I believe that this book is extremely similar to The Great Gatsby in the sense that it has the same basic structure of hero, antihero, amd villain. The protagonist in this book, the cheif, speaks sparsely and is merely an observor of what goes on in the mental ward. He keeps to himslef and doesn't appear to be the hero although I can certainly see the audience rooting for him.
McMurphy is going to be the antihero and that is the closest that we will come to a hero in this book. He is a brute and he can sometimes be a jerk to the other patients but he is someone who will work against the system. When McMurphy says, "...it's just foul the way they tore into you like that," to Harding, the audience knows that he will at least try to turn the system on its head. Thus, although we may not agree with him, he is basically the only character to root heavily for.
The villain is obviously the big nurse. From the way the patients describe her as being a fearsome and sometimes cruel woman, along with the power she holds among the staff and the doctors, she controls the hospital. She simply has too much power and thus will do anything to maintain order, setting her up ideally to abuse her power and maintain control.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Great Gatsby #3
Interpretive: What do the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckelberg symbolize in the novel?
From the beginning of their mention in chapter 2, the large billboard eyes were looking down over a desolate wasteland known as the valley of ashes. To me they symbolized someone looking down upon the people and judging them. Then George Wilson compared them to the eyes of God and that belief was reinforced somewhat but in a different way. I now believe that those eyes are those of God looking down uon the valley sadly because of their dilapidated nature.
Interpretive: What does the green light symbolize?
The green light I believe is mentioned twice: once at the beginning of the novel when Gatsby is reaching towards it and at the end when Nick is describing the light and what the people that first came to the sound must have thought about it. To Gatsby the light was his one huge dream of winning Daisy back; that much is obvious. When Nick talks about it in regards to the settlers coming there, I think the green light takes on the idea of the "American dream" and striving to obtain ones dreams.
Evaluative: If this book was a commentary on how hollow the aristocracy of America is, then why have Tom Buchanan win Daisy in the end?
I understand that this book's main purpose is to show how unattainable dreams really are through the death of Gatsby; that is clearly evident. I also believed though that another theme of this book was of how shallow and ill natured the rich are through characters like Buchanan and symbols like the valley of ashes or Eckelberg. Why then doesn't Tom get what he deserves in the end? Unless he was also commenting on how the rich come out on to despite their horrid nature.
Evaluative: How effective is it that the protagonist in the story (Nick) doesn't benefit at all from Gatsby and winds up depressed and alone at the story's end in communicating the messages of the book? Does it affect the story at all? I think it is interesting that Fitzgerald would have the person who reserved all judgements and would have feelings similar to those of the audience in such a poor state by the story's end. While Nick contributes almost none to the story's main themes, I think it says something of Fitzgerald's ideas about us if the character who is supposed to represent us is worn by life at the novel's end.
From the beginning of their mention in chapter 2, the large billboard eyes were looking down over a desolate wasteland known as the valley of ashes. To me they symbolized someone looking down upon the people and judging them. Then George Wilson compared them to the eyes of God and that belief was reinforced somewhat but in a different way. I now believe that those eyes are those of God looking down uon the valley sadly because of their dilapidated nature.
Interpretive: What does the green light symbolize?
The green light I believe is mentioned twice: once at the beginning of the novel when Gatsby is reaching towards it and at the end when Nick is describing the light and what the people that first came to the sound must have thought about it. To Gatsby the light was his one huge dream of winning Daisy back; that much is obvious. When Nick talks about it in regards to the settlers coming there, I think the green light takes on the idea of the "American dream" and striving to obtain ones dreams.
Evaluative: If this book was a commentary on how hollow the aristocracy of America is, then why have Tom Buchanan win Daisy in the end?
I understand that this book's main purpose is to show how unattainable dreams really are through the death of Gatsby; that is clearly evident. I also believed though that another theme of this book was of how shallow and ill natured the rich are through characters like Buchanan and symbols like the valley of ashes or Eckelberg. Why then doesn't Tom get what he deserves in the end? Unless he was also commenting on how the rich come out on to despite their horrid nature.
Evaluative: How effective is it that the protagonist in the story (Nick) doesn't benefit at all from Gatsby and winds up depressed and alone at the story's end in communicating the messages of the book? Does it affect the story at all? I think it is interesting that Fitzgerald would have the person who reserved all judgements and would have feelings similar to those of the audience in such a poor state by the story's end. While Nick contributes almost none to the story's main themes, I think it says something of Fitzgerald's ideas about us if the character who is supposed to represent us is worn by life at the novel's end.
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Great Gatsby #2
1) The purpose of Wolfsheim as a character is to give us a shady idea of Gatsby's business exploits. Since Gatsby says that he was involved in the fixing of the 1919 World Series, it connects Gatsby to a criminal. This gives the reader the notion that Gatsby isn't what they have previously believed he is.
2) The backstory informs us that Gatsby is determined if not a borderline stalker of daisy. To buy a house across the bay specifically for her and then wait five years for the right time to reveal himself to her seems a bit strange to say the least and makes the audience a bit wary of Gatsby as a person. At least thats what it did to me.
