Shakesbeer

Fear and Loathing

2007-05-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

1.) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas shows the effected life of two intelligent men after their addiction to drugs. Personally I feel like they were not as addicted to drugs as they were addicted to their ability to escape reality. They enjoyed being in their own world so much that they became totally disconnected from everyone else’s. Although a very entertaining movie and I am sure an even more exciting book, the movie shows you about how drugs can destroy your life. Agreed, that it is intriguing to experience some of the illusions that the men have, but it shows what kind of pathetic life you can have if you take the same path they do. The lifestyle shown in the movie is a perfect example of people with great potential becoming wastes of life.

Apparently Johnny Depp lived with Hunter S. Thompson for three months prior to making the movie. During the three months he tried every drug that the movies shows he does. Not really relevant to the whole blog…but pretty freakin interesting. Depp acts a first hand account of what it is like to be completely “wasted”.

2.) Making Beasts of Men

Throughout Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas the main characters are obsessed with everything except reality. The drugs and alcohol consumed by Depp and Del Toro signifies the attempt to avoid life’s hardships and obstacles at every cost. A beast according to dictionary.com can be described as nonhuman, or filthy and cruel. These two men, one a lawyer and one a journalist possess commonly stressful jobs; however, they avoid this stress by using drugs and essentially becoming as inhuman-like as possible.

In our society as Americans we emphasize the belief of “being a man”. A man is someone who takes responsibility and accepts consequences for their actions. These men exercise the possibility of evading these social assignments through their lack of concern for authority and realism. This is what makes them beasts. In order to function in society most people choose to conform to social norms and expectations. These two men avoid conformity at all costs. They become “beasts” not through their natural physical ability to be considered supernatural to their peers; but their reaction to their addictive drugs causes them to be “beasts” of society. Their lack of concern for social conform is why they are supernatural. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas shows that avoiding pain and becoming a beast does not actually involve being someone of natural ability. It is the result of someone who is unable to separate reality from mysticism through unnatural, abnormal means.

Wilde

2007-04-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

1.) After having read "The Importance of Being Earnest", I must say that I am a little disappointed. Everyone lives happily ever after?! Everyone the entire play was deceiving, and manipulating everyone else; all too prepare us for the huge finale where...everyone is ok with it and loves each other. However, I think that Jack and Algernon, although idiots who were about as smooth as sandpaper, really made the play enjoyable with their hilarity. Despite being somewhat disappointed, I think that if acted properly, this could be a very funny play to see preformed.

2.) The dialogue of the characters in "The Importance of Being Earnest" is essential in the development of the identity of each character. Each character has a mirror of themself in the form of another character in the play whose lives and actions in the play parallel one another almost perfectly. These actions can be seen in Jack and Algernon with their relationships with nonexistent people in order to maintain their personal desired lives. The parallel actions are evident between Cecily and Gwendolen who both are obsessed with the name Ernest and are able to fall in love simply because of the name. Lastly, Mrs. Bracknell and Miss Prism both share a similar secret from the past that they have hidden from their families are counterparts of one another. With these mirroring experiences and behaviors, Wilde uses unique dialogue and attitude for each of the characters, enabling the reader to distinguish the characters from the others in the play.

With the actions of the characters being so similar, the dialogue enables the characters create their own distinct identity. In Act I, we are introduced to Jack who thinks of himself as quite a gentleman, and Algernon, who has no problem wittingly defending himself from Jack’s criticisms for not being one. The conversations between Jack and Algernon throughout the play, and the way in which they interact with the surrounding cast is rather amusing and at times hilarious. As for the ladies, they are differentiated easily with conceited and pretentious quotes from Gwendolen such as, “I am always smart! Am I not, Mr. Worthington?” followed with (in response to being called perfect), “Oh! I hope I am not that. It would leave no room for developments, and I intend to develop in many directions” (9). This separates her from the seemingly meek and innocent little cousin of Jack, Cecily. Wilde’s sometimes far fetched conversations amongst the characters creates a humorous setting in which the characters can ironically function while being both harmonious and conflicting.

"The Taming of the Shrew"

2007-04-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

1.) “The Taming of the Shrew” is a little difficult to follow because of the various characters in disguises and ongoing subplots. However, it is very funny. I can picture the arguments between Katharina and Petruchio as they are happening, picturing Kate getting redder and redder as Petruchio continues to make her angrier. The competition amongst the other characters for Bianca reminds me of high school when everyone was going after the hot, quite girl, the untouchable girl. The story is a little rough to follow but its humor is making it interesting and makes me want to keep reading to see who does what next.

