The Joy of a play

I found the play Oedipus to be a very well written play that was filled with tragic events and quite a bit irony. It was sad that although Oedipus tried so hard to do what was right, it did not turn out the way he had hoped. That no matter what he was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. At the end of the play you could almost picture his anguish at seeing his wife and mother hanging. Knowing he had caused her so much anguish in what he had done that he blinded him self from ever seeing anything good or joyful. In the end he punished himself for all that he had unknowingly done because he was actually a good man who loved his people and family enough to do what he knew he had to save them from the plague.

The Irony Of Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic & Old Lace is a wonderful dark comedy full of ironies.  First of all, define:  irony.  Secondly, list and briefly discuss as many examples if irony that you can find and/or remember in the movie. 
 
1. The definition of irony is the incongruity or the inconsistency between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result. (dictionary.com)


2. At the beginning of the movie we learn that Mortimer Brewster is getting ready to marry Elaine Harper, Although he is the author and newspaper writer who disagrees with the idea of marriage. So its a little ironic that someone who was so against marriage in the beginning is married himself. Then we found out that his sweet caring aunts are actually killing lonely old men. Everyone believes them to be almost saintly but turns out they are murders, sweet ones at that. Then in the end Mortimer realizes what he thought about his family before was not true. He realizes that he comes from a family of crazy people.

Oedipus

1. Who wrote the play?

-The play was written by Sophocles

2. Briefly define the Oedipal Complex.

-The Oedipal Complex is when a child seems to fall in love with one parent and hate the other.

3. What is the setting of the story, specifically, the where?

-The setting of the play takes place in front of the royal palace

4. As the play opens, what horrible thing is going on?

-As the play opens the towns people have come to see Oedipus because their city has been plagued by sickness, death, unfertile fields and infertile women.

5. Whose death must be avenged in order for the horrible thing from number 4 to end?

-King Laius' death must be avenged in order to end the plauge.

6. Who is Oedipus’ wife?

Odeipus' wife is Jocasta, who is the sister to Creon and actually his own mother.

7. Who is Oedipus’ mother?

His wife is Jocasta the wife of his father and his mother.

8. Who is Oedipus’ father?

His father is Laius, the king of Thebes.

9. Who killed the King of Thebes (the answer for #5)?

Oedipus, his own son.

10. What is Oedipus’ tragic flaw?

His tragic flaw is that he was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Although once he had learned that was what he was destined to do, he left the man, who he had thought to be his father to protect him from that fate but unknowingly he fulfilled the prophecy anyway.

11. As you read through Oedipus, you'll note that sight/vision/seeing (including "second sight") is very important to the overall story--in the literal as well as the metaphorical/symbolical aspect.  You don't have to do this in complete sentences if you don't want---
12. Describe/discuss/explain/list how sight/vision/seeing/"second sight" is/are used in the play to advance the plot--to advance the story as a whole.  Include an explanation of why it's important as well as how it helps you (the real audience) understand (get) what others on the stage and in the play don't understand.

Through out the play the use of sight/vision/seeing plays a vital role because it helps us to see or understand what is happening to the characters. It helps us to see what the gods have planned for them and the bad things that are happening even off stage.

13. As a play, there's a lot that can and can not be done on the stage.  Explain why you think some things within this play in particular are done on stage while others are done off stage.

I think that the things that are done on stage are done so because it is important for us to see those things happening in order for the play to continue and for us to be able to understand what is happening to that particular character.

14. Do you believe in fate?  Explain fully your answer.

I believe in fate in some ways but I think that we still have the ability to change it if we so choose. Although there somethings that we can not control, it does not mean that we can't control how our lives turn out.

15. Explain how fate plays a role in Oedipus.

Fate plays a role in the fact that although Oedipus has tried to save himself , his father and his mother from the fate the gods have planned, in the end he still ended up doing what he tried so hard to avoid.

