"Mystery Masked Man Saves Nation, Latina culprit captured by exec."
page 179
This quote comes in the la llorona section. This section is about a woman working in a large investment firm of some sort. She is respected by all her colleagues but viewed differently by them depending on their race. However, she can fit in with all the clicks in her office and is able to establish a relationship with the VP. This leads to her demanding he empty certain federal accounts to accounts she beleives will save the earth and combat poverty and genocide. However, the VP seems to think he will catch her and save the nation from loosing money despite for good causes.
"Goddess: Where are you going Bobo? Bobo: What? What do you mean where am I going"
page 183
This quote comes in the section Interview at the Total Liberation Café. In this passage an appearingly more insightful goddess is talking to bob, which means stupid in spanish. Bobo cannot see past the short term and is caught up in the grind of life. The goddess tries to enlighten him to the meaning of his life. Bobo however is not receptive and continues to be short sightened and not philosophical. The author is stressing the importance of putting life into context and thinking about a meaninguf way to live.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Notebooks 152-174
"In a few short whiffs, Tom Exclamado Central Inc. became a global phenomenon."
page 167
This quote comes in a section entitled My Chickens Say, "Por favor, si señor, si señora". It is of a family run chicken farm which is changed after the son of its operator returns with a degree from Stanford. As the quote indicates, Antoinne turns the chicken farm into a corporate giant which is the opposite of a family run business. The author may be saying this to describe that the notion that an education turns any company you touch into a corporate giant is fantasy, or he is speaking in favor of family business.
"'A martial art technique that numbs your opponents sense of color awareness.' Contestant #1 Hispa-ratee."
page 157
This quote comes in the section which is in the format of a game show. The contesants are all asked ethinically based questions in which the answers are hispa-something. This question is saying how hispanic people blur people's color awareness. Possibly because it is difficult for people to distinguish a chicano, hispanic or latinamerican person. This is hinted at in the beginning of this section when the author says remember what each ethnicity is.
page 167
This quote comes in a section entitled My Chickens Say, "Por favor, si señor, si señora". It is of a family run chicken farm which is changed after the son of its operator returns with a degree from Stanford. As the quote indicates, Antoinne turns the chicken farm into a corporate giant which is the opposite of a family run business. The author may be saying this to describe that the notion that an education turns any company you touch into a corporate giant is fantasy, or he is speaking in favor of family business.
"'A martial art technique that numbs your opponents sense of color awareness.' Contestant #1 Hispa-ratee."
page 157
This quote comes in the section which is in the format of a game show. The contesants are all asked ethinically based questions in which the answers are hispa-something. This question is saying how hispanic people blur people's color awareness. Possibly because it is difficult for people to distinguish a chicano, hispanic or latinamerican person. This is hinted at in the beginning of this section when the author says remember what each ethnicity is.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Notebooks 131-151
"I read Ginsberg now/more so after his death. I can almost smell the tobaco despues de un buen taco (Orlovsky, Burroughs, Corso - the cats in sad wrinkled suits groping for a fix on eternity, a gay immortality"
page 140
This quote comes in a New York City Angelic section. In this the author says he has been reading Ginsberg more after his death. In this passage the author relates Ginsberg's writings about his wanderings in the fifties to his own in the seventies. He also ties in his spanish culture to Ginsberg and tries to get at why he writes. He says that Ginsberg has reached an immortality and will live beyond when he was in his body. The author may be bringing this up because it is what he hopes to acheive.
"I am that paper. I am those words now, the ink burns pyres in every cell."
page 144
This quote comes in a Oyeme Mama section. Previously in these sections, he has talked about how his mother discouraged his writing slightly. She said that he is caught up in himself when he writes. Now however, he appears to be saying that he is his writing. This could symbolize that he has become a published author.
page 140
This quote comes in a New York City Angelic section. In this the author says he has been reading Ginsberg more after his death. In this passage the author relates Ginsberg's writings about his wanderings in the fifties to his own in the seventies. He also ties in his spanish culture to Ginsberg and tries to get at why he writes. He says that Ginsberg has reached an immortality and will live beyond when he was in his body. The author may be bringing this up because it is what he hopes to acheive.
"I am that paper. I am those words now, the ink burns pyres in every cell."
page 144
This quote comes in a Oyeme Mama section. Previously in these sections, he has talked about how his mother discouraged his writing slightly. She said that he is caught up in himself when he writes. Now however, he appears to be saying that he is his writing. This could symbolize that he has become a published author.
2nd Half of Interview
1. Some people come in with recommendations for general health tonics, sure. How to keep them in
balance rather than bring them back to balance. Chinese medicine is an energetic system, that
means looking at aspects of the body that are out of balance rather than looking at Western
Biomedically defined diseases. Thus, often times I throw out the western condition people have been
diagnosed with and look at the ways different body systems can be brought into harmony with herbs,
diet, lifestyle, etc.
2. It would be between California Poppy, which grows locally, for anxiety and insomnia, and Reishi
mushroom which is used for a variety of cardiovascular issues, strengthening the immune system, and
calming the mind.
3. I treat newborns through seniors on their "way out". I treat bums on the street to
millionaires. The ethnic diversity that commonly comes through my door is somewhat subject to that
of where i live. Considering the relative anglo homogeneity of Santa Cruz I get to work with folks
of mixed ethnic backgrounds. This is often fun as many people have their own herbal traditions they
are coming from so I get to share information.
4. I don't know that any insurance companies cover herbal treatments. It is my opinion that I would
like to see this but don't know of anyone crusading for this. Unfortunately when insurance dollars
get involved they often tend to dictate what types of treatments people have access to. I really
don't want indurance companies influencing how I work with herbs.
5. The swing back to using herbal medicines has already happened. It is a 6 billion dollar a year
industry, a big political issue, and a form of health care that the World Health Organization
estimates that 70% of the worlds populations uses botanicals as a primary source of medicine.
People have begun to see that the liability of using western drugs (I know, they save lots of lives
too) as well as the costs may be more complicated than it is worth. Thus many are turning to simple
natural solutions that they can grow or harvest. An interesting question for you to explore is when
herbs are commodified and heavily promoted as things everyone needs everyday, you know, pumped into
oru consumer culture, is it traditional medicine?
balance rather than bring them back to balance. Chinese medicine is an energetic system, that
means looking at aspects of the body that are out of balance rather than looking at Western
Biomedically defined diseases. Thus, often times I throw out the western condition people have been
diagnosed with and look at the ways different body systems can be brought into harmony with herbs,
diet, lifestyle, etc.
2. It would be between California Poppy, which grows locally, for anxiety and insomnia, and Reishi
mushroom which is used for a variety of cardiovascular issues, strengthening the immune system, and
calming the mind.