2.) Petruchio is a sly, money hungry, egotistical character in the story. It is made quite obvious that his only intention in pursuing Katharina is to become the benefactor of the dowry accompanying marriage with her. Petruchio ignores warnings about Katharina’s shrew like behavior and claims that her father’s gold is all he needs to fall in love with her. He then displays his arrogance when claims that wooing Katharina will be nothing compared to his past experiences such as hearing a lion’s roar or the sea puff’d in the winds.

Although Petruchio makes these claims as if he has known Katharina forever, he actually has never even laid eyes on her. Their first encounter is quite amusing with Katharina being her usual unpleasant self and Petruchio refusing to submit to her intimidating attitude. Katharina may be witty and condescending but Petruchio’s equal cleverness and ability to turn everything that Katharina says into some sort of sexual innuendo creates a hilarious scene.

KATH. If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
PET. My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
KATH. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
PET. Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail.
KATH. In his tongue.
PET. Whose tongue?
KATH. Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell.
PET. What, with my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again,
Good Kate; I am a gentleman. (35)

Petruchio’s ability to balance the constant negativity and arrogant behavior of Katharina through his light hearted carefree attitude is wonderful. The conflict present with Katharina and Petruchio is one of wit; resulting in incredibly entertaining conversations and arguments. Shakespeare has given us two characters who are in many ways similar but whose differences counteract each other perfectly.

"The Lottery"

2007-03-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

1.) Jackson is crazy. This is a sick, twisted, demented tradition; and for her to not only think of it, but be able to illustrate it in such a blasé manner is frightening. It is almost as if she is smiling while she is writing, waiting for the ending. With that said, I really liked the story, and would really enjoy listening to a conversation between her and the writers of “SAW”, two twisted groups of people.

2.) The story of “The Lottery” begins with a pleasant description of a town of which everyone could relate. The town is assembling for an annual tradition; a tradition Jackson does not reveal until the end of the story. Initially the author describes the assembly as if it is a normal town meeting, with the children and adults all conversing about their daily interests. Here, the children are collecting and hoarding stones, again, we do not know for what. This comfort is interrupted when Jackson introduces a black box to the story which contains the reason for their assembly.
When the box is introduced to the story, the happy-go-lucky attitudes previously displayed by the townspeople have become ‘hesitant’ and ‘reluctant’. Although we do not know what is in the box, we sense that its contents strike fear into the people. Because of this change in attitude and the mysteriousness of the old black box, we know that whatever it contains will greatly change the people of the town.
The title, “The Lottery” suggests that the discomfort of the people continues because they all are involved in this assembly and have no control of what happens to them. When the ceremony is underway, and every head of household is called up to pick their piece of paper, the nervousness begins to increase. The reader now knows that the contents of this paper possess the fate of one or multiple people in the audience. Everyone is trying to act nonchalantly but their anxiety is displayed by their turning of the papers in their hands and magnified with a collective “long pause, a breathless pause” before the papers were opened. It is here when Old Man Warren makes a very odd claim; he states “this is my seventy-seventh lottery”. Considering that this tradition has been carried on for many years, you can suspect that the only way to not take part in the lottery would be either to leave the community, or die.
After Mr. Hutchinson was found to have had “it”, everyone is quite relieved when they discover that they are not the ones. When Tessie Hutchinson exclaims that the lottery was not fair and receives the response that “All of us took the same chance” the reader is ensured that the lottery is not one of luck but rather of misfortune. The tension builds when the final lottery is selected by the Hutchinsons. The collected stones from the beginning of the story are now used to stone Mrs. Hutchinson.
These people carry out a tradition where they kill one of their own, simply because it is tradition. Jackson shows that these people and many people in general, will turn their back on you to follow a crowd. She shows that these people, like many others, have no problem inflicting harm or singling one person out as long as it is not them.

Fitzgerald

2007-03-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

1.) Until the end of this story, I honestly thought that it was one of the worst stories that I have ever read. I was simply bored throughout this piece until Bernice finally cut her hair and their was some conflict introduced. It was pretty cool that Bernice cut Marjorie's hair; she finally stood up for herself. I was getting annoyed at the fact that she was becoming Marjorie's little experiement; her puppet. Marjorie got what she deserved and I hope that she is laughed at at the dance. I think that Bernice leaving the hair for Warren to find was a solid move. I kinda wish I were there to see Marjorie's reaction. I think Marjorie and Bernice would be a good fight; UFC style. I take Bernice.

