Blog 7 Fences

August Wilson named the play Fences because it revolves around not only physical fences but also the “fences” in the character’s lives. There are many different ways that fences are used symbolically, such as symbolizing protection, structure or division. Each character has their own set of fences. Troy has the most fences surrounding him throughout the play. Rose, Cory and Lyons each have a fence the lies between them and Troy.

            The amount of fences that Troy has made is ridiculous. He has been building a fence for  Rose for a really long time. Cory says, “He been saying that the last four or five Saturdays, and then he don’t never do nothing,” (1.3.3-4). This suggests that Rose had been asking him for quite some time to build a fence. It is later seen that his lack of effort and commitment on the fence can parallel his lack of effort and commitment with his marriage. Troy says, “I can sit up in her house and laugh… I can laugh out loud … and it feels good.” (2.1.100-101). When comparing the building of the fence to his marriage he finds it too much of a pain at times and wants to relax a little.

            Rose is a different character in that the fences that surround her can be viewed in a more positive light. The first fence that surrounds Rose is Jesus. “[sings.] Jesus, be a fence all around me every day. Jesus, I want you to protect me,” (1.2.pg 1710). Jesus is the fence put in place to protect Rose. This fence makes her special in that the fence she has around her is for protection. Rose also asks Troy to build a fence showing she wanted that same protection surrounding her family. Bono tells Troy, “Some people build fences to keep people out …and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you.” (2.1.28-29). Rose had such a strong mama bear mentality in regards to her family.

            Two really evident fences in the story are between Troy and his two sons. The fence that separates Troy and Lyons is Lyon’s desire to pursue music. Troy says, “You too lazy to work,” (1.1.136), as well as saying, “I don’t like that Chinese Music. All that noise.” (4.1.82). Showing that Troy feels that Lyons needs to stop fawning over music and go get a “real” job. The fence between Troy and his son Cory is huge. This fence is the fact that Cory wants to play football but his dad wants him to work. “The white man ain’t gonna let you get nowhere with the football noway.” (1.3.74-75). Troy’s severe view of white people in sports continually comes between him and Cory. He feels that he should give up and get a job since he will fail anyways.  The fences between Troy and his sons are separating them from each other.

            The way that August Wilson used fences throughout the play was quite intriguing. Each fence helped get a better understanding of each character. The fences added great amounts of depth to each person in the play so that their actions made more sense.

Blog 6 Hamlet

Claudius is like most people when he truly desires to have something no matter what. He was not purely evil, but he was not just merely a flawed person. To say he was purely evil would mean that there would be not a single ounce or hint of good. Also, to say that someone is not a flawed person is saying that they are perfect and above everyone else. Claudius was a flawed person, but he was more than just flawed. It is also possible to call the story “The Tragedy of Claudius, King of Denmark”, but that puts too much focus on Claudius.

Claudius was an evil man, but like most evil men he was not purely evil. “Thanks, dear my lord. O my offence is rank, it smells to heaven, It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t, a brother’s murder. Pray can I not, through inclination be as sharp as will” (3.3.35-39). This shows that there was a certain amount of regret for what it did. He was praying as hard and with the same determination that he did when he killed his brother. He was praying with fear because he wanted to still go to heaven so he was trying to cleanse himself of his crimes.

            On the opposite side, Claudius was not merely a flawed individual. Typically, “merely” flawed people share flaws with other people that are things that must be constantly battled to overcome. An example of this is when Claudius finds out that Hamlet killed Polonius. Claudius said, “O heavy deed! … Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered? It will be laid to us, whose providence should have kept short, restrained, and out, of haunt” (4.2.13, 16-18). This shows that Claudius was more concerned about himself than Hamlet’s mental state. He was more concerned that he might get blamed for Hamlet’s deeds. This is not exactly the way the “merely” flawed people think through situations involving family.

