The Bluest Eye
characters:
pecola- a protagonist. Eleven year-old African American girl who believes having the blue eye and blond hair is the only standard of beauty
she feels ugly and hate her-self. She thinks because she is black, everyone disrepects her. She has been abused by her own father.
claudia- Her family take care of Pecola. She is the youngest of the McTeer family and very strong minded girl. She fights against the standard of white beauty.
frieda- sister of claudia and also lives with pecola. Frieda is more knowledgeable about the adult world.
cholly- a violent father of pecola. He rapes his own child.
pauline- a mother of pecola who also feels she is ugly.
mrs. mcteer- a mother of claudia. Even though she yells at her children, she loves them very much.
Maureen- A light-skinned, wealthy black girl who is new at the local school.
main idea:
Standard of beauty- Tony Morrison depicts in "The Bluest Eye" the significance of the white beauty standards that deform the lives of African Americans. She illustrates how African Americans felt so ugly of themselves compared to the "beautiful" whites. She conveys the implicit message that whiteness is superior than any other race. Pecola is very attracted and adores the Shirley Temple cup, which she very much longs for her blue eyes. The consensus that light-skinned Maureen is cuter than the other black girls, the idealization of white beauty. Pauline, a mother of Pecola also feels that being black is ugly. She prefers the little white girl she works for over her daughter. Adult women, having learned to hate the blackness of their own bodies, take this hatred out on their children.
Pauline shares the idea that Pecola is ugly. Pecola feels if she was beautiful and had blue eyes, everyone will lover her and respect her and that her father wouldn't have raped her.
the blue eyes -To Pecola, blue eyes convey the beauty and happiness that she associates with the white, middle-class world. They also come to symbolize her own blindness of the beauty of her own race.
question:
THe bluest eye depicts both racism and sexism in the story. Which is a greater threat?
*prof Lee, sorry for the late course blog. Just so you know, I had a blast in the class and I have learned so much. Thank you.
Have a wonderful holiday season and hope to see you next semester.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Lev - The Namesake
Important Characters:
Ashoke Ganguli - Father of Gogol, Husband to Ashima. While growing up, Ashoke read a lot of Russian literature. One day while he was reading one of his books on a train going to see his grandfather, the train crashed. He was found in the wreckage grasping a page from one of Nikolai Gogol's novels. Ashoke chose to name his son Gogol because he considered surviving the train crash was his first miracle and his son is his second.
Ashima Ganguli - Mother of Gogol, Wife of Ashoke. Ashima and Ashoke had an arranged marriage, and part of the deal of getting married to Ashoke meant for her to move to Boston with him. When Ashima heard this, she immediately agreed. But Ashima hated Boston when they moved there for quiet a long time. What she hated most was the fact that she was all alone, and did not have any family members around her. When Gogol was born, Ashima had something to do, so she changed her mind about America, and started liking it.
Gogol Ganguli - Son of Ashoke and Ashima, Brother of Sonia. When Gogol entered kindergarten, his parents finally chose him a "good name" which was Nikhil. Since Gogol grew up being called Gogol, he refused to have his name changed. He told the principal he wanted to be called Gogol. His parents did not approve but they were to scared and did not know enough English to fight the principal about it.
Sonia Ganguli - Duaghter of Ashoke and Ashima, Sister of Gogol. When Sonia was born, Ashoke and Sonia did not make the mistake of giving her a "home name" as a "good name". She is the more American child; Gogol basically paved the way of independence.
Moushumi - Ashima's bengali friend's duaghter. Moushumi and Gogol had met in their childhood at one of the bengali parties their parents where at. She had lived in France for a while, but then moved back to America.
Main Idea
Two Indian young adults named Ashoke and Ashima have an arranged marriage. Right after their marriage, they move to Boston for Ashoke's teaching position at an University. Both have a hard time adjusting, especially Ashima. With Ashoke always at work, Ashima is left at home with nothing to do. She has never been away from her family before. When Gogol is born, Ashima has many things to do. She begins to like Boston because of all the things she gets to do with baby Gogol. As Gogol gets older, he acts very similar to other American children. Finally Gogol goes away to college where he meets his first girlfriend, Ruth. Their relationship does not last long. Then Gogol meets his second girlfriend, Maxin; this relationship lasts a long time. Gogol even moves in with her and her parents. But nevertheless Gogol and Maxine break up. Suddenly and unexpectadly, Ashoke dies while away in Ohio. This news strikes the Ganguli family very hard. Some time passes, and Ashima sets up Gogol with the duaghter of one of her old friends. They go out, and quiet quickly get married. Seemingly enough the marrage does not last, as Moushumi begins cheating on Gogol. Last of all, Ashima decides to move back to India, and Gogol is left all alone.
