The Revised 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 environment and wants to follow his dreams. Living at a time were 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. Although, she is very good with numbers, confident and competent, she is facing disappointment and rejection from her surroundings.

It will always be the "Us versus them", the insignificant other. The idea of being superior than the “other” is not something that we find in front of us, the current moment. The “ Us versus them” has always existed. When we go back in time,despite how much people longed and long for equality and unity - the negative impacts of a modernized society, leave no signs of hope. However, is there another way to go with this?

"There is just one life for each of us: our own", (Euripedes). 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 same ideologies, cultural and religion beliefs- then life would have no greater meaning, since we would not have any sign of progress. "We are not abandoning our convictions , our philosophy or traditions, nor do we urge anyone to abandon theirs" (Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev).

The aim is not to engage ourselves in the ethnocentric approach of changing “the other”. Our goal, is to create a world that unites, not necessarily nations and locations, but ideas or sets of different ideas. What completes a puzzle, is the different pieces and parts that inevitably attach each other.

Gretchen is searching for her oasis- what do 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. However, 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.

“ The worst form of inequality, is to try to make unequal things equal”, as the Greek philosopher Aristotle said. Therefore, w

e must maintain our own identity and culture and accept the "interesting other", which nevertheless redefines our own unique identity.

People say, that time heals the wounds of a broken heart-does it heal though, the wounds of a broken mind? "It’s hard but wise, to have the ability to manipulate and control life through formal legislation. However, we should all attempt to eliminate those barriers which hinder us from progressing and evolving as individuals. With our perspective true to our skills, talents and traits. Having always in mind that the best are yet to arrive, we are entering the final path and we are taking off, having as our luggage the wonderful gifts of knowledge and the will to carry out a precious mission, called Life".

　

References

www.motivational-inspirational-corner.com/getquote.html?authorid=4

PS: a reminder that the last paragraph, though in quotations, is also my own work.

REVISE ESSAY-EVENING PARTIES
Human beings as we all know cannot survive alone, and of course most of us don’t like being alone. As God created Adam and then Eva, so as we should ‘complete’ our self by others peoples company. Who doesn’t like parties? Be in an evening party is one of the thousands of ways meeting new people and not only. Evening parties as well as other kind of parties have their interesting part also. Every one of us has its own reason to be, not to, or create a party. Furthermore, as good breeding demands if you like it or not you should be at the party and no one force you to stay there until the close of it, if you are a guest.
Creating an evening party is more difficult than to be there. For every hostess of a party needs a hard organization to be perfect. There are a lot of things to do such as what kind of cocktails you will offer, to choose between catering or they just cooked the food alone. They must decorate the house or the place depends of the reason of it. They should send the invitations on time to warn their guests. They must also choose what kind of music they will play at the party according to the guests; after all you cannot have a party without entertainment.
