From Elaine Magarrell's poem "The Joy of Cooking," I got the sense that the narrator didn't so much like or get along with her brother and sister. She uses alot of good imagery and diction to reference cooking terms to cooking the parts of her siblings she doesn't particularly agree with.
I believe that she wanted to cook her sister's tongue because she was loud or talked alot. Maybe even the sister told on her or spread rumors. When she says, "it will probably grow back" (Magarrell), it is inferred that the sister can never stop this habit for anything. It is in the sister's personality to be a loud mouth. This obviously bothers the narrator.
Also, she picks the heart of her brother to cook. The quote "is firm and rather dry" implies that the narrator feels that her brother isn't kind or sympathetic. She later on in that second stanza even says, "although beef heart serves six my brother's heart barely feeds two." From this quote, I inferred that she felt her brother was mean or indifferent to her.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Winter Days
As I read "Those Winter Days" by Robert Hayden, I got a sense of the father's character. When it says "Sundays too my father got up early" (Hayden, 781), we get the sense that the father gets up really early every day. "With cracked hands that ached from labor" (Hayden, 781), shows that the father was a hard worker. It also gives a bit of information that his weekday job was hard labor. "No one ever thanked him" (Hayden, 781). This quote told me that either his children or the society never thanked him for all he does and for all his hard work. Maybe the father feels under appreciated and over worked. I also got a sense of love for his boys while reading this poem. He only woke them up from bed when the house was warm and got them ready in the morning every day.
However, the narrator says that as a boy he didn't know of his father's loneliness and feelings. "Speaking indifferently" (Hayden, 781), the narrator didn't show his father affection in the mornings or show gratitude for all the things his father worked for. When it says that his father "had driven out the cold" (Hayden, 781), this could also symbolize that athe father had driven out the hardships or stresses in his child's life.
However, the narrator says that as a boy he didn't know of his father's loneliness and feelings. "Speaking indifferently" (Hayden, 781), the narrator didn't show his father affection in the mornings or show gratitude for all the things his father worked for. When it says that his father "had driven out the cold" (Hayden, 781), this could also symbolize that athe father had driven out the hardships or stresses in his child's life.
The Drunkard
There was one quote from "The Drunkard" by Frank O'Connor that seemed to be significant. "My brave little man!' she said with her eyes shining. 'It was God did it you were there. You were his guardian angel" (O'Connor, 351). The mother wasn't even mad at the little boy for drinking his father's alcohol. She was disappointed in her husband for allowing her son to be in that environment. She was even more mad at her husband's negligence. However, she praised the boy for his good deed.
This quote was symbolic. He was his guardian angel, becuase he kept his father from drinking. He kept him from going back down that downward spiral that one drink causes. The boy's action even made the father stop drinking for good. "Never again, never again, not if I live to be a thousand" (O'Connor, 350). The humiliation that the boy put his father through made him come to a realization. The father had to have an awakening in order that he might not get in trouble with the police and keep his sons safe.
This quote was symbolic. He was his guardian angel, becuase he kept his father from drinking. He kept him from going back down that downward spiral that one drink causes. The boy's action even made the father stop drinking for good. "Never again, never again, not if I live to be a thousand" (O'Connor, 350). The humiliation that the boy put his father through made him come to a realization. The father had to have an awakening in order that he might not get in trouble with the police and keep his sons safe.
Once Upon a Time
"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimen was a dark short story. The fact that this wasn't a cheerful story, made the irony in the story even that more evident. I found four points of irony in this story.
1. The narrator tells that some want her to write children's stories. She even admits, "I don't write children's stories" (Gordimer, 231). Then, while she is laying in bed and cannot sleep, she tells herself a bedtime story. However, the story is anything but soothing.
2. The father's mother gave the family the advice to build a bigger, strong, and more industrial looking wall. She then gave the little boy the book Sleeping Beauty. From this book, the little boy got the idea of courage; using this newly found courage, he got a ladder and climbed the wall which led to his death. "Next day he pretended to be the Prince who braves the terrible thicket of thorns to enter the palace" (Gordimer, 236).
