V for Vendetta

                I personally believe that the portrayal of the resistance and revolution to change in society in V for Vendetta is realistic in its ideas but fictional in its context. For instance, I believe that one person is capable of making a difference in the world and of killing a large number of people; however, the methods and actions used were somewhat exaggerated and fictional in context.  It is because of the realistic ideas in the comic that I sympathize with V, because to have been used as a lab rat for such horrifying experiments it is understandable to want revenge and repayment for one’s sufferings. The idea to change the tyrannical society is not wrong, and I suppose in some ways killing the bad guys is understandable in V’s point of view. However, I cannot agree with his methods of bringing about the revolution and change in society. Not everything needs to be achieved through violence, although violence may be the fastest way to achieve results. Thus, I believe V’s utilization of violence to bring revolution and change is incorrect in its methods but correct in its ideas. After all, violence begets violence. So, by utilizing violence as a catalyst innocent people could get hurt and involved, not only that but even if the head of operations is killed someone could just replace him. Thus, the idea of revolution to better people’s lives is an asset to society and is good, but the methods need to be more thoughtful in context.

                One passage in the graphic novel format that is really effective is the portrayal of the hellish scene that occurred during V’s escape. The explosions and the frantic people running around, the pandemonium aspects of the pictures helped to illustrate and imprint upon the readers minds the horrors of such violent events. Thus, in this case, the illustrations helped to leave a deeper impression upon the readers’ minds by showing the readers visually the horrors of the event. In this scene I slowed down with the picture of V in a background of fire, because it seemed to show him as the embodiment of vengeance and he is the fire that that will scorch away everything that stood in his way. The impact of the image far out weighted the words, because of the power of the image and fire that implied V as an avenging angel or demon.

Franco Moretti "Graphs, Maps, Trees"

     In the article “Graphs, Maps, Trees” by Franco Moretti, Moretti takes an unconventional outlook on literature. Within the article, literature was viewed with scientific and analytical approach, such that literary history was portrayed with graphs and scientific data. The scientific approach of examining literature brings innovative ideas. After all, graphs are hardly used to describe literary history and genres.  The graphs within the articles convey the fluctuations in novel sells, publications, and genres. The analyzing of literature through the graphical approach is innovative; however, there are both benefits and draw backs to innovative ideas. Within this essay, the benefits and draw backs will be examined as well as the possibility of various literary projects with various fields.

                The benefits of the graphical approach to literature would be the clear and precise information and data that is provided in regards to the literary trends and historical fluctuations. Also the graphical approach helps people visualize and understand the history of literature clearer by showing the trends through the graphs. However, the draw back from the graphical approach to literature would be that it takes away the significance of literature, and written words because literature became something that is portrayed and expressed through statistics and numbers instead of words with meanings. The graphs take away the significance of the written words and the meanings and thoughts that the words are trying to convey.

                As mentioned before, other interdisciplinary projects that could combine with literature would be biological and physical sciences. What could be proposed as projects would be the combination of literature and biological and physical sciences by utilizing the written word to convey the information and data that is necessary as information for the sciences.

                As a result of the innovative approach to literature that is shown in the article by Moretti, another way to approach SSTLS that is other than close reading analysis would be through visual analysis such as watching or acting out scenes from the book.

M Butterfly

                The movie M Butterfly was based on the play M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. The movie and the play were captivating in their exploration and linkage of the various problems in society. The movie centered on a Frenchman that fell in love with a Chinese opera singer. However, due to political circumstances and gender issues the love that the Frenchman, Renee, believed to be so real was actually an illusion. Thus, through the portrayal of the characters, Hwang explored the themes of political, gender, ethnicity, and love issues that are controversial in the society today.

                Throughout the film, gender and ethnicity issues were fortified through the character of the “female” Chinese opera singer. In Chinese opera, the female roles are traditionally played by males, however, the very fact that “Butterfly” whom was male was able to pass as a female in such a way that fooled Renee for so long says that Chinese men are androgynous. This brings to light the ethnicity issue that states Asian men are feminine. Also, the fact that once Renee found out that “Butterfly” was male, Renee rejected him because “Butterfly” wasn’t who Renee thought he was. Thus, the issue of the significance of gender in love was portrayed. The fact that once the fact that “Butterfly” was male was revealed, Renee can no longer love “him” like he loved “her.” The reason for the rejection could be rooted in the fact that homosexually was and still is viewed as something unordinary, and is rejected by society.

