A Good Cat is Hard to Find

[While Pitty Sing the cat seems to just be a normal cat in the short story A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor, it is actually a symbol of havoc.] When the reader is first introduced to the cat, the grandmother expresses her fear of leaving the cat alone due to the fact that it might cause a gas leak in the house, “She was afraid he might brush against one of the gas burners and accidentally asphyxiate himself.” This is the first sign the readers are given to indicate that the cat often causes trouble. The next time the cat is mentioned is right before the family gets into a car crash. Pitty Sing was startled by the grandmother and jumped on to the drivers back, “Pitty Sing, the cat, sprang onto Bailey's shoulder.” This caused the family to get into an accident setting into motion the main conflict of the story. The next, and final, time the cat is mentioned is right after the grandmother is shot. The story reveals that the cat had been rubbing itself on The Misfit’s leg during the interactions the family had with The Misfit, “...he said, picking up the cat that was rubbing itself against his leg.” These sections from the story all reference Pitty Sing the cat before, during, or after something bad has happened. Him being the direct cause of disaster in the first two segments and him being present in the latter. It is clear to see from this that O’Connor used Pitty Sing the cat as a symbol of disaster and havoc.

OHP Reflection

The interview I conducted with Mr. Powers was only the second interview I had ever done. When I conducted my first interview, the interviewee was very talkative, so I had no issues getting a long interview from her with only a few questions. The interview with Mr. Powers was just the opposite. One of the reasons our interview with him was so short was because we based a lot of our questions off of false information we had about him. We were then forced to work off of the few other questions we did have. We had follow up questions for his answers, but we still were not able to get enough information from him. When we interviewed Mrs. Powers, we were much more prepared and were able to get a longer, more in-depth interview from her. We learned that you should not base all of your questions from one piece of information and that the more specific the question, the better. When you ask very general questions, you tend to get very general answers, and therefore short ones. When you ask specific questions, the interviewee will give longer answers with a lot of detail. Plus you can ask a lot more specific questions than you can broad ones.

This project was my first time working with a group larger than five people. While working in a large group had its benefits, I found the process overall to be much more challenging. In order to evenly divide the work, we decided to split up into small groups and have the individual groups dictate what each person would be doing. That worked for the groups that had been assigned to do the individual interview pages and the group that created the website. However, there was still a lot of confusion in the group that was assigned to make a video for the home page. They were not sure exactly what they were doing and how it fit into the project in relation to all of the other things we were putting on the website. I feel that a lot of the confusion surrounding the project could have been resolved if there was a project leader to manage all of the different groups. With the way we had the project structured, there was no one who could take on this role without having another person in their group take on extra work. However, if we had designated somebody to be the project leader from the beginning, then we could have divided the work differently. I feel that for all future group projects that involve the entire class section, it should be mandatory to have a project leader to ensure that everybody knows what they are doing and that the project runs smoothly.

Why Marjane's Marriage Failed

Although at first Marjane’s relationship with Reza seemed perfect, there were actually many issues in their relationship from the start. When they first met at a party, Marjane was intrigued by Reza because he had fought in the war. Reza took interest in Marjane because he wanted to be with a light-hearted girl. The image they both had of each other was an altered version of their personalities. Reza thought that Marjane would be a nice girl that would make herself up and wear nice clothing. Marjane though that Reza was a war hero who was brave and strong (Satrapi, 279). When neither of them found what they were looking for in the other, it caused some resentment between them. Reza would always make comments on Marjane’s appearance, so she felt that she had to make herself up to please him (Satrapi, 285). However, when she did he still was not pleased (Satrapi, 287). In Reza, Marjane could not recapture the war she had missed while in England and was therefore disillusioned by him.

Even though neither of them lived up to the expectations of the other, they stayed together because of the excitement of being in a relationship -that did not guarantee marriage- at the time. Their liaison was against the Regime, and since they both liked to rebel, they unconsciously made the choice to stay together despite their differences. Even the reason they got married was not because they truly loved and wanted to be with each other, but they married for convenience (Satrapi, 312). Looking back on the timeline of their relationship, it is clear to see why their marriage ended in divorce.

A Change in Worlds

In 1984 the difference between Iran and Austria was colossal. The change in culture of moving from one to the other would be drastic for anyone, especially for a young girl like Marjane. However, Marjane did not seem to have as much of an issue adjusting as one would think. When she first moves to Austria, her main challenge is not adjusting to life outside of Iran, it is finding a place to stay, speaking a foreign language, and making friends, nothing unusual for someone moving to a new country (Satrapi, 155-205). She did not have any issues adjusting to life without a veil, nor was she unaware of Austrian culture. Most likely, the reason Marjane was able to almost seamlessly adjust was because she was not sheltered from the outside world while she was in Iran (Satrapi, 130). Her family was by no means fundamentalist and she had also been outside of Iran a couple of times (Satrapi, 77). Therefore she was able to switch from a culture with very strict ideals to one that was very westernized with ease.

