Summary - Marlow overhears a conversation between the manager and the clerk complaining about Kurtz's methods of getting ivory. He hears that Kurtz is ill and isn't fully recovered. Marlow sets out on a trip on his newly repaired steamer to see Kurtz with the manager, clerk, and several pilgrims. The river and climate are sometimes difficult. They all occasionally hear the sounds of the natives on the riverbanks. During their journey, the steamer finds a hut with a stack of firewood and a note that says, "Wood for you. Hurry up. Approach cautiosly," with what seems to be a code on the side. The manager infers that it is from the troublesome Russian trader. The steamer stops close to Kurtz's location despite Marlow's will to avoid dangerous waters. However, the next morning, a heavy fog falls upon them, but they continue to travel anyway. A group of natives attacks their ship with arrows, killing one of the pilgrims. Marlow displeases lots of his hungry pilgrims by throwing the potential meal into the water. Marlow doubts that Kurtz is still alive, and this disappoints him. The men finally arrive at the Inner Station where they run into the Russian trader. The man seems to be brain washed by Kurtz with his constant praise and his never ending defense of Kurtz's honor, even though Kurtz threatened his life at times. Marlow discovers that he was the author of the code, which were only notes written in Russian. The pilgrims arrive with Kurtz's sick body on a stretcher. He is obviously extremely ill, but the natives still respect him with great honor. The manager criticizes Kurtz's methods, but Marlow defends him, making him an outcast to the men of his ship. That night, Marlow is woken up by the sound of drums and native songs. He goes to find the noise and discovers Kurtz is missing from his cabin. Marlow finds Kurtz, and Kurtz threatens him. Marlow convinces him to leave and helps him back to the ship. The steamer left the next day with Kurtz on board. While on his death bed, Kurtz fascinates Marlow with his philosophies on life, death, and success. He gives Marlow the remainder of his papers for safekeeping. Kurtz soon dies with his last words being "The horror! The horror!" Marlow becomes ill and almost dies too, but returns to Brussels after he recovers. Journalists beg, plead, and threaten Marlow for Kurtz's last papers, but he refuses to give them away until he finds one of Kurtz's colleagues that he trusts with them. To receive full closure of Kurtz's death, Marlow decides to go visit his Intended. She is still in deep mourning over a year after his death, and Marlow gives her the sympathetic ear that she needs. She begged to hear his lasts words. Marlow couldn't dare tell the poor woman the truth, so he tells her his last words were her name, only to find that nothing bad resulted from the lie.
Response - I have to say, I hated this book until about the last 10 pages. Yes, section 2 was more interesting than the first, but it felt like the story didn't even reach it's climax towards the end.
I was fascinated at how much of an effect Kurtz had on people. He obviously was an amazingly gifted leader because he seemed to brainwash the ones he was closest too, especially the Russian trader.
I loved how in the end Marlow hated ordinary people because of the experiences he had gone through because I can relate to that in a sense. I've walked down the hallways and wanted to curse at people for their ignorance before. It is frustrating to see people care about the most insignificant things, when you know that there are so many more important things in the reality. So when I read this, I couldn't help but laugh at how alike we are even though Marlow's circumstances were much more severe than my own.
The Intended was who really broke my heart. She was truly in love with Kurtz and she saw no flaw in him. Part of me wanted Marlow to tell her the truth about his last words, so she could get the proper closure she needed, no matter how long it would take her to come to terms with it. However, I completely understand why he lied. In a way, it didn't really hurt anything. In fact, it helped the hurting woman, even though she would heal based on lies.
Even though Heart of Darkness wasn't my favorite by any means, I can appreciate why it's such a literary classic. Though some of the descriptions were dense and seemingly pointless, others were so beautifully written that it made me think about things in an entirely new light.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Heart of Darkness Part 1
Summary - Four men are on a ship, The Nellie, sitting around and taking in the environment around them. They are all quiet and in a meditative state of mind until Marlow makes the observation that the Thames was a river where so many men have fought, died, and explored. He talks of his fascination of land and exploration even as a child. He reminisces about his experience as a younger man when he got a job as a fresh water sailor at a Belgian company with help from his aunt. He was taking the place of a captain who was killed in a fight with some African natives. Marlow goes through all the formalities with the Company and sets sail on a French steamer to Africa, which he feels like is the center of the earth. He sees lots of death and other inhumane circumstances along the way. When Marlow finally reaches Central Station, he realizes his boat has sunk, which may or may not be an accident. He hears many great think about the manager, Mr. Kurtz, but he is very suspicious about him. Marlow wants rivets to repair his ship, only to be disappointed by the Eldorado Exporing Expedition's arrival.