3. The wall had a sign which read "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED." This was ironic becausethe family thought the sign was to warn outsiders; however, it should have really been warning them of the dangers of the wall.
4. The family built all of these walls and installed all of these security systems in order to protect their family and especially their son. Little did they know that the barbed wire fence that they installed would be the demise of their little boy. "
1. The narrator tells that some want her to write children's stories. She even admits, "I don't write children's stories" (Gordimer, 231). Then, while she is laying in bed and cannot sleep, she tells herself a bedtime story. However, the story is anything but soothing.
2. The father's mother gave the family the advice to build a bigger, strong, and more industrial looking wall. She then gave the little boy the book Sleeping Beauty. From this book, the little boy got the idea of courage; using this newly found courage, he got a ladder and climbed the wall which led to his death. "Next day he pretended to be the Prince who braves the terrible thicket of thorns to enter the palace" (Gordimer, 236).
3. The wall had a sign which read "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED." This was ironic becausethe family thought the sign was to warn outsiders; however, it should have really been warning them of the dangers of the wall.
4. The family built all of these walls and installed all of these security systems in order to protect their family and especially their son. Little did they know that the barbed wire fence that they installed would be the demise of their little boy. "
A Worn Path
As I read "AWorn Path" by Eudora Welty, the character of Phoenix Jackson struck me as very complex. She seemed to be an old and fragile black woman. Phoenix wandered through country and forests. The reader never even knew where she was going until halfway through the story when she met the man in the woods. This man even met her at gun point and Phoenix continued on her way to town to get medicine for her grandson. Her main character trait would be stubborn determination. Even though she was older and the journey was not easy, she continued on her way and got up after every stumble. The love she had for her grandson was also an amazingly deep. She was going through all of this trouble and a days travel just to get medicine to help her grandson feel more comfortable.
Another part of Phoenix's character was maybe not as positive. As the reader, I got a sense that maybe Phoenix was not all there. She begins to talk to the animals and plants. She even thinks she sees a ghost. "Ghost, 'she said sharply, 'who you be the ghost of?For I have heard of nary a death clost by" (Welty, 225). Similarly, she thinks a little boy brings her a piece of cake. "She did not dare to close her eyes, and when a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it ...But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air" (Welty, 224). Then, after her dangerous and long journey, when she gets to the office/clinic, she forgets why she went there.
Another part of Phoenix's character was maybe not as positive. As the reader, I got a sense that maybe Phoenix was not all there. She begins to talk to the animals and plants. She even thinks she sees a ghost. "Ghost, 'she said sharply, 'who you be the ghost of?For I have heard of nary a death clost by" (Welty, 225). Similarly, she thinks a little boy brings her a piece of cake. "She did not dare to close her eyes, and when a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it ...But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air" (Welty, 224). Then, after her dangerous and long journey, when she gets to the office/clinic, she forgets why she went there.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
A Raisin in the Sun: Question 5
In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry poses a large generation gap between the members of the Younger family. Mama came from a generation where African Americans had little to no rights. The Civil Rights act had probably not even started. Her and her husband had to work their way up out of nothing. The apartment they bought was a huge feat in through their hardships. Mama doesn't think that Walter and Beneatha appreciate all that was given to them. All that Mr. and Mrs. Younger accomplished was for their children to have better and easier lives than they had had. "In my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North if we could and how to stay alive and still have a pinch of dignity too...Now here you and Beneatha-talking bout things we aint never even thought about hardly, me and your daddy. You aint satisfied or proud of nothing we done" (Hansberry, 475). Mama just doesn't understand the mindset of her children's generation.
Walter and Beneatha, however, grow up in a society where African Americans are beginning to be accepted. Not completely or perfectly, obviously, due to the fact that Clyborne Park didn't want them to be associated with them at all. Though, Beneatha is enrolled at college and is working to become a doctor. This is a dream come true for black women of Mama's generation. Walter wants to go into business. The fact that this is even a thought for him was completely contrary to any dream Mama or Mr.Younger had.
