"It is silliness to live when live is torment; and then have we a precription to die when death is our physican" (1.3.302-305)
I feel like this passage foreshadows someone choosing to death over life. For some life is just to much for them to handle so they choose the easiest path out which is, death. Death suits the people has lost all hope, those has no more options, or those in the dark. This also desmonstraste the choices the character will have to make and what the end result will be like. For example Roderigo he is madly inlove with Desdemona and he knews he can not have her because she is already married to an other man. Is he going to have death as is physian or would he choose another path.
Will Roderigo some day separate himsel from Iago?
(because Iago has a bad influence on him)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Seperate Peace-Paper
Coralie Casimir
English 10 Honors
Mr. George
12-09-08
Essay
A Separate Peace
The Second World War was a very destructive time period for humanity. An excessive among people was persecuted during this time period in particular the Jews. Thousands of men of young risk their lives fighting in the war and each year thousands more would embark on this gruesome journey. In John Knowles novel A Separate Peace, displays a different kind of war. John Knowles refers to an internal war that the character Gene undergoes. Gene’s internal struggle was the extreme jealousy he felt towards his best friend Phineas. To justify his feelings Gene creates this competition between him and Phineas. Phineas different which made it impossible for Gene to compete with him. Gene was mislead by his emotion and acted on impulse; he misidentify his true enemy and pay all the consequences.
It is the summer of nineteen forty-two and in world is in turmoil. Everywhere was chaos even peace at The Devon School would be disrupted. Gene Forrester is a timid human being whose growing jealousy towards his best, friend Phineas push, him to do the unthinkable. He envied the authority Phineas had toward his peers, energy he brought with him, and his charisma. Gene hatred for Phineas was incontrollable, he despised Phineas so much that he fabricated pretext to justify his hatred. His explanation was Finny also hated him, “You and Phineas are even already. You are even in enmity. You are both coldly driving ahead for yourselves alone,” (53). Gene also wanted to be reassure himself. It would be terrible for himself if he was the only one who felt that way. These depraved thought is what drove Gene to his when breaking point.
Gene has two different aspects to his personality a good boy or a savage. His jealousy, temper, and impetuousness is what taint his good boy reputation and then he is perceived has a savage. Nonetheless when he regains his composure he is able pick out the moral thoughts form the immoral ones, for example, when he states “He had never been jealous of me for one second. Now I knew that there never was and never could have been any rivalry between us,” (59). Gene acknowledges there is no competition between him and Phineas because of who Phineas was made from a different quality. For one moment he accepts the fact that Phineas only wanted to be his best friend and this made him angry. It irritated him that Phineas did could not ever hate him and he was just a beneath Phineas status. Just one scene after his emotion kicked in and he causes Phineas to fall off a tree which shattered his leg.
Throughout the novel few of Gene flaws were carefully depicted. One of these flaws is he did not know who his true enemy was. From the beginning is taught his enemy was Phineas. His allegation was driven by sentiments. Gene only believed what he wanted to believe. He only viewed Phineas as a self- absorbed person, who wanted paraded his good qualities to the world. Gene believed that the only way he could ever defeat his opponent was by becoming him. “I decided to put on his clothes… I felt like a nobleman… I was Phineas, Phineas to the life,” (62). This scene occurred a little after Gene jounced the limb and Phineas fell of the tree. He felt like he accomplished something great until he knew of the horrible end result.
Gene never for one moment taught the consequences of his actions were going to so horrific. “Walking again” (63) this was Gene reaction when doctor Stanpole told him they could have been a change Phineas would never walk again. This was a turning point for Gene. He was taking on a new role, being at Finny’s assistances as well as a transition. When Phineas came back feels obligated to fulfill give himself to Phineas. He thinks it he should be at Finny’s service. He tries to do this because he was ashamed of what he has done to Phineas and it the right thing to do. "Sometimes you are too ashamed to leave. That was true now. And sometimes you need too much to know the facts, and so humbly and stupidly you stay. That was true now too,"(146). This quote explains why he put all his plans and ambition on hold and stayed at The Devon School. His only mistake was Gene taught he had to physically and mentally become Phineas. Gene was not perfect he would lose his temper from time to time but the hatred resentment he has in his heart was slowly going away.
Gene’s change did not come until the death of Phineas. When Phineas died Gene finally realized his fault. “I never killed anybody and I never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there (204).”The enemy Gene finally vanquished was in himself. He overcame the ignorance he had in his heart. It was the hatred, resentment, and envy who kept from becoming a better person. When Phineas died he came absorbed all the hatred in Gene and took him. Gene salvation can through Phineas. Gene finally understood that he did not have to become Phineas to be perfect. He just had to take on some of his good traits. At the end Gene finally took on some trait and fully discovered who he is. Gene finally realizes his true enemy was in himself at last he can become the men he was fated to be.
