Frankenstein's Monster: A Corruption of Innocence

A major theme of Frankenstein is the burden of conscience that knowledge brings. The parallel pattern of innocent childhood, to knowledge seeking adult, to miserable creature is shown in both Dr. Frankenstein and his Monster. For this blog I want to focus on the corruption of Frankenstein's Monster, and in some cases, point out similarities between his path and others.

The Monster had a particularly tough start to life, forced to provide for himself with no knowledge and no guiding hand. He describes his first experiences in the forest, "I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but, feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept" (Shelley 68). At this point in the novel he's just a helpless creature, with no predications about the world or its inhabitants; and although he cries his first night, the next day brings him happiness in the new things he's able to observe in nature. It's at the point when he discovers fire, that he begins to enter his knowledge seeking phase. The act of acquiring knowledge is addictive to the Monster (paralleling his creator), he tests the different effects of the flame on various foods after he, to his discomfort, tests his hand. This knowledge building phase lasts almost until the end of his stay at the hovel. At this point in his development, the pains of knowledge begin to manifest, and the Monster, suddenly feeling the weight of his newfound knowledge, exclaims "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge. Oh, that I had for ever remained in my native wood, nor known or felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat" (Shelley 81). I think most readers can sympathize with the desire to go back to a time when they were more innocent, and the world was less complex.

Eventually, the Monster realizes that if he ever hopes for peace-of-mind, he must be able to share his knowledge with other people, in this case his educators in the cottage. This desire to share knowledge is mirrored in Victor Frankenstein, although the nature of the Doctor's knowledge is much more sinister, they both are separated from their would-be contemporaries by their inability to share what they know with others, lest they be rejected. However, Felix's violent reaction towards the Monster causes the beast to give up on his innocent ideas, and fully embrace the horrors that he has learned: emotions such as contempt, bitterness, and rage. As he comes to grips with his place in this world (the place of a monster), the resulting supposition of this knowledge and emotions becomes solidified by the actions of humanity against him. In simpler terms: as a person searches for who they are (as the Monster asked himself at least twice), if enough people treat that person like a monster, then a monster they will become.

I think that when the Monster embraces this role, he really becomes terrifying. One of his scariest moments is when he confronts Dr. Frankenstein after he (the doctor) destroys what would have been the Monster's mate, "Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful" (Shelley 116). Up to this point, the monster has been unsure, searching for meaning, but this meaning that he has ultimately found is extremely dangerous. By contrast, the ignorant and fearful monster that stuck his hand in the fire, has been replaced by a powerful creature who knows all to well the nature of mankind; thus understanding us to an extent that satisfies him, he does not fear us. After this turning point, the beast becomes much more the tormentor than the tormented, and such his corruption is complete.

Drawing the line between desire and obsession

Towards the end of Robert Walton's letters, Victor notices a spark in Walton's eyes that he once had when he sought ultimate knowledge. Victor shows compassion to Robert by telling him the story of how he ended up in the cold isolated arctic, he explains "I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortune…I had determined once that the memory of these evils should die with me; but you have won me to altar my determination” (Shelley 17). It seems that Victor is trying to prevent what happened to him from happening to Robert. He sees the longing for knowledge that Robert has and the same sense of ambition and not knowing when to draw the line between desire and obsession. He feels that Robert can, and will end up like him by alienating himself from his family and abandoning social ties. I believe Victor feels compelled to save Robert from himself which would lead to loneliness, isolation, depression and ultimately his death. This is apparent when he says to Robert “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you as mine have been. I do not know that the relation of my misfortunes will be useful to you, yet, if you are inclined, listen to my tale” (Shelley 17).This can also be considered as foreshadowing for the up and coming events that take place in Victors story as well as Roberts journey.http://benstewart.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/goals-frank.jp

"LOVE CAN BE TWO SIDED "

