Something I found ironically funny is the way the main character in the book The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick, who is crazy in the book, finds her niece, Stella, to be so cruel. What makes a person cruel? I know everyone has different opinions, but is how Stella treating her aunt considered to be cruel or is she simply giving her elderly aunt tough love?
Throughout Rosa Lublin, the main character's, time in the concentration camps in Poland, she also took care of her 14 year old niece, Stella. From the very beginning, Ozick writes, "Stella, cold, cold, the coldness of hell." This opening line unveils a sense of intrigue to the reader and after careful analysis, I realize this was Rosa's way of looking back to describe her cold and selfish niece who wanted to be cared for at a time when she was split by both her parents and was in the care of an older aunt with a secret child of her own. I partially think for Stella being so young it was hard for her to handle the loss of her parents and her sanctity. As Ozick mentions on page 6, "And afterward she was always cold, always. The cold went into her heart."
Later on, there are other forms of Stella being cruel. This is an excerpt from a letter from Stella to her aunt on page 31. Ozick writes, "You make yourself crazy, everyone thinks you're a crazy woman. You'll open the box and take it out and cry, and you'll kiss it like a crazy person. Rosa, it's time you have a life." This is upon her returning the shawl from Rosa's dead baby to her. This is cruel, in my opinion. But maybe there is a reason for Stella's unusually hostile behavior. Perhaps she wished her aunt took better care and paid more attention to her as a growing girl during those tormenting years. She never had her parents. Maybe Stella is hostile towards her aunt for harboring a loss that was not really her fault. I think deep down she wants her aunt to move on, yet she (Rosa) takes Stella being cruel and working against the loss of her child.
A lot of readers can view this as cruel, but part of me sees it as a natural reaction as the result of fear, depression, and neglect.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Symbolism in "The Shawl"
After careful thinking and analysis, I realized the critics of The Shawl by Cynthis Ozick were correct. Critics have used the item of the shawl to connect with the main character, Rosa Lublin, a concentration camp survivor during the Holocaust. Critics have stated that the object of the shawl "can sustain a starving child or inadvertently destroy her, or magically conjure her back to life." I do realize this is true.
In the beginning of the book, Rosa had a baby girl named Magda. She would keep her baby swaddled in a cloth, or shawl in order to protect the child against members finding out about her child with I am assuming what is known as an "Aryan." On page 5, Ozick starts to describe the shawl, saying that "it was a magic shawl; it could nourish an infant for three days and three nights." For this metaphor the author makes the shawl to be a needing factor in the child's life. For this shawl, baby Magda can be buried warmly and peacefully, sucking on her mother's breast for comfort and nourishment. It is also the ironic reason that for the lack of the shawl Rosa's daughter died during this time period. On page 8, Ozick describes a scene where I am assuming that Magda is a little bit older and does not need her shawl anymore. Ozick writes, "Maaaa...a! Rosa saw that Magda was grieving for the loss of her shawl, she saw she was going to die." Because of her having the shawl taken away from her, guards found little Magda and she was killed against an electrified fence they threw her against.
Later on in the book, Magda's shawl reappears, showing the true symbolism and a connection so strong between mother and daughter. On page 31, Rosa is much older now and has finally received the shawl she asked her neice to send to her. Ozick describes the meaning of the shawl: "The holy fragrance of the lost babe .Murdered. She put the shawl to her lips. Magda's swaddling cloth." To Rosa, the shawl is the only item she has left to connect her relationship to her dead daughter. Of COURSE she would cherish it! For this reason symbolizes and brings together the importance of an inanimate object in this book, to instill memory, sadness, yet hope in its characters.
In the beginning of the book, Rosa had a baby girl named Magda. She would keep her baby swaddled in a cloth, or shawl in order to protect the child against members finding out about her child with I am assuming what is known as an "Aryan." On page 5, Ozick starts to describe the shawl, saying that "it was a magic shawl; it could nourish an infant for three days and three nights." For this metaphor the author makes the shawl to be a needing factor in the child's life. For this shawl, baby Magda can be buried warmly and peacefully, sucking on her mother's breast for comfort and nourishment. It is also the ironic reason that for the lack of the shawl Rosa's daughter died during this time period. On page 8, Ozick describes a scene where I am assuming that Magda is a little bit older and does not need her shawl anymore. Ozick writes, "Maaaa...a! Rosa saw that Magda was grieving for the loss of her shawl, she saw she was going to die." Because of her having the shawl taken away from her, guards found little Magda and she was killed against an electrified fence they threw her against.
