Well right now I'm sitting in AP English class, just having finished my short essay on Miss Brill (which is crap but whatever,) and now I'm pondering what I should do for my Lord of the Flies project. I'm thinking of writing an alternate ending where Ralph kills Jack. As a result, Roger takes power and then eventually the tribe keeps splitting (which is hard to explain here, but Mr. Olsen explained it well in class so I think I've got the jist of it....)
I also need ideas for NaNoWriMo this year. I've started an outline about a possible Drarry to do...but I'm not entirely sure I'll follow through with it. Also, I've been trying to help Alyssa with ideas for her NaNo, and between all these three projects my idea pool is running dry!
I think I need a nap.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Miss Brill
What is the theme or main idea the author is saying about life, people, society, etc. How does your character help the author to develop the theme.
The theme of the short story “Miss Brill,” is that loneliness is often self-inflicted, rather than the result of society, and that it is possible to believe oneself to be active and participatory in society when, in reality, one is merely living vicariously through the experiences of others. In addition, one can see oneself differently than other people do. Miss Brill demonstrates this theme through her thoughts as well as her epiphany at the words of the young lovers.
As Miss Brill sits in the park, we are listening to her inner thoughts. As we listen, we can pick up on her loneliness, which she is not really aware of at this point. Everyone she observes is part of some group, “Only two people shared her ‘special’ seat: a fine old man […] and a big old woman […]Two you girls in red came by and two young soldiers in blue met them, and they laughed and paired and went off arm-in-arm. Two peasant women with funny straw hats passed.” (pgs 252-253.) This subconscious observation leads Miss Brill into thinking of the whole park as a stage show, in which everyone has a valuable part. It is during this “realization,” that one aspect of the theme becomes apparent. However, it is not until Miss Brill hears the words of the young lovers that the theme will become totally apparent.
Miss Brill’s perception of herself and her place in the world is shattered when she hears a young man remark, “…that stupid old thing at the end there? Why does she come here at all –who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?” (pg 254.) To add salt to her wounds the young girl replies, “It’s her fu-fur which is so funny. It’s exactly like a fried whiting,” (pg 254.) These words would be meaningless if Miss Brill did not take them to heart. Not only does she come to understand that she is not nearly as important to the others in the park as she believe, but she realizes that her prized neck-fur is not as glamorous as she thought. This is apparent as she decides to put the fur back in its box when she returns home. Since the fur is widely symbolic of Miss Brill herself, it is safe to assume that Miss Brill has also been put into a box, in other words, she will most likely stay at home, never returning to the park.
hmmm....
The theme of the short story “Miss Brill,” is that loneliness is often self-inflicted, rather than the result of society, and that it is possible to believe oneself to be active and participatory in society when, in reality, one is merely living vicariously through the experiences of others. In addition, one can see oneself differently than other people do. Miss Brill demonstrates this theme through her thoughts as well as her epiphany at the words of the young lovers.
As Miss Brill sits in the park, we are listening to her inner thoughts. As we listen, we can pick up on her loneliness, which she is not really aware of at this point. Everyone she observes is part of some group, “Only two people shared her ‘special’ seat: a fine old man […] and a big old woman […]Two you girls in red came by and two young soldiers in blue met them, and they laughed and paired and went off arm-in-arm. Two peasant women with funny straw hats passed.” (pgs 252-253.) This subconscious observation leads Miss Brill into thinking of the whole park as a stage show, in which everyone has a valuable part. It is during this “realization,” that one aspect of the theme becomes apparent. However, it is not until Miss Brill hears the words of the young lovers that the theme will become totally apparent.
Miss Brill’s perception of herself and her place in the world is shattered when she hears a young man remark, “…that stupid old thing at the end there? Why does she come here at all –who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?” (pg 254.) To add salt to her wounds the young girl replies, “It’s her fu-fur which is so funny. It’s exactly like a fried whiting,” (pg 254.) These words would be meaningless if Miss Brill did not take them to heart. Not only does she come to understand that she is not nearly as important to the others in the park as she believe, but she realizes that her prized neck-fur is not as glamorous as she thought. This is apparent as she decides to put the fur back in its box when she returns home. Since the fur is widely symbolic of Miss Brill herself, it is safe to assume that Miss Brill has also been put into a box, in other words, she will most likely stay at home, never returning to the park.
hmmm....
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Homecoming!
Well homecoming week was fun this year! Our class actually won the Contest! (What does that even mean...do we get anything?) And the dance was fun! Afterwards at Alyssa O's was also delightful! Smoothies! Cake! Cheetos! Elen! lol
Pictures!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001342&l=7c2d7&id=1598820058
On another note, I've stared compiling ideas for NaNoWriMo this year (mostly in World History class, lol) Hopefully, I'll finish strong this year!
Pictures!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001342&l=7c2d7&id=1598820058
On another note, I've stared compiling ideas for NaNoWriMo this year (mostly in World History class, lol) Hopefully, I'll finish strong this year!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Journal No.4
Completed!
