To what extent have you found it possible in your consideration of literary works, to separate the individual from his or her public role? In your answer you should refer to any two or three works you have studied.
In Blood Wedding, the bride is seen to the public as the blushing bride. The woman who is seeing all of her dreams come true in meeting her soul mate, getting married to him and becoming his wife. Inside, the reader sees through her dialogue, she is not so sure. She seems to be pining after her lost lover, Leonardo, who married her cousin. This idea is later proved in the play when they run off together. She shows how she really feels rather than how society looks upon her. Also, Leonardo is perceived as a bad man from the start because of the information we were provided by the mother and his interaction with his wife. However, it is seen later that he may have been just a man in love, trying to figure things out. IN the end he was willing to die for the woman that he loved.
This is also seen in Wild Duck. Gina is seen as the submissive, obedient wife to Hjalmar. The woman who is completely faithful and loyal to her husband. Through her actions throughout the books, such as the way she acts when the elder Werle comes to visit her house it is seen that it may be different than it appears; that she may have something to hide. This idea is later proved when the reader discovers Gina had an intimate relationship with the elder Werle and that the child she claims belongs to Hjalmar and herself may actually belong to the elder Werle. Also, with little subtleties throughout the book it is shown that she has more power than she lets on. The reader sees that she is actually the one who does most of the labor for Hjlamar's photography business. Also, when Hjalmar asks her to let him take over the keeping of the family's finances the reader is shown that she has control over this aspect of family life as well. Through all of these things the reader is shown that Gina may not, in fact, be the submissive wife she is perceived to be at first, but actually a woman who makes decisions and keeps secrets.
This sort of difference between the inner and outer self is an important undercurrent in the books. It plays a large part of the deception that leads to the tragedy in each of the books. This deception is caused by secrets, such as the ones Gina and the Bride keep within themselves.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Blood Wedding Journal 2
To what extent would you agree that plot should be valued more highly than style in the work. In your answer you should refer to two or three works you have studied.
In Blood Wedding, the style is not as important to the work as the actual plot. Whether or not the work was written in a poetic style the story would remain the same. Lines such as the lines spoken by the Maid on page 58, "Turning-the wheel was turning, And the water was flowing. The wedding approaches! Let the branches spread open And the moon embellish Her white veranda!", while effective in conveying that the wedding is about to start, could have also been effectively expressed with a line like, "The wedding is starting." While this style conveys a sort of beauty in the beginning of the wedding, simple dialogue would have given this message and kept the story going. The way in which this message is conveyed is not nearly as important as its purpose in facilitating the story.
The tone and style in the writing could change, but the general integrity of the story is preserved. This is the important part in a work. While writing style can be the difference in whether or not someone wants to read a story, it can also be overlooked. Take the best-selling Twilight series, for example. Some would argue this series is very poorly written, that the style is unappealing; however, this book has become one of the widest read series of this generation. This is because the story is appealing. The same could be said for books like Oedipus, Wild Duck, and Blood Wedding. These stories are enthralling enough to carry the reader without it mattering whether they are written in one style or another. The plot is the important part, not the style.
In Oedipus, while the use of the chorus is useful in conveying the feelings of the masses throughout the story, a simple narrative would have served the same purpose. In the Wild Duck, the slow revealing of past events throughout the story is interesting in the development of the plot, the interest in the story's events would remain if they were displayed chronologically. This is why I think that it is the plot that matters, not the story. Differing writing styles may change the way the story is perceived, but the actually story itself is what matters and what people read for.
In Blood Wedding, the style is not as important to the work as the actual plot. Whether or not the work was written in a poetic style the story would remain the same. Lines such as the lines spoken by the Maid on page 58, "Turning-the wheel was turning, And the water was flowing. The wedding approaches! Let the branches spread open And the moon embellish Her white veranda!", while effective in conveying that the wedding is about to start, could have also been effectively expressed with a line like, "The wedding is starting." While this style conveys a sort of beauty in the beginning of the wedding, simple dialogue would have given this message and kept the story going. The way in which this message is conveyed is not nearly as important as its purpose in facilitating the story.