Response - I found this book very hard to get into in the beginning. It's density and descriptions just didn't grab my attention at first. However, there were some quotes that stuck out to me and were even facebook status worthy. Marlow's reflection of death and conquering land was beautiful to me. "They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force - nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others," practically jumped out at me. Just something about Marlow's reflections gave me an immediate appreciation for the book's excessive descriptions. Marlow recollections of the Africans broke my heart. It just made me hurt for them, since they were human beings. But I know back then, people didn't see things that way, and it's a shame. I would like to know the purpose of Marlow's life story and why it's significant, but I know I will find out soon enough. There are lots of subtleties in this book also that make me have to go back and read a certain passage again. It's challenging, but I appreciate the complexity and the beautifully written words.
Response - I found this book very hard to get into in the beginning. It's density and descriptions just didn't grab my attention at first. However, there were some quotes that stuck out to me and were even facebook status worthy. Marlow's reflection of death and conquering land was beautiful to me. "They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force - nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others," practically jumped out at me. Just something about Marlow's reflections gave me an immediate appreciation for the book's excessive descriptions. Marlow recollections of the Africans broke my heart. It just made me hurt for them, since they were human beings. But I know back then, people didn't see things that way, and it's a shame. I would like to know the purpose of Marlow's life story and why it's significant, but I know I will find out soon enough. There are lots of subtleties in this book also that make me have to go back and read a certain passage again. It's challenging, but I appreciate the complexity and the beautifully written words.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Poetry Analysis Blog #5
"In a Farmhouse"
Luis Omar Salinas
"In a Farmhouse" makes me think the poem will be about a significant moment happening in a farmhouse. The poem tells of a young Spanish American boy who is in his bedroom thinking of all the work he did and the the money he made that day. He thinks of all of his brothers in his race who may be dying of hunger. The whole poem is straight-forward. Salinas uses imagery so the audience can understand the boy's concern for himself and his people. The author wants the audience to have sympathy for the young, overworked boy, and the many others like him. The audience does feel sympathetic towards him and the Mestizos who may be dying of starvation. The shift occurs in line 12 when the boy stops talking about his work and wonders about the well being of other young boys like him. "In a Farmhouse" is significant because it is where the little boy realized that starvation is indeed "an odd way to leave for heaven." The theme is that no child should ever die from poverty or starvation.
Response
I liked how the poem was told from the young boy's point of view. I particularly liked the line, "what an odd way to go to heaven," because it made me think of all the children out there who really are starving while I'm snacking as I'm typing this. I realize just how blessed we are.
"The Beauty of the Trees"
Chief Dan George
The title and the name of the author make me think the poem is going to be about nature and the primitive way of life. The poet is describing things in nature that speak to him and how all their beauty makes his heart soar. Chief Dan George wants the audience to feel the same passion for nature that he has. The audience is imagining the beauty of his description and feeling his passion in his words. The shift occurs in the last line, "And my heart soars," because it's how his heart reacts to how nature speaks to him. "The Beauty of the Trees" is significant because it along with other things of nature, makes his heart soar. The theme is to appreciate the beauty of the simple things of nature.
Response
I like the parallelism that Chief Dan George used to describe the land. You can just see how passionate he is about it in his writing. He pours his love of the land into his words.
