Initial Reactions to Persuasion

After reading the first two chapter of Persuasion, the conflict of wealth and reputation emerges as one of the leading conflict of the novel. Sir Walter faces the challenges of saving money yet still keeping his reputation and status. He is sadly unable to see the dangers of debt and considers his privileged life style to be his first priority. These sentiments are not only represents the character of Sir Walter, but also the values of the time period in England. Sir Walter tightly clings to his reputation and the perception he has instead of caring for the important matters of money and his realistic future. I believe the tension of money and perception foreshadows conflicts that will arise throughout the novel. Additionally, as a reader, the question of how far Sir Walter will go to keep his social class status is raised. Conflict will also rise between Sir Walter and the intelligent few that know reputation must be sacrificed. In order to overcome this problem, the first act of persuasion appears in the novel. Anne, Lady Russell, and Mr. Shepard must nicely persuade Sir Walter that he must depart from his beloved Kellynch Hall. They must appeal to Sir Walter’s vanity and convince him of this action. Within the first few chapters the difficulties that arise from money and perception, as well as the useful skill of persuasion are seen are major components of the novel.

To be, or not to be, that is the question

Which is more desirable? A painful current life or the unexpected events that occur after death. In Hamlet's most famous soliloquy, he contemplates suicide in order to escape the pain he is experiencing. Hamlet wants to sleep, to no longer feel the heartache and pain of his current existence. Yet there is one problem. Hamlet is unable to know of what lies before him after death. He does not know the "dread [s]" he might have. Due to this variable of his future, Hamlet comes to the conclusion that this unfortunate ignorance is enough to have him live the life he currently lives. Hamlet does not exactly resolve his conflict, but notes the fact that large questions like these prohibit action to be taken because they require such deep thought.

For the Love of his City

Oedipus is undoubtedly a well-intentioned character. The King of Thebes makes his first impression as a ruler that knows the success of his land lies in his people. He speaks to his people with respect and honesty, much like any great kind would. Oedipus exclaims, “Tell me, and never doubt that I will help you.” He is a king that has the need and desire to please his people. He also informs his people that they are absolutely no inconvenience at all to him. Oedipus genuinely states:

“Sick as you are, not one is as sick as I.

Each of you suffers in himself alone

His anguish, not another’s; but my spirit

Groans for the city, for myself, for you.”

Oedipus is communicating the idea that he rules with his heart and his heart is composed of the hearts’ of his people. This concept possibly foreshadows the notion that Oedipus will rule with his heart and not necessarily his brain. He wants so badly to solve the problems and difficulties of his people; which leads him directly to the mission given to Creon. Oedipus is willing to put his life and everything he has behind the needs of his people. Yet, how far this ruler is willing to sacrifice for his city is an entirely different question.

Such a great ruler as Oedipus is entitled to a degree of confidence, but in this certain case Oedipus might be lacking an important amount of modesty. Although the line is small, and seemingly minute, Oedipus refers to himself as the man who bears the famous name. A hint of arrogance and cocky nature is exhibited within these few words. Therefore, a question to keep in mind while reading this play is how far will Oedipus go to protect his city before he protects himself. Actions always speak louder than words, so the continuing events will determine which is of higher importance in this king’s life.

Enough is Enough

Enough is enough! I am sick of the ipods, cell phones, computers, TVs, play stations, and radios. I am tired of moving by car, train, plane, and subway. I am annoyed by texts, twitter, facebook, and every other electronic resource we use to avoid real communication. I am done with having my mere existence consist of moving from one screen to another. The rising generations do not know the sounds of birds, but the ring of alarms. They have never smelt the morning dew, only the aroma of their frappacino and gas filling up the tank of their car. They have never experienced the wonder of their own backyard, because World of War craft and the new Gossip Girl episode were much too entertaining. I mean really, why gaze up at the breath-taking view of the stars? Idol is about to start.

We waste minutes, hours, and sadly days sitting in front of screens. Like fireflies drawn to light, we desperately flock to computers, cell phones, and TVs. We are slaves to our creations. We are subordinate to our productions. The passion we gain for stainless steel and megabytes, we inevitably lose for nature. We have all sent a text or typed an email, but have you ever climbed a mountain? Have you played in the snow? Have you smelt the most beautiful flower in the world? Have you spent an entire day completely surrounded by nature? And have tears filled your eyes the moment you recognized the beauty around you? No website can match the power of waves crashing upon a beach. No TV show can compare to the exhilarating experience of jumping off a cliff. And definitely, no Wii fit game can match the feeling of freely running through the woods. Our achievements contributing to the progression of mankind have succeeded in developing an opposite affect. The genuine beauty of our earth, incapable of being reproduced or manufactured, is quickly slipping out of our hands. As I drive to school in my car, receive texts, send emails, and read off of this very screen, I cannot help but utter a simple sentence. So before the whisper of wind flowing through trees is no longer heard and the sight of the first snowfall is no longer seen, I must say these words. Enough is enough.

