What does Joe want and why is it against regulations?
After all of the times that Joe tries to communicate with someone and failed, Joe finally got some of the generals to watch him do the Morse Code. This was amazing that he was finally able to communicate to someone who knew what he was saying. The general asks Joe what it is that he wants and Joe tells him that he wants out of the hospital. He tells Joe that letting him out of the hospital is against regulations. Joe leaving the hospital is against regulations because of the condition that he is in. The general and the rest of the outside world doesn't want to see how badly the war can affect someone. I hate that Joe can't get out of the hospital just because it would show what the war could possibly do to you. Joe is really hurt that he can not leave but then later starts to realize what seeing him would do to the outside world. I think it is wrong that he has to be kept in the hospital just because it would show what the war could do.
Christ
Explain the dream with Christ.
Joe is still trying to communicate and the nurses thought he was crazy and just couldn't relax, so they gave Joe a sedative. The medicine that they give him makes him very trippy and starts to have a dream about Christ. In his dream he remembers the time when he was at the train station getting ready to leave for war. Jesus had saved the souls from those who have died in the war. I believe that Joe wants Jesus to save him. He wants mercy from him. He is tired of trying to communicate and failing and needs someone to help him and relieve his pain. Christ is someone who sacrificed himself for the sake of others, just like Joe did when he fought in the war. Joe also has a dream that he is playing cards with a group of men and Christ. Everyone in the group had died, mostly in war. Joe had not died yet so he was left to feel alone. I believe that he dreams of Christ because Joe has sacrificed his life to war and not died yet but wishes too move on from his pain.
Joe is still trying to communicate and the nurses thought he was crazy and just couldn't relax, so they gave Joe a sedative. The medicine that they give him makes him very trippy and starts to have a dream about Christ. In his dream he remembers the time when he was at the train station getting ready to leave for war. Jesus had saved the souls from those who have died in the war. I believe that Joe wants Jesus to save him. He wants mercy from him. He is tired of trying to communicate and failing and needs someone to help him and relieve his pain. Christ is someone who sacrificed himself for the sake of others, just like Joe did when he fought in the war. Joe also has a dream that he is playing cards with a group of men and Christ. Everyone in the group had died, mostly in war. Joe had not died yet so he was left to feel alone. I believe that he dreams of Christ because Joe has sacrificed his life to war and not died yet but wishes too move on from his pain.
tapping
Why does Joe start tapping?
Joe starts to tap because again he can't keep track of time so it is something he does to try to communicate. He tries this after trying to figure out time. He wants something that can relate him to the world instead of him just lying in a bed doing nothing. Joe feels trapped because he doesn't have a way to talk to the nurses or anyone. The nurses didn't understand what Joe was trying to do. The nurses try to "comfort him" but this just makes Joe feel as if he has failed to accomplish once again. He had learned Morse Code in the war and used that to tap out SOS. I thought it was interesting how he could remember Morse Code because he had trouble remembering a lot of other concepts. I think that it is very good of Joe to keep trying to do things to try and become part of the world again. He wants to have some connection but just can't find a way to do so.
Joe starts to tap because again he can't keep track of time so it is something he does to try to communicate. He tries this after trying to figure out time. He wants something that can relate him to the world instead of him just lying in a bed doing nothing. Joe feels trapped because he doesn't have a way to talk to the nurses or anyone. The nurses didn't understand what Joe was trying to do. The nurses try to "comfort him" but this just makes Joe feel as if he has failed to accomplish once again. He had learned Morse Code in the war and used that to tap out SOS. I thought it was interesting how he could remember Morse Code because he had trouble remembering a lot of other concepts. I think that it is very good of Joe to keep trying to do things to try and become part of the world again. He wants to have some connection but just can't find a way to do so.
time!
Why does Joe decide to master time? How does he do it?
Joe is trying to pass time and do something with his brain. He had to do something fresh because he had trouble remembering ideas to help him pass time. “He had to start in like a baby and learn. He had to concentrate. He had to start in at the beginning. He had to start with an idea” He decided to try and figure out what time it is because this is what the world goes by all the time. If you can't keep track of time you will be lost in the world. Joe had been thinking about ways to find out what time it was, but he always feel asleep. Joe is going to count how many times the nurse came in his room each day by counting the seconds, minutes and hours in between each visit until he reach 24 hours. He got distracted because he wasn't sure if he was counting to fast or too slowly. He also couldn't do it by counting because he couldn't stay awake that long let along that long while constantly counting.
Joe is trying to pass time and do something with his brain. He had to do something fresh because he had trouble remembering ideas to help him pass time. “He had to start in like a baby and learn. He had to concentrate. He had to start in at the beginning. He had to start with an idea” He decided to try and figure out what time it is because this is what the world goes by all the time. If you can't keep track of time you will be lost in the world. Joe had been thinking about ways to find out what time it was, but he always feel asleep. Joe is going to count how many times the nurse came in his room each day by counting the seconds, minutes and hours in between each visit until he reach 24 hours. He got distracted because he wasn't sure if he was counting to fast or too slowly. He also couldn't do it by counting because he couldn't stay awake that long let along that long while constantly counting.
johnny got his gun 4
What does Joe believe is worth fighting for? What is not worth it?
Joe has to go to war because of the draft. He is not really willing to go die for his country but has to because people are telling him that he has to do it. People tell Joe that he his fighting for liberty but liberty is not tangible. Joe thinks that people go to war but don't understand why they are fighting. Joe doesn't want to fight for a group of people that he doesn't care about. Joe uses the example of fighting for a group of women and how he wouldn't fight for a group of women. He is willing to fight for Kareen because he has a passion for her and cares about her. I don't really agree with Joe when he says that people don't really want to go and fight for their county. I think that there are many people who do like to do things for the country and fight for liberty but Joe is not this way. Joe wants to fight for something that he can relate to and have a connection with.
