"The Riddle" by William Heyen is a strong poem with a powerful message. It effectively takes the subject of the holocaust and shows it in an accusatory and critical way. The use of repetition is all over the piece. "Not I", "and some", and of course that probing query, "Who killed the Jews?" are all lines that are seen over and over again throughout. All of the repeating lines are denying their involvement, accusing involvement, and simply asking who's fault it all was. The repetition emphasizes the blame and how it travels from one person to a group to a situation. It never settles on one thing that caused the killing of innocent people in the masses. From line 14 to line 26 the list of people and things that were involved in the killing of the Jews is long and seemingly never-ending. Everyone played a part, but no one admitted it. The assumption was most likely, the more we deny, the more probable it is; and that is the reason for the repetition.
The rhyme scheme is ABCB until lines 15-24, where the list of the guilty is. The use of a rhyme scheme in poetry lets the reader have an idea of what to expect as each stanza is read. This pairs with the repetition. If the line" Who killed the Jews?" is used at the end of each stanza, it is expected that it will be present. The second line of four of the stanzas rhymes with Jews, therefore the repeated line is anticipated. This predictable line is there because of the rhyme scheme and the repetition. It helps stress and highlight the power of the poem.
I really felt something from this poem, even though it is an upsetting subject matter, the power of it makes it great. The lines 9-11 show a personal perspective to connect the speaker. The imagery of the fourth stanza is so effective and shows the ignorance of the soldiers; how they didn't help these suffering people. The answer to the riddle, who killed the Jews, is silence. The silence of the prisoners who were not allowed to speak, the soldiers who were ordered to obey Hitler, those who smelled smoke but never cried fire, all remained silent when asked the question "Who killed the Jews?". Their inability to admit their involvement caused a massive footprint, not just in the history books or burned into the minds of the survivors, but the whole universe is affected by this sadistic horror that occured. The stars, the sun, the moon, will all remember and carry this impactive event forever, specifically the freedoms taken from the prisoners "gold, shoes, skin".
Friday, January 15, 2010
Poem 203 Page 273
The poem I selected from Sound and Sense was "On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High" by D.C. Berry. Nothing in particular drew me to it except flipping through my poetry book. The basic idea is basically in the title, reading a poem aloud to this person's classmates at his high school. The feelings of nervousness and being unsure of what the speaker's audience will think. The structure of this poem greatly adds to the overall effect and emotions that the speaker is feeling throughout the poem. The first line, "Before" and then it goes to the next line to continue it. This pause, or line break makes the reader go through it slower and a little choppier. This shows how the person reading his or her poem is nervous and taking their time because they are unsure of the reactions they'll receive. This occurs throughout the entire poem and especially at the end where a line stands alone as a stanza.
The entire poem is one huge metaphor that's carried throughout. The metaphor of coming to life, like fish being unfrozen in a pond. The first stanza describes his classmates as frozen fish; they are all listening attentively but not engrossed in the poem. The fact that they are frozen is saying that they are alive, but not interactive, not relating quite yet. However, gradually, in the next stanza, the students started to become interested, but the reader didn't realize their interest at first, "till it [the water or the interest level] reached my ears". Moving to the third stanza, the audience is completely absorbed into the poem. The poem-reader thought he was overwhelming them ("drowning") with his poem, but they became apart of it, "opened up like gills..and let me in". "Together we swam around the room", this is my favorite line of the passage. Everyone is intertwined and becoming part of the poetry. Then the bell rings, letting all of the water and fish out into their next classes; letting the energy and the students out of class. The speaker's high continued until he was home when his cat licked him, and he came back down to reality. It's similar to "pinch me I'm dreaming". The reader was so euphoric off reading the poem so successfully that he couldn't even feel.
What I enjoyed most about this poem is the journey that it takes the reader on. It begins frozen and as it thaws it fills with energy and then calmly yet abruptly brings us back to reality. Reading or presenting is a fear that I can relate to and this is a positive experience that is rather encouraging. The excitement that the speaker felt is so great and as the reader, you kind of cheer on the nervous poet. The fact that its rewarding is simply a happy ending and that's always positive. The crescendo of the poem when everyone is in one big fish tank swimming amongst each other, is amazing and I can only imagine the unity felt throughout.