16. Have you ever thought how ironic this play is? It's weird how the events come together and make everything happen the way it does. If things were to happen just a little bit different the story would be completely changed.

This play is sadly ironic due to the fact that despite all of Oedipus' efforts to be a good man by trying to avoid killing his father, he did so anyways. Another irony is that he saved the city from the evil sphinx, only to cause a plague to be brought upon it because him unknowingly killing his father, the king of Thebes.

"Annabell Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe p869

I really enjoy this poem by Poe. He is usually really dark and disturbing in his most of his works, but this poem is not as dark although its about love and sadness. I have read this poem before many years ago when I was a child but I did not quiet understand it then as I do now. It is still one of my favorite poems and one of my favorite written by Poe. He was a very talented man I have to say and I enjoy some of his work but I often some of it too depressing.

"A Letter Sent to Summer" by Jane Shore p713

I really like this poem because this is exactly how I feel in the winter when it's cold and dreary. I know that I often complain about it being so hot in the summer but I sure miss it when it's cold. I really enjoyed the light hearted and playfulness of this poem. I could not help but to smile while I was reading it.

"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe p709

I enjoyed this poem about love. It is very sweet and endearing how the speaker is telling the listener what it would be like to be with him. I think it is romantic poem that is not overly emotional but more straight forward as to what he wants.

"The Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now" by A.E. Housman

I enjoyed reading this poem although it is about cherry trees. The way that Housman describes them in his poem makes you look at them differently. I could almost see the trees as he was describing them. I think that it is a very well written poem. I enjoyed this poem because it is very descriptive and flowed well. I like the outdoors and nature so that added to my enjoyment.

"Rush Hour" by Elaine Terranova p.644

I think that this poem is one that other's should read. It is not because I really enjoyed it although it is well written, it is more about what the poem is saying than about enjoyment. It is full of emotions that range from anger to sadness. The poem is one that makes one think about how people who suffer abuse must feel sometimes. I think the reason that this poem seemed to draw me in is because I was once in an abusive marriage, not as bad is in this poem but just as devastating.

What Poetry means to me

To me poetry is a way for people ,even myself to express themselves. To with poetry you can express so many things just by the rhythm or tone of the poem. I did not care much for poetry until I actually sat down and read a few of them. It was amazing at how much can be told about something in so few words. I also found that songs were very similar to poetry which helped me to appreciate them even more. I have written poetry in the past but I find that I can only seem to do it when I am feeling a little sad. I know it sounds some what typical of what many people think about poets but it is not necessarily true. There are many types of them that I have read that were silly, happy and joyful. Poems do not always have to be sad.

"Neighbors" by Raymond Carver

I also enjoyed reading this story. The couple in the story seem like ordinary people who sometimes wishes that they were other people. So desperate to become someone else that it seems to consume them. There are part of the story that were a little disturbing like when Bill tried on both Harriet's and Jim's clothing but it showed just how unhappy Bill was with his own life and with who he was. It was sad that they were so unhappy with who they were they had to go into their neighbor's apartment and pretend they were someone else. At the end of the story when the door was lock and they had left the key inside you tell by way the writer described their actions that they felt like all was lost to them.

"The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe

The story of the black cat was a little disturbing in the fact that anyone could possibly do that to a helpless animal. I did not enjoy this story very much even though it is well written. I felt sad and disgusted by the things the man did to the poor cat. I think that the man got what he deserved in the end after murdering that poor cat and his wife. He thought nothing wrong of the things he did really. He seemed to enjoy the cruelty towards the animals and his wife.