3. I treat newborns through seniors on their "way out". I treat bums on the street to
millionaires. The ethnic diversity that commonly comes through my door is somewhat subject to that
of where i live. Considering the relative anglo homogeneity of Santa Cruz I get to work with folks
of mixed ethnic backgrounds. This is often fun as many people have their own herbal traditions they
are coming from so I get to share information.
4. I don't know that any insurance companies cover herbal treatments. It is my opinion that I would
like to see this but don't know of anyone crusading for this. Unfortunately when insurance dollars
get involved they often tend to dictate what types of treatments people have access to. I really
don't want indurance companies influencing how I work with herbs.
5. The swing back to using herbal medicines has already happened. It is a 6 billion dollar a year
industry, a big political issue, and a form of health care that the World Health Organization
estimates that 70% of the worlds populations uses botanicals as a primary source of medicine.
People have begun to see that the liability of using western drugs (I know, they save lots of lives
too) as well as the costs may be more complicated than it is worth. Thus many are turning to simple
natural solutions that they can grow or harvest. An interesting question for you to explore is when
herbs are commodified and heavily promoted as things everyone needs everyday, you know, pumped into
oru consumer culture, is it traditional medicine?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Notebooks 106-130
"Sometimes, from a small envelope she pulls out his broken bones, or she finds his torn fingers at the bottom of a cup of coffee"
page 124
This quote comes in the passage about murder and the death of young people. The first part is about a women who lost her brother to a traffic accident. She occasionally finds his body parts in pieces of her life. This shows that long after a loved ones death, a person remembers them in everyday situations. This is another large issue which the author takes on writing about.
"But you stayed true to form when you denied a contract for your nextg book without writing a single page"
page 115
This quote comes in a letter to Victor. It appears Victor has won some National Book Award. The author seems to be pleased with Victor and is giving him a hard time about all the media attention. However, the author expresses his real admiration when he says that Victor stayed true in denying a contract for his next book. This shows that Victor cares more about writing as a tool of society than money.
page 124
This quote comes in the passage about murder and the death of young people. The first part is about a women who lost her brother to a traffic accident. She occasionally finds his body parts in pieces of her life. This shows that long after a loved ones death, a person remembers them in everyday situations. This is another large issue which the author takes on writing about.
"But you stayed true to form when you denied a contract for your nextg book without writing a single page"
page 115
This quote comes in a letter to Victor. It appears Victor has won some National Book Award. The author seems to be pleased with Victor and is giving him a hard time about all the media attention. However, the author expresses his real admiration when he says that Victor stayed true in denying a contract for his next book. This shows that Victor cares more about writing as a tool of society than money.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Notebooks 81-105
"la troka, that will haul them in bundles to a lawn, a backyard, a garage with a broken old Buick ro simply to a yard of freakish bushes and branches"
page 92
This quote comes in an Undelivered Letters to Victor section. The author is talking about the lives of Mexican workers. He describes them as an army who waits pickup from a truck to travel to a different job each day. Usually, the author talks to Victor about writing in this section, but this entry is about immigrant labor. He may be describing his heritage and what many people of his nationality choose to do in the U.S. and how lucky he is to be an author.
"Powers from the nation? Can we truly respect its borders?"
page 97
This quote comes in the longest most meaningful poem in the book so far. In this entry, he tackles issues such as the forming of organizations, racism, fear, conformity and nuclear war. All of these issues are the "big issues" that he said writers should be talking about. In this particular quote he is questioning what nations actually are. He says they are formed through genocide and oppression so do the leaders of these nations actually have power? This questioning is one of the aspects of most-modernism.
page 92
This quote comes in an Undelivered Letters to Victor section. The author is talking about the lives of Mexican workers. He describes them as an army who waits pickup from a truck to travel to a different job each day. Usually, the author talks to Victor about writing in this section, but this entry is about immigrant labor. He may be describing his heritage and what many people of his nationality choose to do in the U.S. and how lucky he is to be an author.
"Powers from the nation? Can we truly respect its borders?"
page 97
This quote comes in the longest most meaningful poem in the book so far. In this entry, he tackles issues such as the forming of organizations, racism, fear, conformity and nuclear war. All of these issues are the "big issues" that he said writers should be talking about. In this particular quote he is questioning what nations actually are. He says they are formed through genocide and oppression so do the leaders of these nations actually have power? This questioning is one of the aspects of most-modernism.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Notebooks 55-80
"She wanted to ask the usual worn phrase. Ginsberg, Artaud, Nervo, Lorca, Neruda, Popa, Hikmet, Rodnati, Walker. These are the shadows-I should have told her."
page 69
This quote comes when the author is giving a speech at San Jose State and is asked by a women what writers influence him. He responds by saying his mother influences him. He then picks up by her body language that this was not the answer she was looking for. She wanted traditional famous writers who the author refers to as shadows. He refers to them as shadows because if you follow in thier footsteps you may never break free of them to make a name for yourself.
"Man with briefcase - accent + big watch = Equal opportunity"
page 74
This quote comes in the collection of equations entitled Fuzzy Equations. In this specific equations he is talking about how employers are not really equal opportunity. He alludes that foreigners are not given an equal chance in the business world. Also, he is saying that the wealth of the person trying to get a job plays a role in the choosing. This relates to the author because he is a chicano writer who discusses chicano writing's struggle to emerge.
page 69
This quote comes when the author is giving a speech at San Jose State and is asked by a women what writers influence him. He responds by saying his mother influences him. He then picks up by her body language that this was not the answer she was looking for. She wanted traditional famous writers who the author refers to as shadows. He refers to them as shadows because if you follow in thier footsteps you may never break free of them to make a name for yourself.
"Man with briefcase - accent + big watch = Equal opportunity"
page 74
This quote comes in the collection of equations entitled Fuzzy Equations. In this specific equations he is talking about how employers are not really equal opportunity. He alludes that foreigners are not given an equal chance in the business world. Also, he is saying that the wealth of the person trying to get a job plays a role in the choosing. This relates to the author because he is a chicano writer who discusses chicano writing's struggle to emerge.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
1st comparison paragraph
Often times, American authors wrote stories with characters and events based on the point in history in which the author lived. Two such authors are Jack Kerouac with The Dharma Bums and Mark Twain with Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Jack Kerouac’s novel uses his own experiences in writing about a contemporary view on the state of America and his philosophy. Mark Twain employed a contrasting style in writing a traditional novel with fictional characters to get his equality message across. The main character in each story paired their beliefs against those of the society at that time. Each method was effective in relaying its method but The Dharma Bums offered a more modern style problem coupled with advice on what to do with it, and is therefore the piece of literature more relevant to history today. The Dharma Bums and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn use effective but different styles of writing to relay a similar message and because of the time period and its call to action, The Dharma Bums is more relevant to today.
