Anjel Suero

The fear you feel when reading Joyce Carol Oates “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is quite different, from the fear induced by a movie thanks to the medium itself. In Oates tale the fear is subtle and psychological woven through Connie’s thoughts and growing sense of unease. Readers are drawn into Connie’s emotions and uncertainties using their imagination to picture the slow building threat posed by Arnold Friend. This engagement is a mix of intellect and emotion relying on interpretations and the emotive power of language. On the hand horror films often rely on auditory cues to instill fear. Sudden shocks, sounds and unsettling visuals directly impact our senses triggering a physical response. Movies don’t leave much to the imagination; they show horror explicitly creating a sometimes overwhelming experience. So while literary fear emerges from, within us as we imagine the scenarios cinematic fear is a force that hits us head on with its intensity.

  I’m exploring some ideas for my research paper on how fairy tales have evolved and influenced cultural norms. One topic that really intrigues me is looking at how the depiction of heroines in fairy tales has changed over time. I find this fascinating as it reflects shifts in society especially related to gender roles and expectations. For my paper I’m considering analyzing stories like “Cinderella ” “Snow White,” and “The Little Mermaid.” These tales have all been altered significantly in their retellings to adapt to changing cultures and the evolving status of women in society. While I’m at the beginning stages of my research I’ve come across some resources in the BMCC library database. One article that grabbed my interest explores how classic fairy tales have been reinterpreted from a perspective in media. This might offer a framework, for my analysis. I aim to keep digging into articles that explore historical contexts and current adaptations.

after reading this weeks story’s I’ve had a shift in my perspective on fairytales, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Initially I saw the story as a tale of good versus evil influenced by what I’ve seen in media.. Upon inspection of the text and extra materials I discovered deeper layers of meaning. In “Snow White ” I now see the power dynamics and gender roles at play along with the complexity of characters such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Of being passive characters they serve as nuanced reflections of human nature and societal interactions. Themes like jealousy, vanity and the quest for power carry weight now offering insights into common human experiences. Furthermore exploring critiques and symbolic analyses has broadened my understanding of the story’s historical context. This has deepened my appreciation for its lasting relevance. Overall this weeks readings have expanded my admiration, for fairytales by showcasing their ability to convey themes and moral lessons through storytelling and symbolism.  

In Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” the author masterfully intertwines themes of grace, redemption, and the macabre, unveiling profound meanings within the narrative. Digging  into O’Connor’s work reveals the significance of the Misfit, not merely as a villain but as a pivotal figure in the grandmother’s moment of enlightenment. This character’s complex role exemplifies O’Connor’s exploration of the potential for redemption in even the most flawed individuals. Her insightful reflections underscore the violent climax as essential for awakening, challenging conventional perceptions of good versus evil. Furthermore, O’Connor employs the Southern Gothic backdrop not just as a setting but as a conduit to delve into the deeper aspects of human existence, prompting readers to reassess their judgments. Through a detailed understanding of O’Connor’s objectives, the story transcends mere crime storytelling and evolves into a profound exploration of faith, ethics, and the intricate facets of human behavior. This narrative, rich with existential queries and moral ambiguity, encourages a reevaluation of the binary notions of sin and virtue, illustrating O’Connor’s belief in the complexity and redeemability of the human soul..

i would rate my ability to read and understand Oedipus the King would be subjective. the parts i did understand were the dramatic irony of the play. i also the tragic events and the exploration of freedom versus fate. these elements resonate with me due to the timeless importance and psychological depth.  the elements that were challenging to me were the difficult language they used in the play, also the cultural context of Greek society required  a lot of effort to fully understand . adding on to that trying to figure out their moral dilemmas  and the psychological turmoil of the characters, especially Oedipus.  even withe challenges i think reading the play was an interesting experience . the character i would like to portray if i had to would be Oedipus himself. one reason is why is because he is the lead of  the play.  then playing the character  would be an acting challenge try io reenact his emotional journey         

after two weeks of reading poetry i think i would rate my ability to  poetry like a 5.  me personally im still not a a big fan of it but i some what understand some of their meaning.  for example one of the poems i did understand was the poem my last duchess . its about the Duke of Ferrara’s character through his speech about a portrait of his deceased wife. in some ways i feel like i could be better at is  to know what devices the authors are using in their poems. like in the poem the mother and we really cool i had a real tough time on what literary devices and techniques they used in the mother. then in the poem we really cool i couldnt figure out what was the meaning and theme behind the poem. a way to get better is to practice it more then i have been