Joe has to go to war because of the draft. He is not really willing to go die for his country but has to because people are telling him that he has to do it. People tell Joe that he his fighting for liberty but liberty is not tangible. Joe thinks that people go to war but don't understand why they are fighting. Joe doesn't want to fight for a group of people that he doesn't care about. Joe uses the example of fighting for a group of women and how he wouldn't fight for a group of women. He is willing to fight for Kareen because he has a passion for her and cares about her. I don't really agree with Joe when he says that people don't really want to go and fight for their county. I think that there are many people who do like to do things for the country and fight for liberty but Joe is not this way. Joe wants to fight for something that he can relate to and have a connection with.
johnny got his gun 3
Why does the rat come to visit Joe? What does it represent?
The rat comes to visit Joe in one of Joe's dreams. In the dream the rat is eating away at his body. Joe remembers a Prussian solider who the rat was chewing away at. Even though the rat was eating away at a solider that wasn't one of there own, they were willing to help him. I think that this represents that Joe needs some one to come help him. He can't see, is deaf and has no arms. I believe that he wants to die but doesn't understand why he won't and he sees other people dying. Joe is suffering way more than all the other people who have died. I think that Joe wants the rat to actually being eating away at him so that he can stop the pain that he is in and finally die to relive all the suffering he has gone through with his body. Joe wants to gain something because he is sick of trying living. He doesn't to be keep alive with the condition that he is in.
The rat comes to visit Joe in one of Joe's dreams. In the dream the rat is eating away at his body. Joe remembers a Prussian solider who the rat was chewing away at. Even though the rat was eating away at a solider that wasn't one of there own, they were willing to help him. I think that this represents that Joe needs some one to come help him. He can't see, is deaf and has no arms. I believe that he wants to die but doesn't understand why he won't and he sees other people dying. Joe is suffering way more than all the other people who have died. I think that Joe wants the rat to actually being eating away at him so that he can stop the pain that he is in and finally die to relive all the suffering he has gone through with his body. Joe wants to gain something because he is sick of trying living. He doesn't to be keep alive with the condition that he is in.
jonny got his gun 2
Why does Joe remember working at the bakery? What does he admire about Jose?
I think that Joe remembers working at the bakery for many different reasons. Jose was a very honest and truthful person and Joe remembers that about him and honers it. This memory that he has might be about how we was walking and using his legs. Joe had a purpose where as now he doesn't and is just lying in a bed almost dead. Jose gets a job at the bakery and appreciates it. Jose gets another job that is better but doesn't feel right about leaving the bakery. Because he didn't feel right about leaving the bakery the other people at the bakery told him to throw the pies on the floor which would get him fired. Jose does this but feels very badly about wasting all of these pies so he then pays the bakery back for the money that was wasted. Jose is honorable and does the right thing, this is why I believe that Joe admires Jose.
I think that Joe remembers working at the bakery for many different reasons. Jose was a very honest and truthful person and Joe remembers that about him and honers it. This memory that he has might be about how we was walking and using his legs. Joe had a purpose where as now he doesn't and is just lying in a bed almost dead. Jose gets a job at the bakery and appreciates it. Jose gets another job that is better but doesn't feel right about leaving the bakery. Because he didn't feel right about leaving the bakery the other people at the bakery told him to throw the pies on the floor which would get him fired. Jose does this but feels very badly about wasting all of these pies so he then pays the bakery back for the money that was wasted. Jose is honorable and does the right thing, this is why I believe that Joe admires Jose.
i-iii
What is Joe's situation? Why does he compare it to drowning?
The first character we meet is Joe. He is on the verge of dying but hasn't yet. Joe has many memories and flashbacks during the first two chapters. He says that he is deaf and can't hear anymore then sates that he is getting his arm cut off. All of this relates to the story Joe told about drowning. The story was how someone couldn't drown. "He has been rising and sinking for days weeks months who could tell?" Joe has been on the verge of dying but hasn't yet. I get the impression that Joe wanted to die and get all of his pain over with. Since he is deaf and doesn't have arms he feels like death but just can't die just like trying to drown but can't. He remembers when Kareen asks for Joe to hug him but he gets upset because how is he supposed to hug her without any arms. In the first chapters we don't clearly know what is wrong Joe and why he is hurt but we have an idea that he was fighting in a war.
The first character we meet is Joe. He is on the verge of dying but hasn't yet. Joe has many memories and flashbacks during the first two chapters. He says that he is deaf and can't hear anymore then sates that he is getting his arm cut off. All of this relates to the story Joe told about drowning. The story was how someone couldn't drown. "He has been rising and sinking for days weeks months who could tell?" Joe has been on the verge of dying but hasn't yet. I get the impression that Joe wanted to die and get all of his pain over with. Since he is deaf and doesn't have arms he feels like death but just can't die just like trying to drown but can't. He remembers when Kareen asks for Joe to hug him but he gets upset because how is he supposed to hug her without any arms. In the first chapters we don't clearly know what is wrong Joe and why he is hurt but we have an idea that he was fighting in a war.
new asylum
Philomena Guinea paid for Esther to move to the private institution where she would now stay. This institution is completely different from the city institution. It was nice, there were maids and she even had a women doctor. Esther acts completely different at this new institution, I think, because she is treated as if she wasn’t crazy. Doctor Nolan asked Esther about Doctor Gordon. Esther tells her that she didn’t like him because of what he did to her. Doctor Nolan assures Esther that if they ever do something like the shock treatments, that she will feel no pain and will no regret getting them done. Esther new doctor tells her that shock treatments are not meant to be bad like Esther experienced. I think that if she would have stayed in the city institution, she would have really gone crazy. Esther is getting better and even moves from Wymark to Caplan. This is proof that she is getting better being in the new institution. I do not think she would have improved her health if she didn’t switch into the private institution.
13-14
What is wrong with Esther? Why does she try to kill herself?
