The Crying of Lot 49

The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon is a great example of the times. Released in the 1960’s, Pynchon dabbles in various stereotypes and customs that were seen during this turbulent era. By simply examining the characters you can see some of the stereotypes Pynchon wanted revealed in his writing.

First we examine the main character Oedipa Maas. Oedipa is first revealed to the reader as this humble and wonderful wife to her husband Mucho. Going to Tupperware and staying true to her husband were some of her highest morals… or at least we thought. Once Oedipa gets word of her inheritance and leaves town (and her husband), she becomes untamed and commits infidelity. She exemplifies a life style of free will autonomy that not very any women at this time could have even imagined.

Another characterization theme Pynchon used to show the time was the use of The Paranoids. This music group Oedipa meets at the hotel she stays at demonstrates how music was during this era and how important it was as well. While minor, they are used to show how popular music was to many in this generation.

The Crying of Lot 49 is a radical novel filled with many righteous and far out elements from the 1960’s (I hope I sounded like a hippie). The novel is filled with many satirical elements like Dr. Hilarious who happened to be a drug addicted man trying to kill his patients. Needles to say, this book has many things you will not see from other writers. Pynchon is unique and shows it as he writes this mystery based in the 1960’s.

"The Brooch" by William Faulkner

After reading “The Brooch” by William Faulkner, I reminisced in my mind about the literature we have read this semester and how it has adapted and changed through the course of time. We opened the semester reading Cotton Mather’s “The Christian Philosopher,” among others which explored deep issues like where “we” come from, and how the world was formed. At least for me, it was hard to even stay awake, let alone comprehend these nevertheless, great excerpts. However, now we have gotten into more scandalous, racy stories which grab my attention and draw me in to what happens next. Never was this the case before. Still I feel my change of heart towards the readings comes because of the change of time. Each week our stories kept getting more and more liberal. The freedom of writing was epitomized by the author’s scandalous plots and topics of political issues such as slavery. Faulkner’s “The Brooch” is no different as he constructs a dramatic and mysterious plot with scandalous references that would be thought of as coarse by today’s standards. Such graphic nature by males and sexual openness by females, Faulkner demonstrates how society has changed and become more accepting of such atypical topics out in the open. From a cheating wife, to female beating, Faulkner develops a plot which illustrates in my mind how the people have changed and become more liberal to such issues. Most significantly, I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next, rather than when was it going to end, like before.

"There Was a Queen"

"There Was a Queen" By William Faulkner

I relate Faulkner’s “There was a queen” to a lot of Gertrude Stein’s work as they are both confusing. Needless to say what is confusing about stein, Faulkner at times was just too elaborate and detailed in this story. I just constantly found myself lost in the story only because Faulkner uses so many characters. While this gets confusing, it is amazing how elaborate and complex he makes the plot in the end. Elnora is featured in much of the text but at the end it was like her character wasn’t even needed. This shows how elaborate his plot was and how the main story line truly laid within what we saw as the sub characters (i.e. the writer of the letters). However, Faulkner does use many names in his stories that can confuse the readers such as in paragraph two when many of the characters are being introduced and throughout the entire story when they are cited. While these helped to make the plot more real and complex, it added to my own personal confusion.

While the complexity of the plot was amazing, Faulkner’s use of imagery and describing the setting is phenomenal. He truly gives the reader a great sense of the setting. Whether it is describing the sent of the flowers that wafted from the garden, or how Elanora stood at the door as she crept towards Narcissa and Miss Jenny. This quality Faulkner exemplifies in this story truly draws the reader and helps give the reader a better understanding of the exact setting he wants you to feel or hear.

Composition as Explanation

In this excerpt from Composition as Explanation, Gertrude Stein explores how the arts separate the generations from what is classic and contemporary. At first her writing came off choppy and repetitive, however, more in-depth reading gave me better understanding to the point she was attempting to get across. Pointing out what makes a classic a classic; Stein develops several points that make the reader realize why contemporaries become classics.

After reading Stein’s analysis, it gave me better understanding to how composition works can portray the era that it was composed in. The idea of acceptance seems to be the major theme on when a contemporary piece becomes classic. Simply put, when the general public accepts the piece, it then becomes a classic. Stein describes this as a natural phenomenon. The accepted piece from each era becomes the classics and distinguished pieces of that generation. For example, The Da Vinci Code may be a classic of this era by Stein’s definition. Stein believed that composition is what separated generations. However in this era that we live in today is composition a good enough measure of what makes a generation significant? For instance, should we use the amount of censorship on television and in movies as the gauge of what separates our generation from others? I highly doubt Britney Spear’s antics would be tolerates in the 1960’s (Marylyn was thought of as scandalous and she is a saint compared to Spears). I feel that how much more liberal and open people have become in this era as portrayed through media is the main divide between earlier generations. While composition and literature is an accurate gauge for earlier times, today I feel that the role has shifted and composition can no longer be the judge of a generation.

