Jacqueline Procter
Journal 30
March 28, 2008
Crane – Jewett -- Chopin
Quote - Crane: "Crane developed his powers as an observer of psychological and social reality." (954)
" Jewett: "In these works the careful documentary record of landscape, people, and dialect is described with understanding and sympathy." (520)
Chopin: What she said of Maupassant she might have said of herself: "Here was a man who had escaped from tradition and authority, who had entered into himself and looked out upon life through his own being and with his own eyes; and who in a direct and simple way, told us what he saw.” (529)
Summary: Their common core vision is their ability to speak the truth about the circumstances, of the people, of the times in which they lived.
Response: All three authors came from middle class backgrounds or at least they enjoy the privileges that the common woman/man doesn't have access to. In Crane's, Maggie Girl of the Street, he writes about the disenfranchised during industrialization and the poverty which ensues in urban cities -- He specifically sheds light on the unfortunate circumstances of a girl without the means to support herself and the fact that she is forced into prostitution as there is no other option for her. Jewett's, The White Heron, is also about industrialization and the consequences of a mass exodus from the family farms to urban areas. In this story, Sylvia and her grandmother are barely making ends meet and Sylvia is tempted to reveal the location of the heron, in order to make ten dollars, which would help buy food. In the end she doesn't profit at the Heron's expense and chooses nature instead of her own monetary gain. Sylvia had options, Maggie didn’t -- It appears there are actually more options/freedom in the country as opposed to life in an urban ghetto. If you have a cow, a few chickens and can plant a garden you don’t really need much money in order to survive, but in the city, daily survival is a struggle.
Chopin writes about the limitations of women, specifically women from middle class backgrounds, and technically her writing is classified as “Realism” because it focuses on the middle class and the realities of being a woman in that period, as opposed to Crane’s, Maggie A girl of the Streets, which is technically “Naturalism” because he is exposing the “extreme poverty,” which is actually a “reality” for those who live in the ghetto.
I like Howell’s definition best: “Realism is nothing
more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material”
Friday, March 28, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
To build a fire
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 29
March 21, 2008
Frank Norris
Quote:
"Well, he was bound to freeze anyway, and he might as well take it decently. With this newfound peace of mind came the first glimmerings of drowsiness. A good idea, he thought, to sleep off to death. It was like taking an anesthetic. Freezing was not so bad as people thought. There were lots worse ways to die.
Summary:
A peaceful calm overtakes the man as he realizes his impending death is fast approaching
Response:
In classic naturalistic fashion the man was doomed to perish. From the very beginning of the story I had feeling that the man would not survive, but at the same time I held out hope that he would make it. I can’t imagine putting myself in that situation of such extreme danger, but apparently the payoff was worth it if gold was found. Thousands -- approximately 100,000 men headed out to the Klondike. The problem is that by the time everyone flocked to the area the claims were already staked out. The people who made money on this endeavor were the merchants of food, clothing, and climbing gear – western outfitters.
In the end the man was at peace regarding his inevitable demise, and as the warmth of freezing to death takes over, he decides to take a nap. He didn't reflect on his life as most people would in this situation. His only thought was that the old timer was right about traveling with a partner. The fire, stands between his life or imminent death -- a buddy may have frozen along with him if they were both traveling along the frozen creek bed -- not a good idea; although, a more seasoned mountaineer, one more familiar with the terrain, would have known a safer route to the camp. I thought that maybe in his greed to find gold he chose to travel alone, but he was trying to reach a camp full of other men, so maybe he just wasn't that intelligent to begin with. The story mentions his "mind empty of thoughts," I guess that is the clue that he isn't too bright, but in extreme cold I've read that thinking is impaired (actually I know that at high altitude it is impaired) The bottom line is that he should have listened to the sage advice of the old timer, and he realized his mistake too late, but perhaps this book helped save hundreds of lives during this period, as Dr. Scott mentioned that everyone carried it with them, in their quest to find riches.
Journal # 29
March 21, 2008
Frank Norris
Quote:
"Well, he was bound to freeze anyway, and he might as well take it decently. With this newfound peace of mind came the first glimmerings of drowsiness. A good idea, he thought, to sleep off to death. It was like taking an anesthetic. Freezing was not so bad as people thought. There were lots worse ways to die.
Summary:
A peaceful calm overtakes the man as he realizes his impending death is fast approaching
Response:
In classic naturalistic fashion the man was doomed to perish. From the very beginning of the story I had feeling that the man would not survive, but at the same time I held out hope that he would make it. I can’t imagine putting myself in that situation of such extreme danger, but apparently the payoff was worth it if gold was found. Thousands -- approximately 100,000 men headed out to the Klondike. The problem is that by the time everyone flocked to the area the claims were already staked out. The people who made money on this endeavor were the merchants of food, clothing, and climbing gear – western outfitters.
In the end the man was at peace regarding his inevitable demise, and as the warmth of freezing to death takes over, he decides to take a nap. He didn't reflect on his life as most people would in this situation. His only thought was that the old timer was right about traveling with a partner. The fire, stands between his life or imminent death -- a buddy may have frozen along with him if they were both traveling along the frozen creek bed -- not a good idea; although, a more seasoned mountaineer, one more familiar with the terrain, would have known a safer route to the camp. I thought that maybe in his greed to find gold he chose to travel alone, but he was trying to reach a camp full of other men, so maybe he just wasn't that intelligent to begin with. The story mentions his "mind empty of thoughts," I guess that is the clue that he isn't too bright, but in extreme cold I've read that thinking is impaired (actually I know that at high altitude it is impaired) The bottom line is that he should have listened to the sage advice of the old timer, and he realized his mistake too late, but perhaps this book helped save hundreds of lives during this period, as Dr. Scott mentioned that everyone carried it with them, in their quest to find riches.
