I have enjoyed Hemingway's writing since young. The first English book I encountered was Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea' in abridged version. When I came in touch with his actual book, I found his style of writing very appealing. For today's American Literature class, we had to read two short stories by Hemingway, 'A Way you'll Never Be' and 'Big Two Hearted River'. Those stories were very interesting indeed just like 'The Old Man and the Sea'.
'A Way you'll Never Be' is about a protagonist called Nick Adams. He, recovering from a traumatic head wound, bicycles from Fornaci to Fossalta di Piave, the scene of his wounding. When he is naming every piece of military equipment and every personal effect scattered among the bodies in the battle scene, a lieutenant approaches and threatens Nick to keep his identification card. Then Nick demands to see Captain Paravicini.
This story is about Nick trying to resolve his crisis of personal identity. He desperately searches for evident clues about his true identity, but he is only confronted with many obstacles.
It is true that in today's society, we have trouble identifying ourselves. There are so many fake images that we have created in order to hide us from the others that we ourselves have hard time defining our real portrayals. To some people, we show our first image of being nice, warm, and caring. Towards the second group, we show them how cynical, cool, and indifferent we are.
This may be the result of our society turning more and more violent. It is true that more violence can be seen in today's world compared to the old times.
Why is this so? This is due to the world spinning faster and faster compared to before. People are so busy competing with one another that they do not have any time to care for others. Just like I have mentioned in my previous reflection of 'The Garden Lodge', this is the tragic side of modernism.
We should spend more time thinking to ourselves what is causing us to hide our true selves from the outer world. We should learn how to trust others and love others.
COMMENTS
Jeong Yunjo: Hey. It's a nice review with many great opinions. Now, how about relating this story with its historical literary backgrounds? Like, try relating this story with modernism.
Hyunseok Lee: Fine and comfortable introduction, good analysis toward the protagonist. However, you can say more than that you had written in the last part of the essay. Come up with some symbols such as grasshoppers. Plus, it would be great if you introduce personal story related to the story.
Saturday, 23 June 2012
THE GARDEN LODGE
Cather's 'The Garden Lodge' is another short story that discusses modernism well in its plot. Modernist literature, according to Wikipedia, often forcefully opposes or gives an opinion of a social concept. In 'The Garden Lodge', although not very forceful, the theme of infidelity is introduced passively along with modern men's indifference.
Caroline is married to Harold Noble; they had spent several years together, but Harold failed to realize that his wife is committing infidelity when he is not around. Last summer, tenor Raymond d'Esquerre visited the house and spent fond times with Caroline even though he knew that she is a married woman. The more shocking fact is that even after Harold found out the truth, he was not at all surprised and politely asked Caroline of her opinion regarding the issue of tearing the lodge down.
Even though one of the greatest crimes in the world had been committed by his wife, Harold revealed not much interest. It was not that he was not affected at all; he was obviously annoyed at that time. But in overall, he managed to contain his anger too well compared to a typical husband who has a lascivious wife.
The husband questioned neither his wife nor Raymond d'Esquerre how they could commit such an outrageous sin. He has just accepted the truth and tried to tear down the lodge. On one hand, I admire him for being so cynical. Indeed, he has to be extremely apathetic to control his anger after witnessing his wife's infidelity. However on the other hand, I see how people today are turning so indifferent even to their own family. Although he has shown little annoyance, it is clear that he does not care much.
Modernism plays a big role here; Cather is trying to say that indifference is taking more and more part of human in today's world. How sad and scary is that? It means that we do not care much about our close friends, colleagues, and even family members. This can be clearly seen in 'The Garden Lodge', where the husband just accepts the truth. Although Harold knows that the garden lodge in his house represents a place of his husband and the tenor and tries to tear it down, that is not enough; he has to be more outrageous towards his wife.
In today's society, we care less and less about other people. We are too busy looking after ourselves that we do not have any time for others. In a very near future, it might be true that we will only care about ourselves. This should be stopped, and more care should be expressed by all of us.
COMMENTS
Jeong Yunjo: Huh. I was surprised you looked at the story from a very different perspective from mine.
