Journal 21

The Great Gatsby is a famous tragedy and Some Like It Hot is a famous comedy. Although they are a different genre, they have many similarities. The Characters, plot, scene, and theme are all similar. For example, both stories take place during the 1920's in a rich towns. In Some Like It Hot each character can be compared to characters in The Great Gatsby. Joe/Josephine/Junior is similar to Gatsby. They both use their wealth to win over the girl of their dreams. They are different because, unlike Gatsby, Joe is not actually rich. Jerry and Nick are similar because they both are side-kicks in the story. Jerry and Nick are different because they have different goals. Sugar and Daisy portray similarities in both stories because they both want to marry a rich man. Osgood is similar to Tom and Spats is similar to Wolfshien because they both are gangsters in the stories. They both are involved in crime, but Spat ends up dying at the end of the story and the results of Wolfshein remained unstated. The plot in both stories are focused around money, love, and death. Money plays a large role in each character's life, whether they have a lot of money, spending it, or trying to marry into it, it becomes an issue among several of the characters. Another huge issue in both stories is love. In The Great Gatsby there is a love triangle between Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby. In Some Like It Hot love plays a big role between Joe, Sugar,  and Jerry. Sugar falls in-love with Joe who is dressed as a girl. Jerry likes sugar, but he also is dressed as a girl and attracts a rich man. So love is very intertwined with the plot in both stories. Both stories also involve a lot of death. In The Great Gatsby Myrtle and Gatsby die due to certain events in the story and they change the whole situation. In Some Like It Hot death forces Joe and Jerry to move and start over as girls in a new town, which ultimately starts a new story. Although the stories are not the same and focus on different things, they can easily be compared and found similar if comparing the plot, scene, or characters. 

Journal 20

Read the novel’s last passage (beginning with, “Gatsby’s house was still empty when I left”) and discuss the use of imagery and symbolism that is being employed by Fitzgerald. In your response, specifically address what Nick is saying about the green light and the connection that he is making between Gatsby and the Dutch sailors who “discovered” Long Island. As Nick is getting ready to move away from New York, he takes a second to reminisce and say goodbye to that lifestyle. His mind flashes back to the Saturday nights he spent in New York, especially at Gatsby's parties. Nick uses imagery to describe the lavish house Gatsby lived in and the glamorous parties he threw. Through the use of imagery, one is almost able to imagine themselves standing in Gatsby's beautiful yard, surrounded by several people laughing and dancing to music. Nick is also able to use imagery to describe his moments before getting on the train and heading off to a new life. He describes what life was after Gatsby's death. The taxi driver that was rumored to take Daisy and Tom away, the last of the guests that attended this summers' parties, the failure of a house, the beach that is now isolated, the empty town: Nick is able to use these things to help one imagine how dead the East Egg became once Gatsby was killed. Nick also connects Gatsby and the Dutch sailors through symbolism. He describes how the Dutch sailors discovered Long Island and what a huge accomplishment for them. The sailors built themselves up from nothing and became prosperous from the land they came upon. This story is symbolic of Gatsby because, in some sense, he did the same. He built himself up from nothing and was able to come close to his dreams through the house he built. Nick was able to make a connection through the Dutch sailors foreshadoweding Gatsby's journey.

Nick Carraway: Tolerant Nick's physical appearance is not described because he was the narrator. He is often involved in everyone else's problems and is very tolerant. Tom Buchanan: Arrogant Tom was full of himself. He was superior over Daisy and often frightening because he would become aggressive with her. He had a large amount of wealth, in which he won Daisy over with. His physical appearance can be described as large and frightening. Daisy Buchanan: Superficial Daisy was beautiful socialite and fawned upon by several men. Money seemed to be more important to Daisy then love. Jordan Baker: Mysterious Nick described Jordan as a beautiful young lady. Although she talked little and was often in the background, she knew a lot of secrets. She also had a cunning personality. Jay Gatsby: Wealthy Gatsby is known for his lavish lifestyle and parties that he threw. His name was popular around New York, but only a few people really knew Gatsby's personality. His physical appearance can be described as young and handsome.

Journal 18: In Another Country

1. What is the significance of the story’s title?

The significance of the title “In Another Country” shows isolation. The main character attempts to learn Italian language, but is not able to understand the grammar fully. He realizes that everything is not as easy as it seems on the outside. Being American in another country isolates him, along with being injured. He is not able to participate with the rest of the troops.


