1. Do you think McMurphy would have wanted the Chief to kill him?
I believe that McMurphy would have rather died than be in the state that the Big Nurse left him in. He was so energetic and full of life that he was basically already dead before the Chief actually killed him. It was his nature to go against society and rebell and be an individual, and I believe that without this aspect of his personality he would not want to continue living. Being as competitive as he was, it became his ultimate goal to defeat the Big Nurse, and to live a life where his existence personified her terrible control over her patients would have been a living hell. I believe that he would have rather escaped into death than remain in his lobotomized prison.
2. What was the fog?
I believe that the fog was what made the Chief truly insane. It was a combination of his own disorders and the medecine that was given to him. Throughout the story, he often mentions retreating into or coming out of his fog, which seems that the fog is his own universe that he regresses into during bouts of stress or insanity. This creation of a second reality or an extreme defense mechanism is common among schizophrenics, so it would make sense that the Chief would have one as well.
3. How evil is the Big Nurse?
I saw that the Big Nurse was evil from the beginning. There was just something so insidious and malicious about her manner and system of control that I immediately disliked her. I could see how some people could see where she was coming from and how she might actually be trying to help the patients, but I believe that that persona was merely a guise for her true purpose, which is more sadistic and subtle. Through her unwavering routine and her obeying orderlies, she effectively destroyed what little humanity these poor men had left and created her own little totalitarian regime within the confines of her ward.
4. Why did Billy kill himself?
Billy, one of the most likable characters in the story, has a revelation at the end of the book that causes him to kill himself. His death comes as such a shock to both the readers and the characters. I think that Billy killed himself because he realizes that the Big Nurse has more power over him than he could ever overcome and that she has abuse that power by making him one of her brainwashed patients. After experiencing a slice of real life, he realizes that the Big Nurse has destroyed almost everything that made such an experience possible. He comes to the conclusion that he would rather die than live in a world without these experiences, hence his suicide.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Cuckoo's Nest Blog 2
1. At the end of this section, the Big Nurse is definitely starting to crack under McMurphy's constant rebellion. His relentless attacks on here composure are beginning to take their tole on Nurse Ratchet. The clearest example of this is when McMurphy pretends to watch the World Series even though there is a blank TV screen (123). The nurse actually loses her temper and starts yelling at McMurphy in front of the rest of the patients. It is clear that McMurphy is starting to get at her.
2. The Chief still is a bit mysterious to me because he does not give very much insight about himself at this point in the book. He does seem to favor McMurphy in this conflict, and he adds to the story by giving an almost entirely removed and very observant perspective. McMurphy definitely gives the Chief confidence and makes him feel that he can stand up to the Big Nurse, such as when he raised his hand to watch the World Series.
3. I am definitely rooting for McMurphy. I not only like him, but I hate the nurse, so the fact that he opposes her and is a likable character makes me want him to win. I have disliked the Big Nurse since the first scene of the book where she reveals how mean she actually is by yelling at the orderlies and then immediately going back into that false passivity.
2. The Chief still is a bit mysterious to me because he does not give very much insight about himself at this point in the book. He does seem to favor McMurphy in this conflict, and he adds to the story by giving an almost entirely removed and very observant perspective. McMurphy definitely gives the Chief confidence and makes him feel that he can stand up to the Big Nurse, such as when he raised his hand to watch the World Series.
3. I am definitely rooting for McMurphy. I not only like him, but I hate the nurse, so the fact that he opposes her and is a likable character makes me want him to win. I have disliked the Big Nurse since the first scene of the book where she reveals how mean she actually is by yelling at the orderlies and then immediately going back into that false passivity.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
OFOCN 1
I believe that, at this point in the story, we don't have quite enough characterization to acuratley identify characters as hero, anti-hero, or villain. However, I predict that R.P. McMurphy will develope into an anti-hero that is the archetype of the spirit of rebellion. It seems clear that the nurse is the authoritarian leader of this hospital and demands complete order within her ward. I am confident that she will develope into a clear villain, but, as of now, it is difficult to prove this claim because we don't know enough about the character. McMurphey, an obvious juxtaposition of the nurse, will most likely become her enemy whether or not we identify either of them as hero, anti-hero, or villain.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Great Gatsby 3
1. What is the purpose of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg?
The purpose of these eyes is probably to symbolize the eyes of God watching with a disaproving glare over the valley of ashes. The eyes are compared to God at one point in the story, but the have a much greater impact than stated in the text. The positioning of the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg over the valley of ashes are a symbol that God is witness to the sadness and selfishness that surrounds the characters in the story. These eyes presided over the climax of this book as well, and that was probably a symbol for the negative outcome of Gatsby because his immoral act was witnessed by God.
