Response
In the essay “On Self-Respect”, the author talks about her views on self-respect. Although there are many examples, many if not all of them link up to a few central ideas, prominent in the entire work. The theme of “doing what is right and not what others think” is seen mainly in the second half of the work, providing many situations in which that applies. One such example is “the phenomenon sometimes called ‘alienation from self’”, where she Didion talks about how we make moves in our lives that are shaped from what you want people to see from you. Contrasting this is when she gives an event where a father is so buried in his reading, that he did not notice Indians moving into his house. I believe that this is a good definition of the meaning of self-respect, as it means respecting your ideas and thoughts, as shown in this example and by the quote “They are willing to invest something of themselves; they may not play at all, but when they do play, they know the odds”. There was not much that was puzzling in this essay, as all of it was straightforward. The examples used were good for the things they Didion wanted to explain, as the flow very nicely and give a good idea of what the general idea of the section was. Overall, I think that this is an excellent essay that describes the courageous people in this world that understand the concepts of “doing what’s right”
New Vocabulary
Assignations
Interminable
Insofar
Instilled
Questions:
Is self-respect necessary, as it causes differences and discriminations to be shown
Can you have self-respect without courage?
Are there other types of self-respect?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Blog Response - Chapters 15-21
Question 5
The Tragedy of Chapter 19 occurs when Billy is called to a cabin with the Captain and Claggart. The latter accuses Billy of attempting to form a mutiny conspiracy, which provokes Billy to part a blow to Claggart. I do not sympathize with Billy in this turn of events. Whether intentional or not, Billy’s actions killed Claggart and I do not feel for him as it is still manslaughter. I do not think that action is right, as one can not simply digress into violence as a solution for any problem. Billy should have reasoned with the master-at-arms and try to
Question 6
Captain Vere takes a few actions after the traumatizing situation. The first action he took was to check if Claggart was dead, and after confirming that, he calls for the Captain of the marines and the lieutenants for a court. I believe that his action was justified and the correct one. Military discipline is one of the highest regarded aspects of all men serving in any army/navy/air force. Following those procedures are every man’s duty on the ship and the captain does not have an exception to it. The court, after much discussion, sentences Billy to be hung the next morning. Captain Vere also enforces that the entire incident of the death of Claggart also be kept a secret from the rest of the crew. His reasoning is simple: to prevent any thoughts of the “Nore” from reoccurring. This is an action that I think is allowed and justified, as the case should have some time before being shown to the public.
Keeping the case secret may prevent mutiny.
The Tragedy of Chapter 19 occurs when Billy is called to a cabin with the Captain and Claggart. The latter accuses Billy of attempting to form a mutiny conspiracy, which provokes Billy to part a blow to Claggart. I do not sympathize with Billy in this turn of events. Whether intentional or not, Billy’s actions killed Claggart and I do not feel for him as it is still manslaughter. I do not think that action is right, as one can not simply digress into violence as a solution for any problem. Billy should have reasoned with the master-at-arms and try to
Question 6
Captain Vere takes a few actions after the traumatizing situation. The first action he took was to check if Claggart was dead, and after confirming that, he calls for the Captain of the marines and the lieutenants for a court. I believe that his action was justified and the correct one. Military discipline is one of the highest regarded aspects of all men serving in any army/navy/air force. Following those procedures are every man’s duty on the ship and the captain does not have an exception to it. The court, after much discussion, sentences Billy to be hung the next morning. Captain Vere also enforces that the entire incident of the death of Claggart also be kept a secret from the rest of the crew. His reasoning is simple: to prevent any thoughts of the “Nore” from reoccurring. This is an action that I think is allowed and justified, as the case should have some time before being shown to the public.
Keeping the case secret may prevent mutiny.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Billy Budd (Chapter 8-14 Response)
Question 6
Billy’s trait of kindness leads him into the forechains. When a fellow sailor awakens him from his sleep and tells him to rendezvous at the forechains, he complies. His kind and naive attitude will force himself to follow any instruction given, regardless of its suspiciousness. This is not a good set of traits for Billy, which is a weakness of his, as due to this, he will follow every order. This innocent trait may get him into trouble many times, as his fellow sailors could trick him into performing bad deeds, as well as placing him in awkward situations. One person whom may take advantage of this is Claggart, as the story indicates toward the envy that he has to Billy.