In the end Gene metamorphosed from an envious boy to an intelligent young man. He started pointing the finger at himself and recognizes his shortcoming. Gene’s journey was not easy. First he had to realize that Phineas was not his true nemesis. Second Gene started to be comfortable with who he was. Then he finally won the battle against his enemy. Now he can put on his uniform and fight in the real war. Even if Gene was able to accomplished this it still came with a price, Phineas’ life.
English 10 Honors
Mr. George
12-09-08
Essay
A Separate Peace
The Second World War was a very destructive time period for humanity. An excessive among people was persecuted during this time period in particular the Jews. Thousands of men of young risk their lives fighting in the war and each year thousands more would embark on this gruesome journey. In John Knowles novel A Separate Peace, displays a different kind of war. John Knowles refers to an internal war that the character Gene undergoes. Gene’s internal struggle was the extreme jealousy he felt towards his best friend Phineas. To justify his feelings Gene creates this competition between him and Phineas. Phineas different which made it impossible for Gene to compete with him. Gene was mislead by his emotion and acted on impulse; he misidentify his true enemy and pay all the consequences.
It is the summer of nineteen forty-two and in world is in turmoil. Everywhere was chaos even peace at The Devon School would be disrupted. Gene Forrester is a timid human being whose growing jealousy towards his best, friend Phineas push, him to do the unthinkable. He envied the authority Phineas had toward his peers, energy he brought with him, and his charisma. Gene hatred for Phineas was incontrollable, he despised Phineas so much that he fabricated pretext to justify his hatred. His explanation was Finny also hated him, “You and Phineas are even already. You are even in enmity. You are both coldly driving ahead for yourselves alone,” (53). Gene also wanted to be reassure himself. It would be terrible for himself if he was the only one who felt that way. These depraved thought is what drove Gene to his when breaking point.
Gene has two different aspects to his personality a good boy or a savage. His jealousy, temper, and impetuousness is what taint his good boy reputation and then he is perceived has a savage. Nonetheless when he regains his composure he is able pick out the moral thoughts form the immoral ones, for example, when he states “He had never been jealous of me for one second. Now I knew that there never was and never could have been any rivalry between us,” (59). Gene acknowledges there is no competition between him and Phineas because of who Phineas was made from a different quality. For one moment he accepts the fact that Phineas only wanted to be his best friend and this made him angry. It irritated him that Phineas did could not ever hate him and he was just a beneath Phineas status. Just one scene after his emotion kicked in and he causes Phineas to fall off a tree which shattered his leg.
Throughout the novel few of Gene flaws were carefully depicted. One of these flaws is he did not know who his true enemy was. From the beginning is taught his enemy was Phineas. His allegation was driven by sentiments. Gene only believed what he wanted to believe. He only viewed Phineas as a self- absorbed person, who wanted paraded his good qualities to the world. Gene believed that the only way he could ever defeat his opponent was by becoming him. “I decided to put on his clothes… I felt like a nobleman… I was Phineas, Phineas to the life,” (62). This scene occurred a little after Gene jounced the limb and Phineas fell of the tree. He felt like he accomplished something great until he knew of the horrible end result.
Gene never for one moment taught the consequences of his actions were going to so horrific. “Walking again” (63) this was Gene reaction when doctor Stanpole told him they could have been a change Phineas would never walk again. This was a turning point for Gene. He was taking on a new role, being at Finny’s assistances as well as a transition. When Phineas came back feels obligated to fulfill give himself to Phineas. He thinks it he should be at Finny’s service. He tries to do this because he was ashamed of what he has done to Phineas and it the right thing to do. "Sometimes you are too ashamed to leave. That was true now. And sometimes you need too much to know the facts, and so humbly and stupidly you stay. That was true now too,"(146). This quote explains why he put all his plans and ambition on hold and stayed at The Devon School. His only mistake was Gene taught he had to physically and mentally become Phineas. Gene was not perfect he would lose his temper from time to time but the hatred resentment he has in his heart was slowly going away.
Gene’s change did not come until the death of Phineas. When Phineas died Gene finally realized his fault. “I never killed anybody and I never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there (204).”The enemy Gene finally vanquished was in himself. He overcame the ignorance he had in his heart. It was the hatred, resentment, and envy who kept from becoming a better person. When Phineas died he came absorbed all the hatred in Gene and took him. Gene salvation can through Phineas. Gene finally understood that he did not have to become Phineas to be perfect. He just had to take on some of his good traits. At the end Gene finally took on some trait and fully discovered who he is. Gene finally realizes his true enemy was in himself at last he can become the men he was fated to be.
