Thursday, November 17, 2011
Journal 3
I found it interesting how the fact that Antigone is powerless in this society is contrasted with Creon's attempts to control her. Even though he ultimately fails in the sense that she does what she wants when she buries Polynecies she is killed for it. Her proclaimed upcoming death seems to then again contrast this and put the power closer to Creon. However, the idea that Creon "couldn't stop" the mob now that they had already seen Antigone. This idea of power is even further seen in the entire plot. The reason why the two brothers of Antigone are fighting is for power. And just like their previous agreement in which they would share power as they're equally entitled to rule in comparison with how they kill themselves, both at once, paints this idea. Its ultimately interesting how this play looks at power, or perhaps the lust for it. By the fact that this is a tragic play it seems that no one ever comes out ahead as well.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Journal 2
Antigone and Ismene talk about burying Polynices
The nurse comes in asking where she's been
Antigone avoids all the questions and talks about the beauty of the world
Ismene enters and does the same
Haemen is told by Antigone that he'll never be able to marry her
Antigone get along well and confess their love
The nurse comes in asking where she's been
Antigone avoids all the questions and talks about the beauty of the world
Ismene enters and does the same
Haemen is told by Antigone that he'll never be able to marry her
Antigone get along well and confess their love
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Antigone 1
In this play, Antigone, we see a somewhat lack of stage direction. As already discussed in class the "Chorus" could be as many as fifty or as few as one. In this particular play I believe I would choose to have the Chorus represented solely by one person. The reasoning for this would not only be to limit the effect that the Chorus has on the actual production in a distraction. Furthermore, I believe that one person would be more effective in communicating what the Chorus is actually there to say. I would have the stairs right in the middle of the stay with them going up on both sides, almost like a platform.
Another crucial piece of direction in this play would arguably be the lighting. It would seem only fitting to have the lighting change, or be on a constant dark setting due to the dark nature of the play. " He has a premonition of catastrophe (Page 5). However, I would have the lights dim sooner than "gradually, the lights on the stage have been dimmed" as I believe that is only to mark a scene change. To further create the darkness of the play constructed with the lights it seems only reasonable to have the characters also act in a somewhat despondent way. This could be done through hand motions and or the tone of their voice.
Another crucial piece of direction in this play would arguably be the lighting. It would seem only fitting to have the lighting change, or be on a constant dark setting due to the dark nature of the play. " He has a premonition of catastrophe (Page 5). However, I would have the lights dim sooner than "gradually, the lights on the stage have been dimmed" as I believe that is only to mark a scene change. To further create the darkness of the play constructed with the lights it seems only reasonable to have the characters also act in a somewhat despondent way. This could be done through hand motions and or the tone of their voice.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Test makeup
Symbol - "A mist of Lily of the Valley surrounds us" (Page 93). In the Handmaids tale, fertility is widely seen throughout the book in many forms. One symbol of fertility itself include references to eggs and flowers. This is done to establish the motif of fertility itself.
Euphemism - "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from the home: 'Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.' That doesn't mean anything" (Page 3). The euphemism used here by Camus constructs the contrast between the method the director and Meursault state that his mother is dead. This contrast immediately portrays Meursault as someone close to emotionless by simply stating the facts about his mothers death.
Consonance - "But the stillness was the sleep of swords" (Page 81). The use of imagery as well as consonance is the author attempting to vividly illustrate the point for the reader. This in turn will increase her ability to effectively communicate her overall message.
Irony - "The pistol and the rifle rang out almost together" (Page 184). This quote is of Janie being forced to shoot Tea Cake after he goes mad with delirium caused by the rabies. This when you take in the fact that Tea Cake only got the rabies protecting Janie is extremely ironic. The purpose of this is to create a theme that does not always lead to being fully satisfied.
Hyperbole - "'Ah ruther be shot with tacks than tuh hear dat 'bout mahself'" (Page 79). The overstated wish acts to clarify feelings that could possibly could be mistaken. Here, Hurston attempts to make it absolutely clear to us how a character feels and in turn how we should interpret it.
Oxymoron - "FREEDOM IS SLAVEY" - This is a 1984 Party slogan. The purpose of the writer including such an impossible figure of speech seems to be to identify the Party itself with such impossibility. This then links the Party to contradictory statements.
Juxtaposition - Zora Hurston juxtaposes the narration of the book, Their Eyes Were Watching God which has a very southern and uneducated dialect with the actual writing of it, which is very educated, deep and intentional. "Tea Cake, put down dat gun and go back tuh bed!" (Page 184)
Paradox - Angels wielding guns is extremely paradoxical. We would never normally expect this to occur, however in the Republic of Gilead this is reality. This is added to show just how abnormal this society is. "Guns were for the guards, special picked from the angels” (4).
