268 posts
Latest Posts by sr-deflector - Page 9
Rocked my son's old hoodie to the gym this morning; hey, it's cold for the early birds already. #gymrats #palestine #hoodiesrock #upearly #americanpestinian #habibi #graffiti #streetart #PhotoToaster
Are you shaying some red birds sent our team home? Yeah Capn' them guys took our bootie, I mean kicked our ass... Well, they did both tonight. #cardinals #stlcardinals #redbirds #stlouisbaseball #mlbpostseason #bleedred #mlbbaseball #PhotoToaster
What it is, is what it is, and that's what it is, You see? #STLoiusCardinalds #Cardinalds #STL #MLB #PhotoToaster #StLouis #bleedred
How about Kwali and BahamaD? Hot joints all day. #hiphop #90shiphop #90srap #eastcoasthiphop #rap #rawkusrecords #lyrics #PhotoToaster
Freedom in a Cut... Challenge Yourself. #instacollage #selfie #freedom
#bustarhymes still busting ish out better than most. #90hiphop #nativetongues #rap #leadersofthenewschool #PhotoToaster
"No weak shit, I mean freak shit properly, I can myself becoming a lyric monopoly." #blastmasterkrs #krsone #bdp #hiphop #rap #90hiphop #PhotoToaster
How I get my morning going... Wachano bout tha ruggedest sickest crew. #biggie #notoriousbig #wutangclan #methodman #mrmeth #PhotoToaster
#PhotoToaster #bobmarley #rastafari #houseofmarley Sometimes, we just need to bring it together in the old fashion, Bob Marley style, with a little twist 😏💨
#PhotoToaster #nutrition #fishoftheday Some goodies to pick me up.
"One small step for man, one giant leap for the human race."
- Armstrong - 1969
Entry #16 - Grant's Farm, MO
Grant's Farm gets its name from U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, who owned and farmed 80 acres of the land alongside a number of slaves he owned in the 1850s after receiving it as a wedding gift from his father-law Frederick Dent who acquire the land in 1821. August Busch of Anheuser-Busch later purchased the land in 1903, where he developed it into a country estate, bringing deer, horses and cattle to the land. Grant's Farm, still owned and operated by Anheuser-Busch, Inc.,
Entry #15 - The Larimore House Plantation
Back in 1850 Wilson Larimore purchased approximately 2,000 acres which he farmed using the new mechanical farming equipment of the time). Soon, the Larimore Plantation became renowned for its productivity and won many awards at the then popular agricultural fairs in and around St. Louis. The pre-civil war house was finished in 1858. The Larimores owned the plantation in St. Louis for 50 years. At the turn of the twentieth century, the Penningroth family purchased the plantation, sold off most of the land, and used it for a summer home for almost 100 years. In 1989, Saint Louis County put the house on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1996, the site was named a Landmark and Preservation Area by Saint Louis County.
In addition, this house is historically relevant because I was married there, marking the beginning of a new era for men my generation, and across national frontiers.
Entry #14 - Old St. Ferdinand Shrine and Historic Site, Florissant MO
Although the date the first settlers came to valley of Fleurissant as it was called by its French settlers is unknown, it is believed that Florissant is one of the oldest settlements in Missouri, and historians believe it to be as old as St. Louis. The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, as it stands today, is the second church for that early community of settlers, with its corner stone laid by Father de la Croix in 1821, replacing the first log church built which was destroyed in a fire in 1836. It was here that St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne established the first school of Florissant.
Entry #13 - CAHOKIA MOUNDS, Collinsville IL
A Thriving Ancient Metropolis According to archaeological finds, the city of Cahokia was inhabited from about A.D. 700 to 1400. At its peak, from A.D. 1050 to 1200, the city covered nearly six square miles and 10,000 to 20,000 people lived here. Over 120 mounds were built over time, and most of the mounds were enlarged several times. Houses were arranged in rows and around open plazas, and vast agricultural fields lay outside the city.
The site is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illiniwek (or Illinois tribe, a loose confederacy of related peoples), who moved into the area in the 1600s. They were living nearby when the French arrived about 1699. Sometime in the mid-1800s, local historians suggested the site be called "Cahokia" to honor these later arrivals.
