Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha is depicted as a girl that is somewhat lost and doesn't fit into the environment, unlike many of the people she is surrounded by. She doesn't agree with the stereotypes of how a woman should look and behave that are constantly being pushed on her. Instead, she chases her dreams and has confidence in her own beliefs. Although this is something that I think is impressive and definitely look up to, I found it interesting that her character came with a somewhat negative connotation. In the household, she seems to be somewhat of a hassle, especially to her mother. Mama gets extremely angry at her for her beliefs about religion, and that God shouldn't be "getting credit" for her accomplishments. Furthermore, she is ridiculed for not wanting to marry George, though he is extremely wealthy and good looking. Instead, she wants to find someone that she truly loves and cares for.
I think that the connotation that Beneatha's character came with would be extremely different in a more modern setting. Today, people have learned to start empowering independent women instead of trying to tear them down, which I believe is an extremely important thing. Although I believe that sexism still exists, and of course there are still many people that are disturbed by the success of women, I believe that America has come a long way and needs to continue to fight sexism.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Happy Endings
After reading about the background of "A Raisin In the Sun", I was really surprised by the fact that she changed the ending of the play. Instead of writing that a white mob was coming into his home, the ending was changed into the family moving into a white neighborhood.
I found this really important, because I do notice that many books and movies end up with the typical "happy ending", and often not representing reality. I used to believe in these fairytale endings, but now I realize that life is not a fairytale and things do not always have perfect endings. I think it is important for more books and movies and tv shows to represent reality, especially when it comes to topics involving social justice. Because the reality is that it is still a battle that needs to be fought to this day. By depicting things like sexism and racism in books as things that end happily is not the reality, because they haven't ended and it needs to be brought to people's attention.
However, I do understand why she would change the ending, because people are always expecting a happy ending. People never want to accept the fact that sometimes things end badly. It's the reality that nobody likes, nobody likes to read a sad ending, even if it is the truth.
I found this really important, because I do notice that many books and movies end up with the typical "happy ending", and often not representing reality. I used to believe in these fairytale endings, but now I realize that life is not a fairytale and things do not always have perfect endings. I think it is important for more books and movies and tv shows to represent reality, especially when it comes to topics involving social justice. Because the reality is that it is still a battle that needs to be fought to this day. By depicting things like sexism and racism in books as things that end happily is not the reality, because they haven't ended and it needs to be brought to people's attention.
However, I do understand why she would change the ending, because people are always expecting a happy ending. People never want to accept the fact that sometimes things end badly. It's the reality that nobody likes, nobody likes to read a sad ending, even if it is the truth.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Gatsby
Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
These words concluded the novel, and I think they are some of the most powerful words throughout the entire book. This quote ties the story together by giving Gatsby a purpose and almost an explanation. Gatsby has been left as an extremely mysterious character throughout the entire book, however this quote at the end allows readers to have some insight on Gatsby's thoughts and also offers an explanation for the reoccurring symbol of the green light.
I think that this quote is meant to show represent the difficulties that people face in order to try and fit in and reach their goals. Often these goals are simply just acceptance and trying to fit into a certain standard. I believe that Gatsby really represents the moral that another person's goal doesn't have to be your goal, each individual is different. Gatsby had what many people may consider to be a perfect life, he was extremely wealthy, through extravagant parties, and lived a luxurious lifestyle. However, he lacked love in his life, something so pure that every human needs to feel and is often overlooked. Although Gatsby had so many people come to his parties, very few showed up to his funeral, this shows how easily people can assume someone has a "perfect" life from the outside, not knowing anything about Gatsby himself. "The grass is always greener on the other side" , but people only see the surface, and it is impossible to know what someone's internal struggles are, so do not judge a book by its cover.
These words concluded the novel, and I think they are some of the most powerful words throughout the entire book. This quote ties the story together by giving Gatsby a purpose and almost an explanation. Gatsby has been left as an extremely mysterious character throughout the entire book, however this quote at the end allows readers to have some insight on Gatsby's thoughts and also offers an explanation for the reoccurring symbol of the green light.