The tone and style in the writing could change, but the general integrity of the story is preserved. This is the important part in a work. While writing style can be the difference in whether or not someone wants to read a story, it can also be overlooked. Take the best-selling Twilight series, for example. Some would argue this series is very poorly written, that the style is unappealing; however, this book has become one of the widest read series of this generation. This is because the story is appealing. The same could be said for books like Oedipus, Wild Duck, and Blood Wedding. These stories are enthralling enough to carry the reader without it mattering whether they are written in one style or another. The plot is the important part, not the style.
In Oedipus, while the use of the chorus is useful in conveying the feelings of the masses throughout the story, a simple narrative would have served the same purpose. In the Wild Duck, the slow revealing of past events throughout the story is interesting in the development of the plot, the interest in the story's events would remain if they were displayed chronologically. This is why I think that it is the plot that matters, not the story. Differing writing styles may change the way the story is perceived, but the actually story itself is what matters and what people read for.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Blood Wedding Journal 1
Readers are attracted to moments of intensity in a writer's work. By that means and with what effect have writer's in your study offered heightened emotional moments designed to arrest the reader's attention?
In Blood Wedding, the play is opened up with uncertainty. No names are used for the characters, only titles. This starts the play off with an odd tone. Mother begins a rant about the death of her husband and their eldest son within the first ten lines of the book. It becomes very clear that they have been murdered. This grabs the reader's attention immediately. The anger that Mother feels creates the desire to get the details on this situation. This is similar in Oedipus. The play opens up with the city of Thebes in turmoil. This attracts the reader immediately. The suspense in the beginning of both of these plays draws the reader in and causes them to be more invested in the story. This was the authors' purpose in writing these moments into the plays.
In Blood Wedding, the strained or mysterious relationships between the play's characters create moments of intensity that draw the reader in. Mother's hatred for the Felixes and the mysterious relationship between the Bride and Leonardo invoke curiosity about these relationships and what they could mean for the characters. It becomes clear that lies and deceit are present in these relationships and mankind's natural tendency to want to figure everything out. This desire to see the resolution of the play keeps the reader or viewer going through the work. This is also seen in Wild Duck. The beginning with Hjalmar and Gregers and the elder Werle makes the complicated nature of these relationships clear. This makes the reader want to keep reading.
The purpose of these moments is to make the reader feel emotions or desires causing them to become more invested in the book and keep reading. Lorca does this by displaying some of the complication in the character's relationships, exposing some of the lies and deceit present in the book, and showing some of the previous tragedy and anger in the character's lives.
In Blood Wedding, the play is opened up with uncertainty. No names are used for the characters, only titles. This starts the play off with an odd tone. Mother begins a rant about the death of her husband and their eldest son within the first ten lines of the book. It becomes very clear that they have been murdered. This grabs the reader's attention immediately. The anger that Mother feels creates the desire to get the details on this situation. This is similar in Oedipus. The play opens up with the city of Thebes in turmoil. This attracts the reader immediately. The suspense in the beginning of both of these plays draws the reader in and causes them to be more invested in the story. This was the authors' purpose in writing these moments into the plays.
In Blood Wedding, the strained or mysterious relationships between the play's characters create moments of intensity that draw the reader in. Mother's hatred for the Felixes and the mysterious relationship between the Bride and Leonardo invoke curiosity about these relationships and what they could mean for the characters. It becomes clear that lies and deceit are present in these relationships and mankind's natural tendency to want to figure everything out. This desire to see the resolution of the play keeps the reader or viewer going through the work. This is also seen in Wild Duck. The beginning with Hjalmar and Gregers and the elder Werle makes the complicated nature of these relationships clear. This makes the reader want to keep reading.