                Also, in the movie, political stances were illustrated. Through the conversations between Butterfly and Renee the political beliefs of China and France were portrayed. Politically China believes the French and all Westerners to be “foreign devils,” and that China should be independent of foreign influence politically. However, Renee who represents the foreign authorities believes that the Chinese wants to be dominated, and would submit politically if the “West” showed its power and authority.

                The movie of M Butterfly introduced to the audience several issues that are highly debated by society today. Instead of circumventing around the issues, Hwang focused on them, as if to say that nothing will be solved by running away. From this movie, one can see the clash of ideals in society, and as a consequence is forced to face them. Problems cannot be solved by turning away from them, but if examined, solutions can be reached.

SSTLS Brainstorm Response

Gary Shteyngart utilized his newly published novel Super Sad True Love Story to bring to focus the depictions of race and ethnicity that is prevalent in society today. The setting of the book is in the much more technologically advanced future; however, the depictions in the book are symbolic of the happenings in today’s society. Thus, by examining certain passages within the book by Shteyngart it can be seen through the depictions of race and ethnicity that stereotypical images of certain races or ethnicities are prevalent throughout the society today.

                The first passage from the book depicted race and ethnicity is the passage: “… an inbred Russian willingness to get drunk and chummy, an inbred Jewish willingness to laugh strategically at myself…” (88) Within this passage the stereotype of Russian chumminess and drunkenness was portrayed along with the stereotype that the Jewish laugh at them-selves “strategically.” This passage stands out because this passage showcased the understanding and point of view of Lenny towards himself. Not only that, but this passage also relates to the book as a whole because it showed the specific stereotype towards a race and ethnicity that was portrayed in the book. Specifically, this passage showed Lenny’s understanding towards the stereotypes that exists in society, which can be seen throughout the book. I believe this passage is significant because it brings a deeper focus to the stereotypes casted by society through the eyes of the very race and or ethnicity that are being stereotyped.

                The second passage is “…America people liked to ignore their week points and to stress their incredible accomplishments.” (138) The passage depicts the stereotype of Americans. This passage stood out because of the reference that Lenny made to stereotype of the “America people” even though he is American. Because by stating the passage in third person, Shteyngart showed that Americans do not only stereotype against other ethnicities and races but also get stereotyped by themselves and others as well. To the theme as a whole, this passage showed the stereotypes towards Americans as an ethnic group. This proved to be important because it showed the stereotypes from different points of views.

                The third passage is the ethnic stereotype of the “… ties of the family,” (166) that is believed to be predominant in Korean, Asian, and Jewish ethnic groups. In the case of the passage from the book: the Koreans and Jews. This passage therefore showed the stereotype of the family piety of Koreans and Jews. The tie to the theme in the whole novel is that stereotypes are predominant in every aspect of life. I believe that family closeness is something to be happy and proud of; however, the depictions of the very closeness can sometimes hold negative meanings.

                Over all, throughout SSTLS stereotypes of various races and ethnicities were depicted. The set depictions of the races and ethnicities cause stereotypes and discrimination between people, which in the end causes disunity among individuals and countries.

Analyzing "All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace" by Richard Brautigan

In Richard Brautigan's poem "All Watched over by Machines of Loving Grace” Brautigan illustrated his anti-technology tone and message through the means of parenthesized statements. The parenthesized statements were worked into the poem after the words “I like to think” (lines 1, 9, 17), which were used to drew attention to the statements by hinting to the readers that these statements held the poet’s belief. The statements “(and the sooner the better!), (line 1)” “(right now, please!), (line 10)” and “(it has to be!) (line 18)” gave off a sense of anticipation that is geared towards technological advancements. However, the overly use of the anticipation and excitement in the statements brought about sarcastic connotations to the statements, meaning that Brautigan, through the use of literary sarcasm meant the exact opposite of the statements.