Esther has had problems ever since she has come home from New York. I believe that there are many reasons why Esther tried to kill herself. Everything is pilling up and she just can't take it anymore. She knows that she has problems but doesn't want to go back to shock therapy. This I think is Dr. Gordon's fault because he doesn't really try to talk it out with Esther. She tries to commit suicide multiple times, but doesn't succeed or doesn't follow through completely. The last time that she attempted to commit suicide was when she overdosed on an abundance of sleeping pills. Esther tries to kill herself because she doesn't have a place, no real friends, or even a mother who is there for her.
Esther has had problems ever since she has come home from New York. I believe that there are many reasons why Esther tried to kill herself. Everything is pilling up and she just can't take it anymore. She knows that she has problems but doesn't want to go back to shock therapy. This I think is Dr. Gordon's fault because he doesn't really try to talk it out with Esther. She tries to commit suicide multiple times, but doesn't succeed or doesn't follow through completely. The last time that she attempted to commit suicide was when she overdosed on an abundance of sleeping pills. Esther tries to kill herself because she doesn't have a place, no real friends, or even a mother who is there for her.
Dr. Gordon
Why doesn’t Esther like Dr. Gordon? Is he hurting or helping her?
Esther has gone crazy and decides (knows) that she needs to get help from a psychiatrist. Before she met him she thinks that he is conceited. She sees a picture of the perfect family in his office and this bothers her even more I think because it is something that she doesn't have. Dr. Gordon asks her on page 129, "Suppose you try and tell me what you think is wrong". This bothers Esther because she knows she has a problem and she wants to get help. I feel like Dr. Gordon gave up too easily. He told Esther to come back next week for her next session but decides to do shock therapy. I don't agree with his decision because I think he should of talked to her a little longer. I think that the shock therapy hurt her because she goes even more crazy than she already is.
Esther has gone crazy and decides (knows) that she needs to get help from a psychiatrist. Before she met him she thinks that he is conceited. She sees a picture of the perfect family in his office and this bothers her even more I think because it is something that she doesn't have. Dr. Gordon asks her on page 129, "Suppose you try and tell me what you think is wrong". This bothers Esther because she knows she has a problem and she wants to get help. I feel like Dr. Gordon gave up too easily. He told Esther to come back next week for her next session but decides to do shock therapy. I don't agree with his decision because I think he should of talked to her a little longer. I think that the shock therapy hurt her because she goes even more crazy than she already is.
Chapter 9 and 10
How does Esther act when she returns to Boston? How might her night with Marco have influenced her actions?
To me Marco is a jerk, he expected to get sex out of Esther. Marco gives Esther his diamond pin and now he also expects to have Esther dance with him. He tells her to act like she is drowning so that he can take control of the dancing. He then attempts to rape her, but Esther almost lets him do it so she can experience sex. When Marco calls her a slut she realizes that isn't what she wanted. Esther then punches Marco and his nose starts to bleed. Marco smears the blood on her face. Esther doesn't want to take off the blood from her face because it shows that she did something to someone, made damage. When Esther gets home to Boston she gets even more depressed. Her mother tells her that she didn't get accepted into the writing class that she applies for. It seems that she is more upset about this than almost getting raped by Marco. All of these things that have hurt her in New York had pilled up and she finally realized how broken apart she is.
To me Marco is a jerk, he expected to get sex out of Esther. Marco gives Esther his diamond pin and now he also expects to have Esther dance with him. He tells her to act like she is drowning so that he can take control of the dancing. He then attempts to rape her, but Esther almost lets him do it so she can experience sex. When Marco calls her a slut she realizes that isn't what she wanted. Esther then punches Marco and his nose starts to bleed. Marco smears the blood on her face. Esther doesn't want to take off the blood from her face because it shows that she did something to someone, made damage. When Esther gets home to Boston she gets even more depressed. Her mother tells her that she didn't get accepted into the writing class that she applies for. It seems that she is more upset about this than almost getting raped by Marco. All of these things that have hurt her in New York had pilled up and she finally realized how broken apart she is.
Chapter 7 and 8
What does Esther want from Constantin? How does he react? What do you think of his reaction?
Esther goes to the UN with Constantin. She is impressed with the foreign language that Constantin works with. This makes her think about all the stuff she can't do, which leads to the fig tree. The fig tree is something that represents marriage and children. Esther wants to have sex with Constantin to get back at Buddy, but they don't, they just lay in bed together after the UN. This makes Esther feel a lot better about herself. The fact that they do not have sex means that Constantin cares about Esther and just doesn't want to have sex with her. This to me means that Constantin is interested in forming a relationship. There were hints that Constantin likes Esther but it is not for certain.
Esther goes to the UN with Constantin. She is impressed with the foreign language that Constantin works with. This makes her think about all the stuff she can't do, which leads to the fig tree. The fig tree is something that represents marriage and children. Esther wants to have sex with Constantin to get back at Buddy, but they don't, they just lay in bed together after the UN. This makes Esther feel a lot better about herself. The fact that they do not have sex means that Constantin cares about Esther and just doesn't want to have sex with her. This to me means that Constantin is interested in forming a relationship. There were hints that Constantin likes Esther but it is not for certain.
Chapters 5 and 6
What does Esther think of Buddy? What does she want from him? What does she want him to think of her?
Esther liked Buddy a lot until she found out that he was having an affair with a waitress. Buddy is a science kind of guy, which is the opposite of Esther. Esther is enjoys literature. At first Buddy didn't let her talk about literature but then he asked her if she would read to him so that he could understand where she was coming from. Buddy got Esther to think that he was inexperienced, when really he was having an affair. Esther was upset when she found this out because she wanted to know the truth in the first place. Buddy tells Esther that he still has strong feelings for and even takes his clothes off but Esther didn't feel comfortable enough to take hers off. This shows that Esther doesn't have the same feelings for Buddy as he does for her.