Question
Do you think Gogol will be affected by the fact that he is all alone now? Since Ashima has left to India and Sonia has gotten married and moved away.
Ashoke Ganguli - Father of Gogol, Husband to Ashima. While growing up, Ashoke read a lot of Russian literature. One day while he was reading one of his books on a train going to see his grandfather, the train crashed. He was found in the wreckage grasping a page from one of Nikolai Gogol's novels. Ashoke chose to name his son Gogol because he considered surviving the train crash was his first miracle and his son is his second.
Ashima Ganguli - Mother of Gogol, Wife of Ashoke. Ashima and Ashoke had an arranged marriage, and part of the deal of getting married to Ashoke meant for her to move to Boston with him. When Ashima heard this, she immediately agreed. But Ashima hated Boston when they moved there for quiet a long time. What she hated most was the fact that she was all alone, and did not have any family members around her. When Gogol was born, Ashima had something to do, so she changed her mind about America, and started liking it.
Gogol Ganguli - Son of Ashoke and Ashima, Brother of Sonia. When Gogol entered kindergarten, his parents finally chose him a "good name" which was Nikhil. Since Gogol grew up being called Gogol, he refused to have his name changed. He told the principal he wanted to be called Gogol. His parents did not approve but they were to scared and did not know enough English to fight the principal about it.
Sonia Ganguli - Duaghter of Ashoke and Ashima, Sister of Gogol. When Sonia was born, Ashoke and Sonia did not make the mistake of giving her a "home name" as a "good name". She is the more American child; Gogol basically paved the way of independence.
Moushumi - Ashima's bengali friend's duaghter. Moushumi and Gogol had met in their childhood at one of the bengali parties their parents where at. She had lived in France for a while, but then moved back to America.
Main Idea
Two Indian young adults named Ashoke and Ashima have an arranged marriage. Right after their marriage, they move to Boston for Ashoke's teaching position at an University. Both have a hard time adjusting, especially Ashima. With Ashoke always at work, Ashima is left at home with nothing to do. She has never been away from her family before. When Gogol is born, Ashima has many things to do. She begins to like Boston because of all the things she gets to do with baby Gogol. As Gogol gets older, he acts very similar to other American children. Finally Gogol goes away to college where he meets his first girlfriend, Ruth. Their relationship does not last long. Then Gogol meets his second girlfriend, Maxin; this relationship lasts a long time. Gogol even moves in with her and her parents. But nevertheless Gogol and Maxine break up. Suddenly and unexpectadly, Ashoke dies while away in Ohio. This news strikes the Ganguli family very hard. Some time passes, and Ashima sets up Gogol with the duaghter of one of her old friends. They go out, and quiet quickly get married. Seemingly enough the marrage does not last, as Moushumi begins cheating on Gogol. Last of all, Ashima decides to move back to India, and Gogol is left all alone.
Question
Do you think Gogol will be affected by the fact that he is all alone now? Since Ashima has left to India and Sonia has gotten married and moved away.
Min Xi - The Great Gatsby
Characters
Nick Carraway- Nick is story’s narrator, he is from Minnesota moved to New York City to learn bond business. Nick is Daisy’s cousin, and because that Gatsby invited him to his party and wanted him to setup a date with Daisy.
Jay Gatsby- The title character and protagonist of the novel. Gatsby became rich by participate in illegal business. He biggest desire is to get Daisy back. However, his desire also become his tragedy.
Daisy Buchanan- Nick’s cousin, and the woman Gatsby loves. Daisy promised Gatsby to marry him after he back from war, but she broke the promise married Tom Buchanan instead.
Tom Buchanan- Daisy’s husband. Tom inherited his money from his rich family. Tom is an arrogant hypocritical bully, and he is very racism and sexism.
Jordan Baker- Daisy’s friend, and became Nick girlfriend. However, she broke out with Nick and found another guy in the end.
Myrtle Wilson- Tom’s secret lover, and married with George Wilson. Myrtle died in car accident that Daisy was the driver.
George Wilson- Myrtle’s husband owns a run down garage in the valley of ashes. After Myrtle car accident, he murder Gatsby and suicide because he thought Gatsby was the one who drives the car and killed Myrtle.
