"What is drama but life with the dull parts cut out?"

In the 'Wild Duck', Ibsen proves this statement true when he uses realism to create drama. Throughout 'Wild Duck', nothing to spectacular happens. The Ekdals go through day to day life but somehow it never becomes dull. The family has dysfunction, the grandfather goes hunting, and then one day Hedvig kills herself. "It's reached the heart. Internal hemorrhage. She died on the spot,"(Ibsen 215). This shows that this statement is applicable because Wild Duck is realistic while at the same time never dull.

In Blood Wedding, something dramatic is happening at all times. From an argument, to a married man riding to his ex-lovers house, to two married people running away together. So much spice and nothing nice. There is nothing dull about this play but at the same time, it is totally realistic (well, maybe not the talking moon). "They ran away! They ran away! She and Leonardo! On the horse! They rode off into each others arms, like a bolt of lightning!" (Lorca 76). This is a perfect example that drama is life with the dull parts cut out. It shows very realistic things but instead of being boring or dull, it is exciting and crazy.

Blood Wedding journal

In the play 'Blood Wedding' by Lorca, we witness many different themes and ideas. When pondering over the play a big theme became apparent, the theme of dysfunctional families. We explore this theme throughout the play, beginning with Leonardo's family. Leonardo, his wife, and mother in law are talking when the topic of Leonardo and his wifes cousin comes up. It is made known that Leonardo and the cousin were once a couple and his wife does not respond well. "Are you going to cry now? Stop it!" Leonardo demands, (Lorca 23). Leonardo replies very sternly and also violently which we notice in the footnotes. This is only the beginning of the dysfunction. We also see dysfunction broiling in the argument between Leonardo and his wife on page 25. We hear rude words such as "get away," "leave me alone," and the equivalent of "shut up." These few quotations foreshadow the despair to come later in the play. "They ran away! They ran away! She and Leonardo! On the horse! They rode off in each others arms, like a bolt of lightning!" (Lorca 76). In this passage, we come to the climax of family dysfunction. Leonardo and his wifes cousin have ran away together as the previous argument foreshadowed. The family of Leonardo and his wife and her cousin and her husband are brought to the point of major family dysfunction which creates this theme in 'Blood Wedding'.

Reaction to Leonardo at the Bride's window (guess)

Maid: Look-out there! Was it him?
Bride: It was him.
...
Maid: Do you have any idea why Leonardo would be at your window!?
Bride: Uhhh
Maid: What! Give me a complete answer, my dear! (Grabs at Bride's dress)
Bride: Stop! Get away! (Grabs her dress and yanks it out of Maid's hand)
Maid: (Furious)You idiot! Why the heck is Leonardo at your window! He is a married man! And you are a soon to be wife! Does your bridegroom know about this!
Bride: No! But it's not what you think!
Maid: (Sarcastically) Oh really? hm.
Bride: (Matter of fact) Yes. Really. (Turns her back to maid and starts to walk away)
Maid: You get over here and tell me why Leonardo is here! If he is not here for you, i'll send him away myself.
(pause)
Bride: Leonardo.
Maid: Yes'm
Bride: He is here because-
Maid: Spit it out already!
Bride: Leonardo is here because he wants me back.
Maid: What?
Bride: I had him, oh, it was awhile ago. A long while ago. Before mama passed.
Maid: Does he not know you are to get married thursday?
Bride: I told him.
Maid: And his wife! Oh his poor wife, and his baby!
Bride: I know, i shoo him away every time he comes. But he never fails to come back night after night.
Maid: You never thought to tell me of this! And why did you deny seeing a horse!
Bride: I didn't want any problematic events that anyone had to deal with. You and daddy are too dear for me to have you get caught up in this. This is my problem. I'll fix it.
Maid: You cannot do this alone, sweetie. He isn't going to stop coming. You know how persistent men can be. Look at your father!
Bride: But, Maid! (Grabs for her arm and she runs toward the door)
Maid: You cannot stop me, i'm going to talk to Leonardo's wife.
(Maid runs out the door and Bride runs after. Leonardo hears chaos and confusion overcomes him until he finally realizes what going on and races his horse to catch up).

Doubt/Certainty

In Oedipus the King, we witness Oedipus' certainty of himself when he is speaking the the town of Thebes. He is trying to figure out who has killed the former King, Laius. Oedipus demands the townspeople to tell him if they know who has killed King Laius, or else. "Oh dear gods, my curse on those who disobey these orders! Let no crops grow out of the earth for them-shrivel their women, kill their sons, burn them to nothing in this plague that hits us now, or somethin geven worse," (Sophocles 173). This passage shows Oedipus' certainty that he is not the killer because he would not have said such terrible things if he knew it was true. Later in the book, we witness Oedipus' doubt that he is the one who has killed Laius because he believes that King Laius is not his father. "Apollo told me once-it is my fate-I must make love with my own mother, shed my father's blood with my own hands. So for years I've given Corinth a wide berth, and it'd been my good fortune too," (Sophocles 216). Oedipus explains this oracle and how he keeps away from Corinth so he could never commit these actions. This shows his doubt that he has killed Laius because he still believes the King on Corinth is his father. In Wild Duck, we also see this doubt in a family relationship. Hjalmar gets filled with doubt that Hedvig is not really his daughter. "Just answer me this: does Hedvig belong to me-or? what?" (Ibsen ?). By comparing these two works, you witness that the two authors both use doubt to show the disfunction of families. 