Esther liked Buddy a lot until she found out that he was having an affair with a waitress. Buddy is a science kind of guy, which is the opposite of Esther. Esther is enjoys literature. At first Buddy didn't let her talk about literature but then he asked her if she would read to him so that he could understand where she was coming from. Buddy got Esther to think that he was inexperienced, when really he was having an affair. Esther was upset when she found this out because she wanted to know the truth in the first place. Buddy tells Esther that he still has strong feelings for and even takes his clothes off but Esther didn't feel comfortable enough to take hers off. This shows that Esther doesn't have the same feelings for Buddy as he does for her.
chapter 3 and 4 - Bell Jar
How does Esther avoid Chemistry in college? Why might she find science so overwhelming?
Esther thought of a plan to tell the dean of her college why she should have to take chemistry. She told them that she was probably going to receive an A because she received an A in her previous science class. Instead of taking this Chemistry class she proposes to the Dean that she take a Shakespeare class. By now in the book, we see two completely different sides of Esther. Before, in chapters one and two, she doesn't know what to do or is very indecisive, but she is completely sure that she doesn't want to take Chemistry. I think that Esther doesn't like Chemistry because she is a person who is constantly thinking and changing her mind about her decisions. Chemistry is a class where there is one specific answer, and only one. This is why I believe that Esther might find Chemistry so overwhelming.
Esther thought of a plan to tell the dean of her college why she should have to take chemistry. She told them that she was probably going to receive an A because she received an A in her previous science class. Instead of taking this Chemistry class she proposes to the Dean that she take a Shakespeare class. By now in the book, we see two completely different sides of Esther. Before, in chapters one and two, she doesn't know what to do or is very indecisive, but she is completely sure that she doesn't want to take Chemistry. I think that Esther doesn't like Chemistry because she is a person who is constantly thinking and changing her mind about her decisions. Chemistry is a class where there is one specific answer, and only one. This is why I believe that Esther might find Chemistry so overwhelming.
The Bell Jar
Explain the first line of the novel. What does it show about Esther and her experience in New York.
"It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Roesnbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York." After reading chapters one and two this quote becomes more clear to me. I think the second part of this quote is the most important. Esther is in New York working and writing for magazines. I get the sense right of the bat that Esther isn't a New York type of girl. Esther also keeps saying that she wants to experience the real New York, this makes me think even more that Esther doesn't like her job or more the less, her coe-workers. Esther is going to a party with Doreen and they decide to go to a bar with some men they meet. Doreen ends up getting drunk. I believe that Esther isn't the party type, she doesn't know what kind of drink she should order and doesn't want to sound stupid ordering a drink. All of these ideas hint at Esther not liking New York very much.
"It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Roesnbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York." After reading chapters one and two this quote becomes more clear to me. I think the second part of this quote is the most important. Esther is in New York working and writing for magazines. I get the sense right of the bat that Esther isn't a New York type of girl. Esther also keeps saying that she wants to experience the real New York, this makes me think even more that Esther doesn't like her job or more the less, her coe-workers. Esther is going to a party with Doreen and they decide to go to a bar with some men they meet. Doreen ends up getting drunk. I believe that Esther isn't the party type, she doesn't know what kind of drink she should order and doesn't want to sound stupid ordering a drink. All of these ideas hint at Esther not liking New York very much.
Mona Lisa Smile
Comment on a decision made by a character that reflects or revokes a value from the 1950s.
In the movie, Mona Lisa Smiles, Betty is engaged and was married during the movie. She is married while she is in college. This reflects what society tells people during that time period. During the 1950's women are expected to get married and serve to their husbands. Katherine doesn't like this type of society. She teaches her class to not follow what society always tell you and think of ideas for yourself. Betty is always wanting to follow society and marry and do as she is told. Betty Warren takes an approach to life like society revokes in the 1950's. She takes a very traditional approach to life where as Katherine doesn't teach this and doesn't understand why you can't come up with your own ideas and not follow the "rules" that society pushes on you.
In the movie, Mona Lisa Smiles, Betty is engaged and was married during the movie. She is married while she is in college. This reflects what society tells people during that time period. During the 1950's women are expected to get married and serve to their husbands. Katherine doesn't like this type of society. She teaches her class to not follow what society always tell you and think of ideas for yourself. Betty is always wanting to follow society and marry and do as she is told. Betty Warren takes an approach to life like society revokes in the 1950's. She takes a very traditional approach to life where as Katherine doesn't teach this and doesn't understand why you can't come up with your own ideas and not follow the "rules" that society pushes on you.
1950's
Comment on how the film is portraying the time period of the 1950's.
In the movie, Mona Lisa Smiles, the women are given expected standards that they are expected to follow. The life that people life is a very conservative life. Although some of the girls, we see, in the movie don't exactly like these specific rules. One of the characters in the movie had birth control and all of the girls looked at her like she was crazy because that sort of thing wasn't allowed in that time period. Katherine teaches a class of very text book educated students. She has a hard time with this because the students learn what they are told rather than thinking with themselves and coming up with new ideas. These girls are also expected to get married and have have high expectations of their future but from other people, not from themselves. I would not like this because I like to do my own thing and think of new ideas and live by what I believe in.
streetcar
Stella is remarkably sad at the end of the play because of what happens to Blanche. Was she right in doing what she has done?
Stella planed to send Blanche away but she doesn’t know this yet because she is in the bathroom while all of the boys are playing poker. Stella and Stanley have planed to send her away to an institution. This decision that they both had to make was a very hard and complicated one, but I do think that it was the right decision. Blanche is a person who wants to get as many men as she can to like her. Blanche is ruining her life by sleeping with so many different men. If Stanley and Blanche didn’t send her of to the institution Blanche would become more of a crazy person and ruin her life even more than she already has if Stella didn’t decide to send her away. Blanche’s decisions are affecting Stanley and Stella as well. Stanley and Stella couldn’t live normally because Stella was giving much of her self to Blanche instead of Stanley. I think sending Blanche of to an institution was a very good decision that will benefit Blanche but also Stanley and Stella.
