Thursday, January 13, 2011

Essay

Marlow seems to be unable to describe his story in a fluid format, partly because his story is like no other. It's like one of those war tails where you get the response "you weren't there man," something like that. So im thinking of focusing on his speech aspects along with one of the major themes of "dual worlds." Marlow's from England; however, he's taken back to the past in Africa where he experiences a whole new perspective on life. I'm thinking about talking about Krutz or the cannibals, aspects that show change in humanity as well as people on the individual scale....... still brainstorming

Sunday, January 9, 2011

psychological significance of journey

Upon entering the Heart of Darkness, Marlow is overwhelmed with what he sees. It is a complete paradigm shift from his perspectives at home. He's taken back to the past to man kinds raw form, and he sees for the first time the true wilderness. Marlow's first hand experience is one of adventure, journeying deeper into the unknown. As he discovers more about africa, he also discovers more about the nature of man. By taking away all material necessities from england, Marlow gains greater insight into his self being, as well as understands the truth behind "carrying the torch" and civilizing the savages of the land.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

TORCH #6

The lady blindfolded holding a torch is a play on the god lady justice, who is depicted holding a scale instead. The main concept behind this is that justice is blind, hence the blindfold, but the torch says something else. I believe the torch represents the unknown, that the intentions of the english in africa are so multidimensional, that there can be no one specific cause. The dark background contrasts the light, which can be shed in many ways. Whether the english arrival is good or bad, I believe that Marlow's  perspective is darker, hinting at the tragedy of his countries interference with the people and the land.

Monday, January 3, 2011

AFRICA!!!! #2

I believe that Marlow sees potential in Africa. England prior to Roman interference was much like Marlow's modern africa: baron, tribal, and not colonized. This along with his sense of adventure is the driving force behind his pursuit of adventure. If the Romans could colonize england, and that colony could grow into the prosperous empire it is today, then Africa is a gold mine in Marlow's eyes. He is in a sense, reliving the greatness of history.

Monday, December 6, 2010

#8 Tone and Mood

The tone of ones voice generally sets the mood of the novel as well as reflects upon the mood of the individual speaking. Hamlet speaks with a worry indecisive tone that wavers between life and death. This then sets a mood of despair and suspense throughout the entire novel as the reader watches hamlet evaluate his own existence. Tone and mood are inherently connected, one cannot exist without the other. This is most apparent in emotions of characters, where there mood reflects upon their tone. Sad words to unhappy feelings and vice versa. When hamlet Speaks to ophelia at the play, he sounds crazy, speaking unlike himself, and thus the mood of the environment around him is also chaotic.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Imagery

      Imagery in poetry is essential to creating an environment the reader can place them self in. In William  Stafford's "Traveling through the Dark," imagery is used to represent an underlying theme of being able to let go. Though describing the death of a pregnant dear, its passing on can be related to the loss of a loved one. "She had stiffened already, almost cold." Stafford begins describing the deer with the term "cold," reflecting on its lifeless body, moreover, the more spiritual aspect that the deers soul has left her body; however, when describing her belly: "her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting," he portrays the incapability of letting go to the dead deer. Though she is literally dead, fugitively part of her remains alive. His "hot and cold" imagery sets the tone of a limbo, where the speaker is in fact questioning the reality of the dead deer. He ends with pushing her off to the side, but the buildup to that action is key to the meaning of life and death.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

SOUND: of woodchucks being gasses

Maxine Kumin's Woodchucks is a peculiar poem in that it plays on the act of killing with al light hearted approach. Its ABCACB rhyme scheme keeps the poem flowing, almost like a melody. This contrasts the underlying meaning of the poem and its allusion in the end of Nazi Germany and the gassing of the jews. This in part ease in sound and flow reflects upon the ease of the nazis to perform a genocide with out questioning the authority how commanded it. Quick, quiet, easy, and had to be done. Luckily for the wood chucks, the whole gassing situation "didn't turn out right."