shop, then I will not be able to finish on time, indefinitely. I hope Dr. Edwin will have a heart.
I have read Dr. Edwin's module and I would like to say that I kind of enjoyed the stories printed in it. There are some optional ones that I find difficult to fathom such as 'son of the turtle spirit' and also some of the poems in it. I never thought that this title would actually come out for my mid term exam. But then, I have managed to answer whatever questions posed. I must say that the module was a good read overall. I will explain about the contents that I have read in the module in my future postings.
I have finally finished my position paper and research paper. I have done my research paper on Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. I find this story to be quite interesting as it deals with issues that have no definite answer as to why exactly things happen the way they did. Issues to do with unbelievable life circumstances always catches my attention. I will discuss about my research paper 'The Storm' first in my next few postings and followed by William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' and the contents of Dr. Edwin's module after that.
My thesis statement on ' Rose for Emily' is "Unwilling to change with times due to her stubbornness and pride that led to the acceleration of her moral decadence and Mental Decline" and the five points of arguments are 1)Point 1- Tax Collection (2)Point 2 – The Visit To The Drug Store That Shows Her Stubbornness (3)Point 3- Emily’s House (4)Point 4- Emily’s Mental Decline and (5)Point 5- Emily’s Decadence in Morality. I am repeating this to just refresh whoever that will read my blogs later because of the rather wide gap between my last 2 postings and my 3rd posting.
I will let you know what more I can tell you about my research paper and also my position paper in my next posting. Till then take care.
Hi, it has been quite a while since I have posted. I was having problem posting. I couldn't manage to go into the blogspot to create new postings due to some sudden problem with my internet service. As if that is not enough, my computer malfunctioned. It took quite a while for it to get fixed and the internet service to resume. Due to this, my blog entries and other assignments of mine could not be managed on the expected time schedule. Guess my bad luck but I am glad it was over. I hope Dr. Edwin will sympathize with what I had to go through. Anyway, I will not be able to cope with the time frame given to complete 20 postings weekly. Due to the unforeseen circumstances, I have decided to finish my postings much earlier by entering maybe 2 postings everyday. If I am to publish 20 postings weekly from the day I got my computer from the repair shop, then I will not be able to finish on time, indefinitely. I hope Dr. Edwin will have a heart.
I have read Dr. Edwin's module and I would like to say that I kind of enjoyed the stories printed in it. There are some optional ones that I find difficult to fathom such as 'son of the turtle spirit' and also some of the poems in it. I never thought that this title would actually come out for my mid term exam. But then, I have managed to answer whatever questions posed. I must say that the module was a good read overall. I will explain about the contents that I have read in the module in my future postings.
I have finally finished my position paper and research paper. I have done my research paper on Kate Chopin's 'The Storm'. I find this story to be quite interesting as it deals with issues that have no definite answer as to why exactly things happen the way they did. Issues to do with unbelievable life circumstances always catches my attention. I will discuss about my research paper 'The Storm' first in my next few postings and followed by William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily' and the contents of Dr. Edwin's module after that.
My thesis statement on ' Rose for Emily' is "Unwilling to change with times due to her stubbornness and pride that led to the acceleration of her moral decadence and Mental Decline" and the five points of arguments are 1)Point 1- Tax Collection (2)Point 2 – The Visit To The Drug Store That Shows Her Stubbornness (3)Point 3- Emily’s House (4)Point 4- Emily’s Mental Decline and (5)Point 5- Emily’s Decadence in Morality. I am repeating this to just refresh whoever that will read my blogs later because of the rather wide gap between my last 2 postings and my 3rd posting.
I will let you know what more I can tell you about my research paper and also my position paper in my next posting. Till then take care.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thesis Statement: Emily; Unwilling To Change With Times Due To Stubbornness And Pride That Led To The AccelerationOf Her Moral Decadence and Mental De
Hello Dr. Edwin,
2nd posting
Thesis Statement: Emily; Unwilling To Change With Times Due To Stubbornness And Pride That Led To The Acceleration Of Her Moral Decadence And Mental Decline.
You will notice that I have typed the title of my posting again. This is because of the limited space in the 'Title's' column above.
