Sunday, August 26, 2007
Literary Criticism - Alice Advetnrue in Wonderland
This is a fiction book authored by an English Author Lewis Carroll (1865) that is for many years, enjoyed by many children. However, to some extent, it appeared to be intriguing on the part of some grown-up readers.
The author has captured the near-to-perfection natural mentality of a child. Carroll did really made a wonderland world full of magic, weird characters, logical problems, puzzles, riddles, fancy matters and fantastic adventures. Though colorful and sometimes weird characters take the center stage, the author is consistent to make its readers have a vivid view of
Literary Criticism - The Oak and the Reed
Jean de la Fotaine
The fable has two characters: the oak and the reed trees. The oak tree is portrayed as something which is confident of its personality. The oak felt secure with its sturdy disposition which keeps him in place. The oak, however, is nice enough to show his compassion by telling that he could protect the reed tree the moment storm may come. The value of humbleness is portrayed in the character of the reed tree.
Even if I don not know the author, Jean de la Fotaine, because my research about her shows me languages which I hardly understand, I can perceived that the author is European. That is because a number of words (diction) particularly in this fable originated from
In this fable, the art of rhyming is applied by the author. As an example is in line numbers 1 to 4 with the rhyming words of grow and low and unfair and air. The rhyming is not immediately perceived by the reader may be because this fable is not in a meter verse form.
This fable is narrated with a twist which is good for the children. The plot is delivered in an entertaining and light manner. It is also allegorical. There is a meaning beyond what the author is presented. Like other fables, a moral lesson is subtly presented.
Literary Criticism - Araby
by JAMES JOYCE
The short story, Araby, was written by an Irish James Joyce. Readers can sense that the piece was a reflection of the author’s life. It was a story that serves as a mirror of the
Dissecting History, readers can apparently see the culture of
The area where the narrator leaves draws a picture of a lonely, stagnant and joyless home. The boy’s home and his sum enough money implies poverty. In general, the story through the author’s creative description is chiefly rich in imagery
However, this gloomy environment was concealed over the narrator’s infatuation towards a girl. The narrator detached himself from the harsh and gloomy realities of his environment by the unfolding light and hope stemming from that girl.
I can sense a slight similarity of this piece to that of Kafka. These literatures tend to preserve confidentiality and promote the style of a writing that leaves characters nameless. A style which often leaves readers pay more attention to the piece or else be get confused.
The nameless narrator gave us a picture of a boy beginning to abandon boyhood in exchange for adolescence. At the end of the story, it seems like that boy was awakened to the harsh realities. It suggested that society is ruled by money and materialism.
The narrator who happened to be mystified and obsessed towards a girl faded as quickly as the lights have been shut. His lack of guidance about topics ranging from love up to the mere realities made him fall disappointed.
The last line, “Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven
and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger” perhaps gave us a general insight of how the narrator felt. It can also be a reflective association of the narrator’s feelings towards
Literary Criticism - Batter my heart analysis
BATTER MY HEART ANALYSIS
BY JOHN DONNE
Like other poetry, John Donne’s “Batter my heart, three-personned God; for you,” make used of the figures of speech. Three-personned God is metaphorically used to mean the Traditional Christian faith of the Holy Trinity. Using the first person point of view, viceroy (in line 7) might mean conscience or that small voice coming from the Heavenly.
The atmosphere of the piece is somehow gloomy and even sounds depressing through its consistent use of violent imagery. Its first word, “batter” only represents the first of the following myriad of violent terms like break, blow, burn, imprison and ravish. This is a piece of contradictory. It’s ironic to think that the author has created an impact using some sexual terms to further express his spiritual longingness.
The sonnet, in its old English version looks like a prayer. The predominant use of “You” which represents God depicts that the piece is directed towards the Heavenly and can be viewed as a prayer. It could be a reflection of the author’s longingness. It is an account of a religious troubled narrator who wanted to be redeemed from sin but is too weak to overcome it. Consequently, this led him to express his desire to renew his spirit by voluntarily submitting himself to be ravished spirituality.
Feminist and moralist may interpret this work differently. In this poetry, Modernism and wild imagination is implicated towards faith. Many may react on how the author incorporates “Disturbing rape” towards his religious topic considering that in Christianity (during Donne’s time), Religious topics are seriously viewed as sacred and holy. Religious sectors may posed questions like, “Is it ethical or possible for the narrator to attract Divine grace by the way he writes?” But the author’s way of applying the art of subtleties makes the gist of the topic harder to grasp.
