Perfume Blog #1

     Grenouille is shaping up to be a very strange character. He seems to be indestructible surviving anthrax and has an superhuman sense of smell. Suskind creates the character to be a cold figure that is sort of feared by everyone he comes across because they automatically sense something off about him.
     I would say that scent in "Perfume" symbolizes beauty and innocence. The girl who scent is most ideal to Grenouille is a girl only about 14, she is pretty and young and pure. But the symbol of scent is still a mystery to me and what it means exactly I am not sure.

SYMBOLS in The Glass Menagerie

     The fire escape and Tom's smoking symbolizes his escape. He escapes from his family, mainly his mother who nags him daily. When Amanda starts to irk Tom he quickly steps outside announcing he is going for a smoke. He knows that his mother does not like for him to smoke so it also symbolizes his rebellion, and how Tom is always just going to do what Tom wants.

Amanda POV

     I act the way I do to protect my children. I do not want for Tom to become a drunk and end up like his father a thousand miles away from his family that loves him. I do not want for Amanda to have to raise her children on her own struggling financially. I want Amanda to be happy with a man that provides for her financially as well as emotionally, and I want for Tom to be happy and pursue his dreams.

    Laura must grow up and have a better quality of life than I or I feel I've failed as a parent. Being that I have been through so much I should be able to keep and protect them from making the same mistakes. I am afraid this cycle of unhappiness will continue, my wishes and prayers unanswered. 

Jim Description

     You can tell Jim is a public speaker just from how he speaks to anyone especially Laura, this makes him very convincing.  He encourages her to not be so shy, be confident. "The different people [...] -Blue Roses!"(p.105,l.20).
   He's a flirt, he flirts with Laura and kisses her although he is already engaged to be married. Jim says, "Has anyone ever told you that you were pretty?" (p.105,l.12) knowing just what to say to make Laura melt.
     Jim was one of those who peaked in high school he was extremely popular and well-liked, Tom remembers him as being a "hero". Laura remember him from the school play and the football team, but it makes us realize how that did not seem to make a difference because he and Tom have the same job, although he is trying to do something else.
     I would describe Jim as caring, even thought he kisses Laura while having a fiance I feel that he does it on purpose just to make Laura feel better about herself. "Somebody needs to build your confidence up and make you proud instead of shy and turning away and-blushing. Somebody-ought to-kiss you, Laura!"(p.106,l.14), he says this almost as if hes realized that is exactly what she needs to boost her confidence and so he does so to ultimately help her out.

The Glass Menagerie Scenes 5-6

   In these scenes Tom talks to a coworker and invites him for dinner, a gentleman caller for Laura. Amanda basically loses it because she has only a day to prepare everything, this heightens the audiences anxiousness as well. Amanda never really takes Laura into consideration while discussing Jim, but Tom does telling Amanda that she is expecting too much of Laura. We see how eager Amanda is that Laura finally has a gentleman caller, and how confident she is that she will be married. Amanda also shows a little bit of caution and worry because she does not want the gentle to drink and end up like her husband, leaving her and her children.

The Glass Menagerie Scenes 3-4

      We learn that Amanda is selling subscriptions to a magazine to make money for those gentleman callers.Tom snaps on his mother Amanda showing that his tolerance and patience is thinning, and it is getting harder for him to deal with her consistent nagging. Laura convinces Tom to apologize to his mother because she only means well. She does not want Tom to become a drunkard and end up like his father, and leave.
     Amanda asks for Tom for help in finding a gentleman caller for his sister, Laura before he runs off. This scene is important because Tom is fed up with his mother and we know he wants to leave, so it makes us question if he'll even be able to find gentleman caller for Laura.

The Glass Menagerie Scenes 3-4

     Tom snaps on his mother Amanda showing that his tolerance and patience is thinning, and it is getting harder for him to deal with her consistent nagging. Laura convinces Tom to apologize to his mother because she only means well. She does not want Tom to become a drunkard and end up like his father, and leave.
     Amanda asks for Tom for help in finding a gentleman caller for his sister, Laura before he runs off. This scene is important because Tom is fed up with his mother and we know he wants to leave, so it makes us question if he'll even be able to find gentleman caller for Laura.

