Blog Post 18: FREEDOM...FREEDOM...

Beloved by: Toni Morrison has been an interesting experience to read. Since before being assigned to begin this novel, we've been asked “What is the significance of writing a book in a past setting, in the present?” This question has forced us to wonder the true answer to such a question. I believe that history repeats itself and that we can associate many aspects of the past into our daily lives. Therefore, we can associate many aspects and situations in this book to real world issues that we may face today. The first association I made was the first altercation between Denver and Paul D towards the beginning of the novel. This reminds me of my own personal experiences with step parents and questioning authority. This part of the novel really captured me. Another theory that I believe in is that fact that there may be actually two ghosts instead of just one. “‘You got company?’ He whispered, frowning. ‘Off and on,’ said Sethe.” (Morrison. 10). They believe that the entity is just one set thing rather than one. Later in the novel Denver sees a white figure wrapped around the waist of Sethe while praying. This could be baby Suggs who may be a guardian angel.

Blog Post 17: Paul D... JERSEY FIST BUUUUUMP!

In the reading, Paul D revisits his dark past of slavery at Sweet Home. Paul D explains that the worst feeling he felt out of all things was watching as the farm rooster, Mister. Paul D is forced to watch the rooster roam free while he has slaved. This shows the prioritization of a slave's life compared to one of an animal. It's ironic that he is enslaved while the rooster is still free and running around. People often associate symbols with several different events because of the weight that comes with these several different symbols. Symbols may help a character continue to look for specific answers to a problem, or to continue on a quest of some sort. We see different symbols like this several times within Beloved. Water can be seen as a huge symbol as well. As we learned for how to read literature like a professor, if they don't drown it's baptism. We can associate this when Beloved comes from out of the lake. The house, 124 is a symbol for several things. This includes life and death, growth for Denver, and a haven of some sort for Sethe. We continue to learn about the birth of Denver and the white lady that helped Sethe during the difficult time. We originally learn the white lady is in search of velvet from Boston and just helps Sethe along the way. There may be some unrevealed reasons as to why she gave her help even more.

Blog Post 16: Dearly BELOVED...We is Typing Here Today...

For starters, I don't necessarily agree that they instantaneously allowed Paul D become the head of the household. Sethe and Denver allow Paul D to stay and live with them, although Denver doesn't really approve of this at all to begin with. This book comes off as very confusing and overly poetic, but I begin to easily understand the dialogue beginning on page 52 and I can relate to it personally. The situation the reader views is a single mother introducing a male figure into the household, the figure then moving in, and then the figure trying to assert his dominance within this household that is unfamiliar to male dominance. This causes automatic opposition from Denver, who doesn't necessarily know how to feel immediately about the situation or the male figure which is Paul D. Page 52 is like watching a BET Movie, but I've also witnessed such opposition personally. As we readers we can tell that Sethe has missed having someone of her own although she does not admit such a thing. She lives life every day wondering about the life or death of her husband, Halle. Her sons, who you can interpret as male figures, flee at a young age to escape the ghost. Being with someone again changed Sethe’s perception of the world again. “He was responsible for that. Emotions sped to the surface in his company. Things became what they were…” (Morrison. 48). I don't understand why they just bring this complete stranger, Beloved, into their house as if it's just normal (this may be the culture) but Paul doesn't ask too many questions because “If she wanted them to know and was strong enough to get through the , she would.” (Morrison. 63). They continue to take care of Beloved and nurse her back to good health.

Blog Post 15: SWEET HOME... not in 'Bama.