Luis Omar Salinas
"In a Farmhouse" makes me think the poem will be about a significant moment happening in a farmhouse. The poem tells of a young Spanish American boy who is in his bedroom thinking of all the work he did and the the money he made that day. He thinks of all of his brothers in his race who may be dying of hunger. The whole poem is straight-forward. Salinas uses imagery so the audience can understand the boy's concern for himself and his people. The author wants the audience to have sympathy for the young, overworked boy, and the many others like him. The audience does feel sympathetic towards him and the Mestizos who may be dying of starvation. The shift occurs in line 12 when the boy stops talking about his work and wonders about the well being of other young boys like him. "In a Farmhouse" is significant because it is where the little boy realized that starvation is indeed "an odd way to leave for heaven." The theme is that no child should ever die from poverty or starvation.
Response
I liked how the poem was told from the young boy's point of view. I particularly liked the line, "what an odd way to go to heaven," because it made me think of all the children out there who really are starving while I'm snacking as I'm typing this. I realize just how blessed we are.
"The Beauty of the Trees"
Chief Dan George
The title and the name of the author make me think the poem is going to be about nature and the primitive way of life. The poet is describing things in nature that speak to him and how all their beauty makes his heart soar. Chief Dan George wants the audience to feel the same passion for nature that he has. The audience is imagining the beauty of his description and feeling his passion in his words. The shift occurs in the last line, "And my heart soars," because it's how his heart reacts to how nature speaks to him. "The Beauty of the Trees" is significant because it along with other things of nature, makes his heart soar. The theme is to appreciate the beauty of the simple things of nature.
Response
I like the parallelism that Chief Dan George used to describe the land. You can just see how passionate he is about it in his writing. He pours his love of the land into his words.
Poetry Analysis Blog #4
"The Secretary Chant"
Marge Piercy
The title makes me think of some cheesy chant a group of secretaries made up when they were bored in the coffee room. The poem describes all of the stressful things a secretary must deal with it and how it takes total control over her. Connotative language is all over this poem. It's a giant metaphor saying different body parts are pieces of office equipment like, "My hips are a desk." Onomatopoeia is also used in lines 7 and 14. Piercy wants the audience to feel how overwhelmed the secretary feels in the poem. The audience does feel the stress and anxiety while reading it. The shift occurs in line 21 when she says, "File me under W because I wonce was a woman," because the poem saying she is no longer a human, but apart of the office. The title shows the significance of the secretary's voice that is lost in the jumble of work that must be done. The theme is that sometimes work can be so overwhelming, that you lose yourself in the process.
Response
This poem reminded me of myself now. I feel so stressed with all of my senior project and indoor percussion things that time for myself just doesn't exist anymore. It's a little ironic that I found this poem while in the midst of all the work I have to do...
"Assailant"
John Raven
"Assailant" makes me think that the poet is going to describe a serious attack. The poem describes a man reporting an attack to the police, but it was only a rat. Raven uses a Southern dialect to promote comedy and to show that the man in the poem wasn't educated. Raven wants the audience to think something serious is about to happen, only to laugh when it doesn't. The audience laughs in relief of the outcome. The shift occurs in line 9 when the man says he is talking about a rat and not a man. The title mocks the seriousness of the word assailant. I believe Raven is saying that we shouldn't take life so seriously, and we should all have a good laugh every once in a while.
Response
I laughed at this poem as well because it was nothing like any of the other ones I've read in the chapter. The others have deep themes of love, death, life, etc. while this seems to have no theme at all. However, that's just what Raven wants. He doesn't want us to think so hard, but to merely laugh at how ridiculous life can be.
Marge Piercy
The title makes me think of some cheesy chant a group of secretaries made up when they were bored in the coffee room. The poem describes all of the stressful things a secretary must deal with it and how it takes total control over her. Connotative language is all over this poem. It's a giant metaphor saying different body parts are pieces of office equipment like, "My hips are a desk." Onomatopoeia is also used in lines 7 and 14. Piercy wants the audience to feel how overwhelmed the secretary feels in the poem. The audience does feel the stress and anxiety while reading it. The shift occurs in line 21 when she says, "File me under W because I wonce was a woman," because the poem saying she is no longer a human, but apart of the office. The title shows the significance of the secretary's voice that is lost in the jumble of work that must be done. The theme is that sometimes work can be so overwhelming, that you lose yourself in the process.
Response
This poem reminded me of myself now. I feel so stressed with all of my senior project and indoor percussion things that time for myself just doesn't exist anymore. It's a little ironic that I found this poem while in the midst of all the work I have to do...
