In “The House on Mango Street,” the vignette “Hairs” resonated with me because it reminded me of a time when I struggled with accepting my natural appearance. Just like Esperanza, who feels embarrassed about her unruly, curly hair and wishes it were different, I also went through a phase where I disliked certain aspects of my physical appearance. I wanted to fit in with what I perceived as the “norm,” which often meant conforming to beauty standards that didn’t embrace diversity. Reading about Esperanza’s journey to accepting her hair helped me realize the importance of self-love and embracing the uniqueness of who I am. It taught me that true beauty comes from accepting and loving ourselves just the way we are.
Daniel Murray
10 posts
The terror readers feel when reading “Where Are You Going” Where Have You Been” is different from the terror of watching a terrifying movie because reading leaves things like the visualization of a character up to the reader , things like sounds and music which can set a tone or “feel” of a story is present in a movie but not in a book. Movies, scary movies in particular which are known for “jump scares” and cutaways can create feelings of emotions that books normally cant. This is the difference that I believe exists between reading the 2 stories and watching a movie.
Some possible ideas I have about my paper is potentially writing about the fairy tale of Cinderella, and the princess and the frog. The reason I chose these 2 fairy tales to specifically include and talk about is because there’s been many interpretations and adaptations to Cinderella so I would want to give my own opinion on it. And for princess and the frog I feel its quite the opposite even though there’s still lots of hidden meanings and interesting topics in that fairy tale as well. So far I havent found that many articles in the BMCC library data base that really relate to the topics I’m discussing
Reading Anne Sexton’s “Snow White” challenged my view of fairytales. Unlike the happy cartoon, Sexton’s poem focuses on the Queen’s obsession with beauty, fueled by the magic mirror. The constant pressure to be “fairest” makes the Queen cruel, and Snow White’s innocence is described in a way that feels strange. This darkness made me view fairytales in a less childish light and it makes me wonder if fairytales, like maybe even “Bluebeard” where a wife disobeys and gets killed, are more about warnings and social norms than happily ever afters.
In “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” Flannery O’Connor explores deep ideas like redemption and the complexity of human nature. Without her article, I feel like someone would miss the religious themes and symbolism in the story. O’Connor’s explanation of characters, like the Misfit, helps us understand their deeper meanings and challenges our assumptions about good and evil. Overall, her insights add layers to the story, making it more thought-provoking and meaningful.
I would rate my ability to understand “Oedipus the King” as fairly strong. I’m good at grasping the main plot and themes of the play, such as fate, hubris, and the consequences of one’s actions. However, I might find some of the language and cultural references challenging to fully grasp without additional context. Overall, I enjoyed reading the play for its gripping storyline and complex characters. If I had to portray a character, I would choose Oedipus because of his dramatic arc and the opportunity to explore the depths of his character’s journey from confidence to despair, which would be a challenging and rewarding role to tackle.
The quote “literature is painting, architecture, and music” encapsulates the essence of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. Just like a painting, the story uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. From the opening lines describing the scene outside Mrs. Mallard’s window to the portrayal of her emotions throughout the story, Chopin paints a rich and colorful narrative. Similarly, the structure of the story resembles that of architecture with its carefully crafted plot and precise arrangement of events. Each element is meticulously constructed to build tension and suspense, leading to the climactic revelation of Mrs. Mallard’s newfound sense of freedom. Another thing is the story evokes the emotional resonance of music, with its rhythm and tone creating a range of feelings in the reader. From the initial shock of Mr. Mallard’s death to Mrs. Mallard’s eventual realization of her own desires, Chopin’s prose strikes a chord with the audience, leaving a lasting impression even after the story ended. To summarize,” The Story of an Hour” embodies the multifaceted nature of literature, drawing upon elements of painting, architecture, and music to create a rich and immersive reading experience
The sentence is ineffective because its not specific and doesn’t provide any concrete examples or evidence to support the claim about the story’s themes. To improve it, someone could rephrase it to include specific details about the narrator’s experiences and the themes explored in the story. For instance, someone could say, “In James Joyce’s ‘Araby,’ readers are prompted to dive into the complexities of the protagonist’s psyche as he navigates his infatuation with Mangan’s sister and his disillusionment with the reality of adulthood.” Also, mentioning key scenes or moments from the story, such as the narrator’s reflections on his feelings for Mangan’s sister or his disappointment at the bazaar, would offer more informative insight into the character’s development and the main themes of the human condition shown in the narrative.
In Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson,” there’s more to uncover than just the obvious socio-economic themes. Beyond the surface, symbols like the toy store Fao Schwarz highlight the contrast between childhood innocence and adult realities. Characters like Sylvia and Miss Moore add depth, showing the struggle between understanding injustice and resistance. The setting of Harlem itself becomes a character, embodying the community’s hopes and challenges. Through simple language and realistic dialogue, Bambara paints a vivid picture of life’s complexities. In essence, while economic disparity is important, the story offers insights into human relationships, aspirations, and the journey to understanding the world around us.
In the story salvation I personally relate to Langston. I relate to Langston because in the story he has a very naive understanding of his religion. He takes everything literally and at face value. In the story the author mentions that Langston is around the age of 13 when the incident of him being saved took place. I also was “saved” around the same age and i also had the same view as Langston. I thought that being saved was a massive sacred holy event where i would really be meeting god. After the entire ceremony took place I was disappointed that I felt the same way as before the event took place. Growing up I also heard a lot about peoples experiences with being saved and i was confused on why i felt like i didn’t get the same experience similar to Langston. As i grew older and now looking back I realized how silly it was taking everything I was hearing so literally.