The official/unofficial marriage of the two slaves, Sethe and Halle is a remarkable one. While at Sweet Home, the male slaves excruciatingly wait a year for Sethe to make her decision on who she wants to be with. When Sethe makes her choice and chooses Halle, she requests Mrs. Garner for a wedding only to be laughed at. The two slaves then conduct a wedding of their own. The name of their first born daughter, Beloved from a slave perspective could be important to show how she was a product of forbidden love, which is significant. Sethe’s fourth child, Denver seems to be stuck in the Shadow of her dead sister. Her mother is overly focused on forgetting the past and she is often overlooked. The ghost is even her only true friend. Denver acts very jealous and cries after seeing her mother talk to one of the other fellow slaves. Sethe is without a father or father figure and everyone avoids her because of her cries about the house. While at Sweet Home, the slaves have sex with cows and dream of rape while waiting for Sethe to make her decision. Swaying corn stalks then indicate to the men that Sethe had made her choice. The other men celebrate by eating the corn stalks broken by the newlyweds.

Blog Post 14: I Drive Myself Crazy - THINKING OF YOU

As Esther enters enters the graveyard in which her father was laid to rest in, she is automatically disappointed in what she sees. As if Esther isn't already unsatisfied about everything, she adds the graveyard to her list of things. There are two portions to the graveyard, the older side and the newer side. Ironically the older side seems to be a bit better and it appeals to Esther more. "The graveyard disappointed me." (Plath. 166) Esther says as she encounters the graveyard. As Esther swims in the ocean she contemplates taking an Edna like approach to killing herself by swimming until she can no longer go anymore, but she remembers her attempt at choking herself that morning and figures that her body will resist the urge to do so and just cling on to the rock in the middle of the ocean. Esther then attempts to just submerge where she is and drown, only to be disappointed at the fact that she bobs back up to the surface each time. At the end of chapter 14 pockets and steals a ball of mercury before being moved after causing a huge commotion. This seems to be the biggest thing that actually makes Esther happy. She seems to be so fascinated at the silver ball saying, "I smiled and smiled at the small silver." (Plath. 183). I think that this stolen ball of mercury plays a significant in the novel because it will return later in the book and play a role in the end of the novel quite possibly. Esther ends up talking to her new doctor, Dr. Nolan about her previous experience with shock therapy and Dr. Nolan reassures Esther that is was done incorrectly and that it will never be like it was the first time. Finally in chapter 16, Esther is requested by another patient by the name of Joan who seems to have the same symptoms and tendencies as Esther. Joan knows Esther because they went to the same college and Joan ended up reading about Esther when she went missing, which makes the reader question how long Esther was missing.

Blog Post 13: New York "Psycho?"

In The Bell Jar, beginning in chapter 9 we see that Esther decides to go out once more with Doreen. It is clear that Esther simply has not learned her lesson about dealing with Doreen and going out with her. This time Doreen brings Esther with her to a Country Club dance with herself and Lenny. There she meets her woman hating blind date, Marco. Marco is far from a generous gentleman and doesn't treat Esther too well. At some point during the dance the two of them step outside and Esther questions Marco on his love life. Marco then reveals that he is in love with his cousin, but he can not manifest his love because she is preparing to be a nun. When Esther makes a friendly suggestion that Marco can now "love somebody else someday" (Plath. 108) Marco explodes into a fit of rage and begins to attack Esther. I believe that this attack comes from a place of deep insecurity on Marco's behalf as Marco repeatedly calls Esther a slut while he attacks her. This part of the book depicts an interaction between two individuals with some sort of mental instability. In chapter 10 Esther takes an optimistic approach after being told that she did not get into the writing course in which she requested at school. This chapter also starts to obviously show Esther's mental downfall more obviously. Esther takes on the task of writing her own novel in which she struggles to barely even begin. "I'm writing a novel," (Plath. 121) Esther's says ever so boldly before she decides to give up. Edna begins to visit a psychiatrist by the name of Dr. Gordon who asks her different questions about things such as college life and more. Dr. Gordon advises Esther's mother to bring her to his hospital to receive shock treatment. Esther begins to think about many alternate means such as killing herself or fleeing to Chicago, the only thing that stops Esther is her fear of blood and the fact that the bank closes before she's able to run away to Chicago. As Esther sits in the park contemplating suicide, the "little chorus of voices" (Plath. 146) that seem to be a positive and optimistic voice for her, but also a bit harsh.

