Week 5 Discussion

“Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.” by Boris Pasternak Literature reveals extraordinary qualities in ordinary people and expresses them uniquely, using everyday language. The poet Pasternak understood the challenges of balancing personal desires of a traditional community, particularly among the repressive atmosphere of the Soviet Union. This quote embodies my story “Another evening at the club” by Alifa Rifaat showing how a young woman has to except her parents arranging her marriage to an older man.  She has to be submissive to him. She has no freedom to do as she pleases. She even has to be submissive to her dad by listening to whatever he advises her to do. She is a young girl who was in school still, but her dad tells her she won’t be going to school any longer waiting for the day she gets married.

“Literature is painting, architecture, and music” by Yevgeny Zamyatin. He’s saying that great literature does what those other art forms do it creates imagery words in your mind like a painting, it’s well constructed and flows smoothly like a building, and it stirs up emotions in you like listening to music, and we can see that in the story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. With his detailed writing he paints these clear pictures in your head whether it’s the fancy ball scene or the hardwork life of the character ends up living later. One thing naturally leading to the next just like how the different rooms and spaces are connected in a well designed building flowing like music, the most powerful part is how de Maupassant takes you on an emotional ride as a reader. You start out feeling that excitement and hope when the character gets to live the classy life for a night. Then you go through the frustration and sadness as her life goes downhill. “The Necklace” brings together the quote of Zamyatin when he compared great literature to painting, architecture, and music.

The quote I chose for essay number two is “Reading makes immigrants of us all it takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere” by Jean Rhys. The story I have chosen that embodies this quote is “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. Firstly, I chose this quote because it describes how immersive the world of literature can be for readers or anybody. From stories, folktales, poems, and fables, these works of literature can have a reader transcend into the story. As if there actually in the story with the characters or imaging themselves as the main character. The story “The Necklace” embodies this quote, a story about a miserable housewife who believes she deserves the finer things of life, the riches and glam. Who is also married to a poor working man, who’s tries his best to provide for her and himself. The husband knows his wife, who’s wants to be living the rich life gets a invitation for a ball to be around the higher class. The wife whos ungrateful, guilted her husband into giving her money for a new dress, to hide the fact that she’s poor. She borrows a diamond necklace from one of her friends to impress the people at the ball. She ends up losing the necklace and her and her husbands has to work tirelessly to make money to afford a necklace. This is a story that makes you create a mental movie of how things went for the husband and wife.

The quote I picked was “It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature” by Henry James and this quote is embodied in  “The Necklace,”  story because if we didn’t know the backup information such as the timeline of when this story was taking place or how the two main characters got to be in a relationship and how the main character preferred everything to be high class then the story would not make any since, but because we had the history behind the characters and the setting it made it easier to understand it, and even though the story is generally pretty short, it still required a great deal of back up details (history) in order for it to run smoothly and allow the reader to better understand the message.

The quote I picked was “Literature is painting, architecture, and music” by Yevgeny Zamyatin. I picked this quote because I was able to effectively connect its meaning with the story of “Araby” by James Joyce. Due to the fact that Joyce used a lot of descriptive words and imagery to set up the setting, to describe a character, to adding different sounds in his writing. One part that stuck with me his when he was describing the sounds of raindrops when the boy was in the back of the drawing room and wrote “I heard the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds”. Using words like “impinge” and describing the raindrops as “fine incessant needles” can create a beautiful image to the reader of how real and vivid rain can be portrayed. This is why books are one of the most beautiful forms of art.

The quote that I choose to focus my second essay on is “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it” (Lewis). I choose this quote because I do believe that literature is a beautiful way to express one’s reality. A way to deliver a message about what is happening, about something real. To me, it is also a powerful way to center your reader on the story that you’re telling by giving them descriptions of the scenario as well. The story that I felt was connected to this quote was “Story of An hour” by Kate Chopin. I choose that one because I feel that the details and the descriptions used inside of the plot is exactly what the quotes mean about how literature describes reality. I feel that the story and the quote are very well connected, that’s why I tried to do when I wrote the essay. It was a hard choice for me though, because they were a couple ones that I also liked.