Walter and Beneatha, however, grow up in a society where African Americans are beginning to be accepted. Not completely or perfectly, obviously, due to the fact that Clyborne Park didn't want them to be associated with them at all. Though, Beneatha is enrolled at college and is working to become a doctor. This is a dream come true for black women of Mama's generation. Walter wants to go into business. The fact that this is even a thought for him was completely contrary to any dream Mama or Mr.Younger had.
A Raisin in the Sun: Symbols
Lorraine Hansberry uses a variety of symbols in A Raisin in the Sun. I believe that one of main symbols was the apartment. Because it was cramped, old, and dark, it symbolized a trapped feeling amoung the Youngers. Throughout the years, Mr. and Mrs. Younger started a family, raised them, and became grandparents in that apartment. Not only that, but the entire clan lived in one space. The family could not rise above the society which glued them to that place.
Another symbol was the new house. This new house represented hope for a better future. The house was a way out of the poverty of the community they are living in now. It is also a symbol of a completely new way of life and a new perspective. The new house was in an all white neighborhood. This integration could symbolize the Younger's way of wanting to experience new ways of life. This could also be Mama's way of wanting to make her family equal to the rest of the society. This new house could have also symbolized new opportunities.
One of the aspects of the places they live that gets brought up a few different times is the window. In the apartment, there is hardly any outside light that shines in. This could represent the family's depression or hopelessness. When Ruth asks Mama about the new house, " Is there-is there a whole lot of sunlight?" (Hansberry, 491), I believed that this was Ruth's way of asking if the new house would bring hope to the family. This hope would bring happiness and peace to the Youngers that had not been with them for a long time.
Another symbol was the new house. This new house represented hope for a better future. The house was a way out of the poverty of the community they are living in now. It is also a symbol of a completely new way of life and a new perspective. The new house was in an all white neighborhood. This integration could symbolize the Younger's way of wanting to experience new ways of life. This could also be Mama's way of wanting to make her family equal to the rest of the society. This new house could have also symbolized new opportunities.
One of the aspects of the places they live that gets brought up a few different times is the window. In the apartment, there is hardly any outside light that shines in. This could represent the family's depression or hopelessness. When Ruth asks Mama about the new house, " Is there-is there a whole lot of sunlight?" (Hansberry, 491), I believed that this was Ruth's way of asking if the new house would bring hope to the family. This hope would bring happiness and peace to the Youngers that had not been with them for a long time.
A Raisin in the Sun: Question 10
Walter Younger from A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, goes through an extremely dramatic character change from the beginning of the play to the end. He is very dynamic in character. At the start, the reader can tell that Walter feels suppressed by the world around him. He takes this frustration out on his wife Ruth. "That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world...Don't understand about building their men up and making 'em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something" (Hansberry, 444). At this point, Walter is aggressive towards his family and toward the community.
Then, as the story progresses, we see the personality of Walter's character fluctuate. These roller coller emotions seem to go hand in hand with how Mama is deciding to divy up the insurance money; when she tells him that he doesn't get money, Walter strikes out; when Mama gives into this and gives him a few thousand, Walter is joyous and hopeful.
However, the most significant change in Walter's character comes at the end of the play. After Willy Harris takes off with his investment money, Walter feels betrayed. His personality seems to completely subside and he comes off rather limp. Then, to prove that he is the man of the house, Walter decided to do whatever he could to get the money back for his family. Even if getting the money meant losing his pride. No matter what Mama tried to tell him, it seemed that she could not persuade him to change his mind. But, finally at the end of the play, Walter sees why pride is so important. "Well-what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean-we are very proud people" (Hansberry, 532). We see Walter's final transformation when he tells Linder that they are moving in anyway. After this change, the family seems to be joined together in hope for the future.
Then, as the story progresses, we see the personality of Walter's character fluctuate. These roller coller emotions seem to go hand in hand with how Mama is deciding to divy up the insurance money; when she tells him that he doesn't get money, Walter strikes out; when Mama gives into this and gives him a few thousand, Walter is joyous and hopeful.
