Othello 4.1, key passage

I think one key passage of Othello, Act 4, scene 1, appears on page 173 where Cassio first laughs at Iago's questioning him if he is planning on marrying Bianca. At this point of the story, Iago is attempting to convince Othello that Desdemona is entirely untrustable and doesn't deserve to live. When Cassio begins to talk down about Bianca, Othello's rage becomes uncontrollable and finally convinces him that Desdemona should be poisoned, and Cassio murdered. I think this sets up the ending of the book well and is arguably, a climax of the story.





On Olivia Cordell's blog:
"I really like how well you quickly analyzed, almsot debriefed your passage. Plus, I agree that the one you chose is very key to this section. (:"

Othello casting

For Othello I would cast Corbin Bleu (with a decent haircut) because he’s a young actor that has a face with soft features, making him seem easy to talk to and knowledgeable, but still young and sometimes naïve.

“Worthy Montano, you were won’t be civil; the gravity and stillness of your youth the world hath noted, and your name is great in mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter that you unlace your reputation thus and spend your rich opinion for the name of a night-brawler? Give me an answer to it.” (93)

“Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore! Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof, or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, thou hadst been better have been born a dog than answer my waked wrath!” (137)

For Desdemona, I would choose Liv Tyler because she has a natural beauty that also makes her appear very innocent and considerate.

“Why do you speak so faintly? Are you not well?” (131)

“Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord, if I have any grace or power to move you, his present reconciliation take; for if he be not one that truly loves you, that errs in ignorance and not in cunning, I have no judgment in an honest face. I prithee, call him back.” (113)

For Iago, I would cast James Franco for his dark appearance, making the ambiance of a dark character entirely possible.

“Though I perchance am vicious in my guess-as I confess it is in my nature’s plague to spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy…” (121)

“Oh, beware, my lord of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on. The cuckhold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;  but oh, what damned minutes tells he o’er who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet fondly loves!” (123)

For Emilia, I would select Michelle Rodriguez because of her defined face with extreme features, she could easily pull off a tough, self-dependent woman.

“Do not you chide. I have a thing for you.” (133)

“No, faith. She let it drop by negligence.” (133)

Piano Lesson, analytical paragraph

n The Piano Lesson, August Wilson uses a variety of aggressive and neutral characters to create a contrast in personalities to further deepen the character and plot understanding for the reader. The most prominent, neutral character is Doaker. Throughout the story he can be found attempting to keep peace between his niece and nephew, Boy Willie and Berniece. The majority of their bickering is surrounding the piano that holds much sentimental value to Berniece (who wishes to keep the piano) and cash value to Boy Willie (who wishes to sell it). At one point in the story, as Boy Willie attempts to remove the piano from Bernieces’ and Doaker’s living room, Doaker says, “Boy Willie ain’t done nothing for me to put him out of the house. I told you if you can’t get along just go on and don’t have nothing to do with each other.” (87) In this situation, Doaker is trying to maintain a neutral and powerful position within the home that could turn chaotic without his authority.

Piano Lesson, blog #4

From our reading last class, I tabbed several things including maybe a reason for Boy Willie seeking to sell the piano so aggressively. On my tab, I noted that it really seems like Boy Willie is less concerned about the history on the piano, and more concerned about the fact that it was partially his father's. I believe he is searching for some gratification for his father's death; some justification. He needs to feel like his dad died for a reason, and that his life will be honored after death. Boy Willie believes he can achieve this feeling by selling the piano to make success of it.

I also commented: "Austin, I was also thinking about the fact that were half way through the book and I have no idea what the conflict/resolution could be. Hopefully it will be exciting. I'm also wondering what the author was thinking when he decided to have Berniece and Boy Willie argue so much." on Austin's blog.

Piano Lesson, blog #2

After our reading in class today, I went back and looked at some of the tabs I made. One of them that I was really wondering about is why Doaker insists on talking about the railroad lines and the building of them. He almost uses them as a parallel for his life I think. I think the author might be trying to give us an idea of his wisdom and age. He, so far, seems like the reasonable, thoughtful man of the group.

I also commented: "I was also wondering that. Berniece seems to be verryy attached to the piano and I would maybe like to know why. I would also like to know why Boy Willie wants to sell it so bad." on Rachel Cooper's blog.