Archaeological investigations and scientific tests, mostly since the 1920s and especially since the 1960s, have provided what is known of the once-thriving community.
The Mystery of Cahokia The fate of the prehistoric Cahokians and their city is unknown, but the decline seems to have been gradual, beginning around the 1200s. By A.D. 1400 the site had been abandoned. Exactly where the people went or what tribes they became is yet to be determined.
Depletion of resources probably contributed to the city's decline. Climate change after A.D. 1200 may have affected crop production and the plant and animal resources needed to sustain a large population. War, disease, social unrest, and declining political and economic power may have also taken their toll.
Entry #12 - "The Swimmer" by John Cheever
John Cheever often wrote about a vanishing way of life in America and the alienation he believed was represented by the new suburban way of life in America. In your view, why might someone find the suburbs alienating as compared to life in a small town or compared to life in a neighborhood of a big city? Have you ever lived in a small town? What sort of comment(s) do you feel the story “The Swimmer” makes about suburban life in 1950’s America?
Compared to small towns, and based on the context of this story, the suburbs are certainly alienating in the sense of social interactions. In contrast to the warm and receptive ways of most people in small towns, suburbs do lack the sincere care and affection small towns and even city neighborhoods are characterized for. This may not necessarily be because people are innately careless or indifferent to other, but because families tend to become social islands is it may be called that way. Though this might not be the rule, many families residing in American suburbs require high paying jobs in order to help support their lifestyle. This means both, husband and wife are forced or at least expected to go out and work, creating a gap between them, their families, and between families in general. Families in small towns, on the other hand, do keep close relations with at least those surrounding their property, still conducting business transactions among each other, which helps support the financial needs of those involved. Those families do attend the same schools, are part of the same church congregations, and for the most part their children do marry each other, strengthening their social bond and community even further. Cheever comments about a society which has stopped carrying about those who for one reason or another are no longer part of their circle, be it for social or financial reasons, treated with indifference, bashing their names, and pushing them to move away, consequently marginalizing themselves.
Entry #10 - "Master Harold... and the boys" Athol Fugard
What is the historical setting of the play? What do you believe was the playwright’s intention in writing this play? Draw connections between the setting and circumstances surrounding this play and U.S. history.
The historical setting of this play is that of a country plagued by racism, servitude, and the dangerous relationship between the native people of any given country, and its colonizers. Although Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold… and the boys” is set to take place in the country of South Africa, his work addresses circumstances in the 1950’s also affecting many other regions of the world, from Egypt to India, South Africa to the United States in particular, where racial tension and segregation was as strong as ever at the time. Colonization in South Africa had incredible social impact in the community, marginalizing the local people, and establishing a segregation order which affected schools, neighborhoods, cities, all the way to Parliament where it was rear to find a person of color unless he/she was employed as a servant. As it was done in the United States soon after slavery was abolished, and during the 50’s as well, the powerful men who ruled the country, British is this case, found ways to continue exploiting the natives, yet still satisfying the international community’s concerns regarding the social issues which afflicted the South African population. This was done in many ways, one of which was providing employment opportunities to the native people as domestic servants. In the United States, people of African descent as we know, were treated in similar ways. Given work as domestic servants, caretakers, janitors, doormen, porters, and share croppers among other, African Americans faced strenuous working conditions and very low pay, which pushed them to leave in slums, and their children to be raised with the poorest education available. This created in both, U.S. and South Africa a second class of people who saw those in better position, whites in its majority with admiring eyes, and extreme respect.
I believe Fugard intended to expose the treatment his countrymen and many others throughout the world were experiencing at the hand their respective oppressors. Whether called servants or slaves, native South Africans were subject to the will of their employers, who as it could be noticed in this play, did not hesitate to make their authority felt. As in the United States were African American and other people of color were treated with demoralizing behavior, South African natives as indicated in this play, were treated as second class citizens in their own country. Subjects of this foreign authority, they did not stand up or revolt against the establishment any sooner, perhaps because of the financial ties that existed between them and their British employers and rulers. In extreme need for income, in a country with vast natural resources, yet living under high unemployment and illiteracy, native South Africans found themselves dependant of those who provided them with work and a salary to support their families. Many volunteered as soldiers during WWI and WWII, and many others became part of the domestic servitude which answered and waited upon the rich, consequently becoming second class citizens.