Stella planed to send Blanche away but she doesn’t know this yet because she is in the bathroom while all of the boys are playing poker. Stella and Stanley have planed to send her away to an institution. This decision that they both had to make was a very hard and complicated one, but I do think that it was the right decision. Blanche is a person who wants to get as many men as she can to like her. Blanche is ruining her life by sleeping with so many different men. If Stanley and Blanche didn’t send her of to the institution Blanche would become more of a crazy person and ruin her life even more than she already has if Stella didn’t decide to send her away. Blanche’s decisions are affecting Stanley and Stella as well. Stanley and Stella couldn’t live normally because Stella was giving much of her self to Blanche instead of Stanley. I think sending Blanche of to an institution was a very good decision that will benefit Blanche but also Stanley and Stella.
ohhhhhhh. dang.
What is revealed about Blanche in these chapters? Do these revelations come as a shock?
In the chapters six through eight Blanche is revealed as someone I thought she was. In the beginning I was guessing that she was not the person she was presenting herself to be. We find out she stayed at a hotel called Flamingo. She was kicked out of the hotel and asked to never come back because she slept with many different boys in their hotel. She was kicked out because the hotel didn't want to become or get a bad representation of their hotel. We also find out that she had an affair with a boy in the school she was teaching at. Blanche was asked to leave from the school. All of this truly didn't surprise me because she was the one that didn't "have" any relationship problems before and would always be telling Stella what to do regarding Stanley. It also didn't come as a shock because Blanche was a very flirtatious person. Blanche flirted with Mitch in chapter two and even with Stanley later on.
In the chapters six through eight Blanche is revealed as someone I thought she was. In the beginning I was guessing that she was not the person she was presenting herself to be. We find out she stayed at a hotel called Flamingo. She was kicked out of the hotel and asked to never come back because she slept with many different boys in their hotel. She was kicked out because the hotel didn't want to become or get a bad representation of their hotel. We also find out that she had an affair with a boy in the school she was teaching at. Blanche was asked to leave from the school. All of this truly didn't surprise me because she was the one that didn't "have" any relationship problems before and would always be telling Stella what to do regarding Stanley. It also didn't come as a shock because Blanche was a very flirtatious person. Blanche flirted with Mitch in chapter two and even with Stanley later on.
Scenes 4-5
Why does Blanche disapprove of Stanley?
When we first discover what kind of character Blanche is we see her as a person of high class. She is dressed in classy clothes and has a chest full of even more expensive clothes. When Blanche asks Stella where she will sleep, Stella says in the other room. This surprises Blanche because she is used to a big plantation. Blanche probably didn’t think that she lived in this run down of an apartment because Stella made the house sound better in the letters. The number one reason why Blanche doesn’t approve of Stanly is because she thinks that he is a barbarian. After Stanly got drunk with his poker friends and hit Stella, Blanche was surprised when Stella went back to the house to sleep with Stanly. The sisters were both from some sort of higher class than Stanly. This makes Blanche believe that Stella could find a much better, higher-class man. Blanche even tells Stella that she believes that Stanly is an animal. These are all of the reasons that Blanche disapproves of Stanley.
When we first discover what kind of character Blanche is we see her as a person of high class. She is dressed in classy clothes and has a chest full of even more expensive clothes. When Blanche asks Stella where she will sleep, Stella says in the other room. This surprises Blanche because she is used to a big plantation. Blanche probably didn’t think that she lived in this run down of an apartment because Stella made the house sound better in the letters. The number one reason why Blanche doesn’t approve of Stanly is because she thinks that he is a barbarian. After Stanly got drunk with his poker friends and hit Stella, Blanche was surprised when Stella went back to the house to sleep with Stanly. The sisters were both from some sort of higher class than Stanly. This makes Blanche believe that Stella could find a much better, higher-class man. Blanche even tells Stella that she believes that Stanly is an animal. These are all of the reasons that Blanche disapproves of Stanley.
Scenes 1, 2 and 3
Explain something a character does in Scene 2-3 that teaches us something new about them, something we didn't know in Scene 1?
In the first scene of the book we learn that Stanly is one of those macho, big, thinks he is all that, husbands. The first time we see Stella and Stanly together is when Stan throws meat from the butchers up at Stella. This shows that he just wants her to cook it and doesn’t truly care about her. We, the readers, don’t really think anything of Stanly’s actions yet. But in the second scene Stanly’s actions towards Stella and Blanche become more and more confrontational. When Stella tells Stan that Blance is staying with them for a while, Stan goes crazy about wanting to know why the Plantation at Belle Reve is gone. Stan then confronts Blanche and questions her by tearing apart her suitcase and asking her how she bought all of these nice clothes. Stan thinks that Blanche sold the plantation and bought all of the nice clothes her self when really Blanche tells Stanly that a man bought them for her. In the third scene of the play is the poker scene. All of Stanly’s friends are over to play poker. This annoys Stella because it is so late and she would like to go to sleep. Stanly becomes annoyed with Blanche and Stella making short conversation and says, “you hens cut out that conversation in there”. Stanly gets even more aggressive after that and even goes to the extent of hitting Stella. This is so remarkable because we didn’t see Stanly as such an aggressive person in the first scene of the play.
In the first scene of the book we learn that Stanly is one of those macho, big, thinks he is all that, husbands. The first time we see Stella and Stanly together is when Stan throws meat from the butchers up at Stella. This shows that he just wants her to cook it and doesn’t truly care about her. We, the readers, don’t really think anything of Stanly’s actions yet. But in the second scene Stanly’s actions towards Stella and Blanche become more and more confrontational. When Stella tells Stan that Blance is staying with them for a while, Stan goes crazy about wanting to know why the Plantation at Belle Reve is gone. Stan then confronts Blanche and questions her by tearing apart her suitcase and asking her how she bought all of these nice clothes. Stan thinks that Blanche sold the plantation and bought all of the nice clothes her self when really Blanche tells Stanly that a man bought them for her. In the third scene of the play is the poker scene. All of Stanly’s friends are over to play poker. This annoys Stella because it is so late and she would like to go to sleep. Stanly becomes annoyed with Blanche and Stella making short conversation and says, “you hens cut out that conversation in there”. Stanly gets even more aggressive after that and even goes to the extent of hitting Stella. This is so remarkable because we didn’t see Stanly as such an aggressive person in the first scene of the play.
