Author Archives: KEVIN CHEN

“And of Clay Are We Created” talks about a volcanic eruption that resulted in the lives of thousands. In the story of “And of Clay Are We Created”, seismographs had predicated the possible disaster, but no one heeded to the warning. The story portrayed the catastrophic impact of negligence during the preface of disaster. The current disaster was somewhat manageable at its early stages, however, human negligence allow it room to grow, becoming the pandemic today. The first case of the novel-virus was in Wuhan, China. Reports of the cases came as early as December by Dr. Zhang and Dr. Li but was not taken seriously by Chinese officials. As matters escalate, inflection cases spike, and the Hubei province of China was forced into lockdown. Instead of explaining the severity of the virus, both China and the W.H.O downplay the severity of the virus, preventing first actions.

Human arrogant is the root of disaster, it pressures us to overlook possible consequences. Covid-19 was the result of poor management and the failure of taking responsibility. Our failure to acknowledge our mistakes and bear its consequence is what allowed the growth of the virus. Even today, people continue to neglect the consequences of the pandemic with many failing to take proper countermeasures. I have seen videos of people visiting public facilities without wearing proper protective gear such as a face mask. In the worse case, I have seen videos of people making jokes about the virus while demonstrating poor hygiene practices in public. Disasters are preventable but human negligence is not.

1. Choose a moment in “Recitatif” in which you see the issue of race enter into Twyla and Roberta’s story. Describe the moment, and explain what you think seems to be going on. What issues seem to divide the two characters? Can you identify their racial identities? How?

A moment in “Recitatif” in which I see the issue of race enter into Twyla and Roberta’s story is on page 1774. Twyla’s mother states “that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny. Roberta sure did. Smell funny, I mean.” At this moment, it is implied that Roberta is associated with the group that Twyla’s mother is referring to. The most common reason why people don’t wash their hair is because of race, health, wealth, and culture. I cannot identify their racial identities with this evidence, but I could stereotype this trait back to African Americans because they don’t wash their hair frequently. African Americans don’t wash their hair frequently because there is a risk of it drying out and being brittle. The issue doesn’t seem to divide the two characters for they’re still young and unaware of racial discrimination. 

2. Toni Morrison’s story explores the challenges of navigating racial/cultural/and socio-economic differences in our personal relationships. Reflect upon an experience in your own life when you have had to navigate differences of this sort. Describe the experience. What issues or complications arose? How were they resolved?

My parents being Chinese immigrants means that they hold the utmost importance for their child to honor their ethnicity and inheriting its culture. Being the firstborn of my family only made matters worse because there are higher expectations. At an early age, I was strictly disciplined to act in a matter that brings face to my parents, basically bragging rights. I was strictly monitored for my education and personal life, my parents will be on the constant watch for me. To make matters worse, there is a limited reward for succeeding and punishments for failing their expectations. Very often would my parents compare me to the child of their peers, hurting my self-esteem. I wanted to have a childhood, not one that is pre-planned for me. I became quite rebellious, making all attempts to defy my parents. As I grew older, I became aware that my parents are doing what they can to bring me a better future. The raging flames inside of me had quieted down and I can only see a shadow of my former self. There are many things that I regretted, but I can only do my best to forgo them because the past cannot be changed. Some things about me will never change, but I will change myself to better understand my parents. 

In my opinion, Lu Xun, “In the Wineshop” is indeed a great work. The author was able to convey a complex idea without the active participation of the narrator but through the use of a supporting character. “In the Wineshop”, depicts a scholar’s revisit of his hometown, only to find himself a stranger to the place. The only thing that remains familiar to him is an old wine house where he chanced upon a former colleague, Wei-fu. Despite the story being told through a first-person narrator, the majority of the plot involves Wei-fu who recounts his story to the narrator. Through Wei-fu’s perspective, we are given a glimpse into his past with the narrator. His accounts of the past involve pulling the beards off religious figures with the narrator and their declaration for a revolution. Supported by Wei-fu’s two tales, we’re able to complete the puzzle and restore the entire story.