Entry #9 - "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
Question #1
Were you surprised by the ending of the story? If not, at what point did you know what was going to happen? How does Jackson foreshadow the ending? Conversely, how does Jackson lure us into thinking that this is just an ordinary story with an ordinary town?
I was very surprised by the ending, since after the first paragraph when the children gathered their stones, until about half way through the story when Mrs. Hutchison complains about her husband having picked the marked paper, as a cause of Mr. Summers not having given him enough time to make a good choice, is that any negative connotation is given to the ceremony. Author Shirley Jackson does an excellent job at luring the reader to believe this story is just an ordinary one. She draws attention to the excitement and interactions between some of the principal characters, instead of foreshadowing the ending. For instance, this is visible when Mr. Summers and Mr. Adams greeted each other with a “humorous and nervous” grin. It may also be seen during Mr. Adams and old man Warner’s conversation regarding other villages having stopped their lottery traditions, and Mr. Warner’s negative comments about it. Mr. Summers’ cool demeanor is another aspect of the story which served as a decoy for the surprising ending. Same with little Dave, who once sent to pick his paper, placed a hand on the box and laughed, and though young, his reaction told me he did associate the box with any negative activity or action he might have witnessed before.
Question #4
What is the ritual of the scapegoat? In what way might Tessie be considered a scapegoat?
By definition, a scapegoat is in the biblical sense “a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people.” “One who bears the blame for others; one who is the object of irrational hostility.” These definitions were found in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.
Following these definitions, it may be said that Tessie may be considered a scapegoat. From her introduction, it was foreshadowed that she would be subject to some sort of judgment, as she arrives late to the ceremony, those around her laugh with her, though in my opinion in a disapproving way, and finally Mr. Summers, though in a friendly manner, does scold her for having done so. After her complaining and before the ending was made obvious to me, I felt she was looking to take her husband’s place, and once I read about her reaction when she was left with the marked paper slip, I could not help but to feel that out of all members of her family, should someone be targeted and/or even punished it was Mrs. Hutchison.
Question #7
Are there other symbols? Why is the “black box” battered, for example?
The black box which I believe represented the many members of families which had been used as instruments of sacrifice since the village was settled, with its worn out colors, served as a symbol of permanence and resiliency for a ritual which would perhaps never be changed, at least in that particular village. In addition to the box, there is the lottery itself, which serves in my opinion as a new beginning for the people, marking the year by it as virtual calendar, as mentioned by old man Warner who remembers that soon after the lottery, the corn would be ready to harvest.
Entry #7 - "Our Town" by Thorton Wilder
Question #1
Does Grover’s Corners have to be a New Hampshire or a New England town, or would any are do just as well?
Question #2
In what ways is the play still relevant to our urbanized, globalized, and multicultural society? Do its village pieties avoid the pressing problems of our era? Is its vision of people finding meaningful places in family and community too simplistic?
Question #3
What do you make of Wilder’s depictions of women’s and men’s emotional lives and values?
A. With the following answer, I intend to address all three questions above, and hope it does make sense to the reader.
In my opinion, Grover’s Corners would fit anywhere in the United States, be it the south, California where the author studied, or the Midwest where he was born, and at any given point in history. The social issues addressed in this play, war, death natural or otherwise, indifference to what really matters due to immaturity, the overprotective parents, as well as those who would give in a little more to their children’s decisions, and the escape young people find in what is prohibited (alcohol, cigarettes, etc…) and even in marriage, are all the effects of our values which have not changed much since this play was written in the 1930’s. Though our community is much larger now than in the late 30’s, and we as a country are more accepting of those who live far from us and their customs, our core values do remain the same… We highly respect our parents, and our parents continue to do their best at protecting us, in many cases to extreme levels. While this is not true for all parents and children today, it was not so back then either, when the rate of crime and pregnancies outside of marriage were as high as perhaps they are now.
