Blog 5-The Joy Of Cooking

    In describing the narrator's brother and sister's tongue and heart in The Joy Of Cooking, by Elaine Magarrell, the narrator explains how she would cook the body parts. Gross! The tone that is filled with adjectives and characteristics of the human parts, reveal characteristics of the siblings. Magarrell employs description and imagery to give the reader the idea that the sister has a big bad mouth and the brother, an unfeeling heart. The author uses, "..my brother's heart, which is firm and rather dry,"(Magarrell,handout). The foods which the author includes to suggest using in cooking the parts are related to some of the same attributes as her siblings. For example, an "apple-onion stuffing,"(Magarrell,handout). The combination of apple and onion is uncommon and interesting, as the speaker wishes the brother to be. I find it interesting that the speaker criticizes her siblings in a unappreciative way that comes off harsh without ever making any negative connotation towards herself. Something must have went wrong to have the speaker so bitter towards her brother and sister, enough to talk of preparing and cooking them.

Blog 4-Edward

    I found the repetition the anonymous author used in Edward significant in the author's purpose of expressing the emotion in Edward and Mother's conversation.In each stanza, "Edward,Edward" and "Mother,Mother" repeats, as does "O." These words evoke pathos of resentment for Edward's cruelty, and pity for his mother who shows general concern for Edward, only in the end to be cursed by him. Mother pleas with interest: " 'My dear son, now tell me,' "(Anonymous,979). The mother shows care for her son but he doesn't return the love. I wonder what has happened to make Edward revolt against his family, slur evil words upon his mother, wish to leave his wife and children, or slay his father?  The grotesque work is result of Edward's devious actions against his own family. Although, the work does not give much insight into Edward's motivation behind his hatred, I believe that some reasoning exists. However, Edward should not be so ungrateful towards his family, or life. The work implies that Edward has riches: " 'What will ye do with your towers and your hall,' "(Anonymous,979)? Having riches and family, why is Edward so hateful?

Blog 3-The Drunkard

 In The Drunkard, by Frank O'Connor, Father changes in his personality and values from start to finish of the story. The insight on Father and Mr. Dooley's friendship defined Father as very intellectual, like Mr. Dooley, and extremely devoted to his friend. However, after Mr. Dooley's death, even though he attended Dooley's funeral, Father changed with the new alcohol addiction. This was the first instance in the story where I can see Father's life spiraling downward. I'm not too sure if the trauma of losing his one friend that he could have good intellectual conversation with set him off into a depressed mood, and thus, he turned to drinking, or if Mr. Dooley's death is unrelated to his alcoholism. I am sure that Father becomes less responsible with his job and family duties, and more concerned with routine trips to the bar. Even after the incident at the bar with the narrator drinking all his father's beer and that being the talk of the town, suddenly, Father changes yet again. At the bar, once his son gets sick, "Father jumped back in holy terror that I might spoil his good suit, and hastily opened the back door,"(O'Connor,348). Here, Father seems more preoccupied with his suit staying cleaned than about his son getting sick from underage alcohol over consumption. What confuses me then is Father's sudden compassion for his son when they return home. "...Father undressed me and put me to bed...Father came in with a wet cloth and mopped up after me,"(O'Connor,350). By Father's always changing personality, from an absent father, to a caring one, Father is best described as dynamic.

Blog 2-Once Upon A Time

    The most notable rhetorical device/strategy that I noticed in the short story, Once Upon A Time, by Nadine Gordimer, was the author's use of foreshadowing. The plaque, "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED,"(Gordimer,233), which the family kept hanging on the house to keep out intruders, has some significance in the end of the story. The phrase, should not only have been advice for strangers, burglars, and passersby, but also the family themselves. The tragedy which befalls the couple's son is ironic at the same time which the event is foreshadowed. By making such an effort to continue to safe guard their house, and by eventually moving into a home which was more like a prison or dungeon, they brought it upon themselves that such misfortune should happen. A concentration camp style house is no place to raise a curious and playful child who might wind up hurting himself in a house that has dangers. By trying to provide protection, the family just got their son hurt because he got stuck in the coiled tunnel of the house. The family should have paid heed to their own sign to be cautious and raise their child in the best environment possible. The family had been warned. Had they taken the phrase to heart themselves, the son wouldn't have landed into such harm. Finally, the family that had such perfect lives shouldn't have searched for a house that they thought was potentially more safe because they just gave up their happy home and life just to have tragedy occur in a more pitiful home.

Blog 1: A Worn Path

    In the short story, A Worn Path, by Eudora Welty,many symbols were embedded into the text. One of the symbols that I noticed was the hunter's gun. Upon meeting him in the woods, Phoenix notices his gun and in a joking manner, he even points it at her. " 'Doesn't the gun scare you?' he said, still pointing it,"(Welty,227). The hunter feels that with the gun in hand, he is inferior over Phoenix and tries to make her nervous. I found this aggravating because more or less the whole incident showed how a white man feels in power over black women. Perhaps, because of this racial inferiority he feels, I believe the gun has part to do with it. The hunter's gun makes him feel in charge and powerful, however, Phoenix doesn't get uneasy at all, even though he expects her to, being an old black woman and all.
    Phoenix also relates herself and her race to the hunter's "big black dog." When she says " 'He ain't scared of nobody. He a big black dog,"(Welty,227) she is basically saying that she is not scared of anybody. Phoenix expresses her bravery and equality in not faltering in the face of danger, or white men.

