All posts by LevonT

Armand

In the alternate ending of the story, Armand is shocked and saddened by the letter’s contents. He has never known his mother, and the fact that she is part of the enslaved race is difficult to swallow. Armand feels grief and regrets what his family must have gone through, and his heart breaks for the injustice they have experienced. He also feels immense guilt for how he has treated Desirée and their child and is now filled with regret. Armand realizes that he has judged Desirée harshly and unfairly and has let his insecurities and fears get the better of him. He now knows that he must make amends. 

Armand takes a moment to compose himself before going to find Desirée. He finds her in her room, sitting with the baby in her arms. When she looks up at him, he can see the pain and hurt in her eyes, making him feel ashamed. He looks away, unable to meet her gaze. He apologizes for his behavior and tells her that he was wrong to accuse her of not being white. He admits to her that he is part of the enslaved race and has wronged her. Desirée is taken aback by his confession, but she can see the genuine remorse in his eyes. She forgives him, and they embrace him.

Armand and Desirée decide to leave L’Abri and return to Valmonde together. Armand is determined to make up for the wrongs he has done and to start a new life with his family. He begins to treat the enslaved people at the plantation with kindness and respect and is determined to ensure they have the freedom and equality they deserve. Armand works to make sure that his child is accepted by all, regardless of the color of their skin. 

Desirée and Armand live out the rest of their lives together in peace and happiness. He is a better man because of his lessons, and he is eternally grateful to Desirée for her understanding and forgiveness. The couple work together to create a better world for their son and ensure that future generations will not have to endure the same struggles they have endured. They symbolize hope and positivity in a world filled with darkness and despair.

Chopin

Kate Chopin was a white Creole writer from Louisiana. While her race may not have been a factor in her writing, it is possible that it influenced her view of race in America. Chopin grew up in a time when America was still struggling to come to terms with its racial past. The Civil War had only ended a few decades earlier, and the country was still struggling with issues of reconstruction and race relations. Chopin’s story, “Desiree’s Baby,” deals with the issue of adoption and the feelings of a white woman who adopts a black child. While the story is fictional, it is based on real-life events and may reflect Chopin’s own views on race (Chopin, 345). It is possible that her experience as a white Creole woman influenced her view of race in America, which may have contributed to the complicated and often contradictory attitudes towards race that are found throughout her writing. However, it is also possible that Chopin’s experiences simply reflected the attitudes of 19th century America, which were complex and evolving. It is impossible to say for certain what role race played in Chopin’s writing, but it is an important consideration when reading her work.

Marriage Proposals

In the play, ‘The Proposal, ‘ Chekov shows how easily fights and hostility can destroy a couple’s relationship. He tries to pass the message that couples must learn to reign in their wrath to keep their relationship healthy. Arguing over little matters is counterproductive and destructive. Just like modern time proposals, in the play, we see Ivan going to propose to Natalya. Ivan asks for permission to marry Natalya, he approaches Natalya’s father and asks him to permit him to marry her daughter, and he accepts the proposal (Chekov). The play fits into the performative aspect of proposals because Ivan uses word of mouth to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage.

Chekov’s play shows that people are given specific roles, ways of acting, and expectations based on their gender. There are ideas behind symbolic gendering in the play. A good example is when Ivan says he wants to marry Natalya because he believes she can be a good housekeeper because of her gender (Chekov). Even now, this same idea is still shown in today’s media, and it is an excellent way to remember that marriage proposals can be about power, gender roles, and expectations. We find that men desire to marry women who will be more submissive, while men are supposed to be more powerful and the head of families after marriage.

The marriage proposal is still reflected in gender today. People still value the idea of marriage proposals. The wedding is an important event in a person’s life; thus, to make it charming and lovely, a marriage proposal is significant since it establishes a harmonious and meaningful relationship between the man and the woman. A marriage proposal is the easiest way to determine how committed your partner is to the relationship and how much they want to make it stronger and more stable.

Dunbar-Nelson

Moral criticism evaluates literature and art based on their ability to teach piety and virtue. This approach to criticism was first proposed by Plato, who believed that art should be used to educate and uplift society. In his view, art should be used to teach moral lessons and promote virtuous behavior rather than depicting immoral or corrupting scenes.

One work of literature that can be evaluated using moral criticism is Alice Dunbar-Nelson’s play “Mine Eyes Have Seen.” This play is a historical drama about a group of enslaved Africans brought to the United States in the 1800s(Dunbar-Nelson). The play follows the struggles and triumphs of these characters as they navigate their new lives in the harsh and unforgiving world of slavery.

When evaluating this play using moral criticism, one might ask whether it teaches piety and virtue, as Plato envisioned. On the one hand, some might argue that the play promotes virtuous behavior. The characters in the play face numerous challenges and obstacles, but they always try to do what is right and moral, even in the face of great adversity. They show courage, compassion, and resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering and never give up hope. This is a clear example of the kind of moral instruction that Plato had in mind.