However, the most significant change in Walter's character comes at the end of the play. After Willy Harris takes off with his investment money, Walter feels betrayed. His personality seems to completely subside and he comes off rather limp. Then, to prove that he is the man of the house, Walter decided to do whatever he could to get the money back for his family. Even if getting the money meant losing his pride. No matter what Mama tried to tell him, it seemed that she could not persuade him to change his mind. But, finally at the end of the play, Walter sees why pride is so important. "Well-what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean-we are very proud people" (Hansberry, 532). We see Walter's final transformation when he tells Linder that they are moving in anyway. After this change, the family seems to be joined together in hope for the future.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
A Raisin in the Sun: Question 9
One of the most prominent points in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, was when Ruth finds out she is pregnant. What a pinnacle point in the story. The 2 bedroom apartment was crazy already with 5 people living there. Ruth must feel completely vulnerable. She feels she isn't providing enough for her son Travis, works all day cleaning houses, and has a husband who she is slowly drifting away from. It is no wonder that the thought of abortion were to cross her mind. No matter how religios she was, she felt trapped into a situation in which she felt she had no other choice. This baby was going to be the demise of the family and of there economic standing. Mama even rationalizes the situation to Walter when she says, "When the world gets ugly enough-a woman will do anything for her family. The part that's already living" (Hansberry, 476).
One can see in the way Ruth acts around Walter that she is depressed. She apologizes for the baby. "I, I'm sorry about this new baby, Walter. I guess maybe I better go on and do what I started... I guess I didn't realize how bad things was with us... " (Hansberry, 486). Onto pie of all of the social and economic pressures, the factor of Walter's aggression comes to play. He is such a demanding and passionate character, that he loses sight of the love of his wife. He becomes cynical of the the world and lost connection with Ruth. Ruth of all people needed him now the most.
One can see in the way Ruth acts around Walter that she is depressed. She apologizes for the baby. "I, I'm sorry about this new baby, Walter. I guess maybe I better go on and do what I started... I guess I didn't realize how bad things was with us... " (Hansberry, 486). Onto pie of all of the social and economic pressures, the factor of Walter's aggression comes to play. He is such a demanding and passionate character, that he loses sight of the love of his wife. He becomes cynical of the the world and lost connection with Ruth. Ruth of all people needed him now the most.
A Raisin in the Sun: Question 1
In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, the characters are all in a state in which they dream of better ways of living. The cramped apartment is just not enough for any of them. Walter and Beneatha Younger are both searching for a way to get out of the latent lifestyle they seem to be stuck in. Walter wants to use the insurance money as an investment in a liquor store. He wants the chance to be viewed as a real businessman in the community and not as just some chauffeur or servant. He wants to be respected; he also wants respect for his son. Walter says, "Just tell me where you want to go to school and you'll go. Just tell me, what it is you want to be, and you'll be it" (Hansberry, 502). Because Walter could not fulfill his dreams to the fullest, I believe that through his son Travis, he can accomplish his dreams. The basis of his dream is to have the opportunity to be whatever it is he wants and then have the ability to accomplish it.
Beneatha has a different approach in terms of getting out of poverty. She wants to become a doctor. Going to school at this time was a privilege especially for girls and especially for colored women. If she could achieve this degree, it would be a huge step for their family in the positive direction out of the poverty scene. She says, "I always thought it was the one concrete thing in the world that a human being could do. Fix up the sick and make them whole again" (Hansberry, 520). Bennie's dream consisted of helping others, too. She felt the most honorable and respected profession was that of a doctor. Maybe she felt that if she had this prestigious title, she may be seen as an equal in society.
Beneatha has a different approach in terms of getting out of poverty. She wants to become a doctor. Going to school at this time was a privilege especially for girls and especially for colored women. If she could achieve this degree, it would be a huge step for their family in the positive direction out of the poverty scene. She says, "I always thought it was the one concrete thing in the world that a human being could do. Fix up the sick and make them whole again" (Hansberry, 520). Bennie's dream consisted of helping others, too. She felt the most honorable and respected profession was that of a doctor. Maybe she felt that if she had this prestigious title, she may be seen as an equal in society.
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