UNICORN POWER!:)

I personally Loved the symbolism behind the glass unicorn's horn breaking off as soon as Jim took Laura out of her comfort zone. Once Laura broke free from her shyness, the glass unicorn; the only one of its kind from her Glass Menagerie suddenly becomes like the rest of the horses without a horn portraying the sudden evolvement that stemmed from Laura's obscurity, however she allowed Jim to release her from her isolated and nonsocial demeanor, which I also found to be beautiful.

Laura and Tom

Dang, I feel for Laura and Tom. I get where tom is coming from in his anger, and also with Laura and her self consciousness

Act 4

While reading this play and with the current chapters, I'm not sure if I dislike Amanda or i agree with her decisions. What i mean is, i think she should let Laura be who she is and should not pressure her into being in a relationship. Then again I respect her begin controlling because she is relinquishing Laura into a path that Amanda had been in the past; The burden of the past..

Ending

Did you guys like and or dislike the ending in Light in August ? What are your thoughts towards it ? Did you envision it ending diffrent ?

Thoughts on chess

During chapter 19 the reoccurring chess movements are seen and created quite a bit of curiosity. What do you guy think about the reference? For me, I feel as it the chess thing represents an idea that the characters are just the chess pieces being controled by something great and as much as it seems the characters are in control of their actions they're not.

Frequent Motifs by Sabrina

Throughout Light in August, Faulkner has a variety of motifs that reoccur in the novel such as Christmas's animal like characteristics. However, during chapter nineteen the reoccurring image of dark objects and actions  near places of worship or religious individuals is an interesting motif. For instance, Grimm and his platoon gambling and armying themselves with guns near a church. As well as Christmas's savage murder in Hightower's home creates a paradox of imagery. The dark and light contrast of the motifs makes me really appreciate the novel and the writing style of William Faulkner. ~Sabrina

Chapter 18

Ohkay I messed up on my last post with brown and Christmas! But the same concept is still here! What would have happened to Christmas? Could he have been killed by a random civilian or by Hines ?! He was asking for it to happen!

Brown's Escape

So, Brown/Burch hopped onto a train at the end of Chapter 18 and is now fleeing Jefferson (or Lena, to be more specific). Where will he go now? What about all that money of his that he never got? Does anyone have any theories on what will become of Lucas Burch?

What do you think?

I just wanted to know, what do you think about the book? since we are very close to the end of the story. what do you think about the book in a whole? what is your favorite part/character/chapter? and finally how do you think it will end? let me know, and happy Friday.

Did you guys get any thoughts from all of the characters epiphanies ?

Hightower Chapter 16

Did anyone else notice that in the beginning of chapter 16 when Byron is talking to Hightower how Hightower is responding really sarcastically and a little bit harshly as well? Or am I picking up on something that wasn't even really there?

Lena's Importance

We haven't seen Lena for a decent amount of time now, and I feel like that means she's going to start being pretty important sometime soon. Maybe she'll have her child in the next few chapters?

Reverend Hightower

  At the end of chapter sixteen, Hightower loses it. I wonder why his character changed from calm to crazy. Does anyone have any ideas of why Hightower snaps? Why does he decide to isolate himself from his only friend Byron by telling him to get out? What is going on in the reverend's head? I wonder, I wonder...

Katherine

when Christmas gets charged with the murder of mrs.Burden will he her charged with the death of Mr.McEachern or will it be dismissed

Source Resource

Just in case anyone has found themselves in dire need of replacement sources for their historical essay, the Library of Congress website is really helpful and usually provides the information needed to fill out a bibliography entry. The website can be accessed here: http://www.loc.gov/index.html

Tis tis tis

Dang. I find myself constantly feeling sympathy for Joe. I see why he can't trust anyone. Hopefully Ms.Burden will change that

Katherine's idea

• In chapter 12 the razor is once again brought in.Does the razor have any symbolism in Light In August? If so what do you guys think?

Mrs. McEachern.

I like the character of Mrs.McEachern, I think she was a nice lady that was pretty much passive; however, I also feel terribly bad for her because her husband died and she was left alone. I think that Christmas was a bit selfish, in a way, and harsh with the lady who after all did give him a shelter and food. I also wish we could've learned more about this lady. What do you guys think?

NaNoWriMo

I'm not sure if you guys know about this, but NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) started on the 1st and ends on the last day of November. The goal is to write 50,000 words by the end of the month. I think plans to award extra credit for completion are in the works, so check it out! You can sign up here: nanowrimo.org Good luck!

Christmas's fascination with Mrs.Burden.

Perhaps for the first time in his life, Christmas finds himself openly welcomed even if not formally introduced. We have seen how much pain he has endured during his young life whether it be physical abuse or emotional scars. Now Mrs.Burden has her doors open to him and feeding him yet there is little to no communication between the two. Why do you think he sticks around other than food and shelter?

the odd encounter by sabrina

In chapter 10,  Faulkner describes the first encounter between Christmas and Ms.Burden. Hungry and savage, Christmas is described as an animal eating food from Ms.Burdens kitchen. As she walks in she is not alarmed, but rather she is cold. Her tone and her demeanor makes me question how Christmas and Ms.Burdens relationship transitions from strange to sexual. Not many people would allow a animal like man to stay in their home, therefore their future is very interesting. In addition, knowing what happens to Ms.Burden, I wonder if she regrets allowing Christmas into her house and her bed.

Christmas and his past.

Now that we are going back into Christmas' background and what he has gone through, I'm sort of thinking that he is (later in life) just yearning for love and acceptance. He has a really tough life and I think that maybe he acts the way he does because of how people used to treat him but at the same time he just wants to be loved and be accepted by his double race and the way he is. I think he just because a tough person because of his experiences through life and he holds a grudge against women because of the impact that all the girls in his life have made. I'm just really interrested in this character and I think that the couple of chapters that we have been reading really helped me undestand him a bit more.

Mrs. McEachern

 I really like Mrs. McEachern's character in the novel. Even though she is powerless, she is referred to as a good woman. She has been kind to Christmas and has even stood up for him. Even Christmas had nothing bad to say about her. What do you guys think of her character? I also feel bad for her because she was with a terrible man who treated her horribly. Christmas was also rude to her and left her by herself alone with nothing. He took everything away from her when all she did was be kind to her. I don't know, it just really bothers me that Christmas just left her with heartache. Am I the only one who feels for Mrs. McEachern?

Chapter 8

Me and Katherine were talking about chapter eight and we came across the part when Christmas tells the girl that he thinks he's biracial . We infered she kind of rejected him and therefore we can see why he might dislike women now . Christmas likes this girl and maybe now that she knows that he is partly black she losses her connection with him . What go you guys think ?

Some stuff

Since I haven't finished chapter 8 and I'm writing this post based on a line about 4 pages into chapter 8 don't correct me or tell me anything else about the chapter. Anyways, a few pages in chapter 8 it's mentioned that Christmas hates religion and like most people would, it's easy to connect a line to why he does. But what if Christmas doesn't hate religion simply because of McEachern (not sure if that's spelled right). Because although Christmas is pretty numb to the abuse he receives, that can't seem to be a solid root to why he hates religion. I don't know though I'm just trying to think out of the box. Because for me, most people who really know me assume I hate religion because of my very religious family but that's not the case. So yeeeee thats all.

Writeing quiz

So I was kinda wanting to know what people thought of the writing test today I thought it was fairly easy if you knew  what you were writing about I think the most difficult question was question number 4 being that you had to choose a character and write  what their motivation is religion or race. I chose Hightower and I believe his motivation is religion. What did you write about for question number 4 and what did you think of the test?

Religion as a catalyst

As I read chapter 7, the constant Imagery of religion as an antagonist still remains. Christianity scarred Joe Christmas, and anywhere it's mentioned  displays a type of agony in him.

Christmas hateing women

So Christmas hates women right? I have a thought of why he does. I think as the story goes on we will learn more about his past. And I think something will be revealed of why Christmas hates women.

Christmas and religion

So why do you think Christmas is very anti-religion? I think its because how his life is and that maybe at one point he was but then everything went bad for him and then he called it quits. I think at some point Christmas will begin to change his ways at some point but it will be something big in order to do it.

A light in August: kinda hard to follow?

I know that I might get a lot of hate for this post but am I the only one who finds a light in august a little hard to follow? Dont get me wrong the book is wonderful so far. But I just feel that it is all over the place at points. Now I could be wrong but thats just how I feel. What do you think?

Double Joe

Joe Christmas and Joe Brown have been mysterious characters throughout the story so far. I do not know much about their story. What do you guys think of Brown and Christmas so far? Are they likable characters or is it too early to tell?

