Close Reading -- Dec 16th

In Ignorance We Trust
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/egan-in-ignorance-we-trust/?src=me&ref=general

If history is not going to be taught in schools, it's not going to be learned.  If history is not learned from, this downward cycle our country is in is just going to continue.  Timothy Egan in "In Ignorance We Trust", which focuses on history's popular decline persuades the reader to reconsider looking at history as just an antiquated subject, but instead as a relevant topic using solid diction, relevant details, and realistic imagery.

Egan believes that history in schools is overlooked because the math and sciences are given too much glory and importance, and he makes that very clear.  There is no question what Egan is trying to get at when he calls Florida's government "knuckleheaded", implying that their lack of support towards history education is due to stubbornness and stupidity.  State regulated history books are "jargon-weighted" with political correctness, which implies that they are filled with vague, confusing facts that aren't even factual.  "Paranoid writings" written by politicians implies that historical truth is no longer available, and any politician who wants to be re-elected is afraid to write the truth, giving us a flawed history.  

The details Egan includes provide evidence towards history's decline.  He starts out his article by including lines from letters he received from high school students who don't like hearing about history or learning about it.  By beginning with a personal story, the reader immediately understands that this is an issue that is both real and close to his heart.  Egan is not afraid to call out specific people who would oppose what he is saying, like Florida Governor Rick Scott.  This again gives his article relevance and by shutting down the opposition he strengthens his point. 

In order for the reader to fully understand what he is trying to say, Egan uses descriptive language so that the reader can paint an image in their mind.  In his article he talks about a point that one of his colleagues made.  He introduces him as "David McCullough, the snowy-headed author and occasional national scold..." This brings up the image of an old, wise man.  And who doesn't respect the opinion of an old wise man?  This image that Egan has created is not something the reader wants to argue with.  In describing how teenagers view writers of history he says, "well, there’s a special place with the already-chewed gum in nerd camp for them."  This brings up the image most kids have in their mind about history and how un-cool it is.  Already chewed gum?  Nerd camp everyone makes fun of?  That is not an image the reader is likely to forget.

Overall, Egan makes his point.  While his article failed to say how an issue like this could be solved, it brings up the issue nicely.  Relevant word choice, details, and lasting images is what history texts should be full of, as his "In Ignorance We Trust" is.

Open Prompt -- Dec 9th

1980. A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and responsibility. For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work.

         Europe in the 1660s was not a fun time to be alive, and a series of misfortunes has forced sixteen year old Griet to become a maid in an artist's home.  While in her new home, Griet discovers fantastic art which she soon becomes enamored with.  Tracy Chevalier paints this story of a maid with a conflicting passion in her novel Girl With A Pearl Earring.

        Griet grew up watching her father paint the tiles that decorated homes across all of Holland.   Her father became blind after a terrible accident, and Griet was shipped off to become a maid to help feed her family.  The family she worked for was a difficult one: The mother was unloving and demanding, the six children often misbehaved, and Griet became lonely and overworked.  The only thing Griet liked about working was the father and his art, a skilled painter who entrusted her to clean his studio.    His studio was off-limits to everyone but himself and Griet for cleaning.   In the studio Griet found a sacred, peaceful place where amazingly realistic portraits were painted, and soon her own father's painted tiles could not compare with the masterpieces the great Vermeer created. 

        However, Griet struggled with this newly discovered passion.  Vermeer's wife hated the fact that Griet had permission into the studio when she did not, and gave the poor maid even more work to do.  Griet understood that she must keep her position as a maid because her family depended on her meager income, and so she often had to push aside her desire to sit and watch Vermeer paint during her rare free moments and instead do as her mistress ordered.  Griet is seen fighting many mental battles between her former obedient self and her new rebellious self.  And while she usually choses responsibility over passion, by the end of the novel she is a changed person: Valuing her hard work while embracing her new passion.

       The conflict between responsibility and passion is the focus of the plot of Girl With A Pearl Earring, and its significance is not to be overlooked.  The 1660s was not a time to fool around in, as even the smallest of mistakes could cost you your job, which could cost you your life.  While conditions are not so extreme today, it is understood that a balance between work and play is essential.  Like Griet, we must have our priorities in line, first focusing on what is needed to be done for our survival, then our passions.

Response to Course Material -- Dec 2nd

 

HAMLET

What I think I know so far, and some predictions:

About two weeks ago, the only thing I knew about Hamlet was that it was by Shakespeare, and someone somewhere said "To be, or not to be, that is the question."  Beyond that, nothing.  I've never read it, never seen it, zip zilch nada.  So everything that I now know about it is what I have learned in class.  That said all my predictions/observations are probably super basic and in three weeks I'll be laughing at myself for writing this... so bear with me.

 

So, here is what I have learned thus far:

-There is some debate on the greatness of this play.  It can either be seen as a great work, or a badly put-together tragedy with little behind it.

