Sunday, April 20, 2008
End of Handmaid's Tale
Hey, I've had to miss some class, and I'm not sure if the discussion has made it to the end of A Handmaid's Tale, but I was wondering what people thought was going to happen to Offred. It is very ambiguous about her fate. Did she get to the underground female-road? What is Atwood suggesting by the ambiguity?
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Golf
In honor of our class discussion today, I present:
Robin Williams On The Subject Of Golf
As a side note, there is a bit of language. Proceed at your own discretion.
Robin Williams On The Subject Of Golf
As a side note, there is a bit of language. Proceed at your own discretion.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Syphilis: It Isn't Just for Rockdale County Anymore!
Well, apparently ALL of you kids are doing it these days:
http://tinyurl.com/2aj8wg
http://tinyurl.com/2aj8wg
Blog Prompts for "The Wicker Man"
--- Why did Sgt. Howie represent the perfect sacrifice?
--- What other character that we've encountered this semester did Sgt. Howie resemble?
--- What is the significance of the characters' names? (e.g. Willow, Rowan, etc.)
P.S. Take one topic and fully develop it, you don't have to answer each one
--- What other character that we've encountered this semester did Sgt. Howie resemble?
--- What is the significance of the characters' names? (e.g. Willow, Rowan, etc.)
P.S. Take one topic and fully develop it, you don't have to answer each one
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ghosts
Here are your blog prompts for "Ghosts." A little late, but, I suck. Whaddayagonnado?
** Ibsen did not like the title "Ghosts," since the real meaning of the word he used in Norwegian is "Revenant." Which do you prefer, "Ghosts" or "Revenants?" Which seems more applicable to the plot?
** Do you think Mrs. Alving administered the fatal dose of morphine at the end of the play? Why or why not?
** What are the Greek influences on the play?
** If you're from Rockdale county, did this play have special significance for you? Discuss.
** Ibsen did not like the title "Ghosts," since the real meaning of the word he used in Norwegian is "Revenant." Which do you prefer, "Ghosts" or "Revenants?" Which seems more applicable to the plot?
** Do you think Mrs. Alving administered the fatal dose of morphine at the end of the play? Why or why not?
** What are the Greek influences on the play?
** If you're from Rockdale county, did this play have special significance for you? Discuss.
Blog ettiquette
Hi folks.
It's not a HUGE deal, but when posting, try to reply to the original message so that things get "threaded." It's a little more organized that way.
Great comments so far, though!
LHW
It's not a HUGE deal, but when posting, try to reply to the original message so that things get "threaded." It's a little more organized that way.
Great comments so far, though!
LHW
Thursday, February 21, 2008
(NOT SO) 'Little' -Red Riding Hood
I think that the traditional versions and this version of the tale go hand in hand. The only difference is that the traditional version is usually edited for small children that are not able to(an should not be exposed) comprehend the adult content in this particular version. Both tales use the same symbols, but this version is the more interesting version because deep down everybody knew little red wasnt as innocent as she was made out to be.
The wolves generally represent the evils that prey on the innocent, but is more specific in this version. I believe that the wolf here represents the male gender (which are made out to be canine by the hilary clintons of the world) whom tries to con his way into taking the youths innocence.
The Hood serves as protection,for little red from the cold world (represented by the dark woods); as hoods protect us from the cold, rain, snow, or other externalities. The hood is red because this color is symbolic of little reds inner beauty and passion (as with red roses)in which the hood is protecting. This inner beauty is shown through the connotations in the descriptions of her and the passion is her joy of life (her being fearless of the harsh world). Once the hood is removed, little red becomes vulnerable to the evil wolf and this beauty and innocence is exposed. When it is burned, little red has no artificial protection and must protect herself. This is symbolic of here evolving from a innocent girl to a seductive woman.
--
Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®
The wolves generally represent the evils that prey on the innocent, but is more specific in this version. I believe that the wolf here represents the male gender (which are made out to be canine by the hilary clintons of the world) whom tries to con his way into taking the youths innocence.
The Hood serves as protection,for little red from the cold world (represented by the dark woods); as hoods protect us from the cold, rain, snow, or other externalities. The hood is red because this color is symbolic of little reds inner beauty and passion (as with red roses)in which the hood is protecting. This inner beauty is shown through the connotations in the descriptions of her and the passion is her joy of life (her being fearless of the harsh world). Once the hood is removed, little red becomes vulnerable to the evil wolf and this beauty and innocence is exposed. When it is burned, little red has no artificial protection and must protect herself. This is symbolic of here evolving from a innocent girl to a seductive woman.
--
Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®
Little Red Riding Hood Reply
The story is a coming of age story for young women. The red cloak is a symbol one in color ( red is usually reserved for women not young girls) and also it was said that is resembled one that 'women" would wear when riding. The villain is a wolf instead of a bear because it is like a canine and men are usually referred to as dogs. The wolf is trying to steal the young girl's innocence. the woods are symbolic of the world outside the comforting safety of her home and life with her family.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
red riding hood
This version of little red riding hood is quite similar to the one i read growing up, except in that version she is always saved from the wolf's stomach unscathed. I think this is done purposely because it shows an innocent child being protected by a man, as if that is the only way we as women are safe, under the protection of men. I believe the wolf represents anyone who is particulary harmful to children. Or who prey on the innocence of children for their own personal gain. I'm not to sure about her riding hood, possibly red to show her as a target to be prayed on. The hood may have been a way of covering herself so that the world could not see her. The woods may very well be symbolic of the dangers of the world.