The Nightmare of Romantic Idealism

Nightmare- frightening or unpleasant dream, experience, prospect, person, thing or situation. 
Romantic- of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality
Idealism- the practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically
     The author argues that Frankenstein's , subtitle the Modern Prometheus, does not just solely represent the one character, Victor, but others and elements in the book as well. You can see and better understand characters once they are compared to one another and Prometheus.  Shelley creates Frankenstein and his creature as complex and dark characters, which exhibits the benevolent urges of a Romantic. Also, Shelley uses Romanticism because it exemplifies the works of imagination and creativity

The Glass Menagerie Scene 2

     In this scene Amanda comes home distraught, she has just found out that Laura has dropped out of college and had been "deceiving" her for six weeks. Laura explains that she has just been going walking to the park and such because she didn't want to confront her mother and see her face. Amanda now insists that it is necessary for Laura to receive a gentleman caller, but Laura still doubts because she is "crippled". Laura also reveals that she liked a boy once, Jim, in high school but he was presumably married by now. This is important because it seems to be foreshadowing future events to take place in the play. 

 

The Glass Menagerie Scene 1

     Scene one of The Glass Menagerie is important because it introduces each character in the play. We gain knowledge of each characters background as well as their bond with one another. Tom and Laura's mother Amanda nag them about every little thing such as, Tom's chewing and Laura's gentleman callers. Tom is frustrated by his mother, and Laura remains shy and quiet they have a relationship between them that is sort of sympathetic towards each other for the mother they share.

Obsession/Balance Theme/Question

     It is crucial to go after what you want in life and pursue your dreams no matter how big. But, it is important to keep the balance to where it does not become obsession. Sacrificing your own life and health is bad, but once you start to sacrifice others that is when enough is enough. Victors obsession took over his life and he fell, then his obsession caused harm to not only him but others he cared for. You can not sacrifice other peoples life in the pursuit of your own dreams.

Letter from Victor

Dear Elizabeth,
     I have created a monster and he has already killed William, Justine and is not done on his path of destruction. He plans on making my life a never-ending nightmare if I do not comply with his one wish, create another to be his mate. I can not create another monster to double the damage and then when they reproduce hurt many more people. But not creating the second creature will cause the first to come after me and my loved ones, including you. I was excited to my first creation but to see what it has become i fear even the thought of another. It is hideous, monstrous and dangerous I am not sure i can go through with creating a second devil.  

Frankenstein Chapter Summary

     Victor explains his great childhood his loving parents and adopted sister that everyone loved. Victor develops keenness towards science but once he gets to college learns he has been studying a "fake science", alchemy. He began to really enjoy science and liked his professors, but he grew obsessed with his work. Eventually, bestowed life into an animate creature and ends up frightening Victor Victor because of its hideousness. Henry takes care of Victor when he falls ill due to lack of sleep and never tells Henry about his creation. William, Victor's brother dies so he goes back home and ends up running into the monster instantly knowing it was him who killed his brother. Justine is accused for William's murder and is punished by death. As Victor roams the creature comes to him begging for understanding  his desire to have a mate. The creature tells him about watching the cottagers and learning about life and discovering that love is what he is missing. At this point the creature is willing to reason with Victor, a mate and he will go away and harm no one. But when Victor refuses the creature decides he is going to make his life miserable by taking away everyone Victor loves.

     I do not believe the creature should declare an "ever-lasting war" against his creator, Victor, as well as everyone else. I understand that he would be lonely and need someone to share his life with but honestly i feel like he should give up. He should keep looking for someone that will accept him for who he is because there has to be at least one person.

Reflection & Review

   Jessica obviously loves Shylock naturally because he is her father, but she hates the fact that she was born from a Jew.  Jessica takes most of Shylock's money, runs away and spends it because she knows hes greedy and values it more than her. She is possibly teaching him a lesson that money isn't everything.  
     Jessica will possibly live "happily ever after" with Lorenzo and her Christian friends since being Christian and married to one was all she ever wanted. Or she may realize Christians and being one is not really whats its made out to be.

