Saturday, December 19, 2009
Short Story
The short story is now finished! Please leave your suggestions for a title in the comments below this post. I will then tidy it up and submit to the university magazine.
Essay titles
Hi All –
Don’t forget to comment on the Princess Daisy essays!
Now, here are your research essay titles. If any of you are unhappy with your title, or want to discuss any other aspects of your essay, email me.
Elena N – “Vladimir Nabokov said of ‘Lady with a Lapdog’ that ‘All the traditional rules of story-telling have been broken.’ But are traditional views of gender relations broken or reinforced in this story?”
Xenia – “In making her assassin anonymous and his employers unknown, Doris Lessing seems to be aiming for a statement about the modern world. What do you see the Homage of the story as saying about modern political struggles?”
Alexandra – “What does the elephant symbolize in Orwell’s story? You may wish to compare with his essay ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’ and examine the idea of a just war in Orwell’s thought.”
Nicos – “How does Edgar Allen Poe achieve the ‘Gothic’ feel of his story? What stylistic tricks does he employ, and to what purpose?”
Vasia – “Explore the relationships between the characters in the story ‘A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,’ particularly that between the older waiter and the old man. Do you think that these relationships affirm or deny the nihilism expressed towards the end of the story?”
Froso – “Do you see Kafka as being sympathetic to the Hunger Artist’s plight? How does this affect an allegorical reading of the story?”
Dora – “What is the significance of the fur in Mansfield’s story “Miss Brill”? How does this prop reveal contemporary ideas of the correct narrative function of elderly women?”
Don’t forget to comment on the Princess Daisy essays!
Now, here are your research essay titles. If any of you are unhappy with your title, or want to discuss any other aspects of your essay, email me.
Elena N – “Vladimir Nabokov said of ‘Lady with a Lapdog’ that ‘All the traditional rules of story-telling have been broken.’ But are traditional views of gender relations broken or reinforced in this story?”
Xenia – “In making her assassin anonymous and his employers unknown, Doris Lessing seems to be aiming for a statement about the modern world. What do you see the Homage of the story as saying about modern political struggles?”
Alexandra – “What does the elephant symbolize in Orwell’s story? You may wish to compare with his essay ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’ and examine the idea of a just war in Orwell’s thought.”
Nicos – “How does Edgar Allen Poe achieve the ‘Gothic’ feel of his story? What stylistic tricks does he employ, and to what purpose?”
Vasia – “Explore the relationships between the characters in the story ‘A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,’ particularly that between the older waiter and the old man. Do you think that these relationships affirm or deny the nihilism expressed towards the end of the story?”
Froso – “Do you see Kafka as being sympathetic to the Hunger Artist’s plight? How does this affect an allegorical reading of the story?”
Dora – “What is the significance of the fur in Mansfield’s story “Miss Brill”? How does this prop reveal contemporary ideas of the correct narrative function of elderly women?”
Fotinie – “Consider the way Shirley Jackson describes the people of the village in her story The Lottery. What is her vision of community? Might this account for the strong reaction to the story’s first publication?”
Elena S – “Discuss the short story ‘Sredni Vashtar’ by Saki, paying particular attention to the relationship between Conradin’s health, his feelings towards his aunt, and the actions of the polecat-ferret. Does this story seem like concealed autobiography?”
Alexia – “How is the relationship between the mother and daughter in “The Joy Luck Club” constructed? What elements are concealed? Is there any relationship between the events of this story and the wider history of Chinese-Americans?”
Tamara – “How does Borges describe ideas of infinity and eternity in his story ‘The Garden of Forking Paths’? What is his purpose in introducing these concepts into what seems to be a thriller narrative?”
Evanthia – “How does E. Annie Proulx alter common understandings of gender roles in the Western in her story ‘Brokeback Mountain’?
Marilyn – “Rachel Cusk describes ‘To Room Nineteen’ as being an allegory for women’s struggle to express themselves. Do you agree with her bleak pictures of this story’s understanding of women’s struggles for self-expression?”