I'm having trouble on what to write about on what might the author be trying to convey ? Message / theme. If you guys can give me some ideas I would appreciate it . :D

Joe Christmas

I'm not sure if Christmas really killed Ms. Burden. We don't have any evidence so far other than Brown's word, and he's not exactly truthful. Opinions?

Light in August

What are you guys thoughts so far from what we've read?

Hey guys! So I just wanted to share with you all that you can get the full book of Light In August by William Faulkner online for free. The website is: http://www.kkoworld.com/kitablar/uilyam-faulkner-light-in-august_eng.pdf

Witch Trials ?

Does anyone notice the historical accuracy in the crucible? It is well known about the Salem witch trials which took place were a little fuzzy and confusing and very illogical. As we read it was just like wow unbelievable. It doesn't seem like anything that would happen in modern times and would automatically be dismissed if they ever did arise. What was it that made the trials such a dilemma? Was it the strict religious beliefs? Or was it something completely different ?

The Crucible Ending: John Proctor (Tyler Rooker)

I found the ending to be very powerful, mostly due to Proctor's actions and character. Proctor seemed to have suffered an ending similar to a Sophoclean tragedy, having experienced an ironic fate of a virtuous hero. Proctor had chose not to tell a lie that had been seen as a truth by society. He decided to keep the good names and truth that had been tainted by the hysteria of the Witch Craft Trials.  -Tyler Rooker

The crucible and today's justice system

Often times, i find that The Cruciable is comparable to American society. We want justice by any means, even if the accused who is innocent is declared guilty. All we want is a sense of security at the expense of others

Abigail & Proctor

Did anyone else feel as if the scene where Abigail is trying to get Proctors attention kind of exemplifies the sexual oppression within the community? I don't know I think that if the community wasn't oppressing the people then there was no need for Proctor to conduct in an affair.  But this is just a thought and what I'm basing my scene adaption on so don't take the idea ;--;

The crucible.

what is your opinion on how it ended? Did you think it was going to end diffrently?

Abigail and Proctor

I'm predicting that the romantic tension and past actions between Abigail and Proctor will come into play later. Maybe as evidence of possession or something. What do you guys think?

The Scarlet Letter Presentations

As of today The Scarlet Letter  presentations have concluded. Although I am not fully content with my performance, I do appreciate some of my fellow class mates presentations and their ideas. Many of the presentations were creatively designed and displayed many connections to the book that I had not thought about before. For instance, some of the groups brought up the many representations of the letter a, such as its evolution (which I thought was clever) and multiple meanings. The multiple meanings of the letter a consisted of words such as angel and acceptance which was very innovative. However, overall I found the most connection to the quote: "In this context,the word  moral does not mean good or evil, but rather a general standard for morality. (keep in mind that this quote is somewhat paraphrased) ~Sabrina Hernandez

the conclusion

What did you guys think about the conclusion about what we read today ?

Dimmesdale's Death

I have to say, I really wasn't expecting Dimmesdale to go out like that. The fact that he died on the platform with Hester and Pearl by his side was really touching, and pretty sad to boot. Part of me wonders how the town will recover, and part is worried about what will happen to Pearl and Hester.

Hester and Elisa

After just reading The Chrysanthemum by John Steinbeck, I automatically drew many similarities to Eliza and Hester Prynne. Two women from different eras that experience the difficulties of self identity, gender roles, and conformity. For instance, in the case of self identity, both women struggle with who they want to be and who they actually are. Gender roles plays a major role in their self identity, such as Hester's want to be feminine and sexual, but society frowns women upon express these characteristics in public (especially if it goes against rules, or is considered a sin). Whereas, Elisa wants to be a little more masculine and show a side to herself that does not conform to the roles of a women. However, although both Elisa and Hester would both like to outwardly express who they truly are, they ultimately both conform to the gender roles given to them by society. ~Sabrina Hernandez

Dimmesdale's Doubts

   I think it's really sweet and caring that Dimmesdale keeps doubting whether or not Pearl will accept him as a father, and keeps on constantly telling Hester that Pearl might not love him. However, Hester tries and gives him comfort and reassures him that he has nothing to worry about and that Pearl will love him like she loves her. Therefore, Dimmesdale recalls the fact that children aren't a fan of him, but Pearl was the first to actually return some kind of affection back to him. So it just comes to show how Dimmesdale is ready to be there for Pearl and would much rather have her love him like a father, and accept him for who he is because he loves her.

Chapter 19

" It was with a feeling which neither of them had ever before experienced, that they sat and watched Pearl's slow advance..." I actually like this opening of the third paragraph in chapter nineteen because both Hester and Dimmsdale feel a connection, emotionally, as they see their daughter, their offspring, so full of light and Pearl is careless of what is going on the world. "In her was visible the tie that united them." Pearl, reminds the two lovers how they had felt before they had realized what had been done. She shows the love these two distinct people have for one other. Almost like Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, haha x

Disappoinment & Dimmesdale.

I was really disappoint with Dimmesdale by the end of chapter 20. After having a somewhat revival of Hester and himself and making plans to flee to Europe to be together, Dimmesdale is still concerned with writing a new sermon for "Election Day". It's kind of like a slap to the face. Really Dimmesdale? You and Hester make plans to flee together off to Europe but you still won't reveal yourself and are concerned with a sermon to give to the society that is pushing you to flee because the act you have committed with Hester is a great iniquity? It's just like wow, I don't know. I feel like Dimmesdale still isn't ready to abandon his position, like he's still struggling with internal conflicts to be true to himself. You'd think if you were really read to be happy with your lover and child you'd throw that sermon to the ground with no regards. Then again there is the chance that Dimmesdale is planning to reveal himself within this new sermon he's writing. Dimmesdale was having ideas of revealing what a fake or phony he was ( I can't exactly remember what he said but it was along those lines) but who knows. I hope he does intend on revealing himself in the sermon and that's the reason hes concerned on writing it for Election Day, if not I most likely will loose hope in Dimmesdale. 

Chapter 19

Picking up on the previous chapter, chapter 19 contains an event quite odd I say so myself. After Hester removes her A and is speaking to Dimmesdale about a new life (or somewhere along those lines) he tells Dimmesdale that he must meet Pearl their "beautiful child". As Pearl approaches, she refuses to fully unite with Hester and Dimmesdale throwing almost a fit until the missing A on Hesters bosom is attached once again. After a little dispute between Hester and Pearl, Hester finally agrees to reattach the A. Dimmesdale states that the only reason Pearl wouldn't reunite with them was because "children will not abide any, the slightest, changes in the accustomed aspects of things that are daily before their eyes" although this may be true, I kind of view it as something different. Pearl so far has been, like the A, a symbol of the sinful deed Hester and Dimmesdale have committed but only in living flesh. When Hester tried to rid herself of the A, thinking that her shame would be no gone forever, she seemed to have forgotten that regardless of the A she still holds the greatest symbol, Pearl. When Pearl notices the A, to me, it seemed like Pearl felt detachment or abandoned from Hester. The A and Pearl are both in one. If Hester attempts to remove the A aiming to rid herself of it, she is also attempting to rid herself of Pearl. I don't know though, I just feel like Pearl and the A have this connection that is unbreakable and to Hester irremovable.

Chapter 18

When Hester removes the scarlet letter from her bosom she regains her former self "Her sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty, came back." I think here, we really see the burden of sin and how it can truly drag a person down. The weight of the A Hester wears wore her down and stripped her of herself. Hester was no longer Hester but a product of her environment, which forced her to be a dull and lifeless soul. Here is where I somewhat relate. I've dealt with heavy burdens and I understand how they can weigh you down. I don't want to get into the whole story but the weight got to me and I became a different person I became someone I wasn't proud of, anyways back to the topic.When Hester removes the A, the forest which was "so black and dense" only shinning its little rays of light on Pearl, illuminates her. Hester doesn't feel alone either in his feeling of being revived, Dimmesdale who is also with Hester feels the same, as if his burden of sin has also come to and end. Maybe now the Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale have a slight chance of a new beginning and venture else where and be happy. Although that would be nice, it most likely wont happen. The possibility of all of them running off and having an "happy ever after"  is very dismal but who knows. 