"A Jury of her Peers" by Susan Glaspell

I really enjoyed reading this short story. It was sad but also inspiring. I know not everyone may see it that way.
In the story the women were treated as if they were not intelligent enough to figure things out for themselves. The men felt that there was no reason why a woman would ever want to kill her husband. they saw no wrong in the way Mr. Wright may have treated his wife. During the story, even though the two women were not friends or even friends of Mrs. Wright, they started to relate to each other and to her. They slowly began to see the motive behind what she had done and hid it from the men. The women realized that Mrs. Wright must have lived a very lonely and fulfilling life. She had no children of her own to care for and keep her company. Her husband was a man of very few words so he did not help ease that feeling she must have felt. The one thing that she had enjoyed  the little canary had been brutally destroyed by her unfeeling husband which sent her over the edge. What made this a good story is the fact that in the end the women pulled together to protect the woman who was obviously ill.

"The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe

To me the spirit of perverseness means that you seem to be taken over by hatred or evil. You don't care if what you are doing is wrong or unkind. It is almost as if you feel nothing, no remorse or sympathy.
When the spirit of perverseness seem to come over me, I was still with my ex-husband. One night he had been very angry towards me for something I had nothing to do with, which seemed to happen often. He stormed out of the house, jumped into his car and left. As I watched him leave a little part of me hoped that he'd never come back that maybe something bad would happen to him so I wouldn't have to endure his bouts of anger and abuse anymore. As soon as the thought came into my mind I felt almost sick to my stomach for thinking such a thing. I don't ever want to let the spirit of perverseness come over me. I don't think that it necessarily makes you evil or bad but if you let it control you then you can become that way.

"The Horse Dealer'd Daughter" by D.H Lawrence

Joe who is oldest is more restrained to what was happening to them. He knew that all they could do was move on however undesirable it may be.To me he seems to be high strung." The horses were almost like his won body to him. He felt he was done for now. Luckily he was engaged to a woman as old as himself, and therefore her father, who was steward of neighboring estate, would provide him with a job".
Fred Henry who is the second brother is more confident and believed that he controlled his life He was simply arrogant. " He was master of any horse, and he carried himself with a well-tempered air of mastery. But he was not master of situations of life."
The youngest brother is Malcolm who just seems to take everything in stride and seems easy going. He doesn't seem to mind that they have start all over.
Their sister Mabel seems very reserved and lonely compared to her brothers. She seems unhappy about the whole situation that she has no control over and feels powerless to stop it but is determined to do things her won way. " Mabel had no associates of her own sex, after her sister went away". She felt isolated and alone in a house full of men who did not seem to appreciate her.
Dr. Fergusson seems ambitious, intelligent and kind. He walks from house to house to help the sick people in the town. He risks his life to save Mabel when she tries to kill herself by walking into the pond.
In the end of the story we get to see that Mabel is not really as harsh it she seemed at first just lonely and in need of love in her life. The Doctor also soon realizes that it was what he needed along also.

"Blue Winds Dancing" by Tom Whitecloud

Description
I met my boyfriend Tracy about 3 years ago. I had just gotten out of really bad marriage with a man who was control and abusive. By the time my husband and I had split up, I had no idea who I was anymore or if I could make it on my own. Even so the moment he was gone I felt this huge since of relief, like a heavy weight had been lifted from my chest and I could finally breathe.
The relationship between Tracy and I started out as friendship because I wasn't ready to jump into another relationship right away. I was enjoying my freedom too much. I loved just being able to enjoy the day with my kids, laughing and being silly. My children seemed to feel just as relieved as I was to be able to go do things without having to rush back home because my husband demanded we be there.
Tracy was very easy to talk to and he often made me laugh but still each time he would ask me to go out with him, to give him a chance I would feel a fear run through me and so I would always say no.
Then one night my friend and I decided to go out. We talked it over and decided that we were going to go to Love Valley and hang out there. It was all set so we were on our way there when she decided she needed to talk to Tracy before we went. So we met up with him in the Dollar Store parking lot. We talked to him for awhile and he decided that he's tag along with us since he was not too thrilled about us girls going there alone.
When we got to the Valley we headed to a bar there that had live music and drinks of course. The night started of a little slow but that all changed when Tracy and I danced together for the first time. When we touched it was unlike anything I had ever felt. It was like coming home, comfortable and reassuring. He was very much a gentleman which I had not seen in a long time. We danced, laughed and talked like we had known each other forever. I was sad to see the night end as we said good night and I drove my friend and I home. He asked me to go out with him the next night and I accepted. I was really nervous because it had been 11 years since I dated. To me things had changed and the rules of dating had really changed. So it was like going in blind. He took me to play pool and we had lots of fun together. We seemed to flow at the same pace and have a lot in common.
The more I learned about him the more I seemed to want to learn. When I looked at him my heart felt light and joyful. His smile gave me butterflies and still do even now. In the 3 years I have known Tracy he has brought something special into my life. Not just love or happiness but I kind of peace and harmony that I need. We are best friends and talk about everything together. We just enjoy each other no matter what we may do together even if its not something we enjoy doing. Our relationship makes me feel light and free not smothered and trapped like I had before. It is a truly refreshing change, almost like breathing in the fresh spring air in the mountains, where everything is new and blooming.