Elena S – “Discuss the short story ‘Sredni Vashtar’ by Saki, paying particular attention to the relationship between Conradin’s health, his feelings towards his aunt, and the actions of the polecat-ferret. Does this story seem like concealed autobiography?”
Alexia – “How is the relationship between the mother and daughter in “The Joy Luck Club” constructed? What elements are concealed? Is there any relationship between the events of this story and the wider history of Chinese-Americans?”
Tamara – “How does Borges describe ideas of infinity and eternity in his story ‘The Garden of Forking Paths’? What is his purpose in introducing these concepts into what seems to be a thriller narrative?”
Evanthia – “How does E. Annie Proulx alter common understandings of gender roles in the Western in her story ‘Brokeback Mountain’?
Marilyn – “Rachel Cusk describes ‘To Room Nineteen’ as being an allegory for women’s struggle to express themselves. Do you agree with her bleak pictures of this story’s understanding of women’s struggles for self-expression?”
Melina - "That DH Lawrence's short story 'Tickets, Please!' is loosely based on Euripides' The Bacchae is widely acknowledged. What use does Lawrence make of the original Dionysian myth, and effect do the changes he introduces have on our understanding of character?"
Friday, December 18, 2009
Response Essay "Princess Daisy"
Is anyone who has not been dreaming to belong to the high life of glamor and luxury? Of course everyone has been day-dreamer to this fancy world. Nowadays, it is generally admitted that a person who has plenty money can achieve his social classification and give precedence to dominate in society. Although, to reach on the top and succeed in life is necessary to look elegant and beautiful. Does really matter?
According with Judith Krantz in her text book “Princess Daisy” she believes that “being young, beautiful and rich is more desirable than being old, ugly and destitute”. She matches together the money and beauty necessarily of woman’s succeeding in life. Obviously, to be a beautiful woman with attractive appearance you can gain the attention of men. She concern that only beautiful woman deserves the high social class instead of ugly woman. Therefore, she mention about Princess Daisy of her text to point out the importance of the appearance of such a person who deserve to belong to the high class. Additionally, Krantz expresses her admiration in the high social life since her whole story is associated with capitalistic elements. She referred to the particular polo sport which is symbolizes the aristocratic status; because only the people who belong to high class can have the opportunity to play this sport. In addition, she give emphasizes in details while she describe that the menu has a brown and gold border in order to underline of the first class restaurant. She shows that she admire that she belong to the exclusiveness circle of plentitude materials.
All the above, Krantz declared her admiration to the capitalistic system as many people of the high social life do. This system is encourages private investment and includes integral part to thrive the economic growth.
On the contrary, Clive James through his book “A Blizzard of Tiny Kisses” is virtual judge her book in ironic manner because she show off the aristocracy life. Hence, in the beginning of his judgment, he said that “she deserves her high place in the best-seller lists” although he characterize that is “a terrible book and totally inept.” Clive raises his contradiction towards Krantz due to the fact that she gets enthusiasm with the exclusiveness of the upper class. Over his judgment he point out that the people should not show their intimacy because is concern with the aristocracy and glamor. Furthermore, Clive said that “Mrs Krantz has not enough humour to write tongue-in-check, but other people are perfectly capable of reading that way”; he emphasize that the particular book you might look at it with two perspectives. Therefore, the readers’ who are membership of the aristocracy life they will not look at it in ironic manner as she presents the glorious life. However, the readers who are not possessed to the high class they probably read the book in ironic way and despise it while are not familiar with this flashy world. Krantz’s literary writing has luck of humor as long as she describes the high class with not ironic consideration. Clive judge Krantz book with this manner because he represents the leftism doctrine. He regards the social change to become equal in terms of wealthy distribution rather than rule with the private property. Besides, he correlated his self feminist because he stands as woman’s defender. Despite the fact, a woman with not good looking is also deserved to belong to the high class. He totally disagrees with Krantz because she creates a snob image of the high social class. He believed that the intelligent people who are dreamers for this life should not obstruct them.