Another point I find still relevant today, is Wilder’s depiction of women and men’s values. As mentioned above, I think this remains an unchanged matter, with women still with much power over the decisions made by every family, whether men choose to accept for this to be displayed in public or not. Meanwhile, men continue to fall head over heels for women, doing as they command until he is mature enough to think for himself, and at which point the only thing left to do on an attempt to claim his freedom, is to buy the convertible.
This is not to bash women for having the sort of power and control over men they do have, but in my eyes is an inevitable fact of life. We come out of a woman’s womb, and live at least half of our lives being fed, clothed, and following the ideas and rules of that woman. Again, while this might not be the law of the land, most of us cannot wait to run away from home and find another woman to continue guiding us through life. Simply put, I do not think our society will change much from what we see in this play until human beings, men particularly stops our dependency on women, which I find biologically impossible… Our Town will always be relevant in my opinion, hence its popularity, generation after generation, and after watching it again, in a bright room, I have to say I like it much more than the first time.
Entry #8 - Talley's Folly - by Lanford Wilson
About Sally…
As a young lady, Sally Talley was the poster child of the successful American family: beautiful, educated, and well behaved, which may be attributed to the family’s conservative values and high regards for social and business/professional status. She was raised in the Midwestern town of the Ozarks, where her family owned a large uniform factory. In her early 30’s, Sally is an independent, single woman, and though living in the same house as her relatives, she is isolated from them. Hunted by her inability to bear children, and as a cause, the rupture of the most promising business partnership her town might have witnessed, she finds herself an outcast in her own home. In spite of the negative connotations her name carries, at least in her parents’ house, Sally shows much desire to move forward and help others, as she shows by working as a nurse’s aide, and through her sporadic outings with her colleagues, with whom she plans rent a place.
About Matt…
Matt Friedman is a sharp-witted accountant, living in St Louis, Missouri. His passions include the art of mimicry, an acute understanding of numbers, and great conviction for pursuing Sally. In the United States, Matt does his best to put his past behind him, but remains hunted by the death by torture of his young sister, and the torture and incarceration of his parents, both by French and German agents respectively. After fleeing Europe as a child, he reached the United States, and as an adult is a very observant man, realistic, and often sarcastic, who takes pride in being a logical thinking person, whose emotions rarely dictate his decisions. One aspect of his life which is dominated by his emotions and past experiences is the point of procreation. He has decided not to bring a child to the world, as he doubts there is anything but war and suffering in it. His love for Sally is another aspect of his life where his emotions remain totally committed.
Their views…
Sally and Matt’s views of life and world are quite different, yet they seem to be tied to each other in a very particular and interesting way. Matt’s passion for living in the moment, expressed through his impersonations and mimicry are contrasted by Sally’s dry sense of humor, and calculated way of doing things, for instance her savings plan. Her sense of awareness regarding social values and family life, contrasts Matt’s little desire to have children, although he lungs to marry Sally. In Matt we see a determination to detach himself from his roots by adopting different accents through mimicry, whereas Sally has not left her home town, still lives with her parents, and plans to remain close by. Ultimately both have resolved to keep personal part of their lives at least from one another, which in fact does bring them together closer than any other single thing in their lives… their suffering brought by their respective painful losses, for example Sally cannot have children and is affraid Matt will not accept her for this, and Matt does not want to have any children and does fear Sally would demand family and children, should she accept him… perfect match!
Entry #6 - A Good Man is Hard to Find - Flannery O'Connor
Question #1
What qualities of the grandmother do you like? What qualities do you dislike? How did you feel when The Misfit killed her? Why?
In this story, the grandmother had very few qualities I dislike or rather, were detrimental to the families, since I found those particular qualities not necessarily negative, but put to use inopportunely. For instance, at times she came across a bit over protective when the thought of danger nearing her family came to mind; other times she came across as a cunning person when expressing herself, although I see her after reading the entire story more of a wily negotiator, since this only came up when she needed her point to be considered, and for others to heed her advise, as it happened when they took the turn which lead the family to the ditch where they met The Misfit.