Today our culture recognizes love as a utopian idea, as we progress through life love becomes ambiguous. In the short story, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger,” written by Feng Menglong, the two main characters in the story are Li and Du Tenth. Li is an upstanding man, who falls in love with a harlot, Du Tenth. Du Tenth loves Li as well, but her madam represses her from life. Li becomes so persistent in perusing Du Tenth the madam finally recognizes his endearment for her. She is willing to relinquish her rights of Du Tenth. The madam charges Li three hundred dollars in exchange for Du Tenth’s freedom. With the restriction Li has the money within ten days (Wenglong 502). At this point Li shows love as a joyous perception from the reply, “When Li had three hundred dollars in hand, it was like a gift dropped from Heaven, and he went off, beaming with joy, to see his love Du Tenth” (Menglong 505).  The story goes on Li and Du Tenth get married, start a new life together, but something happens and gives another perception of love.  Li meets a stranger by the Name of Su Fu who is attracted to his wife. Su Fu comes up with a plan and acquires Du Tenth for one thousand dollars. She was not an idiot, her reply to Su Fu, “You with your lecherous intentions hatched a cunning plot that dissolved me and Li’s life together and destroyed the love and affections between us” (Menglong 515).  Du Tenth was furious with Li because she believes the love they had in the beginning will outlast life itself, but betrayal takes it away, “You have abandoned me and betrayed my earnest heart” (Menglong 516). The story ends with Du Tenth death.

                In my conclusion Li and Du Tenth are the prime example on how love is recognized in our culture today. In the beginning when people fall in love their perception is naive. Life experiences and circumstances change their perception.

Frankenstein



Volume 1

Letter 1

Walton says, '' I am already far north of London" (Shelley 7). Walton is writing his sister to keep her in form of his where abouts. He trys to explain his weird sense of feeling, regarding his mysterious adventure. He says every thing seems some what mystical, and gives him a spooky taste. Like spirits flowing along with him with his every move. He feels very visited, but he is determine to pursue his destination to some strange place out beyond the sea. There he knows he'll find the answers to his puzzling probes, about discovering some thing thats lives in a inhabiting existince. Walton goes on to say, "These reflections have dispelled the agitation with which i began my letter, and i feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven; for nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose,- a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye"(Shelley 8). Walton is trying to explian his trip, relating it to his life. Walton further says, "These visions faded when he persued, for the first time, those poets whose effusions entranced my soul, and lifted it to heaven" (Shelley 8). Walton is really into his dream, and i think will eventually come upon something like he is saying. He is headed north of the sea. Trying to live out his dream, which i think he will very soon. Lets keep our seat i think this is getting very interesting, sail on .

Du Tenth, a strong broken Woman

This world has always been full of strong and motivated woman. Women that run their worlds and carry the people in it, and still remain seemingly silent, woman that congratulates, motivates and celebrates their men, and then cleans up and fixes their mistakes, and short comings.  In “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger,” is just another example of a woman making up for a man’s short coming. Du Tenth fell in love with Li Jia and Du Tenth believed that Li Jia was in love with her. Du Tenth a prostitute and had a Madam, who was tired of Li Jia whom had spent all his money to keep company with Du Tenth in the beginning no longer had any money or anything to offer the house or the ladies, that he Li Jia was taking up all De Tenth time and she no longer had time for any of the other Men that wanted to see her, the Madam told Du Tenth, “ You go tell the bum: if he’s worth anything let him give me a few ounces of silver and buy you out so you can go off with him. Then I can find another girl that can support me” (Menglong 502). After Li Jia was not able to raise any money Du Tenth gave Li Jia half of the three hundred that the Madam was requesting in an assortment of coins. When Li Jia went to exchange the coins with the Academy Scholar Yuchun, Yuchun says,”This is truly a woman with sincere intentions” (Menglong 505). Because of the love that this woman had for this man, not the love this man had for this woman, the Academy Scholar Yuchun went out and raised the other half of the money for the couple. Yuchun states, “It was not for your Sake that I borrowed this money, but rather because I am moved by the Sincere feeling of Du Tenth” (Menglong 505). In actuality Li Jia did not offer anything for Du Tenth, and this could have been a reason it was so easy for him to try to give her away at the end. When the couple set off for their journey it was Du Tenth that paid for the boat ride, Li Jia having nothing to offer,  let us fast forward to the end of the poem, when Li Jia makes an agreement with a stranger to exchange Du Tenth for money. Li Jia tells Du Tenth was with the, “with the thousand taels I will have a pretext on which to call on my parents, and you, my dear will have someone to rely on” (Menglong 514) clearly she could not rely on Li Jia. A loyal woman, and knowing her own worth, she felt betrayed, abandoned and cheap because the money and jewels she carried with her was worth ten times the amount he was trying to trade her for. This shows that a strong woman always has a plan; her plan for her man was to set him up with dignity so that he can get back in good graces with his father, because he let his father down by taking up with a prostitute but in the end Li Jia lets Du Tenth down as well as the strong woman dies with a weak and broken heart.