Question 7
The incident involving the soup that Billy spilt has many meanings. First, when Claggart arrives on scene, he comments “Handsomely done, my lad! And handsome is as handsome did it, too!” (p. 322) At this point, the sailors around laugh at this notion, and Billy dismisses the thought that Claggart would be “down on him” (p. 320) as Dansker described in the previous chapter. But immediately after the incident, we see another crew member bump into the master-at-arms, invoking the newly revealed wraith of Claggart: “Look where you go!” (p. 322). This change in attitude towards different characters indicates one of two things, either Claggart does has a disliking of the drummer-boy whom he had collided with, or he is hiding his true expression of feeling when taking to Billy. Of the two, the most likely is the latter. What Billy does not see after Claggart makes his comment on “handsomeness” his facial expression turns to one with a more bitter taste, which we may be able to assume that he is internally disliking Billy, yet does not wish to reveal it to him. It is later revealed that Claggart envies Billy for his handsomeness and his lack of experience to this feeling.
Envy, a characteristic of Claggart, the Master-at-Arms.
Billy’s trait of kindness leads him into the forechains. When a fellow sailor awakens him from his sleep and tells him to rendezvous at the forechains, he complies. His kind and naive attitude will force himself to follow any instruction given, regardless of its suspiciousness. This is not a good set of traits for Billy, which is a weakness of his, as due to this, he will follow every order. This innocent trait may get him into trouble many times, as his fellow sailors could trick him into performing bad deeds, as well as placing him in awkward situations. One person whom may take advantage of this is Claggart, as the story indicates toward the envy that he has to Billy.
Question 7
The incident involving the soup that Billy spilt has many meanings. First, when Claggart arrives on scene, he comments “Handsomely done, my lad! And handsome is as handsome did it, too!” (p. 322) At this point, the sailors around laugh at this notion, and Billy dismisses the thought that Claggart would be “down on him” (p. 320) as Dansker described in the previous chapter. But immediately after the incident, we see another crew member bump into the master-at-arms, invoking the newly revealed wraith of Claggart: “Look where you go!” (p. 322). This change in attitude towards different characters indicates one of two things, either Claggart does has a disliking of the drummer-boy whom he had collided with, or he is hiding his true expression of feeling when taking to Billy. Of the two, the most likely is the latter. What Billy does not see after Claggart makes his comment on “handsomeness” his facial expression turns to one with a more bitter taste, which we may be able to assume that he is internally disliking Billy, yet does not wish to reveal it to him. It is later revealed that Claggart envies Billy for his handsomeness and his lack of experience to this feeling.
Envy, a characteristic of Claggart, the Master-at-Arms.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Personal Response
Topic: How this text serves as commentary to the society
Death from incompetence – A commentary on the lifestyle of Medieval Europe
“The Lady of Shalott” is a poem depicting the lifestyle of medieval Europe, with a focus following the Lady of Shallot. The poem is centralized around a commoner, the Lady of Shalott, whom lives within a tower, outside of Camelot. Written in the Victorian era, the work focuses upon the storyline of King Arthur. The storyline communicates the lifestyle of the era, and the curiosity of a lady, which incurs the wraith of a curse, which results in death. This literary piece highlights themes of visualization, personality and idealism, using those to commentate on the society during that era of history.
Tennyson's poem starts with verses of the visualization of Camelot and its surrounding areas. The imagery serves to enhance the idea of for the nature of the era. Sections near the start of the poem present many pictures of the peaceful feel in the story, such as “Willows whiten, aspens quiver, /Little breezes dusk and shiver / Through the wave that runs for ever /By the island in the river /Flowing down to Camelot.” By including these nature references, the setting is given a more simplistic feel. Simplicity is one of the key elements within this poem; there are no complex roles, descriptions, settings or devices. The visions produced from the words help convey the setting to the reader, not only providing a stage for this story, but as well, but presenting information for the audience to imply the work done and the conditions in society at that time.