Summary
“The Great Gatsby” is a novel about a man name Gatsby tried to get his lover (Daisy) back. He participate in illegal business to get rich because social standing is different between him and Daisy, and to be able to match Daisy standing he has to get rich. After he got rich, he moved to west egg and host party every weeks to attract Daisy. Finally, because Nick Gatsby has chance to setup a date with Daisy. However, Daisy only attracted to Gatsby’s wealth and power. After Tom found out about Gatsby and Daisy, they have a argument, and Daisy was left with Gatsby. While Daisy drives back to home, she hit Myrtle Wilson by accident. Gatsby told Nick about the accident, and told him that he going to take all the responsibility. On other hand, Tom asked Daisy to go away with him, and Daisy immediate agree to leave with Tom. As a result, George shot Gatsby because he thought Gatsby was the one who drove the car. I think many people have different opinion about the title. “The Great Gatsby” is Gatsby really a great person who lost his life because love, or he just a foolish person falling into love without seeing real Daisy and lost his life. I think it is all about a person’s desire just like people search for American Dream because they believe it would make them life better or complete after they achieve it. My opinion is that Gatsby is just like all other who tries to achieve something is important to him. He just a regular person like all other.
Question
Do you think The Great Gatsby really fits for Gatsby?
Nick Carraway- Nick is story’s narrator, he is from Minnesota moved to New York City to learn bond business. Nick is Daisy’s cousin, and because that Gatsby invited him to his party and wanted him to setup a date with Daisy.
Jay Gatsby- The title character and protagonist of the novel. Gatsby became rich by participate in illegal business. He biggest desire is to get Daisy back. However, his desire also become his tragedy.
Daisy Buchanan- Nick’s cousin, and the woman Gatsby loves. Daisy promised Gatsby to marry him after he back from war, but she broke the promise married Tom Buchanan instead.
Tom Buchanan- Daisy’s husband. Tom inherited his money from his rich family. Tom is an arrogant hypocritical bully, and he is very racism and sexism.
Jordan Baker- Daisy’s friend, and became Nick girlfriend. However, she broke out with Nick and found another guy in the end.
Myrtle Wilson- Tom’s secret lover, and married with George Wilson. Myrtle died in car accident that Daisy was the driver.
George Wilson- Myrtle’s husband owns a run down garage in the valley of ashes. After Myrtle car accident, he murder Gatsby and suicide because he thought Gatsby was the one who drives the car and killed Myrtle.
Summary
“The Great Gatsby” is a novel about a man name Gatsby tried to get his lover (Daisy) back. He participate in illegal business to get rich because social standing is different between him and Daisy, and to be able to match Daisy standing he has to get rich. After he got rich, he moved to west egg and host party every weeks to attract Daisy. Finally, because Nick Gatsby has chance to setup a date with Daisy. However, Daisy only attracted to Gatsby’s wealth and power. After Tom found out about Gatsby and Daisy, they have a argument, and Daisy was left with Gatsby. While Daisy drives back to home, she hit Myrtle Wilson by accident. Gatsby told Nick about the accident, and told him that he going to take all the responsibility. On other hand, Tom asked Daisy to go away with him, and Daisy immediate agree to leave with Tom. As a result, George shot Gatsby because he thought Gatsby was the one who drove the car. I think many people have different opinion about the title. “The Great Gatsby” is Gatsby really a great person who lost his life because love, or he just a foolish person falling into love without seeing real Daisy and lost his life. I think it is all about a person’s desire just like people search for American Dream because they believe it would make them life better or complete after they achieve it. My opinion is that Gatsby is just like all other who tries to achieve something is important to him. He just a regular person like all other.
Question
Do you think The Great Gatsby really fits for Gatsby?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Jenny - The Namesake
1. Characters -
* Ashoke – His pet name known as “Mithu”, he “had gone to St. Xavier’s and then B.E. College, graduating first class first from both institutions.” (Page 9, The namesake) He married Ashima and had two children named Gogol and Sonia in Boston.
* Ashima- Her pet name known as “Monu”, she was five feet four tall Bengali woman and around ninety nine pounds. She was nineteen when she was introduced in the book and was in the middle of her studies. Ashima’s mother who always tell Ashima that she is great in knitting and cooking. She had Gogol in Boston and Sonia in the new house they had brought when Ashoke became a professor in Harvard University.
* Gogol (Nikali) - named after a famous Russian writer that his father loved during his years when he was young. His grandmother supposed to name him something else but, they never received the mail of the “name”. He ends up with the name Gogol on his birth certificate. Gogol realized that name was very important because it was the way people would recognize him. He didn’t like his name because it wasn’t American enough like Alan, Tom or something everybody knows.