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #4
pages 217-288
I felt very happy upon finishing this novel. The conclusion left me with a very strong understanding of each character's struggles and of what each character has learned through those struggles. The Color Purple is so powerfully written that I feel as if I have learned along with them. In this last quarter, transformations are made and our characters learn what it means to be content.
In the beginning of this section, Celie goes back to Georgia first for Sofia's mother's funeral and again to live in the house of her now dead stepfather. She discovers that Mr.____ has become a new person. After Celie left, Mr.____ lived in squalor until Harpo began to take care of him. Mr.____ was going crazy with guilt, I think, and didn't begin to improved until he sent Celie the rest of Nettie's letters. He then changed remarkably. He does work, he cleans his house, and he begins to think about God and the meaning of life. He even makes this observation to Celie later when she comes back to live in the house of her now dead stepfather, “I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ast. And that in wondering bout the big things and asting bout the bigs things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident....The more I wonder...the more I love.” This quote was my favorite in the entire novel, and I would never have guessed that Mr.____ would be the one to say it.
However, one thing that angered me in this section was Shug's affair with the young man, Germaine. Even though she says she still loves Celie, Shug begs Celie to let her have one last fling before she's too old. I felt so sorry for Celie and very angry at Shug because she was hurting Celie so much. Nevertheless, I believe that Celie finally comes fully into her own once she learns to live without Shug.
At first, Celie is devastated as you can see in her letter to Nettie, “My heart broke. Shug love somebody else.” She also blames her absence from their house in Memphis for Shug's wandering eyes, but I believe that Shug would have fallen for Germaine even if Celie had been around. Eventually though, as Celie begins to spend more time with the transformed Mr.____, Celie begins to cope with Shug's absence. The two become friends and talk about how much they love and miss Shug, about their families, about their friends, and about life. I believe that it is through this reconciliation with Mr.____ and their deep discussions that Celie finally understands that she does not need Shug because she has become her own, independent woman.
Celie reflects, “I be so calm. If she come, I be happy. If she don't, I be content. And then I figure this the lesson I was suppose to learn.” In this sense, Shug's affair with Germaine was a good thing for Celie. However, I don't believe that it was Shug's intent to help Celie grow by having a tryst with the young man, so I am still angered by Shug's actions. Everything is alright in the end, though, as Shug returns to Celie.
In the end, Celie is also reunited with Nettie and her family. This was a very emotional event for Celie and for me as well. It was such a happy moment for everyone, and it gave me such a feeling of completion. Finally Celie has found the life she has always longed for, a life with her sister, with her children, with Shug, with her friends, and with a stronger self. When she sees how grown her children are, Celie feels that her generation has gotten older, but Celie's contentment with this fact is clear when she says, “But I don't think us old at all. And us so happy. Matter of fact, I think this is the youngest us ever felt.” This line, the last in the novel, really made me hope that when I am older, I will feel the same way.
This novel, as a whole, made me think about many things. It made me think about the issues that were prevalent in this novel and how they are still pertinent to today. Racism and sexism are major problems in this novel, especially for Celie, Sofia, and Tashi. It is obvious that racism and sexism are still issues all throughout today's world. The women in this novel who were victims of sexism, mainly Tashi overcame it by becoming educated and using their education. Those who were victims of racism in this novel strove to overcome it through narrative, such as Celie's letters, Nettie's letters, and Shug and Mary Agnes' singing.
Also, this novel made me think about the way I see God. It made me realize that I imagine God the way that Celie used to, which is someone that I can't relate to. Celie addresses her final letter, “Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God.” When I read that, it really hit me that God is really in every one of those things Celie mentioned. Perhaps, just as a new view on God helped Celie become a strong, independent woman, it could help me become a better, more faithful person.
I truly enjoyed reading this novel and learning from all that it has to offer about life, relationships, God, love, identities, redefinition, transformation, family, and the importance of using one's voice. I would recommend this novel to anyone. It is sincerely an inspiring book.
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #4
pages 217-288
I felt very happy upon finishing this novel. The conclusion left me with a very strong understanding of each character's struggles and of what each character has learned through those struggles. The Color Purple is so powerfully written that I feel as if I have learned along with them. In this last quarter, transformations are made and our characters learn what it means to be content.
In the beginning of this section, Celie goes back to Georgia first for Sofia's mother's funeral and again to live in the house of her now dead stepfather. She discovers that Mr.____ has become a new person. After Celie left, Mr.____ lived in squalor until Harpo began to take care of him. Mr.____ was going crazy with guilt, I think, and didn't begin to improved until he sent Celie the rest of Nettie's letters. He then changed remarkably. He does work, he cleans his house, and he begins to think about God and the meaning of life. He even makes this observation to Celie later when she comes back to live in the house of her now dead stepfather, “I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ast. And that in wondering bout the big things and asting bout the bigs things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident....The more I wonder...the more I love.” This quote was my favorite in the entire novel, and I would never have guessed that Mr.____ would be the one to say it.