Point of View/Characters

In the play Wild Duck, there is no apparent narration or main character. The play is written in a way where the reader could imagine watching it. The only narrative voice in this would be the stage directions. In Wild Duck, many things about the characters are obscured from the reader. We do not have much background information on the characters and this creates a bit of uncertainty. The characters are set up and displayed in  a way that makes the reader sympathize with the ones who are being hurt and dislike the ones doing the hurting. Because we do not have much background on the characters and feel a little uncertain about them, there is a bit of mystery in the book that makes the characters seem unreliable.

Conversation between Ibsen and Sophocles on Tragedy

Sophocles: Ibsen, I was reading Wild Duck and wondering why you prefer pathos over tragedy?
Ibsen: Well Sophocles, you see, when writing tragedy, as you did in Oedipus The King, you have no choice but to make the story or play about somebody suffering or in pain. When writing pathos you have the choice to write about extreme sadness or happiness. 
Sophocles: That makes sense. I guess the reason I write tragedy is because I enjoy showing life in a realistic way. Not many people enjoyed it at first, but now it brings joy to many.
Ibsen: If you are, indeed, writing about realism then don't you believe that would involve writing about joy as well? Realistically, everyone experiences despair and joy.
Sophocles: You have a good point, Ibsen. And I agree. But it is the joy that causes such an extreme emotion of gloom to occur. Without the joy, tragedy would be nothing because what is tragic if it has nothing to be compared to?
Ibsen: I see. So I guess tragedy and pathos are alike in ways and are very opposite in other ways. 
Sophocles: That is very true. Kind of like us, Ibsen? Would you agree?
Ibsen: Yes! Exactly, we're both play writers, but completely different people.
Sophocles: Yes, my point proven.
Ibsen: Well if this is, in fact, true. I want to be like pathos.
Sophocles: I call tragedy!

Journal 2-Effect of love and friendship theme

In Oedipus, Sophocles uses the theme of love and friendship between lovers and between friends to expose two very opposite effects. The love between Oedipus and his mom/wife is a very weak relationship. We witness this when, in the end, Jocasta hangs herself. Instead of supporting and helping her son/husband through the terrible troubles he was going through, she gets so self absorbed in her own despair that she kills herself. The effect of this theme of love shows the effect that when two people in a relationship do not view the significant other higher than themselves they will always take the easy way out, even if it means hurting the other person. The relationship between Oedipus and Creon is one of great value, however. Sophocles uses the theme od friendship in this case to show that even when a friend is completely in denial over a subject and rejects the other person, if the person is a true friend they won't ever give up on their friendship. In comparison, Ibsen uses the theme of love and friendship in Wild Duck to get another point across. The relationship of Hjalmar and Gregers is one we can see a great difference in. Hjalmar is in the lower class and Gregers in a higher however the great friendship they have is evident. Through this friendship, Ibsen indicates that a great friendship is not based off of outer or worldly things/views. True friendship is based on the insides of people and that connection of the soul. The love between father and daughter is also one we can see a great effect come forth. When Hjalmar gets home from the party, his daughter asks about the treat he promised her. When he realizes he has forgotten the treat, he says sorry and Hedvig is disappointed. Even though the treat was something Hedcig was looking forward to, she realizes that he was sincerely sorry and she says that it is okay because he is still her father and she loves him. Sophocles demonstrates by this love that when you have such a great love as Hedvig does for her father, nothing can get in the way of that; it's inevitable. By comparing the effects of the theme of love and friendship between Sophocles play and Ibsens play we see that Sophocles has a more negative view that tells the world the 'ugly truth' while Ibsens play shpws a more positive and reassuring view.

Journal 5-Diary entry by Gregers

Dear diary,
Tonight was, indeed, an eventful night. I had the opportunity to catch up with a boyhood friend whom I haven't spoke to in a while. It was very nice. Hjalmar did inform me on a couple of things that I was not aware of, and that is what has got my mind pondering over tonight. I've tried to sleep but questions keep appearing in my mind and they won't seem to disappear. Why would my father act so sincerely kind to a man he has told me to stop seeing? And the letters from my father have been getting shorter and shorter, with no evidence of these kind acts. My father of all people, sets up a marriage? For one of MY close friends? This is an act of insanity is seems. I can't seem to forget about it. I'd like to speak to my father of it. But who knows what he'll think. He might accuse me of being nosey for all i know. That would be the least of problems. My father and I have not seen eachother for fifteen years, we've grown apart to say the least. Oh this talk about photography school? What is with this? I am udderly confused and baffled. I'll find out my fathers motives for this. And no, I will not stop seeing Hjalimar. He is MY close friend and he's gonna stay that way without any interupption of my fathers opinion. Well diary, it seems that now I have gotten this out of my system and it may be a great time for that thing some people call sleep. Oh how i hope to figure this out soon. Bye for now,
Gregers