* Sonia (Sonali) - was given an American name and also a pet name. After Gogol had his name, Ashoke and Ashima knows that now they live in America, they need an American name. She grew up with Ashoke, Ashima and Gogol in the new house they brought. She went to trips with the family to Calcutta.
2. Themes
* “Every pet name is paired with a good name, a bhalonam, for identification in the outside of the world. Consequently good names appear on envelopes, on diploma, in telephone directories and all public places. Good name tends to represent dignified and enlightened qualities. Pet names have no such aspirations. Pet names are never recorded officially, only uttered and remembered.” (Page 26, The Namesake) In other words, pet names were considered important in Indian’s traditions because they believed that every person should have a pet name paired with a good name to be identified in the outside of the world. Like for example, when Ashima’s grandmother mailed her a letter, her grandmother would put Ashima on the outside and Monu in the inside. Pet names are something you will remember forever but not recorded.
* Gogol’s Annaprasan, “Rice Ceremony”- “The food is arranged in ten separate bowls. Ashima regrets that the plate on which the rice is heaped is melamine, not silver or brass or at the very least stainless steel. The final Bowl contains payesh, a warm rice pudding Ashima will prepare for him to eat on each of his birthday as a child, as an adult even, alongside of a slice of bakery cake.” (Page 38-39) Rice ceremony was a very important tradition to Indians (Bengalis) because it gives their son or daughter to try different bowls of rice. Food was something they enjoy being surrounded with friends and family to see how lucky the child is.
* “The Grand Finale, the moment they have all been waiting for. To predict his future path in life, Gogol is offered a plate holding a clump of cold Cambridge soil dug up from the backyard, a ballpoint pen, a dollar bill, scholar, or businessman.” (Page 40) The Grand Finale was part of the ending of the rice ceremony where they predict the path of their child. Gogol had chosen nothing and began to cry.
3. Formulate a Question
* Do you think identification is important? Why?
* Do you like your own name? If you do, why? If you do not, why? What will the name you prefer and always wanted?
* Ashoke – His pet name known as “Mithu”, he “had gone to St. Xavier’s and then B.E. College, graduating first class first from both institutions.” (Page 9, The namesake) He married Ashima and had two children named Gogol and Sonia in Boston.
* Ashima- Her pet name known as “Monu”, she was five feet four tall Bengali woman and around ninety nine pounds. She was nineteen when she was introduced in the book and was in the middle of her studies. Ashima’s mother who always tell Ashima that she is great in knitting and cooking. She had Gogol in Boston and Sonia in the new house they had brought when Ashoke became a professor in Harvard University.
* Gogol (Nikali) - named after a famous Russian writer that his father loved during his years when he was young. His grandmother supposed to name him something else but, they never received the mail of the “name”. He ends up with the name Gogol on his birth certificate. Gogol realized that name was very important because it was the way people would recognize him. He didn’t like his name because it wasn’t American enough like Alan, Tom or something everybody knows.
* Sonia (Sonali) - was given an American name and also a pet name. After Gogol had his name, Ashoke and Ashima knows that now they live in America, they need an American name. She grew up with Ashoke, Ashima and Gogol in the new house they brought. She went to trips with the family to Calcutta.
2. Themes
* “Every pet name is paired with a good name, a bhalonam, for identification in the outside of the world. Consequently good names appear on envelopes, on diploma, in telephone directories and all public places. Good name tends to represent dignified and enlightened qualities. Pet names have no such aspirations. Pet names are never recorded officially, only uttered and remembered.” (Page 26, The Namesake) In other words, pet names were considered important in Indian’s traditions because they believed that every person should have a pet name paired with a good name to be identified in the outside of the world. Like for example, when Ashima’s grandmother mailed her a letter, her grandmother would put Ashima on the outside and Monu in the inside. Pet names are something you will remember forever but not recorded.
* Gogol’s Annaprasan, “Rice Ceremony”- “The food is arranged in ten separate bowls. Ashima regrets that the plate on which the rice is heaped is melamine, not silver or brass or at the very least stainless steel. The final Bowl contains payesh, a warm rice pudding Ashima will prepare for him to eat on each of his birthday as a child, as an adult even, alongside of a slice of bakery cake.” (Page 38-39) Rice ceremony was a very important tradition to Indians (Bengalis) because it gives their son or daughter to try different bowls of rice. Food was something they enjoy being surrounded with friends and family to see how lucky the child is.