The pro-technology tone and message were worked more subtly into the poem. The mentioning of “mammals and computers liv[ing] in mutually programming harmony,” (lines 4-6) and the simple co-existence between the animals and technology that is worked subtly into the poem goes to show that Brautigan believes technology brings the world closer together and is good for the world. The co-existence of animals and technology as well as the benefits of technology that brings the nature and man together is shown by the phrase: “our mammal brothers and sisters.” Thus, since computers are to become so much a part of the world that deer can walk “past computers as if they were flowers” it goes to say that technology is significant and that it should become a sure and irreplaceable part of our world.

I believe the pro-technological tone and message is more convincing, because of the relationships mentioned in the poem. The co-existence of nature and technology and the prevalence as well as the assistance provided by technology show by the fact that the “machines watch over” (line 24) and provide “loving grace” (line 25) to the humans showed just how much technology means to us and how important it is to nature and humans. Thus, I believe through the imagery and connections between the prevalence of technology in nature the pro-technology tone and message is more convincing.

Poetry Interpretation: CASABIANCA

Images:
- a lone boy stands on a burning ship deck, his head high and body straight
- fire grows and moves around the boy crowning him in light
- fire creeps along the deck
- dead bodies litter the ship and waters below
- the boy's father's dead body floating below in the water
- the boy speaks to the silence asking for his father's permission to leave ship
-the boy calls out to the father again
- the sound of gun and cannon fire answers the boy 
- the wind from the flames blows through the boy's hair and touches his brow
- the boy looking straight out into the dark and smoky air, silent and still in his death
- shouts burst from the boy once again asking the father if he may leave
- the fires crept up the mast and lights the flag on fire, waves in the wind
- a loud explosion, and the boy can no longer be seen
- pieces of the ship litters the water, including the mast, helm, and pennon fair
- the death of the boy

Interpretation:

The images of the lone boy standing amongst the dead while being surrounded by fire, the sincere questioning from the boy to his father, and finally the explosion of the ship are all images linked together by the noble spirit of the boy. The boy in the poem was mostly likely ordered by his father to stay on ship and guard the ship, because the boy questioned his father if he may leave and if his task is complete. However, the boy stayed on ship and adhered to his father’s order even amongst death and fire, which showed the loyalty and noble spirit of the boy.

The fire that moved around the boy surrounded him and crowned him in his glory of his nobility and shining spirit. The noble act of staying and adhering to his father’s words while facing the certainty of his own death shown in the line "lone post of death" showed the gallant spirit of the boy which the surrounding fire enhanced as a symbol of the boy’s fierce and brightly burning spirit. The fire served as the symbol of the boy’s nobility by waving above the boy “banners in the sky” as if the fire is trying to tell the world of the boy’s bravery and noble spirit. The final explosion of the ship that litters the sea with fragments of the ship served as a physical signal and reminder of the existence of the boy. The explosion instead of diminishing the presence of the boy further heightened it by asserting the boy’s existence with noise and signaled to the surroundings that there was a boy, a light, that existed among the chaos of death. The explosion also further proved that the boy was a fragment of light and his existence belongs in the light of which the explosion is. After all, explosions are made up of light and sound. Thus, the light of the explosion signified the light of the boy and the noble spirit of the boy.

So, through the images of the poem one can interpret the message that even among the darkness of death, light will still shine. Through the presence of the boy among the dead and the fierce fire upon the ship, the nobility which served as a beacon of light among the darkness of death shone through with the boy as the symbol.

               

Warm Sunshine

Sunshine gives off warmth and chases away the cold. During the winter season up here at northern California, the sun still shines but there is no warmth. I chose the title I did because I miss the warmth and the heat of southern California. Even though the heat seemed to be blistering at times, I would still prefer the heat to the cold that seems to be seeping into my bones, because the heat does not pain me as the cold does. The shivering and the muscle contractions due to the shivering make it feel as if my body is being shaken apart. Thus, the stressing of the warm sunshine in the title is an expression of my longing for the warmth the sun provides. Of course, the longing for the heat is most likely because I am not use to the cold that seems to be dominating the temperature during this time of year up here. After all, southern California does not really have a winter season, because the sun always shines. Of course, I have nothing against winter as a season. I love the snow, but up here the winter only contains the blistering cold and pelting rain. The cold is tolerable as well but if occasionally there is to be warm weather during this time of year up here in northern California, it would be much appreciated. I suppose the main reason for the longing of sunshine and warmth is because the cold can be biting and because one does not know how precious something is, such as the warm sunshine, until it is gone.