Chapter 16

“Mother...the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom...It will not flee from me; for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” This line that Pearl states in chapter 16, I think, really represents the "light in the darkness" that Pearl has come to be. In chapter 16 while Hester and Pearl walk into the "mystery of the primeval forest" (already setting a sort of dark or gloomy tone) they walk into almost a darkness "so black and dense...disclosed such imperfect glimpses of the sky above" but within this darkness there is a few streaks of light in which we have Pearl who "stood...in the midst of it, all brightened by its splendor". Pearl takes notice that the light radiates on her but not her mother and mocks her. When Hester attempts to stretch out and grasp the light "the sunshine vanished". The A Hester wears, even after seven years is persistent on keeping her from ever being the old youthful woman she was. But yeah anyways I thought that was pretty interesting.

How I think it will end

So I'm up late at around 5:15 am on a monday and blogging. So how do you think the book will end? I think the book will end with dimmesdales confession that he is the father of pearl to the people of the puritan society and will end finally with hester, pearl, and dimmesdale being ran out of the puritan society by the people, and left to survive on their own.that's how I think the book will end, kinda dark but you know not all storys have happy endings.

Sympathy for Chillingworth???

In the beginning of chapter 15, I find myself feeling a sense of sympathy for Roger Chillingworth. He loved Hester, but Hester did not love him. Reading this, I kind of understand where Chillingworth is coming from in his antagonist character.

Chillingworth and Dimmesdale's Relationship

One thing I find really interesting about their relationship in the recent chapters is that Dimmesdale is aware that Chllingworth is out to get him. He has this hatred for the doctor because he knows that the man is constantly watching his every move and breathing down his neck. However, he makes no move at all to get rid of the leech. He suffers silently because of the physician and he doesn't really do anything against him. I'm thinking it's because he no longer has the energy to fight back because his guilt and the doctor's torment of him has sucked it away. What do you guys think?

Pearl

Pearl seems to be a very contradictory character throughout the book. At one point Hester is recounting the absolute majesty that is her daughter and then next she is describing her as an abomination for her creation was through her mother's transgression and now she will always be reminded of it because of her daughter? Do you guys think the author means to cause indifferent feelings about Pearl or does he use certain dominating connotations that sway Pearl's true place in the book as either the abomination or the blessing

Roger Chillingworth

       In The Scarlet Letter, Roger Chillingworth is described as an antagonist in the story and an evil, malicious person for trying to discover Mr. Dimmesdale's darkest secret, "But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a vastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the ugliness of his figure, and making itself ever riotously manifest.." However, is Chillingworth really a villianous person? During the seventeenth century in Boston, the need for religion an American colony causes the belief of Puritanism to increase amongst society. This in an age where science and religion do not intermix with each other and Puritans do not applaud the use of science. During this time, Chillingworth is belittled in the environment because he practices medicine which is focused on science. Now, Chillingworth is after the man who took on Hester's sin. I believe the physician just wishes to be accepted in society and not considered as an outcast for his choice in career and in order to make that happen, he has to be the hero for the town and uncover who Hester had an affair with. Overall, I do not think the old physician is such a bad guy, he just wants to be a part of a movement because he has always been alone and abused for his special medicines to cure others. What do you guys think?

Why is the secret being kept?

So as we continue along further, it's becoming more apparent that Dimsdale is pearl's father. He is becoming ill with guilt,shame and possibly regret and his health is deteriorating fast. So my question is why won't the truth of how he was part of the sin be revealed? I get why he refuses to come out (being a man of high regards) but why won't Hester sells him out? She struggles everyday being lonely, feeling her reminder of shame for eternal, confused as to what pearl is and where will she stand in the future ,etc. Hester carrys heavy burdens on her shoulder yet remains silent. Does she love this man?  Is she being threatened ?

Chillingworth

I just wanted to briefly comment on the way the author portrays Chillingworth in chapter 10 i believe at the end. I dont know about you guys but that last passage gave me the chills. What did he find underneath Dimmesdale's vest? I dont know but the way he acted so satan-like was horrifying. Now i indubitably ;) see Chillingworth as the antagonist here!

Chapter 9

We all know Chillingworth has the strong intention of seeking revenge to the man who had the affair with Hester. He's brilliant and has the advantage of a new identity to aid his search, so he's bound to find out who the father is. Considering we're all sure Dimmsdale is the father and that Chillingworth is very close to his answer whether he knows it or not, I wonder how he'll react to his discovery.

" Yet fear not for him! Think not that I shall interfere with Heaven’s own method of retribution, or, to my own loss, betray him to the gripe of human law. Neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life, no, nor against his fame; if, as I judge, he be a man of fair repute. "
He said himself he plans to leave him alone, but it leaves me wondering if a hidden rage is behind his cold demeanor will get the best of him.

   What do you guys thing Chillingworth will do when he reveals Dimmsdale is the father?

Chillingworth/chapter 10

In chapter 10 (and previously in chapter 9) we're informed that Chillingworth is referred to as a "leech" since he is a physician and which, during the time this book takes place, is very common. Although its very common I feel as if the term "leech" is used in a different context. So far Chillingworth has moved in with Dimmesdale to assist him in his weakening condition. Within this time Chillingworth is putting his term to well use. Chillingworth is (like a leech) sticking himself to his patient Dimmesdale. Chillingworth is not only trying to cure Dimmesdale but also digging into him as well "deep into his patient’s bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections, and probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure-seeker in a dark cavern.”. Even after Dimmesdale has caught on to Chillingworth, Chillingworth continues and also continues decaying facially or in other words becoming more evil or sinister in his appearance. Eventually Chillingworth finds an opportunity to study Dimmesdale in his sleep and endeavors into his "bosom" and finds something. The book doesn't tell us (of course) what it is exactly Chillingworth has found but we (or I) can pretty much assume that some sort of mark is growing on his chest, like a hidden scarlet letter that Hester wears but unlike Hester who openly wears her shame Dimmesdales with shame hidden is also hiding his form of the scarlet letter. I don't really know though these are just assumptions. It's like 1am so yeeeeeah.

Dimmesdale

I kind of feel bad for Dimmesdale. By now we can pretty much conclude that Dimmesdale is Pearls father. Regardless of the fact that he has not confessed for the sin he has commited along with Hester he is still somewhat of a decent guy. He did try in helping Hester out within his abilities on now two occasions. In the begging of the book when Hester is being publicly condemned and Reverened Wilson proposes that they force Hester to confess her lover, Dimmesdale says no since it would be morally wrong to force a woman to confess her hearts secretes (or something along those lines I'm paraphrasing). I don't think Dimmesdale refused to force Hester into confessing to save himself but to avoid a serious harsh punishment on Hester. Then later Dimmesdale helps Hester keep Pearl. Overall Dimmesdale and Hester didn't have a "one night stand" as it's said today. According to Hester the moment was passionate. One night stands are not passionate. Hester and Dimmesdale must have had to be talking and "such" for quite a while so what they had must have been special to a degree right? Not just that but now Dimmesdale is slowly getting ill. I kind of feel as if this is a sign not of sin consuming Dimmesdale but as a sign of Dimmesdale suffering a broken heart. If what Dimmesdale had with Hester was serious as I suppose then maybe this inability to father his child and be with Hester due to his responsibility is slowly killing him

Scarlet Letter

I am actually starting to like this book because of how Hester has acknowledged her actions of sinning, yet she has her daughter that shows that life moves on. Like in the Grapes of Wrath, we can't start something new but a newborn child can bring many surprises along with a new beginning.

The Scarlet Letter book , applied to history

In many cases, I am able to contrast the Scarlet Letter to what we have learned thus far in AP US History. The idea of controlling the destiny of the individual was very real in the Puritanical colonies.  I like the way the book even makes reference to Anne Hutchinson who was a phenomenal woman who preached that it was not by works that one goes to heaven, but by grace. She courageously stated that she had seen The Lord directly, and not through the bible. This is what I think the book's plot is built around: nonconformity...finding yourself and God in the midst of  metaphorical "zombies" and nay Sayers.

Hester Prynne: A Transcendentalist

Hester’s actions are not even close to opposite of a transcendentalist thinker. Hester’s actions fallow transcendentalism very much. She is not fallowing the crowd because she unlike every other female in the town is not a puritan. Transcendentalism teaches not to fallow the crowd and be your own person which Hester is doing. Also Hester is not fallowing the town’s orders of giving up the father’s name so the child can have a father Hester refuses to speak and reveal anything. Transcendentalism also teaches not to conform to what people tell you to do so by not giving speaking about the questions she is asked Hester is not conforming, not doing what she is told she should do.

Trancendentalism

What are you guys thoughts on Emerson and Thoreau?

Who has more power?

