Some critics believe that the character of Demodocus is based on Homer himself and thus have attributed his blindness to him. How is the bard described? How does Odysseus describe him?
The bard, Demodocus, is described as blind, but gifted by song. It is said that he was taught by the Muses or the god Apollo, but for his gift he was blinded: "she (Muses) stripped him of sight but gave the man the power of stirring, rapturous song" (193). Odysseus praises the bard highly for his talent to stir the emotions: "I respect you, Demodocus, more than any man alive-surely the Muse has taught you, Zeus's daughter, or god Apollo himself" (207). Odysseus, himself, was moved to tears as the bard sang about Troy.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Book 5: Nymph and Shipwreck Response
Question 5: Why do you think Odysseus would rather be with Penelope than Calypso? What gift is he willin to forego to pursue that goeal?
On page 159, of Book 5 the goddess Calypso asks Odysseus why he would rather go back home to Penelope than stay on the island. Calypso makes a clear point that it isn't right for a mortal woman to rival a goddess. She also makes a point that Penelope isn't as close to herself in beauty. Odysseus agrees that his wife, Penelope falls short of Calypso's beauty and stature and that Penelope is mortal whereas Calypso is immortal. He tells Calypso that the main reason he wants to return to Penelope is, he wants to return to his homeland and see the dawn. He states, "She (Penelope) falls far short of you, your beauty, stature. She is mortal after all and you, you never age or die...Nevertheless I long-I pine, all my days- to travel home nd see the dawn of my return," (159)
On page 159, of Book 5 the goddess Calypso asks Odysseus why he would rather go back home to Penelope than stay on the island. Calypso makes a clear point that it isn't right for a mortal woman to rival a goddess. She also makes a point that Penelope isn't as close to herself in beauty. Odysseus agrees that his wife, Penelope falls short of Calypso's beauty and stature and that Penelope is mortal whereas Calypso is immortal. He tells Calypso that the main reason he wants to return to Penelope is, he wants to return to his homeland and see the dawn. He states, "She (Penelope) falls far short of you, your beauty, stature. She is mortal after all and you, you never age or die...Nevertheless I long-I pine, all my days- to travel home nd see the dawn of my return," (159)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Doctor Who: Midnight Comparison to Lord of the Flies
In the episode 'Midnight', Doctor Who goes on a trip through on the planet with only a couple other passengers (another doctor, his assistant, a wife, husband and son and a lone woman) This episode eerily reflects the themes, characters and plot to William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies.
There are many plot similarities here to Lord of the Flies. One, the van breaking down and being stranded that's pretty obvious. When the driver says he saw something moving outside, that represents the mulberry kid bringing fear to the group with talk of a beast. Once the lady is possessed she kind of represents the beast, the physical aspect of it. The passengers figure they must have to kill the lady to be rid of it, reflecting Jack's thoughts on hunting the 'beast' Also, when they try to kill Doctor Who because they think he's the beast too that's sort of like when Jack is hunting for Ralph. When the hostess sacrifices herself for the good of others, that obviously represents Simon's 'sacrifice' to save the rest of the group.
The theme of Lord of the Flies is human nature. Basically, if humans are placed in a place where society limits have disappeared, they revert to their instincts or human nature...which isn't necessarily a good thing. In the episode 'Midnight', the passengers all seem very nice at the beginning, but once things go wrong the passengers change. For one, when they all agree to throw out the lady Doctor Who asks if they could really kill an innocent woman, which they all agree.
The characters in Lord of the Flies are also reflected in this episode. Doctor Who is obviously Ralph because he becomes the natural leader for the passengers when things go wrong. The other doctor is Jack, because throughout the episode this character is constantly trying to show up Doctor Who or contradicting him. Even as the episode nears it's end, and things are going mad the passengers vote that the other doctor should be leading them (much like how Jack created his own tribe). The other doctor's assistant is Piggy, because she is very smart but often put down by her boss, the other doctor. The son of the husband and wife can be thought of as a Simon figure, because in the beginning of the episode he is rather quiet and near the end of the episode he starts giving reasonably decisions and rationalities, however he too gives in to killing the woman. The hostess can also be a Simon figure because she sacrifices herself for the good of others.
There are many plot similarities here to Lord of the Flies. One, the van breaking down and being stranded that's pretty obvious. When the driver says he saw something moving outside, that represents the mulberry kid bringing fear to the group with talk of a beast. Once the lady is possessed she kind of represents the beast, the physical aspect of it. The passengers figure they must have to kill the lady to be rid of it, reflecting Jack's thoughts on hunting the 'beast' Also, when they try to kill Doctor Who because they think he's the beast too that's sort of like when Jack is hunting for Ralph. When the hostess sacrifices herself for the good of others, that obviously represents Simon's 'sacrifice' to save the rest of the group.