Later on in the book, Magda's shawl reappears, showing the true symbolism and a connection so strong between mother and daughter. On page 31, Rosa is much older now and has finally received the shawl she asked her neice to send to her. Ozick describes the meaning of the shawl: "The holy fragrance of the lost babe .Murdered. She put the shawl to her lips. Magda's swaddling cloth." To Rosa, the shawl is the only item she has left to connect her relationship to her dead daughter. Of COURSE she would cherish it! For this reason symbolizes and brings together the importance of an inanimate object in this book, to instill memory, sadness, yet hope in its characters.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Everything can Change in the Blink of an Eye...
The expression how things are constantly changing and in rapid motion is very true. In the story When the Emperor was Divine By Julie Otsuka there is a significant change in the ending. The story centers around a Japanese-American family after Pearl Harbor. The father was arrested and is in constant communication with his family. He is always chipper, upbeat, and strong for his family. Perhaps he is lying, but I think that he wants to remain in a positive attitude so his family can stay strong and stay in high spirits that he will be coming home. For example, on page 42, Otsuka writes from the father's perspective, "I am in good health and hope you are all well. Be good to your mother." I'm certain he did have hardships in prison, but he made sure his family kept his memories alive in a positive manner and that the father ensured all was taken care of. When he comes home, it is different.
He finally returns after a three year's absence. Otsuka writes on page 132, "All we could do was stare down at our shoes. Because the man who stood in front of us was not our father. That's not him. We could not be sure it was him." When this was stated, I thought at first by the text that another man came in his place to state that the father had died. Because of what he has gone through, there is a significant change. Otsuka lists the changes on page 132. "The father we remembered... handsome and strong. He liked to draw .. sing... laugh. The man... looked much older than his fifty-six years. He did not draw for us, read us stories..." She directly states the differences. It shows how unfortunate change is. Because of what their father went through, he came back with a distressed look that made him look older. The dad also came back a changed man because of his experiences, which are unknown. That time away was probably cruel, long, and lonely for him, making him better and learning to trust no one, something his children may not understand right away. This is way change can be difficult, especially when one knows a person to be loving.
He finally returns after a three year's absence. Otsuka writes on page 132, "All we could do was stare down at our shoes. Because the man who stood in front of us was not our father. That's not him. We could not be sure it was him." When this was stated, I thought at first by the text that another man came in his place to state that the father had died. Because of what he has gone through, there is a significant change. Otsuka lists the changes on page 132. "The father we remembered... handsome and strong. He liked to draw .. sing... laugh. The man... looked much older than his fifty-six years. He did not draw for us, read us stories..." She directly states the differences. It shows how unfortunate change is. Because of what their father went through, he came back with a distressed look that made him look older. The dad also came back a changed man because of his experiences, which are unknown. That time away was probably cruel, long, and lonely for him, making him better and learning to trust no one, something his children may not understand right away. This is way change can be difficult, especially when one knows a person to be loving.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Does lying really make everything better?
Throughout the novel When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka, a reoccurring prevalence is the subject of lying. I can understand how lying can sometimes make a situation look significantly better than it really is, but what is the point of it can not improve anything?
There are several different instances where the Japanese-American family the novel is centered around using lying as a mechanism to display the irony of a situation well. I think people often feel by lying to themselves, instilling hope and optimism it makes one feel mentally better. For example, on page 29, the family is on their way to an internment camp where the Japs were sent shortly after Pearl Harbor. The young daughter's little brother says to her according to Otsuka, "Do you think we'll see horses?" "I don't know," said the girl. She remembers reading here about wild horses. The paragraph then says, "If a cowboy needed a new horse, all he had to do was go out into the desert and get himself one. So she told the boy that they probably would." On page 30, the boy asks, "How many do you think we'll see?" "Quite possibly, eight." Why lie about something as trivial as horses? In this book, the wild horses represent freedom, something the family won't have for another three years. The boy grew up with horses and being in the horse stalls, so for him to ask that instills a sense of normalcy and familiarity in him. By his sister lying to him and reassuring him that horses will be seen allows that innocence to remain for the boy. It gives him something to look forward to on their little "adventure."
