"Approbation of Culture" tells the story of a young, intelligent black man named Daniel that sports a rebel flag on his truck. This is a shocking act in his South Carolina town; especially after he sang "Dixie" (blegh) in a Jazz Club after a group of frat boys taunted him into singing it. The town is absolutely flabberghasted when they see a black man driving a truck with a rebel flag on it.
Daniel is taking the racist power from the white people in the story. When he sang "Dixie" (blegh, again), the white frat boys didn't really have much ammo to taunt him with. They jeered at him to sing "Dixie" (UGH), Daniel complied, and they were stumped. When someone taunts another, one usually expected the victim to react negatively and cower away. Daniel did not. He stayed on that stayed and played their request. A reaction like that could really stump a bully.
Then there's the instance where Daniel goes to buy the truck. When he arrives at the seller's home, a white couple named Travis and Bard, they are surprised to see a black man is interested in the truck. In fact, Daniel can hear them bickering in the house about how Travis couldn't tell over the phone that Daniel was black. They are even more surprised to see Daniel does not mind the rebel flag on the truck. In fact, he doesn't mind so much, he offers $200 over asking price to buy it!
Everyone in town looks at Daniel like he'd gone insane. The white people have no idea what to make of Daniel's new wheels, especially when he calls the flag "our flag". Slowly as time passes, other members of the black community in town are sporting their own rebel flags proudly.
Daniel over the course of such short time took a hateful symbol of racism and reduced it to something as simple as a car decoration. He took away it's power and made it mundane. Daniel has more power than a flag. He proved to his town that a symbol of racism holds no power over him and it means nothing to him. He took away the power of the flag, the song, and the hate.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
"Araby" by James Joyce
Although I have already read "Araby" once, there is nothing quite as fun as re-reading a story! Especially when it's the story about a young boy on the brink from childhood to adolescence when everything he once thought was amazing and his eyes are open to the soul-shattering truth and his mouth is scrunched tightly from tasting the horrible bitterness that is reality!
The imagery of the story is beautiful, which to me suggests that in this point of the story, the protagonist has not yet taken off his rose colored glasses. In some parts of the story, it feels like the boy is aware of what is going on around him, such as when he notices the women in the street, he is just not ready to accept it just yet.
Not only is the boy dealing with the harshness of reality around him, he is dealing with a harsh reality dwelling within himself: sexual awakening. He is entering adolescence, which always leads to learning about sexuality. This seems akin to the story of the Garden of Eden, when Adam bit into the fruit and thus realized he was naked and had carnal needs, just as the boy in "Araby" does.
The imagery of the story is beautiful, which to me suggests that in this point of the story, the protagonist has not yet taken off his rose colored glasses. In some parts of the story, it feels like the boy is aware of what is going on around him, such as when he notices the women in the street, he is just not ready to accept it just yet.
Not only is the boy dealing with the harshness of reality around him, he is dealing with a harsh reality dwelling within himself: sexual awakening. He is entering adolescence, which always leads to learning about sexuality. This seems akin to the story of the Garden of Eden, when Adam bit into the fruit and thus realized he was naked and had carnal needs, just as the boy in "Araby" does.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tapka by David Bezmozgis
Tapka was an emotionally devastating story about a Russian immigrant child who takes care of his neighbor's Lhasa Apso, Tapka which ends in a black hole of depression with Tapka being hit by a car and dying a slow painful death thanks to Mark and Jana's irresponsible behavior with the dog.
The main character of the story is a seven year old Russian immigrant named Mark whose family lives in a small apartment building with his parents, his aunt, uncle, cousin and the Nahumovsky couple. When the Nahumosvky's Lhasa Apso, Tapka, arrives from quarantine, Mark and his cousin Jana immediately fall in love with the dog, even assuming some responsibilities for Tapka most seven-year-olds would not be open to.
However, regardless of his love for Tapka, Mark is still an immature seven year old boy. When he and Jana are playing fetch with Tapka, Jana starts insulting Tapka, knowing the dog will not understand. Mark sees that this is wrong, but of course succumbs to the peer pressure of taunting the dog.