Piano Lesson, blog #1

From our in-class reading today of The Piano Lesson, I noticed the authors use of dialect. I think this is very powerful in giving us a setting and portraying the characters personalities. To begin the novel with so much dialogue I think as helpful because we as readers already have a good idea about how the characters act and think.

I also commented:
Soooo Trevor (: I thought the same thing when I first heard the title, I thought it would be completely centered around a piano of some sort. I wonder how the title will tie in.

Cry, chapter 32 tabbing

"He opened Msimangu's letter and read about all the happenings of Johannesburg and was astonished to find within himself a faint nostalgia for the great bewildering city." (275) I tabbed this sentence because I thought it kind of contrasted his first thoughts of Johannesburg. I thought it showed character transmutation.

"So an hour passed, while there was quite an array of sticks and flags, and Kumalo looked on as mystified as ever." (277) This quote appears when Jarvis and the magistrate are planting the sticks and flags. I tabbed this sentence because I thought it did a good job at expressing the seperation that is felt between the ability of the white and black man in South Africa at this time.

Setting paralleling Stephen's life

In the story Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton uses setting to parallel the life of the main character in the story, Stephen Kumalo.  This can by following Kumalo through various, relevant points in the story. Before Stephen leaves his home, the land is said to have hills that are “lovely beyond any singing of it.” (34) However though, as we follow Stephen throughout his journey, the land changes as parts of his life do. Like when Stephen first leaves his home to travel to Johannesburg to find his son and Gertrude, he is feeling adventurous, perspective, and nervous to travel to such an unfamiliar and perplexing city. At a parallel moment, the land is being introduced as a place where “others like it, and find in it mystery and fascination, and prelude to adventure, and an intimidation of the unknown.” (41) Although these are just 2 examples of how his life is paralleled with setting, it appears many times throughout the book.

Ashoka Fellows

http://www.ashoka.org/fellow/5451

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http://www.ashoka.org/node/3136

Cry, the Beloved Country nameless characters

In Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton leaves some of his characters without names. One example of this is Absalom’s wife, which is solely what she is referred to as. I think that Paton intentionally leaves her without any standing or name; without an identity. This sends a message to the reader subconsciously, one that says,”She doesn’t mean enough to have a name,” for a variety of reasons. Maybe she doesn’t deserve one because of her actions, or maybe she doesn’t have the privilege because of the customs of the society.

C, TBC book seperation

I think Paton chooses to separate the story into different books to create a definite line between perspectives and feelings. Already, just from the first page, it’s clear to the reader that there will be a second opinion on the same valley area. I think by including multiple perspectives, Paton creates a more well rounded story that helps the reader to not have such a biased view and gives them the opportunity to make a more fair decision.

Oppression Examples:

Details on Cambodian oppression:
http://www.cambodiangenocide.org/front.html

Holocaust oppression details:
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007312

Phrase:
One particular phrase that is repeated is “lovely beyond any singing of it.” This phrase is repeated when the umfundisi is traveling through or remembering the rolling hills of his homeland. This shows his love for his hometown and how it compares to the big city of Johannesburg. The author does not use this phrase when describing city life.

Concept:
One concept that repeats is the image of women’s abuse. This image is present throughout the story, and helps to introduce the reader to this time and age. It shows how not only women were treated, but men as well. It also helps to paint a picture of how much discrimination can affect a society.

Image:
A repetitious image is the one of kindness from strangers. This appears several times including once when umfundisi first arrives in Johannesburg and is helped at the bus stop. Another is of the people who give him a ride after he boycotts riding the bus.

C, TBC women analysis

Paton characterizes women differently in Cry, the Beloved Country. He does this using different, more feeble or self-conscious adjectives to describe their actions/feelings. One example can be found when he writes, “It was not I who opened it, she said, hurt by his accusation.” Here, Paton shows the reader how submissively the wife responds to her husband. Paton also doesn’t give her a name or title. This shows a sense of inferiority to her husband, making her seem humbled.