However, one thing that angered me in this section was Shug's affair with the young man, Germaine. Even though she says she still loves Celie, Shug begs Celie to let her have one last fling before she's too old. I felt so sorry for Celie and very angry at Shug because she was hurting Celie so much. Nevertheless, I believe that Celie finally comes fully into her own once she learns to live without Shug.
At first, Celie is devastated as you can see in her letter to Nettie, “My heart broke. Shug love somebody else.” She also blames her absence from their house in Memphis for Shug's wandering eyes, but I believe that Shug would have fallen for Germaine even if Celie had been around. Eventually though, as Celie begins to spend more time with the transformed Mr.____, Celie begins to cope with Shug's absence. The two become friends and talk about how much they love and miss Shug, about their families, about their friends, and about life. I believe that it is through this reconciliation with Mr.____ and their deep discussions that Celie finally understands that she does not need Shug because she has become her own, independent woman.
Celie reflects, “I be so calm. If she come, I be happy. If she don't, I be content. And then I figure this the lesson I was suppose to learn.” In this sense, Shug's affair with Germaine was a good thing for Celie. However, I don't believe that it was Shug's intent to help Celie grow by having a tryst with the young man, so I am still angered by Shug's actions. Everything is alright in the end, though, as Shug returns to Celie.
In the end, Celie is also reunited with Nettie and her family. This was a very emotional event for Celie and for me as well. It was such a happy moment for everyone, and it gave me such a feeling of completion. Finally Celie has found the life she has always longed for, a life with her sister, with her children, with Shug, with her friends, and with a stronger self. When she sees how grown her children are, Celie feels that her generation has gotten older, but Celie's contentment with this fact is clear when she says, “But I don't think us old at all. And us so happy. Matter of fact, I think this is the youngest us ever felt.” This line, the last in the novel, really made me hope that when I am older, I will feel the same way.
This novel, as a whole, made me think about many things. It made me think about the issues that were prevalent in this novel and how they are still pertinent to today. Racism and sexism are major problems in this novel, especially for Celie, Sofia, and Tashi. It is obvious that racism and sexism are still issues all throughout today's world. The women in this novel who were victims of sexism, mainly Tashi overcame it by becoming educated and using their education. Those who were victims of racism in this novel strove to overcome it through narrative, such as Celie's letters, Nettie's letters, and Shug and Mary Agnes' singing.
Also, this novel made me think about the way I see God. It made me realize that I imagine God the way that Celie used to, which is someone that I can't relate to. Celie addresses her final letter, “Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God.” When I read that, it really hit me that God is really in every one of those things Celie mentioned. Perhaps, just as a new view on God helped Celie become a strong, independent woman, it could help me become a better, more faithful person.
I truly enjoyed reading this novel and learning from all that it has to offer about life, relationships, God, love, identities, redefinition, transformation, family, and the importance of using one's voice. I would recommend this novel to anyone. It is sincerely an inspiring book.
Journal No. 3
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #3
pages 144-216
Completed!
This section of The Color Purple contains the turning point in Celie's life. She finds spiritual and economic freedom, along with a new sense of self that no one can take from her. These pages also focus on finding truth through communication, as well as the general importance of communication.
One of the biggest steps, I believe, towards Celie's rebirth as an independent woman was the discovery of Nettie's letters. After Celie finishes the first of Nettie's letters, she is enraged and overcome with a strong desire to kill Mr.____. This can be seen as an improvement over the old Celie, who would never contemplate killing her husband, or any man, because she was too afraid of them. Now, however, Celie “begin[s] to strut a little bit,” because she knows that Nettie is alive and plans on returning to Georgia. I believe this is the first time that Celie has had any real, tangible hope for a better life away from Mr.____ and with the people she loves.
However, as Celie reads more of Nettie's letters, she discovers an important truth about her life. As Corrine becomes suspicious that Adam and Olivia are in fact Nettie and Samuel's children, Nettie confronts Samuel about from whom he adopted Adam and Olivia. As Samuel tells his tale, Nettie comes to realize that Alfonso, the man that she and Celie thought was their father, was actually their stepfather. This meant that Adam and Olivia were only Celie's children, rather than being both her children as well as her bother and sister.
I believe it is this revelation that brings about a major change in Celie because she begins to loose faith in God. Consequently, Celie begins to write her entries to Nettie instead. When Celie tells this to Shug, she in turn tells Celie her views on God. Shug says that instead of imagining God as and old white man who doesn't care to listen to Celie's troubles, that Celie should imagine God as a raceless, genderless being who only wants to be loved. This is a very hard concept for Celie to accept right away, but she works at it until eventually she recognizes that she does not have to follow the conventional view of God that has always been handed to her. Celie realizes that she can imagine God in her own way. I believe that this is another large step for Celie.