I agree at some extend with Clive that she spoil the ambition to the ordinary people into vague image for those who want to keep dreaming of this kind of life. On the other hand, I believe that a woman should be have a good looking but not necessarily beautiful. It’s a woman’s nature to care about she’s appearance. It is well known fact that many women who are celebrities such as singers, models, politician and journalists own to care and keep their selves appearances well. Many times I heard about that celebrities have made plastic surgery in order to look youngest and keep fit their selves. Although, Clive does not agree that women should do this things because the ordinary people may want to imitate them; because they represent their idol.
Ultimately, to be a wealthy or not is not really matter; but what is really essential is woman’s appearance because is integral part in their life. As Judith Krantz said “Every woman knows that a good clothes fantasy is the only thing to rival a good sexy fantasy”.
According with Judith Krantz in her text book “Princess Daisy” she believes that “being young, beautiful and rich is more desirable than being old, ugly and destitute”. She matches together the money and beauty necessarily of woman’s succeeding in life. Obviously, to be a beautiful woman with attractive appearance you can gain the attention of men. She concern that only beautiful woman deserves the high social class instead of ugly woman. Therefore, she mention about Princess Daisy of her text to point out the importance of the appearance of such a person who deserve to belong to the high class. Additionally, Krantz expresses her admiration in the high social life since her whole story is associated with capitalistic elements. She referred to the particular polo sport which is symbolizes the aristocratic status; because only the people who belong to high class can have the opportunity to play this sport. In addition, she give emphasizes in details while she describe that the menu has a brown and gold border in order to underline of the first class restaurant. She shows that she admire that she belong to the exclusiveness circle of plentitude materials.
All the above, Krantz declared her admiration to the capitalistic system as many people of the high social life do. This system is encourages private investment and includes integral part to thrive the economic growth.
On the contrary, Clive James through his book “A Blizzard of Tiny Kisses” is virtual judge her book in ironic manner because she show off the aristocracy life. Hence, in the beginning of his judgment, he said that “she deserves her high place in the best-seller lists” although he characterize that is “a terrible book and totally inept.” Clive raises his contradiction towards Krantz due to the fact that she gets enthusiasm with the exclusiveness of the upper class. Over his judgment he point out that the people should not show their intimacy because is concern with the aristocracy and glamor. Furthermore, Clive said that “Mrs Krantz has not enough humour to write tongue-in-check, but other people are perfectly capable of reading that way”; he emphasize that the particular book you might look at it with two perspectives. Therefore, the readers’ who are membership of the aristocracy life they will not look at it in ironic manner as she presents the glorious life. However, the readers who are not possessed to the high class they probably read the book in ironic way and despise it while are not familiar with this flashy world. Krantz’s literary writing has luck of humor as long as she describes the high class with not ironic consideration. Clive judge Krantz book with this manner because he represents the leftism doctrine. He regards the social change to become equal in terms of wealthy distribution rather than rule with the private property. Besides, he correlated his self feminist because he stands as woman’s defender. Despite the fact, a woman with not good looking is also deserved to belong to the high class. He totally disagrees with Krantz because she creates a snob image of the high social class. He believed that the intelligent people who are dreamers for this life should not obstruct them.
I agree at some extend with Clive that she spoil the ambition to the ordinary people into vague image for those who want to keep dreaming of this kind of life. On the other hand, I believe that a woman should be have a good looking but not necessarily beautiful. It’s a woman’s nature to care about she’s appearance. It is well known fact that many women who are celebrities such as singers, models, politician and journalists own to care and keep their selves appearances well. Many times I heard about that celebrities have made plastic surgery in order to look youngest and keep fit their selves. Although, Clive does not agree that women should do this things because the ordinary people may want to imitate them; because they represent their idol.
