Tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the novel:
One flew over the Cuckoo's nest is a novel written by Ken Kesey that takes place in a mental health facility in Oregon . I chose the subject: "tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the novel", so that I could explain how I would feel if I were one of the patients in the ward who is faced with some of the situations that the characters in the book are faced with.
The first situation that I would have a reaction to would be the arrival of McMurphy. McMurphy is described as being as strong-headed and disobedient Irishman who has a recent conviction of statutory rape. He has been transferred from a state prison to the mental health facility because he fakes having a mental disability and would rather be institutionalized than live on a “work farm”. His arrival creates a huge turmoil on the ward, because he marches to his own drumbeat and does not follow any of the rules established by the hospital. At first, I think I would have a hard time adjusting to his arrival and would not be happy with him because he would disrupt the order of the institution to which I would be used to. However, after some time, I think I would finally come around and see that he McMurphy is actually a pretty nice guy and I would have fun with him and all his wackiness. I would respect him, in the fact that he is not afraid to say what he thinks and feels and he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.
The second situation that I would react to would be the boat ride that McMurphy takes all the patients from the ward on. McMurphy steals the bus with all the patients on it and takes off to the marina. He decides that he wants to teach his friends from the institution how to fish. If I were one of the patients on the so-called field-trip, I would be thinking that it is one of the best days of my life, since at the institution everything is planned and controlled and there is never anything spontaneous that happens. I would be so happy that McMurphy finally took me out to do something fun and exciting and different from anything else that I have ever done.
The third situation to which I would react very strongly would be when Billy Bibbit commits suicide. I think at first I would not understand what has just happened and just be under total shock. Once the event would have sunken in, I would be overcome with sadness and be completely abashed by the tragic event. I would also be very angry with nurse Ratched because she is the one who pushes Billy to breaking point by threatening to tell his mother about his bad behaviour (sleeping with a prostitute brought in by McMurphy). I would then proceed to mourn Billy’s death and try and comfort the other patients in the ward who are affected by the event.
In summary, there are many events that take place in the book that would raise a strong reaction in me, whether it is sadness, joy, panic or even stress. This book takes the reader through a multitude of emotions and feelings and makes him feel like he is really a character in the novel right along side McMurphy and the other patients.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tryst Report
What is the writer's purpose?
To make the audience go through a multitude of emotions.
What is the writer's tone?
In the first part of the play, the tone is quite humourous, but as time goes by, it gets more serious and dramatic. The play ends on a very sad and dramatic tone.
How does the story begin?
The author begins the play by establishing the setting and the tone. The two main characters tell us about themselves and we discover the time and place of the play.
How does the story develop?
The story develops around the relationship between Adelaide and George. We see how they get to know one another and how their love for each other comes alive. Throughout the play, the characters talk about their past and how it has affected them now as adults. Apart from these flashbacks however, the story is told in a chronological order.
How does the story end?
The story ends with a very un-expected twist. The author has us all fooled by thinking that Adelaide and George will live happily ever after, but in fact, when Adelaide goes to take a very much deserved bath, he goes in and pushes her head under the water to drown her.
Who tells the story?
The story is told by the two main characters, Adelaide Pinchin and George Love. Throughout the course of the play, they both give their different interpretations of what is going on, the way they see it.
What is the language and style like?
The language and style is quite formal because the play takes place in the early 19th century. The characters speak with an english accent since they are in London, England.
What images are used?
Adelaide's character gives the impression on being very weak and frail by the way she holds herself and speaks, but later in the play, she becomes a bit more independant and more determined. George's character gives the impression of being very strong and bold but actually he is a bit of a coward.
What are the characters like?
Adelaide Pinchin is a poor hat maker who has no self-confidence and always lives cautiously. She never gets out of line, because her father instilled fear and discipline in her at an early age. He was abusive and made her develop an eating disorder for wich she suffers abundantly as an adult. George Love is a man who marry's women, steals their money and then takes off at once before they even notice. He seems very sure of himself and is very charming and so lots of women fall for him. George is a lot like Adelaide in the sense that he has a bad past, but pretends like nothing is ever wrong.
How important is the setting in conveying the ideas and mood of the story?
The setting is a very important element to understanding the story. Since it take place in the early 19th century England, we can imagine how different the mentality was and how different society was.
To make the audience go through a multitude of emotions.
What is the writer's tone?
In the first part of the play, the tone is quite humourous, but as time goes by, it gets more serious and dramatic. The play ends on a very sad and dramatic tone.
How does the story begin?
The author begins the play by establishing the setting and the tone. The two main characters tell us about themselves and we discover the time and place of the play.
How does the story develop?
The story develops around the relationship between Adelaide and George. We see how they get to know one another and how their love for each other comes alive. Throughout the play, the characters talk about their past and how it has affected them now as adults. Apart from these flashbacks however, the story is told in a chronological order.
How does the story end?
The story ends with a very un-expected twist. The author has us all fooled by thinking that Adelaide and George will live happily ever after, but in fact, when Adelaide goes to take a very much deserved bath, he goes in and pushes her head under the water to drown her.
Who tells the story?
The story is told by the two main characters, Adelaide Pinchin and George Love. Throughout the course of the play, they both give their different interpretations of what is going on, the way they see it.
What is the language and style like?
The language and style is quite formal because the play takes place in the early 19th century. The characters speak with an english accent since they are in London, England.
What images are used?
Adelaide's character gives the impression on being very weak and frail by the way she holds herself and speaks, but later in the play, she becomes a bit more independant and more determined. George's character gives the impression of being very strong and bold but actually he is a bit of a coward.
What are the characters like?