Essay
In the paper that I am going to write, I am going to compare and contrast Willy with Norma. They both can't let go of their dreams. Both Willy and Norma are not well liked because all they care about is being successful and accomplishing their dreams. When talking about their dream being deferred, I believe that the society ignored them because they didn't care about anything else. Both characters don't move and and realize they no longer can accomplish what they wanted to. I am also going to discuss the poem by Langston Hughes and relate it to Willy and Norma. Both Norma and Willy had a dream and both were in the dream but couldn't maintain it for a long enough time like they wanted.
Compare Willy and Norma
After watching the movie Sunset Blvd, we were asked to compare the main character of the movie, Norma to the main character in the book, Death of a Salesman, Willy. Willy and Norma are alike in many different ways. Norma was successful in the first part of her life. She lived in a huge mansion with only her ex husband Max. Willy doesn't have money and is not rich, unlike Norma. She believes she is still famous when really she is not. This relates to Willy because he always wanted to be successful and never was. Both Willy and Norma can't escape their dreams. There dreams are the only thing they focus on. Also Willy committed suicide when Norma attempted to by slitting her writs.
Were Willy’s final actions noble, or were they a sign of weakness?
I believe that committing suicide is a sign of weakness because you leave everyone and everything behind. Willy does this because he thinks that the money his family receives for his death will help them out. It will in fact not help out the family very much because not only are they sad, but Biff doesn't want to be around his family any longer. I believe that Will was an overall weak person who didn't ever believe in himself and always wanted more for himself. Willy thought he was being noble by killing himslef and leaving the money for Biff so that he could be a sussscessful person in life. I do not believe that is a noble thing to do. I believe that Willy is a very weak person and doing such actions make it seem even more so.
I believe that committing suicide is a sign of weakness because you leave everyone and everything behind. Willy does this because he thinks that the money his family receives for his death will help them out. It will in fact not help out the family very much because not only are they sad, but Biff doesn't want to be around his family any longer. I believe that Will was an overall weak person who didn't ever believe in himself and always wanted more for himself. Willy thought he was being noble by killing himslef and leaving the money for Biff so that he could be a sussscessful person in life. I do not believe that is a noble thing to do. I believe that Willy is a very weak person and doing such actions make it seem even more so.
page 98- 122
What happens to Biff and Willy's relationship after Biff goes to the hotel?
Biff and Happy took Willy to dinner to try and support their father. At dinner Willy has another 'flashback' and remembers the time when he found out that Willy failed math. Biff goes to Boston after this to see his father, Willy, and finds a women in the room with Willy. Because of this situation, Biff doesn't trust his father very much and this is why their relationship has not been strong. This all happened when Willy was about to go talk to the math teacher about not passing the class. Biff didn't want his father to do so anymore because he believed that his father was not as important to him anymore.
willy's decision
Do you think Willy made the right decision to refuse Charlie's help?
I think that Willy made the decision solely on him not wanting to accept help because he thinks he can do it on his own. Willy needed the help because he was fired and doesn't make much money any-longer. I think that Willy's decision was selfish of him because he didn't think about his family. His family will be in need of him financially soon enough. I believe that he had to much pride and thought too highly of himself. Having those qualities make him not want to accept others help because he believes it will make him seem less of a person with the help of others.
Ben, Willy and Linda
Was Ben a positive or negative influence on Willy? What does Linda think?
After reading this part in Death of a Salesman, I find out that Willy cares a lot about being wealthy and having money. I believe that Ben cares about money as well and is "successful", meaning he is wealthy. I think that because Willy wants to have money so badly and Ben does, it makes Willy want it even more. I believe that this will push Willy, which is good, but that is all Willy is caring about. Linda doesn't necessarily care about money, so she doesn't particularly care for Ben's influence on Willy. Overall I think Ben's impact on Willy was negative because it makes Willy think only about being wealthy rather than focus on his family like Linda does.
Page 52-69 Death of a Salesman
Do you think Biff and Happy’s plan will work?
Biff and Happy both made a plan to start a business to make money. Biff wanted to get out of the house but his mom, Linda, told him that her husband was going crazy and Biff needed to be at home. Biff thought that he could use athletic abilities and Happy can use his business skills and start a sporting goods store. I am not sure if this will work because I think that Biff may become tired of this job, just like he became tired of working on the farm. Biff can not give up if he wants this plan to work. He gave up last time and ended up at home with little money. If they both stick to it and don't give up this plan could be very successful.
Biff and Happy both made a plan to start a business to make money. Biff wanted to get out of the house but his mom, Linda, told him that her husband was going crazy and Biff needed to be at home. Biff thought that he could use athletic abilities and Happy can use his business skills and start a sporting goods store. I am not sure if this will work because I think that Biff may become tired of this job, just like he became tired of working on the farm. Biff can not give up if he wants this plan to work. He gave up last time and ended up at home with little money. If they both stick to it and don't give up this plan could be very successful.
Death of a Salesman.
What do you make of Willy and Charley’s relationship?
Charley is a character that we meet in the beginning of the book. In this part of the book I get the understanding that Willy believes that he is better than Charley. Charley is the Loman's neighbor, as well as Bernard. Charley is Bernard's father. We learned earlier in the book that Willy thinks that he is "hot stuff". I think that Willy thinks that he is better than Charley because he is more popular than him. Willy knows that his kids are not nerds like Bernard is seen at school. I believe that Willy feels so popular and better than everyone else because he makes people feel like he is better than them and makes sure they know so.