2. Why does no one show up at Gatsby's funeral?
The attendance at Gatsby's funeral is so pathetic that one cannot help but wonder what Fitzgerald meant by such it. I believe that it is a symbol that descirbes how no one really knew the James Gats that Nick and the other three or four attenders knew. This pushes the idea that the members of the upper class society falsely portray themselves to the outside world to such a degree that their true selves are completely masked. The lack of attendance at Gatsby's funeral shows how little people really know each other in this society that demands the adoption of such a rigid social image. The fact that it was a funeral also gives the impression that this is an extremely sad aspect of their lives.
3. Did Fitsgerald use Gatsby as a reflection of his own experiences?
With a bit of knowledge about the life of Fitzgerald, it could be argued that Fitzgerald wrote himself into this book as both Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby. Nick is obviously Fitzgerald because he is so far removed from the story that he seems almost to become an aparation observing these events rather than a person. However, the resemblance between Gatsby and Fitzgerald's past are so striking that it is easy to see how it coudl have been purposful. Gatsby, like Fitzgerald, was spurned by a wealthy girl because he had no money of his own. He desperately tried to get her back through guady displays of grandeur (Fitzgerald had many delusions of grandeur throughout his early adulthood), but he, just like Fitzgerald, eventually fails. The fact that Gatsby not only fails but is killed in the process shows Fitzgerald admitting that his chance of ever getting that girl that he loved is forever gone.
4. What is the purpose of the title "The Great Gatsby"?
I believe that the title Great gives the reader a glimpse into Fitzgerald's values and why he belives that Gatsby is great despite his failure and morally questionable actions. Gatsby, despite hardshipa and endless oposition, managed to do what Fitzgerald could not, which is rise above his lower class origins to reach an extremely high social status. He also, against all odds, opposed one of the more powerful members of that society, Tom, and fought for Daisy with all his heart. I believe that Fitzgerald valued this about Gatsby and gave him the title of great to recognize his accomplishment and perserverence. Gatsby, even as he died, continued to "beat on ... against the current", and, therefore, deserves his title.
The purpose of these eyes is probably to symbolize the eyes of God watching with a disaproving glare over the valley of ashes. The eyes are compared to God at one point in the story, but the have a much greater impact than stated in the text. The positioning of the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg over the valley of ashes are a symbol that God is witness to the sadness and selfishness that surrounds the characters in the story. These eyes presided over the climax of this book as well, and that was probably a symbol for the negative outcome of Gatsby because his immoral act was witnessed by God.
2. Why does no one show up at Gatsby's funeral?
The attendance at Gatsby's funeral is so pathetic that one cannot help but wonder what Fitzgerald meant by such it. I believe that it is a symbol that descirbes how no one really knew the James Gats that Nick and the other three or four attenders knew. This pushes the idea that the members of the upper class society falsely portray themselves to the outside world to such a degree that their true selves are completely masked. The lack of attendance at Gatsby's funeral shows how little people really know each other in this society that demands the adoption of such a rigid social image. The fact that it was a funeral also gives the impression that this is an extremely sad aspect of their lives.
3. Did Fitsgerald use Gatsby as a reflection of his own experiences?
With a bit of knowledge about the life of Fitzgerald, it could be argued that Fitzgerald wrote himself into this book as both Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby. Nick is obviously Fitzgerald because he is so far removed from the story that he seems almost to become an aparation observing these events rather than a person. However, the resemblance between Gatsby and Fitzgerald's past are so striking that it is easy to see how it coudl have been purposful. Gatsby, like Fitzgerald, was spurned by a wealthy girl because he had no money of his own. He desperately tried to get her back through guady displays of grandeur (Fitzgerald had many delusions of grandeur throughout his early adulthood), but he, just like Fitzgerald, eventually fails. The fact that Gatsby not only fails but is killed in the process shows Fitzgerald admitting that his chance of ever getting that girl that he loved is forever gone.
