lhazel

The end of Maus was sad, and actually very human of Spiegelman to end the way it did. The story tells of the troubles and woes Vladek faced in the Holocaust, and also as a Holocaust suvivor- but more importantly it faced the issue of change and the realities of new generations coming to terms with the past. Art Spiegelman showed how conflicting it was for him to write these novels; facing the horrors of the holocaust as well as his father's ever judgemental eye. It was interesting to see how Spiegelman continued the story when he told the reader that his father died; at the beginning of chapter two. This was not the end of his novel clearly, and I feel like the reader was also supposed to feel as though the story was unresolved even when Vladek gets out of Auchwitz. It would seem like being free of the camps would mean no longer living in fear- however it was not the case for some time. Vladek wasn't even sure his wife Anja was alive- it wasn't until then that the reader felt like the book must have a better resolution than just surviving. The fact of the tale is that Vladek and Anja both surived this hell; both of Art Spiegelman's parents. They did it together too- which i feel is the most significant part of the story. The last page depicts the final reuniting of Vladek and Anja, after all they had been through.

Spiegelman is foreced to comes to terms with the fact that he himself is not a Holocaust suvivor. Writing this book I feel helped Art gain a better understanding of his father, as well as a better understanding with himself. Spiegelman needed to know and realize that he was on a different path than his father, and even though he didn't survive something like the Holocaust in his life, he is living because his parents did. There is no need to prove himself like he always felt he must from his father; Art's life was merely different than Vladek's- an entirely different culture, a different country, a different time in the world. Dismissing Vladek's past and story however Art knew would be no way for him to understand his father and his family better. I believe the final moral to this story is that a person must live up to their own expectations and set their own goals in life- otherwise how can you really say you're living your own life?

Maus has already turned into something completely different than the comic book i was expecting. I have learned so much history about WWII that i never knew- for instance that as prisoners of war, the Jewish soldiers of the Polish army lived in tents, while the other Polish soldiers lived in actual cabins. It was also interesting to find out that while being a prisoner of war, Vladek was able to send letters to his wife and family- and then received packages of chocolate and cigarettes in exchange for this...I'm not sure if the packages were from home or from the Germans? Whatever the case, Vladek was forced to write of his experience as fine and that he was doing well. He was fed little, just as we have talked about occuring in German Concentration Camps. I've also had a limited perspective on how Poland was throughout WWII; this reading has provided me with much more background on the area during this time. Poland was divided into the Reich and Protectorate lands, where the Germans controlled. There was also the east of Poland which was annexed to Russia. A deep animosity developed between the Polish and the Germans- if the Polish believed they were helping each other, they would go against the Germans. This was a time of much secercy between many people in Poland; no one could be sure that they were safe. Curfews were of course placed on all the Jewish people in the area, and many of the Jews were forced to deal with being publically humiliated and beaten. Being seperated from one's family was not uncommon during this time either. 

Art Spiegelman's format for the graphic novel is very understandable and easy to read. By having his pictures in black and white, the shading he uses to depict certain times of day is simply incredible. One can also truly get a sense of his characters through his pictures and dialouge. Vladek's wife that he remarried to named Mala has lines under her eyes for example, and the reader can tell that she's older and has lived a long life. Picking which scenes to highlight in his pictures doesn't seem to be an issue for Spiegelman either; he transfers the action from one picture to another flawlessly. The reader can also feel the sort of barrier between father in son as Vladek is telling his son his story of war- there is not only a generation barrier but a cultural one as well. The dialoge shows the reader that Vladek's accent is thick and that his english isn't 100%. 

"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy-they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made" (189-188).

Daisy and Tom are essentially getting away in the end of the book, no harm done.They each have caused this complete disaster- their 'carlessness' has finally caught up to them, and in turn has actually killed others. I believe on of the moral questions Fitzgerald wants the reader to think about is whether or not people who don't work their way up in life will actually get anywhere. In this case Tom and Daisy seem to have it all- money at their disposal, no need to work, and 'love'. Nick is a hardworking guy, who doesn't have it all, and who doesn't try to get money in corrupt ways. Does Fitzgerald want us to love Gatsby in the end? Is the book finally called "The Great Gatsby" because Fitzgerald views the life that Gatsby led was great in some way? Its interesting to see how he was one of the few people in this society who worked for his wealth, and yet this still backfired on him. I suppose it was the fact that he didnt work in an honest way for his wealth. But what about Wilson? How is it that this hardworking man of the middle class got what he deserved? It was because Myrtle was intermixed with Tom, and his carelessness, that Wilson ended up dying in the end.

I think Nick understands that Gatsby was sort of a crazy man; a person who wouln't let ANYTHING get in the way of his goal. But Nick is actually the one who admires Gatsby in some way; he makes the reader like him at points. He is the one who cared for Gatsby's body after he died; he stuck with him until the end. He is the one who created the name "Great Gatsby" because he is the narrator. This entire novel discusses the careless and frivolity of the age of moderism- and how for some, it was their end. It allowed for those who didn't have to work, the ones in this superior upper class society to merely do a few things in their lives: drink, party, and cheat. Their non- distractions caused for such an uproar in this time period that this is how much of the society was percevied; lost and empty. 