"Assailant"
John Raven
"Assailant" makes me think that the poet is going to describe a serious attack. The poem describes a man reporting an attack to the police, but it was only a rat. Raven uses a Southern dialect to promote comedy and to show that the man in the poem wasn't educated. Raven wants the audience to think something serious is about to happen, only to laugh when it doesn't. The audience laughs in relief of the outcome. The shift occurs in line 9 when the man says he is talking about a rat and not a man. The title mocks the seriousness of the word assailant. I believe Raven is saying that we shouldn't take life so seriously, and we should all have a good laugh every once in a while.
Response
I laughed at this poem as well because it was nothing like any of the other ones I've read in the chapter. The others have deep themes of love, death, life, etc. while this seems to have no theme at all. However, that's just what Raven wants. He doesn't want us to think so hard, but to merely laugh at how ridiculous life can be.
Poetry Analysis #3
"A Black Man Talks of Reaping"
Arna Bontemps
At first, I believe this poem is going to be about a slave telling his story. The poem talks of a man who is sows all his life, but has little material rewards to show for it. He also makes the point that those who do not work (White America) reap the benefits, while his people suffer. The whole poem uses imagery to give the reader a picture of black and white America and shows the injustice of the times. It is also a picture of a black man working hard for almost nothing. The last stanza (lines 9 - 12), is a metaphor showing the mistreatment of black men and the prosperous white man. Bontemps wants the audience to realize how severe the injustices of racism were. The audience feels sympathy and wants to change the circumstances. The shift occurs in line 9, when the black man shows the irony of slavery and racism. After reading the title, it has more significance because the black man talks of more than just reaping. He describes how he's worked his whole life just for the convenience of others, with nothing in return. The theme is that slavery is unjust, and people should be treated with equal rights.
Response
This poem had a beauty that wasn't complex. It wasn't long and elaborate, but it's message was so deep. It showed the black men's pain of seeing their people suffer in a way that stayed true to their simple way of life.
"Marks"
Linda Pastan
When I first read the title, I thought of marks on someone's skin. The poem tells of an ordinary American wife who does all she can for an underappreciative family who judges all of her hard work, until she reaches her breaking point. The whole poem is a metaphor comparing her family's approval to a report card. Pastan wants her desire to be appreciated relatable to her audience. The audience laughs at the poem because she expresses her desires in such a sarcastic and comical way. The shift occurs in the last line when she says, "I'm dropping out." The title symbolizes her "marks" that her husband and children give her based on her mother/wife performance." The theme is that we should be more appreciative to our mothers and/or wives.
Response
This is the only poem that has made me laugh. I love Pastan's dry sense of humor. She is like so many hard working mothers out there who don't get the credit they deserve. I admire her wit while addressing a serious issue.
Arna Bontemps
At first, I believe this poem is going to be about a slave telling his story. The poem talks of a man who is sows all his life, but has little material rewards to show for it. He also makes the point that those who do not work (White America) reap the benefits, while his people suffer. The whole poem uses imagery to give the reader a picture of black and white America and shows the injustice of the times. It is also a picture of a black man working hard for almost nothing. The last stanza (lines 9 - 12), is a metaphor showing the mistreatment of black men and the prosperous white man. Bontemps wants the audience to realize how severe the injustices of racism were. The audience feels sympathy and wants to change the circumstances. The shift occurs in line 9, when the black man shows the irony of slavery and racism. After reading the title, it has more significance because the black man talks of more than just reaping. He describes how he's worked his whole life just for the convenience of others, with nothing in return. The theme is that slavery is unjust, and people should be treated with equal rights.
Response
This poem had a beauty that wasn't complex. It wasn't long and elaborate, but it's message was so deep. It showed the black men's pain of seeing their people suffer in a way that stayed true to their simple way of life.
