"Nemo me impune lacessit" (937) No one harms me unpunished
The statement of this motto is ironic and funny because Fortunato doesn't know what trouble he is in, but the reader does. This ironic theme of secrecy appears throughout the story. The first line of the story foreshadows the rest of the story, and there are many points of foreshadowing, which are both ironic in delivery and capable of giving away the secret to Fortunato if he weren't so caught up in himself.
This man Fortunato has wronged the narrator in some way. In order to get back at Fornuato, the narrator uses the mans vice against him. Fortunato, believing himself to be the best authority on wine insists that he see the Amontillado. The narrator knows how vain and egotistical Fortunato is and uses this against him. Through reverse psychology the narrator teases Fortunato deeper and deeper into his wine cellar. Once again irony rears its head as the wine cellar is also a catacombs with skeletons littered about, ominously foreshadowing Fortunato's own death, though unbeknownst to him. The narrator repeatedly mentions the name of another man, Luchresi, in regards to wine knowledge, which bothers Fortunato because he believes himself the authority on wine and must put down Luchresi in order to maintain his status. The narrator really doesn't care about the wine tasting and really isn't going to get Luchresi, he just uses this to get Fortunato to follow him into the cellar. In the end, Fortunato's arrogance and ego, lead him to his death. Poe masterfully uses irony and foreshadowing to make a story that is both comical and frightening at the same time.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Rocking-Horse Winner
"And even as he lay dead, his mother heard her brother's voice saying to her: 'My God, Hester, you're eighty-odd thousand to the good, and a poor devil of a son to the bad. But, poor devil, poor devil, he's best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner' " (719).
Just because of this line I feel people want to pin some blame on the uncle. Like he is so bad for saying this. What he is saying is not really wrong, it is just true. He isn't saying it's a good thing. He is really just stating a fact and then reflecting on the boy's life. He feels bad for him because something made him crazy. The uncle didn't make the boy gamble, no one did but maybe his mother through some strange psychological effect. People say the uncle used the boy, but this does not show in the text. The uncle is in fact reluctant of the boys gambling. If anyone is at fault it's the mother for not loving her child and making him feel as if he needed to be lucky for his mother. The child felt as if he had to make enough money for her expensive tastes and in some strange way be the bread winner because her father couldn't. The child takes on the roll of the father in this way, and the father should have been there to stop this. The child lacks proper care from his parents. Instead he is cared for by servants and nurses. Such negligence on the parents part ultimately leads to his death. The mother is out at a party while her son is at home dying because he's riding the horse. She should have been home watching him.
Just because of this line I feel people want to pin some blame on the uncle. Like he is so bad for saying this. What he is saying is not really wrong, it is just true. He isn't saying it's a good thing. He is really just stating a fact and then reflecting on the boy's life. He feels bad for him because something made him crazy. The uncle didn't make the boy gamble, no one did but maybe his mother through some strange psychological effect. People say the uncle used the boy, but this does not show in the text. The uncle is in fact reluctant of the boys gambling. If anyone is at fault it's the mother for not loving her child and making him feel as if he needed to be lucky for his mother. The child felt as if he had to make enough money for her expensive tastes and in some strange way be the bread winner because her father couldn't. The child takes on the roll of the father in this way, and the father should have been there to stop this. The child lacks proper care from his parents. Instead he is cared for by servants and nurses. Such negligence on the parents part ultimately leads to his death. The mother is out at a party while her son is at home dying because he's riding the horse. She should have been home watching him.
A Good Man Is Hard to Find
"She [the Grandmother] reached out and touched him on the shoulder. The Misfit sprang back as if a snake had bitten him" (913).
There was much debate over whether or not the Grandmother was a good or bad character. Whether she was selfish, caring only for herself, or if she cared about everyone. Along with this is the question of who is at fault for all of them dying. The Grandmother, through numerous events, seems to be on many levels responsible for the death of all. One could go as far as to say she killed everyone, or is responsible for killing everyone. In the end, O'Connor chooses to characterize her as "a snake" which implies evil, even demonic connotations.
First she brings her cat after being told not to. Then embellishes and makes up a story about hidden silver in a house because she wants to visit it and knows the kids will make a big fuss about it if there's treasure to be found, and if the kids want to go the father will say okay to it (908). Soon after she remember the house isn't even in Florida, it's in Tennessee (909). Her realization of this makes her kick the cat (which should not be in the car) which then jumps onto Bailey and makes him crash the car. A man comes down in a car and The Grandmother, unable to keep her mouth shut, once again makes a situation worse by identifying the man as the Misfit. The Misfit admits, "it would have been better for all of you...if you hadn't of reckernized me" (910). The Grandmother is responsible for all of these things. If she hadn't done just one of these things they may have still survived, but she was relentless in her mistakes. For the most part she really does only think about herself. Even in the end after all of her family is dead she still just thinks about her own life. She goes on about religion trying to change the Misfit's mind, and even renounces her own religion saying, "Maybe He [Jesus] didn't raise the dead" (913). In the end, The Grandmother is likened to "a snake" and dies as the ultimate sinner, a sacrilegious one.