Hyejoon: I liked your analysis, but I think it would have been better if you spent more time and space on making your own interpretation on the analysis that you made instead of only writing about the facts!
Inhee: I liked how you specifically analyzed the story! But rather than stopping at mere analysis, why not go further? For instance, how does Harold's not being surprised about his wife's affair link to the postwar era? I also found it interesting how you focused on the man more than the woman. Surely, the story focuses a little more on Caroline. And I expect you to describe further on man's mind and what that could mean.
Caroline is married to Harold Noble; they had spent several years together, but Harold failed to realize that his wife is committing infidelity when he is not around. Last summer, tenor Raymond d'Esquerre visited the house and spent fond times with Caroline even though he knew that she is a married woman. The more shocking fact is that even after Harold found out the truth, he was not at all surprised and politely asked Caroline of her opinion regarding the issue of tearing the lodge down.
Even though one of the greatest crimes in the world had been committed by his wife, Harold revealed not much interest. It was not that he was not affected at all; he was obviously annoyed at that time. But in overall, he managed to contain his anger too well compared to a typical husband who has a lascivious wife.
The husband questioned neither his wife nor Raymond d'Esquerre how they could commit such an outrageous sin. He has just accepted the truth and tried to tear down the lodge. On one hand, I admire him for being so cynical. Indeed, he has to be extremely apathetic to control his anger after witnessing his wife's infidelity. However on the other hand, I see how people today are turning so indifferent even to their own family. Although he has shown little annoyance, it is clear that he does not care much.
Modernism plays a big role here; Cather is trying to say that indifference is taking more and more part of human in today's world. How sad and scary is that? It means that we do not care much about our close friends, colleagues, and even family members. This can be clearly seen in 'The Garden Lodge', where the husband just accepts the truth. Although Harold knows that the garden lodge in his house represents a place of his husband and the tenor and tries to tear it down, that is not enough; he has to be more outrageous towards his wife.
In today's society, we care less and less about other people. We are too busy looking after ourselves that we do not have any time for others. In a very near future, it might be true that we will only care about ourselves. This should be stopped, and more care should be expressed by all of us.
COMMENTS
Jeong Yunjo: Huh. I was surprised you looked at the story from a very different perspective from mine.
Hyejoon: I liked your analysis, but I think it would have been better if you spent more time and space on making your own interpretation on the analysis that you made instead of only writing about the facts!
Inhee: I liked how you specifically analyzed the story! But rather than stopping at mere analysis, why not go further? For instance, how does Harold's not being surprised about his wife's affair link to the postwar era? I also found it interesting how you focused on the man more than the woman. Surely, the story focuses a little more on Caroline. And I expect you to describe further on man's mind and what that could mean.
A DARK BROWN DOG
'A Dark Brown Dog' by Stephen Crane is a story that describes the relationship between a boy and the dog, just like the title. In my opinion, we can define this story as literature that falls under the category of naturalism, because of how the boy's father treats his family and the dog. Although he is the bread-winner of the family, his savage-like behavior cannot be forgotten.
The most fundamental storyline for 'A Dark Brown Dog' is about a boy who brings a dog to his house. The trouble starts when his family notices that they have a new family member; they laugh at it, make fun of it, and cause the boy to be extremely embarrassed. In the end, the father decides that the dog stays, because he though that would anger all the other family members.
This story can be related to naturalism, a literary movement that seeks to replicate a believable everyday reality according to Wikipedia. Here, this common typical household is described as the main protagonists; there is an angry father who dislikes the world and an obedient son who is so naive to bring a lost dog home when his family is suffering from destitute.
What does the father's behavior also tell us? From this single action, we can deduce how the father does not care at all about how other people feel. Basically, the father here is just like any other typical husbands; they are unsatisfied with their lives, and tend to cause trouble with whatever they come in hand. In this story, the father is with his family, which causes him to turn violent towards them. To generalize this, we can say that people at this time were all having tough lives. Also, the father swung the dog many times just for pleasure and enjoyment. This also shows how cruel and savage-like he is towards his family members.
Stephen Crane is a great naturalist; he had successfully depicted a daily life of a family in 'A Dark Brown Dog'. If I have a chance, I will read more of his stories so that I can have a better understanding of naturalism.