Blog Post 12: Freewrite Prompt

This book is a very confusing one nonetheless. In The Bell Jar we continuously go back and forth between past and present, just as we've seen in previous books (Slaughterhouse-Five. Billy was throwed). During her trip to the UN, Esther reflects on a poem that she once read about a fig tree that brings completely different people together to watch a egg hatch. There's a Jew and a nun on the first day, then on the second day the nun doesn't return and a kitchen maid shows up instead. This poem reminds Esther of her relationship with Buddy Willard. This poem could also be a reflection of the anima and the superego and their confliction towards each other, while the hatching egg or a new life could serve as the ego. Additionally, the relationship between Buddy and Esther seems to be a strange one. Buddy wishes to be a doctor and Esther wants to be a writer which depicts more of a anima and superego relationship. The book switches between their current and past relationship, which are completely different. At the beginning Buddy seems to have no interest in poetry and pretty much insults it but in the present he has some of his written work published. Esther hits the petty button by trying to sleep with someone to get back at Buddy for not being a virgin, because he apparently acted like he was. Esther still exhibits many signs of being messed up inside and I don't see it getting any better.

Blog Post 11: Welcome to the JUNGLE!

From the very beginning of The Bell Jar, Esther does not make The Amazon seem like much of an ideal place. She describes The Amazon as an all female hotel that resembles much of just a college dormitory to her, which seems like a very poor excuse for a hotel. Edna is familiar with college dorms as well, I'm sure. Esther seems to look up to her boss, Jay Cee throughout most of the chapters we have read so far. This seams to be an unpopular opinion amongst the 12 girls, or at least to Doreen who badmouths her as soon as she is introduced in the book. Apparently Jay Cee is ugly and has a fat husband. In How to Read Literature Like a Professor we learn that most encounters with water are symbolic of renewal and awakening. Esther also closely relates to Blanche from A Streetcar Named Desire, who is constantly taking hot baths just like Esthers (They both might be equally as crazy). In chapter 4 Edna tells us about her fathers death and her mothers somewhat cluelessness. Edna describes how her mother was keen teaching her how to type and being able to do multiple things in order to live and survive. Esthers mother seems to not know too much, but she has done the best that she can.

Blog Post 10: I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T - Do you Know What That Means?

Everything is so much different when you feel free! I’m sure Edna can agree with this statement so much. In Chapter 24 Edna realizes the better details of the house the house that she has called her own for so long. Everything seems different to her because for so long she has been controlled by responsibilities, one being the responsibility of maintaining the societal roles that have been placed on her. Finally being free, Edna is allowed to take the time to recognize and become familiar with her home for once. Edna’s love towards is exactly the same as well. Since Edna is finally happy with herself rather than being tied to what she is “supposed” to do. Edna is allowed to see her children as more than just a lone responsibility, but actually as her own children. Edna has never really had the chance to be free and independent. As a women, she has been seen as the main and initial care taker for her children. Her societal role has always been to be with the kids.In Chapter 31 Edna allows Arobin to caress her to sleep. I see this as a stress relief for the vulnerable Edna who settles for Arobin despite her longing for Robert. I know that Edna regrets the decision, but the incident happens in the moment for her and she just ends up going with it. “He did not say good-night until she had become supple to his gentle, seductive entreaties.” (Chopin. 31).

Blog Post 9: This Girl is on FIIIIIIIRE.