Du Tenth

What I have learned from the story Du Tenth is that when you love somebody sometimes it will make you do everything that you can to keep the one you love. "For your sake, then, I will give him ten days. But if the tenth day comes and he has not got the money, do not go trying to blame it on me" (Menglong 502). Du Tenth had made a deal with her madam that if Li Jia comes back with three-hundred taels in ten days that she could leave the lodging quarters. This shows you how committed Du Tenth was to Li, also to let him know she would go to the highest mountain to show him how deep her love is for him. She had put her trust in him and believed that Li is the one that  could provide a better life for her. We all know that in every relationship or marriage, 'the honeymoon' stage is over. There comes times where you have obstacles to put your relationship to the test. "You and I have been lovers for two years now, and we have held out to this day through innumerable trails and reversals, and ever manner of difficulty" (Menglong 513). Li meets a new friend named Sun Fu. He brings an offer to Li, to buy Du Tenth from him. So, Li would not have this doubt or burden on him if his parents were going to be upset with him which they kind of already were, but did not want to disappoint them. Li knew how his feelings were towards Du Tenth but later he starts questioning and second guessing hisself what he should do. In conclusion, what you do in life may affect your future and who is able to love you no matter what your past is or who your family wants you to be with for the rest of your life.  

View of Humankind in Today's World

With the election of our new president coming up soon, I find it fitting to pull out some of the parallels of what we have read and compare with what we see today.  Without trying to force my own opinion of what I think, I will let the words of literature talk.  We have democrats, republicans, and all the in between:  what the heck does it matter.  It seems our world could use a little enlightenment of it's own:  like from the man upstairs.  I used these quotes in my last blog and feel they are still appropriate for this one. 

"Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage.  Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another.  This tutelage is self-incurred when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another" (Kant  105).   God gave us a freewill to make our own decisions:  maybe we should let God give us the courage to use it.

It seems to me that we have allowed the world to choose what we do instead of making decisions that make since for our society.  Are we heading into a world of dictatorship?  Do we get up in the morning needing someone to tell us to breathe?  I like it when Kant sums up the overview of humankind:  "Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why so great a portion of mankind, after nature has long since discharged them from external direction..." (Kant  105).  I think he is saying get off your butt and make your own choices.

In Gulliver's Travels, after spending time in a different society, Gulliver had his own observation of human nature:  "But I must freely confess that the many virtues of those quadrupeds placed in opposite view to human corruptions had so far opened my eyes, and enlarged my understanding, that I began to view the actions and passions of man in a very different light; and to think the honor of my own kind not worth managing"  (Swift  291).  Gulliver goes on to talk about his own faults and how he come to realize those, which in turn he learned "an utter detestation of all falsehood or disguise; and truth appeared so amiable to me"  (Swift  291).  

Now I'm not trying to force my view on anyone, I am simply using my own reasoning to analyze what I see going on today.  Everyone has their own opinions and I respect that very much.  No one should be judged for what they believe:  that's not our job anyway!

*Money Is The Root To All Evil*

      Could money really be the root to all evil, that seems to be the case in "Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger." Money is a necessary part of survival and we as individuals depend on money for the necessary things in life. Money can make or break a home, family and life in general. This story is a reputation of how money is differently valued between Du Tenth and Li Jia. Money to Du Tenth is less important and doesn’t appear to be as valuable to her, whereas Li Jia thoughts are created around money. This is proven to be true when Tenth said, “I have been at Mama’s house for eight years, and the gold and treasures I have brought in are nothing short of a thousand talents” (Menglong 506). Tenth thoughts aren’t measured by the amount of money she has or by Li Jia’s unfortunate financial status, but she is actually in love with him and she is willing to give him money out of the care and admiration she feels for him.

      Li Jia lacked companionship and was more interested in the financial gain that his wife had to offer. Li Jia was embarrassed by Tenth’s social status as a prostitute, and uncaring about her feelings and desires towards him. Tenth felt betrayed and unworthy to the man that she loved most that she was willing to take her life. Love has a price that caused Tenth’s life forever. Their marriage had failed the saying, “for better or for worse until death do us part” and it wasn’t until after the betral that Li Jia had realized how much his wife meant to him. In the story, after Du Tenths death, Li Jia “had sighed with pity for several days” (Menglong 516), which shows emotions towards his devoted wife’s death. The ending of this marriage will now and forever be a burden on Li Jia’s heart.