Journal 4-Narrative Structure

In Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, the plot is structured in chronologic order, with events happening in a timely manner. There are a series of different parts of the whole in which case different characters make an appearance. In Oedipus the King we do not witness any subplots and the ending of the play is very satisfying. The plot starts with a dilemma or conflict and throughout the plot we piece together secrets kept from Oedipus. In the end, we do not conclude with an answer to the original conflict but we examine the destruction of character by a God-this is called tragedy. We do have a couple unanswered questions in the end but we get caught up in the dramatic happening and the questions seem of less importance. Time is not very important in this play, it seems to go very quickly as we move through different scenes and before we know it, it's already over. Overall the plot of the story is very interesting in the fact that it is not comparable to most text.

Journal #3-discussion on literary topics

In Sophocles' play, Oedipus the King, we witness a series of stylistic techniques. Sophocles uses excessive punctuation which adds to the tone of the play and the motif of family tension and secrets is shown throughout the play. Sophocles also uses dialect to better convey the time and setting of the play and to give readers (or watchers) a sense of the comedic atmosphere. We notice the motifs when Oedipus realizes that the king and queen of Corinth are not his blood parents. When he fonds out that he has slept with his mother and killed his own father, this creates internal and external conflict. He realizes that his whole life has been a lie and this is when we experience the comedy of the play.

Journal #2-Oedipus

Poem written by Creon


I complete tasks my master asks
but he wishes me banished
I wonder why he seems so ignorant when blamed
As he shakes his head in disapproval.
I do not look at him with an evil glare
But he doesn't cease to stare with hateful eyes.
All he asked was what I had to offer
and even family can't knit together our broken seams.
I try not to push on him others thoughts about him
but the words cut him deep.
Blood starts to seep through the gashes of guilt.
Could the accusation be faulty?
I sometimes wonder and I wish it not true.
Who could think dreadful thoughts about ones own brother?
Not me.
But your brother is not always as he seems.

Journal #1: Oedipus

Letter written by Oedipus to The Priest.

Dear Priest,

I have become aware of your concern regarding the sickness that is killing so many in your town of Thebes. I have been grieving in abundance lately. I would like to express my gratitude towards the dependence you have on me as your King. I am very happy with the obedience you have and how much you rely on me because I am king. I would like to note that I have sent  Creon to find a cure or remedy to this horrible disease. I have asked Creon to go, not because I do not feel the urgeto go myself, but because I would like to care for these sickly people and assure them and we will find help. Please let them know that I am not asking Creon as a duty to cover for me but as a favor so I can put my attention on them. Creon has joyfully accepted this task and I ask you please stay calm in this time until further notice as i am waiting as well for the results. Thank you, Priest. You as well as the townspeople are in my prayers.

                                                                                                                                                 Oedipus The King

Poetry: Journal 3

Steps:
1.) Read the poem three times.
2.) Write things you notice right off the bat.
        -The tone is very depressing
        -The speaker seems very sad, lonesome, hopeless
        - The speaker writes about how our life and our beings are meaningless, every minute we inch closer
        to death and one day death knocks on our door, and we become nothing.
3.) Read the poem one more time.
4.) Notice any repetitions and/or similes.
        -Time (year, month, day..) is repeated. Fading and death are also repeated.
        -No similes
5.) Define words you do not know.
        -Transitory: not lasting, enduring, permanent or eternal.
        -Implacable: not to be appeased
        -Artillery: firing guns, missile launchers
6.) Make connections between different stanzas.
        -Each stanza speaks about death, time passing and how we are meaningless.
      

Poetry: Journal 2

I see your face in my mind as I drive away
'Cause none of us thought it was gonna end that way
People are people and sometimes we change our minds
But it's killing me to see you go after all this time

Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm

Music starts playin' like the end of a sad movie
It's the kinda ending you don't really wanna see
'Cause it's tragedy and it'll only bring you down
Now I don't know what to be without you around

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

And I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to

Never wanted this, never want to see you hurt
Every little bump in the road I tried to swerve
People are people and sometimes it doesn't work out
Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

And I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to

It's two a.m., feelin' like I just lost a friend
Hope you know it's not easy, easy for me
It's two a.m., feelin' like I just lost a friend
Hope you know this ain't easy, easy for me

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me, oh

I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry



By comparing "Tonight I can write the saddest lines" and "Breathe" we can see that they are alike in many ways. They are both about two lovers pondering their past relationship. They are obviously very upset about their broken relationships and we can identify that when we read the lyrics to "Breathe" and the poem. Taylor Swift and the speaker in the poem are also alike in many ways. They are both very emotionally hurt but they realize that the relationship they were in is not going to be the same so they move on with their lives. We can see this demonstrated when Swift says, "I can't breathe without you, but i have to" and when the speaker in "Tonight I can write the saddest lines" writes, "What does it matter that my love could not keep her. The night is starry and I am not with her." They both indicate that even though they are hurt, they are able to try to move on. I believe these were both written with the same idea in mind. Relationships can be very tough emotionally but when it ends and you are able to move on, it is a good thing. You are able to learn from that relationship and take something out of it. The world does not end when you lose a person because it was already all there before you were with them. 