If the title of this play had been changed to “The Tragedy of Claudius, King of Denmark”, it would indicate a greater focus on what the king goes through. While the king plays a huge role in the play, he does not deal with the same struggles Hamlet goes through.  While talking with the queen Hamlet said, “You are the queen, your husband’s brother’s wife, and would it were not so, you are my mother” (3.4.14-16). Hamlet essentially summarized what has caused all his suffering and hardship. Claudius was the cause of Hamlet’s suffering. Naming the play “The Tragedy of Claudius” would indicate that Claudius is the victim rather than the starting point of all the suffering. 

Blog 5 Hamlet

            In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet faces many struggles that accompanied his return to Denmark. He had to deal with the death of his father, which is difficult for anybody. Hamlet also had to deal with the burden that comes with finding out that your father did not just die but was murdered. Furthermore, he had to deal with the irregular way his mother behaved after the death of her husband and king. All of these events and more cause his mental state to deteriorate. 

Hamlet’s initial response to his father’s death was like anyone who lost a parent, he was sad and upset. Not only did his father die but his uncle took the throne and married his mother. Hamlet said, “A little more than kin, and less than kind” (1.2.67). Showing that Hamlet really did not like that his uncle was now king and his stepfather. Hamlet was also upset because his uncle took the throne from him after his father passed.

Hamlet already had a certain amount of hate for is uncle, but one thing solidified his hatred. Hamlet learned that his father was murdered. “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown” (1.5.39-40). So not only did his father die but he was murdered by his uncle. “Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts”(1.5.42-3).  So after learning that his father was killed over the throne Hamlet becomes really angry. “O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? And thy commandment all alone shall I live within the book and volume of my brain,” (1.5.92-3). Hamlet is saying that he is going to kill his uncle for what he has done. His decision to murder his uncle is all for the love he had for his father. This is evident when he says, “And what so poor a man as Hamlet is, may do t’ express his love and friending to you god willing shall not lack”(1.5.184-6). Hamlet most likely felt the best way to show that his love for his father was not lacking was to avenge him.

Anger and a sense of disbelief came up out of Hamlet when he saw his mother’s behavior. “O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason would have mourned longer – married with my uncle,” (1.2.150-1). Hamlet was furious that his mother hardly mourned the death of her husband, but instead went and married her husband’s brother. “She married. O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets” (1.2.156-7). This incestuous act also saddened Hamlet, “It is not, nor it cannot come to good, but break my heart, for I must hold my tongue” (1.2.158-9). As much as he was angry with his mother he was also saddened with the fact that she did this and that he really could not say anything about it.

The mental state of Hamlet started in a bad place after only knowing his father died but gets worse as he learns more. “How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world” (1.2.133-4). Hamlet felt there was nothing worth living for after his father’s death. He then felt that the only purpose to live now would be to avenge his father and kill his uncle. “Prompted to revenge by heaven and hell” (2.2.559). Hamlet felt horrible that he was now just the son of a murdered father aiming for revenge. His mind was in a state of I am weak but I have to do this no matter what.  

Blog 4 Carver, Steinbeck

If you were to read Cathedral by Raymond Carver and The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck without a preset mindset of looking for or expecting symbols these short stories could be very confusing. Each story ends in such a way that the reader has to really think about what they just read and how everything fits together. In Cathedral, Raymond Carver uses symbols in his story, such as blindness and the cathedral at the end of the story. In The Chrysanthemums, John Steinbeck also uses symbols, such as Elisa’s gardening costume and the chrysanthemums. Both of these stories use of symbols helps to add depth and give a better understanding of the story as a whole.

Carver wrote in such a way that the reader did not gain a full understanding of the symbols until the stories end. When looking at the blindness of Richard throughout the story, it is easy to assume that it is a symbol. This is seen in the first sentence of the story when it says, “This blind man, an old friend of my wife’s, he was on his way to spend the night.”(174). The issue is that you are unable to understand what it is a symbol for until the end of the story. It is seen that blindness symbolizes that just because you can see does not mean you have sight. It is sight that does not use the eyes but goes beyond the visual.  