Ultimately, to be a wealthy or not is not really matter; but what is really essential is woman’s appearance because is integral part in their life. As Judith Krantz said “Every woman knows that a good clothes fantasy is the only thing to rival a good sexy fantasy”.
Response Essay Princess Daizy
A Blizzard of tiny kisses
Princess Daizy by Judith Krantz
Have you ever imagined living to high society’s world? If yes, would you prefer to have such an opulence in your life? Well, this is according to each person, his overview in life. To choose if he desires to deal with aristocratic life or just having a normal life. For some people there is a lot of dreaming and for others not. Through the high social class everything consider to be changeable, but first of all the appearance and the good - looking.
To begin with, Judith Krantz, the famous author of Princess Daizy book supports every department of the high - life. She is a capitalist lady that believes on aristocracy, especially having a lot of money. She deems that a young, beautiful and rich woman is more desirable rather being old, ugly and without money. She considers the female model, a woman that has money through her life, it is always appropriate to keep her own beauty. With her book ‘ Princess Daizy’ wants to bring out issues dealing with aristocracy, glamour , status and success. That every woman should keep this order in her life, to look for the bourgeois fancies of aristocracy. Through her work estimates the important issue of art. As Alex Witchel says , “ every woman knows that a good clothes fantasy is the only thing to rival a good sex fantasy.” For her, art is a good instrument for women. This art can give to her a nice appearance so that her beauty revealed. That’s why she gives so attention to her hero’s hair. This sounds ironic for someone who might read the book for a first time especially if he belongs to the low social class. But , people like Mrs. Krantz take it without this irony because they think with the mind of being in high social class. For Krantz, if you have the money, you can develop in such a situation.
In contrast with Cline James, who criticizes such an idea. From the beginning, he explores his ironic tone through Krantz’s book, Princess Daizy. He is a socialist man, who supports the other side that Krantz does. He criticizes her lack of literary weight by saying that there isn’t any sense through her book. He leaves his ironic tone to touch the entire book. That lower people will not think the life of high status in such a way.
He argues that all should be equal in life. Not only women who have the money deserve to have such a good appearance in society. To look always on their beauty. James, denies this idea by the view of a man. He identifies that women of high society give a fortune in order to engage an attractive appearance. For him, this is unacceptable. Aristocratic women may have the money but this does not mean that they put on surgeries, for instance to look younger.
However, considering the world today, it is appropriate for a woman to be herself in society. Every woman wants to keep her beauty in any way so that she will be attracted by men. By caring herself, it wins a lot of confidence and looks comfortable through her appearance. She wants to adapt her own image in society. Living in the modern world, in the world where everything happened. Specifically, in the latest sector of technology which has it’s own miracles through. For those who have the money and really want to change something for their appearance, technology is a solution. Concentrating on woman’s world , her appearance take the most important role in society. In Cyprus, there are such instances. Especially, important women who belong to the department of high social class, such as women in politics or even women who their husbands have an authority position in society. These women should always look nice and still remain their beauty even though they may interest on having a surgery. The world of media is so strong today and is more attracted when it shows a world of that kind of women. Obviously, woman’s popularity has as a prototype her appearance.
On the other, men’s world is completely different. Men might not attach so the idea that women have for their appearance. Having money or not, men do not develop so much on their looking. The only reason is that men get always attracted by women. They want women to have an attractive appearance, to expand their beauty. According to nature, women should look for themselves with money or not having as an expectation their own beauty and appearance. With that image men then will not look for attractiveness. So, men could understand that it’s woman’s nature to built on such an idea.
To conclude, women’s appearance seems to be a valuable jeweler for them. It might be acoustic as ironic, but it is not. Showing of their beauty, it is the reason to represent as women. Even if they are rich or not, they only know why they devote so much on their beauties. If someone wonders, why women pick up their own interest on having a finery appearance? A woman could answer “ that is woman’s world” so you should accept that “a woman cannot live without all these pleasure things that gives her life.”