During this dark era, the majority of men regarded women as objects, which they were able to possess. Like common household items, they were commanded and were confined to the control of man. In this piece, the Lady of Shalott is imprisoned in a tower within Camelot. Within this tower, she spends her time weaving. The reason for this imprisonment is due to a curse that has been rumoured around the area; should she look down to Camelot, the curse shall be unleashed. Unfortunately, she sees in a “magic mirror” of the wide, far off land that she has never seen before, as well as Sir Lancelot, who is depicted as a gallant hero. It is him that incurs the curiosity of the lady and exit for to Camelot. She finds a boat and floats off into Camelot, where she dies. This implies that should the women deviate from their instructed task, they are punished. This was a true fact in the society at the time. The poem illustrates this, providing a commentary for the society.
Idealism, a major theme in Victorian literature, shows in Lord Tennyson's work. Emphases upon the aspects of Sir Lancelot indicates the ideal man in the medieval era. The lines “A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd/ To a lady in his shield, /That sparkled on the yellow field, /Beside remote Shalott.” Comment on the upper-class ranking of the knights among the peoples of the time. In the poem, they were portrayed as superior to everyone else and most looked up to them. From this, we can infer that during the medieval age – as directed from this poem – there were divided social classes and each had “personalities” that they displayed. The highlights of the different methods of describing also help the commentary of the poem describe the social classes in the society
This poem pictures the society and lifestyle of medieval Europe, from the scenery and attitudes. The commentary that the author provides bestows a better understanding of the society within that era. Through following the events that the Lady of Shallot make, pieces of the medieval culture are revealed. Using Victorian themes such as visualization, confinement and idealism, Lord Alfred Tennyson summarizes the way of life in the past.
Death from incompetence – A commentary on the lifestyle of Medieval Europe
“The Lady of Shalott” is a poem depicting the lifestyle of medieval Europe, with a focus following the Lady of Shallot. The poem is centralized around a commoner, the Lady of Shalott, whom lives within a tower, outside of Camelot. Written in the Victorian era, the work focuses upon the storyline of King Arthur. The storyline communicates the lifestyle of the era, and the curiosity of a lady, which incurs the wraith of a curse, which results in death. This literary piece highlights themes of visualization, personality and idealism, using those to commentate on the society during that era of history.
Tennyson's poem starts with verses of the visualization of Camelot and its surrounding areas. The imagery serves to enhance the idea of for the nature of the era. Sections near the start of the poem present many pictures of the peaceful feel in the story, such as “Willows whiten, aspens quiver, /Little breezes dusk and shiver / Through the wave that runs for ever /By the island in the river /Flowing down to Camelot.” By including these nature references, the setting is given a more simplistic feel. Simplicity is one of the key elements within this poem; there are no complex roles, descriptions, settings or devices. The visions produced from the words help convey the setting to the reader, not only providing a stage for this story, but as well, but presenting information for the audience to imply the work done and the conditions in society at that time.
During this dark era, the majority of men regarded women as objects, which they were able to possess. Like common household items, they were commanded and were confined to the control of man. In this piece, the Lady of Shalott is imprisoned in a tower within Camelot. Within this tower, she spends her time weaving. The reason for this imprisonment is due to a curse that has been rumoured around the area; should she look down to Camelot, the curse shall be unleashed. Unfortunately, she sees in a “magic mirror” of the wide, far off land that she has never seen before, as well as Sir Lancelot, who is depicted as a gallant hero. It is him that incurs the curiosity of the lady and exit for to Camelot. She finds a boat and floats off into Camelot, where she dies. This implies that should the women deviate from their instructed task, they are punished. This was a true fact in the society at the time. The poem illustrates this, providing a commentary for the society.