This tale being passed down from mother to daughter would be to serve as a cautionary tale about being naive and straying from your path. Also it is very important to the story that the predator be a wolf. Mainly because wolves are sneaky and cunning. It's easier to see a predator as a wolf because they trick their prey into falling into their trap. A bear is obviously a danger, where as a conniving wolf can convince your of otherwise.
This tale being passed down from mother to daughter would be to serve as a cautionary tale about being naive and straying from your path. Also it is very important to the story that the predator be a wolf. Mainly because wolves are sneaky and cunning. It's easier to see a predator as a wolf because they trick their prey into falling into their trap. A bear is obviously a danger, where as a conniving wolf can convince your of otherwise.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Little Red Riding Hood
For your consideration (and your blog posting!)
** Little Red Riding Hood is a folk tale, which has been passed down from generation to generation. Most folk tales of this type are some type of cautionary tale, which encourages a certain type of behaviour, usually in children. With that in mind, consider what 1) The wolf represents; 2) What Little Red Riding Hood's RIDING HOOD represents; 3) What the dark wood represents.
Consider that this tale would have been passed down from mother to daughter. What type of dangers might the mother be warning the daughter of?
** What is the significance of the wolf? Why is he a wolf and not a bear? Why does Little Red Riding Hood wear a hood, specifically, and why is it red?
** How do the two traditional versions differ? (We'll deal with the Angela Carter version in another post)
Get started with these. Please write a short paragraph or several paragraphs to "unpack" these. I want to see you THINK. I won't be "grading" grammar, syntax, etc.
** Little Red Riding Hood is a folk tale, which has been passed down from generation to generation. Most folk tales of this type are some type of cautionary tale, which encourages a certain type of behaviour, usually in children. With that in mind, consider what 1) The wolf represents; 2) What Little Red Riding Hood's RIDING HOOD represents; 3) What the dark wood represents.
Consider that this tale would have been passed down from mother to daughter. What type of dangers might the mother be warning the daughter of?
** What is the significance of the wolf? Why is he a wolf and not a bear? Why does Little Red Riding Hood wear a hood, specifically, and why is it red?
** How do the two traditional versions differ? (We'll deal with the Angela Carter version in another post)
Get started with these. Please write a short paragraph or several paragraphs to "unpack" these. I want to see you THINK. I won't be "grading" grammar, syntax, etc.
Greetings from snowy, slushy New York!
Hi everyone! We had a snowstorm yesterday, so I cut short my time at the NYPL and headed back to Peekskill. It really came down for most of the evening, before turning over to sleet after midnight. During the early morning hours, it changed to rain, so we have something on the ground that's the equivalent of a slurpee. Guess who didn't pack waterproof boots? Guess who's walking around with grocery bags on his feet? Luckily in NY no one notices.
I'll post stuff on Little Red Riding Hood in my next post
I'll post stuff on Little Red Riding Hood in my next post
Sunday, February 10, 2008
In the Service of Dionysus
Hi everyone!
Well, I took advantage of the student ticket thingie, and went to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday. It was a rare chance (for me) to see Wagner. So I sat through all five hours of Die Walkure. It was the same production, with the same singer as Wotan, that we watched part of in class. VERY impressive.
Many opera companies do radical productions of Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen (as the four opera cycle is called) including setting it at the turn of the 20th century, or making it a parable for industrialization. The met, though, is very traditional. So the performance was "safe." It didn't break any new ground, but it was very satisfying. Plus they have megabucks there, so they can do it right!
And all of this cost me only $35! When I queued up to buy my ticket I noticed that the sign said "Students with valid ID, up to age 29." Hmmm... what to do??? Well, I pulled down the hood of my jacket to cover my grey hair, and boldly asked for one ticket. It worked :). All in all a good day's entertainment, at a VERY good price.
How is this Dionysian? Well, the music, for one, is VERY Dionysian, and this was the opera that Wagner had just completed when Nietzsche wrote The Birth of Tragedy. It has the very Dionysian "Ride of the Valkyries" music at the beginning of Act III that everyone has heard. The Valkyries sing it as they carry the dead warriors back to Valhalla. Still, I can't get the image of Lt. Col. Kilgore out of my head. "I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like....VICTORY!" Again, a VERY Dionysian image.
Well, I took advantage of the student ticket thingie, and went to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday. It was a rare chance (for me) to see Wagner. So I sat through all five hours of Die Walkure. It was the same production, with the same singer as Wotan, that we watched part of in class. VERY impressive.
Many opera companies do radical productions of Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen (as the four opera cycle is called) including setting it at the turn of the 20th century, or making it a parable for industrialization. The met, though, is very traditional. So the performance was "safe." It didn't break any new ground, but it was very satisfying. Plus they have megabucks there, so they can do it right!
And all of this cost me only $35! When I queued up to buy my ticket I noticed that the sign said "Students with valid ID, up to age 29." Hmmm... what to do??? Well, I pulled down the hood of my jacket to cover my grey hair, and boldly asked for one ticket. It worked :). All in all a good day's entertainment, at a VERY good price.
How is this Dionysian? Well, the music, for one, is VERY Dionysian, and this was the opera that Wagner had just completed when Nietzsche wrote The Birth of Tragedy. It has the very Dionysian "Ride of the Valkyries" music at the beginning of Act III that everyone has heard. The Valkyries sing it as they carry the dead warriors back to Valhalla. Still, I can't get the image of Lt. Col. Kilgore out of my head. "I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like....VICTORY!" Again, a VERY Dionysian image.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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