The play we read in class this year was A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tenessee Williams. There were a lot of interesting things about this play. The music was used to outline the mood of the scenes, using themes like the blue piano, or many of the songs Blanche sings to herself, as well as the Varsouvianna for when she remembers the day her husband died. The music is used to help the audience understand what is going in Blanche's mind. The lights help too: the last several scenes, Blanche's flashbacks and memories intensify, so whenever the Varsouvianna plays, there are ominous moving shadows through the set that only Blanche sees.
The play also comments on the role of women in that time. Blanche firmly believes the only way she can survive and live comfortably in this world is by marrying someone rich, or getting help from someone rich for herself and her sister. Despite the 'love' between Blanche's sister Stella and her husband, Blanche doesn't like Stanley and does what she can to make Stella see her way and leave the Kowalsky household.
Stanley controls the household's money, and therefore he controls Stella. But Blanche has no money of her own, no connections, and no friends, and therefore she is trapped in New Orleans until she marries so that she is 'no longer a burden to anyone'.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Oedipus Complex
The Oedipus complex originates in Sigmund Freud's interpretation of dreams. It is a stage of life all children go through from three to five years old, and any trauma or stress during this stage can affect the person through their adult life.
This complex is defined by the child wishing for a relationship with their parent of the opposite sex (sometimes sexual, other times not) and viewing the parent of the same sex as competition.
It is named after the Greek tragic hero Oedipus, who murdered his father and married is mother (albeit unknowingly), and then had four children to whom he 'was both sibling and parent'. The complex's female version is called the Elektra complex, after a woman who helped kill her own mother.
I think that the Oedipus complex isn't that far fetched of an idea - it is real, but the British Encyclopedia Britanica clasifies it as a solely sexual desire with the parent of the opposite sex, while, at the same times, it states that it ends when the child and parent of the same sex can identify with each other.
I think that the complex is not solely sexual, and can occur out of desire to have a closer relationship with ether parent, and being jealous of the other parent because of divided attention or simply how the parent treats the child. I also think that when children are classified as wanting to have a 'sexual relationship' with the parent of the opposite gender, it is a misunderstood term used by adults. It should be physiclly impossible for a child of three years old to want a sexual relationship with a parent, much less generally understand what a sexual relationship would imply. Also, a sexual relationship was originally (and primaly) for reproduction, and I think it's impossible for a child to want this considering their bodies aren't ready for the reproduction stage of life and therefore not understand such a primal desire. I think that a child (say, a daughter) wants a 'relationship' with her father: this could simply be because she wants a closer relationship with her father and is generally jealous of how her mother is treated by her father, and vice versa for a son.
This complex is defined by the child wishing for a relationship with their parent of the opposite sex (sometimes sexual, other times not) and viewing the parent of the same sex as competition.
It is named after the Greek tragic hero Oedipus, who murdered his father and married is mother (albeit unknowingly), and then had four children to whom he 'was both sibling and parent'. The complex's female version is called the Elektra complex, after a woman who helped kill her own mother.
I think that the Oedipus complex isn't that far fetched of an idea - it is real, but the British Encyclopedia Britanica clasifies it as a solely sexual desire with the parent of the opposite sex, while, at the same times, it states that it ends when the child and parent of the same sex can identify with each other.
I think that the complex is not solely sexual, and can occur out of desire to have a closer relationship with ether parent, and being jealous of the other parent because of divided attention or simply how the parent treats the child. I also think that when children are classified as wanting to have a 'sexual relationship' with the parent of the opposite gender, it is a misunderstood term used by adults. It should be physiclly impossible for a child of three years old to want a sexual relationship with a parent, much less generally understand what a sexual relationship would imply. Also, a sexual relationship was originally (and primaly) for reproduction, and I think it's impossible for a child to want this considering their bodies aren't ready for the reproduction stage of life and therefore not understand such a primal desire. I think that a child (say, a daughter) wants a 'relationship' with her father: this could simply be because she wants a closer relationship with her father and is generally jealous of how her mother is treated by her father, and vice versa for a son.