From What Life Means to Me
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 28
March 21, 2008
Jack London
Quote:
Summary: I learned further, that brain was likewise a commodity. It too was different from muscle. A brain seller was only at his prime when he was fifty or sixty... and his wares were fetching higher prices than ever. But a laborer ... broken down at forty-five of fifty.
Summary:
Jack London has decided that his work of hard labor is over, as he will now pursue his intellect as a means of making a living – first he needs to educate himself.
Response:
I agree whole-heartedly. The man/woman without an education always gets the shaft. I really don’t know how blue-collar workers are able to perform menial tasks well into old age. I’m thinking housekeepers in the hotel industry, (I did it in Montana and it sucked - not to mention that I incurred an injury that I’m still dealing with – neuroma between 3rd and 4th metacarpal – resulting from fractured metacarpal) road crews and roofers -- having to endue the hot sun and tar. I guess you build up endurance. If you can carry a calf, pretty soon you can carry a cow – my grandmothers saying.
The point is that London’s commentary is still relevant today. Industry will use and abuse the common man/woman – all injuries incurred while on the job are not their problem – workers’ Compensation is a joke.
London was very astute – guess he had time to think when he was arrested for vagrancy. Life is hard and there should be more compensation for labor workers who basically give their life and ruin their health in the pursuit of eking out a meager existence. The man/woman who advances in life is the one with an education.
Journal # 28
March 21, 2008
Jack London
Quote:
Summary: I learned further, that brain was likewise a commodity. It too was different from muscle. A brain seller was only at his prime when he was fifty or sixty... and his wares were fetching higher prices than ever. But a laborer ... broken down at forty-five of fifty.
Summary:
Jack London has decided that his work of hard labor is over, as he will now pursue his intellect as a means of making a living – first he needs to educate himself.
Response:
I agree whole-heartedly. The man/woman without an education always gets the shaft. I really don’t know how blue-collar workers are able to perform menial tasks well into old age. I’m thinking housekeepers in the hotel industry, (I did it in Montana and it sucked - not to mention that I incurred an injury that I’m still dealing with – neuroma between 3rd and 4th metacarpal – resulting from fractured metacarpal) road crews and roofers -- having to endue the hot sun and tar. I guess you build up endurance. If you can carry a calf, pretty soon you can carry a cow – my grandmothers saying.
The point is that London’s commentary is still relevant today. Industry will use and abuse the common man/woman – all injuries incurred while on the job are not their problem – workers’ Compensation is a joke.
London was very astute – guess he had time to think when he was arrested for vagrancy. Life is hard and there should be more compensation for labor workers who basically give their life and ruin their health in the pursuit of eking out a meager existence. The man/woman who advances in life is the one with an education.
From what Life Means to Me
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 27
March 21, 2008
Jack London
Quote:
My environment was crude and rough and raw. I had no outlook, but an uplook rather. My place in society was at the bottom. Here life offered nothing but sordidness and wretchedness, both of the flesh and the spirit; for here flesh and spirit were alike starved and tormented.
Summary:
Jack London knew first hand the hardships people endure living in the ghetto -- he lived the life of a person on the lowest rung of the social and economic ladder.
Response:
London used his experience of living in the trenches of the ghetto, with other disenfranchised people, as a means of effecting social change. He turned his life around and for that he can be greatly admired. It’s not easy to do when you are forced to reside in those conditions of extreme poverty. There is desperation and degradation all around and by all appearances there is no way out -- can’t get any lower unless you were dead and buried – the way up is long and arduous.
He also describes the ghetto as a charnel house (had to look up) where so many people resided – hell on earth -- and society’s refusal to acknowledge their reality. Like Maggie, in Girl of Streets, the wretchedness and sordidness he speaks, is the unfortunate fact that women were forced to sell themselves in order to survive. I really like this story as it gets to the heart of the matter of what life was like for him prior to his epiphany that he should set a new course for his life. I would classify his essay as Naturalistic commentary on the plight of the poor? It is very powerful and should be recommended reading for middle school children, at the very least high school, for its inspirational message.
It took a tremendous amount of moxy to even submit this story to Cosmopolitan magazine as the owner, William Randolph Hearst, held the monopoly on newspapers across the country. I guess it was even more amazing that Hearst actually published the story, as he is one of the “fat cats,” who use and abuse the working class -- Anything for a buck!
Journal # 27
March 21, 2008
Jack London
Quote:
My environment was crude and rough and raw. I had no outlook, but an uplook rather. My place in society was at the bottom. Here life offered nothing but sordidness and wretchedness, both of the flesh and the spirit; for here flesh and spirit were alike starved and tormented.
Summary:
Jack London knew first hand the hardships people endure living in the ghetto -- he lived the life of a person on the lowest rung of the social and economic ladder.
Response:
London used his experience of living in the trenches of the ghetto, with other disenfranchised people, as a means of effecting social change. He turned his life around and for that he can be greatly admired. It’s not easy to do when you are forced to reside in those conditions of extreme poverty. There is desperation and degradation all around and by all appearances there is no way out -- can’t get any lower unless you were dead and buried – the way up is long and arduous.
He also describes the ghetto as a charnel house (had to look up) where so many people resided – hell on earth -- and society’s refusal to acknowledge their reality. Like Maggie, in Girl of Streets, the wretchedness and sordidness he speaks, is the unfortunate fact that women were forced to sell themselves in order to survive. I really like this story as it gets to the heart of the matter of what life was like for him prior to his epiphany that he should set a new course for his life. I would classify his essay as Naturalistic commentary on the plight of the poor? It is very powerful and should be recommended reading for middle school children, at the very least high school, for its inspirational message.
