great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

1. In Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”, Gregor’s transformation is a symbol of the disconnect between mind and body. There is constant struggle between what he appears to be, a insect, and who he is, a human. Ultimately, he is unable reconcile the consequences of this  transformation, and choose to succumb to the death, rather than living as he is.
2. Rather than placing the reader as a bystander, Fuentes forces the reader to be in second person narrative , developing with specifically Felipe, becoming his “Aura”, and eventually learning that all these characters want to do is escape reality.
3. Fuentes  explores magic realism in Aura by detaching his main characters, Felipe and Consuela, from reality. Their detachment becomes the overarching theme in the passage, forcing his readers to see, that reality is what you make of it.

The poem “A Hole in the Sky” is Niyi Osundare commentary on the current ecological status of mother Earth. He often views the world as something we humans have neglected, and how we mustn’t underrate our part in the destruction of our own land.  He states “don’t cover it’s scars with pretty words” (Stanza I. Line 6).  He urges us as humans to fess up to what we have done, take ownership of our carelessness, and defilement this gift Earth. Often times, because it’s underneath us, or so apart of our daily lives, we tend to forget that Earth itself is a being, is an entity that too needs proper resources to survive.

This theme of being neglectful of our resources, and forgetting not everything is everlasting is seen in the destruction of many wild animals in the US, specifically Buffalo. In this video it describes the reasons as to why the useful animals source died out. It died out simply because Americans (non-native) wanted to mobilize the west. Non natives found no reason to keep Buffalo. They were a disturbance to business, basically a nuisance. They didn’t think of the natives who cherished and understood the value of the buffalo. Instead they were hunted, similar to cattle, with no recourse for what it might to do other humans, or the animal kingdom in which it preside in.  Niyi Osundare poem is a great description of how we as humans take for granted gifts that are given to us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pODHzjpC9k

Point of view affects a story in that it allows readers to gain a very specific perspective. The short story is written from the most uncommon narrative in fiction literature.  The second person is no different. It may seem strange, unconventional, or confining, but playing with point of view is one way to transform a story.  Second person allows the reader to feel more part of the story and have a more personal feeling towards it. It’s that emotional impact that most writers are looking for when they write in  the second-person point of view. It intensifies all of the emotions of the  writing, as it reflects directly on the reader rather than on a character. For Fuentes, exploring the perspective of the second person only intensifies the dream like state Fuentes creates. The other perspectives, third and first, allows the reader to take a back seat as just the reader. However, the second point of view, forces the reader to take the role of the dreamer. In Fuentes short story, the reader is a part of the narrative, leaving them more privy to the themes Fuentes presents and the character development. 

  This point of view gives the reader the opportunity to feel part of the story since the characters are interacting with “you”. The second person point of view allows the reader to detect the themes of the story clearer.One of the themes that is used in the story is the revival of youth. This is specifically shown within the relationship between Aura and Consuelo.  Consuelo tries to live vicariously through Aura. The author exaggerates this notion by even having their actions mimic one another’s. It states in the text, “The two of them get up at the same moment, Consuelo from the chair, Aura from the floor”(845). The second perspective allows for “you” as the reader to see the in-synced actions of the two through your eyes. It allows for you the reader to better visualize Consuelo’s attempt to persevere her youth by controlling Aura. By introducing the narrative in the second person perspective, the reader has no choice but to identify the major themes with Fuentes piece, they are already there. 

Another advantage that second person has to this piece is helping develop the character of Felipe Montero. From the of the piece, Fuentes introduces “you” as Felipe. As a reader you have no choice but to do as Felipe does. As the second person perspective leaves the reader privy to more information than the first person, or third person observer; the second perspective arguably allows for the author more control of your thought process. As Felipe, you have multiple actions “you” could take, but choose not to. For example, the text shows even the simplest actions you have no control of. Fuentes states, “You open your eyes and see here standing at the foot of the bed, smiling but not looking at you” (847). In the second person perspective “you” Felipe, are following the actions of the author, you are not, as the reader, given the free will as the observer to others actions. Just as Felipe is acts, you are too.  Similar to the movements  micmic relationship between Aura and Consuelo. Character development is predicted by Fuentes, not you. Fuentes gives you the lens to see Aura and  Consuelo actions. However, for your own’s you are blinded to. Therefore, as Felipe Montero develops so do you. Carlos Fuentes takes great leap using the second person perspective. However, because it was executed well, we are able to develop in the story as Felipe does.

ericca r, kayla, richard

In the short story, “Metamorphosis”, by Franz Kafka, the protagonist of the story transform into a cockroach overnight. As a result of his transformation, he is reluctant to get out of bed. When he finally reveals himself to his family and a work associate, there reactions vary. For the chief clerk, the sight of Gregor transformation induces instant fear. The text states “But the chief clerk had turned his back on Gregor the moment he began speaking, and only stared back at him with his mouth agape”(218). He was so disgusted and in awe of Gregor new form, he no longer wanted to reprimand him for being an unsatisfactory employee. The clerk was so appalled by Gregor new form that he failed to take any of his belongs. He was more concerned with leaving, that he was with take any of his possessions. Gregor father on the other hand, tried not to appear as disgusted. He was more concerned with protecting Gregor in his unfortunate state. The text states “ He was, rather, obsessed with the notion of getting Gregor back in his room post-haste”(220). Although he was swatting Gregor away, his main goal was getting Gregor back in his room. His father wanted to not only protect Gregor from the shock and fear of others, but also wanted to protect Gregor from himself. He knew the best way he could do that was by locking him back in his room. He didn’t want Gregor to be too hurt by the reactions of others according to his new appearance. He was doing as what a father should, protecting his son, by any means necessary.