Vocab:

Redolent (155)-having a pleasant odor; fragrant.

The girl gave had a redolent air about her, like spring flowers.

Humidor (p155)-a container or storage room for cigars or other preparations of tobacco, fitted with means for keeping the tobacco suitably moist.

The man took his friend into the humidor for a smoke, where the best tobacco was kept. 

"'Oh, you want too much!' she cried to Gatsby. "I love you now-isn't that enough?" (139-140) 

Last night I distinctly remember falling asleep with a pained expression on my face. I had just finished the reading, and i was honestly pained by chapter 7. I've come to feel like Daisy in this quote- that Gatsby just might be asking for too much. I think it was the illusion of Gatsby that I had loved so much; not that i dont love him in this book anymore, its just I've been taken back a bit by him. Gatsby was clearly winning over Daisy in this chapter- she even told Tom she was leaving him. How could Gatsby be so stupid and have to push Daisy and Tom's buttons even more? Why did Gatsby have to make Daisy say she never loved Tom? It just seemed unnecessary, espically after he could claim his prize already. HE WAS SO CLOSE to achiving his goal- and then he had to take it a step further. It makes me wonder if Daisy was Gatsby's true goal. Or would he never actually be satisfied until Tom was ripped apart. It's not even that i think Tom is a good person-clearly he isn't. Now that Myrtle is dead I think i even feel sympathy for the man. He has just found out his wife doesn't love him AND his mistress was just killed by the man she's seeing-or so he thinks. 

Before this chapter i felt as though Gatsby was one of the only real people in the story. Now i feel as though Tom is the one who's showing actual emotion- its Gatsby who doesn't even realize that he may have taken the object and goal of his life one step too far. I really need to finish this book I think. I want to love Gatsby again as this mystery man who is secertative and no one really knows about him. I want to beleive that in end somehow Gatsby will redeem himself. Daisy and Tom seem to be working things out again when the chapter ends- I wonder if they are making amends and all of this will be over. 

I suppose that Gastby had to get money, no matter how, to get Daisy to come back to him. I thought for sure Gatsby would be good--. What's so great about Daisy that we've seen anyway? Sure, she's sweet. That's obvious. Her voice-harmonious. Was the one time romance really worth Gatsby's 5 years of suffering? I guess so. How could he be so sure that she loved him the whole time? I guess i just want to know more about Daisy and Gatsby's past. Maybe Fitzgerald is telling us that their love is simply understood. I can't wait to discuss and learn new things in class today--------i need an uplifting here. 

Vocab:

Portentous(p134)- marvelous; amazing; prodigious.

The portentous voice of Jessica Hoover in Once Upon a Matress kept my eyes glued to the stage. 

Vicariously(p138)- taking the place of another person or thing; acting or serving as a substitute.

The boy needed a vicarious person to be his twin on twin day.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  "She was appalled by West Egg, this unprecedented "place" that Broadway had begotten upon a Long Island fishing village-appalled by its raw vigor that chafed under the old euphemisms and by the too obtrusive fate that herded its inhabitants along a short cut from nothing to nothing" (115-114).

Every sentence of Fitzgerald's is so full that its definitly something I have to go back and read over multiple times. I believe this quote's significance is that Daisy didn't like the set up that Gatsby had in West Egg- she wasn't a fan of his party REALLY, and felt confused about why so many others were drawn to it. Perhaps going to Gatsby's party was too much like seeing a mirror image of her life. Maybe she didn't like it because she began to realize her life was going from 'nothing to nothing'. Clearly what Gatsby and Daisy shared was love, unmistakably. It must be jealously that she feels for the women who come to his parties every week. Its said best in the quote:

"Perhaps some unbelievable guest would arrive, a person infinitely rare and to be marvelled at, some authentically radiant young girl who with on fresh glance at Gatsby, one moment of magical encounter, would blot out those five years of unwavering devotion" (115). In this quote we see that Daisy is in fact drawn to go back into the party when she is leaving; but what draws her back in is the fact that someone might arrive who changes Gatsby's feelings toward her.

What the heck is Daisy going to do?? It actually reminds me of "Wuthering Heights"!!!!!!!!!First of all, the creepy way Gatsby is reaches out across the bay with his hand at night to her house on the other side---soooo Heathcliff and Catherine creepy love. AND, while Daisy is probably much sweeter than Catherine, perhaps she has the same wish for Gatsby to never love anyone other than her-even though she herself is married with a child. This is so similar it very much beginning to scare me. Gatsby can't find love with anyone other than Daisy-but will she leave Tom? Or will it be like Catherine in WH and she will stay married and die in that marriage with him?? hmmmm.

 VOCb:

jonquils (p96)-A widely cultivated ornamental plant (Narcissus jonquilla) native chiefly to southern Europe, having long narrow leaves and short-tubed yellow flowers.