Princess Daizy by Judith Krantz
Have you ever imagined living to high society’s world? If yes, would you prefer to have such an opulence in your life? Well, this is according to each person, his overview in life. To choose if he desires to deal with aristocratic life or just having a normal life. For some people there is a lot of dreaming and for others not. Through the high social class everything consider to be changeable, but first of all the appearance and the good - looking.
To begin with, Judith Krantz, the famous author of Princess Daizy book supports every department of the high - life. She is a capitalist lady that believes on aristocracy, especially having a lot of money. She deems that a young, beautiful and rich woman is more desirable rather being old, ugly and without money. She considers the female model, a woman that has money through her life, it is always appropriate to keep her own beauty. With her book ‘ Princess Daizy’ wants to bring out issues dealing with aristocracy, glamour , status and success. That every woman should keep this order in her life, to look for the bourgeois fancies of aristocracy. Through her work estimates the important issue of art. As Alex Witchel says , “ every woman knows that a good clothes fantasy is the only thing to rival a good sex fantasy.” For her, art is a good instrument for women. This art can give to her a nice appearance so that her beauty revealed. That’s why she gives so attention to her hero’s hair. This sounds ironic for someone who might read the book for a first time especially if he belongs to the low social class. But , people like Mrs. Krantz take it without this irony because they think with the mind of being in high social class. For Krantz, if you have the money, you can develop in such a situation.
In contrast with Cline James, who criticizes such an idea. From the beginning, he explores his ironic tone through Krantz’s book, Princess Daizy. He is a socialist man, who supports the other side that Krantz does. He criticizes her lack of literary weight by saying that there isn’t any sense through her book. He leaves his ironic tone to touch the entire book. That lower people will not think the life of high status in such a way.
He argues that all should be equal in life. Not only women who have the money deserve to have such a good appearance in society. To look always on their beauty. James, denies this idea by the view of a man. He identifies that women of high society give a fortune in order to engage an attractive appearance. For him, this is unacceptable. Aristocratic women may have the money but this does not mean that they put on surgeries, for instance to look younger.
However, considering the world today, it is appropriate for a woman to be herself in society. Every woman wants to keep her beauty in any way so that she will be attracted by men. By caring herself, it wins a lot of confidence and looks comfortable through her appearance. She wants to adapt her own image in society. Living in the modern world, in the world where everything happened. Specifically, in the latest sector of technology which has it’s own miracles through. For those who have the money and really want to change something for their appearance, technology is a solution. Concentrating on woman’s world , her appearance take the most important role in society. In Cyprus, there are such instances. Especially, important women who belong to the department of high social class, such as women in politics or even women who their husbands have an authority position in society. These women should always look nice and still remain their beauty even though they may interest on having a surgery. The world of media is so strong today and is more attracted when it shows a world of that kind of women. Obviously, woman’s popularity has as a prototype her appearance.
On the other, men’s world is completely different. Men might not attach so the idea that women have for their appearance. Having money or not, men do not develop so much on their looking. The only reason is that men get always attracted by women. They want women to have an attractive appearance, to expand their beauty. According to nature, women should look for themselves with money or not having as an expectation their own beauty and appearance. With that image men then will not look for attractiveness. So, men could understand that it’s woman’s nature to built on such an idea.
To conclude, women’s appearance seems to be a valuable jeweler for them. It might be acoustic as ironic, but it is not. Showing of their beauty, it is the reason to represent as women. Even if they are rich or not, they only know why they devote so much on their beauties. If someone wonders, why women pick up their own interest on having a finery appearance? A woman could answer “ that is woman’s world” so you should accept that “a woman cannot live without all these pleasure things that gives her life.”
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sorry all
Something else came up and ended up not being able to do the bibliography marks as planned. Will post with the essay questions tomorrow afternoon instead.