It took a tremendous amount of moxy to even submit this story to Cosmopolitan magazine as the owner, William Randolph Hearst, held the monopoly on newspapers across the country. I guess it was even more amazing that Hearst actually published the story, as he is one of the “fat cats,” who use and abuse the working class -- Anything for a buck!
Frank Norris -- Short Bio
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 26
March 21, 2008
Frank Norris
Quote:
During his short career, his powerful works addressed the coming of age of the diverse classes of the modern United States and warned of the growing threat of monopolies and systematic urban poverty.
Summary:
Norris predicted the wide gulf between the very wealthy and the poor urban city dwellers, due to the rising power of a monopolistic society.
Response:
How tragic that such a brilliant man had to die too soon. Although I don’t think his story Fantaisie Printaniere is humorous, there can be a sliver of humor in the absurdities of certain situations – I guess the human psyche tends to look for humor in these situations that may be too difficult to deal with, but mostly these situations are just pathetic – like in this story – domestic violence. Like Twain, he was clever in presenting a social concern in a humorous fashion. I suppose there was a lot of domestic abuse that men perpetrated against women on a regular basis, it was common, and he speaks about the struggles of daily existence for the common woman/man.
Most people living in poverty don’t have a formal education so his audience was not geared toward these people but those of the moneyed class in an attempt to shed light on the poor’s situation.
In a very short time, after his death, his dire predictions regarding this extreme poverty of the lower class, and the huge rift between classes would reach gigantic proportions with the market crash, and the ensuing depression across the country. I will never forget those now famous pictures I saw in 5th or 6th grade social studies of all those poor people living in the region known as the dust bowl, (I think the photographer is Dorthea Lange) and the look of desperation on their faces. Very moving photographs!
Since being educated about the plight of Native Americans I wonder how this event affected them, although they were already living in barren land, as most of the reservations aren’t lush verdant oases. The Cherokee specifically weren’t acclimated to this desert like landscape. How did Native Americans protect themselves during all those dust storms? Which of course, was due to the white man's raping and not replenishing the earth.
Journal # 26
March 21, 2008
Frank Norris
Quote:
During his short career, his powerful works addressed the coming of age of the diverse classes of the modern United States and warned of the growing threat of monopolies and systematic urban poverty.
Summary:
Norris predicted the wide gulf between the very wealthy and the poor urban city dwellers, due to the rising power of a monopolistic society.
Response:
How tragic that such a brilliant man had to die too soon. Although I don’t think his story Fantaisie Printaniere is humorous, there can be a sliver of humor in the absurdities of certain situations – I guess the human psyche tends to look for humor in these situations that may be too difficult to deal with, but mostly these situations are just pathetic – like in this story – domestic violence. Like Twain, he was clever in presenting a social concern in a humorous fashion. I suppose there was a lot of domestic abuse that men perpetrated against women on a regular basis, it was common, and he speaks about the struggles of daily existence for the common woman/man.
Most people living in poverty don’t have a formal education so his audience was not geared toward these people but those of the moneyed class in an attempt to shed light on the poor’s situation.
In a very short time, after his death, his dire predictions regarding this extreme poverty of the lower class, and the huge rift between classes would reach gigantic proportions with the market crash, and the ensuing depression across the country. I will never forget those now famous pictures I saw in 5th or 6th grade social studies of all those poor people living in the region known as the dust bowl, (I think the photographer is Dorthea Lange) and the look of desperation on their faces. Very moving photographs!
Since being educated about the plight of Native Americans I wonder how this event affected them, although they were already living in barren land, as most of the reservations aren’t lush verdant oases. The Cherokee specifically weren’t acclimated to this desert like landscape. How did Native Americans protect themselves during all those dust storms? Which of course, was due to the white man's raping and not replenishing the earth.
Fantaisie Printaniere
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 25
March21, 2008
Frank Norris
Quote:
“Heretofore it had been the men who were enemies and their wives who were friends. Now the two men are fast friends, while the two women maintain a perpetual feud.”
Summary:
The women who were friends get into an altercation arguing over whose husband is tougher and meaner – friendship dissolves.
Response:
It was rather tragic that the women didn’t have each other to support and be supported – They defended their scumbag husbands and lost each other’s only friend -- and their husbands still beat them. I was rather disappointed that the fantasy didn’t turn out to be where the women conspired to end their misery – like maybe have the men kill each other in a fight to the death. I would have enjoyed that.
While reading this I was thinking which of the two men it would be better to be married to. I would think that the woman who got beat only when her husband was sober would get fewer beatings than the woman whose husband beat her when he was drunk. It’s hard to keep a drunk sober.
This story speaks about the working class struggles of the Irish as well as the racial stereotypes of the Irish loving their booze and brawling. Norris does a terrific job in describing the setting of a squalid neighborhood – What a dismal, depressing, existence.
Although this story isn’t very empowering for the women I think that it should be made into a modern day play. It would be very difficult to watch but the message to women enduring abuse would be powerful. Women don’t have to put up with that crap. It’s funny how this story coincides with the Women’s History Month Clothes Line Project – documenting the abuse women here on campus have encountered in one form or another.
Journal # 25
March21, 2008
Frank Norris
Quote:
“Heretofore it had been the men who were enemies and their wives who were friends. Now the two men are fast friends, while the two women maintain a perpetual feud.”
Summary:
The women who were friends get into an altercation arguing over whose husband is tougher and meaner – friendship dissolves.
Response:
It was rather tragic that the women didn’t have each other to support and be supported – They defended their scumbag husbands and lost each other’s only friend -- and their husbands still beat them. I was rather disappointed that the fantasy didn’t turn out to be where the women conspired to end their misery – like maybe have the men kill each other in a fight to the death. I would have enjoyed that.