The point of view and voice of the story is from the point of view of Mark, the protagonist. Clearly, he is much older when he speaks as the narrator, as he is speaking in past tense. He is recalling his time as a young boy with Tapka. The voice is far more mature than that of a seven year old boy.
The pace of the story is relaxed and care-free. This is an appropriate pace because tragedy always seems to strike when people are at their happiest and feel nothing can go wrong. When Tapka is in the intensive care at the vet, the pace is agonizingly slow. The reader feels like they are in the waiting room with Mark's family and the Nahumovsky's. As a person who has lost pets to tragedy, I understand the slow, time-stopping despair of the waiting room.
Mark's guilt at the end of the story was heart shattering and full of truth. Even though Tapka had a chance, the fact was Mark is what caused this tragedy in the first place. He has to live with that guilt. Judging by the tone at the end of the story, Mark may still be living with that guilt.
The main character of the story is a seven year old Russian immigrant named Mark whose family lives in a small apartment building with his parents, his aunt, uncle, cousin and the Nahumovsky couple. When the Nahumosvky's Lhasa Apso, Tapka, arrives from quarantine, Mark and his cousin Jana immediately fall in love with the dog, even assuming some responsibilities for Tapka most seven-year-olds would not be open to.
However, regardless of his love for Tapka, Mark is still an immature seven year old boy. When he and Jana are playing fetch with Tapka, Jana starts insulting Tapka, knowing the dog will not understand. Mark sees that this is wrong, but of course succumbs to the peer pressure of taunting the dog.
The point of view and voice of the story is from the point of view of Mark, the protagonist. Clearly, he is much older when he speaks as the narrator, as he is speaking in past tense. He is recalling his time as a young boy with Tapka. The voice is far more mature than that of a seven year old boy.
The pace of the story is relaxed and care-free. This is an appropriate pace because tragedy always seems to strike when people are at their happiest and feel nothing can go wrong. When Tapka is in the intensive care at the vet, the pace is agonizingly slow. The reader feels like they are in the waiting room with Mark's family and the Nahumovsky's. As a person who has lost pets to tragedy, I understand the slow, time-stopping despair of the waiting room.
Mark's guilt at the end of the story was heart shattering and full of truth. Even though Tapka had a chance, the fact was Mark is what caused this tragedy in the first place. He has to live with that guilt. Judging by the tone at the end of the story, Mark may still be living with that guilt.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"Gogol" by Jhumpa Lahiri
"Gogol" by Jhumpa Lahiri is a story that tells the tale of a Bengali couple, Ashoke and Ashima, that struggle with their new life after immigrating to the United States. The husband, Ashoke, is in the lobby of a hospital at 4:30 a.m. waiting for his wife to give birth to their first child. As he waits, Ashoke quietly reflects on his life, instead of indulging in cigars like the other expecting fathers in the waiting room. He remembers advice from family and relatives, and recalls an accident he was in when he was younger on a train, reading a page of a book written by Gogol, as he awaits the arrival of his new born son.
When his son is born, they write Ashima, the wife's, grandmother to do the honors of naming their baby, as it is tradition. Unfortunately, the couple and their child cannot be released from the hopsital unless the baby has a birth certificate and the only way they can contact the grandmother is through telegram. The telegram never arrives to the couple and soon they learn the grandmother has died. The couple settles on the name "Gogol" for their son.
Time passes on for the family, and Gogol seems to be rejecting his name and his family's culture. He wants to be American, not Bengali. He expresses this frustration to his parents through out his life and eventually his parents agree to give him a public name, Hikhil. Once he was old enough, Gogol changes his name to Nikhil Gogol Ganguli and starts an American lifestyle.