Blog 4- A Raisin In The Sun

    In Act II Scene II of A Raisin In The Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, irony occurs between Johnson and Mama. After using the word, "niggers," which Mama strongly forbids in her household, Johnson apologizes because she knows Mama doesn't allow it. Mama's reply of, " 'No--I don't 'low it,' "(Hansberry,496), is followed by Johnson's response, " 'Me neither, ' "(Hansberry,496), is ironic. Johnson uses the word, apologizes because Mama finds it distasteful and forbidden, and then Johnson agrees. Johnson pretends to not approve of the word either just to heighten her saintlihood. In addition Johnson offers many left-handed compliments. For example, " '.. she act like ain't got time to pass the time of day with nobody ain't been to college. Oh--I ain't criticizing her none. It's just--you know how some of our young people gets when they get a little education,' "(Hansberry,497). Johnson says she isn't criticizing Bennie, then turns around and criticizes her. The irony and left handed compliments serve to indicate Johnson's characteristics of being a snooty, jealous, and snitchy neighbor who likes to involve herself in other's lives and problems. I can understand now why Walter and Bennie want so much to escape the society they live in, people won't let others get smarter and further themselves. If they do, others get jealous and criticize that education has any bit a role in attitude.

Blog 5- A Raisin In The Sun

    Act II Scene III of A Raisin In The Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, centers around the climax of the play: when Willy runs off with Walter's investment. Although, this tragedy shouldn't be such a shock to Walter, given his wife's disapproval and warning about Willy. Ruth calls Willy Harris a " 'good-for-nothing loudmouth,' "(Hansberry,442). Had Walter heeded his wife's advice, he wouldn't be frantically begging for Willy to, " 'Don't do it.. not with that money,' " Hansberry,517). The event was foreshadowed early on in Ruth's caution toward Willy, so no shock or unlikelihood in Willy's decisive robbery. However, from such a catastrophe, good resulted in spite of the terrible loss. For example, Walter, who I felt was incapable of being saved from his downward selfish spiral, actually denied Lindner's offer of money to not move. By not taking this cash, Walter transformed into a individual conscious of his race and keeping pride in it, no matter how much material goods were offered to deny himself. In this way, I would consider Walter a dynamic character. His values, beliefs, and characteristics change more positively as a result of lessons and knowledge gained through personal tragedy.

Blog 3- A Raisin In The Sun

    In Act II Scene I of A Raisin In The Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, setting continues to play a major role in the attitudes of Beneatha and Walter. Taking place in the 1950's in southside Chicago, there is still a racial gap between whites and blacks. Also, stereotypical views on what is considered a "white or black man's job" rank people to different levels of respect and income. Beneatha and Walter are aggravated by the separation and lack of equal opportunities among all races, which makes it difficult to attain their dreams which are unheard of for people of their race. Unfortunate how Beneatha and Walter were born into the wrong era and generation. Today, there would be nothing uncommon about a black female doctors or black office executives. However, given this time in history, both characters seek out a life for themselves which they must strive to pursue due to the lack of respect that might arise from their ambitions. In Act II Scene I, " 'We all tied up in a race of people,' "(Hansberry,485). Walter says this, and this reveals his frustration and association with a society in which he tries to differentiate himself from. The society keeps him from the chance of prospering financially and from Bennie prospering intellectually.

Blog 2- A Raisin In The Sun

    In response to the question about a character who feels trapped in the play: A Raisin in The Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, I sensed characters feeling consumed by money out of their desperate need for it considering their impoverishment.  Money seems to be the biggest factor and item on Walter's mind. He has been anxiously anticipating the arrival of Mama's check to help him set off his liquor business, which he hopes to pursue. Although Walter is trapped in his financial concerns, Ruth, as a mother, is most troubled and trapped in my opinion. Walter even notices this and comments, " 'You tired, ain't you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, the way we love--this beat-up hole-everything...so tired-moaning and groaning all the time,' "(Hansberry,442). This seems kind of self-contradicting to Walter himself because he is the one showing his frustration with his job, the check, and the society he lives in. In Ruth's defense, I can understand her feeling trapped. I find her to be the mediator between Walter and Bennie, always breaking up their childish fighting, helping make extra money, caring for Travis, and putting up with Walter's huge ambitions with no solid foundation but his mother's check.

Blog 1-A Raisin In The Sun

    In the play A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, the characters can be divided into those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Although, only a few scenes into the first act, characters have been distinguished into these certain categories, while some of the other groups I have not been able to associate a character(s) with. For example, Mama has had her share of disappointments and hopes never fulfilled. She even goes on to talk about what could have been: the house in Morgan Park and the garden. " '...all the dreams I had about buying that house and fixing it up and making me a little garden in the back-didn't none of it happen,' "(Hansberry,452). This idea of dreams being shoved to the side, and thus, never being fulfilled is much like Dreams Deferred by Langston Hughes. Just as Hughes states at the end of his poem, these types of aspirations put off are likely to destruct and go away. In the same way, Mama killed her dreams by never chasing them.
    On another note, a character who makes things happen is thus far, most obviously, Beneatha. Bennie longs to be a doctor, which at the time is uncommon for women of color, and she is not enthusiastically supported by her brother. Having strong spirit, however, she doesn't hear other's doubts as a means to reconsider her goals. Rather, she keeps on her path of education with the goal of becoming a doctor which shows her strong will and determination. She even says, " 'I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that,' "(Hansberry,456)! Hansberry's use of characterization reveal Bennie's personality traits which are also similar to her brother's persistence.