Luck Be a Lady... or not. "The Lottery" and "The Hunger Games" and how they're alike

"' It isn't fair, it isn't right,' Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her." Pg. 271
To be honest I think this story would have surprised me a lot more if I hadn't read The Hunger Games series while on summer field studies. I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance the two works had to one another. Both involve a system where members of a town or district pick a name and the person whose name is picked is pretty much marked for death. Both Tessie and Katnis were females who were forced to endure this torture. Also both attempted to rebel against the system. I won't spoil the ending of The Hunger Games in case you haven't read them (you should :) ), but basically both characters seem to have the odds against them. Also in both stories certain members of the societies even seem to endorse this insanely cruel tradition. A difference is that Katnis took the place of her sister to fight to the death, but Mrs. Hutchinson was picked to be stoned to death. What I can't seem to understand is why Mrs. Hutchinson didn't run. Obviously she was very against the action once she was picked, but she never did anything but say it wasn't fair. A whole lot of good that did her. It sort of reminds me of Eveline when she chose to stay home even though she hated it. Still I think the fact that anyone could think a system like this is fair is crazy. In The Hunger Games children are chosen to fight to the death because of an evil dictator, but in "The Lottery" all the people seem more than willing to participate. I really wanted to scream, "WHY DONT YOU FIGHT BACK!?" Whether its brainwashing or just plain insanity involved here I guess I'll never know. However, I'm interested to know whether The Hunger Games was based off this story now.

Humor (or lack thereof) and Awkwardness in "You're Ugly, Too"

"'Just kidding,' she said, whipping around. But he gazed at her appalled and frightened...". Pg. 570
This story was down right uncomfortable. Zoe was the definition of awkward. Every time she tried to make a joke she just freaks whoever she is talking to out. Also when asked about love she tells an incredibly depressing story about a girl who kills herself. Also there's the fact that she is talking to a man dressed like a woman. She also has a sister named Evan and when she tries to pluck a hair from her chin, she looks like she just shaved. In fact there was a whole paragraph devoted to how women may start to resemble men when separated from their company long enough. All this gender reversal is strange and unsettling. Why can't these characters just stick to the sex they were given? I guess the gender role switch could be considered ironic but I see absolutely no humor in it. All I got out of the uncomfortable comments and jokes was a big dose of awkward. What's more, it felt like the story had no point. It started with a weird girl with a depressing life who can't tell a good joke, and ended the exact same way. Next time you could just spare me the strange story, and save me some time.

Irony of "The Drunkard"

"I took a longer drink and began to see that porter might have its advantages." Pg. 343
This story is disturbing and intriguing all at the same time. In the story this little kid tries to keep his dad from becoming a raging drunk. He knows if his dad takes the first drink then he will undoubtedly go off the deep end, going through all the awful stages of a drunkard. It turns out his son might have the same problem. Ironically in an attempt to keep his dad from drinking, Larry drinks the beer himself, causing him to get sick several times. Then to make matters worse, when his dad tries to take him home, he creates a huge scene, including songs and expletives screamed at neighbors. The true irony is that the son has become exactly what he was trying to prevent his father from becoming. However, a big and disturbing shock was that his mother actually praised him for his actions. She even calls him a guardian angel. My question is, what parent praises their child for getting drunk and making a fool of themselves? Maybe she just valued his intentions, but I think it would have been better to just let the father drink. The irony of the whole ordeal just highlights how truly messed up the situation is. 

Minimal detail in "Popular Mechanics" makes for a dark tale

"In this manner, the issue was decided."
There is no doubt the story "Popular Mechanics" is morbid. Ripping babies apart is no laughing matter. However, this bleak mood is created from very little detail at all. Raymond Carver's writing style is very minimal and fast paced. The story takes place right in the middle of the action with no indication of who the characters are or what the specifics of the situation are. The only thing he really tell the reader is that this couple is splitting up and they are fighting over their baby. In fact, the most detailed part of the whole story is the description of the weather in the first paragraph. In it, Carver describes melting snow becoming dirty water and cars driving through slush. It also talks about it becoming dark outside. Then he connects the horrid weather outside to the equally declining situation inside the house. The first time I read it I thought it was just referring to inside the house, but then I wondered if it maybe meant inside the characters. As the story progresses they become darker and more selfish. This kind of darkness is exactly what caused this family to become torn apart. Literally. The only thing I don't understand is the title. Why is it called Popular Mechanics?  Maybe if the author had given more detail it would be more apparent, but the lack of it is exactly what creates such a chaotic and dramatic look into a difficult situation.

A Fairy Tale Not Appropriate for Children: What Is the World Coming To?

"So I began to tell myself a story, a bed time story." Pg 232
There was so much that I found screwed up with this story I don't know where to begin. The fact that the narrator is comforted at night by this sick story she has made up indicates to me that she has some very serious mental problems. She tries to fight fire with fire I guess. In this case fire is paranoia. When the narrator becomes frightened and paranoid at the thought of an intruder or a collapsing house foundation, she creates a story of greater paranoia to ease her nerves. Then there's the ironic instances within this fairy tale she has made up. The paranoid actions of the parents did kill their son but fairy tales also had a role to play in his tragic death as well. The fairy tale books he read gave him the idea to clime over the dangerous wall to rescue the princess. While trying to recreate this scene he gets caught in the security wire and dies a horrible, gruesome death. Also the company that provided this murder weapon a.k.a the wire gate was called Dragon's Teeth. Dragons, princes, and damsels in distress all make up crucial elements of classic fairy tales. These elements are also what lead to the young boy's death. This leads me to wonder if maybe this is the narrator's sick but clever way of expressing her distain for fairy tales. She does say in the first paragraph that she's never been one for children's stories. Though this tale highlights the dangers of being too protective it also warns against just how dangerous the innocent story line of a fairy tale can be.

Eveline: Loyal or Brainwashed?

"She set her white face to him, passive, life a helpless animal. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition." Pg 222
While reading the story it was evident that Eveline is a mess. She has gone through several traumatic experiences in her life. Both her mother and her favorite brother died. Her other brother moved away. And her father abuses her most likely both physically and mentally. Also her superior, Miss Gavan, doesn't even like her. But then she falls in love with the boy of her dreams. He is sweet, kind, and promises to take care of her. He even makes plans to move her away from her family's house into a home of their own. But just before she is supposed to get on the boat to go start her new life, she becomes terrified and decides to stay. But why? She finally has the chance to escape all the negativity and abuse and instead chooses to stay right in the middle of it all. I have one of two theories. The first is that she is loyal to her family. Her mother's last request to her was that she take care of the family after she leaves. If she were to go she knows the house would fall apart so maybe she just stayed out of respect to the family. The other theory is that she has more or less been brainwashed. After suffering so much abuse, she might not be able to walk away from it. She has been trained to stay by instinct like an animal. Another theory I had was that maybe she never really loved the man, but I'm not sure that's true either.

Tell me what you really think: The irony of Miss Brill

"'But why? Because of that stupid old thing at the end there?' asked the boy. 'Why does she come here at all- who wants her? Why doesn't she keep her silly old mug at home?'" Pg 186
Throughout the story Miss Brill considers herself to be quite extravagant and wonderful. She thinks herself an actress in this grand play she is a part of every sunday. She does however spend quite a lot of time critiquing the other actors and actresses. She scorns the old uptight old people in the park. She gets bored listening in to a couple's conversation about glasses. She also finds great drama in the love affair between different members in the park. She is quite judgmental and she believes the big love scene could be coming up when a couple sits down at the end of the bench she is sitting on. Then to her surprise the couple begins to bash her and mock her. Then as she heads home she begins to realize just how pathetic her life has become. She also begins to see that she is no different from the other old people she was criticizing in the park. This ironic situation was a large dose of humility for Miss Brill. The irony plays into the theme of the story which is that every person judges and gets judged.

Phoenix: A bird of a different color and character

"Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles and as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead, but a golden color ran underneath, and the two knobs of her cheeks were illuminated by a yellow burning under the dark." Pg. 223
In a simple story about a woman making a long walking journey to town, the interesting character of Phoenix Jackson. Phoenix is characterized as a strong, independent woman with a bright personality. She is described as seeming almost golden and glowing. Also her actions throughout the story characterize her as being strong and independent. She embarks on this long journey filled with obstacles she has to climb through and over. She fights her way through all of it, and in a nice long skirt no less! She is also selfless because she makes this long journey to get medicine for her grandson. Though I'm not so sure her grandson is still living due to her lack of memory. Even her name indicates she is more like a strong fire bird than a frail old woman. The only time her strong exterior falters is when she realizes she forgot why she made the long journey. The way in which the story is told definitely characterizes Phoenix as a strong woman through her journey down the long path. This also connects to the theme of the story which is persistence and patience, both of which are traits Phoenix possesses.