To start with, as you enter the party the hostess is waiting for you to welcome you in the place which the party is. When you enter the party the first thing you can see is a group of people standing near the buffet among entire strangers, without talking to each other just eating and drinking satisfied. They all see each other by curiosity, see drunk persons making fool of their self and this is when they feel glad and proud to be there making fun of them.
The first thing that considers most of people is the clothing part. As we finally present our selves at the party, doesn’t matter what kind of is it many people want to get the attention by everybody. Some people they present there wearing their best clothes to impress the others especially if some celebrities would be there. Showtime has begun for many people who were dying to be at the party counting the days, to show their new expensive clothes. Women looking forward to impress other women with their dresses especially if there are in an evening party.
We finally got to the party and find our self separated by a crowd of guests. People of different ages, color and gender see each other maybe for first time. These parties are the desire of many men to find a woman there so they are hoping to get there when they got the invitation. And, then later a group of men stand at a corner waiting a woman to pass next to them to go and talk to them. But, let’s be fair many women go there for picking men, and maybe for some of them this is the only reason that they had been there.
And, the reasons why we are going to a party don’t stop here. Another reason is to show respect to the host as good manners demands. And if anyone hates being there ‘needs a lot of patient and some kind of talent for acting and some freshness of speech’ (D.J.Macad online) add in his text, when you have been there; many of the guests who have been there trying to avoid each other because they are bored of such meetings. Many of them are counting the minutes until is midnight to leave from there. The secret is to be quite or better hide in a corner when the most of them are away and just relax by listening to music and hoping that the time would pass. Also many of us should remember that “we have to expose our own inability”(D.J.Macad online) by taking part in these entertainments. On the other hand if there isn’t any chance to go there you must try to refuse in the most kindly way as you can and the most important you should avoid being ridiculous of cheap excuses(D.J.Macad online).
Furthermore, most of people who organize parties they have a specific reason. Maybe they are celebrate their son’s or daughter’s wedding, birth, birthday, even a better job. Therefore, another reason for going to a different party is to have some fun. Public or private occasions if you are a fun of parties there is no doubt that you feel bored. You can see people that you may not see before, old friends, some relatives and this is a chance to get away even for a night from your daily life. There are thousands kinds of parties to go at and to create also just for change.
To conclude as we all know our life is a way of having more and more experiences, meeting new people, making different things. We must feel grateful that we have the opportunity being invited in a party because there are other people that would have been killed to be in our place and not only. Also, many of us when we received an invitation for a party we should accept immediately if we want others to come to our parties also. As it concerns to the hostess they just need confidence to create it. All in all we should be thankful of what we have in our lives, and we must do what we want to do and not let others persons to have an impact on us. The most important of all is that we should show to other people what we really are as personalities, and not try to show a fake character. After all no one love loneliness and if we want others peoples to accept us we should treat them as we like to treat us.

