Once Upon A Time

I remember this story, and being incredibly confused by it the first time i read it. There was a lot more clarity this time, but I think that may have more to do with the fact that I remember a lot from our discussions last year. 

This story is a grotesque representation of children's stories. I can understand why Gordimer wrote about something so mature, to contrast to the normal lightheartedness of "once upon a time" themes. It is hard to believe that something so horrible as the result of this story actually happened; and I'm sure this instance was exaggerated, to some extent.

This story was set up differently than other stories...it started out with the voice of the writer, which is not necissarily Gordimer. Not many stories are told like they would be spoken; that may be another link to the African culture. I really enjoyed figuring this story out after I knew that it was based on the experiences of apartheid in South Africa. The story had a context, and made so much more sense.

You got a feel of anger and resentment from this story. Gordimer put the right spin on words to make them sting a bit after you read them, which is disturbing because they stay with you. It is really all you can think about for a few hours after you read it, it stays with you, which i guess is a good sign of great writing. 

I am excited to see what the people in the class have to say about this story; it was pretty controversial last year, in a way. I am interested to know how people will fit it in its place after they find out it is about apartheid, and how long it will take them to figure it out!

A & P

A & P is hard for me to dissect. Even though I have read it before. I think that Sammy represents boys and working class people because he seems exasperated by his surroundings. He acts like the A & P is the most boring place in his entire life, yet it is keeping him alive because it is providing his income. 

His descriptions of the girls is interesting; it makes me wonder how boys think of me. He really objectifies the girls, mentioning one of their butts as a "sweet can". He almost is repulsed by them; except for Queenie. He talks about her like he is not even worthy to look at her, and yet she is drawing attention to herself in the way that she hold herself. She walks like she never walked barefoot before, and her bathing suit straps have fallen down her shoulders. Sammy is entranced. 

The encounter between the girls and the manager is so awkward, it jumps off the page. I have never had an experience like that, but I can only imagine the embarassement. And Sammy embarasses himself by trying to be the girls' hero by quitting just out of their earshot. He realizes that by quitting, he compromises the rest of his life; he hinted that his family is not so well off, unlike the family of the girls who drink martinis and dress fancy.

This story has an undercurrent of social inequalities and the gaps in the classes. Sammy is a representation of a bigger societal struggle.

Where Are You Going, Part 2

I think the second half of this story is my favorite. I love finding hidden meanings in stories, and unravelling people's mindset. I like being a shrink. I find it so interesting how Connie shifts so dramatically. She is so full of herself, and has such a blase attitude about everything and everyone, and then Arnold shows up and she matures instantly. 

I also love hunting for hidden meanings, mostly about Arnold and Ellie; I love finding clues, going on a treasure hunt within the text. Last year, I wrote a paper about hoe Arnold Friend was a representation of the devil, and after reading the story again I solidified my ideas about him. I don't know if that may have more with my own imagination, that I'm making myself believe things that aren't really a part of the story. Perhaps I just see, or read, what I want to. I just want to sit down with Joyce Carol Oates and see what she has to say about the story. I wonder if she intended to put clues in the story, or they just kind of appeared. 

Well, this is one of my favorite short stories. I love the transformation of Connie. I love the links between music and the story. I love the way Arnold Friend moves, and the way he is physically, because that shows a lot about physical language, and what we say through out bodies and subconscious movements. I think this story is important for people to read because it shows something about out society, and how we perceive ourselves and others. I think it is almost a lesson for girls, even if it is fiction. I just love love love this story!

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates is probably one of my favorite short stories. In class we just talked about the first part of the story where we are introduced to Connie, the main character. She is a conceited, immature girl who likes to think that she is so much cooler than she it. We talked about her relationship with her family and her relationship with boys...which plays a large part in the second half of the story.

One of my favorite things about this story is the presence of music. I love the tie that Oates used with the dedication to Bob Dylan, because his song was the inspiration for the story. I love that she payed some sort of homage to him by using music as a background for the setting of the story. It is mentioned a lot, and seems to parallel the story....i love little hints of themes within stories like that. 

I liked introducing a story that I love to the class.....even if they weren't too excited about it. I hope that they like it more once they read the second half!

The Power of Myth

I was a little bored during this movie. I am really interested in myth and prototypes, but Joseph Campbell kind of killed it. I think everything he has to say is incredibly interesting, but it almost put me to sleep because of his tone and the atmosphere of the movie. I really liked his references to Star Wars, though. I thought it was nice that he linked all of the old stories to new ones, and it really showed the parallels between the stories. I love thinking about the similarities in religion and myths from different culture, its so ironic that cutlures that are nothing alike have such similar myths.

Anyway, i liked the content, but the delivery was oh so sad.

First Blog!!!!!

First blog = AWESOME!!!!!


just so you know, English is coooool. I've been reading and writing my whole life, and even though it is not my passion or what i plan to do for the rest of my life, i still enjoy reading and writing.


i'm a dork. i know.