Cry, the Beloved Country theme analysis. Chap 1-4

Character-yellow-antagonist (pg. 49)
       “’- You have been cheated, umfundisi.’” Here, the reader is introduced to, arguably, the first antagonist of the story. This man robs unsuspecting umfundisi of a pound. The author creates this problem for umfundisi this early in his arrival at Johannesburg to show the reader that this city is a tough one to live in, and one must be careful who they trust. By having umfundisi meet this person first, he is able to learn a lesson about the people that populate this large city, they can’t be trusted. This helps to portray theme in that it gives the reader something they can relate to, and helps introduce them to how new umfundisi is with this city.

Language-coral-tense (pg. 33)
       “The grass is rich and matted, you cannot see the soil.” In this spot, the author chooses to use present tense to describe setting, a tense rarely used in other novels. In doing this, he creates a friendly atmosphere that helps the reader relate to the story. One can more clearly visualize scenery in this tense than in say, past tense. Alan uses this in many descriptive cases, and makes it almost repetition or stability.

Setting-pink-figurative language (pg.33 & 45)
       “, and they are lovely beyond singing of it.” “, through hills lovely beyond any singing of it.” In these 2 places, Paton uses a figurative language tool, repetition, to describe the hills he sees. The author is able to make a calming, familiar type feeling by doing this. He is able to create the feeling that no matter where umfundisi may travel, the rolling hills will always be “lovely beyond singing of it.” Alan shows us that umfundisi can relate to his home no matter where he is.

Plot and plot structure-yellow-symbol (pg. 42)
       “And under her eyes the great lorry [truck] crushed the life out of her son.” In this quote, the author is introducing the uncertainty that umfundisi feels for this new city. The lorry is used as a symbol of his fear, or an amplifier of his fear. Umfundisi is not sure what is in store for him in this new, unpredictable city, and he has heard stories that make him fearful of the future. The lorry is a parallel for the fear he feels for finding his son and his aunt.

Golding Portraying Theme

There are several ways an author can portray theme through their writing. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding chooses to interpret his theme (a position of power should never be an outlet for violence) through several types of communication. The most obvious however, is through the use of characters. In Lord of the Flies, there are 2 main, powerful characters, Ralph and Jack. Throughout most of the story, they have very different points of view on the way camp should be run, and ultimately ends up causing the death of 2 important characters of the story. The first death is caused by Jack’s uncivilized beliefs on authority. He encourages the boys of “his tribe” to beat another boy, Simon, to death.
Golding also portrays this theme through the point of view he chooses to take. In being very unbiased about his opinion of the running and leadership of the island, he makes the actions of the characters seem more exaggerated. By doing this, William helps to make the theme more noticeable to the reader. The point of view he chooses to take is extremely beneficial to the development of thee theme because of this.

LOTF women on the island?

       If there were women or girls in Lord of the Flies, there would have been many changes. Golding would have had to make vast differences to the entire plot of the story. One can’t necessarily assume a female would lessen the amount of violence, because that would be completely dependent of the individual themselves. However, William Golding would have had to change some of the conflicts that came up in the story. For example, having only one female on the island with the boys could potentially cause jealousy and inequality. I think the author intentionally left women out of the story because it may have restricted the free feeling the boys had between one another. It would have been unrealistic if the boys had started swimming naked in front of another similarly-aged girl that they more likely than not, had never met before.

Golding's decisions and effects

       On the first page of Lord of the Flies, William Golding introduces a character we learn to be a boy named Piggy, and he is careful to point out the spectacles he wears. In familiarizing the reader with Piggy and his spectacles this soon in the story, it allows the reader to assume that the two have a sort of special importance/impact on the story. In doing this, the reader is already interested in Piggy and his curious spectacles. This effect helps to foreshadow to later parts in the story where Piggy, and his spectacles, end up playing major roles of importance in the lives of the older boys, and of the lighting of the fire.

       Golding is also careful to describe Piggy’s actions as relatively delicate and thought-out, where as his appearance is quite blunt. In doing this, the reader is already aware of the fact that Piggy is an intellectual, caring person who uses his mind to think through obstacles, however, he may not always be taken as seriously as he should. This is evident when he writes: “He bent down, removed the thorns carefully, and turned around. He was shorter than the fair boy, and very fat.” Later in the story, Piggy becomes one of the only boys able to make civilized decisions, but is usually dismissed and the center of endless ridicule.