Fahrenheit 451? More Like Fahrenheit Four-Fifty-Fun!

Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury in 1953, tells the incredible story of a dystopian future where everything is censored. There is only one source of media available to the public and all books are illegal. The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who has always followed the status quo. A fireman’s job is to burn down houses that have books in them rather than put fires out. Montag’s life changes when he meets a young girl named Clarisse while walking home one night. Clarisse does not act like the other kids her age. She questions society and why things are the way they are. The things she says and the questions she asks are insightful and make Montag begin to question his way of life. When Clarisse asks a question that causes Montag to evaluate his relationship with his wife, his way of thinking starts to change. One day, while his fire squad is burning a house, he steals a book. Not knowing how to understand the book he has, he contacts a secret expert to help him. Montag’s newfound passion for reading and change leads him to blow his cover and results in him running away forever.

Bradbury creates fascinating and unique characters. Although he does not spend much time developing the characters, he does create conflicts within their personalities. For instance, the main antagonist is the chief fireman who hates books and believes that they are no good, yet he constantly quotes them. Montag’s wife is always very happy and loves to have fun, but she has bouts of sadness, and it is unclear whether or not she tried to kill herself. The writing style Bradbury uses in this book is very interesting. He throws you into the middle of an event and then explains what had happened. An example of what this looks like is, “The blow was quick. She started running. As she turned the corner she looked back at the man she punched in the nose”. Although it made it difficult to understand, sometimes it was an interesting change of pace from what you normally see.

This book has lasted incredibly well throughout the years. Bradbury often mentions the people in the book not being connected with anything and living loveless lives. He also describes the ongoing wars in the world and electronics that would have been unheard of in the 1950s but are everywhere today. This creates a world that is very close to the one we have today. In the book, it is revealed that the reason books were banned and the people were sheltered from the world was because people started to lose interest in literature. They just wanted to watch TV and receive fast entertainment. Eventually, the government took away what nobody wanted in the name of keeping the people happy. It was said that the contents of the books would make people think and be sad. This is the path that America is on today, with more and more people losing interest in books and turning all of their attention to visual entertainment. My explanation really does not do this book justice. There are so many layers to this book and I can not explain them all in a single blog post. I believe that everybody should read this book to warn them of the danger our future holds if we do not change the course we are on.

Favorite Reading

My favorite book that we read this school year was The Odyssey by Homer. I have not liked Greek mythology books or movies in the past so I was shocked by how much I enjoyed reading this book. I really liked the way the plot was paced and how the story progressed. My favorite part of the book was when we got to learn what happened to Odysseus before he was trapped on the island with Calypso. I can see why this story has lasted through many generations. My least favorite reading was the poetry section. Although I did like most of the poems we read, I preferred focusing on a certain book for a few weeks rather than looking at multiple poems per class. Overall I really enjoyed the things we did in class this year. There was not one book that we read that I could not stand to read.

Golden Noses Rotting In Money

Throughout the book The Great Gatsby, the distortion of noses has been used to represent the corruption of people by wealth. In the novel, whether it be direct or indirect, both the rich and the poor are affected by wealth. Although none of the main characters of the book have their noses distorted, a few secondary characters are described as having their noses deformed. Such as the movie producer, “‘I liked that man what was his name? With the sort of blue nose.’ Gatsby identified him, adding that he was a small producer,” the gambler Mr. Wolfshiem, “A small, flat−nosed Jew raised his large head and regarded me with two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril,” and Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, “With her face bruised and her nose swollen,” (Fitzgerald, 133, 75, 167). All of these people were well off and had plenty of money to spend, whether it be their own or their lover’s. They all became corrupted in some form or another by money. In Wolfshiem’s case, he loved money so much that he broke the law just to obtain more of it. The most well-known use of a nose as a symbol in the book is the story of the butler’s nose, “‘Well, he wasn't always a butler; he used to be the silver polisher for some people in New York that had a silver service for two hundred people. He had to polish it from morning till night, until finally it began to affect his nose,” (Fitzgerald, 17). In this quote, the butler’s nose is still distorted by riches, the silver, even though it was not his. The other mention of a nose that I found to be very important was the “nonexistent nose” of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg (Fitzgerald, 26). Eckleburg is used as a symbol of the all seeing eye in the valley of ashes. He does not have a nose because he is supposed to be the pure incorruptible god that has not and will not be corrupted by money. I believe that Fitzgerald used noses to symbolize corruption from money because they are typically used to describe rich people being stuck up when they turn up their noses to other people or things.