2.) Bernice, a quiet girl, who is pretty but lacks striking features and the confidence to dance with multiple boys at a dance while her cousin Marjorie, craves for attention and does not understand why her cousin does not. Marjorie bases how she dresses, dances, and what she says on the response of others. Her entire identity and life is based on the desire to receive constant reassurance from peers. Marjorie proceeds to teach Bernice how she should act in a social setting. She criticizes her clothes, dance, speech, and hair. With Bernice’s quick transformation, Fitzgerald is showing that her identity, like Marjorie’s, is really not hers anymore, but rather a mold of what the people surrounding them deems an acceptable identity for her. The increased attention she receives supports the notion that in this story, identity is not something a person chooses on their own but is rather a clone of the identities’ of the surrounding members of society.
In this story, identity is an adjustable thing rather than a static one. Bernice’s identity changes throughout the story from a quiet nervous girl, to the center of attention, to a strong and defiant young woman. This all occurs during one vacation with Marjorie shaping Bernice’s identity the entire time. Although Marjorie parades her overconfidence in herself, when Warren begins to show Bernice more attention, Marjorie’s attitude changes from secure to troubled. Her shy cousin is taking her identity from her. How the characters identify themselves throughout the story is quite fickle.
After being coerced into having her hair bobbed, Bernice realizes that her cousin is extremely selfish and manipulative. In response to Marjorie’s boastful braiding of her own hair while displaying her satisfaction with Bernice’s inability to do the same, Bernice cuts the braids of Marjorie’s hair while she sleeps. Previous to her visit with her cousin, Bernice would have never thought about retaliation. However, Marjorie had the ability to change her once, giving her confidence and poise; and Bernice’s new found self-assurance enabled her to change her identity yet again and stand up for herself rather than for what others said she should.

Updike, "A & P", and Conformity

2007-03-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

1.) Like many of you, I have had jobs where I would have loved to simply walk out but was scared of the repercussions. I think that Updike does a great job of taking a normal, everyday situation, and showing how it can be life changing. I really enjoyed his writing style and descriptive illustrations of every detail he noticed in the store. Sammy obviously had been working there too long. All in all I can really relate to this story and think Updike did a great job of describing the experience in a way we all could connect.

2.) Updike’s “A & P” begins with Sammy, a 19 year old cahier seeing three girls, a sight obviously uncommon in his grocery store setting. While observing, aside from the intricate description of their physical appearances, he assesses the girls and their lives solely on how they walk throughout the store and interact with one another. He is able to distinguish the leader from the “sheep”. He admires the leader and seems envious of her confidence and poise. He then begins to assess the other customers and their actions and also tags them as “sheep” in response to their predictable actions and behavior in the store. Although criticizing these “sheep” knowing they are oblivious to his observations, he begins to realize that he himself is one of them, simply going through the motions of everyday life.
Updike’s repeated references to the actions of the customers paralleling that of herded animals shows his disgust in society’s acceptance of conformity. In defiance of this mindset; after his life eye opening encounter with the girls, the narrator seizes the opportunity presented by his manager to quit his job and separate himself from the store and the constraints it was putting on him. At the conclusion of the story Sammy is alone again and acknowledges that his journey ahead will be difficult; but at least he will pave his own path and not follow others down one already lined.
Updike uses a typical setting where everyone can relate, however, not necessarily describing a grocery store but life in general. Updike believes we do things because it is instilled in our minds that we should. Sammy transforms from a follower into a leader. Updike criticizes his observations of our “sheepish”, conformed human behavior with Sammy defying not only his manager but society; and encourages the reader to be a leader rather than follow in the footsteps of one.

cummings

2007-02-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

1.) I think that Cummings is genius. The woman who he wrote this for most likely melted as soon as she was finished reading it. She went and told all of her friend and Cummings was immediately given the title of “best boyfriend ever”. If E.E. was my friend I would probably momentarily hate him for setting the bar so high. But since we have never met, I will use his smooth tactics in my own life.