The entire poem is one huge metaphor that's carried throughout. The metaphor of coming to life, like fish being unfrozen in a pond. The first stanza describes his classmates as frozen fish; they are all listening attentively but not engrossed in the poem. The fact that they are frozen is saying that they are alive, but not interactive, not relating quite yet. However, gradually, in the next stanza, the students started to become interested, but the reader didn't realize their interest at first, "till it [the water or the interest level] reached my ears". Moving to the third stanza, the audience is completely absorbed into the poem. The poem-reader thought he was overwhelming them ("drowning") with his poem, but they became apart of it, "opened up like gills..and let me in". "Together we swam around the room", this is my favorite line of the passage. Everyone is intertwined and becoming part of the poetry. Then the bell rings, letting all of the water and fish out into their next classes; letting the energy and the students out of class. The speaker's high continued until he was home when his cat licked him, and he came back down to reality. It's similar to "pinch me I'm dreaming". The reader was so euphoric off reading the poem so successfully that he couldn't even feel.
What I enjoyed most about this poem is the journey that it takes the reader on. It begins frozen and as it thaws it fills with energy and then calmly yet abruptly brings us back to reality. Reading or presenting is a fear that I can relate to and this is a positive experience that is rather encouraging. The excitement that the speaker felt is so great and as the reader, you kind of cheer on the nervous poet. The fact that its rewarding is simply a happy ending and that's always positive. The crescendo of the poem when everyone is in one big fish tank swimming amongst each other, is amazing and I can only imagine the unity felt throughout.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
We- Favorite Passage
"...So do this for me: Tell me the final number."
"The what? I . . . . don't understand. What final number?"
"You know-- the last one, the top, the absolute biggest."
"But I-330 that's stupid. Since the number of numbers is infinite, how can there be a final one?"
"And how can there be a final revolution? There is no final one. The number of revolutions is infinite" (Zamyatin 168).
My favorite part of this short discussion is the end. I-330 leads him up to this realization that OneState's perfect plan of a mathematical, equal society has several major faults. A society based on numbers looks okay on an equation on paper, but when put into real life, not everything adds up. The fact stated by I-330 that there will always be rebellions proves that from the beginning of time to the end of time, we will never make everyone happy. No society will get it exactly perfect and looking good on paper never reveals every available flaw and issue that could arise.
D-503 is a numbers person- not unlike most of OneState. The way I-330 was able to phrase this statement was perfect for him. She showed him through numbers that OneState, the place where all of his trust lies, was not the perfect place he imagined it to be. I think that this was the best way to get through to him. This conversation also shows D slowly becoming a doubter of his society. It shows that at first he is confused, but with that line about there being infinite revolutions, I think his mind was changing. The rebellions will be infinite just like numbers will be. This put it all in perspective for the way D-503 thinks and processes.
The Handmaid's Tale- Favorite Passage
"I wait. I compose myself. My self is a thing I must now compose, as one composes a speech. What I must present is a made thing, not something born" (Atwood 66).
I chose this quote because it just puts the whole society and her role in perspective. The first sentence, "I wait.", isn't that what she is always doing? Offred is constantly in a state of waiting for instructions and on a constant time schedule. A lot of that schedule, however, is waiting. She must wait until dinner is finished before the Ceremony commences or she has to wait until she is served before having anything to eat; getting up and making lunch just isn't acceptable. I find this to be another fault in this seemingly perfect society. Given all this time to wait and sit until told to stop, only allows these women to think and question anything and everything that the society is. Although we as the reader are only seeing in the mind of Offred, it shows that anyone in her position has plenty of opportunities to come up with ways to revolt or rebel, the May Day code.
Continuing on, "I compose myself. My self is a thing I must now compose, as one composes a speech." implies an analogy to how those in society function. No one in the whole novel appears to be thrilled with the role they have so when its necessary to carryout the actions of their roles they put on this facade. The use of a speech caught my eye. A speech, most likely a persuasive one, has part and pieces that all lead to proving this central idea. Offred's uniform, her fly-on-on-the-wall attitude, and her over conforming to the rules of Gilead are the supporting ideas to prove the central point that she is a bible-abiding citizen and handmaid. The person speaking while reciting the speech usually has to either truly believe in the message they are passing along, or be a great actor. In this case I think the whole society full of people are acting. No one truly feels that the choices made in this society are 100% right.
"What I present is a made thing, not something born." I liked the way Atwood ended this chapter/quote/passage with this line. If you are born into something, it is a natural thing; such as being a natural born citizen of the United States. She was not born into this and it was thrust upon her. Offred is putting on this act and in the end it is all made up, whether she is a follower of the bible or not, she doesn't quite agree with the laws here so it is therefore unnatural to her. In the whole of the novel, it goes back to the acting versus believing issue. I don't feel that anyone is satisfied with the way this society is, but they don't know how to change it so they fake it so they can make it to the next day without harm.
I chose this quote because it just puts the whole society and her role in perspective. The first sentence, "I wait.", isn't that what she is always doing? Offred is constantly in a state of waiting for instructions and on a constant time schedule. A lot of that schedule, however, is waiting. She must wait until dinner is finished before the Ceremony commences or she has to wait until she is served before having anything to eat; getting up and making lunch just isn't acceptable. I find this to be another fault in this seemingly perfect society. Given all this time to wait and sit until told to stop, only allows these women to think and question anything and everything that the society is. Although we as the reader are only seeing in the mind of Offred, it shows that anyone in her position has plenty of opportunities to come up with ways to revolt or rebel, the May Day code.
Continuing on, "I compose myself. My self is a thing I must now compose, as one composes a speech." implies an analogy to how those in society function. No one in the whole novel appears to be thrilled with the role they have so when its necessary to carryout the actions of their roles they put on this facade. The use of a speech caught my eye. A speech, most likely a persuasive one, has part and pieces that all lead to proving this central idea. Offred's uniform, her fly-on-on-the-wall attitude, and her over conforming to the rules of Gilead are the supporting ideas to prove the central point that she is a bible-abiding citizen and handmaid. The person speaking while reciting the speech usually has to either truly believe in the message they are passing along, or be a great actor. In this case I think the whole society full of people are acting. No one truly feels that the choices made in this society are 100% right.
"What I present is a made thing, not something born." I liked the way Atwood ended this chapter/quote/passage with this line. If you are born into something, it is a natural thing; such as being a natural born citizen of the United States. She was not born into this and it was thrust upon her. Offred is putting on this act and in the end it is all made up, whether she is a follower of the bible or not, she doesn't quite agree with the laws here so it is therefore unnatural to her. In the whole of the novel, it goes back to the acting versus believing issue. I don't feel that anyone is satisfied with the way this society is, but they don't know how to change it so they fake it so they can make it to the next day without harm.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Handmaid's Tale- Symbol
In Atwood's novel, the symbol of the egg is everywhere for some obvious and for some not so obvious reasons. It's mentioned in the scrabble game and its mentioned every morning when she has breakfast. The egg is the most desired thing in this society due to the lack of procreation and everyone does anything in their power to accomplish that.
Without describing each scene, I wanted to discuss the meaning of the egg. Fertility, rebirth, and procreation are all pretty easy to grasp when discussing the symbol of an egg. However, I feel that Offred herself is quite similar to the egg. She, herself isn't fragile like the shell of an egg, her situation and the things expected of her cause her to have fragile circumstances. If she fails to have a child, she, like an egg, has an expiration date and could be sent away to the scum of society, the Colonies. Offred is an unfertilized egg and therefore not usable, or helpful in Gilead. Inside of her, she carries the ability to be great, holding a possible life form; however, if she fails, she's just sent away.