References:
D.J.Macdam. “Morning and Evening Parties” Google.com.2005.19 Dec 2009. http://www.djmcadam.com/parties.html

I had a problem with the link of my work cited that’s why I am posting it again. Sorry.
Vince, Janette. ‘’Why humans love animals’’. Ezine articles. 22 Aug.2007. 29 Dec.2009 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Humans-Love-Animals&id=698934

Revised essay: ‘’ A world without animals’’

Imagine a word without animals. It’s impossible! Is like a human without lives. We are surrounded by animals. Everyday all the people in the world are able to see an animal even a big or a tiny one. Even a prisoner is able to hear a bird’s song from his cell knowing that outside there is something alive. A world without animals is empty that’s why we must respect them because they are unique and because they offer another note to the words staff. My response essay is to analyze this offer that animals are giving to the humanity and what is the hiding meaning behind these numerous collection of animals that Moore is mentioning in her essay.
Moore had chosen certain animals in her essay and as I said before I believe she had a reason for mentioning these particular animals. Why she didn’t mention the dog, the fish, the cow and other animals that are in the zoo? Because she might wanted us to see the uniqueness of these animals that she had chosen to describe. To see beyond the face, the fair, the legs, the eyes. To see them not as animals but to see them as ornaments that beautifies the world in many ways.
Peacock is the first animal that Moore had mentioned. This bird is the biggest beautiful and colourful bird that now lives in the animal kingdom. Comparing this animal with a sparrow you will be able to see the uniqueness. A sparrow has just few colours mostly brown but a peacock has all the colours that you can imagine. Tiger is the second animal in the essay which is the largest for big cat and is the most popular animal in ancient methodology. Moreover, zebra is the next animal that is the most recognizable animal because of its unique black and white stripes. Giraffe is the fourth animal that comes to show us the uniqueness of its neck. Is the only animal that has this long neck and is the only animal that when it feels threaten puts its neck into the ground having the sense that is hidden from the enemy. Elephant, however is a symbol of the largest mammal, such a huge animal with a weighted of thousands of kilograms comes to put its uniqueness not only for its weight but also for its history. Elephants are so close to mammoths which had lived thousands years before Christ which comes to show us that this kind of animal still exist in our days but with different details. Finally monkeys come to show us that are the most intelligent animals that have so many similes to human characteristics.
Mentioning all these uniqueness that these animals had there is no doubt that these animals are important in humanity and generally in earth. She gave us a different point in viewing that animal. They are unique and t the same time they are important for the humanity. The question is how important these animals can be? Stop for a while and think how many thinks, clothes, materials we have that are very close to those animals. A peacock had offer to designers a new line in their fashion shows because of the multiple colours that its wings had. Painters also had drawn the most buzzard painting by just seeing a picklock. Tigers are also become an ispiration for designing clothes, bags and shoes. How many bags and shoes are now in the market that is very similar to tiger’s body? Lot.
For all the above reasons that these animals are giving either to us or to other people we are responsible for their existence. By the death of all these creatures the earth will be destroyed. An earth without animals is meaningless.
I am sure that many of us we had a seen a monkey eating with a spoon, a tiger closing it’s one eye by their feet, a sea lion shaking it’s hand and I am sure that we all have said ‘’ this is miracle’’. Miracles that do not only have to do with uniqueness and usefulness, but miracles that comes to give the last stroke in the world’s board. The most mysterious thing is that we are not able to create another animal similar to the animals that we have today. Humans cannot create animal. That’s why we should respect them because is something that is not created by us. Respect not only the uniqueness and the offers that these animals are giving to us but respect the animals as it is. Even a wild animal can be friendly because it feels that is respected. It is amazed watching a tiger acting like a real baby, it is amazed watching an elephant hanging his child with its long trunk and it is sad watching a human destroying those images. As Janette says ‘’animals have always inspired our generations thrilled our spirits and tugged at our heartstrings. It is a partnership that continues as long as humans share space on earth with other living creatures’’ (http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Humans-Love-Animals&id=698934).
That’s why animals are miracles! We must respect them otherwise destroying the nature it will be a revenge for the nature to destroy us.’’ We love to go to zoos to see big animals we’d never see in the wild, from a safe vantage point behind glass or bars’’ and in order to have this opportunity in seeing these animals we have to be able to respect them. (http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Humans-Love-Animals&id=698934).
Respecting not only the peacock, the tiger, the zebra, the giraffe, the elephant and the monkey but all the species starting from the tiny one to the biggest one because an earth without animals IT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

WORKS CITED:
Vince, Janette. ‘’Why humans love animals’’. Ezine articles. 22 Aug.2007. 29 Dec.2009