Why Can't We Be Friends? Three men who act more like clique-y teenage girls

"You've got a short memory," Tub said.
"What?" Frank said. He had been staring off.
"I used to stick up for you."
"You shouldn't have just left me back there like that." Tub and Frank Pg. 191
All this gossiping and hurtful teasing sounds more like it should be coming from a group of teenage girls. Instead it's coming from three grown men who can't seem to all just get along. The only difference between teenage girls and these guys is that somebody ended up shot in this story. Only Men. Instead of these men trying to all make peace with one another they just switch sides and insult the other. At the beginning Frank is completely on Kenny's side. He is constantly throwing fat jokes at Tub and never sticks up for him. This angers Tub because apparently Tub used to stick up for Frank. Then Kenny begins to throw the babysitter card in Frank's face which doesn't make him happy. When Kenny is shot and can no longer be in control of the pack Frank switches sides completely and decides he really likes Tub. They have an adorable bonding moment in which one admits to a love affair with a sixteen year old girl and the other gorges himself on four plates of pancakes. This is all happening while their other "friend" is lying in the back of the truck bleeding to death. Obviously this is far from a healthy friendship. The worst part is they could have avoided this whole mess if they had simply gotten along with each other. But because they chose to act like snotty teenage girls they now have an illegal affair, a serious eating problem, and a possible death on their hands. If only they would just grow up.

Bartleby: basically the most random, pointless, awkward story ever

"Will you ell me anything about yourself?"
"I would prefer not to." Bartleby Pg. 659
This story is possibly one of the strangest stories I've read yet. Just looking at the cast of characters is enough to make you wonder how sane this could be. One character is perfectly at ease in the morning and a very diligent worker but then right at noon he begins to turn red and go insane with energy. On the flip side there is another man who has great trouble with his bowels and constipation in the morning. Then right at the time the other man begins to freak out he gets straight to work and gets the job done. These two characters seem to be a package deal throughout the story and balance one another in a weird way. Then there's Bartleby who gets as close to being a mute as one can while still talking. In fact the only sentence he seems to be capable of uttering is "I would prefer not to." What is with this guy? Why is he so strange and silent? Did he only ever learn to speak one phrase? His character is almost generally creepy and most certainly awkward. The narrator of the story might be the most frustrating though. He continues to put up with all this craziness and never does a thing about it. He is quite simply put: a push over. So here we have this eccentric cast of characters and instead of using them in some fascinating tale, they are wasted on a boring story that really doesn't go anywhere. The story has no real point or purpose from what I can see except to make the reader uncomfortable. If that was the only goal then the author succeeded.

As different as day and night: Foil character Dee makes Maggie look downright Saintly

"'Maggie can't appreciate these quilts!' she said. 'She'd probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use.'" Dee pg 180

"'She can have them, Mama,' she said, like somebody used to never winning anything or having anything reserved for her." Maggie pg 180

These two quotes truly highlight just how Dee's wicked behavior makes Maggie look like the most innocent person in the world. Also Maggie's shy and giving behavior make Dee look absolutely sinister. This isn't to say that Dee is the most awful person in the world or that Maggie is a saint. But placing two such contrasting characters so close together heightens that appearance. Dee is simply a selfish brat who is used to getting whatever she wants. She doesn't frequently hear the word "no" so when mama refused her she was shocked. Dee's character really wouldn't look so horrible if Maggie wasn't so innocent. After all Maggie has never had anything go well for her, and she is ashamed by who she is. Yet she is still willing to give up the one thing she was promised because her sister asked for it. This seems so humbling because not two minutes before Dee was insulting her intelligence. This kind of good attitude casts a worse light on Dee. I'm not sure if Dee hadn't acted the way she had if I would still have this amount of sympathy for Maggie. She is still obviously very loving and likable, but these traits are only greatened when compared to Dee as a foil character.

Indirect Characterization of the morbid three stooges

"He looks just like a beach ball with a hat on, doesn't he? Doesn't he, Frank?" Kenny pg. 187
Throughout this whole story, all three characters are indirectly characterized either by each other or by their actions. Kenny is characterized as being a flat out jerk and slightly crazy. He does nothing but make fun of and even threaten Tub and Frank. At one point he tries to run Tub over with his truck and he also hints that he might shoot him. He is mainly a bully whose bark is worse than his bite. Even though he tries to act tough he whimpers and whines after he's shot and won't do anything to help himself. Also all of the sudden he becomes nice to the guys. This shows that, even though it's not stated, that he is a jerk. Then there's Tub who is characterized as insecure due to his issues with his constant eating and weight problems. He is ashamed of his problem but he is also short fused. This is evident when he shoots Kenny and when he roughs up Frank for calling him a fat moron. Frank is characterized as indecisive and a follower. He is also a bit naive. He can't choose whether he is loyal to Tub or Kenny and constantly is switching sides. Also he has this rather ridiculous and vastly inappropriate relationship with his babysitter who is sixteen. Even though he knows it's wrong he still believes he's in love with her despite the circumstances. All these characters have insecurities or personal issues they're dealing with and these issues characterize the men in a much more interesting way than any direct sentence could ever do.

Stupid American Tourists

"As soon as the car began to move the little girl began to play with the lock on her side, clicking it with some effort forward and backward, but Mrs. Das said nothing to stop her. She sat a bit slouched at one end of the back seat, not offering her puffed rice to anyone. Ronny and Tina sat on either side of her, both snapping bright green gum." Pg. 150

This whole story reminds me that you can take the people out of America but you can't take America out of the people. Though both parents have Indian heritage it is apparent by their behaviors that they are your typical American tourists. They carry around big bags full of anything you could possibly need, tour books, and cameras ready to take pictures of anything and everything. Normally I don't like when people stereotype Americans as being stupid and naive, but it's hard not to classify this family in that way. The worst part is that this family is too wrapped up in what the guidebook says instead of actually appreciating the beauty of the landmarks right in front of their faces. They act just like the monkeys they are so fascinated by. Mr. Kapasi normally is pestered by the tourists but because this one woman took interest in his life, he fell for her. In reality both people were sort of using one another. Mr. Kapasi was using Mrs. Das for the way he complimented his career and made him feel important. Mrs. Das used him to vent about her problems and reveal a secret she had to keep for a long time. Mr. Kapasi's interest in Mrs. Das was innocent enough in his intentions, but Mrs. Das was simply using him as a confidant for this big secret. It was as if he was a priest she was confessing to. She didn't really care about Mr. Kapasi at all. This cold unfeeling treatment is often times seen as characteristic of the American way. Unfortunately in this case it's true.

How I met my husband who is not a pilot but a mailman?

"He always tells the children the story of how I went after him by sitting by the mailbox every day, and naturally I laugh and let him, because I like for people to think what pleases them and makes them happy." Edie Pg 146
From the title, it's clear that the story is about how the speaker met her husband. Throughout the better part of the story she describes her relations with this man who was a soldier and currently flies planes for a living. She discusses how they first meet then their encounters after that. This also includes a big scene where they are making out then he abruptly stops and tells her that he will write her to inform her of his new location. He will leave his previous lover, and they will meet up and live happily ever after. Or so she thinks. In reality this pilot is nothing but a giant womanizer. First he shamelessly flirts with her and gives her her first smoke. Then his old lover appears and he seems completely disinterested in her. Finally he makes a move on Edie, but leaves her, never to be heard from again. Not to mention he is hitting on a fifteen year old girl. Then out of nowhere in the last two paragraphs we meet this character of the mailman who BAM! she ends up marrying. What the heck? The story definitely has a surprise ending, but I think spending the majority of the story describing this other man has a deeper meaning. It's obvious that she really cared about this pilot and that she had feelings for him. Maybe because she spends all this time describing the pilot, it indicates that she still has these feelings for him. The mailman is only briefly described because he is not the biggest love of her life. Also the last line is ironic because the mailman believes she was pining for him but in reality she was waiting for a love letter from another man. I also believe that's the reason the story is called How I Met My Husband instead of How I fell in love with my Husband. I don't think she truly feels passion with the mailman, but instead settled because she was hurt. I believe she was really in love with the pilot.

Lost in translation and gone with the wind: the significance of losing the address

"When she whipped out the hairbrush the slip of paper with Mr. Kapasi's address on it fluttered away in the wind.. No one but Mr. Kapasi notices. He wastched as it rose, carried higher and higher by the breeze into the tress where the monkeys now sat, solemnly observing the scene below. Mr. Kapasi observed it too, knowing that this was the picture of the Das family he would preserve forever in his mind." Pg. 166
When Mrs. Das originally requests the address this gives Mr. Kapasi hope that the romance he created in his head could be real. Leading up to this Mrs. Das had been very interested in his stories and even called his job "romantic". This combined with the fact that she didn't seem at all interested in her husband sparked the idea in his head that maybe she was interested in him. Then the big climax comes when Mrs. Das asks him for his address so she can send him the pictures. Suddenly the fantasy evolves into a full fledged romantic tale in his head. He dreams that all because of this address that they will become pen pals who discuss how unhappy they are in their relationships and will fall in love. Then all these hopes of love are gone when he sees the address fly away. The saddest part is no one even notices when it flies away except for him. This little piece of paper with his address on it sort of symbolizes this man's whole existence because it is so full of hope and promise but then is taken away and no one even sees that the opportunity is gone. Though in one way Mrs. Das losing the paper could keep a small part of his hope alive. If Mrs. Das hadn't lost the address and she hadn't written him, then his whole image of love with her would have been lost, and he would be crushed. Now at least he can hold on to the idea that maybe she still does love him and that fate simply took it away. Looked at from that point, it almost seems romantic. At least he has that small idea to hold on to.

