The Glass Menagerie

I really enjoyed the play it was inspirational in an indirect way. Each of the characters depicted all to well some aspect of society, then as well as now. Though the conclusion wasn’t a fairy tail, it was satisfying because it gave the more realistic event.

            In the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (copyright 1945) the characters depict a broken family’s obstacles as they realize they are growing apart. The play begins with a scene that sums up a grand theme if the play; the mother’s desire to sculpt her children Laura and Tom into who she wants them to be. Next the play travels into the reason the family is so broken using asides to the audience to tell the story of their past.  A monologue is used by Laura’s character to help coheres her brother into staying. In the closing events it is clear that the Mother is upset with her daughters fragile state in contrast with her own by using harsh language toward her daughter. The play had a revolutionary tone because of the themes presented by the author in such a ground breaking way as if the characters actions were the beginning of a shift in society. Most directly this play is geared toward those who are forcing the people they love to conform to their societal beliefs.

Vocabulary

Portieres(n) – a curtain hung over a door way

Patronage(n)- a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or activity

Archetype(n)- a very typical; example of a certain person or thing

Sublimations(n)- to divert or to modify into a culturally higher or socially more acceptable activity

Serialized(v)- publish or broadcast in regular installments.

Rhetorical strategies

Aside- “ Across the alley from us was the Paradise Dance Hall.” (57)

Simile- “You’re eloquent as an oyster.”(65)

Dialogue-“Don’t say peculiar.” “Face the facts, she is.”(66)

Musical Interruption” The sound of the violin rises and the stage dims out “(67)

Monologue-“Yes movies look at them…All of those glamorous people having adventures”(79)

What is the purpose of Jim having a fiancé yet swooning Laura

Does the play allude to society taking advantage if those who are handicapped or different?

Why does Williams end the story with all of the problems unresolved?

Author's Argumernt Week 3

            In the fourteenth chapter of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (2007) by Barbara Kingsolver, entitled You Cant Run Away on Harvest Day, Kingsolver describes the trying task of bonding with meat before killing it. She first begins using analogies between killing and everyday experiences such as a child with an infection killing pathogens through medication. Kingsolver then makes use of solemn diction to build a case of justification for slaughtering the very animals that she plays with and offers names for purpose of differentiation. Lastly she uses quotes from other authors on the subject of harvesting animals in order to share a disputed opinion, but also offer a more accepted point of view of the act of harvest in September. The purpose of the chapter is to preview for outsiders not performing this in depth task of the act, the motivation, and the commitment required to Harvest ones poultry. Most interested in this chapter would be those interested in killing their own food, or those against the act of animal harvest, as the author deems it.

Vocabulary

Machismo-strong or aggressive masculine pride

Impunity- exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious

Gratuitous-uncalled for, lacking in good reason: unwarranted

Mantras- a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in mediation

Arid- having little or no rain: too dry or barren

Rankle- continue to be painful

Rhetorical Strategies

Analogy- “When a child is sick with an infection we rush with a medicine spoon, committing an eager and streptococcus massacre.”(270)

Mockery-“ Forgive us. …It’s just the high-mindedness that rankles: when moral superiority combines with billowing ignorance, they fill up a hot air balloon that’s awfully hard not to poke.” (222)

Rhetorical Question- “Who among us have never killed living creatures on purpose?”(270)

Factual Evidence- “Grass is a solar powered infinitely renewable resource.”(226)

Telegraphic Sentences-“ No real alternatives existed. Now they do.”(228)

Anecdote- “Our mood stayed solemn until Eli introduced the comedy show of poultry parts.”(235)

Tone

The tone is solemn, and impartial due to diction choices geared to the subject of killing the animals. The euphemism of harvesting animals as opposed to killing demonstrates solemnness. As impartiality is demonstrated through the mindset the author treats the animals in the slaughter process as it is just a routine.

Discussion Questions

            What is the purpose of using euphemisms in regard to killing the animals?

            Does the author enjoy the process of harvesting or despise it?

            Why does the author continuously backtrack to the destruction of America? What does it suggest about her views of the country as a whole?

Quote

            “ To believe we can live without taking life (killing) is delusional.”