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
In English class, we have to choose a book to read independently for a compare and contrast essay with The Book of Negroes. I chose Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a Sci-fi novel about a Swiss Doctor who studies old chemists and philosophers who promise that science can create anything, and becomes enamored with the idea of creating perfection. He spends long hours studying the human body, and compile various bits of corpses to create to perfect being, before bringing it to life. It is only until his monster opens it's eyes that Frankenstein realizes that it is not perfection, that he created a monster and he can't face it. The story follows him as his creation becomes enraged at the world for not loving him, for ostracizing him because he was created by Frankenstein without choice, forced to live in a society where he isn't even considered human enough to be loved. He gets revenge on his creator for existing by destroying everything that Frankenstein loves, so the creator can learn what it is like for his creation.
I want to compare Frankenstein's monster and how society reacts to him with Aminata, and various people's treatment of her. They are both considered 'the other' in society, even if Aminata is only one of hundreds, and Frankenstein's monster is unique. I also want to compare Doctor Frankenstein himself to various people in Aminata's life, such as both sides of Solomon Lindo, among others.
I want to compare Frankenstein's monster and how society reacts to him with Aminata, and various people's treatment of her. They are both considered 'the other' in society, even if Aminata is only one of hundreds, and Frankenstein's monster is unique. I also want to compare Doctor Frankenstein himself to various people in Aminata's life, such as both sides of Solomon Lindo, among others.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Five Quotaions - The Book of Negroes
"Englishmen do love to bury one thing so completely in another that it can only be separated by force: peanuts in candy, indigo in glass, Africans in irons." page 117.
We gain a sort of admiration for the British from Aminata, because as she grows older, she constantly paints them on a high pedestal. So long as the British hold New York, they are safe. The British will keep their promise and bring the black loyalists to Nova Scotia, where they will receive land. The British will bring them back to Africa. They will protect them.
However, this quotations from older Aminata truly goes to show how deeply the British are involved in the slave trade. They live for their sugar. they bury all sorts of things in it, put it in their tea, even the abolitionists, yet the sugar is a product of slavery. They use indigo, while Aminata herself has worked hours in horrendous conditions to make it. And Africans in irons - the term is thrown loosely next to candy and glass, because it hardly holds any more importance to the British than other small luxuries. The Africans are hardly people themselves. This quotations holds imagery, and is vital in showing us that the British are just as guilty of slavery as the Americans.
"But watch out , girl. You know too much, someone will kill you."
"I ain't killable." I said. page 163.
This quotation is extremely important, because having read the entire book I know that knowledge is power to Aminata, and is extremely valuable in keeping her alive. But as the chapter title says, 'Words swim faster than a man can walk', and that itself is Aminata's doom and her savior. Everywhere she goes, she makes a name for herself. This knowledge of her existence and her deeds travels long distances, most prominently with the Negroes, but in Charles Town too. Georgia is saying that if plantation owners know she reads and speaks multiple languages, she holds power to sway others and would kill her immediately. This specific moment in foreshadowing for Aminata, because when she boards the Joseph, she is taken away by and Robinson Appleby makes an attempt to enslave her again - He knew she was in New York, and took the opportunity to inflict more pain on her. However, these actions, and her freedom at the hands of Solomon Lindo is her saving grace, because not only does she reclaim her freedom through him, but the Joseph gets caught in violent storms and never makes it to Nova Scotia. Had Aminata been on that ship, she would have died.
"Now I was thirty years old and had nothing to show for it. No son. No family. No homeland. And even my beauty would soon fade." page 250.
This quote is one of many playing on the same theme of virtue, of survival, of family, belonging, honor. If Aminata ever returns to Bayo, their first questions would be of her husband, of her sons, of what she managed to save from her life with the Americans. And not only would she lose the approval of others, Aminata always uses the status of her family when evaluate her own self-worth. She feels shame for having lost her husband, son and daughter. And at this time, she was beautiful, but that itself had been a curse for her. She is losing and has lost so much already, her beauty is just another name on the list.
