Ashley's Blog

Sophocles,Antigone

2005-06-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

I loved Antigone. She just didn't die for love but for her family and her beliefs. She stood up to the ruler of Thebes and didn't hesitate to let him know what was on her mind. In a way I admire Antigone. She did something that not all women would have done if they were in her shoes during that time. Her sister did exactly what would have been expected for any woman to do, she was a coward and didn't even defend her sister or family.

Antigone being upset with her sister is understandable. I would do anything for my sisters and brothers, without hesitation. If I was put in that situation and my sister wasn't there right along with me in that fight I would feel betrayed. Blood is as thick as it gets and if you dont do anything for your loved ones, then who? Sophocles did a great job portraying the love of family and the strength of belief.

Creon felt so disrespcted when Antigone disobeyed him that it put a smile on my face. I'm sure he would have disregarded the law if it was in his favor but since it wasn't then he didn't care. He was approached by a woman and was automatically intimidated. In the end although Antigone died and think that she is the one that came on top when all was said and done.

Lorca,Blood Wedding

2005-05-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Dying for love is so overrated. It's been happening since the beginning of time. From Romeo and Juliet to Blood Wedding itself. The bride never even loved the Groom and yet there was the Groom fighting and dying.
I admit that although I dont like the overall theme of the play it is still quite a good play. The emotions are so real and exemplified througout the play. The mother had her doubts and over protective of her son. I would be too if I was her. She lost family and how can you erease that from your mind when your son is about to enter the "real world".
I noticed that Leonardo is the only character who actually has a name while the others dont. Is it because he's this big macho guy who at the end of the day get what he wants or because Lorca didn't want to use "former lover" instead. Leonardo does play a significant part in the play. He does what he wants, whenever he wants and doesn't answer to anybody. Not even his wife. He is the head huncho and even the bride knows this. She's so in love with him that it's sad. I felt bad for the groom. How is your wife goihg to leave you the day you are both married? If I were him I would've fought Leonardo for respect although in the end thats what it boiled down too.
When the mother hears of her sons death she isnt surprised, and when the Bride approaches basically telling the Mother in law to kill her, and the mother refuses I wonder why?

Kate Chopin, The Awakening

2005-02-20T17:10:00.000-08:00

To what extent would one go to prove that they cannot go on living without a certain person? For Edna the answer was death. She gave up her life when she realized that Robert and she could not be together. I know love can make you do some crazy things but to kill yourself is not only selfish but wrong. I now understand when she said, “I would give up the essential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn’t give myself. I can’t make it more clear; it’s only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me.”

Edna knew exactly what she was doing when she went out into the lake. When she got “The Awakening” she decided that it was too much. Realizing that you can’t have something when its right in front of you is torture; and although I believe that the way Edna went about the situation was immoral, I can relate to that feeling. I really did not like the way the story ended. It was really disappointing to see someone who was actually doing what she thought was right die in the end. It would have been more influential if it ended with a happy one. I don't know why the Chopin didn't do that being a female author herself.

Frederick Douglas, The Narrative

2005-01-31T13:15:00.000-08:00

While I was reading The Narrative of Frederick Douglas the quote that struck me the most was, "It is better that a dozen slaves should suffer under the lash, than that the overseer should be convicted, in the persense of the slaves, of having been at fault." The extent to what a slaveowner and those involved with the system would do to make slaves feel inferior and justify there cause upsets and sickens me. Was it not bad enough for the slaves to have to endure so much oppression and punishment? It would have been only right for them to be able to witness the punishment of those who made their life more difficult than it already was.
In my opinion this quote hints on the fear of the slaveowners. Why not allow the slaves to see an overseer put to justice after doing something wrong? They did not want to show any sign of weakness even if meant the suffering of "a dozen slaves." Were they afraid that the slaves would start to rebell? Regardless of their reason, none will ease the pain of the unfortunate; it was still inhuman to allow so much strife and heartache be put upon so many innocent people.

Gilman, Yellow Wallpaper

2005-01-31T13:11:00.000-08:00

"I think sometimes that if I were only well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me." To be able to express oneself is the only way of truly living a life of freedom. No matter how it is done; through art, writing or even through speech when the deed is done a blanket of comfort falls over that person.

Gilman's character does not have the luxury of communicating how she is feeling in any way besides her journal which she keeps in secret. Her husband, John really discourages her to write suggesting it would only make her situation worse. I guess at that point in time writing was not seen as therapeutic like it is now. My way of communicating how I feel is through speech and if I was not able to do that I think I would go crazy.

Going crazy is exactly what happened to Gillman's character. If her husband would have been more supportive and understanding she would not have been tearing wallpaper off of walls and driving herself insane. She became overly obsessed with it. Although the wallpaper was the core of the problem I think that it could have been prevented. Then again, what would be the point of the book if it did not have an antagonist?