Initial Responses to WFTB

As I began to read the novel, Waiting for the Barbarians, I was immediately struck by the lack of details that the author decided to provide. The setting is unclear, distinct names are not given, and all details remain ambiguous. A reason for this ambiguity might be a way for the novel to become relatable to different times, people, and places. Despite unclear details, the torture scenes are incredibly graphic and gruesome. Feelings of disgust, sympathy, and sadness are felt while reading the elaborately detailed tortured scenes. J.M. Coetzee might have written these scenes with such detail to enable the reader to understand the true pain that these “barbarians” felt and also to experience the compassion the Magistrate felt for these humans being treated in such a horrifying manner. The novel is also written in first person, which lets us as readers explore the complicated and conflicting mind of the Magistrate. The Magistrate is a conflicted and confused character that is facing situation that he does not know how to approach. As readers, we are able to actually understand this central character better than he can often understand himself.

As for other characters of the novel, there is an obvious tension and conflict of interest between Colonel Joll and the Magistrate. The Colonel seemingly has no problem torturing others and seems to be a man with little empathy. In comparison, the Magistrate is a very compassionate character although he often wishes he were not. He not only wishes he were not compassionate, but he is actually ashamed of this aspect of himself that he cannot eliminate. When he helped the young boy prisoner, the Magistrate explained, “I feel my heart grow heavy. I never wished to be drawn to this.” (7) This succumbing to compassion will be one of the major themes and ideas throughout the novel. I also believe that this internal conflict of the Magistrate will serve as a prominent theme as well. The Magistrate attempts to be passive and simply do his job; yet he cannot deny his urges to help others and do what he feels is morally right.

Conrad in the Congo

The selected letters in route to the Congo are Conrad’s letters to his cousins, uncle, and aunt expressing his love and devotion to them, as well as describing his travels.

-Reminds his uncle that he will never forget the love and kindness he received from him while in Cracow.

-Conrad refers to himself as an affectionate relation and servant to both his uncle and aunt.

-Signs his letters as Konrad Korzeniowski or simply Conrad (real name is Józef Teodor Konrad Nalecz Korzeniowski)

-Has an immense amount of gratitude for the goodness showed to him by others.

-Intense emotions of gratitude, love, and devotion.

-Appears excited and anxious for his trip.

-Recognizes “the wickedness of the world” yet he is able to be optimistic and positive within it.

-His world is busy and chaotic before his trip with goodbyes and packing.

-Feels uneasy that 60% of the Company’s employees return to Europe before their 6 months’ service is completed.

-“I have no longer been interested in the goal to which my road leads.”

-Change of emotions towards his journey.

-Finds his tenderness as his uncle as a weakness.

-Wishes for letters from family and friends to make his existence more bearable. Needs communication and connections to prevent his loneliness.

Just a flower?

Faulkner always communicates more than what he actually writes. After in-depth analysis of this piece of literature, it is apparent that every word, every phrase, every sentence is meticulously written in order to give the story a deeper meaning. To truly understand Faulkner is to understand the fact that the written text is only half of the story. This observation is evidenced by the flower within the final lines of the book. While riding in the carriage with Luster, Benji (like Kevin I prefer the name Benji) holds a flower in his hand. He is described as untroubled, seemingly content. But when Luster decides to take a different route; chaos erupts. Benji starts to cry, Jason hits both Luster and Benji, and Jason reprimands Luster for his silly error. After Luster gets back on the familiar track, Benji is calm again yet his flower is broken, lying limp in his hand. The flower represents Benji, a broken individual; one that is incapable is truly enjoying the world around him. Despite the flower being broken, he returns to the state he had previously been in and completely unaware of his self. It has been previously stated that Benji is much smarter than others assume, but can Benji even comprehend his personal situation? If not, is it better that he doesn’t?

There are many different interpretations to what the broken flower represents. What do you think the flower symbolizes? It is merely just a flower?