Another form of lying is on page 42. The family receives a note from their father. The note says, "I am in good health and hope you all are well." Now, I highly doubt that the father was not tortured or stricken down when he was taken in and arrested. Being the man of the family, the father of course wants to reassure his family he is okay because he does not want them to worry about him. The lie also becomes evident at the end of the story when the family describes the event of their father finally arriving home. Because of his appearance and his evident change in demeanor ,on page 132, Otsuka writes, "He was somebody else, a stranger who had been sent back in our father's place. That's not him, that's not him. He uttered our names, but still we could not be sure it was him." The reader is aware of the changes that will occur, yet the children are not. This shows that lying is a form of this horrible story and through lying in an optimistic manner, maybe this is what instilled hope in the family and kept them going.
There are several different instances where the Japanese-American family the novel is centered around using lying as a mechanism to display the irony of a situation well. I think people often feel by lying to themselves, instilling hope and optimism it makes one feel mentally better. For example, on page 29, the family is on their way to an internment camp where the Japs were sent shortly after Pearl Harbor. The young daughter's little brother says to her according to Otsuka, "Do you think we'll see horses?" "I don't know," said the girl. She remembers reading here about wild horses. The paragraph then says, "If a cowboy needed a new horse, all he had to do was go out into the desert and get himself one. So she told the boy that they probably would." On page 30, the boy asks, "How many do you think we'll see?" "Quite possibly, eight." Why lie about something as trivial as horses? In this book, the wild horses represent freedom, something the family won't have for another three years. The boy grew up with horses and being in the horse stalls, so for him to ask that instills a sense of normalcy and familiarity in him. By his sister lying to him and reassuring him that horses will be seen allows that innocence to remain for the boy. It gives him something to look forward to on their little "adventure."
Another form of lying is on page 42. The family receives a note from their father. The note says, "I am in good health and hope you all are well." Now, I highly doubt that the father was not tortured or stricken down when he was taken in and arrested. Being the man of the family, the father of course wants to reassure his family he is okay because he does not want them to worry about him. The lie also becomes evident at the end of the story when the family describes the event of their father finally arriving home. Because of his appearance and his evident change in demeanor ,on page 132, Otsuka writes, "He was somebody else, a stranger who had been sent back in our father's place. That's not him, that's not him. He uttered our names, but still we could not be sure it was him." The reader is aware of the changes that will occur, yet the children are not. This shows that lying is a form of this horrible story and through lying in an optimistic manner, maybe this is what instilled hope in the family and kept them going.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Helpful Hand or Downright Cruel?
In the book When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka, it touches on life for the Japanese, particularly Japanese-Americans and how they were treated after Pearl Harbor. Something that stuck out to me in class was the discussion of helping others , or so it perceives to be that way...
In the beginning of the book, the story focuses around a Jap-American mother preparing for her big move to the internment camps in Utah with her family. In one part, she stops into the local California hardware store, Lund's Hardware. The next part is based on interpretation.Otsuka writes on page 5, "You can pay me later. I can pay you now. "Dont worry about it. For the children." The conversation is between the owner, Joe Lundy, and the mother. What he gave to her was peices of caramel to take home to her children. Now some may think that's mean. Why is he patronizing her? Shouldn't he mention her unfortunate move as well as her husband's arrest based on his origin? Why is he pretending nothing is going on?