Wait what time is it again? Confusing plot structure of "A Rose for Emily"

"So she vanquished them, horse and foot, just as she had vanquished their fathers thirty years before about the smell. That was two years after her father's death and a short time after her sweetheart- the one we believed would marry her- had deserted her." Speaker Unknown Pg. 283
The plot structure of this story was extremely confusing to me. At first Miss Emily is dead. Then we jump to after her father dies when the mayor exempts her from paying taxes. Then all of the sudden the next generation has taken over and demands she now pays her taxes. Then her father has been dead for two years and now her lover is dead as well? Then there's this whole business about a smell, which we now know is coming from a decomposing body. With all the pieces of the story so out of order, it was difficult to concentrate on what was actually happening in the story instead of trying to put all the parts correctly on a timeline. It seems to me that the story was supposed to be suspenseful leading up to discovering the decomposed body of her old gay lover. However, the flow of this suspense was sort of ruined for me because I was so lost. I believe the story would have built up the same amount of suspense if the events had gone in order. The only reason I can think of for presenting the events in this scatterbrained manner is to give the idea that the speaker is recalling all this from memory. It could be that the speaker is telling another person about everything that has happened with this woman. Also it could be that this whole story is the compilation of the gossip that all the townspeople have been saying about Miss Emily. Either way I believe it would have been much more suspenseful if the events had gone in order.

Why Bury the Living? Motive behind "Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead"

"I think he wants to go,
a little bit - a new desire
to travel building up, an itch
to see fresh worlds. Or older ones."
This poem kind of confused me. I understood the basic concept of the poem, but I didn't understand how it connects to the title. I have two theories about how they could possibly connect but I'm not sure which, if either, of them is right. The first is that his father is pretty much ready to die. In fact he sort of looks forward to it. The quote above indicates that the father is ready to move on to this new unknown stage. Because of this, the son feels he has already lost his father. My other theory sort of ties into that. The poem says, "He's ready. I am not." Throughout the rest of the poem he describes how he is not certain of a happy afterlife like his father does. This makes me wonder if maybe this significant difference in beliefs of life after death has created a separation between the speaker and his father. This leads him to believe he has lost his father already, and recognizes he will not get to see his father in the happy sense his dad believes they will. I'm not sure which is right or if it's a little bit of both or if it's neither but hopefully I'll be able to gain more insight in class discussions.

"Lonely Hearts" looking for love? go to http://www.eharmony.com/!

"Please write (with photo) to Box 152.
Who knows where it may lead once we've begun?
Can someone make my simple wish come true?
Do you live in North London? Is it you?"

This poem sounds to me life it came straight out of clips from different people's dating profiles on a dating website like eharmony. Traditionally dating websites are filled with people of all different interests much like the people described in the poem. They are also looking for people who come from an equally wide range of people. There are bikers seeking touring partners, gay vegetarians searching for someone like them, an executive searching for a bisexual artist, a Jewish woman looking for someone straight and successful, and even a Libran looking for a young non-smoker. The one thing all these different people have in common is that they are all lonely and looking for a companion. They are all looking for someone who accepts them for who they are and who understands them. Also the other requirement that appeared in most of the adds was that they lived in London. I'm curious about why London was repeated so many times or what the significance of this one specific location is. Also I thought it was ironic to call it a "simple wish" because in reality finding someone life that is really quite difficult. The whole reason they even placed this add in the first place is most likely because they couldn't find someone through the traditional methods which just goes to show how difficult it can be to find "the one".

Repetition in "Edward: More than just a stutter

"And what will ye leave to your own mother dear,
Edward, Edward,
And what will ye leave to your own mother dear?
My dear son, now tell me, O."
When first reading the poem I was very annoyed by all the repetition in the lines. I kept thinking to myself, "I heard you the first time!" But then as I started to imagine the scene in my head, the repetition in the dialogue began to build suspense. You could almost hear their voices begin to rise in question. These help build up to the two major climaxes. The first is when Edward admits to killing his father. The second is when he says he will leave "the curse of hell" to his mother when he leaves. The shock that comes from those lines is greatly heightened by the repetition of the questions. Also the repetition of the responses adds a stronger emotional feel to the lines, because it really emphasizes the sentiment he's expressing.

Paradox and Pride in "Death, be not Proud"

"One short sleep passed, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die."

Normally death is considered to be the end all be all of life for everyone. It is considered to have the ultimate power and might. That is why a poem discussing how death is subordinate and week seems very paradoxical. However as the poem states, death is in fact subordinate to the will of "fate, chance, kings, and desperate men." In fact it doesn't even get to choose its own method for it could come from poison, war, and sickness. Also contrary to popular belief, death is both weak and temporary. Death is merely described as sleep or a quick rest before eternal life. This steals away all the power from death. The personification of death and the speaker's scornful remarks toward it describe the true paradoxical nature of death.

Don't Look Into The Light!!! Urgent and desperate tone of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night"

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

This poem's tone is very multidimensional. On one hand it seems commanding. he demands that each of the men "do not go gentle into that good night". I believe the good night represents death and the speaker is telling them not to succumb to its call. The tone also seems urgent. The speaker realizes in all these instances that death is imminent and he must urge them to "Rage against the dying of the light". Finally the tone seems desperate. The speaker uses examples of men who are at the end of their life wishing for more time as they realize how much they have not yet accomplished. He uses these examples to plead with his father to not regret leaving and to fight against death to stay with the speaker. The tone of the poem gives the desperate feeling of someone who is losing someone they love.

Nothing Says Great Poetry Like a Fairy Tale Spoof!

"an he says
kiss me just kiss me
once on the nose
well i screams
ya little green pervert
am i hitsm with my mop
an has ta flush
the toilet down three times
me
a princess"
This poem is probably my favorite poem we've read yet. It combines two of my favorite things: a fairy tale and a comedy. I honestly didn't expect the ending and it literally made me laugh out loud. Also the diction in this poem fit perfectly with the plot. I could perfectly picture Hazel wearing a bathroom attendant's outfit, leaning on one hip, and retelling this story to her friend Lavern. Even though the poem is broken up kind of funny, the story line still flows smoothly and keeps the humor steady throughout. This poem really reminds me of one of the more recent Disney movies, "The Princess and the Frog". The main plot is about a woman living in New Orleans who has worked hard all her life to own her own restaurant and really isn't interested in being a princess at all. Then when a handsome, exotic prince comes to town and is transformed into a frog, she kisses him in the attempt to turn him back into a man. However, the plan backfires and she herself becomes a frog. The main character of this movie has the same spunky attitude and disgust toward the frog that Hazel does in this poem. I wonder if maybe Disney took the idea for that movie from this poem. Either way I like the idea of a woman who seems strong and realistic like Hazel. My favorite line is for sure "well i screams ya little green pervert"! The poem is relatively short but I already have a good sense of the kind of woman Hazel is and I instantly liked her character. I would probably pass up the chance of being a princess too if it meant kissing some slimy frog that just came from the toilet.

"To His Coy Mistress" A Player from the 17th Century Shows Us How It's Done

"Let us roll all our strength and all
Our sweetness up into one ball,
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Thorough the iron gates of life."
When I was reading this poem I got the sense that something wasn't right. I mean what guy wants to spend forever admiring the beauty of one girl? Exactly. Apparently I'm not the only one who believes this either because as I turned the page to continue reading, in the margin of my book the comment "Basicaly he is trying to get him sum" was written. Though I might not have put it in those words this anonymous commenter is dead on. First he flatters her by praising her beauty and claiming that if he could he would just gaze at her and praise her forever. Then he points out the obvious that he does not have forever, so because of this they must be together right this instant. He is using the same method that guys today still use to get in a girl's pants. They compliment you, tell you they love you, and then insist you must do it right now because there is so much love and passion it would be wrong not to. The only thing this poet did that was a small step up from being a horny pig is that he wrote his pickup lines in poetic stanzas that sound very in love and romantic. It's sort of funny how this poem seems to be the exact opposite of the Shakespeare poem we read in this unit. The Shakespeare piece focuses on true love and honesty while this one just focuses on scoring with his mistress by giving out shallow compliments. Personally I'd take Shakespeare over Andrew Marvell any day.

"Getting Out" or Getting Worn Out? A Poem with an Exhausted Tone

"Exhausted, we gave up; escaped"
This poem's tone seemed to be exhausted or worn out. The first half seems to indicate that the couple became tired of trying to live together. The speaker says it was like they were inmates as if they were forced to be together and trapped in this unhappy marriage. As this continued they stopped speaking and their hearts grew tighter. But I don't think that the speaker puts the blame solely on one person or another, but rather they both had part in the marriage crumbling. So after a time the author describes how they separate and one goes  to live in an apartment alone. The next stretch of time shows a different side of this exhausted tone where it seems they grow tired of moping around, listening to depressing songs, and avoiding packing up their belongings. Now the speaker finally admits it was time to talk things out and finish things. The final stanza has a much different feel than the first two. The first two describe the pain of the relationship and the feeling of being sick of dealing with it all; however, the final part discusses the pain of ending the relationship. I think the speaker and their partner both know that they can't stay in the relationship, but it is still hard to see it end. The final part shows a tone of exhaustion of all the fighting and hate and denial. They finally accept that things are over and have to let go. The tone indicates a respect for the other person, but an acceptance that it is over. Overall the tone makes the difference between a scorned and bitter divorcee and a person who has matured enough emotionally to realize they had to move on and get out of this relationship.