While reading this I was thinking which of the two men it would be better to be married to. I would think that the woman who got beat only when her husband was sober would get fewer beatings than the woman whose husband beat her when he was drunk. It’s hard to keep a drunk sober.
This story speaks about the working class struggles of the Irish as well as the racial stereotypes of the Irish loving their booze and brawling. Norris does a terrific job in describing the setting of a squalid neighborhood – What a dismal, depressing, existence.
Although this story isn’t very empowering for the women I think that it should be made into a modern day play. It would be very difficult to watch but the message to women enduring abuse would be powerful. Women don’t have to put up with that crap. It’s funny how this story coincides with the Women’s History Month Clothes Line Project – documenting the abuse women here on campus have encountered in one form or another.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Impressions of An Indian Childhood
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 24
March 14, 2008
Zitkala Sa
Quote:
“I find it hard to count that white man a teacher who tortured an ambitious Indian youth by frequently reminding the brave changeling that he was nothing but a “government pauper.”
Summary:
Too many teachers in Zitkala’s experience have been verbally abusive to Native American children that she is unable to count.
Response:
The bottom line is that children need their parents to advocate on their behalf. When native American children were placed in these “institutions of learning” that basic right was taken away from them. Multitudes of children, who came from a proud race, were adversely affected by the degradation they endured in boarding school. Generally speaking, if a teacher isn’t passionate about their job then they shouldn’t be allowed to teach, especially young impressionable children. From all accounts, the education system was rampant with “these “teachers” who perpetuated abuses, against Native American children, as their only concern was collecting a paycheck. These teachers committed crimes against the souls of Native American children with their verbal and physical abuse. In doing so, their self-worth/spirit has been damaged and the consequences have had serious repercussions on their race since -- along with the other atrocities perpetrated against them!
In addition to the verbal and physical abuse, Native American children also endured sexual abuse, of which the short clip of the film we watched in class brings to light. The film was very powerful as it was difficult to watch and not be emotionally affected. My heart ached for the elderly man, as the abuses he endured were so fresh in his memory. Some things are not easily forgotten.
Journal # 24
March 14, 2008
Zitkala Sa
Quote:
“I find it hard to count that white man a teacher who tortured an ambitious Indian youth by frequently reminding the brave changeling that he was nothing but a “government pauper.”
Summary:
Too many teachers in Zitkala’s experience have been verbally abusive to Native American children that she is unable to count.
Response:
The bottom line is that children need their parents to advocate on their behalf. When native American children were placed in these “institutions of learning” that basic right was taken away from them. Multitudes of children, who came from a proud race, were adversely affected by the degradation they endured in boarding school. Generally speaking, if a teacher isn’t passionate about their job then they shouldn’t be allowed to teach, especially young impressionable children. From all accounts, the education system was rampant with “these “teachers” who perpetuated abuses, against Native American children, as their only concern was collecting a paycheck. These teachers committed crimes against the souls of Native American children with their verbal and physical abuse. In doing so, their self-worth/spirit has been damaged and the consequences have had serious repercussions on their race since -- along with the other atrocities perpetrated against them!
In addition to the verbal and physical abuse, Native American children also endured sexual abuse, of which the short clip of the film we watched in class brings to light. The film was very powerful as it was difficult to watch and not be emotionally affected. My heart ached for the elderly man, as the abuses he endured were so fresh in his memory. Some things are not easily forgotten.
Impressions of An Indian Childhood
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 23
March 14, 2008
Zitkala Sa
Quote:
“For the white man’s papers I had given up my faith in the Great Spirit. For these same papers I had forgotten the healing in trees and brooks. On account of my mother’s simple view of life, and my lack of any, I gave her up, also… I had been uprooted from my mother, nature, and God.”
Summary:
Zitkala Sa lost her identity when she chose to leave her mother to attend boarding school.
Response:
Zitkala Sa sacrificed a considerable amount in her pursuit of an education. She grew up without the nurturing presence of a mother, nature, or God/spirituality, which all provide comfort to an individual. Native Americans are a spiritual people whose relationship with the earth is an integral part of their identity, as for thousands of years; their survival has been dependent on nature’s bounty.
Her soul was deprived of the healing qualities that nature provides, as well as the divine essence, or spirit of God that is present in nature. How devastatingly lonely she must have been to find herself in the sterile environment of the boarding school, bereft all that she knew – an alien in her own country.
Zitkala Sa can be admired for her strong independent nature as well as her perseverance in pursuing an education isolated from everything familiar to her. Her sacrifices, in addition to her advocacy of Native American rights have benefited humanity.
Journal # 23
March 14, 2008
Zitkala Sa
Quote:
“For the white man’s papers I had given up my faith in the Great Spirit. For these same papers I had forgotten the healing in trees and brooks. On account of my mother’s simple view of life, and my lack of any, I gave her up, also… I had been uprooted from my mother, nature, and God.”
Summary:
Zitkala Sa lost her identity when she chose to leave her mother to attend boarding school.
Response:
Zitkala Sa sacrificed a considerable amount in her pursuit of an education. She grew up without the nurturing presence of a mother, nature, or God/spirituality, which all provide comfort to an individual. Native Americans are a spiritual people whose relationship with the earth is an integral part of their identity, as for thousands of years; their survival has been dependent on nature’s bounty.
Her soul was deprived of the healing qualities that nature provides, as well as the divine essence, or spirit of God that is present in nature. How devastatingly lonely she must have been to find herself in the sterile environment of the boarding school, bereft all that she knew – an alien in her own country.
Zitkala Sa can be admired for her strong independent nature as well as her perseverance in pursuing an education isolated from everything familiar to her. Her sacrifices, in addition to her advocacy of Native American rights have benefited humanity.