Notebooks 30-55
"I love sculpture, the art of breaking space. Writing, the quarry."
page 43
This quote comes in one of his June Journals. In this June Journal he writes about how Chicano artists pull images out of themselves and show them to people in any type of medium. In this quote the auther is saying that he beleives that writing is the base of all art. He says writing is the quarry out of which the stone of which all art is made, is extracted."
"Shall we huddle ands moke and shake hands and grin and then publish some sweaty-assed two-bit newsletter on this?"
page 50
This quote comes in yet another June Journal. In this Journal he is talking about how authors need to use writing to tackle big questions. At the end of the entry in a separate small paragraph this quote comes. The author is making fun of writers who conform to one style of writing. This style is very corperate because he revers to "shaking hands' and "a newsletter" adding these words make the writing sound like a business. This is stupid to him because he beleives writing should be used as expression, and expression should not be conformed like a business.
page 43
This quote comes in one of his June Journals. In this June Journal he writes about how Chicano artists pull images out of themselves and show them to people in any type of medium. In this quote the auther is saying that he beleives that writing is the base of all art. He says writing is the quarry out of which the stone of which all art is made, is extracted."
"Shall we huddle ands moke and shake hands and grin and then publish some sweaty-assed two-bit newsletter on this?"
page 50
This quote comes in yet another June Journal. In this Journal he is talking about how authors need to use writing to tackle big questions. At the end of the entry in a separate small paragraph this quote comes. The author is making fun of writers who conform to one style of writing. This style is very corperate because he revers to "shaking hands' and "a newsletter" adding these words make the writing sound like a business. This is stupid to him because he beleives writing should be used as expression, and expression should not be conformed like a business.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler. 1-29
"I worry about comedians who call me to back up their old Communisms"
page 26
This quote comes in the section in which he begins every sentence with I worry about. This is an example of the odd language in the book. It fits with the theme because he is saying he is worried about many things. I also picked this quote because Paul and I did a project on Communism earlier in the year.
"I see you looking at yourself put letters on paper' you said. All my illusions of being a poet shrank."
This quote comes as the author is discussing his relationship with an apparent musician living upstairs. This is section is only a two paragraph of the goings on in an appartment building. The musician upstairs tells the author his works are only letters on paper. The author feels lessened by this and no longer fancies himself as a poet.
page 26
This quote comes in the section in which he begins every sentence with I worry about. This is an example of the odd language in the book. It fits with the theme because he is saying he is worried about many things. I also picked this quote because Paul and I did a project on Communism earlier in the year.
"I see you looking at yourself put letters on paper' you said. All my illusions of being a poet shrank."
This quote comes as the author is discussing his relationship with an apparent musician living upstairs. This is section is only a two paragraph of the goings on in an appartment building. The musician upstairs tells the author his works are only letters on paper. The author feels lessened by this and no longer fancies himself as a poet.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
interview so far
Ben Zappin
also first 5 questions into Adam Lerner
1. How did you first begin your practice involving herbal medicine? It all started out with a pan of nettle lasagna. That
is a girlfriend of mine made the pie without steaming them first. I suppose really my ‘practice’ involves much more than the
clinical aspect. It involves ecology, knowing where plant medicines come from, their habitat and or cultivation practices, how to
harvest and prepare them for optimal clinical use, and how to combine them with other plants. How I began my clinical practice was
by helping people around me, treating minor maladies with plant medicines. The great things about this is you can start today
with very simple things, you just have to know your limits. It is counter culture in that you can be an herbalist without
subscribing to a medical hierarchy. That is not to say that developing advanced skills as a western medical practitioner is a bad
thing, it is just a different skill set with a different cultural context. You can also be a physician that has a high level of
knowledge about the Western medical body and apply herbal medicine in a sophisticated way. I began my legal practice as a primary
health care practitioner when I passed California’s licensing exam for the practice of Acupuncture, a profession which includes
herbalism as part of the training.
2. What drew you to this practice? I had watch half my immediate family die of either cancer or cardiovascular disease at a young
age in the hands of advanced and expensive medical care. These are both diseases that have substantial origins in lifestyle and
environmental causative factors. Thus I wanted to explore something to serve people intervene before they had an advanced illness
and something to complement where conventional therapies lack what it takes to effectively treat or cure an illness.
3. Do you find herbal medication in some instances more effective than
more traditional medication. The first question for you is which is traditional? Most herbal medicines I use have been used in
China for thousands of years or by native people of the Americas as well as Europeans, Africans, etc. Many are certainly more
effective than pharmaceutical remedies, less side effects too! Of course much of the work I do is getting people to change their
lifestyle to make more healthy choices so they don’t get sick in the first place. There are many places where Western
pharmaceuticals are essential for providing life that I acknowledge and value as well.
4. Have you ever considered practicing herbal medication in a hospital or
even practicing in a hospital using pharmaceuticals? I would be very pleased to use herbal medicine in a hospital setting. This
is an uphill climb due to the politics and beliefs of the people running hospitals. I believe it would save money and accelerate
the healing of many people taking up hospital space to incorporate herbal medicine into this model. I’ve trained a bit in Chinese
hospitals where this is actually the case and it is really remarkable. I would love to train to use pharmaceuticals in a hospital
and really get a chance to find out where the limits of either medicine are.
5. In terms of the actual visit, how is visiting someone trained in herbal
medicine and visiting a doctor different. It really depends on who the herbalist is. There are some herbalists who will provide
herbs based on western diagnostics. I use a combination of Western diagnostics and information about herbs based on research in
combination with a traditional energetic model of the body and how herbs relate to that. I recommend you read a little about how
Traditional Chinese Medicine to get a sense of how the Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology etc. are different and not just the
treatment. It is pretty sophisticated. I suppose the most significant thing most herbalists offer patients is more time to
listen to what is going on. Many Western docs rely on lab test to make decisions, that is quantifiable information. We
herbalists override Descartes (see Descartes Error) and look at mind, body, spirit, and take time to integrate the three in
diagnosis and treatment. Again, that is a bit of a generalization.
1. So along with patients who come in with specific illnesses, do you get many people looking for recommendations for herbs to use daily.