During  covid 19 everyone was on quarantine. i remember when nobody was allowed to go outside and everyone was fighting to get the essentials for their homes. i also remember when there was a lot of fear and panic during those times. just like in the story Oedipus the king. people were scare because of  The outbreak of the plague instills. Chaos, among the people of Thebes causing distress. The Priest paints a picture of the city’s condition lamenting, “Thebes is, in decline. A curse befalls our crops and fertile lands; livestock fall ill and perish while women face death during childbirth with newborns failing to survive. The relentless fever brought by the plague ravages our city. Then during the pandemic people feared of  catching covid and it spreading around the world.  another similarity  the American people had with the plague was the denial and blame. Oedipus and others initially deny their roles or knowledge in the curse afflicting Thebes. Oedipus even accuses Tiresias and Creon of conspiring against him. while americans and some other countries blamed China f or the start and spread of covid.

The sentences effectiveness lies in its ability to capture the essence of “Araby” precisely showing not only the intricacies of human emotions but also how James Joyce portrays this theme through the narrators experiences. By focusing on the narrators infatuation and subsequent disappointment the sentence directly highlights the psychological voyage at the heart of the tale. This journey, characterized by the disparity, between aspirations and harsh realities faced by the narrator serves as a representation of humanity grappling with lifes imperfections on a scale. Joyces storytelling technique, delving into the world of the narrator becomes a means to delve into themes like longing shattered illusions and loss of innocence. This narrative approach enables readers to recognize how personal encounters mirror truths enhancing their grasp of aspects within the story and mankind’s complex existence. The thorough rephrasing not clarifies themes within the narrative but also encourages readers to delve deeper into character development and engage with its relevance concerning personal growth and humanity’s quest, for self discovery.

In an essay that delves into more, than just socio issues one could explore the dynamics of family relationships, personal growth and how the setting impacts character development in a story. A thought provoking approach might be to consider how both the physical and emotional environments characters navigate play a role in shaping their journeys, decisions and transformations. Themes such as self discovery the complexities of relationships and the subtle influences of settings on storytelling could be analyzed. A suitable title, for this type of essay could be “Exploring Deeper; Character Growth and Setting Influence in Narratives”. This title hints at an examination of characters evolution and the importance of their surroundings offering a take beyond just focusing on socio economic aspects.

I  can relate to the young narrator’s journey through the intense pressure to conform to societal or familial expectations, the confusion of navigating one’s own beliefs amidst those pressures, and the profound sense of loss that comes with the realization that faith cannot be forced. The story captures a pivotal moment of innocence lost and the painful but necessary transition into personal understanding and skepticism. It’s a poignant reflection on the complexities of growing up, challenging authoritative narratives, and the quest for personal truth. This narrative can resonate with anyone who has faced the difficult passage from childhood innocence to the more nuanced understanding of adulthood, where beliefs and truths are often more complicated than they seem. Salvation serves as a poignant exploration of faith, the journey towards self-awareness, and the realization that personal beliefs and truths are complex and often diverge from those around us. It’s these universal themes of growth, disillusionment

i believe Starting with this story could serve to introduce students to the complexities of narrative style and genre, particularly magical realism, which is characterized by the seamless integration of the extraordinary with the ordinary. This could help students expand their understanding of how stories can be told and how authors can convey deeper meanings and explore human experiences in a variety of ways .The story’s vivid images, symbolism, and exploration of community and identity offer a multi-layered approach to literary analysis. It invites readers to interpret its elements in different ways and stimulates critical thinking and debate about how literature reflects, constructs, and challenges social norms and personal beliefs. So by opening up the course with this story it can lay the foundation for students to approach literature with an openness to its potential for surprise and thought-provoking, thereby preparing them for a wide range of future texts. It could also indicate an emphasis on global literature