Chronology - "The good weather holds. It's almost like June, when we would get out our sundresses and our sandals and go for an ice cream cone. There are three new bodies on the wall" (Page 43). This quote is used to starkly contrast Offred's previous life with her current life which is done with Margaret Atwood's effective use of chronology.
Metaphor - "The heads are the heads of snowmen, with the coal eyes and the carrot noses fallen out. The heads are melting" (Page 32). This quote is used to emphasize the fact that the dead's beliefs are no longer tolerated. Therefore, they are like an old snowman that is melting, out of place in the Republic of Gilead.
Structure - The structure of the method that Margaret Atwood writes with is one constantly interrupted by flashbacks. "Not many things are plastic, anymore. I remember those endless white plastic shopping bags, from the supermarket; I hated to waste them and would stuff them in under the sink" (Page 27). The use of these flashbacks right next to the shocking descriptions of the Republic of Gilead add a level of realism to the possibility of such a society.
Alliteration - "Then again the gold and red and purple, the gloat and glamor of the secret orders" (Page 89). The use of alliterating g's helps to emphasize the repetition of power connotative words. This helps characterize Jody as powerful even in death.
Euphemism - "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from the home: 'Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.' That doesn't mean anything" (Page 3). The euphemism used here by Camus constructs the contrast between the method the director and Meursault state that his mother is dead. This contrast immediately portrays Meursault as someone close to emotionless by simply stating the facts about his mothers death.
Consonance - "But the stillness was the sleep of swords" (Page 81). The use of imagery as well as consonance is the author attempting to vividly illustrate the point for the reader. This in turn will increase her ability to effectively communicate her overall message.
Irony - "The pistol and the rifle rang out almost together" (Page 184). This quote is of Janie being forced to shoot Tea Cake after he goes mad with delirium caused by the rabies. This when you take in the fact that Tea Cake only got the rabies protecting Janie is extremely ironic. The purpose of this is to create a theme that does not always lead to being fully satisfied.
Hyperbole - "'Ah ruther be shot with tacks than tuh hear dat 'bout mahself'" (Page 79). The overstated wish acts to clarify feelings that could possibly could be mistaken. Here, Hurston attempts to make it absolutely clear to us how a character feels and in turn how we should interpret it.
Oxymoron - "FREEDOM IS SLAVEY" - This is a 1984 Party slogan. The purpose of the writer including such an impossible figure of speech seems to be to identify the Party itself with such impossibility. This then links the Party to contradictory statements.
Juxtaposition - Zora Hurston juxtaposes the narration of the book, Their Eyes Were Watching God which has a very southern and uneducated dialect with the actual writing of it, which is very educated, deep and intentional. "Tea Cake, put down dat gun and go back tuh bed!" (Page 184)
Paradox - Angels wielding guns is extremely paradoxical. We would never normally expect this to occur, however in the Republic of Gilead this is reality. This is added to show just how abnormal this society is. "Guns were for the guards, special picked from the angels” (4).
Chronology - "The good weather holds. It's almost like June, when we would get out our sundresses and our sandals and go for an ice cream cone. There are three new bodies on the wall" (Page 43). This quote is used to starkly contrast Offred's previous life with her current life which is done with Margaret Atwood's effective use of chronology.
Metaphor - "The heads are the heads of snowmen, with the coal eyes and the carrot noses fallen out. The heads are melting" (Page 32). This quote is used to emphasize the fact that the dead's beliefs are no longer tolerated. Therefore, they are like an old snowman that is melting, out of place in the Republic of Gilead.
Structure - The structure of the method that Margaret Atwood writes with is one constantly interrupted by flashbacks. "Not many things are plastic, anymore. I remember those endless white plastic shopping bags, from the supermarket; I hated to waste them and would stuff them in under the sink" (Page 27). The use of these flashbacks right next to the shocking descriptions of the Republic of Gilead add a level of realism to the possibility of such a society.
Alliteration - "Then again the gold and red and purple, the gloat and glamor of the secret orders" (Page 89). The use of alliterating g's helps to emphasize the repetition of power connotative words. This helps characterize Jody as powerful even in death.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
HMT 3
The structure of society.