Set Sail for the After Life: Imagery of "Crossing the Bar"

"I hope to see my Pilot face to face
when I have crossed the bar."
At the beginning of the poem I thought for sure I knew what it was about. Clearly it was about a man about to embark on a journey across the sea. Then as I got to the last lines of the third stanza I began to realize I might be wrong. Finally as I got to the last stanza it became clear that this poem was not about a physical trip on a sailboat but crossing over from life into death. The imagery used to describe this however parallels perfectly with that of a boat going across the ocean. The sunset and evening star represent the end his life, but he is starting his voyage right now indicating the start of a new life after death. He describes the tide as being asleep so hopefully the passage will be calm when he returns home to heaven just like the tide "Turns again home". Now as the sun continues to set darkness is eminent just as he feels death is. He also hopes there will be no sadness when he must leave. He states that though the flood may bear me far, meaning though he might travel to places far away that he is unsure of, he hopes that when he comes to the other side he will see the Pilot or God's face. The fact that he capitalized the word Pilot is probably a reference to how we capitalize the word God. Overall the imagery sets up a sort of calm but uncertain tone of beginning a voyage on the sea that fit quite well with the image of a man who has accepted that death is coming soon.

Metaphors and Similies that Aren't Very Flattering! (My Mistress' Eyes)

"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun"
The first time I read through this poem I was shocked and confused. I had always taken Shakespeare to be somewhat of a romantic, but these comparisons sounded more like they were coming from a pig than a poet. After all what girl would stay with a man who thought all these things were so much better than her and that none of her features could compare? Then as I got to the last two lines I realized that Shakespeare wasn't being a jerk, but was being honest and that he actually did love her. When I picture the girl he is describing a picture her with dull eyes, average lips, black wiry hair, pale cheeks. But the most significant thing I realized when picturing her was that she seemed realistic. Shakespeare uses these comparisons to show that she is just an average but very real girl. She may not have a voice prettier than music or float on air to get around, but she is a real normal girl who Shakespeare loves. He is trying to express the truth behind his love for who she truly is. By sort of mocking all these comparisons poets normally make to express their love for someone, he actually shows that his love is deeper and more true. His love is not based on a girl with looks like an angel, but rather on an average looking girl whom he has fallen for. His love for her goes deeper than her physical features and he proves this by being somewhat harshly honest about what his lover looks like. Personally I'd rather him love me for who I am and tell me I'm pretty, but you can't always have it both ways I guess.

Loyalty and Liberty or Sarcasm and Satire? Or Maybe Both?

"Why talk of beauty what could be more beautiful than these heroic happy dead"

The poem "next to of course god america i" was so confusing. At the beginning of the poem I thought it had a happy tone that was full of liberty. He talked about the love he had for his country. But then it takes on a much darker tone discussing the ignorance of ignoring other languages and the slaughter of soldiers who race to their death. He almost seems to be scolding America for its brutality and willingness to go to war. If this is the case that makes me pretty angry. I know just as much as the next person that America has its issues, but I don't think fighting for what you believe in is ever wrong. The soldiers that fight for this country fight for freedom and liberty. I think degrading them to the status of lions running toward slaughter is both ignorant and disrespectful. Though it is not ideal that people have to go to war and die, it isn't reasonable to think that America can thrive and survive as a country without having to fight a few wars. I wish that wasn't the case but I know it is and the best thing we can do is to support our troops and give them the honor and respect they deserve instead of criticizing their loyalty to their country.

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

"And the father wrote right back,
'Please don't write such depressing letters. You're upsetting your mother.'"
The poem APO 96225 is possibly the most depressing poem I've ever read. Sadly it is also one of the most realistic poems I've ever read. The son who is sent away to war writes his mother and says nothing but "Dear Mom, sure rains a lot here." His mother senses something is wrong and asks her son to tell her what's wrong. However, as the letters are sent they only seem to get happier and happier discussing funny monkeys and spectacular sunsets. As the son's letters get happier, the mother's become more desperate to learn the truth. Finally the son reveals the true horrors he has seen and neglected to tell his mother. Then suddenly his father is the one sending the message and he tells him to not speak such things because it is upsetting his mother. This is a sad indication of a society that yearns to learn the truth and to know all the details but when those are finally revealed the people can't handle the horrors and instead chose to hide them away. We send other people away to die for us and to kill for us, but we do not wish to see it being done. It's sickening but it's true and this poem reflects that hard truth and forces us to look our weakness in the face.

Airing out the dirty laundry: Symbolism of "Sorting Laundry"

"a mountain of unsorted wash
 could not fill
 the empty side of the bed"
What seems like an mundane chore has now been transformed into a fantastic symbol of a relationship. But the laundry does not just represent one single aspect of a relationship but all the parts that make it up, good and bad. It describes the pillowcases that "despite so many washings, seams still holding our dreams" which indicates that even through their relationship has been through many sometimes challenging times that their dreams of love still remain. The bright beach towels represent those feelings that even after so long they still keep hidden. Then there were the clothes that have been worn and washed over and over. The action of wearing and washing the same things over and over has become routine much like the lives of lovers after much time. The wrinkles indicate the problems that couples have that are either worked out or left to be dealt with another time. Couples can become separated like socks in the wash and feelings can shrink like the clothes. But then you find some surprises in the pockets, little things, that remind you of your love and bring a little hope and happiness. Some of these can get washed away or lost but some still remain in tact and beautiful. The speaker finally says that if the lover were to leave that no amount of laundry could fill the emptiness that is left when he is gone. These symbols do an excellent job of portraying all the elements and struggles of a relationship by comparing them to the simple task of doing laundry.

Looks that Kill: The Irony of "Barbie Doll"

"Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending."
This poem is the epitome of an insecure girl. All her life she has been taught to believe that she is ugly. She was healthy, smart, and strong, but all she could see was her flaws. So instead of embracing all these good things about her she spends her time apologizing for and trying to hide her big nose and fat legs. Then as everyone tries to fix her and tell her what to do she begins to lose herself and grows weary. So she cuts of her nose and legs and kills herself. Then at her funeral, all done up by the undertaker with a new nose and pretty makeup, all the mourners say how pretty she is. The irony of this is that she has spent all her life trying to make herself beautiful in the eyes of everyone but could not succeed. Only in death where beauty means nothing did she finally get the one thing she wants which is the acceptance and approval of everyone. The saddest irony is that she never did see herself as beautiful until she ruined it by cutting out the insecurities she couldn't look past. This irony is used as a lesson and a warning against allowing oneself to let insecurities take over and become the main focus. You shouldn't let that insecurity become a disease or an obsession that leads you to a horrible end. Rather you should see yourself as beautiful the way you are and continue living in that confidence. The irony of this poem indicates that message.

There's a Method to my Madness: Paradox of "Much Madness is divinest Sense"

"Much Sense — the starkest Madness — "

Dickinson's poem is chalk full of paradoxes; even the title is a paradox. How can madness be sensible? Actually she uses this paradox to explain society and its sometimes crazy ideas. Often when you look back in history at people's choices or actions you wonder how they possibly could have thought that was a good idea. I mean who would have believed that the world was flat? However, Dickinson's poem explains how even the most insane ideas can be considered acceptable and sensible because the majority believes it to be true. Also she makes the parallel explanation of how even if one person actually has the right or sensible idea, it will most likely be shut down because it is against what the majority believes. She says if you assent or go with the crowd then you will be thought of as sane or normal. On the other hand if you go against this belief you are considered insane and therefore dangerous. When a person threatens to disprove everything you thought to be true, people tend to take this with some hostility. So even when someone discovered the world was really round and that it revolves around the sun, people refused to believe it and called him crazy. Dickinson's poem conveys this absurd but true statement about life through the use of the paradox between madness and sense.

An interesting take on dreams packed with similies

 Or does it explode?

"A Dream Deferred" was probably my favorite poem from this unit because of its unique view of dreams. Normally the idea of dreams has a happy connotation because it expresses a sense that anything is possible. However, Hughes takes a different route and focuses on the dreams that have yet to come true. He questions what happens to these dreams in limbo. He first asks if they just wither up and almost die like a raisin in the sun. Then he asks if they become like a soar acting as a painful reminder of what hasn't come true. He goes on to compare it to stink like rotten meat and become bitter in a way, the crusting over like syrup to remember it as nothing but a happy dream, and the sagging and dragging the person down with the thought of the dream's failure. My favorite possibility he offers is his last one which he singles out as its own stanza: "or does it explode?". This is the most intriguing and most confusing because it could either mean it explodes in a bad way and causes destruction or it explodes and the dream actually becomes reality. The uncertainty of the dream's fate is best described in this one last question because it could go either way. I like the idea that no matter how improbable the dream may seem or however long it is deferred, it always has the possibility to explode and become real.

The Irony of "Pink Dog" and the brand Pink's Dog icon.

Oh, never have I seen a dog so bare!
Naked and pink, without a single hair...
Startled, the passersby draw back and stare.


