Journal 16: Crane’s “The Blue Hotel” and London’s “To Build a Fire”

“Determinism governs everything … The writer must study the inherited traits of individual character and the social condition of the time.  Together, these elements determine the course of any action, the outcome of any life.  Free will or self-determination is mostly an illusion, although chance is granted a role in human affairs.  Still, even the effects of chance are obliterated in the inevitable course determined by the interaction of inherited character traits and the social environment.“  

This quote applies to the main characters in Crane’s “The Blue Hotel” and London’s “To Build a Fire” because each character was determined by their beliefs.  In Crane’s “The Blue Hotel” Swede lived in New York most of his life.  When he came to the town of Fort Romper, Nebraska, his character was portrayed with frantic paranoia because of his belief of the dangers that the “Wild West” possesses.  Therefore, Swede would exhibit strange behavior despite the efforts of those who would give him comfort.  Swede’s mind decides that he will be murdered before the night is over, so even Scully, the hospitable hotel owner, is unable to calm the Swede’s fears.  Due to the Swede’s action, it was determined earlier in the movie that the other guests would not enjoy his company and would try to kick him out of the hotel.  It was not until the Swede began to drink whiskey and act belligerent that made him the only danger in the “Wild West.”  Swede’s fears of murder and violence only came true after he decides to pick a fight with a hotel inspector, and the hotel inspector stabs the drunk for trying to abusing him.  The Swede was safe from his environment by staying inside the hotel, instead of living in the blizzard; but in the end, it would be his behavior that would cause his death.   

The man facing a blizzard in “To Build a Fire” was portrayed to have a clear outlook on life.  In this realistic story, the man was trying to get back to his camp alive before sunset while  facing a blizzard.  He was smart in trying to stay positive and sober while facing his challenge.  However, like the Swede, he died due to his behavior in the snow.  His belief of survival in below 50 degree weather was denied when he realized that he could not feel his fingers or toes.  It was ironic to hear that a man dressed for a snow storm would die because he was not actually prepared for what he was going up against.  Just like the Swede, he was facing the consequences of his actions and would realize his mistake too late to be able to save himself. 

Journal 15: Fight For Freedom

1.  Write a sentence that summarizes the story’s overall message, and provide  three direct quotes from the story that best illustrate this message.

The overall message in “Editha” written by Howell is that it is unwise to glorify war.  War is the meaning of life or death because the soldiers are fighting for freedom.  In the beginning of the novel, Editha pressures George to go into war by threating that she would not marry him.  George asked for Editha’s love and she gave it to him, and now that war had begun she wanted him to fight for her.  “If he could do something worthy to have won her--be a hero, her hero--it would be even better than if he had done it before asking her; it would be grander.”  She is using war as a way to show how much George really loves her.  Later in story, Editha rewards George with smiles and kisses by announcing, “They selected me for captain, and I'm going to the war, the big war, the glorious war, the holy war ordained by the pocket.”    Finally, the truth prevails when Editha’s has to meet George’s mom to tell her that George had died for his country.   Mrs. Gearson comments back to Editha by saying, “No, girls don’t; women don’t, when they give their men up for their country. They think they’ll come marching back somehow, just as gay as they went”. In the end, Editha realizes that war is not glorious because it took the life of the one she loved.  The author is warning others that glorious war is idealistic because in reality, people can die as a possible outcome.

2.  What tactics does Editha use to make George believe as she does about the war?

Editha used several tactics to make George believe the same way she does about the war. First, she plays with George’s feelings and emotions.  By threating their marriage, she is able to let George understand how important fighting for their country is to her.  She was trying to convince him that becoming a solider would not only make him look like a better person, but he would look a hero; and that’s what she wanted as a husband, a hero.  She then uses literature, such as current war propaganda to show how necessary and glorious war is.  These news reports supported her opinion for the need of war and gave her a reason to pressure him into leaving. Finally, she manipulates him by saying that she understands if he does not want to go and that he should follow his beliefs.  This is going to push George into following his wife’s orders because he truly loves her. 
     

