"... I found even in M. Krempe a great deal of sound sense and real information, combined, it is true with a repulsive physiognomy and manners .... In M. Waldman I found a true friend. His gentleness was never tinged by dogmatism, and his instructions were given with an air of frankness and good nature..." (pg. 29)
Victor's two professors, M. Krempe and M. Waldman, are foil characters. They contrast quite a bit in character and personality, especially in Victor's point of view. M. Krempe was conceited and had "a repulsive physiognomy and manners." He discouraged Victor in his studied on ancient philosophy. He even mocked Victor for spending so much time studying those ancient philosophies. M. Waldman, however, encouraged Victor. He was kind and benevolent and became a "true friend" to Victor. Waldman was really the one who helped him most because he introduced Victor to his laboratory and the different machines. Victor used the knowledge that he learned from these two men and used it to help him create his creature.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Frankenstein (1) - Frame Story
"I see by your eagerness and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted; that cannot be: ..." (pg. 31)
A frame story is a story within a story and Frankenstein is an example of this. The story begins with Walton writing about his journey and on this journey he meets a stranger. The stranger then begins to tell Walton his story, shifting the focus of the book. So, the book shifts from Walton's story to Victor's and the reader kind of forgets about Walton, until Victor reminds the reader that Walton is listening to Victor. The quote above is the excerpt where Victor reminds the reader that Walton is present. He is telling Walton his story to try to prevent Walton from making the same mistakes he made. The purpose of the frame story is to have Victor teach Walton a lesson about ambition and the search for knowledge now that he is an older, probably wiser scientist.
Another story is also told within Victor's story when the creature tells Victor his story. The purpose of this is to learn about the creature and his first few years of life. Victor did not know see the monster for almost two years, so he had no idea what he did. Therefore, in order to get a sense of the creature, he had to explain his story to Victor. As the creature continues telling his story, the reader will learn more about him and his actions.
A frame story is a story within a story and Frankenstein is an example of this. The story begins with Walton writing about his journey and on this journey he meets a stranger. The stranger then begins to tell Walton his story, shifting the focus of the book. So, the book shifts from Walton's story to Victor's and the reader kind of forgets about Walton, until Victor reminds the reader that Walton is listening to Victor. The quote above is the excerpt where Victor reminds the reader that Walton is present. He is telling Walton his story to try to prevent Walton from making the same mistakes he made. The purpose of the frame story is to have Victor teach Walton a lesson about ambition and the search for knowledge now that he is an older, probably wiser scientist.
Another story is also told within Victor's story when the creature tells Victor his story. The purpose of this is to learn about the creature and his first few years of life. Victor did not know see the monster for almost two years, so he had no idea what he did. Therefore, in order to get a sense of the creature, he had to explain his story to Victor. As the creature continues telling his story, the reader will learn more about him and his actions.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
A Raisin in the Sun (3)
#11 Most people define loneliness as being alone, but a person might experience loneliness even when surrounded by other people. A person can be lonely if his/her ideas, feelings, or circumstances are different from those around them. Discuss a character from Raisin who experiences loneliness because of the differences in his/her ideas, feelings, or circumstances.
"How did I manage to get on everybody's wrong side by just walking into a room?" -Beneatha (pg.46)
I think Beneatha feels loneliness even though she is surrounded by others. She is a feminist and her ideas do not coincide with Mama's ideas. The quote above is example of how Beneathe feels loneliness. She wants to become a doctor and has completely different ideas about life than the rest of her family, so sometimes she feels like they are all against her. Beneathe and her mother have different views on marriage and God. Beneatha does not want to marry George Murchison even thought he is rich because she does not love him. Mama and Ruth, however, cannot understand her reasoning because George's financial stability could provide her a better life. Therefore, Beneatha feels lonely because she has completely different views from her family.
"How did I manage to get on everybody's wrong side by just walking into a room?" -Beneatha (pg.46)
I think Beneatha feels loneliness even though she is surrounded by others. She is a feminist and her ideas do not coincide with Mama's ideas. The quote above is example of how Beneathe feels loneliness. She wants to become a doctor and has completely different ideas about life than the rest of her family, so sometimes she feels like they are all against her. Beneathe and her mother have different views on marriage and God. Beneatha does not want to marry George Murchison even thought he is rich because she does not love him. Mama and Ruth, however, cannot understand her reasoning because George's financial stability could provide her a better life. Therefore, Beneatha feels lonely because she has completely different views from her family.
A Raisin in the Sun (2)
#4 Often, pressure from other people or from outside forces might compel a person to take an action that he or she might not have taken ordinarily. Discuss a character from Raisin who was pressured into taking an action that he or she might not have taken on his or her own.
"It's-it's a nice house too... Three bedrooms-nive big one for you and Ruth.... Me and Beneatha wtill have to share our room, but travis have one of his own-and (with difficulty) I figure if the-new baby-is a boy, we could get one of them double-decker outfits..." -Mama (pg. 92)
I think Mama felt a little pressure to buy a house. She wanted to buy a house with her husband when they were raising their children, but they never did. When she got the insurance check, Mama talked to Ruth about buying a house, but she was not too sure about it. I think that at that time it was just a nice idea and she did not have any real intention of buying a house. However, when she found out Ruth was pregnant, the news pressured Mama into buying a house. Ruth was considering an abortion because there was no room for another child and she did not want to raise it in poverty. Mama did not want Ruth to get rid of her baby, so it helped her make the decision to buy a house.