Best,
James
Best,
James
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Response Essay: “Gretchen the Squid"
Every person in this world is born to do something with their lives, to have goals and dreams and try hard in order to be able to achieve them. Could you ever imagine how life would be without goals, if everybody lives their lives without a purpose? In the short-short story of Dave Eggers, “Gretchen the Squid”, dreams and goals are the main topic. Gretchen who is an enormous squid wants more than anything in the world to be an accountant. She lives in the Caspian Sea with her family. Even though her parents are being supportive so far for all of her dreams, she knows that they will never approve this one, her dream of being an accountant.
With this short-short story, Egger’s efforts for presenting a letter of appeal are obvious. He chooses to use an enormous squid in the place of a person; a squid with goals, dreams, and hopes. In real life this can easily be taken as a surreal joke, for the obvious reason of course that an enormous squid can never be taken as an accountant. He uses third person in the whole story and also the tone of voice is serious and sympathetic (deadpan humor). The writer uses a very smart way to capture the reader’s attention by using the serious tone of voice, and the not too serious context. There is a contrast between the tone of voice and the context because the tone as I said is serious but the context is ridiculous and funny. The implied reader of the story is a well educated accountant who most probably wears a “smartly tailored suit, black pumps and glasses, prepares annual returns for a Fortune 500 company, finds tax loopholes in unexplored places,” and of course the drinks afterwards at a downtown TGI Friday's.
The fact that in his short-short story, Egger describes an enormous squid, that also has a name, Gretchen, makes the story more personal. He concentrates on her one and only dream, to be an accountant and study at the best university for accountants, the University of Illinois. Gretchen is an ambitious, very confident squid, but most importantly she is a dreamer. She’s also afraid of letting herself down and she wants to change her image, to make it fit similar to that of a perfect accountant. What is more important to this short-story is the fact that the writer uses an enormous squid in the place of what could have been an overweight, ugly woman who is going after her dream and goals. In this way the writer shows the unfairness, the racism, and the stereotyping of people, that exists is in the world. Gretchen is embarrassed of her appearance and sad because she cannot do what she most wants in the world; some people feel like this every day. They are afraid of the misunderstanding that their appearance would cause and the discrimination they are going to deal with. Gretchen wants to do what she is best at, but she cannot do it; this is very unfair for her.
Furthermore, Gretchen wants to go to the United States and live the American dream. Many people from Eastern Europe and Asia go to the United States, full with ambitions, dreams and goals to achieve a better and a happier life. They seek for an opportunity to live the American dream which they consider it to be the ideal way of living. It is worth mentioning that Gretchen, a squid of the salt water lives in the Caspian Sea, a sweet water lake. Similar to those people who are captured by their own system, cultures or religions. Also the writer mentions T.G.I Fridays which is a chain restaurant, very typical in America for young business people. The reason that it mentions this is to shows us that Gretchen wants to be like them, to go there after work and have a drink with her colleagues.
In conclusion in this short-short story the issues of discrimination, racism and stereotyping are being raised. Gretchen the enormous squid who dreams of becoming an accountant and work in a big firm, and study in the University of Illinois, is being held back by her appearance, her location and her parents not approval. The unfair judgment that some people go through their lives, because of their names and ids, is a way of isolating people among us. Everybody should chase their dreams, goals and ambitions, and try their best to achieve them. All people no matter, color, race, religion, or political believes, should have equal opportunities, equal chances, to be who they want to be in their lives. They should not be limited nor by the Caspian Sea, nor by their size, nor by their environment; they should be accepted and valued for what they are.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Response essay: "Gretchen the Squid" by Dave Eggers
Dave Eggers introduces a gigantic squid who wants more than anything to have a good education and to follow the American dream. At a first glance, the author is narrating a humorous fiction story. Taking it further and deeper away, what he really does -is using a fiction story as his weapon to speak out to the world.
He becomes the voice among the voiceless people,who always point out the several problems and big dilemmas of society, but do not have the will to fix the broken parts.Through his leading fictional character, the author touches the heart of reality.