“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it”(C.S Lewis).  This is the quote I have chosen to use for my essay, which will be written based on the short story Araby, written by James Joyce’s. This quote connects all too well with the quote because throughout the story, we are shown the thoughts and feelings the narrator has for his friends sister through more than just words. The author heavily uses symbolism and imagery throughout the story, making her seem as without flaws in the narrators eyes, almost as if the girl is like the only star in a dark blank sky. Throughout Araby, we are shown just how important this girl really is too the narrator also due to the fact that the narrator wants more then anything for something to be different in his boring, depressing, bland life. The author also uses this by then showing how the narrators feeling for the girl we just fake, when he really just liked her because she appeared different and peaked his interest, nothing to do with him actually liking her because of the type of person she was,

For my second essay, I decided to choose the quote “Literature adds reality, it does not simply describe it.”I decided on this quote because I felt like it embodies the story of the necklace the most. In my opinion, the quote is describing what the story is doing to readers. The story The Necklace is not just simply describing a fairytale about something that wouldn’t happen. this story is talking about the reality of what occurs when you are preoccupied with gaining things that are out of your reach and how it affects you in the long run. this story could have also possibly been inspired by something that happened in someone’s real life. It also represents many people of today who are known for doing similar things the protagonist did in the story. I also believe this quote is in some way saying that literature adds to one’s life.

The quote, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it” was stated by C. S. Lewis, and it is the character of Mangan’s sister and the night of the bazaar in James Joyce’s “Araby” that brings the above quote to life. The girl is not merely a character; rather, she is a representation of beauty and purity, which demonstrates the protagonist’s deep desire for a life that has more significance. Through the usage of Mangan’s sister, Joyce is able to express stronger thoughts and emotions, hence making the story more meaningful and authentic. In addition, the author makes use of the expectation of the bazaar to demonstrate his disillusionment and his longing for something which is more significant or satisfying. This is an example of how literature can help us in gaining a more profound understanding of life, one that goes beyond what we view in the physical world.

The quote about literature that I have chosen for my literature essay is “Literature is not only a mirror; it is a map, a geography of the mind” by Margaret Atwood. One of the reasons I’ve chosen this literature quote is because it reasoned with me. It’s true that in literature we can learn a lot about ourselves. For my second essay I’ve chosen the story Araby by James Joyce to focus on, and I believe that the quote by Margaret Atwood is embodied in that story. In the story Araby we follow a young boy who has crush on a young girl and decides to go to a bazaar called Araby to buy her a gift to impress her. Through that story I could relate tho the narrator; it was like I saw myself in that story. Like the narrator I remember having a crush and them being the only thing on my mind. I would daydream about them and always admire them. The story Araby was like a mirror and me looking through seeing my younger self who used to always think of ways to impress my crushes. Also the second part of the saying literature “is a map, a geography of the mind” is true because through literature you can scan thorough your mind and see what kind of person you are. You can learn things about yourself you didn’t know you had in you.

I chose the quote, “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary”. The story I chose was “The Necklace” by Guy De Maupassant. I believe this story connects with the quote I chose because the story shows how even common people can have interesting complicated lives, just like Madame Loisel. She looked like a simple woman at first, but as story went on, we see her desires and consequences they cause. In addition, the story gives a lesson about the differences between appearances, and reality, such as Madame Loisel’s attempt to seem wealthy even if she isn’t. In conclusion the story is simple worded, it is a interesting story showing us deep ideas and emotions that is shown through everyday language.

The quote that I’ve decided to choose was Literature is painting, architecture, and music by Yevgeny Zamyatin. This quote can relate to the story , “The Necklace” because the necklace is painting a life that is not always as it seems . It’s painting a picture as if life is always perfect . But with life you’ll always have to go through trials and tribulations.

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

“Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature and derided by vanity; and my eye burned with anguish and anger.” This is the quote I choose to focus on. The way this quote is embedded in the story is because this quote shows when the main character has his epiphany. This epiphany was what this story was about; it showed all of the young mans emotions and his thoughts about a girl who would never give him an actual chance and at the end of the story he realizes that he shouldn’t be doing what he was doing at the time. The main character realized that he was not in love with her but in love of the idea of her. He had a perception of her even though she acted like an older sister he took it as a sign that she really cared about him the same way he cared about her.

“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it” is the quotation from C.S. Lewis that I have selected. And I will be connecting it to James Joyce’s short story “Araby.” Because of the author’s use of imagery, symbolism, and lyrical language, James Joyce’s short story “Araby” transforms a simple tale of a boy’s love into a deeper investigation of teenage determination to disappointment and the loss of youth. This quotation speaks directly to that process. While reading “Araby” at first it seems to be about the narrator’s trip to a local market and the feelings he has for his friend’s sister. But later, author Joyce goes on to incorporate many symbolic meanings; Joyce uses poetic language, such as “light from the lamp caught the white curve of her neck.” Joyce used literary strategies to elevate the story above a mere description and reveal more profound human realities. Like regarding the tension between childhood aspirations and reality. 