COMMENTS
Ko Hae Uk: I think you had a clear understanding of the story. I also thought the father was very cruel and abusive of others. But you lack an opinion on the analysis. I totally agree that you had no time. Still, perhaps you could have written the gist of the essay in a thesis sentence.
Yoonju Chung: I agree that the father clearly showed how savage and cruel humans are. He swung the dog two or three times "hilariously" about his head and he held a carnival with cooking utensils, furniture, and "his wife". By using euphemism, this short story calmly portrayed a cruel nature of human beings and made me doubt "are we really civilized?" overall. I understand your point on linking naturalism with a character "the father" and it would be more great if you put some reflections or personal experiences in this essay!
Rhee Jiyoon: Hola! I always like your essays. They're neat, short, and well-organized. I learned from your essays that strength of a writing does not come from a dozen of similar examples and long, boring, tiring paragraphs, but from logic and clearness! However, when I read your first paragraph, I thought you'd elaborate your reflection focusing on one character, the "father", but when I read your 2nd and 3rd paragraph, I see no link with the introductory paragraph. Instead of explaining the general plot, try to focus more on the father. Well, I think this is only because you were running out of time.. So I'll look forward to your blog posting! HAHA!
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
4th Reflection: To Build a Fire[edited 23rd June]
The story 'To Build a Fire' by London is a typical representative of naturalism; that is, a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings. Environment shapes human characteristics without them realizing it. This naturalism is also linked to determinism, as the protagonist in the story did not have any free will and nature has already mapped out his fate. Some other themes that are discussed in this story are instinct over intellectualism, and indifferent environment and survival.
In this story, our poor adventurer faces many challenges and accidents. He undermines the harsh weather and proudly starts his journey only to receive extreme frostiness in return. However, the strange fact is that whenever accidents occur, it is written as if they were meant to happen; that is, the author repeatedly mentions 'it happened', as if that "it" was inevitable and the man had to face it. The man is unable to play any role in "it", because nature has already decided "it" should happen. When the snow fell over the fire, nature has decided the fire to be put out. The man does not own the power to alter his fate and rebel against nature.
Also, even though the man seems far from being intellectual, he clandestinely represents intellectualism when compared to his dog, who merely acts by instinct. Let us consider his actions. He sets up the fire under the tree, so that he is more accessible to the tree twigs necessary to grow the fire. In addition, he uses tools called matches in trying to light up a fire again. On the other hand, the dog, taking actions from its instincts, burrow into the snow to avoid coldness, or its thick fur protects it from freezing to death. It is fully aware of the harsh environment that needs meticulous caution. It is true that humans are intellectual creatures compared to other animals, but only the dog was able to survive due to its innate understanding of Yukon's coldness. Even though the dog may not be able to take care of itself, it can follow its instincts to find other food-providers.
This story contains many themes that are quite controversial such as naturalism. The main protagonist faces his fate of death in Yukon which was inevitable.
COMMENTS
Chung Yoonju: It was very interesting to know that the author repeatedly mentions "it happens" as if it meant to be happened. The man in this story couldn't avoid inevitable events happening because it was his fate. But what do you think about Jack London's idea that humans are so fragile in front of the nature and their fates? Also, it was interesting that you compared between the man and the dog and showed humans are still more superior than animals are.
Jane Park: I really like how you mentioned the repeatedness of the phrase "it happened" which I couldn't notice while reading. That seems to be a very good supporting detail to the category of naturalism. I also agree with you that the man and the dog contrasted in the themes of 'intellectual' and 'instinct'.
In this story, our poor adventurer faces many challenges and accidents. He undermines the harsh weather and proudly starts his journey only to receive extreme frostiness in return. However, the strange fact is that whenever accidents occur, it is written as if they were meant to happen; that is, the author repeatedly mentions 'it happened', as if that "it" was inevitable and the man had to face it. The man is unable to play any role in "it", because nature has already decided "it" should happen. When the snow fell over the fire, nature has decided the fire to be put out. The man does not own the power to alter his fate and rebel against nature.