Too good to be true? Why the Houyhnhnms are overrated.

Houyhnhnms are portrayed as the ideal society in Gulliver's Travels. They obey reason, and along with it, maintain an unblemished virtuosity. Although this society certainly has its benefits, Swift is careful to make sure the reader knows that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. In some examples from the text, the satirical messages are exaggerated, and sometimes playful. For example, the Yahoos are very plainly a reference to humanity, but the line drawn between their society and modern human culture seems to provide as many laughs as it does lessons. However, when conjecturing on the dangers of a society saturated with reason, the consequences are much more sobering. When speaking of the values of their society, Gulliver observes, "They preserve decency and civility in the highest degrees, but are altogether ignorant of ceremony. They have no fondness for their colts or foals; but the care they take in educating them proceedeth entirely from the dictates of reason" (Swift 297). So yes, it's great that they value these enlightenment ideas, but at what cost? Sure they'll learn how to be rational adult Houyhnhms, but they will be devoid of emotion, ceremony, caring parents. This warning is further emphasized when Gulliver relates their behavior involving death, "If they can avoid casualties, they die only of old age, and are buried in the obscurest places that can be found, their friends and relations expressing neither joy nor grief at their departure; nor does the dying person discover the least regret that he is leaving the world" (Swift 301). From my perspective, that sucks. To live your whole life with someone, then when they die you have no emotions about it? The virtues and benefits of the Houyhnhm society have been praised left and right by Gulliver, but if one of the results is that you die and everybody keeps going about their day, I would think most people would find that unappealing.

What Is Enlightenment

This story is about, Immanuel Kant. One of the most influential thinkers in the western tradition, Kant (1724-1804) made an impact that is still being felt among philosophers, who continue to debate the substance and implications of his thought. In 1784, he responded to a monthly magazine that had posed the question:
What is Enlightenment? Kant answers, which makes the case for a critical, skeptical, reflective approach to the world, has become a classic definition of what it means to be enlightened. He argues that people have slavishly followed the opinions of authorities, rather than having the courage to seek truth for themselves.
Dare to know! (Kant 105). This story i find very interesting, i am an African American. I read an article that was written by Sir willie lynch, in the 1700s. In this article willie lynch states that he had a fool proof method.
That would keep African Americans in bondage for years to come. Mr. Lynch goes on to say that by picting
one slave against another, by telling one that the other one said this or that about him. Thus by creating opposition between them would keep them arguing with one another. He further states that by doing this and
never allowing them to learn how to read or write. Would keep them in slavery for generation to come. He
says much more than this , but i will let you google it for yourself and read. Back to Mr. Kant, Kant also dwells on the ideal form of goverment for fostering enlightenment, and concludes that  it is not democracy but enlightened Monarchy (Kant 105). We know that democracy is we the people, for the people, and that monarchy is one man rule all. That basically was the way the poor slaves was done. Enlightenment is man's
release from his self- incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. (Kant 105). I can't see us not being taught by another. Kant further states that the church should rule it self and i think it should, but under God's authorthy. I still can't get pass being taught, but what Mr. Kant is suggesting is for us to think more of our own rather than depend on the local authorities. I think being enlighten do help one with his or her fears of failing and not being afraid to get up and try it again. So i conclude my blog with those words.

What Is Enlightenment?

Immanuel Kant

This passage of reading was very enlightening so I decided to analyze it for this blog. I like Kant definition of enlightenment. What Is Enlightenment? "Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage" Norton 105). Enslaved by "guardian" who bestow “shackles of a permanent immaturity” inhibiting us from enlightenment as Kent states. I believe a person is enlightened when they come into their own way of thinking and is able to think and reason for themselves. Kant was talking about mankind remaining under a lifelong tutelage, but I don't think that's true in this day in time. The world and people has changed so much from 300 years ago until now. The things they use to do then has changed from the way we as mankind do things now. We may be encouraged or persuaded to do things, but in the end we are still left with a choice to do what we want to do. This is all I can come up with on this particular subject.