Literary Criticism - La Mere Sauvage
LA MERE SAUVAGE by GUY DE MAUPASSANT
La Mere Sauvage has a unique structure. It has two stories rolled into one. The first was narrated using the first-person point of view in which the nameless narrator expressed his emotions about the Virelogne. A shift occurred when the second story was foretold using the omniscient point of view. The author uses the house to usher the first story to the second one.
The characters were well-described by the author. They have a clear character sketch. An example are the four Prussian boys, they are described as four great boys with blond skin, with blond beards, with blue eyes, stout, kind, gentle and full of consideration.
Aside from the characters, the events and situations were also described clearly. This further includes the details and description of the dead bodies of Victor and his Father. The story also showed an extreme description of how the rabbit was killed, the details of how the four Prussians died up to how the mother Sauvage was brutally murdered.
Maupassant’s clear description of each event created an extreme picture leaving imprints of sorrow. This further created a gloomy atmosphere. Throughout the story, we can feel characters longing for happiness. Death, war, brutal killings can also be read in this story which further intensified the story’s dark atmosphere.
It is an irony how the muzzle of the gun piece extending beyond the black head dress of the old woman pressed closed up to her head and imprisoned her white hair.
The story shows violence. It has portrayed the tragic death and brutal killings and pictures of events. The story might appeal traumatic to the younger readers.
Mother Sauvage showed a dynamic character. Her character makes a dramatic turn at the later end of the story. However the author gives reader a hint at the beginning of the story of her character. She was pictured as someone who is mysterious.
Revenge is one of major themes of the story. Mother Sauvage killed the Prussian boys which she described as good sons as a form of vengeance.
The setting has widely affected the whole story. The cottage where the les Sauvages where living was situated away from the city. It shows loneliness. It further shows no security that mother Sauvage as old as she is has to bring with her his son’s riffle every time she goes out. The presence of war was further maximized by the presence of the Prussian boys, the strangers.
It was the Prussians who have killed Victor, the son. The story pictured the Prussians as someone who are cruel. This contention however is a paradox of what the four Prussians were showing to mother Sauvage. The four where described as good, kind, gentle and considerate. They even were seen cleaning the Kitchen, rubbing the tiles, splitting wood, peeling potatoes, doing up all the housework. One of them even showed his compassion for the old woman when she was not eating.
The emotions of the old woman dominated her which lead to her planned and intent killing for the four Prussian boys. This somehow illuminated racism. She avenged the death of her son by killing those people of the same race who have killed him. It is an irony of how the old woman intently killed the four boys which she assumed for a while as his four good sons.
It can be seen that mother Sauvage has no intention of keeping what she had done as a secret and it can be seen that she is satisfied about it. The Prussians, however take it seriously regardless if she is an old woman. Her vengeance caused her her life.
Readers can also spot figurative language. Examples are these lines, “…flashed in the sun and looked like veins carrying blood to the earth.”, “…walking lightly as a goat…” and “He came with his long strides like a crane”.
Literary Criticism - Mateo Falcon
The title itself suggests what the story is all about. As narrated by a nameless narrator two years after the event, this story is focused on its two main characters, the Father Mateo and his ten years old son Fortunato.
The first paragraph serves as an establishing period filled with descriptive words portraying the story’s setting. Partly, the story shows the typical way of life in the mountains in the story’s particular setting.
Paragraph 3 shows a vivid view about the physical appearance and the special shooting ability of Mateo Falcone. His last name, Falcone, is a metaphor to a falcon bird which somehow shows the readers an abstract picture of his hunting-for-prey ability.
Aside from Mateo, the author was also able to descriptively portray a picture of each character including Fortunato. Considered as the “hope of the family” as cited in paragraph 4, the name Fortunato may stand for the word “Fortunate”. His name Fortunato, however, is an irony of his fate of the story.
This short story can be regarded as a cruel story yet it leaves emotional imprint. This is maybe because of the act of brutal killing done by the Father to his only son. “Mateo Falcone” is a story that deviates from the traditional stories with happy endings.
The French author Prosper Merimee’s way of writing this tragic story might be credited to the influence brought by Napoleon’s war that devastated
The watch, which Gamba used as a bait to bribe Fortunato stands as an abstract symbol for time. If Fortunato could only turn back time, he might still be alive. The two weapons of Mateo, the presence of a bandit and the law enforcers gives viewers a picture of an unsecured place.