The purpose of these moments is to make the reader feel emotions or desires causing them to become more invested in the book and keep reading. Lorca does this by displaying some of the complication in the character's relationships, exposing some of the lies and deceit present in the book, and showing some of the previous tragedy and anger in the character's lives.
Wild Duck Journal 4
Narrative structure: How has the plot (not the story) been constructed? Are their parts? Is the plot circular? Subplots? How important/effective is the ending? Has everything been revealed by the end or are there unanswered questions? Does this matter? What period of time has been covered? Is time important?
The plot of Wild Duck is constructed in a similar way as Oedipus. The beginning is in the moment of the story, without any background information. Throughout the story, the background information is delivered. This background information, in essence, will create the tragedy in the present. In Oedipus, the tragedy was his true identity and what that meant for him as a person. In Wild Duck, the tragedy was the death of Hedvig, caused by the meddling of Gregers and past philandering of Gina.
There are five acts in Wild Duck. The subplot is the back story behind the whole novel. This consists of the wrongdoings of Werle and poor judgement of Gina, and the history that connects all of the characters. The subplot that is constructed is vital to the story. A relationship between the elder Werle and Hjalmar's Gina is enough to create doubt amongst Gina and Hjalmar over whether or not their daughter, Hedvig is legitimate. The elder Werle's past crimes create a motive for him to help provide for the elder Ekdal and Hedvig. The personality of Gregers' mother and his "moralistic fever," causes him to make decisions and pursue justice that wreaks havoc on the lives of others. These details are all obtained from the subplot and are vital to the outcome of the story.The actual story of Wild Duck takes place over only a few days, but the details and events included in the subplots go back decades.
The ending of Wild Duck leaves some unanswered questions. While it is clear that Hedvig is dead, it is unclear what effect this will have on those around her. Will Gina and Hjalmar stay together? Will Gregers give up the moral crusade that has only caused problems? What will happen to the elder Ekdal? What is to come of the wild duck? This is effective because it conveys the tragedy in the death of Hedvig. The fact that her father was so willing to take everything back after he believed he had some proof if her love proves that her death was in vain. Similar to Romeo and Juliet's misunderstanding. This tragedy makes the terrible costs of lies and deception known. This is the point of many tragedies.
The plot of Wild Duck is constructed in a similar way as Oedipus. The beginning is in the moment of the story, without any background information. Throughout the story, the background information is delivered. This background information, in essence, will create the tragedy in the present. In Oedipus, the tragedy was his true identity and what that meant for him as a person. In Wild Duck, the tragedy was the death of Hedvig, caused by the meddling of Gregers and past philandering of Gina.
There are five acts in Wild Duck. The subplot is the back story behind the whole novel. This consists of the wrongdoings of Werle and poor judgement of Gina, and the history that connects all of the characters. The subplot that is constructed is vital to the story. A relationship between the elder Werle and Hjalmar's Gina is enough to create doubt amongst Gina and Hjalmar over whether or not their daughter, Hedvig is legitimate. The elder Werle's past crimes create a motive for him to help provide for the elder Ekdal and Hedvig. The personality of Gregers' mother and his "moralistic fever," causes him to make decisions and pursue justice that wreaks havoc on the lives of others. These details are all obtained from the subplot and are vital to the outcome of the story.The actual story of Wild Duck takes place over only a few days, but the details and events included in the subplots go back decades.
The ending of Wild Duck leaves some unanswered questions. While it is clear that Hedvig is dead, it is unclear what effect this will have on those around her. Will Gina and Hjalmar stay together? Will Gregers give up the moral crusade that has only caused problems? What will happen to the elder Ekdal? What is to come of the wild duck? This is effective because it conveys the tragedy in the death of Hedvig. The fact that her father was so willing to take everything back after he believed he had some proof if her love proves that her death was in vain. Similar to Romeo and Juliet's misunderstanding. This tragedy makes the terrible costs of lies and deception known. This is the point of many tragedies.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wild Duck Journal 3
Readers are attracted to moments of intensity in a writer's work. By what means and with what effect have writers in your study offered heightened emotional moments designed to arrest the reader's attention?