I think thats just it, though. While Lundy fails to address the serious matter at hand, he is capable of showing emotion, despite being 100% American. I think the reason she gives the mom the caramels is because Lundy feels bad because of the unfortunate events that are happening to her and her family. It's obvious he knows what's going on, yet to make her feel a little better, perhaps even to give the kids something to remember their idealized home life by, he gives her caramels to bring them. I do not feel it was patronizing, I feel people cope with different scenarios with different usage of emotions. Perhaps Lundy was afraid to mention the events to precede for fear of what could happen to HIM? Maybe he genuinely does not know what to say and feels terrible, another reason for being nice. I don't feel he was personally trying to hurt her. I was thinking that he was trying to make the mom feel better and more "Americanized" by trying to give her kids a gift. She shows her graciousness by on page 6: "Thank you, thank you, Joe. The words sounds wrong, almost. She wished she had said it earlier." The simple act of kindness gave her power to return the personal favor by addressing him by first name. I think that just because he did not necessarily bring up the matter to her and apologize, maybe he was trying to make light of the situation and help out. What do you think, readers?
In the beginning of the book, the story focuses around a Jap-American mother preparing for her big move to the internment camps in Utah with her family. In one part, she stops into the local California hardware store, Lund's Hardware. The next part is based on interpretation.Otsuka writes on page 5, "You can pay me later. I can pay you now. "Dont worry about it. For the children." The conversation is between the owner, Joe Lundy, and the mother. What he gave to her was peices of caramel to take home to her children. Now some may think that's mean. Why is he patronizing her? Shouldn't he mention her unfortunate move as well as her husband's arrest based on his origin? Why is he pretending nothing is going on?
I think thats just it, though. While Lundy fails to address the serious matter at hand, he is capable of showing emotion, despite being 100% American. I think the reason she gives the mom the caramels is because Lundy feels bad because of the unfortunate events that are happening to her and her family. It's obvious he knows what's going on, yet to make her feel a little better, perhaps even to give the kids something to remember their idealized home life by, he gives her caramels to bring them. I do not feel it was patronizing, I feel people cope with different scenarios with different usage of emotions. Perhaps Lundy was afraid to mention the events to precede for fear of what could happen to HIM? Maybe he genuinely does not know what to say and feels terrible, another reason for being nice. I don't feel he was personally trying to hurt her. I was thinking that he was trying to make the mom feel better and more "Americanized" by trying to give her kids a gift. She shows her graciousness by on page 6: "Thank you, thank you, Joe. The words sounds wrong, almost. She wished she had said it earlier." The simple act of kindness gave her power to return the personal favor by addressing him by first name. I think that just because he did not necessarily bring up the matter to her and apologize, maybe he was trying to make light of the situation and help out. What do you think, readers?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Dreaming is Believing
Something about the novel Push by Sapphire is very personal, maybe because how highly and deeply it discusses the protagonist, Precious Jones, dreams for herself. I truly feel this specific novel shows that dreaming is believing, and if you believe, you can get anything in life.
The book really shows the phenomenal transformation of the character, Precious from an illiterate, no-good 16 year old to a mature young woman, who feels so deeply and can voice her words in such a dee and beautiful way on paper.
In the beginning, the test Precious took to test her reading she only scored a 2.0, which is VERY low for reading. On page 139, Sapphire describes Precious' "Quantum leap." " I took the TABE test again, this time it's 7.8. Ms. Rain say quantum leap! I read according to the test around 7th or 8th grade level now! I got to get up to the level of high school kids, then college kids. I know I can do this. Ms. Rain tell me it's gunna work out, don't worry. I still got time." This shows how far an illiterate girl has come, and by her telling herself she can succeed and having the utmost confidence in herself shows her leap in her schoolwork, but herself, especially considering Precious living with a mother who constantly degrades her, beats her and accuses her of stealing her "husband." To me, the book is inspirational, particularly with that quote from Precious because it shows regardless of who a person is, if they persevere and "push," they can be someone. Precious also reveals dreams for herself, making her more real and instilling hope in the reader. On page 138, Sapphire discusses Precious' worries on her HIV. " My heart fill. Hurt. One year? Five ?Ten? Maybe more if I take care of myself. Maybe a cure. Who knows, who is working on shit like that?" This shows her dreams, and also made me predict what would happen to Precious, especially if she started being healthier. Would she ever fulfill her dreams of being successful by getting a job, apartment, and raising BOTH her kids? Who knows? What I truly love about the novel is that it proves that no matter who you are, if you "push" yourself, you gunna get somewhere!