3.   Is there ever a time in which Editha truly understands what she has done?  Does she ever experience an epiphany?

There was a moment when Editha understands what she had done.  After forcing her husband to go into war, she realizes that she had lost her pride and joy.  The love of her life was now fighting for justice and freedom rather than being at home with her.  She was proud of him, but she was also nervous that she had lost him.  However, at this time she still believed that what she had done was right, and he should be a captain in the war.  It was not until she heard a message stating that her husband died when she truly recognized the mistake she made.  Editha never believed that George was going to be killed; she just thought he was going to be a hero.  When Editha visits Mrs. Gearson, Mrs. Gearson began to yell at her for pressuring her son into going to war and letting him die.  George’s mother explained that women romanticize the idea of war when in reality it is a place of death. Editha starts to cry for the first time since George’s death, feeling truly sorry for what she had done.  However, by the end of the story, she was back to her idealistic ways and believed that war was glorious again.

Journal 14: Ideal or Real?

Realism – The theory or practice in art and literature of fidelity to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization of the most typical views, details, and surroundings of the subject.

Read the following poems and write a detailed description for each of the title characters and explain how each is an example of the “real” instead of the “ideal.”  

“Richard Cory“(497)

The entire poem is about how Richard Cory seems to be absolutely perfect and how others want to be just like him.  Little did the townspeople know that Richard Cory was not living the perfect life because he kills himself in the end.  The writer never told why Richard would commit suicide, but it was ironic that he would be the one to die when his life appeared to be perfect.  This poem is an example that you cannot judge a person by their appearance.  Even though Richard Cory appeared to be a very wealthy gentleman and so perfect that others aspired to be like him, does not mean that his life was filled with happiness.  It also means that the people who surround you do not always know what is going on in your life.  What others see and how you feel are two completely different aspects in reality.  It is the conflict and irony of everyday situations that make this poem an example of actuality.  It was ideal that Richard Cory was a perfect character; when in reality, he had issues like everyone else.  Besides, the name Richard Cory foreshadows the idea that he is rich and had a core that is not filled with strength. 

“Miniver Cheevy” (497)

Miniver wishes he was born during the medieval times because he wants to become a knight in shining armor.  He truly believes that he was created in the wrong century because all his hopes and dreams are about a castle and fighting for his one true love. Therefore, in order to escape the boring present, he decides to drink to see his fantasy.  Miniver Cheevy is trying to live in his ideal life when in reality; he was born in a different time period. He doesn’t believe he has a great life so he wastes what he is given, which so many of us do.  Many people do not take the time to recognize and appreciate what has been placed right in front of their nose.  Instead, they get carried away in wanting something new and different.  They want an ideal life where they can have anything, when in reality that is not possible.  Miniver is so wrapped up in Greek mythology stories about dragons that he is missing reality and what is in front of him.  He spends most of his time fantasizing; therefore, his life is empty. The meaning of Miniver Cheevy foreshadows a life full of depression.  Even his first name Miniver sounds like minimal achiever.  He should live life to the fullest and stop trying to change what time period he was born in.   

“Mr. Flood’s Party” (498)

Mr. Flood is an alcoholic that likes to have a party for one, himself. He talks and sings as if someone is always with him, but he is all alone.  It is an ironic dramatic monologue narrative.  It is ironic because Mr. Flood’s Party sounds like he is having a party.  Poor Mr. Flood was left alone because the townspeople did not want to live with him.  He is old, and all of his friends are either dead or left him because of his drinking problem.  Mr. Flood is drinking to fill emptiness in his heart.  By drinking he is trying to live his ideal happy life, but in reality he has no friends and nothing to live for. When he is drunk, he is living in his own past that was filled with laughter and fun times.  He is living in his past, instead of looking towards the future.  Just like Mr. Flood’s Party, people tend to dwell on their past lives instead of moving on.  Mr. Flood was unable to adapt to change, so he decided to live his present as a drunk.  If he stopped drinking, it is possible that his future would look much brighter rather than the idea of him dying alone. 

Journal 13: Edgar Lee Masters Epitaphs

Read “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” and answer the following questions.

1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?

