In this course the literature work that meant the most to me was “The Necklace” ,by Guy de Maupassant. This story was a work that has resonated deeply with me. This story showed the consequences of pride ,materialism, and the pursuit of social status can impact you and causes you to make bad choices. The narrative follows the character of Mathilde Loisel, a woman who becomes consumed by her wealth and social recognition. When she borrows the necklace to wear to a high-society event and later loses it, that showed how fake some people can be , and how some people are not confident in themselves .I shows how to reflect on you own values and priorities. However ,it underscores the idea that true fulfillment and happiness cannot be found in the pursuit of material wealth and social status alone, but rather in embracing one’s circumstances with humility and gratitude .I believe you should not live beyond your means to please anyone . This lesson was an eye opener for me.
MIKESHA brown- toussaint
One vignette that surprised me was ” Chanclas,” in which the narrator describes her fear of her mother’s rage and the way she used her chanclas (sandals) as a disciplinary tool. This vignette surprised me because it offered a glimpse into a cultural and familial dynamic that was unfamiliar to me. It sheds light on the complexities of the narrator’s relationship with her mother and how fear and love intertwine in her upbringing. The Vignette that intrigued me was ” The Family of Little Feet,” in which the narrator and her friends try on high-heeled shoes and revel in the power and confidence they feel while wearing them. This vignette intrigued me because it highlighted the universal experience of young girls experimenting with femininity and the desire for autonomy and self-expression. One vignette that puzzled me was “Alicia Who Sees Mice,” in which the narrator describes her neighbor Alicia’s fear of mice and her determination to overcome her circumstances through education. It puzzled me because it was a juxtaposition of vulnerability and resilience that I found thought-provoking. It made me reflect on the different ways in which people confront their fears and strive for a better future.
Raymond Carver and Guy De Maupassant both employ distinctive writing styles that reflect the literary conventions of their respective time periods. Carver is know for his minimalist, pared-down prose, while Maupassant’s ” The Necklace” exemplifies a more ornate and descriptive narrative style. For example Raymond carver’s minimalist style is evident in the spare and straightforward prose, as seen in the following passage ” He got his beard up and lathered. He worked the lather onto his with the brush. He put the razor to his cheek and took a swipe.’ I don’t know , bub. I just don’t know ,’he said, and he worked at his face.” It demonstrates Carver’s use of short declarative sentences and simple language to convey the mundane actions of the characters. The focus is on the immediate actions nd dialogue, with minimal descriptive details. In “The necklace,” Maupassant’s descriptive style is evident in his rich portrayal of the protagonist and her world, as seen in the following passage : “She was simple since she could not be adorned; but she was unhappy as though kept out of her own class; for women have no caste and no descent, their beauty, their grace, and their charm serving them instead of birth and fortune.” The narrative provides rich descriptions and delves into the protagonist’s emotional turmoil, reflecting the social and psychologial complexities of the character’s experience. They both Carver and Maupassant share a commitment to portraying the human condition and the struggles of everyday life.
My topic sentence on fairy tail is ” Exert a significant influence on teenagers from an early age.” I choose to explore this particular aspect of fairly tale because I feel like the fairy tale ” The hero’s journey , Snow White got a lot of criticism also because it clearly states the main idea of my essay and sets the direction for my argument .It identifies the specific focus of my essay, which is the influence of fairly tales as mentioned the impact on perceptions and values it hints at a broader influence that fairy tales can have on teenagers development and world views. Also critics have raised concerns about the influence of fairy tales on teenagers due to various reasons such as : Gender Stereotypes, Beauty Standards and lack of agency cultural appropriation. as far as my research I began researching the Fairy tale of hero’s journey. I intend to do further research .
Bruno Bettelheim’s psychological oriented reading of “Little snow White” focuses on the story as metaphorical representation of a young girl’s psychological development. He argues that the tales reflects the challenges and conflicts that girls face as they transition from childhood to adolescence. On the other hand , Anne Sexton’s retelling of the fairy tale, titled “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ,” offers a more modern and feminist perspective on the story. A tale of Terror , ” he analyzes the symbolism and girl’s transition from the sheltered world of childhood to the complexities and uncertainties of adolescence .The wicked stepmother, who is envious of Snow white’s youth and beauty ,symbolizes the girl’s own internal conflicts and struggles with her emerging sexuality and identity. Bettelheim further argues that Snow white’s interaction with seven dwarfs reflects her need to navigate the challenges of social relationships and establish her own identity. He interprets the poisoned apple as a symbol of sexual awakening and the dangers of premature encounters.
In ” A Good Man Is Hard to Find” the story’s interior meaning delves into the themes of grace, redemption, and the deeply flawed nature of humanity .O’Connor explores the concept of grace and the potential for spiritual transformation through the character of The Misfit .Despite his criminal actions, The Misfit engages in a philosophical dialogue with the grandmother ,questioning notions of mortality ,faith ,and the nature of good and evil .Through this exchange ,O ‘Connor suggests that the capacity for grace and salvation exists within even the most unlikely individuals .The grandmother ,who presents herself as a paragon of virtue and Christian values ,is ultimately revealed to be self-serving and manipulative. Her encounter with The Misfit challenges her superficial understanding of goodness and confronts her with the harsh reality of her own moral shortcomings. Within the story’s interior, O ‘Connor also examines the destructive forces of violence and the consequences of human actions. The violent climax of the story confronts us with a brutal nature of evil and forces them to confront the reality of sin and its consequences.