The theme of Lord of the Flies is human nature. Basically, if humans are placed in a place where society limits have disappeared, they revert to their instincts or human nature...which isn't necessarily a good thing. In the episode 'Midnight', the passengers all seem very nice at the beginning, but once things go wrong the passengers change. For one, when they all agree to throw out the lady Doctor Who asks if they could really kill an innocent woman, which they all agree.
The characters in Lord of the Flies are also reflected in this episode. Doctor Who is obviously Ralph because he becomes the natural leader for the passengers when things go wrong. The other doctor is Jack, because throughout the episode this character is constantly trying to show up Doctor Who or contradicting him. Even as the episode nears it's end, and things are going mad the passengers vote that the other doctor should be leading them (much like how Jack created his own tribe). The other doctor's assistant is Piggy, because she is very smart but often put down by her boss, the other doctor. The son of the husband and wife can be thought of as a Simon figure, because in the beginning of the episode he is rather quiet and near the end of the episode he starts giving reasonably decisions and rationalities, however he too gives in to killing the woman. The hostess can also be a Simon figure because she sacrifices herself for the good of others.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Lord of the Flies Chapter 5 & 6
Chapters 5 of Lord of the Flies shows beginning of the break down of society on the island. The whole beginning of chapter 5, Ralph is getting ready for an assembly. The problems he addresses are: not going to the bathroom by the rocks, not everyone helping to build the huts and keeping the fire going. The group, especially the littl'uns, don't take it very seriously. Jack also keeps interrupting Ralph, even though Ralph has the conch. Ralph also questions why society is breaking down when the island was fun at first, but then people began getting frightened.This is the point in the story where the 'Beastie' becomes a bigger part of the story.
Jack blames the littl'uns for starting the scare of the 'Beastie' (the boy with the mulberry mark). This is a biblical reference to 'Cain and Abel', in which Cain killed his brother Abel with jealous rage. In return, God marked Cain for his sins so when people saw Cain they would be frightened. The boy with the mulberry mark is like Cain because the boy with the mulberry mark instilled fear into the whole group.
During this chapter, it is also implied that there is no beast but the boys are the beast themselves. For example, p. 83:
"What would a beast eat?"
"Pig"
"We eat pig"
Also on p. 89, Simon brings up this point.
"What I mean is...maybe it's only us"
Chapter 6 starts off on an ironic note. In chapter five, Ralph desperately wishes for a sign from the grown-up world while the others wish for their homes. This comes true, but in a dark way. A pilot from a war going on up above the island falls to the island. The pilot is soon discovered by the twins Sam and Eric on the mountain, they mistake the pilot for the beast and instill even more fear into the groups.
Ralph, Jack and the others immediately round up a group to search the island for the beast. On the way to the mountain, Jack discovers a 'shelter' and a large boulder placed precariously on the cliff. Jack wants to move everyone up there and the group agrees with him, but Ralph. Ralph makes a point that there's no water close by and no food. Ralph commands the group to move on. This is the beginning of the signs of a breakdown of the groups. P. 108 "Mutinously, the boys fell silent or muttering"
Chapters 5 & 6 are a turning point in Lord of the Flies because it shows the beginning of a breakdown in society and a breakdown in groups. The beast also becomes a bigger part in the story.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
"Gryphon" by Charles Baxter
1. How is Ms. Ferenzci a gryphon?
First of all, gryphon is a different spelling of griffin. Both of them mean a mythical creature with a lions body and an eagle's head. It is a made up creature made up from many people's imaginations. Miss Ferenzci has the tendency to tell the children many things that aren't true. This is an example of how she is a "gryphon", because she lives half in the real world and half in the imaginary world.
2. How does the point of view of the story (told as a memory of recollection) change the way you view the themes and/or characters?
The story is told in point of view of a man looking back at his childhood, specifically Ms. Ferenzci's substituting. This changes the view of the story because a grownup has a totally different aspect on things than a child. If it was told in the point of view of a child, the view would be more childish and less mature. I think this is told as a memory of a recollection because grownups seem to have more logically thinking when it comes to these things. Also, as a grownup the narrator had a long time to think about that memory and what to make of it. If it was told in point of view as a child, the narration would probably be more confused and blatantly say that the substitute was crazy, whereas the narrator (grown up) seems to think that Ms. Ferenzci is not exactly crazy, but maybe has a different way of teaching and/or a different outlook on the world which affects her teaching.
First of all, gryphon is a different spelling of griffin. Both of them mean a mythical creature with a lions body and an eagle's head. It is a made up creature made up from many people's imaginations. Miss Ferenzci has the tendency to tell the children many things that aren't true. This is an example of how she is a "gryphon", because she lives half in the real world and half in the imaginary world.
2. How does the point of view of the story (told as a memory of recollection) change the way you view the themes and/or characters?
