Since the start of AP Lit, my view of literature has changed. No, not the dramatic "I see the deeper meaning of everything now!", but I feel like I'm now closer to a student of literature than a pure "enjoyer" of literature. My perspective of literature hasn't changed; the feelings I get and the things I notice simply have been put into formal words.
Interesting words that I mull over when reading a new novel - diction.
Tidbits of interesting material the author threw in - details.
A vivid description of something, that makes me imagine I'm there - imagery.
A witty comparison, or a particular emphasis on a thing or person leading me to think it is supposed to be taken at greater than face value - language.
Funny arrangement of words - syntax.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Of Mice and Men
2008. In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.
Every hero needs a sidekick. Batman has Robin, Sherlock Holmes has Watson, and Frodo has Sam. Sidekicks do more than just add another interesting character to a storyline; the interplay between the main character and his sidekick adds an interesting dynamic that allows the author to send important ideas to the reader. Though George doesn’t resemble the typical superhero, nor does Lenny the typical sidekick, the relationship between them is crucial to the message behind Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Lenny brings out the human aspect of George through his childlike nature amid all of the cruelty and inhumanity of California countryside.
In the opening lines of the work, Steinbeck juxtaposes George and Lenny in order to highlight the oddness of the pair of protagonists. In addition to the physical differences between them, George being rather wiry and Lenny a towering giant, George is portrayed as a stereotypical rough and tumble migrant worker, which makes the sheer presence of mentally slow, childlike Lenny all the more surprising. Steinbeck uses animal imagery to characterize Lenny, describing him using his big “paws” in a dog-like while lapping up of water from the creek. George, like a worn out master, chides Lenny in a manner suggesting the normalcy of the act. The opening act of this novella-play causes readers to question why a pragmatic, no nonsense character such as George would tolerate Lenny. However, Steinbeck makes it abundantly clear that their relationship goes further than the reason George gives for it, that he purely uses Lenny for his great attractiveness to employers. George cares for Lenny deeply, like a master for a loyal, loving dog, or even like parent for a child. As their relationship is further explored through the events at their new farm jobs, Steinbeck shows the reader to what extent George will care for Lenny, revealing George’s true character.
The unlikely pair share a common dream and its tragic ending is Steinbeck’s main vehicles for his theme of characters failing to achieve their dreams. The ending scene, culminating in George shooting Lenny in the back of the head symbolizes the final nail in the coffin for their dashed hopes. Though the act was violent, it was done out of love and self sacrifice. Throughout the work, the dream that George and Lenny shared of owning their own farm symbolized freedom for them and acted as a motivator. By shooting Lenny, George in effect metaphorically obliterates his own hopes for freedom in the harsh world of Great Depression California. This fits into Steinbeck’s main theme that results in the crushing of every single major character’s aspirations.
The relationship between George and Lenny is anything but typical, but Lenny manages to bring out George’s character more effectively than any other character in the novel.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Decade of Trial
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904836104576560393285549226.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADSecond
This opinion article describes the personal experiences Anthony Dolan, who worked as a special advisor in the State Department and Department of Defense during the Bush Administration.
Details: When reading a tribute to America's soldiers, one expects a glorious account of sacrifice, either leading to tragedy or to redemption. Dolan takes a different, more honest approach. Instead of simply spinning out a feel good message that justifies or even glorifies the sacrifices that the soldiers make, Dolan highlights the bittersweetness of the inherent nature of their service to the country. Dolan does not comment on whether the hurt suffered by the young men and women is justified or unjustified; he remains ambiguous on his personal point of view. He stirs up emotion, only to leave the reader to ponder to himself over the morality of the issue. He does this by including details that evoke conflicting emotions. For instance, when Dolan throws the reader's expectations when he relives an exchange between a high ranked general and a young veteran in a wheelchair.Military customs get thrown out the window when the general refuses the soldier's apology for not saying "sir", and says, "I'm the one who should be calling you 'sir;"The dramatic reversal of this usually rigid, sometimes harsh code reveals the human side of the military, and the compassion that exists behind the scenes.
Language/Imagery: This theme of conflicting emotions carries over the Dolan's language, and the imagery it evokes. He recounts the " parade of crutches and wheelchairs", a metaphor that carries a conflicting message. A parade traditionally evokes thoughts of pomp and circumstance, pride, and patriotism. However, the parade consists of young men and women crippled at an untimely age, all in the name of their country. They cannot walk proudly, they must struggle along with the assistance of others. While the young veterans are proud of their sacrifice, readers can only feel pity at the image of men and women, at the prime of life, crippled for the rest of their lives. Readers are reminded of the costs of war and must ask themselves, "is it worth it"?
Diction: When most people think of the word "hop", they don't think of heroism or dignity. They think of the Easter bunny, frogs, or even small children. However, when Dolan describes the movement of the crippled soldiers, the guests of honor at an important dinner, towards their van on that shuttles them back to Walter Reed, that's exactly the word he uses. He acknowledges the tough emotions that the word brings up , writing "Hard to hear and hard to watch. The hero as grateful hopper." The words "hero" and "hopper" juxtaposed reveal to the reader the truth behind all of the fancy medals, the festive parades, and all of the eloquent speeches. The glory of sacrifice is a thin veneer for the real pain and suffering that wounded veterans must endure, often for the rest of their lives.
This opinion article describes the personal experiences Anthony Dolan, who worked as a special advisor in the State Department and Department of Defense during the Bush Administration.
Details: When reading a tribute to America's soldiers, one expects a glorious account of sacrifice, either leading to tragedy or to redemption. Dolan takes a different, more honest approach. Instead of simply spinning out a feel good message that justifies or even glorifies the sacrifices that the soldiers make, Dolan highlights the bittersweetness of the inherent nature of their service to the country. Dolan does not comment on whether the hurt suffered by the young men and women is justified or unjustified; he remains ambiguous on his personal point of view. He stirs up emotion, only to leave the reader to ponder to himself over the morality of the issue. He does this by including details that evoke conflicting emotions. For instance, when Dolan throws the reader's expectations when he relives an exchange between a high ranked general and a young veteran in a wheelchair.Military customs get thrown out the window when the general refuses the soldier's apology for not saying "sir", and says, "I'm the one who should be calling you 'sir;"The dramatic reversal of this usually rigid, sometimes harsh code reveals the human side of the military, and the compassion that exists behind the scenes.
Language/Imagery: This theme of conflicting emotions carries over the Dolan's language, and the imagery it evokes. He recounts the " parade of crutches and wheelchairs", a metaphor that carries a conflicting message. A parade traditionally evokes thoughts of pomp and circumstance, pride, and patriotism. However, the parade consists of young men and women crippled at an untimely age, all in the name of their country. They cannot walk proudly, they must struggle along with the assistance of others. While the young veterans are proud of their sacrifice, readers can only feel pity at the image of men and women, at the prime of life, crippled for the rest of their lives. Readers are reminded of the costs of war and must ask themselves, "is it worth it"?
Diction: When most people think of the word "hop", they don't think of heroism or dignity. They think of the Easter bunny, frogs, or even small children. However, when Dolan describes the movement of the crippled soldiers, the guests of honor at an important dinner, towards their van on that shuttles them back to Walter Reed, that's exactly the word he uses. He acknowledges the tough emotions that the word brings up , writing "Hard to hear and hard to watch. The hero as grateful hopper." The words "hero" and "hopper" juxtaposed reveal to the reader the truth behind all of the fancy medals, the festive parades, and all of the eloquent speeches. The glory of sacrifice is a thin veneer for the real pain and suffering that wounded veterans must endure, often for the rest of their lives.
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