I think that this quote is meant to show represent the difficulties that people face in order to try and fit in and reach their goals. Often these goals are simply just acceptance and trying to fit into a certain standard. I believe that Gatsby really represents the moral that another person's goal doesn't have to be your goal, each individual is different. Gatsby had what many people may consider to be a perfect life, he was extremely wealthy, through extravagant parties, and lived a luxurious lifestyle. However, he lacked love in his life, something so pure that every human needs to feel and is often overlooked. Although Gatsby had so many people come to his parties, very few showed up to his funeral, this shows how easily people can assume someone has a "perfect" life from the outside, not knowing anything about Gatsby himself. "The grass is always greener on the other side" , but people only see the surface, and it is impossible to know what someone's internal struggles are, so do not judge a book by its cover.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Victim Shaming
Although it was nt a huge theme in the novel, there was one particular part of The Bluest Eye that really stood out to me, the victim shaming. In one of the last chapter, two people are talking about Pecola's child, and even say that Pecola holds part of the blame for what her father had done to her, although she is the victim. This really stood out to me because victim shaming is definitely a huge problem today, and has been especially acknowledged on social media after the Standord rape incident. During the incident, the rapist is only charred with 3 months in jail for raping a girl and leaving her in a dumpster. The judge justified this because she was drunk and should've known better. Does this mean that being on incisors means automatic consent to being raped and thrown in a dumpster? No, victim shaming is a huge problem today especially with T the sexism that is going on in the world. When women are abused, harassed, or raped, some of the first questions asked are often: what were you wearing? Did you lead him on? Were you drunk? But what does it matter if the victim was wearing a tank top, or was dancing with him earlier in the night, or was drinking alcohol? If she did not give consent, the answer is no. This is no longer a matter to be overlooked, and victim shaming has to stop. Why are people taught that it is okay to harass a woman if she chooses to wear a tank top or chooses to drink alcohol at a party? This is not how it should be. Instead, it should be taught at a young age how important consent is, and no means no, there are no excuses for these crimes, and people need to stop blaming the victims.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Graphic details throughout the book
I heard in class that the graphic details throughout "The Bluest Eye" made people "uncomfortable" and we're "awkward to read". However, I think that these details are necessary for this book.
Throughout the novel, the author is trying to seem transparent by writing in a fashion that is extremely honest in order to show the struggles that people were facing. The graphic details provide a transparent way of representing the things that women were facing at the time. I think that the author may even be purposely trying to make readers feel a little bit uncomfortable in order to truly represent how gruesome the situation was at the time. By making readers uncomfortable, the author is also interfering with our emotions and almost making the book difficult to read; just as the reality of the situation is difficult to face.
Although I do understand that the graphic details provided in the book can be hard to read, I think people must understand that it is an important part of the representation of the racism and sexism that was going on at the time. It is almost ironic that people often don't even think about these kinds of issues or choose to read about them because it makes them uncomfortable, even though this is the reality. Even now, sexism and racism are still issues, especially in developing countries ( many in the Middle East). When I first started reading "The Bluest Eye", I was also skeptical about why the author found it necessary to include such graphic details, as it often made readers uncomfortable. however, now I realize that she is most likely doing so on purpose in order to convey the harsh reality that these people were facing.
Throughout the novel, the author is trying to seem transparent by writing in a fashion that is extremely honest in order to show the struggles that people were facing. The graphic details provide a transparent way of representing the things that women were facing at the time. I think that the author may even be purposely trying to make readers feel a little bit uncomfortable in order to truly represent how gruesome the situation was at the time. By making readers uncomfortable, the author is also interfering with our emotions and almost making the book difficult to read; just as the reality of the situation is difficult to face.
Although I do understand that the graphic details provided in the book can be hard to read, I think people must understand that it is an important part of the representation of the racism and sexism that was going on at the time. It is almost ironic that people often don't even think about these kinds of issues or choose to read about them because it makes them uncomfortable, even though this is the reality. Even now, sexism and racism are still issues, especially in developing countries ( many in the Middle East). When I first started reading "The Bluest Eye", I was also skeptical about why the author found it necessary to include such graphic details, as it often made readers uncomfortable. however, now I realize that she is most likely doing so on purpose in order to convey the harsh reality that these people were facing.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Prompt Debrief
Prompt: In an interview concerning the depiction of the pain and suffering during the holocaust in his graphic novel, Maus, Art Spiegelman said that although there were reviewers that "wanted less", the strips in the graphic novel are "exactly what they are".