Idealism, a major theme in Victorian literature, shows in Lord Tennyson's work. Emphases upon the aspects of Sir Lancelot indicates the ideal man in the medieval era. The lines “A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd/ To a lady in his shield, /That sparkled on the yellow field, /Beside remote Shalott.” Comment on the upper-class ranking of the knights among the peoples of the time. In the poem, they were portrayed as superior to everyone else and most looked up to them. From this, we can infer that during the medieval age – as directed from this poem – there were divided social classes and each had “personalities” that they displayed. The highlights of the different methods of describing also help the commentary of the poem describe the social classes in the society
This poem pictures the society and lifestyle of medieval Europe, from the scenery and attitudes. The commentary that the author provides bestows a better understanding of the society within that era. Through following the events that the Lady of Shallot make, pieces of the medieval culture are revealed. Using Victorian themes such as visualization, confinement and idealism, Lord Alfred Tennyson summarizes the way of life in the past.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Question 2 and 8
English Blog responses
English 20
Examine the incident between the Red Whiskers and Billy. What is this incident meant to do? Does it suggest something about Billy’s character or just the Red Whiskers’s?
The incident between Billy and Red Whiskers involved a small scuffle during a dogwatch. I believe that this incident meant to inform the readers that, although Billy looks nice on the outside, he is still able to defend himself. This suggests something on both the Red Whiskers and Billy. It shows Billy has another side to his personality from being a very nice person to one who can fight. The Red Whiskers, who, described as a “big, shaggy chap with the fire-red whiskers” (p. 295) would imply that he was a rough, hostile person, but after the tussle, he changes and takes a liking to him.
What is Billy’s flaw? How important is this flaw in understanding his overall character? Has it altered your original evaluation of him? How?
The character Billy Budd is described as a perfect character in the story. All aspects of this person are liked by all and it seems like this perfect being does not have a defect. Unfortunately, like Achilles and his heel, Billy has weakness that, under pressure will show. The book describe this as “…yet under sudden provocation of strong heart-feeling his voice, otherwise singularly musical, as if expressive of the harmony within, was apt to develop an organic hesitance, in fact more or less of a stutter or even worse” (p. 302). This flaw is important to understanding more of Billy’s character, as it shows that he is hiding something. The book describes this defect causes him “no romance” (p. 302). This fact has not altered my evaluation of Billy Budd. Mainly the cause of this is due to my foreknowledge of this item.
Achilles' Heel, a weakness in the otherwise perfect hero
English 20
Examine the incident between the Red Whiskers and Billy. What is this incident meant to do? Does it suggest something about Billy’s character or just the Red Whiskers’s?
The incident between Billy and Red Whiskers involved a small scuffle during a dogwatch. I believe that this incident meant to inform the readers that, although Billy looks nice on the outside, he is still able to defend himself. This suggests something on both the Red Whiskers and Billy. It shows Billy has another side to his personality from being a very nice person to one who can fight. The Red Whiskers, who, described as a “big, shaggy chap with the fire-red whiskers” (p. 295) would imply that he was a rough, hostile person, but after the tussle, he changes and takes a liking to him.
What is Billy’s flaw? How important is this flaw in understanding his overall character? Has it altered your original evaluation of him? How?
The character Billy Budd is described as a perfect character in the story. All aspects of this person are liked by all and it seems like this perfect being does not have a defect. Unfortunately, like Achilles and his heel, Billy has weakness that, under pressure will show. The book describe this as “…yet under sudden provocation of strong heart-feeling his voice, otherwise singularly musical, as if expressive of the harmony within, was apt to develop an organic hesitance, in fact more or less of a stutter or even worse” (p. 302). This flaw is important to understanding more of Billy’s character, as it shows that he is hiding something. The book describes this defect causes him “no romance” (p. 302). This fact has not altered my evaluation of Billy Budd. Mainly the cause of this is due to my foreknowledge of this item.
Achilles' Heel, a weakness in the otherwise perfect hero
Friday, September 10, 2010
Goals for 2010/2011
Two goals:
1. Improve essay writing skills
2. Improve reading comprehension for "classic" literature.
1. Improve essay writing skills
2. Improve reading comprehension for "classic" literature.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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