So we started out at who has more power, but we really got sucked further into individuality. I was curious as to see who you guys think has the power in their palms. Perhaps there is something you didn't get to share or wanted to??? Really want to hear what you guys think, all is good to share.^_^

Book Choices

What book did everybody pick for that essay due at the end of the block? I picked Dante's Inferno.

chapter 28: the symbolism of the rain

In class we discussed the symbolism of rain to the story and after listening to everyone discuss this I kept thinking about it. Everyone basically said that the rain symbolised "hope", however, I believe that the rain symbolizes "cleaning" the past or "showering" their lives. The rain is washing away the negativity and bringing a brand new begining for the Joad Family. Its washing the past and the struggles off their past, making them forget about their past lives and look forward to what will occur in the future. Maybe the rain means a new brighter change for every one.

The GOW and the Wizard of Oz

I often find it easy to compare the plot of The Grapes of Wrath to The Wizard of Oz. Each plot possesses a sort of conflict that each character is trying to relieve. With Grapes of Wrath, we see that the Joads are trying to move to California due to rumors of job abundance and easy living, but they soon find that not everything is as it seems. With the wizard of Oz, where we see Dorothy, the scare crow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion heading to Emerald city to quench their needs, but come to find out, the wizard is a fake. From a spiritual stand point, the moral is completely identical: you had what you needed all along, and not everything is what it turns out to be.

This is in regards to the character Noah. I know his departure served as a way to show how the Joad's were crumbling at that certain point of the book, and to give even the reader a sense of despair considering the one of the strongest theme's emphasized was the power in unity. Although, I guess I got my hopes to high since I was expecting something hidden in Noah's persona. Maybe like a moment of glory where we see him as more as we perceived like Rose of Sharon but in a smaller scale. I know it's insignificant, but Noah was the only character in the book that left me unsatisfied.

Funny thing

Is anyone else finding themselves wanting to talk like the migrants? Whenever I want to say something aloud or even in my head, I don't use proper English and start talking like the migrants from the book. Maybe this is off topic but I just wanted to know if anyone else does that sometimes too. Also, we should discuss some of the questions brought up in class today throughout the week on the blogs :)

point of view

Throughout the book there chapters were switching points of views every now and then. I wanted to address this and the meaning of it. What do you guys think the point if this is? I'm pretty sure Steinbeck does this so the reader has a broader view of the situations at hand. If we only read the story in the migrants' point of view we would never understand why the local California's were so cruel. Steinbeck shows us their conversation in private and their thoughts to help us understand.

Final thoughts about the whole book.

When the book started it took me forever to get past the first five chapters because it seemed like useless information, but as the story progressed I became more and more emotionally invested. I could picture all that was being described and didn't want to put the book down. The end chapter left me with questions and an eerie feeling but I actually like when I'm left with questions because it makes me think about what I read. Later I would absolutely read the book again. Now for those of you that don't know there is a movie based on the book which I had seen a couple of years ago and it was pretty good, but after reading the book I will let you know that there are characters missing so you don't get the same feeling you got from the book. I do recommend that you watch it if you have time.

The Final Chapter

Well all I have to say is...wow! Four hundred pages of a beautiful tragedy. Steinbeck definitely hooks the reader in to the story and the overall setting through different perspectives and many  literary techniques. The novel as a whole is just phenomenal and I have to confess I was pretty close to shedding a tear. Nevertheless, the closing sequence of events leaves me very emotional and wondering what will happen to the Joad family. ~Sabrina Hernandez

Ending (spoiler)

So the ending of the book is far from what I expected and I'm curious to what you guys think. Did Steinbeck leave it off  perfectly or was there a cliffhanger. Plot holes? Personally I wish we could have known exactly how Tom wounded or Noah, maybe even Connie. I know what happened but I want to know how they were over time. Thoughts?

Chapter 16

Anyone have any suggestions for the second bullet point on the prompt? How is Rose of Sharon's pregnancy a symbol given that she is named after a flower referred to in the book of the bible names Soloman? I can't seem to name any connections here, I've never read that part of the bible.-.

Final Thoughts

I found the last few chapters to be overwhelming and felt the need to take a breather. I had no idea that Jim Casy would be killed!! It completely caught me off guard, and when Tom gets angry and kills a cop, all I was thinking was how Ma was going to react to it. Since Tom fled the scene with a broken nose and a damaged face, it obviously would give him away to the cops since he was being searched for. Next, Ruthie exposes the fact that Tom was hiding after killing a guy to a girl over an arguement because the girl had snatched her Cracker Jack's, which leads to Tom relocate. Finally, Rose of Sharon's baby turns out to be a stillborn which was tons of sad, however, I had a feeling telling me the delivery wasn't going to go well. Oh and I found it SUPER symbolic when the flood bank crashes.... and moments later the baby was pronounced dead. Does anyone else feel the same way??.... or is it just me..??

Chapter 25

I know understand the title of the book fully now. It all makes sense now; all the wrath that there is from the people in the towns of California. They could have been farmers that lost their land and now these families from out of state are coming in and taking what little work they could possible get. These families know how the "Okies" feel because they are just as hungry as them and they both are looking for work and that is hard to find.

The Red Scare

Throughout the Grapes of Wrath, migrants moving from various states in the U.S. to California have notoriously been called "reds". According to a character in the novel, being called a red meant you were a barbaric migrant who wanted more money and luxuries from an employer, than the employer was willing to give. In addition to being looked down upon, migrants were hated and accused of being dangerous and communists. During this period in history,America seems to have had a strange obsession with Russia and communism. Therefore, with the sudden rumor of nomadic migrants spreading communism, authorities and citizens began to fear the migrants and begin a even deeper hatred which evoked: The Red Scare. For those who where migrants, life became even more difficult due to the unnecessary treatment from fellow Americans. Although the Red Scare did not last long and communism is not mentioned in the novel its self, I have began to wonder what would happen if this degree of hate was put upon the Joad family. Not only would the Joad family be Okies, but evil red communists (according to those who hated migrants). It's silly how easily the most powerful country in the world is so easily frightened. ~Sabrina Hernandez

Chapter 5

The prompt in Chapter 5 says to explain the irony Tom observes. I was wondering if anyone could share some insight since I could use some help.

Observation:)

I am starting to notice that as the story goes on, I guess you could say the "Joad family"( since Jim Casy, and the Wilsons aren't  relatives, although Casy actually known the Joad family for quite a while) anyways, what i've stumbled across is the fact that since the journey to California began, nothing but seperation has occured. Such as: the deaths of both Granma and Grampa, Noah's decision in staying behind with the river, the Wilsons also staying behind( due to Sairy's health), Casy taking one for the team after covering for both Floyd and Tom( since they had an incident with a cop, that could've resulted in jail time for them), and Connie's sudden disappearance ( well technically he told Rosasharn that it was best for him to return home and study tractors), but he still left. Overall, hopefully you get my point when i say that the trip to California sort of caused this whole chain of departed souls..... literally... in some cases... Oh and not to mention that was Ma's fear from the start.

Chapter 20

I was impressed with chapter 20. You could feel that change in the story; it went from them being excited about what may lay in California for them to a sudden dose of reality from not having enough to pay for a proper funeral for Grandma to how the people in California didn't want them there. I also found it interesting how the "Mayor" of Hooverville seemed a little crazy because he had been pushed around so much, and then you have the young guy who is trying to help the Joads be able to survive in California by telling them about the possible job up north and then giving them directions to the government camp. I found it a little sad how Ma Joad gave the children in Hooverville what was left of the stew and then one of the kids mom scolded her for it. Now for the big question...what did you guys think of Jim Casy taking the blame for the beating of the cop?

No specific chapter.

I know this is an insignificant observation, but I love the style of writing Steinbeck uses for the a character's dialogue. It always bothered me when I read a book and all the characters happen to use perfect English.

Jim Casy's Philosophy

Okay guys,so I'm a bit late to the blogging scene here,but I was curious about  what you all thought about Jim Casy's way of thinking. I really like his idea that working and uniting with your fellow men is one of the holiest acts you could do.You understand everyone else's struggle because you share them,too, and you learn to support each other.The dangers of keeping to yourself for so long is the loss of human contact. You lose touch with people and one doesn't know how to connect with others as easily anymore. So what do you guys think?Is it better to work alone or do you believe that unity is better? What could be the pros and cons to both?

Tom Joad.