The fact that Celie and Nettie believe Alfonso to be their father is an example of a problem that resulted due to miscommunication, which is, I believe, a major theme of this novel. Another place where miscommunication causes a rift would be concerning the Olinka tribe. When the Olinka first meet Samuel, Corrine, Nettie, and the children, they are under the impression that Corrine and Nettie are Samuel's wives. Even when corrected, the pompous, self-centered Olinka believe that they are right. This in turn causes a falling out between Corrine and Nettie.
However, a more serious miscommunication pertaining to the Olinka would be the catastrophe between them and the English rubber company. This includes a “pathetic exchange” between the Chief of the Olinkas and a white spokesperson for the rubber company. Due to such a vast language and cultural barrier, both parties come to the conclusion that communication is impossible. Thus, the Olinka are forces to pay rent for the land that they had held for hundreds of years with no means of protest and no voice to be heard. I believe that Walker's sentiment that narrative can be a powerful force is true. Yet it is apparent that even she admits, through this episode, that some gaps are too large to be bridged through the use of words. However, it is through communication that Celie makes her final stand against her oppressor.
All that Celie has experienced and all that she has been taught by Shug and Nettie culminates when Celie verbally lashes out at Mr.____ while having dinner at Sofia and Harpo's. After Shug announces that she, Celie, and Grady are moving to Memphis, Celie lets loose a tirade on the opposing Mr.____. She curses him and tells him everything he tries to do will crumble. Celie also says that whatever he did to her, Mr.____ will also have done to him many times over. Everyone is shocked at Celie's defiance, but Squeak is invigorated by it, announcing that she too will join them in Memphis. This shows that one person's self empowerment can, in turn, inspire the same in others.
I believe that Celie's defining moment is when she turns Mr.____'s condescending words around, saying, “I'm pore, I'm black, I may be ugly and can't cook...But I'm here.” This reversal completes Celie's defiance. It is here that she takes the lessons on redefinition taught by Shug and applies it to assist her great leap for freedom. She also takes a leaf out of Nettie's book and uses the power of communication to finally admit how she feels.
Once Celie moves to Memphis, she finds that she is very happy living with Shug, who encourages Celie to start her own company, Folkspants, Unlimited. This gives Celie economic independence from Shug, though she still lives with her. I believe it would also have given Celie a sense of control over her own life, as she could make her own decisions regarding her business. She even hires workers to assist her, something that she never would have had living as a poor, meek farmer's wife. Through her business, Celie now has a taste of independence.
There are a few things that I found interesting about this section. One would be the behavior of the Olinkas. As Nettie shares with Celie, they act more like white people in America than the African Americans. I had never expected that. Another thing that surprised me was the ease with which Celie departed Mr.____. When Nettie left, Mr.____ followed her and tried to rape her, yet he did nothing when Celie left. However, I suppose that the combination of being dumbstruck at Celie's defiance and the fact that Celie left on a train might have something to do with his inactivity.
Also in this section, there was a quote that I really found interesting. It's when Shug says, “Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God.” This makes perfect sense to me, and it echoes what I've always believed. Shug is saying that the structure and the rituals of the Church were created to help people praise God, but that doesn't mean that one can't find God in other places as well. This is also a belief that helped Celie come to her spiritual reawakening.
These pages of The Color Purple were probably the most important in the novel, though I still have the final quarter to explore. I hope that Celie and Nettie will be reunited someday, and that Celie will continue to live independently and happily.
pages 144-216
Completed!
This section of The Color Purple contains the turning point in Celie's life. She finds spiritual and economic freedom, along with a new sense of self that no one can take from her. These pages also focus on finding truth through communication, as well as the general importance of communication.
One of the biggest steps, I believe, towards Celie's rebirth as an independent woman was the discovery of Nettie's letters. After Celie finishes the first of Nettie's letters, she is enraged and overcome with a strong desire to kill Mr.____. This can be seen as an improvement over the old Celie, who would never contemplate killing her husband, or any man, because she was too afraid of them. Now, however, Celie “begin[s] to strut a little bit,” because she knows that Nettie is alive and plans on returning to Georgia. I believe this is the first time that Celie has had any real, tangible hope for a better life away from Mr.____ and with the people she loves.
However, as Celie reads more of Nettie's letters, she discovers an important truth about her life. As Corrine becomes suspicious that Adam and Olivia are in fact Nettie and Samuel's children, Nettie confronts Samuel about from whom he adopted Adam and Olivia. As Samuel tells his tale, Nettie comes to realize that Alfonso, the man that she and Celie thought was their father, was actually their stepfather. This meant that Adam and Olivia were only Celie's children, rather than being both her children as well as her bother and sister.
I believe it is this revelation that brings about a major change in Celie because she begins to loose faith in God. Consequently, Celie begins to write her entries to Nettie instead. When Celie tells this to Shug, she in turn tells Celie her views on God. Shug says that instead of imagining God as and old white man who doesn't care to listen to Celie's troubles, that Celie should imagine God as a raceless, genderless being who only wants to be loved. This is a very hard concept for Celie to accept right away, but she works at it until eventually she recognizes that she does not have to follow the conventional view of God that has always been handed to her. Celie realizes that she can imagine God in her own way. I believe that this is another large step for Celie.