-The play is based in Elsinore, a rotten, corrupted, crazy place where no one can be trusted. 

-Hamlet is a revenge tragedy.  (think: The Lion King) Hamlet's father was killed by his own brother, who wanted to marry Hamlet's mom, his brother's wife.  So, now Hamlet's ghost is telling Hamlet to revenge him.  The first step of this plan is that Hamlet acts mad. 

-We also get to meet another family that features in the play.  Polonius is second in the kingdom, but would like to be first.  His two children, Ophelia and Laertes, have a great (and very rare) relationship.  Ophelia and Hamlet want to get married.  If they did, and produced a child, and Hamlet was to die, Polonius could become the King (his ultimate goal). 

And now, what I think about it:

-It is really hard to understand and read.  I could use many more explanations on individual words and general going-ons.  Also, I think it could help to listen to a recording, as opposed to having classmates read it aloud, since we (including myself) struggle with reading with the correct tone, pronunciations, flow, and often read it in a flat, boring voice.  Listening to the actor's voices could be really helpful, but at the same time I understand the value in figuring things out for yourself. 

-I'm not sure what to think of Ophelia.  In class, Ms. Holmes keeps on asking what we think of Ophelia.  Is she dumb?  Cunning?  Has she inherited some of her father's political shrewdness?  I want to believe that she is cunning, but also wants to protect Hamlet, but on the other hand I'm getting this feeling that she is smart, but has her mind on the throne.  When she gave up the love letters to her father to be read in public, she must have had a motive or else she wouldn't.  Also, Hamlet did not trust her enough to show her that his madness is fake, and this says a lot about her if even her lover doesn't trust her. 

-I also do like Hamlet, probably because I enjoyed his sense of humor when he calls Polonius a fishmonger, and then talks about how ugly old people are right in front of him, while pretending to be mad.  Also, I kind of feel bad for him because he has to go through this whole thing alone, and doesn't trust anyone.

-So, my predictions.  I know that for a majority of this play, Hamlet's going to strut around on stage wondering if he should go through with it, and then there's a big bloodbath at the end.  So, I think he is going to be visited by the Ghost again, then kill his uncle/step dad, but then he's screwed.  And then he dies, because you just can't kill the king.  And many more are going to die.  And I'm pretty sure Ophelia dies also... something in my mind is telling me she is just too lovesick and drowns...?  Because after all, this is a tragedy. 

Death of a Salesman Summary and Analysis the Quick Kenzie Way

 

Death Of A Salesman -- Summary and Analysis the Quick Kenzie Way

Author: Arthur Miller.  Miller is famous for many of his plays and essays, including The Crucible, testifying in front of the government for his suspicious "un-American" ideas and possible Communist affiliation, and having been married to Marilyn Monroe.  

Setting:  Willy Loman's house, yard, and places he visits "in the New York and Boston of today".  "Today" can be 1949, when it was written, but is not specifically in that exact time period. 

Plot: 
ACT I: 
     We first meet Willy when he comes home from a long day of work and driving.  Linda, his wife, obviously takes great care of him right from the beginning.  We also meet Biff and Happy, his sons.  While the family sleeps, Willy has a flashback to the past, when his sons adored him and all was good.  The audience begins to piece together that Willy has some issues.  While still dreaming, Willy goes to another woman, (a dream within a dream) alluding to a past affair.  Willy's dream starts to turn bad, and he wakes up.  Charley, his neighbor and friend, comes over to play cards.  In the middle of their game Willy begins to see Ben, his older brother he idolizes.  Frusterated, Charley leaves.  Willy is now fully submersed in his dream, one similar to the last.  
    Willy walks out, and Linda, Biff, and Happy discuss him in the kitchen, where Linda reveals he has been trying to kill himself.  Both are shocked, but only Biff seems to care.  Biff and Willy do not get along, but Biff promises to try to be successful in business in order to give Willy the hope he thrives on.  Willy enters back in, and both get heated, but cool down eventually.  They go to bed and the curtain falls. 

ACT II:
    Willy feels good in the morning, and goes off to ask his boss for a promotion, only to be fired.  He is completely devastated by the news, and slips into a dream as he leaves.  He winds up going to Charley's office, where he talks to Bernard, who is now a very successful man.  Willy appears unstable, and asks Bernard how Biff did not turn out like he did.  Charley comes in, and offers Willy a job.  This makes Willy even madder, and says he will not.  However, he accepts Charley's money and leaves.  
   At the restaurant, Happy tells Biff that he must not tell Willy the truth (that his meeting with Oliver was a complete failure.)  Biff isn't sure what to do.  When Willy comes, Biff tries to lie to make Willy happy, but when Willy says he's lost his job, Biff goes back on what he says and tells him the truth.  Both of them get extremely upset, and Willy wanders into the bathroom where he goes into the past.  Biff and Happy leave with two women.  In Willy's dream, he has an affair discovered by the young Biff.  This is probably why their relationship went sour. 
   Back at home, Linda is furious that the boys left Willy there alone.  Willy goes to the back to plant a garden, and talks to Ben.  (dream).  Biff brings him back inside, and tells him that he is going to go out West, and should be forgotten about.  All is laid on the table as Biff pulls out the rubber hose, revealing Willy's serious suicide consideration.  Willy refuses to believe this.  Biff ends up crying, begging Willy.  In the end, all go to bed.  But Willy, having realized that Biff really does love him, talks to Ben before riding off in a car, crashing and killing himself so that Biff may collect his life insurance.  