Tom from the beginning of the book struck me as an alright kind of guy. Tom after spending a few years in the pen gained a view on life that most people now a days couldn't have. Tom's live life in the moment view made him a real relaxed and easy to like character. It was very apparent that Tom had very little interest or worries. Breaking parole would send Tom back to the pen but regardless he goes along to California displaying his riskiness. Over time Tom begins to change as the rough times get even worse. This is where I begin to like Tom's character. The times and weight of the family get to him and with the words of Casy always in the back of his mind Tom changes for the better. Tom faces the responsibilities he once neglected. The thought of sticking together hits Tom even more and he becomes a leader along with Ma. Right at the end of the book is where we see the greatest change in Tom. Tom decides that he must leave the family behind and follow Casy's ways of helping fight for his people. Even though Tom knows the fate he will face just like he witnessed with Casy, he continues. Tom realizes that he can make a change, that he can be somebody greater and does exactly that. Although we will never know what happens after Tom chooses his future plans all we can assume is that he fought with his life to make a difference. Oh jesus I must have said Tom like a thousand times in this. Anyways I ended up really liking Tom.

California jobs??

So I'm at chapter eighteen and the Joads have heard nothing but the opposite of what the hand bills say. So did they run out of jobs or do they just don't like all the family's coming in?

Chapter 15

I'm not really sure what to think about this chapter. All I can think about is how Mae puts on this fake face in front of most customers except the truckers who she is genuinely happy to see because that's where they get most of their business from. I also find her questioning manner towards the "Okies" kind of comical and depicts her as having an unselfish concern about the welfare of others. I personally almost squealed at how she saw this look on the two boys' faces and kind of melted and gave them nickel candies for a penny. What I was wondering though is what was with the truckers comment after the family left? They leave a total of a dollar and then say go to hell. I'm so confused from that someone help me understand please.

Chapter 10

Ok I just finished chapter 10. Wow a lot happens in just that chapter. After about chapter 6 I found that I didn't really want to put down the book to even answer the questions. If the book keeps being this good I think I'm going to really like it. I've noticed through these past five chapters that I've read today that you are starting to really feel the pain, bitterness, sorrow, and anger that the tenant farmers have towards having to leave their homes. I also think that some of us can relate to them in some ways because some of us have had to make that big move to another place and you could see it in your parents eyes that even they weren't really sure if there was a good future where you were moving. What I want to know is what do you think of how the family hierarchy is set up because I've noticed through the words that Steinbeck chose that women didn't have much of a say but Ma had more say than most women did.

chapter 6: breaking point

I really liked chapter 6, for me it was the breaking point. I especially liked the way everything seemed so unrealistically realistic, if that makes any sense. The dialogues were so natural, natural enough that while i was reading a movie was playing in my head, not only that because that always happens but this movie was clearer than daylight, every small detail was portrayed. So far even though it was barely chapter 6, the book has been an introduction, or for lack of a better term, boring. I have no doubt that I will finish the book very quickly due to interest in what will come next all thanks to chapter 6.

Chapter 5

Okay I'm going to be honest here I started reading the book kind of late so I'm barely blogging about chapter 5 but as I've read I find it interesting how Steinbeck sets everything up. He basically gives you background knowledge into the struggles the characters will face. Also, I'm going to make an inference here based on what several people have told the tenant farmers, that a lot of the families are going to move out to California and there might be some conflict because there may not be enough work for the hundreds of families, and there could be a lot of hatred toward them from the Californians. I'd love to get you guys opinions if I could even at this late period of time in the assignment.

Chapter 5

I know I'm kind of late everyone but I just wanted some input on Chapter 5. I am not gonna lie when I first started this chapter I was super confused I didn't understand what was going on but by the end I could sort of recollect what I read and realize what it was really about. But the real question I have regards the second bullet point of the prompt. Summarize the conflict between the landowners and the banks. Is this man vs. man or man vs. society? I was thinking about both but I mean, the author kept referring to the bank being a monster more than a man, but then again could the bank be a society? What are some other opinions on this?

Chapter 26 Journal.

Hey guys, first of all i hope you all enjoyed or are enjoying the book as much as I did.
My question is, did anyone have trouble on the first link that Mrs. Ross gave us in the prompt? I tried typing it in the URL box but it says that the page has been removed. Am I the only one who is having trouble? Please help.! thank you, see you in 3 weeks (:

chapter 15

In this chapter I got confused when the truck drivers left because I didnt quite understand why and why they sounded rude and said "go to hell". Did they get upset because they gave the food cheaper to the man and kids?

Al chapter 13

Has anyone ever felt the way Al did back in chapter 13? Allow me to quote from The Grapes Wrath. "Al, at the wheel, his face purposeful, his whole body listening to the car, his restless eyes jumping from the road to the instrument panel. Al was one with his engine, every nerve listening for weakness, for the thumps or squeals, hums and chattering that indicate a change that may cause a breakdown. He had become the soul of the car." The reason why this paragraph stuck out to me was because when i was younger i had this bike that would break down at random moments. Either the chain would come loose, the pedals would fall off or my driver would not pull the chain, which really hurts a lot when you are going fast. My actions were similar to Al's by being very cautious of my bike, listening to the chain hitting against the frame, and constantly moving my feet side to side to check if my pedals were in place. Am i the only one who can relate to this?

Chapter 26

Oh gawd, chapter 26 really gave me the feels ;-; I wasn't expecting that at all! Well I kind of had a feeling Tom would get into some stuff he wasn't supposed to but didn't see that at all. Poor Casy, his last words are still running in my head.  Tom from the start wasn't going to stay clean I knew it. His anger and dullness lead me to believe he would be dangerous. I like Tom though I think if I was in that position I would have done it too.

Feelings about the ending

The ending of Chapter 30 left me with mixed feelings. Part of me was relieved that Rose of Sharon's delivery went better than it could have (at least she's still alive) and that the Joads made it past the flood at the boxcars. However, I feel as though the ending does not explain much. It just kind of stops without actually resolving anything. We don't know what happened to Tom, we don't know where Connie is or if Noah is alright, and the flood is still powerful enough to endanger the Joads at the barn. Plus, Rose of Sharon's "gift" to the old man is a bit of a bizarre note to end an otherwise poignant and emotional story on. I just feel like the ending could have been more.

The Writing Style of Steinbeck

As I continue reading, I have begun to notice the continuous chapter pattern of Steinbeck. He writes his books like a play book. In one chapter he sets the mood, the setting, and the emotion of the setting and then starts character dialogue in the next chapter. I find this quite interesting because though it seems like overkill in some aspects, it still engraves the emotion he desires in the mind of the reader. This is not even mentioning the fact that Steinbeck forces us to read between the lines of his writing to gain a better understanding of what he is really saying and explaining.

Rose of Sharon and Connie (don't read if you're not this far)

I kind of had a feeling Connie would leave Rose of Sharon, did anyone else? She was so hyped on him getting a job and maintaining her and the child  “We got to have a house 'fore the babg comes. We ain’t gonna have this baby in no tent.” She was demanding for too much with all her pretty dream talk about him studying up on radios and moving off together. A guy could only take so much before his demanding and soon to be high maintenance wife drives him crazy and feels like he needs to get out. He's still very immature and a coward for leaving but at times like this I don't think he was really ready to chew what he bit off. 

Chapter 4 prompt.

So far I've read the first fifteen chapters of the book and I am really impressed. The further I go in the more harder it gets to put it down but before I go to far I wanted to do a couple of the previous prompts first. Chapter 4 prompt is a little confusing so I was wondering if anyone can help with a little clarification.
•Describe the characterization of Reverend Jim Casey through Steinbeck's use of exposition and dialogue.
•How is the ending of this chapter an allusion to Chapter 1? What can you infer happened to Tom's family.
Ideas anyone? I also hope you all are having a great summer ^_^

Rosasharn's Pregnancy

I feel like something is going to happen to Rose of Sharon's baby before the end of the story. Maybe a miscarriage, or some sort of complication at birth. An infant-related tragedy would fit the tones of lost hope and regret very well, and she's so worried about her child that it almost seems like foreshadowing.

chapter 22

This chapter got me hopeful again. The joads have finally found a great community and are able to at least attempt at having a good stable life. They've found people of their own who are hospitable and despite Tom being the only one with a job, it seems like they might make it now

Chapter 20 ;)

It's beginning to feel more and more like the Joads aren't going to make it. The camp that Floyd mentioned is supposedly full, Noah and Connie ran off, Tom is in trouble with the law again and on the verge of losing it, Grangpa and Gramma are dead, and the sheriff is preparing to have the people in Hooverville run out. It really does seem pretty hopeless right now for them to continue because now they've reached California and it's not even all it's choked up to be. :'(

Sairy Wilson (Chapter 13 spoilers ahead!!! Beware!!!)

Does anyone else think something horrible is going to happen to Sairy? I mean, it's been stated in the text that she's been sick, plus Ma noted that there was something odd and pained about her appearance. Plus, Grampa's death may be foreshadowing other illnesses and/or deaths.

