Close Reading of "Of Turkish Wine and Backwards Logic" -- Nov 18th

"Of Turskish Wine and Backwards Logic"  --  Andrew Finkelhttp://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/of-turkish-wine-and-backward-logic/ 
Andrew Finkel has a passion for the country of Turkey which is evident in in his articles on the country.  The diction, imagery, and language employed in his article "Of Turkish Wine and Backwards Logic" communicates his passion for the subject. 

Finkel's word choice is effective in many ways.  He uses both higher language which gives his writing a sophisticated feel, but also common, creative words which keeps his piece relevant.   For example, in the very first sentence he writes that of "Turkish strain of NIMBY" he experienced.  NIMBY is a rather hipster term, and in fact isn't even a real word, but an acronym for "not in my backyard".   Similarly,  he uses another unique word to describe himself discounting other critics, saying that ""I had always pooh-poohed the Cassandras who believe Turkey is hopelessly divided".  Pooh-poohed could have easily been replaced with its definition, "to make light of", but used here it adds another layer of creativity, and the reader can better relate to his meaning.   To contrast these slang-like terms, Finkel is sure to use other terms such as "alacrity", (brisk and cheerful readiness) which the typical American is unfamiliar with to give the article a sophisticated feel.  

Along with the superb diction, the (figurative) language used excites the reader,  and helps them understand Finkel's passionate message.  In describing a friend's decision, he says that "no one had twisted his arm".  This is true, both figuratively and literally, as fact.  No one had touched his friend, and no one had threatened him in his decision-making.   Another exciting phrase Finkel uses to describe how the current alcohol issue had hit close to home was "[b]ut now Kulturkampf was at my dining table."  Kulturkampf, a German word meaning "culture struggle" with a historical connotation was NOT actually at his table, but the idea of a struggle between the government and society was developing right in front of him.   Lastly, his plan to solve his problem, "I would swirl, sniff, slurp, and spit my way through" is yet another great example of language that while interesting, should not be interpreted as fact.  

To bring the reader right in, Finkel uses languages to create an image in the reader's mind.  Describing his favorite location where he visited a restaurant "in my nook of Istanbul" gives the reader a little mental image of a small, cozy corner that belongs to him.  In his little nook where he interviewed a restaurateur  he found that his "logic was exactly backward" than his own.  This image of being "exactly backward" helps the reader picture the stark contrast between these two ideas, and also reinforces that Finkel's beliefs are stronger than any others.  (Or so we are led to believe.)  And finally, images of the rich "show[ing] their nobler side by investing in stone-mill olive oil presses or boutique vineyards" brings the reader to an old land which Finkel hails as home.

Finkel's fine use of the different rhetorical techniques such as diction, imagery, and language help the audience understand his passion, even on a topic that most people in the US aren't familiar with.  

Open Prompt -- November 11

1990. Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or a parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid plot summary. 

Often called one of the greatest American plays, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller revolves around Willy Loman, a 60 year old salesman from New York who is struggling under enormous pressure from himself.  His oldest son, Biff, is in conflict with himself and his father as he is trying to find himself even at 32 years of age.  The strained relationship between Willy and Biff was driven by their extreme differences in how they viewed the world: Biff was realistic while Willy lived in dreamland.  Miller's juxtaposition of these characters and their conflict with one another draws the audience towards the viewing life as it is.  

The father-son conflict escalated quickly after Biff discovered Willy having an affair.  While Willy talked it off, making excuses that he only did it because he was lonely and still loved his wife, Biff was devastated.  Biff saw his infidelity for what it was, while Willy refused to acknowledge the consequences his actions could have.  This is especially seen by the emotion displayed when Willy's affair is brought to light.  Biff breaks down sobbing, and while Willy becomes angry, his anger is targeted at Biff and his seemingly silly tears and not his own action.  The audience understands Biff's huge disappointment with Willy, and Willy's unfeeling reaction only helps solidify the idea that it is better to face the truth and reality than hide behind a outwardly positive curtain. 

Willy Loman is a firm believer in the power of a good handshake and a smile.  Anyone, according to Willy, can be successful, and he predicted amazing things for the popular Biff while he was still in high school.   For awhile, Biff believed in this ideal dream; that because he was good-looking, personable, and athletic, he could go far in life and in the business world.  However, Biff "grew up" and realized that the things Willy valued were worthless, and the reason he was never successful in business is because he had nothing beyond personality and looks.  Because the empty hopeful ideas of Willy led to Biff's failure in the business world (and Willy's eyes), the audience begins to come to the conclusion that having an overly positive outlook can have some serious negative effects.  

Throughout the play Biff is seen trying to amend things with his dad, but never can.  While not completely blameless, Biff tries to please his father after his mom begs him to try to help Willy.  Biff agrees to live in a city which he despises and do a job he hates in order to give his dad the positive outlook he thrives on, and does whatever he can to sway his father's understanding so that he will accept Biff as he is once again.  This dedication to Willy is contrasted by Willy's coldness back.  Willy thinks Biff blames him, and does what he does to spite him, and not to help him.  The audience is able to understand Biff while Willy's reaction seems childish, and can only wish that Willy would see life as it is.  

The conflict between the father and son is not just a serious disagreement, but also a deliberate act by Miller. Having two characters who should be similar in beliefs and attitudes be so different is a major red-flag for anyone looking to analyze the play, and a look into the causes of this conflict and how it relates to the character's outtakes can reveal much about an author's meaning.

Response to Course Material #3

A "Faust story" or "Faustian bargain" (as observed in Gregory Corso's "Marriage") goes way back to a story of a man named Faust, who sold his soul to the devil.  In exchange, he got what he wanted, but no longer had a soul, and therefore could not enjoy it.  

This then got the ball rolling in my head about the major pieces of literature we've gone over in class.  Can there be a kind of Faust story in The American Dream?  How about the Young Man?  He can not feel anything, and while he didn't make a bargain with the Devil, being ripped away from his twin (whom Mommy and Daddy killed) sounds like it could be a work of the Devil.  And this might be a stretch, but Mommy and Daddy had to bargain to get their first child, who they later discovered they didn't even want.  Is that unlike exchanging your soul for something that you discover you don't want and can't enjoy? 

For Death of a Salesman, I'm not sure I can find a good Faustian-anything yet since I've only just started my close reading and have only seen the movie version in class.  But I am able to understand that Willy Loman is a SALESMAN.  He tries to sell things.  And he's SOLD on this Dream of his, (the American Dream?) but he is working too hard for it and can't enjoy what he has, because he is too concerned with what could be.  I think Willy has all that he needs, (A good wife, two good sons) but since he can't get over his brother's successes and his own failures he still struggles to enjoy life as it is.  That's probably not the best explanation but there you go. 

And while I'm on this theme of intertextuality, The American Dream and Death of a Salesman are both centered on the "America/Dream/Modern Society/What is right v. wrong" sort of stuff.  And both don't exactly  paint the prettiest picture of America or our society, and both bring up characters with skewed views on what is right v. what is wrong.  (Mommy and Daddy kill child with no remorse, Willy Loman doesn't realize how his actions effect his family, etc).  There's lots of connections between the author's various messages, and a deeper look into Death of a Salesman will help me find them.