"A Jury of her Peers" by Susan Glaspell and "The story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin

To me the relationships in the two stories were different. Josephine was some what happy with her husband even though she felt trapped by him sometimes but Mrs Wright did not appear to be happy with her husband at all.
The women in the stories act as they do because during the time of the stories were based upon. Women did not really have rights of their own. They had to do as their husbands told them and really did not have much say in their own lives.
The women in the two stories are different in the fact that Josephine was upset at the news that her husband had been killed where Mrs Wright seemed to be numb to the fact that her husband was dead and that she had killed him. The men in the stories are different in their personalities. Mr wright seemed like a very controlling and at times a cruel man where Brently seems like a kind and gentle man. The two men are similar in the fact that they both believed that women were unable to handle things themselves and they must depend on their husbands. The similarities in the two stories is basically that during the time the two stories where based upon people in the two stories felt that women were weak and helpless. That women were not able to think for themselves.

"The Curse" by Andre Dubus

My curse really isn't what you would call a curse, more of a gift, my daughter. When I was eighteen I had so many plans for myself. I wanted to go to college, have a good career and maybe even buy house. I really wanted to do all of these things before I decided to have children. Then I met my ex-husband and it was one of this whirl wind type romances that seems to fill you so full of emotions that your brain can't seem to function properly. We dated a little over two months before we decided to move in together. I worked 40 hours a week and went to school at night. Then I began to get sick at work and soon found out that I was pregnant. Surprisingly he was excited about it but me not so much at first. I had quit my job because I was too sick most of the time to go in and I stopped going to school too. So, as the months past I began to love her more and more. The day she was born I knew that even though I had really wanted to wait before I had children, I wouldn't have given her up for anything or any body. She was the greatest gift ever. Even now I know how blessed I am to have my children. i may not have chosen to become a parent when I did but I sure love being one.

"Luck" by Mark Twain

A few years ago I had let the tag on my car run out and just hadn't gotten around to getting another one. I knew that I really needed to get it done but just kept putting it off. So, I had gone to pick my kids up at from their daddy's and was on my way home. Not far from my house there was a licence check set up. As soon as I saw it I though " Oh no I'm going to have to walk home, thank goodness it's not far!" I knew that if they saw that my tag had expired that they would make me park my car and not drive it and that it will more than likely be towed which would cost me even more than if had just went and gotten the new sticker for the tag in the first place. So, I sat there waiting in the line of traffic for my turn. I had my licence ready and was prepared to park my car and walk. I watched as the officer stopped each person, took their licences and walked to back of their car and looked at their tag. I just knew that I was getting through this check point without a problem. Soon it was my turn, I handed the officer my licence and he asked me how I was doing and I replied that I was doing fine and inquired as to how he was doing. He replied that he fine but that it sure was hot today. He handed me my licence without looking at my tag and told me to have a good day. I couldn't help but to sighed with relief as I drove way. The next day i went straight to the licence plate office and got a new sticker for my tag. That was just luck that he did not check my tag like he had everyone else but I wasn't going to keep pressing it that was for sure.