Chapter 8.

So I have finished Chapter eight, and I was flabbergasted of how Steinbeck had meticulously described Tom Joad's family and their reaction when his family saw hi, after four years in jail. What do you guys think?

chapter 1

What do you guys think of how Steinbeck describes the setting/uses imagery?

Grampa

I actually really like Grampa as a character so far. He's funny, lively, and mischievous without coming off as overly childish. Maybe he has some deeper character development down the road, but honestly, I'd still enjoy his character if he stayed the same.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 has to be my favorite chapter so far. This chapter really does a good job illuminating the greed and cold heartedness of business's. While the poor are in a rush to California they obviously need a vehicle to get there and buying a new car is just not in the picture. So what do they have ? They get a used car. These salesmen are only thinking of one thing: money. They sell whatever will run or look good to the desperate people. These salesmen don't care about the struggles of the families, only money. They stick wood chips in the cars motors to quiet the rattling sounds of the horrible conditioned motors to be able to sell them. They obviously know that eventually these cars will give out and breakdown but money, money money that's all that they care about. Chapter 7 does a fantastic job displaying the political vacuum: as the poor get more and more poor the wealthy only get more and more wealthy; as the poor need to head to California for jobs and are desperate for a car the salemen take advantage and sell whatever they can at the highest price they can.

McAlester Prison

Remember the prison Joad was kept in? I did some research, and it turns out there really is a McAlester prison, in a way. Oklahoma's state penitentiary is in McAlester, so most people just refer to it by the city name. Makes me wonder if there are other locations in the story that actually exist.

The Turtle, Chapter 3

What do you guys think the Turtle that Joad catches represents ?

So I read the first couple of chapters for The Grapes of Wrath, and it is already messing with my characterization thought process. I thought Joad was a normal guy, but turns our, he is delinquent because he commited homicide. WTF

Repeated

Do you think Jim O'Conner is a good or bad character?
I believe Tennessee used Jim to mirror the Wingfield father and provoke the emotions that were felt.
Jim is described to be charming and good with words. He even admits he has to be smart; he's just good with people. Even manipulating them if he wants to.
When he had that monologue with Tom about how they are different, I though back to how Amanda said the one thing the father had was charm and noticed that the father and Jim were very similar.
What makes me question whether he's a good character or not is how he had gotten close to Laura, but still left her. And when he left, all this negativity he was the source of tore the family apart.

Come to think of it, if he's good with words, everything he said to Laura doesn't necessarily have to be true.

The English 5/6 Honors Class

As a whole, what was your favorite part of the English 5/6 Honors? What did you improve upon the most over the semester?

Now that the year is over, and we've been exposed to several different authors and their unique writing styles, which story/play would you say you enjoyed the most?

Summer Reading List

Are they're any books you plan on reading this summer, or would like to suggest for others to read?
After Stephanie's presentation today, I'm very interested in reading Alice in Wonderland.

Your favorite character??

Who was your favorite character in the Glass Menagerie and why? Can you relate anyone in the play to another character in a book or movie?

The Glass Menagerie

So far what do you guys believe the glass menagerie represent? What's it's symbolism?

Sanctity Christ

There is no mistake that Christmas is a character modeled after Christ. Faulkner presents many aspects of characterization to prove it, however there is something that I noticed from looking at Christmas to other Christ figures.

The famous thing with Christmas, and also Simon of Lord of the Flies (William Golding), is that they represent Jesus majorly through crucifixion, but not completely.
Both involve gruesome impalement, and the die for a purpose.

Though then that's the end of their rein. They die with hardly (if any) resolution to the problem they where created to address. The story of Jesus Christ is meant to show that universal belief that good will overcome evil.
However, with Christmas and Simon, it's a tragedy with little comfort towards what tortured them.

Why do you think Faulkner chose to use Christ, one of the world's most sacred figures, to be this troubled Christmas, and to die with a world that will never hear the complete story of his life?

Mrs. McEachern

With all the commotion occurring in Jefferson, it's easy to forget about the other characters that played a significant roll in past. We left Ms. McEachern alone without anyone to help her through the death of her husband or even to support her financially. In your opinion, what became of her? Do you think she was able to overcome her insecurities and start anew? Or did she fall into a downward spiral?

Did Christmas really kill Ms.Burden?

I feel like we didn't get to know how Ms.Burden really die we only inferred that Christmas killed her. What do you guys think really happened?

Bobbie's Effect on Christmas

Although we're already finished with the book, a part that stuck with me was the story of Bobbie and Christmas. While I was thinking about it a while back, a question came into mind.

If Bobbie hadn't rejected Christmas in chapter 9 and ran away with him, would Christmas have been happy and peaceful? Is it possible that if  he had ran away with Bobbie that he wouldn't have a hatred for women, and then meet Ms. Burden just to end up killing her? Ultimately, would there have been a happy ending for him and Bobbie?

The Title

Now that we have almost finished the book, what do you think the significance is of William Faulkner's title, Light in August?

Between The World and Me

The poem talks about the whole world turning on one person, and as I read it, Christmas was a constant reminder. Was this a universal thought?

The grandparents

What do you guys think will happen when mr. And mrs. Hines find Christmas? What significance will they be? What will possibly occur?

Byron and Hightower

What do you feel is the reasoning behind Hightower's strong disapproval  for Byron's assisting Lena to find Joe Brown? Perhaps a sense of jealousy,  or is he looking out for his friend's best interest?

Another Victim?

In chapter four, the events that led up to Miss. Burden's death are revealed through the testimony of Joe Brown. However, Joe also states that Christmas threatened him to stay quiet about his relationship with Miss Burden; He hints that he may very well kill him.

"Maybe you ought to sleep more. And Brown said 'How much more?' and Christmas said 'maybe from now on.'" (pg. 94)

As we've seen through the flashbacks from Christmas's past, he  is capable of great violence and will go through with the threat if he feels it necessary  Should Christmas come back, he would surely come for Joe. What would this mean for Lena, if Joe were to be killed? What are your thoughts on this matter?

As seen in Christmas's character, we find that he obtains a violent, relentless attitude, which creates the antagonist of the story. Because of Christmas's character, we justify his actions yet, are they truly justified? Do you think his past is enough to forgive his future?

Christmas

Should Christmas feel remorse for what he did to Mr.Mceachern? Or are his actions tolerable (from a morality based perspective) because of the given situation?

Jezebel?

The dietician's name, as mentioned when Christmas was 5 and in the orphanage, to be 27, was Jezebel. (Faulkner 123 and 132)

When Christmas meets the waitress, he is 17. It states that "She is a waitress in a small, dingy, back street restaurant in town. Even a casual adult glance could tell that she would never see thirty again." (Faulkner 172)...When the waitress found out Christmas' name she did not react the same way most have when they find out his name, and when she finds out he is half and half, she stops meeting him...
We then find out in Chapter 9, that her name is also Jezebel, and she was recognized by McEachern. (Faulkner 204)

 Is it a coincidence that these two girls have the same name and McEachern knew them both?...or are they one in the same?

Because if my calculations are correct 27-5=22+17=39...and "she would never see 30 again."

Byron Bunch

Why does Byron live a routine life?

In chapter 3, he states in a conversation to Hightower...
"I don't know...I reckon that's just my life."
Thinking to himself 'But I know now why it is, it is because a fellow is more afraid of the trouble he might have than he ever is of the trouble he's already got. He'll cling to trouble he's used to before he'll risk a change.' (Faulkner 75)

Do think something dramatic happened to him in his past for him to think this way?
If so, what?
If not, why do you think he is the way he is?

Faulkners Writing style

Falkner writes with a unique writing style. His book so far seems to have no particular order. The novel also

seems to focuse on one character at a time by following them in the present or the past by the use of

flashbacks which at times makes the book confusing. What do you think Faulkner achieves by writing this

way?

Ultimately, Faulkner’s portrait of Joe’s earlier years serves to complicate the moral questions of his tale. As more information is revealed about Joe’s childhood, we begin to wonder whether Joe’s violent, brooding nature was predisposed or whether his abusive treatment as a child unleashed a tragic chain of causation. For the most part, Faulkner leaves this question  unresolved. How do you think Christmas developed his violent streak? Was the violence created by McEachern or was it always hidden in the recesses of his heart? 

Society

"Then the town was sorry with being glad, as people sometimes are sorry for those whom they have at last forced to do as they wanted them to." (Faulkner, 70) In chapter 3, we observed how society basically forces Hightower to leave the town and begin a new life somewhere else. Hightower decides to continue living in the town as an outcast yet, the town once again begins to have acts of kindness towards Hightower because they now feel "sorry" for him after they were the ones who placed him in that situation. This reminds me how sometimes society portrays the same acts these days. There is never a sense of satisfaction being that one day society can accept a group of a different ethnicity and another day they are protesting against them. However, at the end there is that feeling of sympathy towards that group being protested against. I might be wrong about this but what do you guys think?