Adelaide Pinchin is a poor hat maker who has no self-confidence and always lives cautiously. She never gets out of line, because her father instilled fear and discipline in her at an early age. He was abusive and made her develop an eating disorder for wich she suffers abundantly as an adult. George Love is a man who marry's women, steals their money and then takes off at once before they even notice. He seems very sure of himself and is very charming and so lots of women fall for him. George is a lot like Adelaide in the sense that he has a bad past, but pretends like nothing is ever wrong.
How important is the setting in conveying the ideas and mood of the story?
The setting is a very important element to understanding the story. Since it take place in the early 19th century England, we can imagine how different the mentality was and how different society was.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Mid-term writing test
The Story of an Hour
Part A: Questions
1. Louise Mallard’s opinion of marriage is that it is a sort of powerful will that binds men and women together against their choice. It is in the second sentence of the 12th paragraph that Mrs. Mallard gives her clear opinion of marriage.
3. Louise sees her life as a widow as a great opportunity to live for herself and for no one else. She sees her life beginning instead of ending: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years…”
4. Louise Mallard stops crying because she soon realizes that life as a widow will be grand. She lets whatever is coming for her possess her and realizes she is free: “The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright.”
5. There is a long description of what is outside Louise’s window to illustrate the freedom that she has been missing out on, and will soon get to experience. Outside it is sunny and there is a bright blue sky, and it is the beginning of spring which could be interpreted as the beginning of a new life for her.
Part B: Development question
Irony is used in English to communicate the opposite of what one actually means. For example someone could say: “I’m not angry!” But in fact they are angry and are simply using irony to depict it. It is basically to say one thing but to mean another.
In The Story of an Hour, the author uses irony to explain how the main character reacts to the death of her husband; and also to explain what happens at the end of the story. Firstly, at the beginning of the story, Louise Mallard learns of the death of her husband. She falls into the arms of her sister Josephine and is absolutely abashed by the news. She then proceeds to go to her room and weep, but it only takes her a short period of time to get over the drama and to realize how happy she actually is about the news. This situation is quite ironic because Mrs. Mallard appears to be very saddened by the news, but then turns around and feels great about it. The author, at the beginning of the story, makes us believe that the death of Mr. Mallard is a very tragic event for his wife, but in fact it is one of the best things that could have happened to her.
Later on in the story, there is another situation depicted that is ironic: Louise Mallard fights with all her might not to let whatever is coming for her possess her, but not long after; she does let it overcome her and she is filled with joy. She pretends that she is not happy about the news and that the loss of her husband has crushed her, but the irony of it, is that it takes her no time at all to be joyful about the situation.
Lastly, at the end of the story, when we all thought that Mr. Mallard was dead, the author surprises us, and we learn that in fact he is still alive and well. He was nowhere near the accident and it was all a huge mistake. Mrs. Mallard cannot take the news and dies from a so-called heart disease. This situation is the most ironic of the story because, the entire time, it revolves around the death of Brently Mallard, but at the end of it all, it is not him who dies, but in fact it is Mrs. Mallard who perishes from the “joy that kills”. The author uses irony to lead the reader in one direction, but at the end uses it to surprise him by changing the idea he had already preconceived. It is a very efficient way to have the reader react to the story and to raise discussions.
Part A: Questions
1. Louise Mallard’s opinion of marriage is that it is a sort of powerful will that binds men and women together against their choice. It is in the second sentence of the 12th paragraph that Mrs. Mallard gives her clear opinion of marriage.
3. Louise sees her life as a widow as a great opportunity to live for herself and for no one else. She sees her life beginning instead of ending: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years…”
4. Louise Mallard stops crying because she soon realizes that life as a widow will be grand. She lets whatever is coming for her possess her and realizes she is free: “The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright.”
5. There is a long description of what is outside Louise’s window to illustrate the freedom that she has been missing out on, and will soon get to experience. Outside it is sunny and there is a bright blue sky, and it is the beginning of spring which could be interpreted as the beginning of a new life for her.
Part B: Development question
Irony is used in English to communicate the opposite of what one actually means. For example someone could say: “I’m not angry!” But in fact they are angry and are simply using irony to depict it. It is basically to say one thing but to mean another.
In The Story of an Hour, the author uses irony to explain how the main character reacts to the death of her husband; and also to explain what happens at the end of the story. Firstly, at the beginning of the story, Louise Mallard learns of the death of her husband. She falls into the arms of her sister Josephine and is absolutely abashed by the news. She then proceeds to go to her room and weep, but it only takes her a short period of time to get over the drama and to realize how happy she actually is about the news. This situation is quite ironic because Mrs. Mallard appears to be very saddened by the news, but then turns around and feels great about it. The author, at the beginning of the story, makes us believe that the death of Mr. Mallard is a very tragic event for his wife, but in fact it is one of the best things that could have happened to her.
Later on in the story, there is another situation depicted that is ironic: Louise Mallard fights with all her might not to let whatever is coming for her possess her, but not long after; she does let it overcome her and she is filled with joy. She pretends that she is not happy about the news and that the loss of her husband has crushed her, but the irony of it, is that it takes her no time at all to be joyful about the situation.
Lastly, at the end of the story, when we all thought that Mr. Mallard was dead, the author surprises us, and we learn that in fact he is still alive and well. He was nowhere near the accident and it was all a huge mistake. Mrs. Mallard cannot take the news and dies from a so-called heart disease. This situation is the most ironic of the story because, the entire time, it revolves around the death of Brently Mallard, but at the end of it all, it is not him who dies, but in fact it is Mrs. Mallard who perishes from the “joy that kills”. The author uses irony to lead the reader in one direction, but at the end uses it to surprise him by changing the idea he had already preconceived. It is a very efficient way to have the reader react to the story and to raise discussions.
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