Yellow Wallpaper

Overall, I thought that The Yellow Wallpaper was a very interesting story, and enjoyed reading it. Last year my experimental novel was Vanishing Point, a very odd book where the narrator also goes crazy in the end. I feel like this short story had a similar effect, allowing the reader to see how someone can become insane. In my opinion, Jane started out a little bit crazy. However, her problem at the beginning of the short story was at a state where it could have been controlled and fixed with the correct methods. What caused her to reach her tipping point were all of the restraints that were put on her by her husband, John. Jane was trapped in the room for an extremely long period of time. When someone has nothing to do for a while, their minds tend to trail off and may start to make up extremely odd stories. Even normal people do this to an extent. For example, little children might be sitting in their beds at night and hear a small noise. Because they are alone and have nothing else to think about, they may take that noise and form an idea in their head that it is coming from a monster or another unrealistic source. When their parents deny that anything happened, it may anger the child. This is kind of like what happened when John ignored Jane’s plees to change rooms. The rest cure was clearly not effective, and was what drove her to her tipping point.

Heart of Darkness

In my opinion, Heart of Darkness can fit into the genre of Gothic Literature. The book has a dark tone and setting which is common to Gothic novels. Even if there is not a castle or older home, the mysteries of the forest and the Congo give the same effect. Another common theme of Gothic literature is madness. Marlow has an abnormal obsession with finding Kurtz, enough to go against his manager to be on Kurtz’s side. Kurtz himself is even crazy, rambling on though his battle with disease and sickness. There are also some tragic deaths in the novel. For example, the cannibal helmsman gets stabbed and falls in a pool of blood right in front of Marlow. Many descriptions throughout the book depict death, and sound almost supernatural. The ivory trade is described by Marlow as almost a god, saying “The word ‘ivory’ rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it. A taint of imbecile rapacity blew through it all, like a whiff from some corpse” (Conrad). The dark and creepy descriptions add to the gothic mood of Heart of Darkness.  

Paradise Lost

When children leave for college, they marvel at how much freedom they will get. Even though they might not have the endless funds that their parents provide them or their large homes, they are glad to have the chance to make their own decisions and be independent. This feeling is similar to what Satan is speaking of in Paradise Lost. Even though the atmosphere of hell is not as nice as heaven was, at least he gets to make his own rules and “reign in hell” rather than “serve in heaven” (Milton 263). A place cannot be fully enjoyable unless it can be used to its fullest potential, and when there are too many rules it may be better to settle for somewhere that is not as pretty or luxurious. He states that it is not the environment that matters, but the person. His mind will still be the same no matter what location it is in. These remarks make Lucifer’s character seem very clever and accepting, contrary to what people usually view him as. He has left a place that he does not like to have freedom, which almost makes him seem heroic. Because of the view of Satan in a different and unique way, Milton has left his mark on literature. Even if he did not mean for Lucifer to come off as a clever or open minded character, the way that he speaks and the things that he says makes him seem interesting and less evil. In other novels involving Satan, such as The Inferno, Satan may not even talk. Paradise Lost not only gives Satan whole speeches, but makes these speeches eloquent and full of information, making Lucifer a central and important character in the novel. The reader gets a chance to go in depth and see what is happening on both sides of the story rather than just reading about the positive and happy side.

The Tempest

In the three categories of tragedy, The Tempest fits into the Renaissance Tragedy genre the best. In a Renaissance tragedy, a moral weakness causes the protagonist’s downfall. Prospero fits this rule because he chose to ignore his kingdom and instead spend his time studying magic. This poor decision led to his brother taking over and sending him off to the island. Prospero explains to Miranda that “The government I cast upon my brother and to my state grew stranger, being transported and rapt in secret studies” (Shakespeare). The moral flaw that Prospero was exhibiting was that he did not manage his time well and neglected to prioritize his responsibilities properly.

Furthermore, a Renaissance tragedy has subplots and comic relief. In the play, there are subplots when each of the groups of people are stranded on different parts of the island. Antonio, Gonzalo, and the other royals have their own situation going on while the other characters, such as Prospero and Miranda, are involved in their own actions. The comic relief comes in the form of Stephano and Trinculo, who use their bad logic to add humorous scenes to the play. For example, when the Stephano and Trinculo come across Caliban, they mistake him for a fish.

Even though The Tempest follows some of the key aspects of a Renaissance tragedy, it fits best into the Romance category because of the play’s peaceful ending. There is a “hybrid of tragic and comic elements,” such as the seriousness of Prospero and the humor of Trinculo and Stephano. However, the play has a more serious plotline because of Prospero’s background story of betrayal and the murder plans that take place in throughout the story. Romances tend to “end with weddings, with the focus on … healing rifts within the entire human community” (Shwartz). The Tempest ends with Miranda and Ferdinand together, and heals the community by placing Prospero back into power where he belongs, and with no one being murdered.

Style Exercise

“I saw the funny looking one playing by the lily pads yesterday.”

“Was he with anyone?”

“No.”

“Does he even have any friends?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Where did he even come from?”

“I’m not sure.”

I could hear them talking from behind the tree, but I stayed sitting where I was so I would not disturb them. It was kind of lonely living in this pond where everyone was so rude and distasteful. I always would walk alone and wonder what it would be like if I lived with a family like the other animals. Everyone says that this pond is such a fine place to live, but it is really a dirty and cruel place with dirty and cruel creatures that do such harm.

It was very early in the morning when I left for the nearby lake and I could see the sun peeking out from the clouds up above. While saying my final goodbyes to the pond I began to walk along the sidewalk and across the street, stopping in little puddles for a swim and speaking to others as I took a splash in the murky waters and then kept going along.