Reflection & Review

     Taking revenge on somebody who has hurt you originally feels great, because you know or at least think that, that person really deserves to feel the way they made you feel.SO anyone can easily relate and sympathize with Shylock and how he wants Antonio to pay for all that he has doe from calling him a dog and spitting on him, to lending money for free. 
     Shylock would most likely not be completely satisfied with killing Antonio because although Antonio will not be lending money for free, Shylock is still a Jew and all Christians resent him. Therefore he still would be treated as lesser, even without Antonio. 

Reflection & Review

     You may feel more powerful in disguise or in costume, not only because no one can recognize and you can truly be yourself but because who you are disguised as may hold a higher status and more power. That is the case for Nerissa and Portia when they dress as males and pretend to be a lawyer and a clerk. During this time period men were much more respected, and had more rights in politics which so Portia and Nerissa literally gained power with their disguise. 

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scenes 3-5

     So far we have met Antonio and his friends, where he shares that he is sad but is not exactly sure why. We are also introduced to Portia who is "weary of the world" and her lady in waiting Nerissa. Bassanio, who wants to borrow more money from Antonio in order to impress and marry rich and fair Portia.
     Antonio is a responsible, and rich Venetian merchant and Bassanio's best friend. Bassanio is the complete opposite of Antonio is careless, and spends and borrows money constantly Antonio. Portia has suitors coming abroad for her hand in marriage, including Bassanio. Although her hand must be won by picking the correct casket of her dead father so it is not as easy as it seems. Finally Nerissa, Portia's lady in waiting basically tell Portia to get over herself because they are those that do not have what she does and she needs to appreciate it .

Leda and the Swan

IB English Literature and Composition
Dr. Busse

Leda and the Swan 

     In this poem Zeus rapes Leda in the form of a swan. The poem alludes to the burning of Troy, and King Agamemnon: "The broken wall, the burning roof and tower/And Agamemnon dead."(L.10). The poem also contains images of Zeus the "white rush", and Leda's "vague fingers" where its questioned whether she actually fought for herself. Sexual images in this poem include "thighs caressed", "He holds her helpless breast upon his breast", and "A shudder in the loins engenders there". The other chooses to describe the sexual scenes as so maybe in order to keep it "PG" although the tone of the poem is informal. 

The Centaur

IB English Literature and Composition 

Dr. Busse 

The Centaur 

    

     I notice that the title directly correspond with the content of the poem. The poem is about a young girl who goes outside every day and makes a stick horses to play on. A centaur is half man and half horse, it relates to the young girl in the poem because when she plays outside on her horse she identifies as the horse and sometimes the rider. So the centaur is the combination of them both. The speakers tone is reminiscent because this was her at age ten. The speakers uses the phrases “cut me” or “filled me” maybe to showcase her background. Images are used in this poem to show her transition from rider to horse to centaur.

 

since feeling is first

IB English Literature and Composition 

Dr. Busse

                                   

 since feeling is first 

      The point of this poem I believe is to state how being in love makes you “dumb”. The author uses metaphors to be indirect and make the readers interpret what they think the true meaning of the poem is. The mood is light, because the poem is describing love, falling in love and being in love. This poem is unusual because although it is thought to be about love the word “love” never comes up in context, leaving the interpretation entirely into the reader’s hands. 

Ars Poetica

Jaylynn Lowery           IB English Literature and Composition   Dr. Busse                                      17 August 2016

  Ars Poetica

     The point of this poem is to show how natural poems are supposed to be. I get this impression because of the similes comparing poems to, "wordless as the flight of birds", and "mute as a globed fruit". The mood of the poem is enlightening, you learn how poems should really be seen. The tone of the poem is very light. The point of the imagery in the poem to connect poems to nature. Such as, "[...]twig by twig the night entangled trees,". 

     The repetition in this poem seems to function as emphasis and a call to attention making sure you understand what is being said the second time around. There is end rhyme in the beginning of the poem, where the last word of each stanza rhymes. Rhyme links the ideas and images of nature and poems together. The poem is organized simply in two-line stanzas, the structure shows that the poem clear and simple.