Author's Argumernt Week 2

3-1-11

Author’s Argument

In the tenth chapter of the novel Animal Vegetable Miracle (2007) by Barbra Kingsolver entitled Eating Neighborly she emphasizes the importance of locally pulling food sources. First she sites a personal anecdote of her in a restaurant that uses only local products in their foods. Next Kingsolver asserts field based evidence by calculating the effects a transition would have in world wide economy if only ten percent of goods were bought from local producers, concluding that commercial companies would collapse. Lastly, Kingsolver uses a rhetorical question and definition to answer the question of just what local is collaboratively using quotes and explanation to further develop the answer. The purpose of the chapter is to enlighten people on how beneficial and impactful local producers can be to the immediate communities they are surrounding. Most people interested in the chapter would either be small farmers or people who would be contributing to the growing economies. It would be instrumental in aiding people into the realization of the power they have.

Vocabulary

                  Feedlot-an area or building where livestock are feed or fattened up

Conglomerates-a number of different things or parts that are put or grouped together to form a whole but remain distinct entities

Oligarchy- a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution

Carpetbagging- people who move from one region to another because of beneficial pull factors

                  Gargantuan- of enormous size or quantity

Tone

The tone is empowering in a call to action style: empowering, motivational.

Rhetorical Strategies

Anecdotes-They kept running up and down to show me intriguing edibles: powdered flowers…weed wrapped in cellophane.

Rhetorical Question- How is local defined in this case?

Quotation- “’Thinking globally is an abstraction. What the world needs now isn’t love sweet love –that’s a slogan.”’

Evidence- “’ If every restaurant got ten percent of it’s food from local farmers… the infrastructure of corporate food would collapse.”’

                  Analogy- “ We could her the crash of corporate collapse with every bite.”’

Discussion Questions

In this chapter what does the authors numerous anecdotes lend its self to do for the reader?

Why is it important for the reader to understand the motivational language within the chapter?

How does the Kingsolver develop a tone that pulls the reader into a desired mood of action?

 Memorable Quote

                  “ Tough work, but somebody’s gotta do it.”

Chapter 8 and 9

"He gave her in requital of all these things, which you have taken from me. She is my happiness! She is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved ad so endowed with a million- fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first!"

This quote shows how Hester feels about her punishment. She adds her beloved Pearl on to her punishment yet contrast Pearls existance as a punishment that she loves and serves as a reminder for. By equating Pearl to the scarlett letter as well as adding the ability to love Hester relates Pearl to the sin that she committed and resulted in Pearl being created. It is made clear throughout the chapters that Hester holds anguish in her punishment she shows how attached she had become to the consequences her act brang to her by saying that she would rather die before she allowed her daughter, whom she considered the most joyful of dreary consequences to be taken away from her. Hester argues that Pearl is her constant reminder of sin and that because of that she will not falter any more in obeying God's law.

Questions
1. What is the importance of Pearl knowing but refusing to answer the question the Magistrate asked?
2. How does howthorne develop the relationship between Roger and Master Dimmesdale?
3.How does syntax affect the development of situations, relationship, or tones through out the chapter as it became increasingly long and at points periodical?

Chapter

"Not seldom, she would laugh anew, and louder than before, like a thing incapable and unintelligent of human sorrow."

The quote shows the way that though the negative affects have consumed the town and greatly affected Hester her daughter whom is part of the controversy remains unfazed by what hostility surrounds them. Pearl had many negative judgmental views directed toward her but she still found time and life worth smiling for. Furthermore, saying that she would not be put down by others hypocritical views which they hide behind. By Pearl remaining so unaffected through the harsh eyes correspond to the way sin is not as terminal as it is said to be in the puritan society. It shows how we often add to the connotation associated with sin. Is sin so bad when we all do it is the question posed, as well as why do we let sin poison the ways of life we have established instead of just repenting and progressing and learning implementing new knowledge in life. People liked to punish those who were found guilty of sin as to subject them to public humiliation. By Pearl continuing to smile she makes it known that they have not broken her spirit, conveying the message that sin is not the end of life as it was known to be.
Questions
What role does humor play in the chapter when presenting the Scarlet letter and it's newly found attributes?
What is the importance of Pearl being positive through the Scarlet experience?
How does Hawthorne create a parallel between Hester's sixth sense and sin( the effects of sin)?