In the poem "Pink Dog" Elizabeth Bishop is trying to caution against over exposing one's body especially in public. The grotesqueness of the naked dog in her poem represents those who shed their natural and normal coat of clothes in favor of bearing more skin. Instead of bringing about praise and admiration, however, it brings shock, horror, and disgust. She describes how it is not right for sophisticated women who are sometimes mothers (note the "nursing mother" reference) to be degrading themselves in such a way. Ironically there is a sub-brand of clothing and undergarments called PINK under Victoria's secret and their mascot is, you guessed it, a dog. Everyone knows that Victoria's secret is known for bearing it all and being more than a little risque, and though the PINK brand is slightly better (due to the fact it's geared more towards teens) it still includes a variety of low cut and skimpy outfits that sometimes showcase provocative sayings. On every piece of clothing or undergarment the small dog logo appears on it at least once. I can't help wondering if this was done purposefully of if it is just a strange coincidence. After all this kind of inappropriate showing off of skin and boobs is exactly what Bishop was warning against. She urges people to see the hideousness of a naked dog who couldn't appreciate the beauty of its original coat. I'm sure if she could see the brand PINK today she would surely think that the logo dog was just as naked and shameful as the girls who wear the clothes.

A load of "Toads" makes for a cynical theme

For something sufficiently toad-like
 Squats in me, too

The poem "Toads" by Philip Larkin is both strange and depressing. Why Larkin uses the

image of toads to represent work, I'm not sure. However, he still manages to get his point

across clearly. At the beginning it almost seems that he is mocking those who attempt to live

off wit and not work, by expressing their poor living conditions and lack of money. But as the

poem goes about it seems that he is actually almost jealous of those. The theme of his poem is

that even though one wishes to live freely and without work, that person is always trapped by 

the necessity of worldly comforts and lifestyles. He expresses how he feels trapped by things 

like "the fame and the girl" which makes it impossible for him to break away from the routine 

of work that he hates so much. He longs to be free of it, and to live life on the edge but

knows that it comes with the risk of losing everything, and so he chooses to stay in the same

pattern of work. The theme comes off as cynical but in truth it is very realistic. A majority 

of the world feels the same frustration Larkin feels, but, like Larkin, chooses the comforts 

that are offered from the work over the excitement but inevitable risk of tossing work to the 

wind. We all have "toads" inside us squatting that keep us from branching out and fulfilling

our wildest dreams. This is the point Larkin is trying to make with his toads. 

Could it be? A Happy Poem from Emily?! Dickinson's use of alcohol as a metaphor expresses joy in "I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed"

"I taste a liquor never brewed,
From tankards scooped in pearl;
Not all the vats upon the Rhine
Yield such an alcohol!"
Dickinson's poem "I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed" has a drastically different feel than the last poem of hers we had to read. This poem has a tone of utter joy and happiness as she sings her praises for the beauty of nature.In fact she loves it so much she chooses to use liquor as a metaphor for just how captivated she is by it. The liquor never brewed that she is referring to is the captivation of nature. In the second line she says it is "scooped in pearl" which is a beautiful precious gem that comes from the earth. It also says that no alcohol that comes for the Rhine could produce such a feeling of the intoxication that comes from nature. She is also intoxicated by the air, the dew, and the blue of the sky. She also even describes it as a heavenly scene when angels sit amongst the clouds ("Till seraphs swing their snowy hats") and the saints come to watch her too as she soaks up the joy and loveliness of nature. The use of the metaphor of liquor is helpful because many adults have experienced the initial euphoria of its effects and what a strong hold it takes on a person. Stating that nature is like a stronger alcohol than any other before indicates just how incredible it truly is.

You Can't Have It Both Ways: A blog about the paradox of Bright Star!

 "And so live ever--or else swoon to death"
In the poem "Bright Star" John Keats seems to have to contradicting ideas. In the first part of the poem Keats describes how he wishes to be eternal like a star in the sky. The star lives forever in beauty and watches over all the other beautiful images of the earth. However, in the second half of the poem he explains a beauty far more important to him than that of any element of nature. He describes how beautiful the girl he loves is and how he wishes to fully love her. The problem is, is that in order to fully love her he must be human and the key element of being human is being mortal. A paradox exists between his yearning to be immortal and his need to love this woman as a mortal. This paradox serves to compare the beauty of both the star and his beloved. He connects the two by describing how the star's light shines on her, which he then uses to parlay into discussing how he hopes to forever be with her and feel her breath. Another paradox in the poem is the phrase "sweet unrest". Normally one wouldn't consider unrest to be sweet, but if he could be awake with his lover then it would all be worth it. In the end he expresses how though he would like to live forever, he would rather die loving this woman and loving her for all his life. The paradox shows just how great his devotion to this love truly is.

Interpretation Frustration: how far is too far?

I can already tell that this unit is going to be a challenge for me. Though I normally really enjoy both reading and writing poetry, Perrine's article has completely altered my view of it. I was under the original assumption that as long as my interpretation was not too far-fetched that it would suffice and ultimately be deemed "correct". Now though I find myself fretting over whether or not my analysis goes too in depth to the point that it doesn't fit all the criteria. Are there ever just poems that just describe an event outright or does every poem have a specific deeper meaning? And if both kinds of poems exist then how do you discern between which are just telling a story and which are trying to convey some significant life lesson? This unit's poems are a prime example of this confusion. To me a majority of these poems could just be describing an event or story; however, I could also find deeper meanings in them if I searched for them. I guess my biggest question is should I be searching and digging for them or should I sometimes just take them for what they're worth? The sooner I figure this out, I'm sure the process of analyzing the poems will be much easier.

A beautiful Disaster: The Convergence of the Twain

" In a solitude of the sea
     Deep from human vanity,
And the Pride of Life that planned her, stilly couches she."

One of my favorite poems in this unit was "The Convergence of the Twain" by Thomas Hardy because of the way he conveyed such a well known historic event in a new light. Everyone knows the story of the Titanic which was supposed to be unsinkable and ironically and tragically sunk due to a crash with an iceburg. Many people view it as a horrific freak accident and a tragic love story. However, Hardy depicts the story as a series of inevitable events bound to occur by fate's hand. Hardy discusses how the ship was a huge show of vanity and bragged of its invincibility. He further goes on to say that because of this fate had to step in and correct this by causing it to crash in the iceburg. I especially liked how he compared the lower class passengers and worms and the upper class passengers as jewels, but in the end it didn't matter what they were because they both died. I also liked his insight of how the ugly dull ice chunk and the beautiful ship seemingly had nothing in common, but were then thrown together and literally intertwined in the physical sense and in history. Now when anyone thinks of one, the other is bound to come to mind. His almost accusatory tone describes how the pride of the Titanic led to its ultimate demise.

It's beginning to look a lot like springtime! Imagery of "Spring"

"The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling."

Throughout the poem "Spring" Hopkins uses images of pear tress and racing lambs to create a beautiful picture of springtime. From the description of songbirds' eggs to beautiful vegetation growth, the images conjure up a picture that is more than just pretty; It almost seems perfect, not unlike the garden of Eden. In fact I believe the images described in this poem are a form of praise to God for His creation. It compares the imagery of this new, fresh season to that of a world that was perfect in its innocence before sin tainted and ruined it. The lambs racing are symbolic of people being the children of God and the poem even references Jesus as the "maid's child". The way he depicts spring allows the reader to create an image of this happy and bright scene that is paralleled to the joy he feels for God and all He has created for us. Also I wonder if the peartree described represents the tempting fruit tree in the garden of Eden story. Even though it has a negative connotation in the Bible, in Hopkins poem there is no betrayal of God's word, therefore the tree can still be seen as beautiful and wonderful just like the rest of the images that appear in the poem.

Regret and Sacrifice: Central theme of "Those Winter Sundays"

"What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?"

In the poem "Those Winter Sundays" the author describes his father's ritual actions on Sundays in winter of cutting wood to keep the house warm. Though he has worked hard all week, he still goes out early in the morning and chops the wood in order to keep the house warm. He even shines the good shoes of the author. Still through all this the author talks to his father with indifference. The line " And slowly I would rise and dress, fearing the chronic angers of that house" indicates that there is obviously some strain on their relationship; however, throughout most of the poem the author does nothing but describe the good works of his father. This indicates that now looking back he feels shameful of how he treated his father. He realizes he did not appreciate all his father did for him at the time. This theme could also indicate that he now understands parenthood and its sacrifices, and feels regretful of treating his own father in this way.

I'm going crazy, crazy, crazy (Repetition of sounds in the poem "I felt a funeral in my brain"

 "A service like a drum
Kept beating, beating, till I thought
My mind was going numb."
In Emily Dickinson's poem "I felt a funeral in my brain" Dickinson repeats specific words and sounds to indicate her insanity. She repeats the words treading, beating, and down which are all actions she or the mourners make throughout this funeral. The funeral actually indicates how she feels she is going insane and the chaos that is taking place in her mind. The mourners treading represent her last sane thoughts while the drum beating represents the coming insanity. This repetition functions as another way to indicate her craziness. Insane people often ramble or repeat things they have already said as if they are trapped within their thoughts. This is exactly what Dickinson is trying to convey through her poem: She is showing how she is about to be trapped in the depths of her mind as she falls "down and down" into it from reality. The part of her that was sane has now passed away and she is mourning the loss of it.