Also, even though the man seems far from being intellectual, he clandestinely represents intellectualism when compared to his dog, who merely acts by instinct. Let us consider his actions. He sets up the fire under the tree, so that he is more accessible to the tree twigs necessary to grow the fire. In addition, he uses tools called matches in trying to light up a fire again. On the other hand, the dog, taking actions from its instincts, burrow into the snow to avoid coldness, or its thick fur protects it from freezing to death. It is fully aware of the harsh environment that needs meticulous caution. It is true that humans are intellectual creatures compared to other animals, but only the dog was able to survive due to its innate understanding of Yukon's coldness. Even though the dog may not be able to take care of itself, it can follow its instincts to find other food-providers.
This story contains many themes that are quite controversial such as naturalism. The main protagonist faces his fate of death in Yukon which was inevitable.
COMMENTS
Chung Yoonju: It was very interesting to know that the author repeatedly mentions "it happens" as if it meant to be happened. The man in this story couldn't avoid inevitable events happening because it was his fate. But what do you think about Jack London's idea that humans are so fragile in front of the nature and their fates? Also, it was interesting that you compared between the man and the dog and showed humans are still more superior than animals are.
Jane Park: I really like how you mentioned the repeatedness of the phrase "it happened" which I couldn't notice while reading. That seems to be a very good supporting detail to the category of naturalism. I also agree with you that the man and the dog contrasted in the themes of 'intellectual' and 'instinct'.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
3rd Reflection: After reading Extracts from Adam's Diary and Eve's Diary[edited 23rd June]
These stories of Adam and Eve written by Mark Twain are very interesting in a way that he portrayed their feelings in his own way, yet people can sympathize with. Adam's Diary is written from the perspective of Adam, or a typical male who is a narrower and shallower thinker compared to Eve. The Eve's Diary is, of course, written from Eve's point of view, who is much more intellectual and sensitive.
In these two stories, Adam is present with a somewhat thoughtless image. He does not necessarily care how Eve feels about his actions, and normally does what he desires to do. He also finds Eve a little annoying as she came from nowhere and he has to shared his Garden with her. When Eve meets the serpent and befriends it, Adam is joyful that a nuisance has disappeared.
Eve, on the other hand, is a much deeper thinker, and she just believes that Adam feels the same way as she does. She cares about Adam's feelings by sympathizing her own feelings with those of Adam's, and tries hard to reduce clashes or friction between them.
We have to know that stereotypes of men and women of that time period when Mark Twain was alive were passively included in these two stories. Women were "docile", and men were dominant. Males got jobs and became bread-winners of their families while females stayed home, cooking, washing dishes, and doing all sorts of household chores. This is why Adam had to be annoyed when he heard that he has to share what he owns with Eve, because due to the image of men portrayed at that time, Adam felt that he was superior. Eve, who is supposed to represent the image of women, is focused more on the sensitivity, on how women care so much about inner feelings.
Now, the world is changing. More women are getting jobs than men, and males consider others' feelings as much as females do. Stereotypes are finally being broken down.
COMMENTS
no comments
In these two stories, Adam is present with a somewhat thoughtless image. He does not necessarily care how Eve feels about his actions, and normally does what he desires to do. He also finds Eve a little annoying as she came from nowhere and he has to shared his Garden with her. When Eve meets the serpent and befriends it, Adam is joyful that a nuisance has disappeared.
Eve, on the other hand, is a much deeper thinker, and she just believes that Adam feels the same way as she does. She cares about Adam's feelings by sympathizing her own feelings with those of Adam's, and tries hard to reduce clashes or friction between them.
We have to know that stereotypes of men and women of that time period when Mark Twain was alive were passively included in these two stories. Women were "docile", and men were dominant. Males got jobs and became bread-winners of their families while females stayed home, cooking, washing dishes, and doing all sorts of household chores. This is why Adam had to be annoyed when he heard that he has to share what he owns with Eve, because due to the image of men portrayed at that time, Adam felt that he was superior. Eve, who is supposed to represent the image of women, is focused more on the sensitivity, on how women care so much about inner feelings.
Now, the world is changing. More women are getting jobs than men, and males consider others' feelings as much as females do. Stereotypes are finally being broken down.
