Lit. Circles Role Blog

Lit. Circles Role Blog

This week I would like to reflect on the role I play as the connector. Our group picks the section called The Philosopher to dissect and find the significance of. I find several connections throughout this section between Dr. Parcival’s message throughout this story and the novel as a whole. The first thing I would note as a reader is the fact that Dr. Parcival, similar to the characters Alice and George, also experiences an adventure. His adventure was to write a book. This is not like any other book. The idea, “everyone in the world is Christ and they are all crucified (pg. 56)”, reflects the desperation in his voice. This desperation is also seen in the character Alice as she experiences her adventure. She is scared and confused, “Felt the cold rain on her body a mad desire to run naked through the streets took possession of her. She thought the rain would have some creative and wonderful effect on her body (pg. 119)”.  I believe these adventures symbolize the characters last chance to experience youth. Dr. Parcival feels a connection to George because he sees the significant crossroad in his life; here he isn’t a man or a little boy. His character is used as a warning to follow his dreams. He is trying to live through George. This goes with the theme that you should preserve youth, because there is something grotesque that comes out of aging.

            Dr. Parcival is also connected to the story as a whole through his need to impart wisdom onto George just like Tom Willard. His advice similar to his fathers is more of a warning to wake up.  His message, “I want to fill you with hatred and contempt so that you will be a superior being (pg. 55)” is said ironically. The hatred is against the world it is not to be produced on individuals. Dr. Parcival wants George to understand the trials of the world, not live in a boyish land. His dad also believes he’s helping George. His teachings, “You’re not a fool. Your Tom Willard’s son and you’ll wake up. If being a newspaper man had put the notion of becoming a writer into your mind that’s all right. Only I guess you’ll have to wake up to do that too, eh? (pg. 44)”, this shows how he also lives through George. George is a representation of himself in the next generation. Yes, he does not want to be embarrassed, but I believe another factor is he doesn’t want to be disappointed. By telling him that that when he became a newspaper man he has to be awake means that there will be serious, real life, dirty things to report on. He needs to experience these things in order to reflect a true man. This is a representation of the theme as a whole through its description of Dr. Parcival as an ironic figure guiding George through his life. The theme of knowledge being used for evil is seen here, but I believe it is seen as a good thing.

            In conclusion, Dr. Parcival acts as a philosopher by being a rational investigator of truths and principles of beings. Though he acts very sarcastic his character does prove the themes of preserving youth in order to prevent becoming grotesque and refutes the theme of knowledge being used for evil. He is critical in dissecting this novel as w hole, because without him we wouldn’t see the underlying current of seeing the world for what it is and growing up.

Fiesta short story blog

Fiesta Short Story

A lot of people focused on the symbolism that Diaz uses, such as the VW van, as the main reason Junior vomits; however, I want to look at his use of characterization. Junior’s character is one that is really passive, but underneath his shyness is a cry for help. The theme is see is that silence seems to be the loudest cry of inward pain.

Junior cannot stomach being quiet and remaining in the company of his dads, but his culture demands a sense of respect from a young man. This is seen though, “How’s it going in the equipment?  Are you ok?... I didn’t say anything…Maybe it was family loyalty, maybe I just wanted to protect Mami or I was afraid that Papi would find out.” Throughout the story we see Diaz use of his of his Spanish vocabulary. This promotes the effect of his rich culture on his life. This quote coupled with the part that shows another child being abused and ignored by the guests to reflect how abuse may be common place in this neighborhood. The fact that Junior cannot verbalize the abuse to his loved aunt shows that private life is thought to be always be kept confidential even when it comes to abuse.

I also look at the significance within the family dynamic. Fear drives everyone who comes into contact with Papi into a state of submission. This is seen through,” If you throw up- I won’t, I cried, tears in my eyes, more out of reflex than pain.” At this point in the story Mama is very inactive in efforts to defend her son. The fact that Rafa is acting out of reflex, shows that all his life he has been beaten and now he is simply conditioned to cry. If you do not obey the law you are punished this family dynamic is dysfunctional due to the lack of communication. Mama must see the pain in her sons eyes and the aggressive nature of her husband; moreover, her silence I believe is the reason this abuse is allowed to progress.

