Comment on the underground man’s actions. How is acting here in relationship to
the claims he made in Part 1?
In the beginning part of the book, the underground man is described as someone
different that the second part of the book. In the beginning of the book, the
underground man is described as self-centered, but at the same time he is in denial.
He accepts that his liver is in poor condition, but doesn’t want to do anything
about it because he does not want to see a doctor. So in a sense, the beginning of the
book is about the underground man not being “active.”
In the second half of the book, the underground man is still the same. He is still
uncertain about things, but he does not remain inactive. Although he might not be making the smartest decisions, the underground man is transforming into a different person. In this part of the book he goes to a bar where he know he will not be accepted by his fellow piers. They talk and act as if the underground man is not there. The underground man feels very ashamed by his actions. In the later chapters, the underground man sleeps with a prostitute and then in the morning he wakes up and realizes he does not even know her. Starting to feel emotion, the underground man gives her a speech trying to pursue her out of prostitution. When he is done speaking, she mocks him and walks away. Suddenly, the underground man’s feeling turn bitter.
Apparent to the claims the underground man-made in Part 1, he is going with society. He was becoming the active man, content with what he found. Soon enough, he snapped out of this phase and went back to being a stubborn, philosophical man.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rooster's Character
Who is Rooster? What are your first impressions of him?
When Mattie Ross’ father dies she wants justice. She goes to the sheriffs’ office asking if the local sheriff can help her avenge her father’s death. He said he could not because the person who had killed her father fled to Indian Territory. Ross asked if there was anyone who could help her find her father’s killer. The local sheriff recommended Rooster. Rooster is the toughest, meanest, and most straightforward marshal of them all. He is the man who brings in the prisoners who have escaped and fled to Indian Territory.
When Ross first encounters Rooster, he is bringing the prisoners in. He is yelling at the prisoners. At this instance, it seems as if Rooster has a low tolerance level and is not willing to put up with laziness and falling behind. Ross’ second encounter with Rooster is when he is testifying in court. He is being accused of murder. When Rooster walks up to take the stand he has confidence. It seems as if he knows that he is not going to be proven guilty. When he gets to the stand, Rooster is quickly being accused of many things. If any other person were to be accused like Rooster was, they would crack under pressure. Even Rooster’s attorney gets nervous. The prosecutor asks Rooster how many people he killed and Rooster strayed away from the question. This proves that Rooster is clever and he is not going to directly answer the question because he knows that it is possible for him to be proven guilty and he is going to do everything in his power to avoid that. It also seems as if Rooster is a strong advocate for self-defense. When he is asked how many people he kills, he does not directly answer, but after many more questions Rooster admits that he has killed a lot of people only out of self-defense and the protections of others.
Rooster is a strong man who is very intimidating. One should know not to get in the way of him. When one first see’s Rooster they will probably realize that he is a man of few words, but huge actions.
When Mattie Ross’ father dies she wants justice. She goes to the sheriffs’ office asking if the local sheriff can help her avenge her father’s death. He said he could not because the person who had killed her father fled to Indian Territory. Ross asked if there was anyone who could help her find her father’s killer. The local sheriff recommended Rooster. Rooster is the toughest, meanest, and most straightforward marshal of them all. He is the man who brings in the prisoners who have escaped and fled to Indian Territory.
When Ross first encounters Rooster, he is bringing the prisoners in. He is yelling at the prisoners. At this instance, it seems as if Rooster has a low tolerance level and is not willing to put up with laziness and falling behind. Ross’ second encounter with Rooster is when he is testifying in court. He is being accused of murder. When Rooster walks up to take the stand he has confidence. It seems as if he knows that he is not going to be proven guilty. When he gets to the stand, Rooster is quickly being accused of many things. If any other person were to be accused like Rooster was, they would crack under pressure. Even Rooster’s attorney gets nervous. The prosecutor asks Rooster how many people he killed and Rooster strayed away from the question. This proves that Rooster is clever and he is not going to directly answer the question because he knows that it is possible for him to be proven guilty and he is going to do everything in his power to avoid that. It also seems as if Rooster is a strong advocate for self-defense. When he is asked how many people he kills, he does not directly answer, but after many more questions Rooster admits that he has killed a lot of people only out of self-defense and the protections of others.
Rooster is a strong man who is very intimidating. One should know not to get in the way of him. When one first see’s Rooster they will probably realize that he is a man of few words, but huge actions.
Monday, October 12, 2009
"Underground Man"
Who is the ‘underground man’? What are your first impressions of him?
Who is the “underground man?” The “underground man” has been represented in this book as an alienated character. He lives in St. Petersburg claiming “I am told that Petersburg climate is bad for me…but I am remaining in Petersburg.” (5) The “underground man” lives on the outskirts of town in an old and worn down house. This house is not inviting and welcoming. This leads into the next series of thoughts. How does the “underground man” represent himself and why? At the beginning of the book the “underground man” says, “Now, I am living out my life in my corner, taunting myself with the spiteful and useless consolation that an intelligent man cannot become anything seriously, and it is only the fool who becomes anything.” (4) From reading the first five chapters, it is assumed that the “underground man” realizes how extremely intelligent he is, but always second-guesses his ideas. Looking back on this quote, one must think to themselves how insecure he must be. It seems as if the “underground man” underestimates himself and takes his hostility out on others. “I was a spiteful official. I was rude and took pleasure in being so…When petitioners used to come for information to the table at which I sat, I used to grind my teeth at them, and felt intense enjoyment when I succeeded in making anybody unhappy.” (3) Although the “underground man” says he is “spiteful,” he is not. He has too much knowledge for his own good. Because he is so intelligent, he is alienated from the rest of the world because normal, everyday people do not know how to react in certain situations with people like him.