COMMENTS
no comments
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
2nd Reflection: The Cask of Amontillado[edited 23rd June]
For today's reflection, I would like to talk more about the author than the plot of The Cask of Amontillado itself. The author of this story, Edgar Allan Poe, was an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, especially acclaimed for his tales of mystery. He often enjoyed writing gloomy and dark stories that usually trapped the readers in trepidation.
Poe was born in Boston on January 19th, 1809 His dad abandoned his family in 1810 and his mother died a year later, so Poe and his siblings were sent to a foster family. To earn his living, he enlisted in the United States Army as a private. While he was in the army, he published few books like 'Tamerlane and Other Poems'. His publishing career began after his brother died. Poe wanted to write proses and short stories as he has already tried writing poems. At first, he started working for a man named George Graham, and soon became one of the most beloved mystery writers in history.
Even though he has started writing for the sake of earning his living, he found his potential in writing. Not all people are as lucky as Edgar Allan Poe; we normally fail to recognize what our greatest potential is, and normally digress into where we have to go. For me, even though I am trying my best to find what my true talents and interests are, it is not as easy as it seems to be. The deeper I go into a specific area, the further it gets away from me. I am afraid that until I graduate, I might remain undecided of my future career.
Although Poe lived a short and tragic life as he died at the age of 40, his contributions to literature cannot be underestimated.
COMMENTS
Hyunseok Lee: Great analysis about background and previous life of the author. Good use of grammer. However, I don't think you made enough explanation about his contributions toward us or development in world literature due to Poe's literary works. I know Poe is a famous, great writer, but I believe you should tell more about what he really did and why he should be acclaimed.
Rhee Jiyoon: Yay I like your essay! The words you used are clear and accurate that I'm jealous ㅡㅡ.. The only thing that I want to point out is that what you're trying to talk about in the essay is somewhat unclear.. At first, you seem to be focusing on Poe's tragic life, but later on, you suddenly talk about your own experience. I think that writing only about Poe's life is not that meaningful since Wikipedia and other sources already had done that before.. Instead, your essay'd be more attractive if you focus more on your personal opinion! I like the part when you say "The deeper I go into a specific area, the further it gets away from me".. I agree TTTT..
Poe was born in Boston on January 19th, 1809 His dad abandoned his family in 1810 and his mother died a year later, so Poe and his siblings were sent to a foster family. To earn his living, he enlisted in the United States Army as a private. While he was in the army, he published few books like 'Tamerlane and Other Poems'. His publishing career began after his brother died. Poe wanted to write proses and short stories as he has already tried writing poems. At first, he started working for a man named George Graham, and soon became one of the most beloved mystery writers in history.
Even though he has started writing for the sake of earning his living, he found his potential in writing. Not all people are as lucky as Edgar Allan Poe; we normally fail to recognize what our greatest potential is, and normally digress into where we have to go. For me, even though I am trying my best to find what my true talents and interests are, it is not as easy as it seems to be. The deeper I go into a specific area, the further it gets away from me. I am afraid that until I graduate, I might remain undecided of my future career.
Although Poe lived a short and tragic life as he died at the age of 40, his contributions to literature cannot be underestimated.
COMMENTS
Hyunseok Lee: Great analysis about background and previous life of the author. Good use of grammer. However, I don't think you made enough explanation about his contributions toward us or development in world literature due to Poe's literary works. I know Poe is a famous, great writer, but I believe you should tell more about what he really did and why he should be acclaimed.
Rhee Jiyoon: Yay I like your essay! The words you used are clear and accurate that I'm jealous ㅡㅡ.. The only thing that I want to point out is that what you're trying to talk about in the essay is somewhat unclear.. At first, you seem to be focusing on Poe's tragic life, but later on, you suddenly talk about your own experience. I think that writing only about Poe's life is not that meaningful since Wikipedia and other sources already had done that before.. Instead, your essay'd be more attractive if you focus more on your personal opinion! I like the part when you say "The deeper I go into a specific area, the further it gets away from me".. I agree TTTT..