Gretchen, is the symbolic figure of a child who needs support by his parents, acceptance by his enviroment and wants to follow his dreams. Living at a time were the American ideals consider being the ultimate and greatest achievement that man could have -she seeks her piece of the american pie.
She wants to go to university, to be a great accountant, to join a large corporation, to wear the fancy and classy suit and to hung out in well-know bars and restaurants. Althought, she is very good with numbers, confident and competent, she is facing dissappointment and rejection from her surroundings.
It will always be the "Us versus them", the insignificant other. Gretchen is fully aware, that species of her kind can not have the same opportunities as humans- but yet, that does not stop her of dreaming the impossible.
The writer, from the begging until the end of the letter argues the fictional reality of the world we live in. Turning back the clock, we come across to all the struggles of people who fought for their rights- their different skin color, race, gender and religion beliefs.
Utopia does not exist.The key for a better world is respect and accept "the other". If we were all the same and had the same ideologies, cultural and religion beliefs- then life would have no greater meaning, since we would not have any sign of progress.
Gretchen is searching for her oasis- what humans search for? We struggle and fight, some more and some less,to reach our goals and dreams. We all want a piece of that happiness, regardless of what that is, for each and everyone of us. Our biggest fear is failure. But, what we all really desire, is to belong in a world that accepts " us and the different other". We can not be the same, we must not wish to be the same. We must maintain our own identity and culture and accept the " interesting other", which nevertheless redefines our own unique identity.
I
He becomes the voice among the voiceless people,who always point out the several problems and big dilemmas of society, but do not have the will to fix the broken parts.Through his leading fictional character, the author touches the heart of reality.
Gretchen, is the symbolic figure of a child who needs support by his parents, acceptance by his enviroment and wants to follow his dreams. Living at a time were the American ideals consider being the ultimate and greatest achievement that man could have -she seeks her piece of the american pie.
She wants to go to university, to be a great accountant, to join a large corporation, to wear the fancy and classy suit and to hung out in well-know bars and restaurants. Althought, she is very good with numbers, confident and competent, she is facing dissappointment and rejection from her surroundings.
It will always be the "Us versus them", the insignificant other. Gretchen is fully aware, that species of her kind can not have the same opportunities as humans- but yet, that does not stop her of dreaming the impossible.
The writer, from the begging until the end of the letter argues the fictional reality of the world we live in. Turning back the clock, we come across to all the struggles of people who fought for their rights- their different skin color, race, gender and religion beliefs.
Utopia does not exist.The key for a better world is respect and accept "the other". If we were all the same and had the same ideologies, cultural and religion beliefs- then life would have no greater meaning, since we would not have any sign of progress.
Gretchen is searching for her oasis- what humans search for? We struggle and fight, some more and some less,to reach our goals and dreams. We all want a piece of that happiness, regardless of what that is, for each and everyone of us. Our biggest fear is failure. But, what we all really desire, is to belong in a world that accepts " us and the different other". We can not be the same, we must not wish to be the same. We must maintain our own identity and culture and accept the " interesting other", which nevertheless redefines our own unique identity.
I
Friday, December 4, 2009
Response essay "Gretchen the squid:"
Is there any person on earth who doesn't have goals? or is there anybody which wouldn't try everything to make his dreams come true? Of course everybody would try but not all of them will succeed and each one of them for different reasons. Dave Eggers, in his short-short story " Gretchen the squid" introduces us to an enormous squid who lives in the Caspian sea and has the dream to become an accountant and be accepted to the University of Illinois (one of the best in accounting). Her parents, were always supporting to her but they do not agree with her decision because even if Gretchen could get in the university, for sure she will face discrimination since she is very different from others.