"Marks"
Linda Pastan
When I first read the title, I thought of marks on someone's skin. The poem tells of an ordinary American wife who does all she can for an underappreciative family who judges all of her hard work, until she reaches her breaking point. The whole poem is a metaphor comparing her family's approval to a report card. Pastan wants her desire to be appreciated relatable to her audience. The audience laughs at the poem because she expresses her desires in such a sarcastic and comical way. The shift occurs in the last line when she says, "I'm dropping out." The title symbolizes her "marks" that her husband and children give her based on her mother/wife performance." The theme is that we should be more appreciative to our mothers and/or wives.
Response
This is the only poem that has made me laugh. I love Pastan's dry sense of humor. She is like so many hard working mothers out there who don't get the credit they deserve. I admire her wit while addressing a serious issue.
Poetry Analysis Blog #2
"Sonnet 146: Poor Soul, the Center of My Sinful Earth"
William Shakespeare
At first the title makes me think that Shakespeare is feeling powerful conviction over all of his sins. In the sonnet, he is appaled at all of the sins he's let contaminate his soul. He is amazed at the beauty that sins portrays, and the negative consequences that they bring. He knows that as long as his flesh is alive, his soul can not be holy. So, he asks his body to die so his soul can live in holiness. Line one is a metaphor, referring to his soul as the center of his sinful earth. The metaphor continues portray sins negative beauty. He is talking to his soul the whole time, which makes it a villanelle. In the end, Death is personified. The last line is irony, "And Death once dead, there is no more dying then." Shakepeare is repenting throughout the sonnet, begging to be free from the bonds of sin. He wants the readers to see their sins and repent because of his experiences. The shift occurs in line 9, when he asks for his body to die so his soul can reign. The title is just the first line in the sonnet, so Shakespeare had no real meaning in mind when naming it. However, the first line made me predict the message of the poem somewhat correctly. The theme is that flesh is prone to sin, and we can only be truly holy when free from our earthly bodies.
Response
I can tell Shakespeare is under deep conviction at this time in his life, and he wants nothing more than to be set right with God. This sonnet is like a heart-felt prayer. I wouldn't doubt Shakespere said these words to God Himself.
"Days"
Billy Collins
The title makes me think the poem is about the poet's daily walk through life. The poet describes days as a gift, but throughout the poem he makes the readers evaluate how they approach their days. He says that we all carefully stack one day on top of the other, hoping that they won't all collapse and cause disaster in our lives. In lines 13 - 16, simile is being used to compare passing days to an impossible tower of dishes. Line 17 until the end of a poem is a continuous metaphor saying humans are all on a giant ladder, carefully stacking their days as to not cause everything to fall. Collins wants the reader to see how they are living their lives and not taking them for granted by giving us this giant metaphor. The readers are left to think if they are actually that person on the giant ladder and left to question how they want to change their attitudes. The shift occurs in line 16, when Collins starts referring to the reader as the person perched on the tall ladder. "Days" is actually meant to symbolize the Collins' perspective on how humans live. The theme is we should be more appreciative of our days because they all contribute to our lives as a whole.
Response
I had to read this poem a few times until finally, it clicked with me. I love Collins' connotative language because he describes human nature in such a unique way. He wants people to do more with their lives and not just stack one routine on to the next. He put life into a light that I had never seen. His style is genius!
William Shakespeare
At first the title makes me think that Shakespeare is feeling powerful conviction over all of his sins. In the sonnet, he is appaled at all of the sins he's let contaminate his soul. He is amazed at the beauty that sins portrays, and the negative consequences that they bring. He knows that as long as his flesh is alive, his soul can not be holy. So, he asks his body to die so his soul can live in holiness. Line one is a metaphor, referring to his soul as the center of his sinful earth. The metaphor continues portray sins negative beauty. He is talking to his soul the whole time, which makes it a villanelle. In the end, Death is personified. The last line is irony, "And Death once dead, there is no more dying then." Shakepeare is repenting throughout the sonnet, begging to be free from the bonds of sin. He wants the readers to see their sins and repent because of his experiences. The shift occurs in line 9, when he asks for his body to die so his soul can reign. The title is just the first line in the sonnet, so Shakespeare had no real meaning in mind when naming it. However, the first line made me predict the message of the poem somewhat correctly. The theme is that flesh is prone to sin, and we can only be truly holy when free from our earthly bodies.