Mirror Image

Rolf Carle' finds himself doing more than just covering a story when he comes encountered with this little girl named Azucena. When he spends hours trying to save her to get her out of the mud (quicksand), they shared a special connection. They began to share stories with each other, Azucena told Rolf, "She was thirteen, and she never been outside her village". So he told her about his adventures. As hours past by, Rolf was not going to leave Azucena until she was ok and save with her family. Towards the end, "Dont cry. I dont hurt anymore. I'm fine," said Azucena. "I'm not crying for you," "I'm crying for myself. I hurt all over", Rolf smiled. This is when Rolf Carle' realized this little girl is just like him when he was a young boy. He developed attachment, emoitions and determination for her to get to safety. Time ran out, when Azucena did not make it all the way through, Carle' fell into a deep depression seemed like to try to figure out ways what went wrong and what he could have done differently that might would have saved her. In so little time they spent with each other, it looked like he already knew her because he saw so much of him in Azucena.   

Virtue of a Woman

The text describes Enlightenment as "a man's release from his self-incurred tutelage." (Norton, pg 105)  In the character of Elmire, the Enlightenment idea of release is evident when she did not allow herself to be caught up in the seductive words of Tartuffe.  "Have courage to use your own reason." (Norton, pg 105)  In other words, have he confidence and dignity to release yourself from another man's direction.  I think Elmire showed courage, dignity, and confidence in different ways.  She was her own woman in a home that seemed to be in chains by the power of a religious hypocrite, Tartuffe, and the blindness of her husband Orgon. 
 Elmire showed that she could be a good wife and mother in a culture of submission and direction from others.  She wasn't disobedient, dishonorable, or unloving, she just seemed to humor the idea of being a martyr.  However, she wasn't unhappy because she had control in her life.  I feel she loved Orgon and his children and did what she felt was best for the family instead of what was right in the eyes of the social world at that time.  Elmire was a woman of virtue.  "In a benign world of comedy, the play reminds its readers of the extreme precariousness with which reason finally triumphs." (Norton, pg 143)  Elmire's character represents reason in such a way that she figures out how to reason with Tartuffe about the marriage Orgon had proposed.  While doing this, Tartuffe tells Elmire his thoughts about how he feels about her.  In return, Elmire stays collective and neutral and uses this to her advantage without letting the temptation prevail. 
 "One learns to spurn without being unkind, and how to spare a husbands peace of mind.  Although I understood just what he meant my honor wasn't touched by this event." (Norton, pg 175)  Someone might interpret that quote in a different way, however, I believe at this time in the play Elmire was being sincere in what she was doing and had great intentions for allowing it to go on.  Later in the play when Orgon's eyes are opened to the cad and foolish ways of Tartuffe, I feel that the reasoning  behind Elmire's actions were true and honest.  
I will finish this blog with the following quote because I feel it fits the virtue of Elmire.
"The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy." (Author Unknown)

Gulliver's Characteristics

        Lemuel Gulliver is not only the narrator of this novel, but he’s also the main character who finds himself on an interesting journey that allows his readers to see how genuinely developed he is. Gulliver appears to be a well sophisticated guy from the lower middle class, however in some instances he’s perceived to be naive and gullible at times. He’s an honest guy and he believes that everyone is just as honest as he is. As noticed throughout the novel, several attempts were made at Gulliver to try to exploit him. After taking several trips to different strange lands, it is a bit difficult to regard him as truly heroic. Along his voyage many things happened to Gulliver, but still Gulliver was able to act with courage by hiding his feelings despite the many difficult things that he had to face. When Gulliver said, “I attempted to rise but was not able to stir,” displays just a small portion of how his trip went. With Gulliver being a normal ordinary human being, it’s not by surprise the he left his family. As a result, he was separated from humanity for a long period of time.

        He was still able to feed, clothe and shelter himself during his journey where he encountered many strange inhabitants. Gulliver’s intelligence begins to shows as he learns to interpret and cope with the language from the horses that he met on his first voyage. His trip was not an idea trip from the time he was captured and dropped off at an unknown land; however he did experiences many things that taught him life along the way. As mentioned in the novel “every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to get old” and that too was surely an unforgettable journey.