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
The Ambitious Guest[edited on 23rd June]
After reading this short story by Hawthorne, I was deeply inspired by the concept of ambition. It made me ponder upon the definition of ambition, and I came to a conclusion that ambition might totally corrupt an individual. Although it has to exist in some way in order for the mankind to continue advancing, it might produce a disastrous result if focused too much.
Consider the family in 'The Ambitious Guest'. They were a happy family who were contented with their lives till the guest came by. After hearing the guest's hunger for achievement, the family started to lose their satisfaction and crave for what they do not own. In the end, everyone including the guest faced tragic deaths, and nothing was achieved.
How about myself? Did having too much ambition ever affect me in a negative way? I am pretty sure it did. When I was in my middle school, I have won a United Kingdom math olympiad. After winning such a big competition, I began to get all excited about participating and winning more olympiads. I can assure you, I felt as if I was invincible. The results were catastrophic. After failing to win the next four or five consecutive contests, I began to face the reality; I started to think that maybe, I had just been lucky. Such outcomes brought me unforgivable disappointment and hatred, but all I could do was to lament at my own actions. Ambition blinded me, and I was wandering around in my own fantasies.
COMMENTS
Chonghyun Ahn: I really liked the way how you juxtaposed the concept of satisfaction and achievement and showed how the two are inherently different. I also was contented by your last line, where you put "Ambition blinded me", because it was very poetic in a sense that you not only spoke your opinion through the content, but also through the sentence structure of putting "ambition" in subject, and putting yourself in the object position. However, I would like to challenge your concept of "proceed" in the first paragraph. You seem to propose for progress that opposes ambition. How is the two different? Anyway, I liked your writing!
Hyunseok Lee: It was very interesting to connect your personal experiences to the text, however, I strongly believe that you should come up with additional characteristics of ambition. Since you said you were deeply touched about what the author showed related to ambition, I'm sure that you can talk about not only fail of achievement, but also relationship with nature and ambition, why ambition is useless, etc.
Inhee Ho: I sympathize with your personal experience as well! But I was wondering, didn't ambition allow you to see the reality as the final outcome? I viewed the story as awakening the family, living solitary life, to the reality. I agree that resultingly, the guest made the family to lose their satisfaction, but I saw that as letting them know the reality rather than blinding it.
Consider the family in 'The Ambitious Guest'. They were a happy family who were contented with their lives till the guest came by. After hearing the guest's hunger for achievement, the family started to lose their satisfaction and crave for what they do not own. In the end, everyone including the guest faced tragic deaths, and nothing was achieved.
How about myself? Did having too much ambition ever affect me in a negative way? I am pretty sure it did. When I was in my middle school, I have won a United Kingdom math olympiad. After winning such a big competition, I began to get all excited about participating and winning more olympiads. I can assure you, I felt as if I was invincible. The results were catastrophic. After failing to win the next four or five consecutive contests, I began to face the reality; I started to think that maybe, I had just been lucky. Such outcomes brought me unforgivable disappointment and hatred, but all I could do was to lament at my own actions. Ambition blinded me, and I was wandering around in my own fantasies.
COMMENTS
Chonghyun Ahn: I really liked the way how you juxtaposed the concept of satisfaction and achievement and showed how the two are inherently different. I also was contented by your last line, where you put "Ambition blinded me", because it was very poetic in a sense that you not only spoke your opinion through the content, but also through the sentence structure of putting "ambition" in subject, and putting yourself in the object position. However, I would like to challenge your concept of "proceed" in the first paragraph. You seem to propose for progress that opposes ambition. How is the two different? Anyway, I liked your writing!
Hyunseok Lee: It was very interesting to connect your personal experiences to the text, however, I strongly believe that you should come up with additional characteristics of ambition. Since you said you were deeply touched about what the author showed related to ambition, I'm sure that you can talk about not only fail of achievement, but also relationship with nature and ambition, why ambition is useless, etc.
Inhee Ho: I sympathize with your personal experience as well! But I was wondering, didn't ambition allow you to see the reality as the final outcome? I viewed the story as awakening the family, living solitary life, to the reality. I agree that resultingly, the guest made the family to lose their satisfaction, but I saw that as letting them know the reality rather than blinding it.
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