"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver

A few months after I separated from my ex-husband I met my current boyfriend. I know it all seems a little quick but it wasn’t. I separated from my ex-husband in March of 2008, it wasn’t an easy separation in the least but I was determined to get through it. In June my friend and I were learning about the fun of texting. She had known Tracy for many years through her husband who grew up with him. Well we were playing around and she had decided to play a joke on Tracy by pretending she was an ex-girlfriend of his or something of the sort. As we sat in her van waiting for her daughter to get out of bible school, she decided to go ahead and tell him that it was her texting not some girl from his past. Some how during the conversation I ended up on the phone with him, which was one of the oddest conversations I have ever had. Looking back it was really funny actually but at the time I was shocked and embarrassed by the whole conversation with him.

            Later on he told my friend that he would like to talk to me again but I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to talk to him again. I asked my friend what she thought about it and she told me that he was not really boyfriend material and that he was not much of a steady dater either. This had me feeling wary of him even more. So, I got on MySpace where I found him and sent him a friend request. He accepted and we began to talk a little from time to time nothing serious. As we began to talk more and more I started to figure out that he was not as bad as I had first thought. That he had thought that I was part of some joke that the guys from the fire department he is a member of was behind our conversation.

            Soon we were talking almost every day and I eventually gave him my phone number. He and I talked often and he wanted to meet face to face but I was still wary of him. After all I had just ended one bad relationship, I wasn’t about to start another so I kept putting him off. I really started to like talking to him and so I decided that it was time to meet him face to face. My friend and I met him in the parking lot of our local grocery store, to me that was the safest place to do it. We talked for a while until he had to go back to work. Later on that evening I went and seen him again this time it was more relaxed but my friend was with me so I felt safer.

            A few weeks went by before I saw him again. My friend and I decided to go out so she asked him if he wanted to come along and he agreed so we all went. It was raining that night but we still had fun. Tracy and I talked for hours and I was surprised by how easy it was to talk to him and how comfortable I was with him. That night I learned that I really hadn’t given him a chance to show me who he really was. That I had assumed the worse because of something I was told and one mistaken conversation.

            He asked me if I wanted to go out again the next night, just him and me. I accepted and we have been together ever since. We have been together almost 3 years now. Not only was I wrong about him but so was my friend who had known him a lot longer than I had. I have learned that you can’t always go by what others may believe about someone or base someone on a one time thing because it does not necessarily represent who that person really is.

"Neighbors" by Raymond Carver

Minimalism

To me minimalism means to emphasize the story by describing the characters actions. It seems to be more about the characters behavior towards things within the story than their emotions.

Some examples of this is Bill seemed to want to be so much like his neighbors that he would go through their things, eat their food and try on their clothes. Both Bill and his wife seemed to envy their neighbors and wanted to be like them. It seemed to excite them when they would spend time in their neighbor’s apartment. Then at the end of the story when Arlene forgot the key in the neighbor’s apartment it was like they were being shut out of life.

"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner

Vindicated

“So when she got to be thirty and was still single, we were not pleased exactly, but vindicated; even with insanity in the family she wouldn’t have turned down all her chances if they had really materialized” (page 9).

The definition of vindicated is to uphold or justify by argument or evidence. From Dictionary.com

The word vindicated within the story means that the people felt justified to feel the way they did about Emily because her and her family had always held themselves in such high regard that the people felt that her failings made it alright to feel the way they had about her.

The word helps to us understand how people in the town felt about Emily and her family.

I believe that Faulkner chose this word to show depth in which these people felt about Emily and how seeing her failure and troubles only gave them the justification for how they felt instead of helping them to understand that she too was only human. Knowing the definition helped me to understand what Faulkner was trying to show about the relationship between Emily and the people of the town.