Overall, I have really liked this book. I think the thing I like best about it is that none of the characters are annoying. There are some I don't like (cough WALTER cough cough) but I can definitely tolerate reading about them and I can sympathize with them regardless. The book is so real and honest, but it also incorporates life's lighthearted, humorous moments too. I feel like there have been a lot of really good movies set in this era (20'a to 60's) that are focused on the Civil Rights Movement, slavery, and on African -American families in general.
We read Their Eyes Were Watching God last year in Sander's class, and it wasn't too bad. Not my favorite though, personally. (I don't have a video for this one; I couldn't find a good one :( )
I've never seen The Color Purple, but I've heard it's a great play and movie.
I read The Secret Life of Bees a couple years ago for a book report, and it turned out to be really good, even though I had to write several papers on it.
The Help is the newest movie about the Civil Rights Movement Era, and it evokes a whole gamut of emotion from hatred to humor to fervor for justice and change. It's fantastic.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Surroundings - Drama Blog 2 (A Raisin in the Sun)
"MAMA: What is it you want to express?
BENEATHA: Me! Don't worry - I don't expect you to understand."
~A Raisin in the Sun, page 48
Our environment is what shapes and defines our personalities not only when we are younger and developing, but also when we are older. Setting can effect people so much, even to the point that is changes their dispositions. In Raisin in the Sun, the setting particularly affects both Mama and Beneatha.
Mama is affected by the setting because she feels trapped. The apartment she lives in must be shared with many of her extended family members - her grandson Travis even sleeps on the couch every night. The tiny apartment just isn't enough room for her, which is why she puts the down payment on the house. She also probably feels trapped in a stereotype. Throughout the play, the family members (aside from Beneatha) are trying to assimilate into the middle-class American culture. The apartment is a symbol of not being able to escape the "black" ways of life, when all Mama wants is to have a good, rich life for her family. (I'm not saying they are oppressed in the apartment... but they are oppressed in the apartment.)
Beneatha is different from all the other family members. She is the most educated and has the most experience with travel. Beneatha considers moving all the way to Africa during the play. This already shows a contrast in her and her family - while her family is trying to integrate into "white society," Beneatha is completely embracing her culture. Beneatha, like Mama, feels trapped in her setting; however, she feels trapped in an environment full of ignorance and desire to assume a false, "better" identity.
BENEATHA: Me! Don't worry - I don't expect you to understand."
~A Raisin in the Sun, page 48
Our environment is what shapes and defines our personalities not only when we are younger and developing, but also when we are older. Setting can effect people so much, even to the point that is changes their dispositions. In Raisin in the Sun, the setting particularly affects both Mama and Beneatha.
Mama is affected by the setting because she feels trapped. The apartment she lives in must be shared with many of her extended family members - her grandson Travis even sleeps on the couch every night. The tiny apartment just isn't enough room for her, which is why she puts the down payment on the house. She also probably feels trapped in a stereotype. Throughout the play, the family members (aside from Beneatha) are trying to assimilate into the middle-class American culture. The apartment is a symbol of not being able to escape the "black" ways of life, when all Mama wants is to have a good, rich life for her family. (I'm not saying they are oppressed in the apartment... but they are oppressed in the apartment.)
Beneatha is different from all the other family members. She is the most educated and has the most experience with travel. Beneatha considers moving all the way to Africa during the play. This already shows a contrast in her and her family - while her family is trying to integrate into "white society," Beneatha is completely embracing her culture. Beneatha, like Mama, feels trapped in her setting; however, she feels trapped in an environment full of ignorance and desire to assume a false, "better" identity.
My Generation - Drama Blog 1 (A Raisin in the Sun)
"Now - you say after me, in my mother's house there is still God."
~ A Raisin in the Sun, page 51
It's natural for people to mature when they age and then become out of touch with younger generations - the things they used to care about seem insignificant compared to their present values, and this is consistent with most everyone in general. There are several different examples you can pull from A Raisin in the Sun.
One is between Mama and Beneatha. One of the fights they had revolved around religion. Spirituality is definitely an ongoing struggle and personal journey for each individual person. It seems that with age, people in general become more devout and religious. Beneatha renounces the existence of God, but Mama will not have it in her house. I think that when people are younger, they doubt and they want to explore and learn new things about the world. Beneatha's denial of God isn't necessarily lasting - she will probably recognize those values as she ages.
Another is between Mama and Walter. They both want to invest the money into something that will help the whole family, but there are definitely different motives for each one. Mama wants to buy a new house - the house will give all of them space to live and feel more liberated than in their tiny apartment; ultimately, it would benefit the whole family and improve the family dynamic. Walter wants to invest the money in a liquor store. While this would give the family more opportunities, Walter considers the fastest, easiest way to get what he wants (instant gratification), and the main goal is more money. Mama values hard work and a reward that would be helpful to everyone; this shows how family-oriented older generations are.
~ A Raisin in the Sun, page 51
It's natural for people to mature when they age and then become out of touch with younger generations - the things they used to care about seem insignificant compared to their present values, and this is consistent with most everyone in general. There are several different examples you can pull from A Raisin in the Sun.