4. What is the purpose of the title "The Great Gatsby"?
I believe that the title Great gives the reader a glimpse into Fitzgerald's values and why he belives that Gatsby is great despite his failure and morally questionable actions. Gatsby, despite hardshipa and endless oposition, managed to do what Fitzgerald could not, which is rise above his lower class origins to reach an extremely high social status. He also, against all odds, opposed one of the more powerful members of that society, Tom, and fought for Daisy with all his heart. I believe that Fitzgerald valued this about Gatsby and gave him the title of great to recognize his accomplishment and perserverence. Gatsby, even as he died, continued to "beat on ... against the current", and, therefore, deserves his title.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Great Gatsby 2
1. The purpose of Meyer Wolfsheim is to give us another view of Jay Gatsby. He is not a very good character who is probably involved in illegal activity. Wolfsheim allows us a glimpse at the not so great side of Jay Gatsby and keeps us interested in what more we ahve to discover about this character.
2. The backstory of Jay and Daisy allows us to see Gatsby in a more realistic light. Without this backstory, he would remian the wealthy and mysterious man we met in the beginning of the book, but this backstory gives him a more human relatability and gives us greater insight into Gatsby as a person.
3. The rest of Gatsby's backstory again is a more in depth characterization than what we have previously seen. Through the backstory, we see how Gatsby reacts and handles different situations as well as a deeper look into his personality. It also lets the reader connect with Gatsby more than they could have before because, despite some of the negative aspects of his past, the backstory ultimately lets us simpathize with this character.
4. In my opinion, I still find Gatsby a bit mysterious and am not quite sure what to think of him. However, the bakstory of Jay Gatsby does make me like the character a bit more because it promotes the idea that he usually has good intentions, despite the fact that some of the things that he did were a bit questionable. I feel as if I know the character much more than I did at the beginning of the book, yet I am still unsure if I like hime or not.
2. The backstory of Jay and Daisy allows us to see Gatsby in a more realistic light. Without this backstory, he would remian the wealthy and mysterious man we met in the beginning of the book, but this backstory gives him a more human relatability and gives us greater insight into Gatsby as a person.
3. The rest of Gatsby's backstory again is a more in depth characterization than what we have previously seen. Through the backstory, we see how Gatsby reacts and handles different situations as well as a deeper look into his personality. It also lets the reader connect with Gatsby more than they could have before because, despite some of the negative aspects of his past, the backstory ultimately lets us simpathize with this character.
4. In my opinion, I still find Gatsby a bit mysterious and am not quite sure what to think of him. However, the bakstory of Jay Gatsby does make me like the character a bit more because it promotes the idea that he usually has good intentions, despite the fact that some of the things that he did were a bit questionable. I feel as if I know the character much more than I did at the beginning of the book, yet I am still unsure if I like hime or not.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Great Gatsby 1
I believe that a fairely clear hero that can be identified at this point in the book is Nick. He is the character that we all relate to and he is very likable and has similar values to us. He is "inclined to reserve all judgements "(1), and this description catagorizes him as a person who we wish to succed, and, therefore, the hero. Tom is almost definitetly a villain because he has values that go against what the audience values. He cheats on his wife and abuses his mistress. He is descibed as "hulking"(12) and with a cruel body. It is clear that the author wants the audience to dislike this character. A possible anithero that could be identified at this point in the book is Daisy. She is quiet yet "pretty synical about everything"(16). She has a haughty air about her, yet she is also stragnely likable with her synical comments about the reality of the society that she live in. She is a character who I belive Fitzgerald would want us to like, but her ambitions give her values that would contradict our own. This makes her an antihero.
Artists style
The artist uses a darker range of colors. His paintings are also warped and distorted with some unnatural visual effect. He seems to paint mostly about African American culture.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)