In The Land of The Free
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 22
March 14, 2008
Sui Sin Far
Quote:
“Little One, ah, my Little One!” cried Lae Choo.
She fell on her knees and stretched her hungry arms toward her son.
But the Little One shrunk from her and tried to hide himself in the folds of the white woman’s skirt.
“go’way, go’way!” he bade his mother.
Summary:
Lae Choo is finally reunited with her son after almost a year with no contact but her son does not know her.
Response:
This story is devastating in that Lae Choo has not had the opportunity to bond with her son; he has no recollection of her and identifies with the people who cared for him, white women. His mother is alien to him.
In a broader sense he has been stripped of his cultural identity. It was important to Hom Hing that his son be born in his native land of China which is significant in it’s implication that they are proud of their cultural heritage. Children adapt very well to change -- he will probably adjust, once again, to his biological parents. Regrettably, the most precious year is lost.
I just don’t understand how a baby could be taken away from its mother like he was a threat to national security -- seriously how could that have happened? What about the option of the mother accompanying her child to baby jail? What about visitation? I know that today if a child is born in the US and the parents are illegal, the parents could be deported, but at least action isn’t taken swiftly and the parents have the option of bringing their child with them.
A lot of blood, sweat, and tears were shed as the United States was being built into a supper power! -- That saying probably originated during this period.
Journal # 22
March 14, 2008
Sui Sin Far
Quote:
“Little One, ah, my Little One!” cried Lae Choo.
She fell on her knees and stretched her hungry arms toward her son.
But the Little One shrunk from her and tried to hide himself in the folds of the white woman’s skirt.
“go’way, go’way!” he bade his mother.
Summary:
Lae Choo is finally reunited with her son after almost a year with no contact but her son does not know her.
Response:
This story is devastating in that Lae Choo has not had the opportunity to bond with her son; he has no recollection of her and identifies with the people who cared for him, white women. His mother is alien to him.
In a broader sense he has been stripped of his cultural identity. It was important to Hom Hing that his son be born in his native land of China which is significant in it’s implication that they are proud of their cultural heritage. Children adapt very well to change -- he will probably adjust, once again, to his biological parents. Regrettably, the most precious year is lost.
I just don’t understand how a baby could be taken away from its mother like he was a threat to national security -- seriously how could that have happened? What about the option of the mother accompanying her child to baby jail? What about visitation? I know that today if a child is born in the US and the parents are illegal, the parents could be deported, but at least action isn’t taken swiftly and the parents have the option of bringing their child with them.
A lot of blood, sweat, and tears were shed as the United States was being built into a supper power! -- That saying probably originated during this period.
In The Land of The Free
Jacqueline Procter
Journal # 21
March 14, 2008
Sui Sin Far
Qoute:
“Well, we must get your boy for you,” he responded. “Of course”—turning to Hom Hing—“it will cost a little money. You can’t get fellows to hurry the Government for you without gold in your pocket.”
Summary:
Hom Hing and his wife are being solicited to come up with even more money in order to get their son back who is being detained by immigration because he was not born in the US.
Response:
The Hing’s are taken advantage of as their savings are depleted and then finally, the profiteer collects their jewelry. In this act, I see similarities between the pirates of the past and lawyers of today. The only difference is the manner in which it is executed – very politely the lawyer collects his booty. There is no violence, but a crime has been committed as the end result is the same – a robbery has taken place.
Any selfless parent would give their very life for their child, and this fact makes Hom Hing and his wife easy prey. Immigrants in general are easy prey when faced with this situation, especially when they do not speak English or have limited use of the English language, and don’t know the laws of the land. I wonder how effective immigration attorneys are in getting the Government to speed things along. It doesn’t seem possible that that would be a reality, unless, immigration agents are benefiting monetarily. In the story, the attorney had previously written ”letters” which had no effect on expediting the “process” and clues the reader in to questioning the integrity of the lawyer.
Is it even remotely possible that a letter written by an attorney would expedite the process? If so, how diligent are these attorneys in advocating for their clients? Do immigration attorneys really wield influence in these situations? Or, are they parasites, which feed on the emotions and bank accounts of immigrants, like which is portrayed in this story.
Journal # 21
March 14, 2008
Sui Sin Far
Qoute:
“Well, we must get your boy for you,” he responded. “Of course”—turning to Hom Hing—“it will cost a little money. You can’t get fellows to hurry the Government for you without gold in your pocket.”
Summary:
Hom Hing and his wife are being solicited to come up with even more money in order to get their son back who is being detained by immigration because he was not born in the US.
Response:
The Hing’s are taken advantage of as their savings are depleted and then finally, the profiteer collects their jewelry. In this act, I see similarities between the pirates of the past and lawyers of today. The only difference is the manner in which it is executed – very politely the lawyer collects his booty. There is no violence, but a crime has been committed as the end result is the same – a robbery has taken place.
Any selfless parent would give their very life for their child, and this fact makes Hom Hing and his wife easy prey. Immigrants in general are easy prey when faced with this situation, especially when they do not speak English or have limited use of the English language, and don’t know the laws of the land. I wonder how effective immigration attorneys are in getting the Government to speed things along. It doesn’t seem possible that that would be a reality, unless, immigration agents are benefiting monetarily. In the story, the attorney had previously written ”letters” which had no effect on expediting the “process” and clues the reader in to questioning the integrity of the lawyer.
Is it even remotely possible that a letter written by an attorney would expedite the process? If so, how diligent are these attorneys in advocating for their clients? Do immigration attorneys really wield influence in these situations? Or, are they parasites, which feed on the emotions and bank accounts of immigrants, like which is portrayed in this story.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Turned
Jacqueline Procter
Journal 20
March 7, 2008
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Quote:
“Gerta, holding the child as a bulwark, with a new intelligence in her face, and her blue, adoring eyes fixed on her friend—not upon him.