Hotel Madness

Is the climax the hotel scene when Tom and Gatsby argue, or is it when Gatsby meets Daisy at Nick's house? What central conflict or conflicts are being addressed in the climax, and how is this the turning point of the narrative (story)? Use textual evidence to back up your claims.

I believe that the climax of the book occurs when Gatsby and Tom have a confrontation in the hotel. The entire book seems to be leading up to that moment and then everything after that just feels like tying up loose strings. Although it can be argued that the climax is when Daisy and Gatsby first meet at Nick’s house that is not the moment when the dynamic of the book shifts. After Gatsby and Daisy meet, Gatsby has not yet reached his ultimate goal of obtaining Daisy, and the overall plan Gatsby has and pacing of the book stays the same. When he is at the hotel he has her in his grasp when she says she never loved Tom but then loses her when she retracts her statement. After that Gatsby’s world starts to crash as he tries to readjust and convince Daisy to leave Tom for him. This is when Gatsby’s plan to get Daisy and the pacing of the book changes which brings about the end.

A Dream of American Daisys

What is the primary theme of the novel?

The theme of The Great Gatsby is the hidden flaws of the American Dream. In the book, the “green light” symbolizes the American Dream. For Gatsby, the “green light” symbolized Daisy, his American Dream. Gatsby romanticized Daisy to the point where when he finally was able to see her after so many years he became disillusioned with her (Fitzgerald, 95-96). His dream completely unraveled when Daisy could not say that she never loved her husband Tom and only love him. This was when Gatsby started to see the flaws and the impracticalities of his dream. Ever since the war was over Gatsby’s goal, like most people of the time, was to achieve a certain monetary and social status. Although Gatsby’s goal was to get a girl and not a car or house he still treated her more like an object than a person and when he found out she was not as shiny and golden as he previously though his life fell apart. It was the same with all of the people of the 1920s when their dreams of wealth and riches were crushed by the great depression.

Rainy Day For a Romance

1. In chapter 5, when Daisy and Gatsby meet, how is weather used to create mood, and what mood(s) is created?

When Gatsby and Daisy meet for the first time in years the day starts off rainy. Fitzgerald describes the day like this, “The rain cooled about half-past three to a damp mist, through which occasional thin drops swam like dew,” (Fitzgerald, 84). As the day continued the skies started to clear up, “After half an hour, the sun shone again” (Fitzgerald, 88). After Gatsby showed Daisy his shirts it began to rain again, “Outside Gatsby’s window it began to rain again,” (Fitzgerald, 92). A common occurrence throughout the book is the use of light to describe a time of hope for Gatsby. In chapter 5 when it is sunny, or light out, Gatsby is getting closer to Daisy which is his ultimate goal. When there was no sun and it was rainy Gatsby felt that meeting with Daisy was a mistake and that he would not have a chance with her. When it became sunny I believe Gatsby thought that he might finally have a chance to win Daisy back. When it starts to rain again Nick wonders if Gatsby was underwhelmed by Daisy and that he lost his meaning in the green light, the symbol of hope.

Nick's Judgment

In the first two pages of the novel, Nick Carraway claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgment." Do you find that this is true so far? Please provide textual evidence to support your position.

Nick Carraway, for the most part, matches up to his claims that he holds all judgment about people. He says that it is because his father once told him, “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had.” (Fitzgerald, 1). I feel like this quote would speak more about judging someone because they are a professional pleasure dancer, rather than somebody who is much more well off than he is like Tom Buchanan. However, Nick also claims to hold his judgment for even the well off. He sticks relatively close to his declaration that he is not, nor has ever been, judgemental throughout the first three chapters. During the first encounter Nick had with Ms. Baker, she appeared very snobbish, yet he did not write one single note about it (Fitzgerald, 8-9). When learns of the affair Tom is having, he does not make a single disparaging comment about the situation (Fitzgerald, 15). He even went with Tom to meet his mistress without so much as giving him a crooked eye even when Tom breaks the mistress’s nose. The drunk man Nick met in Gatsby’s library that lost a wheel from his car and kept driving, although of a lesser status than the rest, is still exempt from Nick’s criticism (Fitzgerald, 53-55). Even when Nick remembers the scandal with Jordan Baker and realizes that she is a compulsive liar he continues on talking about her in the same light (Fitzgerald, 57). It could be argued that by Nick describing these people in this unflattering manner he is making a judgment about them. However, assuming that the way Nick is describing everyone is completely true and unbiased, then Nick sticks true to his word that he is a man without judgment.

Although, Nick does not put down others for their actions he does exalt himself for his own. The quotes, “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments,” (Fitzgerald, 1), and, “I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” (Fitzgerald, 59), are instances of him lifting himself above others. Not all instances are as clear as these are. An example would be, “A sense of fundamental decencies is parcelled out unequally at birth.” (Fitzgerald, 2). In this quote, Nick is stating that not all people have the common decencies that are attributed to being a good person. He makes other statements like this throughout the first three chapters that make him seem that he thinks that he is a better person than others because of the things he does or does not do.