3)The story of Gatsby's past for me established him as a legitimate person, one who did not steal or cheat to get his money.
4)I see Gatsby still as a mysterious person. The way he acts around daisy to when he first confronts her is particularly odd and combined with the fact that he was so in love with her that he bought his house because of her makes me question his sanity. Although he has somewhat of a confirmed background, his shady underground dealings also put him in a dark light.
2) The backstory informs us that Gatsby is determined if not a borderline stalker of daisy. To buy a house across the bay specifically for her and then wait five years for the right time to reveal himself to her seems a bit strange to say the least and makes the audience a bit wary of Gatsby as a person. At least thats what it did to me.
3)The story of Gatsby's past for me established him as a legitimate person, one who did not steal or cheat to get his money.
4)I see Gatsby still as a mysterious person. The way he acts around daisy to when he first confronts her is particularly odd and combined with the fact that he was so in love with her that he bought his house because of her makes me question his sanity. Although he has somewhat of a confirmed background, his shady underground dealings also put him in a dark light.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Great Gatsby Blog 1
I believe that the hero of the story is Nick is the hero of the novel because he is from what we can tell a honest man and he is the protagonist. He doesn't have any vices or evil qualaties, in fact in chapter two he recollects that he'd only ever been drunk once before that evening. So he has good judgement compared to most of the other characters in the story so far.
I believe that Jay Gatsby is most clearly the antihero at this point in the story. In these three chapters he is a very mysterious man and one even when we do meet him is peculiar. In chapter 3 Nick observed that Gatsby was, "standing alone on the marvel steps looking from one group to another with approving eyes," (50). He throws extremely lavish parties but doesn't participate in them or mingle much; he only watches from afar. This I believe is someone who is not necessarily bad, but may have some other motivations for what he does.
I believe that Tom Buchanan is the closest thing to a villain so far. With all the money and property one could ask for, Tom still has poor, almost mean attitudes towards life, is unfaithful, and is abbusive to people. Even when taking on a mistress, Tom breaks her nose in a drunken fury. He represents everything wrong with aristocratic life and thus is the villain.
I believe that Jay Gatsby is most clearly the antihero at this point in the story. In these three chapters he is a very mysterious man and one even when we do meet him is peculiar. In chapter 3 Nick observed that Gatsby was, "standing alone on the marvel steps looking from one group to another with approving eyes," (50). He throws extremely lavish parties but doesn't participate in them or mingle much; he only watches from afar. This I believe is someone who is not necessarily bad, but may have some other motivations for what he does.
I believe that Tom Buchanan is the closest thing to a villain so far. With all the money and property one could ask for, Tom still has poor, almost mean attitudes towards life, is unfaithful, and is abbusive to people. Even when taking on a mistress, Tom breaks her nose in a drunken fury. He represents everything wrong with aristocratic life and thus is the villain.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Bua art
It is abstract art because the proportions in all of the paintings aren't realistic. All of his paintings include African American culture in relation to music which in combination with the abstract natures of the paintings I believe speaks on how challenging the life of a musician is. Also some of them have troubled expressions which I believe adds to that notion.
John Coltrane
Mood is used to set the stage for the music in instrumental music. In Coltrane's version of "My Favorite Things" he uses the drums and a piano as a sort of base at the beginning of the song and then comes in with his instrument to establish a more joyful melody.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
the decemberists
The song is about how Americans are dying fighting at war and despite this celebrities are still the main focus on tv.
The theme of the song is that people have incorrect values. These soldiers gave their lives for their country but instead of honoring them and their wives, we pay more attention to celebrities instead.
The theme of the song is that people have incorrect values. These soldiers gave their lives for their country but instead of honoring them and their wives, we pay more attention to celebrities instead.
the Death Penalty
Between the two writers that give different arguements for the abolishment of the death penalyt, Mencken and Kroll, it is obvious that Kroll's paper is more effective because it utilizes ethos and pathos while Mencken's paper only uses logos.
In his paper where he details the grim death of his good friend, Kroll continuously builds a case against the death penalty. By making the audience feel some of the pain he went through, he effectively makes them sympatherize for him and his friend; the main purpose of ethos. Combine that with the fact that he subtly uses pathos when he mentions that the stay of execution was issued by ten California judges, a direct use of pathos, and he presesnts a well built case.
Mencken's paper on the other hand uses logos, which when dealing with something very controversial, doesn't stand well on its own. Pure common logic with no specific examples or authority are the basis of his essay and that is why his arguement is flimsy. For people to be convinced it usually takes hard evidence of specific cases or great emotions which Kroll details in his paper. Logos is effective but not when it is the basis of on arguement.
In his paper where he details the grim death of his good friend, Kroll continuously builds a case against the death penalty. By making the audience feel some of the pain he went through, he effectively makes them sympatherize for him and his friend; the main purpose of ethos. Combine that with the fact that he subtly uses pathos when he mentions that the stay of execution was issued by ten California judges, a direct use of pathos, and he presesnts a well built case.