“Who are you?”

“I’m just trying to get to the lake.”

“Ever been?”

“Nope.”

“What a great place. I should really go back sometime.”

“You really liked it?”

“Yeah, it was real nice.”

“Ever been to the pond?”

“No, but I’ve heard that it is quite a good place to be.”

“Such a horrible place, that pond. Nothing but rude animals and murky waters.“

“Too bad. I guess I heard wrong.”

“Well, good day.”

“Good day to you to. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Night finally came and I arrived at the lake. I walked around the water’s edge looking for other creatures and was quite surprised when I found a beautiful white bird floating on the calm surface of the water with a trail of other birds behing her. As I stared down at my reflection in the moonlit lake I realized that the bird looked remarkably similar to myself and decided to approach it and see its reaction. I had finally found where I belonged and lived the rest of my life with my newfound family, enjoying myself in the lake and spending time with my new family and forgetting my lonely past in that dirty little pond.

Brave New World

Thank Ford, I am back to the civilized world! I can’t believe that the Director left me out here. When that storm came and I injured my head, I was doomed. I was taken by Indians, ones who did not even respect me and treated me horribly. I am Beta, not a reservation savage! Not only that, but the Director left me with a son, a child who wasn’t even decanted. How disgusting! I had worked all my life in the Hatchery and Conditioning Center, and then I was forced give birth to a child. There wasn’t even an abortion center in this savage place, and no soma to get me through my problems. The civilized world would have seen me as an embarrassment. I knew that getting back into society would not be easy.

When Bernard and Lenina came and brought me and John back to the civilized world, my dream came true. I was not meant to live in the reservation. A well conditioned Beta should not mix with Indians.

Living on the reservation was not easy at all. First of all, not everybody belongs to everybody else. I had to learn this the hard way, after the women of the village almost killed me for having their men. How queer they were. At least I had Pope. I am so glad that I am back to the World State now. On top of all of my problems I had John to deal with. I hated that child so much at first, but he was not that bad in the end. Having John was better than being alone. Too bad that all I had to teach him to read with was the decanting guide.

Now all I want to do is take as many soma holidays as possible. Just sit here and take as many grammes as possible. A gramme is always better than a damn! At first the doctor didn’t even want to give me so much soma, but I convinced him to. I think that he only let me have it because he wants to get rid of me. No one seems to like me here for some reason. I wouldn’t blame them after how I look from the reservation. I am just happy that I have my some.  I mean, I went years without even taking a gramme. I had to live on that gross stuff that Pope gave me, which made me feel horrible the next day. Soma only makes me feel good.

Poor John just doesn’t get it. He only knows what I have told him about the civilized world. I’m sure he is ok though. This place is sure better for him than that disgusting reservation. At least I don’t have to take care of him anymore, be his mother. Now that I look back at my time as a savage, the thought of being a mother is so gross. John has the whole World State to look after him now. He is so popular, and everyone wants to see. He even has caused that short little Bernard Marx to climb the social ladder. I’m not as popular as John, but I don’t really care. I am out of the savage land, and happy. No weaving, no queer rituals, no being a mother. Thank Ford its just me and my soma.

Time to take another soma holiday! This thinking is making me tired, I don’t know how John does it. Well, good thing I don’t have to think anymore now that I am back to where I belong. Never put off till tomorrow the fun you can have today!

Frankenstein

I believe that Victor’s fall does condemn rationalism because all of his acts of rationality end up hurting him in the end. Even in the beginning of the novel, Victor’s parents are described as not being super hands on or loving to him. They are not very strict, and let Victor do as he pleases. This causes Victor to dive into the study of books and sciences. The Romantics believe that emotion and love is extremely important, and when Victor did not have love or emotion from his parents, it caused him to become rational and scientific. Victor also created the monster based on science. He had formulas and particular methods for creating life, and the life that he created ended up scary and horrid. Since the monster was built without love or care, it may have caused the creature to grow up being violent. Victor ignores his love for Elizabeth and his father and instead puts all of his efforts into science, eventually leading to the death of his future wife. Victor even turns away his best childhood friend, Henry Clerval. If he had given into his emotions instead of his studies, he would have ended up happy with his family. Furthermore, Victor uses reason when deciding not to tell about the monster even though he knows that it may lead to Justine’s execution. To his rational Enlightenment self, it makes perfect sense to keep his secret. The secret will allow him to live without anyone suspecting his of his creation. However, there is an emotional aspect because he will be wrongfully killing a nice individual. Victor caves into his rational way of thinking, leading to another death of someone that he knows.

The monster is a representation of Romanticism, even though he was created using Enlightenment ideals. The monster often gives into his emotions and communicates his feelings to others. He does not become preoccupied in math or science, instead learning about language and literature. For example, the monster kills because he feels left out and isolated by Victor. He tries to explain his problem to Victor and asks for a wife, but Victor’s way of thinking does not allow for him to feel sorry for the lonely monster. The monster’s Romantic feelings cannot relate to Victor’s scientific brain, causing the creature to become more isolated. He utters in sadness to Walter, “I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on.” (Shelley 275)

Shelley’s novel continues to be popular today because the lessons and debates within the book are still relevant to our culture. There is the question of if life can be artificially created, and how will the beings produced turn out. This issue is still relevant because of cloning technology and artificial growing that will be a problem in the future. The novel also addresses the ancient moral that people should not try to be higher than god. This lesson can be seen all the way back to biblical stories such as The Tower of Babble. Frankenstein was also the first science fiction novel, a genre of books and films that is still extremely popular today.