George Gray lived his whole life in fear; therefore, the object that symbolizes his life was a boat located on his grave.  George was afraid to live his life to the fullest and consequently, missed out on various opportunities.  His life was compared to a boat that was anchored and unable to float on top of the waves of the sea.  George was given numerous chances to take a risk and make the most of what he was given, but he decided to hide from love, sorrow, and ambition.  He did not want to live his life in dread or depression, so he turned away from possible moments that could make his existence interesting.  If he would have lifted his sail in hope to find his destiny, maybe he would have been like a furled ship.  However, he left his anchor in the sand and was too afraid to reach out for a life worth living.    

2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interpret the last line of the poem?

Lucinda Matlock’s life is completely different than George Gray’s.  Unlike George, she lived in happiness to fulfill her destiny on earth.  Her life wasn’t perfect, but she was determined to look past the negative aspects and celebrate what God had given her.  She took a risk by falling in love, marrying her husband, and creating a family to live an even happier life.  The last line of her epitaph was a piece of advice to those like George Gray, who were afraid to take a chance.  She said that you must be full of spirit and energy to experience the best moments in life.  Yes, there will be times that are devastating, but it is up to you to find a reason to live and love the life that you are given. 

3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?

George Gray and Lucinda Matlock are examples of realism because they are both written about ordinary lives of middle class people. Despite the idea that each epitaph is completely different, they both give examples of the hardships of life.  Both George and Lucinda tell the audiences that life was meant to take risks and that the best times come from bending the rules. George’s message was to make every moment worth living because you can never get it back. The epitaphs were used to show the drama and scope of average and ordinary people’s lives.

Journal 12: There is Evil in Everyone

1. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory (symbolic narrative).  What do the following represent?

            Young Goodman Brown – He symbolizes the young and innocent before they witness the evil in others.  He also represents Adam in the Biblical Story, Adam and Eve, because he is tempted by the devil to cave into sin and turn away from God. 

            Faith – She also symbolizes Eve, in Adam in Eve, because she is Young Goodman Brown’s wife.  She wears a pink ribbon in her hair to symbolize the goodness that she is.  She represents the faith Young Goodman Brown should have in the Lord, and when he left her, it was like he was losing faith in God.

           

            The Elderly Traveler/Fellow-Traveler – The Elderly Traveler represents the devil because he is tempting Young Goodman Brown and Faith to turn away from God and follow evil.  He even carried a walking stick around with him that had a big black snake carved into it, which symbolizes the snake from the Biblical Story of Adam and Eve.

           

Goody Cloyse – Goody Cloyse was Young Goodman Brown’s catechist teacher when he was young.  She symbolizes how not everyone is perfect and everyone is going to sin.  It was interesting to see her at the ceremony because she is a catechist and is supposed to turn away from evil.  Instead, she is in woods following the devil.  

The Ceremony – The ceremony symbolizes the coming of sin or sinning. When Young Goodman Brown and Faith are at the ceremony, they were introduced to the devil and turning away from God.  The ceremony was a way of confirming that he has lost his innocence and is growing up. 

The Pink Ribbon – The pink ribbon symbolizes the goodness and purity in life.  Faith would wear this in her hair because she believed in following the Lord.  When Young Goodman Brown was in the woods, he saw the pink ribbon falling to the grown.  This meant that there is no good in what he is about to do.

Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – His journey symbolizes the whole Biblical Story of Adam and Eve. It also represents how a child loses their innocence as grow up and face reality. Everyone is innately evil, and there comes a time in life when we just have to face the facts.                       

2. Identify the following for “Young Goodman Brown”: 

Theme                       Message of Theme                 Element Used to Establish  