Charley is a character that we meet in the beginning of the book. In this part of the book I get the understanding that Willy believes that he is better than Charley. Charley is the Loman's neighbor, as well as Bernard. Charley is Bernard's father. We learned earlier in the book that Willy thinks that he is "hot stuff". I think that Willy thinks that he is better than Charley because he is more popular than him. Willy knows that his kids are not nerds like Bernard is seen at school. I believe that Willy feels so popular and better than everyone else because he makes people feel like he is better than them and makes sure they know so.
Biff and Happy
What do you make of Biff and Happy? Are they reliable characters? Are they happy?
When I first read that Biff and Happy were 30 years old and still living at home, I was in awe. I thought that they both cared about each other very much. Biff and Happy are brothers who both live in the upstairs of their parents house. Happy has a job but Biff does not. Biff was insecure about his job, which was working at the ranch. I don't think that Biff and Happy are deep down truly happy. Happy has a good job and is content with it but feels alone because he doesn't have anything other than his job. Biff is unhappy because he decided he didn't want to work on the ranch any longer. I don't think that Biff and Happy are reliable characters because they are so insecure about what they want with there lives that they could easily change.
When I first read that Biff and Happy were 30 years old and still living at home, I was in awe. I thought that they both cared about each other very much. Biff and Happy are brothers who both live in the upstairs of their parents house. Happy has a job but Biff does not. Biff was insecure about his job, which was working at the ranch. I don't think that Biff and Happy are deep down truly happy. Happy has a good job and is content with it but feels alone because he doesn't have anything other than his job. Biff is unhappy because he decided he didn't want to work on the ranch any longer. I don't think that Biff and Happy are reliable characters because they are so insecure about what they want with there lives that they could easily change.
Chapter 19 - End
Through out the entire book, Janie is quick to talk; however, she says almost nothing during the trial. Why?
Janie struggled to find her place in life because it was very hard to find true love. With Jody and Logan they just wanted things for themselves and didn't treat Janie properly. When Janie was on trail for Tea Cake's death, she didn't talk much. I think that she didn't talk much because she was afraid that he was gone. He was her one love that she truly loved for who he was and not just because her grandma told her to love someone. Janie talked quite often around Tea Cake because she was comfortable around him. She didn't have anything to say because the one who she talked to was gone.
Janie struggled to find her place in life because it was very hard to find true love. With Jody and Logan they just wanted things for themselves and didn't treat Janie properly. When Janie was on trail for Tea Cake's death, she didn't talk much. I think that she didn't talk much because she was afraid that he was gone. He was her one love that she truly loved for who he was and not just because her grandma told her to love someone. Janie talked quite often around Tea Cake because she was comfortable around him. She didn't have anything to say because the one who she talked to was gone.
Chapter 18
Chapter 18 contains the line the title comes from – “their eyes were watching God.” Explain what the line means in the context it appears.
On page 159, Hurston says,"ah'm glad y'all stop that crap-shooting' even if it wasn't for money, Janie said, Ole Massa is doin' His work now. Us oughta keep quiet." I believe that this is saying that God is in charge of the hurricane. In that quote Ole Massa is God. It this chapter God is mentioned in many ways. When Janie and Tea Cake were talking it seemed that they looking at each other but really "their eyes were watching god." God is the one who is controlling the storm, it is all in his hands. Everyone was questioning God because it was all his decision.
On page 159, Hurston says,"ah'm glad y'all stop that crap-shooting' even if it wasn't for money, Janie said, Ole Massa is doin' His work now. Us oughta keep quiet." I believe that this is saying that God is in charge of the hurricane. In that quote Ole Massa is God. It this chapter God is mentioned in many ways. When Janie and Tea Cake were talking it seemed that they looking at each other but really "their eyes were watching god." God is the one who is controlling the storm, it is all in his hands. Everyone was questioning God because it was all his decision.
Chapter 13-15
When they arrive in the Everglades, Janie is quick to work beside Tea Cake on the muck. How does this compare to the way she worked with Logan and Jody?
When Janie went to the Everglades with Tea Cake she quickly got to start helping him out. This was surprising because Logan never let Janie touch anything and would even get jealous if Janie could do something better than he could. Tea Cake isn't like Logan. If Janie could do something better than Logan could, He wouldn't care. Logan would accept all things about Janie. Tea Cake is allowing Janie to become who SHE wants. Logan always wanted her to work in the house or sit on the porch. Logan would allow her to do anything she wanted to do, even if it meant to do things outside. I think that the fact that Janie and Tea Cake went to the Everglades is symbolic. I believe it is symbolizing the outdoors that Jody never allowed Janie to be in. The fact that Tea Cake is with her and allowing her to be outdoors at the Everglades is showing that he is letting Janie become her own person unlike Logan and Jody.
When Janie went to the Everglades with Tea Cake she quickly got to start helping him out. This was surprising because Logan never let Janie touch anything and would even get jealous if Janie could do something better than he could. Tea Cake isn't like Logan. If Janie could do something better than Logan could, He wouldn't care. Logan would accept all things about Janie. Tea Cake is allowing Janie to become who SHE wants. Logan always wanted her to work in the house or sit on the porch. Logan would allow her to do anything she wanted to do, even if it meant to do things outside. I think that the fact that Janie and Tea Cake went to the Everglades is symbolic. I believe it is symbolizing the outdoors that Jody never allowed Janie to be in. The fact that Tea Cake is with her and allowing her to be outdoors at the Everglades is showing that he is letting Janie become her own person unlike Logan and Jody.
Chapters 7-9
In Chapter 9, Janie talks about how the angels grew jealous of man and chopped up and covered him in mud. How does this parable relate to Janie’s own experience?