On the other hand, others might argue that the play does not exemplify moral criticism. In their view, the play does not depict virtuous behavior or teach moral lessons but shows the lowest strata of human behavior. The play’s characters are enslaved people subjected to unimaginable cruelty and violence. They are forced to work long hours in the fields and are punished harshly if they do not obey their masters. The play does not show the characters behaving virtuously but rather shows them being mistreated and oppressed.

Additionally, some might argue that the play is corrupting to its audience rather than uplifting. The play shows the brutal and degrading realities of slavery, and some might say this could damage the viewer. They might argue that the play does not promote virtuous behaviour but shows the worst aspects of human nature.

In conclusion, whether or not “Mine Eyes Have Seen” exemplifies moral criticism is a matter of interpretation. Some might argue that the play teaches piety and virtue, while others might say that it depicts the lowest strata of human behavior and is corrupting to its audience. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the play as a moral instruction tool can be debated and discussed.

Feminism in Ichiyo

In this short story, The Thirteenth Night, Oseki’s female character represents the status of women in the 19th century and the centuries before. Just like Ichiyo tried to get into a romantic relationship with her mentor, Nakarai Tōsui, hoping to get more connections to editors, the female character in the Thirteenth Night had to depend on what her father decided about her marriage, the financial power of her husband, and the need to protect her brother’s job.

Oseki’s experiences reflect what Ichiyo went through while growing up in Japan in the 19th century. Born and raised in a relatively poor family that was once relatively wealthy before things took a new turn, she experienced gender stereotypes from her mother. According to her mother, education was unnecessary for girls, and as a result, she made her stop attending school at the age of 11 despite her strong motivation to continue school. However, she did not have a say in this matter, just like Oseki does not have a say in ending the abusive marriage she is in.

Based on this story, women during this era had little power and also played limited roles in society, then. For instance, Oseki’s father reprimands her, mentioning that it is her responsibility, as a wife, to take care of her abusive husband. He states that her situation is not one of a kind and that many other women are leading unsatisfactory lives with their husbands, “your only responsibility is to Isamu—to make him happy and to manage his household” (Ichiyo 3). In her conversation with her father and mother, Oseki realizes that it is selfish for her to think of a divorce at a time when her own family belongs to a low social class, which also makes them more vulnerable to the potential demands of such a rich husband as Isamu.

In summary, to navigate the systems of power during this historical era, women had to compromise their feelings and thoughts for the sake of men and their children. Oseki, for instance, knows that divorcing Isamu would be the last time she would see her son, Taro, again. She vows to go back and watch over him like a ghost for his sake.

Marxism in The Thirteenth Night

In the short story, The Thirteenth Night, by Higuchi Ichiyo, a young woman, Oseki, is troubled in her marriage to an abusive husband named Isamu. However, she does not have the power to decide whether or not to divorce him independently. Her parents are concerned about the well-being of her brother, who is now employed by Isamu, which means that a divorce would affect his job and supplement the family income.

One of the things that Oseki learns from her run-in with Roku is that every person has their share of sadness or grief, based on their context or circumstances. Not everyone gets to fulfill their original wishes in life. Nevertheless, she discovers that Roku has always been in love with her, which is also the primary reason for his financial downfall since he discovered that Oseki was never going to marry him.

Through the lens of a Marxist theory, Oseki pities Roku, her former love, who is now in a lower social class than she is. According to Marxist theory, society is made up of different social classes, the middle, upper, and lower classes, which are in a constant state of conflict. In the current context, Oseki is now in the upper social class, while Roku is in the lower social class. This means that she takes her time to consider her marriage with Isamu as a better choice compared to how things would have been with Roku. In other words, she learns that she is probably lucky to have married Isamu, not Roku.

Parents

Parents should be mindful of how they communicate with their children to ensure they are on a path that continues to protect, care for, and promote their overall well-being. Therefore, you need to actively listen to your children in order to show them care and understand them better. Lack of good communication can lead to disharmony and misunderstandings within the family. More importantly, parents should be brutally honest with their children. This is because it helps children improve their communication skills and lays a good foundation for them to become decent adults. For example, in the book Gorilla, My Love, Bambara explains why parents feel untrustworthy when they are unfaithful and unfaithful to their children. Therefore, parents should speak only the truth, no matter how brutal, and not protect their children by saying only good things. Parents must teach their children reality and always match their words with their actions. Finally, parents should avoid making fun of their children.

Writing as Activism

Writing, like any other form of activism, is a viable form of BIPOC in the present-day United States and helps broadcast the voices of the oppressed. The book “Gorilla, My Love” by Toni Cade Bambara in 1971 exemplifies how writing can tackle racism, sexism, and social injustice. Through the characters’ stories and struggles, Bambara can bring attention to the plight of Black Americans in a time of racial tension and social unrest. She can provide a voice to the silenced and marginalized persons. In the same way, writing can continue to be a powerful tool for BIPOC to share their stories and experiences to bring awareness about their struggles and advocate for change in the present-day United States. In addition, writing can be a powerful and eternal means of liberation since it helps us connect with our unique perspective and express ourselves in meaningful and empowering ways. Writing allows everyone to find their own stories and express it to the world, which allows people to acquire general skills of becoming responsible to own happiness. Writing serves as a tool for liberation by allowing us to challenge oppressive forces, speak truth to power, and create meaning for ourselves in a world where we often feel powerless. 