2. What is the most common herb you recommend for daily use and why?
3. What age, economic standing and ethnicity of people do you most often treat?
4. What is your opinion on insurance companies covering herbal treatment? Do some companies do so?
5. Would you anticipate a swing back towards the ancient form of medication using herbs? If so what would trigger such a change?
also first 5 questions into Adam Lerner
1. How did you first begin your practice involving herbal medicine? It all started out with a pan of nettle lasagna. That
is a girlfriend of mine made the pie without steaming them first. I suppose really my ‘practice’ involves much more than the
clinical aspect. It involves ecology, knowing where plant medicines come from, their habitat and or cultivation practices, how to
harvest and prepare them for optimal clinical use, and how to combine them with other plants. How I began my clinical practice was
by helping people around me, treating minor maladies with plant medicines. The great things about this is you can start today
with very simple things, you just have to know your limits. It is counter culture in that you can be an herbalist without
subscribing to a medical hierarchy. That is not to say that developing advanced skills as a western medical practitioner is a bad
thing, it is just a different skill set with a different cultural context. You can also be a physician that has a high level of
knowledge about the Western medical body and apply herbal medicine in a sophisticated way. I began my legal practice as a primary
health care practitioner when I passed California’s licensing exam for the practice of Acupuncture, a profession which includes
herbalism as part of the training.
2. What drew you to this practice? I had watch half my immediate family die of either cancer or cardiovascular disease at a young
age in the hands of advanced and expensive medical care. These are both diseases that have substantial origins in lifestyle and
environmental causative factors. Thus I wanted to explore something to serve people intervene before they had an advanced illness
and something to complement where conventional therapies lack what it takes to effectively treat or cure an illness.
3. Do you find herbal medication in some instances more effective than
more traditional medication. The first question for you is which is traditional? Most herbal medicines I use have been used in
China for thousands of years or by native people of the Americas as well as Europeans, Africans, etc. Many are certainly more
effective than pharmaceutical remedies, less side effects too! Of course much of the work I do is getting people to change their
lifestyle to make more healthy choices so they don’t get sick in the first place. There are many places where Western
pharmaceuticals are essential for providing life that I acknowledge and value as well.
4. Have you ever considered practicing herbal medication in a hospital or
even practicing in a hospital using pharmaceuticals? I would be very pleased to use herbal medicine in a hospital setting. This
is an uphill climb due to the politics and beliefs of the people running hospitals. I believe it would save money and accelerate
the healing of many people taking up hospital space to incorporate herbal medicine into this model. I’ve trained a bit in Chinese
hospitals where this is actually the case and it is really remarkable. I would love to train to use pharmaceuticals in a hospital
and really get a chance to find out where the limits of either medicine are.
5. In terms of the actual visit, how is visiting someone trained in herbal
medicine and visiting a doctor different. It really depends on who the herbalist is. There are some herbalists who will provide
herbs based on western diagnostics. I use a combination of Western diagnostics and information about herbs based on research in
combination with a traditional energetic model of the body and how herbs relate to that. I recommend you read a little about how
Traditional Chinese Medicine to get a sense of how the Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology etc. are different and not just the
treatment. It is pretty sophisticated. I suppose the most significant thing most herbalists offer patients is more time to
listen to what is going on. Many Western docs rely on lab test to make decisions, that is quantifiable information. We
herbalists override Descartes (see Descartes Error) and look at mind, body, spirit, and take time to integrate the three in
diagnosis and treatment. Again, that is a bit of a generalization.
1. So along with patients who come in with specific illnesses, do you get many people looking for recommendations for herbs to use daily.
2. What is the most common herb you recommend for daily use and why?
3. What age, economic standing and ethnicity of people do you most often treat?
4. What is your opinion on insurance companies covering herbal treatment? Do some companies do so?
5. Would you anticipate a swing back towards the ancient form of medication using herbs? If so what would trigger such a change?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
paper topic #2
Books comparing: Huck Finn and the Dharma Bums
The character's rebelious nature and how the Dharma Bums is more useful to history.
The character's rebelious nature and how the Dharma Bums is more useful to history.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sandra Cisneros
"A real house. One I could point to."
page 748
This quote comes in The House on Mango Street when the little girl is talking to a nun. The nun asks her where she lived and is suprised to learn the little girl lives in a dilapidated appartment. The girl feels ashamed by this and says that she desires to have a nice house that she should show people. These desires are influenced by her want for a better family life more like the lives she sees on television.
"Except he won't let her talk on the telephone. And he doesn't let her look out the window"
page 749
This quote comes from the story Linoleum Roses. In this story it says that Sally got married in eighth grade which is very bazar. It almost appeared that she was kidnapped because in the quote she descibes how she could not talk on the phone or look out the window. Also, she was isolated from her friends. However, this was a happier life than her life with her abusive father.
page 748
This quote comes in The House on Mango Street when the little girl is talking to a nun. The nun asks her where she lived and is suprised to learn the little girl lives in a dilapidated appartment. The girl feels ashamed by this and says that she desires to have a nice house that she should show people. These desires are influenced by her want for a better family life more like the lives she sees on television.
"Except he won't let her talk on the telephone. And he doesn't let her look out the window"
page 749
This quote comes from the story Linoleum Roses. In this story it says that Sally got married in eighth grade which is very bazar. It almost appeared that she was kidnapped because in the quote she descibes how she could not talk on the phone or look out the window. Also, she was isolated from her friends. However, this was a happier life than her life with her abusive father.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Seeing by Annie Dillard #2
"seeing is of course very much a matter of verbalization. Unless I call my atention to what passes before my eyes, I simply won't see it."
page 704
In this quote, the author discusses the matter of seeing. She says that the natural act of looking at something, does not mean you can see it. Seeing something is really when someone uses everything they know and relates it to what they are looking at. In this way, someone can actually see nature instead of just looking at it. This quote represents a large theme in the story.
"One patient called lemonade 'square' because it pricked on his tongue as a square shape pricked on the touch of his hands"
page 700
In this quote, Dillard is discussing a book she read written by a doctor who works with patients who have been blinded by cataracts. Dillard is extremely affected by this book because she discusses it for a few pages. At the end of the section, she says that her own vision was affected by what the author of the book wrote for weeks. In this particular quote, the blind person is discribing lemonade as square because it is sour and pricks his taste buds like a corner would prick his hand. This could be because he has no vision and cannot relate a square in its context and beleives that tasting is just like touching.
page 704
In this quote, the author discusses the matter of seeing. She says that the natural act of looking at something, does not mean you can see it. Seeing something is really when someone uses everything they know and relates it to what they are looking at. In this way, someone can actually see nature instead of just looking at it. This quote represents a large theme in the story.
"One patient called lemonade 'square' because it pricked on his tongue as a square shape pricked on the touch of his hands"
page 700
In this quote, Dillard is discussing a book she read written by a doctor who works with patients who have been blinded by cataracts. Dillard is extremely affected by this book because she discusses it for a few pages. At the end of the section, she says that her own vision was affected by what the author of the book wrote for weeks. In this particular quote, the blind person is discribing lemonade as square because it is sour and pricks his taste buds like a corner would prick his hand. This could be because he has no vision and cannot relate a square in its context and beleives that tasting is just like touching.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Seeing by Annie Dillard
"After thousands of years we're still strangers to darkness, fearful aliens in an enemy camp with out arms crossed over our chests"
page 697
This quote comes as she is talking about when she went to Tinker Creek for a night. She was sitting on a log and thought how many people are scared and unaccustomed to the dark. Dillard uses the night to go into a kind of meditated state. It could be said she is comparing humans unaccustomness to darkness to their distance from nature.
