Notebook

Notebook

1. “Everyday Use” pp.334-352

• What definition of heritage does the mother attempt to pass on to her children?

According to the mother of Maggie and Dee, Heritage refers to the representation of family items, family’s thoughts, and traditions that are passed down through the years. (335).

• How is this definition like or unlike Dee’s definition?

According to Dee, heritage refers to the culture of black people in America. She claims this is the only heritage that she appreciates. Dee cannot accept the definition that is related to the family until it has been styled up. Dee’s definition of heritage is therefore different from that of her mother and sister Maggie which if family-oriented while that of Dee is based on African-Americans culture.

2. “Miss Brill” pp. 166-171

• Do you see this absence of conventional exposition as a problem in “Miss Brill”?

Yes, I see a problem with the absence of a conventional exposition. There is no explanation of the setting of the scene. It is difficult to understand the central theme at the initial reading stage. This might discourage most readers from finishing the story

• Do you think the story would be more effective if Mansfield had supplied more preliminary information about setting and character?

Yes, I believe the play would be more effective. The reader would get a clear understanding of the preliminary stage. This could have been made possible by providing more information at the preliminary stage. The setting and character would also create an early insight into its theme.

• Or do you believe that what Bobby calls Mansfield’s “concentration on a moment or episode” is a satisfactory substitute for the missing exposition, effectively shifting interest from “what happens” to “why it happens”?

No, in my belief, the statement is not a satisfactory substitution of the exposition that was left out. The reader needed the exposition to understand the happenings as well as the reasons for the happenings. The exposition would also create a clear understanding of the play eliminating any chance of the readers having to figure out unanswered thoughts or questions.

3. “The Cask of Amontillado” pp. 249-255

• Do you agree or disagree with May’s hypothesis?

I disagree with May’s hypothesis. There is no clear evidence to support whatever he is describing in his hypothesis. Due to the lack of strong and clear supportive evidence, May’s hypothesis is portrayed as a weak hypothesis.

• Do you think that Montresor has atoned for his sin?

I don’t think Montresor has been atoned for his sin. Nobody has bothered him for 50 years (252).  He is relaxed and explaining how he got away with his old friend’s murder. To Montresor, the murder was more of revenge which is a point of pride. His familial and personal pride had been wounded and to maintain his honor he has to avenge his wounds. Before the murder, he makes sure to let Fortunato know his fate was in his hands.

• Who else could be listing to Montresor’s story?

Montresor could be speaking to a close friend who supports his actions. The courage he uses to explain his former enemy’s murder creates doubt as to whether he could be talking to a corpse or a person who is unhappy with his action. However, he could be speaking to the entire community through a note left near his enemy’s remains.

4. “Barn Burning” pp. 256-271

• Do you believe “Barn Burning” is, as Volpe suggests, essentially a coming-of-age story, or do you believe it is about something else-class conflict, for example?

I believe burn burning is a coming of age story has Volpe suggests. The story covers the life of Sarty from childhood moments to his adulthood. He realizes several aspects of life from his father, indicating that he has become a grown-up. This is evidence of self-awareness initiation, the realization of something wrong, and the need to change it, which is a characteristic of a coming to age story.

5. “Where Mountain Lion Lay Down with Deer” pp. 506-507

• Does Silko’s poem address the issue of cultural extinction and the possibility of regeneration of metamorphosis?

Yes, the poem addresses the issue of cultural extinction because Silko speaks about ancestors and the old songs that are being forgotten.

• How?

Since children entirely rely on older people for passing on of culture, with the passing on of many older people, culture is becoming extinct. Cultural memories are swiftly being lost hence a possibility of extinction. Silko describes how she slowly forgets her culture by saying she swam away from it. Just like the lions control the population of the deer in Silko’s poem, the elderly control the possibility of regeneration of metamorphosis. The more they teach the young ones about their culture as they grow up the higher the like hood of the cultures none extinction. (506).

6. “The Death of the Ball Turret” pp. 583

• With which critic do you agree?