Janie felt that her true self had been swallowed up by Jody. She felt that she had lost her freedom and was not being true beliefs as a strong women. She found she did not mind her lonesomeness and that she was finding her freedom. The angels were jealous of men just like people were jealous of Janie because of her husbands job, her independence, and her ability to befriend everyone in the town. While Janie's external self is weeping, her inside wants to be free, go back to the porch, and forget Mrs. Mayor.
Janie felt that her true self had been swallowed up by Jody. She felt that she had lost her freedom and was not being true beliefs as a strong women. She found she did not mind her lonesomeness and that she was finding her freedom. The angels were jealous of men just like people were jealous of Janie because of her husbands job, her independence, and her ability to befriend everyone in the town. While Janie's external self is weeping, her inside wants to be free, go back to the porch, and forget Mrs. Mayor.
Chapter 6
Jody makes Janie work inside the store and isn't allowed to sit outside the store with the townspeople. This upsets Janie because she wants to go outside and listen to the funny things the townspeople say even if she doesn't agree with what they are saying. One day the mule was found outside the store that Janie works in. The townspeople sitting on the porch of the store start to laugh, make fun of it, treat it with cruelty. Janie knew this wasn't nice of them, so she decided to tell them to stop. I think that Janie feels sympathy for the mule because everyone talks about the mule just like people talked about her. Janie doesn't think it is right for her to be treated the way that Jody is treating her and she doesn't think it is alright for people to treat the mule poorly. I believe that Janie cares for the mule so much because she knows how the mule feels. People treat the mule and Janie poorly.
Chapter 5
Jody's true personality is revealed in Eatonville. Explain why he is allowed to act the way he acts.
When Janie met Jody, she thought that he would be the one. I think Janie was so excited because she thought she would actually love a person that she married. In this chapter we find out that Jody doesn't have his priorities straight. He starts acting like a man who Janie never met. In the town of Eatonville, Jody is elected Mayor. I think that this is main problem because Jody thinks he is better than everyone now. Janie was asked to give a speech for the new town that Jody made, but Jody says no. He says that women aren't supposed to give speeches. Janie starts to see a different side of him and realizes that this is not the kind of love she is looking for. I believe that Jody can get away with this because he is the mayor. He has authority over Janie and people are afraid to stand up to him.
When Janie met Jody, she thought that he would be the one. I think Janie was so excited because she thought she would actually love a person that she married. In this chapter we find out that Jody doesn't have his priorities straight. He starts acting like a man who Janie never met. In the town of Eatonville, Jody is elected Mayor. I think that this is main problem because Jody thinks he is better than everyone now. Janie was asked to give a speech for the new town that Jody made, but Jody says no. He says that women aren't supposed to give speeches. Janie starts to see a different side of him and realizes that this is not the kind of love she is looking for. I believe that Jody can get away with this because he is the mayor. He has authority over Janie and people are afraid to stand up to him.
Chapter 3 and 4
Nature imagery comes up a lot in the first few chapters. Explain what you make of the last paragraph in Chapter. 4.
The last paragraph in the book, Their Eyes Were Watching God, says, "They sat on the boarding house porch and saw the sun plunge into the same crack in the earth from which the night emerged." I believe that this quote is saying that two things are happening at the same time. Janie just left her husband for a new man. She didn't think she deserved Logan and after meeting Joe she believed that she didn't deserve Logan even more. After analyzing this quote I believe that it shows that Janie's life will change. When they talk about the sun in this quote, I think it means that things are known, like Joe. The sun is good, calming, and bright. When talking about the dark, I think it symbolizes the evil and Logan. Both the sun and the dark happen in the same day, together. This means that Janie will experience darkness and sunlight.
Their Eyes Were Watching God- Chapters 1 and 2
In the opening chapter, Janie is returning home from a long journey (we don’t yet know from where). How do townspeople react to her? Compare and contrast this experience to the one she recounts about growing up playing with the Washburn children in Chapter 2.
Janie returns to town and even one looks down at her. All of the people in the town talk poorly about her. All they could do was sit there in judgment. It was "mass cruelty". All the townspeople knew was that Janie's husband had died and left her with a lot of money. I believe that they were talking badly about her simply because they were envious. Zora Hurston says, "the men noticed her firm buttocks like she had grape fruits in her hip pockets; the great rope of black hair swinging to her waist and unraveling in the wind like plume." This shows that Janie was very pretty and that all the guys fell for her. I believe not only were the townspeople envious of her, they just wanted something to talk about and choose her. The one towns person who stood up for Janie was Pheoby Watson. When everyone was talking down to Janie, Pheopby stood up and told them that she was Janie's best friend. I think that Pheoby made a good point which was that they were just talking poorly about Janie because she wouldn't tell them her business. Pheoby and Janie had a long conversation about Janies childhood. She told Pheoby that her friends didn't really care if she was different, in fact they didn't even realize it. Therefore, Chapters one and two were completely different because in chapter one Janie was not accepted in the townspeople's eyes and in chapter two she was.
Janie returns to town and even one looks down at her. All of the people in the town talk poorly about her. All they could do was sit there in judgment. It was "mass cruelty". All the townspeople knew was that Janie's husband had died and left her with a lot of money. I believe that they were talking badly about her simply because they were envious. Zora Hurston says, "the men noticed her firm buttocks like she had grape fruits in her hip pockets; the great rope of black hair swinging to her waist and unraveling in the wind like plume." This shows that Janie was very pretty and that all the guys fell for her. I believe not only were the townspeople envious of her, they just wanted something to talk about and choose her. The one towns person who stood up for Janie was Pheoby Watson. When everyone was talking down to Janie, Pheopby stood up and told them that she was Janie's best friend. I think that Pheoby made a good point which was that they were just talking poorly about Janie because she wouldn't tell them her business. Pheoby and Janie had a long conversation about Janies childhood. She told Pheoby that her friends didn't really care if she was different, in fact they didn't even realize it. Therefore, Chapters one and two were completely different because in chapter one Janie was not accepted in the townspeople's eyes and in chapter two she was.
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