The theme of this story was sin.  This story is didactic or intended to teach a lesson to its readers.  “Young Goodman Brown” represented the temptation of the devil and caving into sin rather than following the Lord.  Obviously, this is not smart and caused humanity to lose their innocence.  Now everyone is born with original sin because of Adam and Eve’s little mistake.  Therefore, the message of the theme is that humanity is innately evil.  No one can escape the known fact that no one is perfect and we all make mistakes.  This theme was established with the plot and conflict. Young Goodman Brown’s journey was about his conflict in believing in the Lord.  “My Faith is gone!” cried he, after one stupefied moment. “There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name.  Come, devil; for to thee is this world given” (6).  As he got deeper and deeper into the woods, he began to lose faith in God and started to follow the devil.  “The road grew wilder and drearier and more faintly traced, vanished at length, leaving him in the heart of the dark wilderness, still rushing onward with the instinct that guides mortal man to evil” (6).  Then as soon as he entered the ceremony, he realized his mistake and wanted to leave, but it was too late.  “Depending upon one another’s hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream. Now are ye undeceived. Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness. Welcome again, my children, to the communion of your race.”  It is human to be curious and end up doing the wrong thing that could impact your life.  Even after the ceremony, Young Goodman Brown could not live his life the same way knowing that others had loss their innocence too.  His sin caused him to live the rest of his life depressed.   

Journal 11: The Beauty of Nature

“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (232)

The author is stating that humans have too many unnecessary possessions.  As technology advances, humans do not seem to care about Mother Nature.  It is good that humans are advancing, but we should not be moving forward so quickly. Things should stay simple. Technology corrupts us and takes us away from our true selves. It is able to distract and disconnect us from other people. For example, a cell phone and computer are two distracting technologies that people spend most of day on, instead of playing outside.  Those technologies are taking us away from what is really important in life, like sunshine.  We think technology is improving in our live, but really it’s just a burden.

           

Quote: “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.”

“Sounds” (234)

This passage is about the unique way of nature and how everyday is full of different sounds and images.  The narrator is stating that as he watches each day pass from morning to night, he realizes that he is not wasting his time because he is admiring the way nature can change in just moments.  He is living in the present as he experiences the sounds of nature.  He notices that life is beautiful and it is important that you should not miss it.  

Quote: “I had this advantage, at least, in my mode of life, over those who were obliged to look abroad for amusement, to society and the theatre, that my life itself was become my amusement and ceased to be a novel.”

“Brute Neighbors” (235)

Brute Neighbors is a passage about a satirical war.  The author is comparing the black and red ants to people fighting in war.  He is stating that people fight over petty things.  As the black and red ants are fighting over wood chips, human beings are fighting against each other for land, money, or power.  It is interesting to see how all the aspects of nature are alike to the aspects of humans. While the author is watch nature, he realizes that it is similar to watch humans.  There are not many differences between a tiny creature and a man. With both groups, there is a distinction of rivaling groups, brutality, and pettiness that causes of war.

            Quote: “and the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those who it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill.”

“The Pond in Winter” (237)

The author is stating that nature is where creatures live and flourish without questions. A pond in winter is beautiful because of its ability to be different while it still remains the same.  For example, in the winter the top of the water freezes over while the underneath remain to be a liquid.  This is incredible when you think about it because it looks as if nature is at rest, but really under the ice it is still the same. Winter makes everything seem empty, but there is still life thriving in the moment.  Nature is always beautiful, especially in winter.  

Quote: “Heaven is under our feet, as well as over our head.”

“Spring” (238)

Spring is the new beginning of every year.  It is when the flowers bloom and animals come out from hibernation that makes everything come alive.  It is also the beginning of better weather, so more people are happy.  It is incredible to watch the world go from dead to flourishing in a matter of months.  Spring is the world’s rebirth and starting process of beginning anew.

Quote: “The coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.”

Journal 10: Inside Othello's Head

Right before Othello committed suicide, he began to realize the mistakes and accomplishments of his life.  For his own epiphany, he stated to others that he was not a bad person. He was a proud warrior that defeated the Turks, commander of his troops, followed the law, and lived his life to the fullest.  However, it was his last mistake that would affect his life the most and lead him to his death.  Othello believed his “friend” rather than his loving and loyal wife.  Instead of communicating with Desdemona, he assumed that Iago was correct with his philosophy.  Othello had fallen for Iago’s wicked tricks and killed a loyal friend named Cassio and his wife Desdemona in trying to stop Iago’s belief. He hated himself for taking the life of innocent and beautiful human beings so much that he believed he had to do something to make amends.  Therefore, he believed that sacrificing himself would be the best way to die because he still wanted to be recognized and respected for the person and solider he was.