Both Wei-fu and the narrator are defectors of traditional Confucius teachings, they’ve shown defiance at an early age. As they grew, Wei-fu had given up on his dreams while the narrator continues to fulfill his. The narrator’s revisit was due to him being weary from trying to fulfill his dreams. He meets Wei-fu, a former colleague that shared the same dream, only to find him dispirited and lacking the ambition of the past. The Wei-fu that he once has known is gone and became the person that they once despised the most. Wei-fu’s change and submission to tradition did not dispirit the narrator but instead encouraged him to pursue his dreams for a revolution. Lu Xun, “In the Wineshop” is a great work because the author was able to cleverly hide a complex idea in a seamlessly flows of tales and flashbacks. “In the Wineshop” speaks of dreams versus reality and dreams if left unfulfilled.

3. Describe an example of dehumanization in the text. What about this moment made a particularly strong impression on you? Why?

An example of dehumanization in the text that left a particularly strong impression on me was when a mother abandoned her child for the chance of survival. The text states “It’s not mine, sir, not mine! … She wants to hide, she wants to reach those who will not ride the trucks, those who will go on foot, those who will stay alive.” This moment left a strong impression on me because it portrays the hideous nature of a human, a mother who is willing to sacrifice her child for a chance of survival. It stupefied me that someone could be so inhuman, going to the extent of sacrificing their child for the sake of survival.

4. A tall, grey-haired woman who has just arrived on the “transport” whispers, “My poor boy,” to our narrator. What does she mean?

The woman is expressing sympathy for the narrator when she whispers “My poor boy” because she felt the narrator is better off dead than to remain alive. Sometimes death is a more preferable option than living if suffering is all that remains. The job of the narrator and other inmates is to loot off those in the “transport”, depriving them of all possession. During the process, it is inevitable that trampling and other violence will occur, resulting in many casualties. To survive the inmates need to deprive others of their resources and declare them as their own. The cycle repeats itself endlessly until you’re either dead or freed from the camps. The inmates are forced to express their anger on innocent captives, instead of the Nazi officers responsible for their misfortunate. Only plundering the resources of those captives can the inmates survive, leaving them devoid of humanity in addition to the shapeless corpses. Although the narrator is alive, he’s better off dead like those women who are sentenced to death.

5. “Are we good people?” asks our narrator. What is this exchange about? What do you think?

The narrator is trying to find comfort for his actions by sharing his guilt with others. The narrator understands that what he is doing is wrong and inhuman, but it is his only option at survival. The narrator wanted comfort from Henri who he knew would give him the correct answer since they’re in this together. He wanted to deceive himself by telling himself that he is without a choice and that he is not solely responsible for their misery. The narrator is basically seeking justification for his actions.

1. Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis?  Explain your response.

I think Gregor is more powerful after his metamorphosis because he no longer carries the burden of the family nor is he bound to the jurisdiction of man. Prior to his metamorphosis, Gregor’s role is the main provider for the family. Despite loathing his job, he held himself accountable for serving the needs of his family and repaying its debt. After his metamorphosis, the roles are swapped because he is no longer capable of providing for his family. Despite the initial greeting he received from his family after his metamorphosis, things turned sour really fast. His family began lamenting the fact that they needed to take over his role. His sister who greeted him with utmost care at the beginning became resentful of him and eventually viewed him as a nuisance. He became somewhat of an eyesore in the eyes of his family, and this realization made him only more powerful. His metamorphosis, although disabled him from supporting his family, at the same time rid of his burden and introduce him to a different scope of reality. The reality that he is no longer needed and his presence is a mere burden to his family. Gregor is more powerful after his metamorphosis because he is capable of choosing death, instead of being a prisoner to the affairs of man. 

2. Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means?  What does it Look at the final paragraph of the story. How does it shape or alter our understanding of the text?

In the final paragraph of the story, Gregor’s family visited a park and discussed their future, a future without Gregor. The text states “Sitting back comfortably in their seats, they discussed the prospects for the future;”. (241) In my view, Gregor’s metamorphosis is an opportunity to escape from the brutality of society. Intelligence has granted mankind their advanced civilization, yet has stripped away their appreciation for nature. We discern everything with a value and loathe those that are worthless. In Gregor’s scenario, he went from someone who holds much value for the family to someone who is disabled and worthless. Gregor’s metamorphosis gave him an opportunity to escape from the brutality of society, free from the affairs of man. Ultimately, intelligence brought his demise and in his final moments of despair he chose death. The final paragraph of the story is used to portray the brutality of society, those who are no longer capable of creating value are rejected and forgotten. 