the crisp at the crossroads revised response essay

As Reyner Banham refers in his essay “The Crisp at the Crossroads”, crisps are among the triumphs of progressive technology. George Crum in 1853 was working as a chef at a restaurant called Cary Moon in Saratoga, New York. George Crum was known that he was bad tempered and so people that dined at the restaurant used to test his temper. Some of them used to send their foods back saying that they weren’t good enough and challenged George Crum to make them even better. One day one of the customers kept sending his French fries back because he said that they were soft and not crunchy enough. The customer sent his French fries back to George Crum three times. And so George made some French fries that were so small and thin that couldn’t even be pierced with a fork. But he never imagined that those crisps would be loved by the customer and not only. People used to ask for them all of the time so George put the French fries on the restaurant’s menu and called them Saratoga crisps. To his surprise the crisps become an everyday habit of people around the world because not long later they were not only served in the restaurants but in supermarkets too.
Firstly crisps were stored in tins but they often were found damp after a while. Later on when airtight bags were invented, crisps started being mass produced by factories and were sent for consuming around the world. At the beginning they started off by Crum in 1853 being thin slices of potatoes that were fried and served with salt as their topping and then they were sold plain and the packet inside included another sachet which had salt in it for those who wanted to add salt as a topping. Moving on the next stage was that the factories produced them “Ready Salted” and now two centuries later are served with – only God knows how many flavors and toppings exist around the world.
Nowadays the crisp companies of each country produce their own special flavors that have to do with the countries region and popularity of a certain flavor or ingredient. For example in Cyprus and Greece oregano is a very popular ingredient that is being used a lot in different foods. So crisps were made in Cyprus and Greece with oregano flavor and are very popular and sell more than any other flavor as in Italy the pizza flavor sells more. Flavors keep on expanding dramatically and there doesn’t seem to be a stop in this whole process because it is profitable for the companies and we keep buying them because they are a cheap snack. It’s a two way situation because both of us; the factories and the people buying them find profit from this situation.
Through the last few years marketing manufacturing and advertising means helped a lot to their promoting and got crisps into our houses literary. The fact that they have an attractive packaging, there are so many flavors, come in “light” packages, and are probably the cheapest snack in the market that can be served for any occasion helped to their promotion. Television commercials also helped a lot to their promotion because they make us unconsciously think that we want to buy them and eat them because they are so good and no one can really deny that. But the important thing is that we are not doing any good to our health by eating them but we also can’t help it because we never get the chance to think about the all the dangers that may cause.
The sense that a small synthetic appetizer, side dish or snack can really be bad for our health never crosses our minds until we give it a good thinking. Even if it does cross our minds some crisps are also labeled as “lights”. Their packages promote the fact that they have less fat, energy, proteins and so on. But for a potato to become a crisp means that it goes through a non-natural process which is to be fried in cooking oil. Each packet of crisps contains at least one to one and a half table spoons cooking oil which is bad for our health if we consume it in large quantities every day and most of the times more than once per day.
Even people who avoid living the modern way of life find their selves in consuming crisps more than the desirable amount that they would have liked to consume. All of us get carried away when it comes to crisps; we get carried away from our desire of a quick snack. Crisps can become a bad habit for one’s health and especially in the times that we live now. Many people spend most of their time sitting on a couch basically doing nothing special, just watching TV and eating junk food because they can’t be bothered to get up and make a decent meal to eat. Crisps have made things even worse for “couch potatoes” health. Crisps can be found in either small convenient packages or big family packs and are easy to carry around with you and that the reason why people eat them as a part of their daily fast food meals.
Crisps are “synthetic” potatoes, which can be a bad habit for one’s health if they are consumed on a daily basis. But on the other hand they are a convenient snack, side dish or appetizer that can be served for many occasions. Next time we are all faced with a packet of crisps in a supermarket we should think twice before buying them because at the end of the day we are not benefited by any way when eating crisps.

Revised essay "Evening Parties"