One instance when Gogol goes home for the summer by train, Gogol's train loses electricity because a man attempted to commit suicide by jumping in front of the train. Ashoke hears of this and becomes anxious for his son's safety, thus driving to the station and awaiting his son's safe arrival. It is this event that leads Ashoke to finally explain to his son the meaning of his name. Gogol suddenly becomes regretful for changing his name and asks his father why he didn't tell him before. Ashoke replies it never felt like the right time. Gogol asks if he reminds his father of that accident, but Ashoke just replies that Gogol reminds him of the life he gained after the accident.
This story was incredibly touching and really takes a hit at how kids recklessly reject their family's history. It is family history that makes that ignorant person be. Family history teaches to appreciate their past. If there is no family history, then who are they?
When his son is born, they write Ashima, the wife's, grandmother to do the honors of naming their baby, as it is tradition. Unfortunately, the couple and their child cannot be released from the hopsital unless the baby has a birth certificate and the only way they can contact the grandmother is through telegram. The telegram never arrives to the couple and soon they learn the grandmother has died. The couple settles on the name "Gogol" for their son.
Time passes on for the family, and Gogol seems to be rejecting his name and his family's culture. He wants to be American, not Bengali. He expresses this frustration to his parents through out his life and eventually his parents agree to give him a public name, Hikhil. Once he was old enough, Gogol changes his name to Nikhil Gogol Ganguli and starts an American lifestyle.
One instance when Gogol goes home for the summer by train, Gogol's train loses electricity because a man attempted to commit suicide by jumping in front of the train. Ashoke hears of this and becomes anxious for his son's safety, thus driving to the station and awaiting his son's safe arrival. It is this event that leads Ashoke to finally explain to his son the meaning of his name. Gogol suddenly becomes regretful for changing his name and asks his father why he didn't tell him before. Ashoke replies it never felt like the right time. Gogol asks if he reminds his father of that accident, but Ashoke just replies that Gogol reminds him of the life he gained after the accident.
This story was incredibly touching and really takes a hit at how kids recklessly reject their family's history. It is family history that makes that ignorant person be. Family history teaches to appreciate their past. If there is no family history, then who are they?
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Wall of Fire Rising
"A Wall of Fire Rising" by Edwidge Danticat tells the saddening story of a Haitian family struggling to make ends meet. The father, Guy, dreams of leaving his life of suffering and fly away to somewhere new on a hot air balloon a rich family owned. His son, Little Guy, is in a play as the lead character, Boukman, who gives a very hope-inspiring speech about living freely or dying in the process. Through out the story, every time Guy dreams of living a happier life, the son is reciting his lines as Boukman, as if inspiring his father to chase his dreams.
One day, Guy is fed up with his miserable existence and steals the hot air balloon so he can at least have one happy day, and commits suicide by jumping off the balloon. The boy recites his lines one last time for his deceased father in a state of grief while his mother refuses to close her husband's eyes, as he "likes to look at the sky".
The style and pace of the story is somewhat hopeless throughout the plot, as Guy just feels so helpless thanks to his life and surroundings. The only signs of hope in the beginning of the story is whenever his son recites the lines of his Boukman character. The style seems to be dependent on Guy's mood at the time. There is build up whenever the son recites his lines, as if representing signs of hope in Guy's heart, only to be shot down Guy's mind is brought back to reality.
The story feels so slow, empty and sad when Guy's character is in a depressed mood until the climax, when Guy steals the hot air balloon. There is anxiety and suspense when Guy is seen is the hot air balloon, and the reader wants to believe he'll make it and fly away. But of course, this is not the case. He had his happiness, and cannot go back to his old life, so he kills himself.
One day, Guy is fed up with his miserable existence and steals the hot air balloon so he can at least have one happy day, and commits suicide by jumping off the balloon. The boy recites his lines one last time for his deceased father in a state of grief while his mother refuses to close her husband's eyes, as he "likes to look at the sky".
The style and pace of the story is somewhat hopeless throughout the plot, as Guy just feels so helpless thanks to his life and surroundings. The only signs of hope in the beginning of the story is whenever his son recites the lines of his Boukman character. The style seems to be dependent on Guy's mood at the time. There is build up whenever the son recites his lines, as if representing signs of hope in Guy's heart, only to be shot down Guy's mind is brought back to reality.