Poetry: Journal 1

XIII begins with two lovers having a romantic, sensual experience. The poem is about a man who really loves a woman yet she is emotionally distant. They are involved with each other sexually and she is just an innocent "doll" with regrets. The man tries to cheer his lover by telling her stories and make her happy and soothe her but by the end she ends up leaving. The man tries to express his love for her but she doesn't come back and he ends up being a closed off individual like a "nocturnal flower."

We realize the man is the speaker because he talks of himself as a "madman." A woman is the speakers lover as we notice when he calls her his "doll."

This poem was written by the poet to show the heartbreak that can follow relationships when two lovers are involved sexually and not emotionally. It was also written to show how one can have the love for an individual but not be able to express it.

I believe it was written in a story-like way with events happening in chronologic order.

Introduction and Conclusion: Beware, these are SUPER rough drafts!

Introduction:


In many traditional religions, God is a figure that gives comfort, is trustworthy, is the Creator of mankind and has many other supernatural characteristics. He is the only thing or being that can bring true fulfillment. While many people believe in God, believers are lessening all the time. People have but their trust is material items, leaving their religious beliefs behind. We are persuaded by media that superficial things are able to bring comfort while this is truly, only temporary. In Brave New World, Huxley uses symbolism, word choice and contrast to show the concept of God being replaced with Ford to warn the reader about the negative effects of replacing religion with superficial pleasures. This occurs due to the materialism that is represented by Ford.


Conclusion:


Through the replacement of God with Ford, Huxley demonstrates his negative view towards superficiality. He warns of the risks our society is facing when becoming part of this materialistic world. Huxley uses symbolism, word choice and contrast to show the possible outcome of a society that has leaned more onto the temporary fulfillment of material items rather than leaning on God's power, comfort and undying love for his creation. In the end, the reader is faced to question their life, are they headed to a depressive downfall as the materialistic characters in Brave New World? Or are they heading towards the eternal life only God can bring?

Dystopian Thesis:

Please comment.

This is NOT the final thesis so please make any suggestions or remarks, things I did good or things I need to change!

P.s. I used Wecker's two sentence thesis idea.

Huxley uses word choice, symbolism and contrast in Brave New World to demonstrate how he replaces the concept of God with Ford, warning that religious beliefs should not be replaced with superficial pleasures. Huxley creates this idea by relating Ford to materialism or superficial pleasure, and God to traditional religious beliefs.

Topic C: The Social Criticism

In Brave New World, Huxley creates a society exaggerated from our current society in America as well as throughout the world. He takes the technological trend of our society and he forms his dystopian society around that idea that technology is taking over. In the world as we now it, we are advancing in technology every minute. The people in the Dystopian society are relying on technology for everything. They feel as God is at least importance because they have put their trust in superficial things created by man. They have replaced the image of God with Henry Ford, the creator of the assembly line. While these people rely on machines and technology, i don't think this vision of a society is believable because of differing morals. Every human is so different and it's easy to say that people would not agree not decanting instead of birthing or having sexual relations with anyone and everyone. It's just so unrealistic. To say the least, this dystopian society gives hopelessness. This society is not ideal and this is a dismal alternative to the freedom we have in our society.

Topic B: The Main Characters

"The security and stability[...]Centre of population" (Huxley 151)

In this passage, Huxley shows his dislike for Bernard Marx, a man in struggle with his society. Marx is a misfit within the society which he resides. He does not agree with their idea of a perfect lifestyle. People go around to feelies to meet their desires and take soma to distract them from their worries. Bernard, however, wants to know what it's like to experience hardships. He sees more to life than being happy 100% of the time and people treat them differently because of that view on life. The rest of the society doesn't understand. In one part of the book, Bernard and his friend, Lenina go and visit a reservation of savages. These people don't use soma and instead of decanting, they give birth. Bernard finds this fascinating while Lenina is terrified by their lifestyle. When they leave, Bernard brings along John the savage, a very beautiful man. The people of Bernard's society are disgusted at the thought of child birth but because John is such a beauty, they become very interested and since Bernard brought him to them, they no longer treat him as a misfit.

Topic A: The Society

"Now--such is progress--the old men work[...]from Electromagnetic Golf course too..."(Huxley 55-56)

In this passage, we realize many customs to the Brave New World society. First of all, Huxley indicates that the ultimate goal in life in their society is pleasure. Pleasure to their society means distractions, from women to drugs, or soma, to feelies. The passage demonstrates the societies feelings toward pleasure. They do not see any other reason for life than creating pleasure for yourself. Their whole society is based on bringing pleasure to everyone. The people don't have any freedom, they are controlled, yet each and every one of them is sincerely happy with their life. The distraction from work, or whatever it may be comes from the drug, soma which is a drug with no lasting side affects like the drugs we have in our society. Soma was made to create lasting happiness and "a gramme is better than a damn," (Huxley 54) they say. They also have feelies, which are movies in which you can actually feel, see, hear, taste and smell what is going on. The human attributes that are encouraged by this dystopian society is the attribute of desire. Whatever one desires, one should receive. None of the "people" in which are realistically dehumanized, are involved in very purposeful activity apart from creating more "people" from budding embryos'. This is not a society I would like to be apart of.