* “The Grand Finale, the moment they have all been waiting for. To predict his future path in life, Gogol is offered a plate holding a clump of cold Cambridge soil dug up from the backyard, a ballpoint pen, a dollar bill, scholar, or businessman.” (Page 40) The Grand Finale was part of the ending of the rice ceremony where they predict the path of their child. Gogol had chosen nothing and began to cry.
3. Formulate a Question
* Do you think identification is important? Why?
* Do you like your own name? If you do, why? If you do not, why? What will the name you prefer and always wanted?
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Myeung Je Cho - The House on Mango Street
1.
-Esperanza
She thinks that boys and girls live in different world. When she was young, she really wanted to escape from Mango Street. She did not like anybody around her and responsibility to her family. She shows readers how she develops her feeling toward people around her and finally she realized of her writing ability.
She is the narrator of this novel. She wants to have her own home. Esperanza means “hope” in Spanish.
-Sally
Sally’s sexual behavior gives Esperanza uncomfortable, because Esperanza has not yet built a concept of sex.
Esperanza’s friend. She likes to drive boys.
-Nenny
Nenny is Esperanza’s responsibility so Esperanza tries to keep her away from bad things. Nenny and Esperanza are dreamer and they do not seem to have similarity but they are alike.
She is Esperanza’s younger sister. Her name is Magdalena.
-Marin
She is from Puerto Rico. Because of baby, she can not leave home. She has a dream to escape from Mango Street.
-Rachel and Lucy
Esperanza’s friend. They are from Texas.
-Allicia
She attends a local University. She is the one who does not try to escape from where she is through marriage.
-Cathy
Esperanza’s first friend. She does not want Esperanza to be a friend of Rachel and Lucy.
2.
Esperanza moves in a house on Mango Street. When someone ask where she lives she realized that she wants to escapes from where she is because her house is not good enough to show it to someone. The house on Mango Street is the first house Esperanza’s parents own.
Esperanza makes friends after her moving. And this novel shows how Esperanza matures and makes friends. Esperanza and her friends learn about boys from Marin. In each chapter, Esperanza meets new friends and she is adapted to people’s life on Mango Street. Finally, Esperanza realized that she can not leave Mango Street. And she knows that her writing will help her situation better later.
Themes
Knowing language is very important. Because Esperanza’s father, mother, and Mamacita do not speak and writing English fluently so they treats as low level people in society. Esperanza knows mastering language gives people power and her aunt Lupe encourage Esperanza keeps writing. Because it will help her free emotionally.
3.
Why Esperanza and her friends wear high heeled shoes and imitate adult lady?
-Esperanza
She thinks that boys and girls live in different world. When she was young, she really wanted to escape from Mango Street. She did not like anybody around her and responsibility to her family. She shows readers how she develops her feeling toward people around her and finally she realized of her writing ability.
She is the narrator of this novel. She wants to have her own home. Esperanza means “hope” in Spanish.
-Sally
Sally’s sexual behavior gives Esperanza uncomfortable, because Esperanza has not yet built a concept of sex.
Esperanza’s friend. She likes to drive boys.
-Nenny
Nenny is Esperanza’s responsibility so Esperanza tries to keep her away from bad things. Nenny and Esperanza are dreamer and they do not seem to have similarity but they are alike.
She is Esperanza’s younger sister. Her name is Magdalena.
-Marin
She is from Puerto Rico. Because of baby, she can not leave home. She has a dream to escape from Mango Street.
-Rachel and Lucy
Esperanza’s friend. They are from Texas.
-Allicia
She attends a local University. She is the one who does not try to escape from where she is through marriage.
-Cathy
Esperanza’s first friend. She does not want Esperanza to be a friend of Rachel and Lucy.
2.
Esperanza moves in a house on Mango Street. When someone ask where she lives she realized that she wants to escapes from where she is because her house is not good enough to show it to someone. The house on Mango Street is the first house Esperanza’s parents own.
Esperanza makes friends after her moving. And this novel shows how Esperanza matures and makes friends. Esperanza and her friends learn about boys from Marin. In each chapter, Esperanza meets new friends and she is adapted to people’s life on Mango Street. Finally, Esperanza realized that she can not leave Mango Street. And she knows that her writing will help her situation better later.
Themes
Knowing language is very important. Because Esperanza’s father, mother, and Mamacita do not speak and writing English fluently so they treats as low level people in society. Esperanza knows mastering language gives people power and her aunt Lupe encourage Esperanza keeps writing. Because it will help her free emotionally.
3.
Why Esperanza and her friends wear high heeled shoes and imitate adult lady?
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