The story feels so slow, empty and sad when Guy's character is in a depressed mood until the climax, when Guy steals the hot air balloon. There is anxiety and suspense when Guy is seen is the hot air balloon, and the reader wants to believe he'll make it and fly away. But of course, this is not the case. He had his happiness, and cannot go back to his old life, so he kills himself.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Nativity, Caucasian by Allan Gurganus
"Nativity, Caucasian" by Allan Gurganus tells the tale of a man recanting the story of his birth at a bridge game. The ladies were all too busy playing Bridge to notice that a miracle was about to happen right in that very room. The only one who could sense the chaos coming was a cute little pekingese named Mikado.
Once the labor started, the ladies threw away their debutante manners, rolled up their sleeves, put on their big girl britches and got to work! ( except the one who fainted). The story was an entertaining representation of the hell that can break loose when a woman goes into labor with her first child.
I loved this story for the strangest reason. When Helen, the narrator's mother realized she was going into labor and shouted in a southern drawl "Oh, my Gawd! I've Stawrted!" That is now one of my favorite lines in literature.
A strange reason I know. But that line really captured the southern atmosphere of the story. Yes, there were other signs such as the bridge game and the debutante ladies gathering together while the men played golf, but the way Gurganus wrote Helen's shout felt so authentic. I could honestly hear a southern woman shouting that as I read it (ok yeah, I said it out loud a second time. But if you recall my comment in class it's actually QUITE fun to say out loud! Try it! I dare you!)
Another great thing about this story was the two southern woman stereotypes that were brought out among the women when Helen went into labor. There's the southern belle dainty flower stereotype that fainted immediately, then the rest of the women sprung into action to help a fellow southern belle in need. One woman even dared to check if the baby was crowning all while apologizing like a lady! Guess that's southern hospitality for you!
Once the labor started, the ladies threw away their debutante manners, rolled up their sleeves, put on their big girl britches and got to work! ( except the one who fainted). The story was an entertaining representation of the hell that can break loose when a woman goes into labor with her first child.
I loved this story for the strangest reason. When Helen, the narrator's mother realized she was going into labor and shouted in a southern drawl "Oh, my Gawd! I've Stawrted!" That is now one of my favorite lines in literature.
A strange reason I know. But that line really captured the southern atmosphere of the story. Yes, there were other signs such as the bridge game and the debutante ladies gathering together while the men played golf, but the way Gurganus wrote Helen's shout felt so authentic. I could honestly hear a southern woman shouting that as I read it (ok yeah, I said it out loud a second time. But if you recall my comment in class it's actually QUITE fun to say out loud! Try it! I dare you!)
Another great thing about this story was the two southern woman stereotypes that were brought out among the women when Helen went into labor. There's the southern belle dainty flower stereotype that fainted immediately, then the rest of the women sprung into action to help a fellow southern belle in need. One woman even dared to check if the baby was crowning all while apologizing like a lady! Guess that's southern hospitality for you!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Brother Grasshopper by John Updike
"Brother Grasshopper" by John Updike was at first, very difficult to read. The introduction of the story was a bit of a downer when Fred's father recalls his younger days with his brother; which were less than fun. Even up to the point of Fred's father's death, he never had a good relationship with his brother. It was almost painful to read about Fred's father.
It doesn't seem to be much better for Fred when he grows up. He was a timid, sickly child and not very social. He marries a girl, Betsy, when he graduates from Harvard, even though he seems discontent. In fact, he even confesses is no where near as attractive or interesting as her sister, Germaine who is courted by a tall, good looking man named Carlyle.
Fred and Carlyle are two very different men. Fred is an introvert, where as Carlyle is a huge extrovert. Carlyle played many sports as a boy and has luxuries such as a convertible, and had many experiences with friends. The two men are polar opposites.
As the story progresses, the two men have families and all sorts of vacations and good times thanks to Carlyle. He takes the families to beach houses and theme parks, always taking photos of the kids. Everyone is happy. Except for Fred. Fred seems to secretly resent Carlyle and his party-all-the-time lifestyle, even though Carlyle always includes Fred.