The fact that Celie and Nettie believe Alfonso to be their father is an example of a problem that resulted due to miscommunication, which is, I believe, a major theme of this novel. Another place where miscommunication causes a rift would be concerning the Olinka tribe. When the Olinka first meet Samuel, Corrine, Nettie, and the children, they are under the impression that Corrine and Nettie are Samuel's wives. Even when corrected, the pompous, self-centered Olinka believe that they are right. This in turn causes a falling out between Corrine and Nettie.
However, a more serious miscommunication pertaining to the Olinka would be the catastrophe between them and the English rubber company. This includes a “pathetic exchange” between the Chief of the Olinkas and a white spokesperson for the rubber company. Due to such a vast language and cultural barrier, both parties come to the conclusion that communication is impossible. Thus, the Olinka are forces to pay rent for the land that they had held for hundreds of years with no means of protest and no voice to be heard. I believe that Walker's sentiment that narrative can be a powerful force is true. Yet it is apparent that even she admits, through this episode, that some gaps are too large to be bridged through the use of words. However, it is through communication that Celie makes her final stand against her oppressor.
All that Celie has experienced and all that she has been taught by Shug and Nettie culminates when Celie verbally lashes out at Mr.____ while having dinner at Sofia and Harpo's. After Shug announces that she, Celie, and Grady are moving to Memphis, Celie lets loose a tirade on the opposing Mr.____. She curses him and tells him everything he tries to do will crumble. Celie also says that whatever he did to her, Mr.____ will also have done to him many times over. Everyone is shocked at Celie's defiance, but Squeak is invigorated by it, announcing that she too will join them in Memphis. This shows that one person's self empowerment can, in turn, inspire the same in others.
I believe that Celie's defining moment is when she turns Mr.____'s condescending words around, saying, “I'm pore, I'm black, I may be ugly and can't cook...But I'm here.” This reversal completes Celie's defiance. It is here that she takes the lessons on redefinition taught by Shug and applies it to assist her great leap for freedom. She also takes a leaf out of Nettie's book and uses the power of communication to finally admit how she feels.
Once Celie moves to Memphis, she finds that she is very happy living with Shug, who encourages Celie to start her own company, Folkspants, Unlimited. This gives Celie economic independence from Shug, though she still lives with her. I believe it would also have given Celie a sense of control over her own life, as she could make her own decisions regarding her business. She even hires workers to assist her, something that she never would have had living as a poor, meek farmer's wife. Through her business, Celie now has a taste of independence.
There are a few things that I found interesting about this section. One would be the behavior of the Olinkas. As Nettie shares with Celie, they act more like white people in America than the African Americans. I had never expected that. Another thing that surprised me was the ease with which Celie departed Mr.____. When Nettie left, Mr.____ followed her and tried to rape her, yet he did nothing when Celie left. However, I suppose that the combination of being dumbstruck at Celie's defiance and the fact that Celie left on a train might have something to do with his inactivity.
Also in this section, there was a quote that I really found interesting. It's when Shug says, “Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God.” This makes perfect sense to me, and it echoes what I've always believed. Shug is saying that the structure and the rituals of the Church were created to help people praise God, but that doesn't mean that one can't find God in other places as well. This is also a belief that helped Celie come to her spiritual reawakening.
These pages of The Color Purple were probably the most important in the novel, though I still have the final quarter to explore. I hope that Celie and Nettie will be reunited someday, and that Celie will continue to live independently and happily.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Journal No. 2
Completed!
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #2
pages 76-143
This second quarter of The Color Purple contained a large amount of plot and character developments. These pages focus highly on new identities, using one's voice, and redefining the mainstream concepts of society. This section of The Color Purple also demonstrates the consequences of trying to redefine concepts and of interpreting things in different ways.
The first major development in this section would be the progressively sexual relationship between Shug and Celie. However, the two sometimes act as sisters, at other times mother and daughter, and sometimes as confidantes. This is an example of redefining the ordinary perception of a relationship between women. Furthermore, it is the beginning of a transformation that we see when Celie tells Shug about her life before she married Mr.____. For the first time, we see Celie responding emotionally to her own sad life, rather than acting as if she is “wood.” The telling of Celie's story forges an even stronger bond between Celie and Shug, one that is critical to Celie's development as she looks for her independence.
Another important step in Celie's evolution is when Celie confides in Shug that she has never enjoyed sex with anyone. Shug then declares Celie a virgin, even though she has mothered two children. She also gives Celie a new name, the more respectful Miss Celie, to accompany her new status as a virgin.