The Names - Billy Collins

Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night.
A soft rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze,
And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows,
I started with A, with Ackerman, as it happened,
Then Baxter and Calabro,
Davis and Eberling, names falling into place
As droplets fell through the dark.
Names printed on the ceiling of the night.
Names slipping around a watery bend.
Twenty-six willows on the banks of a stream.
In the morning, I walked out barefoot
Among thousands of flowers
Heavy with dew like the eyes of tears,
And each had a name --
Fiori inscribed on a yellow petal
Then Gonzalez and Han, Ishikawa and Jenkins.
Names written in the air
And stitched into the cloth of the day.
A name under a photograph taped to a mailbox.
Monogram on a torn shirt,
I see you spelled out on storefront windows
And on the bright unfurled awnings of this city.
I say the syllables as I turn a corner --
Kelly and Lee,
Medina, Nardella, and O'Connor.
When I peer into the woods,
I see a thick tangle where letters are hidden
As in a puzzle concocted for children.
Parker and Quigley in the twigs of an ash,
Rizzo, Schubert, Torres, and Upton,
Secrets in the boughs of an ancient maple.
Names written in the pale sky.
Names rising in the updraft amid buildings.
Names silent in stone
Or cried out behind a door.
Names blown over the earth and out to sea.
In the evening -- weakening light, the last swallows.
A boy on a lake lifts his oars.
A woman by a window puts a match to a candle,
And the names are outlined on the rose clouds --
Vanacore and Wallace,
(let X stand, if it can, for the ones unfound)
Then Young and Ziminsky, the final jolt of Z.
Names etched on the head of a pin.
One name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel.
A blue name needled into the skin.
Names of citizens, workers, mothers and fathers,
The bright-eyed daughter, the quick son.
Alphabet of names in a green field.
Names in the small tracks of birds.
Names lifted from a hat
Or balanced on the tip of the tongue.
Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory.
So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart.
Retrieved from http://www.billy-collins.com/2005/06/the_names_billy.html
 

Did Tartuffe have a terrible ending?

I mean it kind of did though, right? We just spent this time experiencing the build up and tension from what promised to be a pretty impressive disaster, then out of nowhere the whole mess had been cleaned up with a few tidy pages. I guess I'm just saying I was a little shocked by the abruptness of the ending. So why did Moliere just "wrap it up" so quickly? I think that what he disguised as a flattery to royalty, was actually a biting criticism of the absurdity of absolute power. Moliere seems to have some glowing things to say about monarchy, "Our Prince of Reason sees things as they are, So hypocrites do not get very far. But saintly men and the truly devout, He cherishes and has no doubts about." (pg.196; ln.55). Looking at the tone of the piece up to this point, his adulation makes no sense. He's been ripping the unnecessary pageantry and empty rituals of religious hypocrites (in this case the Catholic church), it makes no sense to me that he would turn around and prop up a person who sits on a throne and engages in unnecessary pageantry and empty rituals. So this brings me to the "proof" of Moliere's backhanded compliment, it's actually right after where we left off earlier, page 196 line 57 "This man could not begin to fool the king Who can defend himself against the sting Of much more subtle predators." I think that Moliere is mocking the king, who supposedly can't be fooled, by laying on a layer of irony so thick that nobody would think that the nature of the ending was critical instead of supportive. I think that Moliere is the being the "much more subtle predator" by allowing a story that has wound itself around us, that has us at the edge of our seats, to just die; and the king is the one that kills it. I mean sure he's portrayed as the hero who saves Orgon and his family, but it's done in what feels like no time at all. When you consider how paced the story had been up to this point, it's almost like Moliere is saying "Oh and by the way if the king feels like it you can be freed or imprisoned, alive or dead; and that just happens whenever he decides to swoop in."

Practice What You Preach- Tartuffe

 

A scene from a 1994 theatrical production of Tartuffe, written by Molière and performed at the Theatre Antoine in Paris, France.



          In the character Tartuffe, the enlightenment idea of a hypocrite is evident when he pretends to be a sanctified, overly religious guy that imposes moral acts. When Tartuffe met Orgon for the first time, he came off as a guy that devoted majority of his time as a Christian and that concerned himself with others situations. Orgon believed this imposter, against what many of the other characters believed in him. Orgon believed the foolishness that was instilled in Tartuffe so much that he was willing to turn his back on his own son in hopes that his daughter Mariane would marry this "religious worshiper." After Orgon accepted Tartuffe into the home, where Orgon showed different acts of interest, Tartuffe and Orgon tried to convince the family that he was perfect for Mariane until Orgon later found out otherwise.