"try to gag the commentator, to hush the noise ofuseless interior babble that keeps me from seeing just as surely as a newspaper dangled before my eyes"
page 705
This quote comes as he is talking about how she watches a baseball game in silence in an empty stadium. If she could, she would block out all the noise and all her thought. This way she could see things exactly how her natural eyes would, uninfluenced by anything. She attempts to clear her mind and see clearly by years of study and meditation. This quote hints at her lifestyle.
page 697
This quote comes as she is talking about when she went to Tinker Creek for a night. She was sitting on a log and thought how many people are scared and unaccustomed to the dark. Dillard uses the night to go into a kind of meditated state. It could be said she is comparing humans unaccustomness to darkness to their distance from nature.
"try to gag the commentator, to hush the noise ofuseless interior babble that keeps me from seeing just as surely as a newspaper dangled before my eyes"
page 705
This quote comes as he is talking about how she watches a baseball game in silence in an empty stadium. If she could, she would block out all the noise and all her thought. This way she could see things exactly how her natural eyes would, uninfluenced by anything. She attempts to clear her mind and see clearly by years of study and meditation. This quote hints at her lifestyle.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Dharma Bums 10
"named all the magic rocks and clefts, names Japhy had song to me so often"
page 235
This quote comes when Ray first gets to his post on Desolation. He thinks of the names of the peaks that he had learned from all his experiences with Japhy. This quote was kind of odd because it made like Japhy was Ray's teacher. Ray was using all of Japhy's wisdom in naming the rocks around him as well as taking Japhy's old job.
"And suddenly it seemed I saw that unimaginable little Chinese bum standing there, in the fog"
page 243
This quote comes as Ray is preparing for the end of his shift on the mountain watch. In these pages he is truck by the nature and discusses the qualities of the surrounding mountains compared to himself. He then relates it to Han Shan and Japhy. He finds it hard to imagine Han Shan because having the mountains as a constant for everyone who has ever lived is difficult to think about. This leads him to finding himself missing Japhy's wisdom.
page 235
This quote comes when Ray first gets to his post on Desolation. He thinks of the names of the peaks that he had learned from all his experiences with Japhy. This quote was kind of odd because it made like Japhy was Ray's teacher. Ray was using all of Japhy's wisdom in naming the rocks around him as well as taking Japhy's old job.
"And suddenly it seemed I saw that unimaginable little Chinese bum standing there, in the fog"
page 243
This quote comes as Ray is preparing for the end of his shift on the mountain watch. In these pages he is truck by the nature and discusses the qualities of the surrounding mountains compared to himself. He then relates it to Han Shan and Japhy. He finds it hard to imagine Han Shan because having the mountains as a constant for everyone who has ever lived is difficult to think about. This leads him to finding himself missing Japhy's wisdom.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Dharma Bums 9
"It was going to be a great day, we were back in our element:trails"
page 200
This quote comes as Rau and Japhy leave the party to go hiking by themselves. They views this as their last experience together and Japhy's last chance to see California. This quote shows the growth Ray has made in regaurds to hiking from the time when he could not climb to the top of Matterhorn. Now, he considers trails his "element" which is much different from his feelings towards them earlier in the book.
"I wished the whole world was dead serious about food instead of silly rockets and machines and explosives using everybody's food money to blow their heads off anyway."
page 217
Ray speaks this as he beings to hitchhike to his mountain which is around Seattle. He thinks of how careful Japhy was with food and how Japhy gave Ray his raisins and peanuts before he left for Japan. Ray turns this into his rare pieces of common place philosophy. This view about making food not weapons seems a little mainstream compared to Ray's other views.
page 200
This quote comes as Rau and Japhy leave the party to go hiking by themselves. They views this as their last experience together and Japhy's last chance to see California. This quote shows the growth Ray has made in regaurds to hiking from the time when he could not climb to the top of Matterhorn. Now, he considers trails his "element" which is much different from his feelings towards them earlier in the book.
"I wished the whole world was dead serious about food instead of silly rockets and machines and explosives using everybody's food money to blow their heads off anyway."
page 217
Ray speaks this as he beings to hitchhike to his mountain which is around Seattle. He thinks of how careful Japhy was with food and how Japhy gave Ray his raisins and peanuts before he left for Japan. Ray turns this into his rare pieces of common place philosophy. This view about making food not weapons seems a little mainstream compared to Ray's other views.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Intro Paragraph
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac is a story focused mainly upon the beliefs and practices of religious wanderers. The main character in the story Ray, as well as his friend Japhy practice the Dharma lifestyle in which they are Buddhist wanderers who hitchhike the country reading and expounding upon poetry and philosophy. Although Ray and Japhy observe roughly the same fundamental existence, their views on people with opinions varying from their own differ completely. Japhy is frightened and upset by the average working family because he does not understand their normalcy. Ray on the other hand is indifferent to people who do not practice Buddhism or a minimalist lifestyle. The difference in the character’s opinions may stem from their upbringing or the length of time they have been practicing Dharma. Ray and Japhy’s views on people who do not share their way of life differ completely and are directly linked to the commitment they make towards their lifestyle.
Dharma Bums 8
“Japhy was mad as hell and really jealous.”
Page 185
This quote comes when Japhy’s sister comes to the cabin with her new fiancé. Japhy seems to attempt to make him feel uncomfortable but at first Ray thinks it is just how he talks with his sister. However, as Japhy presses on in the conversation, Ray thinks that Japhy is jealous of his sisters engagement. This is obvious because in the previous chapter he explained to Ray how he too one day would like to get married. Even though Japhy seems to be the most devoted to the Dharma lifestyle, he is slipping in this aspect of his life.
“All of them had rucksacks and sleeping bags and some of them were going hiking that next day on the Marin County trails.”
Page 178
The narrator speaks this about the different characters who visit he and Japhy at their cabin. Some of these characters are people Ray has not seen for some time such as Princess and Alvah. In describing their activities he says that they all have rucksacks and are intent on hiking and experiencing nature. They might not all practice the Dharma Ray and Japhy do but they share a love for nature.
Page 185
This quote comes when Japhy’s sister comes to the cabin with her new fiancé. Japhy seems to attempt to make him feel uncomfortable but at first Ray thinks it is just how he talks with his sister. However, as Japhy presses on in the conversation, Ray thinks that Japhy is jealous of his sisters engagement. This is obvious because in the previous chapter he explained to Ray how he too one day would like to get married. Even though Japhy seems to be the most devoted to the Dharma lifestyle, he is slipping in this aspect of his life.