The Stranger-Journal #6

At the end of the book, we can pick apart Mersault's words and uncover his feelings to determine his overall conclusions about life. Mersault's words reflect that he has fallen back into the trap of complacency and lack of ambition. He goes on to expose that the realizations he makes clearly shows him that he could've made a purpose for his life. He realizes that the choice he made to live a life of lacking ambition is one of lasting effect and he can't go back on it now so he might as well be happy because before he went to prison he was happy with how things were. He might not of seemed happy but he truly was. Since Mersault wasn't able to show much emotion the reader judges his life and since it may not be a life that they would be satisfied with themselves, they assume that Mersault should not be happy with it either. This aspiration on their part results in a dissatisfied reader because they want to have hope for Mersault's life. A hope he does not have himself. Camus wants the reader to have an unanticipated hope once Mersault puts his hopeless self into projection. Being hopeful is not always a good thing see find out, because when you are perfectly content with your life, what else is there to hope for?

Journal #5-The Stranger

I believe Camus creates two parts to The Stranger because of the personality traits of Mersault that differ between Parts. In Part 1, Mersault becomes complacent in his day to day life and he doesn't take advantage of any of his choices as a free man. We notice in Part 1 how Mersault doesn't see any importance in others or his own life and he believes in a way that there is no point to life--a view we know as existentialism. Mersault never uses any heavy describing words when describing people or life and in the way he narrates the book gives off a careless attitude. In Part 2, Mersault starts giving more thought in his day to day life which keeps him from boredom. He realizes that he could've created meaning to his life and his thought of life is still not completely careless but when he realizes he is going to die, he falls back into the pit of complacency and his existentialist attitude gets the best of him. Comparing Part 1 and Part 2 we discover that Mersault uses the contrast of the two parts to highlight the difference of a free Mersaults thoughts and a restrained Mersaults thoughts and beliefs on life.

Journal #4-The Stranger

I think there is a definite change in character of Mersault between Part one and Part Two. In part one, Mersault seems very persuadable, for example, when Raymond invites him to the beach he says no but after some persuasion on Raymond's part, he agrees to attend. In Part two, Mersault speaks with his                                     magistrate, "I made it appear as if I agreed. To my surprise, he acted triumphant. 'You see, you see!' he said. 'You do believe, don't you, and you're going to put your trust in Him, aren't you?' Obviously, I again said no. He fell back in his chair" (Camus, 69) In this passage his magistrate tries to convince him into Christianity and accepting Christ as his savior, as Mersault says he usually agrees when he wants someone to stop talking, he goes on with his first "No" and never goes back on it, making him not as easily persuadable as he was in Part one. Another way he has changed is that he is more descriptive and uses greater word choices than before. When before, he never really went into detail about much or acted as if he cared about anything at all, In Part two, he starts noticing the smaller details and using a bigger vocabulary when he speaks about his thoughts. He describes his magistrate to the que of what he looked like and his thoughts about him. "I looked at him and saw a tall, fine-featured manwith deep-set blue eyes, a long gray moustache, and lots of thick, almost white hair. He struck me as being very reasonable and, overall, quite pleasant, despite a nervous tic which made his mouthtwitch now and then" (Camus, 64)

Journal #3-The Stranger

Motifs:


"The sky was green; I felt good. But I went straight home because I wanted to boil myself some potatoes." (Camus, 26)I think Camus uses the motif of pleasure to show how it overpowers the emotion of Mersault. Once he feels something good, he immediately wants something better or more pleasure.

"I smoked a couple of cigarettes, went inside to get a piece of chocolate, and went back to the window to eat it. Soon after that,the sky grew dark and I thought we were in for a summer storm. Gradually, though, it cleared up again. But the passing clouds had left a hint of rain hanging over the street,which made it look darker. I sat there for a long time and watched the sky."(Camus, 22-23) I think Camus uses the motif of smoking to show the absence of chaos, where everything in the book is completely calm and relaxed.

"But the whole beach, throbbing in the sun, was pressing on my back."(Camus, 58) I think Camus is using the motif of the sun to show Mersault's fear of unhappiness, he starts thinking of the sun every time he is in a fearful situation and he fears he might not be happy.