Both Ibsen and Sophocles use dramatic irony and richly crafted plots to arrest the readers attention.In both plays, the audience has been able to figure out what is going on long before the characters know, or are willing to realize. In Oedipus, this is seen when Oedipus is searching for information about his family of origin. In Wild Duck, this is seen when Gregers is uncovering Werle's corruption. This creates much suspense and causes the reader to be in rapt attention due to the fact that the reader is waiting for the characters to discover what they already know. The ignorance about when the characters will realize what is going on and how they will react keeps the reader strongly invested in the novel and it's outcome.
The richly woven plots in both books are used to keep the reader both on its toes and also in awe. The situations depicted in Oedipus and the Wild Duck are ones that the average reader would be disgusted by. In Oedipus, the main character marries his wife and murders his father. Two very revolting things for the reader to read about. This is similar in Wild Duck. Werle's web of deception is spread so wide, the deeds he has done are so many, that the reader becomes entrenched in this. This invokes strong emotions regarding the characters, the story, and the reader's personal beliefs on the subjects that are being addressed in the particular work.
These writing styles are meant to keep the reader on its toes, wanting for more. This keeps the reader invested in the story. This is what the authors were going for.
Both Ibsen and Sophocles use dramatic irony and richly crafted plots to arrest the readers attention.In both plays, the audience has been able to figure out what is going on long before the characters know, or are willing to realize. In Oedipus, this is seen when Oedipus is searching for information about his family of origin. In Wild Duck, this is seen when Gregers is uncovering Werle's corruption. This creates much suspense and causes the reader to be in rapt attention due to the fact that the reader is waiting for the characters to discover what they already know. The ignorance about when the characters will realize what is going on and how they will react keeps the reader strongly invested in the novel and it's outcome.
The richly woven plots in both books are used to keep the reader both on its toes and also in awe. The situations depicted in Oedipus and the Wild Duck are ones that the average reader would be disgusted by. In Oedipus, the main character marries his wife and murders his father. Two very revolting things for the reader to read about. This is similar in Wild Duck. Werle's web of deception is spread so wide, the deeds he has done are so many, that the reader becomes entrenched in this. This invokes strong emotions regarding the characters, the story, and the reader's personal beliefs on the subjects that are being addressed in the particular work.
These writing styles are meant to keep the reader on its toes, wanting for more. This keeps the reader invested in the story. This is what the authors were going for.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wild Duck Journal 2
Dear Diary,
I just know my father has done something horrible! That poor Mr. Ekdal walking around in that house in shambles. His life has been ruined, and I refuse to believe that this was his fault! I know my father set a trap for him, in order to avoid his corruption being detected. To think that Ekdal went to jail for this! This situation is truly awful.
Another concerning matter is this whole business with Gina. Hedvig is going blind, is she? And this sort of condition is entirely hereditary. My father has had weak vision his entire life...and I know for a fact that his relationship with Gina has been much less than respectable! What if Hedvig is really his? That would explain the special attention and aid he has given Hjalmar in establishing himself. That poor child.
Hjalmar is completely in the dark about this as well. He has no inkling that anything at all is fishy between his wife and my father. He is so entrenched in my father's wrongdoings, and he has no idea! The poor Ekdal men. The things my father has done to that family are inexcusable! I just wish there were some way I could help them...perhaps something I could do to set this whole situation right and make amends.
I have much to think about diary.
Signed,
Gregers
*Mrs. Wecker, we discussed the reasons behind the lateness of this post. I was unable to access a computer but the assignment was done on time.
I just know my father has done something horrible! That poor Mr. Ekdal walking around in that house in shambles. His life has been ruined, and I refuse to believe that this was his fault! I know my father set a trap for him, in order to avoid his corruption being detected. To think that Ekdal went to jail for this! This situation is truly awful.