One is between Mama and Beneatha. One of the fights they had revolved around religion. Spirituality is definitely an ongoing struggle and personal journey for each individual person. It seems that with age, people in general become more devout and religious. Beneatha renounces the existence of God, but Mama will not have it in her house. I think that when people are younger, they doubt and they want to explore and learn new things about the world. Beneatha's denial of God isn't necessarily lasting - she will probably recognize those values as she ages.
Another is between Mama and Walter. They both want to invest the money into something that will help the whole family, but there are definitely different motives for each one. Mama wants to buy a new house - the house will give all of them space to live and feel more liberated than in their tiny apartment; ultimately, it would benefit the whole family and improve the family dynamic. Walter wants to invest the money in a liquor store. While this would give the family more opportunities, Walter considers the fastest, easiest way to get what he wants (instant gratification), and the main goal is more money. Mama values hard work and a reward that would be helpful to everyone; this shows how family-oriented older generations are.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Random Connections - Drama Blog 3 (Glass Menagerie)
"Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve. But I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion."
~The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
The Glass Menagerie has made me think of some things from my own life - mostly insignificant little connections, but I think that's what makes reading this play bearable. When I saw the phrase "gentleman caller," I immediately remembered the movie Easy A based off of The Scarlet Letter.
When Laura is describing the pieces of glass, I thought of the twenty-seven different places in Brown County that sell glass figurines. (That's not an exact number, I just guesstimated.)
In the movie Water for Elephants, the word "menagerie" is used to describe the pens that the animals were kept in, so I thought of them as just a larger glass collection.
I work at a dance studio, and I have danced for about 8 years, so when Amanda was fretting over Laura's appearance and trying to make her improve it, I got a flashback of competitions and dance recitals - the moms trying to get their girls into uncomfortable costumes and reliving their glory days - it's like the performances were solely for them. Amanda makes me think of hardcore stage moms.
I know this stuff isn't so insightful or analytical, but they're the things I relate back to The Glass Menagerie.
~The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
The Glass Menagerie has made me think of some things from my own life - mostly insignificant little connections, but I think that's what makes reading this play bearable. When I saw the phrase "gentleman caller," I immediately remembered the movie Easy A based off of The Scarlet Letter.
When Laura is describing the pieces of glass, I thought of the twenty-seven different places in Brown County that sell glass figurines. (That's not an exact number, I just guesstimated.)
In the movie Water for Elephants, the word "menagerie" is used to describe the pens that the animals were kept in, so I thought of them as just a larger glass collection.
I work at a dance studio, and I have danced for about 8 years, so when Amanda was fretting over Laura's appearance and trying to make her improve it, I got a flashback of competitions and dance recitals - the moms trying to get their girls into uncomfortable costumes and reliving their glory days - it's like the performances were solely for them. Amanda makes me think of hardcore stage moms.
I know this stuff isn't so insightful or analytical, but they're the things I relate back to The Glass Menagerie.
Dysfunctionality - Drama Blog 2 (Glass Menagerie)
"This is our father who left us a long time ago.He was a telephone man who fell in love with long distances; he gave up his job with the telephone company and skipped the light fantastic out of town."
~ The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
I haven't gotten all the way through The Glass Menagerie yet, so I'm still unaware of some finer details. I also don't really understand the point of the play; yes, it's about a dysfunctional family (as my aunts say, "we put the "fun" in "dysfunctional" "), but "why" is the big question. However, I feel like some family issues stem from the father leaving the family. Actually I'm sure of it.
First of all, the man (in the forties and in many cases today) was the main provider for the family. He worked and brought in all the money. But when he left, someone had to take over his place as the worker; naturally, that was the son, Tom. Tom has to take care of the family, but he absolutely hates his job. It isn't mentally stimulating for him, and he wants to be creative and write poetry. That doesn't bring in money, so he must settle. This obviously makes Tom resent his family and creates a desire in him to leave and be free of his responsibilities, which creates more tension.
Second of all, I think that Amanda has an inferiority complex where she thinks that she wasn't pretty or interesting (as in having an appealing personality) for her husband - maybe she thinks he ran away because of her? - so she only values herself as how others see her and how good she looks. I think it also makes her long for a time in her life when she had options and she wasn't "weighed down" by an angry child and a crippled child. She is still so focused on herself that she can barely think of her children.
And finally, Laura has some issues. Obviously, from childhood, she was going to be insecure about her condition that cripples her. But not only does she have to deal with her defect, but she has to put up with her mother constantly deriding her and saying she should have gone to college and that she needs a man to make her life complete.
~ The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
I haven't gotten all the way through The Glass Menagerie yet, so I'm still unaware of some finer details. I also don't really understand the point of the play; yes, it's about a dysfunctional family (as my aunts say, "we put the "fun" in "dysfunctional" "), but "why" is the big question. However, I feel like some family issues stem from the father leaving the family. Actually I'm sure of it.