Examine the visual rhetoric and structure of the frames that Spiegelman created in the excerpt below as he articulates the horrors that the Jews faced on the train. Then write an essay analyzing the different strategies Spiegelman uses to convey the theme of pain that the Jews experienced. Support your claim and analysis with specific references to the images and the relationship between the theme and the images.
I chose this page to write my prompt about because I thought that the images were very powerful and truly showed the desperation of the Jews at this time.
One example is the last two boxes on the page, most of the mice are shaded black, but the one that remained unshaded and looks clearly dominant is the mouse with the sugar. This symbolizes how small things could make someone seem very powerful. All that this mouse had was sugar, yet people were begging and negotiating for it, something so small could make people desperate and possibly save their lives.
Another example is the bars on the window that is shown on the panel with the hand sticking out of the window. The bars make it seem as if they are in prison, which also can be symbolized through the stripes on the sleeve of the arm reaching out of the window for snow. These two pieces of evidence show the theme of helplessness and entrapment.
Examine the visual rhetoric and structure of the frames that Spiegelman created in the excerpt below as he articulates the horrors that the Jews faced on the train. Then write an essay analyzing the different strategies Spiegelman uses to convey the theme of pain that the Jews experienced. Support your claim and analysis with specific references to the images and the relationship between the theme and the images.
I chose this page to write my prompt about because I thought that the images were very powerful and truly showed the desperation of the Jews at this time.
One example is the last two boxes on the page, most of the mice are shaded black, but the one that remained unshaded and looks clearly dominant is the mouse with the sugar. This symbolizes how small things could make someone seem very powerful. All that this mouse had was sugar, yet people were begging and negotiating for it, something so small could make people desperate and possibly save their lives.
Another example is the bars on the window that is shown on the panel with the hand sticking out of the window. The bars make it seem as if they are in prison, which also can be symbolized through the stripes on the sleeve of the arm reaching out of the window for snow. These two pieces of evidence show the theme of helplessness and entrapment.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
MAUS
Page 106.
In class, it was brought to everyone's attention that perhaps the shading of the pictures meant something to the plot and were actually a symbol. In this comic, I think that the shading of the Jews is also used as a symbol.
In this specific picture, all of the Jews are shaded and no distinguishing characteristics are shown, while the Nazis are not shaded and can be clearly seen and distinguished. I think that this symbolizes that the Jews were not treated as people, and were instead just pushed around as if they are not individual beings, and were instead just being categorized as one big mass of people. The fact that the Jews are not actually drawn as individuals really shows how inhumane the entire situation one, and how the Nazis lost their feelings of empathy and guilt because they no longer saw Jews as human beings, and instead saw just as a mass that they had a mission to kill.
The shading of the Jews also makes it seem like they are just part of the background and not the main point of the picture, this symbolizes that the treatment of the Jews did not seem like a huge deal, and was instead just something happening in the background of the lives for many of the Nazis.
In class, it was brought to everyone's attention that perhaps the shading of the pictures meant something to the plot and were actually a symbol. In this comic, I think that the shading of the Jews is also used as a symbol.
In this specific picture, all of the Jews are shaded and no distinguishing characteristics are shown, while the Nazis are not shaded and can be clearly seen and distinguished. I think that this symbolizes that the Jews were not treated as people, and were instead just pushed around as if they are not individual beings, and were instead just being categorized as one big mass of people. The fact that the Jews are not actually drawn as individuals really shows how inhumane the entire situation one, and how the Nazis lost their feelings of empathy and guilt because they no longer saw Jews as human beings, and instead saw just as a mass that they had a mission to kill.
The shading of the Jews also makes it seem like they are just part of the background and not the main point of the picture, this symbolizes that the treatment of the Jews did not seem like a huge deal, and was instead just something happening in the background of the lives for many of the Nazis.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
On the Topic of Mulan and Warrior Woman...
There definitely is some correlations between Mulan and story from the Warrior Woman, no doubt about it. But let's look at the differences:
- Mulan: A man needs to come to the rescue in the end, and save Mulan, because although she is a warior, she needs a man to help her.
- Warrior Woman: Independent, and finishes the job without someone rescuing her.
Obviously, the story in the Warrior Woman got some inspiration from Mulan, but the story is tweaked so that the woman is really the hero in the end. She did meet her husband, but she led her husband to war by her side, she was truly the one that defeated the enemies and gained the glory.