REQUIREM: 
   Willy's funeral.  No one is there besides Linda, Biff, Happy, Charley, and Bernard.  Biff is angry, Happy says nothing, but Charley says Willy is not to blame.  Linda is left by his grave, and says she cannot cry, but then begins sobbing as she says "We're free... we're free..." over and over until the curtain closes.

Significant Characters:  
Willy Loman: Willy is the 60-year old Salesman.  He is a frantic, disillusioned, superficial man.  His deepest belief is that Biff can succeed where he has failed, and that anyone can make it out there if he is "well-liked".  Willy struggles with identity and knowing his purpose.  His many flaws include the pressure he puts on Biff, his treatment of Linda, his foolish pride, and his disillusioned dreams.  Willy's dreams are of the happy past, but never end well.  His death is when he commits suicide so that Biff may take his life insurance.
Linda: Linda is Willy's patient wife.  She loves Willy, and is somewhat of a mother figure to him.  One of her greatest flaws is that she protects Willy too much, which only leads to his downfall.
Biff: Biff is Willy's oldest son, who Willy puts all of his soul into.  At 34 years old, Biff has no steady job and resorts to petty thievery  as he has all his life.  Biff had adored his father, but that was broken after he discovered Willy having an affair.  Biff then broke away, and does not share Willy's over-enthusiasm and prefers to see the world as it is.  
Happy: Happy is the younger son, whom none of the Lomans seem to care about.  He's grown up in Biff's shadow his entire life, and is constantly striving for attention from his parents.  He is a womanizer, and doesn't love Willy like Biff or Linda do, probably because he never received attention from him.  Like Willy, Happy would rather be disillusioned (like Willy) than know the truth (like Biff).  In the end of the play, Happy says he will continue on in Willy's footsteps.
Ben: Ben is Willy's older brother, who he only sees in his dreams/flashbacks.  Ben went to find their father (who had gone to Alaska) but somehow ended up in the African Jungle.  When he came out of the jungle, he was rich.  Willy idolizes Ben, and is constantly asking Ben how he too can come out successful.

Narrative Voice Description: There is no narrative voice or narrator.  However, it has been speculated that when Charley says that Willy is not to blame for his condition, that is Miller speaking directly to the audience.

Author's style: Not much wasted time for stage transitions, lots of words however!

         POV: It is a play, no major point-of-view

         Tone: Serious

         Imagery: Not a whole lot of imagery within the play; average stage descriptions

         Symbolism: Stockings, Diamonds, the Jungle, West, Seeds

3 Significant Quotes: 
1. Charley, at Willy's funeral: "Nobody dast blame this man.  A salesman is got to dream, boy.  It comes with the territory".  Here the audience is supposed to "get-it".  That is, we aren't supposed to hate Willy for all the pain he's caused his family, we're supposed to understand that this could happen to anyone.  He was a salesman, sold on the American Dream that anyone can do it.  And when his American Dream didn't work out, he just blinded himself to the truth.

2. Willy to Ben.  "Oh, Ben, how did you do it?  What is the answer?"  Willy repeats these questions over and over, every time he sees Ben.  He just cannot get over how he himself has ended up where he is now.  It's not so much how did you do it, but why can't I seem to be successful?  

3. Biff to Willy, pg. 133 "Will you let me go, for Christ's sake?  Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?"  Biff fully believes that they, and especially Willy, cannot keep living like they have been without major consequences.  Being realistic > living in a lie.  This could be Miller's way of trying to tell us the same thing.

One-sentence Statement of Theme: While it is alright to dream, at some point reality must be faced in order for us to survive.

How these elements support this Theme: 

        Setting: The characters are in a very normal, slightly run-down place, living out their normal, run-down lives.  Willy often complains about all the work and bills that must be paid, but in his dreams he is always positive about the future, never mind the expenses.

        Plot: The plot circles around Willy and his inability to face the truth.  Because of this, the reader is able to understand how the truth is needed, and hiding from reality will get you no where. 
        Title: Death of a Salesman = Death.  Willy DIED.  There is no more Willy.  His dream is gone, if it ever even existed.