Characteristics of Shakespeare's Tragedies in Othello

Shakespeare's tragedies all end in a tragic death for the protagonist making the play tragic, but there are other themes that Shakespeare's tragedies must also include. One of them is the protagonist in Shakespeare's tragedies often have a personality flaw that leads to their demise. The main characters in the plays are all rich and of high status so that when they meet their end it has a greater impact and is more tragic. There is also an external force that drives the character to act on the issue in the play that leads them to their downfall. The hero also has many opportunities to changes his course of action but he never does.

The play Othello fits in very well with these characteristics. Othello’s flaw is that he has a bad temper and can be hot headed. This causes him to be quick with rage and kill Desdemona. He is a nobleman held in high status that married a Venetian senator’s daughter bringing a lot of same to the family when he committed the murder-suicide. Iago was constantly manipulating Othello and encouraging him to kill Desdemona throughout the play. If it had not been for Iago the events of the play would have never happened. Throughout the play, Othello is given reasons to trust Desdemona by many people but he refuses to believe that she is not cheating on him until it is too late. Finally at the end of the play the protagonist Othello died and many of those close to him.

Protagonist Debate

For my response project Destiny and I debated against Zoey and Dua’a about who was the protagonist in The Merchant of Venice, Antonio or Shylock. Our position was that Antonio is the protagonist and Shylock is the antagonist. I am very glad that I chose this topic because I found it very interesting and wanted delve deeper into it. The only problem Destiny and I had was after we wrote our rough draft we realized that we were arguing the wrong topic. Once we straightened that out it was smooth sailing from there. I had never done a debate with the format we used, so that was a new and very fun experience. I am very glad with the results of our paper and the debate. This is definitely a project I recommend and would do again.

Shylocks Hate For Antonio

Was Shylock justified in wanting to kill Antonio?

Shylock has been through a lot in his life and has many reasons to dislike Christians. He was constantly ridiculed by Christians for being a Jew and charging interest on his loans. His only daughter and closest loved one ran off to marry a Christian and friend of Antonio. He is not even shown kindness when he loans money to Antonio who has beaten him and treated him with disrespect. This warrants him to feel a certain amount of disdain for Antonio because of his actions towards him. However, killing Antonio is still a harsh punishment for what he has done to Shylock. It would have been understandable if Shylock had wanted Antonio to go through what he did, and eventually change his ways.

Woman's World

At the end of the play, social order should be restored. One facet of this in the 16th century is men having dominance over women. Is this true in this play? Who has the upper-hand, and why? Provide textual evidence.

Shakespeare plays usually take place in two different places the normal world and the magical world. The normal world is ruled by men and women are subject to their husbands. Whereas in the magical world women are usually in charge. In the play The Merchant of Venice the normal world is in Venice. In Venice, the men ruled and controlled what happened in the story. Once the story shifted to Belmont, Portia and Nerissa started playing a more important role in the plot. When the trial took place in Belmont if it was not for Portia’s and Nerissa’s quick thinking Antonio would have died at the hands of Shylock. Even after Antonio’s trial the women still hold the power in the play. You can see this by the way they trick their husbands once back at the palace in Belmont (Act 5.1). The reason the power stays with the women at the end of the play is because they are still in the magical world where the women rule.

Conflict

According to the 5-act play structure, the climax or turning point of the play should have happened in the third act. Did it happen? If so, what was it and what central conflict was addressed? If not, discuss the central conflict that has not yet been resolved.

The central conflict is between Shylock and Antonio. This is over the loan Shylock gave to Antonio in act 1. It followed the 5-act play structure through act 2 when Antonio’s ships started to sink one-by-one causing the rising action. The ordeal came a head when Antonio’s entire argosy sunk at sea, forcing him to default on the loan. When Shylock found out about this he had Antonio locked up and awaiting trial. This left the readers on a cliffhanger waiting for the resolution of the conflict. I feel that this is the climax of the story because it had built up and it happens right after the rising action.

Conflict With Suitors

Discuss the major conflict that is introduced in Act 1.

The deal between Shylock and Antonio will most definitely be a big plot point. However, it has not yet become a point of conflict, although it does set up a plot for it. Antonio, himself, states that there is no conflict with whether or not His ships will come in (Act 1.3, lines 79-80). The main conflict that is introduced in act is the one between Portia and her suitors. Although most of her suitors have decided go back to their homes and stop courting Portia, because of the risk to try to marry her. She is still uncertain as to whom will marry her. This will most certainly be a point of conflict throughout the play.