Earlier in our novel reveals Edna’s indecisive feelings towards her children saying “She would sometimes gather them passionately to her heart; she would sometimes forget them.” (Chopin 23). Edna also goes on to say that she'd give everything for her children except for her own self. This establishes some Independence in Edna’s character. In chapter 14 we see one of Edna’s better moments as she puts her son, Étienne, to sleep. We see her caring, motherly instinct kick in, which somewhat depicts and represents a glimpse of what she is/was before her awakening. In the novel, Robert has hidden feelings for Edna stored inside, but faces constant rejection from her. I believe that flirting with the Hispanic girl on the boat and this rejection lead Robert to depart to Mexico. I see this a Roberts gain of independence and new beginnings as well. As soon as Robert announces his departure, irony strikes and the novel slowly starts to reveals Edna's feelings for him and the void left within her after he leaves, which is the trigger of a great deal of her anger. Edna also grows angry with her husband and his ways, which causes her attempt to destroy her ring. In chapter 17 in an attempt to cover up her anger, Edna slips the ring back on as the maid cleans up the broken vase she shattered. Edna finds a new purpose in painting and also as a void filler I feel. I also believe that Adele and Reisz serve their purpose by keeping Edna in her right mind. They support her and keep her sane in a way.

Blog Post 8: I'm EVERY WOMAN - It's All in MEEEEEE

In class we've discussed the purpose of The Awakening overall. It is a feminist article that promotes women's rights and individuality, sadly in the beginning of this novel we notice that Edna lacks these things. Edna is tied down by specific gender roles such as taking care and being responsible for the children, cleaning, etc. Leonce seems as if he means no harm from the beginning, but due to the way society was set up Leonce is perceived as somewhat patriarchal and controlling. Robert in the novel seems to be a lot more friendly and caring. Robert also seems like a needy person in some way. Edna’s frustration with her husband and his title as “the good husband” comes from built up frustration over the years. As a societal view, Leonce is seen as a perfect example of a perfect husband because of how society operated back then. Edna would disagree because of her independent views and what she deals with at home. In this book the sea is representative of the potential of freedom and free will within society to break away from the norms. “The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation.” (Chopin 33). This supports my idea of the symbolism used in the sea. The night Edna goes out and cries on the porch, she looks out into the sea and to me it shows a sense of hope and potential for change and freedom.

Blog Post 7: What's your Question? We got ANSWERS.

1.What is the significance of the different Italian towns and cities referenced by various sinners in many of the chapters in the inferno? Such as Count Ugolino and Pisa in Canto XXXIII and many others who have discussed the troubles of their cities or who have given Dante messages to go back with.

2.Why does the book make the journey back to earth such a quick one? What was Dante's point in doing this?

3. Why did Judas and Caiaphas not receive the same or at least a somewhat similar punishment? Both were enemies of Jesus, but Judas received the worst punishment while Caiaphas received a pretty gruesome, yet "better" consequence.

4. What was the overall significance of the number 3 in the comedy?

5. After returning to earth, do you actually believe that Dante will fulfill all of the promises that he made to the sinners in hell? Such as being remembered or checking on family.

Blog Post 6: FREE YOUR MIND- The Rest Will Follow

We start off in Canto XXII where Dante and Virgil are in the circle of the barrators, those who have abandoned ship. In this Canto we are introduced to Malacoda and the Malebranch, in which Dante is absolutely terrified of. The sinners in this level are forced to remain submerged under the boiling concoction known as the pitch. After discovering Dante and Virgil, Malacoda sends ten of the Malebranch to make sure that new sinner has come up for air from the pitch and to accompany Dante and Virgil. While doing so two of the barrators lead the demons on small chase that results in two of the demons being trapped in the pitch. Dante and Virgil flee before the Malebranch notice. At this point Dante and Virgil are in hiding and Virgil is nonchalant towards Dante's cowardliness, until Dante notices the Malbranch charging toward them. The two quickly flee to the lower level that is home to the hypocrites. This part of the book was personally my favorite because it has very deep biblical roots and required a tad bit of research to understand. In this level Dante and Virgil recognize a man who has been crucified and is forced to being walked on for the rest of eternity. This man is Jewish High Priest, Joseph Caiaphas. In the bible Caiaphas was seen as Jesus' biggest enemy and was ultimately responsible for the death of Jesus. This is so ironic because not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but now Caiaphas has to live the rest of eternity being crucified and trampled on. I think that this punishment is not only ironic, but also perfect for a hypocrite like Caiaphas.