3. Explain the significance of the story about reburying Weifu’s little brother?

The significance of reburying Weifu’s little brother is the display of filial piety, one of Confucius’s great virtues. Weifu reburied his little brother out of respect for his mother because she cannot sleep knowing his brother’s remains may slip into a river. Despite the action being pointless, for the remains had already decomposed, he went forth and buried an empty coffin. This act is significant because he yielded to tradition, the very thing he sought to bring down. Weifu had displayed resistance to traditional norms at an early age when he states “how all day long we used to discuss methods of revolutionizing China.” The act of reburying his brother, despite knowing it was pointless, contradicts this belief. It signifies that Weifu had abandoned his revolutionary ideas and yielded to tradition. 

4. Weifu recalls when he and the narrator used to pull the beards off religious statues in the Temple when they were younger.  What is the significance of this memory?

The significance of pulling the beards off religious statues is to portray defiance. It’s Chinese tradition to pay respect to religious figures; pulling off the beard of religious statues is a display of disrespect and resistance to traditional norms. The memory of pulling the beard off religious statues during their youth implies their rejection of tradition. The memory is significant for it emphasizes Weifu’s change, during which he states “But now I am like this, willing to let things slide and to compromise.” Weifu lacks the ambition and recklessness he possesses in his youth, life had taught him to yield to the very thing he seeks to overthrow. 

Reading Tagore’s “Punishment”, reminds me of the story “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger” by Feng Menglong. Both heroines are met with betrayal by their husbands which resulted in their death. The common theme introduced in both texts is catastrophic events that follow due to the lack of wealth. In “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger”, wealth plays an essential role in directing character action. Du Tenth’s tragic past was the result of her unlucky birth, without any support at early youth, she was forced into prostitution to survive. Li Jia’s betrayal is not without the influence of wealth; his fear of his father already imposed a great burden upon him, Sun Fu’s proposal to purchase Du Tenth for 1000 taels became the last straw.

In Tagore’s“Punishment”, Dukhiram killed his wife Radha in a fit of anger. Dukhiram was already exhausted from work in addition to the ridicule he received from his co-worker, the lack of food and the sarcasm shown from his wife broke the last straw. Poverty may not be directly responsible for Dukhiram’s action, but this may be preventable if he’s wealthy. Also, Ramlochan’s visit to their house was to collect a debt, had the debt been fully paid, Dukhiram and his brother would have more time to devise a plan, one that doesn’t involve sacrificing Chandara. Knowing what awaits his brother, Chidam asked his wife Chandara to be the scapegoat for this murder.

Although Chidam portrayed remorse for his actions, even going to the extent of taking the blame himself, he never received her forgiveness. Chidam chose death even though she was capable of receiving a lighter sentence, similar to how Du Tenth chose to kill herself despite the fact Li Jia shows regrets for his actions. Both Du Tenth and Chandara chose death over the chance of living and are unforgiving to their husbands for their betrayal. Chandara states “To hell with him” when told her husband would like to see her, just before she is hanged. Just before plunging right into the rivers, Du Tenth states “it is not I who have betrayed you, but rather you who have betrayed me!” Both Li Jia and Chidam are held most accountable for the death of their wives, however, we cannot deny wealth’s role in both tragedies.

Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”, depicts the story of an ambitious young man who sought for wealth and status, only to experience regrets during his last moments.

Time is so abundant, yet at times also so scarce; to some, time is priceless and others it’s nothing but suffering. A wealthy man is far more vulnerable to his upcoming death than a poor man for he is bound too tightly by the euphoria of the materialistic world. About “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”, Ivan’s pursuit of materialistic success brought nothing but chains at the very end. Greed only invites more greed, Ivan’s success did not satisfy him but only left him greedy for more. The more he acquires, the more unsatisfied he becomes, eventually numbing himself from all others.