The book really shows the phenomenal transformation of the character, Precious from an illiterate, no-good 16 year old to a mature young woman, who feels so deeply and can voice her words in such a dee and beautiful way on paper.
In the beginning, the test Precious took to test her reading she only scored a 2.0, which is VERY low for reading. On page 139, Sapphire describes Precious' "Quantum leap." " I took the TABE test again, this time it's 7.8. Ms. Rain say quantum leap! I read according to the test around 7th or 8th grade level now! I got to get up to the level of high school kids, then college kids. I know I can do this. Ms. Rain tell me it's gunna work out, don't worry. I still got time." This shows how far an illiterate girl has come, and by her telling herself she can succeed and having the utmost confidence in herself shows her leap in her schoolwork, but herself, especially considering Precious living with a mother who constantly degrades her, beats her and accuses her of stealing her "husband." To me, the book is inspirational, particularly with that quote from Precious because it shows regardless of who a person is, if they persevere and "push," they can be someone. Precious also reveals dreams for herself, making her more real and instilling hope in the reader. On page 138, Sapphire discusses Precious' worries on her HIV. " My heart fill. Hurt. One year? Five ?Ten? Maybe more if I take care of myself. Maybe a cure. Who knows, who is working on shit like that?" This shows her dreams, and also made me predict what would happen to Precious, especially if she started being healthier. Would she ever fulfill her dreams of being successful by getting a job, apartment, and raising BOTH her kids? Who knows? What I truly love about the novel is that it proves that no matter who you are, if you "push" yourself, you gunna get somewhere!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Who makes the change?
In class this week, we were to answer a question. What/who helps Precious to make the change for her to better herself? Based on our discussion, while I do think there are people that influenced you to make the change, you as your own person have to also want to make the change.
In order to begin, the book Precious by Sapphire focuses around a young 16 year old girl, growing up in Harlem illiterate and overweight with a mother who verballs/mentally abuses her and a HIV-positive father who rapes her and she has birthed two children by. The reader may think that it is hopeless for Precious, that with a life like that, how could things get better? I find it admirable that Precious wants to make the change and become a better person, especially to help support her two children, but I do feel that her teacher, Ms. Rain, definitely helps Precious to make the change and pushes her to do better. One example of how Ms. Rain is an influence on her is on page 55. She is trying to encourage Precious to sound out words and learn how to read. It's obvious to the reader that it is a new feeling for Precious to receive this kind of encouragement. Sapphire writes," She make me feel good. I never readed nuffin' before." Because of this encouragement Precious received, it inspired her to do better and persevere. Another example of Ms. Rain helping Precious to work harder is on page 70. In a journal entry to Precious, Sapphire writes from the teacher's perspective, "You are learning to read and write; that is everything." This inspiring statement pushes Precious to work harder and of course, she perserves thanks to the help of her teacher, the only positive influence in her life. On page 71, Ms. Rain says, "You are a wonderful woman who is trying to make something of her life." Again, this gives Precious a reason to work harder to make a life for herself and her kids. There is proof that Ms.Rain's influence pays off. On page 75, Sapphire writes, "I not going to school 'm I not going to give Abdul up and I is gonna get Little Mongo back one day, maybe." Despite everything that Precious has gone through, she is mature enough to realize she is a mother and does not want her kids growing up with the life she had. So she is pushes herself and doesn't give up easily in order to make herself a better woman and support her family. If it wasn't for ms. Rain, Precious might be a different person.
