"The Metamorphosis" Response

         Gregor's transformation in "The Metamorphosis" reminded me much of Wikus' transformation into a "prawn" in the much more recent science fiction film "District 9."  Similar to Wikus, Gregor fights an inner struggle between his human thoughts and memories, and his new animalistic physical urges.  Viewing this transformation and its effects over time in this story brought about much dread, as Gregor's complete isolation from humankind as a whole seemed to grow up until the day of his death.  Transforming from his family's source of income into a total burden and drain of resources, Gregor's value to his family disminished greatly, eventually culminating in them turning on him, hoping that he leaves them forever.  Making this story even more depressing for Gregor is Grete's rapid blossoming into a capable young women shortly after Gregor's death, further displaying how much he help back Grete and the rest of the family following his metamorphosis.

- Does the metamorphosis symbolize anything about Gregor's relationship with his family and others?

- Did Gregor kill himself, or was his time simply up?

"Death & the King's Horseman" Reaction

From these early acts, Elesin came off, to me, as bragadocious and errogant, but, also, as a quit captivating and respected speaker according to the people.  It seems that Elesin is sacrificing himself only for the fame that comes before his sacrifice.  He can essentially get any girl he wants, and he is looked at as a hero to the people.  Elesin does not appear in it for the good of the people, but more in it for the good of him.  Elesin clearly realizes that all of this attention he is receiving stems from his upcoming sacrifice, and he is essentially milking it for all its worth.

- My reaction brings up the question: Do you believe Elisen is in it for the good of man, or simply for himself?
- What exactly is the sacrifice for, and why is he going to be arrested for doing this?

Post Colonial Reading of The Tempest

Main Points:
- Prospero is a 'playwright,' as he controls everything and everyone on the island

- Caliban is a representation of oppressed people

- Prospero is driven by colonizing and imperialism
- Prospero and Miranda justify their enslavement of Caliban through his 'savage' nature
- Prospero is an intruder who abandoned Caliban's trust

Questions:
- Is there real confusion between the spelling of 'Caliban' and 'cannibal,' or is that just an assumption?
- During the time this play was written, were their slaves in the New World at the time?

'As I Lay Dying' Questions III

- Why is Anse such a terrible father? Is he just dumb or does he simply not care about his children?

- Why did Darl set the barn on fire? Was he crazy before burning the barn or was his detainment the cause of his madness at the end of the novel?

'As I Lay Dying' Questions II

- Is Addie speaking through the crypt or is her chapter a flashback?

- How could Whitfield live with himself, knowingly withholding the information that he had an affair with Addie from Anse upon learning that Addie is dead? It seems pretty awful considering he believes it's a gift from God.

Single Word

Reversed (page 88)

Addie's Coffin

In "As I Lay Dying," much of the story, at least early in it, is centered around the construction and burial of Addie in her coffin.  Her coffin serves to symbolize the dysfunction created by her untimely death.  After the careful creation of the coffin, things begin to spiral out of control with her being placed upside down in the coffin, and Vardaman drilling holes in her face.  Instances, like this, represent the issues that her death has caused within the family.  The fact that the coffin is thrown off balance by Addie's corpse represents how the Bundren's lives are "thrown off balance" by her death.  This coffin serves as a symbol in "As I Lay Dying," representing the effect her death has on her family.