He looked from one to the other dumbly.
And the woman who had been his wife asked quietly.
“What have you to say to us?”
Summary:
Mr. Marroner finally finds his wife, along with Gerta, the servant whom he impregnated. Mrs. Marroner left her husband without a forwarding address and has been taking care of Gerta and her child. Mr. Marroner is shocked to see the three of them.
Response:
My first thought upon reading the ending is that Mrs. Marroner and Gerta are a couple, but whether or not they are, the ending of the story is very empowering, especially for Mrs. Marroner. Although She is extremely hurt, because she loved her husband tremendously, she realizes that Gerta, inexperienced and willing to please everyone, did not possess the skills to fend her husband off. She blames her husband exclusively for taking advantage of such a naïve young girl.
Gerta represents the modern day surrogate mother. Mrs. Marroner couldn’t have a child with her husband so the next best thing is for her to rear his illegitimate progeny. Mrs. Marroner assumes the masculine role of provider, supporting Gerta and “their” child, by resuming her former teaching career as a college professor.
Mrs. Marroner is a role model for Gerta, as the “new Intelligence in Gerta’s face” is probably due to Mrs. Marroner influencing Gerta in getting an education for herself, which is why Gerta looks so adoringly at Mrs. Marroner.
Her husband, angry at Gerta for getting pregnant, does not accept responsibility for his actions and is dumbstruck with the revelation that his wife and his mistress are not only surviving without him, but they’re cohabitating. It's also a blow to his ego that Gerta, who once looked at him with adoration, now idolizes Mrs. Marroner.
Mrs. Marroner, a woman true to her word, has followed her husbands’ instructions of “taking care” of Gerta.
Journal 20
March 7, 2008
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Quote:
“Gerta, holding the child as a bulwark, with a new intelligence in her face, and her blue, adoring eyes fixed on her friend—not upon him.
He looked from one to the other dumbly.
And the woman who had been his wife asked quietly.
“What have you to say to us?”
Summary:
Mr. Marroner finally finds his wife, along with Gerta, the servant whom he impregnated. Mrs. Marroner left her husband without a forwarding address and has been taking care of Gerta and her child. Mr. Marroner is shocked to see the three of them.
Response:
My first thought upon reading the ending is that Mrs. Marroner and Gerta are a couple, but whether or not they are, the ending of the story is very empowering, especially for Mrs. Marroner. Although She is extremely hurt, because she loved her husband tremendously, she realizes that Gerta, inexperienced and willing to please everyone, did not possess the skills to fend her husband off. She blames her husband exclusively for taking advantage of such a naïve young girl.
Gerta represents the modern day surrogate mother. Mrs. Marroner couldn’t have a child with her husband so the next best thing is for her to rear his illegitimate progeny. Mrs. Marroner assumes the masculine role of provider, supporting Gerta and “their” child, by resuming her former teaching career as a college professor.
Mrs. Marroner is a role model for Gerta, as the “new Intelligence in Gerta’s face” is probably due to Mrs. Marroner influencing Gerta in getting an education for herself, which is why Gerta looks so adoringly at Mrs. Marroner.
Her husband, angry at Gerta for getting pregnant, does not accept responsibility for his actions and is dumbstruck with the revelation that his wife and his mistress are not only surviving without him, but they’re cohabitating. It's also a blow to his ego that Gerta, who once looked at him with adoration, now idolizes Mrs. Marroner.
Mrs. Marroner, a woman true to her word, has followed her husbands’ instructions of “taking care” of Gerta.
Daisy Miller: A Study
Jacqueline Procter
Journal 19
March 7, 2008
Henry James
Quote:
“Why the devil…did you take her to that fatal place?”
“The subtle Roman again dropped his eyes. ‘If she had lived, I should have got nothing. She would never have married me, I am sure.”
Summary:
Winterbourne doesn’t understand why Giovanelli, a native of Rome, who understands the danger of skulking about at night, would take Daisy out with the threat of contracting a fatal disease – malaria. Giovanelli implies that Daisy would not have married him if she had lived anyway.
Response:
I’m not too clear about Giovanelli’s motives for taking Daisy to the coliseum. He almost seems selfish – if he couldn’t have her then nobody would. He claims he wasn’t concerned for himself but he wasn’t too concerned for Daisy or else he would not have indulged her in her request to gallivant all over the city in the evening. Maybe he couldn’t say no to such a beautiful girl and to pacify her he was willing to put himself as risk. This last excuse certainly highlights Daisy's tendencies as the spoiled American girl who lived her life on her own terms.
I do believe that Winterbourne cared for Daisy and had it not been for his aunt he would have pursued her more vigorously. He may have loved her as he was definitely enchanted by her and clearly mourns at her graveside.
Throughout the story the reader is lead to believe that Daisy is not a girl of scrupulous morals and her mother appears ignorant, as she lets her roam around the city with strange men – Giovanelli and others. I think that Daisy and her brother have a lot of freedom because the mother is often ill and in bed. Her brother’s teeth are falling out due to his addiction to candy, which is also the reason he can’t get to sleep before midnight – he’s jacked up on sugar. I guess Daisy is the eye candy for the men in the story, because in the end the reader discovers, along with Winterbourne, that Daisy was innocent, and her naivete was her down fall, which led to her death.
Journal 19
March 7, 2008
Henry James
Quote:
“Why the devil…did you take her to that fatal place?”
“The subtle Roman again dropped his eyes. ‘If she had lived, I should have got nothing. She would never have married me, I am sure.”