In the end Gene metamorphosed from an envious boy to an intelligent young man. He started pointing the finger at himself and recognizes his shortcoming. Gene’s journey was not easy. First he had to realize that Phineas was not his true nemesis. Second Gene started to be comfortable with who he was. Then he finally won the battle against his enemy. Now he can put on his uniform and fight in the real war. Even if Gene was able to accomplished this it still came with a price, Phineas’ life.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
A Separate Peace
“ Phineas alone had escaped this. He possessed an extra vigor, a heightened confident in himself, a serene capacity for affection which saved him.”(202-203)
Phineas seemed like the only one who had a completely different outlook on life. He almost had this childish and naive view of life. Things are so pleasant, everyone loves each other but life is not really like that. If you can not adjust you will fail at life. Even tough he fails in life. Everything he is inside and out saved him from hatred, jealousy, and the war. Phineas did not deserve his faith but maybe this world was not made for him.
How has Phineas really changed Gene's life and views?
Phineas seemed like the only one who had a completely different outlook on life. He almost had this childish and naive view of life. Things are so pleasant, everyone loves each other but life is not really like that. If you can not adjust you will fail at life. Even tough he fails in life. Everything he is inside and out saved him from hatred, jealousy, and the war. Phineas did not deserve his faith but maybe this world was not made for him.
How has Phineas really changed Gene's life and views?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A Separate Peace Chapter 12
" Phineas, you wouldn't be any good in the war, even if nothing had happened to your leg... you'd be with the Germans or the Japs, asking if they'd like to field a baseball team against our side. You'd be sitting of their command posts, teaching them English. Yes you'd get confused and borrow one of their uniforms and you'd lend them one of yours.(190-191)
It is funny how Gene is glorifying Finny's abilities persuade people by sweet talking them and his loyalty to the world. This was what Gene envied about Finny. That's what made him so jealous that he could not control himself and hurt Finny. He is also right, Phineas is to modest to be fighting in a war. I do not believe for one minute Phineas is capable of killing someone. That is why a lot of people just love who Phineas is. He is different and also a character that I would only encounter in a book.
Will Gene still go on feeling like he was dead?
What now?
It is funny how Gene is glorifying Finny's abilities persuade people by sweet talking them and his loyalty to the world. This was what Gene envied about Finny. That's what made him so jealous that he could not control himself and hurt Finny. He is also right, Phineas is to modest to be fighting in a war. I do not believe for one minute Phineas is capable of killing someone. That is why a lot of people just love who Phineas is. He is different and also a character that I would only encounter in a book.
Will Gene still go on feeling like he was dead?
What now?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A Separate Peace Chapter 11
"He shook his head sharply, closing his eyes, and then he turned to regard me with a handsome mask of a face. 'I just don't care. Never mind,' and he started across the the marble floor towards the doors."
Phineas did not want what happened in the tree to be something that reflex bad on Gene. He does not seems to be upset about it and just wants the pass be the pass and move on with his life but this seems to be difficult concepted for the other boys in the school ,especially Brinker, to understand. They feel the need to bring it to Finny's attention, like he was not aware of what happened to him. When Phineas left the room this demonstrates his loyalty to his friend. He did not point the finger at Gene like everyone was doing. Instead he defended Gene until the end and when his argument fell apart he rather walk away then to have them put the blame on Gene. Nothing good could come out the gathering, Finny would still be crippled and will always consider Gene to be his best friend.
How is Gene going to react Phineas' second accident? Will he try to blame it on himself or Brinker and the others? Or is he going to deal with it differently?
Phineas did not want what happened in the tree to be something that reflex bad on Gene. He does not seems to be upset about it and just wants the pass be the pass and move on with his life but this seems to be difficult concepted for the other boys in the school ,especially Brinker, to understand. They feel the need to bring it to Finny's attention, like he was not aware of what happened to him. When Phineas left the room this demonstrates his loyalty to his friend. He did not point the finger at Gene like everyone was doing. Instead he defended Gene until the end and when his argument fell apart he rather walk away then to have them put the blame on Gene. Nothing good could come out the gathering, Finny would still be crippled and will always consider Gene to be his best friend.
How is Gene going to react Phineas' second accident? Will he try to blame it on himself or Brinker and the others? Or is he going to deal with it differently?
Monday, December 1, 2008
A Separate Peace Chapter-10
"Sometimes you are too ashamed to leave. That was true now. And sometimes you need too much to know the facts, and so humbly and stupidly you stay. That was true now too."(146)
I think this quote explains why Gene decided not to enlist for the army. He caused Phineas' pain and sorrow and now feels like it is his obligation to stay with him. Gene feels that he has to be at Phineas' assistance. The problem with this attitude is that he can not always be there for Phineas. Gene has his own dreams and ambitions one day he will follow them and leave Finny disappointed.
