Get It?
On a more serious note, I'd like to tell you all a little tale. It begins about six days before this "Act Of Resistance" assignment was to be turned in. Prior to that day of epiphany, I had nop idea what to do, or for that matter, how to execute this. More than anything, I actually wanted to have a genuine connection to this. In other words, I didn't want to just fulfill this assignment to gain personal attention hwile feeling little for the true cause. I wanted the seriousness of my issue to truly be recognized, not only by the public, but by myself. Well, as I said before I rambled on and on, I came to an eye opening experience (epiphany). As I was (as I do every week) flipping through the pages of the Shepherd Expresss, I haply stumbled upon an article
about the epidemic of homeless teenagers. The article ("Milwaukee Teens Fight for Survival", written by Lisa Kaiser) certainly made me aware of the issue. According to Kaiser, "an estimated
400 teens are looking for a safe place to stay on any given night.." One would think that there would be safety at a local homeless shelter, right? Wrong. There are only two shelters with places specifically for teens in the city (Pathfinders and Walker's Point). More disturbing is the
presence of sex for survival, or, essentially, voluntary prostitution. Many of these 400 teens have also escaped the turmoil of a conflict-ridden, abusive household. For me, it especially hits hard. In middle school, I had a friend, whose name I won't mention, who had frequently run
away from home. Her older brother was in the army, while her mother managed the household
alone, getting by on money from the government, since she was disabled and incapable of work. While I do believe that getting a job would have helped my friend ( when she reached 16 of course) she resented the idea strongly. She and I had different goals. I am an insecure, naive, innocent scaredy-cat, while she was overly ambitious to seek recognition and acceptance, especially from boys.....and she was "willing and able", which scared her mother to death. It got to the point where my friend was locked in without a key-but she still managed to escape her house. She was sick of it. Sick of her mother's strict and blunt way of protecting her. Sick of mourning her father's death, which happened in her early childhood. Sick of the chaos and danger of living in a neighborhood blanketed with crime. Over the years, she called me less and less. I tried calling her. No luck. It was as if she had simply fallen off a cliff, slowly enough for me to witness it, yet too soon for me to intervene. I seriously regret my lack of action, but my parents tell me to let it go-I stopped hearing from her when I was thirteen. Like a bad breakup, I blame myself for everything. I hate myself-I absolutely despise every atom in my body and drop of blood composing me, which is why it was difficult for me to fulfill this assignment and face the past and present. This past weekend I worked up the guts to go to Bayshore and lie down on a bench, as if sleeping. I noticed, when my eyes were barely open, that people did practically nothing except stare. Nobody asked me why I was lying there. They just stared or laughed to their friends. It made me wonder: is this a reflection of society's view on the issue of teenage homelessness? If nobody did a thing when I was sprawled out on a bench, does society turn the other cheek when 400 teens are spending their nights on the streets, sleeping on concrete matresses?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
the end
Odd. The ending, the "peace".
I'm uneasy about it. First of all, they were drunk. Second of all, everybody knows that
this impairs judgement. Its nice to think of a happy ending, but there's always the "what if they
wake up the next morning with a hangover?" Next, peace as a woman. I like the idea- not
only because it's revolutionary, but because it emphasizes the beauty of an end to war. It suggests that tradition can be broken, and that conflict can end through the power of desire.
I'm uneasy about it. First of all, they were drunk. Second of all, everybody knows that
this impairs judgement. Its nice to think of a happy ending, but there's always the "what if they
wake up the next morning with a hangover?" Next, peace as a woman. I like the idea- not
only because it's revolutionary, but because it emphasizes the beauty of an end to war. It suggests that tradition can be broken, and that conflict can end through the power of desire.
wine
Its interesting. Wine and water. Let me take you back to the beginning- the oath.
Wine symbolizing the abstinence of the women and water symbolizing sex.
After thinking about it, it goes deeper. Wine-capable of causing one to become drunk, just as
a woman is capable of causing a man to become "drunk" with passion. Wine can also have a drawn out, laborious creation, just as it took real labor to muster up the determination to go through with the oath. Water- like sex- is capable of corrupting or diluting the wine. Its also quite common, yet quenches a type of biological thirst for a completely natural urge
Wine symbolizing the abstinence of the women and water symbolizing sex.