Summary:
Winterbourne doesn’t understand why Giovanelli, a native of Rome, who understands the danger of skulking about at night, would take Daisy out with the threat of contracting a fatal disease – malaria. Giovanelli implies that Daisy would not have married him if she had lived anyway.
Response:
I’m not too clear about Giovanelli’s motives for taking Daisy to the coliseum. He almost seems selfish – if he couldn’t have her then nobody would. He claims he wasn’t concerned for himself but he wasn’t too concerned for Daisy or else he would not have indulged her in her request to gallivant all over the city in the evening. Maybe he couldn’t say no to such a beautiful girl and to pacify her he was willing to put himself as risk. This last excuse certainly highlights Daisy's tendencies as the spoiled American girl who lived her life on her own terms.
I do believe that Winterbourne cared for Daisy and had it not been for his aunt he would have pursued her more vigorously. He may have loved her as he was definitely enchanted by her and clearly mourns at her graveside.
Throughout the story the reader is lead to believe that Daisy is not a girl of scrupulous morals and her mother appears ignorant, as she lets her roam around the city with strange men – Giovanelli and others. I think that Daisy and her brother have a lot of freedom because the mother is often ill and in bed. Her brother’s teeth are falling out due to his addiction to candy, which is also the reason he can’t get to sleep before midnight – he’s jacked up on sugar. I guess Daisy is the eye candy for the men in the story, because in the end the reader discovers, along with Winterbourne, that Daisy was innocent, and her naivete was her down fall, which led to her death.
Daisy Miller: A Study
Jacqueline Procter
Journal 18
March 7, 2008
Henry James
Quote:
“The shore of the lake presents an unbroken array of establishments…from the ‘grand hotel’…to the little Swiss pension…and an awkward summer-house in the angle of the garden.”
“Daisy’s grave was in the little Protestant cemetery, in an angle of the wall of imperial Rome, beneath the cypresses and the thick spring-flowers.”
Summary:
The first quote is a description of Vevey, Switzerland. The current grand hotels and quaint little boarding houses of the past are contrasted against the awkward summerhouse. The second quote describes the resting place of Daisy Miller.
Response:
When I read the first quote at the beginning of the story I had to re-read it several times as “in the angle of the garden” struck me as significant but I didn’t know why. The second quote mentions her grave placed “in an angle of the wall” so I don’t think it is a coincidence. I think he is comparing her and her final resting place to the awkward summerhouse.
Most Americans visit Europe in the summer, and like the “awkward summer house,” which appears out of place in Vevey, Americans, specifically Daisy, appear awkward in Europe. They are perceived as obnoxious and common by European standards, even when obviously wealthy, because they don’t conform to high society’s rules, and lack social grace, which easily identifies them as American.
I also find the “grand hotel’ which is described as “the newest fashion” similar to the American of “the newest fashion” – those made wealthy by Industrialization after the civil war. Europeans don’t like Americans but they have nothing against their money. The “grand hotels” were built in no small part to the deluge of new Americans vacationing in Europe.
Finally, the Protestant graveyard in Rome is also awkward, because Rome is the seat of the Catholic church, and would not have existed prior to the protestant reformation over 300 years before; therefore, not too many protestants were buried in Rome, unless there was more than one protestant grave yard, as the current graveyard is small.
Journal 18
March 7, 2008
Henry James
Quote:
“The shore of the lake presents an unbroken array of establishments…from the ‘grand hotel’…to the little Swiss pension…and an awkward summer-house in the angle of the garden.”
“Daisy’s grave was in the little Protestant cemetery, in an angle of the wall of imperial Rome, beneath the cypresses and the thick spring-flowers.”
Summary:
The first quote is a description of Vevey, Switzerland. The current grand hotels and quaint little boarding houses of the past are contrasted against the awkward summerhouse. The second quote describes the resting place of Daisy Miller.
Response:
When I read the first quote at the beginning of the story I had to re-read it several times as “in the angle of the garden” struck me as significant but I didn’t know why. The second quote mentions her grave placed “in an angle of the wall” so I don’t think it is a coincidence. I think he is comparing her and her final resting place to the awkward summerhouse.
Most Americans visit Europe in the summer, and like the “awkward summer house,” which appears out of place in Vevey, Americans, specifically Daisy, appear awkward in Europe. They are perceived as obnoxious and common by European standards, even when obviously wealthy, because they don’t conform to high society’s rules, and lack social grace, which easily identifies them as American.
I also find the “grand hotel’ which is described as “the newest fashion” similar to the American of “the newest fashion” – those made wealthy by Industrialization after the civil war. Europeans don’t like Americans but they have nothing against their money. The “grand hotels” were built in no small part to the deluge of new Americans vacationing in Europe.
Finally, the Protestant graveyard in Rome is also awkward, because Rome is the seat of the Catholic church, and would not have existed prior to the protestant reformation over 300 years before; therefore, not too many protestants were buried in Rome, unless there was more than one protestant grave yard, as the current graveyard is small.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Jacqueline Procter
Journal 17
March 7, 2008
charlotte Perkins Gilman
Quote:
“But there is something else about that paper – the smell! I noticed it the moment we came into the room, but with so much air and sun it was not bad. Now we have had a week of fog and rain, and whether the windows are open or not, the smell is here.”
Summary:
The room she is forced to sleep in smells bad.
Response:
My first thought when reading this was that the room was moldy. Could it have been black mold? Black mold, in addition to causing respiratory disease, can affect the nervous system, which would have a negative impact on her already fragile nervous system. If it wasn’t black mold and just a common mold then perhaps she suffered from an allergy to mold. Allergy sufferers do experience lethargy, which can manifest into depression. The fact that the smell dissipates to a great extent when the room is filled with sunshine and fresh air does suggest that it could be mold, especially when the smell is more prevalent when it has been raining or is foggy.
