blog post #4: symbol

Symbols play an essential role in literary texts for several reasons. They prevent the oversimplification of an author's works.  Not only do they preserve and carry the meaning of the text, but symbols also enhance literary texts because they allow for a greater connection between the reader and the text itself.  In having a symbol, the author is essentially implanting an idea into the reader, encouraging the reader to analyze the text more carefully, and allowing the reader to get a better understanding of the text.  Symbols are also personalized and maintain different meanings for different people, so there is always room for interpretation.  Not only are they personalized, but symbols be anything, such as characters or setting.  Therefore, symbols are very useful to authors and the reader as long as they are used properly.

Blogpost #2: Characters : Contrast how character is revealed in ‘Prufrock’ vs. in a novel like Pride and Prejudice.

In both Prufrock and Pride and Prejudice, the base of the character is revealed through the setting.  In Prufrock, the character maintains a sense of absolute futility throughout the play.  The poem is set to the pot-WWI era, a time period that maintained a similar sense of hopelessness due to the catastrophic nature of the war.  In Pride and Prejudice, the setting and characters are intertwined, as the patriarchal notions of the setting are interjected into some characters.  Therefore, the setting is a reflection of how a character will act.

Blog post #3: Setting

In Prufrock, Austen, and Shakespeare, each setting similarly is a contributing factor to the background of the story.  Without a setting, a literary works is essentially incomplete.  A setting is key to understanding the motives of the author, and even the characters themselves.  A setting may also provide insight on what a character might do next.  In Prufrock, the setting is post-WW1.  Therefore, taking the setting into consideration, the reader can understand Prufrock's excessively grim diction and use of literary devices.  In Shakespeare, the setting is in a very religious time period.  Therefore, many of the characters actions can be foretold when taking the setting into consideration.  For example, Hamlet's decision to spare Cladius' life when he was praying was based on a religious belief of the time period.  In Austen, the setting is in 19th century English society, which explains the patriarchal aspect of society.  In Austen, the setting would explain things such as Mr. Collins proposal to Liz, Charlotte Lucas' decision to get married, and Mrs. Bennet's outlook on life.

Blog post #1

Austen and Shakespeare similarly build their plot around the internal and external conflicts of and between characters; however, at the same time, both authors use a different plot structure.  In Pride and Prejudice, the plot revolves around both internal and external conflicts between the characters.  Both the external ideals of 19th century English society and interpersonal relationships between characters play a huge role in determining the direction of the novel.  Similar to Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet's plot revolves around the internal and external conflicts afflicting Hamlet.  While both works correspondingly build their plot around the conflict of their characters, they follow a different sequence in delivering their plot.  Hamlet follows the conventional narrative, using exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement.  Pride and Prejudice, however, strictly emphasizes the development of interpersonal relationships and the surrounding society.  Because Austen's scope is more narrow in the sense that she focuses on multiple characters in depth, she only loosely follows a conventional sequence.

Hamlet Esse Comments

This essay reflects my growth as a writer.  In my previous essay, I had a fairly general focus; however, in this essay, I had a very clear and narrow focus.  In doing so, I was able to write a better essay.  While I spent less time on this one, I spent a lot of time thinking out my ideas which helped me save time and provide a solid structure to my essay.  I look forward to mastering the techniques of devising a college level essay over the year, as I am starting to grasp how to properly write one.

To last, or not to last

The possibility of becoming truly eternalized has sparked an enduring debate among poets.  A.E. Housman and Percey Bysshe Shelley’s stance on the conception of time demonstrates the polarization of this debate: Housman believes that memories can withstand the withering effects of time, while Shelley believes that time crumbles everything in its path.  Both poets attempt to validate their own theory by examining the relationship between a significant person and time.  In Housman’s “To an Athlete Dying Young,” a young star athlete’s life is ended abruptly; however, using gentle and comforting language, he affirms that the athletes memory will far outlive his own tragically ended life.  In “Ozymandias,” Shelley uses bombastic language compounded with a mocking tone to demonstrate that even the king of kings’ works could not escape the deterioration of time.  

Poetry Comparison #2

In Ozymandias and To His Coy Mistress, both Shelley and Marvell indicate the supremacy of time in relation to mankind through different situations.  In Ozymandias, Shelley uses a desolate and empty setting to demonstrate that time has withered away the memory of the "king of kings."  In To His Coy Mistress, the speaker uses the crumbling effect of time as a resource in persuading his mistress to fornicate with him. Both authors essentially mock people for their inability to grasp the essence of time.  The mistress and the king of kings evidently do not understand the boundaries of time, as the king believes his memory will withstand time and the mistress is relatively prudent.

Performance choices

Johnny, Carlin, and I decided to perform the scene where Rosencranz and Guildenstern attempt to pry information from Hamlet.  I was playing Guildenstern, and tried to act exceedingly happy after first conversing with Hamlet.  Then, as Hamlet began to verbally attack me, I began to act very defensive and weak.

Poetry Comparison

In both Ozymandias and (ponder, darling these busted statues), the overwhelmingly dominance of time is a major theme; however, both authors demonstrate the power of time in different ways.  In Ozymandias, Shelley uses irony to express that nothing lasts forever: "Nothing besides remains." (12).  Shelley indicates that time ultimately crumbles everything, even the king of kings.  The tone is almost mocking because the king truly believed that he would be eternalized; however, Shelley proves that time is the dominating force over all of mankind through his bombastic language..  In (ponder, darling these busted statues), e.e. cummings essentially parodies the forces of time. While he makes a similar point to the one made in Ozymandias, his poetry lacks bombastic language that would generally be included in a poem regarding time.