Celie's christening is yet another example of interpretation. The fact that Shug has redefined the loss of innocence as a time when a woman freely enjoys sex both emotionally and physically opens a new window of possibilities for Celie. I believe this is the first time that Celie has really felt it conceivable to think and perceive for herself, rather than just accepting the conventional and the stereotypical. Celie now has the starting point that she needs to apply Shug's example of redefinition to her own life.
Yet Walker shows us that going against the accepted view comes at a price, as is the case with Sofia. After returning to her former home with a new man, she quickly gets into fight after fight. Her aggressiveness soon gets her in trouble when Sofia is in town one day with her children. They pass by the mayor's wife, who notices how clean all of Sofia's children are and promptly asks if Sofia would like to be her maid. Sofia responds with a frank, “Hell no,” that lands her a slap from the mayor. Sofia, being the independent and aggressive woman she is, beats him back. This little incident lands her in jail, where she is abused and beaten almost beyond recognition. Eventually Sofia's sentence is converted to twelve years as the maid of the mayor's house.
Sofia's defiance to fit into the typical stereotype of the “happy black servant” was not romanticized by Walker in the slightest. Instead, she wrote the cold truth about what can happen when one tries to be true to one's own perceptions and definitions. Sofia knew she would never be happy as a servant to anybody, so she plainly stated so. However, this self-expression to fit outside of the status quo completely disrupted her life. This is Walker's way of warning that being true to one's own identity is not an easy path, but rather one riddled with hardship.
Another character who represents the theme of interpretation and redefinition of the accepted is Squeak, Harpo's new girlfriend. Squeak has been quietly obedient to Harpo, thus the diminutive nickname. However, after she is raped by the prison warden while trying, unsuccessfully, to help free Sofia, she insists on being called by her real name, Mary Agnes. This redefinition of herself shows resistance from the patriarchal belittlement she has suffered because of Harpo. Shortly thereafter, Mary Agnes begins to sing. Hence, she has found a new voice with which to express herself, another main theme of this novel.
Nettie's voice has also been found by way of Celie and Shug discovering her long lost letters. The two learn of her travels with Samuel, Corrine, and Celie's two children, Adam and Olivia, to Africa as missionaries. As Nettie describes her journey, she mentions free blacks in the North, particularly in Harlem, who are living in relative prosperity. This idea would seem completely foreign to Celie, who has known nothing but oppression and poverty. The fact that a black person could live successfully must give Celie some kind of hope for her own independence from the hellish life she's always known. On the other hand, the letters from Nettie are stamped with portraits of the Queen of England, which symbolized that black people were being oppressed in their native land as well. I believe that Celie would feel sympathetic to this kind of oppression in Africa. Nettie's letters open Celie's eyes to the rest of the world, and she sees, for the first time, that her plight is also the plight of thousands of blacks around the world.
All of my questions from my previous journal were answered, though perhaps not in the ways I expected. Nettie is not dead, though she has been writing letters to Celie. Sofia has come back into the story, though with a new man and the same old feisty attitude. Celie tells Shug plainly that she does not mind her sleeping with Mr.____, though she later cries about it when she hears them together.
Some new questions of mine include: What will happen to Nettie and her surrogate family in Africa? Will the natives receive them well? How will Celie and Shug's relationship continue to grow? Will Shug continue to care fore Mr.___? Will she turn her affection solely to Celie?
With these question in mind, I'll continue to read The Color Purple. Most likely, there will be new character developments, new plot twists, and new themes appearing in the pages to come.
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #2
pages 76-143
This second quarter of The Color Purple contained a large amount of plot and character developments. These pages focus highly on new identities, using one's voice, and redefining the mainstream concepts of society. This section of The Color Purple also demonstrates the consequences of trying to redefine concepts and of interpreting things in different ways.
The first major development in this section would be the progressively sexual relationship between Shug and Celie. However, the two sometimes act as sisters, at other times mother and daughter, and sometimes as confidantes. This is an example of redefining the ordinary perception of a relationship between women. Furthermore, it is the beginning of a transformation that we see when Celie tells Shug about her life before she married Mr.____. For the first time, we see Celie responding emotionally to her own sad life, rather than acting as if she is “wood.” The telling of Celie's story forges an even stronger bond between Celie and Shug, one that is critical to Celie's development as she looks for her independence.
Another important step in Celie's evolution is when Celie confides in Shug that she has never enjoyed sex with anyone. Shug then declares Celie a virgin, even though she has mothered two children. She also gives Celie a new name, the more respectful Miss Celie, to accompany her new status as a virgin.
Celie's christening is yet another example of interpretation. The fact that Shug has redefined the loss of innocence as a time when a woman freely enjoys sex both emotionally and physically opens a new window of possibilities for Celie. I believe this is the first time that Celie has really felt it conceivable to think and perceive for herself, rather than just accepting the conventional and the stereotypical. Celie now has the starting point that she needs to apply Shug's example of redefinition to her own life.