Looking on the story’s atmosphere, readers may notice how the atmosphere evolved. At first, the story was presented lightly but readers are thrilled as the author bring them to an equally opposite situation.
Corruption is also showed in the story. It tells us that corruption is an act practiced not only by government officials but also by ordinary people whether young or old.
The story has showed the concept of betrayal. Originally, treachery came from old French word trecherie meaning cheat or trick. Man’s weakness to resist temptation is also shown in the story. With this, the nature of money as the root cause of evil is shown in the story.
The creative way of Merimee to portray the story’s various actions, especially at the ending portion of the story, is commendable. His way of writing is somehow similar to Aristotle’s concept that leaves emotional imprint through injecting pain and fear towards its readers.
The story also presents violent actions and words. To take as an examples are statements like, “He acted, further, with the ingenious cunning of a savage.” and “Come, hide me, or I will kill you”, “Do you know, you young scamp that I can take you away to Corte or to Bastia? I shall put you in dungeon, on a bed of straw, with your feet in irons, and I shall guillotine you…” which is addressed to a young boy.
Fortunato’s death at the later end of the story is considerably horrible. The author is so harsh to used Mateo, the Father to kill Fortunato, his only son through Mateo’s “conspicuous talent”, shooting. Figuratively, the brutal killing is a paradox to Mateo’s good reputation as cited on the story’s opening paragraphs. Beyond that is the character’s concept of justice. How can he justify justice through imploring unjust action? Killing the innocent is beyond justice. Mateo can still give his son a chance. However, the story revolved according to how the author thinks. It’s beyond the control of the readers. Fortunato’s death is disturbing. And I can see that this is what the author wanted to happen. Disturbing and provoking the readers might be the author’s way of making the readers remember him and his story.
The story’s concept of justice, however, might raise protests and questions from various readers. Morality of each character’s actions are subject for questions.
Literary Criticism - The Standard of Living
Torejas, Chelyn R.
IV-ABMC
THE STANDARD OF LIVING
DOROTHY PARKER
Written by Dorothy Parker, this story is about the two working girls. By just roughly reading it, readers may say that the story is primarily meant to entertain. This contention, however, will be proven false if the readers will analyze the story and see it in a larger perspective.
In this story, Parker can be noted on her impressive way of describing. The first paragraph shows a vivid image of foods painted through words. Beyond that, this can be noted on how the author use words to portray clear character sketches of Annabel and Midge –the focus of the story. The game was also clearly described. Aside from that, the character’s friendship was also finely described by the story. A line in paragraph 4 says, “Constant use had not worn ragged the fabric of their friendship”.
The story talks about the two working fashionable girls who take pleasure in playing a game by asking the question what-would-you-do-if-you-had-a-million-dollars? This question comes with a condition that they would spend the money only for themselves.
It is clear that the idea of materialism and self-indulgence was presented in this story. This may only prove that these concepts were already existing even before we have felt it today. Though the story was written in early 90’s, the story’s themes remain to be true in our time today.
It is interesting to note, how the character consistently stayed hopeful and positive even up to the end of the story.
As narrated by a nameless narrator primarily because the author employed the third person point of view, this story can be a good example for aspiring writers as to how a setting would affect a certain story. As you look at it, the story’s setting was purposefully employed. In this story, the girls were noted enjoying “
This situation illuminates the concept of social class. Real pearls can symbolize confidence and a superior social class. The make-ups and the coats may symbolize things to put or wear on for the purpose of covering something.
In a limited extent this story has employed figurative language. To quote a simile from the story, a line in paragraph 5 says, “…they held their heads higher and set their feet with exquisite precision, as if they stepped over the necks of peasants.”
The plot of this story is presented in an entertaining and light way. I consider this story brief and simple with a not-so-strong conflict.
The Death of a Bachelor
Torejas, Chelyn R.
IV ABMC
| The Death of a Bachelor |
Written by Arthur Schnitzler, the Death of a Bachelor depicts the concept about erotic relationship. It has shown how typical men with so many mistresses die alone in a cold a night. This story has also shown the side of the bachelor who was nearly dead throughout the story his yearning to tell the truth before he leaves.
After reading this story and after reading a short summary about the life of the author, I am now considering the notion that the story was based on using, modifying and playing the different sides of the author. To make it clear, the author in reality is a writer and a doctor and with that he is also a merchant. Schnitzler, to add, is often described as man who was often in relationships with several women at once. Looking at it, I can see that all the men characters presented by the author shows the reader a reflection of the author.