Journal #2-The Stranger

Christism

1. The only thing that matters is glorifying, worshiping and serving the one and only God who created the Heavens and the Earth, bringing others to Christ, storing up treasures in Heaven, living as Christ lived, and having a personal relationship with the Lord. -Comes from Christianity
2. Apart from that, everything else is meaningless. -Comes from Christianity (The Bible says everything is meaningless in Romans)
3. Happiness depends on circumstances, but you can choose to be joyful always, when you choose Christ. -God brings eternal joy even during pain and suffering.
4. The world should think of others higher than themselves, be slow to anger, forgive always, and say sorry when they wrong someone. I also believe that everything that comes out of your mouth should be beneficial to those who listen, building them up according to their needs and nothing vile or wicked should ever be said. -The Bible
5. People should let go of all resentment and without retaliation. -The Bible
6. People can change when they choose to change; not if they are forced. -This comes from experience and what i've noticed from examining peoples heart change.
7. Everybody is equal. -Pretty cliche but definitely true.
8. The purpose of life on Earth is to build relationships that mirror and imitate God's relationship with us. -Song of Songs gives meaning to this.
9. The Bible is the key to life. -It's God's word and He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
10. Love comes first. -"And the greatest of these is love" in 1 Corinthians

Journal #3

Christism

1. The only thing that matters is glorifying, worshiping and serving the one and only God who created the Heavens and the Earth, bringing others to Christ, storing up treasures in Heaven, living as Christ lived, and having a personal relationship with the Lord. -Comes from Christianity
2. Apart from that, everything else is meaningless. -Comes from Christianity (The Bible says everything is meaningless in Romans)
3. Happiness depends on circumstances, but you can choose to be joyful always, when you choose Christ. -God brings eternal joy even during pain and suffering.
4. The world should think of others higher than themselves, be slow to anger, forgive always, and say sorry when they wrong someone. I also believe that everything that comes out of your mouth should be beneficial to those who listen, building them up according to their needs and nothing vile or wicked should ever be said. -The Bible
5. People should let go of all resentment and without retaliation. -The Bible
6. People can change when they choose to change; not if they are forced. -This comes from experience and what i've noticed from examining peoples heart change.
7. Everybody is equal. -Pretty cliche but definitely true.
8. The purpose of life on Earth is to build relationships that mirror and imitate God's relationship with us. -Song of Songs gives meaning to this.
9. The Bible is the key to life. -It's God's word and He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
10. Love comes first. -"And the greatest of these is love" in 1 Corinthians

The Stranger-Journal #1

In Chapter 1, Mersault's mother dies. Altough death, especially of  family member, is usually a very tough time for many people, Mersaults shows no emotion towards it. In fact, we see by his falling asleep at the home and talking more about the boss than his mother's death that he cares more about himself than his mom. He even goes out with an old friend, Marie in Chapter 2, to see a comedy and she ends up sleeping at his house. I view Mersault as a carefree person who shows little emotion to anything. I believe he cares more about himself and whats going on at that certain time than anything else. He seems very non-chalant about everything going on around him and he is never excited about anything. He only has one emotion-Calm and carefree. Mersault is definitely and anti-hero because he doesn't do anything heroic for anyone. He is lacking in heroic qualities and I believe Camus uses this character as a protagonist because it's a new outlook to life. Not many people are like Mersault and we see when reading the stranger a different view on the world which makes us think about our own personal worldly views and we build a relationship with Mersault throughout the book, whether it's a good or bad one. 

Journal #9

I believe a strong theme depicted in the last two chapters is remaining in contentness in times of despair.

A one passage which clearly demonstrates this theme is when Tea Cake grumbles to Janie about how she expects too much of him, "Guess you tired uh watin' on me and doing fuh me. Dat ain't de way Ah been wid you. Ah never is been able tuh do enough fuh yuh" (Hurston, 182). Even though Tea Cakes words cut deep and were hurtful because of how much Janie has done for Tea Cake, Janie knew that he didn't mean in and at that she stayed content. "Tea Cake, you'se sick. You'se talkin' everything in de way Ah don't mean it. Ah couldn't never be tired uh waitin' on you. Ah'm just skeered you'se too sick fuh me tuh handle" (Hurston, 182).

Another passage that exposes this theme is when Janie gets put in jail for "killing" Tea Cake. Janie knows that she was protecting herself from him and even though it would be painful to go through all of that after one of her loved ones had passed away, she remains content once again. "If they made a verdict that she didn't want Tea Cake and wanted him dead, then that was a real sin and a shame. It was worse than murder" (Hurston, 188).

Plot Story line


Characters:
Joe, MaryAnne, Jack
Setting:
Seattle, Wahington, 1999
Plot:
Jack and MaryAnne are Joe's closest friends. Joe has known Jack for longer than he has known MaryAnne but recently Joe and MaryAnne have been beginning to be great friends. MaryAnne and Jack  had been friends in the past but since MaryAnne started spending time with Joe, Jack has been filled with jealousy. Joe would like to spend time with MaryAnne and Jack together, but every time they do Jack fills MaryAnne with sadness and she leaves in tears from the way he treats her. Joe doesn't realize that his closest friend is bringing pain to his friend MaryAnne, he feels like MaryAnne is just being overly sensitive. While MaryAnne is in such despair over this broken relationship she has learned to be patient with Jack and not to let herself be treated horribly because it is not worth fussing over someone who is not going to change their wicked ways. MaryAnne is remaining content in times of despair.