Yet Walker shows us that going against the accepted view comes at a price, as is the case with Sofia. After returning to her former home with a new man, she quickly gets into fight after fight. Her aggressiveness soon gets her in trouble when Sofia is in town one day with her children. They pass by the mayor's wife, who notices how clean all of Sofia's children are and promptly asks if Sofia would like to be her maid. Sofia responds with a frank, “Hell no,” that lands her a slap from the mayor. Sofia, being the independent and aggressive woman she is, beats him back. This little incident lands her in jail, where she is abused and beaten almost beyond recognition. Eventually Sofia's sentence is converted to twelve years as the maid of the mayor's house.
Sofia's defiance to fit into the typical stereotype of the “happy black servant” was not romanticized by Walker in the slightest. Instead, she wrote the cold truth about what can happen when one tries to be true to one's own perceptions and definitions. Sofia knew she would never be happy as a servant to anybody, so she plainly stated so. However, this self-expression to fit outside of the status quo completely disrupted her life. This is Walker's way of warning that being true to one's own identity is not an easy path, but rather one riddled with hardship.
Another character who represents the theme of interpretation and redefinition of the accepted is Squeak, Harpo's new girlfriend. Squeak has been quietly obedient to Harpo, thus the diminutive nickname. However, after she is raped by the prison warden while trying, unsuccessfully, to help free Sofia, she insists on being called by her real name, Mary Agnes. This redefinition of herself shows resistance from the patriarchal belittlement she has suffered because of Harpo. Shortly thereafter, Mary Agnes begins to sing. Hence, she has found a new voice with which to express herself, another main theme of this novel.
Nettie's voice has also been found by way of Celie and Shug discovering her long lost letters. The two learn of her travels with Samuel, Corrine, and Celie's two children, Adam and Olivia, to Africa as missionaries. As Nettie describes her journey, she mentions free blacks in the North, particularly in Harlem, who are living in relative prosperity. This idea would seem completely foreign to Celie, who has known nothing but oppression and poverty. The fact that a black person could live successfully must give Celie some kind of hope for her own independence from the hellish life she's always known. On the other hand, the letters from Nettie are stamped with portraits of the Queen of England, which symbolized that black people were being oppressed in their native land as well. I believe that Celie would feel sympathetic to this kind of oppression in Africa. Nettie's letters open Celie's eyes to the rest of the world, and she sees, for the first time, that her plight is also the plight of thousands of blacks around the world.
All of my questions from my previous journal were answered, though perhaps not in the ways I expected. Nettie is not dead, though she has been writing letters to Celie. Sofia has come back into the story, though with a new man and the same old feisty attitude. Celie tells Shug plainly that she does not mind her sleeping with Mr.____, though she later cries about it when she hears them together.
Some new questions of mine include: What will happen to Nettie and her surrogate family in Africa? Will the natives receive them well? How will Celie and Shug's relationship continue to grow? Will Shug continue to care fore Mr.___? Will she turn her affection solely to Celie?
With these question in mind, I'll continue to read The Color Purple. Most likely, there will be new character developments, new plot twists, and new themes appearing in the pages to come.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Color Purple Journal No. 1
Journal no. 1 rough draft completed!
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #1
pages 1-75
My first impression of the novel The Color Purple was met with uncertainty. The rural dialect, vague setting, and vulgarity that prevailed in the first quarter of this book took me by surprise. The language, especially, seemed confusing to me at first. However, by about Celie's fifth letter, I had become used to the very simple and uneducated manner in which she wrote her epistles and allowed myself to be emerged in the plot.
From the very beginning Celie's life has been one misfortune after another. The physical, psychological, and sexual abuse she suffers at the hand of her father has caused Celie to fear men. She is meek and obedient at all times, and dares not lash back, even when her father takes her two children away from her. This will to survive, by making herself invisible, even carries over to her married life with the abusive Mr.____. She has allowed herself to be completely at the mercy of the men in her life: her father, Mr.____, and Harpo. The only way she can convey how she feels is through her letters to God. Yet she still does so in a mildly passive manner, most likely because God is a patriarchal figure to Celie.
I felt, at this point, that no good could come of the way Celie got by each day. I pitied her. At her young age, she had lost everything she cared about, especially now that she had presumed Nettie dead. I had hoped that once she met the hot-headed, independent Sophia, Celie would begin to act stronger. However Celie remained as subservient as always, though she did tell Sophia that she was jealous of her assertive personality. It was not until Celie met Shug Avery that she began to change.
When Shug was first introduced, I was distrustful of her. I did not like the way she would condescend Celie while she was nursing Shug through her illness. Like the men in Celie's life, Shug called her ugly, which upset me. Her dominant nature, also reminiscent of the men in Celie's life, was a cause for my discomfort as well. Furthermore, Shug was presented as a promiscuous woman who was always “dressed to kill” in the most outrageous outfits. I never would have suspected that this wild woman would be the one to help change Celie for the better, but the two became fast friends.