First of all, the man (in the forties and in many cases today) was the main provider for the family. He worked and brought in all the money. But when he left, someone had to take over his place as the worker; naturally, that was the son, Tom. Tom has to take care of the family, but he absolutely hates his job. It isn't mentally stimulating for him, and he wants to be creative and write poetry. That doesn't bring in money, so he must settle. This obviously makes Tom resent his family and creates a desire in him to leave and be free of his responsibilities, which creates more tension.
Second of all, I think that Amanda has an inferiority complex where she thinks that she wasn't pretty or interesting (as in having an appealing personality) for her husband - maybe she thinks he ran away because of her? - so she only values herself as how others see her and how good she looks. I think it also makes her long for a time in her life when she had options and she wasn't "weighed down" by an angry child and a crippled child. She is still so focused on herself that she can barely think of her children.
And finally, Laura has some issues. Obviously, from childhood, she was going to be insecure about her condition that cripples her. But not only does she have to deal with her defect, but she has to put up with her mother constantly deriding her and saying she should have gone to college and that she needs a man to make her life complete.
Unrealism - Drama Blog 1 (Glass Menagerie)
"AMANDA: I took that horrible novel back to the library- yes ! That hideous book by that insane Mr. Lawrence. [Tom laughs wildly.] I cannot control the output of diseased minds or people who cater to them - [Tom laughs still more wildly.] BUT I WON'T ALLOW SUCH FILTH BROUGHT INTO MY HOUSE ! NO, no, no, no, no!"
~ The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
Fair warning: I left my book at school, so I won't have page numbers for my quotes.
So one of the things we talked about during class was realistic vs. nonrealistic vs. unrealistic. One of the characters I think fits really well into the unrealistic category is Amanda, the mom. Amanda is a little ridiculous - she says things and does things that most mothers don't. While most mothers have to keep their children grounded and in touch with reality while the children may have wild imaginations or hyper-emotional states that illicit irrational outbursts, Amanda assumes the role of the child. She constantly talks about her days as an adolescent, and it is obvious that she wishes she could regress to that time when she was the center of attention and her life was seemingly perfect, when she had yet to make crucial mistakes that would follow her the rest of her life. She still cares about very superficial aspects of both her life and her daughter's. She loses her patience and temper with Tom when she assumes that something is going to threaten the structure or stray from social convention in her life, as if her life were functional. Amanda does not act how a normal mother would, so I would say she is a bit unrealistic.
~ The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams
Fair warning: I left my book at school, so I won't have page numbers for my quotes.
So one of the things we talked about during class was realistic vs. nonrealistic vs. unrealistic. One of the characters I think fits really well into the unrealistic category is Amanda, the mom. Amanda is a little ridiculous - she says things and does things that most mothers don't. While most mothers have to keep their children grounded and in touch with reality while the children may have wild imaginations or hyper-emotional states that illicit irrational outbursts, Amanda assumes the role of the child. She constantly talks about her days as an adolescent, and it is obvious that she wishes she could regress to that time when she was the center of attention and her life was seemingly perfect, when she had yet to make crucial mistakes that would follow her the rest of her life. She still cares about very superficial aspects of both her life and her daughter's. She loses her patience and temper with Tom when she assumes that something is going to threaten the structure or stray from social convention in her life, as if her life were functional. Amanda does not act how a normal mother would, so I would say she is a bit unrealistic.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Ja-queeese - Drama Blog 3 (As You Like It)
To be honest, this play was pretty decent. However, the thing that probably bothered me the most was how Jaques' name is pronounced. OKAY PEOPLE, can you please do you and your child a favor and name them something normal and easy to pronounce?? They are in France. He should pronounce it jahck, not ja-queese.
His name reminds me of more.... ahem.... ghetto names these days. It seems like names are just getting more and more ridiculous. Here are some examples.
Orangejello (oh-rahn-gel-lo): it is in fact not pronounced like "Orange Jell-O."
La-a (la-dash-ah): the punctuation is now being called by name, not pronounced phonetically. But stay tuned! There's another interesting one coming up.
Yohiness/ Yomajesty (yo-high-ness and yo-maj-es-tee): These are legit twin names that have been put on birth certificates.
L' (lah-po-strofe): I swear this was my dad's co-worker's daughter's name. Just L-apostrophe.
Well, I hope you enjoyed laughing at these ridiculous and unnecessary names.
His name reminds me of more.... ahem.... ghetto names these days. It seems like names are just getting more and more ridiculous. Here are some examples.
Orangejello (oh-rahn-gel-lo): it is in fact not pronounced like "Orange Jell-O."
La-a (la-dash-ah): the punctuation is now being called by name, not pronounced phonetically. But stay tuned! There's another interesting one coming up.
Yohiness/ Yomajesty (yo-high-ness and yo-maj-es-tee): These are legit twin names that have been put on birth certificates.
L' (lah-po-strofe): I swear this was my dad's co-worker's daughter's name. Just L-apostrophe.
Well, I hope you enjoyed laughing at these ridiculous and unnecessary names.
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