Blog Post 5: Keep it One- "hunnit" - Don't be no FRAUD!

I honestly think it is pretty funny and ironic that Dante encounters so many people in hell in which he is familiar with. It is also pretty funny and ironic that we only come across different famous historical or mythological characters within hell. I believe that many of the people Dante comes across asked to be remembered to others when he returns from the pit possibly for personal benefactors or because of a deeper plot to the story. As we discussed in class, I believe that it is highly unlikely that Dante will return from the pit as some sort of plot twist. It could symbolize some sort of false promising or deeper meaning if Dante does not return and does not complete these requests. I thought the random encounter on page 155 was very weird, but it was some sort of request as well. Paduan says "I often hear them thunder in my ears, shouting, 'Now let the sovereign cavalier, the one who'll bring the purse with the goats, come!'" (Alighieri. Canto XVII. 155). Geryon is a peculiar creature to me because it is described as a serpent, but it also describes it as having shoulders and paws with a human face. In some ways it makes no sense, but in different ways you can see how it perpetuates fraud. The creatures is formed from so many aspects that it doesn't seem so realistic which is fraudulent in a way. Dante opens Canto VXIII with a description of Malebolge. This the circle of basic fraud and in during this Canto I sense a bunch of shade from Dante towards the pope and other corrupt clergyman. In Canto XX we are introduced to all of our diviners, magicians, and astrologers who all pretty go against the basic forms of religion for entertainment, beliefs, or personal gain. This is punishment for that form of fraud. The souls in that circle are forced to endure walking backwards and being unable to see forward.

Blog Post 4: Ain't Nothin' but a Sin Thing

In Canto VIII Dante reflects by saying "there seemed to be weight until I boarded." (Alighieri 69. VIII. 27). I believe that Dante is hinting at the inhabitants of this level of hell who are loaded on the boat as well as passengers. This Canto takes place in the fifth circle of hell where the wrathful and the sullen reside. My interpretation of this is that Dante is pretty much referring to these inhabitants or passengers as empty. I think he is saying that the boat seemed weightless because everyone is either very light or empty. It could possibly be referencing the lack of a soul or maybe even the lack of beliefs, morals, values, etc. Seems a little shady to me, but I wouldn't doubt it too quickly. In Canto IX Erichto makes a statement mentioning dead clay. In this chapter Dante and Virgil fight there way into the city of Dis. It takes a while for them to gain entry but there are just a ton of tombs full of more inhabitants of hell. I think maybe Erichto is referring to the tombs which were of stone or clay material. In the book, usury is acknowledged as a sin. Usury is the act of lending money at high rates of interest. I see this as a sin because those who commit usury aren't necessarily concerned with lending out of the goodness of there hearts, but rather for their own personal continuous gain until the debt is payed. I can definitely see how this could be frowned upon. The main issue is that it is not very sincere whatsoever. I think that the punishment of boiling sinners who have committed acts of violence is a rightful punishment and it's actually pretty ironic too. To boil those who have shed blood  in blood is pretty ironic. On page 115 of the book Dante is given an explanation of why the souls are trapped within the trees by one of the branches itself. It pretty much talks about how they did not value life enough so they had to value what they had left in stumps. They stumps tells how he would change his outcome if he knew it would be that way.

Blog Post 3: HELL-o? It's Me.

In Canto III we are set Limbo or purgatory, which is home to those who "lived without praise." This is where all individuals who did not practice their faith to the best of their abilities are sent. This includes lack of faith and not receiving baptism. Dante is bothered and terrified by the shreeks of those trapped in limbo. Dante sees that all of those trapped in limbo are naked and being attacked by horseflies and wasps. In Canto VI Dante and Virgil strike up a conversation with Cerberus who poses the question "recall me, if you can; for you, before I was unmade, were made." (Alighieri, 53) Personally I was lost when reading the question and didn't understand it at all really. I would like to assume that this is where Dante was lost within the chapter. Being that this text is a bit more complicated than others, my interpretation is likely to be incorrect. In Canto VII the inhabitants of that level are immersed in mud. Again, I had a bit of trouble interpreting this canto so I'm not sure about the comparison being asked about. This text has many differences from traditional Christian and baptist roots. The biggest indication of this for me was the implementation of Cerberus, a Greek mythological character, into the text. The Greek hero Aeneas and others are also brought into the text. Throughout these chapters there's a mention of progressively going lower into the different depths of hell, but I have not noticed other references. 