"It's-it's a nice house too... Three bedrooms-nive big one for you and Ruth.... Me and Beneatha wtill have to share our room, but travis have one of his own-and (with difficulty) I figure if the-new baby-is a boy, we could get one of them double-decker outfits..." -Mama (pg. 92)
I think Mama felt a little pressure to buy a house. She wanted to buy a house with her husband when they were raising their children, but they never did. When she got the insurance check, Mama talked to Ruth about buying a house, but she was not too sure about it. I think that at that time it was just a nice idea and she did not have any real intention of buying a house. However, when she found out Ruth was pregnant, the news pressured Mama into buying a house. Ruth was considering an abortion because there was no room for another child and she did not want to raise it in poverty. Mama did not want Ruth to get rid of her baby, so it helped her make the decision to buy a house.
A Raisin in the Sun (1)
#1 In literature, as in life, a character may search for a better way of life. Show how two characters from A Raisin in the Sun are searching for a better way of life. Explain what each character is hoping to gain through this search and discuss the ways in which each character attempts to bring about a change in his or her life.
"Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be 'bout thirty thousand..." -Walter (pg. 33)
Walter was searching for a better life for his family. He wanted to open up the liquor store so he could provide more for his wife and son. He did not like his job as a chauffeur at all and wanted to do something more fulfilling. He was ashamed that his son had to sleep in the living room and wanted to make a better life for his son.
"Ain't many girls who decide-" "-'to be a doctor.'" -Walter and Beneatha (pg. 36)
Beneatha was also searching for a better life. She was pursing a better life for herself by becoming a doctor. It was not very common for women to become doctors at that time so it was difficult for her. However, she did not let anything hold her back and she was determined to become a doctor so she could have a better life.
"Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be 'bout thirty thousand..." -Walter (pg. 33)
Walter was searching for a better life for his family. He wanted to open up the liquor store so he could provide more for his wife and son. He did not like his job as a chauffeur at all and wanted to do something more fulfilling. He was ashamed that his son had to sleep in the living room and wanted to make a better life for his son.
"Ain't many girls who decide-" "-'to be a doctor.'" -Walter and Beneatha (pg. 36)
Beneatha was also searching for a better life. She was pursing a better life for herself by becoming a doctor. It was not very common for women to become doctors at that time so it was difficult for her. However, she did not let anything hold her back and she was determined to become a doctor so she could have a better life.
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Glass Menagerie (3)
Symbolism
"I'll just imagine he had an operation. The horn was removed to make him feel less-freakish! Now he will feel more at home with the other horses, the ones that don't have horns . . ." (1283)
There were a few different places I found symbolism in this play and the quote above is an example. In this quote, Laura is talking about her unicorn which Jim accidently broke. Just before this Laura tells Jim that the unicorn is her favorite ornament. I think it is her favorite because she feels like she can relate to the unicorn because they are both different from everyone else. The unicorn is a symbol for Laura because it represents an outsider and fantasy. Laura lives in a fantasy world where she plays music and polishes her glass all the time. I think the horn breaking off the unicorn and becoming more normal symbolizes Laura's fantasy world being broken when Jim kisses her. Jim's kiss kind of shocks Laura into reality. So in many ways Laura is very much like the unicorn.
"I'll just imagine he had an operation. The horn was removed to make him feel less-freakish! Now he will feel more at home with the other horses, the ones that don't have horns . . ." (1283)
There were a few different places I found symbolism in this play and the quote above is an example. In this quote, Laura is talking about her unicorn which Jim accidently broke. Just before this Laura tells Jim that the unicorn is her favorite ornament. I think it is her favorite because she feels like she can relate to the unicorn because they are both different from everyone else. The unicorn is a symbol for Laura because it represents an outsider and fantasy. Laura lives in a fantasy world where she plays music and polishes her glass all the time. I think the horn breaking off the unicorn and becoming more normal symbolizes Laura's fantasy world being broken when Jim kisses her. Jim's kiss kind of shocks Laura into reality. So in many ways Laura is very much like the unicorn.
The Glass Menagerie (2)
Complex family relationships
"I'll tell you what I wished for on the moon. Success and happiness for myprecious children! I wish for that whenever there's a moon, and when there isn't a moon, I wish for it too." (1256)
Complex family relationships is another major theme of this play. Amanda loves her children and wants what's best for them, but is too controlling. She wants Tom to be successful and happy and provide for the family. However, she does not want Tom to do the things he enjoys doing. I feel like Amanda was one of the biggest factors driving Tom away. She was too demanding of him to provide for the family. And at the same time, she was trying to controll Laura's life. She sent Laura to business school, but Laura's shyness caused her to drop out and not tell her mother because she was afraid of disappointing her. After she learned Laura dropped out, Amanda decided the only thing left was for Laura to get married. Amanda really wanted what was best for her family but she was going about it in the wrong way.
"I'll tell you what I wished for on the moon. Success and happiness for myprecious children! I wish for that whenever there's a moon, and when there isn't a moon, I wish for it too." (1256)
Complex family relationships is another major theme of this play. Amanda loves her children and wants what's best for them, but is too controlling. She wants Tom to be successful and happy and provide for the family. However, she does not want Tom to do the things he enjoys doing. I feel like Amanda was one of the biggest factors driving Tom away. She was too demanding of him to provide for the family. And at the same time, she was trying to controll Laura's life. She sent Laura to business school, but Laura's shyness caused her to drop out and not tell her mother because she was afraid of disappointing her. After she learned Laura dropped out, Amanda decided the only thing left was for Laura to get married. Amanda really wanted what was best for her family but she was going about it in the wrong way.
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