Blindness ties in well with the next symbol, which is the cathedral. The cathedral symbolizes the process of realizing a lack of sight and then gaining true sight. The narrator tells Richard, “You’ll have to forgive me … But I can’t tell you what a cathedral looks like. It just isn’t in me to do it. I can’t do any more than I’ve done…The truth is, cathedrals don’t mean anything special to me. Nothing.”(182). This shows that physically seeing something or someone does not lead to understanding. The cathedral representing true sight and understanding can be seen in the last few lines of the story when the narrator says, “My eyes were still closed. I was in my home. I knew that. But I didn’t feel like I was inside anything. ‘It’s really something,’” (183).

John Steinbeck’s use of symbols in The Chrysanthemums was easily identifiable. The first symbol was Elisa’s gardening costume. The costume showed Elisa was a very strong woman. All of the clothing Elisa was wearing was masculine and illustrates a lack of feminine qualities. One part of her costume that is used a lot were her gloves, “She wore heavy leather gloves to protect her hands…” (416). Later Elisa, “…took off a glove…pulled on the gardening glove again.” (416-17). Her feminine side comes out when she starts to take parts of the costume off, gloves and the hat. Another symbol was the chrysanthemums themselves. They represented all that Elisa has joy and happiness in. When the tinker brings up the chrysanthemums, “The irritation and resistance melted from Elisa’s face…Elisa’s eyes grew alert and eager…”(418-19). These symbolized what Elisa truly wanted her life to be full of.

These stories would lose a lot of the strength behind their meanings without the symbols. The stories could not leave as much of an impact on the readers if they did not have the symbols. They would have been like reading stories in a newspaper with no deep meanings behind them.

Blog 3 Joyce, Chopin, Poe

        James Joyce, Kate Chopin, and Edgar Allan Poe give many examples of an author using setting to reveal things about characters as well as foreshadow events. In James Joyce’s Araby, setting is used to foreshadow events in the story, while in Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour setting is used to show the aspects of the main character. Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado is a great example of how setting shows the emotions and attitudes of the main character as well as foreshadowing events.

Joyce uses a consistent setting that foreshadowed events. A good example of this is when the narrator describes the places around his home, saying, “…dark dripping gardens… dark odorous stables… hid in the shadow…” (246). Throughout the beginning of the story, Joyce uses this dark setting to hint that the ending will involve a form of darkness. “… fearing that the bazaar would be closed, I passed in quickly through a turnstile, handing a shilling to a weary-looking man… Nearly all the stalls were closed and the greater part of the hall was in darkness” (248). The story starts in the dark and ends in the dark. Another example of this is the very last sentence of the story, “Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.” (249). 

In Chopin’s story it is clearly seen how setting is used to describe the main character, Josephine Mallard. “There stood facing the open window, a comfortable roomy armchair…” (337). This alluding to the fact that Josephine feels she has space and is free. “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life.” (337). Since happiness and joy are associated with spring, readers can see that Josephine has a certain happiness or Joy despite the circumstances she is in. This is alluded to in more detail when Chopin writes, “There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds…” (338). There was a storm that had just passed. The death of Josephine’s husband and the sorrow she was in can be viewed as the storm. Now the clouds are dispersing letting the blue sky show, which can suggest Josephine is happy.

Edgar Allen Poe uses setting really well in The Cask of Amontillado. “It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season…” (525). This one description shows the attitudes and emotions of the main character, Montresor, as well as foreshadowing events. To start, carnivals can be crazy and weird. They are also viewed as “dark events” or as the quote says “supreme madness”. This sets the mood of the story to be weird and dark. It also alludes to the fact that the way  Montresor  kills Fortunato is crazy and dark. While at the same time this suggests that  Montresor  is very crazy and mad. Another obvious one is when they- walk down into the crypt. This instantly hints at a death to come.

Blog 2 How to Become a Writer

The point of view Lorrie Moore uses in How to Become a Writer gives the story a very sporadic read. The point of view that is used creates an uncommon tension. The tension that is created is between the narrator, Francie, and the other people in the story. The story would also be completely different if another point of view was used. The story may have flowed better but the story would have become dull.