When we went to England, my sisters and I found many jonquils in the pastures there. 

euphemisms (p114)- The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.

The euphemism the man used to say that mental retardation was like watching a dog chase its tail was quite rude-and for that he was kicked out. 

"The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music..."(44).

Fitzgerald has created a world in The Great Gatsby that is whimsical and dream-like. He is able to create this world through his long, dramatic, floating sentences, and also through descriptions of actions using colors. The quote above is a perfect example of this, when our narrator descibes the scene at Gatsby's house party wilth 'yellow cocktail music'. To me this emulates and describes the 1920s so well. Its the descriptions like this that the reader is able to truly understand the 1920's, and recognize the kind of time peroid this was. 

Many things have happend in chapters III-IV, the most important of the being that the reader has finally met Gatsby! It is so intereting that he is associated with Daisy the way he is, and that it is apparent they love each other. Nick's initial description of Gatsby as the sort of person who makes you feel special, like your the only person who he's listening to at that moment reminded me of Daisy. And what do you know, THEY LOVE EACH OHTER! I can't understand why it was that Daisy married Tom in the first place- I can't be because he was nice or sweet- he's certainly not. I really don't see how it was one of those stories where Tom had more money and Gatsby didn't, because as anyone can see Gatsby is filthy rich. I am interested to see Daisy reaction if the tea that is planned works out. If the introduction goes well. I also wonder what the heck Nick thinks about Jordan Baker. Clearly he likes her, he even talks about almost loving her. But she's a liar? Maybe even a cheat? She emulates the characteristics of the 1920s perfectly however; she is careless, dresses well, and plays golf as a woman. She defys old tradtions, and is a perfect example of the 1920s.  

 Vocab:

homogeneity (p49)-the quality of being similar or comparable in kind or nature. (Even though the siblings fought, their homogeneity was able to truly shine through because of their relation to one another.)

contralto (p51)-the lowest female voice or voice part, intermediate between soprano and tenor. (The girl was a perfect contralto in the musical- her voice deep and full.)

"Its up to us who are the dominant race to watch out or these other races will have control of things" (17).

In this quote we begin to see that Tom Buchanan's personality does in fact mirrior his image of a harsh, rough person. It is confirmed that this is the case when he breaks the nose of a woman he is having an affiar with. Tom seem to be the sort of character who will have a great effect on Nick; i believe he must represent something greater and harsher in this book than just an actual buff and tough person. I think he mirroir something regarding society- something like the new moderism that is the 1920's. Tom and Myrtle both represent what the change in the times has done to society; the new cool and dismissive aroggance that has overcome so many trying to get away from old traditional values.

So far "The Great Gatsby" has introduced to us the narrator, Nick, who seems to think in a whimsical manner. His thoughts seem like a daze, and are very descriptive. He is a part of this society, and yet can differentiate those people who are just talking for show, and those who are sincere. Nick's cousin Daisy, also Tom's wife, is described as a beautiful flower on many accounts. She is described by Nick as this person of wonder, someone he clearly admires greatly. Is this a bit sketchy for a cousin? I can't tell yet. Nick doesn't appear to be fascinated in the same way with Daisy's friend, Jordan Baker. He does enjoy 'looking at her' but one can see that he is aware of her high place in society, as well as her shrewd manner towards him. She seems to be above it all, but maybe thats just because she is a celebrity. I'm still trying to figure out who the main heroine in this book will be, or at least the lead female role. I can gather that Gatsby will become a major player soon; so maybe it will just be the lives of Nick and Gatsby that Fitzgerald leads us on. 

I found the cover quite fascinating of my book because its these great eyes looking down on this glammed up place. Right now I think this represents socitey's glamour and shows that, but it also depicts the true loniliness that could be felt during this time; the superficical manner that the 1920's personified. The eyes looking down on society represent how it was possible to feel so distant from this. Gatsby himself lives on the less nice looking end of NYC, the 'west egg' end. However he has a mansion. Why?? Is he lonely??

 Vocab:

Levity (p5) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/levity

The sense of levity in the classroom had vanished when the teacher glared at the students. 

Supercilious (p11) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/supercilious

The man gave a supercilious expression when he discovered he would be working below the vice president. 

I am definitely interested in reasearching a paper about Hemingway; I would love to have an interesting topic on him however. I know that i really enjoy his style of writing; its the clues he leaves for the reader to discover things that i find so fascinating. Maybe comparing other Moderist writers of the time? Were there none? Or Moderism vs. Realism, because i found that HEmingway's AFA had many realistic traits to it. This kind of topic could easily get into the analysis aspect of paper, which is not what i want; i want something i can research and give cold hard facts about!!

Another idea I had was maybe reseaching other American writers along with Hemingway, who wrote on WWI. I would love to see the different aspects or generalalties of war that they took out of their experiences. Maybe some of them didn't have first hand experiences. Would i have to keep it limited to just writers on WWI? I'll have to do some researching for names and figure out a few. This topic seems more researchable, and not so opinion based. I would love to do something on Hemingway's writing style itself, but I'm just not sure how to go about that.