I agree with Randall’s criticism of the state. In his poem, he uses the imagery of the womb. He is portraying his anger at the state that uses all-powerful machines to cause the death of a person who is not a formidable candidate of war. The state is destroying the lives of helpless individuals to create a portrait of a perfect war. The helpless victims are in no position to defend themselves against ruthless acts imposed on them, hence unfair actions are exhibited. The act is inhumane; hence I similarly express my anger towards it.

• Do you see the “lack of a middle” as a positive or negative quality of this poem?

I feel the lack of ”a middle” is a positive quality of this poem.  Randall is not in agreement with the state for its inhumanity. He strongly expresses his anger against the individuals who perpetrated the killing of helpless and defenseless individuals. This strong stance, in my view, makes his intentions clear. He is writing to critic the state for its humane acts. Lack of a middle enables Randall to express his stand on the subject matter.

7. “The Raven” pp. 675-678

• Do you agree with Nilsson that it makes no sense to look for a moral in the raven’s “nevermore”?

No, I feel that the raven had a reason for repeating ‘’nevermore’’. It helped him rhyme with Lenore. It also enabled him to emphasize that he will never have the love he had lost. The repetitions also helped in the creation of the sense of urgency of the narrates tortured mind and his state which was extremely fragile.

• What kind of moral, if any, do you think “Nevermore” implies for the speaker?

The raven could be creating an impression in his mind that he should ”move on” since the love with Lenore is gone. The word nevermore could similarly mean death. Poe simply writes to express the depression he suffers from being haunted by the loss of his love, Lenore. His implacability and loneliness are expressed when he says nevermore.

8. “Nine Ten” pp. 861-865

• In what sense does Nine Ten “upend,” “dissect,” or “shatter” common perceptions of the world as it was before 9/11?

There is a correlation between date and time in this play and the events of 9/11. The writer is likely to have had the intention of creating a reflection of the day before the occurrence of terrorist attacks (862). I, however, don’t believe it neither upended nor shattered any perceptions. It neither dissected the opinions at all. In my opinion, nine ten can be said to be neutral.

9. “A Doll House” pp. 881-940

• What is your response to the play’s ending?

I describe the ending as suspense. It is not easily understood how Norah was able to leave the kids. It happens that Norah leaves the kids with a person she felt was a stranger. Norah is likely to have changed her mind to reunite with her husband. The play has a traditional contribution to every member of a family. The wife is expected to take care of her husband and children and perform house duties. However, I am not sure where she disappeared to and the kind of decision she had made, although she’s entitled to her self-value defense.

• Do you think it makes sense in light of what we have learned about Nora and her Marriage?

In some way, I think it makes sense since, in those days, a woman was only expected to be a good wife and mother. There were no much expectations from a woman aside from raising children and performing house chores. I also feel Norah was in a messy relationship after she realized that her husband had little feelings about her. The marriage had issues that needed to be dealt with. It is unfair as well for Norah’s husband to have reunited with her due to the reality about the relationship, as well as Norah’s level of awareness about herself.

• Or, do you agree with Hardwick that Nora’s abandonment of her children is not only implausible but also a “rather casual” gesture that “drops a stain” on our admiration of Nora”?

I do not agree with Hardwick. One should be in a relationship that is composed of true love. In this case, Nora was just lured into loving her husband because of money and mere lies, as did her husband. She was a spendthrift, and that is why she was concerned about the money she can get from her husband. Her decisions to stay in her marriage were influenced by her husband’s social status even though their relationship had a lot of conflicts to solve. Nora had a right to defend and stand up for her self-value. The adornment gesture was not valued plausible at this time. It was only fair that the kids be subjected to a home that has a healthy relationship.

10. “Hamlet” pp. 1043-1150

• Can you find other evidence in the play to support the idea that war (and, more specifically, the futility of war) is one of its major themes?

Indeed, the war was a theme of discussion in the text. The King is trying his best to prevent any war with Norway. He had lost his brother through the same battle. The King removed such powers that people such as Cornelius held to ensure no further war occurred. The act is indicative of the futility of war in the country.

• Do you agree that the play is, in this respect, “an allegory of our time”?

I do believe the play is an allegory of our time. In our times, there are similar cases of war between countries causing deaths. Many states, however, are similarly trying to stop war cases in the hopes of preventing further bloodshed and saving as many lives as possible and creating a safe and healthy environment where we can all co-exist peacefully.