Response
I can tell Shakespeare is under deep conviction at this time in his life, and he wants nothing more than to be set right with God. This sonnet is like a heart-felt prayer. I wouldn't doubt Shakespere said these words to God Himself.
"Days"
Billy Collins
The title makes me think the poem is about the poet's daily walk through life. The poet describes days as a gift, but throughout the poem he makes the readers evaluate how they approach their days. He says that we all carefully stack one day on top of the other, hoping that they won't all collapse and cause disaster in our lives. In lines 13 - 16, simile is being used to compare passing days to an impossible tower of dishes. Line 17 until the end of a poem is a continuous metaphor saying humans are all on a giant ladder, carefully stacking their days as to not cause everything to fall. Collins wants the reader to see how they are living their lives and not taking them for granted by giving us this giant metaphor. The readers are left to think if they are actually that person on the giant ladder and left to question how they want to change their attitudes. The shift occurs in line 16, when Collins starts referring to the reader as the person perched on the tall ladder. "Days" is actually meant to symbolize the Collins' perspective on how humans live. The theme is we should be more appreciative of our days because they all contribute to our lives as a whole.
Response
I had to read this poem a few times until finally, it clicked with me. I love Collins' connotative language because he describes human nature in such a unique way. He wants people to do more with their lives and not just stack one routine on to the next. He put life into a light that I had never seen. His style is genius!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Poetry Analysis Blog #1
Title - "Those Winter Sundays" This title makes me think the poet will reminisce about times in his childhood.
Paraphrase - The poet talks of his hard-working father who would do lots of nice things for him. However, the father's short temper made him indifferent in speaking to his father. He didn't realize how much his father loved him.
Connotative Language -
Paraphrase - The poet talks of his hard-working father who would do lots of nice things for him. However, the father's short temper made him indifferent in speaking to his father. He didn't realize how much his father loved him.
Connotative Language -
- The whole poem creates imagery.
- "hear the cold splintering, breaking" - personification
- "love's austere and lonely offices" - metaphor.
Attitude
- Mood - Robert Hayden wants the audience to feel his feelings of regret about being unappreciative to his father. It's like he's warning us to not make the same mistake he did.
- Tone - Hayden is nastalgic in his tone of voice, and he regrets not appreciating his father's love for him.
Shift - The shift occures in line ten when Hayden starts talking about his feelings instead of merely recalling the past.
Title - "Those Winter Sundays" I was correct in the fact that he is remembering former parts of his life. The poem has a deeper meaning because it shows his failure to realize the extent of his father's love.
Theme - Love can be found more so in actions than words.
Poem 2
Title - "Life Cycle of Common Man" (Howard Nemerov)
The title gives me the impression that it will describe the common way of life in an original perspective.
Paraphrase - Nemerov discusses all the possible material things that men leave behing in their lifetime. He describes the amount of words a person says in their lifespan. The poem shows shows the awe of all that men use, do, and say in their life.
Connotative Language -
- Lines 13 - 19 are a metaphor describing all of the objects men leave behind in their lengthening trail.
- Lines 38 - 40 use imagery to describe the imagined cartoon bubble of dialogue that men use daily.
- Word is personifies in line 42.
- Line 43 is a metaphor saying that the world is his apple, and forces him to eat.
Attitude
- Mood - Nemerov wants the audience to be amazed at the amount of all the average things we do daily and how they build the structure of our lives.
- Tone - Nemerov is fascinated as well and ponders the significance of life itself.
Shift - The shift occurs in line 19 when Nemerov questions the purpose of all the things we use in life and their outcome.
Title - "Life Cycle of Common Man" It reinforces the emphasis on the common man and what one does during their lifetime.
Theme - Life is made of countless technical things that are pointless if not used for a greater purpose.
Oops, I forgot my responses....
"Those Winter Sundays" - This caught my attention becasue I could relate to Hayden's emotions. My father and I used to have a similar relationship when I was younger. I was glad to know that someone else had been through the exact same thing. I'm just glad I came to his later realization earlier in life.
"Life Cycle of Common Man" - This poem also caught my attention because it described small things that no one ever really pays attention to. His style was really unique, and I like his perspective on life.
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