“All of them had rucksacks and sleeping bags and some of them were going hiking that next day on the Marin County trails.”
Page 178
The narrator speaks this about the different characters who visit he and Japhy at their cabin. Some of these characters are people Ray has not seen for some time such as Princess and Alvah. In describing their activities he says that they all have rucksacks and are intent on hiking and experiencing nature. They might not all practice the Dharma Ray and Japhy do but they share a love for nature.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Dharma Bums 7
"If the Dharma Bums ever get lay brothers in America who live normal lives with wives and children and homes, they will be like Sean Monahan"
page 161
This quote comes at the beginning of chapter 24. It is said as Ray introduces Sean to the reader. It is ironic that he would say anyone who is a Dharma Bum would be a normal person with wives and children. This is because the whole idea of being a Dharma Bum is wandering for a religious cause by yourself, not being at home with wives and children.
"I don't wanta hear all your word descriptions of words words words you mae up all winter, man I wanta be enlightened by actions"
page 169
This is said by Japhy as Ray is trying to explain to him what he thought about over the spring. Japhy is not receptive to this because he says he had reached a higher level of enlightenment than Japhy. This level is pushing Japhy farther from Ray and changing him. It is almost changing him away from a Dharma Bum as demonstrated by his desire for a wife. Ray is upset by this.
page 161
This quote comes at the beginning of chapter 24. It is said as Ray introduces Sean to the reader. It is ironic that he would say anyone who is a Dharma Bum would be a normal person with wives and children. This is because the whole idea of being a Dharma Bum is wandering for a religious cause by yourself, not being at home with wives and children.
"I don't wanta hear all your word descriptions of words words words you mae up all winter, man I wanta be enlightened by actions"
page 169
This is said by Japhy as Ray is trying to explain to him what he thought about over the spring. Japhy is not receptive to this because he says he had reached a higher level of enlightenment than Japhy. This level is pushing Japhy farther from Ray and changing him. It is almost changing him away from a Dharma Bum as demonstrated by his desire for a wife. Ray is upset by this.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Dharma Bums 6
I make more money than you ever had in your whole life as a hobo, but you're the one who enjoys life and not only that but you do it without workin"
page 129
This quote is spoken by a truck driver who is giving Ray a lift from Mexico most of the way to North Carolina. They stop off on the side of the road for Ray to make the driver a steak. Ray's cooking ability impresses the truck driver and they become friends. The trucker is baffled by how Ray can live on an small income and be happier than him. Living happy with little means seems to be a large theme in the story. This is a rare instance when it is acknowledged by someone not living like Ray and Japhy.
"People have good hearts where or not they live like Dharma Bums."
page 132
Ray speaks this quote when he first gets to his mother's house. He sees her doing the dishes and thinks back to Japhy's rant on how every American is obsessed with their indentical nice white toilets. At this point Ray questions this philosophy and says that people can be good people without practicing their lifestyle. This is the first time in the book any characters had sympathized with the normal person.
page 129
This quote is spoken by a truck driver who is giving Ray a lift from Mexico most of the way to North Carolina. They stop off on the side of the road for Ray to make the driver a steak. Ray's cooking ability impresses the truck driver and they become friends. The trucker is baffled by how Ray can live on an small income and be happier than him. Living happy with little means seems to be a large theme in the story. This is a rare instance when it is acknowledged by someone not living like Ray and Japhy.
"People have good hearts where or not they live like Dharma Bums."
page 132
Ray speaks this quote when he first gets to his mother's house. He sees her doing the dishes and thinks back to Japhy's rant on how every American is obsessed with their indentical nice white toilets. At this point Ray questions this philosophy and says that people can be good people without practicing their lifestyle. This is the first time in the book any characters had sympathized with the normal person.
Friday, April 13, 2007
alternative medicine more links
Complementary and Alternative medicine is used for people who for some reason do not beleive in traditional medicine.
Alternative medicine involves any form of treatment not offered in a hospital.
Some of which is even covered by insurance but must be regulated by the Food and Drug administration.
Alternative medicine involves any form of treatment not offered in a hospital.
Some of which is even covered by insurance but must be regulated by the Food and Drug administration.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Dharma Bums 5
"therefore have to work for the priviledge of consuming, all that crap they didn't really want anyway such as refrigerators, TV sets, cars, at least new fancy cars, certain hair oils and deodorants and general junk you finally always see a week later in the garbage anyway, all of them imprisoned in a system of work."
page 97
Japhy speaks this quote in Ray's recounting of the drunken conversation between the friends. Japhy discusses his view that Americans work for material things they feel influenced by society to purchase. This is similair to what we discussed in class on cookie-cutter America. Japhy's philosophy causes him to be confused as to why people who choose to imprison themselves in the cycle of senseless work for material.
"find perfect solitude and look into the perfect emptiness of my mind and be completely neutral from any and all ideas."
page 105
Ray says that his search for solitude and emptiness from ideas are what influence him to live a wandering life. He plans to do this with his new rucksack that Japhy recently helped him purchase. However, in searching to be free from ideas, he is really taking Japhy's teachings and putting them to use. Ray is greatly influenced by Japhy's word, even if that word is to not be influenced by ideas.
page 97
Japhy speaks this quote in Ray's recounting of the drunken conversation between the friends. Japhy discusses his view that Americans work for material things they feel influenced by society to purchase. This is similair to what we discussed in class on cookie-cutter America. Japhy's philosophy causes him to be confused as to why people who choose to imprison themselves in the cycle of senseless work for material.
"find perfect solitude and look into the perfect emptiness of my mind and be completely neutral from any and all ideas."
page 105
Ray says that his search for solitude and emptiness from ideas are what influence him to live a wandering life. He plans to do this with his new rucksack that Japhy recently helped him purchase. However, in searching to be free from ideas, he is really taking Japhy's teachings and putting them to use. Ray is greatly influenced by Japhy's word, even if that word is to not be influenced by ideas.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Dharma Bums 4
"he made sure his sleeping bag was farther away from the fire than mine so I would sure to be warm. He was always practicing charity."
page 76
This quote comes when Japhy and Ray are alone at their first campsite while climbing Matterhorn. It is a cold night and Japhy sacrfices his own comfort to ensure that Ray is warm. This demonstrates that Japhy is commited to practicing his form of Buddhismby practicing kindness on a regular basis. This is a rare case of the character in the book following through on a commitment and shows how much Ray respects Japhy.