Diaz uses more than symbolism to reflect his warning of silent but deadly abuse. He shows through his diction, “Succia” meaning dirty female which reflects the dads dirty actions, and “Yunior” showing how he still holds his Spanish heritage close, that it is important to him. He shows how he puts himself into this story to pull out key elements of life. He also uses each character to play a role in society. With each passive act of his mom she allows her sons to reap the abuse that she protects herself from. I believe Diaz even foreshadows the womanizing acts of Papi rubbing off on Rafa. This is seen when he goes off with both girls and does god knows what. He instinctively has a way with both girls and is attracted to them. His father did not have the characteristics or portrayal that a dad should; therefore, his son follows in the same footsteps, I believe Diaz uses Fiesta as a warning that abuse can come in many forms, so sometimes silent actions can speak the loudest.

short story: Teenage wasteland

Short Story : Teenage Wasteland

The second story that caught my attention was Teenage Wasteland by Anne Tyler. I noticed that the tone throughout the story was very cautious and cynical in a way.

One theme that I saw was for parents to be active in their child’s life or it could turn into a wasteland. This means they lose themselves, give up their potential, and/ or harm themselves. I use the example of, “Daisy thought, how they must look to Mr. Lanham: an over-weight housewife in a cotton dress and a to-tall, too thin insurance agent in a baggy, frayed suit. Failures both of them…”. At this point of the story the father is seen, so far, as being somewhat absent. The fact that he isn’t mentioned a lot during the story shows that this figure is missing for Donny, I believe that is why he tries to fill it with Cal’s presence. Another theme is for you to be careful who you let guide you and who you allow to be your friend because they could have ulterior motives which could lead to your downfall. You tell everyone your life story they can find a weakness in you and deplete you of your joys in life. It’s seen through, “Cal’s first bill sent a flutter of panic through Daisy’s chest, but it was worth it, of course. Just look at Donny’s face when they picked him up: alright and full of interest…At home Donny didn’t act much different”. This shows that Cal’s motives were not to help Donny, but more as a means to support him. As Donny expresses no significant increase in spunk or higher grades Cal still expects the highest payment.

 Tyler uses characterization and symbols to foreshadow the downfall of Donny’s character. For example Cal’s home symbolizes how empty the teen’s life is becoming. They find a party place instead of a quiet place to learn or study. It states, “What a neat guy and what a house! All those kids hanging out like a club.” This is significant because it shows how Cal acts as a friend to the children in order to corrupt them. Creates the image of a lounge and a place for them to open up to him, but if Donny still behaves the same nothing expressed in this “home” is a good thing. Daisy’s character unfortunately allows him to do it because she is unsure of her role as a mother. It states, “That night, Daisy lay awake pondering the term self-worth. She had always been free with her promise. She had always told Donny he had talent, was smart, was good with his hands was that his trouble”. This indicates that her self-condemnation leaves her unable to stand up and guide her son through life properly. These things coupled with an overall disconnected home unit forms Donny as an unstable person. He is easily persuaded by what Cal says and how Cal acts that he loses himself. Even from early on in his childhood he would lie about simple things even with the evidence in plain sight. This proves that he is truly a flawed individual. Every child lies but he hasn’t grown out of it. I believe his disregard for life is his own downfall.

To sum up I believe Anne Tyler used Teenage Wasteland to warn teens nowadays that you have to take responsibility for your own life, because if you allow others to manipulate you, you will lose yourself. It’s hard for teens to know there place in the world, but even if your parents aren’t there you have to make it. With the wrong guidance your goals of becoming a doctor, lawyer, artist, and teacher can be taken away.