I feel that Leper is more miss understood then crazy. The army really influenced a change in his views. Is Leper going to try to change who he is because he feels like he is a disappointment to his parents?
I think this quote explains why Gene decided not to enlist for the army. He caused Phineas' pain and sorrow and now feels like it is his obligation to stay with him. Gene feels that he has to be at Phineas' assistance. The problem with this attitude is that he can not always be there for Phineas. Gene has his own dreams and ambitions one day he will follow them and leave Finny disappointed.
I feel that Leper is more miss understood then crazy. The army really influenced a change in his views. Is Leper going to try to change who he is because he feels like he is a disappointment to his parents?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A Seperate Peace Chapter 8 and 9
"'Because I've suffered,' he burst out."(116)
This is the first time Phineas voiced his feelings on misfortune. He never told Gene how he suffered due to his actions and now he vents his pain through in few words.This was unexpected because Phineas did not want to confront him or even talk about it. This changed Phineas a bit. When Phineas came back he was not completely himself. You can sense that his spirits was broken and the happy and athletic boy did not come back. Maybe things will stay dull at the Devon school for now on.
Is Gene going to do something to ruin there friendship?
" It wasn't the cider which made me surpass myself, it was this liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace."(137)
The war is slowly creeping up to the seniors at the Devon school. Everyone is fearful of the unknown and a lot of they students just gave up. For example, Brinker quit all his extra curricular activities and does not even bother to dress nicely. Who came blame him the only thing his immediate future holds was the war. Phineas' odd idea to have a Winter Carnival helped the guys loosen up and have fun like the summer of 1942.
Will war determined the ended of book?
What is going on in Leper's brain?
This is the first time Phineas voiced his feelings on misfortune. He never told Gene how he suffered due to his actions and now he vents his pain through in few words.This was unexpected because Phineas did not want to confront him or even talk about it. This changed Phineas a bit. When Phineas came back he was not completely himself. You can sense that his spirits was broken and the happy and athletic boy did not come back. Maybe things will stay dull at the Devon school for now on.
Is Gene going to do something to ruin there friendship?
" It wasn't the cider which made me surpass myself, it was this liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace."(137)
The war is slowly creeping up to the seniors at the Devon school. Everyone is fearful of the unknown and a lot of they students just gave up. For example, Brinker quit all his extra curricular activities and does not even bother to dress nicely. Who came blame him the only thing his immediate future holds was the war. Phineas' odd idea to have a Winter Carnival helped the guys loosen up and have fun like the summer of 1942.
Will war determined the ended of book?
What is going on in Leper's brain?
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Seperate Peace Chapter 7
"Why go trough the motion of getting an education and watched the war slowly chip away at the one thing I had loved here, peace, the measureless, careless peace of the Devon summer"(101)
Gene is in his senior year of high school and he knows that by the end of the school year he would be drafted for the war. This would be a dramatic change for him. The war is a transition from his crazy, wild, and careless teenage years to adulthood. He was protected from the war like it did not affect him or anyone else around him. He will loose the peace he had at the Devon school and he will enter a world unknown to him. The Devon School is his sanctuary where he feels most at ease. I think Gene is comfortable were he is and does not want to change. He wants to live in the timeless memory of his 1942 summer.
Gene is in his senior year of high school and he knows that by the end of the school year he would be drafted for the war. This would be a dramatic change for him. The war is a transition from his crazy, wild, and careless teenage years to adulthood. He was protected from the war like it did not affect him or anyone else around him. He will loose the peace he had at the Devon school and he will enter a world unknown to him. The Devon School is his sanctuary where he feels most at ease. I think Gene is comfortable were he is and does not want to change. He wants to live in the timeless memory of his 1942 summer.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Seperate Peace Chapter 6
"It was only that he was so ignorant, that he knew nothing of the gypsy summer, nothing of the loss I was fighting to endure, of skylarks and splashes and petal-bearing breezes, he had not seem Leper's snail or the Charter of the Super Suicide Society; he shared nothing, knew nothing, felt nothing as Phineas has done"(79)
I think this is an ironic role for Gene. He is defending the legacy of Phineas. Gene accuses Quackenbush of being ignorant for not knowing about their summers. What I think is ironic is Gene's only desire was beat Phineas at everything and he was so envious of Phineas is escalated to the point of hatred. No one would have expected Gene to stick up for Phineas. Gene could also be acting this way because he is struggling with some internal feels concerning how things went on his visit to Phineas. Gene is somewhat uncertain of his friendship with Phineas and how are things going to change between them.
Even tough it is out of Finny character and beliefs will just be friend with Gene like he was before?