"I felt that I was giving something special to the Negroes seeking assylum in Nova Scotia, and that they were giving something special to me." page 326.
This quotations is from when Aminata is helping the British and writing in the Book of Negroes. She sees and learns of the stories of all theses people seeking freedom, just like her. Their stories are sometime more amazing than her own. They give her words to write and to tell, and she gives them a sliver of hope for the future that awaits them in Nova Scotia, land of the free.
"I would sooner swallow poison than live another twenty years as the property of another man - African or Toubab. Bayo, I could live without. But for freedom, I would die." page 495.
This quotation alone is a testament of Aminata's strength. She is fighting to overcome the weakness and sickness that are about to kill her, so she may return to Sierra Leone, go to London, and write her journey. Before this quote she speaks of the shame she feels for helping an African, because she payed for her passage with three bottles of unwatered rum, a payment that could buy hundreds of slaves for the African trader who nearly sold her. This quote is also incredibly important, as Aminata is letting go ofher lifelong dream of returning to Bayo. She may be alone, but Aminata Diallo would never live without her freedom.
We gain a sort of admiration for the British from Aminata, because as she grows older, she constantly paints them on a high pedestal. So long as the British hold New York, they are safe. The British will keep their promise and bring the black loyalists to Nova Scotia, where they will receive land. The British will bring them back to Africa. They will protect them.
However, this quotations from older Aminata truly goes to show how deeply the British are involved in the slave trade. They live for their sugar. they bury all sorts of things in it, put it in their tea, even the abolitionists, yet the sugar is a product of slavery. They use indigo, while Aminata herself has worked hours in horrendous conditions to make it. And Africans in irons - the term is thrown loosely next to candy and glass, because it hardly holds any more importance to the British than other small luxuries. The Africans are hardly people themselves. This quotations holds imagery, and is vital in showing us that the British are just as guilty of slavery as the Americans.
"But watch out , girl. You know too much, someone will kill you."
"I ain't killable." I said. page 163.
This quotation is extremely important, because having read the entire book I know that knowledge is power to Aminata, and is extremely valuable in keeping her alive. But as the chapter title says, 'Words swim faster than a man can walk', and that itself is Aminata's doom and her savior. Everywhere she goes, she makes a name for herself. This knowledge of her existence and her deeds travels long distances, most prominently with the Negroes, but in Charles Town too. Georgia is saying that if plantation owners know she reads and speaks multiple languages, she holds power to sway others and would kill her immediately. This specific moment in foreshadowing for Aminata, because when she boards the Joseph, she is taken away by and Robinson Appleby makes an attempt to enslave her again - He knew she was in New York, and took the opportunity to inflict more pain on her. However, these actions, and her freedom at the hands of Solomon Lindo is her saving grace, because not only does she reclaim her freedom through him, but the Joseph gets caught in violent storms and never makes it to Nova Scotia. Had Aminata been on that ship, she would have died.
"Now I was thirty years old and had nothing to show for it. No son. No family. No homeland. And even my beauty would soon fade." page 250.
This quote is one of many playing on the same theme of virtue, of survival, of family, belonging, honor. If Aminata ever returns to Bayo, their first questions would be of her husband, of her sons, of what she managed to save from her life with the Americans. And not only would she lose the approval of others, Aminata always uses the status of her family when evaluate her own self-worth. She feels shame for having lost her husband, son and daughter. And at this time, she was beautiful, but that itself had been a curse for her. She is losing and has lost so much already, her beauty is just another name on the list.
"I felt that I was giving something special to the Negroes seeking assylum in Nova Scotia, and that they were giving something special to me." page 326.
This quotations is from when Aminata is helping the British and writing in the Book of Negroes. She sees and learns of the stories of all theses people seeking freedom, just like her. Their stories are sometime more amazing than her own. They give her words to write and to tell, and she gives them a sliver of hope for the future that awaits them in Nova Scotia, land of the free.