Poetry Analysis Essay

Levon Turner Jr.

Professor Perry

ENG201

November 7th 2022

Poetry Analysis Essay

The poem ‘Who Said It Was Simple’ by Audre Lorde is an inspiration to me because the poem was able to gain an in-depth understanding, particularly about the tone of the poet. The intended message that she wanted the readers to get was to make them aware of the tribulations black females go through, particularly their affliction and discrimination due to their race and sexuality. What grabbed me in the poem was the tone of the poet and the image that came to my mind was the “whites’ only” feminism whereby blacks were not considered, and I was able to picture how the discrimination occurred. The poem’s memories included the forms of discrimination that marginalized groups and people of color have been experiencing since time immemorial and how equality seems far-fetched.

The poem ‘Who Said It Was Simple’ is able to focus on discriminative feminism that only focuses on people of the white race. The poet has been able to describe the occurrence of racial discrimination by implying “discussing the problematic girls / they hire to make them free,” and “the ladies neither notice nor reject / the slighter pleasures of their slavery” (Lorde).The poet calls out all the people who consider themselves feminists and that the movements they have formed tend to be structurally oppressive and calls on everyone to practice what they preach and stop being hypocrites who say one thing and go ahead to do another.  

The poem ‘Who Said It Was Simple’ by Audre Lorde consists of three stanzas that have been separated by sets of lines that are uneven. The first stanza comprises three lines, the second has twelve lines, and the third has three. Therefore the poem can be considered to be a tercet. The poet wrote the poem in free verse, which implies that there is no existing rhyme scheme for the poem. However, readers are able to take notice of rhyming words such as ‘anger’ and ‘shatter’ that are contained in the first stanza of the poem (Poetryfoundation.org).

The poem ‘Who Said It Was Simple’ by Audre Lord comprised elements that impacted the interpretation of the message. Some elements, such as the solemn tone used by the poet, imply to the reader that the speaker in the poem is used to being discriminated and she is dealing with it despite the odds being against her in fighting for equality in aspects that the society has turned a blind eye on including racial, sexual and gender discrimination. The poet has also used imagery to paint a vivid picture to the readers, “the slighter pleasures of their slavery” this makes the audience create the picture of the pleasure people can have yet have been enslaved. Hence

‘A Woman Speaks’ by Audre Lorde inspires me because the poem was intended to be a song for feminist warriors across all communities. The poet has been able to proclaim the experiences women of color go through in the United States and abroad (Lorde).Whatever grabbed me about the poem was the fact that the poet had opened the opportunity to start a conversation, particularly on the ways to the improvement of the feminist movement to have an impact on the lives of marginalized groups and women of color. The memories the poem brought to me were how women of color have been discriminated against in the United States and that nobody tried to speak out against the act (Lorde).

‘A Woman Speaks’ by Audre Lorde is a poem of three stanzas. The poet has used a tone and form that have helped in the creation of a tranquil surface, and when the poem progresses, the readers are directed toward the real conflict. The poem’s theme is similar to ‘Who said it was simple’ since both address the discriminative racism that black women have continued to face. The author has consistently used imagery to paint a vivid image to the readers such that they can see “Moon marked and touched by the sun, my magic is unwritten, but when the sea turns back it will leave my shape behind” (Lorde).

‘Who Said It Was Simple’ by Audre Lorde implies that people should practice whatever they preach and avoid being hypocrites. The poet uses this opportunity to address the various forms of discrimination that women of color go through. The author stated that “and sit here wondering / which me will survive / all these liberations” (Lorde). The author used irony to imply that the liberation movement that has been formed to support feminism is the same movement that oppresses women and is discriminative based on color. The poem’s tone is solemn, which indicates that the poet has been used to being discriminated against, and this results in her scrutinizing those who identify themselves as members of the feminist group but continue to oppress others since they benefit as a result of oppression.

I connected with ‘Who Said It Was Simple’ by Audre Lord because I believe that every member of society ought to be treated fairly and equally without being discriminated against based on their race or gender. Moreover, people should practice whatever they preach and avoid being hypocrites. I also agree with the poet that a conversation on improving the welfare of women of all races needs to take place. Therefore, I believe that people should take bold steps to ensure that they do not oppress others even though there is an opportunity for them to benefit.

Works Cited

“Free Verse.” Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/free-verse.

Lorde, Audre. “A Woman Speaks by Audre Lorde.” Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42583/a-woman-speaksLorde, Audre. “Who Said It Was Simple by Audre Lorde.” Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42587/who-said-it-was-simple.