Short Story Commentary: Hairball by margaret atwood

Short Story Blog: Hairball

I liked the short story Hairball the greatest. It stuck out from the other ones through its use in diction. There is a lot of seemingly random statements in here such as “ It was like being God, only God had never got around to off-the-rack lines” and “ kissing a girl, a woman, a girl, in a little crotch-hugger skirt and skin tight leggings. He likes mirrors.” Each quote having the appearance of non-significance, but in actuality both statements give more information about her character. The first quote shows that Kat views herself higher than god. I believe foreshadowing was used to show that this mindset will lead to her downfall. Later on in the story her “creation” turns on her; moreover, takes over her lives worth, her job! Without this her life has no meaning. The second quote shows that Kat is struggling to find herself. Just like in The Picture of Dorian Gray, a misguided ideal that superficial beauty is the most important aspect of life is seen here. Kat is desperately trying to hold onto her youth in order to keep beauty, but she does not understand that she can be beautiful on the inside. Some of my analytical questions are is the Hairball a symbol of the child she never allowed herself to have and do opposites really attract? To answer the first I believe that the hairball is indeed a symbol of a child because it says” Twice she had abortions…she learned to say that she didn’t want children anyway, that if she longed for a rug rat she would buy a gerbil.” This shows that the hairball which she gingerly takes care of is the child she wishes to have with Ger. The constant reminder of age haunts her as soon as she sees her reflection. The mirror really acts a symbol of the inner evil workings of her soul. She feels old and damaged and I believe that is why she engulfs herself into her work and goes for the basic/boring men. To answer the second question I think opposites do attract most of the time.  It says, “Gerald was the kind of man she wouldn’t have bothered with in London. He was not funny, he was not knowledgeable. But he was eager, he was tractable. Kat yearns for easy moldable men because it does not give her a challenge. I believe that if you are generally loud person you will be attracted to someone who is more passive and gentle- voiced. Who would want to fight all the time for dominance in the relationship? Kat is attracted to Ger because he is everything she is not. The complex factor is that she isn’t in love with him until he transforms. She loves what she cannot have because she is always getting what she wants. I believe the theme of this story is every evil deed done in secret will be brought to the light. It didn’t matter that years had gone by and they were secretly having an affair, because Kats jealousy brought about the unveiling of their sins in the end.

My first merit blog

Ariana Grant

Ms. Clinch

AP Literature

1 September 2012

Literary Merit of Summer Reading Books

For a novel to have literary merit it must show the quality of the novel in depth. My summer reading books were The Known World by Edward P. Jones and Beowulf. I believe The Known World showed literary merit through their themes. For example he engages you through one theme that I found. Slavery can take a toll on both the physical and mental aspects of your life. This was seen through the character Barnum Kinsey. He was constantly mentally fighting the concept of being truly free. It says, “One was Barnum Kinsley, then considered by everyone to be the poorest white man in the county, “saved”, as one neighbor said from being a nigger only by the color of his skin.” He was considered white trash because he was very poor and this class distinction separated him from fitting in with the whites or blacks. Though he is not African American he is still enslaved in his mind because he does not feel worthy to set out into the world. Another prominent theme in the story was the concept that some individuals have the need to obtain power over others in order to feel self-worth. This was seen through “Moffett stood and listened. He took a perverse delight in hearing them, was lulled into sleep by the sound of their fighting”. This is significant because although Moffett is a priest, he still has the mindset of a slave owner. He is able to draw in all the black people in their community and give them hope. He is used to captivate others and bring a sense of peace, so it is ironic that there is such hate and animosity in his own household. He watches the two women in his life, wife and sister in law, fight over him. This sick sense of calm he attains from this sight shows a flaw in his character. In Beowulf I understood a theme to be a hero is defined not by the battles they’ll won but by the inner courage, will power, and drive of that man to reach his goals. This was seen through “Beowulf my friend your fame has gone far and wide,…in all things you are even tempered, prudent, and resolute... Forever you will be your peoples mainstay and your own warriors helping hand.” This is significant because the author uses characterization to draw the reader in. It furthers my point that it is more important to be a good individual/leader then the amount of battles he won. In order for a novel to have literary merit it must have themes that can stand the tests of time. Both of these novels had classic themes. Also the styles of both novels were intricate, so that made sure that the plot could not be surmised. I enjoyed being able to pick my novel of choice and then the novel from the list because it allowed me to get a sense of what type of literary elements to look for throughout my school year. I believe I do need help in analysis because I do not want to simply summarize.