Journal #8

In Chapter 18, i believe Hurston uses the setting to develop the theme of the up and downs of human relationships and how getting through tough times makes you stronger. In Chapter 18, a huge hurricane comes and everyone but the "saws" head east. "Others hurried east like the Indians and rabbits and snakes and coons. But the majority sat around laughing and waiting for the sun to get friendly again" (Hurston, 156). Once the river starts coming near the house, Janie and Tea Cake fled off to a safer place. They go through wind and water and while all this was going on, Janie and Tea Cake got a couple things about their relationship clearer. "Well then, Janie, you meant what you didn't say, 'cause Ah never knowed you wuz so satisfied wid me lak dat" (Hurston, 160). Right before this, Janie expresses how much her husband means to her and it really opens Tea Cakes eyes to see that Janie doesn't care if she dies because she is with her beloved husband. I believe the setting of the hurricane is used to symbolize the relationship of Tea Cake and Janie and how even though all couples go through tough times, if you stick together during those tough times you will become stronger as a couple and closer. "The wheel kept turning round and round. Hope, hopelessness, and despair. But the storm blew itself out as they approached the city of refuge" (Hurston, 166).  Janie and Tea Cake have gone through so many terrific events along with this hurricane, but the stuck together and eventually they came through it. Near the end of the chapter, Janie has a hard time swimming and Tea Cake rescues her out of the water. Janie tells Tea Cake, "But you come 'long and make somethin' outa me. So Ah'm thankful fuh anything we come through together" (Hurston, 167). After their long, tiresome journey they realize how valuable their relationship and friendship is. They let each other know how happy they are their together ad it seems they are at a high in their relationship. 

Journal #7

After a long, thought process Janie decides to go off and marry Tea Cake. The consequence of her decision  is that society expects different from her and when she did decide to go with Tea Cake society definitely disapproved. I think Janie's motivation was that Tea Cake was so different from her past relationships and the fact that society disapproved was a sort of independence she was taking on. Her decision makes it clear to the reader that she used to be a people pleaser in a way and now that she has grown up she is making decisions for herself and doing what she wants to do. 

Pastiche:

"'Ah got tuh thinkin' 'bout muh rill fillin's an' ah rilized Tea Cake was tuh young' a man fo' me. Oh Phoebe, you an' de menfolks an' all dem zigaboos were right. Tea Cake was indeed jus' usin' me fo' muh money. When Ah gots on de train Ah went tuh thinkin' rill hard 'bout all muh decision makin'. Ah rilized Tea Cake was not de right man fo' me, he was jus' a boy. Ah thought Ah'd get tuh sleep an' in de mornin' Ah'd leave wid all muh belongin's but when Ah woke muh money wuz all gone an' so was Mr. Woods.' 'Ah'm sorry, Janie, but all us folks told ya it'd happen lak dat.' 'Ah know, Pheobe dats what makes it worse cuz Ah come back an' all dem folks hear 'bout what happened, de all say dey'r right, an' I know it.' 'Well jus' cause dey'r madder dan de devil don' mean you haven't got no friends cuz ya know dat Ah'm always here for ya, Janie. 'Ah know dat, Pheob. You is all Ah ever need.'"

Journal #6

"He did not return that night nor the next and so she plunged into the abyss and descended to the ninth darkness where light has never been." -Consonance

"Day after day and week after week" -Parallel structure

"...going straight by walking crooked." -Oxymoron

Janie and Tea Cake are at Janie's house and Janie wants to go to bed, they are having a small argument. "'See dat? You'se got de world in uh jug and make out you don't know it. But Ah'm glad tuh be de one tuh tell yuh.' 'Ah guess you done told plenty women all about it.' 'Ah'm de Apostle Paul tuh de Gentiles. Ah tells 'em and then Ah shows 'em." Hurston uses an allusion to the Bible in this passage to show how Tea Cake sees himself and also shows a bit of Tea Cakes religiousness. Tea Cake says he is like the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul spoke truth to the Gentiles about Christ and not only did he speak truth and teach them how to live a Godly life, he acted as a Godly person and was a good example to God's people. This is a great allusion to show how Tea Cake is comparing himself tot he Apostle Paul and how he is supposedly speaking truth and acting truthful.


Janie and Tea Cake are talking about their relationship and their differences in views. "You got yo' ideas and Ah got mine." I believe Janie and Tea Cake are foils because when paired together they bring out their differences and they are almost complete opposites. First of all, Janie is from a higher society and Tea Cake is not. Tea Cake seems to be a more open-minded person, while Janie tends to be more closed-minded. Tea Cake really wants to be in a relationship with Janie. While Tea Cake just wants what he wants, Janie takes a long time to think out decisions and sometimes even talks herself out of things. This could be from the difference in age. Janie has had many experiences and while some of them weren't so good, she has learned to think things out. On the other hand, Tea Cake is young and instead of thinking things over he just goes with hid first instinct of what he wants. This is also slightly ironic because of the fact they are arguing about their difference in age. 