I'm not saying that either way is better or worse than the other, in both stories, I think girls will be able to find inspiration, but during our class discussions, people continuously called the story in teh Warrior Woman "Mulan", and what I'm trying to say is, that was not Mulan, Mulan is a different story with a similar plot and morals.
Someone also said in class that the baby that is born during the fighting is a symbol of the strength of a woman. I strongly agree with this!!!!!!!!!! This is something else that was not in the original Mulan story that I think really adds a sense of empowerment to women.
- Mulan: A man needs to come to the rescue in the end, and save Mulan, because although she is a warior, she needs a man to help her.
- Warrior Woman: Independent, and finishes the job without someone rescuing her.
Obviously, the story in the Warrior Woman got some inspiration from Mulan, but the story is tweaked so that the woman is really the hero in the end. She did meet her husband, but she led her husband to war by her side, she was truly the one that defeated the enemies and gained the glory.
I'm not saying that either way is better or worse than the other, in both stories, I think girls will be able to find inspiration, but during our class discussions, people continuously called the story in teh Warrior Woman "Mulan", and what I'm trying to say is, that was not Mulan, Mulan is a different story with a similar plot and morals.
Someone also said in class that the baby that is born during the fighting is a symbol of the strength of a woman. I strongly agree with this!!!!!!!!!! This is something else that was not in the original Mulan story that I think really adds a sense of empowerment to women.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
It's not a game...
"All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong..." (On the Duty of Civil Disobedience)
Thoreau says that voting is somewhat a game to people, but the reality is that to some people, everything is just a game. I will never understand people that go through life with no moral conscience.. All of your actions mean something in the bigger picture, I truly believe that everything you do will have an affect on someone out there, and that someone could be a stranger, a friend, an acquaintance, someone you are romantically involved with, or that someone could simply be yourself.
What I'm trying to say is, don't treat your life as a game, you are worth so much more than that, there are wonderful things that each and every person on this earth can do but simply don't realize the magnitude of their actions.
Sometimes I get too wrapped up in petty things that don't really matter in the bigger picture and I forget to appreciate the things that really are important and really do matter. The truth is that your life is your chance at making a difference, each life is an opportunity, why waste your opportunity to make a difference? I myself am still trying to teach myself to not live in fear of judgement from the societal norm, live a life that I can look back at when I am 90 and be proud of my accomplishments.
Thoreau says that voting is somewhat a game to people, but the reality is that to some people, everything is just a game. I will never understand people that go through life with no moral conscience.. All of your actions mean something in the bigger picture, I truly believe that everything you do will have an affect on someone out there, and that someone could be a stranger, a friend, an acquaintance, someone you are romantically involved with, or that someone could simply be yourself.
What I'm trying to say is, don't treat your life as a game, you are worth so much more than that, there are wonderful things that each and every person on this earth can do but simply don't realize the magnitude of their actions.
Sometimes I get too wrapped up in petty things that don't really matter in the bigger picture and I forget to appreciate the things that really are important and really do matter. The truth is that your life is your chance at making a difference, each life is an opportunity, why waste your opportunity to make a difference? I myself am still trying to teach myself to not live in fear of judgement from the societal norm, live a life that I can look back at when I am 90 and be proud of my accomplishments.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
On the topic of Native Americans...
I always felt that Native Americans are being oppressed, ever since they were forced to move when the white settlers first came. But what I read about the pipe situation honestly made me very angry, how is it that things like this can happen? People have forgotten about the environment and the lives of these people, and instead people are focused mostly on money.
Money is the driving force for so many actions that are really unnecessary, but people need to realize that when the forests are cleared, the air is polluted, and all other animals are slowly going extinct, money is not going to save you, money is not a long term solution to any problem. People with money have so much power in the society that we live in, that they no longer look at the bigger picture. People's extreme desire for money is the reason for terrible labor conditions, forests being cleared, animals being captured... By putting the pipeline where the Native Americans are living, the Natives' rights are not only being violated, but they are also being put into danger, as many sources have confirmed. Why is it that they are being taken advantage of? Because they don't have the money and power to resist. The Natives might not have the money to fight back with force, but they have fought back with peaceful methods of protest.
A powerful quote that I read concerning the oppression of Native Americans is "...red peace symbols splashed across his face like war paint...". It made me realize that they truly are fighting a war against oppression, and I realized that it would all be different if they had money... Money-hungry people become ruthless, and I truly hope to never let go of my morals for something so materialistic.