The tragedy of Ivan Ilyich invokes much contemplation given this period of isolation brought forth by the coronavirus. In life, one tends to recklessly follow in the footsteps of others because of the rewards it sow. Yet, many beautiful things in life are not worth sacrificing for merely the pursuit of one. We had taken too much for granted in life, such as the scenery outside and companionship, it’s only when we lose it do we learn to treasure it. I missed the outside breeze and ever-changing weather, the chirping of birds and the sound of scattering leaves. There are many regrets in life, we can only do our best to live life to its fullest.

Ivan’s glamorous appearance is nothing but a hollow shell without foundations to support it. Money is useless if there is nothing to buy, Ivan’s success is meaningless if there isn’t someone to share his joy. As he reflects his lifetime on his deathbed, Ivan realized of the many joys in life he missed, the memory of family and natural beauty of the world. His sole pursuit restricted him to such a narrow scope of the world that he can numb himself with stress.

Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” taught me that you can find beauty in small things, that once in a while you should do a self-reflection before it’s too late. With all the time in the world now, I can finally slow down and invest my time in something that I constantly neglect but holds much importance. I rather not repent my lifetime at my deathbed, but live a life that I won’t hold any regrets. I missed the outside breeze and ever-changing weather, the chirping of birds and the sound of scattering leaves, I missed them very much dear. When this is all over, I will embrace them to my heart content.

Compared to the written play, the film adaptation of Hedda Gabler really brought the characters to life. In the film adaptation, George was portrayed with many feminine traits, his tone and voice lacks the maturity of someone his age and reminds me of a playful child. I overlooked this distinctive feature when reading the text and assumed George was given enough masculine traits for his role as the head of the house. In contrast, Hedda Gabler fits well with my visual presentation of her, but more dominating.

Throughout the film, Hedda Gabler had demonstrated superiority to every character she had interacted with or had mentioned. In the scene with Juliane Tesman, Hedda was shown inattentive about the conversion between George and Juliane, rather more focused on the arrangement of her home. It is only polite to show interest in the conversion for Juliane is not only the guest but a family member of her husband. Such details were not mentioned in the text and I was left assuming that Hedda was respectful to aunt Juliane. The text portrays Hedda as somewhat respectful to aunt Juliane during their first interaction, extending her hands to Juliane; things only got sour as George brought the slippers over to her. In comparison, the film reveals Hedda’s true character rather fast and adds additional dialogue between each characters. In pg 788, Hedda states “that maid won’t last, Tesman.”. In the film however, Hedda states “will you never get on with this servant George.” Hedda speaks in a rather informal tone in the film compared to the formal tone of the text. Furthermore, Hedda is portrayed as rather very aggressive in the film, but more ladylike in the text.

In my perspective, the film adaptation of the play is superior to the written piece. Each character is given more life compared to the limited visualization the text provides. Hedda in particular really plays her role and demonstrates dominance over the rest of the characters in the film.

To crown a text as “great works”, we ought to define the term first. In my perspective, for a text to be considered as “great works” it should be capable of conveying an abstract idea through simple understandable terms. Also, the text should resonate with its readers, despite the passage of time and space. To me, Feng Menglong’s “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger” is most befitting of this title.

Feng Menglong’s “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger”, narrates a tale of tragedy that stems from the absence of morally. Being born with a silver spoon, the protagonist Li Jia fails to acknowledge the importance of morally. He squandered his wealth like it’s pebbles on the streets and weep when it’s all gone, his love for the courtesan only resulted in the tragic end for both. Unable to face his father for marrying a courtesan, Li Jia fell into a plot devised by Sun Fu, son of a wealthy merchant. In response to Li Jia’s betrayal, Du Tenth utter “I regret that you lack eyes in your head to see it. Born in an ill-fated hour, I fell into the bonds of a shameful life” (516). Du Tenth wasn’t fortunate like Li Jia, she was born into a life of prostitution. Despite having her pride stripped from her at birth, she never yields to the many hardships and eventually redeems herself while amassing a massive fortune. Feng Menglong portrays the absence of morally, for Li Jia is unable to differentiate what’s right and wrong himself, ultimately resulting in this tragedy.