The structure of the Republic of Gilead is extremely oppressive. Mirroring that of numerous theistic governments where oppression is widely seen, Gilead is no different. Women's rights are extremely different to those of men in almost every regard; they essentially have none. Alcohol, tobacco and coffee are outlawed. However, the passage in which Serena Joy, a Commanders wife and champion of this society, is seen smoking and reveals a black market skews our perception of true believes in society. Furthermore, girls are made to follow strict social guidelines in almost every regard. They are meant to keep their heads down, keep silent, cannot read or write, cannot have an abortion and must wear confining head coverings to name a few. This theocratic government however, seems to be more of a tool of oppression as opposed to a genuine belief in the religion they purportedly believe in.
However, the basic goal of all these combined laws and restrictions seems to be purely the creation of babies. This is displayed through many beliefs. Among them include the already stated outlawing of tobacco, alcohol and coffee along with such examples of "gender treachery". This is essentially the murder of homosexuals as they likely find homosexuality itself an "abomination". On top of that, their belief that homosexuality is treasonous or a violation of faith by not fathering children. However, this combined with the fact that its stated that not all of Guardians even get wives seems to contradict the point of this practice.
The structure of the Republic of Gilead is extremely oppressive. Mirroring that of numerous theistic governments where oppression is widely seen, Gilead is no different. Women's rights are extremely different to those of men in almost every regard; they essentially have none. Alcohol, tobacco and coffee are outlawed. However, the passage in which Serena Joy, a Commanders wife and champion of this society, is seen smoking and reveals a black market skews our perception of true believes in society. Furthermore, girls are made to follow strict social guidelines in almost every regard. They are meant to keep their heads down, keep silent, cannot read or write, cannot have an abortion and must wear confining head coverings to name a few. This theocratic government however, seems to be more of a tool of oppression as opposed to a genuine belief in the religion they purportedly believe in.
However, the basic goal of all these combined laws and restrictions seems to be purely the creation of babies. This is displayed through many beliefs. Among them include the already stated outlawing of tobacco, alcohol and coffee along with such examples of "gender treachery". This is essentially the murder of homosexuals as they likely find homosexuality itself an "abomination". On top of that, their belief that homosexuality is treasonous or a violation of faith by not fathering children. However, this combined with the fact that its stated that not all of Guardians even get wives seems to contradict the point of this practice.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
HMT 2
Page 43
More than be at the front of a chapter, I believe Margaret Atwood attempts to place greater importance of developing the book in this chapter. Page 43 begins by talking about the June weather upon them along with how Offred would get ice cream cones. Abruptly however, she immediately begins discussing the Wall and the fact that there were 3 new bodies. This contrast helps us understand the speed at which the change of the United States to The Republic of Gilead occurred. Then Offred tells that it is a priest and 2 men killed for gender treachery. The description of the setting not only shows Offred's seemingly passive nature to people who are murdered provides characterization but also develops the plot by revealing previous details. Atwood uses chronology and context, "still wearing the black cassock. Thats been put on him" to better understand how Gilead came to be the way it is. When its revealed that Offred believes she always has to ask to go back characterization of Ofglen aswell as Offred is provided. Ofglen's reluctance to want to go back shows some mental occupation with what she's looking at but as stated we don't know weather she is "mourning or gloating". On the other hand this decision seems to make Offred appear as though she is only observing, not really having an opinion even though we can hear her thoughts.
For each significant point, state significant follow with a colon, identify the specific aspect (characterization, setting, technique...), follow with a short explanation.
More than be at the front of a chapter, I believe Margaret Atwood attempts to place greater importance of developing the book in this chapter. Page 43 begins by talking about the June weather upon them along with how Offred would get ice cream cones. Abruptly however, she immediately begins discussing the Wall and the fact that there were 3 new bodies. This contrast helps us understand the speed at which the change of the United States to The Republic of Gilead occurred. Then Offred tells that it is a priest and 2 men killed for gender treachery. The description of the setting not only shows Offred's seemingly passive nature to people who are murdered provides characterization but also develops the plot by revealing previous details. Atwood uses chronology and context, "still wearing the black cassock. Thats been put on him" to better understand how Gilead came to be the way it is. When its revealed that Offred believes she always has to ask to go back characterization of Ofglen aswell as Offred is provided. Ofglen's reluctance to want to go back shows some mental occupation with what she's looking at but as stated we don't know weather she is "mourning or gloating". On the other hand this decision seems to make Offred appear as though she is only observing, not really having an opinion even though we can hear her thoughts.
For each significant point, state significant follow with a colon, identify the specific aspect (characterization, setting, technique...), follow with a short explanation.
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