The story is told in point of view of a man looking back at his childhood, specifically Ms. Ferenzci's substituting. This changes the view of the story because a grownup has a totally different aspect on things than a child. If it was told in the point of view of a child, the view would be more childish and less mature. I think this is told as a memory of a recollection because grownups seem to have more logically thinking when it comes to these things. Also, as a grownup the narrator had a long time to think about that memory and what to make of it. If it was told in point of view as a child, the narration would probably be more confused and blatantly say that the substitute was crazy, whereas the narrator (grown up) seems to think that Ms. Ferenzci is not exactly crazy, but maybe has a different way of teaching and/or a different outlook on the world which affects her teaching.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
"Nawabdin Electrician" by Daniyal Mueenuddin
When I looked at the short story, it didn't look very intriguing. At first, I thought it would be boring because I'm not at all into stories about "modern" Middle-East, or very, very descriptive stories. At the beginning, I did think it would be boring with all the description and random facts; although I knew they were probably important. While I reading this, I was wondering when something interesting happened and it did! After Nawab got shot, I was intrigued so I read a bit more carefully until the end then I went back to read the beginning more carefully and I picked up a few odd and ironic bits throughout the story and more characterization.
At the beginning it is established that Nawab is the protagonist, however he is far from being the hero. First of all, he cheats people by slowing down electric meters. Also, he tricks his landowner into buying him a new motorcycle because of his "gray" hairs and his "weak body". He also gets the landowner to buy some of the gasoline too. Before Nawab is shot he pleads with the thief to let him go: "I beg you, I've got little girls, thirteen children. I promise, thirteen." Later, the reader sees Nawab was pretending and doesn't care as much about the girls as he does the motorcycle. At the end of the story, he chooses not to forgive the thief who had shot him: "Never. I won't forgive you. You had your life, I had mine. At every step of the road I went the right way and you the wrong," The ironic thing about this is Nawab isn't much better than the thief (ex. he cheats people, he tricks his landowner into giving him the motorcycle, he cares more about the motorcycle)
Overall this book was very well written. I actually enjoyed this story much. I enjoyed going back and re-reading it and picking up parts I didn't see before and weaving and connecting them to the other parts in the story. It was a pleasant surprise.
At the beginning it is established that Nawab is the protagonist, however he is far from being the hero. First of all, he cheats people by slowing down electric meters. Also, he tricks his landowner into buying him a new motorcycle because of his "gray" hairs and his "weak body". He also gets the landowner to buy some of the gasoline too. Before Nawab is shot he pleads with the thief to let him go: "I beg you, I've got little girls, thirteen children. I promise, thirteen." Later, the reader sees Nawab was pretending and doesn't care as much about the girls as he does the motorcycle. At the end of the story, he chooses not to forgive the thief who had shot him: "Never. I won't forgive you. You had your life, I had mine. At every step of the road I went the right way and you the wrong," The ironic thing about this is Nawab isn't much better than the thief (ex. he cheats people, he tricks his landowner into giving him the motorcycle, he cares more about the motorcycle)
Overall this book was very well written. I actually enjoyed this story much. I enjoyed going back and re-reading it and picking up parts I didn't see before and weaving and connecting them to the other parts in the story. It was a pleasant surprise.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
"Indian Camp" by Ernest Hemingway Response
This short story was very descriptive, and even disturbing/gruesome at times. The C-section was disturbing, especially how it was described. I could relate to how Nick was feeling because of how well the birth and Nick's reactions were described. I liked how this story had more to it than just a baby being born too.It seems the only plot line and/or conflict in this was the birth of the baby. However, this small event highlighted many themes in the story. It highlighted bravery and innocence.
I believe one of the themes is bravery...with men in this case. Nick's father is the main example of bravery in this. He seems like a very brave man, seeing as he is the only one who can deal with the C-section and the suicide of the husband (Uncle George left, and so did Nick) Also when Nick asks his father why the man killed himself, Nick's father responds "I don't know, Nick. He couldn't stand things, I guess," this sort of highlights Nick's father's bravery compared to other men.
Another theme I caught on to was child innocence. The reader must remember that Nick is still a child. It's easy to forget when most of the story is centered around the operation and Nick's Father. During the story sometimes I forgot that this was told in, somewhat, a child's point of view, especially during the operation which is centered around Nick's Father. It wasn't until Nick's father explains the concept of birth to Nick and Nick's hesitance to look at what his father is doing. Also, this event probably had an impact on Nick's innocence. At the end when Nick is wondering about death the reader remembers that he, in fact, is still a child.
Overall, I actually found this short story very interesting. I liked how it was super long with endless paragraphs of descriptions about what something looks like. I liked how the themes weren't that hard to find, but they were woven into the story neatly and didn't seem like the author decided to put them in there at the last minute. I also like how the story never seemed to get dull, from the first couple of paragraphs I felt like I needed to continue to read (not just because I had to) but because it was gripping and kept the reader involved.
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