Mencken's paper on the other hand uses logos, which when dealing with something very controversial, doesn't stand well on its own. Pure common logic with no specific examples or authority are the basis of his essay and that is why his arguement is flimsy. For people to be convinced it usually takes hard evidence of specific cases or great emotions which Kroll details in his paper. Logos is effective but not when it is the basis of on arguement.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
JFK Fallacy
"Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join me in that historic effort?"
This is an example of a loaded question where if someone answers no I will not join in that effort, he or she will seem unpatriotic or immoral.
We remember speeches like this despite their fallacies because fallacies sometimes captivate and inspire us. Take for example the loaded question: of course Kennedy is asking a real question but that is not what the audience interprets it as. They see it as a call to action because the alternative is not an option, so the question really becomes more noble than what it is.
This is an example of a loaded question where if someone answers no I will not join in that effort, he or she will seem unpatriotic or immoral.
We remember speeches like this despite their fallacies because fallacies sometimes captivate and inspire us. Take for example the loaded question: of course Kennedy is asking a real question but that is not what the audience interprets it as. They see it as a call to action because the alternative is not an option, so the question really becomes more noble than what it is.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Duck and Cover
The overt message is to follow saftey instructions regarding an atom bombing.
The covert message is to tell about the presence of atom bombs and the dangers they pose in order to rouse support for the defense of America. In short to create a sense of fear.
Informational because it is not trying to convince anyone of anything nor persuade anyone. It is merely promoting saftey. If you interpreted the meaning of the covert message to mean an arousal for America's military, it would then take on a propaganda basis but that is somewhat of a stretch because it never makes mention of the military, let alone to show support for it.
The covert message is to tell about the presence of atom bombs and the dangers they pose in order to rouse support for the defense of America. In short to create a sense of fear.
Informational because it is not trying to convince anyone of anything nor persuade anyone. It is merely promoting saftey. If you interpreted the meaning of the covert message to mean an arousal for America's military, it would then take on a propaganda basis but that is somewhat of a stretch because it never makes mention of the military, let alone to show support for it.
Destination Earth
Overt message: oil and competition keep society functioning.
Covert message: Anti-communist propaganda because it is promoting a free market and competition, something that goes against communinism.
Propaganda- the cartoon is trying to get you to see why America is great as well as the flaws in communism.
Persuasion- it is trying to persuade people that oil is not bad for society by demonstrating its importance as well as its many applications.
Covert message: Anti-communist propaganda because it is promoting a free market and competition, something that goes against communinism.
Propaganda- the cartoon is trying to get you to see why America is great as well as the flaws in communism.
Persuasion- it is trying to persuade people that oil is not bad for society by demonstrating its importance as well as its many applications.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Poster Post
The overt message is obviously to eat less bread.
The covert message I thought was somewhat of a sexist one because it is depicting a patriotic woman in the kitchen. Thus, telling that a great place that wemon can assist is in the kitchen which is somewhat sexist.
The covert message I thought was somewhat of a sexist one because it is depicting a patriotic woman in the kitchen. Thus, telling that a great place that wemon can assist is in the kitchen which is somewhat sexist.
The Clash Song
The song is about powerful people manipulating the weak into basically doing their bidding. Also one could interpret it as how the government oppresses the average citizens. It is displayed through the lines that detail, "The men at the factory are old and cunning... it's the best years of your life they want to steal." In the quote there is clearly and elite class that are forcing labor upon the young and strong population.
I suppose the guitar is loud and somewhat rebellious.
In the line, "kick over the wall because the governments to fall," it is overt propaganda because it is directly telling the audience to rebel against the government because the government will lead you the wrong way.
I suppose the guitar is loud and somewhat rebellious.
In the line, "kick over the wall because the governments to fall," it is overt propaganda because it is directly telling the audience to rebel against the government because the government will lead you the wrong way.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Propaganda Persuasion Rhetoric and Arguement
#711
#744
#783
#751
#744 History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon. Napolean Bonaparte
The old adage "history is written by the victor" was realized here through one of the most powerful rulers ever to surface in Europe. The idea that history has become muddled by people who have conquered others is not a radical one; on the contrary it is accepted by historians. We never know the full, unfabricated truth about a sizeable portion of history before advanced record keeping and even after we still don't because people will lie to cover their tails. That is the essence of Napoleans quote: people will change history through record keeping to put themselves in a better light. He demonstrates his idea through a witty quote which utilizes rhetoric in that the quote itself is a hyperbole. Peopl don't actually agree on how history will be written, but important people will change how events are recollected in books, documents, the media, etc. and therefore are in a way changing history.
#744
#783
#751
#744 History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon. Napolean Bonaparte
The old adage "history is written by the victor" was realized here through one of the most powerful rulers ever to surface in Europe. The idea that history has become muddled by people who have conquered others is not a radical one; on the contrary it is accepted by historians. We never know the full, unfabricated truth about a sizeable portion of history before advanced record keeping and even after we still don't because people will lie to cover their tails. That is the essence of Napoleans quote: people will change history through record keeping to put themselves in a better light. He demonstrates his idea through a witty quote which utilizes rhetoric in that the quote itself is a hyperbole. Peopl don't actually agree on how history will be written, but important people will change how events are recollected in books, documents, the media, etc. and therefore are in a way changing history.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)