2. Which character do you think best represents the “Hemingway hero”? Why?

Hemingway’s hero can be described as someone who suffers with grace and dignity and their sense of defeat is inevitable, but they still fight hard until the end. The major is considered to be the “Hemingway Hero” because he has suffered the most with the loss of his wife and his hand, but he still continues to live his life.



3. What can you infer about the photographs the doctor hangs up? What is the significance of the major’s reaction?

You can infer that the pictures the doctor hangs up are fake. They are used as a motivational tool for the people who will be working on them. The reactions of the characters help the reader to infer this. The characters are shocked by these pictures because they are the first people to use these machines. The major does not acknowledge these pictures, but rather looks out the window because he is no longer hopeful that he will get better.

Journal 17: "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Journal 17 - “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” – T.S. Eliot (p.775)
 
1. What is the significance of the poem’s epigraph? How does it relate to Prufrock?
Prufrock and the author of the epigraph both are the same, they do not put their feelings and thoughts out for the public. Both keep things to themselves and are self-conscience.
I think that the poem is significant because it relates back to the speaker. It is described as if it was meant for Prufrock’s ideal listener. The epigraph describes one who is lost but will never betray to the world the secrets of Prufrock, although nothing like that exists, and one is left to silent reflection.
 
 
2. Make a list of questions that Prufrock asks. Do you see a pattern/theme to these questions or are they random?
 
a. "What is it?"
a. "Do I dare?"
b. "Do I dare Disturb the universe?"
c. "So how should I presume?"
d. "To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?"
e. "And how should I presume?"
f. "is it perfume from a dress that makes me so digress?"
g. "And should I then presume?"
h. "And how should I begin?"
i. "Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?"
j. "Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?"
k. "Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?"
 
These questions form a pattern that may be focusing on Prufrock’s compulsiveness, lack of self-esteem, and isolation.
 
 
3. What do you think is Prufrock’s main flaw/problem?
I think Prufrock faces many flaws/problems, one being his lack of self-confidence, anxiety, indecisive, and he comments made up in his mind. Another flaw/problem Prufrock faces is his motivation to peruse something. Instead he talks himself out of a situation, thinking of all the negative instead of the positive. Overall, Prufrock is unable to further relationships because he is emotionally distance from the rest of the world.
 
 
4. Why do you think this is called a love song? In what way is it a love song?
I think that it is called a love song as an irony. Prufrock is not in love and does not have relationships with other people. It is ironic because he is lonely, not in love.

Journal 16: Determinism

“Determinisim governs everything … The writer must study the inherited traits of individual character and the social condition of the time.  Together, these elements determine the course of any action, the outcome of any life.  Free will or self-determination is mostly an illusion, although chance is granted a role in human affairs.  Still, even the effects of chance are obliterated in the inevitable course determined by the interaction of inherited character traits and the social environment.“  

The quote listed above applies to the main characters in The Blue Hotel and To Build a Fire. The quote’s overall meaning says the actions a person takes leads them in their course of life. In both stories, the individual character and social conditions of the time determine the outcome of their life. Simarlities between the main character’s in The Blue Hotel and To Build a Fire involve their social conditions and the setting. Both of the stories settings are in a blizzard and the social conditions involve a situation where a character is forced to stay put where they are. Another similarity between the two stories is the outcome of the situation. Both men get killed after many radical situations they are forced to face. The differences between the two stories would include the plot and the individual character. The plot in The Blue Hotel deals with more social conditions and involvement with other characters which effect the course of life. The plot in To Build a Fire does not deal with social conditions, rather is focused on a one man and his way to survival. The individual character’s in both stories have different mind sets and different ways at looking at their situations. Both men are in danger, but handle the situation differently. 

Journal 15: Editha

Journal 15 – William Dean Howell’s “Editha”

1.  Write a sentence that summarizes the story’s overall message, and provide  three direct quotes from the story that best illustrate this message.

While reading William Dean Howell’s story, Editha, the message that war is not glorious appeared to me several times. Editha thinks that God put man on this earth to go to war and that war is glorious and her fiancé should join. George does not think the same way. He illustrates this message by questing Editha, "But war! Is it glorious to break the peace of the world?"