After thinking about it, it goes deeper. Wine-capable of causing one to become drunk, just as
a woman is capable of causing a man to become "drunk" with passion. Wine can also have a drawn out, laborious creation, just as it took real labor to muster up the determination to go through with the oath. Water- like sex- is capable of corrupting or diluting the wine. Its also quite common, yet quenches a type of biological thirst for a completely natural urge
draping vs weaving
So on page 64, the men refer to the women's rule over the city as a
shroud being draped over the city. I personally associate a shroud with
gloom-like what's draped over a coffin, as if the city has been "defeated".
Lysistrata essentailly says later on that the city was to be enveloped in a cloth
woven from all these bnevolent thing- it brings to mind an image of a mother
caring for a child, wrapping it in a handmade blanket and nurturung it.
shroud being draped over the city. I personally associate a shroud with
gloom-like what's draped over a coffin, as if the city has been "defeated".
Lysistrata essentailly says later on that the city was to be enveloped in a cloth
woven from all these bnevolent thing- it brings to mind an image of a mother
caring for a child, wrapping it in a handmade blanket and nurturung it.
page 64, the Chorus of men
I find it very clear that there is a meaning behind the capitalization of the words WOMEN and
DICTATORSHIP. The men claim that the women have placed a shroud over the city- this
reinforces their negative view of the rule of women, and how stubborn they are at this point in
accepting it until war ends. Its intersting how they connect the women with dictatorship, how the simple capitalization of the words makes their true power even more important. I saw it
pewrsonally, as an exclamation of female authority, how it is so revolutionary in this ancient society.
DICTATORSHIP. The men claim that the women have placed a shroud over the city- this
reinforces their negative view of the rule of women, and how stubborn they are at this point in
accepting it until war ends. Its intersting how they connect the women with dictatorship, how the simple capitalization of the words makes their true power even more important. I saw it
pewrsonally, as an exclamation of female authority, how it is so revolutionary in this ancient society.
Lysistrata herself
what a gal! I admire her much more than other female authority figures so far.
Compared to Bernarda Alba, Lysyistrata is much more rational and realistic. Instead of
selfishly focusing on outward appearnances and maintaining a violent dictatorship, Lysistrata is a charismatic leader capable of instilling pride and unity, as opposed to fear.
Compared to Bernarda Alba, Lysyistrata is much more rational and realistic. Instead of
selfishly focusing on outward appearnances and maintaining a violent dictatorship, Lysistrata is a charismatic leader capable of instilling pride and unity, as opposed to fear.
the chorus
The chorus of men. In their first apprearance, they just sound
like kids to me. In fact, it almost brought me back to childhood. These
guys are singing about how disastrous and awful it is with Athens under female
control. It takes a complete shot at their manhood and that traditional male
model of power. Clearly, these men do not take female authority seriously.
Upon reading this for the first time, I wondered if they could even be convinced to
settle peace with the women.
like kids to me. In fact, it almost brought me back to childhood. These
guys are singing about how disastrous and awful it is with Athens under female
control. It takes a complete shot at their manhood and that traditional male
model of power. Clearly, these men do not take female authority seriously.
Upon reading this for the first time, I wondered if they could even be convinced to
settle peace with the women.
this time... plot!
Gee. So I said earlier that I found this series of events quite interesting.
The end of a war brought on by abstinence certainly makes a statement.
Often, women are seen as objects, to their awareness (duh). Its amazing.
These women have been able to utilize this. Because they know this, they're
able to turn the tide: by using their bodies as objects, they're able to take them away,
causing not only peace, but showing possibly showing society that they're
capable taking the worst and turning it around.
The end of a war brought on by abstinence certainly makes a statement.
Often, women are seen as objects, to their awareness (duh). Its amazing.
These women have been able to utilize this. Because they know this, they're
able to turn the tide: by using their bodies as objects, they're able to take them away,
causing not only peace, but showing possibly showing society that they're
capable taking the worst and turning it around.
the oath
I know that oaths are a big deal to the Greeks, and especially these women. The first time I read this, though, I felt a bit uneasy. It seems that Kleonike, in particular, was a bit hesitant to actually go through with this. Now this is a single woman, but I wonder.. In the masses of women participating in this, did all of them truly feel about this the way that Lysistrata did, or were they
merely following the crowd?
merely following the crowd?