The other unpleasant alternative is that the smell is stale urine.
The “long, straight, even smooch” encircling the room suggests that it could be, although when I looked up smooch, the definition was the standard “kissing” smooch with no other definition offered. If it was urine it answers the question “how was it done?” In regards to “who did it?” -- Obviously someone imprisoned in the room – “What they did it for?” -- who knows, but the visual on that is disturbing and hilarious at the same time. A small child could have done it, but is ruled out, as a small child could not have stripped off paper above the bed “as far as [she could] reach,” and would therefore have been done by an adult or at least an older child, an adolescent perhaps.
Journal 17
March 7, 2008
charlotte Perkins Gilman
Quote:
“But there is something else about that paper – the smell! I noticed it the moment we came into the room, but with so much air and sun it was not bad. Now we have had a week of fog and rain, and whether the windows are open or not, the smell is here.”
Summary:
The room she is forced to sleep in smells bad.
Response:
My first thought when reading this was that the room was moldy. Could it have been black mold? Black mold, in addition to causing respiratory disease, can affect the nervous system, which would have a negative impact on her already fragile nervous system. If it wasn’t black mold and just a common mold then perhaps she suffered from an allergy to mold. Allergy sufferers do experience lethargy, which can manifest into depression. The fact that the smell dissipates to a great extent when the room is filled with sunshine and fresh air does suggest that it could be mold, especially when the smell is more prevalent when it has been raining or is foggy.
The other unpleasant alternative is that the smell is stale urine.
The “long, straight, even smooch” encircling the room suggests that it could be, although when I looked up smooch, the definition was the standard “kissing” smooch with no other definition offered. If it was urine it answers the question “how was it done?” In regards to “who did it?” -- Obviously someone imprisoned in the room – “What they did it for?” -- who knows, but the visual on that is disturbing and hilarious at the same time. A small child could have done it, but is ruled out, as a small child could not have stripped off paper above the bed “as far as [she could] reach,” and would therefore have been done by an adult or at least an older child, an adolescent perhaps.
Why I Wrote "The Yellow Wallpaper?"
Jacqueline Procter
Journal 16
March 7, 2008
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Quote:
“ I went home and obeyed those directions for some three months, and came so near the border line of utter mental ruin that I could see over.”
“ But the best result is this. Many years later I was told that the great specialist had admitted to friends of his that he had altered his treatment of neurasthenia since reading The Yellow Wall-paper.
Summary:
Dr. Weir Mitchell, considered an authority on neurasthenia, prescribed total bed rest with limited mental stimulation, as a prescription for “nervous disorders.” This treatment nearly destroyed Gilman and was her inspiration in writing the Yellow Wallpaper, which caused Dr. Mitchell to alter his treatment plan, after reading The Yellow Wallpaper
Response:
I have much respect and admiration for Charlotte Gilman because it took a tremendous amount of courage to write about her own mental illness; although, it appears that neurasthenia sufferers weren’t ostracized socially due to the stigma associated with mental illness, like it is today, as it was mostly incurred by women of the upper class.
She achieved her goal of educating women and Doctors in the erroneous methods of treating neurasthenia. She may have been depressed, but the treatment of bed rest with no mental stimulation almost drove her completely mad. The hands and brain need stimulation and perhaps that was why women of a lower class didn’t suffer neurasthenia as they were too busy working – especially in the home.
In matters of one’s health, a person needs to trust their intuition, which Gilman did, as well as doing research on their condition, instead of trusting a doctor completely with their health/life. Too often, doctors are treated like God’s and the problem is they believe the hype as well, which accounts for their over inflated egos. I’m not saying I could perform surgery, but it’s infuriating when the patient has to educate the doctor because they haven’t bothered to keep up with the latest research.
Originally, I thought Gilman suffered from schizophrenia because of her visual hallucinations in the story, but because her body of work is so insightful, thought provoking, and sane, I think that can be ruled out
Journal 16
March 7, 2008
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Quote:
“ I went home and obeyed those directions for some three months, and came so near the border line of utter mental ruin that I could see over.”
“ But the best result is this. Many years later I was told that the great specialist had admitted to friends of his that he had altered his treatment of neurasthenia since reading The Yellow Wall-paper.
Summary:
Dr. Weir Mitchell, considered an authority on neurasthenia, prescribed total bed rest with limited mental stimulation, as a prescription for “nervous disorders.” This treatment nearly destroyed Gilman and was her inspiration in writing the Yellow Wallpaper, which caused Dr. Mitchell to alter his treatment plan, after reading The Yellow Wallpaper
Response:
I have much respect and admiration for Charlotte Gilman because it took a tremendous amount of courage to write about her own mental illness; although, it appears that neurasthenia sufferers weren’t ostracized socially due to the stigma associated with mental illness, like it is today, as it was mostly incurred by women of the upper class.
She achieved her goal of educating women and Doctors in the erroneous methods of treating neurasthenia. She may have been depressed, but the treatment of bed rest with no mental stimulation almost drove her completely mad. The hands and brain need stimulation and perhaps that was why women of a lower class didn’t suffer neurasthenia as they were too busy working – especially in the home.
In matters of one’s health, a person needs to trust their intuition, which Gilman did, as well as doing research on their condition, instead of trusting a doctor completely with their health/life. Too often, doctors are treated like God’s and the problem is they believe the hype as well, which accounts for their over inflated egos. I’m not saying I could perform surgery, but it’s infuriating when the patient has to educate the doctor because they haven’t bothered to keep up with the latest research.
Originally, I thought Gilman suffered from schizophrenia because of her visual hallucinations in the story, but because her body of work is so insightful, thought provoking, and sane, I think that can be ruled out
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