Reputation

Throughout The Crucible, we find that reputation plays an important role in the town of Salem. The towns people fear for their lives as they are accused of the evil doings of witchcraft. Even the "most righteous" women are accused of witchcraft and plead for their innocence by lying and confessing to doing witchcraft. Reputation is also shown through Elizabeth because in court she lies about her husbands affair to save his reputation. Reputation can be seen through other various characters. Do you think that without the act of reputation the characters motives would have been the same? Or would you conclude that without reputation  being shown in the it would have differed?

Biblical References?

There were several biblical references evident in The Grapes of Wrath, many of which I was not fully aware of while I was reading it. After our class discussion I kept an eye open for them; did you find any possible references in The Crucible?

Puppet by Hamza Awawdeh

In the Crucible do you guys see Danforth as a puppet of politics? I personally see him as a politican today mostly agreeing with what will benefit him.

The Scarlet Letter and the Crucible

There were many similarities between The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible but one that I realized was how both Hester and Elizabeth both protected the love of their lives. Hester never revealed who was Pearl's father and Elizabeth lied to the court about what occurred between Proctor and Abigail.  I'm not positive if this was a good connection but do you guys have any other thoughts on why they both did these acts?

Tragic Hero

John Proctor is seen to be very a good man besides the one mistake that he committed with Abigail. Here Proctor is shameful of his sin but is more worried about his reputation than his integrity. Although at the end of the play Proctor chooses to be true to himself by not confessing to witchcraft making him a tragic hero. If you were put in this situation what would you do? would you save your life by confessing to something you didnt do or would you do what Proctor did and keep your integrity. YOU DECIDE!!!

Salem society

I think there is provincialism in the Salem society and court as well. The people don't react well to this idea of there being witches because it is out of the norm it challenges their beliefs. Same with the court it won't tolerate anything that challenges the status quo. "Political opposition, thereby, is given an inhumane over lay... of all normally applied customs of civilized intercourse."(miller,2007) Would you guys agree? Or have other thoughts?

"Good" VS "Bad"

"It is as impossible for most men to conceive of a morality without sin as of an earth without sky." (Miller, 1276)

Is it possible for there to be "good" without "bad"?
Furthermore, who or what designates what is considered "good" and "bad"? 

Witch hunt

With all this blaming of others of being a witch, do you think that this is all a hoax to gain power?

Is Satan with them?

I noticed that during the Crucible's dialogue, the number 6 was thrown around a lot. I think I recall Reverend Mr. Parris saying his salary was $66. There was another example of the number 6 that I remember seeing, and with that, one can recall the "number of Satan" being 666. Can this be Miller implying that Satan is present and that he is the real cause of all the problems with the girls?

Why did Miller use real people in his play rather than complete fictional characters? What effect did it have upon the story so far?

The Crucible

The story has entertained my interest so far. Some connections i feel that can be made between The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible is in the character ulterior motives we've been exposed to thus far. Any ideas?

McCarthyism

Dictionary.com defines McCarthyism as "the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent." Do you think that this is a normal human reaction in times of terror to impose this on the people around you? Or is it a political technique to gain more power over lives of the citizens? Is this similar to the events of 9/11?

Nathaniel Hathorne

As we know Hawthorne's father died, leaving his mother in grief and his children without a father figure; in the scarlet letter, Dimmesdale similarly abandons Hester, leaving her to publicly carry the burden of shame on her own and his daughter Pearl without the father she needed. A lot of you thought this made Dimmesdale a coward, and disapproved of his actions. Do you think that this is a representation that Hawthorne had some bitter feelings toward his father after witnessing all the pain and struggles that his mother went through? Do you think that is why he choose to portray Dimmesdale in that manner?

A Conclusion

"It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at the bottom." (Hawthorne, 213)

What is your opinion of this quote?...Is there a fine line between the love and hate? or are they relatively one in the same?

Dimmesdales death

what is your perspective of the death of Dimmesdale? What meaning if any at all did you guys get from it?

A Broken Spell

Hester wishes that Pearl could "soothe away the sorrow that lay cold in her heart" but the child did not empathize with her mother,  her "elfish" nature prevented her from doing so. (pg 149)

However, in chapter 23 we see a complete transformation of Pearl

"the great scene of grief in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow nor foe ever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it.

She is no longer the naive child that ran along oblivious to human sorrows. She is not the same child that mocked her mother not truly understanding the pain she caused.. Having finally felt grief herself, she could now truly sympathize with her mother's anguish.

What were your thoughts on Pearl's eye-opening moment? Do you think that it is too late for her to grow into this new found role in time to be there for her mother?

Hidden message?

Does anyone believe that the story "The Chrysanthemums" had an underlying message to the reader? If so what is it and your interpretation of it?

   Pearl is the one who moves the action in this chapter, and her response to Dimmesdale and Hester together does not foreshadow a happy ending. In fact, more than ever, Pearl is a symbol of the passionate act of her parents committed  She is a constant reminder of both their sin and, if Hester tries momentarily to forget the past and find her solace, Pearl will disapprove. Pearl, throughout the novel, has shown herself to be untamable under human rules and laws and seems to lack human sympathy. Pearl, interpreted on one level, acts like a child who has suddenly realized that her world may be changing. However if she were my child I would have spanked her.

A Burdens weight

when you've been holding something in a secret of some sort or a guilt it eats you away till you get rid of it.I think we all can agree on that. In the Scarlet Letter we see this relief with Hester and Dimmesdale. When one       rids of this guilt or burden its like your a free of some supernatural power you no longer feel the weight of this unnatural weight."The decision once made, a glow of strange enjoyment threw its flickering brightness over the trouble of his breast.It was the exhilarating effect-upon a prisoner just escaped from the dungeon of his own heart-of the breathing the wild , free atmosphere of an unredeemed, unchristianized,lawless region." We see the effect of this release weight which burden carries now he no longer lives this lie and is set free not physically but from within himself."The stigma gone, Hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit.O exquisite relief! She had not known the weight, until she felt the freedom!" She has lost this weight which she had carried with her for seven years not knowing what this supernatural weight was or that it existed.Do you guys believe in this sort of thing being possible or is it that there are somethings which nothing can comfort us?

Elisa Allen

Going back to what I had said on my last post about Elisa Allen, why did she all of a sudden bring up the fights at the end of the story that her husband had mention? She seemed as if she was holding something in. Elisa might have brought up the fights for the fact of her looking back on how she tried to seduce the man in the wagon. In the passage it said " She was silent for a while; then she said, "Henry, at those prize fights, do the men hurt each other very much?... Well , I've read about how they break noses, and blood runs down their chests. I've read how the fighting gloves get heavy and soggy with blood." It goes on to conclude that "She turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly--like an old woman." When she brought this up, could it be possible that she was imagining what would happen if her husband caught her trying to seduce the man? That if he caught her, her husband and the man would have a violent confrontation. She was ashamed for even thinking of it however "She grew complete again. "I'm strong," she boasted. "I never knew before how strong."

The Chrysanthemums

After reading The Chrysanthemums and discussing with a few others, there are many questions that haven't been answered. One that still crosses my mind was why was Elisa Allen crying at the end? In the passage it says "She was kneeling on the ground looking up at him. Her breast swelled passionately. The man's eyes narrowed. He looked away self-consciously... Elisa's voice grew husky. She broke in on him. "I've never lived as you do, but I know what you mean. When the night is dark--why, the stars are sharp pointed and there's quiet. Why, you rise up and up! Every pointed star gets driven into your body. Its like that. Hot and sharp and--lovely."(page 6) Could she be crying because of guilt? The guilt of even thinking about possibly committing adultery and how attempted to seduce the man in the wagon. What are your insights on this?

Running away

I find it hard to believe that the story will end with Hester, Dimesdale and Pearl living happily ever after. I feel that they are running away from their problems by choosing to flee to Europe. I believe that Dimesdale will never truly be free until he admits to the whole town of his sin.

Pearl embodies the essence of Nature/Freedom

I noticed the narrators description of pearl and her interaction with nature in chp.18 was intricately layered with the mutual  understanding of both Pearl and Nature and the respect and desire they shared to be with one another. "A wolf, it is said,- but here the tale has surely lapsed into the improbable,- came up, and smelt of Pearl's robe, offered his savage head to be patted by her hand. The truth seems to be however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child." This passage to me implies the idea that these two forces share a mutual respect for one another.