Grandmother possessed many qualities I did like: her thoughtfulness and care demonstrated when not wanting to leave the cat by itself in the house, as well as when giving the mother a break from carrying the baby. Her cheerful attitude when she felt like dancing, and when playing with the children though they were disrespectful. Grandmother also showed a great deal of pride in values such as respect for others and one’s country or state, and as I mentioned above, she did not hesitate to express her opinion many times with brutal honesty whenever she felt necessary.
Although I was not surprised when The Misfit shot her, as this followed the execution of the other five members of her family, I felt a sense of sadness, sorrow, and distress when it happened. After thinking about it, I’d say it must be because the author did a great job at showing grandmother’s weaknesses soon after their meeting with The Misfit. Her fears became reality, and having heard the shots that ended the lives of her son, grandchildren, and daughter-in-law, broke down that strong spirit and what throughout the story I perceived as an authoritarian personality, down to that of a beggar, imploring for her life.
Question #7
What is the significance of The Misfit saying, “She would have been a good woman if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life”?
This question made me think quite a bit, as I recited grandmother’s last words “why, you’re one of my babies,” and The Misfit’s reaction to her touch. I thought, since there was not enough time for him to truly know her, ‘how else would he have known her as a person to describe her with the words on this 7th question, other than the possibility that grandmother was in fact his mother?’ tying this technique back to Aristotle’s method for a play, where there are aspects of the characters and plot not needed to be presented, as they are to be assumed or known already by the audience.
In any given case, whether this was true about the story or not, I believe The Misfit saw in grandmother more than he probably saw in any of his other victims: the courage to face him and tell him that he was a “good man,” the courage to ask him to pray and believe that Jesus would make things right for him, and the act of defiance when asking him “you wouldn’t shoot a lady”?
Entry #5 - Iron Jawed Angels (Film Review)
Question #1
What were some of the concerns that kept many women from wanting to participate in the National Women’s Suffrage Movement? What kept Emily Leighton from participating at first? What do you think changed her mind?
Emily Leighton's status in society and the fact that she had been exposed to very little, if any oppressive treatment from men given her husband’s political position kept Emily from participating in the movement. In essence, Emily Leighton was a “good” woman as was taught a married woman should do; care for her husband and children, without interfering much with her husband’s affairs, social or professional.
Her lifestyle did not allow for her to experience first hand the many issues the Suffrage Movement fought against, having maids and likely servants to care for home. Although they were in a way second class citizens in comparison with men of the same class, women of her social circle did not serve others, as those in the lower classes did, nor had they the need work in factories for minimal wage and poor conditions, and did their best at not getting involved, emotionally and otherwise in any affair which required going against any institution or belief.
Emily’s change of heart came about gradually, first becoming a financial contributor, when briefly holding a flag in front of the White House for the first time, and feeling a tremendous sense of pride about doing so. When feeling the weight of her husband’s influence and power, and the helpless sense of betrayal when he threatened to take everything away even her children, just for doing something he did not agree with. Finally, witnessing the unfairness and mistreatment toward women in the organization, as well as their conviction to their cause, brought home the thought of her daughters living in the same conditions and pushed her to fully commit to the cause.
Question #5
Why do you think that President Wilson was not in support of the nationwide suffragist movement? What do you think changed his mind?
I believe Alice Paul’s considerate statement regarding President Wilson’s reaction to the Suffrage Movement’s pleas, and decisions made by his administration, which affected and threatened their well being, he understood how well educated, organized, and prepared to do whatever necessary the participant women were.
The persistence in Anna Shaw’s part, after the incarceration of most members of the NWP, as well as Senator Leighton’s publication about the treatment of his wife and other prisoners, endangered President Wilson’s political career, making the issues known to the rest of the world.
In my opinion, even after sending the amendment to the senate, I am not convinced still that Mr. Wilson, based on what I learned through this film, understood or cared about the reasons for all the sacrifices Alice, Lucy, and the rest of the Suffrage Movement undertook.