However, when Fred and Carlyle are older, an interesting thing occurs. Fred had an affair with a woman, and told Carlyle about it! It seems such a strange thing for a man to confess adultery to the can he secretly detests. This could represent a form of deep brotherhood growing between Carlyle and Fred; which may be similar to the stories Fred's father told him. Perhaps Fred's father was the ant and his brother was the grasshopper.
Time passes on. The brothers-in-law grow older. Fred ends up divorcing Betsy over the affair. Germaine and Carlyle end up divorcing as well. Carlyle has died. Of course, being the whacky guy Carlyle was, he asked for his ashes to be scattered over a Boston tidal creek instead of a traditional burial. Fred is invited because Carlyle loved him and gave him so much, which Fred realizes at the funeral.
The funeral ceremony ( to me) reflected the characters personalities as the ant and the grasshopper. Seeing as Fred is the ant, he would want to be buried in the ground, like an ant. The grasshopper is wild and free and would want to be within nature when it died.
I had an interesting thought reflecting on my idea on the funeral. Fred had worked hard all his life. Carlyle played all his life. But thanks to Carlyle's playing, Fred got something he couldn't earn through work. Fred got happy memories he never had as a child and probably wouldn't have had as an adult. Also, Carlyle's life was revealed to be him secretly struggling to make money, and Fred refused to help him when Carlyle was making a movie. Fred thinks it's not worth the investment.This is reminiscent of the part of the fable where the grasshopper won't help the ant work because he thinks it pointless. So who really is the grasshopper and who is the ant?
It doesn't seem to be much better for Fred when he grows up. He was a timid, sickly child and not very social. He marries a girl, Betsy, when he graduates from Harvard, even though he seems discontent. In fact, he even confesses is no where near as attractive or interesting as her sister, Germaine who is courted by a tall, good looking man named Carlyle.
Fred and Carlyle are two very different men. Fred is an introvert, where as Carlyle is a huge extrovert. Carlyle played many sports as a boy and has luxuries such as a convertible, and had many experiences with friends. The two men are polar opposites.
As the story progresses, the two men have families and all sorts of vacations and good times thanks to Carlyle. He takes the families to beach houses and theme parks, always taking photos of the kids. Everyone is happy. Except for Fred. Fred seems to secretly resent Carlyle and his party-all-the-time lifestyle, even though Carlyle always includes Fred.
However, when Fred and Carlyle are older, an interesting thing occurs. Fred had an affair with a woman, and told Carlyle about it! It seems such a strange thing for a man to confess adultery to the can he secretly detests. This could represent a form of deep brotherhood growing between Carlyle and Fred; which may be similar to the stories Fred's father told him. Perhaps Fred's father was the ant and his brother was the grasshopper.
Time passes on. The brothers-in-law grow older. Fred ends up divorcing Betsy over the affair. Germaine and Carlyle end up divorcing as well. Carlyle has died. Of course, being the whacky guy Carlyle was, he asked for his ashes to be scattered over a Boston tidal creek instead of a traditional burial. Fred is invited because Carlyle loved him and gave him so much, which Fred realizes at the funeral.
The funeral ceremony ( to me) reflected the characters personalities as the ant and the grasshopper. Seeing as Fred is the ant, he would want to be buried in the ground, like an ant. The grasshopper is wild and free and would want to be within nature when it died.
I had an interesting thought reflecting on my idea on the funeral. Fred had worked hard all his life. Carlyle played all his life. But thanks to Carlyle's playing, Fred got something he couldn't earn through work. Fred got happy memories he never had as a child and probably wouldn't have had as an adult. Also, Carlyle's life was revealed to be him secretly struggling to make money, and Fred refused to help him when Carlyle was making a movie. Fred thinks it's not worth the investment.This is reminiscent of the part of the fable where the grasshopper won't help the ant work because he thinks it pointless. So who really is the grasshopper and who is the ant?
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