Who is the “underground man?” The “underground man” has been represented in this book as an alienated character. He lives in St. Petersburg claiming “I am told that Petersburg climate is bad for me…but I am remaining in Petersburg.” (5) The “underground man” lives on the outskirts of town in an old and worn down house. This house is not inviting and welcoming. This leads into the next series of thoughts. How does the “underground man” represent himself and why? At the beginning of the book the “underground man” says, “Now, I am living out my life in my corner, taunting myself with the spiteful and useless consolation that an intelligent man cannot become anything seriously, and it is only the fool who becomes anything.” (4) From reading the first five chapters, it is assumed that the “underground man” realizes how extremely intelligent he is, but always second-guesses his ideas. Looking back on this quote, one must think to themselves how insecure he must be. It seems as if the “underground man” underestimates himself and takes his hostility out on others. “I was a spiteful official. I was rude and took pleasure in being so…When petitioners used to come for information to the table at which I sat, I used to grind my teeth at them, and felt intense enjoyment when I succeeded in making anybody unhappy.” (3) Although the “underground man” says he is “spiteful,” he is not. He has too much knowledge for his own good. Because he is so intelligent, he is alienated from the rest of the world because normal, everyday people do not know how to react in certain situations with people like him.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Catharsis
Othello is a tragedy. Othello is a Moore, who is in love with Desdemona, a white woman. Iago, an Ancient under Othello, who is a Lieutenant, is married to Emilia. He secretly lusts after Desdemona and does everything in his power to forbid Othello and Desdemona’s love. Iago uses Cassio to trick Othello into believing the Desdemona is cheating on him. After this, pretty much everyone dies.
I feel that all of these characters acted upon their feelings, whether they were right or wrong. I do not believe that Iago should have tricked Othello into believing that Desdemona was a whore. I also don’t believe that Othello should have killed Desdemona. I am very frustrated by Iago’s actions. What he did was very un-thoughtful and selfish. How could he want to tear someone’s life apart? His actions made Othello very angry and depressed. I feel very bad for Othello because I don’t think he deserved what Iago did.
Although I am very upset that he killed Desdemona, I believe he killed her out of love. Othello loved Desdemona very much and I think, with the accusations that were made, Othello was very confused. So when he smothered her to almost death, he was doing it out of not only anger, but mostly confusion because how could someone who loved him so much and gave everything she had to him, cheat on him?
I do pity Desdemona because she was a character who was left out of the loop, so when Othello smothered her she didn’t know why. At the same time, I don’t feel bad for Desdemona. There were many signs between her and Cassio the demonstrated his “interest” in her and she accepted them as polite gestures. Desdemona could have warned Cassio off and told him not to associate himself with her anymore.
Cassio is a sad character. He is a Lieutenant and loses his position in a drunken brawl in Cyprus. Iago, using Cassio’s age, good looks, and his charm to his disadvantage, makes him the guinea pig for keeping Desdemona and Othello apart. I feel bad because Cassio cannot have a say in what Iago does to him.
This play hasn’t helped me better understand any of my emotions but it is similar to real life situations. If you think about it, people act on impulse and don’t think about what they are doing and if they are doing it for the right reasons.
Othello is a tragedy. Everyone dies and everyone hates each other.
I feel that all of these characters acted upon their feelings, whether they were right or wrong. I do not believe that Iago should have tricked Othello into believing that Desdemona was a whore. I also don’t believe that Othello should have killed Desdemona. I am very frustrated by Iago’s actions. What he did was very un-thoughtful and selfish. How could he want to tear someone’s life apart? His actions made Othello very angry and depressed. I feel very bad for Othello because I don’t think he deserved what Iago did.
Although I am very upset that he killed Desdemona, I believe he killed her out of love. Othello loved Desdemona very much and I think, with the accusations that were made, Othello was very confused. So when he smothered her to almost death, he was doing it out of not only anger, but mostly confusion because how could someone who loved him so much and gave everything she had to him, cheat on him?
I do pity Desdemona because she was a character who was left out of the loop, so when Othello smothered her she didn’t know why. At the same time, I don’t feel bad for Desdemona. There were many signs between her and Cassio the demonstrated his “interest” in her and she accepted them as polite gestures. Desdemona could have warned Cassio off and told him not to associate himself with her anymore.
Cassio is a sad character. He is a Lieutenant and loses his position in a drunken brawl in Cyprus. Iago, using Cassio’s age, good looks, and his charm to his disadvantage, makes him the guinea pig for keeping Desdemona and Othello apart. I feel bad because Cassio cannot have a say in what Iago does to him.
This play hasn’t helped me better understand any of my emotions but it is similar to real life situations. If you think about it, people act on impulse and don’t think about what they are doing and if they are doing it for the right reasons.
Othello is a tragedy. Everyone dies and everyone hates each other.
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