"How can you say your truth is better than ours?"

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."


This quote from Romeo and Juliet and from Mumford and Sons both depict my stern disagreement with Perrine's opinion that there are right and wrong interpretations of poetry. Though he makes some good points I believe that poetry, like so many things in life, is open to and almost dependent on interpretation. A poem has an original meaning that the author intended; however, there can be a much deeper analysis lying underneath that possibly the author hadn't even intended. This is common in literature as I'm sure when great writers like J.K. Rowling only intended to write a fictional work about a wizard boy, but created a great novel full of symbols and hidden themes that provoke such analysis. If anything I believe this actually shows a sign of a great author. Poetry tends to be much more cryptic but still has the same guidelines. Perrine said it himself when he described how poets limit their works by giving them definite meaning. If one wishes to truly be a great poet then they have to let their work transcend their own original interpretation and allow it to lend itself to that of several others. Perrine argues that a poet limits the possible interpretations by word choice or certain aspects; however, Shakespeare says otherwise in Romeo and Juliet. Words given specific names are nothing more than words, but when you put your own experience or interpretation behind those words true feeling arises from them. Another aspect of a great poet is one creates a piece that evokes a personal feeling for the reader. If a poem truly can be limited to one specific meaning or another then it limits the audience it can connect with and thus loses its validity as a work. Though some may argue that this isn't a requirement because everyone has different experiences that are unique from many others, I say that everyone feels the same spectrum of emotions. Sure one can feel them more intensely or they derive from different circumstances, but they are the same emotions everyone else feels and thus can be expressed in a piece creating a connection with the reader. Perrine's idea is that of an idealist with a closed mind who hopes to give some specific definition to literature and poetry. He feels the need to be correct in his interpretation and that all others who differ should be wrong. However, I think that the beauty of literature and poetry is that there isn't an answer. People view the world through different lives and until you've lived through them all you cannot possibly say that their view of it is more or less correct than yours. I believe poetry is a small glance into a poets world through the use of words as tools of expression and emotion. We all live in the same world but all view it differently either due to time, location, or lifestyle. Because of this everyone's interpretation of this "glance into a poet's world" is almost definitely bound to differ from that of the poet's. There is nothing wrong or incorrect about this; it's just different and through this difference comes the beauty and growth that can only come from multiple interpretations of poetry and literature.

An explanation

Sorry in advance that these don't always go in chronological order. I didn't see your comment until it was too late :( I did the best I could though to put them in some sort of order but toward the end it became more order of importance to which it pertains to the book in my mind. Again my bad!

And everybody died. the end.

"The fantasy never got beyond that- I didn't let it- and though the tears rolled down my face, I wasn't sobbing or out of control. I just waited a bit, then turned back to the car, to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be." Kathy Pg 288
This could just be me, but why is it that every book I have to read for school always has a depressing ending? Brave New World ended with John's death and everyone else being sent away to some desolate island. Now Never Let Me Go has ended with both the best friend and the lover dead and the narrator continuing on with her sad life. This is a very unsettling trend I see developing here... Now if I were playing devil's advocate I could say, "well in real life things don't always have happy endings" or "real literature isn't all about people falling in love or having everything go right for them". Well why not? Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoyed reading this book and it was very thought provoking; however, the books I enjoy reading the most do actually have happy endings despite all the troubles and woes they go through. The reason I favor those books above these is because it gives me hope that even when things go wrong in my own life, things will always fall back into place and be right again. That could just be me being an optimist but doesn't everyone wish for that? Sure everybody wants excitement and drama sometimes but in the end we just want to be happy and be loved. For me, reading has always been something I've enjoyed doing, and even though I like books that deal with social issues and such, I also like being able to believe that just maybe life doesn't really turn out so bad. So if you were looking for a book selection I beg you to find one with a happy cliche ending.

Brave New World and Never Let Me Go: Strangely Similar.

"England, Late 1990s" no speaker Pg 1
If I had to guess it's no coincidence that these two novels are strongly related. On the surface they don't seem all that similar. One is about a bunch of slutty caste system snobs in the middle of their adulthood. The other is about a group of friend clones and their entire life story. But with a closer look they are quite similar. The first is that they both take place in England. But the connection goes much deeper than just their location. Both deal with some extremely controversial social issues ranging from conflict between individualism and society as a whole to genetic advancement or the limiting of such projects. They also deal with how society dehumanizes people in order to make the horrific things they do both acceptable and understandable. I'm looking forward to discovering what other connections others came up with in class discussions. Also as a side note I'm curious to figure out whether the choice of these british novels has something to do with you teaching Brit Lit. Just a thought :)

The Real World: Cottages well as close as they'll get to its

"We certainly didn't think much about our lives beyond the Cottages, or about who ran them, or how they fitted into the larger world. None of us thought like that in those days." Kathy page 116
The characters in this book have their whole lives pretty much planned out for them. First they go to Hailsham where every aspect of their lives is run by guardians and other adults. Then once they are all grown up they either become carers or donators. But what about the middle adolescent period? That time is spent at the Cottages. The cottages are the closest thing to a real life that these teens will ever get. This is a place where they can do whatever they'd like, go wherever they want, and hook up with whomever they want. Not all the kids who stay at the cottages are from Hailsham though several all. They are normally separated into the new members and the veterans. In a way it almost seems like college. After all the characters are experiencing a sense of independence and fun. However, there doesn't seem to be a time limit on their stay. So why leave at all? Are they allowed to stay forever or does someone make them move on eventually. From what I understand they all just choose to leave but why? Why would you willingly just write away your life like that? But is that what growing up is like? I mean there are certainly a lot of negative aspects of adulthood but there always seem to be benefits that make us want to move along. But what are those benefits for them? I would really like to know what that would be for them...

We all have that song....

"What made the tape so special for me was this one particular song: track number three, "Never Let Me Go".
When I discovered that the book was named after a specific song that the main character loved so much, I was ecstatic. I love music and believe it is one of the greatest communication tools for humans. So of course if this song was song was so important, I wanted to listen to it. But upon doing more research into it, I discovered not only does the actual song not exist, but the artist, Judy Bridgewater, is fictional as well. She is based off a singer named Julie London. As much as I love Julie London (whose song Cry Me a River is one of my favorites), I was extremely disappointed to learn that the inspiration is strictly made up. Still I am happy that Kazuo did choose to use music as such an important aspect of the novel. Maybe it's just my passion for music, but I think that generally everyone finds some kind of music to love. It acts as a unifier and in a society so separated they could use some. Maybe Kazuo didn't mean to make that connection or maybe he did, but I'm glad he did because it made Kath infinitely more relatable to me. Also in case you were curious, Never Let Me Go was made into a film in which Jane Monheit sings a version possibly created just for the movie. Though she's no Julie London I still enjoyed it. This is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMgyKNr-Vbk

These are the Questions that haunt me... ROUND 2!!!

"What we want to know now, Miss Emily, is if the rumour's true or not." Tommy pg 257
I know I did this for Brave New World but since it worked so well I decided I'd do it again!
so here they are....

• Were the kids really cloned from criminals and prostitutes?
• If so why?
• How did Ms. Emily become involved in this movement?
• Is Madame insane?
• How were guardians chosen?
• Why didn't the kids choose to stay at the cottages forever?
• Did it never occur to them to run away?
• Why does everybody hate clones so much?
• Were these clones ever used for anything more than donations?
• What made Hailsham so special from the other clone schools?
• Did Ruth ever really love Tommy?
• Why did Ruth have to die?
• What was the big deal with the swamp boat?
• Where was Hailsham really located?
• Was Hailsham based off a real place?
• Was the name Ruth picked because she could be ruthless? 
• Am I trying to hard to be funny? (I can answer that one: yes.)
• What was the inspiration for this book or where did the idea come from?
• Why did kazuo Ishiguro decide to write this book from a female prospective?
• How do you pronounce his name? Is it like the musical instrument?
• Why is this novel so depressing?
• What's up with the cover? Is it supposed to be kath?
• Whatever happened to her anyways? 
• Did she ever donate?

These are just a few once again I'm sure more will come to me

The Love that Never Was: Kath and Tommy

"Is it the case, then, that deferrals don't exist? There's nothing you can do?".... "There's no truth in the rumour. I'm sorry. I truly am." Tommy and Ms. Emily respectively pg 258
Perhaps one of the saddest elements of this book is the lack of love. Though they are told they can have sex with whomever they want and there are virtually no consequences. Also kids always seem to couple up like normal teens, but even then they really don't share a true love connection. As sappy as that sounds I believe everyone deserves that chance even clones. But this society disagrees. Kath and Tommy were never able to be together because Ruth and Tommy had been dating. Also I don't think they ever really accepted it themselves. Then when they finally do get together, it seems like it's too late because Tommy is already a part of the donation process. Kath and Tommy attempt to get a sort of waiver to give them more time together before Tommy's next donation, but even then they weren't allowed. These two just can't get a break. But why not? What could letting them be together really do to harm them or the system? And is it possible that maybe if they were shown love and allowed to love that they might be more healthy and therefore when the time came give better donations? There are actually studies that show humans function better with love. This is just another way that society has tried to dehumanize the clones.