Another concerning matter is this whole business with Gina. Hedvig is going blind, is she? And this sort of condition is entirely hereditary. My father has had weak vision his entire life...and I know for a fact that his relationship with Gina has been much less than respectable! What if Hedvig is really his? That would explain the special attention and aid he has given Hjalmar in establishing himself. That poor child.
Hjalmar is completely in the dark about this as well. He has no inkling that anything at all is fishy between his wife and my father. He is so entrenched in my father's wrongdoings, and he has no idea! The poor Ekdal men. The things my father has done to that family are inexcusable! I just wish there were some way I could help them...perhaps something I could do to set this whole situation right and make amends.
I have much to think about diary.
Signed,
Gregers
*Mrs. Wecker, we discussed the reasons behind the lateness of this post. I was unable to access a computer but the assignment was done on time.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Wild Duck Journal 1
What are the questions that underlie at least two of the works that you have read?
One of the interesting comparisons from Oedipus and Wild Duck is the importance of sight in both novels. The question here is, what is the meaning of sight for these characters and why is it such a central theme?
In Oedipus, the book ends with Oedipus blinding himself so he does not have to look upon his mother (and wife!), children, or father in hell when he dies. He does not want to see them because of all of the bad things he feels he has done to them. One could also argue that he was "blind" to the truth throughout his whole life. When his wife was warning him not to pursue anymore about his family of origin, he did not want to see what was staring him in the face. The clues that tell where he actually came from were right in front of him from the point when Tiresias tells him that it was him. But Oedipus was blind to the truth, and this led to the tragic outcome of this play.
In Wild Duck, the use of the motif of sight is used frequently. The elder Werle, is facing near blindness. Hedvig, Hjalmar's daughter is facing the loss of her sight. Gregers, on the other hand, "sees a purpose to live for," while Werle believes him to see through his mother's "clouded vision."
This repetition of the motif of blindness, appearing so frequently in both books must carry some significance. The motif of sight in both books seems to represent purity and goodness. Oedipus blinds himself because he feels that he is no longer worthy to look upon those he loves. The elder Werle has done some bad things in his life, his loss of sight represents his loss of goodness. Hedvig's loss of sight may be more of foreshadowing for what is to come in the play. This coming blindness may represent Hedvig's coming loss of goodness in the play. Greger's clear vision may represent his good intentions for those around him throughout the book.
One of the interesting comparisons from Oedipus and Wild Duck is the importance of sight in both novels. The question here is, what is the meaning of sight for these characters and why is it such a central theme?
In Oedipus, the book ends with Oedipus blinding himself so he does not have to look upon his mother (and wife!), children, or father in hell when he dies. He does not want to see them because of all of the bad things he feels he has done to them. One could also argue that he was "blind" to the truth throughout his whole life. When his wife was warning him not to pursue anymore about his family of origin, he did not want to see what was staring him in the face. The clues that tell where he actually came from were right in front of him from the point when Tiresias tells him that it was him. But Oedipus was blind to the truth, and this led to the tragic outcome of this play.
In Wild Duck, the use of the motif of sight is used frequently. The elder Werle, is facing near blindness. Hedvig, Hjalmar's daughter is facing the loss of her sight. Gregers, on the other hand, "sees a purpose to live for," while Werle believes him to see through his mother's "clouded vision."
This repetition of the motif of blindness, appearing so frequently in both books must carry some significance. The motif of sight in both books seems to represent purity and goodness. Oedipus blinds himself because he feels that he is no longer worthy to look upon those he loves. The elder Werle has done some bad things in his life, his loss of sight represents his loss of goodness. Hedvig's loss of sight may be more of foreshadowing for what is to come in the play. This coming blindness may represent Hedvig's coming loss of goodness in the play. Greger's clear vision may represent his good intentions for those around him throughout the book.
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