Editha is not convinced that war is bad, even after George’s death, until she is approached by Mrs. Gearson. Mrs. Gearson’s husband had lost his arm in war and raised her son to be anti-war. He was corrupted by Editha, convincing him that war was glorious. He was convinced that all men must prove themselves by going to war. While speaking to Editha, she says, “I suppose you would have been glad to die, such a brave person as you! I don’t believe he was glad to die.” This took a tool on Editha and made her realize that war is not all good.

"No, you didn't expect him to get killed," Mrs. Gearson repeated, in a voice which was startlingly like George's again. "You just expected him to kill some one else, some of those foreigners, that weren't there because they had any say about it, but because they had to be there, poor wretches--conscripts, or whatever they call 'em. You thought it would be all right for my George, your George, to kill the sons of those miserable mothers and the husbands of those

girls that you would never see the faces of." This brought Editha to tears and made her realize that war is not as glorious when you lose your loved ones.

2.  What tactics does Editha use to make George believe as she does about the war?

Edith glorifies war and does two things to make George believe as she does about war. She guilts him into it, writing him a letter and returning him the ring he bought her until he decides because she only wishes to marry a war hero. She also tells him that this is what God believes is the right things in life and that is the reason he put man on earth.

3.   Is there ever a time in which Editha truly understands what she has done?  Does she ever experience an epiphany?

I don’t think there is ever a time Editha truly understands what she has done. I think she feels sorrow for the death of George and somewhat responsible for the death but does not understand that she was the reason he went to war and ended up dying. She experiences an epiphany at the end that changes her sorrowful views on war back to her heroic views of war. 

Journal 14: "Richard Cory"

“Richard Cory“ (497)

Richard Cory’s name is ironic because:

-      Had the word rich in it

-      Rich in a material matter

-      Poor in a spiritual matter

-      What not rich inside (Cory)

Apperance VS. Reality.

This poem is an example of situational irony. The people of the town narrate this story, saying wonderful things about Richard Cory. They thought he had the perfect life, he was wealthy, and many people looked up to him. Although he presented himself as a well put together man, with a perfect life, things were not like that in reality. He did not see what everyone else saw in him and ended up killing himself. This shows that things are always what they seem they are.

Real VS. Ideal

This shows that he was a real character because he had strong feelings. It showed that he may have seemed to have the perfect life to everyone, but in reality, he did not. It showed life how it really was. If it were ideal, the appearance and reality would match with Richard Cory, the wonderful, happy man that everyone looked up too. The story would not end in the same way if it were an ideal setting. 

“Miniver Cheevy” (497)

Minimal Achiever

“Miniver Cheevy” is narrated in 3^rd person. This story talks about a man named Miniver Cheevy that  wished to live in the middle ages, but he does not. The idea that his life is not what he dreams it to be drives him to drink in excessive amounts. He escapes his reality by living a fantasy and instead of doing anything about his life, he just thinks and thinks.
The ideal would be living in the past, but this is impossible for Miniver Cheevy. The reality is Miniver Cheevy is unhappy with his present life because he does not try to fix it.

"Mr. Flood's Party"

His name “Flood” can symbolize the sadness of being lonely or the drinks he consumes by himself.

This is ironic because Mr. Flood’s party only consists of himself. He engages in conversation by himself because he no longer has friends. The people that surround him are new and he doesn’t know them very well, so he doesn’t not invite them to the party. His life is lonely, but he is reaching the end of his life.

Ideal to Mr. Flood would be his past, having his friends surround him.

The reality is that he out-lived the people he knew, is stuck in the present, and is now lonely. 

Journal 13: "George Gray"

1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?

A boat is used to symbolize George Gray’s life in the epitaph. This object represents him because the boat is not out at sea and has not traveled or done anything exciting. This is representating his life because, like the boat, George Gray had not done anything exciting or worth noting in his life.



2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?

Unlike George who refregeted his boring life, Lucinda Matlock cherished her life and had no regrets even though it was difficult at times. George Gray spent much time regretting what he did not do with his life, but Lucinda Matlock did the opposite.


3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?

George Gray and Lucinda Matlock are both examples of realism because they talk about the hardships in their everyday life. They do not try to sentimentalize or ideal it, instead they show life as it really is.

Journal 12: "Young Goodman Brown"

Journal #12 - “Young Goodman Brown”

1. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory (symbolic narrative).  What do the following represent?

Young Goodman Brown – An innocent man who turned from good to   bad after the visuals he sees and the loss of his faith. He tries to resist and hold back, but he can’t help it. Brown symbolizes you represents an average person or sin.