What do clones, slaves, and Jews have in common? more than you'd think

"All around the country, at this very moment, there are students being reared in deplorable conditions, conditions you Hailsham students could hardly imagine. And now we're no more, things will only get worse." Ms. Emily Pg 260-261
Just like in Brave New World (I've used that phrase quite a bit) Never Let Me Go deals with some difficult moral issues, the biggest of which is genetic cloning of sorts. Both have people who seem to have gotten in a little over their heads with this whole science thing. What started with good intentions has snowballed into a catastrophe of one group of people who think they are superior dominating a smaller group of people. This doesn't just happen between Alphas and Epsilons or Society and clones. It also has happened several times throughout history. The biggest example being the Jews and the slaves. In all cases the weaker party was considered to be less than human simply because they were different from the more dominant group. These dominant groups were threatened by these differences so they decided to either kill or exploit the smaller group. Looking back now it seems completely insane and inhumane to treat people in such ways, but one of the biggest reasons they were able to get away with it was because they made them to be less than human. By making them appear this way they seemed to make it acceptable to treat them like animals because in their eyes that's what they were. They took away more than just their freedom, they took away their place in the human race which is a crime far greater than murder or any other I can think of. The Nazis, the southerners, and this english society were cowards who feared what these people could do, and instead of working through that fear and making allies, they tried to destroy them. Of course these books are just fiction but if they had had a future I don't think these horrible caste systems would have continued much longer. History proves that it never works and it never will.

You've Gotta Have Heart! and artistic ability to prove it

"We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all." Ms. Emily Page 260
In the novel artistic ability is the ultimate determinant of whether or not clones have a soul. Many people in real life believe that doing artistic activities reveals a piece of your soul and in some ways it does. But does a lack of artistic ability really mean you don't have a soul? I don't think so. Though I'm all for artistic things (being that I am not very athletic) I don't think that people who aren't good at art aren't fully human. Tommy struggles with this and works all his life to try and be good at art, but in all honesty he seemed most happy when he was playing football. That's what he was good at too. Although I don't think athletic ability reveals soul either. What I really think determines human soul is being truly passionate about something and loving and caring for something and someone. Tommy cared about football but then he also  truly cared about his art as well which is what made him improve. Also his love for Kath made him work harder at it as well. That's what truly makes a person a person.

SUSPENSE!!!! DUHH! DUUHH! DUUUHHH! (insert suspenseful music)

"Yes, why Hailsham at all?" Ms. Emily Pg 260
One of the key elements of this novel is the suspense. From beginning to end, it constantly provides more questions than answers, and always leaves you wanting more. Even though we kind of start at the end with Kath as an adult we still start off not knowing much about her life at all. In fact Kath doesn't even know as much about her life as she thinks she does. Of course we don't know that at the beginning either. There is a lot we don't know.... Then as the novel continues though some of our questions are answered, but even more arise. Then as the novel comes to a close all the questions are answered in a very surprising manner. Though this novel is suspenseful it's not suspenseful in the big action sequence kind of way but it still grips my attention the whole way through. After all the most intriguing things are weapons or fight scenes, but rather human interaction itself. The use of the constant questions and guessing gives the novel depth and a human quality.

We really are real! The external conflict to prove that clones are people too

"Together, we became a small but very coal movement, and we challenged the entire way the donations programme was being run." Ms. Emily Pg 261
At the end of the novel we discover that the students of Hailsham and other academies like it were comprised of kids who are clones created specifically for the purpose of donating organs for other people in need. We also learn that prior to and after the existence of these institutions everyone simply treated them as nothing more than tools of medicine. However, a group of people (e.g. the guardians, Ms. Emily, and Madame) believed this was absolutely wrong, and they created this school to prove that they were real people with real, human emotions who deserved to be treated well. In order to prove this they had the kids do projects such as art and poetry and held big events to show people that they did in fact have souls. If they didn't how could they create such things? So though the mystery of the Gallery is solved! For awhile this appeared to be working. The advocates for fair treatment of the clones were winning! But then when a scientist attempted to make super humans with supreme abilities, people got scared and stop supporting the movement. This conflict between establishments like Hailsham and the rest of society provides not only base for this whole novel but also a plethora of difficult social issues that I believe the world isn't facing purposely. Deep down I think these people knew that what they were doing is inhumane but if you refuse to face it then you can't feel guilty for it. I truly believe that was the case here, and I think it's unfortunate society ended up winning the war on this one.

First place for great use of First person narration goes to Kazuo Ishiguroo

"My name is Kathy H. I'm thirty-one years old, and I've been a carer now for over eleven years." Kathy Page 1
The book Never Let Me Go is told through a first person narrative. I have always personally favored first person told stories, but this book has done it in one of the best ways I've read. Normally the benefits of a first person work is that you feel more in tune with a certain character which allows you to relate to it more and quite frankly get more into the book. However, a major drawback of a first person narrative is that they are normally so bias. In some cases it even seems like it's the author telling the story or their opinions, not the character simply retelling an important part of their life. Kazuo (got to love the name) avoids this and actually enhances the book by doing a few good things. Firstly he makes the main character a female and what's more is it actually reads as though the narrator is a female. Also she is an extremely likable character who you want to root for. Unlike Bernard Marx in Brave New World (who I personally wanted to strangle myself), Kath seems to be fairly level headed and wise beyond her years. Also Kath's character narration isn't outrageously bias, but rather objective in a sense. She takes the time to try to understand another person's reasoning or behavior, which I think most people do. Still she isn't completely unbiased which I think makes her a much more realistic read. I don't think the story could have been told in third person because you would have lost the emotional connection. The whole point of this book is to view it from the side of those who are a minority of sorts. It also fuels the idea that they are real people with real emotions- not just science experiments.

This book is certainly Moody...

"I was talking to one of my donors a few days ago who was complaining about how memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don't go along with that. The memories I value most, I don't see them ever fading." Kathy Page 286 (I realize I skipped a few pages)
This book definitely creates a heavy emotional atmosphere. I'd say the atmosphere is somewhat an onion though with several layers. The first layer is nostalgic. Throughout the whole novel there is a feeling of longing for that Kath has for her time at Hailsham without her friends. Though she's dealt with a lot in that time she still looks back on it as a happy and enjoyable time. Then the next layer is that of tension. There is tension between the faculty and the students, the students and their peers, and even within the students themselves. They keep alluding to something to going on that is clearly a touchy subject, but we don't know exactly what it is. Which brings me to the next and most intriguing layer which is that of mystery. I'm still not sure what's going on or why everyone is being so secretive. This whole array of emotions makes a mood that adds an element of compassion and excitement to the novel which has kept me reading.

Secrets, Secrets are no fun. Not unless you tell someone. or at least hint at it...

"If you're to have decent lives, you have to know who you are and what lies ahead of you, every one of you." Ms. Lucy Page 81
There is some shady business going down at Hailsham. Guardians are being secretive and seem to be on edge. No one has yet to explain the Gallery or why being so artistic matters. Or does it even matter? Now Ms. Lucy has hinted to Tommy that being artist really isn't that important? However she did this in a very cryptic manner. Then she goes on to tell them that they don't really know the severity of their circumstances. Why all the secrecy and deceit? WHY CAN'T ADULTS JUST BE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST??!! It always seems like adults try to hint to us all these bad things that go on in "the real world" but they won't ever just be 100% honest about what those things are. So instead of preparing me for these horrible happenings, I just sit here completely scared and panicked. I'm not sure if adults just have good intentions and are trying to warn us but shield us at the same time, but just to be clear, it's not working. Instead of whatever intended affect being successful (whatever that may be), now my childhood innocence is ruined and I am left completely defenseless to a world of worrying and issues far beyond my realm of consciousness that I'm not even clear on! If adults really wanted to do us a favor they would just be clear about what it is we're going to face and actually try to prepare us for it. No secrets, no hints, just honest answers and information. I think that the students in this novel could use some of that honesty too.

Why is Ruth so controlling? Her motivation

"...But there was no doubt she was the leader." Kathy Page 49
Every school has a girl like Ruth. She's a sort of queen bee who all the girls follow and listen to. She's controlling and some would even say a little bit of a bully. She has even been know to tell some white lies here and there. However, there are still times when Ruth genuinely seems like a good and caring person. For example she tries to help Kath find her tape without causing a scene. So why does she act so witchy? In truth I think the motivation behind her behaviors is that she is insecure and unsure about who she is. She is still young and on top of having what appears to be a very confusing and special entity, she also has the feeling of just wanting to be accepted and liked. She makes up certain things so she appear more cool or elite. Also she often acts like things don't both her so she keeps her cool and controlling image in tact. It also might stem from the fact that she really seems to have no control of her life. She always has to do what the guardians say and then her career and life path from here on out is already planned for her. So it seems right that she would want to control some aspect of her life.