Journal #5

Janie is at Jody's funeral, Hurston is explaining what Janie is thinking as the funeral goes on. "Janie starched and ironed her face and came set in the funeral behind her veil. It was like a wall of stone and steel. The funeral was going on outside. All things concerning death and burial were said and done. Finish. End. Nevermore. Darkness. Deep hole. Dissolution. Eternity. Weeping and wailing outside. Inside the expensive black folds were resurrection and life. She did not reach outside for anything, nor did the things of death reach inside to disturb her calm. She sent her face to Joe's funeral, and herself went rollicking with the springtime across the world." Hurston's expresses his manipulation of language by word choice, syntax, tone and sound devices in this passage to give the reader a taste of what Janie is feeling at Jody's funeral. As with syntax, a couple sentences are full, with varying explanation and imagery and other times he uses one word sentences to convey the sadness and gloom and how everything is complete and over. His word choice, for example, "darkness", "weeping and wailing", and the use of the word "black" display the overall tone for the passage which is despondency and despair. The sound devices Hurston uses also help to create a sort of tone for the passage and makes the passage seem very hopeless.

Journal #4

Then Delia began contemplating heartache. Heartache, the treacherous creature who lurks into weak relationships and broken hearts. A distant animal who resides in a cramped dark hole, letting in no form of light. Why would heartache need protection when he's the one destroying souls? He keeps watch at dusk, pondering ways to bring despair. Creeps lonely and hidden all night disguising his horns and pitchfork to lure in the uncommitted. Stayed there still listening, watching, scheming. Delia was likely to feel the burning of his fiery soul sneaking up to attack. She felt lonely and unloved. Oh Nick! He ought to consider the pain he was causing. He sent a friend to check up on her but Delia would not have it. No doctor could fix the agony heartache gave her. It swallowed her up but couldn't seem to spit her out. She knew this wouldn't kill her, but she thought it would come close. She just knew it. Everyone told her differently, but she insisted. And if they were wrong, she would spend eternity with her Creator. And if not, she'd crawl up by her lonesome and stay there forever. Just curl up in a cramped dark hole. Love, would eventually shine happiness on the heartbroken once again.

Journal #3

"'Tony won't never hit her. He says beatin' women is just like steppin' on baby chickens.'" -Simile

"The salt pork box was in the back of the store and during the walk Mrs. Tony was so eager she sometimes stepped on Joe's heels, sometimes she was a little before him. Something like a hungry cat when somebody approaches her pan with meat. Running a little, caressing a little and all the time making little urging on cries." -Simile

"You saw a fluttering fan before her face and magnolia blooms and sleepy lakes under the moonlight when she walked" -Imagery

Janie and Jody's marriage is slowly crumbling apart due to Jody's cruel words and Janie's lack of submission. "The spirit of the marriage left the bedroom and took to living in the parlor. It was there to shake hands whenever company came to visit, but it never went back inside the bedroom again." Hurston uses personification to emphasize Janie and Jody's marriage tearing them apart. I believe Hurston uses personification in this passage to help the reader understand how damaging Jody's words and actions are being on their relationship. It brings a picture to mind of people shaking hands and then the friendliness fading away as they make their way to the bedroom. It really helps develop the mood of the home like you were there almost, interacting with this couple falling out of love.

The menfolks are sitting on the porch of the store talking about Joe Starks. "'Speakin' of winds, he's de wind and we'se de grass. We bend whichever way he blows..'" In this quote by Sam Watson, Hurston uses a metaphor comparing Jody Starks and the rest of the menfolk. I believe Hurston uses a metaphor in this quote to make it clear what the townspeople think of Joe. When Joe is around they talk nice to him and make him feel at a higher level than they are, but when he leaves they compare him to the wind and themselves, the grass, in which Joe makes the grass blow wherever he wants it to go. Joe is in complete control of these people and they realize that Joe is pulling them in to this trap.

Journal #2

Hear me when ah say colored 'oman ain't treated lak de should. We got feelin's lak de res' uh yuh. Jus' 'cause we cook an' clean for yuh don' mean yuh kin treat us badly. We should all love eachoder as our sweet lawd loves us. Us 'oman are free jus' lak yuh menfolks. Wid out dese beautiful 'oman none uh yuh would be born. We de one's who birthed yuh! When 'omen come tellin' yuh 'bout dere dreams, yuh should respec' 'em! We uh capable jus' as yuh are. Jus' 'member, nex' time yuh go talkin' bad 'bout yur 'oman 'cause shes de only one who kin birth yuh a beautiful baby. Treat 'er right and praise de Lawd!

Journal #1

From reading chapters one and two, I perceive that Janie is a woman who never really had a childhood and feels bad for herself. She seems like a level-headed person who has never really experienced life. When she was young, her grandmother, Nanny, insisted she get married to a man she didn't love. I believe she may of made some bad decisions because of that forced marriage and therefore is being judged by those around her. She seems to have a good friendship with Pheoby, but the people around her seem to be very judgmental of her and her relationship with "Tea cake". Janie seems as if she is not the most mature woman but she is trying to get her life back on track by moving back to where she used to live. She had a hard childhood so i'm guessing that she may have gotten a little rebellious, like any teenager and that is why these people are judging her. I perceive the narrater as a older lady who is speaking as "he/she" not "I" and who is relaxed as if she telling this story about people she once knew. She also speaks as if she might come into the story later.