I think this is an ironic role for Gene. He is defending the legacy of Phineas. Gene accuses Quackenbush of being ignorant for not knowing about their summers. What I think is ironic is Gene's only desire was beat Phineas at everything and he was so envious of Phineas is escalated to the point of hatred. No one would have expected Gene to stick up for Phineas. Gene could also be acting this way because he is struggling with some internal feels concerning how things went on his visit to Phineas. Gene is somewhat uncertain of his friendship with Phineas and how are things going to change between them.
Even tough it is out of Finny character and beliefs will just be friend with Gene like he was before?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Seperate Peace Chapter 5
" I decided to put his clothes... the rich material against my skin excited a sence of strangeness and distinction; I felt like a nobleman, some Spanish grandee... I was Phineas, Phineas to the life"(62)
Gene has finally lost it. In this quote Gene shows a bit of pride, he seems proud of what he had accomplished. Getting rid of the competition was the best thing he has ever done and now he can rejoice. This was the first time he spoke highly of himself, like he was important. Gene is the type of person who can only be happy if everyone around him is in pain and misery or at else when Phineas is in pain.
Does Gene really feel bad for what happen to Finny?
Because at time it seems he is sad but you do not know for sure because he has mix feeling
Gene has finally lost it. In this quote Gene shows a bit of pride, he seems proud of what he had accomplished. Getting rid of the competition was the best thing he has ever done and now he can rejoice. This was the first time he spoke highly of himself, like he was important. Gene is the type of person who can only be happy if everyone around him is in pain and misery or at else when Phineas is in pain.
Does Gene really feel bad for what happen to Finny?
Because at time it seems he is sad but you do not know for sure because he has mix feeling
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Seperate Peace-3
Chapter 4:" I was more and more certainly becoming the best student in the school;Phineas was without question the best athlete, so that way were even... thrown into the scales they would in the end tilt definitely toward me"(55).
In this passage shows that Gene was a foe to Phineas. Gene's only desire is to one day witness the downfall of Phineas. He thinks he figured it out, due do the fact that he is smarter and gets better grades than Phineas that will count for more in the end. It has not occur to him may Phineas does not care. In contrast to Phineas Gene is more negative, life is competition and some are going to win and the others are going to fail. This chapter displays Gene's competitive nature and draws attention to the jealousy Gene has towards Phineas.
Is Phineas ever going to achieve something that is superior to anything Phineas has ever accomplished? Will it come with consequences?
In this passage shows that Gene was a foe to Phineas. Gene's only desire is to one day witness the downfall of Phineas. He thinks he figured it out, due do the fact that he is smarter and gets better grades than Phineas that will count for more in the end. It has not occur to him may Phineas does not care. In contrast to Phineas Gene is more negative, life is competition and some are going to win and the others are going to fail. This chapter displays Gene's competitive nature and draws attention to the jealousy Gene has towards Phineas.
Is Phineas ever going to achieve something that is superior to anything Phineas has ever accomplished? Will it come with consequences?
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Seperate Peace-2
Chapter 2
" It is only long after that I recognise sarcasm as the protest of people who are weak"(19)
Gene in the first chapter I believe said somethings to the effect that he uses sarcasm in his speech. For him to state this this comment shows he does no have much self-confidence. Gene does not attempt to search a his God giving talents he is more preoccupied and almost obsess with what is going on with Finny. Gene idolized Finny this is shown throughout the story because sometimes it seems like Finny is the main character and it could have been his flashback.
Chapter 3
" The beach was hour away by bicycle, forbidden... Going to risked expulsion, destroyed the studying I was going to do for an important test...labored bicycle ride I hated. "All right," I said.(46)
Gene seems to not have a brain of his own, he does everything Phineas tell him to. Even if he knows it is wrong and may be penalize for breaking the rules. Gene still accepts to go with him. This may be a component that could break them apart. Gene is someday going to get tired of being bossed around by Finny and things between them are going to change.
The war is always mentioned in the book is it going to affect them later?
" It is only long after that I recognise sarcasm as the protest of people who are weak"(19)
Gene in the first chapter I believe said somethings to the effect that he uses sarcasm in his speech. For him to state this this comment shows he does no have much self-confidence. Gene does not attempt to search a his God giving talents he is more preoccupied and almost obsess with what is going on with Finny. Gene idolized Finny this is shown throughout the story because sometimes it seems like Finny is the main character and it could have been his flashback.
Chapter 3
" The beach was hour away by bicycle, forbidden... Going to risked expulsion, destroyed the studying I was going to do for an important test...labored bicycle ride I hated. "All right," I said.(46)
Gene seems to not have a brain of his own, he does everything Phineas tell him to. Even if he knows it is wrong and may be penalize for breaking the rules. Gene still accepts to go with him. This may be a component that could break them apart. Gene is someday going to get tired of being bossed around by Finny and things between them are going to change.