Madame seems flat, as a character that is

"We called her "Madame" because she was French Belgian- there was a dispute as to which- and that was what the guardians always called her. She was tall, narrow woman with short hair, probably quite young still, though at the time we wouldn't have thought of her as such. She always wore a sharp grey suit, and unlike the gardeners, unlike the drivers who brought in our supplies- unlike virtually anyone else who came in from outside- she wouldn't talk to use and kept us at a distance with her chilly look." Kathy page 32
If there is one character that seems utterly one dimensional it's Madame. Every time we've encountered her she seems cold and disgusted almost. Kath even makes the observation that she views the children as spiders or vial creatures she doesn't want to touch. She seems to be scared of them in a way as well. And yet she is connected to this whole idea of the Gallery. So why is this uptight lady who seems to be scared of children come to a school full of kids to collect the art they created? Also there's the whole incident when Kath catches her watching her dance to the song "Never Let Me Go" and she's crying. Why would she be crying for a child she seems to dislike so much? Maybe she's more dynamic than she appears but for now she seems completely one dimensional.

The Gallery: Good connotation or Bad connotation?

"But did we really believe in the Gallery? Today, I'm not sure. As I've said, we never mentioned it to the guardians and looking back, it seems to me this was a rule we imposed on ourselves, as much as anything the guardians had decided." Kathy Page 32
In a book that is turning out to be much of a mystery (not the love story my friends told me it would be) another perplexity is the Gallery. There is  no doubt that there are certain good emotions associated with this supposed museum of students' best work. After all who wouldn't be proud to have their creation showcased and admired? It's even occasionally used as a sort of compliment. However, the Gallery almost seems to be a taboo topic. Though it is often mentioned here or there, there is often a solemn undertone that seeps into the rest of the conversation, and it is never discussed with the guardians or other adults. I'd say this stems from the idea that, at Hailsham, there is almost nothing more important than being artistic. Why is that? The Gallery seems to be yet another tool to create the air of mystery that surrounds this school and the students that attend it.

Tommy's Temper Tantrums: Normal kids stuff or the sign of something more troubling?

"He was just raving, flinging his limbs about, at the sky, at the wind, at the nearest fence post." Kathy Page 10
Lately it seems as though Tommy can't seem to control himself when it comes to his temper. The littlest thing could send him into a flying fit of rage which includes cursing, stomping around, and other violent motions. He seems to almost transcend into a trace in which he doesn't even realize what he's doing. At one point he even hits Kath on accident. But is all the teasing and taunting from the other kids really the cause of all this anger or is there something more serious lying under the surface? The narrator, Kath, alludes to the possibility of Tommy's lack of artistic ability and, what's more, lack of interest in improvement having something to do with it. But why is being artistic so important here? By the way it's depicted, Hailsham sounds like a school that produces highly intelligent kids and takes a significant interest in their education. But no one subject is more highly regarded or valued than that of the arts. Whether it's poetry or drawing or sculpting, it seems almost pertinent that each student must be able to succeed in one of these areas. Does this high regard for the arts have something to do with how smart these kids are? And if there is any truth behind this, then would it be considered a serious mistake for schools across the country today to be cutting fine arts programs? Or are Tommy's bursts of anger an indication that enforcing artistic ability is in fact harmful to a child's psyche? It will be interesting to see where this goes in the novel.

Over the hills and to the woods to Hailsham's Campus we go!

"Driving around the country now, I still see things that will remind me of Hailsham. I might pass the corner of a misty field, or see part of a large house in the distance as I come down the side of a valley, even a particular arrangement of poplar trees up on a hillside, and I'll think: "Maybe that's it! I've found it! This actually is Hailsham!" Then I see it's impossible and I go on driving, my thoughts drifting on elsewhere." Kathy page 6
Throughout the book Never Let Me Go one place remains the center of all controversy, nostalgia, and excitement: Hailsham School. From the beginning Hailsham is regarded as a conservatory for "special" students. The imagery used to describe it helps paint not only a vivid mental picture, but also takes the reader to a deeper emotional level. Hailsham is something of a paradox, much like it's students. It is described as elegantly beautiful; however, the reader gets the sense there is something almost ominous or frightening about it at the same time. It's prestigious grounds and quaint places to relax and play make it sound like a perfect oasis from the real world. At certain times though it almost seems like Hailsham is more like a castle dungeon used to lock away something special while barricading any harm that might come along. These conflicting images make Hailsham seem mysterious. This mystery matches that which surrounds the students themselves and their unique circumstances. It will be interesting to see if Hailsham ends up being the answer or a key clue to the mystery of these students' predicament or if it will only bring forth more questions.

a POSSIBLE foreshadow (oh the irony)

"The point is, they claim they saw this... person. Working there in this open-plan office. And, well, you know. They reckon this person's a possible. For me." Ruth Pg. 139
Aside from wondering whether the irony of my title counts as a use of a lit term (I won't take my chances), I'm also very curious to see where this whole idea of possibles goes and what it means. I was floored when I discovered that all the kids were created in the likeness of other people who are still roaming around the world. They don't really know anything about the people they're modeled after but they are always on the look out for their possible. Then one day Rodney tells Ruth he might have found her possible and they go on an adventure to find her. When they do at first they think it could be but the more they follow her they see less and less of a resemblance they see. At one point she even bursts out about how they are just made from loser convicts and prostitutes. Could this be the vital piece of the puzzle? Are they clones; is that the big secret? This definitely is foreshadowing some bigger news and a lot more answers to come. This has definitely given me hope as a reader that the book is going somewhere and more importantly somewhere exciting!

Flashbacks

"There have been times over the years when I've tried to leave Hailsham behind, when I've told myself I shouldn't look back so much. But then there came a point when I just stopped resisting." Kathy Page 5
When I first started reading this book I thought it would be the story of a woman, Kath, who has spent many years at a job known as a Carer. However, as the story progresses the real story is in the flashbacks that Kath recalls  and reflects on her memories involving Hailsham and her friends and peers. These flashbacks not only provide a very intriguing story in itself but also gives pertinent information about her current state. It also almost acts as a foreshadowing tool too. Certain memories from her past actually reveal information that are like clues to her future. The use of these Flashbacks is effective because it gives us more insight into who these characters really are. This insight creates a bond between the reader (Me and several of my classmates) and the characters. The bond makes the characters and their predicament seem both more realistic and relatable.

Has the Jury reached a verdict? Not exactly....

When I first started reading this book I absolutely hated it. I didn't really understand what was going on. The story line wasn't all that intriguing, and to be honest it's summer and I had other books I would much rather read. But as I continued I did start to find parts of it I actually... gulp... enjoyed. Shocking as it is to think that I could actually like a part of homework, I actually did find some elements that were good. For instance, as I stated earlier, I love the character of Mustapha Mond. I also loved how this book forced me to see social issues in a whole new light. By making every case so extreme, he surprised and sometimes even enraged his readers with the absurdity of it all. But then with closer examination, it became clear that maybe these situations aren't so different from what's going on in today's world right now. It's humbling in a sense to read a book that really focuses on human flaws and how we could change them. That might be one of the reasons I also don't like it very much. After all no one likes to be told what they're doing wrong or how they're screwing everything up. But like I said before honesty brings happiness. So if that means confronting the issues he's uncovered head on in order to make a better society then so be it. I respect him for having the moxy to write a book that could be considered extremely controversial. I also respect the fact that this book seems sort of timeless. He wrote this book in 1932 and now almost 80 years later it still seems both futuristic and plausible. All that being said I still don't really like his writing style and I wish there would have been some kind of exciting climax to spice the book up. So if you were to ask me whether or not I like this book my answer would have to be I don't know (He's still on third). But in all seriousness I think I'm going to have to wait for further discussions or readings before I can really answer that question.

Who's speaking in third? No, I Don't Know is...

Other than the fact that Abbot and Costello are some of the funniest guys ever, this video adequately describes my confusion for who exactly this book is supposed to be following (yes who's on first). In the beginning it seems to be following the director. Then it jumps to Lenina and then to Bernard. Then it seems like it's the savage. It continues to bounce its focus from character to character and honestly I don't like it very much. Because the book never focuses on one character for the entire extent of the book I never felt like I was following a story line. It was more like watching extended youtube clips of a small snippet of their full story. Not to mention I feel like I popped right into the middle of it with no background. I wish the story would have followed one character or at least given me all the necessary background information to understand what's going on. Reading this book was sort of like trying to follow the movie "Inception". They threw you right in the middle of the plot so you were always trying to keep up with the story. That's just my personal opinion.

Answer me this....

While reading this novel some questions have been plaguing me so I figured I might as well blog them and see if you have some good answers. So here it goes...

• What's up with the cover? 
• How the heck does it relate to the book?
• Was this  the original cover? If so did Aldous Huxley pick it himself?
• Why did he decide to title it Brave New World?
• Why did he write this book?
• Where did the idea for it come from?
• Did he believe a world like the one described would be best? (If so all my blogs are incredibly wrong)
• Where/how did he get/come up with the material for this book?
• Was alcohol really put in Bernard's blood surrogate?
• Was Linina killed when John the Savage attacked her or just badly injured?
• Why does Helmholtz put up with Bernard's incessant whining?
• How did life on the Island turn out for the two men?
• Did John kill himself because of his love for Lenina or all the attention from society or a combo or something completely different?
• Is Mustapha Mond supposed to be evil?
• Is there even supposed to be a sense of good and evil in this book?
• What was the reasoning behind the name choices for the characters?
• Who in their right mind thinks it's ok for toddlers to experiment sexually with one another?
• Why give Ford such an important role?

I'm sure more questions will come to me later, but this is all I have got for now.