In order to begin, the book Precious by Sapphire focuses around a young 16 year old girl, growing up in Harlem illiterate and overweight with a mother who verballs/mentally abuses her and a HIV-positive father who rapes her and she has birthed two children by. The reader may think that it is hopeless for Precious, that with a life like that, how could things get better? I find it admirable that Precious wants to make the change and become a better person, especially to help support her two children, but I do feel that her teacher, Ms. Rain, definitely helps Precious to make the change and pushes her to do better. One example of how Ms. Rain is an influence on her is on page 55. She is trying to encourage Precious to sound out words and learn how to read. It's obvious to the reader that it is a new feeling for Precious to receive this kind of encouragement. Sapphire writes," She make me feel good. I never readed nuffin' before." Because of this encouragement Precious received, it inspired her to do better and persevere. Another example of Ms. Rain helping Precious to work harder is on page 70. In a journal entry to Precious, Sapphire writes from the teacher's perspective, "You are learning to read and write; that is everything." This inspiring statement pushes Precious to work harder and of course, she perserves thanks to the help of her teacher, the only positive influence in her life. On page 71, Ms. Rain says, "You are a wonderful woman who is trying to make something of her life." Again, this gives Precious a reason to work harder to make a life for herself and her kids. There is proof that Ms.Rain's influence pays off. On page 75, Sapphire writes, "I not going to school 'm I not going to give Abdul up and I is gonna get Little Mongo back one day, maybe." Despite everything that Precious has gone through, she is mature enough to realize she is a mother and does not want her kids growing up with the life she had. So she is pushes herself and doesn't give up easily in order to make herself a better woman and support her family. If it wasn't for ms. Rain, Precious might be a different person.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Relationships
What I've noticed is that everyone has a different relationship with their parents, particularly Allison Bechdel's relationship with her father, Bruce. Their relationship is so different, estranged... yet similar and close.
Throughout the book, the two get into numerous arguments, mostly based on their differences. She has a need to be a tomboy, while he needs to express his femininity throughout his daughter seeing he can not in today's society.
On page 197, Bechdel writes, " His arrival home from work cast a cold pall on the peaceable kingdom where mom, Christian and I spent our days." This to me, shows a sense that the two were never close. Her father seems closed off to me, maybe trying to conceal his secret of his being gay. The two were constantly at war with each other, each trying to make each other be something they were not (for example, when Bechdel's father pushes her to wear the girliest dress possible.) Ironically enough, there is a bond that forms between a common love for both parties: literature. Bechdel explains how she was in her father's English class and because it was drilled in her, she knew all about the work. She says on page 199, "Sometimes it was as if only my Dad and I were the only ones in the room. I think we were both starved for attention." While this is very deep, it states that both share a secret, both go unnoticed and no one ever really figures out what they hide. The two are connected in that way. There is also a portion I always revert back to, where the two (in an unspoken way) admit to wanting to be the opposite genders... something uncommon for daughter and father to share. The two have an unspoken bond, and their homosexuality connects them. Both are hidden, both are dying to be someone else... maybe that was why the two clashed because each was trying to be accepted into society for what they truly weren't. That moment of realization in the car really signified their bond, by showing one intimate moment between the two. It really makes a person wonder about relationships...
Throughout the book, the two get into numerous arguments, mostly based on their differences. She has a need to be a tomboy, while he needs to express his femininity throughout his daughter seeing he can not in today's society.
On page 197, Bechdel writes, " His arrival home from work cast a cold pall on the peaceable kingdom where mom, Christian and I spent our days." This to me, shows a sense that the two were never close. Her father seems closed off to me, maybe trying to conceal his secret of his being gay. The two were constantly at war with each other, each trying to make each other be something they were not (for example, when Bechdel's father pushes her to wear the girliest dress possible.) Ironically enough, there is a bond that forms between a common love for both parties: literature. Bechdel explains how she was in her father's English class and because it was drilled in her, she knew all about the work. She says on page 199, "Sometimes it was as if only my Dad and I were the only ones in the room. I think we were both starved for attention." While this is very deep, it states that both share a secret, both go unnoticed and no one ever really figures out what they hide. The two are connected in that way. There is also a portion I always revert back to, where the two (in an unspoken way) admit to wanting to be the opposite genders... something uncommon for daughter and father to share. The two have an unspoken bond, and their homosexuality connects them. Both are hidden, both are dying to be someone else... maybe that was why the two clashed because each was trying to be accepted into society for what they truly weren't. That moment of realization in the car really signified their bond, by showing one intimate moment between the two. It really makes a person wonder about relationships...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)