            The narrator is telling the reader about her life and experiences. With this point of view the story becomes more personal and relatable. The narrator talks in such a way as if she is talking directly to the reader. She uses phrases like, “In your high school…” or “Your mother will come visit you…” (148). With a quick read it can be seen that the narrator is talk another person about their experiences, when in reality she is talking about herself in a sarcastic tone.

            The tension that is seen in the story because of this point of view is between the narrator and her classmates/teachers, herself and her mother. In multiple parts throughout the story, it is seen that the narrator’s classmates and teachers either disapprove or don’t care for how she writes. Francie turns a report into her teacher and this is his response, “Some of your images are quite nice, but you have no sense of plot.” (148). Later while she was at college her classmates responded similarly to her high school teacher. The classmates would say, “Much of your writing is smooth and energetic. You have, however, a ludicrous notion of plot.” The students respond in “its good but not”. In one case the narrator said, “After class someone asks you if you are crazy.” (149). After this, the narrator says, “Decide that perhaps you should stick to comedies.”(149). This shows that the narrator was being affected by all the comments she received about her writing making her question herself. There was even tension between Francie and her mother. Her mother tells her, “Francie Francie, remember when you were going to be a child psychology major?” (151). Her own mother was slightly disappointed that she was so focused on writing. However this didn’t stop Francie from continuing her writing.

     The story would have been a complete opposite if it was written in the perspective of the common disconnected narrator. The story would have turned into a biography about the struggles Francie faced to be a writer. The story would have definitely flowed much smoother and would not be as random and sporadic. This point of view keeps you reading because it is like a bunch of shorter stories in the short story.

Blog Entry One, "The Worn Path"

           The short story “The Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty is a great example of an author using description of appearance and environment to tell us about the character’s traits. Welty also uses actions and speech to reveal what the main character is like. Toward the end of the story, we see how other people talk to the main character, which helps to better understand her.

            Eudora Welty starts the story off with a lengthy description of the main character, Phoenix Jackson, and the setting around her. The story starts with a description of Phoenix Jackson that paint a clear picture in your head of what this woman looked like and the life she has lived. Jackson is described as such, “…an old Negro woman with her head tied in a red rag…She was very old and small and she walked slowly in the dark pine shadows, moving a little from side to side in her steps…She carried a thin small cane made from an umbrella, and with this she kept tapping the frozen earth in front of her.” (314). It goes on to give a full description of what she is wearing and how her face looked. This description shows that she had a rough life and that she is not in the best economic standing. It shows that this rough life that she had lived molded her into the woman she is today.

Welty’s use of actions and speech really help establish a better understanding of Phoenix. Around the middle of the story, Phoenix comes into contact with a hunter and his dog. While the hunter and his dog were scaring another dog away, a very detailed description was given of what Phoenix was doing “…she was slowly bending forward by that time, further and further forward, the lids stretched down over her eyes, as if she were doing this in her sleep. Her chin was lowered almost to her knees. The yellow palm of her hand came out from the fold of her apron…Then she slowly straightened up, she stood erect, and the nickel was in her apron pocket.” (317). This shows that Phoenix had the mentality of being willing to do what was needed in order to survive, even if it was stealing a nickel from a man helping her. Right after this the hunter came back and pointed his gun at Phoenix and asked why she was not afraid of the gun. Phoenix says, “No sir. I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done…” (317). The reader can clearly see that Phoenix is a very tough and brave woman. However, it also shows that she is very well educated just by looking at the way she talked.

Eudora Welty shows Phoenix’s character through her interactions with other people. The hunter called her granny when he first saw her. When Phoenix got into town and asked for help the lady that helped her called her grandma. This shows that she had a loving grandma personality, which caused people to want to help her. Near the end of the story, we see her conversations with the doctor about her grandson and why she truly headed into town. These conversations reveal that she regularly came into town to get her grandson medicine. Welty uses this conversation and her path into town to show Phoenix’s deep love for her grandson despite the challenging life she has had.