Love

"Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world" (168)

I chose to post this quote because I feel it shows the power of love. How one emotion can change you completely, inside and out. Do you believe love can change you?

Is it okay to lie to children?

In Chapters 15 and 16 Hester lies to Pearl about why she wears the scarlet letter. I understand she feels the need to protect her daughter from the sin she's committed, but I was wondering if is it better for a parent to lie to their child about their past mistakes or to be honest?
I think parents should always be honest with their children; it is important for kids to know that their parents are not perfect. I feel like Hester should have told Pearl the meaning of the scarlet letter when Pearl first asked. She's going to learn the truth eventually, and I think it would've been better for her to hear it from her mother.

The Pastor and His Parishioner

"...'he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!- he was my husband!' The minister looked at her, for an instant, with all that violence of passion, which- intermixed, in more shapes than one, with his higher, purer, softer qualities- was, in fact, the portion of him which the Devil claimed, and through which he sought to win the rest. Never was there a blacker or a fiercer frown, than Hester now encountered... He sank down on the ground, and buried his face in his hands" (pg.160,161). While reading this, I loved how Nathaniel Hawthorne made the emotions come to life; you could feel the pain, the anger and despair of Dimmesdale. Imagine meeting your mistress in such a intimate setting such as the woods, and come to find out that the man who has been your life support is the husband of her. The man you allowed to come into your home. The man who you thought was your 'friend'... (Yikes X10 is right) As the story continues, Dimmesdale also reveals the hierarchy of sin as he states that Chillingworth's vengeance is worst then adultery. Do you think vengeance is worse then adultery?

Dimmesdale's Chest??

Does anyone else find it strange how the minister is constantly grabbing his chest? Also, do you remember the end of chapter ten, The Leech and His Patient, when Chillingworth saw something on the minister's chest and then rejoiced? What do you guys think all of this means??

Freedom

"She had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate and shadowy, as the untamed forest...Her intellect and heart had their home, as it were, in desert places, where she roamed as freely as the wild Indian in his woods." (Pg. 165) I loved this quote! It can be described as a transcendentalist thinking because in my opinion this shows about the freedom to live. The liberty to live without rules or guidance. Even though we are forced to live a life based on rules or principles that aren't suppose to be broken, our hearts can decide something different that aren't bases of society that let us be free within ourselves. What did you guys think about this chapter or quote?

Hester and Dimsdale by Hamza Awawdeh

Do you guys think dimsdale should be punished or out-casted as Hester was in the beginning chapters? Also do you guys think that gender might have influenced why people were harsher towards Hester?

Dimmesdale

After reading more chapters in The Scarlet Letter, we have seen a little bit more of Dimmesdale, and so what are your thoughts on Dimmesdale's character? Do you think he must stay a heroic figure for the people in the town? Or do you think he is selfish?

The focus of chapter 11 is fixed on Dimmesdale's sorrow as he suffers beneath the burden of guilt he seems too weak to confess. Hawthorne makes a statement of the methods and degree of how Dimmesdale is to carry out his own self-punishment. His sufferings and sins has made him more understanding towards the sins of others which indirectly affects the impact of his sermons to the congregation. Hawthorne creates a sense of sympathy in the reader for Dimmesdale and his suffering so that it does not blind them to the fact that the minister is a sinner whose troubles are greatly of his own flesh despite having taught against that. In addition the reader can see how Chillingworth is becoming more evil in this chapter. The revenge that he desires is coming at a higher price than he can understand right now. He is losing himself and becoming the personification of evil.      

The Rose Bush

When asked who was her creator, Pearl responded that she had "not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison-door.." ( page 93)
 Do you think this is simply an incident of Pearl's imagination getting out of hand, or that there is a significant underlying meaning in her response?

Hester = Ester?

I just wanted to add the idea I had of Hester's name being almost the same as Ester from the Old Testament in the Bible. I'm not sure if anyone had thought of it this way, but I had the idea when Hester went to the Governor to appeal to him for her to keep Pearl. This reminded me of the story of Ester when Ester decided to go meet the king in order to prevent a war with the Jews. Perhaps this reflects Hester in which Hester wants to prevent a horrible event from happening, in this case, losing Pearl.

Pearl

What are your thoughts on pearl? What really is her purpose? Does she have evil being born from sin?

Sincerity

In chapter 8, Hester encounters with the Governor and the three other guests who follow him. Hester then speaks about how they want to take little Pearl away from her though; their reply is that Hester can't teach Pearl because of her sin. “I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!" "....this badge hath taught me, -it teaches me daily,- it is teaching me at this moment,- lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better..." (pg. 92) The red token that Hester carries has taken her through new experiences that are either good or bad but they become lessons to her life. I really like the sincerity that Hester has which makes her different than everyone else. Many who carry a red token wouldn't be able to confront an authority that has the power to do anything yet; Hester is fearless when saying these words in order to protect Pearl.

Vengeance

When we are introduced to Hester's husband, we there  begin to realize his motives regarding what Hester did while he was talking to the townsman  In the chapter "The Interview" we now know that he is looking for revenge. Not with Hester but with her unknown lover. So the question becomes what will happen if he does find the classified lover?

The Scaffold

After reading chapter two, I had a sense of admiration for Hester. She was able to take full responsibility for her actions and when she was punished, was able to keep her emotions under control despite the fact that everyone looked down upon her.

If you were in Hester's shoes, and had to stand on the scaffold for hours for all the town to see, how would you have reacted? Would you have been able to keep your composure as long as she had?

Emerson

As searching more about the transcendentalist movement I found this quote from Emerson that made me wonder how amazing it would be if we actually united and worked to make a change in society letting those around us see that good still exists. "We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds...A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men." (Emerson) Any thoughts on this?

On Trancendentalism

"The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into the secret of things"(from walden).Do you guys agree with this statement why? or why not/

"It looks poorest when you are richest." 

-Henry David Thoreau

In the beginning of chapter 19 of  Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, it describes the transition of how farming went from the landowners cherishing and truly caring for their farms into reaping all that they could from them and turning it into an "industry". These once hard working farmers soon had others doing their work and lost their connection with their land and only used it to satisfy their greed.

"Crop failures, drought, and flood were no longer deaths within life, but simple losses of money. And all their love was thinned with money.."

It goes on to describe the fear and hatred that these rich landowners had towards the "Okies". This fear consumed them and instead of sitting back and enjoying their success, they spent their time trying to obtain ever more land and power. Their greed drove them and for that reason they were never truly happy, even though they were the richest.

Did you find any other passages in the book that you felt correlated with Thoreau's beliefs? 

Transcendentalism

Do you consider yourself a transcendentalist? 
Why or why not?

The end of the Grapes of Wrath was an interesting ending.I myself did not expect a end with some sort of hope but a disastrous one.What did you guys expect to see?

Personally, i believe that we are all capable of moving on.  NOT forgetting, but moving on. It's not so much a restart on life, but it's more of a reset of that past experience of yourself by learning from it, and moving forward. Using it to empower the new image you are proposing to create in your new environment. So the quote from the text, "how will we live without our lives? How will we know its us without our past?" although i understand the circumstances of having to leave your home and almost all the memories and treasures behind, i personally believe it isn't that significant a change. I understand the pain it would cause, but to try and put so much emotion into a situation that doesn't necessarily have the intensity to back it up seems wasteful to me.

Rose of Sharon's Pregnancy

During the course of the novel, I thought about the symbolism of certain characters or events that John Steinbeck portrayed though, one that captured my attention was Rose of Sharon's pregnancy. Rose of Sharon's pregnancy is a symbol of new beginnings and hope for the migrant class during this time period. Rose of Sharon is pregnant throughout the novel and deeply in love with her husband Connie. Both of these characters have dreams and plans about their future in California in order to give their baby all of the necessities. Unfortunately, those dreams become part of the past once Connie left Rose of Sharon. Rose of Sharon begins acting startled by all of the situations that follow including the instability of the family and the lack of milk she received. Therefore, she begins to think of her baby being born deformed or with health problems. Towards the end of the novel Rose of Sharon gives birth to a stillborn baby. The symbol of new beginnings and hope seemed to be departing from the family yet, the Joad family kept walking until they approached to a barn where a little boy and a starved man were staying. The ending Steinbeck decided to conclude with was the scene of Rose of Sharon breastfeeding the old man giving him a new opportunity. This symbolizes once again hope of survival for the migrant class and new opportunities that are yet to come. The last sentence of the novel reads: "She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously."