Setting
The cultural setting is of primary importance to the novel. It is important to note that Spanish society, especially in the 1930s when the novel was written, is fundamental to the actions and more importantly belief systems of the individuals living within it. Taking place in Roman Catholic (Spanis) society, the novel's social rules are prevalent; the Spanish have a long history of loyalty to the Church, take the horrific Inquisition and the asserting of Divine Right, for example. . Social rules that govern the characters are apparent. The mother, who is bitter about the deaths of her son and father because of the Felix family, cannot vocalize her hatred at the wedding because it is not considered acceptable: “You must keep quiet. Or people will criticized”(Lorca 60). This rule is direct. Prior to the bride running off with Leonardo, the mother controls herself and follows this rule. However, the moment it is revealed that the two have run off, the mother creates chaos and literally declares it the “hour of blood” (77). The broader effect this has on the story is that it creates these religiously instated boundaries that characters are not expected to cross. When they do cross them, the effect then has more impact. For example, the Bride is not by any means allowed to run off with Leonardo -- indeed her doing so demands vengeance. Whereas, in our society which legally and socially (moreorless) permits that sort of thing, the effect is NOT as impactful.
The generic landscape - a barren farm town -- puts emphasis on the actions of the individuals and not so much on the physical setting. The juxtaposing of rich passion with mundane desert is more powerful as a result. The setting also highlights some important themes within the novel - that of passion over social conventionality, that of human's instinctual and often unfulfilling need for revenge, and that of tragedy. Indeed, the tragic elements which are foreshadowed truly reflect the barren land of the Bride and her Father.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Comments
I like how it feels like this is an actual diary post and you used language similarly to that used in Blood Wedding. Well done. Good content and attention to detail as well.
I didn't pay attention to women in the plays as much as you did. I'm glad you opened my eyes to your points though. I also liked how you related all three plays.
Good attention to past vs. future.
I didn't pay attention to women in the plays as much as you did. I'm glad you opened my eyes to your points though. I also liked how you related all three plays.
Good attention to past vs. future.
Journal #6
When dramatists create gaps between the knowledge of characters and the reader it creates tension. The reader instantly feels confined within their head because they cannot help the character who is unaware of something or an event that will happen. This is also a method to engage a reader. This technique provides a dramatic sensation and creates a sense of wanting to know what happens next. In Oepidus the King, Oedipus is the kind of Thebes that is married to Jocasta. While the reader is aware that Jocasta is Oedipus' mother, he is not so informed. He is also unaware that the man he killed was his father. His lack of knowledge contributes to the curiosity and desire for truth that is developed within him. Which also contributes to themes within this play. Similarly, in Wild Duck, Hjalmar is married to Gina who had a daughter named Hedvig. Hjalmar is unaware that Hedvig is actually the daughter of Haakon Werle, a friend's father that financially aided him in business and his photography. He also helped Gina and Hjalmar get together. Hjalmar is left in the dark about all of this until later on. Both characters have the desire for truth and redemption which keepsthe plot turning. Dramatists use this essential tool in order to make things more dramatic and suspenseful. In each play, this technique is used to contribute to the plot and desire for truth, as well as engaging the reader.
Wild Duck-Journal #5
The Wild Duck
Ibsen uses techniques that I had previously been unaware of. However, this journal has forced me to retract my reading and dissect the literature. I’ve found that Ibsen uses the motifs of light and dark throughout the play to create a contrast, complementing the characters’ dialogue. For instance, the colors contrast such ideas as truth and illusion -- the struggle Greggers has to reveal the truth of his father’s doings and the illusory reality that exists. Another technique Ibsen uses is the symbolism of the duck. Ekdal symbolizes the “wounded duck” having been shot and submerged deep enough to never return. Hedvig’s blindness accentuates the theme of illusion; she is unaware (“cannot see”) the wrongdoings of the past.
Sickness and death are recurring themes in the play. Ibsen uses sickness throughout the Ekdal family; Hiajlmer suffers from physical illness, Hedvig is slowly going blind, and Old Ekdal is near death. These remind us of the human condition - how death is unavoidable, unbiased, and often appears cruel. The sicknesses the characters suffer from perpetuate their actions - they cause them to take place. So then, it is not a stretch to say death itself is the most influential puppetmaster in the play, not Hakon Werle.
Ibsen uses techniques that I had previously been unaware of. However, this journal has forced me to retract my reading and dissect the literature. I’ve found that Ibsen uses the motifs of light and dark throughout the play to create a contrast, complementing the characters’ dialogue. For instance, the colors contrast such ideas as truth and illusion -- the struggle Greggers has to reveal the truth of his father’s doings and the illusory reality that exists. Another technique Ibsen uses is the symbolism of the duck. Ekdal symbolizes the “wounded duck” having been shot and submerged deep enough to never return. Hedvig’s blindness accentuates the theme of illusion; she is unaware (“cannot see”) the wrongdoings of the past.
Sickness and death are recurring themes in the play. Ibsen uses sickness throughout the Ekdal family; Hiajlmer suffers from physical illness, Hedvig is slowly going blind, and Old Ekdal is near death. These remind us of the human condition - how death is unavoidable, unbiased, and often appears cruel. The sicknesses the characters suffer from perpetuate their actions - they cause them to take place. So then, it is not a stretch to say death itself is the most influential puppetmaster in the play, not Hakon Werle.
Wild Duck-Jounal #4
Diary entry from Gregers:
Ah! I just want to scream diary. Father is so secretive and sneaky. No one is to trust anymore. There always has to be a benifited party when an actio is done. I am surprised that things have played out the way they have. Gina Hansen and Hjalmar? What is Father up to. It is strange that she was our former housekeeper. Father set Hjalmar up in business and aided financially for his photography. He also steered him clear for me for the past sixteen or seventeen years or so. Unbelievable! His father and my father used to be good friends but then something happened, Father said they were "too" close. Whatever that may mean. My point is-Father cannot be trusted. He wants me to take over part of the firm so he can move to another one. Says that we'll both benefit. I denied his request, of course. His eye sight is becoming less favorable, according to him and he is quite lonely. So, he has turned to Mrs. Sorby. He never answers my questioning with a direct answer. Always some way around my words. Well diary, that is all of the venting I have for you tonight.
Ah! I just want to scream diary. Father is so secretive and sneaky. No one is to trust anymore. There always has to be a benifited party when an actio is done. I am surprised that things have played out the way they have. Gina Hansen and Hjalmar? What is Father up to. It is strange that she was our former housekeeper. Father set Hjalmar up in business and aided financially for his photography. He also steered him clear for me for the past sixteen or seventeen years or so. Unbelievable! His father and my father used to be good friends but then something happened, Father said they were "too" close. Whatever that may mean. My point is-Father cannot be trusted. He wants me to take over part of the firm so he can move to another one. Says that we'll both benefit. I denied his request, of course. His eye sight is becoming less favorable, according to him and he is quite lonely. So, he has turned to Mrs. Sorby. He never answers my questioning with a direct answer. Always some way around my words. Well diary, that is all of the venting I have for you tonight.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Oedipus Journal 3
To what extent would you agree that plot should be valued more highly than style in the work. In you answer you should refer to two or three works you have studied?
Comparing the play "Oedipus the King" and the book, The Stanger, I think plot is just as important, if not more important than the style in the work. First of all, in the play, Sophocles creates a bold plot that he bounces off the times and does not entirely write in chronological order. This creates things, such as dramatic irony, that an author's style does not create. Also, plot is a huge factor in a story. If you have no plot, then the story is not understandable. If you do not have well constructed techniques, you can still have a story.
In the Stranger, Camus used techiniques, such as short sentences. This created Mersault's character and how he thought. He was very plain, just like the sentences he used. The plot was more important then Camus' techniques, in my opinion. Camus did not use a huge amount of techniques, like in Their Eyes Were Watching God. The big part of the story was the plot. Everything was referred back to the plot and it pretty much mapped put Mersault's life. This mapping helped create Mersault. The climax in the plot, Mersault shooting the arab, is more meaningful then just little techniques Camus generated within the book. Likewise goes with "Oedipus the King".
Comparing the play "Oedipus the King" and the book, The Stanger, I think plot is just as important, if not more important than the style in the work. First of all, in the play, Sophocles creates a bold plot that he bounces off the times and does not entirely write in chronological order. This creates things, such as dramatic irony, that an author's style does not create. Also, plot is a huge factor in a story. If you have no plot, then the story is not understandable. If you do not have well constructed techniques, you can still have a story.
In the Stranger, Camus used techiniques, such as short sentences. This created Mersault's character and how he thought. He was very plain, just like the sentences he used. The plot was more important then Camus' techniques, in my opinion. Camus did not use a huge amount of techniques, like in Their Eyes Were Watching God. The big part of the story was the plot. Everything was referred back to the plot and it pretty much mapped put Mersault's life. This mapping helped create Mersault. The climax in the plot, Mersault shooting the arab, is more meaningful then just little techniques Camus generated within the book. Likewise goes with "Oedipus the King".
Oedipus Journal 2
Oh precious Thebes.
How I rule over you with my might.
I am so powerful since I solved the almighty riddle.
We are all glad to see the Sphinx out of sight.
Waves of plague wash over our city.
Creon comes back with news of death.
The news I hear-oh what a pity.
I am leader of this city!
Exile!
My confidence becomes overthrown.
Overthrown by my abrupt ways of taking action.
I watch now, rather than be shown.
Time slips through the hour glass
and lines up along with my fate.
Arrogance is my weakness.
I have lost control.
How I rule over you with my might.
I am so powerful since I solved the almighty riddle.
We are all glad to see the Sphinx out of sight.
Waves of plague wash over our city.
Creon comes back with news of death.
The news I hear-oh what a pity.
I am leader of this city!
Exile!
My confidence becomes overthrown.
Overthrown by my abrupt ways of taking action.
I watch now, rather than be shown.
Time slips through the hour glass
and lines up along with my fate.
Arrogance is my weakness.
I have lost control.
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