The Passing of Grandison

In Chesnutt’s “The Passing of Grandison,” he uses irony to highlight the issues he discusses. The central idea focuses on how a slave master’s son, Dick, attempts to win his fiancé’s heart over. His fiancée was once amazed by a man who took a slave up north to free him. Thinking he could do the same and amaze his lover, Dick takes a slave named Grandison up north. Throughout the entire trip Dick gives Grandison countless opportunities to escape however he refuses to take them after being told he is free in the north. Finally, while in Canada Dick woke up and to his amazement saw that Grandison was gone. He returned home to his fiancé where he was seen as a hero for his kindhearted deed. However, some time after the two wed, an unexpected visitor arrived. It was Grandison. Ironically he never ran away but was kidnapped by abolitionists and beaten. He escaped the men to find his way back home to his master.

"The Passing of Grandison" is a literary piece that tells that is built on irony. It shows how white plantation owners felt about their slaves and thought that they were to dumb to even consider escaping. This story shows that the black slaves were not as dumb as the master's thought. When Grandison returned it was a symbol that slaves were a lot smarter than everyone thought they were. Chesnutt used the innocence of an un-knowing slave to highlight the ignorance of slave owners during this time as the slave inadvertently out-smarted his master.

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Underlying Themes

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is fun story filled with wit and portrayal of southern society during the Civil War era. While the book can be read by all ages, the themes Twain transpires are extremely complex. For instance the theme of education is portrayed as Huck refuses to go to school and object the morals he is being taught. Huck object to many of the morals for which his elders stand for, in particular slavery. Huck is constantly hounded by society for his choices to go against what they see as cultural norms and do what he feels is best. Eventually he develops a conscience of his own where is makes decisions based on how he feels rather than how society does. This becomes especially obvious when he sets off on the raft with Jim. This gave Huck complete freedom from society as he did not have to worry about social consequences of his actions. Huck could be whomever he pleased and befriend whomever.

Nothing conveys Huck’s liberal stance he developed than his relation with Jim, a black slave whom he became extremely close with. By the end of the story he even frees Jim; which went against southern mores at the time. Huck developed a liberal view on society free from school which taught him the complete opposite of what he felt he should believe. Overall, Twain sets out to show that the goal at the time was to teach children earlier on what to believe and think of people. However, Twain’s character in Huck Finn showed us that it was possible to change the cycle that was trying to be created in the south at the time. Twain was able to bring out a lighter side in both black and white races as the two bonded.

Beat! Beat! Drums!

I agree with Mark Nelly’s assertion concerning Whitman’s poem “Beat! Beat! Drums.” No where in Whitman’s poem is there a mention of slavery, emancipation, or anything relating to such topics. However, Whitman does use the metaphor of the drums to serve as unification among the people who hear the drums, which pretty much is everyone as Whitman covers a variety of different people. The drums sweep through the group of people mentioned consuming their consciousness and calling for unification among the people for the good of the war. The drums serve as an overwhelming concern which gets greater and greater consuming more and more people as time goes on. “Blow! Bugles! Blow!” this shows how Whitman wanted immediate action and attention to be heard and this concern of the war (the bugles and drums) to sweep throughout every citizen who wanted to stand up for their country. While the poem can be confusing when first read, you begin to see that these drums are an urgent call for people to unite and drop what they are doing. “No happiness must he have now with his bride…” This quotation from line five demonstrates perfectly how Whitman feels towards the war as everyone no matter what the cause (even marriage), needs to give the war attention.

I feel this poem is a reflection of Whitman’s concern for war attention. However Whitman may want such drastic and immediate attention because he feels the problem of slavery needs to be abolished as soon as possible. Nevertheless, I am forced to concur with Nelly due to no evidence even acknowledging the practice of slavery. The poem is a cry for unification and attention to the war.

Benito Cereno

Benito Cereno is a great story. Filled with action, Melville describes one ships struggle through a cross-ocean voyage. Melville makes this story enjoyable by the development of the characters. Each character seems to have a specific trait that makes them unique either by the way they laugh or talk to their inferior sailors aboard.

While this story has great detail and is accompanied by colorful characters’, I feel Melville had intentions of delivering a message of race relations in this story. While I understand the irony of saying a story that focuses on a slave ship has a lot to do with the improvement of race relations, I do feel Melville did some justice for the appearance of slaves in the country at this time. First and foremost a slave is given an active role where is viewed as intelligent rather than just a cotton field worker. One image most striking to me is the image of Babo supporting and holding up Cereno during one of his fainting spells aboard the ship. This shows a black man supporting a high ranking officer; very unique for this time. While they still are viewed as slaves in this story they are given names and a high level of intelligence. This is special for this time because I feel that slaves were thought of as extremely inferior to whites. This shows that Melville is not afraid of letting the reader know that slaves are intelligent. While slaves are still suppressed in this story, Babo I feel is a prime example of how the author feels slaves are beginning to emerge to the public’s attention as intelligent and capable.

Young Goodman Brown

Young Goodman Borwn By Hawthorne

Hawthorne used an immense amount of dialogue in order to convey his message in the short story ‘Young Goodman Brown.’ By the developing his characters, one really became in touch with the plot and what was happening. Hawthorne begins the journey, which is this story, by opening with a scene between the newly married Goodman Brown and his wife who does not want him to leave. However, Brown chooses to leave and encounters numerous struggles along his way. Nevertheless, every character is painted perfectly as everyone is introduced in a fashion where you “get to know them” in a certain sense. Like a woman who dramatically begs her husband to stay because she feels danger is near. However this “painting of a picture” Hawthorne develops is rationalized by his language and use of imagery throughout the story.