2.) E.E. Cummings’ works, “i like my body when it is with your” and “since feeling is first” both involve the emotion of passion. In the first, the writer is passionate about a particular lady, while the latter is about love and connection. Cummings' unique form is evident as soon as the audience sees the title; there are no capitalizations. I believe that there are two explanations for this. One is that Cummings does not believe that the title nor the author is relevant, but the body is what the reader should focus on. This approach draws the reader away from the title and immediately towards the following stanzas; it is more of an introduction to the work than a label. It is from this introduction where the second explanation for his lack of capitalizations is formed. Cummings’ title is the exact same as his first line of his poem. This repetition displays obvious importance in the statement. When reading these two poems there is no possibility of overlooking the main idea of the poem because it is present two times within the first two statements you read of the poem.
Cummings uses his form to assist in explaining the progression of his story. In both poems he begins with a build up of emotion and detail that is continued throughout the body of the poem. This build up accumulates and is finished with a single statement rather than a stanza in both poems; comparable to an instantaneous climax. For example, in the sonnet, “i like my body when it is with your” describes what he likes to do with the woman; he walks you through every step detailing her body and how he yearns for it. Lines 1-12 are clustered as if he is waiting for an eruption; which is set up and delivered in lines 13 and 14. “since feeling is first” is slightly different than “i like my body when it is with your” in the fact that its large stanza is not in the very beginning but it is in the middle stanza. However, this stanza contains the large explanation of his desire of a woman; in this aspect the poems are similar. Prior to “the big finish” Cummings has a stanza containing a large amount of lines detailing his passion for a woman. It is with these large stanzas that Cumming is illustrating that the most important aspect of love is the passion and desire for one another; everything else braches off of this emotion.

Whitman vs. Hughes

2007-02-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

1.) After reading these two poems I see that these two men are writing from completely different worlds. One is a member of the white blue collar society, while the other is on the outside looking in. Hughes, like most blacks in the past was rejected by this false notion of a great America that Whitman describes. It kind of reminds me (although I know it is not the most popular in our class) of Harry Potter whenever he is with his Aunt, Uncle, and Dudley. They make him sleep under the stairs and put him in his room when company comes over; I’m sure you know the story. But they accept him into their house but reject him as a member of the family. It is like although blacks who were "accepted" in the households of whites, were an embarrassment or an imperfection in what the storybook America looked like to outsiders. Or just what it looked like to those who refused to see it otherwise, like Whitman.

2.) America has often been described as the land of opportunity; a place where groups of individuals who would never had been acquainted become successful and one under the flag of the United States. In these contrasting poems, “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman, and “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes, the views and experiences of the two authors are quite different from one another. However, the theme of independence is supported with the mutual acknowledgement of brotherhood and separation by each author.
Whitman’s narrative begins by claiming that he hears America singing, but through ‘varied carols.’ He illustrates that although everyone is in fact singing, it is not in unison. Whitman further expresses the separation of groups by listing an assortment of tradesmen who are singing about the items only they possess. If this desire for independence and self success is not obvious to the reader throughout the poem, line 12 reads, “Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else.” This clearly shows that Whitman is trying to convey the fact that Americans are happy when they own something that no one else does. Although Whitman could continue with this independent almost selfish attitude he decides to demonstrate that Americans only live this life in the day, and at night come together to sing in unison. Whitman uses the break in line 13, as a symbol of the end of the work day and selfishness, and beginning of the night and togetherness.
Hughes also is a member of this society, however, an outcast. Although Whitman never directly claims that he is only speaking of white men and women singing, it is implied considering they were the only ones who held those types of jobs in his time. By stating that he is the ‘darker brother’ Hughes is describing himself and black people in society as the black sheep of America; but members nonetheless. By stating that blacks accept eating in the kitchen alone rather than at the table with company; Hughes is claiming that through the rejection of whites, blacks have grown together strong in unison. They do not have the varied carols described by Whitman because they are a union. When they become strong enough, they will force their way into society and whites after neglecting the proud and beautiful race, will offer them a spot at their table.
To every good side of a story, there is a bad one. Whitman’s America, although separated into groups and reliant on self independence, every person in his poem was cheerful and proud of what they had accomplished. To Whitman, a white man himself; this was America. Hughes responds from the other side of view. He speaks for the other group represented by America, the group who was given no choices and neglected. Unlike Whitman’s groups, who were all self determined and chosen by the members; the members of Hughes group were only there based on their skin color. Although blacks were segregated from whites in everyway possible; Hughes describes that there is a change coming. No longer will this disrespect be accepted by the blacks; they know they are strong and will make their impression in the white society.
Hughes’ response to Whitman is one with contradiction and promise. He says that Whitman’s America, although existent, does not represent his America. Whitman’s does not include those who were shunned and hidden to create it, but those who have suffered because of it will rise up and overcome.