“How to read Poem is part attitude and part technique.” To restate the quote with reference to Hirsch’s idea of intensification is: Engaging with a poem involves a blend of personal disposition and acquired skills. In my personal experience with reading poetry, I find that Edward Hirsch’s statement, “reading a poem is part attitude and part technique.” is true. When approaching a poem , the attitude which I engage with the text greatly influences my understanding and appreciation of it .Having an open and receptive attitude allows me to connect with the emotions and ideas conveyed by the poet. For example , in William Butler Yeats’ poem “The lake Isle of Innisfree,” my attitude of longing for quietness and escape sound with the poem’s theme of seeking solace in nature. The opening lines of the poem, “I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,” immediately captured my attention and bring to mind a sense of longing within me.
In the Lyrics of “Why Do I Love You So Much?” can be described as a heartfelt expression of love and trust. The words is like a deep admiration on someone who is cherished dearly. The lyrics is of vulnerability and the need for some support during difficult times. As for the structure and poetic elements, the lyrics “How Do I Love Thee?”(Sonnet 43).The use of the question” Why Do I Love Thee?” mirrors the questioning and tone of Browning’s sonnet .The question emphasizes the speaker’s emotions. However ,there is a rhythm and musicality in phrasing of the lines in the lyrics. Imagery in the lyrics is more emotions and memories. The mention of listening, helping and laughing suggested emotional connection and support between the speaker and the person they love. The lines “to remind me how to laugh when times are trying “is a sense of finding joy even in challenging situations.
In my reading of “Oedipus the king” by Sophocles, there are several timeless human experiences and behaviors that are explored. Oedipus, despite his efforts to escape his predestined fate, unknowingly fulfills the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother .this destiny raises questions about the extent to which individuals can control their own lives .Oedipus exhibits hubris ,or excessive pride ,which leads to his downfall. His relentless pursuit of the truth and his unwaving confidence in his own ability blind him to his own flaws and the truth about his past .Oedipus experiences remorse when he realized his extent of his unwitting crimes. The play shows the power of truth and the consequences of the discovery Opedipus’s pursuit lead to his own downfall and destruction of his family .He ensure its enduring relevance and make it a compelling piece of literature that continues to captivate audiences across different time periods and cultures. This reminds us of the importance of considering the consequences of our choices and the potential impact they can have on others.
Covid-19 Pandemic Experience During the COVID-19 pandemic, the behavior of the Americans undergo change .While many individuals followed public health guidelines such as wearing masks ,practicing social distancing ,and getting vaccinated, there were also instances of non-compliance to these measures .Most of us questioned the severity of the virus, which result in disagreement. In “Oedipus the King”, the people of Thebes are depicted as being afflicted by the plague. Their behavior can be seen in contrast to the pandemic we faced in America .In the play the people of thebes are desperate for relief from the plague and turn to their king, Oedipus, for a solution to save them from the suffering caused by the plague .However ,the Americans had access to scientific information, health guildlines ,an resources to protect themselves and reduce the spread of the virus. There was a general awareness of the need to take care of ourselves and to follow the public health advice.
The quote “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it “.It implies that literature has the power to increase our understanding of reality by providing insights, emotions and perspectives that may be immediately obvious in our daily lives .As I consider the quote in relating to the story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant ,we can examine the human desires .In “The Necklace,’ the protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, is dissatisfied with her self-deprecating life and crave for wealth and social status .She believes that material possessions and social standing are the key to happiness .However, her desires luxury explores the psychological and emotional implications of her aspirations .The writer wants us to visualize the nature of happiness and the dangers of placing too much importantance on material possessions .Furthermore ,the story shows the societal norms by questioning the value placed on apperances and social status .Mathilde longs to be a part of,” The Necklace embodies the quote by going beyond a simple description of events and presenting a thought of human desires ,which had illustions of societal expectations.
The theme in the nineteenth century Emily Dickinson’s poem” The wife echoed in “The story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin” related to women’s roles and expectations in the late nine -teeth century about the knowledge of marriage. They share similar themes and perspectives on the subject. In “Wife”, Emily Dickinson views of the marriage where particular roles that women were expected to be fulfill. The poem shows the loss of personal identity that happened when a woman becomes a wife ,Emily states “She rose to his requirement ,dropped the play things of her life”. “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin also explores the theme on the restrictions of marriage on women .The story about Louise Mallard a woman who receives news of her husband’s death but unexpectedly finds a sense of freeing and release in the thought of being a widow .Kate story focus on the growth and discovery when those constraints are removed as she state “Free ,free ,free!”(L,14) it was as though she catch a break.
I think the quote “Literature adds to reality; it does not simply, describe it”(C.S. Lewis) embodied “The lesson by Toni Cade Bambara, we can examine how the story uses literary elements to go beyond and to discribe the insights into the reality of social and economic difference .Bambara was uses literary techniques to convey that harsh realities of individuals and people in the communties .It demonstrates that literature has the ability to create awareness and being able to think quickly .At the end of the story where Sylvia reflects on the implications of the lesson” embodies the idea that literature goes beyond simple description .In the Lesson Literary work as a good value lesson to individuals and to educate them.
In what way did I connect with the narrator in “salvation ‘To begin Langston Huges was sad and disappointed after he faked being saved .Hughes was disappointed because of the lapse in judgement an sadness because he lied to his aunt about seeing Jesus and the bright lights which was caused by himself. I connect the Narrator specific scenes or language in the store because they both were young and had disappointment ,sad ,and was let down.
“The Most Handsome Drowned Man “by Gabriel Garcia Marquez ,the Author is describing a very tall ,handsome breath taking man that drowned and was found by villagers in a small town. The decease was so handsome that when then the women in the village saw him they began day dreaming , they called him Esteban , his body was built. Even the men was in shock of his beauty .I think professor choose this reading first so we can use our imaginations.