The war is always mentioned in the book is it going to affect them later?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Seperate Peace
"Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even a death by violence"(14). This quote is somehow foreshadowing that things in the book might go wrong and people are goin to get hurt. Also the characters are going to face dramastic changes.
Phineas seems like the type of person who is fearless,sporty, seems to be a popular person and he likes to fool around.
The narrator he seem more fearful and also hiding behind a mask, some people may call it "fake". He is more shy and cautious.
Phineas- risk-taking, athletic, adventurous,friendly,well-liked
" No upper middler ...had ever tried it./Naturally Finny was going the first to try"(15)
Narrator-timid,prudent,subordinate,dull, fearful
" I had to laugh, which made me fell less sarcastic and less scared"(15).
Does the narrator have a name?
Phineas seems like the type of person who is fearless,sporty, seems to be a popular person and he likes to fool around.
The narrator he seem more fearful and also hiding behind a mask, some people may call it "fake". He is more shy and cautious.
Phineas- risk-taking, athletic, adventurous,friendly,well-liked
" No upper middler ...had ever tried it./Naturally Finny was going the first to try"(15)
Narrator-timid,prudent,subordinate,dull, fearful
" I had to laugh, which made me fell less sarcastic and less scared"(15).
Does the narrator have a name?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Antigone
Coralie Casimir
English 10 honors
10-23-08
Mr. George
Essay Antigone
Antigone
In the race for the White House a woman Hilary Clinton was one of the two Democratic nominees for the presidency. Yes, a woman for the highest ranking job in the country, president of the United States. She knew beforehand all the challenges she would be facing, and the major one was being a woman. Hilary Clinton is a lot in like character Antigone from the play Antigone by Sophocles. Antigone a passionate and bold character defies the standards for women in Ancient Greece. She was not submissive and diffident like typical women in Ancient Greece. This all may be good for women in today’s society but barbaric then. Antigone wants to prove her worth to the Thebans; something tough to accomplished in a sexiest and predominately male oriented society. Can Antigone dies has a heroine, who redefined the role of women, challenged authority, and sacrificed for the proper burial of her brother.
Coming from the unlucky and shameful family of Oedipus and Jocasta, Antigone existence was already condemned. With both her parents and two brothers dead, she is only left with her sister Ismene. Before Polyneices’ death he asked his sister Antigone to give him a proper burial and Antigone accepted. Creon, current king of Thebes, states, “that none shall bury him or even mourn,” (199) referring to her brother Polyneices, who died an enemy of the city, without a proper burial. Antigone being outrage by her uncle’s decision felt like it was her duty to go and bury her brother.
Antigone wanting to hold on to her the promise she made to Polyneices, will not rest until she fulfills it. Creon edict was that “Anyone who disobeys will pay no trifling penalty/ but die by stoning” (192). Antigone knows the price to pay by burying Polyneices but still does it. She wants to show the city and everyone that she is a strong woman. She also wants to make a point to the people that she will not sit and watch Creon do whatever he wants with her family. When she invites Ismene to join her, Antigone states “There’s your chance to prove your wroth, /or else a sad degeneracy” (192). Antigone wants to give the gods a chance to judge her bother in the underworld. She does believe that Creon do it for them. The idea of a woman wanting to die for the greater good was odd at that time. Women committed suicide if they were raped, not loved, or many other things, but not as a sacrifice for a dead man’s right.
Antigone was a revolutionary character for the Thebans. A lot of times when Antigone talks, Ismene would always be next to her or talking to her. This was a way to contrast the two women. Ismene a typical woman living in Ancient Greece. In contrast, Antigone, a stubborn young woman, and has a lot of the same traits as her father. Ismene is more prudent, careful, obedient, and does what she is told; for example, she says”remind ourselves we are women/ and as such not made to fight with men” (193). Antigone is more carefree, rash, bold, and persistent. All of Antigone’s characteristics are what makes her strong, but those same things are going to set her up for death; a death she accepted.
From the begging Antigone was planning on disobeying her uncle’s order, but during an altercation between the two, she challenged Creon’s authority. Before Creon was king, he was a man whose judgment was based on what the gods wanted, respect for them. Now that he has power he thinks he is a god himself, and made laws that the gods would not have agreed with, mainly not burying the dead. Creon was furious when Antigone disobeyed him, and when he asks her why she did it one of her answers was “Naturally! Since Zeus never promulgated such a law” (210). This made Creon angry. Also that Antigone talked to him with irreverence. The leader commented, “My word! The daughter is as headstrong as the father.” (211) some of the attitude she gave to Creon, was similar to Oedipus’ attitude. Creon is a man who hates people who disobey him, especially when it is a woman.