Human beings are strangers, no one can understand them in society, but only themselves. They give us fake pleasure rather than a physical one. Actors in a play, pretending;or dressing like a bride and groom, showing off; or even starving for food,like dogs. Sally forth at someone’s else expenses nor because they really feel that they want to be there. I see them being conventional with others by trying to do the same things. Hostess or host are not there for them , she or he disappears from the time that all come up. They don’t celebrate hostess birthday or the event that are invited to, but these they think is better for them; wathcing football match; or even playing cards to spend their time. Some things in life are mechanical and ironic enough to make you feel pity for someone. We use our pity to serve others instead of doing what really gives us pleasure. Unconsciously we act as “the others” want our selves and our perception play hide and seek.
There are several kind of parties that you may be invited to, wedding party, anniversary party, birthday party, halloween party, new year’s eve party or an opening party. At one time or another in our lives we will host some sort of dinner party. In order to host a party, you have to select the menu depending on culture, set the table depending on the class of your quests and serve the food when they are ready to eat. Usually the head of the table is the host or hostess and then the others. If you can be invisble and watch the dinner party, you will understand that all are mechanical. Even they way that they are passing food. Firstly, you have to eat the starter, then the main course and at the end the desert. They pass the plates starting from the right to the left. Who said that it has to be in that way? Do they ever try it with the opposite way? No, because they’ve been taught that is has to be like that. Once that I decided to start from the end, the chocolate soufle with vanila ice cream gave me such a sweet taste and I was hungry more than before and then, I ate all my vegetable soup and then the chicken a la crème. I made my own combination which gave a different taste in my meal.
When the appointed date arrives, we believe to be suitable and perfect enough for the party and we dress up depence on the other quests. We are running to buy clothes to be vantage of the night even when you don’t have money for a descent meal;or you borrow clothes from your neighboors. Therefore we clothe ourselves to pleasure ‘’the others’’ not to be comfortable and feel ourself in a way. According to Macaulay’s essay “ if it gives you no pleasure , and if, further, you derive none from listening to the remarks of others, there is no need to converse’’. I totally agree with her, we should do whatever make us feel happy and not pretending, just to be there like a chair, an object with no soul. Wear anything you like, a jean with a white t-shirt; or even wear a dress that costs fifteen euro because you like it but not something expensive that makes you look like a “frick”and doesn’t match you. Be yourself anywhere you go.
Evening parties are prepared to give pleasure to quests and have fun. Hostess preparation for a party is too difficult as hostess is the slave of the kitchen all of the day and expensive indeed. I am convinced that the majority of human beings do not go to parties because he or she respects the hostess but to have a nice diner, or spent his or her time; or even showing off themselves to find a lover and then to get a room. It’s not that the point. We should go to parties, I agree, you can meet other people and have a brief discussion with them but not to get a room after that. Oh, my goodness! Realation-ships are not like that. Good realation ships depend on you, from the first time you will start creating it, if something goes wrong you lost the game.
This is, when you get your posteboard card inscribed with the details of the party, make questions to your self, “Shall I have fun to this?’’ “ I will dance and feel the music?” “It’s better if I stay at home cook pasta and watch discovery channel?”. Seat down to your relaxing chair and think if you prefer to spend your money to go somewhere that you may feel useless,or organize to go out with your friends at a club with a music of your choice. Hopefully as adults we have the opportunity to choose. On the other hand go to the party that you are invited to, and if you realize that you feel like been in a theatre with actors to pretend, attiring rediculous dressers and costums and that you want to shrick, wait until such time as is convenient find the exit door and run away. Don’t let others to play with your perception, your perception is right. Each human being acts differently because no one is the same. The whole world is full of differences and opposites. Open your eyes clearly and you can see what really happens.

Revised Response Essay - "The Sterner Sex".

Response to "The Sterner Sex" by Rebecca West

Throughout history, women are struggling to earn equal rights with men. Societies themselves are build up in an unfair way towards women, something that makes the situation for them even difficult to change. The general mentality of men is that women should not have the same privileges as them, and even some women of older generations seem to have the same belief. This is probably due to the fact that from the moment these women were born, they were taught to be subordinate to men, so that notion seems to be correct for them and they consider it unacceptable to think otherwise. Nowadays, women in most societies are considered by law to be equal to men. But that’s not the case. Unequal treatment of women in Cyprus is a proof for that.

According to a survey, there are less women employed in either the public, semi-government, or private sectors than men. In addition to that, the same survey shows that women are underpaid in relation with their male coworkers. There is a gap of 3.8% in the salaries of the public sector, in the semi-government sector it’s 29.3%, and in the private sector it’s 30.6% (Papadopoulou, online) (My translation). This difference in the salaries can’t be attributed to anything else than the gender of the employees.

Regarding politics, there are less female than male politicians. When governments are formed after elections and each president is about to assign ministers to each ministry, there are more male than female politicians being assigned as ministers. Even in the parliament women are underrepresented. How are women expected to get the majority of votes in the parliament regarding the formation of a new drastic law that favours them, if they are outnumbered?

Women that decide to stay at home and raise their children should be supported much more financially by the governments. Raising children is a difficult and time consuming thing to do. Each of these women has the role of the mother twenty four hours a day, and things are more difficult for working single mothers. Governments should increase the financial support to these women in order to help them, but also as a way to praise them for their contribution to the society.