"I would sooner swallow poison than live another twenty years as the property of another man - African or Toubab. Bayo, I could live without. But for freedom, I would die." page 495.
This quotation alone is a testament of Aminata's strength. She is fighting to overcome the weakness and sickness that are about to kill her, so she may return to Sierra Leone, go to London, and write her journey. Before this quote she speaks of the shame she feels for helping an African, because she payed for her passage with three bottles of unwatered rum, a payment that could buy hundreds of slaves for the African trader who nearly sold her. This quote is also incredibly important, as Aminata is letting go ofher lifelong dream of returning to Bayo. She may be alone, but Aminata Diallo would never live without her freedom.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Obstacles
An obstacle I have come across in my life is learning two languages at once. I was learning to read and write English at the same time as French, in a French school. I'd often switch spelling on words is they sounded the same in both languages, and I spelt everything phonetically. A great help for this was getting a laptop and frequently using word and spell check on a daily basis. But before that, I had to learn words by heart, and still made a load of spelling mistakes, that - at the moment, I find completely ridiculous. I have also simultaneously learned American and British spelling for words, and depending on my mood, or the influence of those around me, or simply not being able to tell which is Canadian, American or British spelling. Then, I often end up with essays containing a wide variety of spelling, and I can't tell what I've done wrong.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Milgram's Social Experiment
Yale University Psychologist Stanley Milgram began conducting an experiment shortly after the trials of Nazis following world war two. His aim was to test the lengths people went to under another's authority. He had an enforcer, speaking over a speakerphone, a teacher, who was a volunteer, and a learner, who was a hired actor. The teacher would be given a list of words to teach to the learner, a person who was acting the entire time in a different room, of which they were unaware of. For every wrong answer, the teacher would give the learner a shock, progressing up the voltage scale after each wrong answer. On occasion, the actor would plead with the teacher, and tell them of heart conditions, but a surprisingly high number of test subjects went to a fatal voltage, and a surprisingly low number of teachers outright refused to continue, even after being prompted. The enforcers did not say that the teachers couldn't leave the room to check on the learner, and teachers asked for permission to do so, without getting an answer.
The experiment correlates strongly with the Book of Negroes, because we come across several examples of Negroes and Africans who comply with a higher authority, for just a little bit of money, or comfort, and so on. Chekura is an example of an African working for the slave traders to herd slaves to the coast of Africa. Mamed is also an example of a Negro working for a white slave trader, for the promise of books, a bigger hut, and the lack of manual labor.
The experiment correlates strongly with the Book of Negroes, because we come across several examples of Negroes and Africans who comply with a higher authority, for just a little bit of money, or comfort, and so on. Chekura is an example of an African working for the slave traders to herd slaves to the coast of Africa. Mamed is also an example of a Negro working for a white slave trader, for the promise of books, a bigger hut, and the lack of manual labor.
Monday, 21 October 2013
The Essay
'Which Essay did you like best?'
The Essay I liked best so far was 'The Suitcase Lady' by Christine McLaren. It was short and sweet, and while I did not like the use of one-sided dialogue, it still had dialogue. It is also descriptive: you start out with a mental image of the main character, with 'red hair and the purple dress'.
Albeit not complete, you still get some elements through the story to add to that image. I hightly dislike stories that hammer you with a too detailed description, or jump into action, leaving ou clue-less. I do not like the use of poor grammar, personally, but it helps. It gives the story a certain feel, and characterizes the suitcase lady.
The Essay I liked best so far was 'The Suitcase Lady' by Christine McLaren. It was short and sweet, and while I did not like the use of one-sided dialogue, it still had dialogue. It is also descriptive: you start out with a mental image of the main character, with 'red hair and the purple dress'.
Albeit not complete, you still get some elements through the story to add to that image. I hightly dislike stories that hammer you with a too detailed description, or jump into action, leaving ou clue-less. I do not like the use of poor grammar, personally, but it helps. It gives the story a certain feel, and characterizes the suitcase lady.
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