From the beginning up to end, the author has been consistent in putting up clues reminding the readers about the story’s setting. Examples are “the soft heavy air of that spring night…”, “swaying in the night air…” and “dark air of the spring night…” among others. The whole story happened throughout the entire dark night with lampshades and moon as the only source of light. With this, it has created a picture of a gloomy atmosphere. The story started with the gloomy death and ends up with the revelation of the bachelor’s wickedness. In general, this is a story presented in a gloomy atmosphere with only little tint of humor in some parts.
Not one major character has been specifically named in the story. They have been all called by their professions instead. Almost all characters dynamically evolved as the story develops.
The author has been gradually revealing the plot which slightly intensifies the conflict. I consider the falling action and the conclusion, however, as weak. These parts keep the resolution blurry and have leave questions unanswered. The theme is more on promiscuity which is an issue generally opposed. So with this notion, I have expected that the author could have injected his particular stand on the issue using his characters.
The Doctor said that whenever he left a sick-room at night, the first thing he did was to light a cigarette. With a mission of lengthening others lives, his character was ironically self-shortening his own life.
Schnitzler was able to give an imagery of vivid pictures of the dead man, the way how the bachelor died and the clothings of the characters using descriptive words.
This story is analytical. It leaves a room for the readers to solve questions. It somehow gives clues for the readers to solve questions like when did their dishonest relationships happened? Was the Doctor already aware of his wife’s action before? Does the word “bitterness” in the fifth paragraph signify that he already knew it?
The repeated presence of cigarette including the smoke could mean that people can not keep or take hold of smoke the same as people can not hold secrets. Believing that people came from dust and certainly will go back to dust in due time, ashes presented by the story can also symbolize death. “Swine” is a metaphor for something that is akin to erotic relationship. The words “another world” in the story would also mean that the three of them are about to face the world of reality.
The bachelor could have chose to die without divulging his secret but he choose to divulge his secret awkwardly. After doing those wicked things, he has still the guts to call the three men his “friends”. At first I taught, the author wants to show the value of honesty yet this has not been reinforced by the showing the value of regret. The bachelor even give brief details how was his relationship with their wives as if he wanted to annoy the three.
This story which utilized the omniscient point of view has also utilized the style of flashbacking and of self-monologues. The death of the bachelor, however, does not show the heavy use of figurative language.
The Chief Test Mourner Analysis
The Chief Test Mourner Analysis
Torejas, Chelyn R.
This is a short story authored by Aida Rivera Ford. The story is all about the death of the narrator’s uncle. It is a story with a focal point focused on love and innocence in the context of death.
At the establishing point of the story, the first story lines already shows a tint of innocence and simplicity but the gloomy tone of the story is already felt. The situation is just a very typical scenario in the
In economic terms, the reader can easily predict that the characters are somehow wealthy considering that the narrator, who happens to be the niece of the dead poet is boarding at the big girls’ college in
The story is so culture bounded and is so reflective of our society. Some reflective traits are the delicadeza system being practiced, the unfaithfulness of husbands, presence of gossipers, scandals in public and ridiculous funeral set-up with two different camps in opposite sides.
A minimal Spanish colonialism practices is also being reflective in the story through the practiced of delicadeza system and the regular used of Spanish language.
Along the way, the reader can feel that the narrator itself is being caught between love and disloyalty.
Three Arshins of Land
Torejas, Chelyn R.
IV-ABMC
| Three Arshins of Land Leo N. Tolstoy |
The “Three Arshins of Land” is just one of the works of the renowned Tolstoy. It is clear that this story is being influenced by the author’s life. The story partly shows the typical life of a peasant who works, who dreams and who fails. This has been smoothly narrated using the omniscient point of view. It has been foretold in an entertaining and simple way.
Obviously, the author wants to exemplify its theme. It talks about greed. With the author’s use of simple English, both young and old can easily understand the message of Tolstoy.
This story preaches a universal message that man can never have enough. It tells readers that reaching for too much can result to the loss of everything. Anything that is in excess is not good. Tolstoy seems to remind people to take only according to what he can accommodate.
The story has also touched the topic of freedom of choice. It has been clear that Pakhom’s decision and action in this story has been a product of his freedom of choice.
If we analyze it, the general theme of the story withstands time. It keeps on reminding readers about an attitude commonly practiced and enjoyed by people. This story seems to stress man’s nature of greediness. The author, however, warns readers using the scenario of Pakhom’s death. The message has been wrapped by the character and transformation of Pakhom.