Shug's nurturing creates the beginning of a sense of self-awareness in Celie. She begins to notice that her perception of herself varies from other's perceptions of her. She professes, in her letters, that she hates the way she looks and dresses. She wishes she could be like Shug, whom she admires more than anything. Celie also begins to notice weaknesses in the men around her. She notices Mr.____'s inability to stand up to his father and Harpo's sensitivity and sorrow when Sophia takes their children and leaves. Also, Celie begins to express her anger. When Mr.____'s father criticizes Shug's licentiousness, Celie spits in his water, something Celie would never have done before. If not for Shug, I do not believe that this development would have happened. I hope that, through Shug's guidance, Celie will continue to come into her own, and perhaps find better ways to cope with her situation.
This first quarter of the novel The Color Purple, has left me with some questions and some insights. Is Nettie really dead? I truly doubt that she is. I believe Celie judged too soon on that matter. Nettie may not be writing to Celie, but I believe that she is still alive. Will Sophia come back to Harpo? I hope that we at least see Sophia again in this book, if she doesn't come back to her husband. I am really unsure if she will or not. Sophia seems very in love with Harpo, however, she is an independent spirit, and therefor may be fine living without him. Another question of mine is, will Celie always be fine with Shug sleeping with her husband? Celie has never shown any affection for Mr.____ before, so I hardly think she would mind that he is being unfaithful. However, Celie has shown some interest in Shug. I have no idea if Shug is the kind of woman who would return these feelings, though, so this may be a roadblock for Celie.
I will continue the novel with these questions in mind. Hopefully, The Color Purple will continue to be an enjoyable story for me to read.
The Color Purple: Journal Entry #1
pages 1-75
My first impression of the novel The Color Purple was met with uncertainty. The rural dialect, vague setting, and vulgarity that prevailed in the first quarter of this book took me by surprise. The language, especially, seemed confusing to me at first. However, by about Celie's fifth letter, I had become used to the very simple and uneducated manner in which she wrote her epistles and allowed myself to be emerged in the plot.
From the very beginning Celie's life has been one misfortune after another. The physical, psychological, and sexual abuse she suffers at the hand of her father has caused Celie to fear men. She is meek and obedient at all times, and dares not lash back, even when her father takes her two children away from her. This will to survive, by making herself invisible, even carries over to her married life with the abusive Mr.____. She has allowed herself to be completely at the mercy of the men in her life: her father, Mr.____, and Harpo. The only way she can convey how she feels is through her letters to God. Yet she still does so in a mildly passive manner, most likely because God is a patriarchal figure to Celie.
I felt, at this point, that no good could come of the way Celie got by each day. I pitied her. At her young age, she had lost everything she cared about, especially now that she had presumed Nettie dead. I had hoped that once she met the hot-headed, independent Sophia, Celie would begin to act stronger. However Celie remained as subservient as always, though she did tell Sophia that she was jealous of her assertive personality. It was not until Celie met Shug Avery that she began to change.
When Shug was first introduced, I was distrustful of her. I did not like the way she would condescend Celie while she was nursing Shug through her illness. Like the men in Celie's life, Shug called her ugly, which upset me. Her dominant nature, also reminiscent of the men in Celie's life, was a cause for my discomfort as well. Furthermore, Shug was presented as a promiscuous woman who was always “dressed to kill” in the most outrageous outfits. I never would have suspected that this wild woman would be the one to help change Celie for the better, but the two became fast friends.
Shug's nurturing creates the beginning of a sense of self-awareness in Celie. She begins to notice that her perception of herself varies from other's perceptions of her. She professes, in her letters, that she hates the way she looks and dresses. She wishes she could be like Shug, whom she admires more than anything. Celie also begins to notice weaknesses in the men around her. She notices Mr.____'s inability to stand up to his father and Harpo's sensitivity and sorrow when Sophia takes their children and leaves. Also, Celie begins to express her anger. When Mr.____'s father criticizes Shug's licentiousness, Celie spits in his water, something Celie would never have done before. If not for Shug, I do not believe that this development would have happened. I hope that, through Shug's guidance, Celie will continue to come into her own, and perhaps find better ways to cope with her situation.
This first quarter of the novel The Color Purple, has left me with some questions and some insights. Is Nettie really dead? I truly doubt that she is. I believe Celie judged too soon on that matter. Nettie may not be writing to Celie, but I believe that she is still alive. Will Sophia come back to Harpo? I hope that we at least see Sophia again in this book, if she doesn't come back to her husband. I am really unsure if she will or not. Sophia seems very in love with Harpo, however, she is an independent spirit, and therefor may be fine living without him. Another question of mine is, will Celie always be fine with Shug sleeping with her husband? Celie has never shown any affection for Mr.____ before, so I hardly think she would mind that he is being unfaithful. However, Celie has shown some interest in Shug. I have no idea if Shug is the kind of woman who would return these feelings, though, so this may be a roadblock for Celie.
I will continue the novel with these questions in mind. Hopefully, The Color Purple will continue to be an enjoyable story for me to read.
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