and so on
As I went along to the point of the oath, specifically the appearance of Lampito, I was a bit disgusted by the portrayal of the Spartans. I acknowlege the fact that Parker was trying to emphasize the extent of the paricipants of in the abstinence oath, that all of them were in this together, no matter where they're from, but its a bit too much. The accent screams HICK! the dialect implies a lack of intelligence. Personally, I would have preferred a portrayal less insulting.
some opening thoughts
to be honest, I was looking frward to this play primarily because of the heavy amount
of humor. Honestly, its wonderful to have a break from Bernarda Alba (suicide... ) and Hedda Gabler (hmm another suicide). there was a note of maturity, however, as I find it extremely interesting. I am particularly intrigued about the fact that Aristophanes wrote a play about
the power of a woman. I mean that he's totally ahead of his time-it went against what we'd normally consider the ancient Greeks to believe.
of humor. Honestly, its wonderful to have a break from Bernarda Alba (suicide... ) and Hedda Gabler (hmm another suicide). there was a note of maturity, however, as I find it extremely interesting. I am particularly intrigued about the fact that Aristophanes wrote a play about
the power of a woman. I mean that he's totally ahead of his time-it went against what we'd normally consider the ancient Greeks to believe.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
To the ending...
After hearing what many had to say, I tended to hear that most of my classmates were upset
about the ending. I, personally, am rather indifferent about it, but I couldn't ignore
how it was somewhat similar to Lorca. On the surface, there was the suicide of Adela and
that of Hedda. But its odd- Adela acted out of a combination of desire of freedom and irrationality brought on by the Pepe affair. In other words, she was the one lacking control of her
own life because of her mother, primarily. Hedda, on the other hand, also lacked control, but it was brought on by nobody other than herself, in an internal and mental sense, though I'm
positive you could argue against that.
about the ending. I, personally, am rather indifferent about it, but I couldn't ignore
how it was somewhat similar to Lorca. On the surface, there was the suicide of Adela and
that of Hedda. But its odd- Adela acted out of a combination of desire of freedom and irrationality brought on by the Pepe affair. In other words, she was the one lacking control of her
own life because of her mother, primarily. Hedda, on the other hand, also lacked control, but it was brought on by nobody other than herself, in an internal and mental sense, though I'm
positive you could argue against that.
Girls Gone Wild!
I know, I know- there is the sense of power when a man hires a prostitute. He pays her
and.....But is it really true control. Brack-the womanizer, indulges is the pleasures of the flesh, but does this show his power, or his weakness. I, on one hand, tend to view it as the
latter of the two. Think about it. He's addicted to women. He does flirt with both Hedda and
go for ladies of the night.Think of it as you woould a drug addiction. He lacks the will power to
give up the engagement in this act.
and.....But is it really true control. Brack-the womanizer, indulges is the pleasures of the flesh, but does this show his power, or his weakness. I, on one hand, tend to view it as the
latter of the two. Think about it. He's addicted to women. He does flirt with both Hedda and
go for ladies of the night.Think of it as you woould a drug addiction. He lacks the will power to
give up the engagement in this act.
Look out! She's got a nug! -I mean- GUN!
Well, its pretty obvious- the motif of guns has risen
to symbolize control and power.I'm not going to vomit up all of
the evidence supporting this motid- its pretty obvious, and we've
gone over it enough already. I think that it goes a bit deeper, though.
After thinking about it, I began to think that Hedda uses the guns for
personal amusement in her power. Picture that mean little kid with a magnifying glass.
Picture him frying the ants on the ground with delight. Compare it to Hedda. See?
to symbolize control and power.I'm not going to vomit up all of
the evidence supporting this motid- its pretty obvious, and we've
gone over it enough already. I think that it goes a bit deeper, though.
After thinking about it, I began to think that Hedda uses the guns for
personal amusement in her power. Picture that mean little kid with a magnifying glass.
Picture him frying the ants on the ground with delight. Compare it to Hedda. See?
Awww, Just Give Me A Brack, Man!
Yes, yes, I know, I couldn't resist (Give me a break)
Now. Lets "brack" this case. Personally, I enjoy this character-he feels like an indulgence,
because, for those of us cheering for Hedda, there's the diappointment in the fact that he
gently takes power from her. But He's crazyamazing. All authority figure junk aside-
I've come to almost admire him based on his conversation with Hedda in the beginning of Act II.