Tagore short story, “Punishment” tells the story of two brother who face an dilemma, in which they take unethical steps to help solve it. The over arching ethical problem explored within this short story is the lack of respect and significance for another humans life,  especially for the women within this Bangladesh community. This is lack of respect and value demonstrated specifically through Chidam, one of the brothers action. In an attempt to protect his brother, he construct this lie stating that his wife, Chandara, rather than his brother , Duhkiram, killed his sister in law. He states ” “Thankur, if I lose my wife I can get another one, but if my brother is hanged, how will I replace him”(895)? Although this statement was stated in distressed, it confirmed that there was indeed a lack of respect shown for the women in this community. They were treated like object that could be replaced. As a result of his lack of value for his, Chidam was willing to let his wife die in order to save his guilty brother. Within 19th century Bangladesh culture, women weren’t seen as citizens, let alone people. They were treated and thought of as inferior. Therefore, it isn’t a surprise that Chidam would think of his wife any different.  He only admitted her innocence when he was in the public eye, ridden with guilt. Chidam wasn’t aware, prior to the trial that his wife, although a woman, too deserved dignity, then recognized the importance of her as a human, and not an object.  Tagore uses this story to explore the ethical issue of whom we deem inferior, specifically women, and how this can have detrimental effect on society ethics as a whole.  

Kayla

Ericca R.

Richard

“Be merciful and Send for Me” -Ghalib

The prospect of love doesn’t always have a happy ending. With prospect, comes the slight chance that the other party may not feel the same about you. The is called being rejected. Sometimes, overcoming of rejection is painful. The poem shows how rejection can in fact affect an individual, and how love doesn’t conquer all. If one party isn’t in reciprocation of your feelings towards them; there is a possibility where one could be left with a broken heart. The speaker in Ghalib’s poem “Be merciful and Send for Me” states,  ” I just can’t lay my hands on poison…I couldn’t swallow it. ” This broken hearted man does not want to accept the fact that the woman whom he loves has chosen someone else. Therefore has  rejected him, and the prospect of loving him. However, he is contempt with keeping his love alive for her and hopes she will send for him, and rekindle their “love” . This causes him to deny the option of poison and continue to wait for her. He does not want to move on with his life. He believes that eventually she will realize that they belong together. Through this  short poem, that author is showing the beginning stages of rejection. The antagonist of this poem seems to be in phase one, denial.  Through this poem, the author shows how denial alone, can be more detrimental that the entire process of rejection. It creates hope, that otherwise isn’t there.  

1. Money influences society in more ways than we care to admit, even in 16^th century China. Money can be a way to demonstrate the importance of a relationship between people. It can also be a way to dehumanize a person, by literally placing a price on their life. In Feng Menglong’s short story, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger”, is genuine representation of how two individuals personal values of money and/or love conflict, redefining their relationship.
2. Values are intangible things that are important to us, and ultimately influence our decision-making. Each person has a different set of values, morals, and ethics, which results in individually making different choice. However, in order to maintain a stable relationship, most people search for those whose value system is on par with their own. For the main characters in Feng Menglong’s short story, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger”, they struggled with aligning their values of money or love, therefore creating a rift within then their relationship. This short story remains as an authentic example of the how clashing of personal value system can be the primary downfall in relationships.

The protagonist of, “The Life of a Sensuous Woman” by Saikaku and “Du Tenth Sinks The Jewel Box In Anger”, are both women and prostitutes. However, the similarities end there. Unlike the protagonist of Saikaku short story, Du Tenth has deeper understanding of love. It states in the text, “How could I have guessed that you trust in me was so shallow that you could be confused by a groundless counsel”(Menglong 516)? She thought that love was based on sacrifices, not selfishness. For Du Tenth, being Li Jia “benefactress” wasn’t out of self-perseveration, instead it stemmed from the love she though Li Jia and she shared. Giving up one thousands taels of sliver was just a sacrifices that she had to make. The old women in Saikaku’s tale didn’t understand that type of love. For her, love was based on self-pleasure, “what could my partner give me?” Also, unlike Saikaku’s protagonist, Du Tenth understood her self worth. It states “In my jewel case there is true jade, I regret that you lack eyes in your head to see it”(Menglong 516). A loyal woman, Du Tenth knew her worth. She knew that the jewels she possessed internally were worth ten times more than the amount Ji Lia was trying to trade her in for. However, Ji Lia only saw her as a prostitute who wasn’t worth much, therefore she could be trade like cattle. The woman in Saikaku’s tale never learned this. For her, living as someone’s concubine was enough. For Du Tenth, love was more than just physical connection, it was something worth treasuring.