I believe that the Church of Cyprus is unfair to women regarding the fact that women are not allowed to become priests, and moreover to be candidates for archbishops. A defender of women’s position on that aspect is the Provincial of the Patriarchate of Alexandria Seraphim. He says that the time has probably come for the Orthodox Church to ordain women as priests. Seraphim also asks for the initiation of dialogues at a top-level at the Synod of all Orthodox Churches, so that the Orthodox Church take an official position on the issue of women’s ordainment, like other Churches have already done (Antoniadou, online) (My translation). Seraphim even wondered: “Which are the theological reasons that prevent us from being positive in the matter of women’s ordainment?” (Antoniadou, online) (My translation). I will not go deeper into matters of the Church because my knowledge on the subject is poor but I have the belief that several aspects of it show that it’s biased against women. If the Church that affects the beliefs and way of thinking of many people is biased against women, it’s inevitable for these people to think the same way.

The image that society created for women is the one of a kind, delicate, weak person who needs to be protected. Society’s notion is that at first women are protected by their family, but after that they must get married so that they have a husband to look after them. In the past, when women were mistreated by their husbands or were unhappy, they didn’t ask for divorce because they were afraid of what other people would think, what would happen to the children, and of what would happen to them regarding financial issues. Nowadays, mistreated and unhappy wives tend to ask for divorce more easily than they did in the past, but still some of them choose to stay married. That change of tendency of women towards divorce happens because of some amendments in law. These amendments happened because of women’s attempts to earn them. They happened not a long time ago, and arrange various issues like the custody of the children, and the right of women to claim for property in divorce. The change of society’s and even the Church’s attitude towards divorce also functions positively to the decision of these women to ask for divorce.

Many people, and especially men, may have counter arguments for the issues that are raised in the previous paragraphs. Some of their arguments might be that women do not seek for a job because they prefer to stay at home; that there are not many women in the parliament because women are not very interested in politics; that working single mothers receive alimony from their ex-husbands or receive a satisfactory pension from the government in the case of widows with children; that women should not become priests because “Jesus trusted the spread of His word to the Apostles and later on to their also male successors which are the bishops, the priests and the deacons” (Thrasivoulou, online) (My translation); and that many women get married and after a certain period of time claim for a divorce, because they wish to claim for themselves part of the property that them and their husbands had together after they got married. These arguments, in most of the occasions that each one refers to are not valid or satisfactory enough to explain or justify why things are the way they are today.

Women should be treated more fairly, and additional measures should be taken in their advantage regarding all aspects of their lives. Women are strong because they earned most, if not all of their rights with struggles. Life was harsher for women in the past but they did not abash. They found the strength to oppose to the existing situations and they still do. So, who should be considered as the “Sterner sex”? Men that had all the privileges in their possession from the beginning, or women who fought to earn every single one of them?

Works cited:

Antoniadou, Maria. "Πρόταση για χειροτονία γυναικών (Proposition for ordainment of women)!" Το Βήμα Online (To Vima Online). 28 Jul. 2009. 6 Dec. 2009 <http://www.tovima.gr/default.asp?pid=2&artid=280498&ct=32&dt=28/7/2009>.

Papadopoulou, Antogoni. "Μισθολογικό χάσμα ανδρών και γυναικών (Wage gap between men and women)". Αντιγόνη Παπαδοπούλου (Antigoni Papadopoulou). 7 Oct. 2007. 6 Dec. 2009 <http://www.antigonipapadopoulou.com/articles_details.asp?ID=552>.

Thrasivoulou, Antri. "Μερικά πράγματα είναι δεδομένα και δεν πρέπει να κρίνονται με ανθρώπινα κριτήρια (Some things are granted and should not be judged according to human criteria)". Η Σημερινή (Ι Simerini). 23 Aug. 2009. 6 Dec. 2009 <http://sigmalive.com/simerini/politics/interviews/184225>.

P.S: I would like to apologize to the non-Greek speakers for the use of sources written in Greek, but I couldn't find any relevant ones written in English.

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?”

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?”

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?"

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”.

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.”

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

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.

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

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.