The writer with this story, aims with an interesting way to make us understand, that in fact what he does, is writing a letter of appeal. He uses a humoristic way by mentioning the squid but in reality he does not descibe the squid but every person which is ambitious and has it's goals high but it is very difficult to achieve them. In the whole story Eggers, make use of the 3rd person and uses a serious tone in most of the story. Despite the fact that the context is ridiculous, the tone he uses is serious rather than sympathetic and he is trying to pass the message of the story through feelings and while we read the story we put ourselves in Gretchen's position and we can understand how it is to feel like that. Moreover, most of us see this in every day life.
Furthermore, Dave Eggers is raising the issue of discrimination. He wants to make us realize that he is using the squid which is enormous and different while this happens to people too. If a person is very fat for example or has a health problem, most of us wouldn't see this person in a good way and this is wrong. This happens also with people with different nationalities. If someone is from China for example and goes to another country the people there will see him very differently. Gretchen's character in the story shows us that she is ambitious, not only wants to go to university but in one of the best universities, she is afraid of letting herself down and also shows us that she is embarrassed because she is different. Many people think the same way as her and as we see in every day life most of us we are afraid of disappointing ourselves, either in college, work or even in our social life, so here we come back to the point that the writer by using a squid is actually talking about people. He also refers to the unfair situation of being very good at something ( e.g. Gretchen with numbers) but cannot succeed because someone is different.
Gretchen as it is mentioned in the story, lives in the Caspian sea and wants very much to go in America. America which is a superpower, attracts many people especially for jobs because America offers many opportunities for employment and this is one of the reasons that many people go there. Gretchen what wanted most was to wear a suit, glasses and have an office such as everybody else. In the story Dave Eggers, also refers to T.G.I Fridays which is one of the most famous restaurant in America and the kind of people which goes there is mostly young businessman.
In conclusion, Dave Egger's short story passes several messages to its readers. Talking about discrimination which is also a contemporary phenomenon and in one point of view it shows how unfair our society can be sometimes. However my opinion is that each person which wants something very much must try hard to make it through and believe in himself no matter what other people are saying.
The writer with this story, aims with an interesting way to make us understand, that in fact what he does, is writing a letter of appeal. He uses a humoristic way by mentioning the squid but in reality he does not descibe the squid but every person which is ambitious and has it's goals high but it is very difficult to achieve them. In the whole story Eggers, make use of the 3rd person and uses a serious tone in most of the story. Despite the fact that the context is ridiculous, the tone he uses is serious rather than sympathetic and he is trying to pass the message of the story through feelings and while we read the story we put ourselves in Gretchen's position and we can understand how it is to feel like that. Moreover, most of us see this in every day life.
Furthermore, Dave Eggers is raising the issue of discrimination. He wants to make us realize that he is using the squid which is enormous and different while this happens to people too. If a person is very fat for example or has a health problem, most of us wouldn't see this person in a good way and this is wrong. This happens also with people with different nationalities. If someone is from China for example and goes to another country the people there will see him very differently. Gretchen's character in the story shows us that she is ambitious, not only wants to go to university but in one of the best universities, she is afraid of letting herself down and also shows us that she is embarrassed because she is different. Many people think the same way as her and as we see in every day life most of us we are afraid of disappointing ourselves, either in college, work or even in our social life, so here we come back to the point that the writer by using a squid is actually talking about people. He also refers to the unfair situation of being very good at something ( e.g. Gretchen with numbers) but cannot succeed because someone is different.
Gretchen as it is mentioned in the story, lives in the Caspian sea and wants very much to go in America. America which is a superpower, attracts many people especially for jobs because America offers many opportunities for employment and this is one of the reasons that many people go there. Gretchen what wanted most was to wear a suit, glasses and have an office such as everybody else. In the story Dave Eggers, also refers to T.G.I Fridays which is one of the most famous restaurant in America and the kind of people which goes there is mostly young businessman.
In conclusion, Dave Egger's short story passes several messages to its readers. Talking about discrimination which is also a contemporary phenomenon and in one point of view it shows how unfair our society can be sometimes. However my opinion is that each person which wants something very much must try hard to make it through and believe in himself no matter what other people are saying.