Now several scenes involving the symbol of an egg are in the novel, but the scene when Offred spelled zygote in the scrabble game intrigues me. The scrabble scene gives Offred the ability to communicate to the commander without actually speaking to him. It shows this with beginning with larynx to show her lack of voice in any area of society. The words following are all things she would probably like to discuss with him. but cannot. Anyway, back to zygote and the egg. She is communicating different parts of her role in these words. Valence shows the uniform or the wings she must wear, zygote is the child that she must procreate, and larynx and limp are the restrictions she has. She is held back and handicapped as a handmaid and as a woman in general.
Without describing each scene, I wanted to discuss the meaning of the egg. Fertility, rebirth, and procreation are all pretty easy to grasp when discussing the symbol of an egg. However, I feel that Offred herself is quite similar to the egg. She, herself isn't fragile like the shell of an egg, her situation and the things expected of her cause her to have fragile circumstances. If she fails to have a child, she, like an egg, has an expiration date and could be sent away to the scum of society, the Colonies. Offred is an unfertilized egg and therefore not usable, or helpful in Gilead. Inside of her, she carries the ability to be great, holding a possible life form; however, if she fails, she's just sent away.
Now several scenes involving the symbol of an egg are in the novel, but the scene when Offred spelled zygote in the scrabble game intrigues me. The scrabble scene gives Offred the ability to communicate to the commander without actually speaking to him. It shows this with beginning with larynx to show her lack of voice in any area of society. The words following are all things she would probably like to discuss with him. but cannot. Anyway, back to zygote and the egg. She is communicating different parts of her role in these words. Valence shows the uniform or the wings she must wear, zygote is the child that she must procreate, and larynx and limp are the restrictions she has. She is held back and handicapped as a handmaid and as a woman in general.
The Handmaid's Tale- Review
Hands down this was my favorite of the few dystopian works that we have read. I felt it stood apart from the others while still following that basic recipe for a perfect anti-utopia. Throw in a some harsh governing body- the bible, a dash of always being watched- the eyes, and for the "wow" ingredient, add one protagonist that has a desire to rebel against the rules, and you've baked up a beautiful, miserable society- Republic of Gilead.
I felt that reading this it was more of a challenge than We because it didn't come right out and say what was going on. We had to weave through the past and present and meet old husbands, nuns, mothers, children, commanders, and a few Martha's before we could really grasp what was going on. Any gaps, we fill in for ourselves which allows the reader freedom to imagine some horrors that weren't detailed to the tee. While on the other hand, We was straight-forward and described how things worked and why and who was in charge.
Something, however that stood out to me that I kept forgetting to mention in discussion was the uniforms the handmaids wore. We discussed a comparison to traditional Muslim dress, but the color intrigued me. Red in some cases goes along with birth and females, but I went back to The Scarlett Letter. The color red in Hester Prynne's situation was representing her sin of adultery. I thought this connection was interesting because by taking in a handmaid, the commander is committing adultery; sleeping with someone who is not his wife. The "A" was something that was to be sinful, but Hester made it beautiful with her embroidery. Adultery is sin in the bible, but by twisting the worlds, the society sees the handmaids as needed to procreate and therefore looked without disgust or disapproval.
The ending of the novel, does she make it or is she killed for her sins? That is how we are left, but I lean toward the more positive of the two in which she is taken in by more of the Mayday group. I feel that Offred has suffered enough and that this society is so hypocritical that it is slowly falling apart. The original believers, Serena Joy, the Aunts, are even doubting the teachings. The club, Jezebels, is proof that Gilead has failed and a new idea must be tried out. I believe that Offred, although a little new at this whole rebellion thing, she's perfect for it. Her mother was a radical feminist and she took a married man away from his wife, she's gone against the rules before. All in all, I liked the cliffhanger ending that was followed by the eerie historical notes. It was as though a new utopian society had formed. It, thankfully, seemed a little more successful.
I felt that reading this it was more of a challenge than We because it didn't come right out and say what was going on. We had to weave through the past and present and meet old husbands, nuns, mothers, children, commanders, and a few Martha's before we could really grasp what was going on. Any gaps, we fill in for ourselves which allows the reader freedom to imagine some horrors that weren't detailed to the tee. While on the other hand, We was straight-forward and described how things worked and why and who was in charge.