There was much debate over whether or not the Grandmother was a good or bad character. Whether she was selfish, caring only for herself, or if she cared about everyone. Along with this is the question of who is at fault for all of them dying. The Grandmother, through numerous events, seems to be on many levels responsible for the death of all. One could go as far as to say she killed everyone, or is responsible for killing everyone. In the end, O'Connor chooses to characterize her as "a snake" which implies evil, even demonic connotations.
First she brings her cat after being told not to. Then embellishes and makes up a story about hidden silver in a house because she wants to visit it and knows the kids will make a big fuss about it if there's treasure to be found, and if the kids want to go the father will say okay to it (908). Soon after she remember the house isn't even in Florida, it's in Tennessee (909). Her realization of this makes her kick the cat (which should not be in the car) which then jumps onto Bailey and makes him crash the car. A man comes down in a car and The Grandmother, unable to keep her mouth shut, once again makes a situation worse by identifying the man as the Misfit. The Misfit admits, "it would have been better for all of you...if you hadn't of reckernized me" (910). The Grandmother is responsible for all of these things. If she hadn't done just one of these things they may have still survived, but she was relentless in her mistakes. For the most part she really does only think about herself. Even in the end after all of her family is dead she still just thinks about her own life. She goes on about religion trying to change the Misfit's mind, and even renounces her own religion saying, "Maybe He [Jesus] didn't raise the dead" (913). In the end, The Grandmother is likened to "a snake" and dies as the ultimate sinner, a sacrilegious one.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The Lottery
" 'over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery' " (565).
Depicted in this scene of the lottery is an old man, the oldest man in town, talking with two other villagers about the lottery--how other towns are giving it up. Old Man Warner claims that this idea is stupid and nothing good can come of it, but the other villagers don't seem so sure. They aren't as quick to bash the idea. Maybe they don't see the point in it anymore, and indeed, Old Man Warner's reasoning is flawed. Based on what he says, "There's always been a lottery" (565). So then why say, "next thing you know, they'll be wanting to back to living in caves"? His argument is flawed and doesn't make sense. The people who are giving up the lottery are progressive and are moving forward, yet Old Man Warner sees them as moving backwards. No one voices their agreement with him because of this. He only makes his case worse. The only real argument he has for keeping the lottery is, " 'lottery in June, corn be heavy soon' " but we don't even know if this is necessarily relevant to their towns society at the moment. They don't seem to be that worried about food. Why do they still need to sacrifice someone for a good harvest? I think times are changing and Old Man Warner is another Emily.
Depicted in this scene of the lottery is an old man, the oldest man in town, talking with two other villagers about the lottery--how other towns are giving it up. Old Man Warner claims that this idea is stupid and nothing good can come of it, but the other villagers don't seem so sure. They aren't as quick to bash the idea. Maybe they don't see the point in it anymore, and indeed, Old Man Warner's reasoning is flawed. Based on what he says, "There's always been a lottery" (565). So then why say, "next thing you know, they'll be wanting to back to living in caves"? His argument is flawed and doesn't make sense. The people who are giving up the lottery are progressive and are moving forward, yet Old Man Warner sees them as moving backwards. No one voices their agreement with him because of this. He only makes his case worse. The only real argument he has for keeping the lottery is, " 'lottery in June, corn be heavy soon' " but we don't even know if this is necessarily relevant to their towns society at the moment. They don't seem to be that worried about food. Why do they still need to sacrifice someone for a good harvest? I think times are changing and Old Man Warner is another Emily.
"Hills Like White Elephants"
"I'm perfectly willing to go through with it if it means anything to you" (555).
By this point he should know it means something to her. And it is fairly safe to say that he does know this. Does he only tell her this to make himself look better? The whole goal of his conversation with her seems to be to get her to have the abortion. I think the girl thinks that he is not interested in having kids with her, but merely continuing the fling they are having. Yet, in the end it seems that he changes his mind because the girl ends up smiling, seemingly happy.
This is a classic Hemingway story because of the minimalist style of writing and fast paced dialogue where the speaker can be confused. Hemingway does a great job of mixing up the dialogue and creating a sense of ambiguity in the reader, which forces him or her to go back and check more closely the details of the story. Focused in on the story, the reader can find many hidden meanings. One of my favorites was the idea that the different sides of the railroad station represent different endings for this couple. Do they have the kid or do they go through with the "operation?" If the side they're originally on represents having the abortion, because it is barren, devoid of trees, hot, etc. then in the end, when the man says, "I'd better take the bags over to the other side of the station," this must mean he is going to have the kid because they are going to the more fertile side, and after he says this the girl smiles at him. This was my interpretation of the story.