After browsing for a long time, I have finally decided to select William Faulkner's "A Rose For Emily" for my position paper where I have done a lot of analyzing on it. It's a wonderful and a tragic story where my mind has always been captivated by the suspense and diction used by William Faulkner to portray the main character. It has been one of the best stories to analyze so far. This is what I feel about William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily'.
In ' A Rose for Emily', William Faulkner portrayed Emily’s character as a woman, full of pride and always defying and denying about anything and everything due to her upbringing and her aristocratic lineage.
She has deemed herself to adhere certain stringent rules that her father and forefathers had instilled in the upbringing of her family as how aristocratic Southerners have been practicing. She is described as a grand lady who never gives away her pride. She does not let go of her past and she can’t seem to come to terms about many things and stays aloof throughout the story. Some might consider her to be abnormal or mad such as when her father passed away and keeping his corpse until the corpse has to be taken out from the Grierson's family home by much persuasion, it was a devastating loss for her. Even when she is liberated from her father's"clutches", she still seemed to lose out in her newfound freedom. She has been controlled for far too long and now that she is free, she can't seem to put her life in order. Instead she became very bitter towards everyone that she meets including her beau, Homer Barron at a much later time. I think I have picked a good short story for my position paper. This is only some sort of an introduction. Hope to share more with you in my future postings. See ya.
2nd posting
Thesis Statement: Emily; Unwilling To Change With Times Due To Stubbornness And Pride That Led To The Acceleration Of Her Moral Decadence And Mental Decline.
You will notice that I have typed the title of my posting again. This is because of the limited space in the 'Title's' column above.
After browsing for a long time, I have finally decided to select William Faulkner's "A Rose For Emily" for my position paper where I have done a lot of analyzing on it. It's a wonderful and a tragic story where my mind has always been captivated by the suspense and diction used by William Faulkner to portray the main character. It has been one of the best stories to analyze so far. This is what I feel about William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily'.
In ' A Rose for Emily', William Faulkner portrayed Emily’s character as a woman, full of pride and always defying and denying about anything and everything due to her upbringing and her aristocratic lineage.
She has deemed herself to adhere certain stringent rules that her father and forefathers had instilled in the upbringing of her family as how aristocratic Southerners have been practicing. She is described as a grand lady who never gives away her pride. She does not let go of her past and she can’t seem to come to terms about many things and stays aloof throughout the story. Some might consider her to be abnormal or mad such as when her father passed away and keeping his corpse until the corpse has to be taken out from the Grierson's family home by much persuasion, it was a devastating loss for her. Even when she is liberated from her father's"clutches", she still seemed to lose out in her newfound freedom. She has been controlled for far too long and now that she is free, she can't seem to put her life in order. Instead she became very bitter towards everyone that she meets including her beau, Homer Barron at a much later time. I think I have picked a good short story for my position paper. This is only some sort of an introduction. Hope to share more with you in my future postings. See ya.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Introduction: Beginning of my project work on position paper and research paper
1st posting
Assoc. Professor Dr. Edwin's EDU 3234 Reading and Project Work For Teaching Literature in ESL contexts is simply mind boggling. I was dumbfounded by the amount of work that I have to complete for this particular course. Indeed, a big headache. But at the same time , it arouses my interest in knowing more about this course. I have to do my position paper as was asked by Dr.Edwin and I am contemplating of choosing a text from Kennedy and Dana Gioia's "Literature :An introduction To Fiction, Poetry And Drama" - my literature bible!!! I haven't decided as yet if it's going to be from fiction, drama or poetry. Let's just wait and see shall we. Bye for now.
Assoc. Professor Dr. Edwin's EDU 3234 Reading and Project Work For Teaching Literature in ESL contexts is simply mind boggling. I was dumbfounded by the amount of work that I have to complete for this particular course. Indeed, a big headache. But at the same time , it arouses my interest in knowing more about this course. I have to do my position paper as was asked by Dr.Edwin and I am contemplating of choosing a text from Kennedy and Dana Gioia's "Literature :An introduction To Fiction, Poetry And Drama" - my literature bible!!! I haven't decided as yet if it's going to be from fiction, drama or poetry. Let's just wait and see shall we. Bye for now.
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