Blog Post 2: Writing about Literature.

Overall, all the pages for the notes assigned contained something that was useful. Right from the beginning our reading explained to us that there were two major purposes for written assignments and laid them out in detail. As students, we typically complain when given a paper to type or maybe even the blogs we do and we question "what's even the point of this?" Well the textbook tells us once and for all! The most useful thing I found in the textbook was the "Four kinds of papers you might write" section that walked through each of the four types of papers (which I'm sure we'll be assigned very soon) and explained to us the purpose, how to successfully complete it, and steps to making it nearly perfect in a way. We learn that the paper is not always for us, the writers, but instead for the readers. So when writing we must forget sometimes about some of our own aspects and gear it towards those reading our papers. 

Being that we do take our notes out of official literature textbooks, we see that the citations and internal quotations are perfect. To perfect these things ourselves is just a matter of time and observation. It just takes a bit of patience to go back and read from the textbook for reference or to look online. It will eventually just take time to memorize and adjust to citing and quoting works. 

The only thing in which I'm fearful of when it comes to writing papers is length and accuracy. I eventually make my papers long enough but once I stretch out information I tend to get off track or repetitive. I want to fix that and I believe that I can manage to fix that this year through the information I attained from the textbook and refreshers of the things I learned in my previous year of English. I'm very hopeful for my success this year in AP English and the knowledge and experience I hope to gain as well. 

Blog Post 1: Creative Therapy

For my creative therapy project I want to go in a different route and piece apart different events and talk about how I overcame my past in a positive way in its whole entirety. 

1. I've had my fair share of "bad" experiences that have all taught me different lessons. Last year I talked about my step father passing away right before my eyes but that was just one of the things that has made me who I am today. I've gone through so much and I have so much to share. Before living in my house behind Carolina place mall I slept on my grandmother's roach infested living room floor for about 3-4 years, this was something I was ashamed of in my middle school years, no one knew or could tell, but it humbled me. As teenagers we've all had our fair share of arguments with our parents but I was once thrown into the snow in nothing but shorts and a tshirt by my mother, which resulted in me moving in with my father. I've seen my father cry numerous times over ordeals with his ex girlfriend or about my little who we haven't seen in years because her mother refuses to let us see her. I haven't always been as fortunate as others and I've seen many times in which some important things weren't paid on time. My last thing I'm going to talk about is my brother. On October 10th, 2015 my little brother by the name of Calvin Washington was born way too early and due to poor care he only lived for about 2 hours. I didn't tell anyone about what happened honestly because I just didn't feel like talking about it. There's honestly a lot that I don't tell people... Things people would never know.

2. Sometimes I lost hope... I lost a brother and a stepfather. My dad's girlfriend left us after Christmas. I lost so much honestly. Occasionally I lose myself mentally too. 

3. Of course my initial reaction isn't always the best, and I don't cry often. I've gone through voids of loneliness and sadness, I've been angry, I've been hurt.

4. This past summer I went on a lake retreat and I learned about being proactive and basically not stressing the inevitable. The lake retreat changed my perception of the world. That lesson will probably stick with me forever. Everything that I've gone, I've finally embraced and just moved forward. 

5. With each story comes different experiences. I've learned to keep pushing forward and be proactive, put yourself first although it may be tough, patience is a virtue, be careful with those you acquaint yourself with, and be careful who you put trust in. 

I hope this post was somewhat enlightening, I don't hope to gain pity from it, but instead understanding and relief.