I chose the quote “Literature is not only a mirror; it is a map, a geography of the mind” by Canadian poet and novelist Margaret Atwood. The quote signifies how literature can lead the mind to a deeper understanding of how writing can be interpreted. For instance, James Joyce illustrated this in “Araby” by sharing his experience of his obsession with this girl who lived next door to him and how deep his feelings were for her. He showcased how his mind formed ideas and allusions to how he could’ve won this girl’s heart by traveling to an event that she wanted to attend but couldn’t. As he was on his way to the market, he realized later on that he was doing the absolute most for this human being and later changed his mind on how he felt towards her. 

The quote “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it” by C.S. Lewis highlights the idea that literature goes beyond a straightforward representation of reality. Instead of just describing the world as it is, literature adds depth, meaning, and new perspectives to our understanding of reality. Through storytelling, symbolism, and exploration of human experiences, literature allows us to see into the complexities of life and gain insights that may not be apparent in everyday observations. It improves our perception of reality by offering unique analyses and inviting us to reflect on the human condition. Through storytelling, authors can explore different perspectives, challenge societal norms, and provoke thought. Literature allows us to step into the shoes of characters, experience their joys and sorrows, and gain insights that may not be with ease apparent in our own lives. It’s like having a window into different worlds and perspectives, expanding our horizons and inviting us to see the world in new and profound ways.

Hello professor, The quote that I have chosen for my essay is embodied in my story because it is what the theme of my story is based on .Literature gives you the ability to express literally anything you want in a way that uses words to display emotion and imagery by causing stimulation of the brain. I feel like the best way for one to embody any quite into writing is first, it is always better to go with a quote that you really can relate to so then you can have more to speak on. When I right about subjects that I am passionate about, the writing comes easy. After a while it just becomes  natural flow. Sometimes I have even have had to stop myself from writing to much on certain assignments. This can be both a good quality to have and not so good as well. Mostly just for assignments is where I have trouble with this but for A writer of literature this can be a really good qualification to have.

The quote I have decided to use for Essay 2 is: “Literature is not only a mirror, it is a map, a geography of the mind”, by Margaret Atwood and apply it to “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. This story, which I later remembered having read when I was much younger, has stuck with me ever since we discussed it in class a few weeks back. Guy de Maupassant does a great job of demonstrating what mentalities or preoccupations people had at the time it was written and published. To be able to write such a carefully crafted story that very clearly depicted social issues, the author must have done his fair share of people watching. Once he was done observing the current state of affairs in the French bourgeoisie, he had to put it all down on paper and, for us, readers, create a rendition that was as true as possible. Through his words, we are able to get a glimpse of his world and his thoughts about it.

The quote about literature for my second essay was spoken by Margaret Artwood. She used this quote in her manifesto “Survival” in which she critiques the standards and themes commonly found in Canadian literature. While the quote  focused on the specifics of Canadian literature, her intellect and phrasing allows quotes such as “Literature is not only a mirror; it is a map, a geography of the mind.” to be applied in various spaces. I will use this quote as a basis for my analysis of “The Necklace” by “Guy de Maupassant.” As discussed in a few of the supplementary materials in our OpenLab course, Matilda’s fatal flaw in the story was her pride, and her insatiable need to upkeep appearances because of the society she lived in. We see her rash decisions and speculations revolving around the “right thing” to do, even if she never verbalizes it. Through her actions we see how her subconscious operates and the route she takes to achieve what she perceived to be as the “good ending.” Had this maybe been a different era of society, things could have end drastically different for her character, which emphasizes the notion that literature we read both serves as a mirror for human ideals and emotions during a specific era as well as another perspective of the human mind.

The quote about literature that I chose was “Literature is not only a mirror; it is a map, a geography of the mind” by Margaret Atwood. I chose this quote because it fits in the story “Araby” by James Joyce, as the story and the character’s narrator guides us  like a map through the character’s thoughts. The story is not just a mirror, it gives us an even deeper understanding of the character’s emotions. The story works as a map with all the thoughts and feelings the character has for this girl. The story has more meaning to it than just being a reflection. The boy had a crush on the girl throughout the story but at the end of the day he changed his mind on the way he felt. It’s like all these emotions made him realize something which changed the way he felt at the last minute.