Other lesson may include the contention about the limits of human body. Pakhom did not die of running. He may die due to heat stroke, dehydration or other heart related malfunctions. This tells readers that the human body has limits but greed doesn’t. Because of greed, Pakhom tried to reach a matter that is way too much for his grasps.
Sometimes greed comes together with pride. This, however, is true for this story as Pakhom has been aware that he can not make it. Several lines like “I was too greedy”, and “Did I not make a mistake? Did I not try to grab too much? If I only get back in time”. Though aware, Pakhom still continues because of pride as reflected on this line, “…he could not stop. “I have run so much that if I stop now they will call me a fool.” It is ironic how he feared to be called a fool even to the point of sacrificing his own life. With this, the poor Pakhom died miserably.
The topic of greediness has been stressed even more through the presence of a devil in the story’s different characters particularly narrated on Pakhom’s dream. The appearance of a devil created a dark atmosphere in some parts of the story.
The story proves that temptations do not come as it is. Mostly, it is wrapped in vibrant and palatable offers. In this story, it is narrated in these lines, “For one day, we sell you as much land as you can walk around in one day. The price of one day is one thousand rubles.”
Pakhom, the lead character, made a gradual transformation all through out the story. At first, he was a character of hard work. But later, he turned out to be a character of dissatisfaction. At the end, his character turned opposite.
It is ironic how Pakhom’s walk which is aimed for the acquisition of vast land turned out to be a willful walk for his three arshins tomb. Sometimes it gives readers a chuckle but it is usually counteracted with Pakhom’s miserable death.
The race of Pakhom prior to the deal he made with the Bakshir may symbolize his race against time. It may also symbolize his race against life. The dream of Pakhom may stand as a form of warnings a number of people including Pakhom normally disregards.
Some figurative language employed by the author can be spotted in these lines, “his bosom was heaving like the bellows in a forge, his heart was beating like a hammer, the knees felt as though they were another’s and gave under him”, “he ran as though someone were driving him”.
The Three-day Blow
IV-ABMC
This story is filled with symbols. The author utilizes the concept of nature to illuminate some of the story’s elements.
A blow as depicted in the title is a storm that brings rain and heavy winds. It can also symbolize change and chaos in a young man’s life. The story started with "The rain stopped as Nick turned into the road that went up through the orchard. The fruit had been picked and the fall wind blew through the bare trees”. With this quote, we can see that it was previously stormy.
The three-day blow can be a metaphor of Nick’s sudden break up with his girlfriend. He realized how his relationship suddenly ends as the wind will end suddenly after it blows. Yet there is always a possibility that the wind will blow again akin to the possibility that Nick might see Marge again. The dying fire can also be a metaphor of the dying relationship between Nick and his girlfriend. The “old man” in this story refers to Bill’s Father. In this story, figurative language is not heavily employed by the author.
The whole story particularly the first paragraph was filled with symbols. The brown grass and bare trees symbolizes death. With this, it has created gloomy and depressing symbols. The shiny apple, however, symbolizes a light of hope.
The presence of the mackinaw coat, fireplace, bare trees, blowing wind and thick sock depicts a cold and windy setting. The gun shooting activity portrays a mountainous or a forested area where the story took place.
In this story, Hemingway uses the act of drinking as a form of expression through his two characters Nick and Bill. The two talk about baseball, literature, and their fathers and about Nick’s inner conflict about his girlfriend, Marge. The two made a male bonding while drinking until they come to their senses that drinking has no meaning.
In the story, Bill was constantly assuring Nick that he has done a good decision about his relationship with Marge. There is a possibility that Nick is unsure of his decision. This stage can be a stage where the readers decide, though it is not clear, whether Nick was confused about his gender –whether he wants to become a family man or a man’s man.
The concept of gossip which causes the breakup was portrayed in the story using the character of Marjorie’s mother. She was negatively portrayed in this story. A line describes her as “terrible”.
When Nick passes a mirror he realizes he was not the same. The later part reveals the dynamic transformation of Nick from being problematic into being optimistic. The lines, "Outside now the Marge business was no longer so tragic. It was not even very important. The wind blew everything like that away". The wind of the storm has somewhat blow away Nick’s problem with his girlfriend. At the end, Nick became hopeful and positive that he began to plan for other things. This is reflected on the lines saying, “He felt happy. Nothing was finished. Nothing ever lost.” Though the leaves are dead, the grass is dead and the rain is heavily pouring, like Eve who chose to eat the other side of the apple, Nick choose to delight seeing the shiny the apple.