By this point he should know it means something to her. And it is fairly safe to say that he does know this. Does he only tell her this to make himself look better? The whole goal of his conversation with her seems to be to get her to have the abortion. I think the girl thinks that he is not interested in having kids with her, but merely continuing the fling they are having. Yet, in the end it seems that he changes his mind because the girl ends up smiling, seemingly happy.
This is a classic Hemingway story because of the minimalist style of writing and fast paced dialogue where the speaker can be confused. Hemingway does a great job of mixing up the dialogue and creating a sense of ambiguity in the reader, which forces him or her to go back and check more closely the details of the story. Focused in on the story, the reader can find many hidden meanings. One of my favorites was the idea that the different sides of the railroad station represent different endings for this couple. Do they have the kid or do they go through with the "operation?" If the side they're originally on represents having the abortion, because it is barren, devoid of trees, hot, etc. then in the end, when the man says, "I'd better take the bags over to the other side of the station," this must mean he is going to have the kid because they are going to the more fertile side, and after he says this the girl smiles at him. This was my interpretation of the story.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Young Goodman Brown
"A stern, a sad, a darkly meditative, a distrustful, if not a desperate man did he become from the night of that fearful dream...Often, waking suddenly at midnight, he shrank from the bosom of Faith; and at morning or eventide, when the family knelt down at prayer, he scowled and muttered to himself, and gazed sternly at his wife, and turned away" (Hawthorne 547).
The entire last paragraph of this story is an example of what can happen when you become an extremist of your religion. You go down a different path than what the founder of that religion intended. Given Hawthorne's family background he knew this best and learned from his ancestors mistake. I'm sure he had his Grandfather(?) in mind when writing this piece. It was yet another way of distancing himself from him. Young Goodman Brown becomes a terrible person to be around. He distrusts everyone and thinks himself better than them because they are not as extremely religious.
I am noticing a trend with a lot of the authors we have read. They are all touching on topics that seem to be well ahead of their time (maybe because history repeats itself). The ending of this story makes me think of extremist regimes today. Sects of people who claim to be of a particular faith, but who violate the teachings of that religions bible. Take for example the extremists in the middle east, who suicide bomb in the name of Allah, when in reality, the teachings of the Muslim religion would never condone such action--it is supposed to be a peaceful religion. Young Goodman Brown is a good example of people taking religion too far, to the point where it is no longer what was originally intended.
The entire last paragraph of this story is an example of what can happen when you become an extremist of your religion. You go down a different path than what the founder of that religion intended. Given Hawthorne's family background he knew this best and learned from his ancestors mistake. I'm sure he had his Grandfather(?) in mind when writing this piece. It was yet another way of distancing himself from him. Young Goodman Brown becomes a terrible person to be around. He distrusts everyone and thinks himself better than them because they are not as extremely religious.
I am noticing a trend with a lot of the authors we have read. They are all touching on topics that seem to be well ahead of their time (maybe because history repeats itself). The ending of this story makes me think of extremist regimes today. Sects of people who claim to be of a particular faith, but who violate the teachings of that religions bible. Take for example the extremists in the middle east, who suicide bomb in the name of Allah, when in reality, the teachings of the Muslim religion would never condone such action--it is supposed to be a peaceful religion. Young Goodman Brown is a good example of people taking religion too far, to the point where it is no longer what was originally intended.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Yellow Wallpaper
"I never saw a worse paper in my life. One of those sprawling, flamboyant patterns committing every artistic sin. It is dull enough to confuse the eye in following, pronounced enough constantly to irritate and provoke study, and when you follow the lame uncertain curves for a little distance they suddenly commit suicide--plunge off at outrageous angles, destroy themselves in unheard-of contradictions" (Gilman, 488-89).
This was one of my favorite quotes because it really made me think and it's beautifully written. After reading this I began to wonder if the wallpaper could stand for anything else because the way Gliman describes it sometimes seems like it could be about something besides wallpaper. I looked into this and found a couple of critics who made a suggestion that I thought was interesting. Karen Ford and Paula Treichler speak of the yellow wallpaper as a possible metaphor for male discourse or writing. Ford asserts that, "The wallpaper, in fact, sometimes appears like male discourse in its capacity to contradict and immobilize the women who are trapped within it" (Ford, 311). In this sense, the wallpaper, which confuses and deteriorates Jane's mental stability, represents the way John, and men at the time, treated women with these conditions. Men dominated language and told the women what was best for them, often times leading them to further mental illness. Both John and Weir Mitchell are examples of this in the way they seclude their patients, make them take all kinds of strange antidotes, and insist that they will get better this way. Jane is never given a chance to seriously speak to John because he treats her like a child and takes nothing she says seriously. John dominates her and traps her in the same way the wallpaper does. In this sense, the wallpaper mirrors the male dominance because of its suffocating and demanding nature.
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