"'Ready. What would I say to the boys in The Place if I came all this way only to give up at the last minute."
page 81
Ray says this to Japhy and Morley as he is deciding whether or not to continue to the top of Matterhorn. One reason he should go is so he can share this story with this friends. This is ironic because earlier he says that the whole point of mountain climbing isnt to show off, its just getting outside. Rays thoughts change on a whim as Japhy presses him to climb.
page 76
This quote comes when Japhy and Ray are alone at their first campsite while climbing Matterhorn. It is a cold night and Japhy sacrfices his own comfort to ensure that Ray is warm. This demonstrates that Japhy is commited to practicing his form of Buddhismby practicing kindness on a regular basis. This is a rare case of the character in the book following through on a commitment and shows how much Ray respects Japhy.
"'Ready. What would I say to the boys in The Place if I came all this way only to give up at the last minute."
page 81
Ray says this to Japhy and Morley as he is deciding whether or not to continue to the top of Matterhorn. One reason he should go is so he can share this story with this friends. This is ironic because earlier he says that the whole point of mountain climbing isnt to show off, its just getting outside. Rays thoughts change on a whim as Japhy presses him to climb.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Dharma Bums 3
"'Let's go in there, by God we need a man's breakfast if we're gonna climb all day.'"
page 50
Ray says this as the hiking trio is approaching a lodge. This occurs before the group starts to hike. I found this comment and action odd because earlier Japhy discussed their plan to save money. Stopping to eat at a diner does not seem economical or mountainman like.
"Ray when you're up here you're not sittin in a Berkeley tea room. This is the beginning and the end of the wold right here."
page 68
Japhy conveys this idea to Ray as they are reaching the high points of that days ascent. The other member of their party had turned back at this point and the conversation was more open for input from Japhy. Japhy is telling Ray how important traveling into nature is because nature exsisted before humans and will excist after humans. He says that this is a vital component of a whole Buddhist life and cannot be achieved in some Berkeley Tea Room.
page 50
Ray says this as the hiking trio is approaching a lodge. This occurs before the group starts to hike. I found this comment and action odd because earlier Japhy discussed their plan to save money. Stopping to eat at a diner does not seem economical or mountainman like.
"Ray when you're up here you're not sittin in a Berkeley tea room. This is the beginning and the end of the wold right here."
page 68
Japhy conveys this idea to Ray as they are reaching the high points of that days ascent. The other member of their party had turned back at this point and the conversation was more open for input from Japhy. Japhy is telling Ray how important traveling into nature is because nature exsisted before humans and will excist after humans. He says that this is a vital component of a whole Buddhist life and cannot be achieved in some Berkeley Tea Room.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Dharma bums 2
"Japhy Ryder is a great new hero of American culture"
page 32
This is declared by Alvah after he and Jay are discussing Japhy's accomplishments and lifestyle. They recount his knowledge of poetry, oriental languages and women to determine he is heroic. This is odd because I would consider Japhy Ryder to be a counterculturalist. However, Alvah says he is a hero of American culture. This does not make sense because Japhy does not mainstream in that he is a religious wanderer who lives a life which is almost "back to nature".
"colleges being nothing but grooming schools for the middleclass non-identity which usually finds its perfect expression on the outskirts of the campus in rows of well-to-do houses."
page 39
The quote comes when Ray points out that he and Japhy look misplaced on a college campus. This is because of their old clothes and the life they lead that is so opposite from middle class men with desk jobs. It is interesting that Ray makes the point that colleges are a "breeding ground" for people to go out and live in cookie cutter houses because that is what we have been talking about in class. Ray takes it a step before the people settling down and how people's education leads them into a life of normalcy.
page 32
This is declared by Alvah after he and Jay are discussing Japhy's accomplishments and lifestyle. They recount his knowledge of poetry, oriental languages and women to determine he is heroic. This is odd because I would consider Japhy Ryder to be a counterculturalist. However, Alvah says he is a hero of American culture. This does not make sense because Japhy does not mainstream in that he is a religious wanderer who lives a life which is almost "back to nature".
"colleges being nothing but grooming schools for the middleclass non-identity which usually finds its perfect expression on the outskirts of the campus in rows of well-to-do houses."
page 39
The quote comes when Ray points out that he and Japhy look misplaced on a college campus. This is because of their old clothes and the life they lead that is so opposite from middle class men with desk jobs. It is interesting that Ray makes the point that colleges are a "breeding ground" for people to go out and live in cookie cutter houses because that is what we have been talking about in class. Ray takes it a step before the people settling down and how people's education leads them into a life of normalcy.
Dharma Bums 1
"he had me on pins and needles all the time and did eventually stick something in my crystal head that made me change my plans in life"
page 13
This quote comes when the main character is talking about his and Japhy's conversations. This occurs shortly after the main character meats Japhy and they are at the poetry reading. Japhy's simple come backs to Rays word strike Ray in a manor he describes as life changing. This is important because it hints that Japhy may be an important character in the rest of the book.
"which would be a number of sand grains uncomputable by IBM"
page 8
Ray thinks this statement while lying on the beach in California. He is by himself sipping wine and wading in the water. During this time he beings to wonder about things which seem to be endless, like the number of sand grains on the beach. He says that an IBM computer which at that time must have been on the edge of technology at that time could not unlock the mystery of nature. It seems Ray uses this as a justification of his nomadic natural lifestyle. It conveys that nature is better than technology.
page 13
This quote comes when the main character is talking about his and Japhy's conversations. This occurs shortly after the main character meats Japhy and they are at the poetry reading. Japhy's simple come backs to Rays word strike Ray in a manor he describes as life changing. This is important because it hints that Japhy may be an important character in the rest of the book.
"which would be a number of sand grains uncomputable by IBM"
page 8
Ray thinks this statement while lying on the beach in California. He is by himself sipping wine and wading in the water. During this time he beings to wonder about things which seem to be endless, like the number of sand grains on the beach. He says that an IBM computer which at that time must have been on the edge of technology at that time could not unlock the mystery of nature. It seems Ray uses this as a justification of his nomadic natural lifestyle. It conveys that nature is better than technology.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
alternative medicine links
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alternativemedicine.html
http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/altm.html
http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/altm.html
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Are These Actual Miles?
"But banksuptcy is a company collapsing utterly, executives cutting their wrists and throwing themselves from windows, thousands of men on the street."
page 585
This quote comes when the main character, Leo, is recalling his childhood. He remembers his father pointing out a nice house and telling him the people who lives there are bankrupt. However, Leo thinks that bankruptcy is when a company colapses and workers begin to commit suicide. Leo likes to beleive this because he is currently having financial issues and it comforts him to think that he is not as bankrupt as those people who commit suicide. However, in reality he is just as bankrupt as them.