Something, however that stood out to me that I kept forgetting to mention in discussion was the uniforms the handmaids wore. We discussed a comparison to traditional Muslim dress, but the color intrigued me. Red in some cases goes along with birth and females, but I went back to The Scarlett Letter. The color red in Hester Prynne's situation was representing her sin of adultery. I thought this connection was interesting because by taking in a handmaid, the commander is committing adultery; sleeping with someone who is not his wife. The "A" was something that was to be sinful, but Hester made it beautiful with her embroidery. Adultery is sin in the bible, but by twisting the worlds, the society sees the handmaids as needed to procreate and therefore looked without disgust or disapproval.
The ending of the novel, does she make it or is she killed for her sins? That is how we are left, but I lean toward the more positive of the two in which she is taken in by more of the Mayday group. I feel that Offred has suffered enough and that this society is so hypocritical that it is slowly falling apart. The original believers, Serena Joy, the Aunts, are even doubting the teachings. The club, Jezebels, is proof that Gilead has failed and a new idea must be tried out. I believe that Offred, although a little new at this whole rebellion thing, she's perfect for it. Her mother was a radical feminist and she took a married man away from his wife, she's gone against the rules before. All in all, I liked the cliffhanger ending that was followed by the eerie historical notes. It was as though a new utopian society had formed. It, thankfully, seemed a little more successful.
Friday, October 23, 2009
We- Symbol
The use of the green wall in the novel, We, really stuck out to me. The entire society made of glass so that nothing can be done in secret and nothing can be hidden. These walls surround the city, towering high above so nothing can leave or enter. This concept of a wall to keep in or a wall to keep out was part of the symbol of the wall.
Inside OneState, everything is simple and gray and glass. Nothing really sticks out as different, because everything is equal. But outside, however, an unknown possibly dangerous environment is present. Towards the end of the novel, D-503 and I-330 go to the other side of the green wall and discover what is basically described to us as nature and forest. D is just completely shocked by this green and real outdoors, that he nearly fainted form dizziness. The people he sees remind him of creatures and not humans at all. He noted that they looked like his ancestors from many years back.
The Green Wall is the separation between the monotony and equality of OneState and the chaos and rebellion of the outside. The people on the inside are all the same; shaved heads and gray-blue uniforms. Those on the outside, however, are all different, skin colors, hair colors, no one is really too groomed, and they are all free to do as they please out here in this unknown forest-like area.
In general a wall indicates a separation from on side to another. In this novel it separates the society filled with people from the people who will take action and rebel. It separates the free thinkers and those who must have mathematical thought processes. It shows a past and present perspective; the way those on the outside are similar to his ancestors and how the inside is this futurized mathematical society. The way D-503 feels he is connected to this hairy hunched ancestor shows where he truly belongs, he just hasn't realized it until he ventures over there.
Inside OneState, everything is simple and gray and glass. Nothing really sticks out as different, because everything is equal. But outside, however, an unknown possibly dangerous environment is present. Towards the end of the novel, D-503 and I-330 go to the other side of the green wall and discover what is basically described to us as nature and forest. D is just completely shocked by this green and real outdoors, that he nearly fainted form dizziness. The people he sees remind him of creatures and not humans at all. He noted that they looked like his ancestors from many years back.
The Green Wall is the separation between the monotony and equality of OneState and the chaos and rebellion of the outside. The people on the inside are all the same; shaved heads and gray-blue uniforms. Those on the outside, however, are all different, skin colors, hair colors, no one is really too groomed, and they are all free to do as they please out here in this unknown forest-like area.
In general a wall indicates a separation from on side to another. In this novel it separates the society filled with people from the people who will take action and rebel. It separates the free thinkers and those who must have mathematical thought processes. It shows a past and present perspective; the way those on the outside are similar to his ancestors and how the inside is this futurized mathematical society. The way D-503 feels he is connected to this hairy hunched ancestor shows where he truly belongs, he just hasn't realized it until he ventures over there.
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