His entire conversation is laced with little sexual hints-and he's able to get Hedda to open up about how she truly views her married life.He has status, indeed, but he also posesses a
clever intelligence- I love it.
PS-Hedda, Tesman, and Brack would certainly make "acute" triangle
Now. Lets "brack" this case. Personally, I enjoy this character-he feels like an indulgence,
because, for those of us cheering for Hedda, there's the diappointment in the fact that he
gently takes power from her. But He's crazyamazing. All authority figure junk aside-
I've come to almost admire him based on his conversation with Hedda in the beginning of Act II.
His entire conversation is laced with little sexual hints-and he's able to get Hedda to open up about how she truly views her married life.He has status, indeed, but he also posesses a
clever intelligence- I love it.
PS-Hedda, Tesman, and Brack would certainly make "acute" triangle
Moran the Dynamic Duo (Get it?)
I apologize for the play on words-some of you may not find it so "punny".
I can't quite keep my mouth shut about these characters-they fascinate me!
As I forgot to explain earlier, Thea and Hedda as Malifecent and Sleeping Beauty
definitely carry on the motif of light and darkness! Not only in their looks, but in their
futures- we associate Hedda's darkness with mourning in some cases, and Thea's
lightness with hope, youth, and joy. Cause as we all know, Hedda's ending is tragic,
as opposed to Thea's. Sleeping beauty goes on to marry Prince (Phillip?),
while Malifecent comes to a gruesome end.
I can't quite keep my mouth shut about these characters-they fascinate me!
As I forgot to explain earlier, Thea and Hedda as Malifecent and Sleeping Beauty
definitely carry on the motif of light and darkness! Not only in their looks, but in their
futures- we associate Hedda's darkness with mourning in some cases, and Thea's
lightness with hope, youth, and joy. Cause as we all know, Hedda's ending is tragic,
as opposed to Thea's. Sleeping beauty goes on to marry Prince (Phillip?),
while Malifecent comes to a gruesome end.
The Dynamic Duo Part II
More on the Thea and Hedda series....I've come back to dwell on their appearances. (PS this is
only the first impression of them-yes-I realize that Thea isn't incredibly hollow and weak!)
When I read this initially, an image came to mind. I began to relize the contasting appearances
of the two-Thea=light hair, large eyes, pretty and Hedda=dark, steely features
I went back to my childhood and saw Hedda as Malifecent and Thea as Aurora ( Sleeping Beauty). It seems to fit because the two women physically represent the conflict of light and darkness.
only the first impression of them-yes-I realize that Thea isn't incredibly hollow and weak!)
When I read this initially, an image came to mind. I began to relize the contasting appearances
of the two-Thea=light hair, large eyes, pretty and Hedda=dark, steely features
I went back to my childhood and saw Hedda as Malifecent and Thea as Aurora ( Sleeping Beauty). It seems to fit because the two women physically represent the conflict of light and darkness.
The Dynamic Duo-Part I
No. I'm not talking about Batman and Robin (but they rock, eh?) I'm talking about Thea and Hedda. And yes- it seems odd because they'ne not a collaborative team, but instead, they're
FRENEMIES. Yes. I'm sure we're familiar with this term describing friends who are manipulative toward one another, and all about gossip, self-gratification, and superiority.
Just look at them! Hedda "uses" Thea in order to get information regarding Lovborg- she even
talks about her ("annoying hair") behind her back. She acts friendly toward Thea only when it suits her, and is in her best interest to do so.
FRENEMIES. Yes. I'm sure we're familiar with this term describing friends who are manipulative toward one another, and all about gossip, self-gratification, and superiority.
Just look at them! Hedda "uses" Thea in order to get information regarding Lovborg- she even
talks about her ("annoying hair") behind her back. She acts friendly toward Thea only when it suits her, and is in her best interest to do so.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
another juicy little tidbit
Its pretty interesting how Hedd and Bernarda show quite a few similarities in their methods of control. Both attempt to follow the traditional male model of power. This means that they
are firm in asserting authority, and often rely on some soret of symbol to assist in this process. In the case of Bernarda, it is a cane, whereas Hedda chooses pistols. Its peculiar,though, that neither one of them was able to achieve total control. Bernarda was unable to stop the romances
and the squabbling in her household, and Hedda lacks what is often considered fundamental:
control over the course of one's own life.
