Friday, March 20, 2009
Handmaids Tale
In Margaret Atwoods novel, "The Handmaids Tale", the birth rate in the United States had dropped so low that extremists decided to take matters into their own hands by killing off the government, taking over themselves, and reducing the womens role in society to that of a silent birthing machine. One handmaid describes what happened and how it came about as she, too, is forced to comply with the new order. Before the new order, known as the Sons of Jacob, took over, women had a lot to be afraid of. They had freedom to do whatever they wanted, but this freedom was severely inhibited by maniacs who could strike at any time. Women followed rules to keep them out of danger, but they were not enforced.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Literary Feature: Word Choice
Kinds of Nouns (abstract, concrete), powerful active verbs versus passive verbs, type of vocabulary, denotations/connotations.
Analysis Notes and Observations: Her use of vocabulary is very interesting because she is able to use a variety of words to either convey a picture or idea, and shes also able to create a mood for the reader. For example:
"Sometimes there is a woman all in black, a widow. There used to be more of them, but they seem to be diminishing "(Atwoods 23). Instead of explaining the scene, with the use of the word "diminishing" she's able to convey this mysterious, and scary kinda feeling. She also uses terms where its not quite what we would use everyday, creating this intense feeling where the reader would than become uncomfortable.
Significant literary Questions: Why is that she wants to make the reader become uncomfortable? The vocabulary that she uses, is that how she writes or did she use those words for the reader?
Thesis Statements: Margaret Atwoods uses powerful active words, and a different style of vocabulary to convey the idea of women's negative value and lifestlye within the society.
Analysis Notes and Observations: Her use of vocabulary is very interesting because she is able to use a variety of words to either convey a picture or idea, and shes also able to create a mood for the reader. For example:
"Sometimes there is a woman all in black, a widow. There used to be more of them, but they seem to be diminishing "(Atwoods 23). Instead of explaining the scene, with the use of the word "diminishing" she's able to convey this mysterious, and scary kinda feeling. She also uses terms where its not quite what we would use everyday, creating this intense feeling where the reader would than become uncomfortable.
Significant literary Questions: Why is that she wants to make the reader become uncomfortable? The vocabulary that she uses, is that how she writes or did she use those words for the reader?
Thesis Statements: Margaret Atwoods uses powerful active words, and a different style of vocabulary to convey the idea of women's negative value and lifestlye within the society.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Stranger: Journal 7
Why does Camus create a part 1 and a part 2? Identify parallel ideas or scenes that occur between the two parts. What does Camus accomplish by comparing ideas between the two parts?
Showing parrallel ideas between the two parts. Camus creates it in a way that the reader would be able to compare and contrast automaticaly just by reading the novel. One example is the sky, Meursault thinking about the sky reflecting different colors and when Meursault is in the cell thinking about telling the chaplin he doesn't want to see him he looks up at the sky and reflcts on the color. The colors which then led to to seperation.
Stranger: Journal 6
1. Word Choice- Use short simple words that convavy the meaning easily. Why does Camus make the characters have that kind of personality?
2. Sentences-Use a lot of long slow sentence. The sentences are simple. Why does Camus use the specific kinda flow as he did?
3. Images-Use the contrast of light to dark in sence to create an image also. The image of tempature.Why does Camus play with Meursaults feeling of tempature so much?
4. Symbols- Camus focus a lot on the sun and heat. He also focus on the sky alot and it color. Why did Camus use the symbols that he didn instead of something else?
5. Figurative Language-Use irony a fair bit to almost make some comical scenes.Does Camus intend for his irony to create comical scenes?
6. Rhetoric devices-Juxputoses his emotions to what he belives others are feeling in a scene.Why does Camus juxtapose the emotions of Meursault to what other characters are feeling?
7. Patterns-Use repatition of people pauseing and feeling uncomfortable around Meursault.Why does Camus make Meusault akward around others?
8. Narration-1st person. Gives insight into Mearsault emotions and is very observent to the felling of others.Why is Camus so observant to the feelings of others?
9. Structure-Very slow time movement at the begining of the story. Toward the end time moves very fastly months at a time and Meursault changes more quickly.Why does Camus use these different speeds in the passage of time?
2. Sentences-Use a lot of long slow sentence. The sentences are simple. Why does Camus use the specific kinda flow as he did?
3. Images-Use the contrast of light to dark in sence to create an image also. The image of tempature.Why does Camus play with Meursaults feeling of tempature so much?
4. Symbols- Camus focus a lot on the sun and heat. He also focus on the sky alot and it color. Why did Camus use the symbols that he didn instead of something else?
5. Figurative Language-Use irony a fair bit to almost make some comical scenes.Does Camus intend for his irony to create comical scenes?
6. Rhetoric devices-Juxputoses his emotions to what he belives others are feeling in a scene.Why does Camus juxtapose the emotions of Meursault to what other characters are feeling?
7. Patterns-Use repatition of people pauseing and feeling uncomfortable around Meursault.Why does Camus make Meusault akward around others?
8. Narration-1st person. Gives insight into Mearsault emotions and is very observent to the felling of others.Why is Camus so observant to the feelings of others?
9. Structure-Very slow time movement at the begining of the story. Toward the end time moves very fastly months at a time and Meursault changes more quickly.Why does Camus use these different speeds in the passage of time?
Stranger: Journal 5
How does your own philosophy affect your reading?
Your own philosophy affects your reading because whether what your philosophy is, you may agree or disagree with a character. You may feel like you can relate to that character. It may also affect your thinking, or the outcome of decisions when you face a question. The things that you look for within a novel may also be affect by your own philosophy.
Your own philosophy affects your reading because whether what your philosophy is, you may agree or disagree with a character. You may feel like you can relate to that character. It may also affect your thinking, or the outcome of decisions when you face a question. The things that you look for within a novel may also be affect by your own philosophy.
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