Hawthorne paints a perfect picture of how the environment is around the characters and makes you feel like you are a bystander watching from behind. “The cry of grief, rage, and terror, was yet piercing the night, when the unhappy husband held his breath for a response.” This picture perfectly portrays the mood and the somberness of what has occurred. By using imagery, Hawthorne is able to develop his characters and use dialogue between the populace to create a story that brings you in and makes you feel as if you are watching from afar.

The Group

The Group
by Mercy Otis Warren

After reading this play I felt perplexed by the complexity of it. The plot and story line were both extremely deep and truly needed an in-depth analysis to accurately understand. I was put at ease however when we as a class agreed how intricate this play was. I was comforted to know that I was not the only one left in the dark. However, after going back and breaking down specific scenes, pieces of the puzzle began to shape in my mind.

By breaking down the language and looking at what is being said it was made much easier for me to understand. Especially in the piece Kelly assigned for us to go back and recite, the break down of the language was crucial. Understanding specific excerpts like:

“To equal liberty, conferred on man, By him who formed the peasant and the King! Could we erase these notions from their minds,”
This shows that they wish to erase the notion that they are freed and ruled by the King who they wish to break away from and revolt against. There were several instances where breaking down the old English language helped me understand the text that much more. Rather than just reading words it became easier to comprehend.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Ben Franklin is brought to life in his Autobiography as we see how innovative of a mind he truly has. In part three Franklin discusses many elements of his life such as when he was Postmaster general and when he invented the stove. Most striking and prevalent to me in this section however, was his political stance towards certain issues. He advocates these issues more and more as he publishes them in his Newspaper in which he prints. The issue that stood out the most to me was his view towards England at this point.
Franklin in this section focuses on the events of the French and Indian war. However his account does not thump the French, who at the time were the enemies, but degrade the British and make us believe that a revolt is possible as he makes the British soldiers seem incompetent. Franklin begins to show how well rounded he is during this chapter as well as he shows he has military strategies as well. In this section Franklin foreshadows many events to come as he in a sense glorifies the French and debases the British.
This chapter is significant as Franklin shows his military strategies and also unveils certain inventions and experiments he creates such as electricity and the stove.

The State of Virginia

Going into this I expected this piece to be extremely stylish as the Author, Thomas Jefferson, embodies one of the most eloquent minds of all time. However, the reading ‘The State of Virginia,’ was extremely bland and read much like a textbook at the beginning. On the other hand it was extremely impressive how Jefferson covered every issue ranging from geographic to political issues. Even more impressive was how thorough Jefferson was in explaining each issue.

As I read on I began to see how complex his writing was especially in the chapter ‘Manners. I was daunted by how complex Jefferson was he was able to express many issues in regard to society. He could awe you with his knowledge of the rivers and mountains of the state but also inform you on the educational systems established by the first settlers when the College of William and Mary was founded. Most impressive to me was this excerpt I took from the chapter ‘Manners’:

"The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it; for man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all education in him. From his cradle to his grave he is learning to do what he sees others do. If a parent could find no motive either in his philanthropy or his self-love, for restraining the intemperance of passion towards his slave, it should always be a sufficient one that his child is present. But generally it is not sufficient."

This piece shows Jefferson’s opinion toward slavery and how he felt slaves should not be treated so aggressively. But this piece also shows how deep Jefferson was as he dips into sociological and psychological issues he sees during this time. He sees how imitative humans are and how we learn from what we see. He feels that children need to see their elderly treat others with respect as they will carry on that behavior.

Overall Jefferson addresses countless issues which not only served justice at that time, but could also be used during the current age (in some cases). This proves how original of a mind Jefferson had for his era.

“A Devine and Supernatural Light…”

First and foremost I enjoyed reading “A Devine and Supernatural Light…” While The Christian Philosopher was intriguing and informative, I feel Edwards was much more eloquent with his words as he tried to express the evidence of Christ through the existence of knowledge and other blessings he brings to the readers attention. Edwards conveys to the reader that if we all obey the Lord, then we will be saved.

By the end of the reading, Edwards causes us to reflect back on the goodness of God and it makes the reader question whether this “divine light of God” has ever been let into our souls. Also it makes us question the existence of God and whether the lord’s being is true. Overall, Edwards delivers a message that has a clear point that both enlightens the reader and makes the reader question certain aspects in their own particular lives. But to keep the reader informed Edwards uses comparisons to get his point across in numerous occasions when talking about the gifts god has given us.

In general, Edwards delivers a sermon not backed by science and facts but by belief. His message is to accept the lord and this divine light will be let into our souls.

Engl 122

Hey everyone!
My name is Nick Simon and i am from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Shaker Heights is a suburb of Cleveland. I love meeting new people and having great times filled with laughter. Here at Carolina i am on both the Football and Wrestling teams. In this course i hope to learn a great deal out the earlier works of literature which made our country great!