are firm in asserting authority, and often rely on some soret of symbol to assist in this process. In the case of Bernarda, it is a cane, whereas Hedda chooses pistols. Its peculiar,though, that neither one of them was able to achieve total control. Bernarda was unable to stop the romances
and the squabbling in her household, and Hedda lacks what is often considered fundamental:
control over the course of one's own life.
a few things to look at
(As I came across a paralell between Die Physiker (Duerrenmatt) and Hedda Gabler (Ibsen), I nearly jumped for joy. You see, in the opening scene of Ibsen's play, there is the portrait of General Gabler hanging on the wall. Gee. I wonder how that could be significant? Well, the general is not only an individual who holds power and command of violent force, but the presence of a general hints at war, aka, foreshadowing toward future conflict. The same goes in Duerrenmatt's play. Prior to a shocking and action-packed confrontation, one sees the picture of the General ( Feldgeneral Leonidas von Zahnd, Grossvater der Fraeulein Doktor Mathilde von
Zahnd) moved to the room where the confrontation between the head doktor and physicists
takes place. I just fouond it interesting because this also characterizes the doktor as a powerful and potentially violent authority figure, muchlike Hedda. Gee, this is great!
Zahnd) moved to the room where the confrontation between the head doktor and physicists
takes place. I just fouond it interesting because this also characterizes the doktor as a powerful and potentially violent authority figure, muchlike Hedda. Gee, this is great!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Die Physiker
Say, If any of you guys are passionate about Duerrenmatt's Die Physiker, feel more than welcome to chat with me. I'll post bogs in entweder Englisch, oder auch sogar auf Deutsch!
I feel extremely ecstatic about this play, and I am quite confident in my familiarity with the themes, symbols, other literary devices, etc. In other words, I read this as if it were a work
I must read for IB English I or II. I adore the details, and nearly fainted from the overload of
literary ice cream! Please. I am desperate! I would love to discuss this before I explode!
PS-Thank you so much, English teachers! If I didn't learn to read the way I do now, I wouldn't be dancing the Charleston while color-coding my new assignment, parts of Goethe's Faust. I Love You Guys!
I feel extremely ecstatic about this play, and I am quite confident in my familiarity with the themes, symbols, other literary devices, etc. In other words, I read this as if it were a work
I must read for IB English I or II. I adore the details, and nearly fainted from the overload of
literary ice cream! Please. I am desperate! I would love to discuss this before I explode!
PS-Thank you so much, English teachers! If I didn't learn to read the way I do now, I wouldn't be dancing the Charleston while color-coding my new assignment, parts of Goethe's Faust. I Love You Guys!
Act I, Hedda Gabler
Well, I thought it was pretty cool, to say the least. I do, however, have one minor qualm about
Hedda's husband, Tesman. I, personally, cannot stand people like him-he's so simple and
practically empty-minded. It really curls my eyelashes! How, do you ask, do I see this?
Sheesh! Let me start at the beginning. His clothing isn't neat, and he shows up carrying an empty suitcase. Hmmmm.... Gee, I wonder what that could represent? Perhaps his mind, or
how he just seems to lack the ability to take a hint, eh? Imagine that! Here he is having a
conversation with his aunt about any "expectations" (aka a bun in the oven) that Hedda
may be having. Tesman have a sex life? Imagine that! To me, he seems too dim to even take to flirtations! Hedda, on the other hand, repeatedly denies the very suggestion of her pregnancy.
Gee... I think that she's in denial of her capabilities as a mother-she's unwilling to sacrifice the spotlight and become utterly devoted to another human being.
Hedda's husband, Tesman. I, personally, cannot stand people like him-he's so simple and
practically empty-minded. It really curls my eyelashes! How, do you ask, do I see this?
Sheesh! Let me start at the beginning. His clothing isn't neat, and he shows up carrying an empty suitcase. Hmmmm.... Gee, I wonder what that could represent? Perhaps his mind, or
how he just seems to lack the ability to take a hint, eh? Imagine that! Here he is having a
conversation with his aunt about any "expectations" (aka a bun in the oven) that Hedda
may be having. Tesman have a sex life? Imagine that! To me, he seems too dim to even take to flirtations! Hedda, on the other hand, repeatedly denies the very suggestion of her pregnancy.
Gee... I think that she's in denial of her capabilities as a mother-she's unwilling to sacrifice the spotlight and become utterly devoted to another human being.
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