Question #8
What was the symbolism of the scene where the women were standing in the rain outside the polls while their husbands were inside voting?
It symbolized their strength, determination, and their relentless attitude. Standing strong in the rain and snow, is symbolic of the movement itself, the separation of classes, which made evident the problems and inequalities that existed within them.
Entry #4 - 'Let America be America Again" by Langston Hughes
I consider this poem an exchange between that part or personality of the author who lungs for change and has the need to express it, and hopefully bring about that change, and that other part of him which is full of cynicism and mistrust, befitting of the social-economic atmosphere of the 1930’s, coloring the work with both, an optimistic and pessimistic tone at the same time.
As did the Realists of the time, Hughes uses simple diction, although not vernacular at all, to paint a picture for those in the upper class, and perhaps audiences outside the United States, of America during the great depression.
Using clever metaphors and imagery sophisticated yet simple enough to attract the interest of all social classes; Hughes presents this work in the form of a discussion or dialog between two voices, which express the sentiments of most citizens who experienced life during the time period between the two great wars.
This dialog starts with responses after the first and third stanzas respectively, and goes on throughout the entire poem, finally introducing us to the voice I have decided to name “the cynic” when the first person asks “Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?...” using the three stanzas that follow, to describe the “cynic’s” attitude and mood in the poem, and reappearing in the eighth, tenth, and eleventh stanzas as well.
“Let America be America Again”, is a display of author Langston Hughes’ dominion of the English language, the ability to express himself clearly and eloquently, showcasing his love for the country, making a plea for a better America; an America “as it was” or “as it has never been,” as well as his conviction to do his part by helping society reach that goal.
Entry #3 - "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner
QUESTION #4
Find the paragraphs in which the narrator mainly mentions about Miss Emily’s father, and Miss Emily’s reaction towards her father’s death. Then examine the relationship between the daughter and the father?
The relationship between Miss Emily and her father is one that probably began with much love, but certainly continued with excessive protection on the father’s part, as Miss Emily grew older, ending in solitude and insanity for both. Nothing is mentioned about Mrs. Grierson, I assume she was not present in their lives, probably passed away when the Griersons were a young family, which make sense since there aren’t any siblings in the picture either.
In addition to the sense of horror many fathers feel when thinking about giving their daughters away in marriage to another man, and the fact that they only had each other, and the “Negro” manservant in life, is enough reason for me to justify the father’s reaction to any possible interest in her daughter, as protecting and holding on to loved ones is an innate quality many share.
What to some people around town might have seemed as a pompous act, arrogance or self-importance on Mr. Grierson’s part, I believe just as others in town did, was no more than a reflection of his fears after having lost whatever thing of financial value they owned, except the house; his desire to hold on to a family name which meant less and less as years passed, living in a town where most of the big, respected families were disappearing.
I attribute Miss Emily’s reaction to her father’s death to the very facts I have stated about her father’s reasons to push all her suitors away… the realization that NOW she was on her own, and her family name was not much to count on.
Entry #2 - RAGTIME - E.L. Doctorow
QUESTION #7
How does Doctorow use the characters of J.P. Morgan and Henry Ford to illustrate the differences between wealthy Americans of two different generations? In the novel, are these two men admirable characters? What does J.P. Morgan lack in his life?
I my opinion, the author’s tone regarding these two characters does exemplify some key differences between the wealthy classes of the time, whether from different generations or not, which is made obvious during the two magnates’ first meeting at Morgan’s residence.
During their exchange throughout dinner and the conversations that follow, I felt that J.P. Morgan symbolized the financial savvy banker, always looking for more gains, arrogant, and disconnected from the needs of those around him. In the case of Henry Ford, I felt he was more “true to his roots” and did not wish to change that fact.
Ford’s character in my opinion, provided a picture of the growing generation of entrepreneurs of the time, like Tateh and the owner of the Franklyn Novelty Co., focused on a product that not only provided a needed service for the community, but brought them joy.