An instance of Tartuffe's manipulating ways was when Tartuffe tried to seduce Orgon's wife by saying, "but I'm no less of a man, so when I find myself with you, I qiuckly lose my mind." Even after being told that Tartuffe is scandoulos in more ways than one, Orgon still believes that Tartuffe is holier than art thou and is still convinced that Mariane should marry this man despite her engagement to the love of her life. Tartuffe caused so many problems throughout the play from the failed attempt to get at Elmire to the bad influence his lame image gave off. When Orgon finally believed his family, Tartuffe said to Orgon, "Your cowardice, dear sir is unsurpassed. What I have to say is uncontested. Simply put, I'm having you arrested." Although Tartuffe's plan to blackmail Orgon didn’t work, his backstabbing ways still leaves a bad name for his character. Needless to say, his plan back fired and Tartuffe was arrested.





A little girl with no voice

As I reread the first part of the play, because to my own confession I read it the first time but I did not comprehend and/or analyze it. The person I sympathize with the most in this story is Mariane. To me this is a girl, or should we call her a woman since she is to be married some, this is a young lady that doesn’t have a voice, when it come to her father. She adores her father, yet she feels inferior to him, and honored to be his daughter and to just be loved by him. When Mariane’s father asked her a question and after she responded, his reply was “I’ve always loved your gentleness” (Moliere 156). Mariane then responds, “And for your love, I’m grateful, Father dear” (Moliere 156). Her father knows that she loves him, yet he wants her to prove it, he then states, “Well said. And to prove that you are sincere, And worthy of my love, you have the task of doing for me anything that I ask” (Moliere 156). Because this young woman doesn’t have a voice that her father cares to hear from, her family has to stand up for this little girl. Cle’ante, Elmire, and even Dorine try to be her voice. Marine seems fearful of her father or doesn’t want to upset him, or maybe go against the order tradition, and just goes with whatever FATHER says. Even as Dorine and

Orgon went back and forth about Mariane’s life she sat and said nothing. After Orgon leaves the room Dorine asked her, “Tell me, have you lost the power of speech” (Moliere 161). Dorine was livid because Marine was just sitting there and saying nothing as Orgon was deciding her life, her future, and her plans to marry a man that she did not want. Mariane replied, “Against my father, what am I to do” Moliere 161).

World Lit.. Who Cares?

                   For starters I'd like to say that I didn't think this class would be meaningful or even interesting. I was only taking the class due to it being apart of my degree plan. I assummed that it would be boring, and I'd spend alot of time doodling on my paper. Even before school started I was asking myself, "What does this class have to do with being a Nurse Practitioner?" "Am I going to use this on a patient?" "Honestly who cares about World Lit?" I just couldn't understand why a nursing major needed this class. As I prepared for the first day of class I just knew it was going to be a bad day, especially since I had World Lit first thing in the morning!
               Now let me say that I was oh so wrong about this class. The minute the teacher walked in I could tell from her presence that I was in the class and that this was going to be an awesome year! The pipe cleaner exercise we did in class was very interesting to me. I felt as though I could relate to it in a way. Not only was that excercise an opener, but the two stories we read made me look at myself a little differenly. I'm part Geechie. For those of you who don't know what Geechie is, it's a host of different African descendants who reside from Flordia, Georgia, and South Carolina. My family is from the Charleston, South Carolina. As a young child I was always picked on for how fast I talked and how thick my accent was, the way my ear lopes stick out, how big my hands are, and a host of other things. We speak with a thick, heavy accent, which is rather fast and hard to understand. I've grown out of mine but when I'm upset it seems to come out!
             As I read, Achebe: Chike's School Days, I was a little upset. The story made we reflect on all the sterotypes and how I was picked on as a child. It was hard growning up In little Marianna, Arkansas, where no one understood what you were saying, or they picked on you cause you had big feet and ran rather fast to be a tweleve year old. I was known as, "the ugly weird big foot Indian." Not only that, but they didn't expect me to succeed. So I had to show them. My fifth grade year of school I was accepted in to the gifted and talented program, I won many AKA pageants, I placed first place in a few science fairs, and I started for every volleyball and basketball game I played in. My my my, look at how the tables have turned!
            I said all of that to say that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I assumed the class would be horrible and I wouldn't learn anything. The first day of class made me realize that this class is exactly what I need. Even though Achebe, Allende and I are in different time periods, we all have expericed something that has made us stronger. Who cares about World Lit, I do. This class is going to enlighten me on a lot of different things from the pass that could possibly be helpful for me later in life.