            Faith – Goodman Brown’s faith in the world/ faith in others

           

The Elderly Traveller/Fellow-Traveller – He represents the devil or the serpent in the garden in the story of Adam and Eve/ temptation. He tells Young Goodman Brown about other people’s travels down this road.

           

Goody Cloyse – Represents corruption, hypocrisy. Young Goodman Brown looked up to her.

The Ceremony – Parallel to baptism or confirmation Relationships with the devil, people’s sinful nature

The Pink Ribbon – Visual faith is gone/ losing faith

Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – Everyone turns toward the devil at some point in their life. See beneath the surface of people.

2. Theme: Evil

    Message: Through the description of the setting described by the author, you are able to predict the evil things that are going on and the place that Young Goodman Brown was at

    Elements used to establish: Setting

Quotes:

“It was now deep dusk in the forest and deepest in that part of it where these two were journeying.”

“He staggered against the rock, and felt it chill and damp; while a hanging twig, that had been all on fire, besprinkled his cheek with the coldest dew.”

“The four blazing pines threw up a loftier flame, and obscurely discovered shapes and visages of horror on the smoke wreaths above the impious assembly. At the same moment the fire on the rock shot redly forth and formed a glowing arch above its base, where now appeared a figure.”

                        

Journal 11: Selection from Walden

                  

Journal 11 - Selections from Walden   

Write a summary of the following selections and identify a direct quote that you feel best expresses its main idea.

“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (232)

            This  story is focused on a man who lives in the woods for two years. He believes that the best way to live life is to live simple and with only the essentials. Essentials including water, shelter, food, and clothing. He had access to water because he lived next to a pond, had shelter from a shed he built, food from things he grew, and money from the goods he sold. He did not have a lot of clothes and whatever he had was simple, and that was all he needed to live his life.

Quote: “To drive life into a corner and reduce it to it’s lowest terms.”

“Sounds” (234)

           

            This paragraph describes how the auther took in nature in his everyday life for entertainment. He listens to the sounds of the day and the sounds of nature and takes them all in. He thinks that instead of involving yourself in society you should involve yourself in the sconces of nature. He finds the scenes of nature amusing and doesn’t need anything else to amuse him. 

Quote: “I had this advantage, at least, in my mode of life, over those who were obliged to look abroad for amusement, to society and the theater, that my life itself was become my amusement and never ceased to be novel.”

“Brute Neighbors” (235)

It shows that ant’s lives are filled with hardship and war, just like humans. The wars are just as violent and ferousious as human war and often similar to the battles of the revolution. This short story relates the animal kingdom to mankind and other glorious warriors.

            Quote: “Looking farther, I was surprised to find that the chips were covered wit hsuch combatants, that it was not a duellum, but a bellum, a war between two races of ants, the red always pitted against the black, and requently two red ones to one black. (235)”

“The Pond in Winter” (237)

What is life all about? The author finds out by going through nature and observing life, discovering the simplicity of it. The fishermen are a good example because they live a simple, non-artificial life. They know that nature still thrives, even in the winter. They know this because they are in touch with nature.

Quote: “But there was a dawning Nature, in whom all creatures live, looking in at my broad windows with serene and satisfied face, and no question on her lips.”

“Spring” (238)

With the beginning of spring, everything starts to change and renew itself. Life is good, and not even death can take it’s tool. All regret should be let fo and forgiven. Fishing can be resumed. He learns this knowledge from an old man who is very wise, and this impresses the him. He ends with the idea of spring because, like spring, he has been re-born as well. He decides he needs to move on with his life and do different things, like nature has seemed to move on after the winter. He doesn’t want to be trapped doing one thing with his life.

Quote: “As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.” 

Journal 10: Othello's Insight

Often at the end of a play, Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often have a moment of insight.  What is Othello’s insight?  Look closely at Othello’s last speech before answering this question.

I believe that Othello’s insight at the end of the play was that he had transformed into an outsider. After many tragic events, such as Iago’s betrayal and rumors that Desdemona is having an affair, Othello was drawn to jealousy and revenge. Othello believed that he loved Desdemona too well, not wisely. Othello knows that his past actions do not reflect his true character. He is ashamed by what he has become and the actions he has committed. He does not want to be remembered by his bad choices of jealousy and revenge, but rather his strong bravery in his job.