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

Image: http://orig00.deviantart.net/f7c7/f/2013/316/e/c/isolation_8_by_jessica_art-d6tz9dv.jpg

Thesis statement: Aristotle suggests that a hero of a tragedy must suggest in the audience a sense of pity or fear saying, “the change of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity.” In other words, the focus of the tragic hero should not be in the loss of his prosperity. In Bartleby the Scrivener, Bartleby is a tragic anti-hero; not in the sense of Aristotle, but in the modern sense of an ordinary man which is a hero in grief, misery or disaster.

Bartleby is a man that lives alone in his workplace. He sleeps, eats and just hangs out in his cubicle. He has no friends or family. The only people Bartleby ever sees are his coworkers but he basically refuses all interaction with them. This short story explores the nature of Bartleby’s extreme isolation and of it’s impact on the world around him. When Bartleby says, ”I would prefer not to”, it tells the reader about Bartleby isolating himself. The phrase shows his lack of involvement which is another form of isolation. By not fitting into normal society, Bartleby left himself open to isolation.  It’s unclear why Bartleby stops doing his duties, but he does show signs of depression and then insanity. It’s when Bartleby is finally abandoned and imprisoned in even more inhumane conditions that he can’t bear to live at all.

Kaspar portrayed how if an individual lacks the motivation to do anything with their own life, nothing will come of it. The art starts with this individual doing nothing but eating, sleeping, drinking, and repeat. If left alone, he will continue to do the same thing for the rest of his life.  Later on this other character is introduced and slowly but surely the individual is taught on how to read, walk, etc. However during the process, the individual did not understand what the meaning of doing these tasks were for. While walking, he was complaining and crying. Even to the end, when the man in black gave him a letter and disappears, he does not know what to do.  Without the assistance of the man in black he ultimately cannot move. This show how the man in black nurtured him up until this point. But once he is gone, the individual had no clue on how to operate anymore. Without the incentive of the horse, which was making him reluctant to learning to walk, he individual just stand there. He knows without the horse, there is no point in moving anymore. (Michael)

Kaspar represents someone who has no meaning in life. His purpose in life is existing instead of living. He has been living alone in a box. He has no sense of living; he simply lays there or plays with his horse. He never tried to stand up or walk around. He has no idea what to do with his life. He is in his only tiny bubble, except he doesn’t really care at all. That is until a stranger in black appears and teaches him the how to walk and read. Kaspar did not question the stranger’s intentions at all; he just went along with it. He does not understand why he’s doing any of this, but he did not ask. The man’s existence is what got Kaspar to leave the cellar and have a small insight of the outside world. After dragging Kaspar out of his cellar, the man left him. But immediately, Kaspar is back to his original self. This shows how dependent and lost he is. He has no clue on what to do with his life or who he is as a person. (Ivy)

Kaspar by Diane Obomsawin is an animated short that tells the story of Kaspar who is a young man who basically discover life after spending his entire life in a dark cellar with a wooden horse as his only company.  Since he was in the cellar all his life, he received food through a hole, he didn’t know other humans existed, didn’t know any language or what anything was. In my opinion, this animated short investigates the nature of reality and that perception is something that can be controlled. The short is a reminder of the bubbles we psychologically live in. We perceive our lives as the only way to live. It also speaks to the power of mystery in defining reality. When there is no rational explanation and no way to investigate the claims. The perception is a capacity to “see” in light of experience. Our perception alters of our world according to our understanding, insight, and experience. Also, Kasper basically grows up outside of civilization so the story hints at the themes of human nature vs human civilization. (Alexandria)

The chief clerk and Gregor’s father both had different reactions to Gregor’s transformation.  The chief clerk’s reaction is more of a terrified reaction. He mostly stares at Gregor and backs away. It states, “…without taking his eyes off Gregor, moved towards the door…” (218). The father’s reaction was different. It states, “…who to that point had remained relatively calm…” (219). This was until he started hissing at Gregor and forcing him back into the room with a stick. Gregor’s father was not frightened at all by the sight of Gregor which was the exact opposite reaction to the chief clerk. The family is extremely thankful for Gregor’s death. They respond to Gregor’s death as with relief and hope. The family suddenly feels whole again. The maid is actually excited by Gregor’s death. The mother and daughter hug each another. The father demands some attention which the mother and daughter give. It states, “They decided to use the day to rest and go for a walk; not only had they earned a break from work, but they stood in dire need of one.” (240). This is ironic because there was no such respite that was ever afforded to Gregor. On the day he transformed, everyone was at his door telling him to go to work, but now everyone seems to find time to rest, also “deserve” a break, and intend to go for a walk.

Since Strindberg was interested in psychology, I see Miss Julie described as “crazy with a weak mind” and “sick” as Jean commented on her behavior. Jean says, “Tonight Miss Julie is crazy again, perfectly crazy”. He says that he danced with Miss Julie at the local barn. Miss Julie is also seen as high-spirited in the wake of her broken engagement. Miss Julie was raised by an empowered mother who basically despised men. Miss Julie says, “You see, my mother was not of noble birth. She was brought up with ideas of equality, woman’s freedom and all that”. Because of her mother, Miss Julie is disgusted by and drawn to men and horrified by sex. Her hatred of men leads her to attempt to enslave them sadistically. I feel like Strindberg’s term, “half-woman” is interesting. In the excerpt from he’s introduction to Miss Julie, he states that she is a man-hating half-woman. Miss Julie is an aristocratic woman with a self-destructive personality and a hesitant feeling toward men. Miss Julie does identifies with both male and female figures in the play.