"I said we're just finishing. I told you, it's part of the deal"
page 588
This quote comes when Toni calls Leo for the second time of the night. This time, she informs him that she and the perspective buyer are out to dinner at New Jimmy's. Toni says that the man sympathizes with their financial situation and thinks it is the worst thing to be considered as. At this point, Leo has had enough of the shady dinner date and wants to bring his wife home. However, she hangs up despite his pleas. In the end, she does not arrive home until early the next morning.
page 585
This quote comes when the main character, Leo, is recalling his childhood. He remembers his father pointing out a nice house and telling him the people who lives there are bankrupt. However, Leo thinks that bankruptcy is when a company colapses and workers begin to commit suicide. Leo likes to beleive this because he is currently having financial issues and it comforts him to think that he is not as bankrupt as those people who commit suicide. However, in reality he is just as bankrupt as them.
"I said we're just finishing. I told you, it's part of the deal"
page 588
This quote comes when Toni calls Leo for the second time of the night. This time, she informs him that she and the perspective buyer are out to dinner at New Jimmy's. Toni says that the man sympathizes with their financial situation and thinks it is the worst thing to be considered as. At this point, Leo has had enough of the shady dinner date and wants to bring his wife home. However, she hangs up despite his pleas. In the end, she does not arrive home until early the next morning.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Persistence of Desire
"this pattern had given Clyde as a boy a funny nervous feeling of intersection, and now he stood crisscrossed by a double sense of himself, his present identity extending down from Massachusetts to meet his disonsolate youth in Pennsylvania."
page 561
This quote is included in the first lines of the story. As Clyde stands in the doctors office that he visited as a boy he begins to feel uneasy. He feels as though the self he is now exsists in Massachusetts and finds it akward to be in his homestate of Pennsylvania. The Pennyslvania version of Clyde is beginning to show through due to the location of Clyde and this makes Clyde nervous. Clyde is nervous because he is considering the possibility of running into more memories which confuses his sense of self.
"Clyde paralyzed by so heavy an injection of love, touched her arm icily"
page 563
This moment happens after Clyde begins to express to Janet his regret of doing anything wrong in the pass. This hints that Clyde still has feelings for Janet. These feelings have come from an injection of his past caused by being in his hometown. However, reopening connections with Janet feels icy to both of them because they both lead different lives now.
page 561
This quote is included in the first lines of the story. As Clyde stands in the doctors office that he visited as a boy he begins to feel uneasy. He feels as though the self he is now exsists in Massachusetts and finds it akward to be in his homestate of Pennsylvania. The Pennyslvania version of Clyde is beginning to show through due to the location of Clyde and this makes Clyde nervous. Clyde is nervous because he is considering the possibility of running into more memories which confuses his sense of self.
"Clyde paralyzed by so heavy an injection of love, touched her arm icily"
page 563
This moment happens after Clyde begins to express to Janet his regret of doing anything wrong in the pass. This hints that Clyde still has feelings for Janet. These feelings have come from an injection of his past caused by being in his hometown. However, reopening connections with Janet feels icy to both of them because they both lead different lives now.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Swimmer
"He saw then, like any explorer, that the hospitable customs and traditions of the natives would have to be handled with diplomacy if he was ever going to reach his destination."
page 1491
This quote occurs when the main character comes upon one of his first pools and is offered a drink. He realizes he must accept it in order to remain friendly with the people as well as move on quickly without seeming rude. This realization comes in a metaphor involving explorers' acceptance of native customs. This can be comparable to the path of life. People must be friendly but at the same time accomplish their goals.
"'We've been terribly sorry to hear about all your misfortunes, Neddy.' 'My misfortunes?' Ned Asked"
page 1494
Near the end of the story, Ned swims in the pool of an elderly couple. The wife appologizes for misfortunes which Ned apparentley knows nothing about. This is the first concrete clue that this journey could be an alcohol influenced imaginative journey. This journey could be a symbol for Ned's drinking to releive his problems. The water in this particular pool is unfiltered and the actual pool is old. This could be compared to the old memories the elderly women reminds Ned of.
page 1491
This quote occurs when the main character comes upon one of his first pools and is offered a drink. He realizes he must accept it in order to remain friendly with the people as well as move on quickly without seeming rude. This realization comes in a metaphor involving explorers' acceptance of native customs. This can be comparable to the path of life. People must be friendly but at the same time accomplish their goals.
"'We've been terribly sorry to hear about all your misfortunes, Neddy.' 'My misfortunes?' Ned Asked"
page 1494
Near the end of the story, Ned swims in the pool of an elderly couple. The wife appologizes for misfortunes which Ned apparentley knows nothing about. This is the first concrete clue that this journey could be an alcohol influenced imaginative journey. This journey could be a symbol for Ned's drinking to releive his problems. The water in this particular pool is unfiltered and the actual pool is old. This could be compared to the old memories the elderly women reminds Ned of.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Death of Justina
"You see you live in a B zone - two acre lots, no commercial enterprises."
P. 547
This quote demonstrates the strangness of the towns' restrictions. The zones are fairly mysterious throughout the story but you can disern that certain things are not allowed in zones. Moses feels that this is ridiculous. This quote demonstrates how odd this seems and it is tied to when he says that if you are to lie you must to it wildly. These zones are a wild fiction but seem a part of life to Moses.
"The cans and boxes were all bare. The frozen-food bins were full of brown parcels, but they were such odd shapes that you couldn't tlel if they contained a frozen turkey or a Chinese dinner."
Page 549
This quote comes as Moses is describing his dream. In the dream he is shopping in an American theme outfit among a variety of people. He is in a grocery store in which nothing is labeled or dicernable. All the food items are generic. To me, this is comparable to the structure of the society in which Moses lives. The area is divided into zones and in each zone certain things are not allowed. In the list of banned activities most are common in the real world, such as death. However, the society is so blindly organized it is difficult to get around the ridiculous rules. The uniformitey of the town and zones is similar to the bare cans and boxes in that neither are functional.
P. 547
This quote demonstrates the strangness of the towns' restrictions. The zones are fairly mysterious throughout the story but you can disern that certain things are not allowed in zones. Moses feels that this is ridiculous. This quote demonstrates how odd this seems and it is tied to when he says that if you are to lie you must to it wildly. These zones are a wild fiction but seem a part of life to Moses.
"The cans and boxes were all bare. The frozen-food bins were full of brown parcels, but they were such odd shapes that you couldn't tlel if they contained a frozen turkey or a Chinese dinner."
Page 549
This quote comes as Moses is describing his dream. In the dream he is shopping in an American theme outfit among a variety of people. He is in a grocery store in which nothing is labeled or dicernable. All the food items are generic. To me, this is comparable to the structure of the society in which Moses lives. The area is divided into zones and in each zone certain things are not allowed. In the list of banned activities most are common in the real world, such as death. However, the society is so blindly organized it is difficult to get around the ridiculous rules. The uniformitey of the town and zones is similar to the bare cans and boxes in that neither are functional.
Monday, March 26, 2007
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