Ford took pride in keeping things simple, when it came to his believes, morals, and even the product he chose to develop, whereas Morgan was more of conqueror, the one with the insatiable hunger for more, money, assets, even longer time on earth, as he pursued his quest to understand the afterlife and reincarnation.
I believe both characters are definitely admirable and flawed of course, which helped me relate to their passion and emotions, although Morgan seems to lack empathy for those below him, from employees, to peers, competitors, to those in the lower class.
QUESTION #10
After reading Ragtime, how would you describe Doctorow's view of the United States and its citizens during the period in which his novel is set?
Based on the setting and theme of this novel, as I understood Doctorow’s views of the country and its citizens is that of unfairness, where the powerful wealthy class, as well as those with a little more political and social power than others, do take advantage and oppress the rest whenever possible, allowing very few opportunities for advancement.
Examples of this are Coalhouse’s incident where race was the motive for act of unfairness and discrimination, and the relationship between Evelyn Nesbit and Harry K. Thaw, where gender and class were the motives. This gives way to an excellent set up for Emma Goldman’s character, which in my opinion is symbolic of the sentiment of the vast majority of citizens found on the opposite side of power, pushing them to organize and protest against this type of treatment.
Whether with real or fictional characters, Doctorow uses historical events and his creativity, in order to convey his message of inequality in America at the time, on an attempt to break the social-economic and racial barriers our citizens found themselves living under, or at least to make them visible to the rest of the world.
Entry #1: "The Story of an Hour" - Kate Chopin (1894)
Question #7:
The last line of the story: “When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease-of joy that kills.” In what way is this an ironic statement? What is gained by having the doctors make such a statement rather than putting it in the mouths of Josephine or Richards?
A. I believe this statement is ironic because her relief and happiness came after learning about her husband’s sudden death. The unexpected death of Mr. Mallard, although emotionally impacted her at first, it made Louise feel liberated, and enthused about the promise of an enjoyable life. Contrary to what I assume she had experienced prior to hearing the fatal new, Mrs. Mallard quickly developed an appetite for life which the author made evident when using figures of speech in the passage that follows, for instance…
“She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.”
With this imagery, the author tells me that Mrs. Mallard found herself awake, with all her senses aware of her surroundings, and ready to move on the very same day she learned about what turned out to be her husband false death news, ironic indeed.
By having the doctors make this statement, the author accomplishes to depict the views of a male society of the time, which refused to assume responsibility for the pain and suffering they caused their female companion, masking it instead with what seems to me a scornful language for their family circles, which only kept and still keeps women felling oppressed.
Question #8:
What view of marriage does the story present? The story was published in 1894; does it only represent attitudes toward marriage in the nineteenth century, or could it equally apply to attitudes about marriage today?
A. Right in the middle of the American Women Rights Movement, I feel the story presents a negative, but true to the time view of marriage where in most cases the woman is mistreated, oppressed, and even abused (physically and emotionally) due to many reasons, the lack of appreciation for her hard work at raising the very same men who later go out to marry, and mistreat their new wives just as their fathers did with their mothers. Perhaps men’s fear of losing their mate once they are educated and self-assured, which makes them much more attractive to other men, if we look at it from a psychologically perspective… the possibilities are endless.
Today, women do have the right to work in the same industries as men, earn close if not the same salary as men, have the right to go to school, vote, come and go as they please, but unfortunately many are still victims of the same type of physical and emotional abuse others suffered 100 years ago.
Today, the institution of marriage suffers for these reasons, as well as for the fact that young ladies are raised to not accept the treatment described above, which I think is great, but many times strive to be so strong and protective of themselves, investing their emotions far less in relationships that is almost impossible for a man to break that virtual wall down, in order to “sweep them of their feet.”
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?
My earliest memory is the panic felt during hurricane David in the late 70's (have never done the research to learn when it precisely passed through the Caribbean,) our family temporarily moved just two - three blocks away, from our home with zinc roof, to my uncle's apartment.
Once there, I remember heavy rain, and the women of the family (Grandma, my mother and aunt) scream from the second floor at these two older men who were drunk playing outside in the rain.
Love rainy days, not so much hurricanes.