Creon’s anger at Antigone showed how he and the society were very sexiest. This was mostly unraveled during his conversation with his son Haemon. Haemon pleaded for Antigone’s case, asking his father not to kill her: Creon said this “Let us then defend authority/ and not be ousted by a girl” (221). Creon thought it would have been a disgrace for him to let a woman tell him what to do. He would not let a woman like Antigone disrespect him and let it go unpunished. He was getting irritated with his son for supporting Antigone: “You woman’s slave! Don’t come toadying at me!”(225) he said to Haemon. Haemon also accused him of the same crime as Antigone, “what rule-when you trample on the rule of heaven” (224). Creon responds by saying “Insolent pup! A women lackey” (224). He is basically saying that his son is corrupted by a woman. This was really maddening to Creon. In the end he condemned Antigone to death not by stoning but locked up in the dark to suffer a slow death. Creon condemning Antigone to death was also a death sentence for two members of his family.
Antigone did not wait for slow death like Creon planned instead she took her life by hanging herself. Antigone was not going to let Creon take her life so she did it herself to have a source of pride. Due to her death Heamon took his life also. Like Haemon said to his father he will die by her side. “Corpse wrapped in love with corpse he lies/ marry not in life but Hades” (246). From hearing what had become of her son Haemon, Eurydice took her life also. This was all done to simply keep a promise. A dishonorable deed on the part of Antigone but taught all a lesson, especially Creon left with nothing.
Not everyone would sacrifice ones life just to keep a simple promise. Why would Antigone act this way? It was the right thing to do to restore honor of her brother who died an enemy of the city. By doing something Antigone thought was right, and she stood out. Antigone may not have died a heroine to the city of Thebes, but definitely to her family. Living by Antigone model “I’ll fail, but not give up before” (195); Hilary Clinton decided that she would not give up until it was finally over. Hilary is known to be one of the most respected and powerful woman in the United States. Even though she failed, Hilary is greatly by revered many men and women in the world.
English 10 honors
10-23-08
Mr. George
Essay Antigone
Antigone
In the race for the White House a woman Hilary Clinton was one of the two Democratic nominees for the presidency. Yes, a woman for the highest ranking job in the country, president of the United States. She knew beforehand all the challenges she would be facing, and the major one was being a woman. Hilary Clinton is a lot in like character Antigone from the play Antigone by Sophocles. Antigone a passionate and bold character defies the standards for women in Ancient Greece. She was not submissive and diffident like typical women in Ancient Greece. This all may be good for women in today’s society but barbaric then. Antigone wants to prove her worth to the Thebans; something tough to accomplished in a sexiest and predominately male oriented society. Can Antigone dies has a heroine, who redefined the role of women, challenged authority, and sacrificed for the proper burial of her brother.
Coming from the unlucky and shameful family of Oedipus and Jocasta, Antigone existence was already condemned. With both her parents and two brothers dead, she is only left with her sister Ismene. Before Polyneices’ death he asked his sister Antigone to give him a proper burial and Antigone accepted. Creon, current king of Thebes, states, “that none shall bury him or even mourn,” (199) referring to her brother Polyneices, who died an enemy of the city, without a proper burial. Antigone being outrage by her uncle’s decision felt like it was her duty to go and bury her brother.
Antigone wanting to hold on to her the promise she made to Polyneices, will not rest until she fulfills it. Creon edict was that “Anyone who disobeys will pay no trifling penalty/ but die by stoning” (192). Antigone knows the price to pay by burying Polyneices but still does it. She wants to show the city and everyone that she is a strong woman. She also wants to make a point to the people that she will not sit and watch Creon do whatever he wants with her family. When she invites Ismene to join her, Antigone states “There’s your chance to prove your wroth, /or else a sad degeneracy” (192). Antigone wants to give the gods a chance to judge her bother in the underworld. She does believe that Creon do it for them. The idea of a woman wanting to die for the greater good was odd at that time. Women committed suicide if they were raped, not loved, or many other things, but not as a sacrifice for a dead man’s right.
Antigone was a revolutionary character for the Thebans. A lot of times when Antigone talks, Ismene would always be next to her or talking to her. This was a way to contrast the two women. Ismene a typical woman living in Ancient Greece. In contrast, Antigone, a stubborn young woman, and has a lot of the same traits as her father. Ismene is more prudent, careful, obedient, and does what she is told; for example, she says”remind ourselves we are women/ and as such not made to fight with men” (193). Antigone is more carefree, rash, bold, and persistent. All of Antigone’s characteristics are what makes her strong, but those same things are going to set her up for death; a death she accepted.