Money is the driving force for so many actions that are really unnecessary, but people need to realize that when the forests are cleared, the air is polluted, and all other animals are slowly going extinct, money is not going to save you, money is not a long term solution to any problem. People with money have so much power in the society that we live in, that they no longer look at the bigger picture. People's extreme desire for money is the reason for terrible labor conditions, forests being cleared, animals being captured... By putting the pipeline where the Native Americans are living, the Natives' rights are not only being violated, but they are also being put into danger, as many sources have confirmed. Why is it that they are being taken advantage of? Because they don't have the money and power to resist. The Natives might not have the money to fight back with force, but they have fought back with peaceful methods of protest.
A powerful quote that I read concerning the oppression of Native Americans is "...red peace symbols splashed across his face like war paint...". It made me realize that they truly are fighting a war against oppression, and I realized that it would all be different if they had money... Money-hungry people become ruthless, and I truly hope to never let go of my morals for something so materialistic.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
On the topic of inequality...
This past week we have read the "Declaration of Sentiments", highlighting Women's rights in the United States. However, as we discussed these articles in class, it seems as if we are speaking of the past, not realizing that inequality is still alive in our society today.
Although it is true that in the United States, women can vote and get jobs, there are other sexist problems that are growing all over the world. Women are put into stereotypes, being constantly labeled for how these choose to look and dress, and often grossly sexualized in the media. The sexualization of the female body is horrifying, and it is a problem that has been growing rapidly because of the influence of social media. Just recently, there was an article written about Kim Kardashian's 3-year old daughter wearing a swimsuit that was "too revealing". If I look back at my grandmother's childhood pictures, she wore nothing to go swimming at that age, and even looking just 12 years ago, I often went to the beach with nothing on either, as we were just babies. However, the press is able to find a way to go as far as sexualizing a 3 year old little girl's body. Women are often judged for the way they dress and are especially limited in the "amount of skin" they "should" be showing. Another issue that has been addressed several times in the past over large news platforms is the dress code at schools. There are many incidents in which girls have to miss tests and go home because they are wearing a tank top or leggings, that are somehow "too distracting to boys", while boys would not be ridiculed for wearing something similar. This may seem like the norm, but it is putting the male education above the female's.
Equality is a subject that I am especially passionate about, and I truly believe that we are all born with "inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This means, to me, that anyone should be able to dress in a way that makes them feel confident and happy, it may seem like clothing is a small issue, but it is just an example that can help people realize other sexist issues that are going on in society that may often be overseen. Women all over the world need our help, in the Middle East, women are constantly abused by their husbands and treated with no respect, by starting small and allowing people in a free country like America realize the sexism that goes on in the United States, will open them up and enlighten them on the issues of inequality all over the world.
Although it is true that in the United States, women can vote and get jobs, there are other sexist problems that are growing all over the world. Women are put into stereotypes, being constantly labeled for how these choose to look and dress, and often grossly sexualized in the media. The sexualization of the female body is horrifying, and it is a problem that has been growing rapidly because of the influence of social media. Just recently, there was an article written about Kim Kardashian's 3-year old daughter wearing a swimsuit that was "too revealing". If I look back at my grandmother's childhood pictures, she wore nothing to go swimming at that age, and even looking just 12 years ago, I often went to the beach with nothing on either, as we were just babies. However, the press is able to find a way to go as far as sexualizing a 3 year old little girl's body. Women are often judged for the way they dress and are especially limited in the "amount of skin" they "should" be showing. Another issue that has been addressed several times in the past over large news platforms is the dress code at schools. There are many incidents in which girls have to miss tests and go home because they are wearing a tank top or leggings, that are somehow "too distracting to boys", while boys would not be ridiculed for wearing something similar. This may seem like the norm, but it is putting the male education above the female's.
Equality is a subject that I am especially passionate about, and I truly believe that we are all born with "inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This means, to me, that anyone should be able to dress in a way that makes them feel confident and happy, it may seem like clothing is a small issue, but it is just an example that can help people realize other sexist issues that are going on in society that may often be overseen. Women all over the world need our help, in the Middle East, women are constantly abused by their husbands and treated with no respect, by starting small and allowing people in a free country like America realize the sexism that goes on in the United States, will open them up and enlighten them on the issues of inequality all over the world.
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