The literature quote that I chose to use for my essay is the quote by C.S. Lewis, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it.” I picked this quote for the story ” The Necklace,” by Guy de Maupassant because of the similarities between the author and his style of writing for his short story and the meaning of the quote made by Mr. Maupassant. Maupassant used his writing to reveal his interpretation of people’s true nature. To me the quote means, Literature defines reality, which in simpler terms means that, reality can be interpreted by people based on their feelings. Madame Liosel in, “The Necklace,”  felt that because she felt because she had beauty she had been able to marry a man that was more wealthy. This part of the story gave description to her reality which was, even though she had beauty she was unhappy due to feeling like she married beneath her.

The quote I have chosen is by Boris Pasternak it states “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.  This quote is perfect for my story choice because it does tell us something extraordinary about ordinary people. “Another Evening at the Club” employs ordinary words to unveil the extraordinary inner struggles of a middle-aged woman.  A woman who has needs, and personal desires. Desires that she really isn’t allowed to even speak about. There are societal constraints, and longing for personal fulfillment. This story uncovers how women had to listen to the man of the house, back in those days. Men are the head of the household.  The women had to listen to their husbands. They didn’t have their own independence. They wanted their independence back. Literature is an art, it helps us to discover a whole new world thru their words.

The quote by Boris Pasternak can be applied to the story, “The Necklace.” The quote states that “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.” The story starts by introducing this ordinary woman who married an ordinary man. Although the story continues to give details about this woman and her thoughts about a rich life. She constantly thought of a perfect life for her, which can be said for many people. That is what makes her ordinary. However, to her surprise, this lavish life costs her ten years of her life from one night of fun. The quote can be applied because this woman was ordinary. Yet the story gives an extraordinary summary of her story and how her dreams got the best of her. This literature quite truly takes an ordinary woman and her story and puts it into extraordinary words to read.

The quote I choose is from C.S. Lewis,”Literature adds reality, not just describe it.” is relate to the story “The Necklace”(Maupassant). Literature is not just describing a story, it adds into our reality, it helps us to think deeper on the choice we might take, and the consequences that might come for us. In the story, (Ms. Loisel) Her vanity led her and her family to pay a terrible price, spending ten years to repay the necklace. At the end of the story, she finally realized that the necklace was a fake, worth at most 500 francs, but the ten years she and her husband lost would never return to them. Literature not only describes stories; its metaphors constantly warn us in reality, allowing us to observe from a third-person perspective the consequences that foolish decisions might bring.

The quote “The Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it” aligns well with “Araby” story by James Joyce as the story explores the transformative power of imagination and the impact of literature on shaping one’s perception of reality.The main character in James Joyce’s “Araby” experiences the quote in a similar way. The narrative follows the youngster as he develops feelings for Mangan’s sister, his neighbor, and his romantic aspirations skew his view of the world. His readings provide his perspective of the world a creative layer that heightens the appeal of the bazaar, Araby. The stark reality of the marketplace clashes with his expectations, demonstrating the transformational power of books in forming his thinking. The narrative emphasizes how literature affects people’s interpretations and experiences of reality in addition to describing it. Joyce examines the intricate relationship between literature and reality through the boy’s trip, highlighting how perception is subjective and how imagination shapes our understanding.

The quote about literature that I have chosen is by C.S Lewis: ” Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it.” In “the Necklace” by Guy De Maupassant, this quote t is distinctively embodies through the depiction of human desires, the consequences of decisions, and the exploration of societal values.Through the personality of Mathilde Loisel, De Maupassant digs into the complexities of human desires, showing how aspiration for wealth and social position shape individual lives. Mathilde’s persistent quest for a luxurious way of life drives her to get a precious diamond necklace, setting off a chain of occasions that radically modifies her reality. furthermore the profound consequences of Mathilde’s decisions Her decision to hide the deficiency of the necklace dives her family into monetary ruin, testing the thought that material wealth equates to satisfactionOverall, “The Necklace” enriches our understanding of reality by delving into the intricacies of human nature and the far-reaching impacts of individual choices, thereby exemplifying C.S. Lewis’s assertion that literature adds depth to our perception of reality rather than merely reflecting it.

The quote that I chose as “It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature” by Henry James. This quote corelates with the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. In this story, we see Mrs. Mallard responding to her husband’s sudden death. We are not given any further description on her circumstances other than a description of what she looks like, that she has a heart condition, and what her thought process is. We also know the time period in which it was written, and that it was written by a woman. Even though it is not written, the reader would know based on these bits of information that it was frowned upon for women to not be married during this time period. Historically speaking, widows were able to have more autonomy over their own lives at that time, especially when their late husbands were well off.