From the begging Antigone was planning on disobeying her uncle’s order, but during an altercation between the two, she challenged Creon’s authority. Before Creon was king, he was a man whose judgment was based on what the gods wanted, respect for them. Now that he has power he thinks he is a god himself, and made laws that the gods would not have agreed with, mainly not burying the dead. Creon was furious when Antigone disobeyed him, and when he asks her why she did it one of her answers was “Naturally! Since Zeus never promulgated such a law” (210). This made Creon angry. Also that Antigone talked to him with irreverence. The leader commented, “My word! The daughter is as headstrong as the father.” (211) some of the attitude she gave to Creon, was similar to Oedipus’ attitude. Creon is a man who hates people who disobey him, especially when it is a woman.
Creon’s anger at Antigone showed how he and the society were very sexiest. This was mostly unraveled during his conversation with his son Haemon. Haemon pleaded for Antigone’s case, asking his father not to kill her: Creon said this “Let us then defend authority/ and not be ousted by a girl” (221). Creon thought it would have been a disgrace for him to let a woman tell him what to do. He would not let a woman like Antigone disrespect him and let it go unpunished. He was getting irritated with his son for supporting Antigone: “You woman’s slave! Don’t come toadying at me!”(225) he said to Haemon. Haemon also accused him of the same crime as Antigone, “what rule-when you trample on the rule of heaven” (224). Creon responds by saying “Insolent pup! A women lackey” (224). He is basically saying that his son is corrupted by a woman. This was really maddening to Creon. In the end he condemned Antigone to death not by stoning but locked up in the dark to suffer a slow death. Creon condemning Antigone to death was also a death sentence for two members of his family.
Antigone did not wait for slow death like Creon planned instead she took her life by hanging herself. Antigone was not going to let Creon take her life so she did it herself to have a source of pride. Due to her death Heamon took his life also. Like Haemon said to his father he will die by her side. “Corpse wrapped in love with corpse he lies/ marry not in life but Hades” (246). From hearing what had become of her son Haemon, Eurydice took her life also. This was all done to simply keep a promise. A dishonorable deed on the part of Antigone but taught all a lesson, especially Creon left with nothing.
Not everyone would sacrifice ones life just to keep a simple promise. Why would Antigone act this way? It was the right thing to do to restore honor of her brother who died an enemy of the city. By doing something Antigone thought was right, and she stood out. Antigone may not have died a heroine to the city of Thebes, but definitely to her family. Living by Antigone model “I’ll fail, but not give up before” (195); Hilary Clinton decided that she would not give up until it was finally over. Hilary is known to be one of the most respected and powerful woman in the United States. Even though she failed, Hilary is greatly by revered many men and women in the world.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
"Murdered son, father murdering. Son, my son cut down dead! New life that's disappeared and by no youthful folishness but by my folly" Creon page 248
Now Creon is finally sorry that drove his wife and son to their graves. His now sorry when it is to late for him to do anything about it. Creon knew that his was going to kill himself if Antigone were to die. If he really didnt want this to happen he had to stopped everything right then and there but he failed to do so. Like Oedipus he was warned by Tiresias and ensulted to blind man of being corrupted.
Where is Ismene when all this is happening
Now Creon is finally sorry that drove his wife and son to their graves. His now sorry when it is to late for him to do anything about it. Creon knew that his was going to kill himself if Antigone were to die. If he really didnt want this to happen he had to stopped everything right then and there but he failed to do so. Like Oedipus he was warned by Tiresias and ensulted to blind man of being corrupted.
Where is Ismene when all this is happening
Monday, October 20, 2008
"So I beg you father, don't entrench youself in your opinion as if everyone else was wrong. The kind of man who always thinks that he is right, that his opinions, his pronouncements, are the final word, is usually exposed as hollow as they come. But a wise man is flexible, has much to learn without a loss of dignity." page 222 by Haemon
This quote by Creon's son shows how his father change from a wise man to a fool. Heamon's statement underlines the deferences between Creon before he was king and what he has become. Now that power has corrupted Creon he has become a lot like Oedipus. He thinks his decision are the best, he is not open to others opinions, and quick to blame someone just like Oedipus. Now Creon can be characterized as an unjust leader who lost pride in his previous beliefs and conducts.
This quote by Creon's son shows how his father change from a wise man to a fool. Heamon's statement underlines the deferences between Creon before he was king and what he has become. Now that power has corrupted Creon he has become a lot like Oedipus. He thinks his decision are the best, he is not open to others opinions, and quick to blame someone just like Oedipus. Now Creon can be characterized as an unjust leader who lost pride in his previous beliefs and conducts.
Is Creon planning to kill his son or planning to kill Antigone behind his back?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
